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      Wolves given HUGE boost in new manager hunt as favourite for job Julen Lopetegui is sacked by Sevilla

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      SEVILLA have sacked manager Julen Lopetegui after three years at the club.The Spanish side were thrashed 4-1 by Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday night, leaving them winless in three European games so far this season.
      Lopetegui was sacked after the loss to Dortmund on WednesdayCredit: Getty
      They have also suffered a nightmare start to their domestic campaign, sitting 17th in the LaLiga table following just one win in eight matches.
      And the Dortmund loss proved to be the final straw for Lopetegui as he was dismissed by the Sevilla board less than one hour after the final whistle.
      Argentine coach Jorge Sampaoli is expected to replace him.
      Meanwhile, Lopetegui’s departure from Sevilla leaves the door open for him to join Wolves.
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      Bruno Lage was sacked by Molineux chiefs at the weekend and Spaniard Lopetegui is the favourite to replace him.
      Wanderers currently sit 18th in the Premier League table with just one win from their opening eight matches.
      Lage was dismissed following the 2-0 loss to West Ham on Saturday.
      Wolves bosses targeted Lopetegui six years ago when he almost became Fosun’s first head coach appointment at Molineux.
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      On that occasion he was snatched away at the 11th hour to manage Spain’s national team, however he has never lost his hunger to test himself in the Premier League.
      His solid organisational skills appeal to Wolves, who have no intention of returning to the Championship and are determined to avoid a relegation scrap.
      Lopetegui is the high-profile, safe pair of hands Wolves chiefs crave after he led Sevilla to three top-four finishes in Spain.
      He also toppled Nuno Espirito Santo’s Wolves in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League in 2020, on the way to winning the trophy. More

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      Carlo Ancelotti delivers blow to Eden Hazard over game time after Real Madrid star moans about warming the bench

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      CARLO ANCELOTTI has delivered a brutal blow to Eden Hazard after the star complained over his lack of game time at Real Madrid.The Belgian star left Chelsea for the Bernabeu back in 2019 but has endured a nightmare since.
      Eden Hazard has been complaining about his game-time at Real MadridCredit: Getty
      Carlo Ancelotti has claimed the Belgian ‘knows his situation’Credit: Reuters
      Hazard is now desperately needing to revive his career after struggling with injuries since his big money switch, missing over 70 games through injury.
      His stop-start spell at Real has stopped him from producing the magic Chelsea fans were used to seeing week in and week out.
      Hazard has managed to score just seven goals and provide ten assists, while picking up a reported £416,000-a-week.
      He has played just 98 minutes of domestic action so far, but he has scored once and provided one assist in his one Champions League outing.
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      Hazard remains down the pecking order, with Ancelotti preferring the likes of Vinicius Junior, Karim Benzema, Federico Valverde and Rodrygo to the ex-Lille ace.
      The attacker recently revealed his frustration while on international duty with Belgium at his lack of match action this term at the LaLiga club.

      But when his boss was asked about his comments ahead of today’s Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk, the Italian hit back.
      He said: “Eden hasn’t had to speak to me because he knows the situation, that there’s a lot of competition. I think his situation is quite clear.”
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      Hazard had said last month: “When I play, I give it my all.
      “It’s a delicate situation at Real Madrid. I feel like playing more, but I can’t do more.
      “I’ve always said the old Eden Hazard will come back when he plays. I just need to get back into the rhythm.
      “I know what I can do when I play. I want to scratch the maximum number of minutes and get to the World Cup in shape.” More

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      Real Madrid draw up three-man shortlist to replace Carlo Ancelotti as manager including ex-star Xabi Alonso

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      REAL MADRID have three managerial targets in mind to replace Carlo Ancelotti, according to reports.Ancelotti is safe in his job after guiding the club to LaLiga and Champions League success last season, but Los Blancos are still planning for the future.
      Xabi Alonso is said to be on Real Madrid’s shortlist to replace Carlo AncelottiCredit: The Mega Agency
      Real legend Raul is also under considerationCredit: Getty
      Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann is another managerial targetCredit: Getty
      The Italian, 63, recently pledged his future to the club but a period without a trophy could see Ancelotti under pressure and possibly sacked.
      If that happens Real could make a move for Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann, report Le10sport.
      The 35-year-old has built a big reputation in the game in his short career, reaching the semi-final of the Champions League with RB Leipzig in 2020 to earn a move to Bayern.
      He won Bundesliga with the German giants last season and has won 70 per cent of his matches in charge – he was also named Germany manager of the year in 2017 after finishing fourth with Hoffenheim and qualifying for the Champions League.
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      Nagelsmann knows what it takes to manage a European giant but the two other names on Real’s shortlist would be even more suited to managing at the Bernabeu – Raul and Xabi Alonso.
      Both played for Real Madrid and won the league and Champions League – Raul, 45, won 10 major trophies and scored 323 goals for the club.
      He is also manager of Real Madrid Castilla and has won 40 per cent of his games in charge.
      Zinedine Zidane also gained experience in charge of Real’s B team before taking over the top gig after 18 months with Castilla.
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      Former Liverpool star Alonso is also said to be in the frame and has similar experience to Raul having managed Real Socidedad’s B team for three years.
      Alonso, 40, left in the summer following relegation but Real are still interested, while German club Borussia Monchengladbach have thought about appointing him in the past.
      Bayer Leverkusen are also believed to be targeting the Spaniard after missing out on former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel. More

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      Arsenal star William Saliba was ‘lined up for Barcelona transfer in summer before club opted for Jules Kounde’

