Latest news with #Klinsmann
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Premier League's greatest opening day moments – from David Beckham's halfway line lob to Jurgen Klinsmann celebration
From sensational goals to blockbuster arrivals... the Premier League opening day has often been filled with drama Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE Premier League fixtures have been released, with a blockbuster clash between Manchester United and Arsenal set to light up the opening weekend. Next season will kick off with a bang as under-pressure Ruben Amorim prepares his side to host the Gunners. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 Man Utd are set to host Arsenal on matchday one in August Credit: AFP Elsewhere champions Liverpool will begin their title defence with a Friday night Bournemouth clash, before new boys Sunderland return to the Prem following eight years away by hosting West Ham. Whether bathed in August sunshine, or British summer drizzle, fans can look forward to some memorable clashes right from the word go. In years gone by there have been some remarkable opening day moments, from incredible goals to late drama. Upon today's fixture release, let's take a walk along memory lane and relive some of the amazing opening days of years gone by. READ MORE PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS GLEE WREX Former Premier League club in 55,000-seater new stadium proposal 1996-97 - Beckham's halfway line goal Where else to start but with Golden Balls? Becks was already a star prior to Man Utd's trip to Selhurst Park to face Wimbledon on Saturday, 16 August 1996. But his incredible, audacious goal from the halfway line helped to catapult him into a household name all over the country. At the time, Sir Alex Ferguson gushed: "You have seen the goal of the season already. I have never seen it done before. Pele is the only one who came close to doing the same." BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Who are we to argue with the most decorated Prem manager of all time? 8 David Beckham's iconic halfway line goal catapulted him to superstardom Credit: Action Images - Reuters 1994-95 - The Klinsmann dive Jurgen Klinsmann arrived in England in the summer of 1994 with the reputation of a goalscorer, diver and cheat... and perhaps not in that order. The German forward had appeared on English TV screens at the previous two World Cups, with a theatrical fall in the 1990 World Cup final to get Pedro Monzon sent off not being forgotten. Nevertheless, Klinsmann was a huge coup for Spurs, who despite finishing 15th the previous season had managed to lure one of the continent's most clinical strikers from Monaco to White Hart Lane. On his debut in a 4-3 win at Sheffield Wednesday on August 20, 1994, Klinsmann scored a sensational header to open his Tottenham account - before poking fun at his reputation by performing a celebratory dive in front of the boo boys in the home end. With the celebration quickly entering Prem folklore, Klinsmann went on to reveal: "(Teddy) Sheringham had the idea. If you score today, we'll all dive.' The wonderful thing was that the rival fans even laughed about it." 8 Jurgen Klinsmann poked fun at his diving reputation Credit: Sportsphoto Ltd 2016-17 - Mane's debut delight Jurgen Klopp's first full season in charge of Liverpool began with a tricky-looking trip to Arsene Wenger's Arsenal. And while the Reds didn't go on win the title that year, Klopp's men gave a brilliant sign of things to come as they blitzed the Gunners 4-3 on their own turf. The pick of the bunch was Sadio Mane's sensational debut goal, with the summer arrival from Southampton burning the Arsenal defence before whacking an unstoppable left-footed shot into the net. Klopp celebrated the goal wildly, and even went on to admit that his manic response contributed to Arsenal getting back into the game. On Mane's impact at Anfield, the German boss reflected in 2022: "One of Liverpool's greatest ever players is leaving and we must acknowledge how significant this is. He leaves with our gratitude and our love." 8 Sadio Mane's brilliant Emirates strike made it a debut to remember Credit: Arfa Griffiths - The Sun 2014-15 - Dier breaks Hammers hearts In the summer of 2014, Mauricio Pochettino took over at Tottenham - arriving from a rival Prem club to try and clear up the North Londoners' mess, sound familiar? The game got off to a less than ideal start for the Argentine, with Kyle Naughton being sent off for handling in the box on 29 minutes. Pochettino reshuffled his pack, putting 20-year-old debutant Eric Dier at right-back - and subsequently watched Mark Noble miss his spot kick. Amazingly the game finished 10v10, with James Collins sent off for the home side. Dier went on to be the unlikely hero, skipping past Adrian to score following Harry Kane's brilliant through ball. After the game, Pochettino gushed: "It was a great goal by Eric Dier. He showed, and we showed, that we are ambitious. We played like a team and that is important." 