Football

Subterms

    More stories

    • 250 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Real Madrid and Bayern Munich locked in transfer war over FIVE players with Man Utd target caught in the middle

      by

      EUROPEAN heavyweights Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are reportedly set to battle it out for several players next summer.The futures of five different stars are currently up in the air.Alphonso Davies’ contract is set to expire in JuneCredit: GettyJoshua Kimmich is also nearing the end of his contractCredit: GettyReal Madrid are allegedly interested in Jamal MusialaCredit: GettyIt could result in some of them swapping Germany for Spain.Bayern full-back Alphonso Davies has just seven months left on his current deal.As things stand, he is yet to agree terms for a new contract.Real Madrid are waiting to pounce if he does become a free agent at the end of the campaign.Read More in FootballBut they could face competition from Man Utd for his signature.Similarly, German full-back Joshua Kimmich is also edging towards the conclusion of his deal at the Allianz Arena.The future of young superstar Jamal Musiala is arguably Bayern’s most significant cause for concern.Musiala has just 19 months left on his contract with the Bundesliga giants.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSFlorian Wirtz is wanted by both clubsCredit: GettyJonathan Tah has also attracted interest from several clubsCredit: GettyReal Madrid are also waiting for the right moment to launch an offer for the Germany ace.With Davies, Musiala and Kimmich potentially set to leave Munich in the near future, the Bavarians could reportedly attempt to sign Bayer Leverkusen stars Florian Wirtz and Jonathan Tah.Arda Guler shows his talent at Real Madrid training However, Los Blancos could prove to be a thorn in their side once again.Earlier this year it was revealed that Real Madrid chiefs wanted to add Wirtz to their ever-growing list of Galacticos.The 21-year-old is expected to cost around £125million next summer.Arsenal and Manchester City are among the other clubs understood to be interested.Meanwhile, Bayern pushed to sign Tah this summer alongside Man Utd but failed to seal a deal.This time around, however, the German giants will also have to compete with Real Madrid and Barcelona if they want to attempt another swoop. More

    • 275 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Ruben Amorim is joining a Man Utd in chaos… the mess behind the scenes will make him wish he never left Sporting

