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      Forgotten Tottenham wonderkid linked with Premier League transfer return amid contract stand-off at Sunderland

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      BRENTFORD are on red alert for a swoop as Sunderland struggle to sort out a new deal for star Jack Clarke.Bees boss Thomas Frank wants Clarke — as we first revealed — and their chances are being boosted by a deadlock between the wideman and the Black Cats.
      Brentford want to sign Sunderland star Jack Clarke for around £15millionCredit: Rex
      Clarke has found himself in a contract stand-off with SunderlandCredit: Rex
      Sunderland are offering in-demand Clarke a raise but also want to include a big sell-on clause in any deal.
      Clarke, who is under contract until 2026 at the Stadium of Light, led the Championship top scorer charts going into November.
      Potential suitors will be chasing him in January, so the Wearside club have put new terms to the 22-year-old.
      But the cash on offer is not a big increase and he could pick up much more in the Premier League.
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      Sunderland chiefs are also keen to add a fixed fee of just below £20million, so it will take a lot of haggling to get his future sorted.
      Brentford would go to around £15m — while Burnley had bids rejected for him in the summer window.
      Clarke’s senior career kicked off in 2018 with Leeds after spending nine years in the Whites’ youth ranks.
      The winger then completed a big move to Tottenham only a year later.
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      However, the former England youth international only managed a total of four appearances throughout his three-year stint in North London.
      That also included loan spells back at Leeds as well as Queens Park Rangers, Stoke and Sunderland.
      The Black Cats then signed the forward on a permanent basis in 2022, just a few months after he joined on loan.
      Clarke counts a total of 21 goals and 19 assists in 86 appearances so far with Sunderland. More

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      Emma Louise Jones celebrates Leeds’ surprise win at Leicester in low-cut jumpsuit as fans call her ‘absolutely gorgeous’

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      EMMA LOUISE JONES put a spring in the step of Leeds fans with a low-cut jumpsuit as she hailed a stunning win at Championship leaders Leicester.And while Daniel Farke’s men showed the Foxes a thing or two, Emma showed more rather than Leics – thanks to a “naughty angle”.
      Emma Louise Jones and Michael Bridges enjoyed an epic Leeds winCredit: X
      The Leeds TV star has 341,000 followers on Twitter and 400k on InstagramCredit: https://www.instagram.com/eljonesuk/?hl=en
      Glowing in her team’s colours, Emma has seen Leeds rise to thirdCredit: Instagram / @eljonesuk
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      She posted a snap of herself in a plunging outfit, along with the words: “A very happy @LUFC TV studio tonight!”
      Perched behind the BBC broadcaster in the rather compact room was ex-Leeds and Sunderland striker Michael Bridges, whose smile was equally as broad as Emma’s as he clenched his fist to salute victory.
      But although the duo are a partnership behind the mike, Emma was way out in front when it came to attention gained from her triumphant selfie.
      “Looking hot in that blue jumpsuit,” said one fan.
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      “That’s a naughty angled shot, E”, claimed another.
      Similar responses included “Absolutely gorgeous”… “Just beautiful”… “Good lord”… and “looking good, Emma”.
      But in case the popular presenter got carried away with all the praise, one observer wrote: “Lookin damn lovely… hello to you as well Emma!”
      However, if that comment lifted Bridges, this one might have had a sinking effect: “Best looking studio too – and I’m not referring to Michael!”
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      Earlier, Leeds’ impressive second-half display ended Leicester’s run of nine straight Championship victories.
      Georginio Rutter pounced to fire the only goal from a close-range rebound on 58 minutes.
      But Leicester still lead the table by five points from surprise package Ipswich, with Leeds a further six points adrift.
      However, with Southampton in fourth place, many might expect the three clubs relegated from the Premier League last season to put the squeeze on “the odd team out” amongst these pace-setters – the Tractor Boys.
      Things are shaping up well for Emma and her teamCredit: https://www.instagram.com/eljonesuk/?hl=en
      It’s rarely a grey day for Emma’s army of online admirersCredit: Instagram @eljonesuk
      The broadcaster has covered or attended host of sportsCredit: Twitter @eljonesuk More

