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    Chris Hughton appointed new Nottingham Forest manager after Sabri Lamouchi’s ‘cruel’ and ‘classless’ sacking

    CHRIS HUGHTON took over as Nottingham Forest’s new boss after Sabri Lamouchi was brutally axed by controversial owner Evangelos Marinakis.
    And the former Brighton and Newcastle manager was given an early warning that failure will not be tolerated as he was rushed in with indecent haste.

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    Sabri Lamouchi was brutally shown the door by Nottingham ForestCredit: PA:Press Association

    Even Forest fans were stunned and embarrassed by the callous nature of the Frenchman’s sudden demise, just four months after Lamouchi signed a new two-year contract at the City Ground.
    The club’s official website broke the news that the deal had been terminated, shortly after 6:15pm in a blunt statement which amounted to just 18 words .
    “Nottingham Forest can confirm that the contract of head coach Sabri Lamouchi has been terminated with immediate effect,” it stated.
    Forest did not offer one word of thanks to the 48-year-old Frenchman – who missed out on a play-off place on the final day of last season – in a move even their own fans described as ‘cruel, classless,’ and ‘callous.’

    Within minutes of revealing Lamouchi had been axed Forest used the same forum to announce Hughton (61) as their new boss.
    That mirrored the speed with which Lamouchi arrived at the City Ground when he was appointed 18 minutes after Martin O’Neill’s sacking in June 2019.
    This time, the Frenchman was the fall-guy after a disastrous start to the season which has left Forest 22nd in the table following Saturday’s 2-1 defeat by Bristol City.
    The club statement said. “Nottingham Forest are delighted to announce the appointment of Chris Hughton as the club’s new manager.

    “Hughton joins the club with a wealth of managerial experience, leading both Newcastle United and Brighton to promotion from the Championship and going on to establish both teams in the Premier League.”
    The former Spurs and Republic of Ireland defender will be under no illusions he must repeat those promotion-winning campaigns with Forest or face the consequences as he becomes the club’s 13th manager in less than 10 years.

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    Frantic Man Utd target Sarr on loan transfer as yet ANOTHER Jadon Sancho alternative but Watford want permanent sale

    MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly seeking a loan deal for Ismaila Sarr having so far failed to sign Jadon Sancho.
    The end of a long summer transfer saga involving the Borussia Dortmund winger and the Red Devils is nigh, without an agreement in sight.

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    Ismaila Sarr may be available from Watford this month – but reportedly only on a permanent dealCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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    All the signs point towards Jadon Sancho NOT signing for Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    That has forced United to look elsewhere to bolster Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s attack.
    And French outlet Telefoot report on an approach to take Watford winger Sarr on loan.
    The deadline day bid involves an option to sign the 22-year-old for £45million next summer, and is said to have been rejected by the Hornets.
    Negotiations are described as ongoing with Watford holding out for a permanent sale or an initial loan fee amounting to £25m.

    Senegal international Sarr cost the Championship side £30m last year but has only scored six goals at Vicarage Road, making his second appearance of the campaign in his side’s defeat to Reading on the weekend.
    Liverpool were previously linked with the ex-Rennes star, before opting to sign Diogo Jota.
    Should United fail to sign a wide attacker on deadline day, they could then go back to Sarr given the domestic deadline is not until October 16.
    The Red Devils are also reportedly interested in a loan move for Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele.

    Even though the Frenchman is unwanted at the Camp Nou, the LaLiga giants will only entertain permanent bids, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.
    Fellow target Douglas Costa is one man definitely not heading to Old Trafford on Friday, after he completed a return to Bayern Munich.
    Going into deadline day, Donny van de Beek was the only man to sign for the club this autumn.
    But free agent Edinson Cavani and Porto left-back Alex Telles are expected to sign on the dotted line before the 11pm close of play.

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    Watch Wayne Rooney score stunning 87th-minute free-kick as Man Utd legend guides Derby to 1-0 win over Norwich

    THIS is the moment Wayne Rooney scored a stunning 87th minute free-kick to snatch victory for Derby against Norwich.
    The Manchester United legend demonstrated once again that he’s still got it with a wonderful moment of quality to claim a crucial first win of the season for Phillip Cocu’s side in the Championship.

