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      Russell Martin agrees to become new Southampton manager on three-year deal after Ruben Selles exit

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      RUSSELL MARTIN has agreed a three-year deal to become Southampton’s new manager.The Saints are set to announce the 37-year-old in the coming days following their confirmation that current boss Ruben Selles will leave after Sunday’s game against Liverpool.
      Swansea boss Russell Martin has agreed to take over as Southampton bossCredit: PA
      It is not clear whether Martin will be in attendance at St Mary’s for Southampton’s final Premier League game as he prepares to take them in the Championship next season.
      The Saints turned to Martin, who led Swansea to a 10th-placed finish this term, after Manchester City assistant Enzo Maresca turned the role down.
      Martin had already verbally agreed to take the role earlier this week, leaving Southampton to agree a £400,000 compensation package with Swansea.
      The Saints are expected to have to pay further compensation to bring Martin’s coaching staff to the south coast.
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      The club confirmed that Selles would not be continuing in his role, with the Spaniard having made clear he only wanted to stay on as manager.
      A statement read: “Southampton Football Club can confirm that it has held conversations with Men’s First Team Manager, Ruben Selles, and decided that his contract will not be renewed when it expires at the end of the season.
      “The club wants to place on record its thanks to Ruben for taking on the managerial position at a difficult time for the club and for giving his all as we attempted to stay in the Premier League.
      “Ruben will take charge of the team for the final game against Liverpool on Sunday at St Mary’s. We wish him all the best for his future career.”
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      Martin’s managerial career kicked off in 2019 as he took over MK Dons just after retiring from football at the age of 33 while playing at Stadium MK.

      The Scotsman spent two years with the Dons and won 31 out of 80 matches, of which he lost 32.
      The former centre-back joined Swansea in 2021 where he has won 36 out 99 games, of which he has lost 37. More

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      Forgotten Arsenal wonderkid slams ‘draining’ loans after FIFTH move in three years with future in doubt

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      ARSENAL wonderkid Tyreece John-Jules has pleaded with the club to end his “draining” loan odyssey as he wants to “settle down”.John-Jules, 22, has been with the Gunners since the tender age of eight years old but has never broken into the senior squad.
      Arsenal loanee Tyreece John-Jules urged the club to end his loan odysseyCredit: Getty
      Ipswich ace John-Jules wants to either stay at Arsenal or join another club permanentlyCredit: Getty
      The striker has instead been sent out on loan five times in the last three years as he has played for Lincoln City, Doncaster Rovers, Blackpool, Sheffield Wednesday and now Ipswich.
      The England Under-21 international has only one year left in his contract with the North Londoners and has pleaded with them to either give him a chance or let him try his luck elsewhere.
      The Ipswich ace is “all ears” regarding a potential offer from Arsenal or another club as he appears tired of constantly moving around the country on loan.
      John-Jules told The Beautiful Game: “I’ve got one year left on my contract at Arsenal.
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      “I’ve had five loans now and each one feels like you’re getting further from the first team.
      “That said, my boy [Folarin] Balogun is ripping it up on loan at the moment [at Reims] and I’d say he’s getting closer.
      “I guess everyone has their own path. Right now I’m just trying to get back fit for the start of pre-season.
      “Talks will have to happen at some point – whether I stay, go out on loan or leave on a permanent.
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      “I just want to settle somewhere, whether that’s signing a new contract with Arsenal or going somewhere else on a permanent.
      “I think it’s time to settle down and just focus and chill instead of hopping from loan to loan. It’s difficult and it’s draining travelling to all these places.
      “Settling and focusing on one team would be ideal, whether that’s Arsenal or somewhere else.
      “I’m all ears. I want to hear every side and I will pick the best option for me.” More

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      I managed Luton in the National League, I never cry but I’ll shed a tear if they get to the Prem

