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      Man Utd handed unexpected boost as Thomas Tuchel WON’T be in Bayern Munich dugout – and they have rivals to thank

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      MANCHESTER UNITED can thanks neighbours City for a surprise boost for Wednesday’s Champions League clash at Bayern Munich.Home boss Thomas Tuchel will serve a one-match dugout ban for a red card against Pep Guardiola’s men in last year’s quarter-finals.
      Bayern chief Thomas Tuchel will be missing from the benchCredit: Rex
      Harry Kane must be champing at the bit to take on misfiring Man UtdCredit: Getty
      United might need any help they can get against Harry Kane and Co.
      And that includes the absence of Tuchel’s animated antics pitch-side.
      The ex-Chelsea chief lost his cool in the second leg against Man City at the Allianz Arena in April.
      Tuchel was restrained by a Bayern assistant as he protested over a challenge by Aymeric Laporte on Kingsley Coman in the dying minutes.
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      But the German continued his complaints and referee Clement Turpin sent him to the stands.
      Tuchel was no doubt frustrated as Bayern were being held at 1-1, which was the final score, meaning a 4-1 exit on aggregate.
      City, of course, went on to win the Treble.
      In contrast, Erik ten Hag’s United go to the same venue after three defeats in their opening five Premier League games.
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      Ex-Tottenham striker Kane seems certain to line up against the Red Devils after four goals in four unbeaten Bundesliga matches for Bayern.
      That makes a hamstring injury for United right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka that rules him out for a “few weeks” even more of a problem for Ten Hag.
      But midfield loanee Sofyan Amrabat is eyeing his Red Devils debut. More

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      Stadium with capacity that puts Premier League grounds to shame is shadow of former glory after it was left abandoned

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      SCHALKE moved out of their Parkstadion home back in 2001 after 28 years.The Bundesliga side had played at the multi-purpose venue since 1973, but departed for the glossy new Veltins Arena.
      Parkstadion is a shadow of its former selfCredit: Alamy
      Most of the ground has been demolishedCredit: Alamy
      A pitch still remains at the siteCredit: Alamy
      Parkstadion had hosted five matches at the 1974 World Cup, including Yugoslavia’s record-breaking 9-0 thrashing of Zaire.
      It also put on a series of high-profile concerts, with the likes of Michael Jackson and The Rolling Stones having played there.
      But as it began to age, Schalke deemed it necessary to move to a new state-of-the-art home.
      The 2000-01 campaign would be the German side’s last season at the 62,004 capacity venue, which held more than most Premier League grounds.
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      They beat SpVgg Unterhaching 5-3 in a dramatic thriller to end their 28 years at Parkstadion.
      Schalke fans celebrated wildly as they thought the win had clinched them the title, only for a last-minute Bayern Munich equaliser elsewhere to snatch it away.
      Following the Royal Blues’ departure, Parkstadion was partly demolished.
      As the ground was taken apart, Schalke even gave its old jumbotron to a stadium in German town Aue.
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      The remains of Parkstadion stand under a kilometre from Veltins ArenaCredit: Alamy
      Fans can occasionally still get into ParkstadionCredit: Getty
      Standing under a kilometre from the 62,271 capacity Veltins Arena, the remains of Parkstadion offers fans a reminder of what used to be.
      The old ground still has one of its stands open – featuring benches rather than individual seats.
      A pitch still remains in the same spot, with Schalke using it occasionally.
      They played there as recently as March of this year, when they beat VVV-Venlo in a friendly in front of just 1,113 people.
      In exhibition matches against SC Verl and SV Meppen during the summer of 2022 they were cheered on by 2,999 fans.
      Behind one of the goals now stands a hotel, where fans can stay on matchdays over at Veltins.
      Schalke have had a rough time of it in recent years.
      Since finishing second in 2018 they have twice been relegated from the Bundesliga.
      After winning just seven matches all year last time out they crashed back down to the second tier, where they currently languish.
      Parkstadion hosted matches at the 1974 World CupCredit: Alamy
      Weston McKennie has played in friendly matches at ParkstadionCredit: Getty More

