Iain Macintosh – Football Scout

What Jose Mourinho really wishes he could tell you about Manchester United

In the aftermath of Manchester United’s loss to Tottenham, Craig Burley says it’s time for Jose Mourinho, Ed Woodward or both to leave Old Trafford.

The ESPN FC guys answer your tweets on Jose Mourinho’s future, Tottenham’s squad and much more.

Jose Mourinho abruptly ends his press conference after Man United’s loss to Tottenham, saying he deserves respect for his Premier League success.

Jose Mourinho reacts to Manchester United’s 3-0 loss at home against Tottenham, and heaps praise on the fans at Old Trafford.

Tottenham took control of the second half at Manchester United, burying three goals in the Theatre of Dreams to up the pressure on Jose Mourinho.
After unexpectedly changing the time of his press conference last week, it’s hard to track down Jose Mourinho these days. Fortunately, our special correspondent was in the right place at the right time late on Monday night after Manchester United lost to Spurs. This is what the Man United manager had to say.

“Oh. You are here. I did not expect you to be here. I thought that if I changed the time without telling anyone … and the location … but, no. You have found me. Well, I salute you.

And…

Can QPR recover from owner after owner committing blunder after blunder?

Amid the cautious rumble of prematch encouragement from the South Africa Road Stand comes one shout that reveals the low bar for expectations here at Queens Park Rangers these days: “Do better, you Hoops.”

It would be hard for them to do worse. Five years ago, they were spending more on wages than Borussia Dortmund. But while Jurgen Klopp’s side were recently dethroned Bundesliga champions and had just reached the final of the Champions League, QPR were relegated from the Premier League. They…

Arsenal still a laughingstock but signs show they won’t be a punchline forever

ESPN’s Stewart Robson shares his analysis on where Unai Emery’s Arsenal side fell short in their 2-0 loss to Manchester City at the Emirates.
Oh, Arsenal. With your wide eyes so full of hope. With your hearts aflutter and your smiles so broad. A new epoch begins, the world seems so bright and fresh … and then Manchester City tear you open like a bag of chips and your goalkeeper smashes one past his own far post.
Arsenal’s enduring commitment to slapstick should be one of the key selling points in the Premier League’s international TV rights brochure. Arms outstretched, an upturned tin of paint on their heads, they stumble blindly towards…

Arsenal still a laughing stock but signs show they won’t be a punchline forever

Man City juggernaut rolls on as United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal slip up

Craig Burley reflects upon a busy Premier League match day, as Man City put more daylight between themselves and title rivals Man United.
For supporters of all but one team, every week of the Premier League is now like reliving your worst ever school sports day. You remember: the one when you’d prepared properly, trained hard, visualised the race, got off to a great start and then watched in horror as one kid raced past you and off into the distance, barely breaking sweat as you desperately pounded your feet into the turf to no avail.
This week Manchester United slipped up, their players earning a public rebuke from Jose Mourinho….

Mick McCarthy enjoying happier times at Ipswich after turbulent year

McCarthy has been at Ipswich since 2012 and provided some much-needed stability amid the turbulence.

It’s been a little over a year since ESPN FC paid an extended visit behind the scenes at Ipswich Town. Iain Macintosh catches up with manager Mick McCarthy to see what’s happened since then.

It was the jeering that stuck firmest in the memory. As the full-time whistle blew at Portman Road on Oct. 29, 2016, the Ipswich fans made their feelings abundantly clear to manager Mick McCarthy, and the abuse rained down from the stands. Huddled in the mouth of the tunnel, a small group of injured players,…

Man City crush Spurs, Coutinho dazzles and praise for David Moyes

ESPN FC’s Craig Burley assesses all of Saturday’s Premier League results from matchday 18, where Man City continue their historic run.

Well, that’s that then. The 2017-18 title race is effectively over before the 18 bit started. Manchester City have beaten every single one of their five realistic rivals, and they’ve beaten everyone else in the division with the exception of Everton, which was clearly just a glitch in the Matrix.

You have to feel a little sorry for Tottenham, though. “We’re not scared of this lot,” they must have said in the dressing room before the game. “We’ll push up, get at them and beat them at their…

Premier League relegation battle hots up as Man City make title race dull

Steve Nicol assesses the chances Sam Allardyce and Alan Pardew save Everton and West Brom from relegation this season.
With 15 consecutive wins to their name, it seems that there is little that can stop Manchester City now. They have beaten Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal already. If they beat Tottenham Hotspur this weekend, it seems unlikely that we’ll be enjoying a tense title race come May. This year, all the excitement is at the other end of the table.
This season is an oddity for reasons other than City’s dominance. At the bottom of the table, there is no isolated whipping boy. Indeed, only…

Man City’s perfect weekend, Klopp’s difference of opinion, Benteke’s gaffe

Jurgen Klopp rips into a reporter about the referee’s decision to award Everton a penalty in the Merseyside derby.

Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp was annoyed with the decision to award Everton a penalty as Liverpool drew 1-1 in the Merseyside derby.
Could the weekend have gone any better for Pep Guardiola? Victory for his Manchester City side against United on derby day clash is one thing; the sheer good fortune of watching every other team in the top five drop points is something else.
Arsenal were held by Southampton and Liverpool drew with Everton while Chelsea, in the most surprising result since they lost to Crystal Palace, lost to West Ham. City’s lead is now 11 points and it’s not even Christmas. And the worst thing for columns like…

Rooney’s penalty saves Everton as Liverpool pay for missed chances

LIVERPOOL, England — Three thoughts on Liverpool and Everton’s 1-1 draw in the Premier League.
1. Liverpool let Everton off

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