Category Uncategorized

Kalis strikes a blow for Tier 2 as T20 County Cup heads towards its final rounds

ESPNcricinfo staff17-May-2025

Sterre Kalis produced a key innings to power Yorkshire•SWPix / YorkshireCCC

Sterre Kalis drove the agenda for Yorkshire with 83 not out to beat their Tier 1 opponents Essex by 11 runs and secure a place in the quarter-finals of the Vitality County T20 Cup.Kalis, the Netherlands international, was in imperious touch, hitting 14 fours and one leg-side six in Yorkshire’s total of 188 for 4 in 20 overs.Maddy Ward chipped in with a senior-best score of 43, as the pair shared an unbroken fifth-wicket partnership of 113 in the last 10.4 overs of the home innings.Essex’s bowlers failed to build any pressure, and their batters rarely looked like reeling in the target as Yorkshire made it six wins from six matches across all competitions.The Eagles finished on 177 for 8, with Beth Langston successfully defending 20 runs off the last over.Yorkshire will host either Devon or Warwickshire at Weetwood next Saturday afternoon in the last eight of a competition billed as the FA Cup of county cricket.Durham secured their own place in the last eight in thrilling style at Exmouth on Friday evening, beating Somerset in a Super Over after both teams posted 124 for 9 in their original 20 overs.Going into the final over of the contest, Somerset needed three runs with one wicket in hand. Katherine Fraser served up five dot-balls before Alex Griffiths scrambled two from the final ball to level the scores.Heather Knight then cracked the first ball of the Super Over for four off Mady Villiers, but after taking a single, Rebecca Odgers was stumped third ball, and when Knight went the same way, the final target was nine. Charlie Dean’s first two balls in reply were thumped for four by Bess Heath, and there was no way back from there.Surrey got the better of Hampshire in a compelling tussle at Beckenham, with Kira Chathli making 95 from 47 balls and Alice Capsey an unbeaten 89 from 45 in Surrey’s imposing 237 for 7. In reply, Maia Bouchier – newly dropped by England – made 53 from 29 balls but lacked support as Hampshire finished on 180 for 9.Kent continued their determined march through the draw, beating Cambridgeshire by 80 runs after posting 193 for 2 in their 20 overs, while The Blaze crushed Oxfordshire by ten wickets after bowling them out for 97.In Saturday’s other tie, Leicestershire had the better of a Midlands tussle with Northamptonshire at Wantage Road, winning by 41 runs after a key innings of 52 from 39 balls by Francesca Sweet.On Sunday, Warwickshire confirmed their place in the last eight by holding off Devon at Budleigh Salterton. After opting to bat first, the Tier 1 side were kept to 136 for 8, Bethan Ellis top-scoring with 37 off 35 balls. In reply, Devon could only muster 98 for 4, despite an unbeaten 51 off 60 from opener Elle Golsworthy.

