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Daily Mail
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Diogo Jota was the humble star who helped turn Wolves into a Premier League force, writes TOM COLLOMOSSE... Molineux will soon give him the tribute he so deserves
It says everything about Diogo Jota 's love for football that while others spent the 2020 coronavirus lockdown watching box sets or adopting unusual hobbies, he was leading Telford United to the Champions League title on the Football Manager computer game. Under their Portuguese coach, Telford – who had never played in the Football League before Jota took over – stormed through the divisions of English football, establishing themselves in the Premier League and becoming a major European force. Jota was at Wolves at the time and his choice of Telford gave another a clue to his character. This was no footballing mercenary merely passing through, but a man who took a close interest in his surroundings. Telford is 20 miles from Wolverhampton, the city Jota called home for three years until his £41million move to Liverpool in September 2020. 'I use a good part of my free time to be involved in football, even through esports,' he said at the time. 'He's how players should be when they join us,' said former Liverpool boss Klopp that autumn. 'He's at the best age, 23, already experienced and played a lot of Premier League football. 'He's made his way up in Portugal. He is a really open, his English is brilliant and he was ready to step into the team and the squad.' Nobody at Wolves was surprised by Klopp's words. When Jota moved to England with Rute Cardoso, who he married only last month, in summer 2017, they chose an apartment that was less than five minutes' walk from Wolves training ground at Compton, on the outskirts of the city. At that time, Jota was only on loan from Atletico Madrid and might have been tempted by a property in the upmarket footballer belt that includes Sutton Coldfield and Solihull. Moving to a place two miles from the centre of Wolverhampton sent all the right signals to his club. Many of the Wolves players at that time, particularly the Portuguese ones, also lived near Compton and would meet most evenings at midfielder Ruben Neves' apartment. Neves is said to be an excellent cook and would prepare dinner while his team-mates played pool or computer games. Jota was one of the players who opted to remain in England during that first lockdown and as soon as it was permitted, he went straight to the training ground to follow an individual fitness regime to ensure he was at his sharpest when football resumed. Although confident and ultra-competitive, Jota was known as an understated character. He had a serious manner and little interest in the ostentatious cars and clothes that some top footballers choose to spend their wages on. Jota and Cardoso moved immediately to the north-west after his move to Liverpool was confirmed. In the football world, connections will naturally change and drift over time. In those first couple of years, though, Jota kept in regular contact with players and staff at Wolves and was invited back for family birthdays and occasions within the Compton Portuguese enclave. With player and club such a perfect match, it was a surprise to some when Jota was sold. But at the time, the move suited both parties: Jota indicated to Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo after the Europa League defeat by Sevilla in summer 2020 – when he was used only as a late substitute in the club's most important match of the season – that he was ready for a new challenge; Nuno was happy to let Jota go to make more space in the first team for two other Portuguese signings, Pedro Neto and Daniel Podence. Jota earned Wolves a significant profit, too, as the fee from Atletico was about £12m. There was pride, but some surprise at first, in Portugal at how well Jota performed in England. Before he moved here, he was regarded as a promising talent, but not an exceptional one. Certainly not the sort of player who would score Champions League hat-tricks or start matches for the national team. That he did so is testament to Jota's talent and attitude. Though a client of super-agent Jorge Mendes, Jota was never one of the golden children like Cristiano Ronaldo or, in later years, Joao Felix. They have three children, pictured on the Anfield pitch in May after winning the Premier League He began at Pacos Ferreira, a small club near Porto, and though he moved to Atletico in 2016 after two impressive seasons, Jota never broke through in Madrid. The key moments were his loan spells at Porto and Wolves. After helping Wolves to promotion in 2018, Jota signed permanently and ensured they became a force in the Premier League, too. Ronaldo sets the standard for all Portuguese players but for the current generation, particularly the Under-17 squad who won the European Championship this summer, Jota is a fabulous role model. And on August 16, when Wolves face Manchester City in their first game of the season, Molineux will pay Jota the tribute he deserves.
