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      Sunderland line up shock move for ex-Bundesliga manager, 44, who followed in Jurgen Klopp’s footsteps

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      DANISH coach Bo Svensson is emerging as a shock candidate for the Sunderland vacancy.Svensson, 44, is available after leaving German side Mainz and has been shortlisted by the Black Cats as they look for a new boss.Sunderland are targeting Bo Svensson who has followed in the footsteps of Jurgen KloppCredit: GettySunderland looked at Paul Heckingbottom after his work taking Sheffield United to the top flight. Will Still is also available after leaving Reims.However, Svensson may appeal more and could be tempted to go to the Championship if they can match his ambitions.The Danish tactician took over at Mainz in 2021 from Austrian outfit Liefering and spent two years in the dugout.Read More on FootballThe former defender has a lot of history with the German club as he also spent seven years with the team during his playing career.The Dane left the Bundesliga outfit with a record of 39 wins and the same amount of losses in 104 matches across all competitions.Svensson is one of many ambitious and talented young managers to have sat on the Mainz bench.That includes the likes of Jurgen Klopp, Thomas Tuchel, Kasper Hjulmand, Martin Schmidt and Sandro Schwarz.Most read in ChampionshipKlopp and Tuchel pose as the brightest graduates of the famous Mainz coaching cradle.Klopp went on to win two Bundesliga titles with Borussia Dortmund and made it to the 2013 Champions League final.Jurgen Klopp leaves press conference in stitches with brutal six-word statement after arriving lateThat led to a stunning nine-year stint with Liverpool where he won every available major honour, including the 2020 Premier League title and the 2019 Champions League trophy.Tuchel also enjoyed an impressive two-year stint with Dortmund before joining Paris Saint-Germain where he won two Ligue 1 titles and made it to the 2020 Champions League final.The German tactician took over at Chelsea a year later and won the Champions League title in his maiden season in charge.After being controversially sacked by the Blues, Tuchel took over at Bayern Munich where he won the Bundesliga last year but failed to repeat the feat this season.He will be a free agent in the summer with Bayern having already announced his departure, and Man Utd are said to be among the clubs interested.Mainz’s famous coaching cradleHere are some of Mainz’s most successful former managers:

      Jurgen Klopp (28 February 2001 – 30 June 2008)
      Thomas Tuchel (3 August 2009 – 11 May 2014)
      Kasper Hjulmand (15 May 2014 – 17 February 2015)
      Martin Schmidt (17 February 2015 – 22 May 2017)
      Sandro Schwarz (1 July 2017 – 10 November 2019)
      Bo Svensson (4 January 2021 – 2 November 2023) More

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      Man Utd Champions League winner ‘would jump up and yell McDonald’s, McDonald’s every time he passed fast food giant’

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      MEET the Manchester United star who might have become the world’s best player – except for an eating habit that saw him leap up yelling “McDonald’s, McDonald’s” whenever he saw the fast-food giant.Rafael de Silva claims “crazy” Anderson could have been the GOAT – were it not for that one incredible beef about his behaviour.Anderson is seen holding his chest as he celebrates scoring but might have thrived more had he held off from filling his tummy with junk foodCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdThe Brazilian was rated a better player when he didn’t have enough time to go to McDonald’s between matchesCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdMidfielder Anderson won the Champions League and four Premier League titles while at Old Trafford from 2007-2015.But former team-mate Rafael reckons his fellow Brazilian’s craving for junk food stopped him rivalling United legends like Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.Anderson, now 36, was rated one of the world’s most exciting prospects when he arrived at United from Porto for around £20million.But amid injury problems and fitness issues he ended up with only eight caps, all from 2007-08.READ MORE TOP STORIESAnd after leaving the Red Devils, his career subsided with Brazilian club Internacional and Turks Adana Demirspor, before he quit playing in 2002.In a joint autobiography with twin brother Fabio, Rafael explained the extraordinary problem he believes denied Anderson a place at the very top table of football.And he insisted that his countryman matched anyone in the Prem – whenever matches came thick and faster than his food.Rafael said: “We could be on the team coach and pass the services on the motorway and Anderson would jump up impulsively and yell ‘McDonald’s, McDonald’s’.Most read in FootballRafael da Silva has given his stark verdict on AndersonCredit: Getty – ContributorBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”The guy was crazy, but I love him. Give him a football and he would just play with freedom.”And sometimes, if he got a good run of games, he could play as well as any player in the league.Sir Jim Ratcliffe turns Man Utd toxic”He picked up a lot of big injuries and then his problems with eating the way he did started to affect him.”It was no coincidence that his best form came when he had a lot of games because that was when he couldn’t eat so much.”I will say something about Anderson – if he had been a professional football player, he could have been the best in the world.”Anderson looks to be enjoying life after retiring as a player four years agoCredit: Instagram More

