Fury announces boxing retirement | Liverpool set for crunch Forest clash | Moyes: Everton too big to turn down
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Welcome to Back Pages, bringing you everything you need to know about the biggest sports stories making the headlines in the morning newspapers. I'm Nick Powell and joining me are Miguel Delaney, chief football writer at The Independent, and Riyadh Al Samurai, chief sports feature writer for The Daily Mail. Welcome to you both.

Let's start with you, Riyadh Al-Samourai, on the back page of The Sun. Are you for real, fur, fur, fury? Get it? Almost get it. Riyadh, the question is, is it for real this time? It's third, at least third retirement announcement, maybe fourth.

Okay, so I've counted four. For that reason, my answer is that there isn't enough salt in the world to take with these claims from Tyson Fury. No, I don't believe for a second that he's retired. As a little bit of personal disclosure at the outset, I tend to struggle to believe a lot of what comes out of

out of his mouth and a big element of that's boxing. You're treated to have a, you tend to have a little bit of cynicism when they say anything and with Tyson Fury, I'd multiply that by a factor of perhaps 100 and in this case, you have to take into account the context which is that they are in,

in very early talks to try and make a fight with Anthony Joshua by positioning himself as retired, you would make the argument that his negotiating position gets improved enormously. Come and get me. What kind of sum of money are you going to put on the table? And really, in light of his previous with this, the number of times he has retired, I can't see any possibility beyond that.

I think Eddie Hearn's on the same page as that. He suggested it as well himself today. So it's really, for me, it feels very much like a play to get a greater sort of slice of the cake when that fight happens, if it ever happens. We have been talking about it.

for the better part of a decade. So, you know, no one should be deluded into thinking this would ever happen quickly or easily. And I would also advise extreme caution against taking Tyson Fury at his word on this. I think, you know, we go back to 2013. That was the first time he said he was going to retire. In 2016, and that was at a point when he was dealing with a

huge number of mental health difficulties. It was also in the sort of throes of various sort of abuses around drugs and alcohol. There was also a doping charge in the background as well.

And at that time, he retired. I believe that one lasted a few hours. There was another retirement in 2017. And then in 2022, after he fought Dillian White, he retired again. And by the close of the year, he was in a ring with Derek Chisora.

You know, until I start sort of seeing fairies down at the bottom of my garden, I'm going to perhaps keep a certain amount of cynicism on this one. Riyadh, call me naive. Is it possible that at the moment he thinks he's retired, irrespective of what's going to happen in the future?

No, I think that's incredibly generous. I think this is Tyson Fury playing Tyson Fury games. He is, you know, and let's be fair to him, you know, this guy has been a tremendous boxer in the ring.

But as I've written in a piece today, it's not a line I'm particularly proud of, but it does just come to mind. He is the undisputed master of nonsense and gobbledygook. I cannot take a word this man says almost at face value. So you think he's being completely cynical? I would say so. All right. Miguel, do you disagree with anything that Riyadh says?

I think my summary of that is I'm glad I don't have to cover boxing day to day like that and the pantomime around that. And even as someone with a passing interest and a relatively general knowledge of Tyson Fury, I find it very hard to disagree or read it.

OK, let's just have a look at the Guardian, who gives a little look at his legacy. Let's not ignore the fact, Riyeth, and I hear everything you say, that he's produced some terrific boxing achievements, not least in that fight in Düsseldorf against Klitschko.

Absolutely. The fight against Klitschko was a masterclass. I don't think anyone would, in their right mind, debate that Tyson Fury is a tremendous boxer, one of the great heavyweights of this era and, in fact, several eras, notwithstanding what's happened just recently with Oleksandr Usyk. But

With Tyson Fury, when we talk about his legacy, it's incredibly complicated, it's incredibly messy, and it's how willingly we can separate what he's done inside the ring to some of the things he's said outside of the ring. There have been a whole slew of appalling comments.

There has been the backdated ban he received for testing positive for Nandrilo. There have been questionable associations that he's made outside of the ring, and all of that will factor into the conversation we have about his legacy at such a point that this man has retired.

