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    Liverpool next manager odds: Bookies list likely candidates after Jurgen Klopp’s shock announcement

    LIVERPOOL will begin the search for a new manager after Jurgen Klopp’s shock announcement.The German – who joined the club in 2015, replacing Brendan Rodgers – has informed the club’s owners he plans to step down from the role at the end of the season.
    Follow the latest developments from Klopp’s bombshell statement
    Liverpool will have a new manager next season as Klopp confirms he’s set to quitCredit: Alamy
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    Klopp has won the Premier League and Champions League in his time at Anfield and is currently in the race for all four trophies this season.
    Klopp’s announcement to stand down will put clubs across the world on alert, as well as many potential suitors who the Reds could likely turn to to replace him.
    Bookmakers Betfair make former midfielder Xabi Alonso the early 13/8 favourite to return to Anfield as manager to replace Jurgen Klopp.
    He’s one many Liverpool fans will be crying out for as he gets set to take his next step in management.
    His spell as Leverkusen boss couldn’t be any more impressive as they sit four points clear of Bayern at the top of the Bundesliga, scoring 50 goals in 18 games.
    They won all six of their Europa League games too, meaning an 88.8% win percentage in all competitions this year.
    And Leverkusen became the first side in German football history to stay unbeaten after the first 25 games of a campaign across all competitions.
    Next Liverpool manager oddsBetfair odds

    Xabi Alonso 13/8
    Pep Lijnders 3/1
    Steven Gerrard 11/2
    Roberto De Zerbi 15/2
    Julian Nagelsmann 9/1
    Ange Postecoglou 14/1
    Luis Enrique 14/1

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    The style of football has been the most exciting part and the 42-year-old has worked his way through the Real Madrid and Real Sociedad academies to learn his craft.
    Klopp’s current No2 Pep Ljinders is 3/1 to step up into the hotseat.
    Lijnders has deputised previously in Klopp’s absence, most notably in League Cup outings and is a well-respected coach having worked under Rodgers too.
    His only spell in management didn’t quite go to plan when dismissed by Dutch side NEC having failed to gain promotion from the second tier.
    Anfield legend Steven Gerrard (11/2) was always talked about as the man who’d eventually replace Klopp, particularly after his spell in Glasgow.

    Gerrard’s heroics to topple Celtic as Rangers manager saw him swiftly move back south of the border and to Aston Villa, where he failed to live up to expectations.
    He’s now in Saudi Arabia and recently penned a new contract to remain at Al-Ettifaq but his dream has always been to be the Liverpool boss.
    Robert De Zerbi (15/2) is in the same category as Alonso when it comes to entertaining, attacking football and will be another popular choice, ahead of Julian Nagelsmann at 9/1.
    Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou is another who plays attractive football and he’s next in the list alongside Luis Enrique at 14/1.
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    Jurgen Klopp announces he will QUIT Liverpool at end of season in bombshell statement

    JURGEN KLOPP is sensationally set to leave Liverpool at the end of the season.The German took over at Anfield in October 2015 but he has now decided to call time on his Liverpool career.
    Jurgen Klopp will step down at the end of the season
    Klopp led Liverpool to their sixth Champions League title in 2019Credit: Getty
    He also won the League Cup and FA Cup double in 2022Credit: AFP
    Klopp took over as Liverpool manager in October 2015Credit: Reuters
    Klopp has won the Premier League and Champions League with the Reds and is currently top of the Prem table.
    But he revealed he is running out of energy and cannot continue in the job year after year.
    Klopp explained his decision to step down in an emotional interview in which he shared his love for the club, the fans and the city.
    He said: “I can understand that it’s a shock for a lot of people in this moment, when you hear it for the first time, but obviously I can explain it – or at least try to explain it.
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    “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. 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, 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 informed Liverpool’s owners of his intention to quit in November.
    Most read in Football
    He has won five major trophies with the RedsCredit: Getty
    Liverpool won their first league title in 30 years under the GermanCredit: EPA
    Klopp’s wife Ulla previously convinced him to stay at LiverpoolCredit: Rex

