Showing posts with label Championship. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Championship. Show all posts
Sunday, 30 August 2026
Wednesday, 10 June 2026
Wednesday, 20 May 2026
SOUTHAMPTON EXPELLED FROM EFL PLAYOFF FINAL AFTER SPYING
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| Southampton were on Tuesday expelled from the Championship play-off final after admitting to spying on a training session of semi-final opponents Middlesbrough. |
Southampton have been kicked out of the Championship playoffs after being found guilty of spying on semi-final opponents Middlesbrough, the English Football League said on Tuesday.
Middlesbrough, who lost 2-1 to Southampton in the two-legged semi-final, have been re-instated and will now face Hull City on Saturday in what is dubbed the world's richest football match.
Promotion to the Premier League is estimated to be worth in the region of 200 million pounds ($268.10 million) over three seasons. Southampton, who admitted the charges, were also found guilty of filming training sessions involving Oxford United in December and Ipswich Town in April during the regular season. They have also been deducted four points for the start of next season in England's second tier.
"An Independent Disciplinary Commission has today expelled Southampton from the Championship play-offs after the club admitted multiple breaches of EFL regulations related to the unauthorised filming of other clubs' training," the EFL said.
"Southampton admitted breaches of Regulations requiring Clubs to act with the utmost good faith and prohibiting the observation of another Club's training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match. The effect of today's order is that Middlesbrough are reinstated into the 2026 play-offs and will proceed to the play-off final against Hull City. The final remains scheduled for Saturday 23 May, with the kickoff time to be confirmed."
The EFL confirmed that Southampton could appeal against the decision and that "parties are working to try and resolve any appeal on May 20. "Subject to the outcome, it could result in a further change to Saturday's fixture," the statement said.
Middlesbrough had called for Southampton's expulsion after having a training session filmed ahead of the first leg of their playoff semi-final with Southampton which ended 0-0.
The club said it welcomed the decision. "We believe this sends out a clear message for the future of our game regarding sporting integrity and conduct," Middlesbrough said in a statement. "As a club, we are now focused on our game against Hull City at Wembley on Saturday."
Southampton were relegated from the Premier League last season and were struggling in the early part of this campaign until a storming finish in which they went unbeaten in 19 league games to finish fourth and enter the playoffs.
- REUTERS/LONDON
Friday, 1 May 2026
A RECENTLY RELEGATED PREMIER LEAGUE CLUB IS SUDDENLY LEFT WITHOUT A MANAGER
Relegation already hurt… but now comes the final blow: Burnley, the recently relegated Premier League club is left without a manager with games still to play. An unexpected decision, internal turmoil, and a chaotic end to the season.
Burnley lose their manager at the worst possible moment
Relegation was not the final chapter in the crisis at Burnley Football Club. With four Premier League matches still to play, the club confirmed the immediate departure of Scott Parker, a decision that raises more questions than answers.
According to official club statements, the exit was by “mutual consent,” but the context suggests a relationship that had already broken down after a disastrous season. The team managed just four wins all campaign, numbers that ultimately sealed their fate.
The timing is what makes this decision so striking: it is highly unusual for a manager to leave with the season still ongoing, even after relegation is confirmed. Burnley chose to act decisively… even if the damage had already been done.
From promotion hero to relegation casualty
The story of Scott Parker at Burnley is a dramatic contrast. Just a year ago, the English manager was celebrated as the architect of the club’s return to the Premier League after a remarkable Championship campaign that included a 30+ match unbeaten run.
That success raised expectations, but reality proved far harsher. Since November, the team fell into a downward spiral, managing just one win over a long stretch. They also endured six months without a home victory, a clear reflection of their collapse.
In his farewell message, Parker struck a composed tone:
“It has been a privilege to manage this club… but now is the right time for both sides to move in different directions,” he said, highlighting the promotion as his proudest achievement.
A season ending without direction
With Parker gone, Burnley are left without leadership just as the campaign reaches its final stretch. The club moved quickly to appoint Mike Jackson as interim manager, who will oversee the remaining fixtures against Leeds United, Aston Villa, Arsenal, and Wolves.
The board confirmed that the search for a permanent manager for the 2026–27 season has already begun, although no formal talks have taken place with candidates yet, reinforcing the sense of uncertainty.
What’s next: a necessary rebuild in the Championship
Burnley now enters a crucial rebuilding phase. With relegation confirmed and no permanent manager in place, the club must start from scratch in an attempt to return to the top flight.
The challenge is significant: this marks their third relegation in five seasons, highlighting deep structural instability.
Names like Steven Gerrard have already been linked with the role, suggesting the club may target a high-profile figure to lead the rebuild.
- Rodrigo Bernal
Saturday, 18 April 2026
COVENTRY CLINCH PROMOTION TO END 25-YEAR PREMIER LEAGUE EXILE
Coventry secured promotion to the Premier League on Friday as the Championship leaders' 1-1 draw against Blackburn ended their 25-year exile from the top-flight.