I don't believe that that point is today. We shall see. Certainly, history suggests that he might not be retired long, but we shall see. Let's go back to the sun.

Miguel, on the left-hand side of their back page. The headline is, New No Rap for Arne. In a way, it's extraordinary that we're having a row between two top teams, Nottingham, Forest and Liverpool. You didn't see that at the start of the season. Arne Slott definitely didn't from his reaction to what he saw as a big upset when Forest beat Liverpool at Anfield earlier this season. But the row now, if such it is, is about Slott saying Forest have spent their way to where they are.

Yeah, maybe worthy of some of the kind of boxing pantomime that Riyad was talking about there. I was transfixed by what Riyad was saying and would have loved to hear more on it. On this, I suppose, yeah, it's a bit of spice before the game. The one thing that has to be said is when...

Arne Slott makes these comments, obviously stand there when you read them on the page or just hear the words. It's amazing how many times I've been in a situation this season covering Arne Slott's press conference, particularly after games. But he could say almost the most controversial thing in the world, but he just says it in such a kind of a jocular and affable way where it doesn't feel like anything at all. And it was a similar sort of thing today where kind of listening to the way he said it and he did mention, he made a specific point

of mentioning forest spending. I was actually surprised how he almost seemed to go out of his way to mention it, but he said it in that kind of way. He said, no big deal, but this is just the reality. And yes, he did state that

over the last three years, Nottingham Forest have spent more than Liverpool. And this is a subject, obviously, given the way football has gone over the past few years, the growth of big money, the economy, who spends what has become such a major issue. And let's not forget, of course, Forest did have

points deduction last season for breaches of the profit and sustainability rules. And it's interesting, actually, because I've done a piece for Tomorrow and The Independent about where Forrest are, how sustainable this is, how they've done it. And from seeking to speak to people in football, obviously there's praise for what Nuno's done. Some of it has felt a little bit, I don't want to say begrudging towards the club, but it's not, say, as effusive as the way people were speaking about Leicester a few years ago.

And I do wonder, is that related to this issue maybe of how they've been spending?

And I suppose, yeah, the numbers are there. In that time, in the period they've been in the Premier League, they have actually spent less than Liverpool. Now, to be fair, for Forest Park, especially in a world with restrictions, their argument would be that the only way to actually compete with clubs like Liverpool is to invest. But then we're into a whole other big debate about who can invest when. Indeed. And, Riyadh, there's also, obviously, Arsenal actually is still above Liverpool.

Forest, and if you look at the back of The Times, the headline there, top right, "Don't rule out City," says Slott. Do you rule out Manchester City? Yes.

Look, I can completely understand the point of view that with Manchester City, we see year on year that they go on these remarkable runs where they become untouchable for 10, 11, 12 games in a row. And of course, that could happen. But from the starting point of how bad they've been at points this season, up until perhaps the last three games, one of...

One of which was against, you know, a massive underdog in an FA Cup tie. So, you know, yes, we are conditioned to think City can do it. It's January. They can go out and spend good money and improve that squad. But,

From the point where they are, what is it, 12 points back of Liverpool, Liverpool have got a game in hand. I can't make a reasonable argument for that, but at the same time, what else is Arne Slott going to say in that scenario? He's not going to be... He's clearly not a foolish man. He's not had a misstep since he's got to Liverpool. He's not going to turn around and say that Manchester City, four titles in a row, are...

are busted flush, they're completely finished, let's forget about them this season. That would just be a very daft thing to do. So I can see why he's saying it. I just wouldn't necessarily choose to believe it myself. Let's have a look at his new Merseyside managerial rival, David Moyes, on the back of the mirror. Once a blue, always a blue is their headline. And he says that he's a better manager now than ever.

When he left, they do also say, never go back, Miguel. Yeah, I think that's probably true. He is a better manager. And there's a little bit of an interesting dynamic there. Johnny Northcroft had a really good piece in the Sunday Times yesterday about why Moyes went back. And he did mention about this sense of unfinished business, which I actually found quite striking because...

