Matchweek 1: every manager, every quote
The full record for Matchweek 1 of the 2026/27 season: every Premiership manager’s post-match interview, reproduced as the source printed it, with the score each one earned for the leadership language in it. The league table, quote of the week and analysis are on the Premiership Managers Revealed page.
A note on sourcing: full word-for-word transcripts of entire press conferences are almost never published. What follows is every direct quote each manager gave, reproduced as the source printed it, with the source underneath.
Arsenal 3 – 0 Coventry City
Friday 21 August, Emirates Stadium
Mikel Arteta — Arsenal (home)
11/12 · Identity level fed: Capability
“There was a lot to like. Obviously it was a great result, but the manner we started the game, the domination, clarity, understanding and growth in the game was really impressive.”
“It was great because the start is always tricky, we played a team that had a long time to prepare as well, and they are really good at what they do. But again, I was really impressed with the result today.”
“We missed players playing together last year like [Ben White, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard].”
“It was good, it was about the connections between players that I really like, the outside ones as well, Bukayo I think was exceptional.”
“The main focus has to be there, to improve our players and improve the connection between them, because they are already so good.”
On whether the squad has changed since winning the title: “They keep asking me that, but they look exactly the same to me!” … “They can flow, relax, no, I don’t like ‘relax’!”
On Christos Tzolis: “I love that a player who has only been with us a few weeks gets this kind of energy whenever he’s on the ball, and I think he’s earned it.”
On transfers: “I’m really happy with the squad that we have, and the main focus is to improve the players we already have.”
Arsenal won comfortably and Arteta spent most of his answer on connection. He talks about the players understanding each other, the growth in the game, and the link between Saka, White and Odegaard that injuries cost him last season. Asked about the transfer window, he says he is happy with the squad and wants to improve the players he already has. His squad will hear that clearly. He credits Tzolis for earning his place after only a few weeks at the club. The one thing missing is adversity. Arsenal were barely troubled, so there was little for him to frame.
Source: Arteta’s post-match press conference, reported by Daily Cannon — dailycannon.com (full transcript also published by Arsenal.com, “Every word: Arteta’s post-Coventry press conference”)
Frank Lampard — Coventry City (away)
10/12 · Identity level fed: Belonging
“It was clearly a big challenge. They’re a fantastic team, it was a good lesson for our boys to see the levels. They played like champions. It was a difficult game for us, the experience of it is probably good for us, in terms of the stadium, the atmosphere at the start of the game, and the quality that they have.”
“You’ll see more from us than that. Arsenal will beat a lot of teams here.”
“There were some bits I didn’t mind. The lads deserve better than that. Our support was amazing – the fans understand we lost this game and will learn a lesson.”
“Every game won’t look like that. This is an Arsenal team buoyed by where they are at. Leeds came here [early last season] and lost, and they stayed in the Premier League. I’m not making any early judgements. We will have to acclimatise.”
“A few years ago, this club was in League Two, playing in a different stadium. When we came in, we were 17th in the Championship. The boys have risen; the team have risen and the connection with the fans has been amazing. They have been a huge strength for us. They have to remain that way and the lads have to give everything.”
“I’m more concerned about the personality. I think we were a little bit timid in the first half.”
Lampard lost three nil at the Emirates and never once reached for an excuse. He credits Arsenal properly, calls the afternoon a lesson for his players, and names the failing himself: Coventry were timid in the first half. He then reminds everyone that the club were in League Two a few years ago and have climbed since, and he calls the connection with the supporters a strength Coventry have to hold on to. The defeat is treated as one afternoon against a good side. The progress is treated as theirs, and lasting.
Source: Lampard speaking to Sky Sports, via Goal.com — goal.com; additional line via NBC Sports — nbcsports.com
Hull City 2 – 0 Manchester United
Saturday 22 August, MKM Stadium
Sergej Jakirović — Hull City (home)
11/12 · Identity level fed: Belonging & Esteem
“We are one year together, we had three new guys and, all together, they looked like a team there and in the end we succeeded.”
