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    Jack Grealish ‘dropped from Manchester City squad for final game of season’ as £100m man edges closer to transfer exit

    JACK GREALISH has been dropped from Manchester City’s squad to face Fulham this afternoon.Pep Guardiola’s side need a point to guarantee Champions League qualification for next season.Jakc Grealish has largely been stuck on the bench with City this termCredit: GettyGrealish, 29, has fallen out of favour this term, starting just one Prem match in 2025.According to the Telegraph, the former Aston Villa star will not feature at all at Craven Cottage.SunSport revealed yesterday that Grealish believes he may have to leave City in order to force his way back into the England set-up.The attacker was left out of Thomas Tuchel’s latest squad announced on Friday.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLGrealish is set to for summer talks with City chiefs in order to determine his future.The 39-cap star has two years remaining on his contract at the Etihad.Guardiola opted to leave the former £100million man on the bench even as his side chased an equaliser in last week’s FA Cup final.The City boss instead turned to 19-year-old Claudio Echeverri, despite the Argentine having been yet to play since his February arrival.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSGuardiola recently pleaded for City chiefs to trim his squad ahead of next season.The 54-year-old admitted: “I said to the club I don’t want that [a bigger squad].’I will quit’ – Pep Guardiola gives Man City ultimatum over squad issue that is ‘impossible for my soul'”I don’t want to leave five or six players in the freezer. I don’t want that. I will quit. Make a shorter squad, I will stay.”It’s impossible for my soul to [tell] my players in the tribune [stands] that they cannot play.”Grealish’s availability is set to spark transfer interest this summer.But his £300,000 a week wages may provide a hefty stumbling block.The England hopeful could even go out on loan in a bid for first team football. More

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    Gary Neville being banned by Nottingham Forest ‘triggered widespread alarm’ as Premier League and Sky hold urgent talks

    THE Premier League and Sky Sports have engaged in high-level talks following Nottingham Forest’s controversial decision to ban Gary Neville.Sky had initially planned for Neville to be at the City Ground for this afternoon’s crucial clash between Forest and Chelsea.Gary Neville will not feature on this afternoon’s coverageCredit: GettyEvangelos Marinakis spoke to Nuno Espirito Santo on the pitch after the recent draw with LeicesterCredit: AFPThey were later informed by Forest that Neville, 50, would be denied accreditation for the match.According to the Mail, the decision has prompted “alarm” among broadcasters and the Premier League.The latest domestic TV deal saw Sky land four of five packages as they and TNT Sports combined for a four-year, £6.7billion contract.Further talks have reportedly been set, with the Premier League, Sky Sports and TNT Sports all concerned over the precedent set by Forest’s decision.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLNeville recently criticised Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, calling the Greek’s on-pitch row with boss Nuno Espirito Santo “scandalous”.Marinakis claimed to have been seething following the 2-2 draw with already-relegated rivals Leicester due to the decision to initially allow Taiwo Awoniyi to keep playing following a worrying collision with the post.Awoniyi was later placed in an induced coma after requiring surgery on a ruptured intestine.Neville posted at the time: “What the Forest owner has just done on the pitch over at the City Ground is absolutely scandalous.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”If I was Nuno, I’d be going and having a very strong word with him, because that is an absolute scandal.”He’s just qualified them for a European competition, and from where that club’s been, and to be remonstrated with on that pitch in front of the club’s fans is an absolute joke.”Jamie Carragher in huge row with Gary Neville over Arsenal title prediction and striker claimNeville later responded to Forest’s decision on social media.The former Manchester United star wrote: “I was contacted by Sky Sports earlier on in the week and told that I would be commentating at the City Ground on Sunday for the Nottingham Forest v Chelsea match.”I was informed yesterday by Sky Sports that Nottingham Forest would not give me an accreditation or access to the stadium as a co-commentator. I’ve had no choice but to withdraw from the coverage.”I’ve dished out my fair share of criticism and praise in the last 14 years of doing this job and have never come close to this unprecedented action.”‘IT’S DISAPPOINTING’He continued: “Personally, I think it’s disappointing that a great club like Nottingham Forest have been reduced to making such a decision.”Whilst they have every right to choose who they let into their own stadium, it’s symptomatic of things that have happened over the last 12 months with the club.”I wish the coaching staff, players and fans of the club all the best in their quest to achieve Champions League football.”Neville’s post received several laughing emojis from Jamie Carragher.While his pal David Beckham cheekily added: “Must of (sic) been something to do with that 7-1 game back in the day,” followed by a laughing emoji.A Sky Sports spokesperson went on to reveal to SunSport that they had been forced into ripping up their coverage plans for the match.They said: “Sky Sports was subsequently informed by Nottingham Forest that Gary Neville would be denied accreditation to the match.Read More on The Sun“This was an unprecedented and unwelcome step.”As a result, Sky Sports has decided to revise its production plans and has taken the decision to present the game from Sky Studios in west London.” More