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    Liverpool next manager huntBy Chisanga Malata
    LIVERPOOL are on the hunt for a new manager following the shock revelation that Jurgen Klopp will leave the club.
    The German dropped the bombshell news on Friday morning, leaving Kopites around the world stunned.
    Fans’ attentions have now turned to who will replace the iconic German in the Anfield dugout.
    And SunSport is on hand with the five standout candidates to succeed the club’s soon-to-be former iconic manager.
    Xabi Alonso
    The former Reds midfielder is the favourite to replace Klopp after a stellar one-and-a-half seasons in charge of Bayer Leverkusen.
    Alonso has a 64 per cent win ratio for the Bundesliga outfit, who he guided to a sixth-placed finish and Europa League football last season.
    Roberto De Zerbi
    The Italian has been a revelation for Brighton since replacing Graham Potter at the Amex in September 2022.
    Brighton finished in sixth place last season, a mere five points behind Liverpool.
    Jose Mourinho
    The former Chelsea and Manchester United is currently a free agent after being axed by Italian giants Roma this month.
    Mourinho has had a fiery history with the club in the past, but he’d be the perfect man to bring in if the Reds brass want to bring in a big-name manager.
    Unai Emery
    The Spaniard has well and truly bounced back from a disastrous spell with Arsenal at Villa Park.
    Emery guided Aston Villa to a seventh-placed finish last season, a feat they’re on course to better as they’re currently fourth in the Premier League table.
    Steven Gerrard
    The Reds icon has been touted as a future manager of the club ever since he hung up his playing boots.
    His ill-fated spell at Aston Villa, however, may put the club off from an emotional managerial Anfield return.
    And on top of that, the former England man has just signed a new contract with Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq.

    His decision comes just 18 months after Klopp U-turned on his decision to quit the club after being convinced to stay at Anfield by his wife Ulla.
    Klopp signed a four-year deal instead but realised he was unlikely to stick around for next season when discussing summer plans with club chiefs.
    He continued: “I told the club already in November. I have to explain a little bit that maybe the job I do people see from the outside, I’m on the touchline and in training sessions and stuff like this, but the majority of all the things happen around these kind of things.
    “That means a season starts and you plan pretty much the next season already.
    “When we sat there together talking about potential signings, the next summer camp and can we go wherever, the thought came up, ‘I am not sure I am here then anymore’ and I was surprised myself by that. I obviously start thinking about it.
    “It didn’t start [then], but of course last season was kind of a super-difficult season and there were moments when at other clubs probably the decision would have been, ‘Come on, thank you very much for everything but probably we should split here, or end it here.’ That didn’t happen here, obviously.
    “For me it was super, super, super-important that I can help to bring this team back onto the rails. It was all I was thinking about.
    “When I realised pretty early that happened, it’s a really good team with massive potential and a super age group, super characters and all that, then I could start thinking about myself again and that was the outcome.
    “It is not what I want to [do], it is just what I think is 100 per cent right.”
    Klopp is only missing the Europa LeagueXabi Alonso is the favourite to take overBy Dan King

    XABI ALONSO ticks almost every box to succeed Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager, and if Bayer Leverkusen don’t let their lead at the top of the Bundesliga slip the case for him to do so will be irresistible.
    The former Kop idol knows the club inside out after five seasons at Anfield and has made no secret of his enduring affection.
    Alonso has already forged a reputation as an innovative coach playing an attractive, pressing style, usually in a fluid 3-4-2-1 formation.
    He has taken Leverkusen from second bottom of the Bundesliga to seven-points clear at the top, putting them on course to be crowned German champions for the first time in their 120-year history.
    It’s worth remembering that both Rafa Benitez and Klopp arrived at Anfield with proof they could dethrone clubs who dominated their leagues.
    For Alonso to do the same, in only his second season as a top-flight manager, would mark him out as something special.
    It is that lack of long-term experience that would still make appointing him to replace Klopp a gamble.
    But otherwise, he looks like the perfect candidate as Liverpool are forced to plan a future without the man who made them champions of England, Europe and the world.

