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      Huddersfield ‘set to announce new one-year deal for Neil Warnock, 74, after veteran boss’ Championship great escape’

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      NEIL WARNOCK is set to sign a new one-year deal with Huddersfield, reports suggest.According to The Mail, the Terriers wish to reward Warnock by offering him fresh terms that will see him staying at John Smith’s Stadium beyond his 75th birthday.
      Neil Warnock put together a “great escape” and saved Huddersfield from relegationCredit: Getty
      Huddersfield will reward Warnock with a new one-year dealCredit: Alamy
      The experienced tactician is expected to put pen to paper on Wednesday when he heads to Yorkshire from his home in Cornwall.
      Huddersfield fans have been urging club chiefs to keep Warnock in the dugout after saving the team from relegation.
      The Sheffield-born head coach came out of retirement in February when the West Yorkshire giants looked destined for League One.
      However, Warnock orchestrated a stunning turnaround and secured Championship football with a game to spare.
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      The ex-Crystal Palace boss looked set to go back to retirement after his work was done.
      However, he had a change of heart after talking to new owner Kevin Nagle.
      This also comes after the appointment of Huddersfield’s new chief executive Jake Edwards.
      Warnock is undergoing his second stint at the club, having first managed them between 1993 and 1995.
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      The English gaffer has since taken over a raft of different clubs, such as Queens Park Rangers, Sheffield United and Leeds.
      It looked like he was set to roll credits on a 41-year career as manager in 2021 when he left Middlesbrough.
      But he came back and extended his record of matches managed to 1,619.
      He has also won eight promotions throughout his career, which poses as another record. More

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      Leicester join transfer chase for Blackpool star Jerry Yates amid doubts over Jamie Vardy’s future

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      LEICESTER have joined the race for Blackpool striker Jerry Yates.The £4million-rated hotshot, 26, scored 14 goals for the relegated Championship outfit last season.
      Blackpool striker Jerry Yates scored 14 league goals but could not prevent the club from being relegated to League OneCredit: Getty
      Jamie Vardy’s Leicester future remains uncertain following relegation from the Premier LeagueCredit: Alamy
      Top-scorer Yates has attracted interest from Luton, West Brom, Coventry and Ipswich.
      While SunSport understands a £2.5million bid has already rejected by the Tangerines.
      But the Foxes are keen to snap up Yates with doubts over the futures of Jamie Vardy and  Kelechi Iheanacho following relegation from the Premier League.
      Yates has 12 months left on his contract at Bloomfield Road with the option of another year.
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      Blackpool, who will be playing in League One next season, are reluctant to sell.
      But the club are not planning to stand in the way of Yates playing at a higher level. 
      Yates claimed a hat-trick at Blackpool’s end-of-season awards after winning the Players’ Player of the Year, top scorer and goal of the season gongs.
      The forward ended the campaign in the top 10 goalscorers for the Championship.
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      Yates scored 15 in all competitions last season, 14 of which came in the second tier.
      His other goal coming in Blackpool’s FA Cup third round shock over Premier League outfit Nottingham Forest in January. More

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      Leeds star ‘BANNED from playing in Championship next season thanks to bizarre transfer clause’

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      LEEDS defender Robin Koch is BANNED from playing in the Championship next season, according to reports.The German centre-back, 26, has a clause in his contract that allows him to leave Elland Road on a free this summer following their relegation to the second tier.
      Robin Koch has spent three years with LeedsCredit: Getty
      But if that isn’t enough to ensure his exit, Bild understands his deal also contains a stipulation that he is not allowed to play in the Championship.
      Koch joined Leeds from Freiburg after their promotion to the Premier League in 2020.
      He has made 77 appearances for the Yorkshire side, helping them to a ninth-place finish in their first season back in the top flight.
      Manager Marcelo Bielsa, who guided Leeds to promotion, was sacked during the 2021/22 campaign, before they narrowly avoided relegation under Jesse Marsch.
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      But Sam Allardyce failed to achieve the same 12 months later as just one point from their last four games saw them drop into the bottom three and fail to climb to safety.
      And they are now managerless as they prepare for life back in the Championship.
      Former Norwich boss Daniel Farke and West Brom head coach Carlos Corberan have both been linked with the vacant position.
      After the shortest managerial stint in Premier League history came to an end, Allardyce said: “It has been an honour to manage Leeds United, a great club with an incredible fan base, who deserve to be in the Premier League.
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      “I have really enjoyed working with the staff and players at the club and I would like to thank Angus Kinnear for the opportunity.
      “I’d also like to highlight the outstanding work of Karl Robinson and Robbie Keane who have worked tirelessly over the past few weeks.
      “At this stage in my career I am not sure taking on this challenge, which is potentially a long-term project, is something I could commit to, but I wish the club every success for the future and hope the club returns to the Premier League, where they belong.” More

