The last two years in the Premier League have been particularly interesting as far as managerial changes go. Interesting, on second thoughts, may not adequately describe these appointments in the Premier League over the last 24 months. On further reflection, it certainly does not do any justice to what can only be described as madness.

That’s not to say that every manager in a job in the Premier League is unfit for their role, but it must be said that a few are wholly undeserving of the position that they find themselves in. For instance, it is hard to advocate for Frank Lampard’s appointment as Chelsea boss or Ole Gunnar Solskjaer being given the top job at Manchester United.

Both coaches earned their position because of their status as former iconic players at said clubs, rather than their managerial nous, experience or acheivements. 

Flamengo 3-0 Independiente del Valle (5-3 agg)

Brazilian champions Flamengo survived the first-half dismissal of Willian Arão to lift the South American Recopa with a 3-0 win over Ecuadorians Independiente del Valle in Rio de Janeiro.

The triumph gives Flamengo boss Jorge Jesus yet another major trophy, having last year won the Brazilian championship and Copa Libertadores and recently lifted the Brazilian Super Cup. It is the first time the Maracanã club have won the Recopa, which has been a feature of continental football since 1988.

It was an inevitably mixed week for Portuguese participating in the Champions League, with Seleção internationals facing off against each other in the final matches of the last-16 first legs.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Juventus will again have to overturn a deficit in their tie with Lyon, after losing 1-0 in France to Anthony Lopes’ side on Wednesday. On the same evening, Bernardo Silva and Manchester City produced an impressive 2-1 win at the Bernabeu against Real Madrid, while Nélson Semedo was in fine form during Barcelona’s 1-1 draw at Mário Rui’s Napoli.

When it comes to football betting, and despite seemingly never-ending announcements of his impending decline, never bet against a Ronaldo who is in great shape.

From his first footballing steps at Sporting, to his glorious days with Manchester United, to his exploits with Real Madrid, to his ongoing feats of mastery at Juventus, the Portuguese international has proven absolutely uncontainable. Whenever you think Ronaldo may be finished, he gets a new haircut, walks onto the pitch, races towards his opponent’s goal and tells the world that he is far from done – as only he can do.