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How Conte and McTominay have revolutionised Napoli

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How Conte and McTominay have revolutionised Napoli

Owner Aurelio De Laurentiis had to right a few wrongs and hiring Conte as well as investing more than £100m in the summer transfer market is proving fruitful.

Osimhen may have departed but Conte has reignited Di Lorenzo’s confidence while Kvara is in talks for a new and improved contract. More importantly, Romelu Lukaku, Billy Gilmour, McTominay and a few others were brought in to strengthen the squad.

Gone are the days of Luciano Spalletti’s beautiful Napoli, this is the year of balance, of winning at all costs.

‘Conte has ‘Juventinised’ Napoli: what a mentality’ read one headline. “The Azzurri seek victory without compromise, without following a single path, without being slaves to beauty. It is a change of mentality,” wrote Sport del Sud.

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When Conte first arrived, he was careful to temper expectations aware that his winning reputation had the fans dreaming of yet another Scudetto given he has won three with Juventus and one at Inter Milan, either side of guiding Chelsea to the Premier League title.

Eager to emphasise just how poorly Napoli performed the previous season, he noted the 48 goals conceded in the league, 27 of which were at home, how they finished 10th in the league and their failure to win a place in Europe.

By underscoring the details of their misery, Conte has not only bought time but ensured that should he turn it all around, he will be recognised for accomplishing an immense feat, a minor miracle.

Winning in Naples is always difficult but the manager’s plan revolves around addressing three key areas. The first is the mentality, the ‘Juventisation of Napoli’ if you will.

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“What I can promise is seriousness, a word that is often underestimated,” he said.

“Seriousness in giving everything for Napoli, in transmitting my culture at work, my mentality.”

Conte is renowned for strengthening the mindset of a dressing room and it starts with instilling a serious atmosphere that demands professionalism, intensity and passion at all times.

Napoli must return to working as a collective, a unit that fights for one another, covers ground and remains determined until the very end. By battling together, bonds are forged, and success is celebrated as a team.

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The fighting mentality has been Napoli’s Achilles heel for several years. Maurizio Sarri noted how he admired the fight of Juve’s players when battling them for the title as Napoli manager, while several journalists questioned whether the club would have indeed won the Scudetto under Spalletti had they been subjected to more pressure and a more determined rival pushing them until the final day of the season.

Two back-to-back 1-0 victories in Serie A have the media tipping their hats. By hook or by crook, Napoli are finding the way to accumulate the wins under Conte and the former captain and coach of Juventus is doing well to eradicate the Azzurri’s soft underbelly.

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Rangers agree further borrowing as Tierney nears return – Scottish gossip

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Rangers agree further borrowing as Tierney nears return - Scottish gossip


Rangers will borrow a further £4m from investors and have agreed to receive another £9m in loans. (Record), external

The amount paid by Rangers to settle a dispute with Elite was recorded as £3.8m in their annual accounts. (Herald – subscription), external

Former Hearts sporting director Joe Savage regrets not signing Nicky Devlin before the Scotland right-back joined Aberdeen from Livingston. (Record), external

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Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes tried to sign Yan Dhanda, James Penrice and Blair Spittal before all three moved to Hearts during the summer. (Herald – subscription), external

Scotland defender Kieran Tierney is nearing a return to fitness at Arsenal. (Record), external

Former Celtic general manager Jock Brown has become chairman of Hamilton Academical. (Sun), external



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Shannon Ruth: Brighton Under-21 boss who believes English coaches should learn abroad

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Shannon Ruth: Brighton Under-21 boss who believes English coaches should learn abroad

Midfielder Hinshelwood has benefited from Ruth’s guidance at Brighton and the 19-year-old has featured heavily under De Zerbi and Hurzeler.

Hinshelwood’s direct journey to first-team football was unlike the path of Caicedo, who had to go out on loan and play for Ruth’s under-21s before he was ready for the seniors and ultimately a £115m move to Chelsea.

“Since I took the role when Roberto first came in, not a day has passed when an academy player hasn’t trained with our first team,” Ruth said.

“Passing players back and forth is really normal here. We believe it helps their development and believe it helps in making them get closer to impacting our first team.”

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Ruth would like to become a head coach at some point, but he explained that coaches should not be in a “hurry” to secure the senior positions.

“As a 21s head coach, it is a great education. You are almost a filtered-down version of a senior coach,” Ruth said.

“The bits and pieces and the challenges that might land on my desk are nowhere near what might land on Fabian’s.”

The outlook appears bright for both Brighton Under-21s and their coach.

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Ruth’s team sit second in the Premier League 2 table behind Manchester City, having lost just one game.

Players are seizing the chance to impress, knowing a first-team career is achievable.

“In the last four seasons we have had more players go on to play professionally than we have released,” Ruth said.

“The stat of young players falling out of football is big, we know. We’re really proud that that’s not the case [at Brighton] and we’re trying hard to defy that stat.”

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VIDEO | Reliving Matthew Wade’s epic innings against Pakistan in 2021 T20 World Cup semifinal

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VIDEO | Reliving Matthew Wade's epic innings against Pakistan in 2021 T20 World Cup semifinal

Australian T20 World Cup winner and wicketkeeper-batter Matthew Wade, on Tuesday, retired from international cricket. He last appeared in Aussie colours at the T20 World Cup earlier this year.

The 36-year-old will now join Australia’s coaching staff under Andre Borovec for the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan, and the ODI series starting in Melbourne from November 4.

