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      Man Utd legend Steve Bruce, 62, ‘is set to retire from management after 25-year career following West Brom sacking’

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      STEVE BRUCE is set to retire from football management after a 25-year career.The veteran boss, 62, last managed West Brom but was sacked by the Baggies in October.
      Steve Bruce is considering calling time on his managerial careerCredit: Rex
      Bruce won just eight games out of 32 in charge at the Hawthorns and the experience has made him question his future in football.
      The former Manchester United defender admitted he is considering retirement – but did not rule out a potential return in future.
      He said: “I’m looking at it now, the last job in particular hasn’t gone so well. So is it time to say, ‘OK – can I see if I can be without it?’
      “But, certainly, I’ve enjoyed it. Has it been difficult? Of course it has – if you’re going to go into management there is going to be difficult moments ahead.
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      “I don’t think you can ever say never – but at this moment in time I’m bordering on that way (retirement).”
      Bruce has managed 11 clubs in the Premier League, Championship and League One.
      He got both Birmingham City and Hull City promoted to the Prem on two occasions and also guided the latter to the FA Cup final in 2014.
      Bruce’s last stint in the top flight came at Newcastle, who he guided to 13th and 12th-placed finishes in his two full seasons in charge.
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      He also managed Sunderland, Wigan, Hull and Birmingham in the top flight.
      He started his managerial career in the second-tier with Sheffield United and also had spells at Huddersfield, Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Sheffield Wednesday. More

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      West Brom boss Carlos Corberan wants transfer reunion with Lewis O’Brien as midfielder struggles for minutes at Forest

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      WEST BROM boss Carlos Corberan is keeping an eye on midfielder Lewis O’Brien at Nottingham Forest.The pair worked together at Huddersfield last season before moving on.
      WBA target Lewis O’Brien, left, was taken off in Saturday’s 4-1 FA Cup loss at Blackpool after being handed a rare start for ForestCredit: PA
      Manager Carlos Corberan wants reinforcements to boost the Baggies’ hopes of at least a play-off spot in the ChampionshipCredit: Rex
      And Baggies’ Corberan could make a loan move if O’Brien remains out in the cold at Forest.
      O’Brien, 24, was not even on the bench at Southampton in midweek and played 68 minutes in yesterday’s FA Cup slump to Blackpool.
      And Forest chief Steve Cooper is keen to trim his large squad to make room for new signings.
      Cooper’s men are out of the Prem drop zone but he’s thought to have identified at least three problem positions.
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      It’s understood Forest would be interested in a new centre-back, holding midfielder and a forward.
      Meanwhile, Harry Arter, Cafu, Lyle Taylor and Loic Mbe Soh are among the players who could head out.
      But the most intriguing situation could surround striker Emmanuel Dennis.
      Forest are reportedly hoping Watford buy back the £15million summer arrival.
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      That’s because he can’t play for any other English clubs this season.
      Two is the limit in any one campaign.
      And the Nigeria star had already made two appearances for Watford in the Championship before his £15million move in August.
      The alternative to a Hornets’ return is a move abroad.
      But recouping anywhere close to £15m wold appear a tough ask. More

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      Sheff Weds 2 Newcastle 1: Toon fans raging as offside Windass goal allowed to stand with no VAR in shock FA Cup defeat

