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    Jude Bellingham hands out farewell gifts at Dortmund training ground ahead of stunning Real Madrid transfer

    JUDE BELLINGHAM has been saying his final goodbyes at Borussia Dortmund ahead of his reported summer transfer to Real Madrid.The England international could only watch on as his team-mates missed out on the Bundesliga title to Bayern Munich as he was an unused substitute as he comes off the back of a knee injury.
    Jude Bellingham has reportedly been saying his farewells at Borussia DortmundCredit: TWITTER
    Gifting a pair of signed boots to one staff memberCredit: TWITTER
    But that did not stop him from wanting to leave the club in a positive manner.
    According to Ruhr Nachrichten BVB, the midfielder went around the Dortmund training ground to say his farewells.
    Bellingham, 19, also handed gifts out to the staff while having his last conversations with them as a Dortmund player.
    The report also suggests that he spoke with managing director Hans-Joachim Watzke before leaving.
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    Among these gifts was a reported pair of boots which were given to one staff member with the message “thank you” written on them.
    On Saturday, Bayern Munich made it 11 Bundesliga crowns in a row on goal difference after Dortmund were held 2-2 at home by Mainz.
    In the aftermath, Bellingham shoved a camera out of the way as he was visibly emotional after the disappointment.
    And as Bellingham went on the pitch to thank fans afterwards, some interpreted his forlorn wave as a sign of his imminent parting.
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    According to Bild, his personal terms at Madrid have already been agreed.
    Under the contract, the Englishman will stay with Madrid until 2029 with a pay package worth more than £17million-a-year.
    However, the report adds the only thing left to be hashed out is the fee between the clubs.
    But according to Marca, a “definitive” move to Real Madrid could come to fruition in the coming days.
    With the report also suggesting that Bellingham has snubbed moves to the Premier League in favour of a switch to the Spanish capital. More

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    Fans call Bundesliga a ‘fix’ after bizarre gaffe stops Koln attack before Bayern Munich win title yet again

    FANS have put a dampener on Bayern Munich’s dramatic title glory – by claiming it was fixed.Sprinklers on the pitch went off as Koln attacked in Bayern’s 2-1 win – persuading ref Sven Jablonski to halt play and sparking wild speculation on social media.
    Injured Bayern skipper Manuel Neuer shrugged off the sprinkler controversy to get changed and lift the Bundesliga trophyCredit: Getty
    A sprinkler went off as Koln pressed forward, leading to conspiracy theories from some fans that Bayern were being helped in their title bidCredit: Bundesliga
    Bayern fans were out on the streets on Sunday celebrating 11 successive titlesCredit: EPA
    Thomas Tuchel’s men were 1-0 in front at the time through Kingsley Coman, with victory vital in their hunt for 11 crowns in a row.
    Koln midfielder Dejan Ljubicic hit a late penalty leveller but Jamal Musiala smashed an outstanding clincher for Bayern on 89 minutes.
    That left Borussia Dortmund needing to turn a 1-0 deficit at home to Mainz into victory to steal the crown
    Niklas Sule did notch a leveller six minutes into stoppage time but there was no time left for Dortmund to nick a winner.
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    And some observers were quick to pour cold water on Bayern’s triumph.
    Sprinklers popped up outside their penalty area during a testing moment in the 72nd minute against Koln.
    Bayern were handed possession back – and then picked up the title too.
    Fans then showered social media with a mixture of conspiracy theories and amusement.
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    One posted: “Investigate Bayern” and an equally-cheeky supporter wrote: “Fixed match.” 
    A third wrote: “No way Bayern let off sprinklers during the match” – followed by crying-with-laughter emojis.
    But perhaps the most cynical response on social media was: “That’s an insane way of rigging the game lmao there is no way that’s a mistake.”
    Tuchel didn’t refer to the incident afterwards but said: “We had the last shot and the last answer to all the questions with Jamal. 
    “We’ll take it, but it was a crazy, crazy afternoon.”
    Yet minutes after clinching another historic success, Bayern announced the sackings of CEO Oliver Kahn and sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic.
    Tuchel said: “Instead of celebrating, we now have another issue” manager Thomas Tuchel said in response to the sackings.” More

