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      Loris Karius handed dramatic pay cut with TV presenter wife Diletta Leotta now earning more than ex-Premier League star

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      LORIS KARIUS is set to earn less than TV presenter wife Diletta Leotta at Schalke, according to reports.The former Liverpool goalkeeper, 31, is attempting to resurrect his career with the second-tier German side.Loris Karius is looking to resurrect his career with SchalkeCredit: GettyKarius, 31, is married to TV presenter Diletta LeottaThe couple have been together since 2022Credit: The Mega AgencyKarius has barely played in recent years, making just two appearances since February 2021.Remarkably, one of these outings came in Newcastle’s 2023 Carabao Cup defeat to Manchester United, while the other was in a Premier League loss to Arsenal.The German had been without a club since leaving St James’ Park earlier this season.But this month he pulled the gloves back on, signing for Schalke until the end of the season.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSAccording to German paper Bild, Karius has signed, by elite football standards, a modest contract.They claim that he will receive around £125,000 between now and the end of the season, equating to approximately £5,700 a week.Schalke’s higher earners, for example, are said to pocket around £10k a week.Bild add that Karius’ wife Leotta earns around £840k a year for her presenting work, as DAZN’s lead Serie A host in Italy.Most read in BundesligaSUN BINGO GET £50 BONUS & 50 FREE SPINS TODAYLeotta recently took part in the Club World Cup draw ceremonyCredit: EPAThe Italian is DAZN’s lead Serie A presenterCredit: GettyThis means that she will pocket significantly more than Karius.Leotta is not set to move to Germany with Karius, instead staying in Milan. Glam presenter Diletta Leotta shows off underboob in tiny black dress as fans call Prem Wag ‘magnetic attraction’The former Champions League finalist is said to be living with a friend in Dusseldorf.Karius is optimistic about revitalising his career back in Germany.Upon signing, he said: “I had very good discussions with the Schalke officials and I’m looking forward to training with the team.”Schalke 04 is a big club with passionate fans, I’ve always felt that at my games in the arena.”Karius will not automatically become Schalke’s No1.He will compete with current incumbent Justin Heekeren for the position.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe former Anfield stopper has been with Leotta since 2022, with the pair welcoming their first child in August of the following year.They wed in a private ceremony in Sicily last summer.Karius and Leotta wed in Sicily last summerCredit: INSTAGRAMThe happy couple welcomed their first child in 2023Credit: The Mega AgencyLeotta shares many glam pics across her social media channelsCredit: Instagram @dilettaleotta More

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      Meet ‘Austrian Ange Postecoglou’ leading Hoffenheim to brink of relegation as ‘Doctor Tottenham’ face perfect patient

