Latest news with #ex-WestHam
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Michail Antonio snubs Marcus Rashford and names forgotten star as toughest opponent
Michail Antonio came up against some stellar attackers during his time in the Premier League but it was Swansea's Mo Barrow who left him stunned as he wiped the floor with the ex-West Ham star Michail Antonio has claimed the player he struggled to cope with the most was former Swansea striker Mo Barrow, who is now playing in the second tier of South Korean football with Incheon United. The ex- West Ham star was a prolific frontman during his time in London, but earlier in his career played as a right-back and a right-winger before converting to a striker. It meant Antonio previously had to do his fair share of defensive work. His entire Premier League career was spent with the Hammers and he was tasked with containing the likes of Marcus Rashford and Eden Hazard, admitting that felt he'd "done well" when he had to keep them quiet. But the player who had Antonio's number was Barrow, who made very little of an impression in England, but clearly left his mark on the Jamaican international. He recalled a game when he could do nothing to stop the Swansea man, who continued to cause havoc. He the Beast Mode On podcast: "You know who ripped me the most? You wouldn't even know who he is. Mo Barrow. No one will know who he is. Swansea. I marked Martial, Hazard, Rashford, all these people and I done well. The one who ripped me the most was Mo Barrow. "They won 3-0 all from him. One skill, you know when you drag it back, through my legs. The worst thing about is I stop there like 'oh s***, he got me' I didn't even chase back. He destroyed me and I was like Mo, out of all the people." Barrow moved to England from Swedish side Ostersunds but scored just twice throughout his time with the Welsh outfit despite playing more than 50 games. He had several loan spells down to the Championship, having stints with Blackburn, Nottingham Forest and Leeds. He would leave Swansea permanently to join Reading, before later leaving British shores and heading overseas. His spell in Wales though did land him the accolade of becoming Gambia's first Barclays Premier League footballer Barrow previously said: "Where I lived in Gambia, there were a lot of poor people. There are a lot of kids that love to play football, but they don't have the help to be the players they want to be. Whenever I get the chance, I go back to Gambia. Sometimes I try and give money, but I believe more in going and seeing with my own eyes and helping than just giving money." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Man Utd 'make contact' with new transfer target and could seal bargain deal
Manchester United have made just one major signing this summer and the Red Devils have now been linked with a surprise move for Lyon midfielder Corentin Tolisso Manchester United are reportedly considering a surprise move for former Bayern Munich midfielder Corentin Tolisso. United are in the market for a new midfielder, having let Christian Eriksen leave on a free transfer after his contract expired. The only major new signing they have made so far this summer is the addition of Matheus Cunha from Wolves, while they are also in talks with Brentford over a deal for Bryan Mbeumo. And Tolisso has now emerged as another target as manager Ruben Amorim looks to revamp his squad. According to a report from L'Equipe, United have made 'initial contact' with the Tolisso's representatives to 'explore the feasibility of a transfer' and the Lyon star is said to be open to making the move to Old Trafford. The report states that Lyon are planning to build their team around Tolisso next season, but their financial problems could tempt them to cash in. Tolisso is said to be valued at over £8.7m and is Lyon's highest earner. The World Cup winner has already rebuffed approaches from Turkish clubs and it is claimed that Atletico Madrid are also interested in his services, with Tolisso viewed as a potential replacement for Rodrigo De Paul as he closes in on a move to Inter Miami. "There's nothing official," Miami boss Javier Mascherano said when asked about De Paul. "I've seen the reports, but I always try to be cautious. He's a player from another club, and I prefer not to talk about players who don't belong to us." Clubs in Saudi Arabia are also considering a move for Tolisso, with newly-promoted Neom said to be monitoring the situation. Neom have already raided Lyon this summer, signing former Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette and ex-West Ham star Said Benrahma. Neom have also added former goalkeeper Marcin Bulka from Nice and midfielder Amadou Kone from Reims. Granit Xhaka has also been heavily linked with a move to Neom that would reunite him with Lacazette. The pair played together at Arsenal for five seasons and Xhaka has previously spoken very highly of Lacazette. "In the end, people want him to score. People only see if players score," Xhaka said of Lacazette back in 2022. "But people sometimes don't see how important he is for us, not only on the pitch but as well off the pitch. On the pitch, he is an amazing player and he understands the game so good with the quality he has. "I hope now, after this three, four, five, six weeks, they understand how important he is for us." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Irish Daily Mirror
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Joey O'Brien opens up on his decision to replace Damien Duff at Shelbourne
Joey O'Brien still refers to Damien Duff as 'the manager', but it's the former who gets to lead Shelbourne back into the Champions League next Wednesday. It speaks to the respect between the two men that O'Brien, brought to Shels by Duff in November 2021, still speaks in such deferential terms about his close pal and former boss. According to O'Brien, their relationship 'is concrete.' Clearly he has Duff's backing as he looks to build on the club's achievements under the guidance of the 100-time capped Ireland legend. The pair even spoke by phone in the run-up to Friday's 3-1 win against Cork City. That match took place 24 hours after Shelbourne confirmed that O'Brien had accepted the offer to replace Duff on a 'long-term' contract. It wasn't a decision that the ex-West Ham, Bolton and Ireland defender took lightly. O'Brien took a few days out before confirming his intentions to the board at Tolka Park. That, he explained, was because Duff's departure from the role was as much a shock to his assistant as it was to the wider footballing public. And then there was the proximity to two key League of Ireland games, against Waterford and Galway United. Click this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest League of Ireland news and top stories from the Irish Mirror. