Members of Congress party light candles as they pay homage to late India’s former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Amritsar on December 27, 2024. (Photo by Narinder NANU / AFP)
Mourners in India’s capital gathered Saturday to pay their respects to former prime minister Manmohan Singh ahead of a state funeral for the man key to the country’s economic liberalisation.
Singh, who held office from 2004 to 2014, died at the age of 92 on Thursday, after which seven days of state mourning were declared.
Officers lead the coffin of India’s late former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, for a state funeral ceremony in New Delhi on December 28, 2024. – Mourners in India’s capital gathered on December 28, to pay their respects to former prime minister Manmohan Singh ahead of a state funeral for the man key to the country’s economic liberalisation. (Photo by Arun SANKAR / AFP)
His coffin, draped in garlands of flowers, was flanked by a guard of honour and carried to his Congress Party headquarters in New Delhi.
In this handout photograph taken on December 27, 2024 and released by the Indian Press Information Bureau (PIB), India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi (C) lays a wreath as he pays last respects to former Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh at his residence in New Delhi. – India announced seven days of state mourning on December 27 after the death of former prime minister Manmohan Singh, one of the architects of the country’s economic liberalisation in the early 1990s. (Photo by PIB / AFP) / XGTY / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – MANDATORY CREDIT “AFP PHOTO/INDIAN PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU (PIB)” – NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS – DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS
It will later be taken through the capital to be cremated, accompanied by guards of soldiers and accorded full state honours.
Indian National Congress (INC) party leader Rahul Gandhi (Centre R) is pictured during procession as the coffin of India’s late former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is taken for a state funeral ceremony in New Delhi on December 28, 2024. Mourners in India’s capital gathered on December 28, to pay their respects to former prime minister Manmohan Singh ahead of a state funeral for the man key to the country’s economic liberalisation. (Photo by Arun SANKAR / AFP)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who along with other leaders is expected to attend the funeral, called Singh one of India’s “most distinguished leaders”.
Opposition Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said he had lost “a mentor and guide”, adding that Singh had “led India with immense wisdom and integrity”.
Officers lead the coffin of India’s late former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, for a state funeral ceremony in New Delhi on December 28, 2024. – Mourners in India’s capital gathered on December 28, to pay their respects to former prime minister Manmohan Singh ahead of a state funeral for the man key to the country’s economic liberalisation. (Photo by Arun SANKAR / AFP)
US President Joe Biden called Singh a “true statesman”, saying that he “charted pathbreaking progress that will continue to strengthen our nations — and the world — for generations to come”.
The former prime minister was an understated technocrat who was hailed for overseeing an economic boom in his first term.
Officers lead the coffin of India’s late former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, for a state funeral ceremony in New Delhi on December 28, 2024. – Mourners in India’s capital gathered on December 28, to pay their respects to former prime minister Manmohan Singh ahead of a state funeral for the man key to the country’s economic liberalisation. (Photo by Arun SANKAR / AFP)
Singh’s second stint ended with a series of major corruption scandals, slowing growth and high inflation.
Singh’s unpopularity in his second term, and lacklustre leadership by Nehru-Gandhi scion Rahul Gandhi, the current opposition leader in the lower house, led to Modi’s first landslide victory in 2014.
Officers carry the mortal remains of India’s late former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in New Delhi on December 28, 2024. – Mourners in India’s capital gathered on December 28, to pay their respects to former prime minister Manmohan Singh ahead of a state funeral for the man key to the country’s economic liberalisation. (Photo by Arun SANKAR / AFP)
– ‘Service to the nation’ –
Born in 1932 in the mud-house village of Gah in what is now Pakistan and was then British-ruled India, Singh studied economics to find a way to eradicate poverty in the vast nation.
In this handout photograph taken on December 27, 2024 and released by the Indian Press Information Bureau (PIB), India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) pays last respects to former Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh at his residence in New Delhi. – India announced seven days of state mourning on December 27 after the death of former prime minister Manmohan Singh, one of the architects of the country’s economic liberalisation in the early 1990s. (Photo by PIB / AFP) / XGTY / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – MANDATORY CREDIT “AFP PHOTO/INDIAN PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU (PIB)” – NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS – DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS
He won scholarships to attend both Cambridge, where he obtained a first in economics, and Oxford, where he completed his doctorate.
Members of Congress party pay their homage to late India’s former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Amritsar on December 27, 2024. – India announced seven days of state mourning on December 27 after the death of former prime minister Manmohan Singh, one of the architects of the country’s economic liberalisation in the early 1990s. (Photo by Narinder NANU / AFP)
Singh worked in a string of senior civil service posts, served as a central bank governor and also held various jobs with global agencies including the United Nations.
He was tapped in 1991 by then Congress prime minister P.V. Narasimha Rao to serve as finance minister and reel India back from the worst financial crisis in its modern history.
Members of Congress party light candles as they pay homage to late India’s former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Amritsar on December 27, 2024. (Photo by Narinder NANU / AFP)
Though he had never held an elected post, he was declared the National Congress’s candidate for the highest office in 2004.
Gursharan Kaur (C), wife of India’s late former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, arrives for the state funeral ceremony at All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in New Delhi on December 28, 2024. – Mourners in India’s capital gathered on December 28, to pay their respects to former prime minister Manmohan Singh ahead of a state funeral for the man key to the country’s economic liberalisation. (Photo by Arun SANKAR / AFP)
In his first term, Singh steered the economy through a period of nine per cent growth, lending India the international clout it had long sought.
