Arsenal and Everton's respective new managers, Mikel Arteta and Carlo Ancelotti, endured an awkward afternoon watching their new clubs play from on high...
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Jump to: Chelsea to wear classic kit for FA Cup clash | Real Sociedad invite entire town to watch them play
In what must surely be a Premier League first, there were not one but two newly appointed managers watching from the stands on Saturday while the interim coaches called the shots from the touchline.
Mikel Arteta was appointed as Arsenal new manager on Friday, and he was at Goodison Park to watch the Gunners take on Everton, who finally confirmed the hire of three-time Champions League winner Carlo Ancelotti as their new boss just over an hour before kick off.
On the pitch, caretakers Duncan Ferguson and Freddie Ljungberg were unable to coax one final good performance out of their temporary charges, who played out an uninspiring 0-0 draw.
So we had to look to the incoming bosses in the director's box to provide the interest. The day began promisingly enough, with the confirmation of the long-awaited news that Ancelotti had been appointed.
The club tweeted out a dazzling montage of the veteran coach's greatest moments, with some nifty animated graphics to go with it.
🔵 | Introducing the new manager of Everton Football Club, @MrAncelotti! #WelcomeMrAncelotti pic.twitter.com/zNNoix8H5R
— Everton (@Everton) December 21, 2019
Although, it must be said, the effect was lost a little when they played it on the big screen to a near-empty stadium.
But, no matter, because the man himself arrived with all his avuncular charm to meet and greet the fans.
Ancelotti's arrival overshadowed that of Arteta, whose own appointment was confirmed the previous day. You can tell this picture was taken before the drab draw had begun, because he's smiling.
Arteta, a former hero at Everton as well as Arsenal, was seen having a discussion with Gunners sporting director Edu. After Saturday's performance, January can't come soon enough.
The two new men were sat so tantalisingly close to each other, yet kept far enough out of reach.
This was about the closest we got to the pair being forced to engage in any awkward chit-chat.
Ancelotti did get to meet one former Arsenal midfielder, however. He had an animated talk with Liam Brady, a player he would have enjoyed plenty of on-pitch battles against during the Irishman's spells at Juventus, Sampdoria and Inter Milan in the 1980s.
Given the paucity of class on display during the goalless draw, it was only a matter of time before Ancelotti pulled off his trademark move. As he's now employed by what has been dubbed "The People's Club," perhaps this should now be known as "The People's Eyebrow?" Just nobody tell Dwayne Johnson.
After the final whistle, the creeping realisation at the job that lay in front of them, Ancelotti and Arteta made their retreats. Too late to back out now!
Ancelotti and Arteta sneaking out of Goodison Park like ... pic.twitter.com/MqkMMbf2kC
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 21, 2019
Chelsea to wear classic kit for FA Cup clash
Celebrating 50 years since our first FA Cup triumph in 1970!
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 21, 2019
The 1970 final replay crest and colourways have been brought back for this @nikefootball commemorative kit. 💙💛
More 👉 https://t.co/MNYZoK0F8J Available to buy from 02.01.20. #ItsAChelseaThing #ThePrideOfLondon pic.twitter.com/nBaxQse72y
In what feels like their fifth or sixth launch of the season so far, Chelsea have added another new kit to their portfolio with the unveiling of a special 50th anniversary collection.
The strip is designed to pay homage to the Blues' rich past and specifically mark the anniversary of their 1970 FA Cup win.
As such, the shirt features a replica of the crest that the team wore to beat Leeds United in the replay of the final, staged at Old Trafford.
In keeping with the original design, the shirt is blue with "blued-out" branding and has classic yellow trim and socks -- just like the 1970 vintage did half a century ago.
Chelsea plan to wear their 50th anniversary kit when they face Nottingham Forest in the third round of this season's FA Cup at Stamford Bridge in early January.
Real Sociedad invite entire town to watch them play
La Liga's Real Sociedad have invited the entire village of Becerril to a game at the Reale Arena after thrashing their club 8-0 in the Copa del Rey.
It was a one-sided affair on Thursday night in a cup game which pitted the sixth-placed side in La Liga against CD Becerril of Spain's fourth tier. In a gesture of festive goodwill, La Real's president Jokin Aperribay has offered to host the entire population of the village for a game in San Sebastian.
"They said they'd pay for a bus and match tickets for everyone from the town who wants to go" CD Becerril's president Juan Antonio Redondo told SER radio.
More than one bus will be required, with the most recent census putting the population of Becerril, in the northern province of Palencia, at 754 people.