30/07/2025

SPORTS WEDNESDAY | JULY 30, 2025

30

Man City manager Guardiola plans break from football

Ű BY IAN PARKER

Guardiola said: “I’m delighted to have failed. “I love failures. In this society where every thing has to be perfect, where you have to post your food on Instagram … ‘Oh, how good, how happy I am’. “Everyday we have to prove that we’re happy. Well, yes, I’m sad, I fail and I lose. So? “Name one who doesn’t do it. The important thing is to give it your all and do it well. And I haven’t given up on that… “Next year I’m going to do better. That’s what it’s all about.” – The Independent

run of four Premier League titles – and six in seven seasons – came to a disappointing end as City were left fighting for a Champions League place before finishing third. Guardiola said it was easy with hindsight to say that City should have been quicker to refresh an ageing squad, a process which began in January and has continued this summer with the signings so far of Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders and Sverre Nypan – with James Trafford due to follow. But when asked how he felt about City’s campaign being described as a “failure,”

break before any other role. Speaking to GQ Spain , Guardiola said: “I know that after this stage with City I’m going to stop, that’s for sure. It’s decided, more than decided. “I don’t know how long I’ll stop for, a year, two years, three years, five, 10, 15, I don’t know. “But I will leave after this spell with City because I need to stop and focus on myself.” Earlier in his coaching career, Guardiola took a one-year break after leaving Barcelona and before taking charge at Bayern Munich. Last season was City’s first without a trophy since Guardiola’s first campaign in charge as a

PEP GUARDIOLA has reiterated his plan to take a break from football when he ends his time at Manchester City and suggested it could be for several years. Guardiola, 54, has been at City since 2016 but during last season’s slump in form he ended speculation over his immediate future by sign ing a new contract that runs until 2027. The Catalan has previously expressed an interest in managing in international football later in his career, but has insisted he will take a

Manager Sarina Wiegman (left) and England’s defender Leah Williamson pose with the Women’s Euro 2025 trophy at Downing Street in London. – REUTERSPIC

29/07/2025 (TUE)

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with Euro 2025 trophy E NGLAND’S Lionesses returned to a heroes’ welcome on Monday, less than 24 hours after their dra matic penalty-shootout victory against world champions Spain in the Euro 2025 final. Chloe Kelly converted the decisive spot-kick in the Swiss city of Basel as Sarina Wiegman’s team successfully defended the European women’s crown they won at Wembley in 2022. Supporters, many of whom were dressed in England kits and holding flags, cheered as they waited outside Southend airport, about 64km east of London. In a post on X , the team shared a photo of the trophy draped in an England flag on a seat on the plane, which had “Home” painted in red letters on its side. The aircraft was welcomed with a water salute from two fire engines after landing. Captain Leah Williamson and manager Wiegman were the first off, with the skipper proudly holding the trophy. Among the waiting supporters were twins Poppy and Daisy Macdonald, 11, who were holding a sign asking for a photo with star striker Alessia Russo. “We’re so proud. They’ve won it two times in a row and they’ve worked so hard for it,” said Poppy. “They’ve had a lot of injuries and setbacks but they’ve done really well.” The Lionesses were whisked straight to No. 10 Downing Street, the working home of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer which was decked out in England flags. The team were hosted by Deputy Prime minister Angela Rayner and Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock while Starmer was in Scotland meeting US President Donald Trump. Rayner told the team they had “made us all so so proud”.

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“Role models like you send such a powerful message, the Lionesses are a shining example of talent and excitement for women’s football,” she said. An open-top bus parade will follow overnight, culminating in a celebration in front of Buckingham Palace. Victory in Switzerland was sweet revenge for Wiegman’s defending cham pions, who suffered bitter defeat against the same opponents in the World Cup final two years ago. Victory in Switzerland on Sunday capped a remarkable tournament packed with late drama for England. Wiegman’s team were slow out of the blocks, losing their first match against France, before comfortable wins over the Netherlands and Wales in the group phase. They came back from 2-0 down against Sweden in the quarterfinals before win ning on penalties, and sealed their spot in Sunday’s final with a last-gasp extra-time win over Italy. The defending champions again fell behind against Spain on Sunday but Russo cancelled out Mariona Caldentey’s first-half opener and the teams were still locked at 1-1 at the end of extra-time. Two penalty saves by player-of-the match Hannah Hampton and Salma Paralluelo’s miss set the stage for Kelly, who also scored the winner against Germany in the 2022 final. In total, the Lionesses led for fewer than five minutes across the entire Euros knockout stage. “I must admit that this is the most cha otic and ridiculous tournament we have played,” said Wiegman. “The players say we can win by any means, and we just never, ever give up.” – AFP

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