Officers carry the coffin of India’s late former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, for a state funeral ceremony in New Delhi on December 28, 2024. – Mourners in India’s capital gathered on December 28, to pay their respects to former prime minister Manmohan Singh ahead of a state funeral for the man key to the country’s economic liberalisation. (Photo by Arun SANKAR / AFP)
He also sealed a landmark nuclear deal with the United States that he said would help India meet its growing energy needs.
Officers lead the coffin of India’s late former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, for a state funeral ceremony in New Delhi on December 28, 2024. – Mourners in India’s capital gathered on December 28, to pay their respects to former prime minister Manmohan Singh ahead of a state funeral for the man key to the country’s economic liberalisation. (Photo by Arun SANKAR / AFP)
President Droupadi Murmu said that Singh would “always be remembered for his service to the nation, his unblemished political life and his utmost humility”.
Manuel Neuer has been called up to Germany’s World Cup squad – two years after his international retirement.
The 40-year-old was named as part of Julian Nagelsmann’s 26-man squad for the tournament this summer, having not featured for his country since Euro 2024.
Among the list include Premier League players Malick Thiaw and Nick Woltemade – both of Newcastle – Arsenal striker Kai Havertz, Liverpool midfielder Florian Wirtz and Brighton’s Pascal Gross.
Injured duo Serge Gnabry and Anton Stach and forwards Karim Adeyemi, Kevin Schade and Niclas Fullkrug are among those to miss out.
Germany’s World Cup squad in full
Goalkeepers: Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Alexander Nubel (Stuttgart)
Defenders: Waldemar Anton (Borussia Dortmund), Nathaniel Brown (Eintracht Frankfurt), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Jonathan Tah (Bayern Munich), Malick Thiaw (Newcastle)
Midfielders: Pascal Gross (Brighton), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Felix Nmecha (Borussia Dortmund), Aleksandar Pavlovic (Bayern Munich), Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart), Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich), Florian Wirtz (Liverpool), Jamie Leweling (Stuttgart)
Forwards: Maximilian Beier (Borussia Dortmund), Kai Havertz (Arsenal), Lennart Karl (Bayern Munich), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Leroy Sane (Galatasaray), Deniz Undav (Stuttgart), Nick Woltemade (Newcastle)
Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has opened up on the club’s decision to appoint Xabi Alonso as their new manager.
The Blues confirmed the Spaniard as their next head coach following the conclusion of the 2025-26 season, with Alonso set to take charge ahead of the upcoming campaign.
Mikel had previously been vocal about Chelsea’s managerial philosophy, urging the club’s ownership to move away from short-term head coaches and interim appointments and instead bring in a proper manager with full control over the squad
Speaking on his most recent podcast, Mikel said:
“I am glad the owners listened to me, and listened to the fans.
“Forget about coaches, what we have always had are managers, and what we need is a manager who decides on the players he wants out and the players who can stay.
“We need a strong personality, and that is what we have got now in Alonso.
“That title has been changed from coach to manager, but I hope it’s not just words and he is actually allowed to manage the squad. But I am very happy with the appointment.”
Chelsea are still in the hunt for Europa League football, and a win over Sunderland on the final day of the Premier League season would go a long way in determining whether Alonso inherits a European stage to build on next season.
Enzo Maresca is believed to have signed a three-year deal to replace outgoing Man City manager Pep Guardiola, after it was revealed that the legendary head coach will be leaving the Etihad at the end of the season.
Speculation around Guardiola’s departure date has been rife as the season draws to a close, despite the Catalan having one year left on his contract.
According to report, Man City’s sponsors were among those to have been told that Guardiola will be calling time on a remarkable trophy-ladened spell on Sunday.
The report also shared that Maresca, Guardiola’s former assistant, was a front-runner for the vacant spot at the dugout, with Fabrizio Romano confirming on Tuesday morning that the ex-Chelsea manager will be taking over.
The Italian head coach has been out of work since his mutual departure from Stamford Bridge under strained circumstances on January 1.
But even before his acrimonious mid-season exit, Maresca has been viewed as a long-term successor to Guardiola following their stint working together at Man City.
The 46-year-old served as Guardiola’s assistant between 2022 and 2023 after previously coaching Man City’s youth sides, before departing to earn Championship promotion with Leicester.
Maresca then went on to win the Uefa Conference League and the Club World Cup with Chelsea during his 18-month spell in west London.
Guardiola is set to celebrate his time in English football with an open-top bus parade in Manchester after winning the Carabao Cup and FA Cup this season, but until Monday night, the manager had been notably vague over his future plans.
But before news broke of his shock exit, Guardiola had been keen to tamp down any suggestions that he would be commemorated with any fanfare.
‘The club don’t have to do anything, honestly,’ Guardiola, who has yet to officially confirm his departure, said. ‘The important thing in our lives is that when you look back, you can look with a big smile and say “that was good”.
‘Bernardo (Silva) and John (Stones) can feel that. We spoke about it over the last few days. When you’re old, a grandfather, you can look at the memories. That is the most important thing in life.’
Tired of addressing his contractual situation, Guardiola added with a dose of sarcasm: ‘Whatever happens at the end of the season – and when I extend my contract for three more years – I can look back and say, “how nice has that been?”
‘That is the most important thing by far. Most of the people who lived this time here together can feel it.’
