Champions League

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      Furious fans say Champions League draw is ‘rigged’ as Man City get ‘easiest’ tie but Arsenal face previous winners

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      FOOTBALL fans have been left fuming after the Champions League draw for the Last 16 was picked this morning.Supporters suggested that the random draw was “rigged” after Manchester City were picked against the “easiest” team in the pot and Arsenal were handed a tough tie.
      John Terry was picking the teams for the Champions League last 16 drawCredit: Reuters

      The Cityzens were drawn against Copenhagen while Arsenal will face Porto who won the competition back in 2004.
      Copenhagen are ranked as the 37th best team in Europe according to Uefa’s own club coefficient.
      While Manchester City are considered the best team in Europe off the back of their Champions League success last season.
      Fans were quick to offer their opinions on the favourable draw that was picked out by Chelsea legend John Terry.
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      Taking to social media, one wrote: “This is so rigged.”
      While another added: “The draw is always rigged for Man City, that’s so sad.”
      A third chimed in saying: “Of course City get Copenhagen, it’s so rigged”
      A fourth suggested it was the easiest tie that Pep Guardiola’s side could have got, writing: “Man City always getting easy opponents.”
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      There is no suggestion the draw was in any way fixed.
      Copenhagen earned their place in the last 16 after finishing second in Group A ahead of Manchester United.
      The Danish side took three points off the Red Devils winning 4-3 and losing 1-0 Erik ten Hag’s struggling side.
      The full draw was announced as Europe’s elite prepare to face off against each other for a place in the quarter finals.
      The fortunate draw for Man City carries on a recent trend for Guardiola’s side.
      Their opponents at this stage of the competition in the last four years read Copenhagen, RB Leipzig, Sporting Lisbon and Borussia Monchengladbach.
      City came through all of those ties.
      Man City’s previous Last 16 opponents
      2023/34 – FC Copenhagen
      2022/23 – RB Leipzig
      2021/22 – Sporting Lisbon
      2020/21 – Borussia Monchengladbach

      Manchester City will face Copenhagen as they look to retain the trophy this yearCredit: AFP
      Arsenal will face Porto after topping their groupCredit: AFP More

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      Champions League draw in full as Arsenal land former winners and holders Man City handed dream tie

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      ARSENAL and Manchester City have learned who they will face in the Champions League last 16.After both sides topped their respective groups – the last time we will see the format ahead of its change to the Swiss Model next season – they have now found out their opponents for the first knockout round.
      Clubs have learned their fate in the last 16 draw of the Champions LeagueCredit: Reuters
      Arsenal have found out their Champions League opponents for the last 16Credit: Getty
      Man City are looking to retain the titleCredit: AFP
      Arsenal have been drawn against two-time winners Porto.
      Meanwhile, holders Man City have been drawn against Copenhagen.
      The Gunners’ current squad will be in unfamiliar territory despite the club’s affinity with the last 16 under Arsene Wenger.
      The North London side last competed in the last 16 in 2017.
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      However, they have also failed to make it beyond that stage since 2010.
      Arsenal topped a group with PSV, Lens and Sevilla.
      Meanwhile, Man City have made two of the last three finals and are looking to become the first English side since Nottingham Forest in 1979 and 1980 to win the title in back-to-back seasons.
      The last time they failed to progress past the round of 16 was in 2016/17, Guardiola’s first season in charge.
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      Man City topped a group with RB Leipzig, Young Boys and Red Star.

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      Elsewhere, Jude Bellingham will be returning to Germany to face RB Leipzig with Real Madrid.
      Bayern Munich talisman Harry Kane will be up against Lazio in their own tie.
      There is also a tasty tie between last season’s Serie A and La Liga winners in Napoli v Barcelona.
      The poor performance of Manchester United and Newcastle – who both finished bottom of their groups – mean how the two remaining English sides do is important for the Premier League to land a fifth Champions League spot.
      From next season an expanded format will hand the two top performing nations in European competitions, including the Europa League and Conference League, an additional place.
      Two more places will be determined by the Uefa coefficient. More

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      Champions League last-16 draw: UK start time, teams, TV channel, stream, full schedule for knockout fixtures

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      ALL eyes have now turned to the Champions League last-16 draw following the end of the group stage.Holders Manchester City go into the last-16 after maintaining a 100% record in Group G as Pep Guardiola’s side look to win defend their European Cup.
      Man Utd crashed out of Europe after a limp defeat to Bayern MunichCredit: Getty
      Micah Hamilton scored twice as holders Man City maintained their 100% win recordCredit: Getty
      Arsenal sailed through as Group B winners, while Manchester United crashed out of Europe following a limp 1-0 defeat to Bayern.
      Newcastle United will also miss out on the knockout stages – and the Europa League – after losing their all-important group stage finale against AC Milan at St James’ Park.
      But for Arsenal and Man City fans, when exactly is the Champions League draw?
      When is the Champions League last-16 draw?

