Last week, women around the country spoke up about their love of football and why despite the age we live in, sexism is still a heavy part of the sport.

From our fantastic England team who have reached the Cyprus Cup final, to the lineswomen and assistant referees, to the CEOs, directors and other members of staff, women are an integral part of football in the 21st century.

Last week, alongside International Women’s Day, the group “women in football,” which represents more than 1200 women in the sport, contacted all 92 Football League clubs about the issue of sexism after footage emerged of Chelsea’s medic Dr Eva Carneiro and assistant referee Helen Byrne suffering sexist chants and taunts at matches.

Do people really think this is still acceptable? Many fans see it as banter, but it’s demeaning and unfair.

It’s not just those on the pitch that have to deal with sexism on a regular basis, Karen Brady has well documented the sexist remarks that have been made against her – she famously sold a player after he said something sexist to her on a club coach.

People in all walks of life suffer with sexist remarks and as, a football writer and woman, I am one of them.

I have been a football fan and football player since I was a little girl and since then I have been used to people looking at me differently when I started joining in with football chat – that is until they realised I actually knew what I was talking about.

As a football journalist I come across sexist comments occasionally and most of the time they just go straight over my head and I laugh at them. But sometimes you cannot help but feel insulted.

I have only been a sports journalist for about two years and while most of the time I will encounter nothing when writing or investigating stories, but there has been the occasional time I have been shocked at comments made against me.

I was writing a story late one night whilst talking with my editor via email – it had been one of those stupidly busy nights where basically every team in England had played and we were in a rush to get everything out. Despite being the only one working that night, the editor was not happy with the speed at which I was working.

I listened to said editor bang on about why women should not be in football – “Women should not be on a sports desk, they belong in the kitchen.” I was gobsmacked. Why I didn’t report it?

I had just started my career and quite simply he could ruin it in one foul swoop. I was not prepared to risk that for one stupid comment.

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I think that’s one of the problems why sexism exists. There is a large part of us that know what we are getting ourselves into by getting into the football industry.

We know there will be days where things are said that hurt us, days where we can shrug them off but most of the time things are great because we are doing what we love best.

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Manuel Pellegrini has been getting hot under the collar over the last few weeks. Manchester City have had their confidence knocked massively due to successive losses in both the Champions League – which they are now out of – and in the League. At Old Trafford last weekend, Pellegrini was greeted with chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” from the United faithful.

Is there some truth in this – is Manuel Pellegrini’s job safe?

In a nutshell, no. Truly, no manager’s job is safe in football. But at the minute, Pellegrini’s job is hanging in the balance. You only need to look at City’s last manager to see what lies ahead for Pellegrini.

Roberto Mancini’s time at the Etihad brought the Sky Blues Premier League glory, but his tenure ended all too abruptly. Mancini lead his side to the Premier League title in 2012, in one of the most dramatic final days of the season ever. Sergio Aguero’s winner in added time meant City won the title on goal difference over their local rivals Manchester United. It was the first time City had won the title in the Premier League era, but this huge achievement was not enough.

Mancini was sacked exactly one year after masterminding that historic title victory. This was largely down to the fact Manchester City could not perform in Europe (which is still the case now), lost the FA Cup to Wigan, and could not retain the title. But, how many teams could attain all three? Not many. But for City, their targets weren’t met so it was time to say goodbye to Roberto.

And now for Manuel Pellegrini, it looks like it is history repeating itself. Pellegrini bagged the Premier League last year in his first season in charge. But they are out of the Champions League, just like all other English sides. They aren’t in the FA Cup, and they will not be winning the Premier League again this year. They have dropped down to fourth, and it is not even certain that they will finish there.

Coincidentally – or not so – Jurgen Klopp has announced he will be relieving himself of his managerial duties at Borussia Dortmund at the end of this season. So come the 1st of July, Klopp will be free to manage another side. Could it be Manchester City? You would certainly bet on it.

Then again, this could be Klopp’s fate in two years’ time, should he take the position.

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Former Queens Park Rangers coach, Glenn Hoddle has revealed that he believes the key to his former employers avoiding relegation back to the Championship is going to be their home form.

Speaking to Matthew Dunn of the Express, on behalf of the City Index Celebrity Trader Challenge, the former Tottenham Hotspur manager said:

“Now the key to their season is winning games at home – building that belief and taking those chances when they come along. They have three more games at Loftus Road and nine more points would be enough this season to stay in the top flight.

“Trouble is, the first of those games is against Chelsea. But it is all about confidence and to be fair, Chelsea have not done that well at Loftus Road in recent seasons.

“And just look at what Burnley did with a bit of confidence, getting wins against Manchester City and then a good draw against Tottenham.

“Chelsea may not be focused 100 per cent because they effectively wrapped up the championship with the results last weekend. And Mourinho is all about just getting them over the line and that is an approach that has been found out as not good enough in the Champions League.”

