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      Brighton target former Man Utd coach to be their new manager if Roberto De Zerbi quits

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      BRIGHTON will target Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna if Roberto De Zerbi leaves the club this summer, according to reports.The Seagulls have endured a torrid run of form, failing to win any of their last six Premier League games.Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi has overseen a poor run of form at the AmexCredit: ReutersBrighton will be interested in Ipswich boss Kieran McKennaCredit: AlamyThey have also picked up just six victories from their last 28 league matches.That has seen De Zerbi’s side – who were in Europe this season – slip to 12th in the table, four points adrift of the top half.And it has led to speculation over the future of Italian De Zerbi, 44, who took over in September 2022 and led Brighton to Europa League qualification last season.He had been linked with moves to Liverpool and Bayern Munich, but appears to have been overlooked for both.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLChelsea, Manchester United and AC Milan have also been mooted as potential destinations.Now, according to The Guardian, the Seagulls have made Ipswich head coach McKenna, 37, their top target should they be looking for a new manager in the summer.Brighton are understood to be “paying close attention” to the man who worked as a first-team coach under Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick at Man Utd.He joined the Tractor Boys in December 2021 and guided them to promotion from League One last season.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSNow they are on the brink of a second consecutive promotion, needing just a point from their final game of the campaign to secure a return to the Premier League after 22 years away.However, reports are Brighton will push to bring McKenna in irrespective of whether or not Ipswich make it into the top flight.Who could be Man Utd’s next manager after Ten Hag?McKenna is under contract with the Championship club until 2027That means that Ipswich will be able to demand hefty compensation should he decide he wants to leave.Klopp has botched his Liverpool exit… and it’s cost him his legacy, says Dave KiddBy Dave Kidd
      NOW we know Jurgen Klopp’s final major trophy haul at Liverpool — one Champions League, one Premier League, one FA Cup, two League Cups and (if you must) a World Club Cup.
      But where does his reign stand among the greatest of the Premier League era?
      In black-and-white terms, Klopp is way behind Sir Alex Ferguson and Pep Guardiola, the only two men to have won multiple Premier Leagues and a Champions League at the same club.
      Those two sit alongside Brian Clough, Bob Paisley and Sir Matt Busby as the undoubted all-time managerial greats of the English game.
      But Klopp ranks in the next tier down — with Arsene Wenger, Jose Mourinho (the Chelsea version), Bill Shankly and Don Revie.
      These were all men with the strength of character to transform their clubs in their own image and enjoy success but who did not win as much as they might have done.
      Had Klopp managed to keep his intentions under wraps and ended up with another title, perhaps even a treble or quadruple, he’d have edged himself up into that highest echelon with Ferguson, Guardiola, Clough, Paisley and Busby.
      But deciding the timing and the manner of your exit is one of the toughest calls for any manager or sportsman.
      Klopp got it wrong.
      Read Dave Kidd’s take on Klopp’s demise in full here.
      Or click here to check out all of Dave Kidd’s articles. More

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      Coventry striker Ellis Simms lined up for transfer return to Premier League with two clubs tracking ex-Everton star

