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Slot defends Van Dijk from Dutch media criticism

Liverpool’s Arne Slot is the first Premier League manager to sit in front of the press today and he has defended Virgil van Dijk’s decision to the Netherlands camp early after being sent off in their game against Hungary.

If you are not coming from Holland it might be a surprise but if you are coming from Holland then you know it is all about criticism. That is what the Dutch media is all about. No, I exaggerate a bit but if there is a chance to criticse someone, Dutch people will find a way. I don’t think he deserves this because he’s played some good games for the Dutch national team. If you are under this schedule, it is completely normal that you have a few days off. How on earth can you criticise a player that has played every game for us and the Euros?

The manager also spoke on Chelsea, their opponents this weekend:

It is a young team, the first thing I see is a lot of them have long-term contracts. There is a lot of quality, they have had a lot of criticism in recent years, but where they are now, they are a big threat for top three or four positions and they will be in the upcoming years if they can keep bringing in quality players.

And on if they are title contenders:

If you only judge your team after a week, that isn’t fair, so it is only fair for you to judge us after this spell of games, not three of them, but seven or eight of them.

“The only ones who showed they can do Champions League and Premier League in last two seasons is City and Arsenal. Best way to judge us is in four weeks.

He also confirmed that his No 1 goalkeeper, Alisson, will still be out for a ‘couple more weeks’.

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Howe confirms no interview or contact with FA for England job

The Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has confirmed that he was not among the 10 candidates interviewed for the England national team job, which was ultimately given to Thomas Tuchel.

Howe further stated that there was no communication between him and the FA during the search for Gareth Southgate’s successor.

When asked if he had been interviewed, he responded, “No, I wasn’t.”

I think England have to do what is right for them and only they will know the processes they have gone through and the decisions they have made, and I’m certainly not the type of person that is going to analyse that.

For me, it’s about Newcastle and trying to win games, and it is hard enough to do that if you are 100 per cent focussed. I will always remain that way to my work.

But I know if you drop your levels or your focus the job becomes impossible, and at no stage have I allowed myself to do that.

He also added his thoughts on Tuchel:

Speaking about Thomas himself, I’ve got a relationship with him. I was lucky enough to go and see him work at Chelsea when I was out of work. What a brilliant guy. What a great person and a great coach.

I had two days with him and thought it was fascinating and I really enjoyed his company.

I really wish him well. I think he’s a great appointment and I hope he leads England to many trophies.

I have always said, and I have been very clear on this, my preference would be for an English coach, but if you are going to go for foreign, go for one of the best and I certainly think Thomas is that.

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Updated at 10.43 CEST

Preamble

Good morning and happy Friday! What a week it has been. During the international break, the FA unveiled Thomas Tuchel as the new England manager for 2025. Cue the celebrations, lamentations, opinions and overall discourse.

We will get to all of that and, of course, the 14 Premier League press conferences today ahead of the first weekend of domestic football after the international break.

It promises to be a fun one so let us not waste anymore time. As always, if you have any thoughts, predictions, questions, concerns, complaints, or recommendations that you would like to share then feel free to send me an email. You can find the information at the top of this blog.

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