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      Ralf Rangnick lined up by European giants in first club job since Man Utd spell

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      RALF RANGNICK has been lined up to make a stunning return to club management at Barcelona. Following legend Xavi’s shocking announcement that he will be leaving the club at the end of the season, all eyes have turned to potential replacements.
      Ralph Rangnick is a shock contender for the Barcelona jobCredit: Getty
      The likes of Jurgen Klopp, Mikel Arteta and even Lionel Messi have all been tipped.
      And now, straight out of left field, former Manchester United flop Rangnick has joined the list.
      The Austrian national team boss is 33/1 with the bookies for the job – leaving him outside the top 20 in the betting.
      Yet it has been reported that Barcelona President Joan Laporta ‘really likes’ him as an option to replace Xavi.
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      Rangnick is currently managing the Austrian national team but previously had a successful spell at RB Leipzig, where his genius recruitment strategy turned heads.
      He cleverly brought the likes of Emil Forsberg, Naby Keita and Timo Werner under the Red Bull roof.
      And he was credited with the meteoric rise of Leipzig from the lower leagues of German football to the Champions League from 2015 to 2021.
      It is fair to say things didn’t go so well at United, who finished the season in dreary sixth with 58 points, their lowest total to date.
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      Manchester United only managed 11 wins under Rangnick
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      But Laporta has a soft spot for German technicians and it won’t be the first time the club has gone down that route.
      Barca have had two German coaches in their history, Hans Weisweiler in the 75-76 season and legend Udo Lattek coached them between 1981 and 1983.
      Ten Hag reacts to Man Utd’s 2-1 win at Aston Villa
      Both had issues with star players – famously Weisweiler clashed with Johan Cruyff while Lattek had a run-in with Diego Maradona.
      Other candidates on Barca’s ‘shortlist’ include Arsenal’s Arteta, Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique, Brigton boss Roberto De Zerbi and Xabi Alonso amongst others.
      But it’s Barca legend Raphael Marquez, currently manager of Barca’s B team, who has shot to the top of the betting. More

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      PSG take training to the next level with ROBOT WALL as fans joke ‘all this to convince Mbappe to stay’

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN have taken their training into the future with the addition of a new robot wall.The technology has been introduced at the club’s training ground to help their stars practice free-kicks.
      PSG have installed a robot wall at their training groundCredit: X
      Fans have joked the technology is part of a plan to keep Kylian Mbappe at the clubCredit: AFP
      Footage from their Camp des Loges base shows coaches working with the robot wall in front of goal.
      The equipment consists of a wall of mannequins on wheels which move up and down to block shots.
      As movement is made towards the wall, the mannequins mimic a defensive wall’s jump, shown by a coach walking towards the wall in footage from the training ground.
      However, fans could not help but joke about PSG’s lack of European glory and Kylian Mbappe’s potential exit in response.
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      One fan wrote on social media: “Gonna need a robot to take free-kicks too considering everyone’s left.”
      Another added: “Can the training walls give them Champions League?”
      A third fan also commented: “All this, just to convince Mbappe to stay.”
      Mbappe’s future in the French capital remains in doubt with his contract expiring in the summer.
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      The 25-year-old has yet to sign a new deal and is free to pen a pre-contract agreement with clubs overseas.
      He has long been linked with a move to Real Madrid and has reportedly agreed to join the Spanish giants this summer.
      PSG and Real Madrid set for summer battle for Kylian Mbappe, with Frenchman wanting huge money to join Los Blancos
      Reports have claimed Mbappe has given the club his demands to finally complete the long-anticipated move.
      As for PSG, Luis Enrique’s side are currently 11 points clear at the top of Ligue 1 after beating Lille 3-1 on Saturday.
      However, they remain in search of their first Champions League triumph and return to European action this week.
      PSG host Real Sociedad in their round of 16 first leg at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday. More

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      Former Nottingham Forest star set for daunting Champions League debut at side who haven’t played in two months

