DEAN SMITH’S appointment has been confirmed by Norwich as the former Aston Villa boss walks straight back into a job.
The Canaries fired Daniel Farke despite him beating Brentford and they have made a move for Smith on a two-and-a-half year deal.
Jules Kounde has opened up on his failed move to Chelsea last summer.
The Sevilla centre-back, 23, told French TV: “Has my failed transfer to Chelsea this summer affected me?
“Yes, a little bit, but now it’s digested.”
Meanwhile Conor Gallagher has been called up to the England squad for the first time.
The Crystal Palace midfielder, 21, is on loan at Selhurst Park from Chelsea and has scored four goals with two assists this season.
Raheem Sterling, Jordan Henderson and Jack Grealish have left the squad.
Wales are gearing up for their final World Cup qualifier against Belgium with Robert Page’s side needing just a point to get into the playoffs.
Meanwhile Harry Kane’s future at Tottenham is still in doubt with the England star a major target for Manchester City.
Gareth Southgate’s side can secure their spot in Qatar if they draw with minnows San Marino.
We’ve also got all the latest on a potential transfer for Declan Rice as well as updates from Chelsea, who are eyeing a swoop for Attila Szalai in January.
Get all the latest football news, updates and transfer gossip below…
KALVIN HAILS RICE LINK-UP
Kalvin Phillips is ‘happy’ for his England midfield partner Declan Rice, who is having another fine season with West Ham.
The pair played a pivotal role in England reaching their first senior men’s international tournament final since 1966.
But England unfortunately fell at the final hurdle, losing to Italy on penalties at Wembley.
On Rice, Phillips said: “I love playing with Declan.
“We’re two very similar players but work in different ways when we play together.
“Declan is almost a protector in front of the back four and I’m almost a dog that goes running after people that have got the ball.
“Declan is a very good player and you can see what he’s done this season with West Ham, the way he’s playing.
“He’s only going to get better and I’m very happy for him.”
Phillips has had to make do without Rice during November’s international break, with the Hammers man pulling out through illness.
England can book their place at next year’s World Cup tonight with a win over San Marino.
STEADY EDDIE
Two of Newcastle’s first-team coaches have left the club as the Eddie Howe revolution starts to gain momentum, writes GIACOMO PISA.
Stephen Clemence and Steve Agnew have left their roles at St James’ Park as Howe continues to shake up his backroom staff.
According to The Athletic, Clemence and Agnew have departed and Howe will be joined by Jason Tindall, Stephen Purches, Simon Weatherstone and Dan Hodges.
Tindall will be his No2, with Purches and Weatherstone as first-team coaches and Hodges as head of sport science.
Interim boss Graeme Jones, who took charge of the Toon’s last three games, will stay in a coaching role though.
TAKE YOUR SEAT
The World Cup is just over a year away with England on the verge of qualifying for the tournament, writes ALEX TERRELL.
And fans will be watching the Three Lions game against San Marino tonight with thoughts of booking flights to Qatar for the massive showpiece.
They could also be joined by home nations Wales and Scotland, but the two nations are guaranteed to have to go through some tricky play-offs, which will be a lottery.
Many nations are now getting their travel plans together after qualifying for Qatar and the fans are doing the same.
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BENCH BALE
Wales will give Gareth Bale until the last minute to prove he is fit to play some part in their crunch World Cup qualifier against Belgium on Tuesday, writes MARTIN BLACKBURN.
Dragons boss Rob Page has confirmed the Real Madrid superstar will NOTbe ready to start against Roberto Martinez’s side in Cardiff.
He is feeling the effects of his 45 minute run-out against Belarus on Saturday when he also picked up a minor calf complaint.
However the hope is Bale will take his place on the bench as his country go in search of the point they need to secure second place in the group.
Ideally Wales could do with winning the game to ensure a home draw in the play-offs in March – and to avoid the likes of Portugal.
Page said: “Gareth is going to be stiff, he’s not played at any level for a couple of months, so to throw him in on Saturday was big ask.
“He’s done his own recovery and we leave it until the last minute to see if he’s able to play any minutes.
“He was never going to start. The plan was always for him to get half and then maybe come on and have impact in second.
“So we are giving him some tender loving care and we’ll make the decision late on.”