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      THE LONG wait for Newcastle’s first major domestic trophy will end soon. We all know that. It might be in the Carabao Cup this season. It could even be in the Premier League, however unlikely.
      Newcastle suffered a shock FA Cup elimination at Sheffield WednesdayCredit: Reuters
      Sheffield Wednesday qualified thanks to Josh Windass’ braceCredit: Getty
      But this blockbuster of an FA Cup tie was yet another lesson that you can have a very good manager, decent squad and all the money in the world, but winning that first trophy to usher in a golden era is not straightforward.
      Eddie Howe’s in-form team, with just one defeat this season against Liverpool, were left on their backsides by a League One side, who more than deserved their spot in the fourth round.
      In a world where even the most expensive football stadiums all look the same inside, Hillsborough remains one of THE finest arenas but it has not had many great nights over recent years.
      But Darren Moore’s fearless team ensured that this corner of Sheffield was absolutely rocking while Newcastle’s fans were left to digest yet another poor Cup exit.
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      They were dumped out of the third round by Cambridge last season and were undone by Josh Windass, son of former striker Dean.
      Windass’ first goal should have been ruled out for offside but there was no VAR. Yet Newcastle could not complain too much as Bruno Guimaraes’ strike, which brought it back to 2-1, was also offside.
      Incredibly, Windass had only scored five times until this season but a hat-trick on Monday, against Cambridge funnily enough, saw him return to the goals trail and he could easily have left with the matchball once again.
      Due to Newcastle’s current situation, where they have progressed quicker than expected under Howe, there will be no major recriminations.
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      Newcastle fans were furious after a controversial FA Cup eliminationCredit: Rex
      But here is the club whose last major domestic trophy was the FA Cup in 1955 and that poor run over the decades is because the team have put in so many performances like this.
      Yet Windass took his chances in complete contrast to £60million striker Alexander Isak who started only his fourth game for Newcastle – and first since September – and was taken off at half-time.
      Isak, who arrived from Real Sociedad for a club record fee, has some catching up to do as he had been sidelined since September 17 with a hamstring injury.
      The 23-year-old should have scored at least one of his four first-half chances and Newcastle’s fans will have to develop some patience as it will be a few weeks, at least, before Isak is anywhere near as sharp as he needs to be.
      The Swede was denied by a flash save from Cameron Dawson but his header was too near the Wednesday keeper.
      Isak was put clean through by the impressive Manquillo but despite a couple of touches, hammered a shot straight at the legs of Dawson. He then wellied a low free-kick into the Wednesday wall and then displayed a complete lack of belief when attempting to lob Dawson but the shot drifted harmlessly away from goal.
      At half-time, aside from Howe replacing Isak with Chris Wood, Wednesday boss Moore took off the struggling Fisayo Dele-Bashiru for Dennis Adeniran.
      And midfielder Adeniran, who failed to make an appearance in four years at Everton, made an instant impact. He found a way past Sven Botman and squared the ball for Windass who got across Jamaal Lascelles to score.
      But the player getting all the plaudits was George Byers who started the move with a brilliant turn, taking out a couple of Newcastle players.
      But if that was a bit lucky, due to the lack of VAR, there was certainly nothing ropey about Wednesday’s second.
      Newcastle legend Alan Shearer watched from the press box in disbeliefCredit: REUTERS
      Alan Shearer watched Newcastle crash out in a controversial lostCredit: REUTERS
      Joelinton stuck out a leg to put the ball in the direction of Michael Smith and his pass released Windass who lashed a first-time shot from outside the area past Martin Dubravka.
      With his first kick of the game, sub Kieran Trippier delivered the corner which saw Newcastle pull one back. Wood’s header was saved by Dawson but it fell to an offside Guimaraes.
      Windass was denied a hat-trick when Dubravka got the finest of touches to tip a 25-yard free-kick onto the woodwork
      Naturally, there were nervous moments at the end. Wood should have scored but scooped an easy chance into a gleeful Wednesday Kop.
      Yet when referee Michael Salisbury blew his whistle, those supporters who have witnessed so dross over the years celebrated so wildly, the old concrete stands were shaking.
      If Wednesday keep playing like this in the League then, surely, they will be back in the second tier of English football. For a club of this size, this is the bare minimum.
      Newcastle fans were infuriated after full-time as they took to Twitter to lash out after Windass’ first goal in a match that had no VAR and saw Alan Shearer raging in the press box.
      One supporter tweeted: “This Newcastle game shows how incompetent officials are and why VAR is needed.”
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      Another posted: “Anyone who wants VAR out of the game turn on the Newcastle game to see how unbelievably bad linesmen are.”
      A third commented: “Never gonna slag VAR off again after watching this Newcastle game.” More

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      Newcastle, Everton, West Ham and Leeds set to miss out on Ben Brereton transfer as Blackburn refuse to budge on £15m fee