      by

      THE smiling face of Ruben Amorim and the promise of a bright new future is supposed to be giving everyone at Manchester United a lift.Unfortunately, the public face of the Red Devils hides a very different story behind the scenes. Ruben Amorim faces the biggest challenge of his career as he prepares to take charge of United’s first game this weekendCredit: GettyBut while the feeling is one of hope among fans, United are still plagued by a host of behind-the-scenes issuesCredit: GettyWoeful recruitment choices and budgeting problems have spelt disaster for United in recent yearsCredit: GettyOne which could have the new boss pining for Lisbon before he knows it.The ramifications of a disastrous summer for the club under new leadership are still being felt. Not least among the rank-and-file staff, who are seeing their positions eroded and, in the worst-case scenario, extinguished   altogether with 250 redundancies.They understandably wonder if they are collateral damage of decisions by the ex-manager and woeful recruitment.READ MORE ON MAN UTDEven Sir Alex Ferguson has not been safe with his £2million-a-year ambassadorial role axed.Those who championed new part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s arrival as having put a spring in everyone’s step have lost their bounce.He took control of 27.7 per cent of the club from the Glazer family last February, with the mandate to run the football operation while the American owners sat back and continued to milk the cash cow.He brought in trusted wingman Sir Dave Brailsford although, to this day, nobody at the club knows quite what his skills are or what he does, rather than telling everyone what is wrong.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSOne of his first complaints was the state of the IT department’s office at the training ground, which he did not realise was actually an MUTV studio.The handling of former gaffer Erik ten Hag has leapt to the top of the charts regarding bungling in 11 years since Fergie retired and the bar is already pretty high.A look at the build-up to Ruben Amorim’s first match in charge of Man Utd To cut a long story short, they wanted him out, couldn’t find anyone to replace him, asked him to stay, extended his contract, spent millions on a new coaching team at the Theatre of Dreams and then spent another £172.1MILLION in the transfer market.Just 11 games into the new season, the hierarchy decided they would once again return to square one at great expense, with pay-offs for all those going out and a release clause fee for the new bloke coming in.Now, questions are being asked internally at the highest level about how they got to this position, with fingers metaphorically pointed across the boardroom table.Sir Jim has effectively washed his hands of it all, having claimed when questions about Ten Hag’s future intensified, that it wasn’t on him to provide the answers as they had a new senior management team in place to do all that.That team includes Omar Berrada, the CEO poached from rivals Manchester City, who were not exactly tying him to the Etihad’s gates to stop him from going, and Dan Ashworth, the sporting director, who was good lower down the league on a budget.Then there is Jason Wilcox, the technical director, who is supposed to influence how United play now.If he’s already had input, goodness knows what he has been saying.Ruben Amorim leaves Sporting on a highBy Charlie WyettRUBEN AMORIM would have preferred to leave Lisbon in a blaze of glory after winning a third Primeira Liga title.Yet football does not work like that. And in what was surely his final game before taking charge of Manchester United, Amorim prepared to say his goodbyes at a half-empty Estadio Jose Alvalade in a League Cup quarter-final against Nacional.Sporting won 3-1 thanks to  second-half goals by captain  Morten Hjulmand and Viktor Gyokeres, who scored two.Luis Esteves pulled back for Madeira-based Nacional.The stadium  will be a good deal more lively on Tuesday when Manchester City are here for  a Champions League match — although Amorim should by then have his feet firmly under his desk at Old Trafford.Liverpool and Aston Villa were both interested in Europe’s most sought-after coach. Even City could have been a possible destination post-Pep Guardiola.Yet the United job is one Amorim, 39,  could not turn  down — even if not everyone saw it that way at Sporting last night.There is clearly a huge split in the Portuguese club’s fan base over their coach leaving at this stage of the season with many believing he should have seen the job through.Yet Amorim, along with the three-man coaching team who are expected to follow him, leaves a club in a much better state than when he arrived here in 2020.Inside the stadium, there was applause — albeit muted — when his name was read out before the game along with the line-ups.And there did not appear to be any jeers when Amorim shuffled out from the tunnel awkwardly towards the dugout.So, while his departure is hard to take for some, none of the fans will forget his legacy.This is a club which is back as the dominant force in Portugal. Even this term, Sporting have won their first nine league games, scoring 30 goals and conceding just two.They are also eighth in the Champions League table, which is one hell of an effort.In contrast, Lisbon was not exactly hit by League Cup fever last night.Amorim made lots of changes, which saw Sporting’s star man Gyokeres, the former Coventry striker, start on the bench.There was, however, a first appearance in six weeks for former Tottenham winger Marcus Edwards. He is certainly one player who has been transformed by Amorim since arriving at the club from Vitoria in 2022 and will be sorry to see the coach leave.While he changed his team, Amorim stuck with his tried and trusted formation of a back three.It will certainly be something Manchester United’s fans will have to get used to over the  coming months.But looking at the Premier League table, none of them will be complaining about the change.All will undoubtedly have had a significant influence on the summer spending splurge, which failed to raise the team’s performance.The most bizarre transfer was the £36.5m paid to Bologna for Joshua Zirkzee.Ten Hag didn’t want him. He arrived a stone overweight and has scored ONE goal.Apparently a metatarsal problem showed up on Leny Yoro’s medical ahead of a £42m spend.Lo and behold, in his second game of pre-season, he got a metatarsal injury and has only just started training during the current international break.Then the question is why would Bayern Munich let go of defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui at a combined total of £51.3m up front, rising to a possible £59.5m, if they were that good?Only Manuel Ugarte, the £42.2m signing from Paris Saint-Germain, is looking close to being a United player, yet even he does not look a step up from Scott McTominay, who left for Napoli and is ripping it up.Eyebrows have been raised as to why Bayern let Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt goCredit: GettyLeny Yoro reportedly arrived injured and has just returned to trainingCredit: GettyThe spending means Amorim’s ability to do anything in the next transfer window will be restricted unless he can shift players, but who is going to buy anyone from Old Trafford right now?All this time behind the scenes, the ship is far from happy, with staff unceremoniously thrown overboard in a penny-pinching purge. It has even led to chefs pulling their hair out to try to cover matchday hospitality on reduced budgets and staffing levels.Long-standing employees feel like they have been cast aside like rubbish.The most alarming story came when a staff member with 25 years at the club behind him was told he was being given a commemorative watch for his service.He was then told to pick it up at main reception, where a security guard handed it to him in a polythene bag. That’s a picture to show the grandkids in the future.READ MORE SUN STORIESAn award-winning journalist is currently tasked with shadowing Sir Jim and his new regime for a book on how they turned United around. It may end up being a work of fiction.Ruben Amorim is ‘Mourinho 2.0’ who turned Sporting from ‘walking dead’ into Portuguese champs… he can revive Man UtdWHEN Ruben Amorim took charge of Sporting Lisbon in March 2020, one club official compared their situation to the “walking dead”, writes Jordan Davies.Optimism and hope was at an all-time low.But the Amorim-effect was almost instantaneous, guiding the Portuguese sleeping giants to their first league title for 19 years in 2020/21, losing just once and only conceding 20 goals.Since then, Sporting have lifted another league title in 2023/24 – as well as two League Cups – and currently sit top with nine wins from nine this term.He may be young, but Amorim already has an eye for rebuilding and revitalising fallen super powers with his infectious charisma and intense tactical philosophy that hardly ever wavers. The “walking dead” at Manchester United must be praying for a similar sort of revival.And they may just get it from one of the most talented young coaches on the continent – a man accustomed to breathing new life back into crumbling institutions such as Old Trafford.Amorim has spent the last decade dreaming of one day gracing England’s Premier League, such was his admiration for an ex-United boss in Jose Mourinho growing up.Often nicknamed ‘Mourinho 2.0’, Amorim spent a week with his coaching idol in an internship capacity at United’s Carrington training base in 2018, going on to cite him as his “reference point”.United should not be expecting a mini-Mourinho, as Amorim said himself: “Mourinho is one of a kind. There won’t be another Mourinho. Mourinho is unique.”And yet, you cannot help but compare the two.For all the mismanagement in the Old Trafford hot seats over the years, this would be a real get – finally a slap in the face United’s Prem rivals have no answer for. More

