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FA Welcomes Tuchel Appointment Amid Timing Similarities to 2008 Capello Hire

The Football Association is hailing England head coach Thomas Tuchel’s contract extension as a significant achievement, although the timing has drawn comparisons to the organization’s past mistake with Fabio Capello, according to chief football writer Phil McNulty.

Thomas Tuchel's contract has been extended, securing his position as England head coach through to the 2028 European Championship.

The Football Association's decision to extend Thomas Tuchel's contract as England head coach is a significant move, but it also raises questions and draws parallels with past experiences, such as the precedent set by Fabio Capello.

The FA can take credit for retaining the services of a top-tier coach who successfully led England to World Cup qualification, with Tuchel's new deal running until Euro 2028.

A notable example from the past is Fabio Capello, whose situation serves as a reminder of the potential complexities involved in contract extensions.

The timing of Tuchel's contract extension is noteworthy, as it aims to secure the 52-year-old German coach's services while minimizing potential distractions surrounding his future, particularly with the World Cup approaching.

The success of this strategy will depend on England's performance in the World Cup, where they are considered one of the favorites, and whether they can live up to expectations.

Initially, the contract extension appears to be a positive development for both the FA and Tuchel, who was previously set to become a free agent after the World Cup, at which point he may have been courted by top European clubs.

Manchester United, for instance, may have been interested in Tuchel as a potential long-term successor to Ruben Amorim, and other clubs may have also been considering him as an option.

By extending Tuchel's contract, the FA aims to prevent other clubs from pursuing him and to ensure continuity in the England setup.

However, this raises the question of why the FA chose to extend Tuchel's contract now, rather than waiting until after the World Cup.

The comparison to Fabio Capello's situation is inevitable, given the similarities between the two cases.

The FA's decision to give Capello a new contract on the eve of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa ultimately proved to be a mistake, as England's performance in the tournament was disappointing.

Capello had been linked to several top European clubs, prompting the FA to offer him a lucrative new deal, which was intended to keep him in charge until Euro 2012.

However, England's poor performance in the 2010 World Cup, where they were eliminated by Germany in the round of 16, made the contract extension seem like a hasty decision.

The partnership between Capello and the FA ultimately ended in February 2012, when Capello resigned after disagreeing with the FA's decision to strip John Terry of the captaincy.

Neither party seemed to regret the separation, but the experience serves as a cautionary tale for the FA in its current dealings with Tuchel.

Tuchel's predecessor, Sir Gareth Southgate, even referenced Capello's contract extension in his book, noting the potential risks of making such a decision ahead of a major tournament.

Southgate's comments suggest that he was aware of the potential pitfalls of extending a coach's contract too early, and the FA would do well to consider this perspective.

Southgate wrote that he remembered Capello's experience and the added pressure it put on the team, which is a relevant consideration for the FA in its current situation.

While the current FA regime is different from the one that dealt with Capello, the lesson from that experience remains relevant, and the FA should be cautious in its approach to Tuchel's contract extension.

According to FA CEO Mark Bullingham, the contract extension was intended to eliminate the potential distraction of contract negotiations during the World Cup.

However, it is debatable whether contract negotiations would have been a significant distraction during the tournament, given the team's focus on the games.

Tuchel has demonstrated his coaching abilities by guiding England through a successful qualifying campaign, with the team remaining unbeaten and conceding no goals.

England's qualifying campaign was marked by eight wins and no goals conceded, a perfect record that reflects well on Tuchel's coaching.

Tuchel has also shown his strength as a coach by making tough decisions, such as his handling of Jude Bellingham, which demonstrates his commitment to his own approach.

Tuchel's decision to leave Bellingham out of the squad for a friendly and a World Cup qualifier, despite the player's desire to participate, shows that he is willing to make difficult choices in the best interest of the team.

Tuchel's focus is solely on winning the World Cup, and he has demonstrated a willingness to make tough decisions to achieve that goal, without being swayed by external pressures or individual interests.

On the surface, the contract extension appears to be a straightforward decision, given Tuchel's success and the FA's desire to retain his services.

However, if England's performance in the World Cup is disappointing, the contract extension may be seen as a mistake, particularly if the team fails to meet expectations.

England's group stage opponents in the United States will provide a challenging test, and if they are able to navigate this stage successfully, they will still face significant challenges in the knockout rounds.

If England's World Cup campaign does not go as planned, the contract extension may become a burden for both the FA and Tuchel, as they will be tied together until 2028.

It is unlikely that the contract extension will fully protect Tuchel and the FA from the consequences of a disappointing World Cup performance.

