Sports
Birmingham sack Wayne Rooney few months after appointment
Wayne Rooney has been sacked as manager of Birmingham City.
Birmingham City Football Club disclosed this in a statement released on Tuesday and posted on its official website.
The club said Rooney was sacked following his failure to meet expectations.
The statement read, “Birmingham City has today parted company with Manager, Wayne Rooney, and First Team Coach, Carl Robinson.
“Despite their best efforts, results have not met the expectations that were made clear at the outset. Therefore, the Board feels that a change in management is in the best interests of the Football Club.
“The Club’s Board and management are fully aligned and will continue to drive transformation and take bold steps to rebuild Birmingham City into the organisation its fans and community deserve.
“The Board would like to place on record their sincere thanks to Wayne and Carl for all of their efforts.”
On his part, the Chief Executive Officer, Garry Cook, said, “We are committed to doing what is necessary to bring success to St. Andrew’s.
“Unfortunately, Wayne’s time with us did not go as planned and we have decided to move in a different direction.
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“The search for a successor begins with immediate effect and we will update supporters when we have further news.”
The cloud, however, disclosed that the Professional Development Coach, Steve Spooner, “will assume responsibility for Men’s First Team matters on an interim basis. The remaining coaching staff will be required to continue with their duties to assist Spooner.”
The Manchester United and England all-time scorer was named as Blues boss back in October, replacing John Eustace as boss.
Since then, Rooney won just two of his 15 Championship matches at the helm, with the club slipping from sixth to 20th in the table.
Rooney, 38, was appointed when Birmingham were in a promotion play-off spot, having collected 18 points from their opening 11 Championship matches.
Pressure had been building on Rooney with Leeds supporters singing ‘you’re getting sacked in the morning’ during the 3-0 defeat at Elland Road on Sunday.
Now the Manchester United and England legend has been dismissed, with official confirmation expected later on Tuesday.
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In October, Rooney was handed a three-year deal by Birmingham, following the takeover of the club by American-based Shelby Companies Limited.
Co-owner and chairman Tom Wagner said at the time of his appointment, “Wayne is a born winner.
“We believe, with the support of his coaching staff, the club, and our supporters, he will take Blues forward on the next stage of our journey.
“His playing philosophy will help to realise the ambitions we have set for Birmingham City.
“Wayne has been preparing for an opportunity like this since he embarked on his coaching education whilst still a player at Manchester United.
“He and his staff have the full support of the board and everyone at the football club.”
But Rooney, who has previously managed Derby and DC United, has lasted less than three months.
He won only two of his 15 games in charge, conceding 30 goals in the process, as Birmingham have plunged down the table.
Birmingham sack Wayne Rooney few months after appointment
Sports
Lionel Messi’s napkin contract sells for £762,400
Lionel Messi’s napkin contract sells for £762,400
The napkin on which Barcelona agreed to sign 13-year-old Lionel Messi was sold in an auction for £762,400.
The beginning price was £300,000 for the ‘standard Spanish waxy napkin’, which measures 16.5 x 16.5cm and is laminated and framed.
The serviette, written in blue ink in December 2000, contains a vow from ex-Barcelona director Carles Rexach to sign Messi.
It was also signed by Josep Minguella, the Spanish club’s transfer adviser, and agency Horacio Gaggioli, who recommended the Argentine teenager.
On Gaggioli’s behalf, London-based Bonhams held an online auction for the blue-ink serviette.
Messi joined Barcelona a month after the purchase was agreed upon and went on to become the club’s all-time leading goalscorer, with many considering him the greatest player in history.
He made his first-team debut at the age of 16 and went on to score a club record 672 goals in 778 games for Barcelona. Messi won ten La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues with Barcelona before moving to Paris St-Germain in 2021; the 36-year-old World Cup winner now plays for Inter Miami.
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The serviette was signed during a meeting arranged by Rexach, who brought Messi’s father Jorge to lunch after the Messi family expressed worries about Barcelona’s lack of responsiveness following the teenager’s initial trial.
Translated into English, it reads: “In Barcelona, on December 14, 2000, and in the presence of Messrs.
“Minguella and Horacio, Carles Rexach, FC Barcelona’s sporting director, hereby agrees, under his responsibility and regardless of any dissenting opinions, to sign the player Lionel Messi, provided that we keep to the amounts agreed upon.”
Ian Ehling, head of fine books and manuscripts at Bonhams New York, said: “Since the sale was first announced, it has captured international attention, and fans all over the world have anticipated this day.
“What a wonderful result for one of the most thrilling items I have ever handled. Yes, it’s a paper napkin, but it’s the famous napkin that was at the inception of Lionel Messi’s career.
“It changed the life of Messi, the future of FC Barcelona, and was instrumental in giving some of the most glorious moments of football to billions of fans around the globe.”
Bonhams mentioned that “allegations concerning the ownership of the napkin were raised in March but have not been substantiated and appear from recent press comments to have been retracted.”.
The auction house adds, “The consignor of the napkin has received a legal opinion that confirms to them that they have clear title and the right to sell the napkin under Spanish law, and the seller gives a full warranty of title with the sale.”
Lionel Messi’s napkin contract sells for £762,400
Sports
Referee saved Fury from knock-out in Round 9, says Usyk’s promoter
Referee saved Fury from knock-out in Round 9, says Usyk’s promoter
Oleksandr Usyk’s promoter, Alexander Krassyuk believes the victory should have come earlier than it did as the fight didn’t have to go past the ninth round.
Fury was saved by the ropes, and then the bell after a flurry of punches from Usyk almost sent him to the canvas.
“I am exhausted. I was cheering and backing Usyk the whole fight. No disrespect to the referee but he stole the KO. That’s my opinion. It was a tremendous performance.” Krassyuk told DAZN.
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Usyk, however, did enough at the end of 12 Rounds to earn a split decision victory.
Two judges scored in his favour – 115-113 and 114-113 with the other giving it to Fury at 114-113.
Referee saved Fury from knock-out in Round 9, says Usyk’s promoter
Sports
Ronaldo tops Forbes, earning twice as much as Messi
Ronaldo tops Forbes, earning twice as much as Messi
Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has topped Forbes’s global list of highest-paid athletes, earning $260 million in the past 12 months, twice as much as his rival Lionel Messi.
Ronaldo became the highest-paid athlete after moving to Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. The 39-year-old star’s earnings include a $200 million fixed salary and $60 million from sponsorship deals, thanks to his massive social media following.
In contrast, Messi, who moved to Inter Miami in the MLS, earned $135 million, placing him third on the list. This includes $65 million in salary and $70 million from sponsorships with brands like Adidas and Apple.
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Golfer Jon Rahm is second on the list, earning $218 million after joining the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s tournament system.
The top five also include NBA stars LeBron James ($128.2 million) and Giannis Antetokounmpo ($111 million). Other notable athletes include Kylian Mbappe ($110 million), Neymar ($108 million), Karim Benzema ($106 million), Steph Curry, and Lamar Jackson (both $100.5 million).
Overall, the 50 highest-paid athletes earned $3.88 billion over the past year, with the NBA contributing the most athletes to the list. The earnings highlight a generational shift, with many long-time top earners retiring or nearing the end of their careers.
Ronaldo tops Forbes, earning twice as much as Messi
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