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    Wayne Rooney’s stunning free-kick could not be kept out, despite keeper Tim Krul’s best effortsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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    Rooney’s was mobbed by his teammates after he stole victory at the deathCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    It was a smash and grab victory for the Rams in a game that required the goalkeeping talents of David Marshall to keep them in it.
    Then it fell to Rooney to provide the moment of magic to ease the pressure on his Dutch manager.
    The 34-year-old, who is England’s all-time top goal scorer, stood over the ball from just outside the D after Jason Knight was hauled down by Lukas Rupp.
    He then whipped an absolute beauty into the top corner, giving the keeper no chance.

    The away side held on until the final whistle to claim a huge three points.
    But the visitors did ride their luck with Teemu Pukki missing a penalty for Norwich and Marshall producing two amazing saves to deny the Canaries.
    Derby’s first three games resulted in a hat-trick of losses to Reading, Luton and Blackburn.
    But Rooney’s magic will lift the club as they head into the international break.

    Social media was filled with praise for the match-winner, with many fans still loving the fact he could still provide such big moments so late in his career.

    Rooney spent 13 years at Manchester United after coming through at Everton.
    In his time at Old Trafford, he hauled in a mass of trophies and struck 183 goals in 393 appearances.
    He returned to his boyhood club Everton for one season, scoring 10 in 31.
    And after a short stint in America at D.C. United, he came back to England to sign for Derby last season.
    He has proven to be an important addition at Pride Park and often pops up with important moments.

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    Premier League clubs refusing EFL bail-out after discovering Championship owners are worth £32bn

    PREMIER LEAGUE clubs will further resist an EFL bail-out after learning that Championship owners are worth more than £32BILLION.
    Top-flight teams are coming under increased Government pressure to stump up the £250m EFL chairman Rick Parry says is necessary to keep his 72 clubs alive.

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    Chien Lee tops the list as the head of the on £7bn consortium owning BarnsleyCredit: Getty – Contributor

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    Stoke City’s owners Denise Coates and family are worth around £6.9mCredit: PA:Press Association

    But as Parry held a further meeting with Prem chief Richard Masters to thrash out a lifeline deal, the anger of club bosses has reached new levels.
    Latest figures for the 24 Championship owners, compiled from a number of financial sources, estimate the total wealth of the clubs in the upper tier of the EFL adds up to an eye-opening £32.367bn.
    One senior Premier League source told SunSport: “When you look at what the Championship owners are worth between them you have to ask why they need any money from the Premier League.”
    £250m IS 0.77% OF THEIR WEALTH
    Meeting the £250m figure Parry has publicly stated is needed for the EFL clubs to all remain alive, would add up to just 0.77 per cent of their collective wealth.

    And that sum does NOT include the £7.72bn fortune owned by steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, frequently ranked as Britain’s wealthiest person, who has one third of QPR.
    The list is led by the £7bn wealth of the consortium owning Barnsley, led by Chinese-American Chien Lee.

    There are also billionaire owners at Stoke, Sheffield Wednesday, Coventry, Blackburn, Bristol City, Cardiff, Preston and Reading.
    Prem sides do have sympathy for clubs in Leagues One and Two, who are almost entirely reliant on gate income.

    But they will have private talks over the weekend to plot their next step ahead of Tuesday’s next virtual “shareholder” meeting.

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    Premier League clubs refusing EFL bail-out after finding out Championship owners worth £32bn

    PREMIER LEAGUE clubs will further resist an EFL bail-out after learning Championship owners are worth more than £32BILLION.
    Top-flight teams are coming under increased Government pressure to stump up the £250m EFL chairman Rick Parry says is necessary to keep his 72 clubs alive.

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    Chien Lee tops the list as the head of the on £7bn consortium owning BarnsleyCredit: Getty – Contributor

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    Stoke City’s owners Denise Coates and family are worth around £6.9mCredit: PA:Press Association

    But as Parry held a further meeting with Prem chief Richard Masters to thrash out a lifeline deal, the anger of club bosses has reached new levels.
    Latest figures for the 24 Championship owners, compiled from a number of financial sources, estimate the total wealth of the clubs in the upper tier of the EFL adds up to an eye-opening £32.367bn.
    One senior Premier League source told SunSport: “When you look at what the Championship owners are worth between them you have to ask why they need any money from the Premier League.”
    £250m IS 0.77% OF THEIR WEALTH
    Meeting the £250m figure Parry has publicly stated is needed for the EFL clubs to all remain alive, would add up to just 0.77 per cent of their collective wealth.

