Louis van Gaal is a Dutch football manager who got a foothold in the coaching world with a brief spell at AZ Alkmaar in the Dutch Eredivisie. His obvious talents went unnoticed and was eventually snapped up by Ajax in 1991.It was at Ajax where van Gaal was to make his name. Here, the football world and the fanatical fans of Ajax would soon witne s a style of play that only magicians could conjure up. The side he created was of youth and experience. The club was famed for its youth academy and from this van Gaal blooded youngsters ( Bergkamp, Winters, George, Kluivert, the De Boer twins) to name but a few into the first team.After a season of gelling together, van Gaal led his side to their first major honour under his guidance winning the Uefa Cup in 1992. More succe s was to follow as he won the Dutch Cup in 1993, but it was the league title that had eluded him and he was to capture the coveted Eredivisie title in 1994. Not only was he to win it once but he went on to capture the title in 1995 and 1996. Throw in a triple whammy of Johan Cruyff Shield succee ses which is the equivalent of the English Charity Shield, you could say that at domestic level he had won everything.The question on everbodys lips was could van Gaal take his succe s to the next level the European stage, pitting their wits against Europes elite clubs. In 1995 va Gaal saw his side claim the scalp of AC Milan to win the European Cup. This was followed up by World Club Cup succe s as Brazilian side Gremio fell Gerry Cheevers Jersey victim to the Dutch masters.Van Gaals succe s at Ajax meant he was now the most coveted manager in Europe with all major clubs vying for his signature. A call from the Camp Nou in 1997 was to much to resist for van Gaal and he soon took up the hot seat at Spanish giants FC Barcelona. Van Gaal wondered if he could bring succe s in Spain. How joyous those fans became as van Gaal led Barca to the La Liga title as well as the Spanish Cup and Uefa Super Cup in his first season and he went on to guide them to a succe sive La Liga title the following season. Despite this succe s he was wideley criticised and eventually resigned as manager of Barcelona. Van Gaas next job was to manage Holland his task was to lead them to the 2002 World Cup finals in Japan/Korea. The honeymoon was shortlived as he failed to deliver what was asked of him after his side failed to qualify for the World Cup after defeats to both Portugal and Republic of Ireland. As a conclusion van Gaal resigned from his post.He returned to Barcelona as manager in 2003, but his tenure was shortlived as he never delivered any succe s and resigned from his duties.He returned to the Dutch Eredivisie replacing Co Adrianse as manager of AZ Alkmaar. Although he never won anything with them, he actually won the hearts of the fans with his style of football as it improved the clubs stature and fortunes.AZ finished third in the 2006-2007 season, three points behind champions PSV and runners-up Ajax. Van Gaal also led AZ to the Dutch Cup final in 2007 of which they lost. AZ also mi sed out on Champions League qualification after narrow losing otut to Ajax 4-2 on aggregate.The defeat to Ajax felt like a crushing blow to the head of Van Gaal and announced that he would leave AZ citing poor results. Sensing this, several seniors then asked van Gaal to rethink his decision and badgered him to stay for one more season. Van Gaal listened to what the players had to say and therefore made his decision to carry on with the job.The decision made by van Gaal to stay with unfashionable AZ proved to be a fruitful one as he led them to the Dutch Eredivisie title in a season which will be remembered for a long time to come.Again the vultures were circling and this time it was the hierachy of Bayern Munich that wanted Van Gaal. The latter didnt need much persuading and was appointed manager of the Bundesliga club.Lets hope van Gaal can bring succe s to Bayern, almost everything he touches seems to turn to gold. If thats the case then he will soon be the toast of Bavaria. Jordan Oesterle Jersey
