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    Ange Postecoglou ‘set to leave Tottenham whether or not they win Europa League’ as replacement shortlist emerges

    ANGE POSTECOGLOU is set to be sacked by Tottenham even if they win the Europa League, according to reports.Spurs are in the midst of a disastrous Premier League season and they are currently sat a dismal 16th in the table.Ange Postecoglou is set to leave Spurs in the summerCredit: AlamyMonday night’s 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest was their 18th loss – and they are now just one away from matching their record of 19 defeats suffered in the 2003-04 campaign.But the season can still be saved by ending the club’s 17-year wait for silverware via the Europa League.Postecoglou’s men saw off Eintracht Frankfurt in the quarter-finals to set up a last-four tie with Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt. But lifting the Europa League on May 21 will reportedly not be enough to keep the Aussie in the job.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe Telegraph claim that Spurs have decided they are going to axe Postecoglou whether they win the cup or not.Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola is highly-rated by Tottenham chiefs, but the Cherries are determined and “optimistic” of keeping him.Fulham manager Marco Silva is also among the leading candidates to replace Postecoglou.Mauricio Pochettino has expressed his interest in returning to Tottenham – although he is set to manage the US team at their home World Cup next summer.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSSpurs technical director Johan Lange is understood to be a fan of Brentford’s Thomas Frank.It comes amid reports that their chief football officer Scott Munn is set to be sacked.Nottingham Forest star Harry Toffolo reveals ‘I might go throw up’ after downing six pickle juices during Tottenham clashMunn is said to be Postecoglou’s “key ally and biggest supporter”.Before beating Eintracht Frankfurt, the under-fire boss opened up about his future and admitted he has “got no idea” whether he will be at Spurs next season.He said: “You either think I’m capable of doing the job now or you don’t. That’s where I sit with these things.“If people think that us winning tomorrow all of a sudden makes me a better manager than what I am today or us losing tomorrow somehow makes me a worse manager, I guess that’s their burden, not mine.“I don’t think that way and I don’t think most people think that way. Or I’d like to think they don’t, in terms of their own sort of self esteem and who they are as people.“I couldn’t care less. Really. I couldn’t care less.Read More on The Sun“There’s no burden on me, there’s no anxiety on me. What I’m sitting here doing is thinking we’ve got a great opportunity to get to the final four of a major tournament.“Mate, I’m not going to let that slip by without fighting tooth and nail for it irrespective of what may come the day after.”Andoni Iraola is a leading candidate for the Spurs jobCredit: GettyMauricio Pochettino could return, but he is preparing for the World Cup with the USCredit: Getty More

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    Man City handed date for latest legal battle against the Premier League but face another huge delay

    MANCHESTER CITY have been handed a date for their latest legal battle against the Premier League.But the Etihad outfit will have to wait another SIX MONTHS before their attempt to overturn the rulebook is heard.City’s legal battle with the Premier League is set to rumble on for at least the rest of this yearCredit: GettyCity lawyers are arguing that the latest version of the Prem’s Associated Party Transaction rules are invalid.Those rules were brought in after a contentious decision of the 20 top flight clubs in November, when Chelsea and Manchester United were among those switching sides to back the League as the new measures went through by 16 votes to four.And despite the significant ramifications, if the final ruling goes against the Prem, the matter has been listed for an arbitration hearing in October – meaning no ultimate decision is likely until Christmas if not later.Prem boss Richard Masters announced City were challenging the new regulations in February, just a week before they won a major victory over the previous set of rules that had been introduced in 2023.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAn arbitration panel of three senior former Judges determined the “unlawful” rules – relating to sponsorship and other deals with companies related to a club’s owners – could not be fixed by a series of “discrete” tweaks.That came after City accused Masters of making “misleading” statements and asking rival clubs if they could trust the League leadership.Despite the Panel ruling, Prem legal advisers have told the clubs that issues in the regulations have been fixed by the November revisions.City, though, remain convinced that a decision not to look retrospectively at the “shareholder loans” to clubs – money lent by the owner and often at low or zero interest rates – is not legally viable.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSLord Pannick KC, who has led City’s fight against the “115” allegations of rule breaches between 2009-10 and 2022-23 has also represented them on the APT challenge.Both sides and English football as a whole are still in the dark over when the verdict of the 12-week hearing that started in October will be announced.Pep Guardiola gives Jack Grealish update as Man City star ‘slapped’ after Manchester derby Despite the second APT case being heard by the same legal trio who ruled in City’s favour in February, which was expected to expedite matters, it could be eight months or more, and certainly deep into next season, before clubs will know if their rulebook is legitimate. More