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      ELLIS SIMMS is wanted by TWO Premier League clubs this summer.The Coventry City hitman has lit up the Championship this season after a slow start following last summer’s switch from Everton.Ellis Simms is being tracked by two Premier League sides this summerCredit: ReutersThe 23-year-old scored just twice in his first 25 appearances for the Sky Blues.However, a hot run of form since the turn of the year has taken his tally to 19 in 52 appearances across all competitions.Now Simms, who will be looking to reach the 20-goal barrier in the final day clash at home to QPR on Saturday, could terrorise Premier League defences next term.SunSport can exclusively reveal that at least two top-flight sides have been tracking him over recent months.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLBrentford and Bournemouth – who both face losing strikers in the summer – have been scouting the target man.The Bees look set to sell England international Ivan Toney with Manchester United now in the hunt for the ace.And Dominic Solanke’s hot-form for the Cherries has seen Tottenham plot a £50m swoop.Simms has now emerged as a top candidate for both clubs as they eye potential replacements for their hotshots.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe showed what he’s capable of with a fine display and goal as Coventry heartbreakingly lost to Manchester United on penalties in the FA Cup semi-final after coming back from three down.And he has already scored in the Premier League after netting the equaliser for Everton at Chelsea back in March 2023.Football’s weirdest contract clauses revealed including non-Arsenal agreement and a private jet promiseSimms spent time at Blackburn Rovers and Man City as a youngster before the Toffees brought him to the Goodison academy in 2017.He scored eight in 21 matches for Blackpool while on loan there in 2021 and followed that up with five in 17 games for Hearts in his next spell away from Goodison.Last season he was due to spend the whole campaign in the Championship with Sunderland.However, after impressing with seven strikes in 17 appearances, he was recalled by the Blues in December.Despite that strike against Chelsea, Everton decided to cash in on him last summer when Coventry came calling.The Sky Blues paid an initial fee of £3.5million, which could rise to £5m, depending on appearances and goals.But with three years still left on his contract, they can expect to receive at least double that amount should the Prem sides come in for him after they missed out on the play-offs. More

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      Jamie Vardy will be back in Premier League at 37 as Leicester star agrees new deal despite Saudi transfer links

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      LEICESTER hero Jamie Vardy WILL play in the Prem next season — after agreeing a new one-year deal.The out-of-contract striker, 37, is being rewarded for firing the Foxes to the Championship title with two goals in Monday’s 3-0 win at Preston.Jamie Vardy is set for a new contract at Leicester CityCredit: GettyVardy had been tipped for a career swansong in Saudi Arabia or America.But Foxes boss Enzo Maresca has got his wish to keep the ex-England star.Vardy will now get another Premier League party and the chance to add to his 136 top-flight goals.And the extension will take him into his thirteenth season at the club and beyond his 38th birthday.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLVardy’s Deepdale double took his season tally to 20 goals — his best return in four years — as fans sang for him to stay for “ten more years”.His last experience of Prem football ended in relegation 12 months ago, but his 24 goals helped Leicester defy all odds and win the title eight years ago.Vardy also won the FA Cup in 2021 and is just ten shy of 200 goals in a Foxes shirt — leaving him third on the club’s all-time list.Maresca has previously hailed the forward and claimed he could score goals well into his forties.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe said: “Jamie Vardy is Leicester. Jamie Vardy has always scored goals in his life and he’s going to score goals even when he’s 40, 45″It’s in his blood to score goals. We are very lucky that he’s our player.Jamie Vardy snubs wild Leicester promotion party for video call to Premier League legend with wife Rebekah”Now we finish (the season), we have a game Saturday, and then we sit.”But my feeling is that he’s going to stay this is my feeling, if I can decide.”The Foxes sealed promotion and when Leeds lost to QPR on Friday.The club now has the chance to claim 100 points in their match against Blackburn this Saturday.Meresca added: “It’s a fantastic feeling. We’ve said many times, it has been a tough season, intense.”The Championship is a long season, many games, but at the end we did it and we are very happy.”The performances were there and I think we completely deserved this target.”Who are these famous footballers? More

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      Former Championship star who missed £100m penalty wakes up unemployed at 28 after being relegated from EFL