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      WHAT is German for ‘Dr Tottenham will see you now?’That self-deprecating phrase is used by Spurs fans to poke fun at themselves when their team somehow lose to a side in hopeless form.’Dr Tottenham’ have treated Crystal Palace, Ipswich and Everton already this seasonCredit: GettyPressure is building on Ange Postecoglou as he faces calls for the sackCredit: GettyChristian Ilzer is also having a nightmare at HoffenheimCredit: GettyThey wheeled it out after Crystal Palace earned their first win of the season against their side on October 27, and then again following November’s shock home defeat to winless Ipswich.Need to find a win from nowhere? Doctor Tottenham’s office, please.Expect a repeat prescription if boss Ange Postecoglou’s walking wounded come a cropper at Hoffenheim tomorrow.Because if you think Spurs’ season has been a nightmare, take a look at how Thursday’s Europa League opponents have been faring.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSChristian Ilzer’s side have managed only seven victories from their 27 games in all competitions this season.Rival fans may be having a good laugh at Spurs’ perilous league state right now.But few believe they will actually be relegated — although the same cannot be said for Hoffenheim.The Germans were winless in nine, having netted just THREE times in those fixtures, before Saturday’s much-needed 3-1 victory at drop-zone rivals Holstein Kiel.Most read in Europa LeagueBest new sign-up offersSunSport exclusivesThey are three points above the Bundesliga dotted line after that huge win in their six-pointer, which came off the back of an epic X-rated rant from club stalwart striker Andrej Kramaric.The 33-year-old, in his tenth season at Hoffenheim, blasted after last Wednesday’s 5-0 pasting at Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich: “This is one big, s*** season, I’m going to be honest. The rise and fall of Ange Postecoglou as Spurs boss“And I’m still soft because if I want to say the truth and some things which are on my mind about the club and the situation, probably I will get the biggest punishment in the history of the Bundesliga.”England fans may remember Kramaric from the heartbreaking World Cup semi-final loss to Croatia in 2018, with the forward coming on in extra-time.He also netted the opener when Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions exacted some revenge with a 2-1 win in the Nations League a few months later. Three years before that the 102-cap forward had a brief stint at Leicester — including during their historic title-winning campaign — but if you blinked, you may have missed it.Brought in for £9.5million from Rijeka in January 2015, there was a four-game period a month later when he was keeping Foxes legend Jamie Vardy out of the team — but it did not last.He ended up with just three goals in the second half of that season, then was frozen out by boss Claudio Ranieri in the next, unforgettable season.Kramaric made only two league appearances during the campaign in which Leicester shocked the world, both off the bench, leaving him well short of the required ten to win a medal.That January he was shipped off on loan to Julian Nagelsmann’s Hoffenheim — and has stayed there ever since. Andrej Kramaric had a brief stint at LeicesterCredit: Action ImagesHe was shipped out by Claudio Ranieri during the title-winning seasonCredit: Getty – ContributorKramaric has enjoyed European football — including the Champions League — in almost half of his seasons at the German club as a permanent player.Which explains why he is so incensed at their failings this term.His eye-catching comments went down well with frustrated fans, but less so at board level or in the dressing room.One of Kramaric’s digs was that the club “invested so much money for nothing”, after a £56m spree on eight players this term — the fifth-highest spend in the Bundesliga.Slaughtering your new team-mates and those who bought them seemed risky, yet after 309 appearances and 109 goals, clearly Kramaric felt he deserves to say his piece.None of the incomings have been hits, with defender Robin Hranac and forward Haris Tabakovic particularly poor.That was not helped by many of them being signed by an interim sporting director in Frank Kramer, stepping up briefly from his academy manager role.Former Spurs target Gift Orban arrived this month under the new recruitment team but is not deemed fit enough yet to play Ilzer’s lung-busting style of play.Similar to Postecoglou, Austrian Ilzer favours an intense pressing game and while it worked in his first game — a 4-3 win over RB Leipzig — it has been disastrous most of this season.Kramaric has threatened to go “a little harder” with his criticism if things do not pick up, which is hard to imagine given his comments so far.READ MORE SUN STORIESSo, amazingly, Hoffenheim are in even more of a mess than Spurs going into tonight’s clash.But as any travelling fans up with the Deutsch lingo might say, ‘Doktor Tottenham wird Sie jetzt empfangen’.Kramaric has enjoyed plenty of success at HoffenheimCredit: EPAHe let rip in an astonishing outburst about the clubCredit: ESPNKramaric was part of the Croatia team that knocked England out of the 2018 World Cup semi-finalsCredit: AFP or licensors More

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      Angry Premier League flop says ‘I’ll probably get biggest fine in Bundesliga history’ as he swears in live TV interview

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      HOFFENHEIM star Andrej Kramaric lashed out on live TV as he delivered a furious expletive-laden tirade following a humiliating loss to Bayern Munich.Bayern won 5-0 in the Bundesliga on Wednesday at the Allianz Arena after a brace by Leroy Sane and goals by Raphael Guerreiro, Serge Gnbabry and England captain Harry Kane.Hoffenheim star Andrej Kramaric delivered a furious rant on live TVCredit: ESPNThat was after Hoffenheim’s humiliating 5-0 loss to Bayern MunichCredit: ESPNKramaric, 33, was enraged after the final whistle and didn’t hold back during his post-match interview.And the ex-Leicester striker used X-rated language during a sensational rant in which he targeted club chiefs.The Croatia international also claimed he was actually being polite because if he said what he truly thought he would be slapped with “biggest punishment in the history of the Bundesliga”.This comes amid Hoffenheim’s tremendous woes that have seen them dropping to 16th place and fighting for survival in the Bundesliga.Read More on FootballKramaric told ESPN: “I don’t even want to talk about the game because for me it was clear that this was going to happen. “This is the picture of the whole season, this is one big s**t season, I’m going to be honest. “And I’m still soft because if I want to say the truth and some things which are on my mind about the club and the situation, probably I will get the biggest punishment in the history of the Bundesliga. “We invest so much money for nothing, and there’s no point to even talk about today’s game. Most read in FootballBest new sign-up offersSunSport exclusives”I just want to talk about the current situation because it’s dangerous that we could be relegated with good players but obviously nothing is working since something has changed in the club. “First of all, thanks to the fans, who supported us from the beginning of the season. They understand everything that is happening and that we are going through a really hard phase. Erling Haaland’s salary is only ninth biggest in football with Chelsea flop Koulibaly earning more than Man City star”It’s the first time in my life, in my football career, that I feel like this because I feel a big s**t in the club. If nobody’s going to change this I will try to change this. “Today I may be soft but when the time comes I am going to be a little harder because we could be relegated.”When I start to talk everybody’s going to listen. You can feel my voice. The people from Zuzenhausen, Sinsheim and all around Germany who are supporting Hoffenheim… “I think the fans understand what is happening, it’s not an unlucky moment.”Who are these famous footballers? More