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    How Chelsea lost £354k a day for 10 years… but can can splash the cash on transfers

    CHELSEA have somehow managed to burn through an eye-watering £1.291billion over the past decade, and yet, they still look financially fit.According to The Athletic, the west London giants have lost a staggering £354,000 a day, every single day for 10 years.Chelsea have lost a staggering £354,000 a day under co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad EghbaliCredit: GettySince taking over from Roman Abramovich, who wasn’t shy about splashing the cash either — the new owners have blown over £1bn on players alone.They’re already on their third permanent manager, after binning Thomas Tuchel just three months into the new era. Graham Potter and Mauricio Pochettino have also come and gone, with hefty compensation packages in tow.So how have Chelsea pulled this off?One word: creativity and a bit of financial wizardry.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThey’ve been dishing out eight-year deals to players, spreading the cost across the contract and keeping things neat on the balance sheet.The Athletic also reports that the club have stayed within the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules by selling assets, to themselves.They flogged the women’s team to another entity within their ownership group, raising £200m and magically booking a £198.7m profit. That cheeky move turned what would’ve been another big loss into a £128.4m pre-tax profit.BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSBefore that, they sold two hotels and a car park to a sister company, pulling in £76.5m in 2023 – just in time to help them pass that year’s PSR test.Most read in FootballAdd it all up, and Chelsea turned what could’ve been financial disaster into a £275.2m profit. Technically above board, cleverly within the rules.How Enzo Maresca can transform Chelsea to challenge for Premier League titleWhat the PSR sayThe Prem’s PSR rules are simple, clubs can’t lose more than £105m over three seasons, excluding certain deductions.Did Chelsea really need to sell the women’s team?Let’s assume the hotel sale was accepted in the 2023 accounts. That still left Chelsea with £281.8m in losses over the 2022–2024 PSR cycle-way beyond the £105m limit.However, deductions like depreciation on non-football assets £43.5m and £41.4m spent on the women’s team come off that total. Add in some leeway for community spending and other allowable costs, and suddenly it’s not such a huge gap.On paper, Chelsea are still in the green.But UEFA wont be that friendly. UEFA play by stricter rules.Their version of Financial Fair Play only allows for £68m in losses , and they frown upon sales to sister companies.That wipes away the £275m accounting trick, and leaves Chelsea on shaky ground.UEFA also limit player amortisation to five years – meaning that £100m man Moises Caicedo, who was signed on an eight-year deal, adds £7.5m more per year to the UEFA books.So, while Chelsea might be surviving the Premier League’s scrutiny, they’re in a much tighter spot when it comes to Europe.Where the wage bill stands ?Chelsea’s wage bill for 2023–24 was a whopping £338m, still the fourth-highest in the league, and just £2.2m down on 2021–22.In between, it peaked at £404m, one of only two English clubs ever to go above the £400m mark.That included payouts to Tuchel and Potter, plus their coaching crews. Pochettino’s exit added more.The club are also massive employers – admin staff rose from 646 to 773, making them the third-biggest employer in English football, just behind United and Liverpool.Despite a nine per cent revenue drop, the wage-to-turnover ratio improved slightly to 72 per cent, down from 79 per cent. Strip out Poch’s payoff, and it drops to 70 per cent — still only the 12th best in the league.What do Chelsea need badly to keep going?Read More on The SunChampions League football – urgently.Like many of England’s top clubs, Chelsea need the UEFA money to keep day-to-day losses in check. Without it, the creative accounting may not be enough to keep the lights on.Join SUN CLUB for the Chelsea Files every Tuesday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Stamford Bridge More

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    Cole Palmer currently most popular recruit ahead of Gameweek 33 despite disappointing form