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      Granit Xhaka’s error helps Harry Kane make it four goals in four games for Bayern… but ex-Arsenal star has last laugh

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      HARRY KANE made it four goals in four games for Bayern Munich on Friday… thanks to an error from his old North London derby foe Granit Xhaka.However, the former Arsenal star had the last laugh during their Bundesliga clash with Bayer Leverkusen.
      Granit Xhaka’s error allowed Harry Kane to score early on for BayernCredit: Sky Sports Football

      Kane continued his fine form since signing for the German champions as he scored inside seven minutes – his 300th career club goal.
      The England captain nodded home from close range after a flick on from a corner.
      And it was Xhaka who was supposed to have been marking him at the back post.
      The Swiss midfielder was caught ball-watching, leaving Kane free behind him with a simple task.
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      Fortunately for Xhaka, Alex Grimaldo levelled the score shortly after with a superb free-kick into the top corner.
      Kane was ultimately subbed off for old Stoke flop Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting with five minutes left as Bayern chased a winner.
      And the Spurs icon was soon sprinting down the touchline thinking his side had it after Leon Goretzka poked in.
      However, deep into stoppage time, Bayern hearts were broken when VAR intervened to award a soft-looking penalty against Alphonse Davies.
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      Exequiel Palacios converted the resulting spot-kick to tie the match at 2-2 and maintain both side’s unbeaten league starts.
      Like Kane, Xhaka is also a summer arrival at his club, having left Arsenal after seven years in North London.
      He has since started all four Bundesliga matches this term for Leverkusen, who are managed by former Liverpool man Xabi Alonso.
      As for Kane, he has picked up where he left off in the Premier League following his £104million move.
      His goal on Friday follows a brace against Augsburg and a debut goal and assist on the opening weekend away to Werder Bremen.
      He will hope to continue that form in the Champions League on Wednesday, with Manchester United the opponents.
      Kane has scored four goals in four Bundesliga matchesCredit: Getty More

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      Former footballer who opened string of sex shops after retiring accused of stalking and robbing estranged wife

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      A RETIRED goalkeeper who owns several sex shops has been accused of stalking and robbing his estranged wife.Benedikt Pliquett opened a series of adult shops and a bar after hanging up his boots in 2016.
      Benedikt Pliquett is accused of stalking and robbing his estranged wifeCredit: Getty
      However, the 38-year-old has now been accused of following his estranged wife and her new boyfriend before allegedly attacking them.
      According to Bild, Pliquett was allegedly travelling in a car behind the couple before they stopped at around 12.30am.
      He is then said to have ripped open their car door, causing his wife to tell her new partner to run away so nothing would happen to him.
      Pliquett allegedly then dragged his wife out of the car and took her handbag and car keys.
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      It is claimed this was followed by him locking her in the car before driving away in his own vehicle.
      The report adds that his estranged wife’s new boyfriend called the police, who then reached Pliquett by phone.
      After speaking with officers, he is said to have returned with the handbag and keys.
      A police spokesperson confirmed to Bild that “an investigation into robbery has been initiated”.
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      Pliquett (right) has opened several sex shops since retiring
      If found guilty, Pliquett could face prison time for his alleged offences.
      The former goalkeeper came through the academy at Hamburg before spending nine years with city rivals St. Pauli.
      He later played in Austria and Spain before retiring in 2016 aged 31.
      Since ending his playing career, Pliquett has returned to Hamburg, where he has opened several sex shops and a bar.
      The businesses are located in the Reeperbahn area, the city’s famous red-light district.
      His shops sell a variety of adult items, ranging from sex toys to bondage gear.
      During the Covid pandemic, one of the shops was even converted into a supermarket offering toilet roll, cleaning products and food alongside Pliquett’s usual raunchy catalogue of products. More