    • 275 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Wayne Rooney and I’m A Celeb star wife Coleen go head-to-head in TV ratings battle as he faces former Man Utd team-mate

      by

      WAYNE ROONEY and wife Coleen go head-to-head on TV tonight in a bid to conquer their jungles.While Coleen stars on ITV’s I’m a Celeb in the Aussie outback, 10,000 miles away Rooney can edge Plymouth away from the Championship drop zone by beating Watford live on Sky Sports. Wayne Rooney and Plymouth will be shown live on Sky SportsCredit: AlamyColeen Rooney, left is currently testing herself in the Australian jungleCredit: RexThe legendary Manchester United striker, 39,  is also facing a number of hazards himself as Pilgrims boss.Argyle are geographically an outpost, have one of the league’s smallest budgets  and their main ambition this season is simply to survive.Yet Rooney is winning over hearts and minds in the city with his down-to-earth, man-of-the-people approach.Whether it is singing karaoke with fans, dining out in the city, or visiting boozers for a few pints, he has immersed himself in Devon life.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLA club source told SunSport: “Wayne has really bought into Plymouth.“He’s not come down to be a boss who hides away in his apartment — but wants to  feel completely connected to the fans and everything going on.”Due to Plymouth’s remote location in the south-west of England, Rooney has introduced starting some away journeys two days before matches.He likes to stop off halfway to games on Thursday to train before continuing the journey on Friday ahead of a Saturday fixture.Most read in FootballThis has not led to a win on the road yet but Home Park is becoming a mini fortress with just one league defeat.The ex-England star still takes part in training himself — and has left   players open-mouthed with his skills.Wayne Rooney reveals nine-word message to Plymouth stars that inspired stunning comeback from being 3-0 downRooney often likes talking to his stars and staff about movies, holidays, family life, food and is always sharing little anecdotes away from the game.While we get to see Coleen up close in the jungle, Roo is now making  a behind-the-scenes  documentary about managing Plymouth.It has not yet been decided which platform it will be screened on.But the Argyle gaffer said: “It’s going to be great for the club. We have cameras everywhere from a club point of view anyway, so it’s not anything new.“They won’t be here every single day and minute. It will give good insight for the fans.”Rooney‘s ex-United team-mate and best pal Tom Cleverley — with whom he won the Premier League in 2013 — is Watford boss.He serves a touchline ban tonight but hit out at critics who reckon Rooney underachieved as gaffer at Derby, DC United and Birmingham.READ MORE SUN STORIESCleverley, 35, said: “We’ll catch up before and after as friends. He was one of the best players I’ve seen  and I’m happy to see us both trying to work our magic as coaches.“It’s harsh to say he underachieved.”I’M A CELEBROOTYHERE’S where you can watch the Rooneys tonight…WAYNE:Plymouth v Watford, 8pm, Sky Sports Football (also on talkSPORT 2)COLEEN:I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, 9pm, ITV1 and ITVX More

