Rob Page keen to focus on football after clearing air with FAW chief Noel Mooney
Rob Page says he has cleared the air with Football Association of Wales chief Noel Mooney after their public spat last month. Mooney put Page’s future in the spotlight four days before the Euro 2024 qualifier against Croatia by saying the manager’s position would be reviewed if Wales did not qualify for Euro 2024 automatically. Subsequent media reports suggested Mooney had wanted fellow Irishman Roy Keane, the former Sunderland and Ipswich manager and TV pundit, to replace Page following June defeats to Armenia and Turkey. Page is just over 12 months into a four-year contract and promised to “ignore the noise” during the build-up to a game that Wales eventually won 2-1 to move into the second automatic qualifying place in Group D. Captain Ben Davies described Mooney’s comments as “not helpful”, and Page said the issue has since been addressed at a meeting between himself, the chief executive and FAW president Steve Williams. “It was a conversation all three of us needed,” Page said when announcing his squad on Wednesday for this month’s final Euro 2024 qualifiers against Armenia and Turkey. “I’m not going to go into details of what was said. It needed to be done and only positives will come from it. “I’m due to meet him (Mooney) after the press conference and we’ll have a coffee and a chat. It was frustrating, unnecessary. But I don't want to spend any more time thinking about it. We're all on the same page Wales manager Rob Page “Things were said and that was it. We all move forward in the same direction. Full focus is now on the football. “It was frustrating, unnecessary. But I don’t want to spend any more time thinking about it. We’re all on the same page. “We all know what we’ve got to do. It would be disrespectful from me now to the players to keep going on about it.” Tottenham forward Brennan Johnson returns to a 23-man squad after missing the win over Croatia with a hamstring injury. Page maintains stand-in skipper Davies will be fit for both qualifiers, despite the defender missing Spurs’ 4-1 Premier League defeat against Chelsea on Monday and also being in danger of sitting out his club’s weekend game at Wolves. Sunderland defender Niall Huggins has won his first senior call-up and Portsmouth midfielder Joe Morrell returns after a two-match suspension. But Aaron Ramsey is again ruled out with the knee injury he sustained in September, and Page says the Cardiff midfielder has suffered a “setback” in his recovery. He said: “It’s disappointing, I found out on Friday last week. As we all know Aaron was pushing and pushing to be part of this camp. “Unfortunately it’s come a little too soon for him. He’s had a setback. He got up to about 90 per cent. If you’d seen him on the grass, straight lines, everything was fine. “But there was something stopping him from going to that last step. So it’s not great for us, but it gives others an opportunity. “He’ll be a part of it (the squad). I had that conversation with him last camp. He knew he wasn’t going to play any minutes in regards to the changing room, but to have Aaron around the lads is definitely beneficial.” Wales can avoid the play-offs in March by beating Armenia in Yerevan on November 18 and Turkey in Cardiff three days later. Dropped points in either game will leave them relying on other results to join already-qualified Turkey at next summer’s European Championship in Germany. “June was a bump in the road,” Page said of damaging defeats to Armenia and Turkey in the space of four days. “We didn’t like it. We didn’t appreciate it. We didn’t like what we saw, but we put it right in September (by beating Latvia) – and some. “We built on that in October and capped it off with arguably one of the best performances that I’ve seen. “We have to build on that. It will count for nothing if we don’t follow it up.” Read More Ben Stokes century gets England out of trouble against Netherlands Sunderland defender Niall Huggins earns first senior Wales call-up John Stones injury leaves Manchester City ‘in trouble’, says Pep Guardiola Kevin Sinfield to run seven ultramarathons in support of Rob Burrow Never-say-die attitude gives Newcastle Champions League belief – Kieran Trippier On this day in 2004: Jason Robinson named as England’s first black captain
1970-01-01 08:00
Tottenham and Newcastle considering moves for Ben Godfrey
Tottenham and Newcastle are among several sides who are weighing up a move for Ben Godfrey, who is likely to be allowed to leave Everton in the January window.
1970-01-01 08:00
US warns Israel against reoccupying Gaza after war
Secretary of State Antony Blinken says Gaza and the West Bank should be united under the Palestinian Authority.
1970-01-01 08:00
Under Armour Cuts Revenue Forecast on North America Concerns
Under Armour Inc. cut its full-year revenue forecast, citing weaker demand in its home market of North America
1970-01-01 08:00
AC Milan closely monitoring Viktor Gyokeres after impressive Sporting CP form
AC Milan view Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres as one of their top striker targets to replace Olivier Giroud.