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      A FORMER Championship star has woken up unemployed after being released by Forest Green Rovers.Fankaty Dabo was part of the Coventry City team that were on the cusp of promotion to the Premier League in 2023.Fankaty Dabo missed a vital penalty in the 2023 play off finalCredit: RexThe costly miss stopped Coventry from winning promotion to the Premier LeagueCredit: RexHe has now been released by Forest Green RoversCredit: RexDabo, 28, missed the crucial penalty that allowed Dan Potts to fire in the winner and send Luton Town to the promised land.To make matters worse the right back was then released by the Sky Blues.He was then signed by League Two outfit Forest Green Rovers in September 2023 and made 34 appearances for the club this season.However, following the club’s relegation to the National League he is one of 11 players to be released.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLDabo was joined on the released list by Nathan Holland, Dom Bernard, Darnell Johnson, Mathew Stevens, Jordon Garrick, Sean Robertson, Alex Gorrin, David Davis, Reece Brown, Richard Keogh and Luke Daniels.Holland and Robertson are both notable players to now be without clubs having come through the academies of West Ham and Crystal Palace.The club added a statement saying: “Forest Green would like to say thank you to all of the players for their hard work.”During his time at the club he was criticised by manager Troy Deeney during his 29 day tenure.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe former Watford star said: “I said to him in front of everyone, six months ago, you had a kick to get to the premier league.”Now you won’t even get a game in the national league.”Every Premier League club’s most famous and also most surprising fanDabo came through the youth academy of Chelsea and spent 12 years at the club.He had three loan spells away from the Blues at Swindon Town, Vitesse and Sparta Rotterdam.He left permantely in 2019 for Coventry and spent four seasons with the Sky Blues before leaving.Who are these famous footballers? More

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      Leicester star heard shouting ‘you’ve done f*** all all season’ to team-mate during dressing room celebrations

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      A LEICESTER star could be heard shouting “you’ve done f*** all all season” to a team-mate during their dressing room title celebrations.The Foxes earned promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking last Friday when Leeds fell 4-0 at Queens Park Rangers.Abdul Fatawu danced in celebrationCredit: X @AbdulFatawuI10The exciting winger turned the dressing room into a dance floorCredit: X @AbdulFatawuI10Fatawu was joined by fellow wing wizard Stephy MavididiCredit: X @AbdulFatawuI10Jamie Vardy also joined in the celebrationsCredit: X @AbdulFatawuI10The whole team posed for a dressing room pictureCredit: GettyEnzo Maresca’s side responded by wrapping up the Championship title with a game to spare last night, beating Preston 3-0 at Deepdale.Veteran star Jamie Vardy bagged two on the night, with homegrown local lad Kasey McAteer getting the other.After the game, the Foxes celebrated their amazing triumph in the dressing room.Fans’ favourite Abdul Fatawu, 20, wrapped himself in a Ghanaian flag before turning the changing area into a dance floor.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe winger stuck on Azonto by British-Ghanaian star Fuse ODG before throwing some shapes.He was joined on the dance floor by Stephy Mavididi, who also showed off his moves following what’s been an impressive season for both wingers.During the video, posted by Fatawu, a player can be heard trying to urge young winger Wanya Marcal to get up and dance.They said: “Wanya, come on, give us a dance!”Most read in ChampionshipBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSWhen the 21-year-old didn’t immediately oblige, they went on: “F***ing hell, you’ve done f*** all, all season! Get on there dancing now.”Marcal made his Foxes debut in January 2022, but had not appeared again prior to this season.Fans in stitches as Vardy’s ‘Klinsmann dive’ almost goes badly wrong after his goals earn Leicester Championship titleHe featured in two of Leicester’s first three games, but would only play one more minute in the Championship for the remainder of the campaign.Vardy, meanwhile, is the Foxes’ top scorer with 18 goals – ahead of Mavididi and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall on 12 apiece and Patson Daka with seven.Leicester will lift the trophy on Saturday, when they host relegation-threatened Blackburn at the King Power Stadium.Leeds and Ipswich, meanwhile, will battle it out for the other automatic promotion spot.The Whites currently occupy second on goal difference, although the Tractor Boys possess a game in hand.Ipswich travel to Coventry this evening in a huge Championship clash that could see them climb three points clear of Leeds going into the final day.Kieran McKenna’s side then host virtually-relegated Huddersfield on Saturday, with Leeds welcoming fourth-placed Southampton.Fatawu, 20, also beamed as he celebrated on the pitchCredit: GettyThe Foxes celebrated on the pitch in front of their travelling fansCredit: Getty More

