FRANK LAMPARD is in talks over becoming the new Norwich manager, according to reports.
The Canaries dismissed Daniel Farke last weekend, despite their first Premier League win of the season.
Meanwhile, Eddie Howe has been named as Newcastle manager after travelling North East to finalise his contract.
Former Bournemouth and Burnley manager Howe, 43, will replace Steve Bruce at the helm after spending most of his career as a player and boss on the South Coast.
And we’ve also the very latest from Chelsea who are eyeing a swoop for Attila Szalai in January.
Get all the latest football news, updates and transfer gossip below…
NUN THE WISER
Nuno Espirito Santo has spoken out on his ‘ruthless’ Tottenham sacking.
He said: “Wow, the last few weeks have been hectic to say the least.
“This is football the most ruthless sport in the game, only a couple of weeks back I was crowned Manager of the Month and fast forward to the present and it’s been some days since my dismissal at Spurs.
“This is life, I move on forward now looking for my next challenge and finally I want to thank the fans of Spurs, when I joined this great club I envisaged a vision to bring trophies but all didn’t go to plan.
“That’s all’s really we live and learn, look forward to keeping all of you posted and thank you once again for your constant support.”
EXCLUSIVE BY DUNCAN WRIGHT
West Ham want to build their future around Declan Rice as they target a tilt at regular Champions League football.
Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United have all been tracking the England star but no bid has ever been submitted.
And even if one came in for as much as £100million, the Hammers board have no intention of doing business, believing they can satisfy the player’s ambitions themselves.
S-MART MOVE
Roberto Martinez is interested in replacing Dean Smith as Aston Villa’s new manager – and will be perfectly placed for talks when he arrives in the UK next week.
However the Spaniard, 48, is determined to secure Belgium’s place in next year’s World Cup finals in Qatar before deciding on his next move.
Steven Gerrard remains the 5/4 favourite for the vacant Villa job with Martinez second-favourite at 9/1.
But the Belgian boss’s odds will be slashed this weekend if the world’s No.1 ranked team beat Estonia in Brussels to book their place in Qatar as unassailable Group E winners.
Martinez then heads for Wales for Belgium’s final qualifier in Cardiff on Tuesday when he may decide to make a major call on his future.
That could be the ideal opportunity for Villa to approach the Belgian FA for permission to open talks with Martinez.
GRAND DERBY
Derby County are dropping their appeal against a fixed 12-point penalty for going into administration.
An independent disciplinary commission was due to start this week and could have reduced the penalty on the grounds of Derby’s claim that Covid cause their crisis.
However that plan was shelved following talks between the Rams administrators and the EFL as both sides look to sort out the points due for administration and FFP charges.
This latest move, coming from the administrators, is also designed to help them present the club to bidders with no further questions about what future penalties could be coming.
FRANK DISCUSSION
Frank Lampard is ‘in talks’ with Norwich to become their new manager, according to reports.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Lamps held conversations with the Carrow Road board today.
However, nothing has been sealed just yet as both parties consider their decisions.
Lampard is keen to return to management following his sacking as Chelsea boss in January.
EXCLUSIVE BY STEPHEN MOYES
Man Utd’s pampered stars have a team of technicians to tune in their TVs and fix their computers when they crash, The Sun can reveal.
The multilingual handymen also put up shelves and hang pictures for the millionaire footballers.
An ad for a new “player care property technician” placed by the club also asks for candidates to have a knowledge of “foreign languages, spoken and written”.
They are required “to assist the Player Care Property Technicians with day-to-day maintenance issues, emergency breakdown attendance of equipment, house moves and general building management of players and senior management residential properties.”
The ad does not reveal salary details but similar jobs attract £30,000-a-year pay.
TOUCH OF CLASS
New Barcelona boss Xavi has revealed he was sent a special message from his former team-mate Lionel Messi.
Xavi said at his unveiling: “With Messi I have friendship, he has written to me and wished me luck, he is the best player in the world and in the history of this club.
“Of course I would have liked to train him. Like Eto’o or Ronaldinho.
“We do not have him and we can no longer think about the players who are not there.”
SAUL SEARCHING
Thomas Tuchel is facing his first test of man-management at Chelsea with frustrated Saul Niguez.
The on-loan midfielder is growing increasingly fed up at a lack of game time since signing on summer transfer deadline day.
A Spanish source told SunSport: “This is not quite what Saul was expecting. He is not stupid and doesn’t think he should play in every game, he knows it might take time to get used to English football.
“But when he hardly plays in the Premier League, how can he adapt? He has come from a big club and has played in big games before. He wants to show he can handle it.
“He is not angry, he is happy in London, as is his girlfriend. They are determined to see out the move.
“But he would like the chance to play a bit more. Being on the bench so much has come as quite a surprise.”
VAR FETCHED IDEA
VAR is like Marmite… you either love it or hate it.
But what would the Premier League table look like without the controversial officiating system?
Check it out below!
