Derek Rae
@raecomm.bsky.social
International football commentator:
ESPN, Bundesliga world feed, #EAFC25 video game (since FIFA19 days) and many others.
Originally from Aberdeen in NE Scotland🏴
Happiest working in Köln.
Posts in English & German.
Contact: Nicola@belmontsport.com
ESPN, Bundesliga world feed, #EAFC25 video game (since FIFA19 days) and many others.
Originally from Aberdeen in NE Scotland🏴
Happiest working in Köln.
Posts in English & German.
Contact: Nicola@belmontsport.com
The Monday edition of Kicker has this on the front cover:
“Kovac, the interview: the BVB coach speaks about the current situation in Dortmund & his maturation process as a head coach.”
“Kovac, the interview: the BVB coach speaks about the current situation in Dortmund & his maturation process as a head coach.”
November 16, 2025 at 11:31 PM
The Monday edition of Kicker has this on the front cover:
“Kovac, the interview: the BVB coach speaks about the current situation in Dortmund & his maturation process as a head coach.”
“Kovac, the interview: the BVB coach speaks about the current situation in Dortmund & his maturation process as a head coach.”
That we won’t have to see the bloviating Orban acting like he‘s a big shot in the tribune during the World Cup is a big positive to draw from today.
And I don’t mean Willi!
And I don’t mean Willi!
November 16, 2025 at 6:10 PM
That we won’t have to see the bloviating Orban acting like he‘s a big shot in the tribune during the World Cup is a big positive to draw from today.
And I don’t mean Willi!
And I don’t mean Willi!
The hope has to be that Scotland will go for it on Tuesday & not try to grind out some sort of attritional win. Act from the start as though it‘s 0:3.
Fans haven’t forgotten Stuttgart against Hungary & the lack of confidence that day.
You have to win & have an incredible home advantage - use it!
Fans haven’t forgotten Stuttgart against Hungary & the lack of confidence that day.
You have to win & have an incredible home advantage - use it!
November 16, 2025 at 1:56 PM
The hope has to be that Scotland will go for it on Tuesday & not try to grind out some sort of attritional win. Act from the start as though it‘s 0:3.
Fans haven’t forgotten Stuttgart against Hungary & the lack of confidence that day.
You have to win & have an incredible home advantage - use it!
Fans haven’t forgotten Stuttgart against Hungary & the lack of confidence that day.
You have to win & have an incredible home advantage - use it!
So after all that….still a chance for Scotland…Have to beat Denmark at Hampden on Tuesday night to clinch a World Cup place for the first time since 1998.
November 15, 2025 at 9:47 PM
So after all that….still a chance for Scotland…Have to beat Denmark at Hampden on Tuesday night to clinch a World Cup place for the first time since 1998.
So now it’s getting bizarre!
Scotland have just pulled 1 back to be only 1:3 down in Greece….but Belarus have scored out of the blue to draw level with Denmark & now actually forged ahead 2:1.
So as it stands, even with a defeat, Scotland can still qualify automatically.
Scotland have just pulled 1 back to be only 1:3 down in Greece….but Belarus have scored out of the blue to draw level with Denmark & now actually forged ahead 2:1.
So as it stands, even with a defeat, Scotland can still qualify automatically.
November 15, 2025 at 9:14 PM
So now it’s getting bizarre!
Scotland have just pulled 1 back to be only 1:3 down in Greece….but Belarus have scored out of the blue to draw level with Denmark & now actually forged ahead 2:1.
So as it stands, even with a defeat, Scotland can still qualify automatically.
Scotland have just pulled 1 back to be only 1:3 down in Greece….but Belarus have scored out of the blue to draw level with Denmark & now actually forged ahead 2:1.
So as it stands, even with a defeat, Scotland can still qualify automatically.
These Saturday pro-democracy, anti-Trump/authoritarianism rallies have been going on weekly in this Massachusetts town since February. Cold weather season has started but fair play to so many for continuing to use their voices.
November 15, 2025 at 5:19 PM
These Saturday pro-democracy, anti-Trump/authoritarianism rallies have been going on weekly in this Massachusetts town since February. Cold weather season has started but fair play to so many for continuing to use their voices.