    Klopp’s decision has caused shockwaves with fans and pundits alike left stunned.
    Former Liverpool star Jamie Carragher reacted saying: “This news was always going to be a body blow to the club whenever it came.
    “I just thought it would be another few years away.
    “What a manager, what a man, let’s go out with a bang Jurgen!”
    While Gary Lineker said: “Wow. Huge news. What an incredible job he’s done. A special The Rest Is Football podcast will be with you this afternoon.”
    Compatriot Thomas Tuchel, who replaced Klopp as manager of Borussia Dortmund in 2015, added: “I have to digest that first.
    “Kloppo is one of the very best coaches in the world, he has always managed to influence the clubs where he worked. It’s big news.”
    TNT Sports presenter Laura Woods also shared her shock, tweeting: “Wowwww. I don’t even support Liverpool and I’m upset!”
    He oversaw Liverpool’s first league win in 30 years in 2020 – a year after leading the Reds to Champions League glory.
    The German also led Liverpool to a cup double in 2022, beating Chelsea in both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup final on penalties.
    Klopp’s first final in charge of Liverpool was the 2016 Carabao Cup defeat to Manchester City, with the Reds also losing to Sevilla in the Europa League final the same year.
    But he still has a chance to add more silverware to Liverpool’s trophy cabinet with his side top of the table and five points clear of second-placed City.
    Liverpool are also still in three cup competitions after progressing to the Carabao Cup final on Wednesday.
    The Reds are now on the search for a successor to Klopp, with former midfielder Xabi Alonso firm favourite to take over.
    Alonso has impressed in his first managerial job at Bayer Leverkusen, taking his side to the Bundesliga summit this season without losing a game.
    However he has played down talk linking him with the Liverpool job, saying: “Speculation is normal, my focus is here on Bayer Leverkusen”.
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    “I am very happy at Leverkusen with my players at the moment.
    “Big surprise in Liverpool, of course — for what Jürgen did in Liverpool I have great respect and admiration.” More

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    Brits who hate losing the most revealed – where does your area rank?

    IT will come as no surprise to fed-up Newcastle United fans but it is now confirmed — Geordies are far and howay the worst losers.They hate getting beat at anything more than those in other regions, according to a poll.
    Folks from Newcastle are the worst losers in the country, according to a pollCredit: Reuters
    Newcastle United are currently having a spell of poor formCredit: Getty
    The footie team has been dumped out of the Champions League early and lost six out of their last seven Premier League games.
    But the long-suffering supporters and those in the rest of the North East also get miffed if they don’t win at board games.
    Even Geordie pop star Sting, former frontman in The Police, has admitted he is a sore loser.
    The singer, 72, who wrote their 1979 hit Can’t Stand Losing You, once grumbled his son Joe “always beats me at Scrabble”.
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    Meanwhile, Newcastle dad Simon Poulter, 56, confessed he had never let his kids win at anything.
    The design boss said: “My dad never let me win at anything and it’s the same with my kids.
    “If I’m taking shots at them in goal or playing them at Monopoly, I will do all I can to beat them.”
    The survey found 58 per cent in the North East consider themselves bad losers.
    Most read in Football
    The East of England region was the next worst, with the Scots, Brummies and Welsh not far behind.
    Online shop OnBuy.com, which commissioned the poll, said games brought “healthy competition” among pals and family — but not everyone could be winners.
    The Magpies have been dumped out of the Champions League early and lost six out of their last seven Premier League gamesCredit: Getty
    Even Geordie pop star Sting, former frontman in The Police, has admitted he is a sore loserCredit: Handout
    Who are Britain’s worst losers?
    1 – North East – 58%
    2 – East of England – 57%
    3 – Scotland – 56%
    4 – West Midlands – 54%
    5 – Wales – 54%
    6 – Yorkshire & Humber – 48%
    7 – South East – 47%
    8 – East Midlands – 45%
    9 – North West – 43
    10 – South West – 41% More

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    I won Ballon d’Or, Premier League and reached Champions League final – but FA Cup victory was best day of my life

