Premier League

**Ryan Yates: ‘I wanted to sign my contract in a snorkel, but Forest wouldn’t let me’** Nottingham Forest's beloved captain, Ryan Yates, recently shared his amusing desire to sign his contract in a snorkel, a testament to his playful personality. When the club announced his contract extension this summer, they celebrated with a lighthearted video featuring Yates cruising along the River Trent on the Nottingham Princess, an 80-foot double-decker boat. To many fans, he is the unofficial prince of Nottingham, affectionately known as Mr. Forest. Yet, despite his status, Yates remains grounded and continuously seeks to improve his game. “I genuinely wanted to dive underwater, with a piece of paper floating on top,” Yates recalled with a chuckle. “Then I’d come up wearing a snorkel and sign it. But they wouldn’t let me; they were quite concerned about that idea.” His laughter echoed in the boardroom at Forest’s training facility, perfectly capturing his warm and relatable nature. As he embarks on his third season as a Premier League midfielder, Yates reflects fondly on his journey, which began with his professional debut for Barrow in August 2016. He reminisced about the nerves he felt before that game, staying at his parents' house the night before. “They drove me to the match, and when I arrived, the club had put my shirt up in the dressing room. It was No. 22, but they had to rip the name and number off someone else’s shirt to stick mine on. You could see the outline of the previous player’s name and number. The shirt was massive—definitely an XL. I watched clips from that game a few months ago for a laugh; I was running around like a headless chicken.” Yates's journey from those early days to becoming a key player for Nottingham Forest is a testament to his dedication and love for the game.

Premier League clubs have approved modifications to the associated party transaction (APT) rules, a decision that poses a challenge for Manchester City. The changes were ratified with a significant majority, receiving 16 votes in favor and only four against during a meeting held in London. While Manchester City led the opposition to these alterations, Aston Villa also expressed their dissent. Despite this, the proposed adjustments, which pertain to income-generating deals involving club ownership, were swiftly accepted by the majority of the shareholder clubs.

The Premier League has recently voted in favor of new APT rules, marking a significant development in the league's governance. This decision poses a challenge for Manchester City, who have expressed strong opposition to the changes. Paul MacInnes reported that City has previously taken the league to arbitration regarding these APT rules and has actively lobbied other clubs for support. Their chief legal officer, Simon Cliff, has sent two league-wide letters questioning the legitimacy of the proposed changes. In response, the league has engaged in extensive discussions with clubs to address their concerns, bolstered by independent legal analysis from KC Daniel Jowell. As the Premier League returns, fans can look forward to an exciting weekend of football. Additionally, Ruben Amorim is set to hold his first press conference as Manchester United's manager, which is highly anticipated by supporters and analysts alike.

**Premier League: Key Highlights to Watch This Weekend** As the Premier League action unfolds this weekend, there are several intriguing storylines to keep an eye on. Here are ten things to look out for: 1. **Højlund's Opportunity**: Rasmus Højlund has a chance to make a significant impression on manager Ruben Amorim. The young forward will be eager to showcase his talents and secure a more prominent role in the squad. 2. **Aston Villa's Struggles**: Aston Villa will be looking to turn around a disappointing month. After a series of lackluster performances, they aim to regain their form and secure a much-needed victory. 3. **Nottingham Forest's Challenge**: Arsenal will face a potentially tricky match against Nottingham Forest. The visitors will be keen to cause an upset and test the Gunners' title ambitions. 4. **Maresca's Move**: Enzo Maresca, who played a pivotal role in Leicester's promotion to the Premier League, has made the switch to Chelsea. His departure was anticipated, but he took key player Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall with him. 5. **Dewsbury-Hall's Struggles**: Since joining Chelsea, Dewsbury-Hall has struggled to find his footing, often relegated to cup appearances. With only three league starts to his name, he will be eager to prove his worth, especially in a return to Leicester. 6. **Leicester's Warm Welcome**: The Leicester fans are expected to give a warm reception to both Maresca and Dewsbury-Hall. The midfielder's return to his former club could be the catalyst he needs to reignite his Chelsea career. 7. **Matchday Fixtures**: This weekend's fixtures include: - Leicester City vs. Chelsea on Saturday at 12:30 PM (GMT) - Bournemouth vs. Brighton at 3 PM - Arsenal vs. Nottingham Forest at 3 PM - Aston Villa vs. Crystal Palace at 3 PM - Everton vs. Brentford at 3 PM - Fulham vs. Wolves at 3 PM As the matches unfold, fans will be eager to see how these narratives develop and which teams can capitalize on their opportunities.

Premier League clubs are in a state of urgency as they prepare for a crucial vote regarding changes to the league's rulebook, particularly concerning associated party transactions (APTs). This vote is set to take place at a shareholders' meeting in central London on Friday. The proposed amendments aim to clarify the regulations surrounding income generated from sources linked to club ownership. While the changes are considered modest and unlikely to have a significant impact on the competition itself, they could have far-reaching implications for the ongoing tensions between the Premier League and Manchester City, the league's dominant team. Manchester City has publicly expressed its opposition to the proposed rule changes, which adds an element of uncertainty to the voting process. A two-thirds majority is required for the amendments to pass, and league officials are working diligently to secure the necessary support from other clubs ahead of the meeting.