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    Bayern Munich chiefs SACKED despite dramatic Bundesliga title win – with Oliver Kahn BANNED from attending game

    BAYERN MUNICH have sacked chiefs Oliver Kahn and Hasan Salihamidžić despite winning its 11th straight Bundesliga title.The Bavarian side completed the league win after beating Koln 2-1 as rivals Borussia Dortmund failed to beat Mainz.
    Oliver Kahn has been sacked as Bayern Munich CEOCredit: EPA
    Hasan Salihamidzic was also axed from his role as the club’s sporting directorCredit: Getty
    However, while the players were celebrating on the pitch, change was happening behind the scenes.
    Kahn was reportedly banned from attending the game and has been replaced as the club’s CEO by the current vice-chairman of the board Jan-Christian Dreesen.
    While Salihamidžić was at the game, though fans have suggested that he was told of his axing while on the pitch during the jubilations.
    Footage was shared online of Salihamidžić on the pitch talking to chairman Herbert Hainer and looking very disgruntled.
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    One fan tweeted: “Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidžić got sacked on the pitch 😳.”
    A second added: “Ruthless.”
    While reports suggest that he was indeed sacked before the game but still allowed to attend, unlike Kahn.
    After being dismissed, Kahn said: “My plan was to come to Koln and then of course celebrate title with the squad, but I was forbidden.”
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    A club statement read: “Oliver Kahn is no longer CEO of FC Bayern München AG.
    “Hasan Salihamidžić will also be replaced as board member for sport.
    “This was decided by the club’s supervisory board.
    “Kahn will be replaced by the current vice-chairman of the board Jan-Christian Dreesen. Salihamidžić’s successor is still to be decided.”
    Despite his sacking, Kahn did still congratulate Bayern on winning the Bundesliga.
    He tweeted: “Unbelievable! A big compliment and congratulations guys! I always told you so! Always give everything to the end and never give up.
    “I am incredibly proud of you and this achievement!
    “I’m looking forward to next season. We will not only be German champions for the 12th time! Let’s celebrate!”
    Despite winning the Bundesliga title, it has been a disappointing season for the German giants.
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    Julian Nagelsmann was sacked as manager and former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel was hired as his replacement.
    While the club also exited from the Champions League and German Cup earlier than deemed acceptable. More

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    Fans in hysterics as Manuel Neuer ‘goes full John Terry’ for Bundesliga title celebrations after being sidelined

    AMUSED fans accused Manuel Neuer of “doing a John Terry” after the injured legend led Bayern Munich’s title celebrations.Keeper Neuer took centre stage in full kit to lift the Bundesliga trophy after Bayern pipped Borussia Dortmund on goal difference following dramatic finales in both their games.
    Crocked keeper Manuel Neuer, 37, and 33-year-old Thomas Muller lead Bayern’s title celebrations as the only players to have won it 11 times in a rowCredit: AFP
    John Terry was suspended when he changed into kit to lead Chelsea’s Champions League glory, claiming he earned the role in earlier roundsCredit: Getty
    Chelsea icon Terry famously changed into match gear to spearhead joyous scenes after they won the 2012 Champions League final against Bayern.
    JT was derided for that, yet did the same the following year as the Blues triumphed in the Europa League final against Benfica when he was injured.
    Supporters might have more sympathy with Neuer now than with fellow skipper Terry – because of the contrasting reasons for their absence.
    The 117-cap German, 37, has endured a terrible time since his season was ended by a skiing accident in January.
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    He soon feuded with then-manager Julian Nagelsmann.
    And Neuer saw his personal keeper coach Tony Tapalovic sacked over claims he leaked player conversations.
    He said: “It was a blow for me – when I was already on the ground. I felt like my heart was being ripped out.
    “That was the most brutal thing I’ve experienced in my career. And I’ve already experienced a lot.”
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    Now he’s made history as he and Thomas Muller are the only two Bayern heroes to have played in their 11 straight title wins.
    The stopper picked up the silverware on Saturday after Jamal Musiala’s glorious strike on 89 minutes clinched a 2-1 victory at Koln.
    Bayern still needed Dortmund to lose or draw at home to Mainz.
    And Edin Terzic’s men battled back from a shock 2-0 deficit.
    But they only levelled on 96 minutes through Niklas Sule and had no time left to find the winner they needed.
    Neuer then looked like he had never been away as he donned a shiny turquoise top to raise the Bundesliga trophy.
    One fan said “Neuer doing a John Terry” – followed by three crying-with-laughter emojis.
    But another called him “our goat”.
    And as Neuer roared his delight next to Muller, a third supporter posted “Traditions” while a fourth claimed: “They’re cute together.” More

