Latest news with #Kewell
The Hindu
a day ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Singapore coach shortlist — Cannavaro, Kewell and a Europa League winner among notable names: Reports
Ballon d'Or winner Fabio Cannavaro and a former Liverpool forward, Harry Kewell, are reportedly among the prominent names on the shortlist for the next head coach of Singapore's men's national football team. According to Singaporean daily The Straits Times, over 60 people had applied for the men's team head coach's job, which included Italy's World Cup-winning captain Cannavaro. Cannavaro, regarded as one of the best centre-backs of all time, is one of the three defenders to win the Ballon d'Or, after Franz Beckenbauer and Matthias Sammer. He led Italy to the World Cup title in 2006 and won two La Liga titles with Real Madrid. However, he has failed to reach the same heights as a coach and winning the Chinese Super League with Guangzhou Evergrande in 2019 remains his only major feat. Coaching China remains his only national team assignment, while his last coaching stint was in Croatia, with Dinamo Zagreb, where he was sacked after just 14 matches as head coach. Another name on the list is former winger Australian Kewell, who won the UEFA Champions League with Liverpool in 2005. A former head coach of Japanese side Yokahama Marinos, Kewell had also applied for the India coach job, where he could not make it to the final three-man shortlist. Kewell had also been an assistant coach to former Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou during his time at Celtic between 2022 and 2024. Nick Montgomery, another of Postecoglou's assistants — from Tottenham — is also on the list of applicants. Montgomery had won the A-League championship with Central Coast Mariners and the Europa League, as part of Spurs' camp this year. Other names reportedly on the shortlist include former Indonesia coach Luis Milla, former Iraq coach Jesus Casas and former manager of Thailand, Mano Polking, who had led the War Elephants to the 2020 and 2022 ASEAN Championship titles. The men's team coach spot has been empty since Tsutomu Ogura left the side, citing personal reasons, last month. Singapore, sitting atop Group C standings in the third round of AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, plays India next in October, a side which will also be under a new head coach.
AsiaOne
2 days ago
- Sport
- AsiaOne
World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro among list of top names for Singapore football coach, Singapore News
SINGAPORE — A World Cup winner, a former English Premier League assistant coach, and a former Liverpool player and Champions League winner are among the candidates that are on an extended shortlist for the Singapore national football coach's role, The Straits Times has learnt. Over 60 candidates have expressed interest in taking the hot seat since Japanese tactician Tsutomu Ogura resigned due to personal reasons on June 24. Ogura guided the Lions to the top of their Asian Cup qualifying group on goals scored, leaving them potentially four positive results away from a maiden qualification for the continental showpiece. In its hunt for a new head coach, the Football Association of Singapore's (FAS) new leadership team's commitment to the search has brought a host of top names from abroad. Several sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity told ST that numerous interviews have already been conducted by the FAS top brass, and an initial list of candidates has now been whittled down to around 15 names. They include Fabio Cannavaro, captain of Italy's World Cup-winning team in 2006. The 51-year-old's coaching curriculum vitae includes winning the Chinese Super League in 2019 with Guangzhou Evergrande. Regarded as one of the greatest defenders of all time, Cannavaro is one of just three defenders to have won the Ballon d'Or alongside Franz Beckenbauer and Matthias Sammer. His coaching career has yet to hit the heights he did as a player, with his last two stints being short-lived spells as coach of Udinese in the Italian Serie A and most recently at Croatian giants Dinamo Zagreb. He does have experience in Asia with spells as a club coach in Saudi Arabia and China. Another name on the shortlist is former Australia winger Harry Kewell, who won the 2005 Champions League with Liverpool as a player. The 46-year-old Australian's last role was as head coach with J1 League powerhouse Yokohama F. Marinos, where he was dismissed after less than seven months. Kewell reached the Asian Football Confederation Champions League final in his first season at the helm, but struggled in Japan's top flight, where he won just eight out of 22 matches. The former Liverpool and