PAUL PROBLEM
Paul Pogba pulled out of a France training session after picking up a thigh injury during a shooting drill.
The Manchester United midfielder, 28, was practising his finishing in a one-on-one scenario.
He played the pass into a coach who then flicked it up on the edge of the area.
And Pogba dragged his shot wide of the post from inside the D.
But as he made contact with the ball, the World Cup winner immediately let out a groan of pain.
And after a few metres of slow, hobbled walking, Pogba keeled over in pain before limping gingerly off the pitch.
EMEN CORNER
Ex-Chelsea chief Michael Emenalo is a frontrunner for the director of football job at Newcastle, according to reports.
The Nigerian worked in various roles at Stamford Bridge between 2007 and 2017, and was also Monaco’s technical director.
According to the Telegraph, Emenalo travelled to Saudi Arabia last week for talks with Newcastle’s new owners.
The former Chelsea supremo is now ‘first choice’ for the Magpies, but a number of ‘issues’ have to be ironed out before a deal is completed.
Negotiations are expected to ‘accelerate’ during the international break.
THREE LIONS BLOW
Marcus Rashford, James Ward-Prowse, Mason Mount and Luke Shaw have not reported for England duty in a blow to Gareth Southgate.
Rashford is staying with Manchester United to focus on regaining full fitness after his recent injury issues while Southampton skipper Ward-Prowse misses out through illness.
Mount’s arrival has been delayed due to recent dental surgery and he will continue to be monitored in the coming days.
While Shaw is currently following concussion protocol at United.
ROWE YOUR BOAT
Emile Smith Rowe has been given a first call-up to England’s senior squad.
The Gunners playmaker will link up with Gareth Southgate’s men for upcoming internationals against Albania and San Marino.
Smith Rowe could even be set to line up alongside club pal Bukayo Saka for the Three Lions on Friday.
And it is a just reward for his fine form under Mikel Arteta at Arsenal this season.
OUT OF LAC
Newcastle face a fight to sign Arsenal forward Alexandre Lacazette with defending LaLiga champions Atletico Madrid keen on a free transfer, reports say.
The 30-year-old is out of contract next summer and can agree a pre-contract with foreign clubs from January 1.
And according to Spanish outlet La Razon, Atletico could turn to Lacazette as a cheaper alternative to RB Salzburg wonderkid Karim Adeyemi.
The 19-year-old is hot property and is being tracked by a number of Europe’s elite.
Atletico, however, have an issue with his price tag – which is believed to be between 30 and 40million euros.
And Lacazette on a free could be an effective short-term fix.
NEW ERA
Eddie Howe has been announced as the new Newcastle manager and will be given funds in January to strengthen his squad.
The 43-year-old will return to the dugout in two weeks for the first time in 15 months, replacing Steve Bruce.
Newcastle will welcome their new boss and league newcomers Brentford to St James’ Park on November 20.
The club tweeted: “Howe’s everyone’s Monday going so far?”
AAR YOU KIDDING ME?
Juventus are looking into TERMINATING former Arsenal star Aaron Ramsey’s contract with the midfielder not in boss Massimiliano Allegri’s plans, reports say.
The 30-year-old has played just 112 minutes of football for the Old Lady this season.
Ramsey has been played in a number of roles, but hasn’t manage to stamp down a first-team place.
And according to Calciomercato, Juve are looking into the possibility of shifting the Welsh star off the books in January.
Juve, however, realise they most likely won’t be able to sell Ramsey – so they will have to work on an agreement to cancel his contract.
BACK TO NORMAL
Prem club chiefs will this week discuss a potential return to “normal” for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
Clubs have opted to keep all match media briefings and interviews online since Project restart in June of last year.
While Watford unveiled boss Claudio Ranieri in a “real” event at Vicarage Road, that has been a rare situation.
League bosses remain aware of the consequences of a covid outbreak forcing matches to be cancelled in what is a ludicrously tight calendar with little or no room for postponed matches to be rescheduled.
All of last week’s pre-match events for non rights holders were conducted remotely, despite the mass vaccination campaign.
It has led to TV and media interviews on match days conducted through laptops with reporters sat in the stands and often struggling to hear answers because of the noise from mowers and other ground equipment.
But a potential timetable for getting back to the pre-covid world is up for discussion at Thursday’s “shareholder” meeting of the 20 clubs.
League bosses feel they have been successful in pushing the vaccination message to clubs and players, despite social media scare stories that saw some stars reluctant to get jabbed.
A full re-opening of training grounds and stadium media press conference rooms would be a further signal that the battle with the virus is being won, especially with more than 10m booster shots already given in the UK and children over 12 also receiving free injections.
The club bosses met in person for the first time since the outbreak in September and will again gather on Thursday.
Other issues include an update on the temporary rules restricting owner sponsorship of clubs amid continuing issues raised by the Newcastle takeover, the contentious “owners charter” and an expected confirmation of the next six-year US broadcast deal.