      The Champions League Last 16 draw on Monday, December 18.
      It is scheduled to get underway at 11am GMT – 12pm local time.
      The huge draw will take place in Nyon, Switzerland.
      Group winners are set to face runners-up in other groups unless they play in the same country.

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      How can I watch it for FREE?

      Fans can watch the Champions League last-16 draw for FREE on UEFA.com.
      Alternatively, tune into SunSport’s live blog which will have the latest updates as the draw is announced.

      What teams will be in the Champions League last-16 draw?

      Bayern Munich (GER)*
      Copenhagen (DEN)**
      Arsenal (ENG)*
      PSV (NED)**
      Real Madrid (ESP)*
      Napoli (ITA)**
      Real Sociedad (ESP)*
      Inter Milan (ITA)**
      Atletico Madrid (ESP)*
      Lazio (ITA)**
      Borussia Dortmund (GER)*
      PSG (FRA)**
      Man City (ENG)*
      RB Leipzig (GER)**
      Barcelona (ESP)*
      Porto (POR)**

      *Confirmed group winners**Confirmed group runners-up
      When do the Champions League last-16 matches take place?
      The round of 16 will be played over the course of four weeks
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      First legs: 13/14/20/21 February 2024
      Second legs: 5/6/12/13 March 2024 More

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      The best managers available for free including Champions League winning bosses as pressure mounts in Premier League

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      IT’S that time of year in the Premier League.Despite the cold weather, the heat on the managers could not be more intense as we head into the hectic Christmas-New Year period.
      Pressure is mounting on under-fire bosses such as Erik ten Hag and Mauricio PochettinoCredit: AP
      Games come thick and fast and a few bad results could see some trigger-happy owners taking aim.
      With that in mind, there are a number of top managers who are without a job who could be snapped up as replacements.
      They include Champions League and Premier League title winners.
      Here, we take a look at 10 notable out of work bosses who a club could turn to…
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      Graham Potter
      Graham Potter built up credit with Ostersunds and Brighton before he flopped at ChelseaCredit: PA
      Graham Potter has been without a club since being sacked by Chelsea in April after having the worst win rate of any permanent manager in the club’s history.
      However, Potter has already proven himself capable of leading a project forward, with his time at Ostersunds and Brighton clear examples of this.
      And with Chelsea still in disarray long after his exit, his time at Stamford Bridge is not looking quite so bad.
      Antonio Conte
      Antonio Conte has won multiple league titles in Italy and won the title in England with ChelseaCredit: AFP
      Antonio Conte left Tottenham in March of this year after an acrimonious fallout with the club.
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      However, multiple league titles in Italy and a Premier League in England with Chelsea show the Italian tactician is more than capable of picking up the pieces somewhere.
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      Julen Lopetegui
      Julen Lopetegui won the Europa League with Sevilla in 2020Credit: PA
      Julen Lopetegui is one of the most recent additions to the list, having walked out on Wolves in August over frustration with the club’s lack of spending to try and stay in the top flight.
      Despite less than impressive spells at Real Madrid and Spain, he showed his tactical nous by helping Wolves avoid the drop last season and guiding Sevilla to the Europa League in 2020.
      Ruud van Nistelrooy
      Ruud van Nistelrooy won two trophies at PSV before leaving just before the season endedCredit: Getty
      A new addition to the senior managerial game generally, Manchester United icon Ruud van Nistelrooy managed PSV to an impressive Eredivisie season last year while also winning two trophies en route.
      However, he walked out on the club with one game of the season to go citing a lack of support from the board.
      Andre Villas-Boas
      Andre Villas-Boas left his last job at Marseille due to transfer policy differencesCredit: Getty
      Tottenham and Chelsea fans will both remember Andre Villas-Boas following his less-than-impressive spells in England.
      His Marseille stint was far more successful though, guiding them into the Champions League for the first time in six years and beating Paris Saint-Germain for the first time in nine, though differences in transfer strategy ultimately saw him resign in 2021.
      Joachim Low
      Joachim Low won the World Cup with Germany in 2014Credit: Getty
      Joachim Low has been without a job since leaving the German national team in 2021.
      He has spent 15 years at the helm, lifting football’s ultimate prize – the World Cup – in 2014 and the Uefa Confederations Cup in 2017.
      Ralph Hassenhuttl
      Ralph Hassenhuttl shares the same football tactics philosophy as Jurgen KloppCredit: Mark Robinson – The Sun
      A manager cut some from the same cloth as Jurgen Klopp who favours the “Gegenpressing” style of football, Ralph Hassenhuttl had impressive spells in Germany’s lower tiers before guiding RB Leipzig to second place in their first-ever Bundesliga season.
      A nearly five-year spell at Southampton would follow, where he would help the Saints avoid Premier League relegation despite the club’s best players being poached without being properly replaced before he was sacked in November 2022.
      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked by Man Utd months after making the 2021 Europa League finalCredit: Getty
      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been without a job since his sacking at Man Utd in late 2021.
      A second-place finish in the league and making it to the Europa League final the season before counted for nothing as he was sacked after the club’s form fell off a cliff.
      Those achievements in light of United’s recent fall from grace are looking all the more impressive however.
      Hansi Flick
      Hansi Flick won the continental treble at Bayern Munich for the second time in their historyCredit: AP
      Hansi Flick has had a short but sweet club managerial career at the top of football, winning the Treble in 2020 for just the second time in Bayern Munich’s history.
      However, after leaving them for the German national team as Low’s successor, Flick made history by becoming the first-ever boss to be sacked from the position.
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      Zinedine Zidane
      Zinedine Zidane has hinted he will be returning to management soonCredit: AFP
      Having won the Champions League an unprecedented three times in a row with Real Madrid, it beggars belief how Zinedine Zidane has not returned to management yet despite heavy links.
      Between 2016 and 2021 – which accompanied a short break – Zidane won three Champions League titles and two LaLiga titles but he has recently hinted at his possible return, telling RMC Sport in October: “I will be back soon. Wait, wait a little bit.” More