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| Coventry promoted to Premier League© X (Formerly Twitter) |
Coventry secured promotion to the Premier League on Friday as the Championship leaders' 1-1 draw against Blackburn ended their 25-year exile from the top-flight. Frank Lampard's side needed a point from their trip to Ewood Park to be certain of automatic promotion. They did it the hard way, trailing to Ryoya Morishita's deflected 54th-minute strike before Bobby Thomas headed the priceless equaliser in the 84th minute. Having led the Championship table for much of the season, the Sky Blues have wrapped up their return to English football's elite with three games to spare.
"It was an incredible moment. This is what it's about," a tearful Lampard said in an emotional post-match interview.
"Coming here and getting a point at this stage isn't easy. We had to see it out and we didn't know whether to attack again.
"Doing this after 25 years? Wow! Wow!"
Backed by 7,500 raucous fans crammed into the Darwen End, Coventry were below their best for long periods of a nervous display.
But their performance will quickly be forgotten, replaced by life-long memories of the promotion party that followed Thomas' glancing header from Victor Torp's free-kick.
Supporters wept tears of joy when the final whistle announced their ascent to the Premier League.
"Amazing, amazing. I couldn't believe it when it went in," Thomas said. "It's been a hell of a season. I feel like we deserve it."
Now Lampard's men can set their sights on winning the Championship title, with second-placed Ipswich 11 points behind with five matches to play.
"This is a serious, serious football club. I grew up with them as a top flight club but I didn't realise," Lampard said.
"To go and get promotion automatically as a non-parachute team with three games to go. These boys have managed to achieve something special and unique."
Fittingly, Coventry's previous promotion to the top-flight in 1967 was also sealed at Blackburn when Rovers drew with Bolton.
That was the start of a 34-year spell in the top tier before relegation in 2001 sparked a steep decline.
Coventry plunged into the fourth tier for one season in 2017-18 and were even forced to play their home games in Northampton and Birmingham for three seasons due to a bitter legal battle between the club and their stadium's owners.
The 1987 FA Cup winners' rise back to prominence was initially piloted by Mark Robins, whose second spell in charge brought promotion from League Two and League One.
Losing the 2023 Championship play-off final against Luton stalled Coventry's momentum and eventually led to Robins' dismissal in 2024.
Hiring former England star Lampard as Robins' replacement proved an inspired move as he revived his career following sackings by Chelsea and Everton.
Lampard led Coventry away from the relegation zone in his first season before losing to Sunderland in the play-off semi-finals.
Fuelled by the pain of that near-miss, Coventry embarked on a relentless march to promotion.
A 7-1 demolition of QPR and a 5-3 win at Lampard's former club Derby in August established Coventry as the Championship's dominant force.
Jack Rudoni's assured presence in midfield, complemented by the goals of Haji Wright, Ellis Simms and Brandon Thomas-Asante, kept Coventry top of the pile as the promotion dream came true.
The Sky Blues' success has also reinvigorated the midlands city, according to Coventry's Lord Mayor Rachel Lancaster.
"It's huge for Coventry football club and the fans, but for Coventry itself as a city, this has been massive," she said.
Coventry owner Doug King added: "The fans have been starved of it for a long time and you can feel it.
"Twenty-five years is a huge amount of time. If you don't bounce back you feel like it's never going to happen.
"Getting out of this league is very difficult but we did it. We got the whole city together. I'm super proud of everybody."
- Agence-France Presse
Monday, 13 April 2026
Friday, 5 December 2025
HOW MANY POINTS LEICESTER CITY EXPECT TO BE DEDUCTED AS WAIT FOR DISCIPLINARY HEARING OUTCOME CONTINUES
Leicester City still have their points deduction looming over them, and despite the recent hearing, the saga could drag on yet.
Leicester City’s point deduction is expected to be between six and nine points, according to the Daily Mail.
Leicester City have had a turbulent few years since the highs of a Premier League title, FA Cup glory and a European football adventure. LCFC are in the Championship for the second time in three years, and it will be tougher than ever to bounce back.
Marti Cifuentes‘ side are struggling down in 16th with an even split of six wins, six draws and six defeats. The Foxes face an uphill battle to get into the top six, and that’s before a points deduction hits.
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| Image courtesy of: PETER CZIBORRA/REUTERS. |
The hearing regarding a long-awaited penalty was held last month but the punishment is yet to be confirmed. Now though, the Daily Mail has indicated what the deduction could be, and when it is made official.
It is said that there is an expectation Leicester City are docked between six and nine points. It is unknown exactly when that will be, but an appeal will almost certainly follow, potentially pushing the final result back as far as February or March.
Leicester City’s uphill battle gets steeper and steeper
Leicester City fans will simply be hoping for an end to this saga sooner rather than later. It has dragged on ever since their drop from the Premier League in 2023.