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    Reason Gary Lineker does not plan to do much TV after leaving MOTD revealed

    GARY LINEKER does not plan to do much telly work after leaving the BBC and will instead concentrate on his popular podcasts.After 26 years as Match Of The Day host, he will present his final highlights show tonight covering the last day of the Premier League season.Gary Lineker does not plan to do much telly work after leaving the BBC and will instead concentrate on his popular podcastsCredit: GettyLineker was due to cover next year’s FA Cup and World Cup but bowed out early, sparking a battle for his signature between rival broadcasters.But the ex-England captain suggested he wants to step away from traditional television when asked in an interview about his post-MOTD schedule.Just days before announcing his exit from the BBC on Monday, Lineker told the Beyond The Title podcast: “Professionally, I’ve got a big podcast company and I think it takes up quite a bit of my time and it will probably take up a bit more now.“It’s really exciting and it’s a lot of fun. We’re doing really well. I don’t think I’ll do much television.Read More on Sport‘Really proud’“Hopefully I’ll be in a position where I can just pick and choose things I quite fancy doing. So the podcast world really I think.”Lineker also insisted his broadcasting career has made him prouder than his on-pitch heroics for teams such as Leicester, Everton, Spurs and Barcelona.He added: “I’m actually probably a bit more proud of what I’ve done in broadcasting than possibly football because I always said I was born to be in the box, not on the box.“I had to work really hard at television.Most read in Football“ I had to work hard at football but it came naturally, whereas television didn’t come naturally.“It took a lot of hard work and effort and determination and studying and stuff of other people and how they do it.How Gary Lineker’s BBC exit will spark intense rivalry between new Match of the Day hosts to lead BBC’s World Cup coverage“Eventually I got there. Probably I’m proudest of the fact I made it to the top in broadcasting.”Leicester fan Lineker runs production company Goalhanger Podcasts which is behind hit series The Rest Is Football with Alan Shearer and Micah Richards.How Gary Lineker became the BBC’s highest paid starGary Lineker has hosted Match Of The Day for more than 25 years but will leave the role earlier than expected following a row over his use of social media.The Leicester-born star, who moved seamlessly from footballer to one of the most famous and highly-paid presenters at the corporation, began his career at Leicester City, the club he had supported since childhood, in 1978.The 64-year-old striker scored 103 goals for the Foxes in all competitions before signing with Everton for £800,000 in 1985.He scored 40 goals in 57 games for the Toffees in his only season with the Liverpool-based side, before his six goals for England at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico won him the competition’s golden boot award and attracted the attention of Spanish football giants Barcelona.Moving to the Catalan side in 1986, Lineker went on to become the highest scoring British player in La Liga, Spain’s highest football division, under English manager Terry Venables. His record 42 goals was only beaten by Welsh winger Gareth Bale in 2016.Lineker spent three years in Spain before moving to Tottenham Hotspur in July 1989 for £1.1 million.He played a part in England’s run to the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup in Italy, which resulted in a defeat on penalties against West Germany.After the match, Lineker, who captained the Lions from 1990 to 1992, coined the phrase: “Football is a simple game: 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans win.”He won the 1991 FA Cup final with Spurs, beating Nottingham Forest 2-1 despite having a goal controversially disallowed for offside and Forest goalkeeper Mark Crossley saving a penalty.In 1992, Lineker became the first English footballer to play in Japan’s highest division, the J League, when he joined Nagoya Grampus Eight for £2 million.He retired after an injury-hit two-year spell at the club which saw him play just 23 times.Throughout his career Lineker was renowned for never receiving a yellow or red card booking from the referee.Following his retirement, Lineker joined BBC Radio 5 Live as a football pundit before becoming a team captain on the sports game show They Think It’s All Over from 1995 to 2003.In 1997 he took over as host of Grandstand when then-presenter Desmond Lynam was at Aintree for the Grand National which was abandoned due to a bomb alert.He replaced Lynam as presenter of the BBC’s flagship football highlights programme Match Of The Day in 1999, when Lynam defected to rival ITV.Lineker would later become the corporation’s highest-paid presenter, with the BBC’s annual report for 2023/24 showing his salary to be to around £1.35 million a year.He was temporarily suspended from the BBC in March 2023 after an impartiality row over comments he made criticising the then-government’s new asylum policy.In November 2024 he announced he would be stepping down from presenting Match Of The Day at the end of the season, but would still host World Cup and FA Cup coverage.He exited the broadcaster early, however, after apologising for sharing and then deleting a post on his Instagram account from the group Palestine Lobby, illustrated with a picture of a rat, which prompted calls for him to be sacked from the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA).After this the BBC said Lineker would leave his presenting role following the conclusion of Match Of The Day for the 2024/25 season and added that he would not present its coverage of the 2026 World Cup or next season’s FA Cup.Gabby Logan, Kelly Cates and Mark Chapman will share the presenting role on the football show from the next Premier League season.The former England striker is also the co-founder of Goalhanger Podcasts, makers of the popular The Rest Is History series and its spin-offs about politics, football, entertainment and money. 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    Fulham ready to poach rival Premier League side for their manager if Marco Silva quits