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      JOHN STILL is not a man who gets emotional but admits he may shed a tear at Wembley if Luton win promotion to the Premier League.For the legendary lower-league boss set the Hatters on a journey from non-league to within 90 minutes of the top flight in NINE years.
      John Still was the man who put Luton back on the upward curve
      When Still took charge at Kenilworth Road in 2013, the club was not a happy place. They were about to start their fifth season in the National League.
      But the East Londoner — who has managed Leytonstone, Dartford, Maidstone, Redbridge Forest, Dagenham, Peterborough and Barnet — led them to the title and promotion back into the EFL.
      Still said: “The club was on its knees. They felt wronged by the football authorities after having all those points deductions that saw them slide from the Championship.
      “The National League is a hard division to get out of and everyone was losing heart.
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      “It was clear after a few games the fans were not with us. There was no unity at the club. That was the first thing I had to rectify.
      “People told me when I took over if Luton were not 1-0 up after 15 minutes, the crowd would turn.
      “And we had a few episodes where I had to speak out about that. I asked the supporters, ‘What would happen if the crowd didn’t turn on us?’
      “The opposition were always waiting for supporters to go against us. It hadn’t helped the team. We only won two of our opening eight games.
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      “We gradually changed that and the fans kept with us.
      “After a game, I’d get the players around the centre circle and have a fan out there with us to listen in. These sort of things helped unite everyone.”
      Still points to the fact Wrexham have just managed to escape from the National League after 15 years — and Luton had to overcome the trauma of no longer being an EFL club to stand a chance of becoming one again.
      He said: “You must accept you’re no longer a League club, embrace the division and play a different way than what you’ve been used to.
      “Otherwise you’ll struggle like teams such as Scunthorpe and Oldham!”
      Still spent almost two-and-a-half seasons at Kenilworth Road and not only did he put them on their upwards trajectory but also midfielder Pelly Ruddock and defender Dan Potts too.
      Ruddock, 29, was just 19 when he played for the club in the National League, on loan from West Ham before the move was made permanent.
      And Still said: “We paid just £25,000 for him. It’s amazing he’s gone from non-league to within a play-off final away from the Premier League with one club. That’s unique.
      “Sometimes when you change managers — from me to Nathan Jones then to Mick Harford, back to Nathan and now Rob Edwards — they will have different ideas. 
      John Still is surrounded by jubilant Hatters fans after their promotion in 2014
      ”So to be there through various managers, to have to take on their ideas which might be different is a fantastic testimony for him.
      “I’ve always had this thing for young, hungry players and Pelly fits that bill and was maybe someone who wouldn’t get an opportunity in the Premier League. I thought he might do well for us.
      “He was ambitious and has fallen into the category of being the right player at the right club at the right time. He’s grown with the club.
      “Pelly has developed his skills as well as his mentality. Having a good attitude, working hard, listening, taking information, you can’t be taught that. That’s down to you and takes zero skills. You must have those ingredients and, in Pelly’s case, he did.”
      Potts, meanwhile, was 21 when he made the move from the Hammers when Luton were in League Two eight years ago.
      John Still wearing his Conference winners medal in 2014
      He said: “I knew Dan’s dad, former West Ham defender Steve Potts. I lived close to Chadwell Heath where they trained. I knew Dan. He had to overcome leukaemia when he was a kid and got himself going again.
      “I thought he was an ideal person to come to us and rebuild his career. I knew he had the same mentality as his dad so thought it was no gamble.”
      Still will be at Wembley as a club guest on Saturday.
      I ask the legendary boss if he will shed a tear if the Hatters win promotion?
      Read More on The Sun
      He said: “I’m not that sort of person but I think there will be because when I look back at where the club was when I went there to where it is now it’s extraordinary.
      “At Wembley I will be watching alongside wonderful Luton legends such as David Pleat and Mick Harford — and if I am seen as having played just a fraction of a part of their history then I’m delighted to have been that fraction.” More

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      Forgotten ex-Tottenham and England star now unemployed aged 33 after he is released from Championship club