THAT’S THE ESPIRITO
Nuno Espirito Santo is desperate for a quick return to the Premier League, SunSport’s JORDAN DAVIES exclusively reveals.
But the Portuguese coach’s agent Jorge Mendes is eyeing up a move to France – with Lyon and Lille possible destinations.
Nuno lasted just four months at Tottenham after joining from Wolves in the summer – losing five of his 10 Premier League games in charge.
SunSport understands he is now open to waiting for another managerial opening in the Prem with five sackings – including his own – already being made this season.
Nuno was not in the running for the recently vacant Norwich and Aston Villa positions, taken by Dean Smith and Steven Gerrard respectively.
But super-agent Mendes – who had eyed a new role for then-Wolves boss Nuno way back in January before landing his client the Spurs job in June – believes France is more viable.
PRE-MATCH WALK
England are enjoying a nice pre-match walk ahead of tonight’s game against San Marino.
CAPTAIN KANE
Harry Kane has scored the joint most England goals at a major international tournament.
ROAD TO QATAR
Here’s England’s World Cup schedule.
VICIOUS CYCLE
Louis van Gaal was taken to hospital after falling off his bike ahead of the Netherlands’ World Cup qualifier against Norway, writes TRISTAN BARCLAY.
The ex-Manchester United boss is understood to have hurt his hip after cycling back to the team hotel after training on Sunday night.
The 70-year-old underwent a hip replacement in 2012 and is now using a wheelchair to get around following the latest prang.
The injury is not thought to be too serious though and Van Gaal was back at Netherlands training on Monday.
He was driven around in a golf buggy by coach Henk Fraser while his other assistant Danny Blind took the warm-up.
STAT ATTACK
Harry Kane’s hat-trick against Albania took his World Cup qualifying tally up to five.
England can seal their place at next year’s World Cup with a win over San Marino tonight.
‘HAPPY FOR HIM’
Kalvin Phillips is ‘happy’ for his England midfield partner Declan Rice, who is having another fine season with West Ham.
The pair played a pivotal role in England reaching their first senior men’s international tournament final since 1966.
But England unfortunately fell at the final hurdle, losing to Italy on penalties at Wembley.
On Rice, Phillips said: “I love playing with Declan.
“We’re two very similar players but work in different ways when we play together.
“Declan is almost a protector in front of the back four and I’m almost a dog that goes running after people that have got the ball.
“Declan is a very good player and you can see what he’s done this season with West Ham, the way he’s playing.
“He’s only going to get better and I’m very happy for him.”
Phillips has had to make do without Rice during November’s international break, with the Hammers man pulling out through illness.
England can book their place at next year’s World Cup tonight with a win over San Marino.
ONE TO GO
England are almost at the finish line.
One game to go against San Marino and the Three Lions have booked their place at next year’s winter World Cup.
Unless a shock upset is on the cards.
BAST KNOWS BEST
Bastian Schweinsteiger has claimed that Manchester United’s David De Gea was fuming when he told him he wasn’t better than Manuel Neuer, writes GEORGE MOORE.
Schweinsteiger, 37, played alongside De Gea at Man Utd for just under two seasons and recently recounted when the Spaniard asked for his opinion.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Schweinsteiger said: “When I first came to Manchester United De Gea said, ‘Tell me, am I better than Neuer?’
“I was like ‘No, you’re not. It is a different level.’ He was angry, but I explained why.
“Whenever he had a great game he would ask me again, I would still say he wasn’t on that level.”
TOON TCHOU CHASE
Monaco midfield sensation Aurelien Tchouameni has reportedly been promised a move next summer, with Newcastle the latest club to emerge as a potential destination, writes GIACOMO PISA.
Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and a host of Europe’s top clubs have also been linked with a transfer for the £43million rated French international.
But now Newcastle have ‘entered the scene,’ according to outlet El Nacional.
The mega-rich Saudi owners have ‘planned’ a lucrative package to offer both Tchouameni himself and his club Monaco.
And the youngster may well be tempted by a move to Tyneside.
A move to the Toon would make the 21-year-old the star of the show, with the Tchouameni keen to play a prominent role at his next club.
He has his eyes firmly set on a 2022 World Cup spot with France, and a move to Stamford Bridge or a fellow European giant would not guarantee the same playing time that he would enjoy at Newcastle.
