Off-Pitch & Press

TalkSPORT Presenter Apologises After Beckham Post During Brooklyn Family Feud

Shebahn Aherne
January 2026

Aherne apologised after a social post about meeting Beckham was criticised as objectifying, landing during intense coverage of the Beckham family feud. Brooklyn publicly accused his parents of controlling behaviour and said he does not want reconciliation. Aherne shared an anecdote about interviewing Beckham and described sniffing her arm afterward, which drew backlash online. She then issued a public apology saying it was a joke and not intended to offend. Beckham separately spoke about social media risks and parenting.

Gareth Bale Says Alonso Failed at Real Madrid Because He Was a Coach Not a Manager

Xabi Alonso
January 2026

Bale blamed Alonso’s Madrid failure on not managing egos and pressure at the Bernabeu, despite strong tactical ability and early results. Bale argued Real Madrid requires a manager who can handle personalities and scrutiny, not only a tactician, implying that mismatch helped unravel Alonso’s tenure after the Super Cup loss and subsequent fallout.

Vinicius Pleads for Bernabeu Backing After Monaco Rout and Booing Hurt

Vinicius Junior
January 2026

Vinicius said recent whistles at the Bernabeu have affected him and asked supporters to back the team, while stressing he wants focus on his football, not off-field drama or coaching changes. He said he felt uncomfortable because mistakes were met with boos, accepted fans’ right to demand more, denied influencing Alonso’s exit, and called for unity after recent setbacks. He also played down contract noise and said he remains calm with just over a year left on his deal.

De Zerbi Plays Down Manchester United Links Ahead of Marseille Champions League Game

Roberto De Zerbi
January 2026

De Zerbi dismissed speculation about the United job and said his focus is entirely on Marseille while United continue their search for a permanent head coach. He stressed he feels good at the club and city and would not discuss future possibilities, despite past reports he was interviewed for the role and United admiration for his work since Brighton and his early Marseille success.

Howard Webb Backs Dalot Yellow Card in Manchester Derby, Rejects Red Calls

Howard Webb
January 2026

Webb said officials were correct to book Dalot rather than send him off for a studs-up challenge on Doku that sparked debate. Webb argued the contact was brief and glancing and lacked the speed and intensity typical of serious-foul-play reds, warning that slow motion and freeze frames exaggerate force and distort real-time assessment that referees and VAR must prioritise.

Carragher Cuts Carrick From United Shortlist, Names Four Alternatives

Jamie Carragher
January 2026

Carragher said Carrick should not be considered for the permanent United job, arguing he lacks the elite level needed to win the Premier League. He compared Carrick to Rosenior as managers unlikely to topple top-tier rivals, then selected a shortlist of Nagelsmann, Tuchel, Luis Enrique, and Howe, with Tuchel singled out as having the edge and confrontational drive to reset a drifting club.

Luis Enrique Defends Brahim Diaz After Panenka Miss in AFCON Final

Luis Enrique
January 2026

Luis Enrique defended Diaz after his late Panenka penalty was saved, a moment that became a focal point of criticism following Morocco’s defeat to Senegal. He argued football outcomes should not define a player’s character, cited the pressure created by the long delay and protests before the kick, and noted many elite players have taken Panenkas in major matches, with judgment changing only based on whether it goes in.

Brand Beckham Rift Deepens After Brooklyn Rejects Reconciliation

David Beckham
January 2026

Brooklyn reportedly said he does not want to reconcile with his family and described controlling dynamics, triggering public commentary from David’s former team-mate and a former assistant. O’Kane framed David as obsessive and controlling and warned the family brand should not outrank children, while Loos backed Brooklyn for speaking out and claimed she understands what the parents can be like, escalating the public narrative around the dispute.

Gabriel Jesus Pushes for Arsenal Extension After Injury-Lit Years

Gabriel Jesus
January 2026

Jesus said he wants a new deal at Arsenal and wants to win trophies, while reflecting on repeated injuries that have disrupted most of his time at the club. After long layoffs including an ACL tear, he described doubts during rehab and focused on staying fit through the rest of the season; with his contract running down and links to Palmeiras, he positioned himself as committed to staying and extending.

Udogie Targeted Again After Range Rover Break-In

Destiny Udogie
January 2026

Udogie’s car was broken into and damaged after he returned from Spurs duty, adding to a season marked by off-field incidents and instability. Thieves smashed a window of his Range Rover, with the report noting an earlier case where an agent allegedly threatened him with a firearm; the suspect was arrested and bailed while enquiries continued, and Tottenham staff supported the player.

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