Ter Stegen Tumbles: Surgery Awaits Barcelona’s Safe Hands
It does not happen very often that one has seen goalkeeper stretches off the field. However, Barcelona’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen had such a day that would be erased from the memories when his side thrashed Villarreal 5-1. During the 44th minute, the German shot-stopper went all Superman by leaping to catch a corner kick-and landed like Clark Kent after a rough day. Result: he ended up with a nasty knee injury straight to the surgery table. Ouch. What’s the latest from ter Stegen’s knee? Well, to just say the least: he snapped a tendon. Envision the patellar or quadriceps tendons as the ropes holding your knee together. Snap one of them and your knee is as useful as a door without hinges. The tears usually happen due to awkward landing, and ter Stegen was the poster child for such. Months of Rehab Ahead Now the not-so-good news: surgery’s on the menu for ter Stegen and it’ll be a long haul, folks. Not weeks, but months. So, here’s some good news for Barcelona’s fans- they can get snug with Peña, because he’s going to be holding the fort for some time. Here’s hoping he’s up for the task. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Top 10 Greatest Football Managers Of All Time
Manolo Marquez has been chosen as the next head coach for the Indian national men’s football team. He will continue managing his current Indian Super League (ISL) team for another year while preparing for his new role. After this year, he will focus entirely on the national team. The decision came from a meeting held by the All-India Football Federation (AIFF) executive committee on Saturday at AIFF Football House. This choice was made considering the current financial situation of the AIFF. Marquez brings a wealth of experience and is expected to bring fresh energy and expertise to Indian football. Marquez has the capability to take the underlooked youngsters and make them into finely polished individuals; a trait that makes him a great coach/manager for the team. Let’s look at the top 10 greatest managers in the history of the game. 10. Giovanni Trapattoni – 23 Titles Giovanni Trapattoni, affectionately known as “Trap,” is one of the few managers to have coached all three Italian giants: Juventus, Inter Milan, and AC Milan. Trapattoni’s illustrious career boasts 23 titles, with the majority coming during his tenure with Juventus. Under his guidance, Juventus secured six Serie A titles, the European Cup, the UEFA Cup, and the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, cementing his legacy as a tactical genius. 9. Jose Mourinho – 25 Titles Known for his charismatic personality and tactical acumen, Jose Mourinho has bagged 25 titles across several top clubs, including Porto, Chelsea, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Inter Milan. Mourinho continues to pursue silverware, with his previous triumphs including multiple league titles, domestic cups, and the prestigious UEFA Champions League. 8. Ottmar Hitzfeld – 25 Titles Ottmar Hitzfeld’s managerial career began in Switzerland, however he tasted success in the German Bundesliga. Managing Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich, Hitzfeld won seven Bundesliga titles and two UEFA Champions League trophies. His total of 25 titles shows his ability to build and lead successful teams in one of Europe’s most competitive leagues. 7. Carlo Ancelotti – 28 Titles Carlo Ancelotti stands out as the only manager to have won league titles in all of Europe’s top five leagues. With a career spanning multiple top clubs, Ancelotti has won five Champions League titles, four UEFA Super Cups, and numerous domestic trophies. His recent success with Real Madrid in the 2023-24 UEFA Champions League final adds to his impressive tally of 28 titles. 6. Luiz Felipe Scolari – 26 Titles Luiz Felipe Scolari is celebrated for his successful stints with teams like Palmeiras, Gremio, and the Brazil national team. Scolari’s career highlights include winning the FIFA World Cup with Brazil in 2002 and a total of 26 titles, showcasing his ability to lead teams to international and domestic glory. 5. Jock Stein – 26 Titles A legend in Scottish football, Jock Stein’s 26 titles were all won with Celtic during a remarkable 13-year tenure. Stein led Celtic to numerous league titles and domestic cups and his influence extended to managing Leeds United and the Scotland national team. 4. Valeriy Lobanovskyi – 29 Titles Valeriy Lobanovskyi is renowned for his innovative tactics, including the ‘False 9’ position and ‘Total Football’ style. Managing Dynamo Kyiv, Lobanovskyi won 29 titles, including two UEFA Cup Winners’ Cups and a UEFA Super Cup. 3. Mircea Lucescu – 32 Titles Romanian manager Mircea Lucescu has enjoyed a long and illustrious career, winning 32 titles. Lucescu’s achievements include a UEFA Super Cup with Galatasaray in 2000 and numerous domestic league titles with clubs like Shakhtar Donetsk, Besiktas, and Zenit St. Petersburg. 