QPR currently sit in the bottom three of the Premier League, however, before today’s games kicked off, they were just two points behind Hull City and trailing Sunderland and Aston Villa by three points.

Four points from their last two games, from clubs in and around them, is a step in the right direction for Chris Ramsey’s side, although, if Glenn Hoddle is right that the remaining three games at Loftus Road are key to any hopes of survival then QPR will have to do something they haven’t managed since the 20th December and win a Premier League game at home – 3-2 win against West Bromwich Albion on that day.

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Hoddle left QPR shortly after Harry Redknapp did, however, Redknapp has revealed in recent days that he felt he’d lost support of certain people at the club rather than the knee surgery requirements that he first gave as his reason for stepping down.

When solid defensive players like Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic parted from Manchester United, there were doubts of how the Red Devils would replace them and cope in the future.

The answer? Not well. Their issues at the back have been exposed on plenty of occasions, but the three departures have made way for new, younger, fresher players to make their name. One of which being the Northern Irish Paddy McNair. But are Manchester United fans are expecting too much, too soon?

He may have been able to break through to the first team, but that stint was brief. Throughout this season he has only made twelve appearances, but is this enough to truly judge a player on? No. We have seen a glimpse of the starlet, who has done well when called upon, but is yet to reach his peak.

United’s injury woes have contributed to the rise of Paddy McNair this season. Chris Smalling, Phi Jones and Marcos Rojo have been no strangers to picking up knocks, which is why McNair had to be brought in. As the players have returned from injury – and of course gotten injured again – McNair has dropped back down to the bench.

On his brief experience in the Premier League, McNair has earned himself a new contract under Louis Van Gaal. The contract will see him remain at Manchester United until June 2017, but there is an option for another year. Clearly Van Gaal sees not only worth in him, but considers the 20-year-old as an ideal prospect for future campaigns.

Comparing players to those that have already succeeded can prove to be a recipe for disaster. Expecting Paddy McNair to be Nemanja Vidic on his debut is ludicrous. You cannot become a world class centre back over night.

But McNair will prove his importance. It won’t be this season, with just two games left, but he will be given more opportunity next year. Youth is important at Manchester United, and this player needs to be given his time to shine.

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So far in the 2015 edition of the summer transfer window, we have seen a host of top players leave their boyhood clubs. This week alone, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Iker Casillas have left Bayern Munich and Real Madrid respectively, moving on to pastures new. The likes of Xavi and Steven Gerrard have left their beloved clubs too, calling an end on their stellar club careers.

Circumstances differentiate between each move, with former Liverpool captain Gerrard and Barca icon Xavi looking to see out the autumn of their careers with a lucrative pay day and a fresh challenge. Two players who looked certain to add to the ‘One Club Man’ tradition have spurned the chance and moved abroad to see out their playing days. Of course, there is nothing wrong with this and both players thoroughly deserve such an opportunity after providing such a service to their employers.

However, the ‘One Club Man’ is now a dying breed. Less often are we seeing one player devote his entire career to a single senior team. Perhaps football is losing its sentiment. The Anfield skipper was seemingly rooted to the pitch on Mersey side, but after losing his place in the side, he has decided to move on to the MLS. Last year, Frank Lampard called an end to his Chelsea career and ended up at Manchester City. That particular move may have been forced on the player by New York City FC bosses, but the two former England internationals will this year line up State-side.

The most obvious factor in a move of this ilk is the pay day. It is a short career, and although top players earn eye watering sums a week, one last big contract abroad may be all too tempting. From this perspective, it seems to make sense for all parties. Captain Fantastic will (probably) never have to line up against his former charges, unlike his former England colleague, Mr Lampard.

However, the departures of two World Cup winners from their clubs this week does indeed point to the dwindling sense of sentiment in the beautiful game. Madrid icon Casillas has been ripped from the Bernabeu goal, leaving his gloves wrapped still wrapped around the post. A stalwart between the sticks who presided over 18 trophies during his time at the club has been shipped off to FC Porto in a move his mother isn’t all too happy about it. The move has followed a dip in form over the last few years. Unlike the Gerrard and Xavi deals, Madrid have made a callous sporting decision.

The margins in top level football are so slim; head honchos at top clubs are losing the chance to remain sentimental. A player with the track record of Casillas has been forced to leave his beloved Bernabeu in tears. That’s football for you.

Schweinstiger’s move to Manchester United is perhaps the biggest indicator of this dying tradition. Spanish icon Iker has been linked with a move away since the Jose Mourinho days at Real. However, Bastian seemed to be a Bayern bastion. The German captain had not been often linked with a move away from the Allianz Arena, and his move has come as somewhat of a surprise. After 17 years at the German giants, his sale seems to have almost slipped under the radar.