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      I won the Treble with Man Utd in 1999 but I would NOT want to play for club now… it’s a real bad place

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      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Dwight Yorke says he would NOT want to play for the club now.The 1999 Treble-winner claims Old Trafford is a “bad place” to be under Erik ten Hag.Erik ten Hag’s side have lost a club record number of Prem gamesCredit: AlamyDwight Yorke, right, pictured with fellow treble-winning legend Andy ColeCredit: EPAYorke said: “I wouldn’t want to play. It’s whether you want to face that sort of aggro coming in.“Just knowing there’s a lack of creativity, lack of passion, the negative talk about the team.“It’s just a real bad place to be if you are a United player, not just a centre-forward.”Ten Hag’s side have already lost a club-record 13 Premier League games this season.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThey are languishing eighth in the table and new part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is promising a major summer overhaul — with Dutch boss Ten Hag’s job under threat.It is totally different to the time when Yorke was top scorer in a team that rocked the football world under Sir Alex Ferguson, winning the Prem, FA Cup and Champions League in one season.These days, it does not even rock Salford.Back then, Yorke insists United would click their fingers and players would come running to sign.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSNot any more.He said: “If you’re a player and you’ve got the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City after you, then United are second tier.I won iconic Treble at Man Utd… but I fear I’ll have to BUY a football club to ever land another managerial job“People are second-guessing about whether they want to join United.“It never used to be like that.“United come in for you? You don’t think about it. Now players are thinking, ‘I am not so sure’. That is not a good sign.”Yorke was speaking at the launch of a new Amazon Prime series entitled ‘99’ about that Treble-winning season.For Yorke, watching it makes it even more painful to witness the current crisis at Old Trafford.“It is like two different clubs.READ MORE SUN STORIESYorke, 52, added: “It’s so far apart, it’s not even close.”l ‘99’ is available exclusively on Amazon Prime Video from  May  17.Pundits’ verdict on Ten Hag’s futureWhere do the pundits stand on Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United future?
      Michael Owen – He has to go
      “He cannot, simply cannot, manage this team next season. He’s not good enough.”
      Teddy Sheringham – Might stay if he wins Cup but should go
      “If United win the FA Cup, he could stay. But, for me, changes are needed and United need to get it done sooner than later.”
      Jamie Carragher – Sacked
      “I don’t see how Erik ten Hag stays. It’s just performance after performance.”
      Gary Neville – Stay if he wins the FA Cup
      “To sack a manager who’s won two trophies in his first two seasons at the club I think would be extreme.”
      Louis Saha – On the fence
      “I don’t see it as clearly but they need changes from the players but they need changes from him as well.”
      Alan Shearer – Sacked
      “I believe the future of the Man Utd manager is already determined. Even if they win the FA Cup I think he’s gone.” More

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      Ex-Premier League star in line to beat his former boss to bizarre managerial comeback

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      MARTIN O’NEILL is reportedly set to be beaten to a new managerial job by one of his former players.The Northern Irishman had been linked with taking over at Rapid Bucharest.Neil Lennon enjoyed successful spells at Celtic both as a player and as a managerCredit: GETTYBut now it is claimed that Neil Lennon is a last minute candidate.Lennon was most recently let go by Cypriot side Omonia in 2022, despite winning the country’s domestic cup competition.O’Neill, meanwhile has been out of the dugout since Nottingham Forest sacked him in 2019.Last month it had also been revealed that O’Neill landed a role at the League Managers’ Association after he was voted in by fellow managers.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSO’Neill likely would have turned down the role if he had accepted the position at the Romanian side.However, the Daily Record have claimed that Rapid Bucharest are in talks with Lennon.Lennon, 52, enjoyed a successful playing and managing career.He gained promotion to the Premier League and won two league cups with Leicester City when O’Neill was in charge.Most read in FootballAnd he went on to win the Scottish league title five times along with reaching the final of the UEFA Cup in 2003.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSLennon finished his career with 561 club appearances and 40 caps for Northern Ireland.As a manager, he won an additional five Scottish league titles with Celtic, along with four Scottish Cups and one Scottish League Cup.Neil Lennon’s love child court fight But his brief return to England as a manager was not as successful however.Despite an impressive start at Bolton Wanderers in 2014, he was sacked less than 18 months later with the club at the bottom of the table.Rapid sports director Daniel Sandu highlighted his idea of what he wants for the club going forward: “We have to figure out exactly what we’re looking for.”At the moment we are not in a very good place, but I have faith the new management team will reset us and show what Rapid is all about.”Who are these famous footballers? More