England have a history of performing well in qualifying campaigns, but the World Cup is a different challenge, and Tuchel's ability to succeed in this environment remains to be seen.

The contract extension may, however, provide the FA with some protection against other clubs attempting to lure Tuchel away, particularly if England has a successful World Cup campaign.

If Tuchel remains in charge until 2028, it will be a significant departure from his usual pattern of tenure, which has typically been shorter.

Tuchel's longest stint as a coach was his five-year tenure at Mainz 05, from 2009 to 2014, but he has since had shorter spells at other clubs.

Tuchel's time at Borussia Dortmund, Paris St Germain, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich was marked by significant achievements, but also relatively short tenures.

Tuchel won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, but was sacked in 2022, and he has since had a successful spell at Bayern Munich, winning the Bundesliga.

The FA's decision to extend Tuchel's contract may ultimately prove to be a wise move, as it allows them to retain the services of a highly successful and experienced coach.

However, the true value of this decision will only become clear after the World Cup, when England's performance will be the ultimate test of Tuchel's abilities and the FA's judgment.

Thomas Tuchel has agreed to a contract extension in England, solidifying his position in the country's football scene.

According to Thomas Tuchel, possessing social skills is a crucial aspect for players aiming to succeed in the World Cup.

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Keanu Reeves’ John Wick Video Game Revealed at PlayStation Event

The iconic hitman has made previous appearances in games, however, the version developed by Saber will mark the first instance where the character is voiced by Reeves.

A video game adaptation of the John Wick franchise, which has grossed over $1 billion worldwide, is in development, with Keanu Reeves set to lend his likeness and voice to the project.

An in game screenshot of a video game version of Keanu Reeves as the character John Wick. He is wearing a suit and looking at the camera.

The game, currently titled "Untitled John Wick Game", is being developed by Saber Interactive, the studio behind Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, in collaboration with Chad Stahelski, director of the John Wick film series.

A trailer for the game, expected to serve as a prequel to the film series, was unveiled during PlayStation's "State of Play" event on Thursday.

The event also featured announcements for remakes of several major game franchises, including the God of War trilogy, as well as a special 30th-anniversary edition of the classic platformer Rayman.

The John Wick film series, which has earned over $1 billion globally, follows the story of a retired assassin, played by Keanu Reeves, as he seeks vengeance in a world of high-stakes action.

Although the character of John Wick has appeared in games before, this will be the first time Keanu Reeves has provided his voice for the role.

Reeves has previous experience in the gaming industry, having played a key role in the hit game Cyberpunk 2077 as the character Johnny Silverhand.

According to Matthew Karch, CEO of Saber Interactive, the development team is "honored" to be working with Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves to bring the John Wick universe to life in a AAA game.

The game's story will be an original narrative designed for mature audiences, featuring a mix of familiar characters from the film series and new ones.

Jenefer Brown, president of global products at Lionsgate, the producer of the John Wick films, expressed the company's goal of capturing the "intense action" and "distinctive fight choreography" that define the franchise.

The reaction to the game's announcement has been largely positive among fans on social media.

However, some fans have expressed concerns about the potential impact on Saber Interactive's other projects, including the long-awaited remake of the classic Star Wars game Knights of the Old Republic.

Christopher Dring, editor-in-chief of The Game Business, believes that the John Wick game is a strong fit for Saber Interactive, given the studio's experience with action-oriented IPs and its ability to release multiple games across various genres.

Dring notes that Saber Interactive operates as a collective of studios working on multiple IPs, allowing it to release a diverse range of games annually.

During the same event, Sony announced that Santa Monica Studios is working on remakes of the first three God of War games, building on one of the platform's most successful franchises.

An in-game screenshot of Silent Hill Townfall. We see the back of a man who is looking at a sign that says "Welcome to St. Amelia". — Konami's trailer for Silent Hill Townfall revealed it is set in St Amelia, a "fictional island inspired by Scotland"

Although a release date for the God of War remakes was not provided, Sony did announce a surprise side-scrolling prequel game, Sons of Sparta, which is available now.

The event also offered a first look at Townfall, the latest installment in the Silent Hill series, set on the fictional island of St. Amelia, which draws inspiration from Scotland.

A 30th-anniversary edition of the classic platformer Rayman was also announced, featuring five versions of the 1995 game, along with a near-immediate release.

Loic Gounon, brand producer for the Rayman games, discussed the anniversary edition with the BBC, highlighting the inclusion of a new documentary that explores the making of the original game, as well as accessibility features designed to enhance the experience for modern players.