    WHAT to do with Cole Palmer (£5m)?Many Dream Team managers are asking themselves that very question this week.Palmer’s form has dropped off in the second half of the seasonCredit: Dream TeamIt’s early days but Chelsea’s talisman is currently the most popular recruit ahead of Gameweek 33 despite his disappointing form.Palmer seemed refreshed when he returned from injury after the injury break with a bright performance against Tottenham in Gameweek 29.He provided the assist for Enzo Fernandez’s (£4.1m) winner that day as part of an eight-point return in what proved to be a frustrating false dawn.Since then, the England international has mustered just 14 points from five outings.Palmer has been frustrated in recent monthsCredit: ReutersMore broadly, he’s produced 69 points since the start of Gameweek 20 at a modest rate of 4.3 points-per-game.This 16-game run has featured four assists but zero goals.The last time Palmer appeared on the scoresheet was against Bournemouth on January 14th.So why is he experiencing a popularity increase ahead of Gameweek 33?Most read in FootballFor the answer, Dream Team bosses need to look at the Match Centre rather than the Stats Centre.Maresca has to balance a tight league situation with European trophy hopesCredit: AlamyChelsea are one of just four teams with four fixtures to fulfil across the next two Gameweeks.On Saturday, the Blues will host Everton in the Premier League before travelling to Sweden to face Djurgarden in the first leg of their Conference League semi-final on Thursday.Then in Gameweek 34, Enzo Maresca’s side welcome Liverpool to Stamford Bridge before hosting the second leg of their European tie.It’s understandable why gaffers hoping to target the remaining European fixtures are enthused by the prospect of Palmer being unleashed upon Djurgarden.With all due respect to the Swedish outfit, they have to be considered far more favourable opponents than PSG, who await Arsenal in Gameweeks 33 and 34.Elsewhere, Manchester United and Spurs are up against Athletic Bilbao and Bodo Glimt respectively in the Europa League but Dream Team bosses are naturally suspicious of two under-performing teams languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League.Chelsea are Conference League favouritesCredit: APChelsea have not been at their best for quite some time but they sit in sixth – worlds apart from the misery endured by fans of Man United and Spurs this season.Despite a disappointing defeat to Legia Warsaw in the second leg of their quarter-final, the West Londoners remain strong favourites to lift the Conference League trophy.There’s little doubt that Chelsea’s schedule combined with Palmer’s mightily impressive overall record (290 points) aligns nicely.But his form has become a major concern.Read More on The SunPalmer is feeling the love from Dream Team managers this weekCredit: GettyBoth Bryan Mbeumo (£4.5m) and Morgan Rogers (£4.5m) leapfrogged Palmer at the weekend, knocking the 22-year-old down to fourth in midfield rankings.Gaffers with Palmer in their ranks should almost certainly stick by him but those without him have a big decision to make when they come to confirm their transfers.Score PredictorPlay Score Predictor with Dream Team this season!FREE to play£250 weekly prizePredict scores of five selected Premier League fixtures and earn points for accuracyMost points wins weekly cash prizePLAY NOW More

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    Major Mykhailo Mudryk update as banned Chelsea star ‘passes lie detector test’ in bid to clear his name

    MYKHAILO MUDRYK has passed a lie detector test in a bid to clear his name as a drugs cheat, it is claimed.The troubled Chelsea star is currently suspended while awaiting a further result on a urine sample which tested positive for the banned substance meldonium.Mykhailo Mudryk has not played for Chelsea since NovemberCredit: APMudryk signed from Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk two years ago and the CEO of his former club says the player underwent a Polygraph test organised by his lawyers.Sergei Palkin said: “I have spoken to Mudryk many times since this doping issue arose.”He doesn’t understand how it could have happened. He has no clue. No idea at all.“So his lawyers organised for him to take a lie detector test, which he passed. It will form part of the evidence showing he didn’t intentionally do anything wrong.READ MORE ON CHELSEA”Mudryk has been clear, it’s not his fault that he tested positive. We now need to find out how this has happened, and who did this. His lawyers are trying to find out.”Unknowingly taking banned substances is no defence and Mudryk faces a ban of up to four years.He has not played since November 28 last year when he scored for Chelsea against Germans Heidenheim in the Conference League.Traces of meldonium were discovered in a routine urine sample submitted while on international duty.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKPalkin admits his club is on Mudryk’s side because they are still owed money as part of the transfer deal which could rise to £88m with add ons but only if he plays regularly.Mudryk, 24, has disappeared from public view since news broke of him failing a drugs test. He has not been seen at Chelsea’s training ground for months.Chelsea star Mykhailo Mudryk facing FOUR YEAR ban after failing drugs testUkrainian football has been ravaged by the invasion of neighbours Russia in 2022, leaving many clubs in dire financial straits.Palkin told GiveMeSport: “There are still no results from the B-sample, so that remains open. Nobody knows what’s happened. I wish Mudryk all the best. He’s a top professional and a very good person. He should be protected.”Shakhtar also has a vested interest. There are bonuses from his move to Chelsea linked to his performances.“If he’s not playing, it causes problems for us because we could potentially lose €30m (£25m). So Shakhtar, Chelsea and Mudryk, we are in one boat. We all support Mudryk, and hope he is allowed to continue playing football soon.“Selling Mudryk to Chelsea was a crucial deal for us.“Without the Mudryk fee, I don’t understand how we would have settled many, many, many issues.”Join SUN CLUB for the Chelsea Files every Tuesday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Stamford BridgeHow long are drugs bans in football?By SunSport’s Joshua JonesMYKHAILO MUDRYK could be banned for up to four years after failing a drugs testBut what are the rules regarding drugs in football?There is a big difference between recreational drugs and performance-enhancing substances.Recreational drugs – such as cannabis, cocaine, heroin, LSD and MDMA – carry a six-month suspension.However, this ban can increase to up to two years if a drug is detected when a player is tested after a match.But performance-enhancing drugs carry a far more severe punishment.And crucially the alleged drug Mudryk tested positive for, meldonium, falls under that category.The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code’s standard ban is four years.That is how long Paul Pogba was suspended for following his failed drugs test – although it was later reduced on appeal to 18 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.The FA follows the UK Anti-Doping code under the WADA authority so will follow their lead and procedures.Should Mudryk’s follow-up secondary ‘B’ sample also test positive, he is likely to be hit with at least an 18-month ban but it could be as high as four years.The only person in football currently banned on the UKAD sanctions list for anti-doping rule violations is Craig Campbell.The former Scottish striker was banned for four years in December 2022 after being convicted of dealing cocaine.  More

