Friday’s briefing: Bob Wilson responds to ‘crazy’ Football Focus decision
The BBC confirmed Football Focus will be taken off air at the end of the season after more than 50 years in a move described as “crazy” by former presenter Bob Wilson.
Michael Carrick insists he is not “chasing” an answer on his Manchester United future beyond the end of the season, while sacked Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior was backed to come back stronger from his brief Stamford Bridge spell.
Former presenter Bob Wilson feels it is “crazy” the BBC has decided to take Football Focus off the air after more than half a century.
The Saturday lunchtime programme was first broadcast in 1974, with former Scotland and Arsenal goalkeeper Wilson becoming the new show’s host.
On Thursday, the BBC said in a press release “changing audience behaviours” had prompted it to act, bringing to an end the show’s run of 52 years when it finishes at the end of the season, with Football Interview set to move into the Saturday 12.45pm slot.
Wilson wrote in the Times: “I was absolutely shocked to hear that Football Focus will end this summer. It has run successfully for 52 years, so goodness me, why are they getting rid of it?
“I am really disappointed it has come to this. The BBC has said it will be replaced next season by an interview show about what makes footballers tick. That is crazy.”
Michael Carrick loves managing Manchester United, but says he is not “chasing” an answer on his future beyond the end of the season.
It is 100 days since the Red Devils appointed their former midfielder, captain and coach for the remainder of the season and he has surpassed many onlookers’ expectations since then.
United are within touching distance of Champions League qualification and talk is naturally turning to next season, when it has yet to be confirmed whether the 44-year-old will stay on.
But Carrick said: “Genuinely it’s not something in terms of deadlines that I’m really chasing. I think it’ll become clear when it’s going to become clear.
“I’m here at the moment to help the team and help the club get results. At the moment we’re doing all right.”
Liam Rosenior backed to bounce back
Darren Moore has backed Liam Rosenior to make a swift return after his dismissal by Chelsea and believes more opportunities will arise for black coaches in the English game.
The west London club sacked the 41-year-old on Wednesday after a poor run of results put their hopes of Champions League qualification at risk.
Moore told the Press Association: “It’s always sad to see any manager lose their job, let alone Liam. But what I am sure of is that he’s a top, top man. He’s a great manager, he’s a great head coach, and I’m sure he’ll be back in the game really soon.”
Rosenior became the first black English manager to be permanently appointed by one of England’s ‘Big Six’ when he succeeded Enzo Maresca in January.
And Moore added: “Hopefully we’re pushing towards the moment where no matter what coach of any diverse background is given or loses a job, we’re just talking about it as freely as ‘another manager’s lost their job or gained a job within the structure the football’ (without their ethnicity being referenced).”
What’s on today?
Friday’s live Premier League action sees Sunderland host relegation-battlers Nottingham Forest.
In the Championship, promotion-chasing Millwall head to already-relegated Leicester.
Ahead of the weekend’s action, several clubs will be holding press conferences – with new Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane set to face the media ahead of his side’s FA Cup semi-final against Leeds.