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      Man Utd tried to sign Luka Modric but just missed out on future Ballon d’Or winner transfer, Harry Redknapp reveals

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      MANCHESTER UNITED’S legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson tried to sign Luka Modric during his final few years at Old Trafford.That is according to SunSport columnist Harry Redknapp, who revealed Ferguson was “calling about” Modric before his retirement in 2013.
      Manchester United tried to sign Luka Modric but missed outCredit: AFP
      Modric played under Harry Redknapp when he was Tottenham managerCredit: AFP
      However, “for various reasons” Sir Alex couldn’t seal the deal and the star midfielder stayed with Tottenham for four years under Redknapp when he was manager at White Hart Lane.
      The Croatia legend quickly turned into one of the sport’s greatest ever players under the popular gaffer and went to Real Madrid in 2012 to win five Champions League titles and the 2018 Ballon d’Or.
      The ex-West Ham boss also admitted Fergie was keen to land Paolo Di Canio when he also shone bright under Redknapp at Upton Park.
      But a move for Di Canio also didn’t work out at a time when it was mainly the manager who scouted for talent compared to the modern times where clubs rely on team officials, like sporting directors.
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      Redknapp told SunSport: “I remember Fergie calling about Luka Modric and Paolo Di Canio, but for various reasons he couldn’t get the deals done.”
      Modric amassed a total of 17 goals and 25 assists in 160 appearances across his four-year stint at Tottenham.
      The now 38-year-old shone bright in north London next to other top stars, such as Gareth Bale, who also followed him at Real.
      United really missed out as the Croat then registered a staggering 37 goals and 79 assists in 506 appearances for Los Blancos.
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      Modric also led Croatia to the 2018 World Cup Final where they lost to France.
      The midfield maestro also took his country to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals in Qatar, where they finished third.
      And he is still active at Real despite his advanced age as he has made 13 appearances and played in five out of six Champions League group stage matches this season. More

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      Premier League season could start a MONTH late to make way for controversial new competition

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      THE PREMIER LEAGUE may have to start a month later in 2025 due to the rebranded Club World Cup competition.According to Sky News, the new tournament will be spread across 29 days by Fifa in two years, which means it will finish around a month before the new Prem season.
      Manchester City will be in the rebranded Club World Cup in 2025Credit: AP
      Chelsea will also be in the competition that may force the Premier League to start a month laterCredit: Rex
      The football world governing body has discussed June 15 to July 13, 2025 for the inaugural edition of a 32-club men’s tournament in the United States.
      Under those dates, the Premier League could be starting just four weeks after the Club World Cup Final.
      However, the global players’ union FIFPRO has told Fifa that footballers need a mandatory 28-day off-season break.
      That means the new competition would pose challenges for the Premier League over what to do regarding teams reaching the Club World Cup Final.
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      That is because those teams would need to start the new domestic season about 28 days later when pre-season training usually takes place.
      But there would be a further headache as two teams will also required to play in the 2025 Community Shield, which takes place a week before the Premier League starts.
      Therefore, Prem chiefs may have no other choice but to push the start of the campaign, which usually kicks off in August, a month later due to the players’ welfare.
      But there would still be issues due to the 2026 World Cup, which is scheduled to start in June and players will be jetting off to the US, Canada as well as Mexico.
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      Players will be required to join their respective national teams on May 25, 2026, which is just a few days after the Premier League is scheduled to end in the 2025-2026 season.
      The Club World Cup dates will be presented in a meeting of the Fifa Council on Sunday in Saudi Arabia where all the details could be finalised.
      The new competition will have 12 representatives from Europe, with Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester City already added as recent Champions League winners. More