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      Bayern Munich ‘already planning for Thomas Tuchel’s exit with Real Madrid legend targeted to replace ex-Chelsea chief’

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      BAYERN MUNICH are reportedly targeting former Real Madrid and Liverpool star Xabi Alonso to replace manager Thomas Tuchel.The German giants are believed to be already planning for the former Chelsea boss’ exit from the club.
      Bayern Munich are reportedly planning for Thomas Tuchel’s exitCredit: AFP
      Xabi Alonso is claimed to be the number one target to replace TuchelCredit: EPA
      Tuchel was only appointed as Bayern Munich manager in March as he replaced Julian Nagelsmann.
      The club manage to win the Bundesliga title, although they did need help from Borussia Dortmund who failed to win on the final day of the season.

      Reports in Germany have claimed that Tuchel is “irritating” the club’s board with his negative comments about the club’s summer transfer business.
      Further claims have now suggested that Bayern are already planning for Tuchel to leave the club, and his replacement has been identified.
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      It has been claimed Alonso is Bayern’s number one target to replace Tuchel.
      The Spaniard has built a strong reputation as a manager since taking the helm at Bayer Leverkusen.
      Alonso is familiar with Bayern, having spent the last three years of his playing career at the club after leaving Real Madrid.
      During his time at the Allianz Arena, the midfielder won three league titles, a DFB-Poka title and German Super Cup.
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      Since becoming manager of Leverkusen, he has overseen 21 wins from 41 games.
      When Alonso was appointed, he managed to drag the club away from the relegation zone to a sixth-placed finish and a semi-final in the Europa League.
      Alonso’s performance saw him linked with the vacant Tottenham job in the summer before Ange Postecoglou took the role.
      He is also a potential target for Madrid once Carlo Ancelotti leaves the club at the end of the season.
      He’s also been tipped to one day take over from Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool. More

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      Fulham ‘still plan to SELL Joao Palhinha with new contract not changing Bayern Munich transfer exit in January’

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      FULHAM are reportedly still planning on selling Joao Palhinha to Bayern Munich despite him signing a new contract.The Portuguese star was set to join the Bundesliga giants on transfer deadline day until the move collapsed.
      Fulham are reportedly still planning on selling Joao Palhinha after he signed a new contractCredit: Getty
      Palhinha, 28, was at Bayern and was even believed to have posed with a club shirt.
      Fulham were unable to sign a replacement, with Manchester United’s Scott McTominay reportedly the favourite to arrive at Craven Cottage.
      This meant that the club pulled the plug on Palhinha’s move to Bayern.
      The midfielder has since signed a new deal with the Cottagers.
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      Fabrizio Romano, however, has claimed that Bayern still want to sign Palhinha and will move for him in January.
      The transfer guru has also suggested that the midfielder’s new contract was “key” after the drama on deadline day.
      He continues to suggest that Fulham are still planning on selling Palhinha for a “huge fee” next summer.
      Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel believes that his squad is still “thin” despite the arrivals of high-profile stars such as Harry Kane, Kim Min-jae and Konrad Laimer.
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      Palhinha has been backed to still make the move to Bayern, with his agent brother Goncalo suggesting that the transfer has merely been  “postponed”.
      He said: “They didn’t kill the dream, they just postponed it.
      “Very proud of my brother and the player I represent.”
      Tuchel has also been asked whether his side could return for Palhinha in the future.
      He said: “I have no opinion on that. There’s no point in thinking about it now. He plays at Fulham and we play here without him.
      “In winter we have to see. Things change sometimes, you can’t predict that.”
      After signing his new contract, Palhinha said: “I feel happy. A lot of history happened these few weeks for me, you heard a lot of things about my future, but I’m just focused on my work at Fulham.
      “I always have 100 per cent commitment with this club, I have all the respect for the club, for the fans. Since the first day, they supported me a lot, and me and my family felt this since the first moment that I arrived here.
      “I have a lot of respect for everyone here in Fulham and I am ready to start again, to give all my best, and I want to achieve good things.” More