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      Championship permutations: Promotion, play-off and relegation scenarios explained

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      WE have reached the final week of the Championship season – and it’s still all to play for.Leicester City have already claimed promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking after winning the title in the second tier.Leicester won the Championship at Preston on Monday nightCredit: ALAMYTwo more undetermined sides will join the Foxes in the top flight next season from the Championship.But it’s not just the top of the table that is still to be decided with the relegation battle heating up.SunSport has all you need to know about what can happen at the top and bottom of the Championship table on the final week of the season.Who can claim automatic promotion to the Premier League?After Leicester secured the Championship title on Monday night with a 3-0 win away at Preston, just one more automatic promotion place remains.READ MORE IN EFLIf Ipswich can get four points from their remaining two matches, they will finish in the automatics behind Leicester.Leeds must hope that the Tractor Boys lose against Coventry or Huddersfield and then match the other result, as goal difference currently favours the Whites.Who can finish in the Championship play-offs?As previously alluded to, one of Leeds or Ipswich will finish third and have to settle for a play-off place.Southampton can’t move from their current fourth-placed position, while Norwich’s far superior goal difference to Hull City has all but secured their spot in the play-offs.Most read in EFLThe only way the Canaries can drop out of the top-6 is if they lose heavily to Birmingham on the final day, West Brom claim at least a point, and the Tigers beat Plymouth – with a more than seven-goal swing between Norwich and Hull required.Liam Rosenior’s side will have more hope that they can take the Baggies position in the play-offs – should they win and Albion fall to defeat on final day.Who can get relegated from the Championship?Rotherham’s position at the foot of the table can not be changed with their status as a League One club already confirmed for next season.Huddersfield’s relegation from the Championship is all but confirmed, with the Terriers in need of three points at Ipswich and Plymouth to lose to Hull – and they will require at least a 15 goal swing in the afore mentioned matches.Birmingham City ideally need to beat Norwich on the final day to stand any chance of safety – and hope that Plymouth lose to Hull.The Blues could draw and survive, but the Pilgrims would have to lose by five or more goals.Birmingham could stay up on goal difference should they win and Blackburn Rovers suffer defeat to title winners Leicester or if Sheffield Wednesday lose away at Sunderland.When are the Championship play-offs?Semi-final first legs6th vs 3rd (12pm) – Sunday, May 125th vs 4th (2.15pm) – Sunday, May 12Semi-final second legs3rd vs 6th (8pm) – Thursday, May 164th vs 5th (8pm) – Friday, May 17READ MORE SUN STORIESFinalSunday, May 26 (4.30pm) More

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      Fans in stitches as Vardy’s ‘Klinsmann dive’ almost goes badly wrong after his goals earn Leicester Championship title