    MICHAEL OWEN has revealed that winning the FA Cup in 2001 was the best day of his life.The former Liverpool star netted vital goals in the 2-1 victory over Arsenal in the final at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
    Michael Owen has insisted that winning the FA Cup with Liverpool was the ‘best day’Credit: Getty
    Owen, 44, fired in an equaliser for Gerard Houllier’s side after Freddie Ljungberg had given Arsenal the lead.
    The striker then grabbed a second that turned out to be the winner in the 88th minute.
    The victory completed an incredible year for the Reds in which they had also won the League Cup, Uefa Cup, Uefa Super Cup and Charity Shield.
    The final was held in Wales for the first time as Wembley Stadium was being reconstructed.
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    Owen enjoyed a fine career in which he turned out for clubs such as Real Madrid, Manchester United, Newcastle and Stoke City.
    He also won the Ballon d’Or in 2001 after a fantastic goalscoring year.
    Despite all his future success of playing in World Cups and winning a Premier League title, Owen has insisted that the day in Wales was the pinnacle.
    He told talkSPORT: “The best day of my life.
    Most read in Football
    “It was just an incredible season winning all those trophies.
    “We won five in that calendar year.
    “It was incredible, but that game against Arsenal in the FA Cup final is something I’ll never forget.”

    On the game itself, Owen admitted that he thought they were going to lose before he bagged his first goal.
    He added: “For about 85 minutes of the game, I thought we were going to get beaten.
    “They were an incredible team. It was sort of the ‘invincibles’ era.
    “We had a good team ourselves and we were in good shape at the time, winning plenty of trophies that season.”
    “I was in good form going into that game.
    “I’ve never been involved in a game where I’ve not had a chance. So even though there was 85 minutes on the clock, I knew I’d get a chance – fortunately, I got two.”
    Liverpool won five trophies that calendar yearCredit: Getty More

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    Leaked new Chelsea away kit appears to commemorate one of greatest Stamford Bridge goals… with just one problem

    CHELSEA’S new leaked away kit appears to pay homage to a great goal scored at Stamford Bridge.However, the goal in question was scored by Ronaldinho in 2005.
    A leaked Chelsea kit looks set to pay homage to Ronaldinho and BarcelonaCredit: Rex
    Ronaldinho scored an iconic goal against Chelsea wearing the 2005 away kitCredit: Rex
    And kit manufacturer Nike now looks set to produce a similar away strip for next seasonCredit: Nike vis FOOTY HEADLINES
    🔵 A Stamford Bridge classic, #OTD in 2005!⏰⚽️0⃣8⃣ Gudjohnsen ⏰⚽️1⃣7⃣ Lampard ⏰⚽️1⃣9⃣ Duff ⏰⚽️2⃣7⃣ Ronaldinho⏰⚽️3⃣8⃣ Ronaldinho⏰⚽️7⃣6⃣ Terry @ChelseaFC | #UCL pic.twitter.com/MhNGmjqzLq— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 8, 2021

    Back in the 2004/05 season, Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea started their last 16 Champions League home leg against Barcelona 2-1 down following the first leg at the Camp Nou.
    Chelsea went on to produce a stunning 4-2 win after going 3-0 ahead inside 20 minutes.
    But it was Barcelona and Ronaldinho’s second goal 38 minutes into the game which stunned the world.
    The Brazilian trickster picked up the ball on the edge of the D before lashing a shot into the left side of the goal from a standing start.
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    And the golden-reddish kit Ronaldinho and co wore that famous night almost 19 years ago now appears to be in works to be the inspiration behind Chelsea’s 2024/25 away kit.
    Leaked pictures on footyheadlines show Chelsea’s Nike manufactured kit with a similar colour.
    It is completed with blue lettering and a blue and red trim at the ends of the shirt and short sleeves.
    This blue trim is also complete on the blue trim, while the badge can be seen in blue and red colouration.
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    Chelsea would go on to be eliminated in semi-finals by Liverpool that season.
    They would eventually go on to lift the trophy for the first time in 2012 before winning it again in 2021.
    The Blues home kit also appears to have been leaked earlier this month.
    Although fans were not too happy discovering what the kit looked like.
    The leaked kit shows Chelsea with a golden-reddish lookCredit: FOOTY HEADLINES
    It comes complete with a blue and red trim, blue lettering and a red and blue badgeCredit: FOOTY HEADLINES
    Here’s how the kit could look on ChelseaCredit: Getty Images edited via FOOTY HEADLINES More