Sussex 435 (Haines 174, Alsop 63, Hughes 62, Atkinson 4-120) and 132 for 0 (Haines 69*) drew with Surrey 490 (Lawrence 117, Pope 103, Sibley 82, Foakes 60, Coles 5-108)Champions Surrey are still looking for the first win of the season in the Rothesay County Championship after they drew with Sussex at Hove.Surrey’s hopes of putting pressure on their hosts on the final day evaporated when they lost their last seven wickets for 100 runs in the morning session.They still took a first-innings lead of 55 after being dismissed for 490, but Tom Haines followed his first-innings 174 with an unbeaten 69 (nine fours) and Dan Hughes contributed 49 to an unbroken first-wicket stand of 132. Haines took his aggregate for the season to 449 and is averaging 89.80.Surrey needed early wickets to put pressure back on Sussex but the openers wiped out the arrears in the 17th over, by which time Surrey had to employ spin at both ends because of the poor light with skipper Rory Burns bowling three overs and Dan Worrall and Dom Sibley sending down some exploratory legbreaks.Bad light stopped play at 3.25pm and there was never any chance that the players would return. In the end the loss of 83 overs during the first three days to bad weather and a pitch which hardly deteriorated ended up frustrating both teams. Surrey took 15 points and Sussex 14 and both sides remain unbeaten after three matches.Surrey began the day on 390 for 3 with ambitions to go past Sussex’s 435 and make it an awkward second innings for their hosts.But they lost momentum straight away. Ollie Robinson’s third ball of the day stopped in the pitch and Dan Lawrence gave midwicket an easy catch without adding to his 107, which came off 111 balls with ten fours and a six.Robinson settled into a probing spell of 11-2-42-1 and Jayden Seales gave good support on a pitch that offered more seam movement than had been evident in the previous two days under low cloud cover and with the floodlights in use. And after conceding 162 runs during the afternoon session on the third day and incurring the wrath of coach Paul Farbrace, Sussex were much more disciplined in the field.Seales bowled at decent pace from the Sea End and was rewarded with wickets in successive overs. Ben Foakes fenced at a ball of good length for 60 then Ryan Patel fatally chased a widish one.Left-arm spinner James Coles finished things off with the last four wickets. Jordan Clark heaved across the line before the left-arm spinner picked up the final three wickets in six balls.Atkinson inside-edged a full toss on to his off stump, Matthew Fisher was bowled trying to guide his second delivery down to third man and Coles completed his maiden five-for when he fired one down the leg side and Ollie Sykes got a thin edge to John Simpson, who took his fourth catch of the innings to ensure Sussex took maximum bowling points, an unlikely outcome at the start of the day.

Manchester City will hope to ride the crest of a wave as they plot a route into the Premier League race, and the Citizens may also be preparing for a fight with Liverpool to sign a lucrative international at zero cost.

Manchester City look to kick on after derby victory

The Etihad Stadium paid witness to some raucous scenes last weekend as Manchester City swept aside Manchester United to move within six points of Liverpool at the top of the table.

Before the match, Erling Haaland urged his new teammates to take on added responsibility after a busy transfer window that saw his side lose a number of influential figures. When it mattered, they all stepped up to deliver a stirring display.

Speaking after his side recorded a convincing triumph, Pep Guardiola reserved special praise for his Norwegian talisman and homegrown hero Phil Foden, who both got themselves on the scoresheet.

Starting with Haaland, the former Barcelona manager said: “Erling has been incredible since the start but this season he is better than ever. I would say better than the Treble year. He’s dynamic and I don’t judge him for the clearance, we want him to score goals and to help us.”

Later, he added on Foden: “We missed him so much and the season before he was the best player in the Premier League so we need him, he has a work ethic. Phil is the core, the heart of the club, from the academy and he loves City. To have him back is good news.”

With 2026 not too far in the distance, Manchester City are set to block interest from Al Nassr in a £112 million move for Phil Foden, and they now have their eye on one of his international teammates.

Man City ready to up the ante to land Marc Guehi in 2026

According to The Mirror, Manchester City are huge admirers of Marc Guehi, planning a move and will throw everything at landing him on a free transfer in 2026, with Crystal Palace unwilling to sanction his exit in the January window.

Despite Liverpool’s well-documented interest in the former Chelsea man alongside Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Juventus, the Citizens are hopeful they can secure his services without having to pay a transfer fee, teeing up the saga of next summer.

Man City brewing homegrown Guehi in "one of the most talented teen CBs"

Manchester City could be brewing their homegrown Marc Guehi with this talented centre-back.

ByKelan Sarson Sep 14, 2025

Labelled a “monster in defence” by Bobby Manzi, Guehi has handled himself exceptionally well despite being at the centre of a failed move to Anfield on Deadline Day, even scoring once in seven appearances across all competitions.

Guardiola’s backline has been altered following the departures of Manuel Akanji and Kyle Walker, and there may be more movement to come as they step up their efforts to land Guehi.