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      FORMER Tottenham and England star Jake Livermore is now unemployed after being released by his club. Livermore, 33, has seen his exit from Championship side West Brom confirmed following the release of the club’s retained and released lists.
      West Brom have confirmed the release of club captain Jake LivermoreCredit: PA
      Livermore was named on England’s standby list for the 2018 World CupCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      He won seven England capsCredit: REUTERS
      His departure ends his six-and-a-half stay at The Hawthorns, having joined from Hull in January 2017.
      Livermore was called up for England selection during his time with the Baggies, earning seven caps while also being named on Gareth Southgate’s standby list for the 2018 World Cup.
      On top of his 68 Premier League apperances for West Brom, he also played 92 times for Hull and 36 times for Tottenham in England’s top flight.
      In the division he scored seven goals and added nine assists.
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      Club captain Livermore said goodbye to the Baggies faithful in an open letter in April.
      He said it was: “an honour and privilege to represent this great football club.
      “I have called The Hawthorns my home for the last six-and-a-half years, and such is my love for this club, it’s fans and, especially, its incredible, hardworking staff, that it will remain my football home forever – but now the time for me to say goodbye as a player is approaching.
      “There have been some unforgettable highs on the pitch that I will always cherish.
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      “The emotion of my late goal against Tottenham, representing the club at international level for England, my winner against Birmingham City and, of course, captaining the side to promotion in 2020…
      “This will always be my football club, if you will accept me as an honorary Baggie.
      “My kids have been brought up as Albion fans and, no matter what happens next, I’ll be a regular visitor to The Hawthorns – which will always hold a special place in my heart – long into the future.”
      Livermore’s time as a Three Lion marked a remarkable turnaround for his career.
      He had tested positive for cocaine in April 2015 after revealing he had struggled to come to terms with the tragic death of his baby boy.
      Staff claimed the baby was not born alive in May 2014 but heartbroken Livermore said: “I heard him cry faintly.”
      Livermore has made 216 appearances for West BromCredit: Getty
      Livermore struggled with depression following the harrowing events.
      His drug use did not result in a ban after the FA ruled the death was an overwhelming mitigating factor.
      He said of the positive test: “It was like getting out of prison, people finally knew there was something not right in my head.
      “It was completely out of character for anything that I have ever been about.
      “Finally I could be myself instead of putting on a brave face 24/7.
      “At home, at work, getting a coffee, at the shops, you’re constantly trying to be someone you’re not and show emotions you’re not really feeling, because as soon as you shut your front door you become the broken man you actually are.
      “So for me, it was a relief. The drugs were irrelevant. It could have been drugs, a gun, a car crash or whatever, the self-destruct button was the problem.
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      “The way in which [his death] happened made it difficult to fight my own demons.
      “If you lose a child in God’s hands it is completely different. To find out why he had died, that was too much for my head and my heart to take.” More

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      Coventry vs Luton: Ultimate underdogs battle it out for last Premier League spot in Championship play-off final – Stream

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      COVENTRY take on Luton in the unlikeliest of Championship play-off finals this weekend at Wembley. Both clubs were in League Two in the 2016/17 season and Luton were a non-league club just a decade ago.
      Coventry fans will be ecstatic to see their team run out at Wembley on SaturdayCredit: PA
      Luton overcame Sunderland over two legs to reach the play-off finalCredit: Reuters
      But now they find themselves in football’s richest game as they prepare to battle it out for a place in the Premier League.
      Coventry beat Middlesborough 1-0 on aggregate to reach Wembley’s showpiece while Luton overcame Sunderland 3-2 across two legs.
      The winner will join Burnley and Sheffield United, who finished first and second in the Championship, in the top flight.
      When is Coventry vs Luton?

      Coventry’s big play-off final clash with Luton will take place on Saturday, May 27.
      The game will kick off at 4.45pm UK time.
      The game will be held at Wembley Stadium in London.

      What channel is it and can it be live streamed?

      Coventry vs Luton in the Championship play-off final will be shown live on Sky Sports Football.
      You can live stream the action from the NOW TV or Sky Go apps, both of which are available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.

