Soccer

JURGEN KLOPP is NOT in line for a sensational return to management with Roma.Reports in Italy this week claimed the German was on course to become the Serie A big boys’ new gaffer.Jurgen Klopp was recently liked with a shock return to managementCredit: GETTYIt was sensationally claimed the German was set to take charge of RomaCredit: GETTYBut the 57-year-old’s agent has denied the claimCredit: PALa Stampa claimed the former Liverpool boss had reached an agreement to replace Claudio Ranieri after prolonged talks.Klopp was said to have given the “okay” to Roma president Dan Friedkin – who is also the chairman of Everton – last Sunday after snubbing the advances of another club.But the former Mainz and Borussia Dortmund manager’s agent has denied claims he’s on course for an Italian job.Mark Kosicke told Winwall Sports: “Reports on Klopp becoming new AS Roma manager are not true”Klopp hung up his managerial hat at the end of the 2023/24 season when he ended his love affair with Liverpool.The 57-year-old ended up taking a role with Red Bull last October, becoming their Head of Global Soccer.The former Kop chief has been linked with a return to the dugout in recent months, including a move to Real Madrid.Roma fans gave Ranieri an emotional send-off last weekend before their home match with AC Milan. Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSClaudio Ranieri bid an emotional farewell to Roma this past weekendCredit: SHUTTERSTOCKThe former Chelsea and Leicester manager was given an incredible send-offCredit: SHUTTERSTOCKThe 73-year-old, who came out of retirement to take charge of the club and steer them away from the relegation zone, said: “I am still feeling the adrenaline! “When I watch this footage back, I will maybe feel even more touched. Ex-Liverpool boss and heavy metal fan Jurgen Klopp soundproofs £6m mansion in Germany’s ‘Beverly Hills'”It is wonderful, because feeling appreciated by your own people is always something marvellous. “We started out in a difficult situation, but the team never lost its way. “I thank the players, because it was not at all easy in that situation, when everything seemed bleak. “I am so happy for them, for the fans and for the President.”Anfield legend Klopp stepped back from management last summer due to burnout.In an emotional departure statement, he said: “I love absolutely everything about this club, I love everything about the city.”I love everything about our supporters, I love the team, I love the staff. I love everything. Jurgen Klopp left Liverpool having won the Premier League, FA Cup, two Carabao Cups and one Champions League trophy.Credit: AFP”But that I still take this decision shows you that I am convinced it is the one I have to take.“It is that I am, how can I say it, running out of energy. “I have no problem now, obviously, I knew it already for longer that I will have to announce it at one point, but I am absolutely fine now. “I know that I cannot do the job again and again and again and again.“After the years we had together and after all the time we spent together and after all the things we went through together.Read More on The Sun”The respect grew for you, the love grew for you and the least I owe you is the truth. And that is the truth.”Klopp left Anfield having won the Premier League, FA Cup, two Carabao Cups and one Champions League trophy. More

ERIC CANTONA was worshipped by Manchester United fans – and they might have been on to something. French genealogy experts have discovered the football icon is related to Pope Leo XIV.Eric Cantona is a distant cousin of the new PopeCredit: GettyPope Leo XIV is American but has relatives in France and ItalyCredit: The Mega AgencyCantona, 58, took English football by storm in the early 1990s.After a short stint at Leeds, he joined United in 1992 and spent five eventful years at Old Trafford. Geneanet have taken a deep dive into Pope Leo’s ancestry after he took on the role earlier this month. Born in Chicago, Pope Leo’s real name is Robert Francis Prevost.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe study traced the Pope’s roots back to France after discovering his paternal grandfather was born in Italy and emigrated to the US.The study managed to map out Leo’s lineage all the way back to 1415.And it turns out the Pope is a relative of Cantona – with the pair distant cousins. The United icon and the family of Leo XIV are linked from the 12th to the 15th generation.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKThey are joined by the marriage of Bertrand Negrel and Louise Jean, who wed in 1566 in Roquevaire, Southern France. Cantona, who was born in Marseille in 1966, is also a cousin of famous author Albert Camus, according to the study. Looking for ManchesterThe 58-year-old was recently back in Manchester on a fan crusade.He signed his whole family up as shareholders in rebel club FC United.Cantona took aim at United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe for his decision-making since taking over the club. He claims the Ineos owner is trying to “destroy everything” and blasted the decision to move away from Old Trafford. The Frenchman said: “I support United because I really love United.”But now if I was a fan and I had to choose a club I don’t think I would choose United.“For me, that is very important to respect these people like you respect your manager and your team-mates.“I think since Ratcliffe arrived it’s the complete opposite and this team of directors they try to destroy everything and they don’t respect anybody.“They even want to change the stadium.Read More on The Sun“The soul of the team and the club is not in the players. All the people around is like a big family.“I don’t feel close to these kind of decisions. They have another strategy, another project. Do you feel close to this project? I don’t think so.” More