It remains to be seen who will win the battle for his signature, with Barca and Real described as ready to move. But regardless, Manchester City seem ready to go all-in given the lucrative possibility of signing a reliable Premier League performer.

حرص عدد من نجوم الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي الأهلي، على زيارة حسن شحاتة، المدير الفني السابق لمنتخب مصر.

ويمر حسن شحاتة، بوعكة صحية خلال الفترة الحالية، ويتواجد لمتابعة حالته الصحية في أحد المستشفيات الخاصة.

طالع.. “لم يأتِ من فراغ”.. كيف علق حسن شحاتة على تأهل منتخب مصر إلى كأس العالم 2026؟

وكتبت الصفحة الرسمية للنادي الأهلي، عبر “فيس بوك”: “الكابتن وليد صلاح الدين والكابتن عماد النحاس واللاعبون؛ حسين الشحات وطاهر محمد طاهر وأحمد عبدالقادر وعمر كمال، نيابة عن زملائهم يزورون الكابتن حسن شحاتة ويطمئنون على صحته.. كابتن حسن.. سلامتك”.

وأهدى نجوم الأهلي، حسن شحاتة، قميص القلعة الحمراء وعليه اسمه ورقم 14 التاريخي الذي ارتداه طواله مسيرته مع الزمالك.

ويعد شحاتة مدربًا تاريخيًا لـ منتخب مصر حيث قاد الفراعنة للتتويج بكأس أمم إفريقيا لثلاث مرات على التوالي، في الفترة ما بين 2006 إلى 2011.

Glasgow Rangers are back in action in the Champions League again this evening as they prepare to take on Viktoria Plzen in the first leg of their third-round qualifier at Ibrox.

The Light Blues will once again be without summer signing Thelo Aasgaard, who has yet to make his debut for the club, after Russell Martin confirmed that he is out injured, alongside Moroccan forward Hamza Igamane.

Signed from Luton Town last month, the Norway international has been injured for all three of the club’s competitive games so far this season, with tonight being the fourth match that he will miss.

There is a new signing who could make his debut for the Scottish Premiership giants this evening, though, as Oliver Antman has arrived on a permanent deal from Go Ahead Eagles.

Rangers have reportedly agreed a deal worth up to £4m to bring the Finland international to Ibrox, but what can supporters expect from the right-sided attacker?

What Oliver Antman could bring to Rangers

The 23-year-old forward is a creative and forward-thinking player who constantly looks to open up the opposition’s defence to create high-quality chances for his teammates.

Sporting director Kevin Thelwell described him as an “exciting talent who has demonstrated great technical ability and maturity at a young age”, which is backed up by his form for Go Ahead Eagles in the Eredivisie last season.

The Finnish wing wizard ended the season with a return of seven goals and 17 assists in all competitions for the Dutch side. It does not take a genius to work out what his main strength is as a player from that haul of goal contributions; he’s a creator.

24/25 Eredivisie	Oliver Antman
Starts	28
Goals	6
Key passes per game	1.6
Big chances created	16
xA	6.54
Assists	15
Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Antman created 16 ‘big chances’ in just 28 starts in the Eredivisie for Go Ahead Eagles last term, which suggests that he could be an incredibly creative force for Martin on the right wing with his deliveries into the box.

However, the winger also only managed six goals from 6.99 xG in those 28 starts. This suggests that Gers supporters should expect a few big misses in front of goal from the forward, who has not proven himself to be clinical with the chances that come his way.

It is also worth noting that Antman is coming over from the Dutch top-flight and has not experienced Scottish football before, which means that there is no guarantee that he can translate his performances over to the Premiership.

If he can adapt to the country and the league, though, then Rangers will have an exciting winger who could create plenty of chances for the team this season.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

The Light Blues, however, could land an even bigger signing for the team than Antman by signing a proven Premiership performer who could come in and hit the ground running at Ibrox.