8 Eric Dier broke West Ham hearts on his Premier League debut Credit: Action Images - Reuters 2011-22 - Sergio Aguer-woah! Sergio Aguero did not take long to announce himself to English football. The Argentine superstar arrived at Manchester City from Atletico Madrid to high expectations in the summer of 2011. Aguero immediately impressed after being brought on against Swansea with his side leading 1-0. The livewire forward took just nine minutes to poke home his first of what would go on to be 260 City goals. And in stoppage time, he blasted home a beauty to cap off a brilliant 4-0 win for Roberto Mancini's men. The result went on to be a sign of things to come, with the Billionaire Sky Blues going on to dramatically pinch the title from rivals Man Utd... Aguero scoring the all important last-gasp goal to clinch it on the final day. 8 Sergio Aguero announced himself in English football with a superb debut double Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 1999-00 - Poyet's beauty Uruguayan midfielder Gus Poyet scored an iconic goal for Chelsea on the opening day of the 1999-00 season. While not scaling the heights that they would in the following decade, the Blues had grown in stature during the 1990s - largely owing to the genius of Gianfranco Zola. During this 4-0 stomping of Sunderland, Zola was in imperious form. The tricky Italian produced a sensational assist for his side's fourth goal, delicately scooping the ball into the penalty area. Poyet took it from there, finishing with an electrifying scissor kick. 8 Gus Poyet scored a belter of a scissor kick in 1999 Credit: PA:Press Association 2004-05 - Mourinho arrives Five years on from Poyet's brilliant opening day goal, Chelsea were welcoming new boss Jose Mourinho to Stamford Bridge. The Portuguese didn't shy away from the spotlight, to put it mildly, declaring during his opening press conference: "Please don't call me arrogant, because what I'm saying is true. I'm European champion, and I think I'm a special one." Mourinho's big statement was immediately put to the test, as he began with a tricky home assignment against Sir Alex Ferguson's Man Utd. The Blues won the contest 1-0 thanks to Eidur Gudjohnsen's scrappy 15th minute goal, with Mourinho admitting after the game: "Mr Ferguson pushed me to make changes that normally I don't do to play a safer match - and in fact the team defended very, very, very well." Chelsea's stingy defence went on to concede just 15 times across the whole season, a record that still stands to this day, with Mourinho's Blues going on to win their first league title in 50 years.
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Premier League's greatest opening day moments – from David Beckham's halfway line lob to Jurgen Klinsmann celebration
THE Premier League fixtures have been released, with a blockbuster clash between Manchester United and Arsenal set to light up the opening weekend. Next season will kick off with a bang as under-pressure Advertisement 8 Man Utd are set to host Arsenal on matchday one in August Credit: AFP Elsewhere champions Whether bathed in August sunshine, or British summer drizzle, fans can look forward to some memorable clashes right from the word go. In years gone by there have been some remarkable opening day moments, from incredible goals to late drama. Upon today's fixture release, let's take a walk along memory lane and relive some of the amazing opening days of years gone by. Advertisement READ MORE PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS 1996-97 - Beckham's halfway line goal Where else to start but with Golden Balls? Becks was already a star prior to Man Utd's trip to Selhurst Park to face Wimbledon on Saturday, 16 August 1996. But his incredible, audacious goal from the halfway line helped to catapult him into a household name all over the country. At the time, Sir Alex Ferguson gushed: "You have seen the goal of the season already. I have never seen it done before. Advertisement Most read in Football BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Who are we to argue with the most decorated Prem manager of all time? 8 David Beckham's iconic halfway line goal catapulted him to superstardom Credit: Action Images - Reuters 1994-95 - The Klinsmann dive Advertisement The German forward had appeared on English TV screens at the previous two World Cups, with a theatrical fall in the 1990 World Cup final to get Pedro Monzon sent off not being forgotten. Nevertheless, Klinsmann was a huge coup for Spurs, who despite finishing 15th the previous season had managed to lure one of the continent's most clinical strikers from Monaco to White Hart Lane. On his debut in a 4-3 win at Sheffield Wednesday on August 20, 1994, Klinsmann scored a sensational header to open his Tottenham account - before poking fun at his reputation by performing a celebratory dive in front of the boo boys in the home end. With the celebration quickly entering Prem folklore, Klinsmann went on to reveal: "(Teddy) Sheringham had the idea. If you score today, we'll all dive.' The wonderful thing was that the rival fans even laughed about it." Advertisement 8 Jurgen Klinsmann poked fun at his diving reputation Credit: Sportsphoto Ltd 2016-17 - Mane's debut delight Jurgen Klopp's first full season in charge of Liverpool began with a tricky-looking trip to Arsene Wenger's And while the Reds didn't go on win the title that year, Klopp's men gave a brilliant sign of things to come as they blitzed the Gunners 4-3 on their own turf. The pick of the bunch was Sadio Mane's sensational debut goal, with the summer arrival from Southampton