
‘We will be back’ says Leicester chairman following relegation
Leicester chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha has dismissed calls from some supporters to sell the relegated club and promised the Foxes will soon return to the Premier League. Despite beating West Ham 2-1 on Sunday, Leicester dropped into the Sky Bet Championship seven years after being crowned champions of England and two seasons since winning the FA Cup. It is a remarkable fall from grace and one that Leicester chairman Srivaddhanaprabha says has led to him receiving offensive messages, some of which have been “outright abusive”. “I have received a massive number of messages from our fans – both positive and negative,” Srivaddhanaprabha said in a statement published on the Leicester website. “Some want me to sell the club, some using offensive and thoughtless words, and some have been outright abusive. “But for every hurtful message I have received, I have also received messages of support, of appreciation, of unity – both remotely and from people I have met anonymously in public, who always come to say hello to me and to my family. It means a lot to us.” Srivaddhanaprabha’s father Vichai and his family bought the club in 2010 and took Leicester into the Premier League four years later. Leicester produced possibly English football’s greatest underdog story by winning the title in 2016. Club chairman Khun Vichai was killed in a helicopter accident at Leicester’s King Power Stadium in October 2018. For every hurtful message I have received, I have also received messages of support, of appreciation, of unity Leicester chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha “It was the most painful experience for me and for my family, but the support and love we received from our Leicester City family made our bond even stronger,” Srivaddhanaprabha said of the accident. “I made a commitment, as chairman, to continuing to pursue the ambition my father and I shared for the club, to ensure that the realisation of his vision for Leicester City would ultimately become his legacy. “We want to thank you and let you know that we still have the same ambition for Leicester City that we had 13 years ago. “The incredible support we had in our stadium yesterday, the positive messages we have received from our fans and the constructive comments we must take on-board – we will gather all this support and use it to power our recovery. “Power to justify our fans’ belief in their club. Power to take us back to the Premier League. “Next season is going to be tough, but it will be a year for collaboration and unity. We will come together and fight to return to the Premier League.” Leicester finished fifth twice as well as eighth during manager Brendan Rodgers’ three full seasons in charge. But Srivaddhanaprabha acknowledged the impact of Covid had a serious effect on the club’s finances, with summer cutbacks meaning that Rodgers was unable to significantly strengthen his squad. The departures of long-serving goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel to Nice and defender Wesley Fofana to Chelsea also had a detrimental effect on the squad. Rodgers left at the end of April with Leicester in the bottom three, and his replacement Dean Smith was unable to prevent relegation after taking charge for the final eight games. Srivaddhanaprabha said: “Relegation is a consequence of 38 games and over that period, we haven’t been good enough. “Over the coming days and weeks, we need to reflect on the processes and decisions that have brought us to this point. “What we learn from this experience must convert into action that makes us stronger and prevents this happening to us again in the future. “We took Leicester City into the UEFA Champions League, giving our supporters those amazing Wednesday nights, under the lights in Porto, Brugge, Copenhagen, Seville and Madrid. “We used the fruits of that success to keep reinvesting in the club, strengthening our squad, improving the experience for our fans and starting plans for major projects like Seagrave and a stadium expansion that would give us long-term strength and growth. “Of course, these milestones place our situation today into quite stark context, but I reference them to highlight the progress we have made as a club in the last 13 years, which gives me confidence that we will build again. “Relegation is undeniably a significant setback, but it will not define us. Today we share the loss and the pain together. But we will be back. “This responsibility that I continue to live is one of the greatest responsibilities in my life and I will continue to put everything into it – my passion, that of my family and the entire King Power community.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Roberto De Zerbi says Brighton must build stronger squad for European challenge James McArthur hails Roy Hodgson’s impact at Crystal Palace Coaching trio follow Gregor Townsend’s lead and extend Scotland deals until 2026
2023-05-29 21:51