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. But for the ambitious Dubliner there was only ever going to be one decision. Asked when he decided that he wanted the job, he said: 'Listen, obviously after the manager left, it was such a quick turnaround, I suppose, to get into the Waterford and Galway games. 'After that, it was put to me if I was interested in it and if I wanted to take it. I had a couple of days thinking about it. I didn't want to rush into it really. 'I just weighed it all up and just thought, yeah, I have had a great learning here under the manager, what he's built over the last number of years for me as a coach to improve, what I've learned of him, it's just been brilliant. 'That's ultimately where I was at. It is a fantastic squad of players. They are a massive part of it as well and that's the squad that has been built over the last few years. 'I know there is disappointment where we are in the league but you look at our performances across the board against so many teams, we've dominated them and we've been the better team. It was an easy decision in the end, I suppose.' When O'Brien hung up his boots - after a three-year spell with Shamrock Rovers, the team he supported as a child - he was eager to get stuck into coaching. He was immediately thrust into a senior role as Duff's number two and the pair led Shelbourne to an FAI Cup final, European qualification and, last season, the Premier Division title. 'I probably looked into it when my career ended as a player,' he said, when asked if he had ambitions to step into management. 'I wanted to get involved in coaching and then leading into management, but I don't think you can never make it out exactly how you want it to. 'The opportunity to work with the gaffer (Duff) was obviously a huge part in me stopping playing football and I don't regret it for a second. 'What I learned, and the moments we had over the last three and a half years have been unbelievable. It happened (Duff's decision to step down). He made his call and then it was up to me to make my call and I did.' As for why he took a few days before getting back to the Shels board, O'Brien, a participant on the FAI's upcoming Pro Licence course, replied: 'It was just so unexpected. 'I'd never thought about it. So that was my thinking about the whole situation. I just never thought of taking this job. 'So suddenly there was the news that the manager was leaving. It is a great football club that's been built and has great memories here. Hopefully we can write new memories again with the players, we have a great squad, great lads. That's why I wanted to hang around.' O'Brien confirmed that he spoke to Duff in the run-up to Friday's game and he said: 'My relationship with the manager is concrete. I have a personal relationship (with him) and we'll have that forever.'
Scottish Sun
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Former West Ham star Dimitri Payet has contract ripped up leaving him unemployed after shocking abuse claims
DIMITRI PAYET had his contract ripped up to leave him unemployed. It comes just weeks after shocking abuse claims against the ex-West Ham man. 4 Ex-West Ham man Dimitri Payet had his contract in Brazil terminated Credit: Getty 4 Ex-lover Larissa Ferrari made shocking abuse claims against the married footballer during their alleged affair Credit: Payet, 38, joined Brazilian side Vasco da Gama on a two-year contract in August 2023. However, the club announced the decision to cut the deal short. They wrote on social media: "Vasco da Gama announces that, in a friendly manner, it has reached an agreement to terminate the contract with midfielder Dimitri Payet early. "The club thanks the athlete for the professionalism, dedication and respect demonstrated throughout his time at Sao Januario, and wishes him success in his next challenges. "For Vasco, Payet played 77 matches, scored eight goals and contributed 16 assists. "Thank you, Payet. This is Vasco." Payet hit headlines in April when his ex-lover alleged he subjected her to "physical, moral, psychological and sexual violence" during a seven-month affair. The "lonely" married footballer was accused of forcing Larissa Ferrari to film degrading videos, SunSport revealed. Brazilian lawyer Ferrari, 28, also said the former French international Payet made her partake in a fake wedding and wear a ring to 'prove her love'. She claimed he made her drink her own urine and water from the toilet, and lick the floor - plus showed SunSport photos of her bruises. Premier League cult hero Dimitri Payet rolls back the years as he humiliates opponent with unique 360-nutmeg The mum-of-two said: 'He's a sick monster. I was scared for my life, and I'm still scared." Payet denied "physical and psychological violence" in a statement to the police in Brazil, adding that everything was consensual and proposed by his accuser. The playmaker has four children with his wife of nearly 20 years, Ludivine, who remained in France after he joined Vasco da Gama in Rio de Janeiro in 2023. Before that, he had six-and-a-half years with Marseille, joining the French side for £25million following an impressive 18 months with West Ham. 4 Payet spent two years with Vasco da Gama in Rio de Janeiro Credit: Getty
The Irish Sun
10-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Former West Ham star Dimitri Payet has contract ripped up leaving him unemployed after shocking abuse claims
DIMITRI PAYET had his contract ripped up to leave him unemployed. It comes just weeks after shocking abuse claims against the ex-West Ham man. Advertisement 4 Ex-West Ham man Dimitri Payet had his contract in Brazil terminated Credit: Getty 4 Ex-lover Larissa Ferrari made shocking abuse claims against the married footballer during their alleged affair Credit: However, the club announced the decision to cut the deal short. They wrote on "The club thanks the athlete for the professionalism, dedication and respect demonstrated throughout his time at Sao Januario, and wishes him success in his next challenges. Advertisement READ MORE ON FOOTBALL "For Vasco, Payet played 77 matches, scored eight goals and contributed 16 assists. "Thank you, Payet. This is Vasco." Payet hit headlines in April when his The Advertisement Most read in Football Brazilian lawyer Ferrari, 28, also said the former French international Payet made her partake in a fake wedding and wear a ring to 'prove her love'. She claimed he made her Premier League cult hero Dimitri Payet rolls back the years as he humiliates opponent with unique 360-nutmeg The mum-of-two said: 'He's a sick monster. I was scared for my life, and I'm still scared." Payet Advertisement The playmaker has four children with his wife of nearly 20 years, Ludivine, who remained in France after he joined Vasco da Gama in Rio de Janeiro in 2023. Before that, he had six-and-a-half years with 4 Payet spent two years with Vasco da Gama in Rio de Janeiro Credit: Getty 4 Payet has four children with his wife Ludivine Credit: AFP Advertisement