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Tottenham set to appoint temporary boss ahead of permanent summer hire

Tottenham expect to appoint an interim manager to oversee the team for the rest of the season by this weekend, with plans to make a permanent appointment in the summer.

The task of finding a successor to Thomas Frank has fallen to Johan Lange and Vinai Venkatesham, who are overseeing the selection process.

Tottenham Hotspur intends to appoint an interim manager to see out the current season, with a view to making a more permanent appointment during the summer months.

The dismissal of Thomas Frank occurred earlier this week, at a time when the team was five points clear of the relegation zone.

According to sources close to BBC Sport, Tottenham Hotspur is expected to finalize an agreement with an interim manager before the team resumes training on Monday.

Following their early exit from the FA Cup in the third round, Tottenham has a nine-day break before facing Arsenal in the north London derby on February 22.

With no match scheduled for this weekend, the first-team squad has been given a brief break and is set to return to training on Monday.

The club is aware that the mid-season transfer window presents limited options, and it may be more feasible to secure a long-term manager at the end of the campaign.

An in-depth examination of Thomas Frank's tenure reveals the challenges he faced in winning over players and fans.

A closer look at Frank's time at Tottenham highlights the risks involved in his appointment and the ultimate failure of his tenure.

Although the search for an interim manager is still ongoing, the successful candidate will be considered for the permanent position if they perform well in the role.

Former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is a potential candidate to take the reins on a permanent basis, particularly since his contract with the US men's national team is set to expire after the World Cup this summer.

Another candidate being considered is Roberto De Zerbi, who recently parted ways with French club Marseille by mutual consent.

For the latest news, analysis, and fan perspectives on Tottenham, please refer to our dedicated section.

If you have any questions about Tottenham, feel free to ask and we will do our best to provide you with the information you are looking for.

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Aberdeen to unveil new manager soon with Docherty set to take assistant role

Aberdeen has bolstered its interim management team with the return of Tony Docherty, who previously served as an assistant manager, to support Peter Leven, amid anticipation of a permanent appointment announcement that sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel had indicated would be made “imminently”.

Ross County parted ways with Tony Docherty in December, and he has now taken on a new role.

Aberdeen have brought in former assistant manager Tony Docherty to support Peter Leven's interim management team, despite sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel indicating that a permanent appointment was imminent.

Docherty's return to Aberdeen comes just a week after Eirik Horneland, a former coach of Rosenborg, Brann, and Saint-Etienne, emerged as a top contender to succeed Jimmy Thelin, who was sacked earlier.

As Aberdeen delays making a full-time appointment, speculation surrounding Eirik Horneland's availability has arisen, with reports suggesting the 50-year-old Norwegian may not be able to take on the role until summer.

Since Jimmy Thelin's dismissal on January 4, Lutz Pfannenstiel has been leading the search for a replacement, and he confirmed that Tony Docherty would be joining the team to assist Peter Leven during the interim period.

Dundee Utd are facing a challenging schedule, with four matches in 14 days set to take place on a weather-affected pitch.

According to Stavrum, Eirik Horneland's coaching style, characterized by intensity, would be a good fit for Aberdeen.

Tony Docherty initially joined Aberdeen in 2013 as part of Derek McInnes' management team and spent eight years at the club.

Before his stint at Aberdeen, Docherty served as McInnes' assistant at Kilmarnock and later managed Dundee and Ross County, but his time at Ross County ended in December when he was let go with the team at the bottom of the Championship.

Lutz Pfannenstiel praised Tony Docherty's experience, stating that he has a deep understanding of the club and will be a valuable asset during the transition period.

Pfannenstiel highlighted Docherty's extensive knowledge of the Scottish Premiership, gained through his experience as both a coach and manager, which will be beneficial to the team in the short term.

The club's managerial search is nearing its conclusion, and an announcement regarding the new head coach is expected soon, according to Pfannenstiel.

Peter Leven, who is serving as caretaker manager for the third time, expressed his enthusiasm for Tony Docherty's appointment.

Leven welcomed Docherty's return, stating that his experience will be a significant boost to the team, particularly during the upcoming matches.

Leven noted that Docherty was eager to join the team and that his presence will provide valuable support during both training sessions and matches.

Eirik Horneland left his position at Saint-Etienne in early February, at which point his team was fourth in France's second tier.

If Aberdeen decides to wait until summer for Horneland to take over, it will be similar to the six-month delay that occurred when Jimmy Thelin joined the club from Elfsborg in the summer of 2024.

For the latest news, analysis, and fan perspectives on Aberdeen, visit our dedicated page.