    • 188 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Premier League managers slam the PGMOL amid David Coote scandal as Russell Martin demands ‘honesty’

      by

      RUSSELL MARTIN has told under-fire refs’ chief Howard Webb: You need to be more honest to make VAR a success.Southampton became the latest Premier League club to criticise PGMOL, in the wake of the David Coote scandal, following two controversial decisions in the 2-0 loss at Wolves this month.PGMOL chiefs have yet to conclude their investigation into David CooteCredit: PAFootage appeared to show referee Coote sniffing white powderThe video was from a hotel during Euro 2024Former top-flight whistler Mark Halsey called for an independent investigation into the referees’ body with the state of top-flight officiating at “an all-time low”.The panel that reviews PGMOL decisions claimed VAR made only TWO mistakes this season, before Webb later admitted awarding West Ham a penalty against Manchester United last month was also wrong.But Saints boss Martin, who held a meeting with Webb during the international break, said: “If we’re going to improve VAR and make it better, we need to have real honesty and accountability.”Martin was left frustrated after a Ryan Manning goal against Wolves was ruled out before Matheus Cunha put the hosts two up with an effort that he felt should have been chalked off.READ MORE TOP STORIESHe added: “I still have an issue with our goal and a foul on the second goal. I also have an issue with them coming out and saying it was a correct decision ultimately.“For it to come out as a correct decision in the match review is frustrating to me.”Saints join fellow promoted sides Ipswich and Leicester as well as Wolves themselves in fuming over controversial decisions given against them this season.Martin said: “We’ve been told a few times on decisions we’ve been on the wrong end of that it has to be a clear and obvious error.Most read in FootballRussell Martin believes only more ‘honesty’ will improve VARCredit: GettyNo referees have EVER been tested for drugs as David Coote faces end of Premier League careerEXCLUSIVE by Martin LiptonNO referees or match officials have ever been tested for drugs – as David Coote’s apparent “cocaine shame” is set to end his career.While all players and other athletes in British sport are subject to drug testing rules, including post-match and out of competition action, the regulations do not apply to match officials.That is the case globally across not just football and throughout the world rather than only in the UK.All sports follow the World Anti-Doping Authority code, aimed at preventing athletes gaining an advantage by using performance-enhancing substances.The Wada banned list also includes recreational drugs.But the Wada provisions, also followed by UK Anti Doping, which conducts tests across British sport, makes no reference to match officials.UKAD explains: “Any UK athlete subject to the anti-doping rules of their sport and non-UK athlete staying, training, residing, entering a competition,”Or named as a member of a team participating in a competition at any level within the UK is eligible for testing as part of UKAD’s national anti-doping programme.“Any athlete eligible for testing can be tested anytime, anywhere.”But the regulations do not apply to match officials – because of the “performance enhancing” provision of the world code.The PGMOL have revealed they are aware of the video of him sniffing a white powder.They told The Sun: “We aware of the allegations and are taking them very seriously. David Coote remains suspended pending a full investigation.”David’s welfare continues to be of utmost importance to us and we are committed to providing him with the ongoing necessary support he needs through this period.”We are not in a position to comment further at this stage.”“Ryan’s goal is open to interpretation. It’s the wrong decision because it’s not a clear and obvious error.  We are going to disagree on that forever.“For the second goal, they should take longer on analysing the foul from Craig Dawson because it’s a foul.Snorting ref David Coote set up drugs party in Travelodge before Man City game – & even sent half time text about it“I don’t want to be moaning about decisions all the time.“I’d love to go back to human error and balance out over the season.“But if you still make a mistake after that process  it becomes even more frustrating.”PGMOL chiefs confirmed yesterday that they have yet to conclude their investigation into suspended Coote.The shamed 42-year-old made derogatory comments in an X-rated video rant at ex-Reds boss Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool.A PGMOL statement read: “We’re following an internal process and taking the allegations into David’s conduct very seriously as part of our ongoing  thorough investigation.“Whilst David remains suspended, his welfare continues to be important to us and he is aware of the support network available to him.”The FA have launched their own probe into Coote, while Uefa also suspended and are investigating the Nottinghamshire ref after footage emerged of him appearing to sniff white powder in a hotel at Euro 2024.Steve Cooper gave an unusual reason for not speaking outCredit: GettyThomas Frank reckons it’s unfair that refs face ‘crazy’ pressureCredit: RexLeicester boss Steve Cooper joked his dad — former top referee Keith — would show him the red card if he gave his opinion on Coote’s suspension.Asked if the revelations about Coote would knock managers’ confidence in referees, Cooper replied: “I can’t go into that.” He then joked: “I’m more worried about what my dad would say to me if I answered that!”Martin added: “Referee are humans. They all make mistakes the same way we do. My trust probably eroded a bit more after the decision at Wolves than it did in watching a human make a mistake on a camera.“Let’s have a bit of compassion and understanding. I’m sure he’s feeling very upset and embarrassed about it.“What they do outside of their  football career as a referee really has no impact in how much I trust them.”Brentford boss Thomas Frank said: “We need to think about the pressure on the referees. READ MORE SUN STORIES”No player or manager gets as much abuse on the pitch as a ref does – that’s crazy.“It’s like the mental bin where we get all our anger out and then go, ‘Ah, we feel good.’ It shouldn’t be like that.” More