    And that sum does NOT include the £7.72bn fortune owned by steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, frequently ranked as Britain’s wealthiest person, who has one third of QPR.
    The list is led by the £7bn wealth of the consortium owning Barnsley, led by Chinese-American Chien Lee.

    There are also billionaire owners at Stoke, Sheffield Wednesday, Coventry, Blackburn, Bristol City, Cardiff, Preston and Reading.
    Prem sides do have sympathy for clubs in Leagues One and Two, who are almost entirely reliant on gate income.

    But they will have private talks over the weekend to plot their next step ahead of Tuesday’s next virtual “shareholder” meeting.

    Houssem Aouar could be on his way to the Premier League with Arsenal favourites to land him More

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    Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock, 71, opens up on ‘do or die’ coronavirus battle and reveals football became irrelevant

    A FIT and healthy Neil Warnock said that football became irrelevant as he battled “do or die” coronavirus. 
    After watching the last two games from home in self-isolation, the Middlesbrough boss will be back in the dugout at home to Barnsley on Saturday.

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    Neil Warnock was worried the coronavirus would spread to his lungs and his only thought was trying to get betterCredit: PA:Press Association

    Warnock reckons he caught Covid-19 a couple of weeks ago after a meeting with an IT staff member in a room without windows or ventilation. 
    The 71-year-old was still involved during his time away from the pitch, though, setting the team up and speaking directly to his Boro coaches via phone during the games. 
    But he believes he was lucky the virus did not spread to his lungs. 
    Warnock said: “When you’ve got something like I had, your only thought is getting better – you don’t worry about football.

    I started with a niggly throat and then lost my sense of taste and smell… I wanted to sleep every minute of the day.
    Neil Warnock

    “Football becomes irrelevant. The result is not do or die, whereas this virus is. 
    “I was very fortunate I didn’t get anything on my chest. I started with a little niggly throat and then lost my sense of taste and smell. 
    “And for the first few days I was absolutely shattered, wanting to go to sleep every minute of the day. It was a very tiring experience for me.

    “I do enjoy my bike, I’ve been back out this week and that does seem to help.

    “I think because of that little bit of extra fitness, I managed to keep it away from my chest and lungs. 
    “It just makes you even more aware how careful you are.
    “I’m getting a bit paranoid like that – I’m going around even my own house two or three times a day doing the surfaces and handles.”

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    Man City star Joel Latibeaudiere eyed by Bournemouth and Swansea on loan transfer as 20-year-old looks for action

    MANCHESTER CITY youngster Joel Latibeaudiere is a target for Bournemouth and Swansea City, according to reports.
    Latibeaudiere spent last season on loan at FC Twente, making five appearances in the Eredivisie before the season’s abandonment.

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    Man City youngster Joel Latibeaudiere is a loan target for Championship sides Bournemouth and Swansea

    Telegraph reporter Mike McGrath has revealed the Championship duo have both enquired about taking the 20-year-old on loan, with his first team opportunities likely to be at a premium at the Etihad.
    Luton Town are also believed to be monitoring the situation.
    Latibeaudiere captained England’s victorious under-17 World Cup team in 2017.
    That side contained the likes of City teammate Phil Foden, Liverpool striker Rhian Brewster and Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi.

    A move to Swansea would see Latibeaudiere reunite with his England under-17 coach Steve Cooper.
    Cooper has made a habit of signing alumni from his time with the England youth sides, having snapped up Brewster on loan for the second half of last season.
    Latibeaudiere could also link up with his centre-back partner from the 2017 campaign, Marc Guehi, who is also on loan at the Swans from Chelsea.

    The Doncaster-born defender joined City at the age of 13 but has just a year left to run on his current deal with the Sky Blues.

    Despite the suggestion of a loan move, reports in Wales claim City could be willing to let Latibeaudiere leave on a free transfer given his contract situation.
    However, City would want to install a sizeable future sell-on clause in any such deal.
    Though primarily a centre-back, Latibeaudiere was also used as a right-back during his loan spell at Twente.

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