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      Man City ‘had 60 bottles of champagne in dressing room after Real Madrid 4-0 win’ but Guardiola banned all celebrations

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      MANCHESTER CITY had “60 bottles of champagne” in their dressing-room to celebrate reaching the Champions League final – but their boss banned it all.The showpiece of club football’s top-tier European tournament will take place on Saturday, June 10.
      Pep Guardiola has banned all celebrations until City clinch their first piece of silverwareCredit: Rex
      City will face Italy’s Inter Milan in the big one at Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Turkey.
      The Cityzens thrashed Real Madrid 4-0 to reach the final with a 5-1 aggregate scoreline.
      Guardiola’s men are now odds-on to win the treble this season.
      They are just three wins away from wrapping up the Premier League title, FA Cup and Champions League.
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      However, despite reaching the final of the Champions League for just the second time in their history, City’s manager was in no mood to let his boys get on the bubbly to celebrate.
      The Daily Mail claims that “security staff removed 60 bottles of champagne that had been ordered for the home dressing room” following Wednesday’s demolition job of the current holders.
      They claim that Guardiola has banned celebrations until they have won their first trophy in their Treble pursuit.
      Officials at the club were allegedly “told that the champagne had been dispatched in error by hospitality staff” and it was instead “intended to be placed in the dressing room on Sunday” when they could potentially clinch a fifth Premier League title in six years.
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      And it is not only the champers that the star-studded squad has to look forward to.
      Guardiola is believed to have promised to take his players and their families “out for a celebratory meal and drinks at the end of the season” even if they fail to land any silverware.
      City’s attention has now returned to the Premier League, where they can wrap up the title with a win over Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.
      They could seal it 24 hours earlier though if Arsenal lose to Nottingham Forest, or win it with a draw if that’s the result the Gunners get at the City Ground.
      The FA Cup final comes next when the two Manchester clubs meet at that stage for the first time ever at Wembley on June 3.
      Then all eyes will turn to the Champions League for the showdown with Inter. More

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      Supercomputer reveals exact percentage chance Man City have of equalling Man Utd’s 1999 Treble

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      MANCHESTER CITY’S exact percentage chance of completing a historic treble has been revealed by a supercomputer.Pep Guardiola’s side are on the brink of history as they fight to win the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.
      Manchester City are on the brink of a sensational trebleCredit: Alamy
      The feat hasn’t been achieved by an English side since Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United did it in 1999.
      But City now find themselves as favourites in all three competitions.
      They lead Arsenal by four points with a game in hand and could win the Prem this weekend.
      While they will face Man United in next month’s FA Cup final and Inter Milan in the Champions League final a week later.
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      Boffins and brainiacs over at bettingexpert.com have crunched the numbers using BETSiE – their clever supercomputer.
      Using its special algorithms, BETSiE has determined that City have a 53.61 per cent chance of winning the treble.
      They have a whopping 98.4 per cent probability of landing the Prem title.
      While they are rated to have a 75.78 per cent chance of beating Inter in the Champions League final.
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      Man United could be the best bet to stop City emulating their 1999 feat.
      But even then City are given a 71.89 per cent likelihood of beating the Red Devils in the FA Cup final.
      Boss Guardiola has admitted that his players can “visualise” winning the treble now.
      Following his side’s 4-0 annihilation of Real Madrid, the 52-year-old said: “Of course we are there. The players can think about it and visualise it. It’s normal.
      “We are three games away, one in each competition. We can do it. But for me it is more important after many years that we are there.”
      Pep Guardiola believes that City players can ‘visualise’ the treble nowCredit: Reuters More

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      Jake Humphrey leaving BT Sport after decade fronting TV channel with top presenter already tipped to replace him