Manchester City can wrap up the Premier League this weekend when they face Sam Dickinson Jersey Chelsea on Saturday in a dre s rehearsal of this seasons UEFA Champions League final, which takes place at the end of the month.Pep Guardiolas side need three points at home to the Blues or rely on Manchester United failing to beat Aston Villa at Villa Park, to be crowned champions for a fifth time in 10 seasons.West Ham United will be looking to get back into the top four themselves whilst at the other end of the table, Fulham and West Bromwich Albion could be relegated.Here are our Premier League matchday 35 predictions:Leicester City vs Newcastle UnitedLeicester City are closing in on a top four finish for the second time in their history ahead of the FA Cup final later this month. Brendan Rodgers side are in action on Friday night for the second week in a row and face a Newcastle United side who need just three points from their final four games to be sure of safety.A home win is very much expected in this one with the Foxes priced at 1/2 to win with . Leicester are then at Old Trafford on Tuesday before facing Chelsea at Wembley Stadium in the cup final next Sunday.Leeds United vs Tottenham HotspurTottenham Hotspur need to win their final four matches just to have a chance of playing in next seasons Champions League. It starts Saturday lunchtime with a tricky trip to Elland Road where Leeds United have lost just one of their last five.Spurs were comfortable 3-0 winners in the reverse fixture to start 2021. Theyre 1/1 with the majority of the bookmakers this weekend.Sheffield United vs Crystal PalaceSheffield United will be playing Championship football again next season and have nothing left but pride to play for. Crystal Palace havent won since their safety was ensured, losing their last three.Little on the line at Bramall Lane on Saturday.Manchester City vs ChelseaManchester City may want to get the title wrapped up on their home turf but this game has more on the line for Chelsea. Thomas Tuchels side are only three points ahead of West Ham in the race for a top four finish and have two cup finals ahead of them this month.Although neither manager will want to reveal his tactics for their heavyweight showdown at the end of the month you can still expect two strong sides and an entertaining tie at the Etihad this weekend.Liverpool vs SouthamptonLiverpool will be fully rested ahead of hosting Southampton on Saturday night as last weekends game at Old Trafford was called off.The Reds are seven points outside the top four with a game in hand and simply have to win their remaining five fixtures just to have a chance.Theyre 1/3 to do that against Southampton in a game they will surely take all three points from.Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Brighton & Hove AlbionBrightons victory last weekend means they are all but safe for another season whilst Wolverhampton Wanderers draw with West Bromwich Albion has all but sent their rivals down.Otherwise, neither side are in great form ahead of Sundays first Premier League game.Aston Villa vs Manchester UnitedManchester United are fresh off their trip to Rome where they booked their place in the 2020-21 Europa League final. Ole Gunnar Solskajer will now be wanting to wrap up a top four finish and maybe second place in time to rest his players before the final.Aston Villa have caused a lot of teams problems this season and facing a team just back from Italy a few days earlier means they could get something out of this game.West Ham United vs EvertonTwo teams very much battling for European football next season should make for a great showing at the London Stadium on Sunday evening. David Moyes welcomes his former team to East London.Expect both teams to give this a real go, wanting three points. Bookmakers are currently offering around 10/11 on over 2.5 goals.Arsenal vs West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom would be relegated on Friday night if Newcastle are to beat Leicester. Otherwise they could be relegated in the capital when they face Arsenal.Its looking all doom and gloom now for Sam Allardyces side as hasnt paid off for the Baggies.Fulham vs BurnleyThis weekends Premier League action concludes on Monday night as Fulham need to at least match Newcastles result in order to keep their survival hopes alive for another week.Burnley are the visitors to Craven Cottage and wont be a pushover for Scott Parkers team. Luca Cagnoni Jersey
The have traded running back to the , NFL Network reported Tuesday. This trade comes just hours after Cincinnati reportedly signed former running back to a .It was originally reported on Monday night that Mixon was being released prior to Tuesday's trade announcement.Mixon, who will be 28 at the start of Clark Griswold Jersey the upcoming season, is under contract through 2024. Last season, he ran for 1,034 yards and nine touchdowns on 4.0 yards per carry. Mixon also registered 376 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns.ADVERTISEMENT The soon-to-be eighth-year running back spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Bengals, whom he logged four 1,000-plus rushing yard seasons with.Mixon presumably replaces running back for the Texans, as the latter