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      BLACKBURN want a staggering £15million for top scorer Ben Brereton Diaz — and won’t budge on it.Clubs at home and abroad have made inquiries for Rovers’ Chile international.
      Blackburn’s price demands for Ben Brereton Diaz has put off Premier League clubsCredit: Alamy
      But the price remains the same despite his contract expiring in the summer — meaning he can sign a pre-contract with a foreign club now.
      Newcastle, Everton, West Ham and Leeds are not prepared to pay that fee.
      The 23-year-old striker enjoyed a breakout season last year in which he scored 22 goals in 37 Championship games.
      While he has not been as prolific this season, he has still been in good form, having scored ten goals in 29 appearances in all competitions.
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      One of his goals even came as a late equaliser against West Ham in the Carabao Cup meeting between the sides.
      Blackburn went on to win the fixture by defeating the Premier League side on penalties at the London Stadium.
      The four Premier League sides are in the market for more firepower with Everton, West Ham and Leeds hoping to propel themselves away from the relegation zone.
      Having been born in Stoke, Brereton Diaz began his senior career at Nottingham Forest, the striker shocked many he switched his international allegiance from England to Chile.
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      But he has gone on to become a regular for the South American side, scoring four goals in 17 appearances.
      He joined Rovers on loan initially in 2018, and while he did not score in his 16 league appearances, he did enough to convince the club to sign him permanently in 2019. More

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      FA Cup winners: Who has won the most trophies and full list of victors in world’s oldest club competition

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      THERE is no older privilege in the sport of football than winning the Football Association Challenge Cup – better known as the FA Cup.It is steeped in history and any player on the planet would cherish lifting the vintage silverware.
      Arsenal have won the FA Cup 14 times – a record for the competitionCredit: Getty
      Manchester United have won the FA Cup 12 timesCredit: AP
      Little did they know in 1871, when Wanderers beat Royal Engineers 1-0, how big this famed contest would become.
      Oval – now the cricket ground – played host to that first-ever final over 150 years ago.
      Which club has won the most FA Cups?

      Arsenal – 14
      Manchester United – 12
      Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham – 8
      Aston Villa – 7
      Newcastle United, Manchester City, Blackburn Rovers – 6
      Everton, West Brom, Wanderers* – 5
      Wolverhampton Wanderers, Bolton Wanderers, Sheffield United – 4
      Sheffield Wednesday, West Ham United – 3
      Preston North End, Old Etonians, Portsmouth, Sunderland, Nottingham Forest – 2
      Huddersfield Town, Leicester City, Oxford University, Royal Engineers, Derby County, Leeds United, Southampton, Burnley, Cardiff City, Blackpool, Clapham Rovers, Notts County, Barnsley, Charlton Athletic, Old Carthusians, Blackburn Olympic, Bradford City, Ipswich Town, Coventry City, Wimbledon, Wigan Athletic – 1

