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      BBC face two huge decisions over Gary Lineker replacement on Match of the Day and brand new football show

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      GARY LINEKER’S uncertain future is at the centre of two huge decisions facing the BBC over their football coverage.The Beeb will soon get a new director of sport – with an in-tray including who presents Match of the Day and a new Champions League show.
      Gary Lineker has suggested he won’t stay at MOTD much longerCredit: Handout
      Jermaine Jenas is rated as a prime contender to replace Lineker as well as for a role on the Beeb’s upcoming new Champions League programmeCredit: PA
      Ex-England striker Lineker, 63, has suggested his “time is nearly up” after 25 years fronting MOTD.
      And apart from the Saturday-night fans’ favourite show, the BBC must also assess their team for a fresh midweek programme after winning some Champions League rights from next season.
      Long-serving Barbara Slater is stepping down as the Beeb’s director of sport this spring.
      And The Times say whoever replaces her is expected to quickly address the MOTD situation.
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      There’s talk of former Tottenham and England midfielder Jermaine Jenas switching from being a pundit to a more Lineker-like lead role.
      The One Show host will start presenting TNT Sports’ Formula E coverage later this year.
      But Jenas, 40, has admitted he’d be interested in succeeding Lineker.
      He told The Mirror last month: “If the opportunity was to arise it’s obviously something I’d have to think about.
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      “My commitment is fully with the jobs that I have. That’s hosting Formula E, the bits that I do on The One Show.
      “Any punditry work that I’m doing with TNT Sports and the BBC are huge commitments of mine and something that I love.”
      Spurs and Barcelona legend Lineker, who is the Beeb’s top earner on £1.35million a year, has yet to reveal his plans or exactly how long he plans to stay on MOTD.
      But Jenas has praised him as almost a mentor.
      He said: “The big thing with this is Gary’s brilliant.
      “Love Gary. I’ve learned so much from him over the course of my career and there’s still loads more to learn from him.”  More

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      Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey opponents ‘submit list of shirts they want after game’ with Premier League icon in big demand

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      REAL MADRID’S Copa del Rey opponents have submitted a list to highlight the players they want to swap shirts with at the end of the game.Los Blancos will take on fourth division Arandina away from home this evening.
      Midfield maestro Luka Modric proved to be the player most in demandCredit: Getty
      Marca obtained a list of the players the Arandina squad would like to swap shirts withCredit: MARCA
      Arandina have never been above the third tier of Spanish football in their 37-year-history.
      They’ll welcome 14-time Champions League winners Real Madrid to a sold out Estadio El Montecillo in the round of 32.
      The club saw off Real Murcia before producing an upset against La Liga side Cadiz in the second round.
      Playing Real Madrid is something that many of these players have only dreamed of and as a result there is a clamour to get their hands on an opposition player’s shirt.
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      Jude Bellingham has been Madrid’s star man this season, scoring 17 goals in 22 games and yet he was not the most requested player of the Real Madrid XI.
      Three players wanted Belligham’s shirt, with two opting for Toni Kroos and Vinicius Jr.
      But 2018 Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric was the most requested shirt by far.
      Nine players listed the Croatian as the player they most want to swap shirts with.
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      Arandina’s goalkeeper Adri kept the goalkeeper union strong by requesting to swap shirts with Kepa Arrizabalaga.
      And forward Atomo said that Nacho Fernandez was top of his list so that he could gift the shirt to his sister.
      Arandina captain Jorge Gonzalez said: “In the locker room I proposed the idea of ​​trying to get as many shirts as possible because at the end of the day everyone is going to want the same shirt.
      “And I think the beauty of this match is having a memory. If Madrid can provide us with more t-shirts, welcome. More

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      I played with Real Madrid stars Gareth Bale and Luka Modric… but Barcelona legend is my greatest team-mate

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      IT’S not easy overlooking Gareth Bale, Luka Modric and Brazil’s Ronaldo.But former Tottenham keeper Heurelho Gomes has done just that in picking his greatest ever team-mate.
      Real Madrid icons Luka Modric and Gareth Bale were among the superstars who keeper Heurelho Gomes played alongside at TottenhamCredit: Getty
      Ronaldinho is the best team-mate Gomes had with BrazilCredit: Getty
      Ex-Brazil, PSV, Spurs and Watford stopper Gomes found it tough to single out just one star as the bestCredit: Getty
      And the Brazilian admits he agonised before singling out Barcelona legend Ronaldinho.
      But it’s not meant as a snub to Real Madrid icons Bale and Modric.
      Gomes played behind the two at Spurs – but found it too tough to separate all the exciting talents he played with at club level.
      The ex-PSV and Watford stopper, 42, told talkSPORT: “I am unfair if I say just one.
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      “But to not be unfair with the others that I played with at club level I am going to say at international level – Ronaldinho.
      “Not a bad player, not a bad player!”
      Ronaldinho, 43, won the Ballon d’Or, LaLiga twice and the Champions League during his exhilarating spell at Barca from 2003-08.
      The mesmeric attacker also featured for PSG and AC Milan, as well as netting 33 times in 97 games for Brazil.
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      In contrast, former Barcelona and Real striker Ronaldo, 47, is a double Ballon d’Or winner, also lifting the World Cup in 2004 and 2002 on the way to 62 goals in 98 internationals.
      Meanwhile, 172-cap Croatian Modric is still playmaking for Real aged 38.
      The 2018 Ballon d’Or winner has tasted LaLiga glory three times and Champions League success on five occasions since moving from Spurs to Spain 12 years ago.
      Welsh winger Bale, 34, shared all of Modric’s Real trophy joy but retired as a player last year after a short spell with Los Angeles FC. More