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      Bizarre new rule set to hit long-throw specialists next season as football chiefs try to get play started quicker

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      LONG-throw specialists in the EFL will be BANNED from using towels to dry the ball next term.Club chiefs agreed the rule amendment at their annual meeting, which also formally introduces “multiball” to get play started quicker.
      EFL will ban using towels to dry the ball next termCredit: Rex
      In a statement after the meeting, where club bosses gave chief executive Rick Parry a new three-year mandate, a spokesman said: “The EFL will introduce a multiball system in all its competitions for the 2023/24 season.
      “Match balls will be placed on cones in designated areas at pitch side to help increase the time of the ball being in play.
      “Meanwhile, Clubs will no longer be permitted to use towels or other articles, including items obtained from spectators to dry footballs during matches.”
      The EFL clubs agreed to mirror the Prem’s reformed and toughened Owners’ and Directors Test, a move aimed at preventing rogue executives becoming involved in the game.
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      Clubs will also be banned from any transfers for 18 MONTHS if they are routinely late with HMRC debt payments.
      Any breaches of payment dates will be added up and if a club “accumulates 30 days of late payments in a 12-month period” they will be unable to sign a player for a fee or any consideration for three full transfer windows.
      The meeting was addressed by Sports Minister Stuart Andrew, who again warned Prem clubs they face Government intervention if a new cash deal with the EFL is not swiftly agreed.
      Premier League and EFL bosses remain at daggers drawn over parachute payments and other issues, with Parry wanting 25 per cent of the top flight’s TV income to be given to his clubs.
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      The Minister said: “We want a thriving football pyramid, and more money must flow through the game to make this happen.
      “It remains our firm belief that the best solution is a football led one and I am hopeful that the resolution will be found soon.
      “I would urge both sides to reach a deal as soon as possible. It is in the game’s interests to avoid the risk of further financial uncertainty.
      “If one is not found the Regulator will have a backstop power to intervene and force a solution.” More

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      Birmingham set for huge transfer windfall once Jude Bellingham completes £115m Real Madrid move

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      BIRMINGHAM City are set for a huge transfer windfall once Jude Bellingham completes his £115million move to Real Madrid.The England international is set to sign for the Spanish giants after a deal was agreed with Borussia Dortmund.
      Jude Bellingham’s move to Real Madrid will land Birmingham City a huge transfer windfallCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Bellingham is on the verge of finalising the move, with a medical expected to take place in the comings days.
      The deal is worth a total of £115million, consisting of a £88million initial fee and £27million in add-ons.
      The Mirror report that this will see Bellingham’s former side Birmingham receive £10million as part of a clause included when he was sold to Dortmund in 2020.
      Although the exact percentage of the sell-on clause is unknown, it means the Championship side will have now banked £35million from the sale of Bellingham.
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      The teenage midfielder was sold to Dortmund for £25million after a breakthrough campaign at St. Andrew’s.
      During that campaign, a 16-year-old Bellingham became the Blues’ youngest ever player and scorer.
      His performances were rewarded upon his departure as Birmingham retired his number 22 shirt.
      He has since become a key man for Dortmund and England, captaining the former several times despite still being just 19.
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      Jude Bellingham enjoyed a breakthrough season with Birmingham City in 2019/20Credit: PA
      Bellingham was named their player of the year for the 2022/23 season after they narrowly missed out on the Bundesliga title.
      He has also won 24 caps for the Three Lions and scored at the World Cup in Qatar. More

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      Five amazing Premier League teams who got relegated, including 2003 West Ham side and Middlesbrough with Juninho

