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      Carlo Ancelotti hints at huge international job as he confirms Real Madrid will be last club of glittering career

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      CARLO ANCELOTTI admitted that Real Madrid will be his last job in club management – amid interest from Brazil’s national team.The 65-year-old is three years into his second spell at Real Madrid and has a contract with the LaLiga champions that runs until 2026.Carlo Ancelotti wants to leave his club career behind after Real MadridCredit: GettyThe Italian is the most decorated manager in Champions League historyCredit: GettyQuestions over Ancelotti’s future with Madrid lingered throughout 2023 before he signed a new deal in December. This was around the time he was constantly being linked to the Brazil job.President of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), Ednaldo Rodrigues, said last year that Ancelotti was an obvious choice for the role.Ancelotti told the Obi One Podcast: “I think it will be my last club, I have to say.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS”If there would be an opportunity for a national team, I don’t know. “I’m not so excited to be in a national team for the fact that I would lose what I like more, the day-by-day. “The day-by-day I like. To be here, to prepare the training, to talk to the players, to prepare the games.”This is my 29th season as a coach. It’s true that I have won a lot but imagine the number of titles I lost. I lost a lot.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAncelotti has enjoyed a coaching career spanning 32 years, winning league titles in five different countries.His five Champions League titles make him the most successful manager in the history of the competition.Watch Kobbie Mainoo’s ‘1000 IQ’ goal as fans say Man Utd star ‘playing Fifa Street in real life’He has won Serie A with Roma and AC Milan, the Premier League with Chelsea and Ligue 1 with PSG.Before winning the the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich and two LaLiga titles with Real Madrid.The Italian was also Everton’s boss for 18 months from December 2019, until Madrid came calling when Zinedine Zidane stood down in May 2021. More

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      Jurgen Klopp hints at career change after ruling himself out of England job and starting new life in £3m Majorca villa

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      JURGEN KLOPP revealed he won’t be returning to management any time soon after his emotional departure from Liverpool.Klopp, 57, rolled credits on his stunning nine-year stint at Anfield where he won every major honour, including the Premier League and Champions League.Jurgen Klopp admitted he still wants to work in football in a non-managerial capacityCredit: AFPKlopp insists he doesn’t want to work as a manager for the next few monthsCredit: APThe German tactician has been linked with a few lucrative gigs, such as the top job at England after Gareth Southgate resigned following Euro 2024.However, the ex-Borussia Dortmund boss poured cold water on the speculation as he insists “that’s it” for him as a coach for at least the next “few months”.The Liverpool legend, though, admitted he would love to work in football on a different capacity.Klopp said at the International Coaches’ Congress in Wurzburg, Germany: “As of today, that’s it for me as a coach.Read More on Football”I didn’t quit on a whim, but it was a general decision. I’ve also coached the best clubs in the world.“Maybe we can talk about it again in a few months. I still want to work in football and help people with my experience and contacts. Let’s see what else there is for me.“At the moment, there is nothing at all in terms of jobs. No club, no country. “A few people must not have heard this part [about the England job] and it would be the biggest loss of face in the history of football if I said, ‘I’ll make an exception for you now’.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“I’m going to do some work. I’m too young to only do padel tennis and [spend time with] grandchildren. “Will that be coach again? I would actually rule that out at the moment. Let’s see what it will look like in a few months, but nothing is coming through at the moment.”Watch Klopp announce Slot as next Liverpool manager with amazing song to fansIn the meantime, Klopp is planning to enjoy life at his £3.4million villa in Majorca with his wife Ulla Sandrock.And even though he has no plans to return to management any time soon, the ex-Mainz boss insists he is not yet retired. More

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      Major change to Champions League with supercomputer to determine Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool and Aston Villa opponents