“We had a lot of problems because we made four substitutions in our defensive line, which is unusual. You have to play, you have to fight and maybe now we need more players.”
“This is football. We are professionals. We are trying to prove people wrong. I know there are 37 games to go, but this is a good base for the future.”
“The players stick to a tactical plan, we suffer because we play against Manchester United but we punished the opponent.”
Jakirović had just beaten Manchester United and he talked mostly about the group. A year together, three new signings, and a side that looked like a team. He is specific about the difficulty too, naming four changes in the defensive line and saying plainly that Hull may need more players. He credits the plan and the discipline to stick to it. The one thing holding his score down is direction. Proving people wrong is Away From language, and it points at the doubters rather than at anything Hull are building.
Source: Jakirović speaking to TNT Sports post-match, via Yahoo Sports/BBC — sports.yahoo.com and Goal.com — goal.com
Michael Carrick — Manchester United (away)
6/12 · Identity level fed: None reached
“Some was okay, obviously bits to improve on. It was never going to be perfect today but going today, giving ourselves a lot to do makes it more difficult. Probably one of those typical games with a new promoted team at home. We can’t give them much, they’ve got a lot to hold on to. After that we had moments, we had opportunities. We just didn’t have that spark to then put the chances away or create any more. We are bitterly disappointed with the result today. But it won’t knock us.”
“I’m not going into areas now. I think it’s for us to know and we will keep improving through the week and through the games and when we keep stronger as a group. That will come. Today is a game we can’t ignore. We have a lot to learn from it. But we will.”
“Two goals conceded anyway is frustrating. For sure, set plays, we’ve been pretty good at it over a period of time. That decided the game today. Of course there are things to improve on and that is one of those from today, which is pretty obvious to say. In general we’ve been pretty good. One game doesn’t change the whole direction of everything. We know that but we still got to be aware of what we need to get better at.”
“It is one game. First game of the season. It is disappointing enough. It hurts. Of course it does. But it is one game. It doesn’t change the whole course of direction the team is going in or the football club. We will stay calm, stay in the bubble and focus on next week.”
Carrick keeps the defeat small. He says it is one game three times, tells the players it will not knock them, and promises they will stay calm and focus on next week. Asked what needs to change, he says he is not going into areas now. No strength is named, no standard is set, and Hull are not mentioned at all. Treating a setback as temporary is half of what a squad needs after a bad afternoon. The other half, a reminder of what they are good at, never comes.
Source: NBC Sports, “Michael Carrick reaction: Manchester United boss ‘bitterly disappointed’ after shock defeat at Hull City” — nbcsports.com
Everton 2 – 0 Crystal Palace
Saturday 22 August, Hill Dickinson Stadium
David Moyes — Everton (home)
8/12 · Identity level fed: Capability
“Both teams had periods in the game. We could easily have been a couple of goals down. It was a worldie save [from Pickford to deny Nketiah]. It could have gone the other way.”
“Once we got the first goal, it settled us. That mattered. We had big moments, Kiernan’s goal was important. We managed the game well after that and contained Palace really well.”
“They done great, I’m really pleased. Harrison is earning his place in the team, he’s got an opportunity here, where at other clubs he might not have. He’s showed lots of good things.”
“With Hayden, sometimes boys from the Championship need time, but he’s done well. I have to give him praise for how quickly he’s picked things up.”
Moyes is honest about how close the game was, saying Everton could easily have been two down and that Pickford’s save changed it. He then praises individuals with some care. Harrison is earning his place and has an opportunity at Everton he might not get elsewhere. Hackney has picked things up faster than most players coming out of the Championship. Both are framed as qualities the players own. He never looks forward, though. There is no next step, no standard for the coming week, and nothing for the group to take into training.
