Angels Links: Jupp Heynckes to return to Bayern as caretaker manager

Jupp Heynckes to return as Bayern caretaker manager, but changes needed at executive level if Bayern are to make a resurgance

Bayern Munich fired Carlo Ancelotti early into the season this year, and if reports are to be believed there was tension last year with the Italian manager and the Bayern board. So if those rumors are to be believed, why didn’t Bayern replace Ancelotti over the summer? Bayern appeared to believe by adding sporting director Hasan Sahlihamidzic and assistant coach Willy Sagnol, they could make do until 2018 when they would hire their target coach, Hoffenheim coach Julian Nagelsmann. However the run of results and locker room tension made Ancelotti continuing untenable. Bayern have turned back to another big figure at the club, former manager Jupp Heynckes, to try and turn this season around. However Bayern need to make serious changes at the boardroom level if they want to return to the pinnacle of European football.

Russia make crazy modifications to stadium to meet World Cup standards

Russia is making its preparations for the 2018 World Cup, and they ran into a bit of an issue. All stadiums that are to be used for World Cup games have to have at least a 35,000 seat capacity. Russia has a stadium it wants to use that is only 27,000 seats, so they decided to build this set of stands that is outside the stadium, with the walls on that side pushed out so people can see the field.

It’s remarkable, and seems like a remarkably bad idea. Sadly, shortcuts and crazy compromises happen in countries that are hosting a World Cup but don’t already have the facilities for it.

Australia and Syria draw 1-1 in first leg of their World Cup qualifying playoff

Syria’s world cup hopes are still alive after snatching a late equalizer in the “home” leg of their two-leg playoff against Australia (Syria are not able to play games in Syria because of the Civil War). Omar al Soma converted a late penalty, to level the game at 1-1, and keep the tie alive heading into the return leg in Sydney. Australia had chances to ice the game, but they were made to pay for not taking them with Syria equalizing late on. There was also an air of controversy to the equalizer, as the penalty call was deemed harsh by many. This is just the first playoff hurdle for these two teams though, as the winner of the tie will then go to another playoff with the 4th place team in CONCACAF for a spot in the World Cup. At this point, there is a decent shot that team they play could be the U.S.

Cesc Fabregas admits to throwing the slice of pizza that hit Sir Alex Ferguson in famous tunnel row between United and Arsenal

In the early to mid-2000’s Arsenal and Manchester United were fierce rivals, and the top teams in the premier league. Each team has their own local rivalry, but this rivalry was built on each team standing in each other’s way for glory, plus fiery personalties on both sides like Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira. One of the more famous episodes of this rivalry was the clash in the tunnel between the teams after the game in 2004 at Old Trafford. The affair was memorable because in the midst of the chaos, Sir Alex Ferguson was hit in the face with a slice of pizza that was thrown. Until now the identity of the pizza thrower was unknown, but now its revealed that it was Cesc Fabregas who nailed Fergie with the pizza. It’s almost disappointing in a way, as the story is even funnier with the identity of the pizza thrower being unknown.

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