      Full list of FA Cup winners

      1871-72 – Wanderers 1-0 Royal Engineers – Kennington Oval
      1872-73 – Wanderers 2-0 Oxford University – Lillie Bridge
      1873-74 – Oxford University 2-0 Royal Engineers – Kennington Oval
      1874-75 – Royal Engineers 2-0 Old Etonians (R) – Kennington Oval
      1875-76 – Wanderers 3-0 Old Etonians (R) – Kennington Oval
      1876-77 – Wanderers 2-1 Oxford University – Kennington Oval
      1877-78 – Wanderers 3-1 Royal Engineers – Kennington Oval
      1878-79 – Old Etonians 1-0 Clapham Rovers – Kennington Oval
      1879-80 – Clapham Rovers 1-0 Oxford University – Kennington Oval
      1880-81 – Old Carthusians 3-0 Old Etonians – Kennington Oval
      1881-82 – Old Etonians 1-0 Blackburn Rovers – Kennington Oval
      1882-83 – Blackburn Olympic 2-1 Old Etonians – Kennington Oval
      1883-83 – Blackburn Rovers 2-1 Queen’s Park – Kennington Oval
      1884-85 – Blackburn Rovers 2-0 Queen’s Park – Kennington Oval
      1885-86 – Blackburn Rovers 2-0 West Brom (R) – Racecourse Ground
      1886-87 – Aston Villa 2-0 West Brom – Kennington Oval
      1887-88 – West Brom 2-1 Preston North End – Kennington Oval
      1888-89 – Preston North End 3-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers – Kennington Oval
      1889-90 – Blackburn Rovers 6-1 The Wednesday – Kennington Oval
      1890-91 – Blackburn Rovers 3-1 Notts County – Kennington Oval
      1891-92 – West Brom 3-0 Aston Villa – Kennington Oval
      1892-93 – Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 Everton Fallowfield Stadium
      1893-94 – Notts County 4-1 Bolton Wanderers – Goodison Park
      1894-95 – Aston Villa 1-0 West Brom – Crystal Palace
      1895-96 – The Wednesday 2-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers – Crystal Palace
      1896-97 – Aston Villa 3-2 Everton – Crystal Palace
      1897-98 – Nottingham Forest 3-1 Derby County – Crystal Palace
      1898-99 – Sheffield United 4-1 Derby County – Crystal Palace
      1899-1900 – Bury 4-0 Southampton – Crystal Palace
      1900-01 – Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Sheffield United (R) – Burnden Park
      1901-02 – Sheffield United 2-1 Southampton (R) – Crystal Palace
      1902-03 – Bury 6-0 Derby County – Crystal Palace
      1903-04 – Manchester City 1-0 Bolton Wanderers – Crystal Palace
      1904-05 – Aston Villa 2-0 Newcastle United – Crystal Palace
      1905-06 – Everton 1-0 Newcastle United – Crystal Palace
      1906-07 – The Wednesday 2-1 Everton – Crystal Palace
      1907-08 – Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-1 Newcastle United – Crystal Palace
      1908-09 – Manchester United 1-0 Bristol City – Crystal Palace
      1909-10 – Newcastle United 2-0 Barnsley (R) – Goodison Park
      1910-11 – Bradford City 1-0 Newcastle United (R) – Old Trafford
      1911-12 – Barnsley 1-0 West Brom (R) – Bramall Lane
      1912-13 – Aston Villa 1-0 Sunderland – Crystal Palace
      1913-14 Burnley 1-0 Liverpool – Crystal Palace
      1914-15 – Sheffield United 3-0 Chelsea – Old Trafford
      1919-20 – Aston Villa 1-0 Huddersfield Town – Stamford Bridge
      1920-21 – Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers – Stamford Bridge
      1921-22 – Huddersfield Town 1-0 Preston North End – Stamford Bridge
      1922-23 – Bolton Wanderers 2-0 West Ham United – Wembley
      1923-24 – Newcastle United 2-0 Aston Villa – Wembley
      1924-25 – Sheffield United 1-0 Cardiff City – Wembley
      1925-26 – Bolton Wanderers 1-0 Manchester City – Wembley
      1926-27 – Cardiff City 1-0 Arsenal – Wembley
      1927-28 – Blackburn Rovers 3-1 Huddersfield Town – Wembley
      1928-29 – Bolton Wanderers 2-0 Portsmouth – Wembley
      1929-30 – Arsenal 2-0 Huddersfield Town – Wembley
      1930-31 – West Brom 2-1 Birmingham – Wembley
      1931-32 – Newcastle United 2-1 Arsenal – Wembley
      1932-33 – Everton 3-0 Manchester City – Wembley
      1933-34 – Manchester City 2-1 Portsmouth – Wembley
      1934-35 – Sheffield Wednesday 4-2 West Brom – Wembley
      1935-36 – Arsenal 1-0 Sheffield United – Wembley
      1936-37 – Sunderland 3-1 Preston North End – Wembley
      1937-38 – Preston North End 1-0 Huddersfield Town – Wembley
      1938-39 – Portsmouth 4-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers – Wembley
      1945-46 – Derby County 4-1 Charlton Athletic – Wembley
      1946-47 – Charlton Athletic 1-0 Burnley – Wembley
      1947-48 – Manchester United 4-2 Blackpool – Wembley
      1948-49 – Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-1 Leicester City – Wembley
