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      Former Premier League star sacked after just seven games in charge without winning

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      JASON PUNCHEON has been sacked after just seven matches in charge of a Cypriot club.Puncheon, 37, rolled credits on his 20-year career in 2023 after playing for 14 different clubs, such as Millwall, Southampton and most famously Crystal Palace, across all four EFL divisions.Jason Puncheon has been sacked as AEZ Zakakiou boss after seven winless matchesCredit: AlamyPuncheon’s formidable years took place at Crystal PalaceCredit: Rex FeaturesThe former midfielder hung up his boots in Cyprus following three seasons with Pafos and another with Anorthosis, which was his final club.The Croydon star has since exchanged the pitch with the dugout as he has been trying to transition to a coaching career.Puncheon stayed in Cyprus and started out in the second division with Peyia last year in September.However, he quit after 18 matches of which he won eight and lost seven.Read More on FootballPuncheon then moved to the first division as he took on AEZ Zakakiou less than a month ago.However, the former Wimbledon ace – who was part of the squad that transitioned to MK Dons in 2004 – only managed a mere seven winless matches of which he lost a staggering five.The club, which dropped to bottom of the table, decided to sack Puncheon along with his coaching staff.The former Blackpool ace has been replaced by Vladica Petrovic effective immediately.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAEZ Zakakiou released the following statement: “AEZ ZAKAKIOU announces the mutual consent solution of its cooperation with Mr. Jason Puncheon Mr. Dragan Stevovic, Christos Chapatsoulis and George Stavrou.”We thank everyone for their excellent and professional cooperation and we wish them all the best on a professional and personal level.”Premier League club’s £500million stadium taking shape as incredible new pictures show building progressPuncheon’s best playing years were spent with Palace where he amassed a total of 16 goals and 22 assists in 169 appearances during his six-year stint at Selhurst Park. More

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      Footie chiefs forced to draw up emergency plans for FA Cup final in case Leicester or Coventry reach Wembley showpiece

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      FOOTBALL chiefs have been forced to draw up emergency plans for the FA Cup final due to two Championship teams reaching the quarter-finals.The final of the FA Cup is set to be played on Saturday May 25 with the Championship play-off final coming a day later.Leicester’s and Coventry’s FA Cup runs could see the Championship play-off final movedCredit: APWith both Leicester and Coventry still in the FA Cup, they would in theory face the prospect of playing two finals in the space of 24 hours at Wembley – which would be impossible.Leicester are currently top in the Championship, but only four points ahead of Ipswich who are in a play-off spot – meaning it’s entirely possible they finish in a play-off position.They play Chelsea in the FA Cup this weekend and will fancy their chances of an upset given the Blues’ recent form.Likewise, Coventry are eighth in the Championship but are just one point off sixth placed Norwich.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThey take on Wolves in the FA Cup on Saturday with a place in the semi-final up for grabs.The Mirror report that football chiefs are considering a date switch for the play-off final as a result of both Coventry and Leicester’s Cup runs.The play-off final is regarded as one of the most important games in the football calendar and is referred to as the £100million game.Bosses would therefore be reluctant to move the game but it could become a necessity.Most read in FootballCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL Extra dates at Wembley have been pencilled-in should Leicester or Coventry go all the way.Complicating things is the fact that the national stadium will be hosting the Champions League final on Saturday June 1.Part of the requirements for hosting a Champions League final sees a stadium effectively handed over to UEFA in the days before and after the final.Will Pugh and Rob Maul discuss Arsenal, Man City and Liverpool’s chances in the Premier League title raceThis has already seen the England national team be forced to move one of their Euro 2024 warm-up friendlies from Wembley.Their game against Bosnia and Herzegovina had been scheduled to take place in the North-West London venue on June 3 but will now be played at St James’ Park. More

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      Watch ‘worst corner in the history of football’ with fans in hysterics after Bristol City vs Swansea clash

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      THERE were few bright moments in the clash between Swansea and Bristol City.And this incredibly bad set piece really took the biscuit in the Championship clash.Swansea managed to take one of the worst corners ever seenCredit: Not known, clear with picture deskBrazil winger Ronald passed the ball out of play when he tried to play a short cornerOn Sunday, the two mid-table sides went head-to-head at Ashton Gate.But, it was one moment of absolute madness that had fans in hysterics online.With Swansea awarded a corner, Brazilian winger Ronald went over to take it.Seeing the short option was available, he quickly passed the ball to team-mate Ben Cabango.Read more football newsHowever, he managed to pass the ball out of play for a throw-in to the opposition – with Cabango just five yards away from him looking aghast.Fans on social were unforgiving – sharing the clip online.One commented: “Muppet of the week.”A second wrote: “Cabango and Ronald just staring eachother down like, brilliant.”Most read in FootballWhile a third added: “That Brazilian flair.”Swansea’s inability at set pieces seemed to their undoing as they fell to a 1-0 defeat.It was Robin Dickie’s 73rd minute strike after a, ironically, short-corner routine that decided a forgettable game.The win ended Bristol City’s four-game losing streak.For Swansea it’s their sixth loss in 11 games, which leaves them in a perilous position in the Championship.They now sit in 15th place, just five clear of the bottom three ahead of next week’s south Wales derby against Cardiff City. More

