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      Long-term Man Utd target Zinedine Zidane will only return to management for TWO teams in huge blow to Premier League

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      ZINEDINE ZIDANE would only return to management for two teams… and neither of them play in the Premier League.Zidane, 52, has been a free agent since his departure from Real Madrid in 2021 when his second stint as manager ended.Zinedine Zidane would only like to work for Real Madrid and FranceCredit: AFPZidane rejected Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Juventus and Paris Saint-GermainCredit: SplashThat is despite winning a staggering two LaLiga titles and a record three successive Champions League trophies with Real across two stints.Nevertheless, the French tactician has been inundated with offers the last three years but he rejected every single one of them.Zizou was approached by some of the biggest clubs in the world, including Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain.Several national teams had also approached the 1998 Ballon d’Or winner but they were also turned down.Read More on FootballAccording to Marca, that is because Zidane would only be keen to work at Real and France at this time.The main reason goes down to loyalty as the Frenchman couldn’t see himself managing any other club or country than his beloved Los Blancos and Tricolores.The same source claims only a “very groundbreaking project” could make him change his mind.That is despite the fact that at this moment it would be “impossible” to work at either of his preferred teams.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSCarlo Ancelotti just recently led Real to their 36th LaLiga title and 15th Champions League trophy.And former team-mate Didier Deschamps has signed a new deal with France tying him up as manager until the 2026 World Cup.Zinedine Zidane suffers embarrassing wardrobe malfunction as he brings out Champions League trophy at WembleyPrevious reports have suggested Zidane would only like to work in a country where he speaks the language, which means he’d only be keen on Spain and France.Zinedine Zidane’s managerial careerZinedine Zidane began his career in management in June 2014 when he was appointed coach of Real Madrid’s B team.Zizou spent 18 months in charge of Real Madrid Castilla before being given his shot at the big time following the sacking of Rafael Benitez.Zidane, 51, took charge of the first team in January 2016 and guided them to a second-place finish in his maiden season at the Bernabeu helm.But he went one better in the Champions League, sealing Real’s 11th European Cup triumph with a shootout victory over Atletico Madrid.The former Los Blancos star went one better in the league in the 2016-17 season, in which they also won the Uefa Super Cup and Club World Cup.A second successive Champions League triumph also followed, with Real beating Italian giants Juventus at the Principality Stadium.He would create history the following season by becoming the first manager to win the tournament three times on the bounce.A 3-1 win over Liverpool saw Real become the first team to win Europe’s elite club competition three times in a row.Zidane announced his resignation five days after the final, insisting the club needed a “change” of direction.He would return to the Bernabeu in March 2019 following Santiago Solari and Julen Lopetegui’s short reigns.A return to the summit of Spanish football would follow in the 2019-20 season, in which Real also scooped the Spanish Super Cup.Zidane would leave the Bernabeu again in June 2021 after overseeing Real’s first trophyless season in 11 years.Zinedine Zidane’s Honours:- La Liga: 2016–17, 2019–20- Supercopa de España: 2017, 2019–20- UEFA Champions League: 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18- UEFA Super Cup: 2016, 2017- FIFA Club World Cup: 2016, 2017 More

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      Glam model Laura Celia Valk bluntly shuts down talk of relationship with Jude Bellingham in three-word statement