    • 225 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Moment baffled Man City star is BOOKED after being hit by projectile thrown from crowd when she scored

      by

      MANCHESTER CITY striker Khadija Shaw was bizarrely shown a yellow card after being hit by an object thrown from the crowd during Thursday’s Champions League clash with Hammarby.Shaw broke the deadlock for City with a deflected shot in the 31st minute. Khadija Shaw was hit by a projectile while celebrating her first goalCredit: EPAThe striker was left completely baffled after the incidentCredit: EPAShe was then left stunned after receiving a bizarre yellow cardCredit: GettyBut as she ran over to the corner flag to celebrate, she was struck by a projectile which appeared to be thrown from the home supporters.The striker looked over to the crowd to see where the object came from, but as she began walking back to the halfway line referee Silvia Gasperotti brandished a yellow card.Shaw looked completely perplexed as her team-mate Alex Greenwood attempted to question the decision.However, Gasperotti just walked away before restarting the match.Read More in FootballFans on social media were equally confused as to why Shaw received a booking.One person wrote: “Absolutely crazy decision from the ref.”Another commented: “Just when you think you have seen the worst decision in women’s football the refs just have to take it to a new level.”While a third said: “Poor officiating, there has to be severe punishment for this incompetence.”Most read in Champions LeagueFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSOther fans appeared to suggest that Shaw was booked for “excessively celebrating” in front of the Hammarby fans.One commented: “She celebrated in front of Hammarby stand, that’s why she got a yellow card.”Chelsea women’s coach Emma Hayes SHOVES Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall in heated scenes after losing League Cup finalShaw had the last laugh, however, as she went on to score the winner in superb style.Just four minutes after Ellen Wangerheim equalised for Hammarby, the striker fired a shot straight into the top-right corner from the edge of the box.The goal saw her become Man City Women’s all-time top goalscorer in the Champions League.City went on to win 2-1 to book a spot in the quarter-finals. More

