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      Neil Warnock signs Middlesbrough contract extension for 2021/22 season as 72-year-old targets Premier League return

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      NEIL WARNOCK has agreed to stay at Middlesbrough until he is at least 73.
      The veteran, who is the second oldest manager in England behind Crystal Palace’s Roy Hodgson, has penned a new one-year deal at The Riverside.

      The 72-year-old is targeting a record ninth promotionCredit: Rex Features

      After Tuesday’s 2-1 away win at Coventry, Warnock held talks with Boro owner Steve Gibson on Wednesday.
      After outlining his ambitions for the club and changes he felt that needed to be made, the two men have now shaken hands on a one-year extension.
      Warnock said: “It wasn’t really in doubt. I’ve enjoyed my time here and achieved what I wanted to so far. 
      “Steve is as big a supporter as he’s ever been, and he told me – you’ve not seen anything until you’ve seen a full Riverside.

      “It’ll be great to have the fans back when we can – that’s what we all want and it can’t come quick enough. You can see a light at the end of the tunnel, but let’s be careful until we get there. 
      “I think we can all look forward now – at my age you know you’re not staying on to make up the numbers and I thrive on success, and that’s what I’ll be striving for.”
      Warnock replaced Jonathan Woodgate in June and guided the club to Championship safety by winning four of his eight games at the helm last term.
      This season he has continued that transformation to turn Boro into Championship play-off contenders.

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      The oldest gaffers currently managing in England:

      Roy Hodgson (Crystal Palace)
      Age: 73 DOB: 9/7/1947
      Neil Warnock (Boro)
      Age: 72 DOB: 1/12/1948
      Sam Allardyce (West Brom)
      Age: 66 DOB: 19/10/1954
      Marcelo Bielsa (Leeds)
      Age: 65   DOB: 21/7/ 1955
      Chris Hughton (Forest)
      Age: 62 DOB: 11/12/1958

      He is now chasing a record ninth promotion as manager with his side five points off the top six.
      And his trusted lieutenants Kevin Blackwell and Ronnie Jepson will also remain at the club alongside him in the dug-out.
      A club statement said the return of fans to the Riverside is ‘another big attraction for the veteran’.
      He is yet to take charge of a home game in front of the Boro faithful, having missed the 1-1 draw with Bournemouth in September in front of 1,000 spectators as he battled coronavirus.
      This season has also seen Warnock add more impressive notches to his belt.
      He celebrated becoming just the seventh man to take charge of 1,5000 matches in Britain in October.
      Warnock then made EFL history by winning a record 11th Championship Manager of the Month award in November.
      He was already one ahead of Chris Hughton in the all-time standings before scooping another following a six-match unbeaten run.
      Warnock will be hoping to cap his new contract with a victory when they travel to fellow promotion chasers Swansea on Saturday.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Neil Warnock in X-rated rant at referee at Middlesbrough youth game vs Leeds just 24 hours after Brentford loss More

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      Watford to sign ex-Aston Villa ace Carlos Sanchez on free transfer aged 35 – nine months after leaving West Ham

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      WATFORD are ready to snap up Colombian midfield veteran Carlos Sanchez.
      The former West Ham and Aston Villa destroyer is currently a free agent.

      Watford are set to swoop for ex-Villa and West Ham midfielder Carlos SanchezCredit: Getty

      And he is set to sign for the Hornets today to help them out in their promotion push.
      Sanchez, 35, has not played since leaving the Hammers.
      But he is fit and known to the Watford hierarchy from his spells in Spain and Italy.
      Watford have seen their squad stretched in recent weeks.

      And Sanchez brings experience to their ranks as they face a possible extended season with the play-offs. 
      The South American began his European adventure with Spanish outfit Elche.
      His form in LaLiga secured him a move to England in 2014 when he joined Villa.
      Sanchez went on to make 56 appearances in all competitions over two seasons at Villa Park.

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      After their relegation from the Premier League in 2016 he was loaned out to Fiorentina.
      Sanchez went on to make his switch to the Serie A side permanent but was on the move again just 12 months after leaving Villa.
      West Ham signed the South American on a two-year deal in 2018.
      However, he suffered a miserable time in East London and made just 18 appearances in all competitions for the Hammers.
      He has been a free agent since he was released by David Moyes’ high-flying side last summer.
      Watford are currently third in the Championship and host bottom club Wycombe Wanderers on Wednesday.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      Ex-Chelsea wonderkid Josh McEachran signs for League One side MK Dons on free transfer after impressing during training

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      FORMER Chelsea wonderkid Josh McEachran has sealed a move to MK Dons on his 28th birthday.
      The midfielder had been training with the 14th-place League One club since leaving Birmingham in late January.