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      MODEL Laura Celia Valk rubbished rumours suggesting she is in a relationship with Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham.Bellingham, 21, has shone bright ever since joining Real from Borussia Dortmund in 2023 following a staggering £115million deal.Laura Celia Valk was linked with a relationship with Real Madrid star Jude BellinghamCredit: Instagram @ lauraceliavLaura, though, dismissed all those rumours with a blunt statementCredit: Instagram @ lauraceliavLaura was asked about the Bellingham rumours on InstagramCredit: InstagramLaura is a popular model on social mediaCredit: InstagramBellingham’s personal life has been largely out of the public eyeCredit: RexThe star midfielder has gone on to register a whopping 30 goals and 19 assists in 64 appearances with Los Blancos, with whom he’s already won LaLiga and the Champions League.As the England international’s image continues to grow so do rumours about his personal life.Recent speculation suggested that Bellingham is romantically involved with glam model Laura, 25.However, the internet personality, who shares a series of glam pics across her social media channels, dismissed all the talk during a Q&A with fans.Read Moe on FootballOne of her 567,000 followers asked her on Instagram: “Do you have a boyfriend?”And Laura issued the following blunt response: “No, I don’t.”Details of Bellingham’s private life have remained largely out of the public eye.The ex-Birmingham star spends a lot of his down time with family and mum, Denise, who supports him in Spain.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBellingham had a slow start this season with Real after a dominant run last term.That was after the reigning Spanish champions signed Kylian Mbappe and manager Carlo Ancelotti struggled to find some chemistry between his star players.Jude Bellingham’s glorious England moment brought back in styleHowever, the versatile midfielder has recently turned things around with six goals and three assists in his last seven league matches.Laura has a huge Instagram followingCredit: Instagram / @lauraceliavShe regularly shares glamorous snapsCredit: Instagram / @lauraceliavLaura’s posts receive thousands of likesCredit: Instagram / @lauraceliavShe often posts from exotic locationsCredit: Instagram / @lauraceliavLaura has over half a million followers on InstagramCredit: Instagram More

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      Man Utd and Chelsea ‘locked in transfer battle with European giants’ for former Man City star Leroy Sane

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      MANCHESTER UNITED and Chelsea are keeping tabs on Bayern Munich star Leroy Sane.Sane, 28, enjoyed four successful years at Manchester City, where he won two Premier League titles and the FA Cup, but returned to Germany in 2020.Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham are eyeing Bayern Munich star Leroy SaneCredit: GettySane is also being targeted by Barcelona ahead of the January transfer windowCredit: RexHowever, the winger’s contract runs out in June and there has been no breakthrough in negotiations with the German giants so far.According to Sport, the standstill between the Germany international and the Munich outfit has led to intense interest from some of Europe’s elite clubs.Among them are United, Chelsea as well as Tottenham ahead of the January transfer window.However, the Premier League trio could face competition from Barcelona, who are very interested in Sane.Read More on FootballBarca need more quality down the wings especially after losing Lamine Yamal to injury.That has led to reports suggesting the Blaugrana are keeping tabs on Napoli’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, AC Milan’s Rafael Leao and Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams.However, Barcelona’s financial woes are pushing them towards more affordable cases, such as Sane who could become a free agent in the summer.However, the German prefers to stay in the Bundesliga despite the complicated contract talks with his current club.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBayern would prefer to agree on a new deal with a lower salary, especially considering the options down the wing with Jamal Musiala, Serge Gnabry, Michael Olise and Kingsley Coman available.Sane has scored just five goals and bagged one assist in 19 appearances this season.Leroy Sane shoves Marc Cucurella in Euros clashIn his career at Bayern, he has 53 goals and 51 assists in 194 matches.Sane was once highly thought-of at Man CityCredit: EPA More

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      Trent Alexander-Arnold should take the risk and move to Real Madrid… but Liverpool have a ready-made replacement