    • 213 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Ally McCoist reveals he’s suffering from incurable condition dubbed ‘Viking’s disease’ that two operations failed to fix

      by

      RANGERS legend Ally McCoist has revealed he suffers from an incurable condition called Dupuytren’s contracture.McCoist, who is now one of the nation’s most popular football broadcasters, opened up about the inherited condition during a recent appearance on talkSPORT.Ally McCoist has opened up about his incurable condition dubbed ‘Viking’s disease’Credit: GettyThe condition can cause one or more fingers to curl towards the palm or pull sidewaysCredit: NHSHe revealed that both his parents had suffered from it.The former striker has undergone two operations on his hands over the years but the issue has returned.McCoist explained: “I have got Dupuytren’s. It’s a hereditary thing where your fingers close in.”I have had them done twice. I went to see the doctor and he said to me ‘Did your grandfather have it?’. I said ‘I don’t know’ because I never met any of my grandfathers, sadly they passed before I was born.Read More in Football”I said to him ‘But my dad had it’. He lifted his head up and said ‘You’re unlucky because it normally skips a generation’. I said ‘That’s good news because I have got five boys’.”My wee mum had it as well. My mum had it, my dad had it, it’s a hereditary thing.”The bizarre thing with Dupuytren’s is when I went to see the doctor he said ‘I will operate on it but it will come back in roughly nine years’. And I swear to God nine years later it came back.He added: “I have seen myself sending a text message which takes me five minutes to text with one finger when I should just dial the number.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSDupuytren’s contracture – also known as ‘Viking disease’ – is an inherited condition that causes an abnormal thickening of the skin in the palm of your hand at the base of your fingers.It can cause one or more fingers to curl towards the palm or pull sideways.Ally McCoist on Rangers ‘really, really concerning’ finances It is estimated that two million people in Britain have some degree of Dupuytren’s.The cause is unknown but it runs in families and worsens with age.McCoist is one of the UK’s most beloved football pundits and commentators.He currently works for talkSPORT, ITV and Sky Sports.What is Dupuytren’s DiseaseDupuytren’s contracture mainly affects the ring and little fingers. It’s common to have it in both hands at the same time.It tends to get slowly worse over many months or years.It’s not usually painful, but it can affect how you use your hand.It starts with lumps, dimples or ridges on your palm.Eventually, 1 or more of your fingers may get stuck in a bent position.There are 3 main types of treatment:surgery to remove the affected tissue in the hand (fasciectomy)using a needle to make small cuts in the affected tissue (needle fasciotomy)surgery to remove the affected tissue and skin (dermofasciectomy) More

    • 225 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Pep Guardiola’s new Man City contract officially confirmed as TWO-YEAR deal as threat of punishment over charges looms