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      JAKE HUMPHREY has announced he is leaving BT Sport after a decade of anchoring the TV Channel’s football coverage.The 44-year-old is leaving to pursue other projects – with Laura Woods tipped to replace him.
      Humphrey has become a familiar figure to football fans after hosting their major football coverage for yearsCredit: Getty
      The presenter often speaks to some of Europe’s biggest stars in his role as presenterCredit: Rex
      Humprey appears alongside famous football pundits such as Rio Ferdinand, Joleon Lescott and Michael OwenCredit: Reuters
      Laura Woods had been tipped for a move to BT even before today’s newsCredit: Getty
      Humphrey presents BT Sport’s Champions League coverage and has become familiar to football fans since the channel took European football from Sky.
      He used to also front their Saturday lunchtime Premier League game before he was replaced by Lynsey Hipgrave.
      The presenter will now focus on other projects like his popular ‘High Performance’ podcast.
      Humphrey tweeted this afternoon: “After 10 wonderful years, I am stepping back from BT. As a football fan, hosting Premier League matches, FA Cup games and European Finals has meant the world to me. It has been my dream job.
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      “I’ve loved being a very small part of a world class production team.
      “I also feel blessed to have shared the screen with legends of the game and incredible broadcasters, who have become friends. Thank you all.
      “Stepping back from BT will allow me space to pursue other projects and fulfil other ambitions. I’m excited. To everyone that’s watched and commented, both good and bad (!), thank you!”
      Humphrey’s unique personality away from the camera has often got fans talking such as earlier this year when he revealed his “world class” morning routine.
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      TalkSPORT, ITV and Amazon Prime presenter Laura Woods has been tipped to join BT.
      The 35-year-old has proved to be a hit with fans across various platforms and would have plenty of experience for the role.
      She presents talkSPORT’s Breakfast show alongside Ally McCoist and was one of ITV’s presenters during last year’s Qatar World Cup.
      The anchor is also one of the many presenters used by Amazon Prime during their rounds of Premier League fixtures.
      Along with Woods, Hipgrave could also step up to replace Humphrey on European nights.
      Jermaine Jenas, who hosts The One Show and has fronted Europa League coverage before, could also step into the role.
      Gary Lineker quit BT Sport two years after fronting their Champions League coverageCredit: Getty
      Gary Lineker may also be linked for a return having previously presented BT’s Champions League coverage.
      And popular presenter Mark Chapman could also be a candidate – if he’s not snapped up by Sky as Jeff Stelling’s replacement first.
      BT Sport is already set for a summer of change as the channel prepares for a major rebrand on July 18.
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      The channel will become TNT Sports after the merger between BT and Warner Bros. Discovery-owned Eurosport.
      The merger is intended to allow BT Sport to become efficient and offer a more premium product. More

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      Mourinho and Mkhitaryan among EIGHT Man Utd flops in European finals as fans say ‘not bad for bunch of deadwood’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED may not have found themselves in a European final this season, but eight of their former employees have. The Red Devils have a long list of ex-players that have gone on to be successful elsewhere and this season that list could grow.
      Former Manchester United star Romelu Lukaku is part of Inter Milan’s Champions League final team after he was loaned out by Chelsea
      SunSport takes a look at the eight players and managers that have booked themselves a chance at European glory this season despite flopping during their time in Manchester.
      ROMELU LUKAKU
      Lukaku has secured his place in the Champions League final for Inter Milan as they take on Manchester City in Istanbul.
      United fans will be hoping that their former front man can do the business as their noisy neighbours try and equal their 1998/99 treble winning season.
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      Lukaku was unable to impress at Old Trafford after his £75million move from Everton back in 2017.