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      Chelsea ‘offer Christopher Nkunku in swap transfer for Bayern Munich’s 19-year-old sensation Mathys Tel’

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      CHELSEA have offered Christopher Nkunku in a sensational swap deal for Bayern Munich ace Mathys Tel.The Blues have been keeping tabs on £40million-rated Tel, 19, since last summer.Chelsea continue to monitor Bayern Munich ace Mathys TelCredit: GettyChelsea have offered Christopher Nkunku in exchange for TelCredit: AlamyAccording to The Mail, the West Londoners have made an enquiry for the winger during the January transfer window.Meanwhile, Bayern are keen to bring Nkunku, 27, back to Germany after his stunning four-year stint at RB Leipzig.And Bild reporter Christian Falk claims Chelsea have proposed a swap deal.The Premier League giants have offered the France international to Bayern in exchange for his younger compatriot.Read Moe on ChelseaTel has seen his playing time limited at the Allianz Arena with only 12 appearances across all competitions under his belt.But Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund insists the club want to hold on to the France Under-21 international.Freund said: “Mathys is a great talent and should play an important role for us.“Our clear goal is for Mathys to make his breakthrough with us. Of course if a player is unhappy, we can talk about it. But we are very happy with him”.Most read in FootballBest new sign-up offersSunSport exclusivesNkunku, on the other hand, hasn’t been able to cement a place in Enzo Maresca’s starting line-up with Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer proving to be more clinical.The versatile forward has only scored two goals in 18 Premier League appearances.Chelsea clash with Shamrock Rovers temporarily stopped as Christopher Nkunku pelted with TOILET ROLLHowever, the Frenchman has amassed a total of 13 goals and four assists in 28 appearances across all competitions.Chelsea, though, are keeping their options open as it’s often hard to land major targets during the winter market.That is why club chiefs are also keeping tabs on Ipswich Town’s in-form star Liam Delap.Nevertheless, Chelsea are prioritising a centre-back with Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi posing as their top target. More

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      Borussia Dortmund in chaos and forced to move 140 MILES AWAY after horror bout of flu at training ground

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      BORUSSIA DORTMUND have been thrown into chaos by a savage bout of Die Manflu.Last season’s Champions League finalists are being forced to quit their training ground as a result and move into the German FA headquarters in Frankfurt which is 140 miles away.A flu outbreak has wreaked havoc with Borussia Dortmund’s squadCredit: GettyThe Germans have been forced to temporarily leave their training ground as a of a resultCredit: GETTYThey are due to play at Holstein Kiel tonight but the squad has been severely weakened by illness.Dortmund were beaten 3-2 at home on Friday night by Bayer Leverkusen – conceding after only 25 seconds.The players have been banned from shaking hands with only fist bumps allowed to minimise the risk of infection.Dortmund will continue to base themselves at the HQ of Germany – known as Die Mannschaft – until their own training ground gets the all clear.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSManager Nuri Sahin said of the outbreak: “Emre, Ramy, Pascal, Filippo and Alex are the sick ones and their hearts are fine now.”But to be honest, we don’t know yet whether it’ll be enough.”The boys were really ill and they’re on the right track, but we still have to wait and see how they tolerate training.”Karim’s got it too, and he’s a big question mark, Jamie is question mark for the game and with Donny we have to wait and see.”Most read in FootballManager Nuri Sahin has gone to extreme lengths to quell the outbreakCredit: GETTYSahin himself is struggling, saying: “Maybe you can tell by my voice it broke us all a bit.”We’re very careful in our interaction but somehow this virus got in and now we have to endure it.”Watch the moment Dortmund and Celtic fans BOTH sing You’ll Never Walk AloneDespite his side being ravaged by illness, Sahin insists his troops won’t go down without a fight.He said: “We still want to achieve our goals.”Of course, it’s a bit harder but we play in Kiel tomorrow to get the three points.”No matter what the personnel situation is, we will play 11 against 11 tomorrow, and as Borussia Dortmund we want to win the game.” More