      Odds

      Coventry – 2/1
      Draw – 2/1
      Luton – 29/20

      *Odds courtesy of Betfair and correct at time of publication. More

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      Southampton to appoint Russell Martin as club win race for manager dubbed ‘next Brendan Rodgers’

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      RUSSELL MARTIN will take over as Southampton boss this summer.The Swansea gaffer has verbally agreed terms with the relegated Saints, who are overhauling things on and off the pitch following a dismal season.
      Russell Martin first took charge as a manager in 2019 at MK DonsCredit: Getty
      Southampton are now negotiating compensation with the Championship outfit and the fee is set to be well under £1million.
      Martin, 37, who has led Swansea to 15th and tenth-placed finishes on a limited budget in his two seasons in Wales, is expected to bring his backroom staff with him.
      Ruben Selles, Saints’ third manager this season, will leave following Sunday’s game with Liverpool.
      The Saints ownership see Martin’s possession-based style as key to bouncing straight back into the Premier League.
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      His style of play and position as Swansea boss has seen him draw comparisons to Brendan Rodgers.
      Former Norwich defender Martin is not the only change on the south coast, with owners Sport Republic announcing a board reshuffle.
      Chief executive officer Martin Semmens has left after falling out with Sport Republic and the director of football Rasmus Ankersen.
      Jason Wilcox is set to arrive from champions Manchester City as technical director and has already had a hand in  Martin’s appointment.
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      Saints also announced that Andy Young, previously chief financial officer of City Football Group, will join as an independent director.
      And Darren Mowbray, the brother of Sunderland boss Tony, is their new head of recruitment.
      Southampton were relegated after defeat to Fulham earlier this month. More

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      Troy Deeney, 34, released by Birmingham as star falls victim to 13-player end-of-season cull

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      TROY DEENEY has been released by Birmingham City.The former Premier League star is one of 13 players to be released by the Championship side.
      Troy Deeney has been released by Birmingham CityCredit: Reuters
      The 34-year-old lifelong Blues fan and SunSport columnist signed from Watford two years ago and scored 11 goals in 54 Championship appearances for his boyhood heroes.
      Other senior players who have been told they can leave include former captain Harlee Dean, Jordan Graham, defenders Kevin Long, George Friend and French left-back Maxime Colin.
      Blues boss John Eustace has also lost five loan players who have returned to their parent clubs as new owner Tom Wagner and Knighthead Capital Management clear the decks of some of their highest earners.
      City suffered losses of £24.8million in their last financial figures and an estimated £12million for the first six months of the current one.
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      Some of Blues’ released stars could renegotiate new deals according to club sources.
      Krystian Bielik, Hannibal, Reda Khadra, Dion Sanderson, Auston Trusty have all also left the club following the end of their loans.
      Prior to Deeney’s arrival at Birmingham, he spent 11 years at Watford.
      He became a club legend at Vicarage Road as he scored 140 goals in 419 games for the club.
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      Deeney was able to help the club earn promotion to the Premier League in 2015.
      He also made one of the most memorable moments in Championship history by scoring an iconic playoff semi-final goal against Leicester City in 2013. More

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      Pair of Premier League icons with nearly 600 appearances between them left unemployed after release from League One club

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      READING have released two Premier League heroes after their relegation to League One. Scott Dann and Shane Long have 575 top-flight appearances between them.
      Scott Dann has been released by ReadingCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Shane Long is now unemployed as Reading will not be giving him a new dealCredit: PA
      But both are now unemployed after their deals at Reading expired and they will not be receiving new contracts.
      The Royals were dropped out of the Championship after finishing 22nd this season.
      Dann is one of a number set to head for the exit after playing just 13 times in the campaign.
      The 36-year-old centre-back used to play for Birmingham, Blackburn and Crystal Palace.
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      He won the League Cup with the Blues in 2010-11 and was the Eagles’ player of the year in 2015.
      In total, Dann played 241 times in the Prem.
      Long leaves Reading after netting only two goals in 32 games this season.
      It was his second spell at the club, having also spent time at West Brom, Hull, Southampton and Bournemouth during his lengthy career.
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      The 36-year-old striker appeared 344 times in the Premier League, netting 56 goals.
      The 88-capped Irishman even holds a league record for the fastest goal scored when he netted versus Watford when at Southampton after just 7.69 seconds.
      Meanwhile, Reading have also got rid of Lucas Joao, Liam Moore, Luke Southwood and Dejan Tetek.
      Junior Hoilett and Yakou Meite have been offered new contracts.
      Another Prem cult hero Andy Carroll has one-year left on his deal at the club and was spotted partying with West Ham fans in Holland last week before their semi-final win over AZ Alkmaar in the Conference League. More