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      I SEE Trent Alexander-Arnold has woken up and smelt the coffee — which is why I see him waving goodbye to Liverpool in the summer and signing for Real Madrid.If it were me and I fancied going out for a coffee or a cuppa after training, then I’d prefer to do so in Spain rather than Liverpool. Most would.Trent Alexander-Arnold is out of contract at the end of the seasonCredit: PAReal Madrid are long-time admirers of the versatile defenderCredit: GETTYLos Blancos could very well make a move for the England internationalCredit: GETTYHarry Redknapp has urged Alexander-Arnold to take the risk and join RealCredit: GettyNo disrespect as it’s a great club and a lively city but there is just something magical about Madrid. So you can see the pull for a world-class right-back.It is probably Trent’s dream to play for Real Madrid and he’ll have seen pal Jude Bellingham do the same last year.Bellingham could have gone from Borussia Dortmund to any Premier League club he fancied but the magnetism of the Bernabeu is irresistible.My analogy about coffee seems trivial, of course, but there is so much involved in making a big move.READ MORE ON TRENTLiverpool is a special club but you have to remember he cost them nothing, has given them years of service as a former academy player and now is the time to try a new adventure.Sometimes you can go stale and maybe it is time for him to go and play great football at another great club.With his contract up in the summer there is serious money to be made, too.It is similar but not quite the same for Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSTrent Alexander-Arnold has kept quiet on his Liverpool futureCredit: GettyAlexander-Arnold is 26-years-old, the others in their early 30s. Salah, in particular, might be looking at one last big pay day by going to play in Saudi Arabia.And for a young man like Alexander-Arnold this is the chance to reach for the stars, to play with a team of world-class pros, earn serious cash and win a serious number of trophies.Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Bold £84m Bid for NantesLiverpool is a big draw and Trent is a born-and-bred Scouser — but nothing competes with Madrid.Reds icon Steve McManaman trod the same path many years back and I don’t think he sits around regretting it.The opportunity to become Real Madrid’s next right-back for five or six years is a dream and Trent can absolutely be that player for them.Liverpool have slotted him in to midfield as well as full-back but, while I see a world-class defender in him, he is not a world-class midfielder.Liverpool is a big draw and Trent is a born-and-bred Scouser — but nothing competes with Madrid.Harry RedknappThere should be no debate about where he plays. At the Euros, England tried to switch him into the middle and some of the games passed him by.Midfielders are a different breed, you’ve got to have fantastic awareness to play there.As a right-back you see the whole picture. It’s different. He’s a great passer from there.He should stick to his strengths and be the best right- back in Europe at Real.The Reds have a ready-made replacement in Conor BradleyCredit: REXAnd it’s not as if Liverpool will be left high and dry when he goes as they have an energetic, young replacement waiting in the wings in Conor Bradley, who will fill that void.Another homegrown product, I particularly like Bradley’s pace — and so along comes the next great Liverpool player.We also have to admit that the era of the great one-club man is pretty much dead, too.The opportunity to become Real Madrid’s next right-back for five or six years is a dream and Trent can absolutely be that player for them.Harry RedknappLiverpool have had more than their fair share of loyal players with the likes of Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard.Go back further and there were even more but the way the game is now — as well as the money that is on offer, the ease of travel and communication and such like — makes it easier to go and play abroad.Cross border transfers and the Bosman Ruling has opened up a whole new world to players and you really cannot begrudge any of them wanting to experience it.Conor Bradley has shown all the making of a stellar defenderCredit: GettyKeep it simpleWHY do all keepers think they are Pele these days?Sorry… I mean why do all managers think their goalkeepers are Pele?And I say this after I watched Spurs squeeze through their Carabao Cup quarter-final with Manchester United on Thursday.My old team played well but what is this obsession with playing the ball out from the back every time? It has gone crazy.Keepers playing out from the back is a load of nonsense, Harry Redknapp believesCredit: GETTYEvery coach wants to be Pep Guardiola — even if they do not have the talent of his Manchester City team.When you watch it, the ball goes from the right-back to the keeper, out to the left-back, back again, then they give the ball away.And teams put themselves under needless pressure when sometimes it suits to just boot it upfield.No disrespect to Spurs keeper Fraser Forster, he’s a good player but he isn’t a footballer — he’s a goalkeeper.As a manager the last thing I wanted was my centre-backs bringing the ball out.Harry RedknappYou have got a big centre- forward there in Dominic Solanke, who is great in the air, and I’d want the ball going up to him to win it.As a manager the last thing I wanted was my centre-backs bringing the ball out. They all had their skills and dribbling just wasn’t one of them.Unfortunately it has gone crazy and it’s so stupid. Our teams just can’t do it. They are not good enough to do it as they give the ball away.Fraser Forster’s gaffe against Manchester United shows how risky playing out from the back isCredit: alamyRIP, Oscar FairsI WAS so sad to read of the young West Ham goalkeeper who sadly died in the past week or so.We all worry about trivial things and then football and a family loses their boy due to cancer when he had the world at his feet.I don’t know Oscar Fairs or his family but I really would like to send them my condolences and love at what must be an awful time.West Ham paid a touching to the late Oscar Fairs this weekCredit: REUTERSA Christmas messageWITH Christmas now just around the corner, at my age it’s hard to know what to ask Santa for.READ MORE SUN STORIESSo all I can tell you is that I have got lots of socks — and probably more than the England kit man!Merry Christmas to you all and a Happy New Year. More