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      New QPR boss Marti Cifuentes knows exactly what to expect from dogfight even if fans dont know what to expect from him

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      WHEN Marti Cifuentes was appointed QPR boss this week, many fans could be forgiven for asking: “Marti Who?”Former Loftus Road Championship-winning boss and vastly-experienced Neil Warnock had been the first name on most people’s lips to replace the sacked Gareth Ainsworth — especially after freshly saving Huddersfield from certain relegation.
      Cifuentes knows what he’s getting into
      Players will need to be straight on it against Rotherham
      So when Cifuentes was named instead, a quick glance through his CV hardly had Rs fans jumping up and down with excitement.
      He had stints with little-known Spanish clubs Rubi, Sant Andreu and Hospitalet followed by Scandinavian sides Sandefjord, AaB and Hammarby IF.
      So what are his credentials for saving the club from relegation with only Sheffield Wednesday propping them up after six defeats in a row and just two points from their last nine?
      He told SunSport: “I’ve achieved results and targets at the other clubs I’ve been to. I got results in Spain, Norway, Denmark and Sweden — and usually it’s not been an easy task. I don’t see why this will be different. 
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      “A big part of my confidence comes from what I see in this squad but also from the fans. This is a fantastic club with a great history and together we can make a strong team.
      “I’ve been in relegation fights before and won them! 
      “When I first became manager in the middle of the season at Sant Andreu (2013-14), I was the youngest coach in Spanish professional football and they had 13-14 games left. 
      “We lost the first three and it looked dark. We made some tough decisions with experienced players that were not delivering and somehow got out of trouble with two games left.
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      Marti Cifuentes in training
      “When I took over in Denmark with Aalborg (AaB), they were in a battle and it took six games to win. The fans were not happy for a while but we finished the season strong and qualified for Europa play-offs. Before I left the following season, we were fourth after 17 games.
      “When you’re in a relegation battle, there’s anxiety for fans and I understand that. We’re all passionate about our club and football. 
      “But it’s vital to keep people’s eyes in the storm, being critical about things we can improve, being clear about the areas we need to improve to get the results and then hopefully we can build a good chemistry with the supporters because they’ll play a big and important role.”
      But it looks a risky appointment — seeing as Cifuentes has never managed in English football before.
      However, as he is quick to point out, he knows a lot about English football, the Championship and in particular QPR.
      The Spanish manager came to these shores on an English coaching fact-finding mission during the 2008-09 season — where he was given access to watch Millwall training sessions under Kenny Jackett. He had been working for Ajax but wanted to experience a different football identity to identical ones he witnessed in Spain and Holland.
      And while here, he went to his first English match … at Loftus Road.
      Cifuentes reckons the Championship is going the way of the Premier League thanks to an influx of foreign players and coaches
      He said: “I got invited by a friend to go and watch QPR v Charlton and I got a good impression and picture of what football is all about to people in this country.
      “At that time, as a neutral spectator, I just wanted to enjoy the game. After four minutes it was a corner and everybody was cheering, standing up and I was just sitting in my seat. Then two guys came to us, saying ‘Guys, come on, let’s celebrate, it’s a f***ing corner!’ 
      “I really enjoyed it, the atmosphere, the game.
      “Paulo Sousa was manager then and one of the first foreign coaches in the Championship at the time.”
      Cifuentes believes that the influence of coaches and players from abroad have seen English football’s second tier evolve over the past 10 years in the way the Premier League did a decade earlier.
      He said: “It has more foreign influence, more coaches from different parts of the world, more players from abroad so that makes the game, and the league, develop. 
      “Now you can see there are different styles of play. Last season, Vincent Kompany with his Burnley team went up playing a style that perhaps was impossible 10 years ago in the Championship. That makes this league interesting from a coaching perspective because they are very different teams.”
      The Spaniard has now warming up time as he’s straight in for a clash vs Rotherham
      The Spaniard has walked straight into the frying pan for his first game as second-bottom QPR travel today to third-bottom Rotherham today. The Millers are an old-school up-and-at-them team.
      And Cifuentes said: “I’m well aware about the kind of game we will have at Rotherham, about what kind of football we’re going to face.
      “It’s going to be intense, a lot of duels, a lot of second balls against a team that is clear on their identity.
      “We will try to play a game that is according to our history, according to my ideas and those the players will have, hopefully we can beat them.”
      Cifuentes arrives in West London from Hammarby, who are sixth in Sweden’s top division with two games left.
      And the last manager to arrive in the Championship from a Swedish club was none other than Graham Potter at Swansea, who went on to do a superb job with Brighton before his ill-fated spell at Chelsea.
      Cifuentes believes the Seagulls and Brentford are perfect models for teams like QPR to emulate.
      He said: “I like to watch a lot of Brighton and loved watching Graham Potter’s teams at Ostersund, he did a great job there. 
      “When you look at clubs like Brighton and Brentford, it brings into focus something that’s hugely underrated in football — continuity, believing one idea. 
      “Nowadays it’s difficult because it’s a short-term business, result-oriented and difficult to manage with the expectations of the fans, financial expectations and so on.
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      “But when you have belief in the project and when you have the right people in place and there is the right commitment there, over time it is possible to build like these two clubs for instance.
      “And there are many others in many parts of the world that are a good example about how to get a successful case as a club.” More