      Josh McEachran has joined MK Dons on a free transfer after leaving BirminghamCredit: Rex Features

      And McEachran has now secured a contract until the end of the season after impressing boss Russell Martin.
      The 13-time England Uunder-21s ace will wear the No5 shirt for Dons and will be hoping to feature against Gillingham tomorrow night.
      McEachran started his career at Stamford Bridge and was the original poster boy for Roman Abramovich’s budding Chelsea academy.
      However, he made just 22 appearances for the Blues, mainly as a sub.

      And McEachran eventually worked his way through five clubs on loan, taking in spells at Swansea, Middlesbrough, Watford, Wigan and Vitesse.
      McEachran finally found a permanent home with Brentford in 2015 and went on to play 101 times before moving to Birmingham in 2019.
      However, injuries limited McEachran to just ten games.
      And he is now hoping to rediscover his form at Stadium MK.

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      McEachran told the Dons’ official site: “I’m thankful for the opportunity that the gaffer has given me and I just can’t wait to get started.
      “I came here to keep fit but everyone has been fantastic with me. The way the gaffer wants to play is suited to me. I like to get on the ball as much as possible and dictate play so it felt like a perfect fit.
      “I have been out for a little while now but this is the fittest and strongest I’ve felt for a long time. Hopefully I can get back to playing regular football and help the team out.”

      Thomas Tuchel says Chelsea tried everything to win despite ultimate goalless draw with Man Utd More

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      Shrewsbury manager Steve Cotterill re-admitted to hospital with Covid-pneumonia just weeks after returning home

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      SHREWSBURY boss Steve Cotterill has been re-admitted to hospital due to suffering from Covid-pneumonia.
      The 56-year-old returned home from the hospital on February 16 after spending time in an ICU unit.

      Steve Cotterill has been re-admitted to hospital due to suffering from Covid-pneumoniaCredit: PA:Press Association

      However, he returned to hospital over the weekend as he is suffering from Covid-pneumonia. 
      His No2 at Shrewsbury, Aaron Wilbraham, said: “For somebody who has never missed a day’s work in his life, this will hit the manager really hard.
      “He’s one of the strongest and toughest people I know, and I know he’ll get through this Covid-pneumonia.”
      Wilbraham and David Longwell will continue taking charge of the League One club’s first-team until Cotterill’s return.

      It was reported last month that Cotterill was still recovering after a period in intensive care while fighting coronavirus.
      Cotterill was one of around 20 positive cases within the club and was later taken ill.
      He was then moved into an ICU but appeared to be on the mend and was released home.
      Cotterill joined Shrewsbury in November as he replaced Sam Ricketts.

      Aaron Wilbrahim was pictured on the phone to Cotterill before Saturday’s game at AccringtonCredit: Getty

      After an unbeaten run in December, he received the manager of the month award.
      Shrewsbury beat Oxford in the FA Cup second round, but their trip to Southampton was postponed after they were hit with a coronavirus outbreak.
      The FA and Premier League made room for the game to go ahead, after initial fears the Saints would get a by.
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      Darren Moore becomes Sheffield Wednesday’s FOURTH manager this season in shock move to Championship strugglers

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      DARREN MOORE has become Sheffield Wednesday’s FOURTH manager of the season after leaving Doncaster.
      The 46-year-old, who had been in charge of Rovers since July 2019, succeeds Tony Pulis following his dismissal in December, with Neil Thompson having been in caretaker charge since.

      Darren Moore has left Doncaster to become Sheffield Wednesday managerCredit: Rex Features

      Moore is the club’s third permanent manager of the season, with Pulis having lasted only seven weeks after succeeding Garry Monk in November.
      He is Wednesday’s 17th permanent boss this century.
      Moore will take charge of Wednesday night’s relegation humdinger with Rotherham at Hillsborough.
      The Owls have lost four on the bounce after a 3-2 defeat at Luton on Saturday and are six points from safety.

      WEDNESDAY BOSSES IN 21st CENTURY

      Sheffield Wednesday’s permanent managers since Jan 1 2000

      Danny Wilson (1998-2000)
      Paul Jewell (2000-01)
      Peter Shreeves (2001)
      Terry Yorath (2001-02)
      Chris Turner (2002-04)
      Paul Sturrock (2004-06)
      Brian Laws (2006-09)
      Alan Irvine (2010-11)
      Gary Megson (2011-12)
      Dave Jones (2012-13)
      Stuart Gray (2013-15)
      Carlos Carvalhal (2015-17)
      Jos Luhukay (2018)
      Steve Bruce (2019)
      Garry Monk (2019-20)
      Tony Pulis (2020)
      Darren Moore (2021-)

      After that loss, caretaker boss Thompson said: “We have a really big task ahead. We have to search inside ourselves to see games through — we didn’t do that against Luton.
      “We’ve had issues all season because we don’t see things through. That’s why we are where we are in the table.”
      Moore has left a club challenging for promotion in League One for a side who sit second bottom of the Championship.
      Doncaster expressed their disappointment at Moore’s decision, with defender Andy Butler put in temporary charge.