Rangers have been linked with an interest in Girona centre-forward Bojan Miovski, who left Aberdeen to move to Spain for a reported fee of £7m last year, and the Macedonia international would come in as a terrific addition to the squad if they could get a deal over the line.

Why Rangers should sign Bojan Miovski

Martin and Thelwell should push to bring the left-footed number nine back to Scotland and the Premiership before the end of the summer transfer window at the start of September.

This is because Miovski is a proven star who has been there and done it over multiple seasons in the Scottish top-flight, which means that he would not be a risky signing like Antman, who may or may not adapt to the league.

The 26-year-old star only managed four goals in 22 matches for Girona in all competitions during the 2024/25 campaign, but his form in the previous two seasons with Aberdeen is what the Gers should be focused on.

Miovski scored 44 goals in 98 matches in all competitions for the Dons during his two-year spell at the club, which is an impressive return that works out at just under a goal every other game.

The £7m-rated centre-forward also proved himself in the biggest games in Scotland. He scored four goals in nine matches against Rangers and three goals in seven outings against Celtic in those two seasons, which shows that the forward stepped up to produce quality against the top two teams in the division.

Miovski has been there and done it against the two Old Firm clubs and has shown that he can deliver in the biggest games, hence why he would be such a huge signing for Rangers.

Cyriel Dessers has only scored two goals in ten games against Celtic for Rangers, compared to the former Aberdeen star’s return of three in seven against the Hoops, which suggests that Martin could increase his side’s chances of winning the Old Firm clashes by signing the Girona forward.

Miovski (Premiership)	22/23	23/24
xG	15.60	17.08
xG on target	18.36	17.60
Goals	16	16
Shots on target	36	44
Chances created	27	23
Assists	2	2
Stats via FotMob

As you can see in the table above, Miovski scored 32 goals in two Premiership seasons with the Dons, and he could have scored even more if opposition goalkeepers had not been in top form.

His xG on target (the xG value of the quality of shot taken) was higher than his xG in both campaigns, which essentially means that the quality of his attempts on goal outweighed the quality of chances that were created for him.

This suggests that Miovski, who was once dubbed a “complete number 9” by journalist Josh Bunting, is a ruthless and clinical striker who can more than make the most of the chances that come his way.

All of this put together is why the Macedonia international would be an even bigger signing for Rangers than Antman, because he is a Premiership and Celtic proven goalscorer who can hit the ground running as an instant star.

Rangers could unlock Gassama's full potential in move for "offensive" star

Glasgow Rangers could unlock Djeidi Gassama’s full potential in a move for this star.

By
Dan Emery

Aug 5, 2025

Antman may need time to adapt to the league and the culture in Scotland, and there is no guarantee that he will be able to do that, which is why he is a far riskier signing who may not be able to bring the level of quality that Miovski would guarantee.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar emerged as the most expensive player sold in the early bidding on day two of the IPL 2025 auction in Jeddah, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) buying him for INR 10.75 crore (US$ 1.28 million approx.).Fast bowlers were in high demand with Deepak Chahar going to Mumbai Indians (MI) for INR 9.25 crore ($1.10 million approx.), Akash Deep to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for INR 8 crore ($0.95 million approx.), Mukesh Kumar to Delhi Capitals (DC) for INR 8 crore ($0.95 million approx.), pace-bowling allrounder Marco Jansen to Punjab Kings (PBKS) for INR 7 crore ($0.83 million approx.), and Tushar Deshpande to Rajasthan Royals (RR) for INR 6.50 crore ($0.77 million approx.).RCB and RR also went up against each other for Indian spin allrounders, with RCB snapping up Krunal Pandya for INR 5.75 crore ($0.68 million approx.)and RR getting Nitish Rana for INR 4.20 crore ($0.50 million approx.).Related

• The surprises: No takers for Warner, Thakur

• Suryavanshi becomes youngest IPL player at 13

• Who is Priyansh Arya, PBKS' new big buy?