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      Brentford eyeing Ivan Toney transfer replacement by lining up free-scoring Championship striker

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      SAMMIE SZMODICS is on Brentford’s radar as the Bees plan for life after Ivan Toney.Blackburn striker Szmodics, 28, is in the form of his life, with 21 goals in 35 league games making him leading scorer in the Championship.Sammie Szmodics slots past Michael CooperCredit: RexIvan Toney has been linked with ArsenalCredit: GettyBees boss Thomas Frank has admitted that he expects England striker Toney to leave the club this summer, with Arsenal and Chelsea leading the hunt.Frank’s top spy, Mick Priest, saw Szmodics score the leveller in Rovers’ 1-1 draw with Millwall last week — and  he is now on their shortlist of targets.The Bees are in the market for a couple of new attacking players for their squad and have also checked out Josh Sargent at Norwich.Luton are also looking at Szmodics but cannot commit until they know which division they will be in next season.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe forward, who like Toney previously played for Peterborough, was in action yesterday.Szmodics lined up against Plymouth Argyle in a relegation six-pointer at Ewood Park.He took just seven minutes to get on the scoresheet, bending a right-footed effort beyond Michael Cooper.Kyle McFadzean’s 54th minute red card made matters difficult for John Eustace’s side.Most read in FootballCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL Argyle eventually found an equaliser via Morgan Whittaker, who himself has attracted plenty of interest.Toney, meanwhile, played the full 90 minutes as Brentford lost 2-1 at Arsenal.Inside Ivan Toney’s Life As A FootballerThe Gunners took the lead through Declan Rice on 19 minutes.Yoane Wissa levelled on the stroke of half-time, before Kai Havertz won it with an 86th minute header. More

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      Watch Jobe Bellingham score screamer and spark wild Sunderland celebrations but fans plead for Jude comparisons to end

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      JOBE BELLINGHAM scored a screamer during Sunderland’s clash with Southampton on Saturday.The 18-year-old has starred for the Black Cats since moving to the North East from Birmingham in a £3million deal last summer.Jobe Bellingham curled home a brilliant shotCredit: X@@itvfootballBellingham celebrates his brilliant goalCredit: GettySunderland’s No7 lined up at St Mary’s hoping to prevent his side from slumping to a sixth defeat in a row.His outing got off to a nightmare start, when his dreadful header in the ninth minute teed up Jan Bednarek, with Stuart Armstrong converting the rebound.Adam Armstrong made it 2-0 from the penalty spot in the 37th minute, before Sunderland launched a comeback.Former Tottenham starlet Romaine Mundle, 20, scored his first senior goal to halve the deficit.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThen up stepped Bellingham, the 18-year-old curling a sensational right-footed effort into the top corner for 2-2 with 20 minutes to play.A quickfire Joe Rothwell double saw Saints win 4-2, but Bellingham’s wonder-goal will live long in the memory.His brilliant strike prompted inevitable mentions of his older brother Jude.But fans were quick to criticise such comparisons, with one writing: “Wish everyone would stop mentioning Jude when he scores a banger. I love Jude but let him cook on his own thanks.”Most read in FootballCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL Jobe Bellingham has been compared with older brother JudeCredit: RexWhile a second pointed out: “You don’t have to compare everything he does to Jude he’s a cold player on his own merit.”Midfielder Bellingham has scored six goals in 36 appearances for the Black Cats this season.‘He’s a class act’ say fans as they spot what Jude Bellingham did for group of kids despite disallowed goal controversyHis side have slipped to 12th amid their dismal run, now 11 points off the play-offs.Bellingham has played for England up to Under-19 level.And he even skippered them in a clash with Germany last year. More

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      Watford SACK Valerien Ismael as boss and hand ex-Man Utd star Tom Cleverley first job in management

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      WATFORD have sacked Valerien Ismael and replaced him with Tom Cleverley as caretaker boss.The Hornets were beaten 2-1 at home by Coventry City at Vicarage Road.Valerien Ismael has been sacked as Watford bossCredit: AlamyTom Cleverley has taken charge on an interim basisCredit: Alan CozziThe news was announced by the club on social media.A statement on X reads: “Tom Cleverley will assume the position of Interim Head Coach at Vicarage Road. “This follows Watford FC terminating the contract of Valerien Ismael after today’s home defeat to Coventry City.”Watford have been in disastrous form that has seen them drop out of the play off places.Read more football newsThey have picked up just two wins in their last 13 games, going from seventh to 13th.Their recent bad run means they languish 13 points behind sixth-placed Norwich City.Trigger-happy owner Gino Pozzo was reportedly considering Ismael’s tenure.Bizarrely, it comes after he handed the Frenchman a new three-year contract back in October.Most read in FootballCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL Defeat at home to Coventry was the final straw for the Italian businessman.Astonishingly, Watford have turned over a number of managers over the past four-and-half years.Coventry manager’s texts about Watford leaked as scout’s WhatsApp conversation is spotted in standsIt’s the 12th time they have had to change their coach over the past four-and-a-half years.The reins have now been handed to former Man Utd youth product Cleverley.It is the 34-year-old midfielder’s first foray in the dugout.The ex-England international, who earned 13 caps, rejoined the club permanently in 2017 – seven years after he enjoyed a successful loan spell in the 2009-2010 season, when he won player of the season.During the 2022-23 campaign, Cleverley was named as club captain by former boss Rob Edwards, now at Luton Town.At the end of that season, Cleverly announced his retirement from football following an injury.He took up a role in the club’s academy helping to coach the under-18 side, while also taking on ambassadorial responsibilities. More