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      COPENHAGEN might be a bit rusty against in-form Manchester City on Tuesday in their first competitive game for TWO MONTHS.The Danes have been on a winter break since their 1-0 win over Galatasaray clinched a last-16 place back on December 12.
      Scott McKenna could make his debut for Copenhagen against Manchester CityCredit: Getty
      Boss Jacob Neestrop admits 63 days without a game is not ideal.
      He said: “Of course, it would be an advantage if we had been in full flow but it is what it is.
      “We’ve tried to have the best start regarding our training
      “We feel we’re in a very good place.
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      “We go for playing a good game and deliver a good performance to get a result like we have done in the other Champions League matches.”
      Copenhagen played in the friendly Atlantic Cup in Portugal last week to get some match practice, winning two out of their three games.
      This is only the second time they have reached the last 16 — they lost to Chelsea in 2011.
      But they came through a group that also included Bayern Munich and Manchester United and have lost just two of 18 Champions League matches at their Parken Stadium, which is known for its hostile atmosphere.
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      Scottish centre back Scott McKenna, 27, is in line for a debut after a loan move from Nottingham Forest last month. 
      The defender had fallen out of favour under Steve Cooper and was unable to convince Nuno Espirito Santo that he should be given a spot back in the team.
      Real Madrid team bus involved in crash on way to face RB Leipzig in Champions League clash
      Speaking about facing Manchester City in the Champions League, Mckenna said: “Manchester City are obviously a top team and it will be a difficult match.
      “But I don’t think you should show them too much respect, otherwise they will just run over you.
      “You have to try to make it as difficult for them as possible and hopefully it will work out for us.
      “I have only played against Manchester City once and it didn’t end too well for me! I know Copenhagen played against City last season in the Champions League too so the players at the club have probably faced them more than me.” More

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      Real Madrid team bus involved in crash on way to face RB Leipzig in Champions League clash

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      REAL MADRID’s team bus has been involved in a crash on route to face RB Leipzig.The LaLiga giants are travelling to Germany for their round of 16 clash on Tuesday night.
      The Real Madrid bus has been involved in a crash
      The collision happened on route to Leipzig
      The Real Madrid squad landed in Erfurt, Germany this morning ahead of a 100-mile drive to their final destination.
      The team had to fly to Erfurt rather than Leipzig due to a strike at Leipzig Airport
      However, German newspaper Bild has reported that the bus was involved in a collision with a white Toyota.
      The car’s driver is said to have overlooked the bus while changing lanes and broke the exterior mirror.
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      It has been estimated that the cost of the damage to the Toyota is £2,560.
      There was minimal damage to the Real Madrid bus with only some scratches visible on the driver’s side.
      The collision did cause a brief stop to the team’s journey but after checking that everyone was okay and the bus was fine they continued on their way.
      Real Madrid’s squad including the likes of Vinicius Jr and Federico Valverde were on board along with the technical staff.
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      Toni Kroos was among the players on the busCredit: X – REAL MADRID
      The bus finally arrived at the team hotel Steigenberger in downtown Leipzig before 3pm.
      Jude Bellingham was not seen getting off the bus with the England star expected to miss the match.
      Jude Bellingham helped design new 30th anniversary iconic adidas Predator boots
      The midfielder picked up an ankle sprain against Girona on Saturday.
      However, Leipzig manager Marco Rose is yet to be convinced.
      He said: “I will only believe that Jude will be out if he is not in the stadium tomorrow.
      “It’s a Champions League game. I know Jude well, he will definitely want to play.
      “And if it means that he goes to the Leipzig doctors again and gets treated.
      “I’ve read a lot, but we’ll see.” More

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      Supercomputer reveals the chances of Man Utd finishing in Champions League spot after vital win over Aston Villa