1970-01-01 08:00
Israel’s Teva Lifts Outlook With War Not Curbing Drug Production
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., one of Israel’s largest companies, increased its revenue guidance for the second straight quarter,
1970-01-01 08:00
Ping An Sold Country Garden Stake, Has No Plans for Takeover
Ping An Insurance (Group) Co. doesn’t hold any shares in Country Garden Holdings Co. and has no plans
1970-01-01 08:00
GM’s Cruise Issues Recall After Robotaxi Dragged Pedestrian
Cruise LLC, the robotaxi company owned by General Motors Co., recalled its automated-driving system and deployed a software
1970-01-01 08:00
Phil Neville insists Portland Timbers job is a ‘dream’ amid fan criticism
Phil Neville has described his role with Portland Timbers as a “dream” after being appointed manager of the Major League Soccer (MLS) club. Neville has replaced Giovanni Savarese at the Oregon side on a deal that runs until 2026. It is the former England international’s first managerial role since leaving Inter Miami in June. The 46-year-old has worked with Canada’s men’s national team since his departure from a club owned by ex-Manchester United teammate David Beckham. And Neville has insisted that he chose his new job with the Timbers from a number of appealing options. “I was lucky to have plenty of coaching opportunities to take,” Neville explained at his unveiling. “But my gut said straight away I had to follow this dream to become the Portland Timbers head coach.” Neville’s appointment has been cricitised by fans of the Timbers, who finished 10th in the Western Conference and missed out on the 2023 MLS play-offs. The Timbers Army fan group said in a statement that it was “deeply disappointed” that the club had appointed a manager with “a history of sexist public statements”. Neville has previously apologised for a series of posts on X, then known as Twitter, made more than a decade ago that resurfaced after the former full-back was appointed as manager of the Lionesses in 2018. The 59-cap international has reiterated that his social media posts were “wrong” and said he hopes to build “incredible trust” with Portland supporters. “The big part of this city is the supporters, and the statement they put out showed that this club cares about their people,’ Neville said. “In reference to the tweets I made in 2011, I addressed these in 2019 when I was named the head coach of the England women’s team. [They are] by no means a reflection of me as a person, of my character, and without a shadow of a doubt, the way I was brought up by my mother and father in terms of the values they instilled in me. “The tweets I put out were wrong in 2011, and they’re wrong today. I want to get to know the Timbers Army, I want to get to know everybody in the city, and I want them to get to know me as a person, as a character. And I want to make sure there is an incredible trust between us.” Read More Dortmund won the battle but are losing the war for the future of football Man City in Champions League knockouts as Celtic embarrassed and Shakhtar stun Barca Matildas join Australia men’s football team on commercial pay deals Dortmund won the battle but are losing the war for the future of football Man City in Champions League knockouts as Celtic embarrassed and Shakhtar stun Barca Matildas join Australia men’s football team on commercial pay deals
1970-01-01 08:00
Biden-Xi Meeting Can Help Ease Tensions, Singapore Leader Says
A meeting between the presidents of the US and China is necessary and can help dial down tensions
1970-01-01 08:00
'Nothing showers' are the new thing – but what exactly are they?
In recent months, the blissfully unaware learnt the meaning of a self-care ritual known as the 'everything shower," which essentially does what it says on the tin. It entails two hours of head-to-toe beauty treatments, including hair and face masks, shaving, exfoliating, and moisturisers amongst much more. With six billion views under #ShowerTok, more and more people are seemingly detailing their morning wash routines. But now, attention has been turned to the 'nothing shower'. "We all know about 'everything showers,' but I'm all about 'nothing showers,'" one TikTok creator wrote in a clip that's racked up over 110,000 likes. "Turn on the water, sit down in the tub, and wash absolutely nothing." She went on to jokingly claim the 'nothing shower' was "excellent for migraine management, muffling sobs and hiding from responsibilities." Another TikToker shared a clip, saying: "Everything showers are great, but nothing showers >>> (standing in boiling water listening to music after any minor convenience." @mafeanzures nothing showers >>> #fypシ #pov #everthingshower #shower While they may initially sound bizarre, there are several psychological benefits to showering – especially when it comes to improving mental health. A warm shower, whether that be an 'everything', a 'nothing' or somewhere in between, has been said to ease anxiety and depression, as the water reduces tension and helps people relax. They are also known to give an energy boost, similar to your morning tea or coffee. While the 'nothing shower' may have some great wellness benefits, don't forget to take care of personal hygiene, of course. One dermatologist urged people to take extra care of ears, belly buttons and nails to avoid difficult-to-treat infections. How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
1970-01-01 08:00
Adidas Eyes More Yeezy Sales Next Year With Big Stockpile Left
Adidas AG is pausing sales of Yeezy sneakers for the rest of this year, but Chief Executive Officer
1970-01-01 08:00