Source: Sky Sports match report, Everton 2-0 Crystal Palace — skysports.com
Pierre Sage — Crystal Palace (away)
9/12 · Identity level fed: None reached
“The first half we play as we decided but the second half we let the opponent score the second goal. When we had the ball, we don’t play with speed. When you don’t play quick, the opponent is comfortable.”
“We didn’t create so much in the second half. We have to be quicker in our play to be more assertive to take decisions quickly.”
“We don’t deserve to win this game but we deserve to win the first half. We miss something today. It’s about us, we have to take the lesson and be better for the next game.”
Sage gives the clearest diagnosis of the weekend. Palace slowed down, and a slow team lets the opponent get comfortable. He wants them quicker on the ball and quicker in the head, and he says so in terms his players can act on this week. He takes the result honestly, saying Palace did not deserve to win it. What he leaves out is his players. Not one strength, quality or attribute is named anywhere in the answer, so the squad hears an accurate account of the problem with nothing of their own to solve it with.
Source: Sky Sports match report, Everton 2-0 Crystal Palace — skysports.com
Ipswich Town 2 – 1 Sunderland
Saturday 22 August, Portman Road
Gary O’Neil — Ipswich Town (home)
9/12 · Identity level fed: Capability
“Pleased, I thought we played pretty well. The Premier League’s tough, as you saw, it takes everyone giving everything to get us over the line.”
“I thought we deserved to win probably on the balance of it. Some real good chances.”
“Really pleased, was a good performance and thankfully we managed to produce a little moment of quality at the end from a pressing phase to get us to three points, which gets us up and running.”
On whether he sensed the winner coming: “I don’t know if I felt like it was coming. I felt like we were still trying to get it.”
“We were cruising really at 1-0, not too much threat on the goal and, welcome back to the Premier League, someone smashes one in the top corner from 25 yards and it’s back to square one.”
“He’s a top talent, which was why we worked so hard to get him because he’s a number 10 that can produce unbelievable quality.”
“Emersonn was good, I thought. We’ve sort of thrown him in quite a lot.”
“I understand you guys will feel it in that way. For me, that was tough and that’s just one, and we need a good few more than one.”
O’Neil had just won on the opening day and he refused the celebration. He calls the win tough, points out that it is only one, and says Ipswich need a good few more than that. The equaliser is handled well too. A twenty-five yard strike is treated as the sort of thing the Premier League does to you rather than a failing to dwell on. He names quality where it exists, calling his number ten a top talent who produces. The gap is the week ahead. Beyond needing more wins, his players are not given anything specific to work on.
Source: Those Were The Days (TWTD), “O’Neil: I Thought We Deserved to Win” — twtd.co.uk
Régis Le Bris — Sunderland (away)
6/12 · Identity level fed: None reached
“Disappointed, first of all, because for the opening day we wanted a good result.”
“I think overall the performance was not so bad, we were in a situation with the ball dominating the possession and trying to create chances. On our mistakes, we conceded two transitions, two goals. So it’s a shame because it’s always difficult to break a well-organised block. At the minute we were not clinical enough to create chances, score goals, and they made the most of the opportunities. I think we were in control when we made those mistakes, it’s a bit different if you are overwhelmed by the pressure and OK it’s not easy, but it wasn’t the case for those two mistakes.”
“We will learn from the experience, once again. I repeat, it’s not easy to break an opponent well-organised with this game plan to try to regain the possession and try to exploit the spaces in front of you. But it was the problem of the afternoon and we didn’t solve it. The beginning of the second half was open for both teams and I repeat, it’s not easy to create this composure, this calm with the ball early in the season. It’s a challenge and last season at times we struggled when we had the ball so still have room for improvement. Today it was relentless and the experience is not easy to accept, but it is what it is.”
Le Bris gives the most accurate account of any defeat all weekend. He names the two transitions, says Sunderland were in control when they made the mistakes, and refuses the excuse available to him by pointing out that his side were never overwhelmed. The trouble is where he leaves it. He describes the same weakness carrying over from last season. That makes the problem sound Lasting rather than Fleeting, and he names no strength anywhere to set against it. The answer ends on “it is what it is”, and his players are left with a clear account of what went wrong and nothing to hold on to.