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      JAMIE VARDY wrote another glorious chapter in his Leicester fairytale – then hilariously produced a Klinsmann slide that went badly wrong amid the celebrations.The striker, 37, scored twice to take his tally in all competitions this season to TWENTY, with Kasey McAteer adding a third as the Foxes clinched the Championship title with a 3-0 win at preston.Jamie Vardy scored twice to secure Leicester City the Championship titleCredit: AlamyHe nearly ended up injured with a slide as the party got underway afterwardsCredit: XHow apt that it was the hero of their incredible 2016 Prem title triumph who last night again  led them to glory.Vardy and Co celebrated in front of 5,500 Foxes fans.And the veteran star, sporting a cut under his eye, said afterwards on Sky: “Scoring in front of our travelling supporters to become champions, it doesn’t get better than that!”The ex-England star produced a running slide in front of the visiting fans amid the party atmosphere after the full-time whistle.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLHowever, the wet turf ensured he went flying into the advertising hoardings.At least he saw the funny side as the cameras picked up on him laughing and saying to his colleagues afterwards: “F***ing hell I went flying.”Vardy, out of contract in the summer, may not have started as many games this season but he has been huge for Enzo Maresca.Despite only starting 18 league matches, and coming off the bench 17 times, he has still managed to do what he does best . . . score.Most read in ChampionshipBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThat is now 18 in the Championship he has netted.The first was a scuffed 36th-minute effort that dribbled into the net.SunSport expert Martin Lipton reacts to shock new Premier League financial rulesAnd his second was about being in the right place at the right time to cash in on Wout Faes’ skidding strike bouncing back off the left post to hammer home.He was denied a hat-trick by a Freddie Woodman save and got a standing ovation when  taken off with 15 minutes left. It sparked wild scenes in the Leicester end, which had been in party mode long before kick-off at Deepdale.The Championship trophy will be presented to the Foxes fittingly at the King Power on Saturday when they take on Blackburn.Kick-off was slightly delayed last night as ground staff went around bursting loads of blue balloons that had made their way on the pitch.Wilfred Ndidi got in behind Preston’s defence after running on to a McAteer pass but his cross landed on the roof of the net.Vardy then almost put the Foxes in front after racing through from a clever Akgun pass but  Woodman saved as the  striker struck his shot first time.McAteer then hit a feeble effort when space opened up at the edge of the box and missed a sitter after being teed up by a great Abdul Fatawu cross. But finally the deadlock was broken. Abdul Fatawu played a ball into Yunus Akgun in the box and he fed Vardy who, despite scuffing his effort, found the bottom left corner.After the break Vardy netted another when Harry Winks found Faes on the edge of the box, and his 15-yarder bounced back off the post but Vardy blasted home.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Foxes hero fancied another when Preston gave the ball away but his shot was well saved.But the game was all over when McAteer headed home on 67 minutes before party got underway at the final whistle. More

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      West Ham line up Coventry FA Cup hero on free transfer and highly-rated Hull star in huge double-deal

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      WEST HAM are interested in Championship duo Callum O’Hare and Jacob Greaves.The Hammers have a busy summer ahead and need to invest in English talent due to homegrown rules.Callum O’Hare scored against Manchester United in Coventry’s FA Cup semi-finalCredit: RexJacob Greaves has been a rock for Hull in the Championship this seasonCredit: GettyO’Hare, 25, has starred for Coventry, scoring in the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United, but is out of contract and attracting plenty of interest.As reported by SunSport last month, Aston Villa, Fulham and Championship side Southampton have all shown an interest in a free transfer.With the fourth-worst defensive record in the Premier League this season, West Ham are keen to invest at the back and have held talks over a move for Hull City’s Greaves, 23.Clubs must have eight homegrown players in the squad submitted to the Premier League and a number, including Aaron Cresswell and Danny Ings, could be leaving the London Stadium at the end of the season – making English signings a priority.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLMeanwhile, the future of manager David Moyes remains up in the air.West Ham are being linked with Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim as a potential replacement.But Moyes was in fine form following his side’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool on Saturday as he joked about being pleased to see Jurgen Klopp leaving Anfield at the end of the season.He said: “I’ll be glad he’s gone. F****** too big, teeth are too bright. He’s been immense for Liverpool, he really has been.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSO’Hare has registered nine goal contributions for Coventry this seasonGreaves has been ever-present for Hull during the 2023/24 campaign”I think he’s the daddy there, I really do, and he has been able to control a big football club, which is something which is not easy to do at times, he’s controlled it.”And I’m glad to see the back of him, I’ve got to say.West Ham 2-2 Liverpool, David Moyes in bizarre ‘I’ll be glad to see the back of him’ tirade, full press conference”But the Premier League brings in lots of managers from different places. Some come and go very quickly.”Some can last the course — Jose Mourinho, Sir Alex [Ferguson], Pep [Guardiola], Arsene [Wenger], obviously Jurgen — others can’t last that course.”I have to say Jurgen has been really good for Liverpool.”He then added: “Hurry up and get away. I’ll be pleased to see you move on.”To manage a club like Liverpool you have to be very good, and he’s very good at his job.” More