It has lurked over them like a dark cloud in both good times and bad. Now in a period of real uncertainty, the continued wait for an inevitable punishment only sours the mood and impairs any vision of a better future.
Regardless of what LCFC are fighting for when the deduction hits, it will serve as a big blow. A strong run of form to move into the promotion fight will be dented.
Perhaps more worryingly though, if they remain around the same position they are now, a big penalty could see them slip into the grips of the relegation fighters. The Foxes are currently seven points above the drop and five off the play-offs.
The run that could define Leicester City’s season
If Leicester City are to make something of this season, the hectic festive schedule will be key. The quick turnarounds between games means there is a real opportunity to gain momentum and start moving in the right direction.
Up next is a challenging home game against John Eustace’s Derby County this Saturday. Another clash with potential play-off hopefuls awaits in midweek as Bristol City welcome LCFC to Ashton Gate.
Fellow relegated side Ipswich Town follow next weekend, and QPR the weekend after.
Boxing Day pits the Foxes up against Watford, then rounding out 2026 with the return fixture against the aforementioned Derby County.
- James Ray
Tuesday, 2 December 2025
Sunday, 26 October 2025
Saturday, 18 October 2025
FRANK LAMPARD IS DOING WELL WITH COVENTRY
Frank Lampard's Coventry City remain unbeaten in the Championship this season, topping the league with 22 points after 10 games. They have scored 29 goals and kept a clean sheet in their last five games.
- The Athletic
Wednesday, 14 May 2025
Friday, 11 April 2025
SHEFFIELD UNITED'S PLAYERS TAKE STEPS TO ARREST FROM SLUMP AMID ",INSANE" LEEDS UNITED, BURNLEY PROMOTION FIGHT
His side may travel to Plymouth Argyle tomorrow on the back of successive defeats at a crucial stage of the promotion race, but Chris Wilder remains adamant that Sheffield United’s season is not over just yet. Tuesday night’s home loss to Millwall saw the Blades drop out of the automatic promotion places with just five games of the regular campaign still to go.
Just two points separate United from the top two, Leeds United and Burnley, with the Blades still to visit Turf Moor on Easter Monday in a clash that is growing in importance by the week. For so long the hunted, United have become the hunters on the final straight of the promotion race but United’s mentality has not changed too much, with their players calling a private meeting this week in a bid to arrest their mini-slump in form.
“I should imagine there'll have been the same situations at all three clubs battling it out,” said Wilder of the pressure of a promotion bid. “We've all had to deal with that. We [all three managers] have all had success personally but it's a new group for me and for Scott [Parker], while Dan's [Daniel Farke] had a season with Leeds United as well.
“We're all in the same situation, with the twists and turns. So keeping calm is important. But for all three clubs to be on 85 points - and I'm not trying to be clever about this now, I'm going on wins and points - at this stage of the season is insane, really, with five games to go.
“We all have the opportunity to win 100 points [although United can only theoretically finish on 98 with their minus-two point deduction]. The points tally is incredible and all have had to do a lot of things right.
“The tally we've got is an incredible achievement. I can't do anything about the narrative and the noise, as we talk about it, from social media and saying ‘We haven't done this and that.’ We own the last two defeats. But we own the 26 wins and the 85 points as well.”
Wilder was delighted to see his players take ownership of the situation earlier this week. “The players had a team meeting yesterday which I’m all over because it shows they're taking responsibility. That isn't me distancing from them, but they're so desperate. The players in this situation need to be as cold as ever ... that's what the best players do.”
- Danny Hall
Thursday, 28 November 2024
FRANK LAMPARD CONFIRMED AS COVENTRY CITY MANAGER
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| Frank Lampard has been named as manager of Coventry City. Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images |
Frank Lampard has been appointed as manager of Championship side Coventry City, the club confirmed on Thursday.
Lampard, who has signed a 2 ½ year deal, replaces Mark Robins, who was sacked on Nov. 7 after their seventh loss in 14 league games.
Robins first managed Coventry between 2012-2013. He returned to the club in 2017, guiding them to two promotions as they rose from League Two to the Championship.
They came close to winning promotion to the Premier League, losing the 2023 playoff final to Luton Town on penalties. Robins then led Coventry back to Wembley last season as they reached the FA Cup semifinal, losing again on penalties, this time to Manchester United.
Lampard's appointment comes with the club in 17th position in the table, 10 points off the playoff places.
"I am delighted that Frank Lampard has agreed to join our club as head Ccoach. Frank cut his teeth in the Championship and knows what is needed in this League to be successful," Coventry owner Doug King said.
The Chelsea legend last coached in 2023 as interim boss of his former club, which he also managed full time between 2019-2021.
He began his coaching career at Derby County in 2018, with a stint at Premier League side Everton in 2022-2023.
- ESPN
Monday, 27 May 2024
Sunday, 12 May 2024
Wednesday, 1 May 2024
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