Source: Sunderland Echo — sunderlandecho.com
Nottingham Forest 0 – 1 Leeds United
Saturday 22 August, The City Ground
Oliver Glasner — Nottingham Forest (home)
10/12 · Identity level fed: Purpose
“It was a very tight game, very few chances. Every chance was from set pieces. It was clear one situation would decide the game or it’s 0-0. Unfortunately it was for Leeds and a direct free-kick for Stach. We knew he is a good taker and that’s why it’s disappointing.”
“The second half, we were a little bit better in the game, we played more in their half without having big chances. We had two or three situations where we could score, but we did not. It was a lucky punch that was on their side.”
“Everybody gave their best. The players worked very hard, intense and wanted to get the win. That’s why I’m looking forward in a positive way, that’s the foundation of everything. We’re learning from this defeat, we’re at the beginning of this journey and not burying our heads in the sand. Unfortunately we lost, but I saw many encouraging things today. This is the way we decided to go, this is the way we continue to go.”
Glasner loses at home on the opening day and holds his line. He calls the game what it was, tight and settled by one set piece, and credits Stach as a good taker. He puts the effort and intensity of his players at the centre of it, calling that the foundation of everything, and says twice that Forest will carry on the way they have chosen. The defeat is Fleeting and the commitment is Lasting. The one thing he avoids is naming anything Forest did wrong. The free kick is left sounding like bad luck on its own.
Source: Sky Sports match report, Nottingham Forest 0-1 Leeds — skysports.com
Daniel Farke — Leeds United (away)
12/12 · Identity level fed: Purpose
“I’m delighted with Stach. The summer was not the easiest for him. He didn’t get the call-up for Germany, then he was out with injury on the last game day. He had a tricky pre-season and wasn’t top-class in the first weeks, but I got the feeling in the last 10 days that he was getting better in the final games. He got the edge to start and when you’re there with the decisive goal, it’s good.”
“It’s still a long road. We need to collect 40 points, we are not naïve. The last time this club was able to have two solid seasons at [top-flight] level, you will perhaps find it in black and white photos. You won’t find them on smartphones, they weren’t invented then. For that, we stay humble, not too greedy and stay grounded. We know first and foremost we have to earn the right to establish ourselves in the Premier League.”
On Stach, Farke lays out a difficult summer honestly, no Germany call-up, injury on the last game day, a tricky pre-season, and then explains that the player had got better over the previous ten days and earned the start. The difficulty is temporary and the improvement belongs to Stach. On Leeds he sets a number everyone can hold on to, forty points, and names the behaviour that gets them there: humble, not greedy, grounded. Every category has something in it. It is the only twelve of the week.
Source: Sky Sports match report, Nottingham Forest 0-1 Leeds — skysports.com (also carried by Leeds United official site, “Daniel Farke hails ‘moment of brilliance’ in Forest victory”)
Brentford 3 – 0 Tottenham Hotspur
Saturday 22 August, Gtech Community Stadium
Keith Andrews — Brentford (home)
11/12 · Identity level fed: Belonging
How pleased were you with that all round today?
“Yeah, really pleased. Felt like there was a performance coming. We never really know — pre-seasons can go as well as they can, and then the reality is the Premier League comes, or the first game of the season comes, and it can quickly become unstuck with the level that you’re playing against. But I felt good for a number of weeks now about how we’re looking and how we’re coming together. The signings that we’ve made. And just the cohesion of the team. Yeah, pretty pleased, like I said.”
You set the tone right from the off. The fans responded to that.
“Our fans were amazing today. I met a few of them a few weeks ago around fan engagement, how we can bring that to a new level. I think there’s a genuine connection here between the fans and the players and the club in general. The owners are fans, so that helps. Yeah, I thought we started the game brilliantly, and they were fully engaged.”