Wade played 36 Tests, 97 ODIs and 92 T20Is over 13 years, scoring 1,613 runs, 1,867 and 1,202 respectively. He started off as a junior footballer, but switched to cricket owing to his height. A testicular cancer survivor, Wade remained in wicketkeeper-batter Tim Paine’s shadow. Despite the setbacks, Wade went back to domestic cricket and made a strong case for himself with stellar performances for Tasmania.

He was picked for the England series in 2019, and then made his way into the white-ball teams. He made his mark in T20 cricket, with Hobart Hurricanes in BBL, and soon became Australia’s first-choice wicketkeeper-batter in 2020-21.

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2021 T20 World Cup, Australia vs Pakistan semifinal, Dubai

The defining moment of his career came in the 2021 T20 World Cup, where he was the vice-captain and was assigned the role of a finisher. In the semifinal against Pakistan in Dubai, he smashed a 17-ball 41 not out in an epic finish, to take Australia into the final.

Wade came out to bat at no.7 in the 13th over, after the dismissal of Glenn Maxwell (7). Australia needed 81 runs off 46 balls then, with Marcus Stoinis batting at the other end on four. The wicketkeeper-batter started off slowly, making eight runs off his first nine balls, while Stoinis was hitting the lusty blows.

Wade tees off in style

In the 18th over bowled by Hasan Ali, Wade hit a six and a four to get going. Australia needed 22 runs now in two overs. Pakistan’s star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, who had given only 13 runs in his three overs till then, came on to bowl the 19th over, with Stoinis on strike.

The first was a dot ball. The Aussies managed to sneak in a leg-bye off the second ball, as Pakistan reviewed an LBW decision unsuccessfully. With Wade on strike, Afridi bowled a wide. The next ball would have been Wade’s last, but his mistimed shot was floored by Ali. What was worse, the Aussies managed to scamper back for two runs. The equation was down to 18 off nine balls.

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Wade vs Shaheen Shah Afridi: 6, 6, 6

What followed was absolute carnage by Wade. He moved across his stumps and scooped an almost yorker to short fine leg for a six. The next ball was a cutter, but Wade cleared his front leg and mowed it down midwicket for yet another six. Pakistan’s hopes of taking the match into the final over were done and dusted, as Wade finished off the match in style, with yet another audacious scooped six off the last ball of Afridi’s over.

He was adudged the player of the match for his stellar innings. Australia went on to win their maiden T20 World Cup title, beating New Zealand by eight wickets in the final.

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Charvarius Ward’s one-year-old daughter Amani Joy tragically dies as 49ers NFL star releases heartbreaking statement

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Charvarius Ward's one-year-old daughter Amani Joy tragically dies as 49ers NFL star releases heartbreaking statement

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS star Charvarius Ward has tragically revealed his one-year-old daughter has passed away.

Ward, 28, confirmed on social media the heartbreaking news that Amani Joy had died on Monday morning.

Charvarius Ward confirmed his daughter Amani Joy died on Monday morning

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Charvarius Ward confirmed his daughter Amani Joy died on Monday morningCredit: Getty
Ward shared an emotional statement alongside a picture of Amani Joy

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Ward shared an emotional statement alongside a picture of Amani JoyCredit: Instagram @itslilmooney

Alongside a picture of his daughter, the cornerback shared a loving message.

He said: “We are heartbroken that our beautiful baby girl, Amani Joy passed away on Monday morning.

“She was the best blessing we could have asked for, and her joyous spirit made us smile from ear to ear.

“She taught us to have patience, trust, and a positive outlook on life. She showed us true strength and bravery.

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“She overcame adversity at a young age and was always happy, lighting up every room with her smile.

“Having the privilege of being her parents and seeing the world through her eyes has changed us for the better.

“She will forever be daddy’s best friend and mommy’s little girl.

“We’ll miss you and love you forever, Amani Joy.”

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The 49ers also released a statement which read: “The 49ers family is devastated by the sudden passing of Charvarius Ward’s beloved one-year-old daughter, Amani Joy.

“Amani truly embodied pure happiness and brought joy to all those around her with her sweet demeanor and contagious laugh.

“We will continue to grieve with Charvarius and Monique, while sending them our love and support during this unimaginable time.”

Ward and partner Monique welcomed Amani Joy into the world in November 2022.

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In March, on World Down Syndrome Day, the NFL star shared a post opening up about his daughter’s condition.

He said: “I used to think Down Syndrome was a handicap but now I realise it is just a gift from God.

“Being Amani’s dad has taught me patience & how to surrender & let things be.”

Ward featured for the 49ers in Sunday’s 30-24 win over the Dallas Cowboys.

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It is not yet known whether he will feature against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in his team’s next game on November 10.

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Yankees come ALIVE in Game 4, Anthony Volpe GRAND SLAM: Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez & David Ortiz

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Yankees come ALIVE in Game 4, Anthony Volpe GRAND SLAM: Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez & David Ortiz




The “MLB on FOX” crew react to the New York Yankees’ Game 4 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2024 World Series and preview Game 5.



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NFL: Jayden Daniels throws Hail Mary pass in stunning last-gasp win

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NFL: Jayden Daniels throws Hail Mary pass in stunning last-gasp win

Watch as Jayden Daniels throwqs a stunning last-gasp “once in a lifetime” Hail Mary pass as the Washington Commanders defeat the Chicago Bears in week eight of the NFL.

READ MORE: Daniels’ Hail Mary heroics, Browns stun Ravens & Chiefs stay perfect

Available to UK users only.

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