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      Barcelona face having to play Champions League knockout rounds in MADRID as stadium nightmare emerges

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      BARCELONA face the prospect of playing their Champions League knockout games in MADRID.The Catalonians are set to qualify out of the league phase in the competition, having won five of their six games.Barcelona have been playing in the Estadi Olímpic Lluís CompanysCredit: RexThe Nou Camp is being redevelopedCredit: EPAAtletico Madrid’s Metropolitano could be an option for BarcelonaCredit: GettyBarcelona have played their home games in the Champions League at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys so far.However, due to the stadium’s commitment to the city council, it will not be available for the knockout stages.Barcelona has been playing on the ground while the Camp Nou undergoing an £1.25billion redevelopment.The hope was for the work to be completed this season so the club could move back into their spiritual home.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe club are looking at potential options to solve the problem.Uefa requires clubs to play all of its knockout matches at the same stadium.Due to this, Barcelona will have to designate a stadium in the coming days.If the club does drop into the play-offs, then the decision will have to be made before the draw takes place for the last 16.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe games will be played on February 11 and 18 before the Nou Camp is ready.If the club finishes in the top eight, then it will have more time to make the decision.Horror moment Barcelona star finds his tooth on the pitch after losing it in battle with Real Betis defender Barcelona have won five of their six Champions League gamesCredit: GettyThe quarter-finals will be played on March 4 and 11, but the decision will have to be made before February 21.This would make it difficult for the club to guarantee the Camp Nou’s work to be completed.The development includes increasing capacity from 99,000 to 104,000, as well as the additions of a roof, luxury bar and new escalators.Barcelona would then have to find a new stadium to play the knockout fixtures in.One option would be to go to Madrid, at Atletico Madrid’s Metropolitano, which would meet Uefa’s requirements.However one problem with that choice would be the distance for home fans to travel.The club could also look to stadiums in Catalonia but many of the options would have a very limited capacity.Espanyol’s 40,000-seater RCDE Stadium could be an ideal option, but some in Barcelona’s board do not want to “hear anything” about playing at the rival’s ground according to Marca.Another potential option would be negotiating with the city council to extend their deadline to use the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.READ MORE SUN STORIESHowever, Marca’s report has claimed the chances of this are “minimal”.The Camp Nou’s improvements are set to earn Barcelona £25m more in revenue each year.The new stadium will be sponsored by SpotifyThe Nou Camp will look incredible when the work is completeOver £1.3bn has been splashed on the stadium and the surrounding area More

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      ‘He could have done many things’ – Gary Neville reveals gym run-in with Liverpool star after brutal commentary insult