The adventures of Scotland continue tonight & it’s a strange one in Greece. Playoff at a minimum guaranteed.
A draw for Scotland pretty much as good as a win & then comes the winner takes all showdown vs. Denmark.
Performances have not been pretty but will Scotland end their 28-year World Cup jinx?
A draw for Scotland pretty much as good as a win & then comes the winner takes all showdown vs. Denmark.
Performances have not been pretty but will Scotland end their 28-year World Cup jinx?
November 15, 2025 at 1:22 PM
The adventures of Scotland continue tonight & it’s a strange one in Greece. Playoff at a minimum guaranteed.
A draw for Scotland pretty much as good as a win & then comes the winner takes all showdown vs. Denmark.
Performances have not been pretty but will Scotland end their 28-year World Cup jinx?
A draw for Scotland pretty much as good as a win & then comes the winner takes all showdown vs. Denmark.
Performances have not been pretty but will Scotland end their 28-year World Cup jinx?
Undeniably not the same excitement around Germany national team that there was in the months leading up to & during the home Euro.
A slog before individual quality got them the win in Luxemburg. Now a “final” vs. Slovakia with a draw needed.
Can’t list Germany among World Cup faves as it stands.
A slog before individual quality got them the win in Luxemburg. Now a “final” vs. Slovakia with a draw needed.
Can’t list Germany among World Cup faves as it stands.
November 15, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Undeniably not the same excitement around Germany national team that there was in the months leading up to & during the home Euro.
A slog before individual quality got them the win in Luxemburg. Now a “final” vs. Slovakia with a draw needed.
Can’t list Germany among World Cup faves as it stands.
A slog before individual quality got them the win in Luxemburg. Now a “final” vs. Slovakia with a draw needed.
Can’t list Germany among World Cup faves as it stands.
Posting this only to support anyone going through bad Covid currently. It was more than 4 weeks ago I first felt unwell & eventually tested positive for Corona. Only now starting to feel somewhat normal again after a very unpleasant month. So please take your time, rest, don’t make anyone rush you.
November 14, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Posting this only to support anyone going through bad Covid currently. It was more than 4 weeks ago I first felt unwell & eventually tested positive for Corona. Only now starting to feel somewhat normal again after a very unpleasant month. So please take your time, rest, don’t make anyone rush you.
Reading a lot of comments on social media that suggest the soon to come MLS season structure will make it like Germany!
Not exactly. These days our winter break is less than 3 weeks & really just so that Christmas remains quiet as per tradition.
1/2
Not exactly. These days our winter break is less than 3 weeks & really just so that Christmas remains quiet as per tradition.
1/2
November 14, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Reading a lot of comments on social media that suggest the soon to come MLS season structure will make it like Germany!
Not exactly. These days our winter break is less than 3 weeks & really just so that Christmas remains quiet as per tradition.
1/2
Not exactly. These days our winter break is less than 3 weeks & really just so that Christmas remains quiet as per tradition.
1/2
International break as ever an opportune time for changes.
Wolfsburg & sporting director Sebastian Schindzielorz to part ways just 4 days on from the ousting of coach Paul Simonis.
Union & long time sporting director, more recently chief scout & squad planner Oliver Ruhnert to go separate ways.
Wolfsburg & sporting director Sebastian Schindzielorz to part ways just 4 days on from the ousting of coach Paul Simonis.
Union & long time sporting director, more recently chief scout & squad planner Oliver Ruhnert to go separate ways.
November 13, 2025 at 3:50 PM
International break as ever an opportune time for changes.
Wolfsburg & sporting director Sebastian Schindzielorz to part ways just 4 days on from the ousting of coach Paul Simonis.
Union & long time sporting director, more recently chief scout & squad planner Oliver Ruhnert to go separate ways.
Wolfsburg & sporting director Sebastian Schindzielorz to part ways just 4 days on from the ousting of coach Paul Simonis.
Union & long time sporting director, more recently chief scout & squad planner Oliver Ruhnert to go separate ways.
There are probably business reasons for doing it but as someone who spends parts of winters in both Northern Europe & Northern USA, there is a reason why Scandinavian countries go from April-Nov & take winters off.
