SPORTS AGENDA UNITED DRAW THE LINE ON PROGRESS
THE speed of change at Manchester United — despite the fact that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos’s 25 per cent stake is still to be ratified by the Premier League — has been rapid. Omar Berrada is new chief executive — an Ineos appointment — from Manchester City. And now Agenda can reveal surveyors descended on Old Trafford this week armed with theodolites — tripod-mounted precision instruments used for measuring angles.
The latest sign of progress? Much-needed development on the way? Sadly not. In fact, the club’s stadium drawings need to be updated regularly to satisfy environmental regulations.
THE announcement that Jurgen Klopp is to leave Liverpool caught many by surprise — few more so than at the Premier League. Staff at HQ in Paddington were outside following a fire alarm when the news broke.
TOM HARTLEY enjoyed a Test debut to remember, taking seven for 62 to spin England to a memorable first Test victory over India. Ormskirk CC, the club Hartley played for from Under 13s all the way through to senior cricket, marked the fine achievement yesterday by opening up their clubhouse for celebratory drinks.
They even offered members a free tipple on arrival. Cheers to that.
LEEDS UNITED’S owners, the San Francisco 49ers, have penned a 10-year, £134m stadium naming rights deal with Levi’s, to continue the firm’s sponsorship of the venue which has hosted the likes of Taylor Swift, Beyonce and the Rolling Stones. It would come as no surprise if, following the proposed redevelopment of Elland Road, similar acts head to a part of the country without a major stadium concert venue.
FORMER Sunderland supremo Sir Bob Murray has written an autobiography — and it may make for uncomfortable reading for one of his former managers. In an interview with Mail Sport’s former North East correspondent Colin Young, Murray is asked if he had any regrets from his 20 years in charge.
‘I made a really bad decision with Howard (Wilkinson, who replaced Peter Reid as manager in 2002),’ Murray, whose book is titled I’d Do It All Again, states. ‘I asked who he wanted to bring with him, and he said Steve Cotterill. I didn’t know that they didn’t know each other, and they both wanted to be manager, so they worked against each other. ‘The whole thing immediately went wrong. When I say I’d do it all again, I wouldn’t hire Howard.’
AN advert to promote the facilities in the new stand at Fulham’s Craven Cottage has raised eyebrows. The ad, by Portview Fit Out Specialists, shows the back of the structure, with people enjoying the rooftop pool, sauna, gym and plush living. However, one eagleeyed watcher spotted that almost all of those featured have one thing in common — they all appear to be white.