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      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Gary Neville revealed he had an awkward run-in with ex-Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius shortly after slamming him with some brutal criticism.Karius, 31, spent six years at Anfield after his arrival from Mainz in 2016 but couldn’t establish himself as Jurgen Klopp’s No1 and that led to loan stints at Besiktas and Union Berlin before his exit.Manchester United legend Gary Neville had an awkward run-in with Loris KariusCredit: Youtube / The OverlapNeville slammed Karius after his performance with Liverpool in the Champions League finalCredit: PA:Press AssociationThe German’s time with the Merseysiders effectively came to an end after the 2018 Champions League final where two major howlers led to goals for Real Madrid who won 3-1 in Kiev.The former Newcastle keeper gave the ball away to Karim Benzema, who opened the scoring, and failed to hold on to a powerful shot by Gareth Bale.However, it was later revealed that the ex-Germany international was playing with a concussion after a collission with Real captain Sergio Ramos moments before Benzema’s opener.Nevertheless, Neville, 49, didn’t hold back on his criticism of Karius as he insisted Klopp’s side would never win the Premier League with him between the sticks – he seemingly didn’t know about the concussion.Read More on FootballA while later, though, the Sky Sports pundit bumped into the German in a gym while visiting Italy and feared an intense confrontation after his fiery assessment of his Champions League final performance.Instead, Karius showed immense class by simply shaking the ex-England international’s hand and greeted him with respect.That left the Man Utd hero with a red face as he immediately felt “guilty” and realised he was too harsh on the keeper.Neville told The Overlap: “Karius, the Liverpool goalkeeper, the young lad – I’ve been quite direct about him for a period of two to three months. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”Liverpool were getting closer and better under Jurgen Klopp and I remember saying that they’ll never ever win the league with that guy in the net. “It’s a strong line that to a young goalkeeper. It was probably true in the element of about five months later he made the mistake in the Champions League final.Gary Neville hits out at ‘Moping’ Rashford and Garnacho and has heated argument with Micah Richards live on Sky Sports “I go to Italy to this hotel. I walked into the gym for a session and there was just this big bloke lifting massive weights – it’s Karius! “He could have done many things there and could have had a go at me. It went right through my head on what I said about him, and I know he would’ve known that. “But he shook my hand and said, ‘Nice to see you’ and I felt guilty bumping into someone I’ve given a harsh line to.”Liverpool splashed the cash for a new goalkeeper after the final and bought Alisson for a record £67million fee.The Brazilian helped the Reds win the Champions League in 2019 and their first Premier League title in 30 years in 2020.Karius is currently a free agent after two uneventful years at Newcastle where he amassed only two appearances. More

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      Ange Postecoglou tipped to keep to Tottenham second season promise ahead of crunch Man Utd clash in Carabao Cup

