moore_94

F**k him off to Leuven

What in the actual **** is that positioning from both JJ and Faes... AGAIN

Vestergaard on for Okoli

I think it is 14 now

5 at the back with 2 defensive mids and the amount of space their players are able to have in and around our box is disgusting

Goal coming from the right side between JJ and Faes What a surprise

1-1

YESSSSSSSSSS

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/basara-mainz-why-a-former-leicester-city-star-is-running-a-japanese-club-in-the-heart-of-germany/view/news/446804 Basara Mainz: Why a former Leicester City star is running a Japanese club in the heart of Germany In the summer of 2024, Shinji Okazaki retired from playing professional football, but stayed in the sport as head coach of German sixth division club Basara Mainz. There, the 38-year-old not only manages the sporting affairs, but is also the founder and owner of the club. In an interview with Transfermarkt, the former Mainz, Stuttgart and Leicester City star talks about the rather odd idea of founding a Japanese club in the heart of Germany, explains Basara's success story and his hopes and dreams of taking Japan to the World Cup as an international manager. Who are Basara Mainz? The Japanese club in German football In the days before Japan had a professional football league, a few talented Japanese players sought their fortunes abroad, including in Germany. After the establishment of the J-League in 1992, professional football flourished in Japan, but the ambition to compete in South America or Europe remained strong among national team players. By the late 1990s and early 2000s, more Japanese players began appearing in Italy’s Serie A, the Dutch leagues, and the Bundesliga. Among them were stars like Makoto Hasebe, Shinji Kagawa, and Atsuto Uchida, who paved the way for others, including Okazaki. Over time, the number of young Japanese players tackling the challenges of Germany’s lower leagues also increased. “When I moved from Stuttgart to Mainz in 2013, Takashi Yamashita (the president of Basara Mainz) was already in the city. Through his company, he was connecting with young Japanese players eager to gain footballing experience in Germany,” noted Okazaki. “However, he noticed that many players didn’t develop as much as expected. Some found opportunities to play, but when faced with tough conditions, they often blamed their environment or coach instead of taking responsibility for their growth. The cultural and practical differences between Japan and Germany were immense—not just in everyday life but on the pitch as well.” Okazaki proposed a solution: “I suggested to Yamashita, ‘Why don’t we create our own team and develop Japanese players ourselves?’ He immediately agreed, saying, ‘Let’s do it!’ That’s how Basara was born,” Okazaki recalled after the match, his voice hoarse with emotion. Starting in the lowest tier of German football, the 11th division, Basara Mainz achieved five consecutive promotions. “The early days were tough,” recalls the former Premier League title winner. “It was constant trial and error. One of our founding members, Takuya Hidaka, scored 30 or 40 goals in a season single-handedly (laughs). Even so, winning the league in the 11th tier wasn’t easy. But we kept finishing first year after year. We’ve come this far thanks to so many people,” said Okazaki. Using Basara to connect Japanese and German football Now, six years after their promotion to the sixth division, Basara faces new challenges in pursuing a spot in the fifth tier, the Oberliga. To qualify, the club needs at least three youth teams of its own, among other requirements. Currently, Basara shares a youth setup with another club, Moguntia. “There are many hurdles beyond performance that we need to overcome to progress. That’s why we need to involve more people and clearly define what Basara stands for and what we aim to achieve,” Okazaki explained. As Basara marks its 10th anniversary, Okazaki wants to expand the club’s mission of developing Japanese players in Germany. “The core idea is to be a place for young Japanese players. But I also think we could send ambitious German players to Japanese teams or even to Belgium. I want Basara to be a stepping stone for players to try again elsewhere. It’s a concept that’s normal in Japan, but I’d like German players to make use of it too.” Indeed, many young Japanese players continue to come to Germany to pursue their football dreams. Transfermarkt data shows that many Japanese players are active in Germany’s lower leagues. For example, the Verbandsliga Südwest, where Basara plays, features 12 Japanese players—11 of whom are with Basara. This unique culture of chasing dreams abroad, as Okazaki highlights, could become a two-way exchange, providing opportunities for European players to pursue professional careers in Japan. Why lessons with Kante could guide Okazaki to the World Cup Okazaki’s playing career, spanning Japan, Germany, England, Spain, and Belgium, has provided him with a wealth of experience and a valuable network. Reflecting on his journey, he said, “I’ve played alongside Germans, Spaniards, and many others. I often thought, ‘You might underestimate Japan, but you’d find it incredibly tough if you played there the same way you do here.’” He believes players in Germany’s fifth tier could thrive in Japan’s J3 League and that progressing through the Japanese leagues could open doors to Europe. “If you’re playing in Japan’s J1 League by the time you’re 23 or 24, you’ve got a shot at moving to the 2. Bundesliga or even the top flight.” Okazaki sees Basara as a platform to nurture both Japanese players for the Bundesliga and German players for Japanese football. “I hope we can achieve something only we can do,” he said, speaking with the perspective of a manager and entrepreneur. Though still listed officially as Basara’s manager, Okazaki’s ultimate goal is to lead Japan’s national team to World Cup glory. He conducts training sessions in English and is working hard to improve his language skills, recalling his time learning English alongside Chelsea star N’Golo Kanté while he was playing at Leicester City. “As a player, I used to think you could show everything on the pitch without needing to speak much. But I’ve since realised how important language is, especially after my time in Spain.” Okazaki is also pursuing his coaching licences, a process that requires dedication and time. “I recently spoke with [Alberto] Zaccheroni (former Japan national coach), who told me he started in Italy’s Serie D. That reassured me that I’m on the right path.” Asked about the steps needed to achieve his dream, Okazaki said, “It’s about how many challenges I can overcome. For example, I might now present my vision to small groups of people, but there could be a day when I’m addressing hundreds. A manager capable of winning the World Cup should be able to handle such situations with ease.” Okazaki’s approach to life has always been uniquely his own, shaped by his willingness to step into the unknown. “I don’t want to just earn a licence and coach in the J-League. I want to do things no one else has done, like competing in intense environments. The World Cup is my ultimate goal, and I’ll keep working toward it, even if it takes 10 or 20 years.” His vision is bold and ambitious, just as it was during his playing days. It will be fascinating to see how Shinji Okazaki leads Japan in the years to come, perhaps all the way to the World Cup stage.