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      Premier League referee Anthony Taylor DEMOTED for first time in four years after ‘scandalous’ penalty decision

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      REFEREE Anthony Taylor has been demoted to the Championship for the first time in four years.The 45-year-old infuriated fans after awarding Newcastle a controversial penalty during a Premier League match against Wolves last weekend.
      Anthony Taylor has been demoted to the ChampionshipCredit: Alamy
      He awarded a controversial penalty to Newcastle last weekCredit: AFP
      He pointed to the spot after Hwang Hee-chan brought down Fabian Schar while attempting to clear the ball.
      The decision was not overturned by VAR despite a lengthy check, but both Hwang and Wolves boss Gary O’Neil were adamant that it wasn’t a penalty.
      O’Neil even went as far as calling it “scandalous”.
      The match finished 2-2 after Wolves came from behind twice.
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      However, Taylor’s controversial first-half call overshadowed the result.
      The referee has now been demoted to the Championship, where he will oversee this weekend’s match between Preston and Coventry.
      It will be his first second-tier match since 2019.
      Taylor is not the first Premier League official to be demoted this season.
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      Assistant referee Adrian Holmes officiated Millwall’s clash with Hull last month after incorrectly deeming Luis Diaz’s goal against Tottenham to be offside – a decision that was controversially not overturned by VAR in a shock error.
      Referee standards body PGMOL subsequently had to issue a grovelling apology. More

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      Jude Bellingham reveals surprise four football idols as fans joke ‘never heard his and Zidane’s name in same sentence’