And winters in Oslo & Stockholm are not as fierce as in colder regions of N. America.
And winters in Oslo & Stockholm are not as fierce as in colder regions of N. America.
Sources: MLS owners are expected to vote on flipping to fall-spring calendar at Thursday's BOG meeting. Could happen as soon as 2027.
Also: Changes to competition format expected too, including single league table + divisions.
w/ @paultenorio.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
Also: Changes to competition format expected too, including single league table + divisions.
w/ @paultenorio.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
Sources: MLS owners set to vote on season calendar, format changes Thursday
www.nytimes.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:23 PM
There are probably business reasons for doing it but as someone who spends parts of winters in both Northern Europe & Northern USA, there is a reason why Scandinavian countries go from April-Nov & take winters off.
And winters in Oslo & Stockholm are not as fierce as in colder regions of N. America.
And winters in Oslo & Stockholm are not as fierce as in colder regions of N. America.
Joshua Kimmich has been ruled out of Germany’s match in Luxemburg due to a capsular injury in his right ankle. The team captain will nevertheless travel with the squad. #DFBTeam
November 13, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Joshua Kimmich has been ruled out of Germany’s match in Luxemburg due to a capsular injury in his right ankle. The team captain will nevertheless travel with the squad. #DFBTeam
The international break gives the Thursday edition of Kicker a chance to examine “Purchases, Imagination, Corrections.”
“The Bundesliga Transfer Ranking. Who got it right in the summer? And who came close?”
“The Bundesliga Transfer Ranking. Who got it right in the summer? And who came close?”
November 12, 2025 at 11:15 PM
The international break gives the Thursday edition of Kicker a chance to examine “Purchases, Imagination, Corrections.”
“The Bundesliga Transfer Ranking. Who got it right in the summer? And who came close?”
“The Bundesliga Transfer Ranking. Who got it right in the summer? And who came close?”
In the sometimes soulless world of transactional club football we often forget what it means - especially to smaller countries - to reach the World Cup. I speak as someone from a football crazy country that made it to 5 consecutive World Cups growing up, yet hasn’t since 1998.
Amid the cynicism of the modern game, and even how the World Cup is used, there is a glorious purity to this week of games and the idea of qualifying
There’s nothing like it, such stakes produce incredible football - and it only happens every four years
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
There’s nothing like it, such stakes produce incredible football - and it only happens every four years
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Welcome to the best week of the football year
World Cup qualification has reached crunch time, explains Miguel Delaney, and brings a rare moment of pure, innocent joy to the cynical world of modern football
www.independent.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 12:54 PM
In the sometimes soulless world of transactional club football we often forget what it means - especially to smaller countries - to reach the World Cup. I speak as someone from a football crazy country that made it to 5 consecutive World Cups growing up, yet hasn’t since 1998.
The best TV themes are usually happy accidents rather than specially composed numbers.
Best example is, for me, the Channel 9 Australia cricket theme of the late 70s, 80s, 90s.
And to think it was just library music that reflected the Zeitgeist. For me, the most fitting theme I’ve ever heard.
Best example is, for me, the Channel 9 Australia cricket theme of the late 70s, 80s, 90s.
And to think it was just library music that reflected the Zeitgeist. For me, the most fitting theme I’ve ever heard.
November 11, 2025 at 5:34 PM
The best TV themes are usually happy accidents rather than specially composed numbers.
Best example is, for me, the Channel 9 Australia cricket theme of the late 70s, 80s, 90s.
And to think it was just library music that reflected the Zeitgeist. For me, the most fitting theme I’ve ever heard.
Best example is, for me, the Channel 9 Australia cricket theme of the late 70s, 80s, 90s.
And to think it was just library music that reflected the Zeitgeist. For me, the most fitting theme I’ve ever heard.
I’ve tried to make the case for Oliver Burke (for Scotland) based on recent Bundesliga work with Union & Bremen.
Just hope we can move on from the usual he was rubbish a few years ago, needs to be settled at 1 club!!
If Scotland qualify for the World Cup, they will need his qualities.
Just hope we can move on from the usual he was rubbish a few years ago, needs to be settled at 1 club!!