SPECIAL CON
Tottenham star Sergio Reguilon is convinced that new club boss Antonio Conte is the ‘Special One’.
The moniker belongs to Jose Mourinho who brought Reguilon to White Hart Lane, but the defender reckons Conte is also special although he’s just arrived at the club.
Reguilon said: “The gaffer is special.”
“He loves training hard but now we don’t have a lot of time to work on the things he wants on the pitch. So we did a lot of meetings with videos this week.”
FACE THE MUSIC
Xavi has been unveiled as Barcelona’s new manager – but he might not have been impressed with the choice of Nou Camp music.
The Catalan legend has made an emotional return to the club to succeed Ronald Koeman who was sacked after 14 months in charge.
The 41-year-old was unveiled to his adoring fans at the club’s stadium today.
But before he was wheeled out, the Tannoy boomed with the hit song ‘Another One Bites The Dust’.
Xavi will be hoping it is not an ominous sign with the LaLiga giants sacking four bosses in the last two years.
The Spaniard has signed a two-and-a-half year deal at Barca.
SEE YOU SOON
Denmark international Kasper Dolberg has temporarily pulled out of international duty after being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
Dolberg received the news just recently as he underwent several medical tests after “feeling a bit off the last couple of weeks”.
However, the Nice star has been reassured by doctors that with the right treatment this will have no effect on his football career.
The centre-forward is now trying to get used to the new remedy and agreed with Denmark manager Kasper Hjulmand that it would be best if he sat out the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against the Faroe Islands and Scotland
TOON TARGETS
Eddie Howe is finally set to be named Newcastle boss following the blockbuster Saudi takeover on Tyneside.
SunSport revealed the ex-Bournemouth manager is on his way to St James’ Park to put pen to paper on a new deal.
And he will be handed a transfer war chest the likes of which the club nor their new manager has ever seen before.
Reinforcements are almost certain to arrive in January as the Magpies scramble to escape the drop and aspire to European football.
Ahead of Howe’s arrival on Tyneside, two Manchester United stars Donny van de Beek and Jesse Lingard are said to be on his shortlist.
CONTE’S THE MAN
Tottenham defender Ben Davies has revealed that Spurs stars are desperate for Antonio Conte to succeed as boss.
Conte came in to replace axed head coach Nuno Espirito Santo and Davies reckons the club will get it right under the Italian’s tutelage.
Davies said: “He is a world-class manager who is going to bring his ideas in, and he is going to work us hard to make sure we do it right.
“And as players, we’re desperate to get going with him.”
“We’ve only had five days with the new boss, but I’m sure over the coming months we will be working hard and trying to be the best we can be. There is no doubt he can get us there.
“We haven’t been at our best. But he’s got an idea of how we can be there.
“I am sure after the international break we are going to be working very hard to get it right.”
PUL-ING STRINGS
New Genoa boss Andriy Shevchenko could move for Chelsea star Christian Pulisic and Manchester City ace Oleksandr Zinchenko, reports suggest.
Shevchenko replaced Davide Ballardini in the Grifone’s dugout and has his work cut out for him as the club is hovering in 17th position – just a place above the relegation zone.
According to Secolo XIX, the AC Milan legend has been reassured by the owners that investment will be made to boost his new squad.
The Ukrainian head coach is determined to raise the bar at the Luigi Ferraris with some high-profile additions and is looking into his former club Chelsea.
The 45-year-old is reportedly keeping tabs on Pulisic, who recently returned from injury.
The 2004 Ballon d’Or winner is also looking into some of Ukraine’s best following his five-year stint as the national team’s manager.
Thus, Shevchenko is also monitoring Zinchenko who is struggling for minutes at City.
LIV IT OUT
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp clashed with a reporter in his post-match interview over the referee’s decisions during Sunday’s loss at West Ham.
The Hammers ended the Reds’ club record 25-match unbeaten run across all competitions with a 3-2 victory that saw them overtaking the Merseysiders in third place.
However, Klopp appeared to be unhappy with certain decisions made by referee Craig Pawson at the London Stadium.
The German head coach appeared unhappy that a foul wasn’t awarded before Alisson’s own goal and hinted that Aaron Cresswell should have been sent off after a rough challenge on Jordan Henderson.
In an exchange with BBC Radio 5 Live, a reporter asked Klopp if Cresswell should have been sent off.
To which the German replied: “My God. I’m not your puppy. Hopefully, you have an opinion yourself. All good.”
PREM PILOT
Four Premier League clubs have been given the go-ahead to trial “safe standing” this season.
Chelsea, Spurs, Man City and Man United will be the top-flight sides taking part in the pilot in January.
The first match will be Chelsea v Liverpool on January 2.
Championship team Cardiff have also been given permission.
Standing has been illegal in the top divisions since all-seater stadiums were introduced in 1994 following the death of 97 Liverpool fans in the Hillsborough disaster.
If the trial is a success, other clubs will be able to apply for next season.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