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      REAL MADRID superstar Jude Bellingham revealed a bizarre list of football idols that left fans stunned.Bellingham has set the world alight at the Santiago Bernabeu with 13 goals and three assists in 13 appearances across all competitions for Real.
      Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham revealed his four football idolsCredit: Getty
      The midfielder’s stunning performances with Los Blancos, following a glittering campaign with Borussia Dortmund, led to the Kopa Award for best young player in the world.
      After winning the prestigious honour, the 20-year-old was asked to name the football stars he looked up to while growing up and cutting his teeth at youth level.
      The England international’s response stunned fans around the world as he started out by naming Birmingham City legends Seb Larsson, Craig Gardner and Lee Bowyer – and Zinedine Zidane.
      Bellingham grew up loving the Blues and went on to spend ten years at St Andrew’s before moving to Dortmund in 2020.
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      Larsson, Gardner and Bowyer earned a permanent place in the LaLiga star’s heart after they led Birmingham to their League Cup triumph in 2011 by beating Arsenal 2-1 at Wembley.
      But as he kept growing, Bellingham started studying the game a lot more and learned about Zidane thanks to his father’s admiration for the France legend.
      The Birmingham hero learned to idolise Zizou so much that he asked Real team-mate Jesus Vallejo to give up the No5 jersey for him so that he could honour his idol on the same pitch where he competed as a Galactico.
      Bellingham told L’Equipe: “I admired the Birmingham players, the team that won the League Cup at Wembley. My heroes were Seb Larsson, Craig Gardner and Lee Bowyer.
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      “As I got more into it, dad was the most important. Later, my first models were Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard, simply because they played in England.
      “And then when you grow up, you start watching football. My dad had a fake Zidane shirt that he had bought on the beach. He took it everywhere, often at home.
      “One day I asked him: ‘By the way, who is that guy?’ He replied: ‘Go on YouTube and check him out’. Since then, I probably haven’t stopped.
      “Zidane was the player I wanted to be. I was lucky enough to meet him during the Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool [in 2022].
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      Bellingham idolised Zinedine Zidane as well as Seb Larsson, Craig Gardner and Lee BowyerCredit: Rex
      “I was like a kid, wide-eyed. It’s so humbling for someone who has achieved so much. He gave off a great presence. And, according to the guys who played with him here, he was a great coach. That is just as important.”
      Fans were left in disbelief as they stormed social media to analyse Bellingham’s unique choices.
      One supporter wrote: “One of the rare occasions that Lee Bowyer and Zinedine Zidane get mentioned together.”
      Another commented: “He’s literally a cross between the players he mentions. Craig Gardner, Seb Larsson, Lee Bowyer and Zinedine Zidane.”
      And a third wrote: “Jude Bellingham loves Zidane so much.” More

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      Frank Lampard set for shock return to management despite dismal record of one win in 11 games as Chelsea interim boss

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      FRANK LAMPARD could be set for a shock return to management with Bristol City.That’s despite his dismal record in his last post as Chelsea interim boss.
      Frank Lampard is being lined up for the Bristol City jobCredit: PA
      The Championship strugglers sacked Nigel Pearson five days agoCredit: PA
      Lampard, 45, has been out of work since leaving the Blues last summer.
      The Stamford Bridge legend, who previously spent 18 months as Chelsea head coach until January 2021, returned to his former stomping ground in April following Graham Potter’s dismissal.
      But Lampard was unable to inspire a turnaround in West London as he won just ONE of his 11 games in charge.
      The ex-England midfielder has since been desperate to return to the beautiful game.
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      He was reportedly in Rangers’ sights as a replacement for Michael Beale before the Scots opted for Philippe Clement.
      However, the Bristol Post claims Lampard could now be set for a return to the dugout with Championship strugglers Bristol City.
      They have won just five of their 14 league games this season, leaving them 15th in the table.
      Nigel Pearson was dismissed five days ago after a 2-0 defeat to Cardiff.
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      And Lampard’s odds to manage the Robins have been slashed dramatically overnight.
      Indeed, “Super Frank” has fond memories of Bristol, having managed Derby to a 2-0 win against City in April 2019.

      He said at the time: “The city was very welcoming to us.
      “I went for a run this morning with the staff. What a beautiful city Bristol is, I haven’t really been here much and I like my history.
      “There were some steep hills to be fair, I didn’t enjoy them but I did enjoy the views and seeing some of the beautiful parts of Bristol.” More

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      Unemployed Nathan Jones ‘set to return to management’ in ‘mouthwatering’ partnership after nine months without a job

