Alec Stewart back as Surrey director of men's cricket

Club legend had taken on high-performance advisor role while supporting his wife’s battle with cancer

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Dec-2025

Alec Stewart is a much-loved figure at the Kia Oval•Getty Images for Surrey CCC

Alec Stewart is to resume his role as Surrey’s director of men’s cricket with immediate effect, the club have announced.Stewart, 62, stepped back from working full-time at the Kia Oval after the 2024 season, in order to help care for his wife, Lynn, who died of cancer in April. He remained involved in a new role as high-performance advisor, with Surrey opting not to appoint a successor.However, after one season away, he is set to retake the reins in the pursuit of more success. Stewart, who returned to the club where he spent his playing career as director of cricket in 2013, oversaw a strong player development pathway alongside four County Championship triumphs, including three in a row at the end of his first stint.”Surrey has always been my home and I am now ready to return to full-time duties with the club again,” Stewart said. “My priorities have always been to support the cricket management team and the squad to be the best county in the country, to bring cricketers into our professional squad through our pathway system and help players to fulfil their dreams of representing their country.”Related

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Surrey remained the team to beat in 2025, but were pipped by Nottinghamshire in the final rounds of the season to end up second on the Division One table.Stewart will be reunited with head coach, Gareth Batty, and captain, Rory Burns, as they look to re-establish their dominance of county cricket’s oldest competition.Oli Slipper, Surrey chair, said: “Alec is a legend of Surrey and we are looking forward to having him back in his role as director of men’s cricket. Alec’s record speaks for itself and he’s been the driving force in so much of the club’s success over many, many years.”Steve Elworthy, CEO at Surrey, added: “Alec’s commitment, drive and attention to detail has built the team into the side it is today and we know he will continue to progress the team as he resumes his role at the helm on the men’s game in the county.”Alec has remained an important part of the cricket management team over the last 12 months and he continues to drive the highest of standards across the club.”

Tottenham now preparing £40m+ offer to sign "superb" new Forlan

In search of a consistent goalscorer, Tottenham Hotspur are now reportedly preparing a £40m+ offer to sign Georges Mikautadze from Villarreal in 2026.

The great weakness in Thomas Frank’s side this season has been their goalscoring struggles. With Dominic Solanke yet to return to full fitness, the likes of Richarlison and Randal Kolo Muani have struggled to truly take hold of the starting role – handing the Lilywhites a frustrating problem.

Kolo Muani has particularly struggled since arriving from Paris Saint-Germain and is still searching for his first Tottenham goal. With the North London derby against Arsenal up next, however, the forward has been passed fit and has the perfect opportunity to find the back of the net for the first time in the Premier League.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the Arsenal game, Frank revealed early team news which included an update on Kolo Muani’s unexpected return to action after suffering a jaw injury before the break.

If the PSG loanee continues his run without a goal, then many around North London will be asking big questions. Tottenham chiefs are already reportedly searching for a striker and the Frenchman’s struggles could accelerate their plan to welcome La Liga star Mikautadze in 2026.

Tottenham readying Mikautadze offer

According to reports in Spain, Tottenham are now preparing a €50m (£44m) offer to sign Mikautadze from Villarreal in 2026. A player who’s been compared to the great Diego Forlan by Spanish media, the 25-year-old has shown glimpses of his best form so far this season – scoring five goals in 14 games – and has entered Spurs’ radar as a result.

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Spurs reportedly mean business.

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After becoming a transfer flop at Ajax, the Georgian striker reinvented himself at FC Metz, before starring at Lyon to earn a summer switch to Villarreal. Now, he could be about to make the biggest move of his career courtesy of Tottenham.

Dubbed “superb” by scout Jacek Kulig, Mikautadze has only kicked on since then to attract the interest of the Premier League. As Tottenham’s forwards continue to struggle, the 25-year-old should be seen as a serious option to consider next year.