And this is one of the almost unsaid things, even kind of when the surprise of when Sir Alex Ferguson essentially picked him or anointed him to be a successor of Manchester United. Even in 2013, there was that growing sense that maybe it had run its course at Everton, whereas clearly...

Moyes himself feels actually he could have done more and maybe kind of reached the top four more regularly with the club taking them to the next level that is driving him now obviously I know everything at the other end of the table but their entire future has been changed the takeover and the new stadium so many of the doubts of the last few years look mercifully to be dissipating

And Moyes also, I mean, to be fair, like in 2017, I was writing articles saying that Moyes' approach was gone. He was past it. You know, that was really like what happened at Sunderland. And then he comes back to West Ham, adapts, wins a trophy, and whatever about kind of the fair debate that West Ham fans would have about Moyes' style...

it's difficult to argue with his results and his performance there and he left there I think with his standing greatly improved with a kind of almost this new hybrid approach to the game especially in a football world that is quite different actually from when he left Everton and it's quite intriguing to see what he's going to do I mean they still need a striker that is a big thing but

But, you know, one of his strengths the first time was generating better performances out of players that weren't necessarily seen as top level. And in addition, the Telegraph headline on there, Moyes' story is bullish. Moyes' eyes elite editions on his second coming rear.

Yeah, he said... I was impressed listening to what he said today. Obviously, there's a lot of elements of saying the right things. He wants to come out. He wants to sign new players. He wants to give fans something to shout about. You know, he's also saying that, you know, his message to the players is it's time to step up. So, you know, he has sort of hit a few of the right notes today. But, you know, it's incredibly...

I wrote about this at the weekend and, you know, Everton as a club, I wasn't impressed with the way that they waved off Sean Dyche about a thank you. I thought that showed a lack of class on their part. Certainly under the previous regime, there has been a distinct lack of competence as well, but...

The future for Everton, they're going to be moving into an absolutely beautiful stadium. They're not going to stop investing now that they've got it. They are going to want to spend money as long as they can within the margins of PSR. So there's a lot to be excited about there. But when it comes to Moyes, I'm still kind of caught on something said a couple of weeks ago.

when he was named in the honours list about not wanting to go and join a relegation struggler. And here he is at Everton, a relegation struggler. And you just wonder how much of this was on the wish list for him. And, you know, how...

How in tune is he with what he's signed up to do? Now, he's a very intelligent, diligent guy. He's going to be aware, but there have been a lot of aspects of total dysfunction at Everton. There's going to be a lot to clean up. Sean Dyche was an extremely good manager.

And this season has been absolutely, absolutely woeful. That's not an accident and that's not all on the manager. So it's a hell of a job he's got on there. Let's go to your paper, Riyadh, and the back page headline, Walker's City leaving party. Definitely going then. Well, it certainly seems that way if he's throwing a party. Obviously, there's been a bit more progress here. AC Milan interested in a move this

Personally, I'd be a little bit sad to see him go. I've always enjoyed watching him play. But, of course, it just feels like the right time. It's not been a good season for him. Within a failing Manchester City season, you have to make certain allowances. But for him personally, we've been saying this for weeks, months even, that...

You know, an element of that pace seems to have gone. And with it, I think it's very hard with Karl Walker to detach from the wider soap opera that gets discussed so much with his life. And it might also be one of those opportunities where getting out of the country just feels like the most sort of prudent option for Karl.

for him at this time. But I think should that come to pass, there's going to need to be a certain amount of recognition for just what a fantastic player he's been for a number of years here. We're talking about one of the best right backs of his era and certainly within the Premier League conversation. Yeah, and the exclusive story in the mail suggests that a reason he wants to go is to get to 100 England caps, needs seven more.

Miguel, do you think going abroad is the best way to do that?

Yeah, it's interesting, actually, because when England played a qualifier against Ukraine last year, we were speaking to both him and Gareth Southgate about this, and it was when Southgate revealed, actually, that he'd managed to talk Walker into staying on for two or three tournaments, almost, and that Guardiola obviously had spoken himself about convincing Walker to stay in the past. And so it's interesting now that he's got so close, I suppose, he feels he may as well complete the job. I mean, I suppose...

