Friday Five

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It's Friday and time to take a look back at the week that past.


Friday 25th April - Hillsborough Wikipedia posts

It was revealed Friday that a number of changes made to the Wikipedia site about Hillsborough were posted from computers on Whitehall's intranet. One of the changes was the Liverpool anthem You'll Never Walk Alone rewritten to You'll Never Walk Again, as well as offensive comments were posted about the people dying in the tragedy. The Cabinet Office has now launched an investigation to find the persons behind the posts.

Saturday 26th April - Giggs first match as manager

He is already a Manchester United legend, and on Saturday he added to his history at the club as he was in charge of his first match as a manager. After a miserable season, David Moyes was sacked last week and Ryan Giggs took over as interim manager and started with great success as Norwich was sent home from Old Trafford with a 0-4 loss in the baggage. There was a glimpse of the old Manchester United in Saturdays match, and the fans will certainly hope that this can keep on in the remaining matches of the season.

Sunday 27th April - Did Gerrard just cost Liverpool the trophy?

It was one of the first 'finals' of the season for Liverpool; a win would add distance to Chelsea and Manchester City and almost secure the trophy. However, Mourinho's reserves surprised against Liverpool and grabbed a 2-0 victory at Anfield Road. The first goal came after a mistake from Steven Gerrard, and if that mistake means that Liverpool will not grab the gold this season, it will haunt him the rest of his life. The second goal came after another Liverpool mistake lead to Willian scoring to 2-0.



Wednesday 30th April - Chelsea's Champions League dream ended

They might have taken a big step in the Premier League, but on Wednesday the luck was gone for Mourinho. In a match where both teams looked afraid to take the initiative, Fernando Torres punished his former club scoring to 1-0. However, it should be the only goal the Chelsea fans could celebrate during the match. Shortly before the break Adrian Lopez equalised to 1-1 which also was the result after 45 minutes. After an hour, Samuel Eto'o committed a penalty on Diego Costa, who executed to 1-2 to Atletico. 10 minutes later Arda Turan closed the match with his scoring to 1-3. Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid are now meeting each other in the Champions League final. 

Wednesday 30th April - Corinthians tribute to Senna

Yesterday it was 20 years since Formula One driver Ayrton Senna died after a chras at Imola. The racing-driver was a fan of Corinthians, his home-town club in São Paulo, and on Wednesday they paid an unusual tribute to the fan. The entire side was wearing replicas of Senna's distinctive yellow and green racing helmet as they lined up before the game against Nacional.




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The Friday Five: 5 suggestions for a new Man U manager

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No one knows when Alex Ferguson will retire, but not a day goes by without rumours about his possible replacement. Great Dane Football Blog gives you 5 likely replacements.





5. Ryan Giggs

Ryan Giggs is the quintessence of Manchester United after 932 appearances for the Red Devils. This week, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, revealed that Giggs has set his sights on taking over the Manchester United job when Ferguson resigns.

While Giggs have  enormous importance for Manchester United, he might not be the first choice as the new manager. Mostly because, he has no experience as a manager, but also because he as a player has created friendships with the squad. As a manager,  you have to have some distance to the players and not always be their best friend. Unless Giggs is included in the coaching staff when his current contract expires in a years time, and Alex Ferguson stays for at least two more years Giggs will not be the new manager.


2. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Another Manchester United legend has been named as a replacement for Alex Ferguson. The Norwegian played 235 matches for the Red Devils and scored 91 goals and is considered as a true legend. Solskjaer himself has said himself that he is interested taking the job after Alex Ferguson.

What speaks for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as the new manager for Manchester United is the fact that he has experience as a manager. From 2008 till 2011 he was in charge of the Manchester United reserves, so he knows the system in Manchester United. Furthermore, since 2011 he has been managing Molde in the Norwegian Tippeligaen with which he made it to the Europa League this season. Rumours says that the Norwegian was close to signing with a Premier League club last year, but he is waiting for his chance in Manchester United.


3. Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola was for a long time considered as the replacement for Alex Ferguson. However, the Spaniard has recently signed a contract with Bayern Munich, starting this summer. When he was in charge of Barcelona, he won every trophy available and considering his age; he is one of the most talented young managers.

As only Alex Ferguson knows when he will retire, Pep Guardiola can still be interesting for Manchester United. With a three year long contract in Bayern Munich, Pep Guardiola could possible make a move to Manchester United in 2016 and replace Sir Ferguson. However, Guardiola has once said that if he was to become manager in England, Arsenal would be his preferred team.


2. Jürgen Klopp

The Dortmund manager is often mentioned as the new Chelsea manager, but he can be a target for Manchester United, as well. After five years in Dortmund and two Bundesliga trophies, he is ready to take the next step on the European scene.

Jürgen Klopp has been an important part of Dortmund's development from a mid-table team to one of the best in Germany. Furthermore, he has shown that he can make it against some of Europe's giants in the Champions League. Klopp would be a great replacement for Ferguson as he has made a name for himself, and can bring some interesting names to Manchester United. Furthermore, the manager has an eye for talents - one of them is Kagawa.


1. Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho - the special one. Every football fan knows what kind of manager Mourinho is and what he stands for. However, he might not be the most obvious replacement as his personality doesn't fit into Manchester's philosophy.

Despite not having the best reputation, Mourinho would be a good replacement for Ferguson. He has great experience from some of the best clubs in Europe and is capable of getting the best out of his players. Furthermore, he is not afraid of giving young talents a chance, and at the same time he can attract some players to Old Trafford.


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Ryan Giggs - A man of Honour

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YOU CAN'T mention Manchester United without mentioning Ryan Giggs. The Welsh is almost a synonym with the club as well as the English Premier League. This weekend he added another record to his long history - scoring in every season since the start of the Premier League.

The 39-year old has been a part of Manchester United for more than a decade joining the club on his 14th birthday back in 1987. Only a few years later he made his entrance on the Theatre of Dreams - Old Trafford  - as a substitute for Denis Irwin against Everton in 1991. The first league start and goal followed a few months after against Manchester City, and since Giggs haven't looked back.

First of all, the Welsh is the most decorated player in Britain. Twelve Premier League trophies, 4 FA Cups and Football League Cups and 8 FA Community Shields sum up his domestic wins. Furthermore, the Manchester profile can add 2 Champions League trophies, 1 UEFA Super Cup, 1 Intercontinental Cup and one FIFA Club World Cup trophy.


When not playing, the Welsh has always had an image of the British gentleman that never did anything wrong. Giggs has more individual honours than you can count on two hands, including the Order of the British Empire for his services to football in 2007. Furthermore, the image of a gentleman has been strengthened by the fact that Giggs never has received a red card while playing for Manchester United, and only one for the Welsh national team.

However, in 2011 his reputation was challenged when it was known that he had an affair for eight years, with his brothers wife. Despite this, the Mr United still stands as one of the most influential players in the Premier League, and with his 929 appearances in the red shirt he is a role model to follow.

He might be near the 40, but Giggs might still have a season or two in him sending him in the club 1000, and perhaps build on his scoring record in the Premier League. What the midfielder has lost in pace, he has gained in overview why he still can keep the youngsters on the bench. 

Ryan Giggs is a man of honour and man to follow.
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