burning the Arsenal defence before whacking an unstoppable left-footed shot into the net. Advertisement Klopp celebrated the goal wildly, and even went on to admit that his manic response contributed to Arsenal getting back into the game. On Mane's impact at Anfield, the German boss reflected in 2022: "One of Liverpool's greatest ever players is leaving and we must acknowledge how significant this is. He leaves with our gratitude and our love." 8 Sadio Mane's brilliant Emirates strike made it a debut to remember Credit: Arfa Griffiths - The Sun 2014-15 - Dier breaks Hammers hearts In the summer of 2014, Mauricio Pochettino took over at Tottenham - arriving from a rival Prem club to try and clear up the North Londoners' mess, sound familiar? Advertisement The game got off to a less than ideal start for the Argentine, with Kyle Naughton being sent off for handling in the box on 29 minutes. Pochettino reshuffled his pack, putting 20-year-old debutant Eric Dier at right-back - and subsequently watched Mark Noble miss his spot kick. Amazingly the game finished 10v10, with After the game, Pochettino gushed: "It was a great goal by Eric Dier. He showed, and we showed, that we are ambitious. We played like a team and that is important." Advertisement 8 Eric Dier broke West Ham hearts on his Premier League debut Credit: Action Images - Reuters 2011-22 - Sergio Aguer-woah! Sergio Aguero did not take long to announce himself to English football. The Argentine superstar arrived at Manchester City from Aguero immediately impressed after being brought on against Swansea with his side leading 1-0. Advertisement The livewire forward took just nine minutes to poke home his first of what would go on to be 260 City goals. And in stoppage time, he blasted home a beauty to cap off a brilliant 4-0 win for Roberto Mancini's men. The result went on to be a sign of things to come, with the Billionaire Sky Blues going on to dramatically pinch the title from rivals Man Utd... Aguero scoring the all important last-gasp goal to clinch it on the final day. 8 Sergio Aguero announced himself in English football with a superb debut double Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd Advertisement 1999-00 - Poyet's beauty Uruguayan midfielder While not scaling the heights that they would in the following decade, the Blues had grown in stature during the 1990s - largely owing to the genius of Gianfranco Zola. During this 4-0 stomping of Sunderland, Zola was in imperious form. The tricky Italian produced a sensational assist for his side's fourth goal, delicately scooping the ball into the penalty area. Advertisement Poyet took it from there, finishing with an electrifying scissor kick. 8 Gus Poyet scored a belter of a scissor kick in 1999 Credit: PA:Press Association 2004-05 - Mourinho arrives Five years on from Poyet's brilliant opening day goal, Chelsea were welcoming new boss Jose Mourinho to Stamford Bridge. The Portuguese didn't shy away from the spotlight, to put it mildly, declaring during his opening press conference: "Please don't call me arrogant, because what I'm saying is true. I'm European champion, and I think I'm a special one." Advertisement Mourinho's big statement was immediately put to the test, as he began with a tricky home assignment against Sir Alex Ferguson's Man Utd. The Blues won the contest 1-0 thanks to Eidur Gudjohnsen's scrappy 15th minute goal, with Mourinho admitting after the game: "Mr Ferguson pushed me to make changes that normally I don't do to play a safer match - and in fact the team defended very, very, very well." Chelsea's stingy defence went on to concede just 15 times across the whole season, a record that still stands to this day, with Mourinho's Blues going on to win their first league title in 50 years. 8 Eidur Gudjohnsen scored the winner as Jose Mourinho triumphed in his first game in charge Credit: Getty Advertisement
Daily Mirror
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Spurs legend Klinsmann makes Postecoglou prediction ahead of Europa League final
Tottenham have travelled to Bilbao for their huge Europa League final against Manchester United on Wednesday night, with the club desperate to end their 17-year wait for silverware Tottenham legend Jurgen Klinsmann believes the Europa League Final could be the game that makes or breaks Ange Postecoglou. Spurs face Manchester United in Bilbao on Wednesday night with a place in next season's Champions League up for grabs. Both Postecoglou and Reds' boss Ruben Amorim will finish the Premier League campaign in the lower reaches of the table after suffering defeats at Aston Villa and Chelsea respectively on Friday night. And Klinsmann said: 'It's such an interesting game because both clubs have been so disappointing in the Premier League this season. Of course it is an important moment for both clubs because there is a place in the Champions League for the winners. "But it is also a huge game for both managers - and especially Ange. I think Amorim will be given more time to establish his own team at United, but for Postecoglou it is clear that he is in a completely different position at the end of his second year. "If he wins the Europa League then I hope it will buy him more time to get things right because I know that Spurs is such a fantastic club. 