Key events
What now for Kieran McKenna?
Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna will manage in the top flight from August onwards but, with the merry-go-round gearing up for overdrive before 2023-24 has breathed its last, doubts continue to swirl over around where it might be. Our resident Tractor Boy, Nick Ames, types through salty tears to explain exactly why the young coach from Northern Ireland is in such massive demand …
West Ham fear Lucas Paquetá’s career could be over …
The club’s outstanding Brazilian midfielder is in a world of trouble after being charged with several breaches of gambling regulations that include four allegations of match manipulation in the form spot-fixing.
West Ham fear their star player’s career could be banned for 10 years to life if he is found guilty of deliberately getting booked on four separate occasions. Paquetá denies any wrongdoing and has vowed “to fight with every breath” to clear his name.
A-League All Stars v Newcastle United: When Eddie Howe inevitably starts complaining about the intensity of the fixture schedule and player burn-out in six months time, it is to be hoped that somebody will remind him that he and his players went straight to the airport after their final game of the Premier League season, boarded a plane and flew all the way to Australia to twerk their collective money-maker in a couple of exhibition matches.
On Wednesday, Newcastle beat Tottenham Hotspur on penalties at the MCG after the two teams played out a 1-1 draw. Right now, Howe’s side are getting walloped by a team of A-League All Stars at Melbourne’s considerably smaller Marvel Stadium. They’re in the second half and it’s currently 3-0 to the hosts.
Preamble
The Premier League may have ended last weekend but there are still a few loose ends to tie up before the season officially draws to a close. The main orders of business will be conducted at Wembley Stadium over the weekend, starting with tomorrow’s FA Cup final between Manchester United and Manchester City, followed by Monday’s playoff decider, in which Southampton and Leeds United go toe-to-toe.
Meanwhile in Scotland, Celtic and Rangers face off in the Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park, where Rangers will attempt to record their first win over Celtic in five attempts this season. Brendan Rodgers’ men are hoping to record a league and cup double, while their Old Firm rivals from Ibrox can make it a domestic cup double and salvage some pride after ending the Scottish Premiership season with something of a whimper.
With no end of high profile managerial vacancies to be filled, what might have been a quietish day on the football front could prove extremely busy. We’ll bring you news from the pre-final press conferences, flag up any other talking points of interest and highlight any speculation regarding the managerial merry-go-round that happens to come our way.