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    How Girona pulling off the ultimate footballing fairytale could be a Champions League nightmare for Man City

    IT would be a football fairytale that might even eclipse Leicester if Girona can hang on to top spot and win the Spanish league.And if they do it would be celebrated as enthusiastically in one corner of Manchester as it would in Catalonia.
    Girona are in the LaLiga title raceCredit: Rex
    Girona winning the league could see Man City lose their European spotCredit: PA
    The transformation of the club since the City Football Group acquired a stake in the summer of 2017 has been incredible.
    Opta’s latest European football Power Rankings – published just before Christmas – produced a few wry smiles at their Etihad HQ.
    Not surprisingly, City were top of their pile while Girona were ranked in 24th place – one spot above Manchester United.
    It’s looking increasingly likely they could have two clubs qualify for the Champions League next season – while the Red Devils’ hopes are fading.
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    Who could have seen that coming back in 1999 when Sir Alex Ferguson was leading his club to an historic treble on a famous night in Barcelona?
    Some 50 miles across the region that year, Girona were playing in the fifth tier of Spanish football – typically in front of around 200 fans.
    They only reached the top flight in their country in 2017, a couple of years after Pere Guardiola – younger brother of you know who –  had arrived to shake things up.
    Even now they have only spent four seasons in LaLiga – yet here they are looking down on the traditional heavyweights Real Madrid, Atletico and Barcelona from the summit.
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    Sunday’s 5-1 thumping of Europa League holders Sevilla was another indication they are not going to go without a fight.
    At the very least a place in the top four looks theirs for the taking – as they have an 11 point cushion to fifth place.
    Despite the rules around clubs with shared ownership, Guardiola Jr is optimistic they will be able to compete in the same competition as City.

    Asked if there is a possibility they wouldn’t be allowed into the Champions League, the club chairman said: “I don’t think so – the Uefa rules are clear.
    “Some adjustments will need to be made – but there won’t be any problems.”
    The governing body may need some convincing but Leipzig and Salzburg – both owned by Red Bull – have found ways round them before and the CFG will look to do likewise.
    Guardiola Jr went on to explain that the 13 clubs in the group are largely run independently – but there are things they can share.
    The model may have to be tweaked if Girona are playing in the same Uefa competition as their sister club City next season. 
    What clubs do the City Football Group own?CFG have a stake in 12 football clubs in six continents
    Manchester City: England
    New York City: United States
    Melbourne City: Australia
    Yokohama F. Marinos: Japan
    Montevideo City Torque: Uruguay
    Girona: Spain
    Sichuan Jiuniu: China
    Mumbai City: India
    Lommel: Belgium
    Troyes: France
    Palermo: Italy
    Bahia: Brazil

    Speaking to Gazzetta Dello Sport, Guardiola said: “Each club is organised and works individually. The model of a franchise cannot be applied to a football team.
    “But there is a synergy that leads to the sharing of data and information on players.
    “Daily life comes only from work on site – but there is still a sense of a team.
    “The sporting directors are in Manchester three or four times a year, the general managers have a weekly call to share the strategy of each club. It works very well.”
    Some would say it’s worked like a dream.
    Their highly-rated coach Michel Sanchez has assembled a squad of veterans, kids, free transfers and loans – spending only around £30million in the process.
    Among them are Brazilian pair Savio and Yan Couto – both borrowed from other clubs within the group.
    Eric Garcia and Aleix Garcia both had time on City’s books – while Prem fans will remember Daley Blind and keeper Pablo Gazzaniga.
    Yet they are top of the table on merit – top scorers in the league and with just one defeat – against Real Madrid back in September.
    No wonder Michel – who has been coach since summer 2021 – is being linked with other jobs such as Newcastle, Barcelona and Bayern Munich. 
    There is even talk the 48-year-old could be the man to step in once Pep finally decides to call time on his glittering spell at the Etihad.
    Out of the shadows
    Defender Eric Garcia – on loan from Barca – was well thought of by the current City boss and he might still be there now had he not turned down a new deal in summer 2020.
    But having played for both clubs he can see a common theme, saying: “The playing philosophy is very similar.
    “We try to play out from the back, press as quickly as possible when we lose the ball and play attacking football.
    “Obviously, from there our opponents are going to have chances because it’s what we expose ourselves to, although we try to minimise them.”
    After all these years in Barcelona’s shadow, kids in the city are now wearing Girona shirts  – and loving the journey their team are on.
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    Long-serving sporting director Quique Carcel admits these are emotional times and knows it will probably be a once in a lifetime opportunity.
    He said: “We could never have expected this. It’s historic. it won’t happen again because it is so, so difficult.”
    Pere Guardiola, seen here with brother Pep, is Girona’s chairmanCredit: AFP
    Artem Dovbyk is battling Jude Bellingham for the golden bootCredit: EPA More