    FULHAM will move for Wolves boss Vitor Pereira if Marco Silva quits.Craven Cottage chiefs are keen on the Portuguese coach as their first-choice replacement while Silva considers his options this summer.The Cottagers will turn to Vitor Pereira if Marco Silva exitsCredit: Shutterstock EditorialSilva could rival Nuno Espirito Santo for a top Saudi jobCredit: Shutterstock EditorialSilva has been linked with the vacancy at Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal, along with Nottingham Forest’s Nuno Espirito Santo.Pereira, 56, made himself a massive hit at Molineux  after replacing Gary O’Neil in December when Wolves were 19th in the Premier League. The former Fenerbahce boss sparked an impressive revival which saw them stay up with plenty to spare.Fulham believe Pereira would be an ideal fit as Silva’s future at the club comes into doubt — and not for the first time.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSilva, 47,  could be  tempted by Saudi riches and may believe he has taken Fulham as far as he can. Meanwhile,  Pereira might jump at the chance of mid-table security and a possible push for Europe.Wolves may lose some of their best players in the summer with Matheus Cunha heavily tipped to be first out of the door. Manchester United are believed to have triggered the Brazilian’s £62million release clause and that will make Pereira’s job all the more difficult.Most read in FootballSanto’s stand-out season with Forest has impressed Saudi clubsCredit: GettyBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKIf Fulham go for Pereira, they could put together a better financial package and also a long-term plan that suits him more.Pereira has a reputation for moving throughout his career. He is in his 14th senior job and he has only stayed a year in nine of the last ten.Ex-Fulham and Portsmouth goalkeeper reveals gruesome finger injuries after years of playing without goalie glovesFulham go into Sunday’s final Prem game of the season at home to Manchester City knowing victory could mean a ninth-place finish.And Wolves, in 14th, will guarantee ending up above both Europa League runners-up Man Utd and winners Spurs if they beat visitors Brentford. More

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    Ange Postecoglou fears he could be ‘killed off’ at Tottenham despite winning club’s first trophy in 17 years