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      Premier League referee Anthony Taylor lands bizarre new job in Europe as fans say ‘ain’t no way’

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      PREMIER League referee Anthony Taylor has landed a bizarre new role in the Albanian Superiore.The 45-year-old will be the man in charge of the league’s final on May 26 in Tirana.Premier League referee Anthony Taylor will take charge of the Albanian Superiore final on May 26Credit: ReutersAlbania Superiore, also known as Kategoria Superiore, is Albania’s top-tier professional football league.This Superiore is the first that will feature the four highest-placed teams facing each other in a knockout tournament to decide the 2023/24 champion.The clubs in the current running for the title are KF Egnatia, Partizani, Vllaznia and Skenderbeu.And English referee Taylor will lead the final at the end of the month in the Albanian capital. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFans were puzzled when they heard the news of the FIFA official’s new role.As one said: “Ain’t no way.”While another added: “April fools was a month and 2 days ago lads.”A third then put: “It’s over.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSTaylor has worn the FIFA crest for over a decade and has a rich career in the world of football after presiding over high-level meetings in the Premier League, Champions League and Europa League.He has also refereed several important finals, with the Uefa Europa League final last year between Sevilla and Roma.Europa Conference League clash SUSPENDED as referee calls a halt moments into second-halfAnd also the final match of the FIFA Club World Cup in 2022-2023, Real Madrid against Al-Hilal.Not to mention the Nations League final meeting of the 2020-2021 season – Spain against France.Taylor also recently led the first Champions League semi-final meeting between Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain.And it set to be the man in charge for Manchester City’s away game at Craven Cottage against Fulham on Saturday. More

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      PSG ‘lining up mega-money replacement for Kylian Mbappe’.. and it’s bad news for Man Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN have identified their priority target to replace departing superstar Kylian Mbappe in the summer.Mbappe, 25, will be leaving PSG at the end of the season after seven years at Parc des Princes and is expected to join Real Madrid.Paris Saint-Germain have found their top target to replace Kylian MbappeCredit: GettyPSG have prioritised Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and talks have been heldCredit: RexAccording to RMC Sport, the Parisians are now prioritising Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as the star forward’s replacement.And this poses as a major transfer blow for Chelsea, Arsenal as well as Manchester United who are also eyeing Kvaratskhelia.PSG boss Luis Enrique sees the winger as the perfect candidate to fill in for Mbappe down the left wing and discussions have already taken place.Club chiefs have travelled to Italy to meet the Georgia international’s camp.Read More on FootballThe negotiations have been described as “positive” and Kvaratskhelia was left “enthusiastic”. However, there has been no agreement between the two sides and PSG will have to splash a significant sum for the Georgian’s signature.Napoli are notoriously tough negotiators who slap a hefty fee on their top stars, such as Victor Osimhen, and are not known to budge.Kvaratskhelia has set the world alight during his two-year stint with the Partenopei.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe forward led the Serie A giants to their first Scudetto in 33 years during his maiden campaign.He now counts a total of 24 goals and 26 assists in 85 appearances across all competitions.Thierry Henry slammed for ’embarrassing take’ on Kylian Mbappe after PSG defeated in Champions League semi-finalBarcelona are also keeping tabs but Kvaratskhelia’s father Badri recently dealt all of his suitors a major blow as he suggested his son wants to stay at Napoli where he has a contract until 2027. More

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      Man Utd outcast Jadon Sancho is ‘sticking his middle finger up at one or two people at the club’ says Gary Lineker

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      GARY LINEKER joked Jadon Sancho may be sticking his middle finger up at certain individuals at Manchester United after reaching the Champions League final.The winger has featured in every game of the knock-out round for Borussia Dortmund on their route to Wembley.Gary Lineker claimed Jadon Sancho may be sticking his middle finger up at one or two people at Man UtdCredit: YouTube @The Rest Is FootballJadon Sancho has helped Borussia Dortmund reach the Champions League finalCredit: GettySancho impressed in the first leg of the semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain and put in a battling display in Paris as Dortmund won 2-0 on aggregate.The England star is now set to feature in the Champions League final – months after being frozen out at Old Trafford by Erik ten Hag.Lineker remarked on his change of fortunes while hosting The Rest is Football podcast.He said: “He was at Dortmund, went to Man Utd with big fanfare. It didn’t happen for him because of all sorts of issues and problems.READ MORE ON MAN UTD”Now he’s back at Dortmund and he’s in a Champions League final. He might be sticking his middle finger up at one or two people at United.”Sancho’s success at Dortmund has also benefitted the Red Devils, who are set to pick up £3.4million from performance-related add-ons.And United could decide to fully cash in on Sancho with the 24-year-old reportedly unwilling to return to the club while Ten Hag remains manager.Sancho fell out with the Dutchman after a defeat at Arsenal in September when he took to social media claiming he was being made a scapegoat for the team’s failures.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSChelsea made two of the biggest transfers ever in January 2023SunSport understands Dortmund are ready to offer £35m to make his loan deal permanent this summer.United are willing to accept a loss to sell Sancho could even try to pinch Donyell Malen off Dortmund in an exchange deal.Jadon Sancho belts out Adele as he leads Dortmund’s Champions League dressing room celebrations More