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    Ex-Man Utd star Jesse Lingard tells grandad’s sex abuse trial he’d ‘block daughter from seeing him if claims were true’

    FOOTBALLER Jesse Lingard today told his grandad’s sex abuse trial that he would block his daughter from seeing him if the claims were true.The ex-Man Utd star is giving evidence after Kenneth Lingard, 86, was accused of sexually assaulting a woman from the age of five until she was 19.Jesse Lingard has given evidence at his grandad’s sex abuse trialCredit: PAKenneth Lingard allegedly assaulted a woman from the age of fiveCredit: PAShe reported the alleged historic abuse to the police after watching a Channel 4 documentary that featured Jesse.The England star, 32, had praised his grandfather’s influence on his career in the show.Jesse, who flew in from South Korea where plays for FC Seoul, told Liverpool Crown Court the woman contacted him after the documentary came out.He said: “She was just going on about the documentary and how I let him be part of it when he’s done those things.Read more news”I was like ‘what are you on about, I have not heard nothing about this’.”Jesse said the woman told him she was going to call the police – prompting him to tell her: “Call them if you want”.He told jurors she “popped out of nowhere” and that is was “kind of random”.Jesse also said he would have “cut ties” with his grandad straight away if he knew anything about the abuse allegations.Most read in FootballHe added: “My daughter wouldn’t be round there. My little sister wouldn’t be round there.”Jesse, who scored in FC Seoul’s 2-1 loss on Saturday against Gwangju, said the trial has caused a few of his sponsorship deals to fall through.He also told the court he had lived with his grandparents from the age of two or three and that Lingard was very supportive of his career.The footballer said: “He basically taught me football, taught all the skills, drove me up and down motorways from Liverpool to Manchester, Crewe, Barnsley, Stoke, to watch me play football.”He’s been the man that’s got me here today.”Jurors previously heard the woman messaged Jesse three times on November 18, 2022, after the show aired.In one text, she said: “Shame on you Jesse Lingard. Loads of lies. Your grandad Kenneth Lingard molested and sexually abused me and you know he did.”You did the documentary for money and to make yourself some kind of mental health ambassador. Well, as you say, I’m speaking out. No more silence.”In another, she referred Jesse hiding a “dark” secret that his grandfather was a “paedophile” and “child molester”.She also branded the former England star’s late grandmother Pamela an “enabler”.The woman claimed he had “no right doing that documentary” when his grandfather had “molested” her for years.Jurors also heard calls she made to police on the day Jesse Lingard — The Untold Story was aired.She asked officers how she could get someone “arrested for child abuse but historic child abuse?”The woman also told police she “thought it was time to speak out about the abuse I had received” after watching the show.She added: “It just made me feel ill that he was made out to be such a hero.”Read More on The SunLingard, of Warrington, has denied 17 counts of indecent assault.The trial continues.Lingard flew in from South Korea to give evidenceCredit: Getty More