3 White Sox who should be traded and where
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2023-05-29 21:51

Erdogan Overcomes Economic Woes to Extend Record Turkey Rule
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Ryan Mason insists he’s ‘done a great job’ despite Spurs missing out on Europe
Ryan Mason said he and his coaching staff have “done a great job” during his second spell as Tottenham’s interim manager. Tottenham closed their Premier League season with a resounding 4-1 win at relegated Leeds on Sunday, but have failed to qualify for European football next season for the first time since 2008-09. Mason said: “When I go on my summer holidays I would hope and expect that everyone inside of our training ground knows who I am, who my team is and what we stand for. “The hope and expectation is that you guys and everyone else sees that too. I know we’ve done a great job. I really do.” Tottenham fought back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Manchester United at home in Mason’s first game back in charge and have since won two and lost three of their last five matches. The 31-year-old former Spurs midfielder, whose previous stint in temporary charge came after Jose Mourinho was sacked in 2021, replaced previous interim boss Cristian Stellini with six games remaining. Tottenham had sacked Antonio Conte at the end of March and while they were then fourth in the table, they had exited all the cup competitions and weary fans had grown disillusioned over their team’s playing style. “The circumstances were very difficult,” said Mason, who urged the club to get their next managerial appointment right. “I think anyone in the world coming into this situation for six games coming off the back of what had happened and the position we were in was going to find it tough. “Also if you add into that being on an interim basis, where there’s uncertainty it makes it even tougher. “But we’ve stuck to what we believe in, we’ve transitioned a little bit I believe in a short space of time and the players have responded, they’ve given us everything and ultimately that’s all I can ask.” Throughout his six games in charge, Mason has called for the club to rediscover their identity and feels that is the biggest factor as they continue their search for a new manager. “The most important thing for any club in world football is to have an identity, know who you are and who you want to be and stick to that,” he said. Mason also paid tribute to Harry Kane, who scored twice at Elland Road – in what could be his last game for Tottenham – to take his league tally to 30 for the season. “I think he probably doesn’t get the appreciation he should,” Mason added. “The goals yes, outstanding, a 30-goal season in the Premier League is incredible but also his overall performances are just outstanding. “I also think as well to go through what happened in the World Cup, from a mental point of view, to come back and do what he’s done for the past four or five months, I think it speaks volumes for the player and the person.” Read More Tottenham need to figure out ‘who we want to be’, interim boss Ryan Mason says Leeds’ relegation confirmed as Harry Kane hits double in Tottenham win Abdoulaye Doucoure the saviour, Tottenham’s crossroads and 6 Premier League final day talking points
2023-05-29 21:50

Israeli forces kill Palestinian officer in clashes
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2023-05-29 21:48

Roberto De Zerbi says Brighton must build stronger squad for European challenge
Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi admits the Seagulls will need to spend ahead of their European debut. They have qualified for the Europa League for the first time in their history after finishing sixth in the Premier League. Brighton had already wrapped up sixth spot before Sunday’s final day 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa and De Zerbi knows they will need to expand their squad to cope with the demands of European competition. “We are not ready to play three games in a row, three games per week. We are not used to playing three games in a row,” he said. “We have to work in the transfer market, we have to build a stronger squad, with more players and then we have to improve. “The result we achieved this year was incredible, Tony (Bloom), me and Paul Barber, we have the dream to improve this result. “The season is finished which is bad news for me – it’s difficult without football. I will go to Italy and will work with Tony Bloom and the club to improve the squad. “This season was fantastic and we have to try and repeat it.” Deniz Undav’s goal was not enough to rescue a point after Brighton fell 2-0 down inside 30 minutes at Villa following strikes from Douglas Luiz and Ollie Watkins. Victory earned Villa seventh in the Premier League and a Europa Conference League play-off spot, returning to Europe for the first time in 13 years. Boss Unai Emery said: “It’s important because we’re going to be one step ahead in our objective to be in Europe. To play in the Conference League is very important. “We’re adding the possibility of another trophy because it’s very difficult in the Premier League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup. Our objective and ambitions will be to try and always be a candidate to get a trophy. “To play in Europe for the club and the coaches, because I was playing 15 years in a row in Europe, so to get that again next year is fantastic for me individually and I’m very happy playing in Europe.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live ‘We will be back’ says Leicester chairman following relegation James McArthur hails Roy Hodgson’s impact at Crystal Palace Coaching trio follow Gregor Townsend’s lead and extend Scotland deals until 2026
2023-05-29 21:46

