Bayern Munich’s victory in the Club World Cup in Qatar was their sixth trophy in 12 months - a European achievement matched only by Pep Guardiola's Barcelona in 2009.
Behind this extraordinary success is manager Hansi Flick, who will go down in history as Man of the Year in 2020 even if, to the surprise of many, he only finished second behind Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp as Fifa’s coach of the year.
In 2020 he won the Champions League, the Bundesliga, the German Cup, the German Super Cup and the European Super Cup and now the Club World Cup.
When Flick took over Bayern's reins in November 2019, the club was in crisis. In less than a year, he transformed the Bavarians and enjoyed the best debut season in football history.
Bayern looked helpless when capitulating 5-1 against Eintracht Frankfurt in November 2019. Morale was shaken, Bayern's rivals looked strong and Niko Kovac was fired.
Flick, as his replacement, was expected to just stabilise the German giants before a long-term solution was found. Instead, he made Bayern the best team in Europe.
No one imagined that Flick would engineer the best debut season as a coach the world has ever seen.
The signs were there when he mastered a 4-0 rout against Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga in his first game, delighting the club's hierarchy and their most fervent fans.
High pressure, short, smart passes, productive possession and quick transitions to hurt teams on the counterattack have become Bayern's hallmarks. It has been scary to see them tear the opposition apart - both at home and abroad.
Flick transformed the club with confidence in Bayern's old guard - Thomas Muller, Manuel Neuer and Jerome Boateng all enjoyed a resurgence.
There was trust in younger players, with Joshua Kimmich employed in his favourite midfield role and Alphonso Davies given the opportunity to become the most dangerous left-back in the world.
Robert Lewandowski was voted Best Fifa Men’s Player, and Neuer was elected Fifa's Best Male Goalkeeper.
The team continues to dominate in the Bundesliga and later in February they will face Lazio in the Champions League last 16, after an excellent group stage which saw five victories and a draw.
Flick's management is unparalleled in German football, and perhaps is matched only across Europe by the human touch that Liverpool experienced under Klopp.
In terms of debut seasons, 2020 for Flick was arguably the greatest of modern times. Better than the treble seasons at Barcelona of Pep Guardiola in 2008/09 and Luis Enrique in 2014/15.
He might not have won the best coach award in 2020, I am sure he will win in 2021. It is just a matter of waiting another 10 months.
HWJN
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Haircare resolutions 2021
From Beirut and Amman to London and now Dubai, hairstylist George Massoud has seen the same mistakes made by customers all over the world. In the chair or at-home hair care, here are the resolutions he wishes his customers would make for the year ahead.
1. 'I will seek consultation from professionals'
You may know what you want, but are you sure it’s going to suit you? Haircare professionals can tell you what will work best with your skin tone, hair texture and lifestyle.
2. 'I will tell my hairdresser when I’m not happy'
Massoud says it’s better to offer constructive criticism to work on in the future. Your hairdresser will learn, and you may discover how to communicate exactly what you want more effectively the next time.
3. ‘I will treat my hair better out of the chair’
Damage control is a big part of most hairstylists’ work right now, but it can be avoided. Steer clear of over-colouring at home, try and pursue one hair brand at a time and never, ever use a straightener on still drying hair, pleads Massoud.
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
What are NFTs?
Are non-fungible tokens a currency, asset, or a licensing instrument? Arnab Das, global market strategist EMEA at Invesco, says they are mix of all of three.
You can buy, hold and use NFTs just like US dollars and Bitcoins. “They can appreciate in value and even produce cash flows.”
However, while money is fungible, NFTs are not. “One Bitcoin, dollar, euro or dirham is largely indistinguishable from the next. Nothing ties a dollar bill to a particular owner, for example. Nor does it tie you to to any goods, services or assets you bought with that currency. In contrast, NFTs confer specific ownership,” Mr Das says.
This makes NFTs closer to a piece of intellectual property such as a work of art or licence, as you can claim royalties or profit by exchanging it at a higher value later, Mr Das says. “They could provide a sustainable income stream.”
This income will depend on future demand and use, which makes NFTs difficult to value. “However, there is a credible use case for many forms of intellectual property, notably art, songs, videos,” Mr Das says.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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RESULTS
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The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