      JOSE MOURINHO
      The former United boss has managed to take his Roma team all the way to the final of the Europa League where they will take on Sevilla.
      Mourinho’s squad has impressed in Italy after an unsuccessful term in charge of Tottenham Hotspur.
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      The special one previously managed to win the Europa League with Manchester United in his first season with the club, but after consequent poor seasons he was sacked in 2018.
      Jose Mourinho was Manchester United manager for two and a half seasons winning one Community Shield and one Europa League
      HENRIKH MKHITARYAN
      Mkhitaryan is also playing at Inter Milan and will line up for a Champions League final.
      The Armenian’s time in Manchester was uninspiring and he eventually moved to Arsenal in a swap deal for Alexis Sanchez.
      Henrikh Mkhitaryan has managed two goals in 12 Champions League appearances this season for Inter
      NEMANJA MATIC
      Mourinho has made a habit of signing his old players and Matic falls right into that category.
      The towering midfielder is also part of Roma’s Europa League final team.
      Matic spent five years at Man U and left for Rome last summer after his contract expired.
      Nemanja Matic made 189 appearances for Manchester United following his transfer from Chelsea
      CHRIS SMALLING
      Smalling is another former United player who plays for Roma and will be part of the Europa League final squad.
      However the Englishman made the move to Italy before Mourinho after a successful loan with Roma in 2019.
      He spent 10 years in Manchester, but never quite lived up to the expectation that was put on him.
      Chris Smalling has been a huge part of Roma’s team since he arrived at the club
      MATTEO DARMIAN
      Darmian struggled to adapt to the Premier League and was an unsuccessful signing for Man United back in 2015.
      The Italian now plies his trade in his home country with Inter Milan and will be part of the Champions League final as a result.
      The full back even thanked his former side in an interview with Sky Sports after Inter reached the final.
      He said: “I have to say thank you to them [United] because if I’m the player and person that I am, it’s also because of them. I just have to say thank you, but now I’m an Inter player and I give everything for Inter.”
      Matteo Darmian won the league with Inter in 2021 after spending the season on loan
      ALEX TELLES
      Telles is currently on loan away from Man U at Sevilla and will be gearing up to take on Roma in the Europa League final.
      The full-back has had an uninspiring time in Manchester and has been linked with a permanent move away from the club this summer.
      Alex Telles cost Man Utd for £15million from Porto, but he failed to impress in his 50 appearances
      DAVID MOYES
      Moyes was handed the impossible task at United of taking over from Sir Alex Ferguson, but it’s the near impossible he has now pulled off with West Ham.
      The experienced manager has guided the Hammers to the Europa Conference League final where they will take on Fiorentina.
      David Moyes is hoping to win a European title and keep West Ham in the Premier League in the same season
      Manchester United themselves have managed to land in two domestic finals this season.
      Erik ten Hag’s side won the Carabao Cup back in February and will be hoping to add the FA Cup to their haul in June.
      This hasn’t stopped fans from poking fun at the club for so many of their ‘flops’ going on to make it into European finals.
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      One took to Twitter to have their say, they wrote: “Not bad for a bunch of deadwood.”
      Whilst another joked: “Too many former United players in European finals this year. Wonderful.” More

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      Former Chelsea wonderkid who snubbed Real Madrid transfer wakes up unemployed after he is released from League One club

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      FORMER Chelsea wonderkid Josh McEachran is without a club after being released by League One side MK Dons.The midfielder, 30, was tipped to go to the very top of world football and attracted offers from Real Madrid and Manchester United at the age of 16.
      Josh McEachran made a total of 22 appearances for Chelsea, which included turning out for The Blues in the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The midfielder told the Daily Mail back in 2017 that he turned down the offers because he “believed he was going to make it”.
      He said “When I made my (Chelsea) debut I thought, ‘Ah, that was a good choice for me to say no to Real Madrid,’ but looking back now maybe I should have (gone).”
      The midfielder had been involved with first team training at Chelsea from the age of 15 onwards, having been called up from the youth team by then manager Carlo Ancelotti.
      But he would go on to make just 11 appearances for Chelsea during his time at the club between 2010 and 2015.
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      The midfielder instead found himself bouncing between a number of clubs on loan, including Swansea City and Middlesbrough before joining Brentford permanently in 2015.
      He made 101 appearances for the Bees before moving on to Birmingham City in 2019, where he made just 10 appearances during an injury-hit stint.
      McEachran dropped down a league to join MK Dons in 2021.
      After initially only training with the club to gain fitness, McEachran earned a series of contracts and made 100 appearances for the Milton Keynes side.
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      But it was announced today that McEachran will be without a club going into the summer after MK Dons released their retained list.
      McEachran was one of nine players released by MK Dons following their relegation to League Two.
      Their relegation was sealed on the final day of the League One season, and sparked angry scenes that saw supporters confront Dons owner Pete Winkleman. More

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      Watch Real Madrid legend bizarrely sit in silence for THREE MINUTES of interview after Man City annihilation

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      REAL MADRID icon Guti sat in SILENCE for three minutes at the beginning of an interview after they crashed out of Europe.The former midfielder appeared on Spanish TV show El Chiringuito, infamous for it’s over-the-top reactions to Real defeats.
      Watch Real Madrid legend bizarrely sit in silence for THREE MINUTES of interview after Man City annihilationCredit: Twitter
      Often the show’s presenter Josep Pedrerol launches an astonishing rant in response to Los Blancos losing heavily or unexpectedly.
      But on this occasion the producers went for a different angle by filming Guti sitting in silence for three minutes.
      The Spaniard had a pained expression on his face as he reflected on the match, which saw Manchester City win 4-0 to progress to the Champions League final.
      Dramatic music played in the background as Guti stared into space, and fans were left baffled by the segment.
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      One reacted saying: “Exceptional TV.”
      Another added: “I can’t lie this is hilarious.”
      A third wrote: “Won’t someone think of poor Guti!!”
      And another commented: “Cinema.”
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      Real Madrid’s Champions League exit means the only silverware they will celebrate this season is the Copa Del Rey.
      They lost out on the LaLiga title to a resurgent Barcelona which means Carlo Ancelotti’s future is up in the air. More

