Jonathan Liew

Jonathan Liew
Sports Farewell Not Just to a Champions League Campaign but Also a Spurs Era

Farewell Not Just to a Champions League Campaign but Also a Spurs Era

So farewell then, Tottenham. Who knows when our paths will cross again? A fixture they embarked upon with a puncher’s chance and plenty of underdog spirit…

Jonathan Liew (London)
Sports Criticism of Diego Simeone's Atlético Methods Rooted in Football Snobbery

Criticism of Diego Simeone's Atlético Methods Rooted in Football Snobbery

The acid reflux of defeat was rising in Jürgen Klopp’s throat, and you could tell he was trying to swallow it down before it went any further. “I realise I…

Jonathan Liew (London)
Sports Marcelo Bielsa: A Method Actor in Football's Theater of the Absurd

Marcelo Bielsa: A Method Actor in Football's Theater of the Absurd

It’s happening. Mateusz Klich plays a delicious back-heel to Pablo Hernández. It’s definitely happening. Hernández plays a first-time pass into the space that…

Jonathan Liew (London)
Sports Rather Than Ranting About Var, Why Not Focus on Tackling Game's Real Problems

Rather Than Ranting About Var, Why Not Focus on Tackling Game's Real Problems

Full disclosure: I don’t really have a position on VAR. If I did, I certainly wouldn’t share it in public. Occasionally I have been asked on to a podcast or…

Jonathan Liew (London)
Sports Spurs Fans Should Fear 4 Years of Mourinho’s Small-Minded Cynicism

Spurs Fans Should Fear 4 Years of Mourinho’s Small-Minded Cynicism

Champions aren’t flawless. It’s just that you glimpse their flaws for only a fleeting instant – a shadow you think you saw in the mirror – before they are gone…

Jonathan Liew (London)
Sports Call the Super-Agent! How Arda Turan Might Try to Get His Career on Track

Call the Super-Agent! How Arda Turan Might Try to Get His Career on Track

At first Mino Raiola was surprised by the sound of his phone ringing. The fact that it was 1am was not the surprising part: as a football agent constantly on…

Jonathan Liew (London)
Sports Freddie Ljungberg Must Change Lack of Commitment in Arsenal’s DNA

Freddie Ljungberg Must Change Lack of Commitment in Arsenal’s DNA

Perhaps it was unfair to accuse Unai Emery of having no vision for Arsenal. On the contrary, he had dozens of them. Three at the back, four at the back. Two up…

Jonathan Liew (London)
Sports Unai Emery Fails to Clear Language Barrier in Era of Manager-Storytellers

Unai Emery Fails to Clear Language Barrier in Era of Manager-Storytellers

The first question of the press conference was about Petr Cech. The veteran Arsenal goalkeeper had just announced his retirement from football at the end of…

Jonathan Liew (London)