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      Champions League blunder ref ‘STRIPPED’ of Euro 2024 tournament opener following Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich scandal

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      REFEREE Szymon Marciniak may be REMOVED from the Euro 2024 opener between Germany and Scotland after his controversial officiating in the Champions League semi-finals.Marciniak, 43, made headlines around the world after Real Madrid’s 2-1 victory over Bayern Munich this week as an erroneous offside flag cost the Germans a last-gasp equaliser.Referee Szymon Marciniak may be removed from the Euro 2024 openerCredit: GettyMarciniak made headlines after his controversial officiating in the Champions LeagueCredit: GettyBayern star Matthijs de Ligt thought he had sent the tie to extra-time when he hit the back of the net in the 13th minute of stoppage time.But Polish ref Marciniak had blown his whistle for offside before he got the shot that beat Real goalkeeper Andriy Lunin.Assistant referee Tomasz Listkiewicz had deemed that Noussair Mazraoui was marginally offside during the build-up as he challenged for a header before the ball dropped to De Ligt to lash in.Linesmen are advised to delay raising their flags, particularly when margins are so tight.Read More on FootballReplays proved to be inconclusive and De Ligt revealed that the official APOLOGISED to him on full-time.The decision enraged Bayern, who saw Alphonso Davies’ opener getting cancelled out by a late brace from Joselu.And it appears Marciniak is facing punishment for acknowledging the flag and not allowing play to continue.And, according to Przegląd Sportowy, Marciniak has now been AXED from his scheduled appearance in Euro 2024 hosts Germany’s first match of the tournament.Most read in Champions LeagueBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe Polish publication claims the experienced referee was pencilled down for the encounter between Julian Nagelsmann’s men and Scotland on June 14 at Bayern’s Allianz Arena in Munich, of all places.However, the chances of that happening are now “close to zero” after the scenes that unfolded in Madrid.Fans stunned after seeing Champions League final referee’s bizarre dressing room routine in never-before-seen footageThis one will have stung Kane the most… what’s the German for schadenfreude?, says Dave KiddBy Dave Kidd
      OF all the trophies Harry Kane has missed out on, the Bundesliga will have stung the most.
      This was supposed to have been a dead cert. This was nailed-on.
      Bayern Munich had won 11 successive Bundesliga titles, so when the England captain signed for the great Bavarian powerhouse last summer, we all said: “Well, at least he’ll finally win something.”
      Yet on Sunday evening, there were Bayer Leverkusen — known in Germany as ‘Neverkusen’ because they hadn’t previously won the league thanks to several late implosions — cavorting around, 16 points clear, unbeaten in all competitions and confirmed as champions with five games to spare.
      And so the greatest trophy curse in footballing history continues.
      And this one really is freakish because Leverkusen’s story is almost as extraordinary as Leicester City’s miracle title in 2015-16 — the season when Kane won his first Premier League Golden Boot and Tottenham ended up ‘third in a two-horse race’ behind Arsenal.
      Kane is always the runner-up, always the nearly man, always the fall guy, too often a figure of fun for those taking pleasure in the misfortune of others.
      Does anyone know the German word for schadenfreude…?
      Read Dave Kidd’s column in full.
      Or read more from Dave Kidd.

      Bayern’s departing boss Thomas Tuchel didn’t hold back on his assessment of Marciniak as he accused him of breaking “every rule”.Tuchel said after full-time: “I think it’s pretty clear and [there] cannot be in my opinion any doubt that it is against every rule of modern football.”The first big mistake is from the linesman, he did it in an action in overtime in an action with Alphonso Davies he did it also, he raised his flag straight away.”I don’t know if he was offside. I got a strange feeling. To raise your flag in a situation like this when you can never be sure that this is offside, to have the guts to raise the flag in a situation like this is a huge call. And it’s the wrong call.”The referee has the chance when he sees that we win the second ball and we win the rebound and we get the shot away within five seconds, he has the chance not to whistle. He takes the decision to whistle – it is against every rule.”We accept we lost. It is what it is but that would not have happened on the other side.”Who are these famous footballers? More