1-0 Wolves

Under 21s vs Wolves Subs: 15 K. Pennant 16 L. Briggs 13 H. French 14 J. Lindsay 12 B. Amartey

Yesterdays Result - Friday 29th November Championship: Harry Souttar (5.3 + 2 yellow cards - 45 mins) - Sheff Utd 1-0 Sunderland

https://www.lcfc.com/pages/en/media-article/leicester-city-name-ruud-van-nistelrooy-as-new-first-team-manager Leicester City Name Ruud Van Nistelrooy As New First Team Manager We are delighted to confirm the appointment of Ruud van Nistelrooy as Leicester City’s new First Team Manager. Ruud van Nistelrooy appointed Leicester City First Team Manager The Dutchman will take charge of the team following Saturday’s trip to Brentford He has previously enjoyed managerial success with PSV Eindhoven The 48-year-old Dutchman joins us with a wealth of experience at the highest level of the game, both as a player and a coach, and has agreed terms on a contract to June 2027. Ruud will arrive in the UK in time to be in attendance for our Premier League trip to Brentford on Saturday, before assuming full First Team responsibilities from Sunday. City will be led at the Gtech Community Stadium by First Team Coach Ben Dawson, supported by coaches Danny Alcock and Andy Hughes. Regarded as one of the Premier League’s best-ever strikers as a player, the former Netherlands international has since built a growing reputation as a talented manager and coach with the likes of PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United and the Dutch national team. Leicester City Chairman, Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, said: "It is my pleasure to welcome Ruud to Leicester City. He joins a Club with a rich history, passionate supporters, and a talented squad, and we are all excited to see the impact he can have as we embark on this new chapter together. Ruud’s experience, knowledge, and winning mentality will undoubtedly bring great value to us, and we look forward to supporting him in achieving success for our fans and our Club." Speaking to LCFC.com, van Nistelrooy added: “I’m proud, I’m excited. Everybody that I speak to about Leicester City Football Club is enthusiastic. They have great stories about the quality of the people working at the Club, the supporters and, of course, the recent history of the Club is impressive. I’m excited to start and to get to know everyone and give everything I can for the Football Club.” Our new manager enjoyed a highly decorated and illustrious playing career, featuring for the likes of PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, and Real Madrid. He scored 349 goals at club level as well as a further 35 goals in 70 appearances for the Netherlands on the international stage. A prolific striker, he was renowned for his sharp instincts, technical skill and leadership on and off the pitch. These are qualities that he has carried into his managerial career, having most recently served as Interim Manager at Manchester United, where he oversaw three victories and a draw earlier this season after being appointed assistant to Erik Ten Haag in the summer. Ruud has also spent time as Head Coach of PSV Eindhoven, where he enjoyed success as a player. Ruud took charge of the team in the summer of 2022 and quickly guided them to silverware in the form of the KNVB Cup and Johan Cruyff Shield. His impressive coaching and managerial education at PSV began in 2013, with his time at the Club also seeing him take charge of PSV Under-19s for three seasons, as well as spending a year managing Jong PSV at professional level in the Dutch second tier. Van Nistelrooy’s coaching career has also seen him gain valuable experience as Assistant Coach for the Netherlands national team under Guus Hiddink, while as a player, he has worked under the management of the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Bobby Robson and Fabio Capello. He will take charge of the Foxes for the first time on Tuesday, when West Ham United visit King Power Stadium in the Premier League.