'There is so much on the line in this final and because the teams have been so inconsistent, it's impossible to predict what would happen.' Klinsmann became a Premier League pioneer in the one season he spent at White Hart Lane before blazing the trail that would eventually be followed by Harry Kane by joining Bayern Munich in 1995. Like Kane, he left to win trophies - and both men have a Bundesliga title medal after Bayern clinched the title last weekend. Tottenham have won just two League Cups in the 30 years since the German World Cup star was in London. And Klinsmann said: "This is such a massive opportunity for Spurs. First of all then can end that long wait for a trophy - and that would open the door for the Champions League. There is also the added factor that they can win a trophy during a season when Arsenal haven't won anything. "Look, Arsenal are a much better team than Spurs. But football is about those moments when you see your team win something, so this is a huge deal in North London." Spurs are currently 17th in the Premier League table after 21 defeats and they come into the final following a run of five defeats in their last six Premier League games. Manchester United, meanwhile have won just once in their last eight league games, losing six of those ahead of their trip to Bilbao.
News.com.au
01-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Germany's 'absolutely insane' second tier rivalling Europe's best
Driven by huge crowds, unpredictable results and some of Germany's biggest clubs including Hamburg and Schalke, the Bundesliga 2 broke through the billion-euro revenue barrier last season to become Europe's wealthiest second division. According to figures from the German Football Leagues (DFL), midway through the 2024-25 season, the second-tier average attendance of 30,329 was greater than the Spanish and French first divisions. La Liga games averaged crowds of 29,875 with those in France's Ligue 1 attracting 27,173 spectators per game. On one matchday in February 2024, the Bundesliga 2 averaged more fans than the German top flight -- the best attended of any football league in the world -- for the first time, a feat which has since been repeated on several occasions. World Cup-winning striker Jurgen Klinsmann played 61 games in the German second division for Stuttgarter Kickers, scoring 22 times, before moving to first-division rivals Stuttgart. Now living in California, Klinsmann still keeps up with the German second division, calling the atmosphere "absolutely insane". "The second Bundesliga is really fun to watch," Klinsmann told AFP from his Los Angeles home. "I watch it quite a lot." - 'Completely unpredictable' - In the 2023-24 season, the total revenue of the 18-team Bundesliga 2 crossed the one billion euro ($1.14 billion) mark for the first time, easily generating more money than any other second-division league. The Championship, the 24-team English second tier, made £749 million (875 million euros) in 2022-23, the last season for which figures are available. With 947 goals scored last season in the German second division, the most in 22 years, fans get plenty of bang for their buck. In the Bundesliga, Bayern are on course for their 12th title in the past 13 seasons. In the Bundesliga 2, there have been 10 different champions in the past decade. Manu Veth, a Canadian-German journalist for Forbes and Transfermarkt, told AFP "the football is very good and the league is completely unpredictable," but also cited structural factors in football-mad Germany. "Germany is Europe's most populous country with the largest economy by a big margin. With just 18 clubs (in the top flight), big clubs from major cities are stuck in the lower divisions." Hamburg and Schalke are joined in the second division by Cologne, Nuremberg, Kaiserslautern, Hertha Berlin, Hannover and Fortuna Duesseldorf -- all former German champions who retain huge followings despite falling on harder times. David Wagner, who coached Norwich City to a Premier League promotion as well as German giants Schalke, said the big names have boosted the second division's popularity. "We've had a Bundesliga 2 season which perhaps we've never had before," Wagner told AFP. "With so many big, big clubs." - 'Enjoy the ride' - Klinsmann said fan loyalty among relegated clubs was also a major factor. "Over the past 10 years, the second league became so interesting and so popular. You have these traditional powerhouses, who for whatever reasons got relegated, which of course is a disaster for them. "But they have a fan base from over 100 years who sticks with them and is there for them. The identification with the teams is still so high, that fans just kind of enjoy the ride in the second Bundesliga." Klinsmann, who also played in England, Italy, France and the United States, said the culture was unique in Germany. "I compare it to the Serie B, the Italian second league, because my son (Jonathan) plays for Cesena," he said. "They also have bigger teams who were in the first (division), but they don't have that fascinating aspect that the stadiums are packed still even if they're one league lower. "But in Germany, the phenomenon is that even if you get relegated, the fans stick with them." Veth agreed. "Fans in Germany are very loyal and they seem to come out in big numbers when clubs need them," he said.