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      Bayern Munich told they should have signed in-form rival instead of Harry Kane as Tuchel aims sly transfer dig

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      THOMAS TUCHEL has scoffed at a rival manager for suggesting Bayerm Munich should have signed Victor Boniface instead of Harry Kane.Tuchel paid £104million for England skipper Kane, while new £18m Bayer Leverkusen frontman Boniface has been compared to Erling Haaland.
      Harry Kane has notched three goals in four games for BayernCredit: Rex
      Victor Boniface has four goals from Leverkusen’s three league winsCredit: EPA
      Cologne coach Steffen Baumgart claimed if he was Bayern boss he would have targeted the Nigerian 22-year-old over Tottenham legend Kane, 30.
      But Tuchel believes the comparison is ridiculous.
      He described Boniface as “a totally different type of player” – then teased Baumgart.
      Ex-Chelsea manager Tuchel said: “It’s good that Cologne’s coach is concerned about our market.
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      “If we had known earlier, we would have expanded our transfer committee to nine people.”
      Nonetheless, pound for pound, and in plain stats, Baumgart has a strong case for backing Boniface as the dream strike recruit for Bundesliga clubs.
      Younger than Kane by eight years, he has helped blitz Leverkusen to the top of the table with four goals from their three wins in three games.
      Champions Bayern, in second place, are the only other team to have won all their three German top-flight matches this term.
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      Three Lions’ record scorer Kane has notched three goals in his four appearances since arriving at Munich last month.
      Tuchel said on Thursday the Londoner was already showing he’ll become an “absolute success” for Bayern.
      And German outlet BILD claim Kane has quickly established himself within the dressing room as one of Bayern’s three most senior figures.
      Thomas Muller and Joshua Kimmich share that status – with club captain and fellow Germany star Manuel Neuer slipping down the list.
      Meanwhile, Boniface has continued his astonishing rise of the past four years.
      He totalled 23 goals and eight assists from 66 matches as he twice won the Norwegian top-tier title with Bodo/Glimt.
      Then 17 goals and 12 assists in 51 games last term for Belgium’s Union Saint-Gilloise persuaded Leverkusen to splash out for him.
      Thomas Tuchel reckons Kane is already proving to be a great buyCredit: Getty More

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      Bayern Munich’s leadership group ‘LEAKED with Harry Kane already in top three and club legend demoted’

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      HARRY KANE is already among the top three most senior players in the Bayern Munich dressing room, according to reports.The 30-year-old striker joined the Bundesliga giants in a £104million transfer from Tottenham last month.
      Kane is one of the most influential players in the Bayern Munich dressing roomCredit: EPA
      Neuer has dropped down the leadership rankingsCredit: AP
      He has since enjoyed a successful start to life in Germany, with three goals in four appearances.
      And according to German outlet BILD, he has already emerged as a key member of the squad.
      Kane is understood to be one of the most influential players in the Bayern Munich squad, alongside Thomas Muller and Joshua Kimmich.
      The report also claims that club captain Manuel Neuer has slipped down the rankings.
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      Neuer missed the second half of the 2022-23 campaign with a broken leg following a skiing accident.
      The goalkeeper now finds himself in the second bracket of influence, with Kingsley Coman, Leon Goretzka and summer signing Kim Min-jae in the third.
      Kane lauded Bayern Munich’s “top” mentality while on international duty last week, claiming they “have to win” every game.
      He said: “We wanted to win at Spurs, but if you went a couple of games without winning it wasn’t a disaster. At Bayern you have to win every game.
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      “After winning 3-1 and 4-0 in our first two games, there was talk about not being too happy about way we played! Top club mentality.”
      Tottenham fans were left furious with his comments as a result, with some claiming that he “bottled” the chance to win trophies in North London. More