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      THE Champions League will introduce a SUPERCOMPUTER to decide the draw from next season.It comes amid big changes to the format of Europe’s premier competition.A supercomputer will be used for the Champions League drawThe first phase of the tournament previously consisted of eight groups of four teams.But from next season that will be replaced, with an expanded 36 teams now featuring in the SAME league table.Each team with play eight fixtures, four at home and four away, which means a much bigger draw is needed to decide who plays who.Uefa feel it is no longer practical for all the fixtures to be drawn manually, so a supercomputer is set to arrange the matches.That is because it would require 900 balls to be drawn – which Uefa say would take up to four hours to complete.The usual rules apply with teams unable to face an opponent from the same country.While seeding will be decided by Uefa’s five-year performance coefficient, with four different groups each made up of nine teams.However Uefa will maintain the tradition of picking balls from a hat.Most read in Champions LeagueBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSMeet Eva Murati, Albania’s answer to Laura WoodsMEET Albania’s answer to Laura Woods.Glamorous Eva Murati, 28, has been fronting Champions League coverage in the country since 2017.Boasting nearly one million Instagram followers, gorgeous Eva is a triple threat – actress, host and model.Eva is fluent in Italian studied law at the University of Tirana.But her passion for showbiz led her into presenting at just 18.Eva is mad Juventus fan and was thrilled to meet legendary defender Fabio Cannavaro.As if she didn’t have enough strings to her bow, Eva is also a great singer and has hinted she might even release a song one day.Until then, she’ll continue lighting up screens with her Champions League coverage, in between modelling for lingerie brand Yamamay.Click here to see more of the glamorous Eva Murati…A club will be picked at random and then a supercomputer will decide their fixtures, and the same process will apply to the remaining eight clubs in Pot A.There will also be draws for the knock-out rounds – one at the end of the league phase at the end of January, and another at the end of February for the Round of 16.Arsenal confirm £42m Riccardo Calafiori transfer from Bologna after defender passes medical and joins squad in the US More

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      How Arsenal’s new £42million ‘Bulldozer’ Calafiori fought back from ruthless Jose Mourinho axing to seal dream transfer