Herald Sun
01-05-2025
- Business
- Herald Sun
Germany's 'absolutely insane' second tier rivalling Europe's best
Don't miss out on the headlines from Breaking News. Followed categories will be added to My News. Driven by huge crowds, unpredictable results and some of Germany's biggest clubs including Hamburg and Schalke, the Bundesliga 2 broke through the billion-euro revenue barrier last season to become Europe's wealthiest second division. According to figures from the German Football Leagues (DFL), midway through the 2024-25 season, the second-tier average attendance of 30,329 was greater than the Spanish and French first divisions. La Liga games averaged crowds of 29,875 with those in France's Ligue 1 attracting 27,173 spectators per game. On one matchday in February 2024, the Bundesliga 2 averaged more fans than the German top flight -- the best attended of any football league in the world -- for the first time, a feat which has since been repeated on several occasions. World Cup-winning striker Jurgen Klinsmann played 61 games in the German second division for Stuttgarter Kickers, scoring 22 times, before moving to first-division rivals Stuttgart. Now living in California, Klinsmann still keeps up with the German second division, calling the atmosphere "absolutely insane". "The second Bundesliga is really fun to watch," Klinsmann told AFP from his Los Angeles home. "I watch it quite a lot." - 'Completely unpredictable' - In the 2023-24 season, the total revenue of the 18-team Bundesliga 2 crossed the one billion euro ($1.14 billion) mark for the first time, easily generating more money than any other second-division league. The Championship, the 24-team English second tier, made £749 million (875 million euros) in 2022-23, the last season for which figures are available. With 947 goals scored last season in the German second division, the most in 22 years, fans get plenty of bang for their buck. In the Bundesliga, Bayern are on course for their 12th title in the past 13 seasons. In the Bundesliga 2, there have been 10 different champions in the past decade. Manu Veth, a Canadian-German journalist for Forbes and Transfermarkt, told AFP "the football is very good and the league is completely unpredictable," but also cited structural factors in football-mad Germany. "Germany is Europe's most populous country with the largest economy by a big margin. With just 18 clubs (in the top flight), big clubs from major cities are stuck in the lower divisions." Hamburg and Schalke are joined in the second division by Cologne, Nuremberg, Kaiserslautern, Hertha Berlin, Hannover and Fortuna Duesseldorf -- all former German champions who retain huge followings despite falling on harder times. David Wagner, who coached Norwich City to a Premier League promotion as well as German giants Schalke, said the big names have boosted the second division's popularity. "We've had a Bundesliga 2 season which perhaps we've never had before," Wagner told AFP. "With so many big, big clubs." - 'Enjoy the ride' - Klinsmann said fan loyalty among relegated clubs was also a major factor. "Over the past 10 years, the second league became so interesting and so popular. You have these traditional powerhouses, who for whatever reasons got relegated, which of course is a disaster for them. "But they have a fan base from over 100 years who sticks with them and is there for them. The identification with the teams is still so high, that fans just kind of enjoy the ride in the second Bundesliga." Klinsmann, who also played in England, Italy, France and the United States, said the culture was unique in Germany. "I compare it to the Serie B, the Italian second league, because my son (Jonathan) plays for Cesena," he said. "They also have bigger teams who were in the first (division), but they don't have that fascinating aspect that the stadiums are packed still even if they're one league lower. "But in Germany, the phenomenon is that even if you get relegated, the fans stick with them." Veth agreed. "Fans in Germany are very loyal and they seem to come out in big numbers when clubs need them," he said. "Clubs are community or membership owned. That means they are embedded in the local communities and that creates momentum when times are tough." dwi/mw Originally published as Germany's 'absolutely insane' second tier rivalling Europe's best