STRICTLY BUSINESS
England Boss Gareth Southgate insists it’s business as usual, no matter what opponent they face.
Ahead of San Marino tonight, he said: “We set a very high standard of performance the other night and we have got to continue that.
“We want to make sure the team we start with is a statement that we’re here to do business, that we’re taking this seriously.
“No matter what the opponent, we are thinking about having the right balance and leadership.”
NDIDI LINKED
Man Utd will make a move for Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, according to reports.
Mundo Deportivo are reporting that United will move for the £60million Real Madrid target.
The 24-year-old defensive midfielder is one of the best in his position in the Premier League.
And it’s an area which Man Utd are desperate to improve.
FRENCH CONNECTION
Manchester United are hoping Cristiano Ronaldo’s close relationship with Zinedine Zidane will be enough to tempt the French legend to take over at the club, writes TRISTAN BARCLAY.
United have reportedly contacted the former Real Madrid boss about replacing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Old Trafford.
Ronaldo and new United man Raphael Varane won a hatful of trophies during Zidane’s two spells at the Bernabeu between 2016 and May this year.
And the Red Devils are said to be leaning on these ties in a bid to bring the 49-year-old to the Premier League.
Current boss Solskjaer is limping from one game to the next as United languish down in sixth with four defeats already this season.
Their most recent outing came in a dire 2-0 defeat by crosstown rivalsManchester City.
Old Trafford bosses are split over whether or not the Norwegian can turn things around.
JUVE GOT TO GO
Aaron Ramsey is reportedly eyeing a Premier League return in January, writes ETIENNE FERMIE.
The Welshman left Arsenal to join Juventus on a free transfer in 2019.
ut it hasn’t worked out for the midfielder in Turin, with Ramsey having struggled to become a regular under Maurizio Sarri, Andrea Pirlo and now Massimiliano Allegri.
The 30-year-old is thought to be unhappy with Juve’s training methods, and reckons they are a key factor why he has sustained so many injuries.
According to the Mail, Ramsey wants to have returned to England by the time Wales potentially enter the World Cup qualifying play-offs in March.
He won’t be short of suitors in the Premier League.
But they add that he will need to agree to a substantial wage cut from a reported £400,000-a-week at Juve.
NOR BLIMEY
Norwich have confirmed the appointment of Dean Smith on a two-and-a-half year contract, writes ETIENNE FERMIE.
The Canaries have moved quickly to snap up Smith after the 50-year-old was sacked by boyhood club Aston Villa last week.
After being announced as Daniel Farke’s replacement, the former Villa boss admitted it has been a ‘whirlwind week’.
Smith will be joined the dugout by No2 Craig Shakespeare, after the pair were selected by Canaries sporting director Stuart Webber to lead their battle against the drop.
DEEP END
Alternatively, Conor Gallagher – who was called up for the game due to England’s injury crisis – could be thrown in at the deep end.
But the midfielder has proved at Crystal Palace this season that he doesn’t shy away from the big occasions. Just ask Pep Guardiola.
Tyrone Mings and Conor Coady are Southgate’s reliable back-up centre-backs and they could be handed a start.
YOUNG LIONS
England could book their place at next year’s World Cup by playing their youngest team in 62 years against San Marino today, writes JOSHUA MBU.
Boss Gareth Southgate has limited players to pick from with a number of key stars missing through injury or illness.
Jack Grealish and Jordan Henderson are two of the latest casualties who are likely to miss Monday’s game.
But the injuries could pave the way for England to field their youngest team in 62 years.
The average age of SunSport’s ‘likely’ XI is 23 years and 243 days.
Should Southgate pick that line-up, it will be the Three Lions’ youngest since November 1959 when they took on Northern Ireland.
And the average age of that line-up was just 23 years and 59 days.
‘BROX CLEVER
Rangers should consider having Michael Carrick as their next manager, says Charlie Adam.
The defending Scottish champions are currently searching for a replacement boss after Steven Gerrard’s dramatic exit to Aston Villa.
Carrick, 40, is currently working as a first-team coach at Manchester United.
After retiring from a glittering playing career in Manchester, the five-time Premier League winner became a key member of the backroom staff.
Talking to BBC Radio Scotland, ex-Rangers and Liverpool man Adam advised Rangers to think about Carrick.
