Sports
Wenger reveals Man U job offer and why Arsenal rejected Guardiola …says ‘I’ll return to Arsenal one day
Arsene Wenger has revealed he was once offered the Manchester United job – and the chance to sign Pep Guardiola at Arsenal.
He also says he is ready to return to Arsenal “one day”, having not set foot in Emirates Stadium since leaving two years ago.
Wenger, 70, stepped down in May 2018 after helping the Gunners win three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups during his 22 years in charge.
The Gunners legend is now working as FIFA’s Head of Global Development, with a managerial career spanning four decades to reflect on.
Towards the end of his Arsenal tenure and since his exit, Wenger was linked with a return to France to take over at Paris Saint-Germain, but it wasn’t the only high-profile job he turned down.
“I was offered that job (PSG) a few times,” Wenger said in a lengthy interview with The Times.
He also confirmed he had the chance to take over at Old Trafford – but he wouldn’t reveal when.
“I don’t tell you that,” Wenger said. “But I can tell you Man Utd offered me the job.”
“Ah, we had some good battles,” he added on former adversary Sir Alex Ferguson. “He’s an intelligent man. You don’t have a career like this guy if you’re stupid.”
Wenger never took up residence in Manchester but one man who did was City boss Guardiola. Had things worked out differently, he might have joined Wenger in north London during his playing days.
“When Guardiola was still a player, he came to my home to ask to play for Arsenal,” Wenger said. “At the time I had [Patrick] Vieira. I had Gilberto Silva. I couldn’t take him.”
While Guardiola never got the chance to be Wenger’s protege, City starlet Phil Foden is now developing under the Catalan at the Etihad.
Wenger says he watched Foden in England’s recent 1-0 victory over Iceland, and he wants to see him given more opportunities despite a turgid game.
“It was bad. I’ve seen so many good players not doing well for England. They’re scared to play.
“Phil Foden is a guy with big quality, but at the moment he has not made it. He hasn’t played enough at Manchester City. You need about 100 games to know your job in the Premier League.
“I follow every English game on television. It’s my league. You don’t need to come from a special school to know Bayern Munich will win the championship in Germany, that Juventus will win it in Italy, that PSG will win it in France.
“England is still the most unpredictable league in Europe, even if last year was not a good year and English teams didn’t do well in Europe.”
Meanwhile, Wenger says he is ready to return to the club “one day”.
He has been invited back since, but says it was best to “cut completely” from the club after his departure.
“I thought it’s better to follow from a distance,” he told The Times.
Wenger says his exit from Arsenal was a “very lonely, very painful” separation and he currently has “no connection at all with the club”.
That is in contrast to another of the Premier League’s long-serving managers, Sir Alex Ferguson, who was offered a seat on the Manchester United board when he retired from management in 2013.
Wenger said he did not know why he had not been offered a role with the north London club, but would have accepted it had he been given the opportunity.
“I always said I would still play a part in the club, but I could understand that at the start it’s better that we take a complete distance,” he said.
Wenger previously stated he wanted to return to management in early 2019, but instead took up a role as FIFA’s job in November of that year.
Having spent some time away from the dugout, he now admits he’s “not sure” if he will manage a club again,
“For 40 years I did only that every day in my life,” he said. “[Now I am] Making some sport. Visiting my family and friends. Holidays. Reading a lot. Enjoying life but in a sensible way, because I’m a little bit drilled by 30, 40 years of discipline, you know?”
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Sports
Ronaldo Fires Al Nassr to Crucial Win Over Al Ahli
Ronaldo Fires Al Nassr to Crucial Win Over Al Ahli
Cristiano Ronaldo once again delivered in decisive fashion as Al Nassr moved to the brink of the Saudi Pro League title with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Al Ahli on Wednesday night, strengthening their grip at the top of the table as the season enters its final stretch.
The match remained tightly contested for much of the evening, with Al Ahli putting up a disciplined defensive display that frustrated the league leaders in the first half.
However, Ronaldo broke the deadlock in the 75th minute, rising highest to meet a perfectly delivered corner from João Félix before guiding a powerful header past former Chelsea goalkeeper Édouard Mendy.
The goal, his 25th league strike of the season, once again highlighted his continued dominance in Saudi football and his ability to decide high-pressure matches.
Al Ahli’s resistance finally collapsed after sustained pressure, and Al Nassr sealed the victory deep into stoppage time when Kingsley Coman finished clinically from close range following a chaotic set-piece situation inside the box.
The result extended Al Nassr’s impressive winning streak to 20 consecutive victories across all competitions, including 16 straight wins in the league, putting them firmly in control of the title race with only a handful of matches remaining.
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Ronaldo’s latest goal also took his overall career tally to 970 goals for club and country, further cementing his status as one of football’s most prolific scorers in history.
The Portuguese captain has now scored nine goals in his last nine appearances, maintaining strong form at a crucial stage of the season while also competing for the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot.
Since joining Al Nassr, Ronaldo has remained the focal point of the team’s attacking system, providing leadership, experience, and consistent goal output in both domestic and continental competitions.