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      Bundesliga result overturned from 1-1 draw to 2-0 win after German sports court left with ‘no other choice’

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      VFL BOCHUM have had their 1-1 draw with Union Berlin overturned to a 2-0 win by Bundesliga chiefs.The match finished in controversial circumstances last month.Patrick Drewes felt an object thrown at himCredit: BundesligaThe Bochum goalkeeper went down holding his headCredit: BundesligaDrewes received treatment after being struckCredit: GettyBochum players were fuming after the incidentCredit: APBochum had gone down to 10 men just 13 minutes into the contest after former Birmingham ace Koji Miyoshi saw red.Nevertheless, Ibrahima Sissoko gave his side the lead on 23 minutes in the German capital.Union didn’t take long to hit back, with Benedict Hollerbach levelling shortly after the half hour.Having been a man short for most of the game, Bochum were understandably content to secure a draw.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIn the first minute of second half stoppage time, goalkeeper Patrick Drewes was booked for timewasting.As the stopper lined up to take the following goal kick, he appeared to be struck by a lighter thrown from the crowd.After the object whistled past him, Drewes went down holding his head.Amid fury from home supporters, who felt that Drewes was exaggerating the contact, the goalkeeper received medical attention.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSDrewes shows the officials the lighter he was struck byCredit: APFour minutes after the incident occurred, Bochum players were sent back to the dressing room by the referee.A further four minutes later, Union players followed suit.Eight bizarre football rules you may not knowSixteen minutes after the original incident, the home side returned to the pitch.Bochum eventually re-emerged too, with the game resuming around 25 minutes after the lighter was thrown.With Drewes feeling unable to continue, and the visitors having already used all their substitutes, striker Philipp Hofmann went in goal.But fans needn’t have worried about whether Hofmann was any good between the sticks or not, because the two teams seemingly agreed to just pass the ball between themselves for the remaining minutes, rather than looking to score.This saw the strange contest finish 1-1, but that was not to be the end of it.Bochum chiefs opted to appeal the referee’s decision to resume the match.Their case centred around Drewes being unable to continue due to the actions of a supporter.The stopper, 31, said he “felt dizzy” following the incident.’NO OTHER CHOICE’The German football federation’s sports court accepted Bochum’s case and opted to award them a 2-0 victory.Head of the court Stefan Oberholz claimed that they had “no other choice”.Union will have a week to appeal the ruling, if they so wish.They claim that they will make a decision after receiving the ruling in writing.Prior to the ruling, Union were 12th in the Bundesliga table with 17 points from 12 games.Losing the point earned against Bochum will not see them fall any places.READ MORE SUN STORIESBochum, meanwhile, are bottom of the league, having won just once all season.The two extra points gained sees them go level with 17th-placed Holstein Kiel, although their goal difference remains inferior. More

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      James Rodriguez becomes unemployed again as Colombia legend, 33, is released on sixth free transfer in six years