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      THE career of Riccardo Calafiori has often flirted with disaster and disappointment.At the age of 16, it was believed the Roma academy kid would never play – or even walk – again after a horror tackle during a Youth League match against Viktoria Plzen in October 2018.Riccardo Calafiori joined Arsenal for £42m this weekCredit: GettyJose Mourinho axed the Italy international from his Roma squad in 2021Credit: RexBut years before that Calafiori underwent a gruesome surgery after suffering a horror injuryCredit: Instagram @richycalaThe Italian defender had ruptured every ligament in his left knee.Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s surgeon Dr Freddie Fu was even taken aback before operating, comparing it to a motorbike accident. Roma practically went into mourning.Netting a hat-trick for the first team soon after in the Champions League, striker Edin Dzeko held up a shirt with Calafiori’s name on in support.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLClub legend Daniele De Rossi would help ferry Calafiori from home to the training centre and back again in the weeks that followed.The rehab was brutal, but Calafiori’s recovery – mostly out in the States – was extraordinary, returning to action in just under 12 months, earning him the nickname of ‘The Bulldozer’ by his father.And he later got a tattoo on his hand that reads: “Just be sure to notice the collateral beauty”.It is why – back in the USA six years later to join up with Arsenal on their pre-season tour after completing a £42m switch from Bologna – Calafiori is still in disbelief.Most read in FootballCalafiori embraced Mikel Arteta after he joined the Gunners’ pre-season tourCredit: ArsenalBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSEmbracing boss Mikel Arteta in their team hotel, the 22-year-old – known as ‘Ricky’ to those closest to him – asked: “Is this real?” with the Spaniard replying with a big smile: “Finally, it’s real”.Both Arteta and sporting director Edu have got their man after months of work to bring the Italy international to the Emirates.Former Chelsea team-mates Mason Mount and Jorginho embrace after Man Utd’s pre-season defeat to Arsenal A player they feel “fits the profile” – young but immensely talented as a versatile, ball-playing defender – while Calafiori only had eyes for North London, despite late interest from Juventus and Real Madrid.Arteta revealed last season he wants 22 world class players in his squad – two in each position – to be able to constantly rotate without feeling their starting XI is weakened.Calafiori certainly adds to this, joining the likes of William Saliba, Gabriel, Ben White, Jakub Kiwior, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jurrien Timber and Takehiro Tomiyasu as defensive options.He is able to play at both left-back and centre-back – something he first learned he could do while at Basel during the 2022/23 campaign having just been let go his boyhood Roma under Jose Mourinho.This was yet another setback in Calafiori’s career that had the potential to be make or break, ruthlessly dumped by Mourinho in the winter window after featuring in a humiliating 6-1 Europa Conference League group stage loss to Bodo Glimt in October 2021.Yet ‘The Bulldozer’ continued on its path, helping Basel to the Conference League semi-finals before joining Serie A side Bologna for £4m last summer.Jose Mourinho ruthlessly sold Riccardo Calafiori during his time at RomaCredit: GettyCalafiori said of Mourinho: “It was his choice to sell me, but I’ll also tell you something. Mou and I talk; he wrote me several messages, and there’s a nice relationship between us.“He forged my character and personality. The fact that he asks you for 200% in every training session and that he makes his choices by looking at what you give on the pitch.”Calafiori’s development must also pay credit to coach Thiago Motta at Bologna, admitting last term: “I tried things tactically that I had never seen”.Motta and Arteta have similar philosophies, having grown up together as players in the Barcelona academy, perhaps accelerating any adaptation time.Arteta and sporting director Edu spent months trying to land the Italy international’s signatureCredit: GettyYet Calafiori is a quick learner. Last season in Serie A, he kept 15 clean sheets in 30 appearances, helping Bologna to Champions League qualification for the first time since 1964.He racked up a pass completion of 89.8% to rank third in the league last term, including 76 accurate long balls and 17 goalscoring chances created.No centre-back in Europe’s top five leagues produced more assists than him with five.He also became Bologna’s first-ever Serie A Player of the Month winner in May, paving the way for his Italy senior major tournament debut at the Euros last month.Arsenal ran out 2-1 winners against Man Utd in Los Angeles on the weekendCredit: AFPThere is now a Premier League debut on the cards, with Arsenal’s opener against Wolves on August 17 after Emirates Cup clashes with Bayer Leverkusen and Lyon next week.Calafiori has said in the past he aspires to be like Manchester City’s John Stones, while former England manager Fabio Capello has compared him to a young Sergio Ramos.But for someone so young and highly rated, Calafiori also has his feet firmly on the ground.READ MORE SUN STORIESWhen previously asked about his biggest achievement in the football so far, he said: “Being able to buy my parents a house. “We lived in a rental, but when I played for Roma I managed to buy a beautiful house for them. Seeing them calm, safe and happy is priceless.”Arsenal have a tricky start to the season More

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      Former Champions League club managed by ex-Premier League star ‘to become part-time and release entire squad’

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      A FORMER Champions League club has chosen to renounce its professional status after being relegated to the third tier.The French side are now set for court where they could be wound up.Their impressive 42,000-capacity stadium was a Euro 2016 host venueCredit: ReutersFormer Liverpool player Albert Riera remains in charge of the clubCredit: RexBordeaux have been plagued by financial issues and took the decision to drop down to the third tier to try and ease their woes.They were in takeover talks with Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group but they have since withdrawn their interest after extensive discussions with the club’s stakeholders.It leaves Bordeaux on the brink of liquidation, with a date set at the Commerical Court in France.Ahead of that trial the club has decided to end their professional status, report Sud-Ouest.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLClubs in France’s third tier can apply for an exemption remain professional for two-years before renouncing that status.As a result of the club abandoning its professional status, all players’ contracts will be automatically terminated.And the former European giants will also have to close their training ground after forfeiting the licence for it.Bordeaux have been a professional club since 1937 and have won Ligue 1 on six occasions.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThey made a net loss of around £34million last season and had a wage bill of £21m.At court next week Bordeaux are reportedly set to request the opening of a judicial recovery procedure that will freeze all their debts – approximately £76m.Former Liverpool star Albert Riera has remained as manager with the new season set to commence on August 17.Adam Idah scores stunning overhead kick during training as Celtic fans beg for Norwich star to return More

