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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
Quinten Timber
January 2026
Timber publicly attacked van Persie for not protecting him, after being benched and criticised for training attitude, suggesting the relationship has broken down and his departure is imminent. Van Persie justified dropping Timber by questioning his work and intent; Timber responded post-match saying the coach repeatedly fails to shield players and challenged him to say criticisms directly, with the outburst overshadowing a derby decided by a last-second Kitolano winner.
Jurgen Klopp
January 2026
Klopp dismissed links to the Real Madrid vacancy, saying Alonso’s exit did not trigger any desire to coach again and he is settled in his global advisory role. Klopp described the role as advisory with decision power, focused on listening, stabilising situations, and supporting club leaders across the Red Bull network; Leipzig staff cited his influence in recruitment, including helping persuade Bakayoko to join.
Rayan Cherki
January 2026
Evra called out Cherki for disrespecting United after Cherki’s earlier quote about wanting to “kill” United resurfaced following City’s derby defeat. Cherki started on the bench and came on at half-time, but had no meaningful impact as United controlled the game; Evra posted a pointed response online, tying the loss to Cherki’s pre-match bravado.
Alvaro Arbeloa
January 2026
Arbeloa criticised supporters who chanted “Florentino resign” during his first home league win, arguing the protest came from people who do not truly support the club. After replacing Xabi Alonso and starting with a Copa del Rey upset loss to Albacete, Arbeloa steadied things with a Levante win via second-half goals from Mbappe and Asencio, but the match was dominated by sustained anti-Perez chants from early on.