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      MANCHESTER UNITED boosted their chances of finishing in a Champions League spot by beating Aston Villa – but the odds are still stacked against them.Goals from Rasmus Hojlund and Scott McTominay helped United complete the double over Villa, their closest Champions League rivals.
      Manchester United boosted their top five chances by beating Aston VillaCredit: Getty
      But Unai Emery’s side are still in control when it comes to qualifying for the continent’s elite competition.
      They sit five points ahead of the Red Devils and will be pushing to finish in the top four, having slipped behind Tottenham at the weekend.
      United will also be aiming to finish in the top four but have been given just a five per cent chance of doing so by Opta’s supercomputer.
      However this season the Premier League is likely to be allocated an additional Champions League qualification spot for the team that finishes fifth.
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      That means Erik ten Hag’s men actually have a 21.3 per cent chance of qualifying for the tournament.
      But United still fall considerably short of Villa and the rest of the teams above them in the table.
      The current top three – Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal – will almost certainly be playing Champions League football next season, while Tottenham have been given an 87 per cent chance of qualifying.
      Villa rank closely behind on 76.4 per cent, so it is unlikely Ten Hag will repeat his success of last year, when United finished fourth.
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      United have an outside chance of qualifying for the Champions League
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      His side are only just beginning to turn their form around after losing nine Prem games this season.
      The likes of Newcastle, West Ham and Brighton all have a very slim chance of finishing in the top five, with Chelsea set to miss out again after being given a 0.5 per cent chance.
      Man Utd’s 2024-25 home shirt ‘leaked’ as fans praise retro design and say ‘it’s giving me Vodafone vibes’ More

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      Gianluigi Buffon reveals ‘buying a diploma’ is his biggest regret but ‘doesn’t care’ about Champions League failure

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      GIANLUIGI BUFFON has revealed the thing he is “least proud of” in his life.The Italy and Juventus legend, 46, retired from football in August, bringing a close to a glittering 28-year career that saw him win 29 trophies, including the World Cup in 2006.
      World Cup winner Gianluigi Buffon has revealed his biggest ‘regret’ in footballCredit: Getty
      Buffon insists failing to win the Champions League is ‘not a wound’ for himCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      His trophy collection also included ten Serie A titles, six Coppa Italia’s and the Ligue 1.
      The former goalkeeper never managed to get his hands on a Champions League despite being in the final three times.
      However, Buffon insists the biggest regret in his life came when he was just 18 years old.
      Speaking at an event in Biella via Repubblica, he explained: “I’ve made a lot of mistakes, especially, especially when I was young.
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      “What I’m least proud of is having bought my diploma at 18, I wouldn’t do it again because there is a note of incorrectness and shortcuts and I have never been one for shortcuts.”
      In fact, Buffon says “doesn’t care” about his failure to win the Champions League because playing in it was joyous enough for him.
      He said: “It’s never been a wound for me, for me it was the incentive to fight every year for something extremely big.
      “If I then have to say a general thing that touches the Juve world, team-mates and managers, I was very sorry for them and for the fans who have yearned for this cup for more or less thirty years.
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      “For me, playing in the Champions League was already joy, winning it would have been the closing of a circle, but I don’t care.”
      On his love for Juventus, where he spent 17 years of his career, he said: “Juventus were my footballing life, there were wonderful memories, an adventure and human growth and consecration from a sporting point of view.
      Heartwarming moment Gianluigi Buffon sends video message to brave Crewe Alexandra 12-year-old suffering from bone cancer
      “The Juve universe turns your certainties upside down, but the moment you succeed they will never give up on you.” More

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      Dele Alli spotted in stands for former club Tottenham’s clash at home to Brighton as Everton lose 2-0 at Man City