Tottenham eyeing 'dream' move for striker likened to Diego Costa after Frank request

Andrey Santos, ex-Vasco, marca primeiro gol na Europa e garante vitória do Strasbourg em clássico na França

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No último domingo (12), Andrey Santos, ex-volante do Vasco, marcou nos acréscimos o gol que sacramentou a vitória do Strasbourg contra o Metz. Com isso, o volante brasileiro colocou o rival em situação complicada na liga, atualmente na 16ª posição, correndo ainda riscos de rebaixamento.

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➡️ Tudo sobre o Gigante agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso canal Lance! Vasco

Emprestado ao Strasbourg em fevereiro deste ano, no meio da temporada europeia, Andrey Santos não demorou para cair nas graças da torcida. Inclusive, após seu gol, o estádio La Meinau vibrou por vários minutos e os torcedores se encumbiram de fazer barulho como forma de celebrar o volante.

– Foi uma temporada de mudanças, grandes desafios e novos caminhos. Nunca deixei de trabalhar intensamente pra alcançar meus objetivos e corresponder à confiança daqueles que sempre me apoiaram – contou Andrey Santos. E completou:

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– Marcar meu primeiro gol pelo Strasbourg foi especial. Foram muitas horas de dedicação para que eu pudesse viver esse momento. Conquistei meu espaço aos poucos, sempre focado em apresentar o meu melhor e ajudar o clube. Acredito que este primeiro gol aqui reafirma esse compromisso profissional e pessoal.

– Me sinto bem aqui e sou grato ao clube, comissão técnica e à torcida, que me receberam muito bem. Espero que seja o primeiro de muitos gols na Europa.

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O capitão da Seleção Brasileira sub-23 já foi eleito a “Joia do Mês” de março na Ligue 1, por conta de suas boas atuações, contribuindo tanto defensivamente quanto na criação de jogadas para o grupo. Além disso, também foi eleito jogador do mês de abril pelo clube.

Tudo sobre

Andrey SantosFutebol InternacionalFutebol NacionalStrasbourgVasco

Jamie Carragher says one player could hold Arsenal back from winning the league

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has delivered a fresh take on Arsenal and their chances of winning the Premier League this season.

The Gunners, since tasting defeat away to Liverpool in August, have won 13 games on the trot in all competitions whilst boasting the best defensive record in Europe’s top five leagues.

Mikel Arteta’s imperious side also haven’t conceded a single goal in all competitions since their dramatic 2-1 win over Newcastle at St. James’ Park in September, which is quite incredible considering they were without star defender William Saliba for brief periods as well.

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Summer signing Cristhian Mosquera has performed exceptionally when called upon by Arsenal to replace Saliba at the heart of Arteta’s defence, and their exceptional resilience as a unit could well hand them a first Premier League title in 22 years.

Arsenal were already a very hard side to break down prior to this campaign, leaking the fewest goals of any top flight club in both the 23/24 and 24/25 seasons, but the arrival of assistant coach Gabriel Heinze appears to have solidified them even more.

Their rock solid backline has allowed Arsenal to plough through and get results despite their plethora of attacking absentees, with Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard and now Viktor Gyokeres all sidelined through injury.

This, combined with their overwhelming threat from set pieces, has made Arsenal the team to beat as we head into the festive period.

Carragher names the player who could hold Arsenal back from Premier League title glory

Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher has claimed that only one man could stop Arsenal from winning the title at this point.

The pundit claims that Man City superstar Erling Haaland, who has spearheaded the Sky Blues to second almost single-handedly with 13 goals in just 10 Premier League appearances, will have a major say on whether Arsenal can end their two-decade-long wait for a domestic crown.

Given Haaland is basically a cheat code at this point, it’s hard to argue with Carragher’s assessment here.

It is still a real wonder how the Norway superstar didn’t clinch 2023’s Ballon d’Or award after firing City to a treble with 52 goals in 53 appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side, with Lionel Messi getting it instead following his 2022 World Cup win.

The 25-year-old is nailed on for a Ballon d’Or eventually and perhaps even Alan Shearer’s all-time Premier League goalscoring record if he stays in England much longer.

Make no mistake, it would take something truly extraordinary to topple Arsenal right now, and Haaland is just that.

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