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The Best-Run Clubs In The UK 2024

08 Sep, 2024

In recent years, it has become abundantly clear that by investing in the right areas and running day-to-day operations with an intelligent long-term plan in mind, professional football clubs can punch well above their weight. The success of teams like Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League — with these two sides repeatedly competing against wealthy teams using squads assembled with a fraction of the budget — has...

Who Owns Real Madrid?

08 Sep, 2024

Self-styled as 'Los Galacticos' and revered as one of the most glamorous, ambitious and big-spending clubs in the history of world football, Real Madrid have developed a powerful legacy in the modern era. Time and time again, the Spanish giants have managed to attract the very best men's players in the world, with stars ranging from Luis Figo to Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema to Kylian Mbappe all being tempted by the status, power, and...

What Is The Fair Game Index?

03 Sep, 2024

In April 2021, football fans across England united in protest against the proposed European Super League project backed by the owners of the Premier League's top six clubs (Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur) as well as several other European giants. The level of uproar against the plans for a breakaway league — with tens of thousands of supporters protesting in London, Manchester, and...

The Evolution Of The Throw-In

02 Sep, 2024

Professional football is always evolving. If you sent a modern fan back in time to watch one of the first association football matches in the late 19th century, they'd be blown away by how different the game was. Brand new tactics and formations are constantly popping up, and players are utilised in alternative ways. Meanwhile, the official Laws of the Game are also regularly being tweaked, which can have a major impact on how coaches set out...

Biweekly Staff Roundup: 16th to 30th August

30 Aug, 2024

Transfer deadline day is now over, and with all Europe's 'Big Five' leagues having returned to action, clubs have taken every last opportunity to improve their squads while they can. We#ve seen plenty of signings to be confirmed over last few days, as everyone looks to fill any key gaps in personnel and boost their chances for the 2024/25 campaign. The same can be said for the work that goes on behind the scenes; across the world, various...

Biweekly Staff Movement Roundup: 2nd to 16th August

18 Aug, 2024

On Friday 16th August, the English Premier League returned as Manchester United hosted Fulham at Old Trafford. The Red Devils entered the 2024/25 season having made some significant structural changes behind the scenes; as well as Dan Ashworth arriving as sporting director from Newcastle United, Jason Wilcox was brought in as technical director and the coaching staff supporting Erik ten Hag has been rejigged, the most high-profile name...

What Is The Puskas Award?

16 Aug, 2024

"I hate to speak about individuals," Jose Mourinho famously once said. "Players don't win you trophies, teams win you trophies, squads win you trophies." And of course, the decorated former Chelsea, Real Madrid and Internazionale manager is right. Football is a team sport, and if a manager cannot structure their side in a coherent, organised way and motivate players to work hard for each other, they don't have a hope of winning titles and...

What Is A Buyout Clause In Soccer?

14 Aug, 2024

Since the beginning of the Premier League era in 1992/93, football in the UK and across the rest of the world has seen a massive increase in professionalism. One of the consequences of this is that behind the scenes, professional players are typically supported by high-earning individuals dedicated to ensuring their clients are comfortable, successful, and well-remunerated for their on-field performances. The role of the football agent has...

Biweekly Staff Roundup: 19th July to 2nd August

02 Aug, 2024

The 2024/25 season is fast approaching, and clubs across Europe are putting the finishing touches to the teams that they hope will bring them success in the new campaign. That goes for backroom staff as well as playing personnel. A number of interesting appointments have been made over the last few weeks as the coaching domino effect continues to spark moves across the UK and further afield. In the latest edition of our biweekly staff...

How Often Is The Copa America? (Full Schedule And History)

01 Aug, 2024

In the modern era, Europe's 'Big Five' leagues contain the most technical and tactically advanced teams in football. However, the major international tournaments that take place every few years still retain a kind of magic, and for many fans these competitions remain the pinnacle of the sport. In this article, we'll be diving into one of the biggest international tournaments in the sport's history: the Copa America. We'll dive into the...

The 10 Most Expensive Centre Backs Of All Time

22 Jul, 2024

To recruit a top-class centre back in 2024, you need serious cash. Partly, that's down to the continuous development of this defensive role, which now includes much more of a focus on possession and ball control. However, it's also a reflection of the broader inflation of the European and global transfer markets; in recent years, top flight clubs across the world have begun shelling out huge amounts of money for the best centre backs around....

Players With Longest Throws-Ins Of All-Time (Top 5)

16 Jul, 2024

Throw-ins are not the most talked-about aspect of football, but they play a crucial role in how the game functions, from the highest level down to the lowest rungs of the football pyramid. Generally speaking, throw-ins happen far more often than any other kind of set piece, and they can be used for a variety of different purposes, from quickly building possession at the back to directly challenging the opposition goalkeeper. In this...

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