    ANGE POSTECOGLOU fears he could be “killed off” BEFORE the third season of his Tottenham soap opera.The Aussie boss dropped a big hint over his future at the club’s Europa League victory parade, saying: “In all the best TV shows, season three is better than season two.”Ange Postecoglou knows there could be an (after the final) twistCredit: GettyPostecoglou hopes to stay at Spurs but says ‘I could be in strife!’Credit: GettyBut the Spurs chief insisted he is still in the dark over his job, despite ending their 17-year trophy drought.On his TV  quip, Postecoglou said: “I should have thought about it a bit more because as somebody rightly pointed out, sometimes they kill off the main character.“I could be in strife there! I said even before the game, I believe we’re just building something and a significant win accelerates that.“I believe that is the case and I am not going to put a limit on what we can achieve.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“I certainly believe it’s exciting — the possibilities of next year, knowing I’ve got a group of players now and staff and a club that knows how to win and wants more of it.”Postecoglou revealed he still has not had any talks with chairman Daniel Levy about his contract.He added: “Similar to before the game, I haven’t had any discussions with the club.“Maybe they were just waiting for clear air to give me some guidance. But I haven’t heard  anything from the club.”Most read in FootballThe Aussie was as pleased as punch during the victory paradeCredit: Shutterstock EditorialVictory over Man Utd in Bilbao has at least put him on a high for nowCredit: GettyBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKSpoiler alert: Postecoglou is right with his TV analogy.  Game of Thrones, Succession and Homeland are  three smash-hit TV series that have killed off leading characters.Inside Tottenham’s wild Europa League open-top bus parade as 200,000 fans greet heroesThe former Celtic boss claims that he has not thought about the possibility of being sacked just days after leading Tottenham to their first trophy since 2008 with Wednesday’s 1-0 win over Manchester United in Bilbao.Postecoglou said: “I refused to be distracted by anything in terms of the opportunity that was before us. “And since the game I just wanted to take the opportunity  to enjoy that as well.“I assume at some point somebody will tell me something. If not, I’m just gonna roll up next year and be a bit like [George] Costanza from Seinfeld.  I’ll just sit in the desk and get on with my job.”After Sunday’s final Premier League game at home to Brighton, Postecoglou will go on holiday the next day.When asked if he will be able to relax without knowing where his future lies, he said: “Don’t worry about that. I’m good at relaxing, mate.“Come Monday, I won’t have a care in the world. But I assume I’ll have an indication at some point. Only because there’s some serious planning to do more than anything else.“But I won’t have any problem switching off.”I’m hoping that with him doing that on such a big stage, he [Brennan Johnson] comes back next year as a mentality monsterAnge PostecoglouPostecoglou made sure he and his players  thoroughly enjoyed the  celebrations following  their European glory.And he wants matchwinner Brennan Johnson to transform from party animal to “mentality  monster” next season.Postecoglou added: “You need to celebrate your achievements properly.“It’s important to make the experiences, you know, as memorable as possible, so that when I ask them to climb the mountain again, there’s a reason for it.“Brennan was one of the ones who enjoyed himself the last couple of days, but rightly so. Read More on The Sun”I’m hoping that with him doing that on such a big stage, he comes back next year as a mentality monster — ‘I know what it takes to win and this is what I want again’ — and that feeds on to everyone else.“You hope that what Wednesday night creates is that all these guys have got a taste of it now and want more of it.”Postecoglou wants soap and glory not a dramatic exit More

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    Arsenal lining up shock transfer return for Emi Martinez with fears David Raya could quit for Spain

    ARSENAL want to bring Emi Martinez back to the club — if they lose David Raya to Spain.The Gunners are looking at an emergency move for former keeper Martinez, who was with them for eight years before switching to Aston Villa.Arsenal want to re-sign Emi Martinez is they lose David RayaCredit: ReutersDavid Raya could be on his way out of Arsenal with Real Madrid and Atletico interestedCredit: RexAnd Argentina World Cup winner Martinez, 32, would jump at a second chance to man the sticks at the Emirates should the deal come round.Spaniard Raya, 29, is being linked with moves to La Liga after establishing himself as the Gunners No .1.The former Blackburn prospect is short-listed at Real Madrid as a long-term replacement for Thibaut Courtois.While he is also on the radar at neighbours Atletico — who fear Jan Oblak could be tempted by Saudi Arabian cash.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLRaya has been one of the Premier League’s standout goalkeepers in recent seasons and, should he keep a clean sheet against Southampton on Sunday, will win consecutive Golden Glove awards.Despite his impressive form, Arsenal would be open to selling him if the price was right.The Gunners know that Martinez could be bought, but they will have to be quick with Middle East clubs keen too.Martinez looked as though he waved goodbye to the Villa Park faithful when the Villans played their final home game of the season last weekend.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe shot-stopper was in tears as he walked off the pitch following Villa’s 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur.A move for Martinez would be easier if Villa miss out on the Champions League on Sunday against Manchester United.Emi Martinez in tears as he waves goodbye to fans after Aston Villa’s final home gameMartinez joined Villa in 2020 following a breakout period of success at Arsenal under Mikel Arteta, coming in for the injured Bernd Leno and helping the Gunners win the FA Cup.Since his switch to the Midlands, the former Reading and Rotherham loanee has won the Copa America twice, the World Cup and been named Fifa’s Best Keeper in the World two times.Martinez appeared to wave goodbye as he cried following Aston Villa’s final home game of the season last weekendCredit: Shutterstock EditorialMartinez spent eight years at Arsenal before moving to VillaCredit: Getty More

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    Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim to grab microphone and APOLOGISE to fans at Old Trafford after Aston Villa clash