It is hard to blame Bayern for letting him go. At almost 31, his best days may be behind him. Even if they are not, they are numbered. To get a reported £15m for a 30 year old who suffered injuries last year is too good to turn down, no matter how much he might mean to the club. No time for sentiment here, just pay the money and you can have whoever you want.

A number of different factors now dictate the dying days of top players. Decisions from the top can rip them away from their boyhood teams, and the offer to see out your career in a different corner of the globe may prove to be all too lucrative.

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So cheers Stevie, adios Iker and danke Bastian. Time to move on.

Southampton announced on Thursday that first-team coach Eric Black has stepped down from his role at the club.

The Scotsman moved to St Mary’s in 2016 as part of Claude Puel’s coaching staff.

Even after the manager departed, Black stayed on, but has now decided to leave his position due to personal reasons.

The Saints’ official website has claimed that the 54-year-old has opted to address some back problems that have been caused by previous injuries suffered during his playing career.

In September last year, the Scotsman was caught up in The Telegraph’s investigation into corruption in football.

Black was accused of offering advice to third parties on how to bribe lower-league clubs, but following an investigation, Southampton did not find him guilty of any wrongdoing.

Judging by the reaction on Twitter, Black divided Southampton fans, with some pleased to see him step down, while others have been left disappointed.

Black has had coaching spells at numerous clubs, including Sunderland and Aston Villa.

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According to reports in The Telegraph, Chelsea have opened talks with West Ham United about signing striker Andy Carroll, who is rated at £20m by the club according to Sky Sports, on a permanent deal, and Arsenal fans have been quick to mock their London neighbours.

Initial reports suggested that the Blues wanted to bring the 29-year-old to Stamford Bridge on loan until the end of the season to provide cover for Alvaro Morata, but now The Telegraph says they actually want the centre-forward on a permanent basis.

If they do get Carroll he would follow Ross Barkley through the door for the Premier League holders this month, and even though the Gunners look set to lose Alexis Sanchez to Manchester United their attention has certainly been caught to the potential deal involving their rivals from the capital.

Arsenal supporters took to social media to give their thoughts on Chelsea targeting Carroll, and while one labelled “Chelsea the new Arsenal”, another said their interest in him is “embarrassing”.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

Everton may well be in the market to sign a new left-back before the January transfer window slams shut at the end of the month, and Toffees fans have urged them to get Jamal Lewis following his display for Norwich City in their FA Cup third round replay tie against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.

The 19-year-old lined up as a left wing-back against the Premier League holders, but he impressed both defensively and from an attacking point of view, with his pace and his ability to take the ball forward particularly noticeable.

Meanwhile, summer addition Cuco Martina has been filling in at left-back for the Merseyside outfit in the absence of the injured Leighton Baines in recent months, with the Goodison Park faithful not particularly impressed with his performances.

Everton supporters were quick to have their say on Lewis’ showing for the Canaries via social media, and while one said he “looks far better than Martina”, another simply said “what a player”.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

Manchester United are now a massive 15 points behind English Premier League leaders Manchester City after defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley on Wednesday night.

Spurs fully deserved their victory and ran out 2-0 winners thanks to a Christian Eriksen opener and a Phil Jones own goal.

Jose Mourinho’s side never really recovered from Eriksen’s early goal, which was scored after just 11 seconds, making it the third fastest goal in English Premier League history.

It was a result and performance that left Red Devils fans absolutely fuming and they had particular criticism for the likes of Paul Pogba after an ineffective midfield display.

The French international struggled to get to grips with the defensive side of the game and was eventually hauled off by Mourinho in the 63rd minute.

Did the Man United boss get his tactics wrong from the start, or was Pogba simply not good enough?

Regardless, supporters are looking for improvement and believe that if their star midfielder can’t do the midfield dirty work then Mourinho should play him further forward or as part of a three man midfield.

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They took to Twitter to share their thoughts…

Tottenham Hotspur are through to the next round of FA Cup after successfully negotiating a tricky replay at home to Newport County on Wednesday night.

After initially drawing with the League Two outfit at Rodney Parade, the mid-week match in the midst of a busy schedule was unwanted, but Mauricio Pochettino’s side put together a professional performance to make it through comfortably by two goals to nil.

An own goal and an Erik Lamela effort were enough for the win, pleasing supporters who harbour hopes of winning significant silverware this season.

It was a night that Pochettino played some fringe stars, with matches against Arsenal and Juventus on the horizon.

One of those was 20-year-old defensive prospect Juan Foyth, who was making just his sixth start for the club since joining last summer.

Supporters were delighted with his composed performance, believing he has all the tools to go on and become a success at the club.

The next step in his progress will be seeing how he fares in Premier League action but, for now, fans are happy to appreciate his talents in cup competitions.

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They took to Twitter to share their thoughts…