**Football Daily | Rúben Amorim: The Most Anticipated Premier League Newcomer Since 2016** The countdown is on—not for World War III, a former writer's appearance on a festive dance show, or even Rúben Amorim’s debut as Manchester United manager. Instead, we’re precisely 23 hours away from Amorim’s first pre-match press conference at the helm of Manchester United. Headlines are buzzing with excitement and skepticism alike: - "Rúben Amorim’s ‘grandpa’ coach at Man Utd ‘can’t say two sentences in English’" - "Man Utd fans ‘jaded’ as Rúben Amorim predicted to ruin his career" - "Five things we learned from Rúben Amorim’s first training session" - "Rúben Amorim has ‘very own whistle’ as he calls time on Antony" - "Marcus Rashford gives three-word verdict on Rúben Amorim’s first training session" - "Casemiro gives two-word verdict on Rúben Amorim’s first training session" - "Rúben Amorim ‘will make exciting Man Utd request’ ahead of Ipswich debut – EXCLUSIVE" - "Supercomputer reveals how difficult Rúben Amorim’s first five games are at Man United – and how it compares to their Premier League rivals" - "Supercomputer predicts Rúben Amorim’s Spotify 2024 Wrapped playlist" - "Five things we learned from Rúben Amorim’s choice of trainers for this first training session" - "What Rúben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 formation reveals about his preferred lovemaking technique" In other news, let’s not give Wales too much credit for their recent victory; after all, it was only Iceland they managed to beat. Surely, any competent team could have handled that challenge with ease. Meanwhile, Leicester City’s shirt sponsor, BC.Game, has reportedly gone bankrupt, raising questions about the board's due diligence and the potential impact on their already precarious financial situation. This was a Curaçaoan crypto-casino whose sponsorship announcement went viral, racking up 2.2 billion views. With the team now in search of a new sponsor, we might soon see them adorned in some rather unconventional merchandise. This is just a glimpse of our daily football email, Football Daily. For the full version, be sure to check it out!

**Rúben Amorim: From Obscurity to Premier League Spotlight** Rúben Amorim's journey from the Portuguese third tier to the high-pressure environment of the Premier League is nothing short of remarkable. As he prepares for his first match as Manchester United manager, those who know him best reflect on how he has achieved such a rapid ascent in the world of football coaching. Just six years ago, Amorim was forced to resign from his initial coaching position at Casa Pia due to a lack of the required coaching qualifications. Since then, he has transformed himself into one of the most sought-after coaches in Europe, defying the odds and expectations. Amorim's roots are in Lisbon, where he has spent the majority of his playing and managerial career. The Estádio Pina Manique, located on the outskirts of the city, is a modest venue with a capacity of around 2,500 spectators. This is a far cry from the approximately 30,000 fans expected to fill the stands for his debut match as Manchester United manager at Ipswich. As Amorim steps into one of the most scrutinized coaching roles in the world, his journey serves as an inspiring testament to his determination and talent in the sport.

**Which Foreign Country Has Contributed the Most Premier League Managers?** Rúben Amorim is set to become the seventh Portuguese manager in the Premier League, as noted by Daniel Keown. Amorim's appointment highlights Portugal's significant influence in English football management. The first Portuguese manager in the Premier League was José Mourinho, who took charge of Chelsea in 2004. He was followed by a series of notable names, including André Villas-Boas, Marco Silva, Carlos Carvalhal, Nuno Espírito Santo, and Bruno Lage. In compiling this list, we have included temporary managers who were either in charge or originally appointed for at least five Premier League matches. This means that Cristian Stellini, who was appointed for the final ten games of the 2022-23 season but was dismissed after just four, is counted. However, Ruud van Nistelrooy, who managed only two league games, is not included in the tally. It's worth noting that while there have been no African managers in the Premier League era, figures like Jean Tigana and Patrick Vieira, who were born in Mali and Senegal respectively, as well as Nuno Espírito Santo from São Tomé and Príncipe, have made their mark in the league while representing other nationalities. As the Premier League continues to evolve, the contributions of foreign managers, particularly from Portugal, remain a significant aspect of its rich history.

Premier League clubs are intensifying their push for a larger portion of the lucrative data rights deal, a move that is expected to escalate tensions with the English Football League (EFL). Currently, both the Premier League and the EFL share the revenue from the collective sale of their data rights equally, with each league receiving approximately £35 million annually. In contrast, the Scottish Premier League benefits from a significantly smaller share, amounting to just a few million pounds for its clubs. As Premier League teams advocate for a greater share of the profits, the situation is likely to create further friction between the top tier of English football and the EFL.

The Premier League is set to move forward with a vote on proposed changes to financial regulations regarding associated party transactions (APT) this Friday, despite a request from Aston Villa for a postponement. The league has been in discussions with clubs for over a month regarding these amendments, following an arbitration panel's ruling that certain aspects of the existing rules were unlawful. The upcoming vote will take place at a league meeting in central London, even though Manchester City, which prompted the arbitration process through its legal challenge, has cautioned against hastily implementing changes. Aston Villa's call for a delay echoes concerns raised by City, emphasizing the need for careful consideration before any new regulations are adopted. Nonetheless, the Premier League remains committed to proceeding with the vote as scheduled.