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      JAMES RODRIGUEZ has become unemployed for the sixth year in a row and is reportedly considering a return to the Premier League.The 33-year-old is available as a free agent after his contract at LaLiga side Rayo Vallecano was mutually terminated.James Rodriguez has become unemployed again after leaving Rayo VallecanoCredit: GettyHe moved to Rayo in August but has been restricted to just seven appearances in all competitions.Rodriguez had signed a one-year deal with Rayo, who sit 12th in the Spanish top-flight, with the option of a further 12 months.There are both economic and sporting reasons for the former Real Madrid man’s early departure, according to The Athletic.The Colombia international joined Rayo off the back of winning the Golden Ball at the 2024 Copa America.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSHe produced six assists to help fire Colombia to the final, only for he and his team-mates to suffer heartbreak with a 1-0 defeat to Argentina.However, Rodriguez has featured just six times in LaLiga this season and predominantly as a substitute.And the former World Cup breakthrough star has not played in the league since a 13-minute cameo against Las Palmas on November 8.Rodriguez moved to Rayo on a free transfer in the summer after leaving Sao Paulo one season into a two-year contract.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe former Bayern Munich forward has had spells at Everton, Olympiacos and Al-Rayyan since leaving the Bernabeu in 2020.He joined the Toffees in 2020 to reunite with his former Madrid and  Bayern Munich boss Carlo Ancelotti.Every Premier League stadium ranked by the number of pubs nearby with one boasting over 130 local boozersRodriguez became a favourite at Goodison Park, before being frozen out by Ancelotti’s unpopular successor Rafael Benitez.He starred 26 times for the Toffees, scoring six goals and laying on eight assists, but they could only finish 10th.And a return to Premier League action is not off the table, according to Portuguese outlet O Jogo.The report cites Aston Villa, Wolves, Fulham and Nottingham Forest as all being interested in the Colombian.It was at the 2014 World Cup when Rodriguez burst on to the scene as one of the hottest properties in football.Rodriguez burst on to the scene with Colombia at the 2014 World Cup in BrazilCredit: Getty Images – GettyBut amid offers from Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City, he opted to join Real Madrid after lighting up the tournament in Brazil.Rodriguez went on to win two LaLiga titles and a pair of Champions Leagues with Madrid.He then spent two years on loan at Bayern Munich between 2017 and 2019, adding a pair of Bundesliga titles to his trophy collection.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe returned to Real Madrid for the 2019-20 campaign, before joining Everton on a free in September 2020.He captains Colombia and has been capped 112 times at international level, scoring 29 goals.Rodriguez played 26 times for Everton More

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      Michael Olise looks incredibly awkward as Bayern Munich stars get into Christmas mood by singing Jingle Bells

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      HE could have Olise tried to look interested.But instead Michael Olise just looked incredibly awkward as the Bayern Munich squad belted out ‘Jingle Bells’ in a recent Christmas shoot.Michael Olise has well and truly hit the ground running at Bayern MunichCredit: EPAThe winger is seemingly getting on swimmingly with his new team-matesCredit: GETTYOlise looked incredibly awkward during a recent photo and videoshoot with his team-matesCredit: BAYERN MUNICHThe France international has been in Bavaria for five months following a £50million move from Crystal Palace.Olise has got on swimmingly with his new team-mates on the pitch, bagging nearly double-digit goals and assists in his debut season.But the 23-year-old looked somewhat awkward as the squad posed for Xmas photos and sang ‘Jingle Bells’ during a recent clubshoot.Footage of the German giants singing the Christmas classic went viral on social media.READ MORE ON OLISEAnd all of the squad, including England skipper Harry Kane, got into the spirit of things – except Olise.He looked vacantly towards the camera as the rest of his team-mates gleefully belted out the song.Footie fans were quick to react to his apparent non-enjoyment of the festivities, with one saying: “Man don’t dance.”Another said: “Nonchalant final boss.”Most read in FootballAnd another said: “He’s so cool.”BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSMichael Olise has been one of Bayern Munich’s star performers this seasonCredit: APOne remarked: “I swear every video I see of Olise, he looks so annoyed.”Bro looking like he don’t wanna associate with anyone, just play ball.”Michael Olise completes £49.5m Bayern Munich transfer as Crystal Palace release classy farewell statementAnother chimed in: “He’s just a shy guy who needs time to get comfortable.”Wing wizard Olise has taken to life in the Bundesliga like a duck to water.The London-born Frenchman has scored nine goals and provided nine assists in 23 appearances in all competitions this season.Bayern boss Vincent Kompany wasn’t at all surprised by Olise’s incredible start, saying in September: “It’s exactly what we were expecting.”I think he’s really playing a big role, which isn’t easy when you’ve arrived in the Bundesliga and at a club like Bayern.”He will take further steps.READ MORE SUN STORIES”From my point of view, it’s very positive, but I stay calm as well.”Because I know it’s important to continue the way he does in order to experience good times.”Michael Olise is seemingly enjoying his time at Bayern MunichCredit: AFP More