(LIN)FIELD OF DREAMS
Which football club is the best in the world? Come on, let’s get this straightened out, once and for all. A good place to start would be the current club world champions, Real Madrid – who can also point to 15 European Cups, 36 league titles and a world-beating 400 million subscribers across various Social Media Abominations. Yet those humble trophy-lifters from the Bernabéu can be beaten on sheer hardware count by Egypt’s Al-Ahly (125 pots in total, to Madrid’s 103), Celtic (118 domestic trophies to 71) – and Linfield, the south Belfast galacticos with a world-record 57 league titles.
Recent years have, by their own ridiculous standards, been lean for Linfield, stuck on 56 since way back in 2021-22 as upstarts Larne won the last two Northern Ireland Premiership crowns. They put things right this season, though, securing the title after Larne drew with second-placed Glentoran on Monday night. David Healy’s team [yes, that David Healy – Football Daily Ed] are 19 points clear at the top with six games to go, becoming the first team to win the league before it separates into two sections, Scottish style. Speaking of which, Linfield’s latest title is bad news for the two slumbering giants across the North Channel in Glasgow.
Below the mighty Linfield in the list of all-time league title winners are Rangers (55) and Celtic (54) – with the Hoops closing in on their 55th this season. There is, of course, the issue of “the Sevco years” – when Rangers were liquidated in 2012 and forced to re-enter the pyramid at level four. This has led to more than a decade of “entertaining” debate about whether or not Rangers’ tally should have been reset, with opinions in no way guided by which Old Firm side you happen to support. Still, this season’s events dictate that any Most League Titles in the World banner will be staying in storage at Ibrox for a while yet – although it wouldn’t be the most nonsensical one Rangers fans have unfurled in recent weeks.
But enough about all that – this is Linfield’s day, after a season where the best team in the world showed that even relentless dominance doesn’t come easy. The Blues saw a number of their players depart in January, while top scorer Joel Cooper stayed on despite signing an unexpected pre-contract deal with mid-table Coleraine. Healy had been under pressure as recently as November, but a late comeback win at Carrick Rangers sparked a run of 15 victories in 19 games. All of which came after their manager turned down a tempting offer from Scottish second-tier side Raith Rovers. Truly, it’s tough at the top.
LIVE ON BIG WEBSITE
Join Sarah Rendell from 8pm GMT for updates on Manchester City 1-2 Chelsea in the first leg of their Women’s Big Cup quarter-final.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“These are callous, manipulative and toxic influencers, whose sole drive is for their own gain. They willingly trick young men into believing that success is measured by money or dominance, never showing emotion, and that the world – including women – is against them. They are as far away as you could possibly get from the role models our young men need in their lives” – former England manager Gareth Southgate delivers the Richard Dimbleby Lecture and uses his platform to decry the grifters taking the place of traditional father figures in society, who are contributing to mental health issues among young men.
FOOTBALL DAILY LETTERS
Re: north v south (yesterday’s Football Daily). Leaving aside the issue that we need more football like Donald Trump needs an ego boost … the North v South game has already happened. With Sheffield famously being the first northern town or the first midlands town, depending on your direction of travel, last weekend’s derby between the Blades and the Owls was clearly it. And the south of the city (just) won. No need for another game” – Trevor Townson.
Reading the recent article on Eddie Howe being awarded the freedom of Newcastle. I wondered if the city might go a little further and rename the famous Barrack Road that leads up past St James’ Park, Eddie Howe’Way, instead?” – Stephen Rea.
Thanks for the link to the Mexican league (yesterday’s Still Want More, full email edition). I’ve learned something. I always assumed it was Sergio Ramos-Sentoff, like Kyle Walker-Peters or Trent Alexander-Arnold, or Darwin Nunez-Mistasitta. And as for Alan Hansen (yesterday’s News, Bits and Bobs, full email edition), great to see him fit and well. I genuinely miss him on MotD, but you can tell from his palms up that he’s just told Prince William his medal handling skills are absolutely abysmal” – Antony Train.
Despite the fact I vowed to never write to you again since you won’t select any of my deluge of letters, I do have a serious question. The group of words at the very end, right after Memory Lane (full email edition), which in the latest posting is ‘One Egg’ … what in the wide, wide, world of sports are you on about with these enigmatic utterances?” – Michael Shain.