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      THE PREMIER LEAGUE season came to a dramatic close with an intense relegation scrap.Southampton were already doomed as they had plunged to the bottom of the English top flight after a rough campaign that saw them change three managers.
      Leicester were relegated just seven years after winning the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty
      It all came down to Everton, Leeds as well as Leicester and two of them were condemned to follow Saints to the Championship.
      All three of them carried a heavy legacy in the Prem, and so did Southampton.
      The Foxes, especially, were fighting for survival only seven years after they shocked the world and won the title in what will forever be remembered as the greatest underdog story in football history.
      At the end, Leicester couldn’t replicate any of the spark from 2016 and went down along with Leeds after Everton defeated Bournemouth 1-0.
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      Some of these teams may have felt too good to go down.
      Of course, such a thing does not exist – you are down there on merit.
      But, better teams have gone down in the past – as the below list shows…
      Newcastle – 2008-09
      THE 2008-09 season was an utter disaster for the Toon.
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      By the time they were relegated, Newcastle had seen FOUR different managers scrape together just seven wins.
      Kevin Keegan, Joe Kinnear, Chris Hughton and club legend Alan Shearer all took charge of the club.
      But it was Shearer – who vowed to keep the Magpies up – who oversaw the eventual and somewhat inevitable demise, finishing 18th just one point away from survival.
      For a team of Newcastle’s size and with a squad boasting Michael Owen, Damien Duff, Nicky Butt, Obafemi Martins, Jose Enrique, Joey Barton and Mark Viduka, playing in the Championship was utterly alien.
      They would go on to win the league and bounce straight back to the Premier League, but for a team that strong to go down was remarkable.
      Newcastle were relegated in 2008-09 despite their strong squadCredit: Action Images – Reuters
      Leeds – 2003-04
      MUCH like Newcastle, Leeds fell into the bracket of clubs ‘too big to go down’.
      But in 2004, the Elland Road giants slipped out of the top flight and wouldn’t return for 16 years – even slipping into League One for three seasons during that time.
      In 2003-04, Leeds won just eight matches en route to finishing 19th in the Prem, shipping a league-high 79 goals with the club in financial turmoil.
      The Yorkshire side had a strong squad, too – with the likes of Viduka, Paul Robinson, Nicky Barmby, Alan Smith, Aaron Lennon and James Milner on the books.
      Leeds were relegated in 2004, sparking a 16-year top-flight exileCredit: Getty
      West Ham – 2002-03
      EVEN the magic 40-point mark wasn’t enough for the Hammers in 2002-03.
      To this day, West Ham’s tally of 42 points that year is the highest for a relegated team.
      For context, the East London giants also secured 42 points in 2017-18.. and finished 13th.
      But for a team boasting Jermain Defoe, Paolo di Canio, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole, Les Ferdinand, David James, Trevor Sinclair and more to go down? Madness.
      Ultimately the star-studded squad finished two points adrift off 17th-placed Bolton.
      More bizarrely still, it took West Ham two attempts to break back into the big time, eventually scraping through the Championship play-offs despite finishing sixth.
      West Ham were relegated in 2002-03 despite racking up 42 pointsCredit: Getty
      Blackburn – 1998-99
      IN 1993-94, Blackburn won the Premier League trophy. In 1997-98, they finished sixth.
      And at the start of the 1998-99 season, they were being tipped to challenge for a second title, now under Roy Hodgson.
      Rovers boasted the likes of Duff, Stephane Henchoz, Chris Sutton, Kevin Davies, Tim Sherwood and Tim Flowers.
      Despite that, Blackburn finished the season in 19th after winning a woeful five games.
      Hodgson was sacked midway through the disastrous campaign with no player in the squad scoring more than five league goals.
      Blackburn had been tipped for a shot at the title in 1998-99 but were relegated insteadCredit: Getty
      Middlesbrough – 1996-97
      EVEN the heroics of Juninho and Fabrizio Ravanelli couldn’t save Boro in 1996-97.
      The Italian striker scored 31 times in all competitions – including an opening day hat-trick in a 3-3 draw against Liverpool – with the Brazilian midfield magician in full flow behind him.
      However, despite that, Middlesbrough slumped into the second tier after finishing two points shy of safety.
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      After a strong start to the season – winning three and losing just one of their first six games – Boro failed to win a single match between September 21 and December 26.
      Under player-manager Bryan Robson, Middlesbrough finished 19th, one point behind 18th-placed Sunderland and two adrift of Coventry and Southampton, who survived by the skin of their teeth.
      Middlesbrough were relegated in 1996-97 despite boasting Juninho in their teamCredit: Getty More

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      Luton star Tom Lockyer reveals he’s been given ‘all clear’ following heart surgery as he opens up on terrifying injury