He said: “I’ll throw a name in the hat. Michael Carrick – he has been at Man United, a big club, good coach.
“It was a gamble with Steven.
“Will they go down that same route? Will they go for an experienced name? There will only be three or four people that know.”
FOOTBALL ROUND-UP
Harry Kane and Harry Maguire are itching to play at San Marino tonight as England aim to seal their World Cup qualification with an emphatic win.
Striker Kane is one short of George Hilsdon’s 12-goal calendar record for the Three Lions, set in 1908.
And centre-back Maguire wants to bury even deeper his recent struggles with Manchester United after heading the opener in England’s 5-0 win over Albania on Friday night.
But with the Three Lions needing just a point against the 210th and worst-ranked international team, boss Gareth Southgate seems sure to make changes.
Southgate said: “We set a very high standard of performance the other night and we have got to continue that.
“We want to make sure the team we start with is a statement that we’re here to do business, that we’re taking this seriously.
“No matter what the opponent, we are thinking about having the right balance and leadership.”
On the transfer front, Chelsea are reportedly targeting Juventus central defender Matthijs De Ligt, 22, Manchester United defensive target Jules Kounde, 23, and Napoli frontman Lorenzo Insigne, 30.
Wolves face a fight to keep forward Hwang Hee-Chan, with Liverpool and Manchester City tracking the South Korean hero who is on loan from RB Leipzig.
Finally, Italy hero Gianluigi Donnarumma is ‘hurt’ and ‘disturbed’ at struggling to displace Keylor Navas as PSG No1.
£140bn QATAR WORLD CUP LIKE NO OTHER
IMAGINE a World Cup that took place in the distance between Selhurst Park and Kenilworth Road, writes MARTIN LIPTON.
That is exactly what will happen when the 2022 World Cup kicks off in Qatar on November 21 next year.
Eight stadiums all within the space of 41 miles, the distance between Crystal Palace and Luton’s football grounds.
One hour along the four-lane motorways from the Bedouin Tent design of Al Bayt in the north to the 40,000-capacity Al Janoub in the south.
Seven of the eight grounds are accessible in 50 minutes or so by Doha’s new £26billion Metro system.
All in a city that has grown from nothing to a teeming metropolis in barely two decades, funded by the world’s third-largest natural gas field and ensuring the most compact World Cup ever.
Many England fans, who are contemplating a journey to the Gulf to cheer on Gareth Southgate’s players, will have deep scepticism over why the world’s most eagerly anticipated sports event is taking place in a country half the size of Wales.
That will never go away. Nor will the questions over what has happened since that vote by the 22 members of Fifa’s executive committee in December 2010.
READ OUR FULL SPECIAL REPORT HERE
RON’S WORLD CUP SPOT IN DOUBT
Cristiano Ronaldo is in danger of missing out on what could be his last World Cup after Portugal dropped into the play-offs.
The Euro 2016 winners were stunned by Serbia in Lisbon as the visitors came back from behind to win 2-1 to finish top of Group A and seal their place in Qatar next year.
Manchester United star Ronaldo was reduced to tears after the full-time with the 36-year-old to potentially fail to play in a fifth World Cup.
He remarked in 2016: “I expect Qatar could be my final World Cup.
“I often go on holidays there, to Qatar as well as Dubai. I am happy because for sure it will be [my] last international tournament.”
Fernando Santos’ side went into Sunday night’s match needing only a point to qualify, but fell to a dramatic stoppage time goal from Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic.
Portugal got off to the perfect start at the Estadio da Luz after Renato Sanches broke the deadlock in the second minute.
But Serbia equalised just after the half-hour mark through Dusan Tadic after his deflected effort squirmed through the hands of Rui Patricio.
And Mitrovic sparked wild scenes in the 90th minute after he nodded home Tadic’s corner in what was his 44th goal on the international stage.
A huge bundle occurred by the corner flag as players and staff celebrated in style as Serbia beat their opponents for the first time in their history.
The result is Portugal’s first loss of their World Cup qualifying campaign, while Serbia failed to taste defeat in their eight fixtures.
Portugal will now have to win in their play-off tie in March to book their place in next year’s global tournament.
As it stands, only Sweden, Scotland, Russia and North Macedonia have secured a play-off spot alongside Portugal.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