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      Jose Mourinho reveals he is getting new Netflix documentary and tells fans why they will think he is an ‘total idiot’

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      JOSE MOURINHO has revealed that he is the subject of a brand new Netflix documentary – but reckons fans will think he’s an ‘idiot’.The 60-year-old is one of the most decorated managers in football.
      Jose Mourinho has revealed that he is the subject of a new Netflix documentaryCredit: Getty
      With two Champions League titles, three Premier League titles, an FA Cup, two Serie A titles and a La Liga title among his accolades, Mourinho has become a household name.
      And now fans will be given a look into his life beyond the dugout in a new Netflix documentary.
      Mourinho broke the news about his new series following Roma’s 2-1 Copa Italia win over Cremonese on Wednesday.
      But he admitted there will be one scene where viewers will think he is a “total idiot”.
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      He said: “I’ll give you some news, a documentary about me starts on Netflix, it’s a documentary about my career and it starts on Thursday.
      “There are things that will only be known there, they pay me well. I hadn’t signed with Roma yet, but I had given my word.
      “A club came along and wanted me to break my agreement with Roma, which hadn’t yet been signed, and I said no.
      “When the documentary comes out everyone will say I’m a total idiot.
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      “When Portugal arrived I immediately told the president about it.
      “When Saudi Arabia arrived I immediately told the president about it.
      “This is why I don’t think they talk to other coaches behind my back, for me it’s not like that because there is reciprocity.”
      Mourinho joined Roma in 2021 following a two-year stint with Tottenham.
      The Portugal-born boss has also managed Benfica, Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Manchester United.
      He is expected to take a job in Saudi Arabia when his Roma contract expires in June. More

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      Jadon Sancho ‘on verge of joining Champions League giants in loan transfer with Man Utd talks very advanced’

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      JADON SANCHO is in advanced talks to leave Manchester United on loan. The winger – who joined in 2021 for £73million from Borussia Dortmund – has been frozen out of the squad since September.
      Jadon Sancho could leave Man Utd on loanCredit: Getty
      Sancho’s exclusion followed a public row with Erik ten Hag, and after the winger refused to apologise he was banished from the side.
      It leaves United looking to offload the England star, and according to Sky Sports in Germany, Dortmund are in talks to re-sign Sancho.
      The two clubs are back in negotiations for a loan deal with Dortmund paying a fee and United helping to cover his £350,000-per-week wages.
      Sancho is believed to be pushing for a return to Germany, where made 137 appearances with 50 goals.
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      And he could be at Dortmund’s training base as early as this week.
      The 23-year-old has not played for United since August having been dropped for the 3-1 away loss at Arsenal.
      And Ten Hag spoke out to reveal Sancho was dropped due to performances in training.
      The ex-England international took to social media to defend himself and claimed he was being used as a “scapegoat”.
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      But after refusing to apologise to Ten Hag it has seen Sancho frozen out of the United setup.
      United had been struggling to find a buyer for the misfit due to his high wages and the club’s refusal to send him to a Premier League rival.
      But Dortmund’s newfound interest in Sancho offers both the club and team a lifeline. More

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      Premier League cult hero’s son now making own way in game for Liverpool just eight years after dad’s retirement

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      JURGEN KLOPP could hand a debut to the son of a former Liverpool star on Monday.Lewis Koumas has already made one matchday squad for the club this season.
      Lewis Koumas has family history at LiverpoolCredit: Rex
      His dad Jason was in Liverpool’s youth academyCredit: PA:Press Association
      He was team-mates with Michael Owen, left, and Steven GerrardCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      The striker was on the bench for Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat in the Europa League group-stage clash against Union Saint-Gilloise.
      The 18-year-old has starred for the club’s youth teams this season with four goals and three assists in nine appearances in all competitions.
      Koumas has a family connection to the club running back to 1997.
      His father Jason Koumas, 44, is best known for his stints with West Brom and Wigan Athletic during his career.
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      However, the attacking midfielder started his career in Liverpool’s youth academy.
      Koumas Sr played alongside some famous faces in his youth days.
      He was a team-mate of club legend Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen before the striker won his Ballon d’Or.
      Gerrard went on to captain the Anfield side to a Champions League title as well as two FA Cups and three League Cups.
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      Owen was named the best player in the world in 2001 and went on to enjoy spells at Real Madrid, Newcastle, Manchester United and Stoke City.
      Koumas, however, did not have as glamorous a career as his former team-mates.
      He left Liverpool for Tranmere Rovers in 1997 and became a first-team player.
      His good form at the club earned him a move to Premier League outfit West Brom in 2002.
      Koumas went on to score 23 goals and assist 20 more in 141 appearances for the Baggies.
      Can you name the famous fathers?