If they're having a party for him, it's testament to what a popular character he is in dressing rooms. He's like that when you speak to him. Although, on the broader sense, I have to say as well,

I actually don't see why more players don't do this, especially when they're reaching... If they're towards the end of their career or that they don't go for something a bit different as an experience and seek to play in one of the great football countries and one of the great football clubs to really, I suppose, maximise that opportunity they have, especially when you've given a club the service that Kyle Walker has given Manchester City. Yeah, it may indeed happen more, especially with...

with Brits playing a board just being more of a thing, so much more than it was ten years ago. Let me look at the back of the Times. Extra time review for the Cup. Martin Ziegler saying that at the end of the season they won't bring back FA Cup replays, but they might scrap extra time and go straight to penalties. Miguel, what do you think?

I think this would be, on the whole, a positive step. It's funny, actually, as I was sitting there at Arsenal yesterday, and I think it was close to zero degrees, and the next half time started, a lot of journalists, WhatsApp groups were talking about, can we not just go straight to penalties? Now, that's not why these decisions should be made. I think there is a broader argument, especially with a much more packed

football calendar has opened such a theme about the merit of extending games like this, what they do to players' fitness. And also the bigger question, how many extra times can you actually remember in the last few years that added to the spectacle or the game? I think it's really the only sort of thing that happens in tournaments. And there's always a sense of, like I know people will point to the famous example of United 1999 against Arsenal, but generally there's a sense of clubs... Liverpool, Chelsea in the League Cup final last season?

Well, I mean, but again, I think that's one of the rare examples. Maybe two Argentina games in the World Cup as well. I think it's, we were actually discussing this yesterday. And I think on the whole, it's what, three and four occasions? Maybe even more than that. Tend to be the sense of playing out these games. And also, I think specifically for the FA Cup, actually, it's a benefit there because I think it will add more jeopardy to the 90 minutes. Look yesterday between Tamworth and Spurs. That game would have felt much more frantic towards the end.

if Spurs knew that rather than being able to, rather than where their Premier League fitness or being able to bring on better subs would make a difference in an extra time, actually, it was going straight to penalty. So it would be a bit more of a leveller in the FA Cup. And obviously that has been engulfed by debate about meaning and whether as many upsets happen as much. So I think on the whole, both for fitness, for what it means for the football itself, for players' welfare, I think it would actually be a better step, at least in the FA Cup. Do you agree, Rath?

Yeah, absolutely. I agree fully with that. I think, you know, extra time has got this habit of being very sterile. I think if you're Tamworth and you're looking up and as opposed to bringing Son off the bench, you're probably looking at saying, yeah, let's just get straight to penalties, please. I think, you know, that game's clearly changed with three goals and extra time. It

For me, it feels logical. It gets messy, doesn't it? Because when do you then reintroduce extra time? Because you're not going to have that as a scenario that runs all the way through to the final. So, look, it's not very neat. It's not very tidy, but it's something that would...

maintain a bit of, you know, a bit more excitement, I think it's a good thing. Clearly, it's a little bit artificial. We know that, but we're in the VAR era, so why not? Andy Murray's method of creating extra time in his tennis career has been to become a coach to Novak Djokovic, which is in the front page of the Telegraph Sports Supplement. Come on, Andy. Chant, you may have heard before. What do you make of this burgeoning partnership, Riyadh?

I love it. I find it absolutely fascinating because, look, with Djokovic, we can't kind of forget what stage he's at in his career. 37 years old, he's number seven in the world.

He's not where he used to be, and he clearly sees Andy Murray as someone who can help him bridge that gap. And I think it's a fabulous partnership. We saw it today. It wasn't a great first round for Djokovic. He gave Murray a little bit of his own medicine by having a few sort of aggressive, slightly aggressive words said.

towards his coaching team. We've seen Murray dish that out plenty. But there's no one in the game, I think, who's better tactically or reading an opponent and finding a weakness than Andy Murray. It will be fascinating. It will, absolutely fascinating.