BBC News
25-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Goodwin at ease with transfer pace
Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin is at ease with the pace of the club's summer transfer business. (Courier - subscription required), externalRead Wednesday's Scottish gossip
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lennon Miller: New Motherwell boss to sit down with Scotland star to discuss future amid interest
Motherwell boss Jen Berthel Askou says he hopes to sit down with teen talent Lennon Miller later this week amid intense speculation regarding a summer move away from Fir Park. The Dane is just in the door and is yet to speak to the Scotland international with 18-year-old Miller enjoying some extra days off after being away on international duty earlier this month. Advertisement Speaking at his first press conference this afternoon, Askou admits there is 'probably' interest in the midfielder and hopes to get a clearer picture on his future in the coming days. Motherwell players reported back for pre-season duty today and Askou said: "There probably is (interest) but it's not been on the top of my mind today so I will need to get an update myself. Jens Berthel Askou is unveiled as the new Motherwell manager "I know he is a fantastic player and has just gone into the national team. He is a big profile for Motherwell and Scottish football and for sure he is going to have a fantastic international career. "We will see over time if it is this summer that he is going to take the next step. I know there is a lot of talk and expectations that he has created by performing really, really well. Advertisement "I haven't met him yet because he has a few extra days off so I think it will be fair to meet him and have some good discussions before I answer any questions about his future." Meanwhile, Motherwell have announced assiatant manager Ahmet Koc has left the club "with a heavy heart". He was appointed in February and remained in post despite Michael Wimmer quitting the cluib last month for a return to Germany. However, with Askou now in the door, Koc has stepped side. Koc said: "It is with a heavy heart that I have chosen to pursue a different path in football away from Fir Park. "I have loved every minute at Motherwell FC and have taken the club, the staff and the fans to my heart. I feel it's important Jens has the opportunity to build his own team now for the season ahead whilst I now also have the opportunity to pursue a different career path in football. Advertisement "Although short, the time at Motherwell FC has been special, and I have truly loved every minute of being here. As difficult a decision as this has been for me, I will always support the club from afar, and who knows, we may meet again in the future. "My best wishes to all of the fans, the directors, Jens and the football department for the season ahead, and thank you for looking after us during our time in Scotland. Mon the Well!" READ MORE: Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou aims to 'break barriers' in Scottish football as he takes reins at Fir Park READ MORE: Why Lennon Miller won't sign for Celtic despite being 'perfect' transfer revealed by Motherwell hero
The Independent
18-06-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Chris Wilder sacked as Sheffield United manager after Championship play-off final failure
Chris Wilder has been sacked as Sheffield United boss close to a month on from losing the Championship play-off final to Sunderland. Failing to guide the Blades back to the Premier League at the first time of asking, Wilder's second stint at Bramall Lane ends after 18 months, having taken over midway through their relegation-doomed 2023/24 campaign. The Independent understands his dismissal comes following a disagreement over recruitment plans and other issues. Wilder spent five years at the club between 2016 and 2021, where he led Sheffield United from League One to the Premier League and even to the brink of Europe, finishing five points off the Europa League places in their first season up. He took his total tally of games managed at the club to 305 during his second spell in charge in the Steel City, rejoining the Blades after stints at Middlesbrough and Watford. The 57-year-old has now been let go three years before the expected expiry of his contract in 2028. Sheffield United were part of three-horse race for automatic promotion from the Championship last term, but were pipped to the top two by Leeds United and Burnley, who both finished the campaign on 100 points. The Blades, meanwhile, ended the normal season on a tally of 92, leaving them a sizeable 16 points ahead of fourth-place Sunderland as they headed into the ever-precarious play-offs. After dispatching Bristol City over two semi-final legs by an aggregate score of 6-0, they set up a Wembley showdown with the Black Cats, confident that they could emerge victorious in football's richest game. But after taking the lead in a dominant first-half, they failed to make chances count and would succumb to a dramatic comeback from Sunderland, with Tom Watson firing in a 95th-minute winner to send Regis Le Bris's side back to the top flight for the first time since 2017. It leaves Sheffield United resigned to another year in the Championship, where they will be expected to join recently-relegated Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton in the race for promotion.
BBC News
13-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Is Cleverley a clever decision?
Plymouth Argyle have announced former Watford boss Tom Cleverley as the new man in Hornets ended last season in 14th place and found themselves the least successful Championship club in 2025 to lead to Cleverley's while it didn't work out with Watford, could the 35-year-old be just what Argyle need to get themselves back up to the second tier?Or is hiring a man whose side struggled during the second half of last season cause for concern?Let us know what you think.