If Scotland qualify for the World Cup, they will need his qualities.
November 11, 2025 at 1:15 PM
I’ve tried to make the case for Oliver Burke (for Scotland) based on recent Bundesliga work with Union & Bremen.
Just hope we can move on from the usual he was rubbish a few years ago, needs to be settled at 1 club!!
If Scotland qualify for the World Cup, they will need his qualities.
Just hope we can move on from the usual he was rubbish a few years ago, needs to be settled at 1 club!!
If Scotland qualify for the World Cup, they will need his qualities.
The Kicker Monday cover heading into the international break has “The 1A solution.”
“From last resort to stroke of luck: how coach Vincent Kompany convinced players & bosses at unbeaten Bayern.“
“From last resort to stroke of luck: how coach Vincent Kompany convinced players & bosses at unbeaten Bayern.“
November 10, 2025 at 4:58 PM
The Kicker Monday cover heading into the international break has “The 1A solution.”
“From last resort to stroke of luck: how coach Vincent Kompany convinced players & bosses at unbeaten Bayern.“
“From last resort to stroke of luck: how coach Vincent Kompany convinced players & bosses at unbeaten Bayern.“
Assan Ouedraogo of RB Leipzig has been called into Julian Nagelsmann‘s Germany squad as a replacement for Mainz midfielder Nadiem Amiri, who has withdrawn due to abductor pain.
November 10, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Assan Ouedraogo of RB Leipzig has been called into Julian Nagelsmann‘s Germany squad as a replacement for Mainz midfielder Nadiem Amiri, who has withdrawn due to abductor pain.
Happy to have managed 2 🎙️games & now a chance to relax & catch up with admin.
Corona is no joke for many of us & wouldn’t wish the most recent experience with it on my worst enemy.
Please be kind to anyone impacted by it in your circle.
Corona is no joke for many of us & wouldn’t wish the most recent experience with it on my worst enemy.
Please be kind to anyone impacted by it in your circle.
November 9, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Happy to have managed 2 🎙️games & now a chance to relax & catch up with admin.
Corona is no joke for many of us & wouldn’t wish the most recent experience with it on my worst enemy.
Please be kind to anyone impacted by it in your circle.
Corona is no joke for many of us & wouldn’t wish the most recent experience with it on my worst enemy.
Please be kind to anyone impacted by it in your circle.
Dynamo Dresden and their sporting CEO Thomas Brendel are going separate ways.
Dynamo are 2nd bottom of the 2. Bundesliga with only 7 points and no home wins. #SGD
Dynamo are 2nd bottom of the 2. Bundesliga with only 7 points and no home wins. #SGD
November 9, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Dynamo Dresden and their sporting CEO Thomas Brendel are going separate ways.
Dynamo are 2nd bottom of the 2. Bundesliga with only 7 points and no home wins. #SGD
Dynamo are 2nd bottom of the 2. Bundesliga with only 7 points and no home wins. #SGD
As expected, Wolfsburg will soon make it official that they & coach Paul Simonis have parted ways.
Proving to become of the hardest jobs in the Bundesliga if staying in place is the goal.
Proving to become of the hardest jobs in the Bundesliga if staying in place is the goal.
November 9, 2025 at 2:36 PM
As expected, Wolfsburg will soon make it official that they & coach Paul Simonis have parted ways.
Proving to become of the hardest jobs in the Bundesliga if staying in place is the goal.
Proving to become of the hardest jobs in the Bundesliga if staying in place is the goal.
Not sure many of us thought Bayern would drop points in Köpenick yet actually strengthen their position at the top.
Funny old season.
Funny old season.
November 8, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Not sure many of us thought Bayern would drop points in Köpenick yet actually strengthen their position at the top.
Funny old season.
Funny old season.
Listening to the Radio-Konferenz today. Don’t think there was a louder moment than that which just accompanied the late HSV leveller against BVB.
Gänsehaut!
Gänsehaut!
November 8, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Listening to the Radio-Konferenz today. Don’t think there was a louder moment than that which just accompanied the late HSV leveller against BVB.
Gänsehaut!
Gänsehaut!