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      DELE ALLI was spotted in the stands of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium two years after he left the club.Dele, 27, burst onto the scene at Spurs in 2015 at the tender age of 19 and shone bright in the Premier League as well as the Champions League.
      Dele Alli was spotted at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
      Dele watched Tottenham’s last-gasp Premier League victory over Brighton
      Dele currently plays for Everton but is nursing a groin injuryCredit: Getty
      The versatile midfielder was so instrumental that he helped the North Londoners make the Champions League final in 2019 when they were defeated 2-0 by Liverpool.
      And the former England international returned to his old stomping grounds to watch Ange Postecoglou’s men take on Brighton in the Premier League.
      Dele watched Tottenham pick up a last-gasp 2-1 victory following Brennan Johnson’s winner in the sixth minute of stoppage time.
      That was after Everton’s Premier League clash against Manchester City at the Etihad.
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      The Merseysiders’ relegation struggle continues as they lost 2-0 following a brace by Erling Haaland.
      Tottenham fans were very happy to see their former star back in north London.
      One supporter tweeted: “We love Dele, I just don’t think you understand.”
      Another commented: “DELE COME BACK WE NEED YOU!”
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      A third posted: “Always 💙.”
      This fan said: “Dele we love you! Come back!”
      And that one stated: “Things you love to see. Hope Dele is doing well.”
      The attacking midfielder left Tottenham in 2022 after falling down the pecking order.
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      That led to a move to Everton where he looked to regain his former prowess.
      But Dele struggled to recreate his magic of old and that led to a hapless loan stint at Besiktas.
      The playmaker is back with the Toffees now but has been nursing a groin injury since March.
      He bravely opened up in the summer about the trauma he suffered as a child.
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      Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou says blue card will ‘DESTROY football’-
      The 37-time capped England star revealed he was sexually abused by a friend of his mother aged six.
      Dele also said he dealt drugs aged eight, spent time in rehab and got an addiction to sleeping pills. More

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      I beat Mourinho to Europa League title after KOing Man Utd… now I’m taking shock new job after 4 months unemployed

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      EUROPA LEAGUE winner Jose Luis Mendilibar is set to take over as Olympiacos’ new manager.Mendilibar helped steer Sevilla away from relegation when he was appointed late last season in March as Jorge Sampaoli’s replacement.
      Ex-Sevilla boss Jose Luis Mendilibar is taking over at OlympiacosCredit: Rex
      Mendilibar eliminated Man Utd and beat Jose Mourinho in the Europa League FinalCredit: Getty
      Mendilibar will sign a €1.5m contract until the end of the season with the option to extend for another yearCredit: Getty
      And the Basque tactician led the Spanish giants to a record seventh Europa League title, earning qualification to this season’s Champions League.
      This poses as a huge appointment for Olympiacos amid a turbulent campaign that has seen the Piraeus outfit plummet to fourth place.
      SunSport understand Mendilibar will sign a contract until the end of the season with the option to extend for another year.
      Sources also report the ex-Athletic Bilbao manager’s deal is worth €1.5million (£1.3m).
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      The Spaniard is arriving in Greece today and will attend his new team’s Superleague clash against OFI in Piraeus this evening.
      Mendilibar is then set for baptism by fire as he will make his debut on Thursday’s crunch Europa Conference League play-off clash at home against Ferencvaros.
      The experienced coach stunned Europe last season as he eliminated Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United in the Europa League quarter-finals and then offloaded Juventus in the semi-finals.
      He then beat Jose Mourinho’s Roma in the final on penalties after a 1-1 draw despite Sevilla’s many struggles.
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      Sevilla then almost upset Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the Super Cup at Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium in Greece, which is the home of his new team.
      Youssef En-Nesyri opened the scoring before Cole Palmer’s equaliser took the game to a penalty shootout where City prevailed after Nemanja Gudelj missed his spot-kick.
      Youssef En-Nesyri scores incredible overhead kick in Sevilla training
      Mendilibar was sacked in October as Sevilla’s struggles continued with a poor run of five losses and just two wins in 13 matches across all competitions.
      Olympiacos have a long history of appointing managers with immense European success.
      That includes the likes of ex-Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde, Monaco hero Leonardo Jardim and current Fulham boss Marco Silva. More