      1949-50 – Arsenal 2-0 Liverpool – Wembley
      1950-51 – Newcastle United 2-0 Blackpool – Wembley
      1951-52 – Newcastle United 1-0 Arsenal – Wembley
      1952-53 – Blackpool 4-3 Bolton Wanderers – Wembley
      1953-54 – West Brom 3-2 Preston North End – Wembley
      1954-55 – Newcastle United 3-1 Manchester City – Wembley
      1955-56 – Manchester City 3-1 Birmingham City – Wembley
      1956-57 – Aston Villa 2-1 Manchester United – Wembley
      1957-58 – Bolton Wanderers 2-0 Manchester United – Wembley
      1958-59 – Nottingham Forest 2-1 Luton Town – Wembley
      1959-60 – Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-0 Blackburn Rovers – Wembley
      1960-61 – Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Leicester City – Wembley
      1961-62 – Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Burnley – Wembley
      1962-63 – Manchester United 3-1 Leicester City – Wembley
      1963-64 – West Ham United 3-2 Preston North End – Wembley
      1964-65 – Liverpool 2-1 Leeds United – Wembley
      1965-66 – Everton 3-2 Sheffield Wednesday – Wembley
      1966-67 – Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Chelsea – Wembley
      1967-68 – West Brom 1-0 Everton – Wembley
      1968-69 – Manchester City 1-0 Leicester City – Wembley
      1969-70 – Chelsea 2-1 Leeds United (R) – Old Trafford
      1970-71 – Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool – Wembley
      1971-72 – Leeds United 1-0 Arsenal – Wembley
      1972-73 – Sunderland 1-0 Leeds United – Wembley
      1973-74 – Liverpool 3-0 Newcastle United – Wembley
      1974-75 – West Ham United 2-0 Fulham – Wembley
      1975-76 – Southampton 1-0 Manchester United – Wembley
      1976-77 – Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool – Wembley
      1977-78 – Ipswich Town 1-0 Arsenal – Wembley
      1978-79 – Arsenal 3-2 Manchester United – Wembley
      1979-80 – West Ham United 1-0 Arsenal – Wembley
      1980-81 – Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 Manchester City (R) – Wembley
      1981-82 – Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Queens Park Rangers (R) – Wembley
      1982-83 – Manchester United 4-0 Brighton and Hove Albion (R) – Wembley
      1983-84 – Everton 2-0 Watford – Wembley
      1984-85 – Manchester United 1-0 Everton – Wembley
      1985-86 – Liverpool 3-1 Everton – Wembley
      1986-87 – Coventry City 3-2 Tottenham Hotspur – Wembley
      1987-88 – Wimbledon 1-0 Liverpool – Wembley
      1988-89 – Liverpool 3-2 Everton – Wembley
      1989-90 – Manchester United 1-0 Crystal Palace (R)- Wembley
      1990-91 – Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Nottingham Forest – Wembley
      1991-92 – Liverpool 2-0 Sunderland – Wembley
      1992-93 – Arsenal 2-1 Sheffield Wednesday (R) – Wembley
      1993-94 – Manchester United 4-0 Chelsea – Wembley
      1994-95 – Everton 1-0 Manchester United – Wembley
      1995-96 – Manchester United 1-0 Liverpool – Wembley
      1996-97 – Chelsea 2-0 Middlesbrough – Wembley
      1997-98 – Arsenal 2-0 Newcastle – Wembley
      1998-99 – Manchester United 2-0 Newcastle – Wembley
      1999-2000 – Chelsea 1-0 Aston Villa – Wembley
      2000-01 – Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal – Cardiff
      2001-02 – Arsenal 2-0 Chelsea – Cardiff
      2002-03 – Arsenal 1-0 Southampton – Cardiff
      2003-04 – Manchester United 3-0 Millwall – Cardiff
      2004-05 – Arsenal* 0-0 Manchester United (5-4 penalties) – Cardiff
      2005-06 – Liverpool* 3-3 West Ham (3-1 penalties) – Cardiff
      2006-07 – Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United – Wembley
      2007-08 – Portsmouth 1-0 Cardiff City – Wembley
      2008-09 – Chelsea 2-1 Everton – Wembley
      2009-10 – Chelsea 1-0 Portsmouth – Wembley
      2010-11 – Manchester City 1-0 Stoke City – Wembley
      2011-12 – Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool – Wembley
      2012-13 – Wigan Athletic 1-0 Manchester City – Wembley
      2013-14 – Arsenal 3-2 Hull City – Wembley
      2014-15 – Arsenal 4-0 Aston Villa – Wembley
      2015-16 – Manchester United 2-1 Crystal Palace – Wembley
      2016-17 – Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea – Wembley
      2017-18 – Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United – Wembley
      2018-19 – Manchester City 6-0 Watford – Wembley
      2019-20 – Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea – Wembley
      2020-21 – Leicester 1-0 Chelsea – Wembley
      2021-22 – Liverpool* 0-0 Chelsea (6-5 penalties) – Wembley

