Thomas Tuchel will be hoping for a peaceful Christmas break as the England manager prepares to map out the Three Lions’ World Cup strategy. Following the group stage draw, Tuchel’s squad will face Croatia, Ghana and Panama in their opening fixtures.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING

Whilst the German will no doubt want to savour the festive season, he may well be switching his mobile off, mindful of the painful memory of being dismissed by former employers Paris Saint-Germain on Christmas Eve in 2020. The 52-year-old arrived in the French capital in 2018, securing consecutive Ligue 1 championships, the Coupe de France, and guiding PSG to the Champions League final in 2020. Despite these achievements, the German tactician’s position became untenable following several disputes with senior figures at the club.

The official announcement of his dismissal was delayed by several days. When it eventually came, PSG stated that Tuchel had been removed following an “in-depth analysis of its sporting situation”.

PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi said: “I would like to thank Thomas Tuchel and his staff for everything they brought to the club. Thomas has put a lot of energy and passion into his work, and of course we will remember the good times we shared together. I wish him the best for his future.

“We missed winning the Champions League by one match,” Tuchel reflected on his spell at the Parc des Princes. “And we never had the feeling that we had convinced people and that they recognised our performance. Sometimes that makes you a little sad or angry.”

Thomas Tuchel

He continued: “During the first six months I was asking myself, ‘Am I still a coach or a minister of sport?'” PSG ultimately decided to bring in former Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino as Tuchel’s replacement, whilst Christophe Galtier and Luis Enrique have subsequently taken charge in the French capital. Tuchel, meanwhile, has experienced quite the rollercoaster ride since departing France.

His stint at Chelsea proved highly successful, culminating in Champions League glory amongst other silverware, before facing dismissal once more. Bayern Munich became his next destination, where he clinched the Bundesliga title, only to suffer yet another sacking.

Tuchel took up the England manager’s position at the beginning of this year and has guided the Three Lions through an impeccable qualifying run for the 2026 World Cup. Barring any dramatic developments, he appears certain to remain in post through Christmas this time.

A Burundian footballer, Igiraneza Aimé Guéric, has died after collapsing during a second-division league match in Burundi.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING

Igiraneza, a midfielder for Les Guêpiers du Lac, collapsed during his team’s fixture against LLB Amasipiri Never Give Up at the Ngaraga National Technical Centre on Saturday, December 20.

Medical personnel attended to him on the pitch before he was rushed to hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

The Burundian Football Federation confirmed the incident in a condolence message to the player’s family and club but did not state the cause of death.

Eyewitnesses have claimed that the player may have accidentally swallowed a coin during the match.

The claim, which has not been officially confirmed, suggests the object was a traditional amulet sometimes used for spiritual protection.

The footballer had previously denied involvement in such practices.

The federation has yet to provide further clarification on the circumstances surrounding his death.

The results of Wednesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, matches are out.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING

DAILY POST reports that AFCON defending champions, Ivory Coast defeated Mozambique 1-0 in Group F, thanks to Manchester United star Amad Diallo’s only goal of the encounter.

Also in Group F, Cameroon won 1-0 against Gabon. Etta Eyong scored the game’s only goal in the first half.

Similarly, in Group E, Algeria thrashed Sudan 3-0, thanks to a brace from captain Riyad Mahrez and a strike from Ibrahim Maza.

Burkina Faso also won 2-1 against Equatorial Guinea to move into second position in Group E, behind leaders Algeria.

Meanwhile, no AFCON fixtures will be played today, Thursday (Christmas Day), but the AFCON Group stage Match-two round of fixtures will commence on Friday (Boxing Day).

Angola will tackle Zimbabwe on Friday afternoon, while Egypt will face South Africa later on Friday evening.

Zambia will clash with Comoros, and Morocco will take on Mali on Friday night.