      by

      PEP GUARDIOLA has signed a two-year contract extension to remain manager of Manchester City.The 53-year-old’s existing deal was due to expire at the end of the season with the club in the midst of a legal battle with the Prem.Pep Guardiola has signed a new contract with Manchester CityCity chiefs Txiki Begiristain and Ferran Soriano believed Guardiola’s time at City was not overCredit: Manchester City FCThe Catalan’s new deal will mean he will have spent more than a decade as City managerCredit: ReutersIt was previously reported that Guardiola would sign a new rolling one-year extension.But that is no longer the case, with the legendary Spaniard extending his stay until at least 2027.City announced the news on X.The club first teased the announcement with a short, zoomed in clip into the former Barcelona manager’s eye.Most read in FootballGuardiola said: “Manchester City means so much to me. This is my ninth season here.”We have experienced so many amazing times together. I have a really special feeling for this football club. “That is why I am so happy to be staying for another two more seasons.”Hopefully now we can add more trophies to the ones we havealready won. That will be my focus.”Most read in FootballIt will take his time at the Etihad up to 11 years.Guardiola joined City back in 2016 following the departure of Manuel Pellegrini.Pep Guardiola says Man City is not ‘in a dark place’ despite Sporting Lisbon loss Pep’s greatest of Haal timeBy Neil CustisERLING HAALAND hailed Pep Guardiola as the greatest manager of all time.Manchester City boss Pep has signed a new two-year deal to stay at the Etihad and now the Prem champions want to convince their star striker to follow suit.And Haaland — who has scored 105 goals in 114 appearances for City — saluted the Spaniard.The 24-year-old Norwegian said: “He is the best manager in the world.“I think we all know he’s probably the best that ever existed on the earth.”After arriving from Borussia ­Dortmund for £51million in July 2022, Haaland was a key part as City landed the Treble of Champions League, Prem and FA Cup in his first season.And last term he helped Guardiola’s men seal a fourth Prem title in a row.The prolific marksman puts all City’s ­success down to the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich chief.Haaland added: “I expected loads of things from him and he has been ­delivering up to this every single second, so I’m super happy and you can see that when I play.”Guardiola moved to City from Bayern in the summer of 2016 and has won six league titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups, the Champions League and the Club World Club.He won three titles each at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, plus two Champions Leagues with Barca.City feared he may leave at the end of this season but instead the 53-year-old has signed a new contract to stay on.Etihad chiefs hope Pep’s commitment will boost their chances of Haaland agreeing a £100m package — as revealed by SunSport this week.Barcelona have been linked with a swoop for the hitman. But Haaland — due to be back in Prem action at home to Spurs tomorrow —  has 2½ years left on his £375,000-a-week-plus-bonuses deal.Meanwhile, Guardiola believes he will know when the time is right for him to walk away.He said: “I enjoy being here, I like my job.“I said many times, the moment I don’t have that feeling — even with a contract — I will call my chairman, my CEO and say the best thing for the club is for me to leave.“I don’t have that feeling right now, so I’ve extended.”This is the fourth contract extension he has signed with City.Pep admitted: “Every time I signed the contract I’d say it’s the last two years — and still we are here. So honestly, myself and my staff, we deserve to be here. We deserve the chance after four defeats in a row to bounce back.”City have struggled since the serious knee injury to midfield linchpin Rodri in September and face an uphill task to retain their title.Pep added: “This season we have won one [Community Shield] and maybe we are not going to win the other ones but this is not the problem.“The problem is what’s next, what decisions do we have to take to still be in there. Still be a good team.”He has won 18 trophies during his time in English football, including six Premier League titles — second in the all-time list behind former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson (13).But there had been speculation regarding his future in recent weeks amid the club’s legal battle with Prem bosses.The hearing into City’s alleged breaches of Financial Fair Play has entered it’s 10th week.City are currently facing 115 charges relating to their financial dealings between 2009 and 2018.If found guilty, the Prem giants could face a significant punishment.They may even be expelled from the top division.But it is understood that Guardiola’s contract will NOT have a break clause.This means his new deal will not be affected by the outcome of the club’s hearing into the charges and if City were relegated.However, SunSport understands that it is unlikely that that the Cityzens would be dumped from all competitions despite the rules allowing for it to happen.With Guardiola agreeing to stay, he will be forced to lead City through the storm of whatever penalty – if any – they receive.In 2022-23, he helped City become only the second English side after Ferguson’s 1998-99 team to win the Treble — comprising the Prem, FA Cup and Champions League.Last term his side made history by becoming the first team to win four successive top-flight titles.The structure of Guardiola’s deal is the same as the contract he signed in November 2020 and November 2022.Guardiola has won 18 trophies during his time at the EtihadCredit: PAThe Spaniard matched Fergie’s Treble winning feat in 2022-23Credit: PAThe decision to extend also alleviates any potential problems of a managerial handover during a hectic summer that will see City compete at the Club World Cup in America.City – second in the table, winless in four, and four points behind leaders Liverpool – return to action at home to Tottenham on Saturday.Guardiola added: “I felt I could not leave now – simple as that. Maybe the four defeats was the reason why. I felt the club still wanted me.“Firstly because we won a lot, I feel love. But it’s a business and you have to win. I have a contract but I know if we don’t win I won’t continue.“The moment it’s done, the club will know it. And at this moment we didn’t feel it.“Every time I signed the contract I say it’s the last two – and still we are here. READ MORE SUN STORIES“So honestly myself and my staff, we deserve to be here. I’m not arrogant to say it, it’s the truth. We deserve the chance – after four defeats in a row – to bounce back and try to turn the situation.”This is the first time Guardiola has endured such a streak of losses – excluding penalty shootouts – in his managerial career. More

