History-making hat-trick
Ange Postecoglou has been named Premier League Manager of the Month for the month of October.
It completes a hat-trick of gongs for the Tottenham head coach, who was MOTM in August and September too.
It’s the first time any manager in history has won the award for the first three months of a Premier League season.
The Australian was given the gong after guiding Spurs to three wins from their three league matches in October.
Tricky situation
David Moyes says managers outside of the Premier League’s big guns don’t want speak out about VAR controversies, because they are either ignored, fined or both.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta launched a furious tirade against the decision to allow Anthony Gordon’s winning goal for Newcastle last weekend.
But West Ham chief Moyes feels managers of clubs outside the traditional top six usually do not get listened to, and when they do they get hit in the pocket.
“My opinion doesn’t really matter in what I say because you’re just going to ask all the managers a similar question,” said Moyes.
“We’re all pretty disappointed with lots of aspects but we’re also all very much in favour of trying to make it work. I just think we’ve all been disappointed with some of the officiating this season. My single opinion wouldn’t matter a jot. They’ll do what they need to do.
“When we’re putting it over it’s not getting much clout at the other end. You can ask us but we feel that we’re not getting an awful lot back when we’re giving it back to the officials or whoever.
“There have been a couple of big incidents that have been highlighted, but it’s mainly at the top clubs.
“It’s as if people don’t think that some other clubs have the same problems, the same VAR problems, the same decision-making. It doesn’t get the same highlight. We’re all pretty disappointed by what we’ve been getting back.
“We don’t want to do it because managers will be fined for speaking out of turn. Most managers don’t want to say anything about it because we know we’re locked down.
“If clubs or managers choose to have an outburst then that’s their choice and they can choose to do that.”
Matter of time
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s acquisition of a minority stake in Manchester United is expected to be ratified during the international break, talkSPORT understands.
Ratcliffe has agreed to pay £1.25bn for a 25 per cent shareholding with a pledge of £245m additional funds to improve the club’s infrastructure.
The British billionaire is seeking eventual overall control and is still in talks with the Raine banking group, who are handling the sale process on behalf of the Glazer family, over the overall make-up of the deal.
Once a full agreement has been reached and approved by United’s 12-strong board of directors, including six members of the Glazer family, it is likely to take up to two months for Ratcliffe to pass the Premier League’s owners and directors test.
Thinking time
England will not name an immediate replacement for James Maddison after the Tottenham star pulled out of the squad, talkSPORT understands.
Gareth Southgate’s squad is down to 24 players after Spurs announced Maddison would be withdrawn due to an ankle injury.
The Three Lions boss also faces doubts over defender Lewis Dunk, who was substituted during Brighton’s 2-0 victory over Ajax with a groin problem.
However, talkSPORT understands Southgate will not announce any new additions to the squad until the weekend’s Premier League action has concluded.
Not available
Tottenham midfielder James Maddison has been withdrawn from the latest England squad due to injury.
The 26-year-old was taken off during Spurs’ 4-1 Premier League defeat to Chelsea on Monday with an ankle injury, and his club have now confirmed he is unavailable for England’s Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta on November 17 and North Macedonia on November 20.
Spurs said in a statement that the player would continue his rehabilitation at their Hotspur Way training centre under the supervision of club medical staff.
Welcome back!
A lacklustre Liverpool suffered a dramatic 3-2 defeat at Toulouse in the Europa League on Thursday night.
Academy graduate Jarell Quansah was denied a last-minute equaliser by VAR as the Reds missed the opportunity to qualify for the knockout stages.
The match was played moments after Liverpool star Luis Diaz’s father was released by kidnappers, who held him hostage for 12 days in Colombia.
Brighton enjoyed the greatest night in their history with a 2-0 win at Ajax to boost their hopes of progressing from the group stage.
And West Ham maintained their place at the top of Group A with a 1-0 victory over Olympiakos.
In the Europa Conference League, Aston Villa came from behind to beat AZ Alkmaar and put themselves on the brink of qualifying for the next round.
Today, we will bring you build-up to a weekend of Premier League action with press conferences throughout the day.
That’s all folks
That’s it for today on talkSPORT.com’s football news blog. We’ll be back in the morning with all the big football stories, including reaction to tonight’s European action.
Free at last
Liverpool forward Luis Diaz’s father has been freed from his kidnappers.
Luis Manuel Diaz was apprehended on October 28 by the Colombian guerrilla insurgency group, the ELN, (National Liberation Army).
Images circulated on earlier today of a helicopter reportedly carrying Diaz senior landing on a track.
The news of his release has been confirmed by the Colombian Football Federation, with Liverpool reaction to the news on social media.
Rescue operation
The process to release Luis Diaz’ father is underway, according to reports.
TV pictures have reportedly shown a helicopter taking off in Colombia, heading to the location where the ELN [National Liberation Army] should hand over the Liverpool star’s dad.
Luis Manuel Diaz was kidnapped two weeks ago.
The rescue mission is said to being led by the United Nations and representatives of the Catholic church.
Squad could still change
Gareth Southgate has admitted that his latest England squad could still be tweaked due to a few knocks.
Callum Wilson, Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham are all doubtful for this weekend’s action and the England manager is prepared for any late setbacks or changes.
Speaking at his press conference ahead of England’s next two games against Malta and North Macedonia.
He said: “We could lose one of those today after a scan. We could lose one tomorrow, so we don’t really know.
“You would be amazed at how complicated it is picking a squad, so I couldn’t be certain that everyone in that squad will be there on Sunday night.
“Callum [Wilson] is probably is the biggest doubt.
“But equally, I am pretty confident that the others can get through and all are keen to be involved.”
More from Southgate on Sterling
Gareth Southgate elected not to pick Raheem Sterling for the fifth consecutive England squad.
Before the World Cup, he was a crucial player for the Three Lions, but he hasn’t played since Qatar.
And at his press conference, he was asked about Sterling’s absence.
He said: “The door is always open, not only for Raheem but for other players not in this squad.
“We don’t need to know about his quality, his personality.
“He is a crucial part of the journey we’ve had over the last few years.
“But the team’s playing really well. We had an exceptional win over Italy last time, so who do we leave out to put him in?
“It’s simple as that.
“He wasn’t available in March or June. The two performances in June were excellent, so we’ve stuck with that group.
“We’ve deliberately not made many changes because we’ve felt that’s fair to the guys in the squad.
“There is no question Raheem looks dangerous for his club. He looks invigorated.”
James rejected call-up
Gareth Southgate has revealed that he wanted to pick Chelsea captain Reece James for this squad, but the player told him he didn’t feel ready.
James has just returned from a hamstring injury and has endured a bit of a stop-start season, and it appears he is unwilling to risk his body for these two games.
Some people might criticise this decision, but you have to applaud James for realising that his body might not be totally ready to compete at the highest level for his country.
Also, if he stays fit all season, there is a very good chance he will be going to the Euros next year.
But if he gets injured again, that won’t be happening.