A large number of players were unsold in the early bidding, including established IPL names like Shardul Thakur, Kane Williamson and Ajinkya Rahane. There were no takers for Prithvi Shaw either, despite his base price being only INR 75 lakh. On day one, David Warner and Jonny Bairstow were among the high-profile players to go unsold.Records were broken on day one of the IPL 2025 auction in Jeddah, when PBKS first bought Shreyas Iyer for INR 26.75 crore and then LSG bought Rishabh Pant for INR 27 crore, making them the most expensive players in the history of the league.

Kylian Mbappe has revealed that he could have taken a very different path in his career, with the Real Madrid forward admitting that Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig all made attempts to sign him while he was still at Monaco. The French superstar, who eventually joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2017, has now reflected on those early approaches.

Mbappe reveals Bayern, Dortmund and Leipzig interestFrench star eventually chose Paris Saint-Germain moveMbappe now chasing glory with Real Madrid in SpainFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Mbappe was one of Europe’s most sought-after teenagers during his rise at AS Monaco, where he played a key role in the club’s Ligue 1 triumph and Champions League semi-final run in 2017. He eventually moved to Paris Saint-Germain, initially on loan, before completing a €180 million transfer in 2018. However, before that historic deal, Bundesliga clubs had already tried to tempt him away from France, as revealed from the horse's mouth.

AdvertisementAFPWHAT MBAPPE SAID

Speaking to BILD, Mbappe revealed: “Many clubs approached me. Bayern came to me when I was a bit younger and could leave Monaco. [Borussia] Dortmund also inquired. And RB Leipzig. Those are just the three clubs I remember. Maybe there were others, but I don’t remember.

Mbappe joked: “Now everyone is asking [to sign him], but it’s a little too late."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Mbappe’s revelation highlights how close Europe’s elite clubs were to securing one of the world’s biggest superstars before PSG swooped in with a record-breaking transfer. His eventual seven-year stay in Paris saw him dominate Ligue 1, win multiple domestic titles, and reach a Champions League final. Now at Real Madrid, Mbappe has fulfilled a long-awaited dream move while continuing to underline his status as one of football’s true global icons.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

GettyWHAT NEXT FOR MBAPPE?

The France captain will be looking to cement his legacy at Real Madrid by adding Champions League and La Liga titles to his collection. Bayern, Dortmund and Leipzig may wonder what could have been, but their focus now turns to building squads capable of competing with the very best.

Glasgow Rangers announced earlier this month that Czechia international Vaclav Cerny will return to his parent club Wolfsburg following the conclusion of his loan spell at Ibrox.

The left-footed winger spent the season on loan in Glasgow and it now remains to be seen whether or not the Gers will be able to bring him back to the club for a second stint.

Cerny looks set to be the third loan star in as many seasons to light up Ibrox before moving back to their parent club before going elsewhere, following in the footsteps of Abdallah Sima and Malik Tillman.

Sima scored 16 goals in 39 games on loan from Brighton in the 2023/24 campaign, and Tillman racked up 12 goals and five assists in 43 matches on loan from Bayern Munich in the 2022/23 season.

This shows that the club’s top wide options in the last three seasons have all been contracted to other clubs, which is not ideal because it means that Rangers have to replace them every year and have no option to potentially sell them on for profit as a result of their performances.

With this in mind, the Scottish Premiership giants should be trying to find a permanent solution to their problems out wide by finding their next Ryan Kent.

Rangers hit the jackpot with Ryan Kent

The English forward was a rare loanee that they were able to sign permanently for a reported fee of £7.5m during Steven Gerrard’s reign at Ibrox, and he went on to be a big success in Glasgow.

Rangers were willing to splash the cash to sign him permanently, and it turned out to be a fantastic decision as he was a terrific servant for many years on the left flank.