And at two-nil, you were still pressing.
“Yeah, we wanna be relentless. We wanna approach the game as aggressive a way as you can, as positive a way as you can. You can’t always do that. You’ve got to take backwards steps at times to take the next step forward. I just thought we looked like a real team tonight.”
Talk to me about your new club record signing, and the standing ovation he got on 75 minutes.
“Yeah, he settled in really well. Again, a couple of pre-season games, and again, it’s pre-season, so you don’t wanna get too excited, but just — again, the cohesion that he brings to the team, the attributes that he has, that add to an already really talented midfield. We’re really happy with him.”
Last year’s top scorer hit the post from a penalty today. How important are goals all around the team going forward?
“It’s really important. He’s a brilliant player. We were very reliant on him last year, and he had an amazing season, obviously, but we wanted to add more goals, and you’ve seen it today with Jaden Anthony coming on, Callum Wilson — two proven Premier League players that will undoubtedly get us goals and really impact the game.”
Are you spurred on by last season, and going again when people say, well, how do you better that?
“I just think it’s a different season, isn’t it? Football’s a soap opera, it’s the reality of it, and there’s always stories within the narrative, and there’s goodies, there’s baddies. You need to live with that — whatever you are dealt, you deal with. And yeah, we’re just in a good place, really.”
Andrews had just beaten Spurs three nil and he kept the answer level. He talks about cohesion, about a squad that has been coming together for weeks, and about a record signing whose attributes add to a midfield he already rates. He is generous about the striker who missed a penalty, calling him a brilliant player who had an amazing season. On the noise around the club he is direct: football is a soap opera, there are goodies and baddies, and whatever you are dealt you deal with. The standard he sets is relentless and aggressive. The week ahead is the only thing he leaves out.
Source: BBC Sport post-match interview, Brentford v Tottenham Hotspur, 22 August 2026. Transcribed from broadcast; obvious transcription artefacts lightly tidied, wording unchanged.
Roberto De Zerbi — Tottenham Hotspur (away)
6/12 · Identity level fed: Safety
“I’m sorry for the result, I’m sorry for the performance, for the players, for our fans, but I knew before the game, I knew from last Saturday when we played against Hoffenheim, we are not at the right point in terms of physical condition for a lot of reasons.”
“For the players, they came after the World Cup and they came late for the pre-season in Australia where we had not time to work in the right way, in the best way, but it’s not an excuse. Our first 11 today was very young, but it was enough to compete in a different way.”
“We lost too many duels. We didn’t find the right timing to go in the high pressure. I think it’s a sad day for us because I’m disappointed for the result, for the performance, but we have to be good, to analyse well the defeat.”
“We can’t lose the confidence. We can’t lose what we created last season. We have to improve, yes, we have to put something more than today, individually and collectively, but anyway, be calm, because the project has just started and I think we are working well.”
“We have to stay calm and put the focus on the improvement we have to do. I think we are all in the right situation to build something special, maybe not immediately, we need time, but I think we are in a good way.”
De Zerbi is trying to stop a young side panicking after a three nil defeat, and most of his answer is aimed at keeping them calm. He takes the blame himself and apologises to the supporters. The trouble is what comes before that. The World Cup, a late pre-season in Australia and the physical condition of the squad all come ahead of anything Spurs did on the pitch, and saying it is not an excuse does not stop it sounding like one. He names the failings honestly enough, duels and pressing timing, then names nothing his players are good at.