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      Tottenham legend Teddy Sheringham tells Ange Postecoglou to beat Arsenal to top transfer target in January

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      TOTTENHAM legend Teddy Sheringham has urged Spurs to beat Arsenal to the signing of Ivan Toney in January.Spurs have found success since moving Heung Min Son to a No9 role but have struggled to blow teams away despite creating numerous chances.
      Sheringham has urged Spurs to move for a strikerCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      He thinks Ivan Toney would be the perfect fitCredit: PA
      Although they’ve scored in every game they’ve played this season, Spurs have only scored more than two goals in a game twice this season – against Burnley and Newcastle.
      And former striker Sheringham believes that Brentford’s Toney would be the perfect solution for them to become a free-scoring side.
      Toney is currently suspended for a gambling ban but will be free to play again on January 17.
      Brentford want £100million for the striker who is also being courted by Arsenal and Chelsea.
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      On bringing Toney to the club, he told Gambling Zone: “Everyone is talking about Arsenal getting Ivan Toney in January.
      “He seems to be the only player in the centre forward position that might be available in the next window. I would love to see Tottenham nick him off of Brentford and get there before Arsenal do.
      “Toney has got something about him. He carries himself well and can take on the mantle of being the main man at a club.
      “Everyone is suggesting that he could be the icing on the cake for Arsenal, but I think he could be a big, big player for Tottenham at this moment in time.
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      “He could spearhead Tottenham’s attack. Sonny isn’t really a centre forward. He loves to run in behind, but he doesn’t play like a centre forward – you need a focal point in your team.
      “You need that man that brings it all together. A player that can lead the line, stretch defences, hold the ball up and bring others into play. I see Ivan Toney as a player that is more than capable of doing that.”
      Sheringham also said that he’s delighted with the job Ange Postecoglou has done since taking over, but said he needs more squad depth if he is to fulfil his ambitions at Spurs.
      Sheringham said: “The future looks bright under Ange. He has Romero back now, Van de Ven will be back in the New Year and both of those players give you defensive stability.
      “A great season would see Tottenham get into a Champions League spot and win the FA Cup. That would be a great season. You can’t ask for more than that.
      “Winning the FA Cup on its own would be a great season, but the club will be looking at the financial rewards qualifying for the Champions League brings, which allows you to bring in better players.
      “For Tottenham to keep moving in the right direction and to give the club the best possible chance of qualifying for the Champions League, they need more quality. Without a doubt.”
      Spurs travel to Nottingham Forest tonight at 8pm.
      A victory move level on points with Manchester City in fourth but remain behind them due to City’s superior goal difference. More

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      Premier League teams face anxious wait over fifth Champions League place after Man Utd and Newcastle nightmare

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      PREM sides may not know until April if they will have a fifth Champions League place next season.And the finger of blame is directed at Euro flops Manchester United and Newcastle.
      Man Utd’s exit from the Champions League has dented England’s Uefa coefficientCredit: PA
      With Newcastle also knocked out, England now rank third in the standingsCredit: AP
      The current Uefa coefficient standings
      Uefa changes to coincide with the competition’s extension to a 36-team league format allow an extra place for the two best-performing nations in the previous campaign.
      That is calculated by averaging the “coefficient points” accrued by each club for wins, draws and qualification for future rounds, by the number of competing sides.   
      England finished in the top two in six of the last seven seasons, with the exception of the Covid-hit campaign of 2019-20.
      But United’s nightmare efforts and Newcastle’s last gasp heartbreak, which saw both finish bottom of their group to miss out on even the consolation of a Europa League place in the New Year, mean England stand just outside the top two places at the end of the group phase.
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      While English clubs have collected more coefficient points than any other nation so far – a total of 109 – it is divided by eight because West Ham earned an extra Europa League place through their Conference League triumph last season.
      That gives England a “country coefficient” of 13.625pts, only good enough for third place.
      Italy, whose three Champions League sides all earned the extra five bonus points for reaching the last 16, lead the way with an average of 14pts.
      Germany, down to six clubs remaining after Union Berlin also finished last in their Champions League group, stand second on 13.642, with Spain, who have also lost two of their eight clubs, fourth on 12.687pts.
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      Had either Newcastle or United made the knockout stage, England would have been in top spot, while wins for either Liverpool or Aston Villa on Thursday night would have been enough for a top two spot.
      With expectations that the six remaining Prem sides can all go deep into the business end of the three competitions, that fifth Champions League spot is very much within the grasp of English clubs.
      But the margins between the top four are so tight it is unlikely that there will be confirmation that England are one if the two beneficiaries until the semi-final stages are reached in the spring. More