The winter international break was filled with many newsworthy events with media pundits talking while Europe’s top five leagues were on break due to international play. Manchester City announced a significant extension for one of the world’s best managers. Cross-town rivals Manchester United's newly appointed manager has officially arrived at the club. Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals concluded and the March semifinal matchups are set. Now let’s look at what occurred during the international break.
USMNT defeats Jamaica 5-2 on aggregate
The United States men’s national team will play in the semifinals of the Concacaf Nations League after defeating Jamaica 4-2 on Monday. This was the return leg for the United States after defeating Jamaica away 1-0 last week. Christian Pulisic opened up the scoring in the 13th minute after receiving a long ball from Weston McKennie to give the USMNT a 1-0 lead. Ricardo Pepi and Tim Weah also scored during the match to help guide the USMNT to the semifinals, where they will face Panama in March. Rivals Mexico returned from a 0-2 deficit on aggregate after winning their return leg 4-0 against Honduras Tuesday night. Mexico will now face Canada in their semifinal match. Since the competition's inception, the United States has faced off against Mexico in every Concacaf Nations League with the United States winning both times being the only country to win this competition to date. With the United States and Mexico advancing to the semifinals, all signs point to a third consecutive final matchup.
Pep signs a two-year extension with Manchester City
Manchester City announced Thursday that Manager Pep Guardiola signed a new two-year extension to keep him at the club through the 2027 Premier League season. After rumors of Guardiola potentially leaving the club at the end of this season, the 53-year-old said he didn’t want to leave the club and let them down.
"I want to be honest, I thought this season should be the last one,” Guardiola said. “But the problems we had in the last month, I felt now was not the right time to leave. I didn't want to let the club down.”
Guardiola is the most successful manager in club history having won 15 major trophies including six Premier League titles and the Champions League. Guardiola is also chasing the historic record of five consecutive league titles, something no major has done in England's top-flight division.
Ruben Amorim arrives at Manchester United
Unlike their rivals Manchester City, United has had several different managers ever since the great Sir Alex Ferguson retired. United are now on manager number six since Ferguson's retirement in 2013. Amorim replaces previous manager Erik ten Hag, who was sacked by the club in late October. Amorim at his previous club, Sporting CP won six trophies including two league titles and two league cups. Amorim is now tasked to turn around a troubling start to the season that leaves them currently sitting at 12 in the Premier League table.
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