    • 238 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Ruben Amorim makes Leny Yoro decision with £52m star removed from squad after training with new Man Utd boss

      by

      RUBEN AMORIM pulled Leny Yoro out of Manchester United’s under-21 game this week, according to reports.The 19-year-old was due to make his first appearance of the season in a 4-0 win over Altrincham in the National League Cup on Tuesday.Leny Yoro was removed from the U21 squad after his first training session with Ruben AmorimCredit: GettyYoro is yet to make a competitive appearance for United after suffering an injury in pre-seasonCredit: GettyAmorim has been putting the players, available to him following the international break, through their paces at CarringtonCredit: GettyBut new United boss Amorim wanted Yoro to remain with the senior squad after watching the defender in his first training session on Monday.Yoro recently returned to Carrington after fracturing his metatarsal during pre-season against Arsenal on July 26.Training clips, released by United, showed Yoro, who signed for £59m from Lille in the summer, training at the right hand side of the back three.He was flanked by Jonny Evans in the middle and Luke Shaw on the left during the practice match.READ MORE ON MAN UTDAmorim appears to have taken an immediate shine to Yoro.The teenage talent could make his debut away at Ipswich Town on Sunday.Amorim is expected to bring in his favourite 3-4-3 formation, which saw him win two titles with Sporting Lisbon.The Frenchman was among the first players to meet the new boss when he arrived at the start of the international break.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAmorim, 39, did not have a full squad of first-team players to work with because many of his top stars were on international duty.He will be cautious with Yoro’s return, but he could be forced to throw him into action at Portman Road amid uncertainty surrounding other centre-backs.How Ruben Amorim will resurrect Marcus Rashford’s Man United career with subtle position changeUnited are going through yet another injury crisis at the back, after Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof withdrew from their national teams over the break.Harry Maguire hasn’t been spotted in training and looks to be ruled out of the trip to East Anglia.Maguire has been out for seven weeks with a calf injury he sustained in the first half of the goalless draw with Aston Villa on October 6.Ruben Amorim leaves Sporting on a highBy Charlie WyettRUBEN AMORIM would have preferred to leave Lisbon in a blaze of glory after winning a third Primeira Liga title.Yet football does not work like that. And in what was surely his final game before taking charge of Manchester United, Amorim prepared to say his goodbyes at a half-empty Estadio Jose Alvalade in a League Cup quarter-final against Nacional.Sporting won 3-1 thanks to  second-half goals by captain  Morten Hjulmand and Viktor Gyokeres, who scored two.Luis Esteves pulled back for Madeira-based Nacional.The stadium  will be a good deal more lively on Tuesday when Manchester City are here for  a Champions League match — although Amorim should by then have his feet firmly under his desk at Old Trafford.Liverpool and Aston Villa were both interested in Europe’s most sought-after coach. Even City could have been a possible destination post-Pep Guardiola.Yet the United job is one Amorim, 39,  could not turn  down — even if not everyone saw it that way at Sporting last night.There is clearly a huge split in the Portuguese club’s fan base over their coach leaving at this stage of the season with many believing he should have seen the job through.Yet Amorim, along with the three-man coaching team who are expected to follow him, leaves a club in a much better state than when he arrived here in 2020.Inside the stadium, there was applause — albeit muted — when his name was read out before the game along with the line-ups.And there did not appear to be any jeers when Amorim shuffled out from the tunnel awkwardly towards the dugout.So, while his departure is hard to take for some, none of the fans will forget his legacy.This is a club which is back as the dominant force in Portugal. Even this term, Sporting have won their first nine league games, scoring 30 goals and conceding just two.They are also eighth in the Champions League table, which is one hell of an effort.In contrast, Lisbon was not exactly hit by League Cup fever last night.Amorim made lots of changes, which saw Sporting’s star man Gyokeres, the former Coventry striker, start on the bench.There was, however, a first appearance in six weeks for former Tottenham winger Marcus Edwards. He is certainly one player who has been transformed by Amorim since arriving at the club from Vitoria in 2022 and will be sorry to see the coach leave.While he changed his team, Amorim stuck with his tried and trusted formation of a back three.It will certainly be something Manchester United’s fans will have to get used to over the  coming months.But looking at the Premier League table, none of them will be complaining about the change. More