IBIZA-dazed and beach-soaked, Arne Slot’s champions were given a shock by the sea.Brighton’s Jack Hinshelwood stepped off the bench to score an 87th-minute winner in a five-goal comeback thriller at the Amex.Jack Hinshelwood scored the winner for Brighton against LiverpoolCredit: PAArne Slot’s champions were suffering from an Ibiza hangover on the south coastCredit: APThey started brightly as Harvey Elliott scored after nine minutesCredit: ReutersBut Kaoru Mitoma spearheaded the resistance as the Seagulls swooped in to take all three pointsCredit: Shutterstock EditorialIt left Liverpool boss Slot with another sore head, having spent the last week boogying and boozing in Ibiza to celebrate being crowned Prem kings nearly a month ago.The Reds squad also enjoyed an end-of-season jolly in the Middle East – and as their winless run stretched to three games, you can safely say they are well and truly still on the beach.Conor Bradley strutted his stuff in front of unused sub and Real Madrid-bound Trent Alexander-Arnold with a beautiful ninth-minute assist for Harvey Elliott to open the scoring.And Dominik Szoboszlai scored an unintentional worldie to regain the lead after Yasin Ayari’s 32nd minute equaliser, only for substitute Kaoru Mitoma to level again in the 69th minute.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe Japanese international had only entered the pitch four minutes earlier but he was outdone by Hinshelwood whose goal came 78 SECONDS after his introduction.VAR did its best to stifle Hinshelwood’s mad celebrations for a tight offside, but the eighth-placed Seagulls are remarkably still dreaming of Europe heading into the final day, still needing Chelsea to finish seventh and win the Europa Conference LeagueSince clinching the title at home to Tottenham on April 27, Liverpool have lost to Chelsea and drawn to Arsenal, but Slot continued to gamble with his selection choices.Skipper Virgil van Dijk was dropped to the bench, not starting a Prem game for the first time this season, meaning Mohamed Salah started a Liverpool game as captain for the first time.Most read in FootballYet the early signs were that the visitors were right up for this one. Cody Gakpo cut inside and brushed Bart Verbruggen’s left post with a whipped, curling effort.BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKThat was until Brighton started to turn the screw and do what they have become brilliant at under Fabian Hurzeler – dominate proceedings and create chances without scoring.Bradley in particular – a young man already famous at Anfield for wiping out Kylian Mbappe – was being given the run around down the right by Simon Adingra.Liverpool boss Arne Slot parties with Wayne Lineker in Ibiza just hours after Premier League clash with Arsenal_2But Brighton were soon punished for their lack of cutting edge as Szoboszlai’s diagonal was volleyed down the line by Salah for Bradley.The Northern Irishman proved he has the guile as well as grit, nut-megging Pervis Estupinan and jinking his hips to send Adam Webster for a hot dog and slid in Elliott to tap home.“There’s only one Conor Bradley” the away end sung. Another dagger to the heart of Alexander-Arnold, and an unwelcome reminder that his beloved Scousers have found a new hero.When he was not being pressed and panicked by Brighton’s energetic wingers, Bradley was enjoying himself, coming close with a goal of his own moments later, side-footing just wide.The hosts did not lose faith. Danny Welbeck should have buried a header from an Adingra cross.Slot was pacing, and Ayari finally made it count after a lovely back-to-front move. Welbeck laid off for Gruda whose lob over a static Liverpool defence was cooly converted.Was the partying catching up with the champions? It was all getting a bit sloppy until Szoboszlai stepped up to shock the home fans – and most of his teammates.A harmless free-kick routine had Elliott tee up the Hungarian. Given acres of space, he knuckleballed a shot – or cross? – from the right of the box over Verbruggen and into the side-netting.His muted celebration and embarrassed smirk said it all. Slot reacted by putting his hands on his head in disbelief. Deliberate or not, Liverpool were back in control.Not that Brighton believed that. They continued to batter their opponent with admirable bravery. Welbeck had a low-struck free-kick palmed away by Alisson.The attack, attack, attack chants continued after Salah’s uncharacteristic 54th-minute sitter from seven yards out, brilliantly made by Gakpo’s swashbuckling run down the left.Alisson continued his personal mission to deny Welbeck an 11th Prem goal of the season but for substitute Mitoma to pounce on a rebound.Read More on The SunThe Japanese star had only been on the pitch four minutes, yet provided a killer instinct his teammates had been lacking.Another pair of Hurzeler-inspired subs brought about the winner – Matt O’Riley’s ball across the six-yard box tapped in by Hinshelwood. The Beach Boys got one over the boys on the beach. More