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      Jose Mourinho avoids humiliation in first Fenerbahce clash with Premier League cult hero saving Champions League hopes

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      JOSE MOURINHO narrowly avoided humiliation in his first Fenerbahce match in charge.The Portuguese manager took charge of the Turkish giants for the first time in a Champions League qualifier against Lugano.Edin Dzeko bagged a hat-trick against LuganoCredit: GettyThe striker’s goals meant that Jose Mourinho did not lose his first game as Fenerbahce managerCredit: EPAFenerbahce fell behind in the match after just four minutes to the Swiss side at the Stockhorn Arena.Defender Ayman El Wafi put the hosts ahead, raising fears of an embarrassing exit for Mourinho’s men.However, former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko saved the saved the day as he netted the equaliser before half-time from the spot.The Bosnian then scored his second of the game just one minute into the second half.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut then worries were raised again as Uran Bislimi equalised for Lugano in the 64th minute.Mourinho will have then been relieved as Dezko and Ferdi Kadiolu gave his side a two-goal buffer ahead of the final 20 minutes.Milton Valenzuela scored in the 94th minute in order to make the game end 4-3.Dzeko finished the game with a hat-trick as he began his 22nd season as a professional footballer.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe tie is not settled, however as Fenerbahce still need to host the Swiss side at home.The second leg will be played on July 30 at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium.Jose Mourinho instantly rules out bringing two of his former players to Fenerbahce as ex-Chelsea boss plans transfersShould Fenerbahce make it through with a positive result, they will still need to navigate the third qualifying round and play-off round before sealing a spot in the Champions League league phase.Mourinho was hired by Fenerbahce in June after being unemployed since getting the sack from Roma in January.He has reportedly signed a deal that will run until 2026, with an option for a further season.Ex-Prem stars at FenerbahceJOSE MOURINHO will have a whole host of familiar faces in his dressing room when he takes over at Fenerbahce.There are no fewer than SIX players in the Turkish giants’ squad who previously played in the Premier League. They are:EDIN DZEKO Fenerbahce’s club captain was at Man City from 2011 to 2016, scoring 72 goals in 189 appearances, including the dramatic equaliser before THAT Sergio Aguero winner vs QPRMICHY BATSHUAYI Belgian forward arrived to much fanfare at Chelsea in 2016 but five loans in six years, two of them to Crystal Palace, showed it didn’t quite workFRED Man Utd spent £52m on the Brazilian holding midfielder who formed half of the underwhelming ‘McFred’ partnership and won just the League Cup in five years at Old TraffordDUSAN TADIC Serbian forward enjoyed four seasons at Southampton before returning to the Eredivisie with Ajax, reaching the Champions League semi-finalsRYAN KENT Technically didn’t play in the Premier League but made one FA Cup appearance for boyhood club Liverpool then left for Rangers in 2019CENGIZ UNDER A disappointing season on loan at Leicester in 2020-21 from Roma, scoring two goals in 19 appearances for the Foxes who did not trigger their option to buy the Turkish winger. More

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      Rangers Champions League qualifying opponents revealed as draw throws up daunting first away trip

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      RANGERS have been drawn against Dynamo Kyiv OR Partizan Belgrade in the third round of qualifying for the Champions League.Philippe Clement’s men won’t be in action in the competition until next month but the draw for the round took place today in Nyon, Switzerland.Rangers boss Philippe Clement during the pre-season match against Man UtdCredit: PAThe Champions League trophyCredit: GettyThis is also the debut year of the new Champions League format, with a 36-team league phase replacing the traditional group stages.Under the new format, teams will play eight matches in this new league phase. As opposed to playing three opponents home and away, teams will now have fixtures against eight different teams, playing half of those matches at home and half of them away. Clubs will initially be ranked in four different pots based on their seeding to determine who they will face. For the third round of qualifying, the Ibrox club could have faced Lugano or Fenerbahce, Dynamo Kyiv or Partizan Belgrade, and FC Twente and Union Saint-Gilloise.Rangers were seeded for the draw which meant they avoided Slavia Prague, Red Bull Salzburg and Lille.Lugano and Fenerbahce play the first leg of their second qualifying round tie tomorrow with Dynamo Kyiv and Partizan Belgrade also in action.The tie will take place over August 6/7 and August 13. The first leg will be in Ukraine or Serbia, with the return match at (most likely) Hampden.The winners will advance to the play-off round, where a place in the Champions League proper is at stake.Most read in FootballIf Gers lose in the play-off round then they could potentially have the consolation of a place in the Europa League group stages however.And if they lose against Dynamo Kyiv or Partizan Belgrade then they will parachute into the same stage of the competition.Aberdeen fans chant ‘if you see Connor Barron break his legs’ after Rangers movePremiership rivals Hearts already have a place in the play-off round of the Europa League thanks to their third place finish last season.Rangers have two more pre-season games before their European journey kicks off.They face Birmingham at St Andrew’s on Wednesday then travel to Germany to face Union Berlin on Saturday.Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

