West Ham United

West Ham United have issued a statement calling for social media platforms to take greater accountability in tackling abuse online.

"West Ham United continues to be unequivocal in its stance - we have a zero-tolerance approach to homophobia and discrimination of any form.

"We urge social media platforms to take greater accountability in tackling ongoing and sustained discriminatory abuse online.

"We would like to focus on celebrating this special moment with Kristie and her partner Sam, and to share our heartfelt wishes to the both of them on their pregnancy news."

Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor said that homophobic comments aimed at Sam Kerr and Kristie Mewis after the couple said they are expecting a baby are "just crazy".

On Monday, Chelsea striker Kerr announced the pregnancy of her partner, West Ham midfielder Mewis, on her Instagram account.

The post contained photographs of the couple with the caption: "Mewis-Kerr baby coming 2025!"

Homophobic comments were left on the post by some users.

"I just want to support Sam. I fully support her," said Bompastor at a news conference before Chelsea's Women's Champions League tie against Celtic later today.

"This is just unacceptable to have these kinds of comments, especially in 2024. It’s just crazy for me to understand how people can react like this."

Image source, Getty Images

During his playing career, Patrick Vieira won three Premier League titles and four FA Cups at Arsenal, as well as silverware with AC Milan, Inter Milan and Manchester City.

He also helped France win the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship.

Vieira retired in 2011 and became the manager of New York City in 2016.

The former midfielder returned to Europe with Nice and led them to a seventh-place finish in Ligue 1 in his first season but was fired in December 2020.

Vieira became Palace manager in 2021 and guided the Eagles to the FA Cup semi-finals.

He was sacked in 2023 after a 12-game winless run, before joining Strasbourg as their first appointment following a takeover by BlueCo, the company which also owns Chelsea.

Image source, PA Media

ICYMI, Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira has been appointed as the new head coach of Serie A club Genoa.

The 48-year-old joins a club that is in 17th position in the Italian top flight, one point above the relegation zone.

The former Crystal Palace manager, who left RC Strasbourg in July, succeeds ex-Italy striker Alberto Gilardino, who had been in charge since December 2022.

Under 2006 World Cup winner Gilardino, Genoa had won two of their 12 league matches this season and were knocked out of the Coppa Italia by Sampdoria on penalties.

The appointment reunites Vieira with Mario Balotelli, who signed for Genoa last month.

Vieira managed his former Manchester City and Inter Milan team-mate at Ligue 1 side Nice during the 2018–19 season. Balotelli, 34, has since said it was disagreements with Vieira over tactics that led to his exit from the club in 2019.

Shall we all take five on the Guardiola chat? Don't worry though, we'll be returning to it very soon.

Earlier, we told you that Patrick Vieira has got the Genoa job. Here's some more info...

Give me a sec, I'm making an Alan Curbishley vs Pep Guardiola head-to-head graphic.

Hansi Flick - 2.46

Pep Guardiola - 2.41

Sir Alex Ferguson - 2.28

Xavi - 2.25

Zinedine Zidane 2.24

Josef Heynckes - 2.23

Xabi Alonso - 2.17

Antonio Conte 2.17

Carlo Ancelotti - 2.1

Laurent Blanc - 2.08

Image source, Getty Images

Assuming Tristan is talking about the Cotswolds thawing there.

Maybe he's gone full Futurama and he's the one currently defrosting on his sofa.

Thanks Tristan, Mauricio Pochettino has the 16th-best record with 51.0%.

Also, love that we're getting weather updates from you as the day goes on, keep updating us.

Arsene Wenger's record against Pep Guardiola:

Played 14, won three, drew three, lost eight.

Wenger, to my knowledge anyway, is the only boss to have beaten each one of Guardiola's Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City teams.

Image source, Getty Images

True, true. Although £59m is still a huge amount of money.

For instance, Hansi Flick has never purchased a player for more than £50m...

1. Pep Guardiola - 73.7%
2. Sir Alex Ferguson - 65.2%
3. Antonio Conte - 62.9%
4. Jurgen Klopp - 62.6%
5. Roberto Mancini - 61.7%
6. Jose Mourinho - 59.8%
7. Mikel Arteta - 59.0%
8. Arsene Wenger - 57.5%
9. Thomas Tuchel - 55.6%
10. Carlo Ancelotti - 54.5%
11. Manuel Pellegrini - 52.6%
12. Unai Emery - 52.0%
13. Andre Villas-Boas - 51.9%
14. Erik ten Hag - 51.8%
15. Louis van Gaal - 51.3%

Image source, Getty Images

Thanks Jamie, glad you find today's debate interesting.