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      Elijah Adebayo scores Luton’s third in their 3-2 win over Wednesday on SaturdayCredit: PA:Press Association
      Chairman David Blunt said on doncasterroversfc.co.uk: “We are disappointed that Darren has chosen to leave the club part way through what has been a season full of promise.
      “We have made significant efforts to support Darren over the past 18 months and ensure he was able to build a team capable of challenging in the top six.
      “This has included supporting him through the past two transfer windows despite the difficult financial circumstances.
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      “Our ambitions remain to achieve a top-six finish and we hope and expect that Andy will use this time to put himself in the prime position to secure the role on a permanent basis at the end of the season.
      “Andy’s first priority will be to halt the team’s recent run of poor form and put our season back on track.”
      Assistant manager Jamie Smith has also left Rovers with Moore, who has named Paul Williams as his first-team coach.

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      Paul Lambert leaves Ipswich with ex-Wigan chief Paul Cook set to take over Tractor Boys

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      IPSWICH boss Paul Lambert has parted company with the club by mutual consent.
      Former Portsmouth and Wigan boss Paul Cook, 54, who resigned from the Lactics in July last year, is set to take over.

      Paul Lambert and Ipswich Town have parted company by mutual consentCredit: PA:Press Association

      Ipswich Town has today parted company with manager Paul Lambert by mutual consent.The Club thanks Paul for his efforts while in charge at Portman Road, and wishes him well for the future.👇 #itfc
      — Ipswich Town FC (@IpswichTown) February 28, 2021

      Lambert, 51, was appointed in October 2018 and of his 113 games in charge he only won 37.
      He took charge with the Tractor Boys bottom of the Championship and despite having 31 games to save them, they remained bottom through to the end of the season.
      Last season they looked a good bet to return to the second tier when they were top of the table but a dip in form saw them eventually finish 11th when the programme was cut short by the coronavirus pandemic .
      The current campaign has followed a similar path, with Lambert leading his side to the top of the table early on before results again deteriorated.

      They recently staged a mini revival and Lambert departs with his team suffering just one defeat in their last seven league games.
      But his relationship with supporters deteriorated rapidly in recent months and he leaves with the club at its lowest point in 67 years.
      Lambert, who has recovered after contracting coronavirus, admitted on Saturday after the home defeat of Doncaster that he was 99 per cent certain he would not keep his job if a rumoured £30million takeover went through.
      Lambert also joked about Cook being sat in his office when he arrived at Portman Road on Saturday morning.

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      Paul Cook is set to take charge at Portman RoadCredit: PA:Press Association

      Ipswich owner Marcus Evans thanked Lambert for his service in a statement on Sunday night.
      He said via the club’s official website: “I would like to put on record my sincere thanks to Paul and Stuart for their services to Ipswich Town over the last two and half years.
      “I have enjoyed a healthy working relationship with Paul in our time together and he has brought a lot of positive aspects to the Club.
      “I know he has his thoughts on what is needed to take Ipswich Town forward and I respect his opinions but this year has – with the pandemic and no real income for the Club –  been the biggest financial challenge we have faced in my time as owner.
      “It has, however, become clear after holding discussions over the last few days that there are significant differences of opinion as to the order of immediate priorities and we agreed it was best for us to part company. 
      “I would like to wish both Paul and Stuart the best in the future.”

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      Wigan’s Funso Ojo believes US Capitol ‘riot’ may be GOOD for Black Lives Matter

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      FUNSO Ojo admits he was thankful when people ‘rioted’ at the US Capitol building as it could be good for his career – by bringing the fight against racism in stark focus.
      However, he can understand why Wilfried Zaha describes taking a knee before matches as ‘degrading.’

      Wigan’s Funso Ojo is a passionate supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement

      The Wigan midfielder has been the victim of monkey chants during his time in Holland and is a passionate believer in the Black Lives Matter movement.
      And when former President Donald Trump’s supporters stormed the Capitol building, and the way it was dealt with, he was thankful as it showed why the cause exists in clear vision.
      Ojo, on loan from Aberdeen, said: “What happened in the Capitol was probably the best thing that could’ve happened for us of different nationalities and colours.
      “Now people understand what we were talking and complaining about as there was a massive difference in how that situation got handled.