2. Pep Guardiola – 39 Titles Pep Guardiola, a modern tactical genius, has already secured 39 trophies with teams like FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City. Known for his innovative playing style and emphasis on possession, Guardiola has led his teams to multiple league titles and domestic cups. His recent treble with Manchester City in the 2023-24 season, including the Premier League title, cements his place among the greatest managers. 1. Sir Alex Ferguson – 48 Titles Topping the list is Sir Alex Ferguson, whose unparalleled career saw him win 48 titles. Spending 27 years at Manchester United, Ferguson’s tenure included 13 Premier League titles and two UEFA Champions League trophies. Before his legendary spell at United, Ferguson led Aberdeen to 10 titles in the Scottish division. His extraordinary success and enduring influence make him the greatest football manager in history. These ten managers have not only accumulated an impressive array of titles but have also shaped the modern game with their leadership and ability to inspire greatness in their teams. Their legacies continue to influence aspiring managers and players around the world. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Real Madrid Takes Over Barcelona’s Football Academies in India, Bringing New Opportunities for Young Footballers
Starting in the first week of August, Real Madrid will take over and transform the landscape of youth football training in India by managing 30 youth academies across Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Pune. This new initiative will train 4,500 enthusiastic young players under the Educational Football Program, following the closure of Barcelona’s football academies in the country. Excitement and Vision Real Madrid legend Emilio Butragueno, who currently works as the club’s Director of Institutional Relations, expressed his excitement about this new venture. “We are excited to bring Real Madrid’s rich football heritage and world-class training methodologies to India. This initiative aims to inspire and develop young football talent, fostering a new generation of football stars,” Butragueno said. With a storied history of producing top-tier talent like Raul and Iker Casillas through its academy, La Fabrica, Real Madrid is poised to impact the future of Indian football. Closure of Barcelona’s Academies Barcelona, in June 2024 announced on its website that it would be ceasing operations of its academies in India from July 1, 2024, leaving many young footballers in uncertainty. “FC Barcelona have informed the families involved in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Pune will cease to operate as Barca Academies from 1 July 2024,” the club stated. “Barcelona’s presence in India began back in 2010 and since then thousands of youngsters have learned to play football in the Barca style and with the Club’s values.” Opportunities for Indian Youth Real Madrid’s takeover of these academies offers a beacon of hope for the young athletes. These players will now have the opportunity to participate in international age-group tournaments such as the Singa Cup in Singapore, the Super Cup in Dubai and the Asia Pacific Cup in India. This international exposure is expected to be instrumental in the growth and development of the young players. Partnership with Conscient Sports Kriti Jain Gupta, Director of Conscient Sports, which is the exclusive partner of Real Madrid in India, commented on the partnership. “This collaboration will elevate the football training landscape in India, providing young players with unparalleled opportunities to grow and excel,” she said. In addition to high-quality training in India, select players from these academies will have the chance to travel to Spain to participate in the RMF Clinic and Challenge Cup at the Real Madrid facility. Expert Coaching Team The new coaching team will comprise professionals from the Real Madrid Foundation, Conscient Football, and multiple Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and All India Football Federation (AIFF) licensed coaches. This blend of expertise aims to provide the best training methodologies and practices to the young footballers in India. A Bright Future for Indian Football With Real Madrid’s rich football heritage and comprehensive training programs, this initiative is set to inspire and cultivate the next generation of football stars in India, promising a bright future for aspiring young players. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