Source: Tottenham Hotspur official site, “Brentford 3-0 Spurs | Roberto De Zerbi’s verdict” — tottenhamhotspur.com
Brighton and Hove Albion 4 – 0 Aston Villa
Sunday 23 August, Amex Stadium
Fabian Hürzeler — Brighton & Hove Albion (home)
12/12 · Identity level fed: Purpose
“I think we defended well. We had really good out of possession. The first minutes we struggled a little bit. Aston Villa had the ball a lot, they controlled the game, but then more and more we get the control of the game back. We scored some nice goals. Of course, the first goal a little bit of luck with Maxi, but afterwards we scored some nice goals. It helped us, it helped our game, it helped our intensity. And then, of course, the red card was a game changer as well. But overall, all the goals we scored were at 11 v 11, so that’s positive. In the second half we were quite serious, I would say. We had the ball, we controlled the game, we didn’t give away the ball too easy. We created some chances, so I think it was a quite mature performance.”
“I think that was definitely key, our intensity, winning personal duels to set the trap and then the right moment to step into it. It’s about the last step, it’s about how do we accelerate before we arrive at the opponent? I think these are the key details and I think that’s what the boys did really well today.”
“It’s always important. It’s always helpful to win games. But in the end, it was only one game now. It was a good start and now we have to understand why we had this kind of game, and now we have another big challenge ahead of us against Tromso on Thursday.”
“I think that was the message, to have a good balance between ball speed and also making the right decisions. We still had a few chances. Of course, we wanted to score, but in the end for us the clean sheet was very important. And that was good.”
“We were effective out of possession because we had some good ball wins, we won the second balls, and that was quite positive. But overall, I think it’s very important to understand that there was hard work against the ball, there was intensity in the one-against-one duels, making the last step in the right moment, try to go for the ball win. So we were there in the right moment. We had then also, I think, the luck that we get into a flow, and when you’re in a flow then a lot of things can happen, especially with our team because we just have this quality as well. But overall now we have to stay humble. We have to keep working hard because on Thursday we have the next challenge.”
“We need every player. I think that’s part of our identity, that’s part of Brighton, that we will get always young players and players full of potential, and it’s up to us to develop them. So let’s keep pushing them.”
“That’s now up to us to keep these standards. To keep this intensity. To understand why we had this victory. Because in the end, it’s about hard work, it’s about intensity, it’s about doing the basic things right. I think that was the key today and that’s why we set the standards high. That’s also what I said to the boys, and it’s about now always trying to go to your limits because otherwise we have no chance in the Premier League.”
Hürzeler wins four nil and spends the answer on standards. He is honest about the opening minutes, when Villa had the ball and controlled the game, and honest about the luck in the first goal and the effect of the red card, pointing out that all four goals came at eleven against eleven. He names what did the damage: intensity, duels won, the last step made at the right moment. Then he sets the price of staying there. Brighton have to stay humble, keep working and go to their limits, because otherwise they have no chance in this league.
Source: Brighton & Hove Albion official site, “Albion v Aston Villa reaction: Fabian Hurzeler delighted with 4-0 win” — brightonandhovealbion.com
Unai Emery — Aston Villa (away)
11/12 · Identity level fed: Safety & Capability
“Tough match, tough 20-25 minutes. Mistakes, and again we are building the team, and building the team, we can make some mistakes. Today we were so, so unlucky, because each mistake we made, they were scoring. We conceded four goals in the first half – it was a crazy moment.”
“The second half, the players responded fantastic. We tried to get a new plan in the dressing room, playing the second half like we did without one player, and as well, trying to be always not losing our mind, being focused in our gameplan, trying to avoid conceding more goals or chances like we did.”
“And then, try to play, building the team, building our structure, building individually and collectively how we want to build the new team for this year.”
“Of course, we have some circumstances, they are not helping us, but those circumstances we had before as well, last year, two years ago, three years ago, and always, we overcame it.”
“And this is now the new objective as well; try to finish the transfer window and start with the players we will have, of course working hard and preparing for the challenges we will have this year.”
“Of course, in Premier League, 38 matches, each point is very important, but today we lost three, and now the next match is next Monday against Arsenal at home.”
“Hopefully, in Villa Park, we can feel stronger and more comfortable and more confident with the players and with the tactical work we will do this week, and then, trying to avoid the mistakes we made today, and work for it.”