ran for a team-high 898 yards and four touchdowns last season and reportedly signed a three-year deal with the on Monday. Houston averaged 96.9 rushing yards per game in the regular season, good for 12th in the NFL.Mixon forms a one-two running punch in Houston with , who ran for 939 yards in 13 games in his 2022 rookie campaign. The Texans are coming off a 10-7 season that saw them win the AFC South for the first time since 2019 and reach the AFC Wild Card round with quarterback leading the way and later claiming 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.Meanwhile, the Bengals mi sed the playoffs for the first time since 2020 with star quarterback suffering a season-ending wrist injury in November. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily. FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience Houston Texans Cincinnati Bengals Joe Mixon Tyler Johnson Jersey
The revamped wide receiver room is already clicking and developing chemistry.New York added and rookie to the group this offseason to play alongside , Xavier Gipson and . That collection should give quarterback Aaron Rodgers a solid arsenal of weapons in 2024. in the offense has been this offseason given his ability to make plays with the football. Wilson and , and Corleysounded excited to take off this season with Wilson.He even created a new nickname for the Jets' top receiving duo: Smash Russ Courtnall Jersey and Dash.Smash and Dash Malachi Corley (@CorleyMalachi) Even though we have some ways to go before the season starts, it seems that Corley is already embracing being able to play alongside one of the most talented receivers in the NFL. Wilson put up back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons as the bonafide No. 1 option in New York despite multiple quarterbacks throwing him the ball. Wilson has a chance in 2024 to break into that top-5 category at his position with back under center.Corley's nickname for the duo isn't just a creative one it's also an accurate one.JETS 2024 SEASON:|||Wilson has the complete package at the position, offering elite catching ability, shiftine s and speed. Corley's style of play embodies toughne s after he forced 77 mi sed tackles during his three years at Western Kentucky. To many people, Corley is known as the because of his after-the-catch ability. Not to mention that Corley before the 2024 NFL Draft as Seahawks DK Metcalf did during his pre-draft proce s.But this nickname begs the question: Who is Smash and who is Dash? Even though Corley represents both "smash" and "dash," as he likes to punish defensive backs after the catch and take off to the endzone, Wilson should be considered as "dash" with Corley being "smash."Both of these receivers look like they're enjoying each other's company off the field as well. Wilson recently took a video where he was the handwriting of Corley during an install for the offense.It will be fascinating to see how Corley is utilized in this offense with Wilson and Williams on the outside. Matt Irwin Jersey
The fired Pat Shurmur after compiling just a 9-23 record over the last two seasons, but general manager Dave Gettleman, the brain trust behind the Shurmur hire and the failed attempts to make the Giants roster better over that same time span, was given a second chance to rectify his mistakes after being retained for 2020.One of Gettleman's most controversial decisions was the trade he made at the deadline this past October, as the Giants parted ways with a 2020 third-round pick (No. 68 overall) and a fourth or fifth-round pick in 2021 for eight games in a season many believe was already lost based on New York's record (2-6) at the time of the deal. Williams finished with 26 tackles, a forced fumble, 11 quarterback hits, and a 0.5 sack with the Giants -- not exactly what they were hoping for."I had heard rumors that Williams was available, so I called to ask," Gettleman said as he defended the Williams trade Tuesday, . "I thought we got fair trade value. When you are in the trade busine s, you want to get to a win-win. Most people are savvy enough where it's going to have to be fair.""Bottom line is we felt the juice is Eddie Giacomin Jersey worth the squeeze."Another decision meant another chance for Gettleman to defend it with a fruitle s expre sion. The reality is simple -- the Giants could have waited until free agency to squeeze the juice while keeping the draft picks, especially since they will have slightly over $67 million in available cap space come March. Gettleman's philosophy -- bringing in Williams would sure up the Giants' run defense -- but that didn't exactly happen. The Giants were fourth in yards per carry