Ben Dawson Pre-Match Press Conference vs Brentford Cooper sacking a surprise? “A little bit unexpected. A few messages back and forth to check he’s okay. Never nice when three good people lose their jobs. Then the focus was on the game.” This week? “It’s been a whirlwind. Your focus shifts quickly and coming up with gameplans for a tough game. The players have been professional and that’s all we can ask in this situation.” When did you find out you were taking charge? “We’ve known for a few days. Midweek. We’ve worked on that proviso since Tuesday.” Anything you can say on Van Nistelrooy? “Nothing. I was hoping you might be able to shed some light on it! We’re just focusing on the game.” Copenhagen party? “The lads had a couple of days and it’s their decision what they do with their time off. The club dealt with the issue quickly and we’ve moved on.” Injuries? “Harry’s the only one. He’s recovering well. Tomorrow will be too early but hopefully he’ll join the group again soon.” Brentford? “They’ve got a really good home record this year. It’s a really good environment for a Premier League game. We’ve prepared well and we hope we can show that.” What does a new manager need to bring? “I think in these situations, it’s about stability. Everybody wants certainty. As soon as a decision is made, everybody can get behind that person and move forward.” Message from chairman? “It’s just been to give a positive account of ourselves and the football club. It’s part and parcel of the industry. We just have to make sure the players are in the best position possible and give a performance that the fans would expect.” Strengths? “I’m a coach and my strengths lie on the grass, developing players and helping them improve. We’ll soon see if one of my strengths is taking the team!” Conceding goals? “Conceding goals in the Premier League is a given. It’s going to happen. There’s only the Man United game we didn’t score in. There’s give and take. We want to be conceding fewer and scoring more and hopefully that starts tomorrow.” Can this group of players stay up? “Absolutely. I see them work every day. They’re good footballers. Yes, at times you need a little bit of luck. From what I see in terms of endeavour, it’s there.” How to approach this weekend's game? “We take a bit of everything. I think there were good elements in how Steve was getting the team to play. But there are areas to improve.” Atmosphere at training? “Training has been good as any week since I’ve been at the football club.”

We were apparently interested in Dario Osorio in summer 2023 so wouldn’t surprise me if we were looking at him again

Wouldn’t be surprised if we tried for Zirkzee from Man Utd

Should be nice for the team going to a manager who is obsessed with defensive structure after having one who seemingly couldn’t setup a defence even if his life depended on it

Olivier Boscagli at PSV - 27 year old, left footed centre back Contract runs out in the summer and is apparently wanting to leave Unfortunately was injured for most of the season RVN was at PSV but he did play a few games under him before he left

Top finally seems to have decided to get his hands dirty and is on the warpath Hopefully he has Rudkin in his sights next

I would imagine so

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2024/11/27/leicester-owner-confronts-players-christmas-party-video/ In the meeting, at the club’s training ground on Tuesday, Leicester’s chairman accused the players of letting down Cooper, who was sacked on Sunday after just 12 Premier League games in charge. Though the decision to part company with Cooper was made solely by Srivaddhanaprabha, the Thailand-based businessman felt that the players were partly culpable by producing a number of poor performances since promotion back to the top division.

Won’t be Corberan, Potter, or Moyes https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2024/11/27/leicester-owner-confronts-players-christmas-party-video/ In the meeting it was also relayed to the players that the next appointment will be a “free agent” and no compensation will be paid to secure the new man. That rules out West Bromwich Albion’s highly regarded Carlos Corberan, who would cost more than £3 million to prise away from the Hawthorns. Former Chelsea manager Graham Potter and ex-West Ham manager David Moyes have been ruled out by Leicester as potential candidates. Ruud van Nistelrooy, the former Manchester United striker, is in the frame. The 48-year-old recently took charge of United for four matches as interim manager following the sacking of Erik ten Hag.