Emery lost four nil and refused to let the afternoon mean more than it did. He calls the mistakes what they were, points out that Villa are still building a team, and reaches for what this group has already done, saying they have faced circumstances like these in each of the last three years and come through every time. He gives the week a shape as well. Finish the window, do the tactical work, then Arsenal at Villa Park on Monday. The only thing he withholds is credit to Brighton, who are barely mentioned.
Source: VAVEL, “Emery reflects on a ‘tough match’ against Brighton” — vavel.com (same interview published by the Aston Villa official site)
Manchester City 2 – 1 AFC Bournemouth
Sunday 23 August, Etihad Stadium
Enzo Maresca — Manchester City (home)
10/12 · Identity level fed: Capability
“To be honest, even in the first half we were good before the goal we concede we didn’t concede one shot and had three or four clear chances to score. But then they scored the goal and it became a bit more difficult. But overall I think we deserved to win the game.”
“Also I think second half they drop a little bit. Also because we kept the ball for most of the first half, so they run a lot. Second half they dropped a bit. It is a game that we don’t need to win in 90 minutes. It’s a game we probably deserve to win before.”
On playing Marc Guéhi in midfield: “We are looking for solutions. I knew Marc since he was at Palace. I really like him. I think that he can be a midfielder also. He can be a central defend stepping in or he can play as a midfielder like today. We tried this week the first few days a central defender stepping in, then the last two days as a midfielder and I think it was good.”
“Again, we are looking for solutions. We need different solutions. Today was Marc in the middle. He showed he can be good there. He can give us more solutions in the future in case we need it. Again, we are going to try different things because it is a matter of being dynamic and try to surprise the opponent.”
“We have four or five players that are still not fit 100 percent. The reason why is because they arrive late from the World Cup. Nico O’Reilly, Elliot, Erling and one or two more now I don’t remember, so we are just trying to find solutions. I think Antoine [Semenyo] was quite good. Erling, we can see that he is still not 100 percent but in any case he is still dangerous, so just try to do our best.”
“To win the game. That is the most difficult thing. We visualize things and we see if they work. But at the same time you need to win games so it is not easy. Today I think we have been also lucky.”
On transfers: “One more week [of transfer window], we will see what happens before the transfer window finishes.” … “Not yet. I will ask now, but nobody told me nothing.”
On Rayan Cherki: “When he was on in the second half he did very well. He is a fantastic player. I love that kind of player like Rayan. He is going to be very, very good for us.”
Maresca talks about solutions more than results. He explains why he put Guéhi in midfield, how he tried it two ways in training across the week, and what it might give City later in the season. On Cherki he is warm and specific, saying he loves that kind of player and expects him to be very good for them. He is straight about the win too, admitting City were lucky. Where it thins out is the group. There is a lot about individuals and tactics and almost nothing about what City are as a team, or what the squad should take into next week.
Source: NBC Sports, “Enzo Maresca reaction: What did Manchester City boss say after stunning late win vs Bournemouth?” — nbcsports.com
Marco Rose — AFC Bournemouth (away)
9/12 · Identity level fed: Belonging
“It’s always difficult here because you know how good they are in possession. We did many things in the right way but in the end maybe it was a question of power. But if you see the clock ticking and it’s five minutes to go you need to stay active. You need to go forward and put them in uncomfortable situations. These are things we are going to speak about and we will try to do it better next time.”
“All in all it was a good away game from us. But you want to make your fans happy. We didn’t do that today but we will do it in the next games.”
Rose loses at the Etihad and gets to the point quickly. With five minutes left his team stopped going forward, and he says they needed to stay active and make City uncomfortable instead. He tells his players it will be talked about and done better next time. That gives them something concrete for the week. He credits City properly and says plainly that Bournemouth owed their supporters a better afternoon. What he never does is name a single player or quality, so his players get the correction with nothing of their own to set against it.