The victory has significantly boosted confidence within the squad as they edge closer to what could be a landmark league triumph, although mathematical confirmation of the title is still pending depending on results from rivals.
Supporters have praised the team’s consistency and attacking strength, with many pointing to Ronaldo’s influence as the defining factor in their title push.
With just a few games left, Al Nassr now sit in a commanding position, and their fate remains firmly in their own hands as they aim to secure the championship.
Ronaldo Fires Al Nassr to Crucial Win Over Al Ahli
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Sports
Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury Fight Deal Confirmed, Eddie Hearn Reveals
Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury Fight Deal Confirmed, Eddie Hearn Reveals
The long-awaited heavyweight showdown between British boxing stars Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury is finally moving closer to reality after promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed that a fight agreement has been reached.
Hearn revealed that the deal for the blockbuster clash has been “signed, sealed and delivered,” ending years of speculation, failed negotiations, and repeated attempts to stage one of the biggest fights in boxing history.
However, Joshua is expected to take a tune-up fight before facing Fury. The 36-year-old will return to action on July 25 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he is scheduled to fight Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga.
Joshua has been away from full competition since December, when he fought Jake Paul in an exhibition-style bout. His time away from the ring was also marked by a tragic road accident in Nigeria involving his driver, which claimed the lives of two members of his entourage. Joshua has described his return as part of a rebuilding process aimed at preparing him for bigger challenges ahead.
The British-Nigerian boxer said the upcoming fights represent an important step in his comeback journey, stressing that he is focused on regaining full competitive form before stepping into a major showdown.
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The rivalry between Joshua and Fury has dominated global boxing discussions for years, with both fighters carrying British boxing on the world stage as two-time heavyweight champions. Fury, 37, recently returned to winning form against Arslanbek Makhmudov and used the opportunity to once again call out Joshua, increasing pressure for the long-awaited fight.
Reports suggest Fury’s team had already signed their portion of the agreement and were waiting for Joshua’s confirmation, which has now reportedly been completed, bringing the fight significantly closer.
Although the deal has been agreed in principle, the official date and venue for the Joshua vs Fury fight have not yet been announced. Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and the United States remain the leading options, with Riyadh currently seen as the most likely destination due to its growing role in hosting major boxing events.
Promoter Eddie Hearn has also suggested the fight could take place in late 2026 and may be broadcast globally on major streaming platforms, including Netflix, potentially making it one of the most commercially significant boxing events ever staged.
Before facing Fury, Joshua will take on unbeaten Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga, who boasts 20 knockout wins from 21 fights. While not considered a top-tier opponent, the bout is seen as a necessary warm-up to prepare Joshua for the intensity of a heavyweight super-fight.
Boxing analysts say the long-awaited clash represents a historic moment for the sport, bringing together Joshua’s explosive power and technical precision against Fury’s movement, defensive skills, and ring intelligence. Fans around the world have waited nearly a decade for the fight, widely regarded as the biggest all-British heavyweight showdown of the modern era.
Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury Fight Deal Confirmed, Eddie Hearn Reveals
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Sports
Fernández Sends Chelsea Into FA Cup Final With Win Over Leeds
Fernández Sends Chelsea Into FA Cup Final With Win Over Leeds
Chelsea F.C. booked their place in the FA Cup final after a narrow 1-0 victory over Leeds United F.C. at Wembley, with Enzo Fernández’s first-half header proving decisive in a tightly contested semi-final.
The win ensures Chelsea will face Manchester City F.C. in the final on 16 May, as they aim to end a recent run of defeats in FA Cup finals and secure a major trophy to cap their campaign.
Chelsea made a strong start despite recent off-field changes, with Calum McFarlane taking interim charge until the end of the season following Liam Rosenior’s departure after just 106 days in charge. The result marked a positive beginning to his spell as caretaker manager.
Leeds United, managed by Daniel Farke, started the brighter of the two sides and came close to an early lead. Brenden Aaronson broke through after a clever touch from Dominic Calvert-Lewin, but Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez produced a crucial save with his legs to keep the scores level.
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That miss proved costly, as Chelsea struck first in the 23rd minute. Pedro Neto delivered a precise cross into the box, where Enzo Fernández rose highest to power a header past Lucas Perri, giving Chelsea the advantage.
Chelsea grew into the game after taking the lead, with João Pedro coming close to doubling their advantage when he struck the post in the first half. Despite their dominance in spells, Leeds remained dangerous on the counterattack.
After the break, Leeds pushed harder for an equaliser and almost found it immediately when substitute Anton Stach forced a strong save from Sánchez just seconds after coming on. Moments later, Dominic Calvert-Lewin missed a golden opportunity, heading straight at the Chelsea goalkeeper from close range.
The match remained tense in the closing stages as Leeds continued to press, but Chelsea’s defence held firm to secure their place in the final.
The result ends Leeds’ hopes of reaching their first FA Cup final since 1973, when they lost to Sunderland, while Chelsea move one step closer to ending their recent struggles in the competition after losing their last three FA Cup finals.
Attention now turns to a high-profile final against Manchester City, setting up another major showdown between two of England’s strongest sides.
Fernández Sends Chelsea Into FA Cup Final With Win Over Leeds
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