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      Jadon Sancho ‘close to agreeing shock PSG transfer’ just days after returning to Man Utd fold

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      JADON SANCHO is close to agreeing personal terms for a move away from Manchester United, reports say. The forward had a public fallout with United manager Erik ten Hag last September which resulted in his exile from the squad. Jadon Sancho is ‘close to agreeing personal terms to PSG’Credit: AlamyBut Sancho revived his career with a loan back to Borussia Dortmund – three years after his £73million transfer to Old Trafford. The winger made 21 appearances and grabbed three goals on his way to re-finding form.Still, Dortmund were unable to make a permanent move for Sancho – paving his return to United. And the England international did make his way back to training and appeared in the fold for the upcoming season. READ MORE ON MAN UTDSancho even played his first game for United since August as he lined up in a friendly against Rangers.Ten Hag’s side won 2-0 with Amad Diallo and Joe Hugill scoring and £50m man Leny Yoro playing in defence.But in another twist, according to Foot Mercato and Lequipe, Sancho and PSG are close to an agreement on personal terms. The French champions are looking to replace Kylian Mbappe this summer after the superstar’s move to Real Madrid. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSSancho’s United history July 23, 2021 – Sancho signs for Man Utd for £73m after a three-year transfer sagaSeptember 3, 2023 – Ten Hag drops Jadon Sancho from Man Utd squad due to his ‘performance in training’ – but player says he has been made a ‘scapegoat’September 14, 2023 – Removed from Man Utd first-team squad and suspendedJanuary 12, 2024 – Re-signs for Borussia Dortmund on loan until the end of the seasonJanuary 13, 2024 – Comes off the bench and provides assist on return in 3-0 win over Darmstadt 98March 9, 2024 – Scores first goal back at Dortmund in 2-1 win over Werder BremenMay 1, 2024 – Provides incredible solo performance against PSG in Champions League semi-finalJuly 12, 2024 – Returns to Man Utd training for first timeJuly 16, 2024 – Ten Hag speaks out on Sancho’s return to say ‘we’ve drawn the line’PSG’s sporting director Luis Campos is said to have been impressed by Sancho’s performances in Germany and against his club in the Champions League semi-final.And he is now a top priority after a deal for Napoli’s Victor Osimhen hit the rocks. United are believed to have already been in talks with PSG over the signing of defensive midfielder Manuel Ugarte. And the Ligue 1 champions are also understood to also be interested in Red Devils captain Bruno Fernandes. United had placed a £40million price tag on Sancho – almost half what they paid Dortmund in 2021. But, Ten Hag spoke out about welcoming the player back into the squad after they held talks to squash their past disputes.He commented: “As we said, we’ve drawn the line.”Manchester United needs good players and Jadon is a good player. We have drawn that line and we move on.”Sancho was made to train on his own last year after publicly lashing out at Ten Hag last season following defeat to Arsenal. READ MORE SUN STORIESTen Hag claimed Sancho was dropped as a result of poor training performances – but the player argued he was being made a “scapegoat”.Refusal to apologise to the manager then resulted in his expulsion from the side until he was loaned out to Dortmund. Sancho returned to United in a friendly against RangersCredit: Getty More