Leeds United star has had four senior managerial appointments in England's lower divisions after hanging up his boots in 2014, with little success at Crawley Town, Notts County, Oldham Athletic and Barnet. Kewell was also an assistant coach to Ange Postecoglou at Celtic when he joined the Scottish side in 2022 before leaving for the Marinos role in January 2024. Another former Postecoglou assistant who is among the candidates is Nick Montgomery, who was most recently an assistant coach at English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur. The Englishman left Spurs in June along with Postecoglou after the Australian manager was sacked despite guiding the club to their first major trophy in 17 years at the Europa League. Montgomery, 43, also won the 2023 A-League championship with Central Coast Mariners and later that year he became head coach of Hibernian in the Scottish Premier League, but was sacked in May 2024. Other names believed to be on the shortlist include former Persib Bandung and Indonesia national team coach Luis Milla; Serbian coach Nestor El Maestro, who has had spells at Saudi Pro League club Al-Taawoun and Slovakia's Spartak Trnava; former New Zealand national coach Anthony Hudson, who is currently the Football Association of Thailand's technical director; and former Iraq coach Jesus Casas. Another name is a familiar figure in ASEAN football - Mano Polking who led Thailand to 2020 and 2022 ASEAN Championship triumphs. The War Elephants impressed with a stylish, attractive brand of football under his charge. The 49-year-old Brazilian is currently head coach of Vietnamese side Cong An Ha Noi, with whom he won the 2025 Vietnamese National Cup. ST understands that the FAS made it clear in the search that the association want a strong communicator, a coach who has managed in Asian football, and a manager who has made the most out of the resources at his disposal, among other considerations. More interviews will take place in the coming weeks before the shortlist is further whittled down and a decision is reached. On top of salary demands, the FAS and the selected candidate will also need to settle on the size of staff that the latter will look to bring along, if any. Football commentator and former Singapore Premier League (SPL) coach Khidhir Khamis said that the FAS is sending a "statement of intent" with the calibre of candidates. "It is good that they are looking at coaches outside of Japan for a start and searching globally for who they feel is the best for the role," said Khidhir, 40. "People will be able to recognise the different direction that the FAS is heading in and there is bound to be excitement because of the names. It's a good sign." While Kewell and Cannavaro are names that will get most fans' attention, he urged caution, noting that they have not had much success as coaches. He added: "Maybe these guys are big names in football but I am not sure if they have the pedigree to be national coaches. It is wrong to just go for a big name without the confidence that they can steer us forward. We need to look at coaches who have had success closer to home." Agreeing, sports broadcaster and former professional footballer Rhysh Roshan Rai said that the FAS "shouldn't just aim for a huge name if they haven't shown they can produce in the job". He added: "We should also remember that this is an international level coaching job. It is a great opportunity for a coach and to put this on their resume in the longer term. It shouldn't be just about whether we can attract them but they also need to show why we should hire them." He said that Polking and Casas stood out as candidates as the former has been in the region for a long time and is a "fantastic coach and man manager" while Casas "did a solid job while with Iraq". "Polking is also someone with experience, a track record of success, charisma, is a popular figure with his players and wants his teams to play entertaining football," he added. In the interim, former BG Tampines Rovers coach Gavin Lee, 34, is leading the Lions, who will face Causeway rivals Malaysia in a friendly match at Kuala Lumpur's Bukit Jalil Stadium on Sept 4. It will serve as preparation for October's crucial Asian Cup qualifying matches. Singapore are top of Group C on goals scored, ahead of Hong Kong (four points), Bangladesh and India, who have a point apiece. Only the group winners will advance to the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia. Singapore, who face India in back-to-back matches in October, have never qualified for the Asian Cup on merit, with their only appearance coming as hosts in 1984. [[nid:719901]] This article was first published in The Straits Times . Permission required for reproduction.