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      FORMER Southampton and Luton manager Nathan Jones is being lined up with a sensational return to the game.Millwall have identified the 50-year-old as the leading contender to take over at The Den, according to The Daily Mail.
      Nathan Jones has emerged as the leading contender to take over at MillwallCredit: Reuters
      Jones has been out of work since his short stint as Southampton manager this year.
      The role saw him take over from Ralph Hassenhuttl in November 2022 with the Welshman being sacked by the club in February 2023 after winning just one of his eight league games in charge.
      Kevin Muscat is also being considered by the South London side but it is understood the board favour Jones thanks to his strong Championship pedigree.
      Jones took over then-Premier League Southampton last season after leading Luton to a strong start in England’s second division.
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      The Hatters were ninth and two points off a play-off spot when Jones left – and his good work was finished off by Rob Edwards who got Luton promoted to The Premier League through the lay-offs.
      Former Birmingham City manager John Eustace was also in the frame to take over at The Den but looks set to replace Nigel Pearson at Bristol City.
      Millwall are on the lookout for a new manager after parting ways with Gary Rowett last month.
      Rowett managed the club for four years before being let go – with Millwall just three points off the play-offs when he was let go.
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      They are now 18th in The Championship and six points off the play-off places having won one in their last five.
      Most Millwall fans have reacted to the rumoured appointment of Jones positively, but there are one or two detractors.
      One fan on Twitter said: “He’s perfect for Millwall’s style of play. No one will look forward to playing them with Nathan Jones in charge.”
      Another wrote: “Nathan Jones 1st game in charge against Southampton it’s written in the stars baby.”
      A third fan said: “The moment I saw Nathan Jones wear Stone Island on the touchline last season, I knew he’d end up at Millwall.”
      Another wrote: “Nathan Jones is a moutwatering prospect.”
      But some fans were against the appointment, with one writing: “If Millwall make Nathan Jones manager, then we might as well forget this season. For me he’s no upgrade then Gary Rowett, it has to be Eustace, Muscat or Warnock.”
      Joe Edwards is also a shock contenderCredit: Getty
      Away from Jones, England under-20s head coach Joe Edwards has also emerged as a shock contender for the Millwall job according to The Mail.
      Edwards is highly thought of in the game and served on Frank Lampard’s coaching staff at both Everton and Chelsea.
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      He has since forged his own path at England’s under-20 side and is building an excellent reputation. More

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      Who is QPR manager Marti Cifuentes?

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      QUEENS Park Rangers have confirmed Marti Cifuentes as the club’s new head coach.But who is he and when was the appointment announced? Here’s everything you need to know about Marti Cifuentes’ coaching career.
      Marti Cifuentes pictured during his stint at Hammarby IFCredit: Getty
      Who is Marti Cifuentes?
      Marti Cifuentes, born July 7, 1982, is a Spanish football coach.
      He has has spent almost a decade in management and coached in the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Norway and Denmark.
      When did Marti Cifuentes become head coach at Queens Park Rangers?
      On October 30, 2023, it was reported that Queens Park Rangers have announced the appointment Marti Cifuentes as Gareth Ainsworth’s successor.
      Cifuentes arrives from Swedish top-flight side Hammarby.
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      A statement from QPR CEO Lee Hoos read: ”We are delighted to bring Martí in and I would firstly like to thank Hammarby for being fantastic to deal with throughout the process.
      ”Martí is an exciting appointment and we look forward to seeing the impact he can have.
      ”Having a succession plan in place is a necessary part of football, irrespective of how the team are performing.
      ”Martí is someone we have been aware of so we are really pleased to have been able to secure his services.”
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      QPR sacked Gareth Ainsworth after nine Championship games without a win left them six points from safety in 23rd place.
      The 50-year-old was appointed in February following 11 years at Wycombe but he won only five of 28 games in charge.
      When was Marti Cifuentes coach at Hammarby IF and which other teams has he coached?
      Prior to taking on the position at QPR, Cifuentes was the head coach at Swedish club Hammarby IF.
      He was appointed the role in 2022.
      Following brief spells as a youth coach with Millwall, Ajax and Spanish sides Terrassa FC and UE Rubi, Cifuentes’ first venture into senior management began with UE Sant Andreu in February 2014.
      He then joined CE L’Hospitalet ahead of the 2015/16 campaign, before spending time with AIK in Sweden across their academy and reserve team between 2017 and 2018.
      In the summer of 2018, Cifuentes was named head coach of Norwegian side Sandefjord, before making to move to Danish side Aalborg BK.
      The following season, Hammarby came to an agreement with the club and Cifuentes later returned to Sweden.
      There he has enjoyed great sporting success, helping the club to third in 2022, while also reaching the final of the Svenska Cupen.
      Cifuentes took control of his last fixture for Hammarby on Monday, October 30, 2023.
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      Following the announcement from QPR, Cifuentes’ first game of his appointment will be against Rotherham United on November 4, 2023.
      He arrives at a side with two wins in 14 league games and they are six points behind Huddersfield Town who are just outside the drop zone. More