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    Lotte Wubben-Moy eager to step things up in next chapter of Arsenal career after signing new deal with WSL giants

    LOTTE WUBBEN-MOY has vowed to make the “next chapter” of her Arsenal career count after signing a new contract with the club. The England defender’s new deal is claimed to be a three-year one according to BBC Sport.Lotte Wubben-Moy she feels pride and excitement at extending her career with ArsenalCredit: GettyThe Gunners defender has made 143 senior appearances for Arsenal and scored ten timesCredit: GettyWubben-Moy’s team hope to overturn a one-goal deficit in their second leg Champions League semi-final duel with LyonCredit: GettyThe WSL ace, 26, who has made 143 Gunners appearances, rose through the ranks of the club’s youth system before making her senior debut at 16. This season has seen Wubben-Moy’s moments on the pitch at times disrupted by injuries.So far this term Wubben-Moy, who captained her club’s development side during her youth career, has played in nine WSL games and two in the Champions League.In February a muscle problem led to her withdrawing from England’s camp ahead of the Lionesses’ Nations League duels with Portugal and Spain. Read More Football Stories However the defender, whose side will play Lyon away this Saturday in a Champions League second-leg semis duel,  returned to training this month. And the lifelong Arsenal fan could be set for more game time with her team currently three points behind WSL leaders Chelsea ahead of their final three league games this term. Of her new deal Wubben-Moy said: “I feel a huge amount of pride, excitement and optimism to once again put pen to paper at this special football club. “Arsenal is the club I want to win with and I feel this new contract comes at a time in my career where my ambitions are matched by my abilities on the pitch. Most read in Football”I’m determined to make this next chapter count.”Gunners boss Renée Slegers added: “We’re so happy that Lotte has signed a new contract. “Lotte is a top defender who has shown significant progression in recent years. “She will continue to play an important role as we pursue our shared goal of competing for the highest honours in the game.”Before commencing her second stint at Arsenal, Wubben-Moy spent two years in the United States’ college soccer systems playing for North Carolina University side Tar Heels. Since her return to the Gunners in 2020 the London-born defender has won three League Cups and one FA Cup with the club. Away from the pitch Wubben-Moy is an active supporter of a number of sports-related causes focused including providing girls with more opportunities to play football. Following England’s triumph at the 2022 Women’s Euros she helped to coordinate an open letter from the Lionesses to Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak, when they were Conservative leaders candidates, The letter called for girls to have access to at least two hours of sports classes including football training. Wubben-Moy’s new deal comes in a month which Arsenal hope to reach the Women’s Champions League final for the first time in 18 years.Credit: Alamy Clare Wheatley, Arsenal women’s football director said: “Lotte is a wonderful role model for all young players. Read More on The Sun”She is an example of how hard work, strong values and determination are the platform for success. “We know that she will continue to give all of herself to Arsenal Football Club, both on pitch and of course in her consistent support of our wider community.” More

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    Theory emerges over why Darwin Nunez hasn’t started a game for Liverpool for weeks as transfer agreement revealed

    DARWIN NUNEZ has fallen out of favour at Liverpool in recent months.The 25-year-old has started just eight of the club’s 30 Premier League games so far this season.Darwin Nunez has started just eight Premier League games this seasonCredit: GettyArne Slot criticised the striker’s work rate earlier this yearCredit: AlamyHe also has just five Champions League starts to his name.Liverpool boss Arne Slot was highly critical of his work rate earlier this year.In February, he said: “I helped him by saying you can miss a chance.”I wasn’t only hard on him. But for the second time in a row I wasn’t happy with his work effort, against Wolves and against Villa.READ MORE IN SPORT”I can’t accept if a player doesn’t give everything. That is clear. I can accept it once, but twice was a bit too much. That’s why I addressed it.”The striker has started just one Premier League match since then, fuelling rumours that he may leave Anfield this summer.But a report from Portuguese outlet A Bola has appeared to suggest that there could be another reason for his lack of game time.Nunez has started 49 Prem and Champions League games combined for Liverpool since joining from Benfica in an £85million transfer almost three years ago.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSReports in Portugal have claimed that the Reds could be forced to pay Benfica another £4.3million when he makes his 50th start.Despite the little-known clause, many Liverpool fans believe that Nunez remains out of the starting line-up due to his form.Sky Sports presenter praised by fans after rarely-seen move in interview with Liverpool matchwinner Darwin NunezThe striker has managed just seven goals in 42 appearances across all competitions this season.He also has seven assists to his name. More