Kent played on the left flank, cutting in on his right foot, and delivered plenty of quality at the top end of the pitch for the Gers, particularly in the 2020/21 campaign.

22/23

44

3

10

21/22

46

3

19

20/21

52

13

14

19/20

33

8

4

18/19

43

6

9

As you can see in the table above, the English flanker produced an eye-catching 27 goals and assists combined in 52 games that term, in which the Light Blues won the Scottish Premiership title under Gerrard.

The right-footed speedster moved on from Ibrox in the summer of 2023 and Rangers have failed to replace him with a permanent replacement, signing Sima and Cerny on loan since, but that they could change that with their latest target.

Rangers in strong position to sign new star

According to GIVEMESPORT, Rangers are one of 26 clubs that are interested in a deal to sign Peterborough United winger Kwame Poku in the upcoming summer transfer window.

The report claims that Birmingham City, Celtic, Sheffield United, and Sunderland are also eyeing up a deal to sign the Ghana international to bolster their respective clubs.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

It reveals that Rangers and Celtic are in a strong position to sign the 23-year-old star, though, because they would not have to pay as much in compensation as English teams would.

Poku’s contract at Peterborough is due to expire at the end of next month, making him a free agent, but because of his age, the Posh would be due compensation, and UEFA’s cross-border compensation rules mean that the Scottish teams would land him for a cut-price fee.

GIVEMESPORT adds that the Scottish teams have sent scouts to watch the attacker in action, but it remains to be seen who will win the race for his services this summer.

Rangers should, now, look to use their compensation advantage to put together an attractive contract package that can convince him to make the move to Ibrox, as he could be Kent 2.0.

Why Kwame Poku could be the next Ryan Kent

Poku could be the next version of Kent at Ibrox as an exciting wing talent who could be a long-term option for the next Light Blues manager, rather than a one-season loan.

The Scottish giants could build their attack around the 23-year-old star, who could be a key player for the club for many years to come, as Gerrard did with Kent after the English ace joined on a permanent deal.

Poku, who was described as “outstanding” by journalist Lukman Evergreen, has produced impressive performances for Peterborough over the last two seasons, and his form for the League One side suggests that the potential is there for him to be a fantastic signing for Rangers.

The left-footed star delivered 11 goals and seven assists in 39 appearances in the division during the 2023/24 campaign, before he improved on that haul at the top end of the pitch in the season that just finished.

Appearances

37

27

Goals

10

12

Big chances missed

8

3

Big chances created

9

9

Key passes per game

1.8

1.2

Assists

9

8

As you can see in the table above, Poku’s 2024/25 campaign for Peterborough was even more impressive than Kent’s in the Premiership title-winning season under Gerrard, with more goals and as many ‘big chances’ created in ten fewer appearances.

These statistics suggest that the potential is there for the 23-year-old to be a Kent-esque figure on the right flank for the Light Blues next season and beyond, as a winger who has the quality to deliver goals and assists on a regular basis.

Whilst it remains to be seen whether or not he can make the step up to the Premiership, Poku would be an exciting signing as a player with the potential to improve and develop over time as a long-term addition to the squad, rather than a one-season loan.

They've had talks: Rangers could hire 3-4-3 manager who's like Clement & GVB

Rangers are still no further forward in their search for a new manager

ByRoss Kilvington May 27, 2025

Therefore, the Light Blues could find their next version of Ryan Kent at Ibrox by winning the race to bring the Peterborough star to Ibrox this summer.

Manchester United have “initiated a move” for a 21-year-old international defender who has impressed the club’s chiefs, according to a new report.

Man Utd defence still struggling as Onana dropped by Amorim

After a horribly poor start to his Old Trafford tenure, United were beginning to show signs of improvement under manager Ruben Amorim.

The Red Devils lost just two of their last 10 matches in all competitions, however, they fell to a heavy 4-1 defeat to Newcastle United in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

Amorim’s men continued to ship too many goals – even with Andre Onana being dropped at St James’ Park.