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    Bayern Munich star continues ridiculous record of winning league EVERY season after clinching TWELFTH title at just 26

    KINGSLEY COMAN has continued his incredible record of winning a league title every season of his senior career.The Bayern Munich star collected his 12th league winner’s medal as his side won the Bundesliga for the 11th year in a row.
    Bayern Munich sealed their 11th straight title after beating KolnCredit: Reuters
    But it was Kingsley Coman’s 12th consecutive league winCredit: Getty
    Coman, 26, played a crucial role as he scored the first goal in Bayern’s 2-1 win over Koln.
    Despite Koln equalising in the 81st minute from the spot, Jamal Musiala was able to net a dramatic winner seven minutes later.
    The title victory was only made possible as rivals Borussia Dortmund failed to beat Mainz at the Signal Iduna Park.
    The French international won’t care how it happened though, as he added another medal to his collection.
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    Coman’s run of league wins started in 2013 as he won back-to-back Ligue 1 titles with PSG.
    He then won Serie A titles with Juventus in 2015 and 2016.
    Coman earned the medal in 2016, having played in the first game in the season before leaving for Munich, where he also won the league in that campaign.
    He has since gone on to win seven successive Bundesliga titles with the Bavarian side.
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    And fans have been reacting to the astonishing record on social media.
    One tweeted: “He’s going to have a breakdown the first season he doesn’t win a trophy.”
    A second wrote: “He will be 27 this year. If he stays at Bayern, he could beat the all-time record for TOP 5 leagues.”
    A third said: “Bro soo chad he even won 2 titles in a season 😱.”
    A fourth added: “That’s quite a run!”
    While a fifth declared: “The man has 12 league titles, that’s crazy 😭😭.”
    Despite his young age, his private trophy cabinet is already stuffed with accolades other than the 12 league title winners’ medals.
    Coman has also won a World Cup with France as well as a Champions League and many domestic cups.
    The 26-year-old only needs one more league title to match Ryan Giggs’ record of 13 in an entire career. More

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    Heartbroken Bellingham shoves camera out of his face after taking role of waterboy as Dortmund let Bundesliga title slip

    DEVASTATED Jude Bellingham shoved a camera out of the way as Borussia Dortmund suffered last-gasp title agony.Bayern Munich made it 11 Bundesliga crowns in a row on goal difference after Dortmund were held 2-2 at home by Mainz.
    Dortmund sub Jude Bellingham shows the pain of missing out on the Bundesliga title after a dramatic finale to the seasonCredit: https://twitter.com/TheEuropeanLad/status/1662482051642142720