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    Forgotten ex-Premier League star Moise Kean set to land stunning transfer that will see him return to Champions League

    FORMER Everton ace Moise Kean is set to leave Juventus and join Atletico Madrid, reports suggest.Kean underwent a hapless four-year stint at Goodison Park where he managed a mere four goals and two assists in 39 appearances.
    Moise Kean is set to join Atletico Madrid on loan from JuventusCredit: Getty
    Ex-Everton ace Kean also received bids from Fiorentina and Monza but preferred AtleticoCredit: Getty
    The striker failed to stand out at the Toffees and was sent out on loan twice to Paris Saint-Germain and Juve, who signed him back on a permanent deal last year.
    However, the 23-year-old has fallen down the pecking order in Turin with the emergence of 18-year-old wonderkid Kenan Yildiz.
    And according to Sport Mediaset, the Italy international is now moving to Atletico on a surprise loan move during the January transfer window.
    Kean is “very close” to completing the move and joining Diego Simeone’s side.
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    In fact, the two clubs have already reached an agreement and are working on the final details to complete the deal in the next few days.
    Kean is looking for more minutes and Atleti could offer him Champions League football as they are set to face Inter Milan in the Last 16.
    And the LaLiga giants can also help him seal a place in Luciano Spalletti’s Italy side ahead of Euro 2024.
    The Italian received offers from Fiorentina as well as Monza but ultimately opted for a bigger challenge at Atletico.
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    Kean is expected to discuss his future with Juventus upon his return in the summer with his contract running out in 2025.
    The forward started out at the Bianconeri’s academy in 2010 and was promoted to the first team seven years later.
    The ex-Everton ace has since registered a total of 22 goals and three assists in 115 appearances across two stints with the Old Lady. More

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    Xavi brutally confirms date he will leave Barcelona if Spanish giants fail to meet his expectations this season

    BARCELONA boss Xavi hinted he will leave the Nou Camp at the end of the season if he doesn’t win a trophy.The Barca legend led his beloved club to the LaLiga title in his first full campaign in charge despite persistent financial issues.
    Barcelona boss Xavi revealed he will leave if he doesn’t win a trophy this seasonCredit: EPA
    Xavi hinted he could depart from Barcelona in JuneCredit: AFP
    However, the Catalan giants suffered a humiliating 4-1 loss to Real Madrid in the Super Cup Final on Sunday.
    And Barca have dropped to fourth place in LaLiga with eight points separating them and shock leaders Girona.
    Xavi is still determined to win either the league or Copa del Rey and still holds out hope for the Champions League.
    However, if the 43-year-old finishes the season empty handed he suggested he could leave in June – one year before his deal runs out.
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    Xavi said: “This year, the objective is to win important titles, the Copa del Rey, LaLiga or the Champions League.
    “If the goals are not achieved, I will be the first to say that I did not achieve them and I will leave.”
    Xavi admitted he was “embarrassed” and “destroyed” following the Super Cup thrashing to Real.
    The former Barca captain did not hold back when he spoke about the performance after the whistle.
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    Xavi said: “I’m embarrassed. This is not the type of match we should play, especially in a final, and against Madrid.
    “As a Barça fan, I am destroyed. I’m sorry for the fanbase.
    “We lacked everything. We have to accept criticism. We were not up to par. I want to apologise. Congrats to Real Madrid, a deserved win.
    “We can’t start a final like this. We were horrible in the first ten minutes. We had a lot of expectations and motivation for the match. It’s a shame.” More