Onana continued to make errors between the sticks in the week as they were held to a 2-2 draw by French side Lyon in mid-week. The goalkeeper, who is unsettled at Old Trafford, has been heavily linked with a move away this summer.

However, injuries and a lack of both depth and quality in defence are also to blame, meaning United will no doubt need to strengthen in the summer if they are to continue their gradual improvement under Amorim.

Man Utd in talks for Basel defender Jonas Adjetey

One man who is reportedly interesting United as they look to bolster their options at the back in the summer is FC Basel centre back Jonas Adjetey.

According to a new report from Africa Foot, per Sports Witness, the Red Devils have already “initiated a move” by opening negotiations to sign the Ghana international, who they think of as “one of Europe’s most promising defenders.”

Despite being just 21, Adjetey has been a nailed-on starter for Basel this season, making 30 appearances across all competitions, and Africa Foot report that United have sent “emissaries” to watch him play on numerous occasions, and have been won over by his “immense potential.”

With talks open over a move to Old Trafford, there is no agreement yet on a potential fee for the youngster, who is valued at just £3.5 million by Transfermarkt.

According to Scout Europe, Adjetey “stands out for his physical attributes and his approach to the game.”

“Having developed in Basel’s youth system, his early step into the professional arena signals that his career is poised to shine even more in the coming years. After showcasing his talent in local competitions, Jonas seized the opportunity to prove himself at a renowned club like Basel in more competitive European leagues.

“From the moment he started playing in Basel’s first team, he emphasized his defensive positioning and aerial prowess, drawing attention with his disciplined defending and ability to read the game.”

With results not improving under Omer Riza, Cardiff City are now reportedly in shock talks to hire a veteran manager who would be handed the task of salvaging their campaign.

Cardiff on course for relegation

Whilst in charge on an interim basis, Riza won over the trust of Cardiff and was soon handed the permanent managerial role as a result of his hard work. Since then, however, it has been a disaster. Now a point adrift of safety with just four Championship games to save their campaign, Cardiff could yet reportedly make one last-ditch change in the technical area.

The struggling manager called on the Cardiff fans for support in his side’s bid to survive recently after last Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at the hands of Stoke City, telling reporters: “Regarding our fans, I think they were behind us for a lot of the game and when you’ve let a goal in on 85-90 minutes it’s expected that the hope goes from them and the only way they know to deal with it is to vent their frustration.

“All we can keep saying is that they’re important to us, the club is important to them, so they need to help the best they can. They are frustrated, I understand that. It’s hard for me to stand here and say what they should and shouldn’t do because who am I to tell them what their feelings are?

Championship Table: Latest standings for the 2024/25 season

Latest English Football League Championship standings 2024/25.

ByStephan Georgiou Apr 22, 2025

“All I can say is we’re trying our hardest and we all will continue to do that right to the end.”

In truth, however, it may be too little too late to call on such support with Cardiff now reportedly in talks with a potential replacement for Riza.

Cardiff in shock talks to hire Neil Warnock

In a shocking turn of events, Cardiff are now in talks to rehire Neil Warnock, according to Graeme Bailey via EFL Analysis. The veteran manager knows exactly what it takes to turn a club around, there’s no doubting that, and could yet return to the Bluebirds for the first time since a three-year stint between 2016 and 2019.

Bailey told EFL Analysis after confirming that talks have taken place: “Cardiff are considering making a change before the end of the season and former boss Neil Warnock is their preferred choice to come in.

“Omer Riza was given the permanent job in December having replaced Erol Bulut as boss and has battled hard to keep the club up since that point. However, the weekend’s loss to rivals Stoke City has left the Welsh giants in the bottom three and the club are now looking at bringing back former boss Warnock for their final handful of games to see if he can pull of a great escape.”

One of the most experienced managers around and someone who Pep Guardiola once described as “incredible”, Warnock could yet complete a surprise return to Wales before the end of the season.