      “The day after it happened, the physio at Aberdeen said, ‘Now that’s happened, I understand the Black Lives Matter movement. I see what you mean.’

      Ojo believes the Capitol riot may prove a good thing for the Black Lives Matter movementCredit: REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton
      “He was like, ‘It can’t be that bad,’ but that was a pure riot and nothing happened. That’s when he said, ‘Now I understand.’
      “I’ll still take a knee as racism is still there – if anything it’s not getting better.
      “Tendayi Darikwa here says he won’t do it any more, he’s on the same page as Zaha but it’s a personal matter, I can see where Wilfried is coming from.

      “But I look at where it started with Colin Kaepernick in the NFL and what it stood for at the start. I understand what Wilfried’s saying but it’s a symbol and a message.

      Ojo admits he thinks about Colin Kaepernick taking the knee when people say Black Lives Matter is losing its relevanceCredit: AP:Associated Press
      “Those type of players in the public eye still get a lot of messages, maybe more now as it’s in the public eye. So maybe they think, ‘It’s not doing anything.’”
      Belgian Ojo, 29, swapped life in Aberdeen for crisis club Wigan but the way things operate, he would not know the club is in administration.
      And he is adamant they can still stay in League One, even though they face leaders Peterborough today.
      But while he believes the competition in England’s third tier is stronger and deeper than the Scottish Premiership, the air is worse in Greater Manchester.

      Ojo admits he felt like he was on Peaky Blinders when he mistook a strong Scouse accent at Wigan for a Birmingham oneCredit: BBC
      Some of the accents around the place also take some getting used to.
      Ojo, who himself has a slight Scottish twang, added: “There are too many Scousers here, all I hear is, ‘All right, all right, all right.’
      “I thought our assistant coach had a Birmingham accent at first but apparently it’s a string scouse accent.
      “When he spoke, I felt like I was in Peaky Blinders!” More

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      Salford boss Richie Wellens desperate to get his players in the PUB – but coronavirus restrictions have thwarted him

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      RICHIE WELLENS knows one of the best ways to get into a player’s head is to get a drink into him.
      And if he could do that with his whole team, he might be able to break the mental block that he fears could cost him and Salford City promotion.

      How Richie Wellens’ pub sign might look

      Richie Wellens’ Salford are having an inconsistent season in League TwoCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But the normal getting–to–know-you exercise he and most managers use to build team spirit and understanding is still impossible because of Covid restrictions.
      Wellens, who quit Swindon for the Ammies on November 4, would by now have had a few nights  out with his squad and staff.
      He declared: “Getting the lads out for a bite and a bit of a bevvy is a great way to find out what makes each individual tick.
      “Nobody is talking about throwing loads of alcohol down necks.

      “But it’s amazing how people start relaxing and letting themselves go a little when they’ve had a couple.
      “Having a good time is great for team bonding.
      “Not only do you get to know your players better, but they get a better picture of who you are.
      “But with the lockdown that hasn’t happened.

      Salford are owned by Man Utd’s ‘Class of ’92’Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      “By now I should have a far better understanding of what makes each player tick than I do.
      “It’s crucial that a new manager finds out who he is dealing with in the dressing room and what the best approach is to get the best out of each individual.
      “And, of course, after 23 games I have a good idea.
      “But in a way, some of them are still like strangers to me because of the Covid restrictions.
      “They show up for training on their own — socially distanced from each other — then go home to shower and change.
      “The players travel to away games on the team bus but me and my coaches have to go separately.
      “Things are complicated enough for all of the managers in these times — but more difficult still when you are taking over a new set of players.”
      Wellens worries about that lack of communication more because he can’t work out why his side keep throwing away points at the end of games.
      He said: “Since I got here we have lost 12 points from winning positions in the 90th minute.
      “That has to be about some psychological block — maybe it’s to do with the fact that this club has come so far, so fast.

      “We are the best footballing team in the division but that means  nothing if you don’t make it pay.”
      Wellens was brought in by Gary Neville and the rest of the members of Manchester United’s Class of ’92 to replace Graham Alexander.
      The 40-year-old, who last season took Swindon out of League Two, is charged with continuing the climb that has seen four promotions since Neville and Co took over seven years ago.
      He said: “My job was made clear from the start and it’s a challenge I gladly accepted.
      “Promotion is the target this  season without question.
      “But every time we look like  getting on a run we stumble — when we win two in a row, we can’t make it three.

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      “I’d love the chance to just sit around, have a meal, let the lads relax and really dig into what the problem is.
      “Pubs and restaurants will be fully open on May 17 but our season ends on May 8.
      “That’s too late for me to do what I’d normally do with a new bunch of players.
      “So I’m going to have to think up another way to find out what’s going on in their heads — socially  distanced, of course.” More