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      Norwich appoint David Wagner as new manager as former Huddersfield boss returns to England to replace Dean Smith

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      NORWICH have appointed former Huddersfield boss David Wagner as their new manager.Wagner, 51, will replace Dean Smith, who was sacked by the Canaries last week following a 2-1 defeat to Luton on Boxing Day.
      Norwich have appointed Wagner as their new managerCredit: Reuters
      On Saturday, SunSport exclusively revealed that Wagner had a strong chance of becoming the new Norwich boss due to his links with sporting director Stuart Webber.
      And he is set to take charge of his first game on Sunday when the Canaries take on Blackburn in the FA Cup.
      This will be Wagner’s second managerial stint in England following a four-year spell with Huddersfield.
      He originally left England in January 2019 after being sacked by the Terriers.
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      Wagner then went on to manage Schalke in the Bundesliga before signing a deal with Swiss Super League side Young Boys.
      He is now finally back in management after almost 10 months out of the job.

      The 51-year-old has a huge task on his hands as he aims to lead Norwich back into the Championship play-off positions.
      Norwich currently sit 11th in the table on 37 points, 19 points adrift of league leaders Burnley.
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      The Canaries will take on Blackburn in the FA Cup on Sunday before returning to league action next Saturday when they face Preston. More

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      Fans stunned as Birmingham City announce signing of Burnley’s Kevin Long with hilarious Home Alone video

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      BIRMINGHAM City announced the signing of defender Kevin Long from Burnley in a hilarious way.The Championship side took to Twitter to share the famous ‘Give it to Kevin’ clip from Home Alone in homage to their new signing.

      “Give this to…” 👕 pic.twitter.com/Y1KMY8t5Fk
      — Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) January 5, 2023

      Kevin Long spent ten years at Burnley before making the move to Birmingham.Credit: Getty
      The clip shows people passing a bag down from one to the next, with teach one saying: “Give this to Kevin.”
      The footage ends with Ireland star lifting up his new Birmingham shirt
      Fans were left stunned by the reveal with one Burnley commenting: “This is Class! We’ll miss Kev, please look after him”
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      Another fan said: “Incredible work 👏 😂”
      A third added: “Great video! Good luck Long! Great servant to the club.”
      Long made the move to Birmingham after 13 seasons with Burnley, joining from Cork City in 2010.
      The Republic of Ireland international finished his career at the Clarets with 91 appearances as well as a number of loan moves.
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      The deal to Birmingham will see Long, 32, play until the end of the season with the Midlands outfit scrambling for defensive options.
      Long said: “I am really looking forward to it, to be honest.
      “It has been a tough season for me personally at Burnley. Being at Burnley has been a big part of my career since I moved to England at 19 and it has just felt like the right time to move on.
      “Birmingham is a massive club and I am really excited to be here.”
      The Blues have found themselves in the bottom half of the Championship after an injury-stricken season which has seen integral defensive players such as Dion Sanderson and Harlee Dean having periods on the sideline.
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      Despite sitting in 17th, fans will be hoping for late play-off push with The Blues only seven points away from Millwall who occupy the last spot in the top six.
      Birmingham’s next fixture see’s them travel to Forest Green in the third round of the FA Cup, a game Long will be hoping to make his debut in. More

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      Talks over major shake-up to English football that could change FA and Carabao Cups & see Community Shield played ABROAD

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      A MEETING will take place on Friday over a major shake-up to the English game that could see changes to the FA and Carabao Cup and the Community Shield played abroad.The country’s leading footy figures from the FA, Premier League and EFL are set for talks to thrash out a number of proposals made from top-flight clubs.
      The Community Shield could be set to be switched abroadCredit: The Times
      As reported previously, these include Premier League clubs looking into SCRAPPING replays in the FA Cup.
      This idea forms part of a “New Deal for Football”, which could also see sides competing in Europe play U21 sides in the Carabao Cup.
      The Times is also now stating that Community Shield could be switched from its traditional place as the season’s curtain-raiser.
      The game, which is contested between the Premier League champions and FA Cup winners, raises money for charities and grassroots projects.
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      It usually occurs on the Sunday before the start of the top-flight campaign kicks-off – a time that big clubs are claiming disrupts their pre-season build-up and also affects the opportunities of lucrative overseas tours.
      Several alternatives have been offered regarding a date change – as well as playing it abroad in order to promote the Premier League globally.
      This fresh update says that “at least one club would like it to be an ‘All Stars’ game”.
      That would see “each Premier League team providing a maximum of two players and playing against the top stars from other European leagues” instead of its current format.
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      Discussions will take place over ideas to potentially deliver £300million in extra funds to the EFL while also reforming parachute payments.
      The ideas all come after the government warned the Premier League must provide a major cash injection for the EFL with a new deal – or else be forced to do so.
      However, top-flight clubs have only agreed to about £160m so far. More