    Jude Bellingham was giving out water bottles to his team-matesCredit: https://twitter.com/TheEuropeanLad/status/1662460559353053187/photo/1
    And England midfielder Bellingham – reduced to the role of water carrier as a non-playing sub – had pain etched all over his face as he moved the camera away.
    The dream target for Real Madrid and Premier League giants wiped his face with his shirt as he walked off.
    And as the camera operator homed in to follow his movement, Bellingham shook his head as if pleading for a private moment and put out his arm to divert it.
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    Borussia Dortmund throw away Bundesliga title in final-day epic as Musiala scores last-minute winner for Bayern Munich

    JUDE BELLINGHAM’S farewell party fell flat as Borussia Dortmund showed Arsenal how you bottle a title.Real Madrid-bound Bellingham, left on the bench after injury, was powerless to prevent his team throwing away the chance to win their first Bundesliga since 2012.
    Jude Bellingham and Borussia Dortmund missed out on the Bundesliga titleCredit: Getty
    Dortmund’s players collapsed to the turf at full-timeCredit: AP
    Jamal Musiala scored the 89th-minute winner for Bayern MunichCredit: Reuters
    An amazing season had a fitting climax, but not the one that most of Germany wanted as Bayern Munich claimed their 11th championship in a row, by the fine margin of goal difference.
    Dortmund needed simply to beat Mainz at home to pip arch-rivals Bayern Munich to the crown but a nervous first half in which everything went wrong cost them dearly.
    Sebastien Haller failed to convert a penalty just after Mainz took the lead and the Black and Yellows found themselves two down at the break.
    Edin Terzic’s team were left to find at least three goals in 45 minutes to rescue their dream, provided Bayern could maintain or extend their one-goal lead at Koln.
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    But a season full of twists and turns did not have quite enough of them left.
    Raphael Guerreiro gave the home side hope with just over 20 minutes to go and Dortmund had plenty of chances to complete a stunning comeback.
    Then Koln equalised with just nine minutes left to put Terzic’s side back on top by a point.
    But the Dortmund fans’ delight was shortlived, as Jumal Musiala bagged an 89th-minute winner for Bayern.
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    The perennial champions held on for victory and Nicklas Sule’s stoppage-time equaliser for Dortmund came too late.
    So Bayern, led by former Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel, retained their crown – just.
    And for the seventh time in that period, Dortmund were the reluctant bridesmaids.
    The Signal Iduna Park was electric before kick-off. The home hordes belted out “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, smoke from flares shrouded the pitch and the stage was set for a memorable day in the club’s illustrious history.
    So it proved, but for all the wrong reasons.
    Sule, Dortmund’s former Bayern defender, had the first good chance, but his volley from a corner was saved comfortably by Mainz goalkeeper Finn Dahmen.
    Then came news that Kingsley Coman – who now has 11 major league titles aged 26 – had put Bayern ahead and on top by goal difference.
    Things got even worse in the 15th minute when Mainz defender Andreas Hanche-Olsen was allowed to head in a corner at the near post.
    And then Haller blew the chance to hit back straight away.
    After being asked by VAR to look again at Dominik Kohr’s challenge on Guerreiro, referee Marco Fritz awarded a penalty.