Re: yesterday’s last line: un œuf est un œuf!” – David Bell.
Send letters to the.boss@theguardian.com. Today’s prizeless letter o’ the day winner is … David Bell. Terms and conditions for our competitions can be viewed here.
MOVING THE GOALPOSTS
Our sister email discusses Mak Whitham’s NWSL debut aged 14, with the general gist being: if you’re good enough, are you really old enough?
TOTAL CELEBRATIONS
Happy birthday, erm, on Monday, to Ajax, one of football’s greatest and most influential clubs. It has been a global name since the late-1960s, and the advent of Johan Cruyff and his coterie of lank-haired, medallion-men teammates, Johan Neeskens, Barry Hulshoff and Gerrie Muhren, resembling the cast of one of those forgotten rock operas where everyone gets naked and plays the Total Football of the Gods. Fast forward and Louis van Gaal’s 1995 Big Cup champions were packed with wonderful players who soon spread across the continent – Patrick Kluivert, Edgar Davids, Winston Bogarde. But as long as Football Daily can remember, Ajax has been both a destination and launching pad for talent, and football played in the liberal fashion of Cruyff. And though the modern-day club has dropped from relative prominence, Ajax are now back on top in the Netherlands. As you can see from the picture, pyro-wielding fans were out in force to celebrate the club’s 125th birthday. Even England’s Thomas Tuchel has been recently, thus selecting tough-tackling youthful midfield prospect Jordan Henderson.
NEWS, BITS AND BOBS
Chelsea and England defender Lucy Bronze has said her autism and ADHD diagnoses have helped her become a better player. “Training every day is amazing for me,” she told the BBC. “Some of the other girls will be like: ‘Are you sure you’re 33 because you don’t stop?’ All the things I have because of autism have worked in my advantage.”
Rangers have described a banner at their Bigger Vase game against Fenerbahce – which has led to a disciplinary charge from Uefa – as “shameful” and “embarrassing”.
Morgan Gibbs-White has yet more proof that Gen Zers are a more confident and c0cksure bunch than Football Daily’s generation of shrunken egos after admitting he took Thomas Tuchel to task over his England omission before he finally received a call-up. “I said to him: ‘I feel like I’ve done enough to get the call,’” shrugged the Forest midfielder. “Obviously I was upset.”
West Ham are facing a thumbs down from Angel Gomes despite following up their interest in the England and Lille midfielder by offering him a £100,000-a-week contract.
Ian Wright has backed Arsenal head coach Renée Slegers after she criticised the sodden cabbage-patch vibes of the pitch at Real Madrid after the Gunners were beaten 2-0 in their Women’s Big Cup quarter-final first leg. “This is worse than Derby’s pitch the other day in the [League Cup] final,” he roared. “This is a [effing] disgrace, the pitches these girls have to play on.”
And a 30-something Jordan from Sunderland has backed England’s brave Thomas Tuchel for recalling a 30-something Jordan from Sunderland … because he has vibes. “I know how much of a leader [Hendo] is,” whooped namesake Pickford. “It’s a great move … whether he plays or not he is going to be the leader on the training pitch. He is a winner.”
RECOMMENDED LOOKING
What’s black and white and read all over? A penguin in a blender This picture essay by Orlando Gili on Newcastle fans’ trip south to take over London.
STILL WANT MORE?
How can Manchester City stop Chelsea in Women’s Big Cup? Tom Garry offers up the best options available.
After Newcastle ended their drought, which ‘big’ teams haven’t won a major trophy for at least 10 years? The Knowledge knows.
David Hytner takes a deep dive into the coaching world of Thomas Tuchel: perfectionist, workaholic, disciplinarian … winner.
The Phil Foden enigma awaits England’s new man, writes Jacob Steinberg.
Remembering Paul Gascoigne’s first goal for England. By Stephen Pye.
And how is the 2026 World Cup shaping up with 48 places at stake? Yara El-Shaboury checks in around the assorted confederations.
MEMORY LANE
To June 1991 and the Scania 100 Tournament semi-final between Italy and Denmark in Malmö, where Azzurri skipper Giuseppe Bergomi chases the ball down during their 2-0 victory after extra time. Italy went on to win the four-team event, held in Sweden as a precursor to Euro 92 (and to mark Scania’s centenary), beating the Soviet Union 3-2 on penalties in the final.