The Irish Sun
22-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Two Liverpool legends lined up for managerial return as they go toe-to-toe for same international job
TWO Liverpool legends are battling it out for the SAME international managerial job. Robbie Fowler's wandering dugout career could take a surprise twist two years after his last job in Saudi Arabia. Advertisement 4 Robbie Fowler has reportedly applied to become the new manager of the Indian national team Credit: Reuters 4 Fowler is a Premier League legend, scoring 128 goals for Liverpool across two spells Credit: Alamy 4 Former Liverpool and Leeds forward Harry Kewell has also reportedly applied for the same job Credit: Alamy Premier League icon Fowler is eyeing a return to India after his spell at East Bengal between 2020-2021. The former Anfield striker is yet to last more than a year in the four club's he's managed. Fowler, 50, has applied to become the new gaffer of the Indian national team, who are ranked 133rd in the Fifa rankings. And according to the Advertisement READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS The report complained about the lack of high-quality and big-name candidates being linked. Fowler and Kewell played with each other for two seasons at Leeds, before Kewell joined Liverpool in 2003 and Fowler returned to the club for a second stint in 2006. Kewell, 46, enjoys a slight edge on Fowler's managerial career, after taking the reigns at Notts County, Oldham Athletic and Yokohama. Advertisement Most read in Football CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Like Fowler, Kewell has rarely stayed in a job longer than a year, with his longest spell coming at Crawley Town where he managed just 57 games. The shortest was a seven-game stint at Barnet in 2021. Where Liverpool's Ekitike talks leave Isak and Newcastle | Transfers Exposed The Aussie has also spent time as first team coach at Celtic , first under Ange Postecoglou and then briefly under Advertisement Meanwhile, Fowler first managed Muangthong United where he ended his playing career in 2011. After seven years away, Fowler was hired by Australian side Brisbane Roar, before leaving during the Covid-19 pandemic. He later took over at East Bengal in 2020, managing just three wins from 20 matches before a four month stint at Al-Qadsiah. India face a difficult task to qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup, needing to win their final four games in qualifying to stand any chance of topping their qualifying group. Advertisement 4 Kewell is also named as a contender for the India job Credit: Getty
Scottish Sun
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Two Liverpool legends lined up for managerial return as they go toe-to-toe for same international job
The team are trying to qualify for a big competition FRIENDLY RIVALS Two Liverpool legends lined up for managerial return as they go toe-to-toe for same international job Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TWO Liverpool legends are battling it out for the SAME international managerial job. Robbie Fowler's wandering dugout career could take a surprise twist two years after his last job in Saudi Arabia. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Robbie Fowler has reportedly applied to become the new manager of the Indian national team Credit: Reuters 4 Fowler is a Premier League legend, scoring 128 goals for Liverpool across two spells Credit: Alamy 4 Former Liverpool and Leeds forward Harry Kewell has also reportedly applied for the same job Credit: Alamy Premier League icon Fowler is eyeing a return to India after his spell at East Bengal between 2020-2021. The former Anfield striker is yet to last more than a year in the four club's he's managed. Fowler, 50, has applied to become the new gaffer of the Indian national team, who are ranked 133rd in the Fifa rankings. And according to the Times of India, another ex-Liverpool star has also thrown his name into the hat. Harry Kewell has been named as a contender having also represented Leeds in his playing career. The report complained about the lack of high-quality and big-name candidates being linked. Fowler and Kewell played with each other for two seasons at Leeds, before Kewell joined Liverpool in 2003 and Fowler returned to the club for a second stint in 2006. Kewell, 46, enjoys a slight edge on Fowler's managerial career, after taking the reigns at Notts County, Oldham Athletic and Yokohama. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Like Fowler, Kewell has rarely stayed in a job longer than a year, with his longest spell coming at Crawley Town where he managed just 57 games. The shortest was a seven-game stint at Barnet in 2021. Where Liverpool's Ekitike talks leave Isak and Newcastle | Transfers Exposed The Aussie has also spent time as first team coach at Celtic, first under Ange Postecoglou and then briefly under Brendan Rodgers before taking the Yokohama job. Meanwhile, Fowler first managed Muangthong United where he ended his playing career in 2011. After seven years away, Fowler was hired by Australian side Brisbane Roar, before leaving during the Covid-19 pandemic. He later took over at East Bengal in 2020, managing just three wins from 20 matches before a four month stint at Al-Qadsiah. India face a difficult task to qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup, needing to win their final four games in qualifying to stand any chance of topping their qualifying group.