      He had a loan spell at Cardiff City before sealing a permanent move away to Wigan in 2007.
      He ended his career with Tranmere in 2015.
      Son Lewis will only need to make one appearance for Liverpool’s senior team in order to better his dad’s record for the club. More

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      Fifa’s Club World Cup new format is crazy – elite players are being asked to perform too much already

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      NOT so much flogging a dead horse, but we are definitely flogging our finest footballers.The Club World Cup, you may have noticed, was won by Manchester City in Saudi Arabia this month.
      Manchester City won the Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia this monthCredit: Rex
      But while it involved only seven sides, including mighty Auckland City and Urawa Red Diamonds, next time it will be 32. This is crazy.
      There is almost universal agreement that  elite players are being asked to perform too much already and yet Fifa wants to expand the Club World Cup to 32 teams in summer 2025.
      The expansion has been criticised by Fifpro, the global union for professional players, as well as the World Leagues Forum, which represents pro leagues.
      Both have raised concerns about player welfare.
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      La Liga, the Spanish top flight, has come down hard on this latest wheeze and we should do the same.
      And the 2026 World Cup is expanding from 32 to 48 nations.
      It’s the same elsewhere, as the Champions League is getting ever bigger. From next season it will involve 36 clubs, all playing in a single league with eight group games.
      The top eight will qualify for the last-16 knockout stage, while those ranked 9th to 24th can still make it through a play-off.
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      The Champions League is expanding next yearCredit: AP
      In a nutshell, you can finish 24th in a league and still win the goodies at the end of the season.
      Maybe increasing the Champions League from 32 to 36 teams isn’t too much, but then you have the European Championships as well for national teams. Euro 2024 will involve 24 teams.
      There is also the 2024-25 Nations League, with games being played next autumn and the finals in June 2025.
      Hang on, I hear you ask, isn’t that when the Club World Cup will be held as well? Erm, yes…
      Confused? You should be.
      Uefa say the expanded Nations League is there to “minimise meaningless friendlies”, but how many of you could recall who won it in 2019, 2021 and 2023?
      Most of us understand you need top players performing at the biggest and best competitions but where does all this end? The Premier League is very clear. There are 38 games spread over ten months.
      The old First Division was over 42 games and I would argue the reduction has led to improved  quality levels.
      By the start of January, West Ham will have played 28 games across all competitions (joint third-highest in the Prem).
      I haven’t even begun to think how many games on top of this our international stars have played.
      So, what Uefa and Fifa are suggesting is squeezing the pips until they squeal.
      Top footballers already have to spread themselves too thinly and the danger is that injuries will multiply.
      I hear some of you say “fair enough, they are very highly paid”. But we want to see the best football, played by the best players on the best occasions?
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      The Club World Cup, Champions League, World Cup, Euros, Nations League — it’s too much.
      Precious diamonds are priceless because of their rarity. This ever-expanding land-grab suggests football’s governing bodies know the price of everything and the value of nothing. More

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      New rule introduced which will see teams THROWN OUT of major tournament if they join Super League

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      SERIE A have introduced a new rule prohibiting its teams from joining the European Super League.This effectively means that no Italian club will be joining the project, which was revived last week.
      Clubs in the Serie A will not be able to join the European Super LeagueCredit: Alamy
      Fabrizio Romano tweeted that the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) will not allow clubs to join any competition other than Uefa, Fifa and FIGC ones.
      If any Italian club still opts to join the European Super League project, they will be banned from the Serie A from the 2024/25 season onwards.
      The ruling is significant as Juventus were previously one of the last teams holding out for the European Super League.
      Along with Barcelona and Real Madrid, the Bianconeri never left the original project which fell apart in April 2021.
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      Juventus only formally left the project this summer.
      With several Italian clubs struggling financially, the Super League did look a possible way to build revenue.
      Inter Milan are reportedly on the brink of bankruptcy according to Il Giornale despite being top of the league and finishing runners up in the Champions League last season.
      Only the player sales of Andre Onana to Manchester United and Marcelo Brozovic to Al Nassr were enough to keep the club going according to the Italian outlet.
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      The British government has moved to take things one step further than the Serie A by making it against the law for British teams to join the breakaway competition.
      That will be overseen by a new football regulator coming into force from 2024.
      A spokesperson for the government said on the legislation: “The attempt to create a breakaway competition was a defining moment in English football and was universally condemned by fans, clubs and the Government.
      “We took decisive action at the time by triggering the fan-led review of football governance, which called for the creation of a new independent regulator for English football. 
      “We will shortly be bringing forward legislation that makes this a reality, and will stop clubs from joining any similar breakaway competitions in the future.” More