    RUBEN AMORIM is ready to apologise to fans for Manchester United’s awful season but will not offer an explanation — as it would take too long!The boss will speak to the crowd after leading his flops on a red-faced lap of Old Trafford today following the final game of a disastrous campaign against Aston Villa.Ruben Amorim is ready to apologise to fans for Manchester United’s awful seasonCredit: GettyAngry fans will be addressedCredit: ReutersSunSport revealed no Man Utd star is safeCredit: GettyHe will not sugar-coat the fact his six months in charge have been a horror show.Amorim said: “I know the manager addresses the public and I will because the least I can can do is talk to the fans and say what I want to. “It is tradition and we have to face it. It will be the biggest mistake if we don’t.“If there is a season we need to do it, it’s this one. And it will be an apology, I think it is clear.READ MORE IN football “An explanation? You don’t have time! So we will try to be honest . . . I will be honest with the fans and I will say what is in my mind and what is in my heart.”SunSport revealed on Friday that Amorim will stay on at United next term but no job is safe on the playing staff.Alejandro Garnacho, dropped to the bench for the 1-0 Europa League final defeat to Spurs in Bilbao on Wednesday, could be one of the first stars to leave, with his brother accusing Amorim of “throwing him under the bus”.The Portuguese boss, 40, has won just six of 26 Prem games since replacing Erik ten Hag in November, with the side in 16th. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHe said he would quit if fans or the owners did not want him but insists he has no regrets about taking the job.The former Sporting Lisbon chief is even happy he took over in mid-season, despite previously claiming his ideal choice would have been to wait until the summer.How Tottenham won the Europa League final v Man UnitedHe said: “I’m really glad that I arrived six months before we start a new season, as I think we are going to avoid a lot of mistakes that would be in the next one.“Now is the time that we can use all that suffering to change things in the summer . . . and when I say in the summer, it’s not just the players.“There are a lot of things that we need to change in our club. So we are doing that — we did it for six months. We changed in every aspect of our club.“We suffered a lot but I’m really glad I came six months earlier because it’s going to help me a lot next season.”Sir Jim Ratcliffe consoles Amorim after defeat to SpursCredit: Alamy More

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    Man Utd flops BEG Bruno Fernandes not to quit club after captain admitted he could be sold with Saudi interest

    DEVASTATED Manchester United players begged Bruno Fernandes ‘don’t leave us’ after he was linked with a move to Saudi.The Portuguese midfielder was criticised after Wednesday’s Europa League final defeat to Tottenham but is widely thought of as the one world-class talent in the squad.Bruno Fernandes has been linked with an exit from Manchester UnitedCredit: GettyMan Utd teammates have begged Fernandes to stay at the clubCredit: GettySaudi Arabian side Al-Hilal are willing to pay around £100million for Fernandes, 30, and will offer him a whopping £700,000 a week to ditch Old Trafford for the Middle East.With the club in a dire financial situation following their failure to qualify for the Champions League, an exit for top star Fernandes could be a way to bring in some much needed funds.And after the disappointing final, Fernandes admitted cash-strapped United may look to sell him to raise money for a rebuild.He said: “If the club thinks it’s time to part ways because they want to do some cashing in, it is what it is.”READ MORE ON MAN UTDDespite coming across as noble, those comments have sparked unease among his team-mates – who value his ability to drag them through games.And a source confirmed several have urged the midfielder to stay, adding: “Bruno may be criticised but the players know what a talent he is.“He can be demanding but they all respect him and sent him messages letting him know how valued he is.“If he leaves, the dressing room would fall apart.”Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordRuben Amorim also suggested that he could leave United if he can’t turn around the sinking ship, but has since told the squad that he intends to be in the dugout at the Theatre of Dreams next season.Amorim, who has amassed less than a point per league game (0.92) since taking over at United, has come under heavy criticism for his work with the team so far but still has the faith of many fans.FIRE SALE at Old Trafford! EVERY Man Utd Star Up for Grabs — Even Mainoo & Garnacho!And despite the manager’s future seemingly decided for now, there’s plenty still up in the air when it comes to the squad.Al Hilal want an answer from Bruno Fernandes by next week over whether he fancies a money-spinning move to Saudi Arabia this summer.While Kobbie Mainoo is one of many players being considered as a potential exit given his pure profit status with regard to PSR as an academy graduate.Fellow Carrington star Alejandro Garnacho is another name looking likely to leave United, after it was revealed that Amorim has told him he needs to find a new club for next season.Speaking after the Europa League heartbreak, Garnacho told Argentine press: “It’s hard for everyone.”The season was s***, both now losing the final tonight, and in the league, where we didn’t beat anyone, that’s the truth.“Up until the final, I’ve played every round, and today to play 20 minutes… I don’t know. I’m going to try to enjoy the summer and see what happens after.”Ruben Amorim is staying put as manager next seasonCredit: GettyAlejandro Garnacho looks set for an exit from UnitedCredit: Getty More