Wales Online
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Soccer Aid's Harry Kewell is married to Emmerdale star who embarrassed him on TV
Soccer Aid's Harry Kewell is married to Emmerdale star who embarrassed him on TV The Australian football icon is making his Soccer Aid debut at Old Trafford this weekend Kewell met his wife Sheree in a Leeds nightclub in 2000 Soccer Aid is back for another year with a host of famous faces teaming up with some of football's biggest names to play a huge charity match and raise money for UNICEF. As ever, an England team will go head to head with a World XI in order to lift the trophy, which the Three Lions side claimed last year for the first time in eight years. Led by co-managers Wayne Rooney and Tyson Fury, they will look to retain their title at Old Trafford on Sunday night, with the likes of Gary Neville, Louis Tomlinson and Dame Denise Lewis among those taking part. The World XI team is also stacked with a host of football icons, with Carlos Tevez, Edwin van der Sar and Leonardo Bonucci among the former professionals involved. Representing Australia in the squad is Harry Kewell, with the former Wallabies winger making his Soccer Aid debut at this year's event. The 46-year-old is somewhat of a Premier League icon, having spent 12 years playing in the top flight of English football for both Leeds United and Liverpool, before seeing out the rest of his career with stints in Turkey, Qatar and his homeland of Australia. To date, he remains the only Australian man to have ever played in the Champions League final, while he won 58 caps for his country and represented them at two FIFA World Cups. Article continues below While his career has taken him all around the world - with his latest managerial stint seeing him take charge of Japanese side Yokohama F. Marinos - Kewell will forever be linked to the UK having married one of the country's most popular soap stars while playing in the English top flight. The 2005 Champions League winner - who has also managed the likes of Crawley Town, Notts County, Oldham Athletic and Barnet since retiring in 2014 - has been married to former Emmerdale and Hollyoaks star Sheree Murphy for 23 years. The couple got together while Kewell was at the top of his game at Leeds, having met in the city's Majestyk nightclub in 2000. Kewell then married Murphy - who has also starred in Neighbours and Only Fools and Horses as well as being a recurring panelist on Loose Women - in a ceremony in Las Vegas in May 2002. The famous pair have gone on to have four children together, with their son Taylor born in 2001 before they also welcomed daughters Ruby, Matilda and Dolly. Murphy has spoken openly about her relationship with the former footballer, telling the Loose Women panel that she is not afraid to make her feelings known if female fans try and flirt with her husband. "I'll say 'hello I'm the wife' if they go too far!," she said. "Harry just starts sweating, he gets quite nervous!" She also famously embarrassed her husband during her time on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! in 2005 as she told campmates that Kewell "had a peachy bum", leaving viewers in stitches. With the Wallabies star still playing for Liverpool at the time, the remark led to him - quite literally - being the butt of the joke, and Murphy - who finished runner-up on the show - was left groaning as she was put on the spot about the comment after leaving the famous jungle. Article continues below "Oh God, I can't even remember saying that," she told the Liverpool Echo. "But apparently on the telly they're still saying 'a brilliant goal by peachy bum!' "Harry was like 'will people never stop?'. But, actually, he's been fine about it and I think he was so glad to have me home he didn't care. "At least I was saying something nice," she added. "I wasn't saying it was fat or anything!"