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      Man City lining up £85m transfer for World Cup star as outcast defender looks set to leave club

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      MANCHESTER CITY are keeping a close eye on RB Leipzig’s financial woes as they weigh up a summer move for defender Josko Gvardiol.Etihad chief Pep Guardiola is a long-term admirer of the Croatian World Cup defender, 21.
      Manchester City are looking to bolster their ranks in defenceCredit: Getty
      Manchester City are targeting RB Leipzig star Josko GvardiolCredit: Getty
      He got a close up view when the two teams met in this season’s Champions League Round of 16 and his view remains the same.
      So they could firm up their interest if any defenders decide to leave City and seek a new challenge this summer.
      Aymeric Laporte is the most likely to go after falling down the pecking order following the arrival of Manuel Akanji in August.
      And Gvardiol’s versatility would appeal to Guardiola as he can also play at left-back where City also have a vacancy.
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      Leipzig have maintained their defender – who has a release clause of around £98million until 2024 – is not for sale.
      However it is believed a bid in the region of £85m could bring them to the table due to their money worries.
      They need to balance the books to get in line with UEFA’s financial fair play guidelines and that is likely to mean another of their stars leaving.
      Christopher Nkunku – who is linked with Chelsea – and Konrad Laimer are already expected to leave but there may need to be at least one more major sale.
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      City are likely to spend most of their summer budget on refreshing their midfield this summer – but look set to miss out on one of their top targets Jude Bellingham.
      Skipper Ilkay Gundogan’s contract expires at the end of the season and nothing has yet been agreed, while Bernardo Silva wants talks with the club in the summer.
      Meanwhile, there remains a question mark over whether England ace Kalvin Phillips will make the grade at City after a disappointing first season with them. More

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      De Bruyne playing through ‘private’ personal issues, says Henry after Man City star told Guardiola to ‘shut up’ in row

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      MANCHESTER CITY superstar Kevin De Bruyne is spearheading a stunning Treble pursuit despite struggling with a “private” issue this season.That is according to Thierry Henry, who had a small chat and an emotional embrace with De Bruyne after City thrashed Real Madrid and sealed their place in the Champions League Final.

      Thierry Henry revealed Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne is dealing with “private” issuesCredit: Getty
      This comes after De Bruyne and Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola had a row
      But De Bruyne and Guardiola ultimately patched things upCredit: Reuters
      The playmaker has been integral for the Citizens in the Premier League, FA Cup and Europe’s top competition and led a stunning triumph against Real in the semi-finals.
      The Belgium international scored the equaliser in the first leg at Santiago Bernabeu and created Bernardo Silva’s opener, which led to a 4-0 triumph at the Etihad on Wednesday.
      The 31-year-old was hauled off on 84 minutes as he was replaced by Phil Foden and had a talk with Henry at full-time.
      De Bruyne and the Arsenal legend have a close relationship as they used to work together when the latter was Belgium’s assistant manager.
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      The France great wouldn’t share any details of their conversation but revealed he now has even more respect for the Belgian star as he is not letting his personal issues get in the way of his team’s goals.
      Henry told CBS: “It was [a touching moment]. I can’t say it because I have to keep that private.
      “But from what he said to me, I [have] even more respect how he played tonight and how he came and battled with his team.
      “I can’t share what he said because I can’t share it. That’s how it is.
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      “But once again I will go back to, for me he is the most important player.”
      That wasn’t De Bruyne’s only emotionally charged moment in the match as he was also heard telling City manager Pep Guardiola to “shut up”.
      The ex-Chelsea star and Guardiola started rowing in the second half after the former had been robbed of possession.
      The Spanish tactician was enraged when De Bruyne failed to spot a potential pass to Jack Grealish on the left and was dispossessed by Eder Militao at a dangerous position.
      But the heated argument came to an end when Guardiola walked back to the bench while staring down at the floor.
      The two men don’t appear to have any ill-feelings as they embraced once De Bruyne was hauled off just before full-time. More