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      STEPHEN CARR knows all about beating Manchester United in a big League Cup tie.Just over 26 years ago, defender Carr was part of the Tottenham team that stunned Sir Alex Ferguson’s soon-to-be Treble winners with a 3-1 quarter-final home win.Ange Postecoglou will try to navigate his Tottenham side past Manchester United in the Carabao CupCredit: GettyStephen Carr helped Spurs to a cup tie victory over the Red Devils in 1998Credit: GettyChris Armstrong (twice) and David Ginola scored against a weakened Red Devils — albeit one that included Ryan Giggs, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Teddy Sheringham.But it was a great Spurs cup night at the old stadium in an era with very few of them.Former right-back Carr, 48, told SunSport in association with William Hill: “Manchester United were very successful back then, but the League Cup wasn’t as important. Their eyes were on the treble.“So it was a great time to play them.”READ MORE ON FOOTBALLUnited were the last of the big guns left in the competition that season, so the draw opened up nicely for Tottenham.They took full advantage. After sneaking past Wimbledon in the semi-finals, 10-man Tottenham — following Justin Edinburgh’s red card — saw off Leicester at Wembley with Allan Nielsen’s late winner.But today, Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs are unlikely to have it that easy in the latter stages.They might have dumped out League Cup specialists Manchester City but Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle are waiting in the wings if they see off United.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSYet Carr — who played every minute of that 1999 final — reckons Postecoglou can keep his second-season promise and lead Tottenham to a first trophy since 2008.He said: “They can definitely win the cup, but it’s a very strong line-up.Ange Postecoglou reacts to Tottenham’s 4-3 loss to Chelsea “People say the top teams don’t care about this competition — but there are some massive clubs still in there.“There’s no reason why Spurs can’t win it. Postecoglou said he always wins a trophy in his second season, so fingers crossed he does.“Tottenham can beat anybody on their day. They’re unbelievable, especially at home. If they play like we know they can, they can turn over Manchester United.“The problem is they’ve struggled getting back-to-back results.“They get an unbelievable result like against Manchester City and then one like Ipswich. They’re so up and down.”Carr spent 11 years at Tottenham from 1993 to 2004, when they finished between seventh and 15th.So the cups were often seen as a welcome break.During that 1998-1999 season, the 11 games Spurs won in the two domestic cups — they also reached the FA Cup semi-finals — was as many as they managed in the Premier League.And Carr reckons the cups could favour Spurs again this season, saying: “There’s a gap between cup games so out of all the teams left in the competition, cup football suits them most because they’re not as consistent.“The other big boys go on long winning runs, whereas Tottenham don’t.”During December, Spurs play nine times across three competitions.Along with the League Cup, they are in the Europa League — as well as challenging for the Prem’s top four.But Carr believes their 17-year trophy drought means this last-eight tie is the biggest of the lot.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe added: “It’ll be a big statement to beat Manchester United. They are starting to play now. It’s not the same team who were struggling under Erik ten Hag.“Going into the festive period, this is the most important game for Spurs. Fans would rather go to Wembley and win a trophy than get back into the Champions League.”Who are these famous footballers? More

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      My dad’s a former Arsenal star who reached Champions League final – I’m now planning Chelsea’s downfall

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      CHELSEA fans may clock a familiar surname in the opposition for tonight’s Conference League clash with Shamrock Rovers.Former Derby and Sunderland keeper Mart Poom’s son Markus will be in midfield, on loan from Estonians FC Flora.Markus Poom will face Chelsea for Shamrock RoversCredit: SportsfileHis father Mart spent time at Arsenal during his careerCredit: GettyMart also spent a short spell at Arsenal between 2005 and 2007 during which he picked up a Champions League runners-up medal.He was in the squad as the Gunners were beaten 2-1 by Barcelona in the final.Poom Jr was born here while his famous dad was playing at Derby but he is an Estonia international like his father.Markus Poom, 25, is under no illusion how tough Chelsea will be.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLBut with his own side sixth in the Conference League, he is determined to enjoy a big night out in London.Poom said: “It’s something to look forward to.“When the draw was happening, you want that game and you do kind of want it at Stamford Bridge.“But we’re not going to go there to just play the game.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“We’ll have a plan for it and hopefully get points.”Poom’s spell in the League of Ireland could get him noticed by English clubs.Enzo Maresca breaks silence on Mykhailo Mudryk’s failed drugs test and gives update on his Chelsea futureWho are these famous footballers?His UK passport means he can play without needing a work permit.He added: “Chelsea are probably the biggest team in the competition.“With their new manager, it’s an exciting time to play them.”Can you name the famous fathers?Meanwhile, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca how vowed to stick by Mykhailo Mudryk in his fight against a doping ban.He believes the Ukrainian did not knowingly take a banned substance.Mudryk’s urine showed traces of meldonium, considered a performance enhancing drug.The 23-year-old could be banned for up to four years if convicted.Maresca said: “We trust Misha and we support Misha. And trust means that we believe Misha.“It’s not just about Misha or about young players in general.READ MORE SUN STORIES“It’s my duty to try to have a close relationship with players because I like it that way. So even with Misha it’s exactly the same and I’m there to try to help Misha in anything he needs.“I think he’s going to come back. We just don’t know when.” More