    But Haller, taking his first spot-kick for the club, hit it too close to Dahmen, who saved well.
    Dortmund were screaming for a second penalty moments later, for another challenge on Guerreiro, only for both VAR and Fritz to say there were was nothing doing.
    Unbelievably, Mainz went two-up as Karim Onisiwo headed in Lee Jae-sung’s cross and Dortmund’s world had been turned upside down in less than ten minutes.
    You could see the nerves infecting every player in black and yellow and hear the tension and disbelief in the crowd.
    The blows just kept coming, as forward Karim Adeyemi went off injured. On came club captain Marco Reus, six times a runner-up with Dortmund, to try to stop it becoming seven.
    The home side had been struggling to create openings as Mainz sat deep but then had three sights of goal.
    Guerreiro fired over the bar, Julian Brandt had a shot saved when a pass looked the better option, and Dahmen kept out Matt Hummels’ shot from range.
    Donyell Malen headed into the side-netting as the half ebbed away.
    The only thing that had gone for Dortmund was VAR ruling out a second Bayern goal by Leroy Sane for handball.
    Terzic made another change at the break, bringing on teenage forward Youssoufa Moukoko for right-back Marius Wolf.
    Kingsley Coman scored early for Bayern MunichCredit: AFP
    Sebastien Haller missed a penalty for Borussia DortmundCredit: Getty
    Jude Bellingham watched on helplessly from the sidelines as a subCredit: Getty
    Raphael Guerreiro pulled one back for Borussia DortmundCredit: EPA
    Dejan Ljubicic equalised for Koln against Bayern Munich before the champions scored againCredit: Getty
    But it was Mainz who looked more likely to score. With the home side wide open to any counter attack, Lee forced home goalkeeper Gregor Kobel into an unconvincing double save.
    Another break ended with Onisiwo hitting the frame of the goal.
    Haller should have given his team hope just before the hour, but failed to divert Moukoko’s cross into the net from close range.
    Malen shot wide moments later and desperate Dortmund tried to pile on the pressure.
    Another teenager, Belgian winger Julien Duranville, came on to good effect and the chances kept on coming.
    After Moukoko had fired wide, substitute Gio Reyna exchanged passes twice with Guerreiro, whose shot went in off the post.
    Reus then had a great opportunity to make things really interesting, but headed over the bar. Haller and Reyna nodded other chances straight into Dahmen’s clutches.
    Kobel saved a free-kick by Aaron Martin and moments later came the news of Koln’s equaliser.
    Hummels should have levelled things up for his own team, but somehow headed Reus’ free-kick wide.
    Then came the next kick in the teeth as Musiala grabbed the winner in Cologne. Haller had the ball in the net in the fourth of five minutes of stoppage time, but was ruled offside.
    Sule scored in the 96th minute but it was too little, too late.
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    Bellingham will surely lift trophies in the future.
    But Dortmund’s long wait for a Bundesliga title – and Germany’s long wait for Bayern to be toppled – goes on.
    Dortmund fans roared their team on all the wayCredit: Reuters
    Serge Gnabry and his Bayern Munich looked to have thrown it awayCredit: EPA
    Dortmund supporters nervously checked the Bayern scoreCredit: Reuters
    Musiala struck in the 89th minute to seal victoryCredit: Getty More

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    Man Utd and Liverpool battle Real Madrid in transfer race for World Cup winner and Bayern Munich star

    MANCHESTER UNITED and Liverpool are reportedly battling Real Madrid in the chase to sign Benjamin Pavard.The French World Cup winner, 27, has been at Bayern Munich for four years.
    Three huge clubs are all chasing Bayern Munich defender Benjamin PavardCredit: Getty
    The full-back is a regular at the Bundesliga club but speculation has been mounting over his future.
    We reported this week how United supporters reacted underwhelming as they were linked with a move for Pavard.
    Now journalist Georg Holzner claims that the Red Devils face a fight to sign the star.
    It has been reported Premier League rivals Liverpool also want Pavard.
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    And LaLiga giants Real Madrid have also joined the race with all three sides having already contacted Bayern to enquire about the player.
    United are already well-stocked in full back areas, with Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia occupying the left-back area and Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka the main right-backs.
    But Pavard comes with pedigree having won the World Cup in 2018 and the Champions League with Bayern in 2020.
    He has made 29 appearances at club level this term, scoring four goals and registering a single assist.
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    Despite Bayern’s season appearing to be heading towards a potential treble going into the March international break, it now looks set to end in major disappointment.
    The baffling decision to sack Julian Nagelsmann and replace him with Thomas Tuchel has been followed by an incredible collapse.
    The European powerhouse were quickly knocked out of the Champions League and German Cup.
    And they now face losing the league, which they have won consecutively for the last decade, if Dortmund win on the final day of the season. More