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      Premier League cult hero signs for TENTH club aged 30 on free transfer and links up with Nathan Jones

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      CONNOR WICKHAM has finally confirmed what his lengthy list of moves suggest… he’s a transfer Addick-t!The ex-Premier League hot prospect has joined Nathan Jones’ Charlton – his seventh club since 2020 and tenth overall.Charlton new boy Connor Wickham celebrates his only goal for last club CardiffCredit: GettyWickham was one of English football’s brightest prospects with first club Ipswich from 2009-11 but has since been troubled by injuriesCredit: PA:Empics SportThe 6ft 4ins striker, 30, was an Ipswich whizkid before big-money switches to Sunderland and Crystal Palace.Now he’s signed for former Southampton manager Jones’ new team.Wickham penned a deal with last club Cardiff on Valentine’s Day in 2023.But he’s split from the Bluebirds 13 months later – to take the No13 shirt for the Addicks.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSWickham insists he wants a “big push” for the rest of the season.And he never ducks a challenge – despite claims he once “got beat up” by DRAKE’s bodyguards!Sunderland legend Jermain Defoe told the bizarre but amusing story to SunSport columnist Troy Deeney on his Football Firsts podcast last Christmas.It came after Wickham tried to get a selfie with the rapper in a gym.Most read in FootballBut despite the mishap, Defoe said it all ended up with smiles.Sadly, Wickham’s fortunes on the pitch could be said to have gone exactly the opposite way to that.Top ten greatest Premier League players of all time as Kevin de Bruyne and Cristiano Ronaldo both miss out on top spotPredictions of greatness 15 years ago have given way to misfortune and injuries.Wickham’s EFL club came aged just 16 and 11 days, on the way to 15 goals in 72 games for Ipswich.He also fired the winner when England won the Euro Under-17s Championship in 2010.Sunderland pouched him for a fee potentially worth £12million, while he also netted six times in 17 matches for the Three Lions’ U-21s.But fitness issues blighted Wickham’s top-flight stint with the Black Cats, although he still notched 15 goals and 91 games.Palace bought him for £9m in 2015 but injuries limited him to 15 strikes in 91 appearances during a six-year stay.Apart from three loan spells with Sheffield Wednesday and one with Leeds, Wickham has featured for Preston, MK Dons, Forest Green Rovers and Cardiff. And after dropping a level to League One, he told Charlton’s website: “I’m excited to be here“It’s a good opportunity for me to work with a good group of lads and a good manager for the last part of the season.”Results lately have picked up and it’s going to be a big push until the end of the season.”Jones said: “Connor’s been here for a couple of weeks (training) and we like the human being, so that’s the start. READ MORE SUN STORIES”The experience, physicality and quality he has makes him a really good signing. “We’re pleased to have him in and it’ll be interesting to see how much we can get out of him.”Wickham spent 13 months with Championship side CardiffCredit: GettyThe giant frontman also had a spell with Forest GreenCredit: Rex More

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      Former Liverpool star wakes up unemployed after having contract ripped up by Championship strugglers

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      A FORMER Liverpool star has woken up unemployed after having his contract ripped up by a struggling Championship side.Daniel Ayala, 33, is officially a free agent after leaving Rotherham.Daniel Ayala is a free agent after being released by RotherhamCredit: AlamyThe Spaniard made five Premier League appearances for LiverpoolCredit: GettyThe Spanish defender only joined the Millers in October.He penned a contract until the end of the season.And Ayala’s time at New York Stadium saw him make just seven appearances.The centre-back’s last games came in December, when he received consecutive red cards.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAyala then suffered a long-term injury and was removed from Rotherham’s 25-man squad at the end of January.And the relegation battlers, who are 19 points adrift of safety at the foot of the Championship table, have called time on Ayala’s brief stay.The 6ft 3in Goliath started his youth career at Sevilla before joining Liverpool’s academy in 2007.He went on to make five Premier League appearances for the Reds in the 2009-10 season.Most read in ChampionshipHOW TO GET FREE BETS ON HORSE RACINGAnd Ayala then spent time on loan at Hull and Derby before joining Norwich on a permanent deal in 2011.He played 10 times for the Canaries while also taking in a loan at Nottingham Forest.Jurgen Klopp compares Liverpool youngster Jayden Danns to darts sensation and Man Utd fan Luke LittlerAyala was snapped up by Middlesbrough in 2013 and played 229 times for the Teessiders, while also helping them win promotion to the top flight in 2016.Afterwards, he spent three years at Blackburn where he featured 58 times before joining Rotherham last summer. More