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      TOM LOCKYER has revealed that he has been given the all-clear after his terrifying injury during the Championship Play-Off final.The Luton Town defender collapsed at Wembley Stadium during the match and was taken to hospital for treatment.
      Tom Lockyer has revealed he has been given the ‘all clear’ after his injury at WembleyCredit: SKY SPORTS
      He collapsed during the Championship Play-Off finalCredit: Getty
      Lockyer was conscious as he was stretchered off the pitch and watched his side beat Coventry from his hospital bed.
      In an interview with Sky Sports, he revealed that he had minor surgery and that the issue should “never happen again”.
      He said: “I’m doing well. It’s been a mad week or so. I had the all-clear yesterday [Monday] and I’m all good moving forward.
      “I was quite lucky. They knew straight away what it was and it wasn’t life-threatening. It was an atrial flutter, which is an irregular heartbeat, so my heart wasn’t responding as it should in those situations.
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      “It’s probably the least severe heart condition you could have and I had a little procedure on Wednesday [May 31] to correct that and it should never happen again.
      “It’s quite funny, really – I didn’t feel anything at all. I had a great chance with the header and got a little bit excited from that, thinking I’d scored at Wembley!
      “Then I was just running backwards, went really light-headed and my legs went really weak straightaway. I remember stumbling backwards.
      “I was told I was coming off as I’d collapsed and I was like ‘no, no I’m fine!’ I wondered why I was on the floor, so that’s when I realised and the emotions all went. When I went off on the stretcher, Rob [Edwards] came to me and said ‘don’t worry, we’ll win it for you’ and I was bawling my eyes out so couldn’t respond.”
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      He also admitted that he never felt like he was in danger and was just focused on being able to watch the game.
      Luckily for the defender, the club secretary was on hand with his phone so he could watch the game.
      He added: “The club secretary came down with my phone and I started watching the game on SkyGo!
      “I was thinking ‘this is no good for my heart!’ I watched the full game back afterwards and we were unbelievable in the first half, Coventry came in the second and it was a bit of a nothing extra time before 11 unbelievable penalties.
      Lockyer watched the remainder of the match from his hospital bedCredit: INSTAGRAM
      “If you score five penalties in a shootout you expect to win it, so for both teams to score five was amazing. When that last one got missed, it was sheer delight.
      “My old man took a photo, posted it and it went viral. Once my family saw I was fine and cracking jokes and whatnot, that put them at ease and, if anyone had concerns, hopefully that put it to rest.”
      As mentioned, Lockyer’s dad, Steve, posted the photo of him celebrating the moment that Luton clinched promotion to the Premier League.
      The snap was met by a lot of positivity and well-wishers hoping that Lockyer was okay after his fright.
      The Luton Town team also paid tribute to him during their celebrations back at Wembley as they held a shirt with his name on it in the air during the trophy lift.
      However, he did miss the team trip to Las Vegas as he required treatment, but he is more gutted about missing the celebration although he is excited about being a Premier League player.
      He said: “For me, it hasn’t sunk in yet what the lads have achieved. We had the dream to get promoted and it still doesn’t feel real. It’s amazing we have been able to do that and when it sinks in, maybe there will be a few more tears.
      “I can’t sit here and lie – it was hard to watch (the celebrations). To go through the gruelling season we’d just had to then miss out on the one big game and the celebrations at the end. “It was hard, it is hard, but you have to look at it from a health point of view. I would have missed a lot more to get that all-clear news.
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      “Looking back now, I know I didn’t, but I felt like I’d let the team down, let the boys down, so I couldn’t stop crying coming off that pitch, but I think it was a lot worse for everyone else watching. I’ve watched it back and it’s not a nice watch for myself.
      “To be honest, I felt as though I could have walked off the pitch, but the medics did their jobs and I can’t thank them enough.”
      His team-mates paid tribute to him during their celebrationsCredit: PA More

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      Wigan on brink of takeover as unnamed buyer agrees deal in principle with crisis club to start League One season on -8

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      WIGAN have agreed a deal in principal to be taken over, subject to EFL approval.The crisis club confirmed on their official website last night that an agreement had been struck with an unnamed buyer.
      Wigan are set to begin next season with an eight-point deductionCredit: PA
      Shaun Maloney’s side were relegated from the Championship this term amid financial woes.
      The Latics were deducted six points during the 2022-23 campaign for failing to pay players – and will begin next term in League One on minus eight points for similar infringements.
      In a statement from their current ownership group, Wigan chiefs confirmed: “A deal has been agreed in principle for the sale of Wigan Athletic Football Club to a prospective new buyer – subject to EFL approval.
      “The prospective new owners have committed to resolving all outstanding liabilities at the earliest opportunity.
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      “Further updates on this process will follow in due course.”
      Wigan were initially deducted four points for next season, with a further four suspended.
      To avoid the further four being deducted, Wigan were required to place 125 per cent of their forecast monthly wage bill into a nominated account by May 24.
      They failed to do so, however, citing late payments of international bank transfers.
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      Ahead of their latest points deduction, chairman Abdulrahman Al-Jasmi wrote on the club’s website: “I want to confirm that an eight-figure sum is currently being processed and is due to land in the club account imminently. This funding will also ensure financial stability for June and the 2023/24 season.
      “It is important to address the numerous late wage payments. As I have previously stated, I recognise this is totally unacceptable. Since Phoenix 2021 acquired Wigan Athletic in 2021, the ownership group will have invested over £30m into the club to date.
      “The inflated wage bill resulted in cash flow issues which meant we could not adhere to the Agreed Decision with the EFL in January. However, everything possible was done to ensure wages were paid.
      “Delays are a common occurrence with overseas transactions, but that is not and cannot be an excuse for late payments.”
      Former Tottenham and England defender Steven Caulker was among six first-team players to be released by Wigan upon the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign. More