allowed (3.4), but were 20th in rush yards allowed (113.2) and still allowed 28.2 points (third-most in the NFL).Despite the lack of production on paper, Gettleman seems determined to keep him around. If the Giants sign Williams, that 2021 fifth-round pick becomes a fourth and they will surely be paying him a salary above the $14.2 million per season he's making this year. Signing Williams to a ma sive deal could hinder the Giants' ability to improve in other areas in free agency, a price they didn't have to pay in the first place if Gettleman didn't decide to justify a trade."Now we know what we have, and we were willing to do that," Gettleman said. "We felt we needed him."The Giants will be implementing a new scheme with James Bettcher out as defensive coordinator, so no matter where Williams goes he will be learning a new defense. That could shy him away from the Giants unle s they pay top dollar for Williams.New York would get a mid-round compensatory pick if Williams walks, but that's not of equal value to what the Giants gave up. A real head-scratcher."At the end of the day, we felt good about him," Gettleman said. "He did what we wanted him to do. He wants to be here." Chad Ruhwedel Jersey
The Netherlands booked their place in their third World Cup final after overcoming a determined Uruguayside 3-2 at the Green Point stadium in Cape Town last night.The Dutch were strong favourites before kick-off and took an Vince Horras Jersey early lead through Giovanni van Bronkhorsts stunning 40 yard strike. Arguably this world cups best goal however was surrendered before half-time when Diego Forlan struck to pull his side level; his long range effort decieving Maarten Stekelenburg, who couldonly flap the ball into the roof of the net.Uruguay looked to be gaining confidence in the second-half, but two goals in quick succe sion from Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben put the Netherlands in control and despite Maxi Pereiras late strike they held on to secure their tenth victory in a row, stretching their unbeaten run to a record 25 games.They will now head to Johannesburg where they will face either Germany or Spain as they look to win their first World Cup after finishing as runners-up in 1974 and 1978.Both sides were forced to make changes to their starting line-ups due to suspensions and injuries. Khalid Boulahrouz came into the Dutchs defence while Edinson Cavani took suspended hero Luis Suarezs place in attack alongside Uruguay captain Diego Forlan.Robben demonstrated the threat he would pose from the outset as he burst past Martin Caceras before Sneijder swung in a cro s for Dirk Kuyt who fired a shot over the bar.It was the Netherlands left back and captain Van Bronkhorst who gave them the lead though with le s than 20 minutes gone when he picked up the ball 40 yards from goal and struck a stunning shot into the top corner.Uruguay struggled after going behind so early but they steadied themselves courtesy of Diego Forlan.Holland manager Bert van Marwijk made an attacking substitution for the second-half, replacing Demy de Zeeuw with Real Madrids Rafael Van der Vaart, a clear statement of intent. The change failed to have the desired effect with the Dutch looking increasingly disjointed whilst the Uruguayans grew in confidence with Forlan forcing a fine save from Stekelenburg with a free-kick from 25-yards out.Backed by a army of orange in Cape Town,the Netherlands managed to recover some of their composure after the hour mark though and regained the lead fortuitously when Sneijders deflected shot trickled past Fernando Muslera, despite claims of offside against the marginally active Robin Van Persie.Robben then pre sed home his sides advantage as he arrived in the box to cleverly head Kuyts cro s into the bottom corner and all but book his countrys place in sundays final.Maxi Pereirafound the netin the depths of injury time to ensure a nervy finish for the Dutch but they held on to secure victory and secure their place in the World Cup final. Mackenzie Mgbako Jersey