Source: BBC Sport, via Yahoo Sports — “Man City 2-1 Bournemouth: What Rose said” — sports.yahoo.com
Newcastle United 2 – 2 Liverpool
Sunday 23 August, St James’ Park
Matthias Jaissle — Newcastle United (home)
9/12 · Identity level fed: Belonging
“It was a game of mixed feelings, especially the end when you get a decision that takes two points away, it’s hard to digest.”
“But there’s also a lot of confidence and, somehow, we’re really proud of what we see in the full 90 minutes. The young lads did an amazing job with all the challenges in this transition period.”
“I am not tired of mentioning that, because this was special. Already delivering on a high level. This makes us proud.”
“There was a lot of what we want to see, and we’re really proud after a short amount of time, to see the lads as a unit on the pitch, really committed to what they are doing. It is a really good base to build on.”
On the late penalty: “I have clear thoughts. For me, it is a really soft penalty. If you give this as a penalty, then you need to give a lot during this match and a lot during the season, and I do not know if this is good for football.”
On Yoane Wissa: “Amazing performance from Yoane Wissa – even though he could have killed the game (to make it 3-1).” … “But this is football. When I talk about Wissa, it’s not just about if he scores or assists, it’s how committed he is, how he works for his teammates.” … “Him and many other lads I could mention. This (working hard) is still basic and should be the fundamental for Newcastle United. We need this synergy between players and fans, then something special can happen on the pitch.”
On the squad: “Amazing, amazing. Good lads, really good group. Fully committed and this is the only way with the challenges we have.” … “We really entered late in pre-season, we have a big transition period right now. It is a brave journey and starting like that I am really happy.”
On St James’ Park and the Kevin Keegan tribute: “Special emotions. Not only because of my first match, but because it was an amazing atmosphere.” … “We paid tribute to Kevin Keegan, a pure legend. He’s the reason the club is here now. The evening was almost perfect.”
Jaissle had been in charge for one match and he used most of it to build the group up. He calls the young players committed, praises Wissa for how he works for his teammates rather than for the goal he scored, and asks for the synergy between players and crowd that he thinks makes Newcastle what it is. On the penalty he is measured but clear, calling it really soft and questioning whether decisions like it are good for the game. That is where the score stops. Blaming the official for the two points puts the result somewhere his team cannot reach.
Source: NUFC Blog, “Matthias Jaissle reacts – Key quotes on Newcastle 2-2 Liverpool, Wissa and ‘special’ SJP” — nufcblog.co.uk
Andoni Iraola — Liverpool (away)
10/12 · Identity level fed: Belonging
“It’s a strange feeling. It’s not the result you wanted coming here but the way it ended, it tastes better.”
“We probably started the worst way. We knew Newcastle was at home with their atmosphere. Newcastle have very fast players in the top line, in transition. They punished us and we had to go against the result. We haven’t given up in any moment. I value a lot the energy especially the subs. Pleased we come away with one point.”
“Once you concede the first goal you need the game to go fast. The more things that happen in the game the better. We managed to control the game better in the second half, had more of the ball around their box. We conceded on another second very long transition. We had the numbers but we conceded.”
“Jeremy hasn’t done a proper preseason in terms of minutes. All of the subs gave us energy. Koumas, Victor, Mac Allister, they’ve given us energy that we need.”
Iraola came away with a point he did not expect and was straightforward about how it happened. Liverpool started badly, Newcastle punished them in transition twice, and the second goal came from the same situation as the first with his side having the numbers back. He names what he valued, the energy off the bench, and the players who brought it. What he does not do is look ahead. The account of the game is clear, and the week after it is left blank.
Source: NBC Sports, “Andoni Iraola reaction: What did Liverpool manager say after comeback draw at Newcastle?” — nbcsports.com
Carried forward
Fulham v Chelsea — Monday 24 August, Craven Cottage. A Monday evening kick-off, so Álvaro Arbeloa and Xabi Alonso are assessed in next week’s edition rather than this one.