Spain government calls snap election after regional ballot rout
By Belén Carreño and Inti Landauro MADRID (Reuters) -Spain's Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called a snap national election on
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How Chelsea could line up under Mauricio Pochettino
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2023-05-29 21:29

Erdogan survived the biggest test of his political career. What's next?
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday emerged as winner of the country's presidential election, proving himself resilient against the opposition bloc as he extends his rule into a third decade.
2023-05-29 21:29

Scotland shake up squad for crunch Euro 2024 qualifiers
Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland and his Hibernian counterpart Kevin Nisbet have both been included in the Scotland squad for the next month’s Euro 2024 qualifiers against Norway and Georgia. The Edinburgh-based pair take the places of Stoke’s Jacob Brown, who missed the end of the Championship season with a hamstring issue, and Southampton forward Che Adams, who recently suffered a recurrence of the ankle injury he sustained in Scotland’s win over Cyprus. Shankland, who previously made four appearances in 2019 and 2020, was called back into the fold for the Spain game in March and he has kept his place at the end of a season in which he has scored 28 goals for Hearts. Nisbet, who won all of his 10 caps in 2021, is recalled for the first time since damaging his anterior cruciate ligament in February 2022. The 26-year-old has scored 12 goals for Hibs since returning to action in December. Rangers defender John Souttar is recalled after missing much of the season through injury. The 26-year-old, who has not played for the national team since last summer’s Nations League defeat in Ireland, takes the place of Norwich City centre-back Grant Hanley, who has been sidelined with an Achilles problem since early April. Blackburn centre-back Dom Hyam has retained his place after earning a late call-up for the last camp in March, while Steve Clarke has opted for consistency in the goalkeeping department with Angus Gunn, Zander Clark and Liam Kelly again called up in the absence of Craig Gordon, who remains sidelined as he tries to fight back from a double leg-break sustained on Christmas Eve. Scotland, who are top of Group A with two wins from their two games so far, face Norway in Oslo on Saturday, June 17 before welcoming Georgia to Hampden three days later. Scotland squad for Euro 2024 qualifiers against Norway and Georgia: Goalkeepers: Zander Clark (Hearts), Angus Gunn (Norwich), Liam Kelly (Motherwell). Defenders: Liam Cooper (Leeds), Jack Hendry (Club Brugge), Aaron Hickey (Brentford), Dominic Hyam (Blackburn), Nathan Patterson (Everton), Ryan Porteous (Watford), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), John Souttar (Rangers), Greg Taylor (Celtic), Kieran Tierney (Arsenal). Midfielders: Stuart Armstrong (Southampton), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Brighton), Ryan Jack (Rangers), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Callum McGregor (Celtic), Kenny McLean (Norwich), Scott McTominay (Manchester United). Forwards: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lyndon Dykes (Queens Park Rangers), Kevin Nisbet (Hibernian), Lawrence Shankland (Hearts). Read More Time for yet another Everton reset – but this time with a dose of boring reality Farce amid the failure: How 2023 saw Leeds fall apart We’ve done a great job – Ryan Mason Time for yet another Everton reset – but this time with a dose of boring reality Farce amid the failure: How 2023 saw Leeds fall apart We’ve done a great job – Ryan Mason
2023-05-29 21:26

Red Bull's F1 engine supplier has completely screwed them
Red Bull Racing has been completely left out to dry by its current engine supplier.The new engines and regulations won't come to Formula One until 2026, but the drama is already building in anticipation of what will almost certainly be considered the next generation of F1 racing.Along w...
2023-05-29 21:24