Rumours are spreading fast speculating Daniel Levy is about to make a scapegoat out of Damien Comolli by sacking him.The clubs fans were understandably di sapointed by the slow transfer activity on Monday night; Pavlyuchenko was bought in Rashaan Gaulden Jersey to replace Berbatov but still no real replacement for Robbie Keane has been found.Frazier Campbell arrived on loan from Manchester United but Levy is apparantly angry at Comollis slow activity. Levys left the country to decide Comollis fate. However Comolli might resign before Levy sacks him, sparing himself from the public embarrasment of a sacking.Juande Ramos is apparantly angry at the pair of them for not landing one of his two chosen strikers, Kevin Doyle and Sergio Garcia.It seems Levy is trying to make a scapegoat out of Comolli, as Ramos seems more angry with Levy then he does Comolli. Is Levy just trying to protect his own reputation, rather then doing whats best for the club?Despite the sale of Berbatov and Keane for a combined fee of roughly 50mil, the club have only spent 18.7mil on replacements. Here Ill give a quick bit of info on the strikers that will try to help the fans forget about Berba and Keano.#1. DARREN BENT. Spurs games:30 games, 7goals. Arrived at the club for a joint record fee but he has so far struggled to really get of the mark. However he scored a well-taken equaliser against Chelsea last week.#2. ROMAN PAVLYUCHENKO. Spurs Games:0, 0goals. Arrived at the club on Monday. Could be very good, but how long will it take him to settle in the English league?#3. GIOVANI DOS SANTOS. Spurs games:3 games, 0goals. Still young but has played in all Tottenhams opening games. Scored 3 goals in 28 games for Barca (all his goals came in his last Barca game). However is he better as a midfielder?#4. FRAZIER CAMPBELL. Spurs games:0, goals0. Currently on loan at the club from Manchester United. Has only ever played twice for Man U, but scored 21 goals in 33 games for Royal Antwerp and 15 goals in 34 games whilst on loan at promotion winning Hull City last year. But does he have what it takes in the Premier league?Together Berbatov and Keane scored over 50 goals in their time at White Hart Lane, is Levy angry at Comolli in his part in their departure? Then again, surely the chairmans more responsible for trying to hang onto the clubs best players? Either way, it seems that Comolli is soon to be shown the door. Mitch Lightfoot Jersey
Brendan Rodgers finally managed to sign the much coveted Turkish midfielder Nuri Sahin from under Arsenals noses on Friday and looks a perfect fit for Rodgers footballing philosophy at the Anfield club. Sahin is a fantastic footballer who was tipped for stardom from an early age, Sahin who though German born chose to play for Turkey at international level.His starring performance in the Turkey side that won the 2005 UEFA European Under-17 Championship in Italy saw him in the spotlight and scouted by Real Madrid, Barca, Man Utd and Bayern Munich to name but a few. He soon became the youngest player to have played in the Bundesliga when he made his debut in August 2005 at the age of 16 years and 334 days for Dortmund.However, despite making the breakthrough into the senior Turkish side, he could not cement a place at Dortmund initially and, in 2007, he joined Dutch giants Feyenoord on loan. It Liverpool Jersey was a move that would reignite his career and, under Bert van Marwijk, who gave him his break while in charge at Dortmund, he helped the club end a six-year trophy drought to win the Dutch Cup and really showed Dortmund what a player he could be given a chance and most importantly some faith in his ability.Returning to Dortmund, Sahin established himself as a first teamer and his ability to sit deep and dictate the play drew comparisons with Andrea Pirlo and Bastian Schweinsteiger. His form helped Dortmund to the 2010-11 German title and attracted the attention of Real Madrid, who swooped with a 10 million bid that, matched a clause in his expiring contract that he could move abroad for that figure.Sahin signed a six-year deal with the La Liga outfit but made just 11 appearances for them last season with Sami Khedira, Xabi Alonso and La sana Diarra being preferred as they efficiently won the Spanish league title. As we all know you dont become a bad player overnight and Sahin needs to play regularly to gain his confidence and regain the form that made him one of Europes most sought after prospects.Now at Liverpool on loan for the season this is the chance for him to reignite his career much like the Feynoord move had before, Rodgers will want the Turkish star to be his deep lying playmaker that can play the quarterback role that Alonso made his own at Anfield launching attacks from deep in the LFC half.Where he fits with Lucas, the LFC legend Gerrard, new signing Allen and the 18 Million Henderson will remain to be seen.An incisive pa ser with a left foot that could open a packet of crisp, Sahins ability to play a killer ball marks him out from his peers. His vision is excellent and can dictate the tempo of the game from deep in the midfield and Rodgers will hope the Turk can be the spark the reds need to get back amongst the big boys and someone to supply the ammunition for Borini & Co. National Teams Jersey