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      ARSENAL star William Saliba was lined up by Barcelona for a transfer over the summer. Saliba, 21, has hit the ground running since breaking into the Arsenal first team this season.
      William Saliba has been an integral part of Arsenal’s rise up the tableCredit: Getty
      However, speculation over the summer suggested the Frenchman may be allowed to leave due to Mikel Arteta previously snubbing him for involvement at Arsenal.
      Consequently, rumours suggested he may leave the Emirates in favour of a transfer back to previous loan club Marseille or even Barcelona.
      The latter were looking at Saliba as one option to bolster their defensive ranks, as reported by Fabrizio Romano.
      But upon beating Chelsea to Jules Kounde, the Spanish giants cooled their interest in the Arsenal man.
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      And as it has turned out, both clubs currently sit top of their respective divisions.
      Barca are level on points with reigning La Liga and Champions League holders Real Madrid, while Arsenal have a one-point gap to Man City after beating North London rivals Tottenham in the derby.
      More recently Saliba has been earmarked to sign a new contract at Arsenal.
      When asked if a contractual agreement could be struck, he said: “Yeah, we will see. They talk a little bit. We will see.”
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      Saliba first arrived at Arsenal from Saint Etienne in 2019 for £27million.
      After his arrival he was shipped out on loan on three occasions to allow him to develop, capping it off by becoming the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year last season.
      Cesc Fabregas – who is a co-owner of Serie B side Como – also levelled high praise at Saliba, declaring he could be an Arsenal defender for the next 20 years. More

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      I played in the 2002 World Cup, scored in this season’s Europa League and am now hosting my own TV talk show

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      WHEN a 21-year-old winger played for Spain at the 2002 World Cup, not many fans would have imagined he would still be scoring in Europe TWO DECADES later.Even fewer would have believed the now 41-year-old hosts his own TV show alongside his football career.
      Joaquin played in the 2002 World Cup for SpainCredit: AFP
      The winger has scored in the Europa League this seasonCredit: AFP
      Joaquin even has his own TV talk showCredit: https://www.instagram.com/joaquinarte/?hl=en
      The man in question is La Liga legend Joaquin, who made his professional debut way back in the 1999-2000 season.
      Two years later he was included in the Spain squad for the World Cup in South Korea.
      Joaquin played in Spain’s final group game of the tournament, a 3-2 win over South Africa, and missed a crucial penalty in the quarter-final shootout defeat to hosts South Korea.
      Fast forward 20 years – and 816 club appearances later – and Joaquin is still delivering on the football pitch.
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      The winger scored a stunning goal in Betis’ 3-2 Europa League win over Ludogorets last month.
      And in doing so the 52-cap Spain international became the oldest scorer in the history of the competition.
      Joaquin’s show is set to air on WednesdayCredit: https://www.instagram.com/joaquinarte/?hl=en
      The 41-year-old made his debut in the 1999-2000 seasonCredit: Getty
      Joaquin has spent the majority of his career with Betis, but he also played over 200 times for Valencia and had spells with Malaga and Fiorentina.
      He extended his contract with Betis for a further year over the summer, and was also snapped up by Spanish TV channel Antena 3.
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      The first episode of his brand new series ‘Joaquin, the rookie’ airs this Wednesday.
      The programme is a TV talk show, and will see Joaquin joined by various celebrity guests.
      Speaking on his new venture on to the screen, Joaquin said: “I like television very much. I have a great time and I have fun. 
      “I jumped head first at this proposal because it is a very nice opportunity.”
      His current Betis contract expires at the end of the season, and Joaquin has vowed to continue playing on next year if Manuel Pellegrini’s side qualify for the Champions League.
      He told Diario AS last month: “In principle, the intention is for it to be my last year. But, if we qualify for the Champions League? They won’t be able to get rid of me!”
      Joaquin in action for Spain at the 2002 World CupCredit: Getty
      The winger missed a penalty in the quarter-final shootout defeat to South KoreaCredit: EPA More

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      Barcelona’s unrecognisable XI from last visit to Inter Milan three years ago, with NO players remaining in Xavi’s squad

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      BARCELONA travel to Inter Milan in a blockbuster Champions League clash on Tuesday night.The Catalan giants have kicked off their European campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Bayern Munich and a 5-1 win over Viktoria Plzen.
      Griezmann is still contracted to Barcelona but on loan at Atletico MadridCredit: AFP
      How Barcelona lined up the last time they faced Inter Milan at the San Siro
      Rakitic left Barcelona for Sevilla at the end of the 2019/20 campaignCredit: Reuters
      Inter have also lost to Bayern and beaten Plzen, so the clash at the San Siro promises to be a pivotal one when it comes to both sides’ Champions League hopes.
      It is three years since these two European giants faced off, with Barcelona going through a huge squad rejuvenation in that time.
      Despite their financial crisis, players have continued to move in and out of the Nou Camp at a frightening pace.
      And SunSport have identified that ALL 11 players who started away at Inter Milan in December 2019 are no longer at the club.
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      In goal was Brazilian keeper Neto – who is now plying his trade at Bournemouth.
      The back three consisted of Clement Lenglet, Samuel Umtiti and Jean-Clair Todibo.
      Todibo joined Nice last year, while Umtiti and Lenglet are out on loan at Lecce and Tottenham respectively.
      Left wingback Junior Firpo is now at Leeds, while right wingback Moussa Wague joined Croatian side Gorica in the summer.
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      Ivan Rakitic is now at Sevilla after leaving Barcelona in 2020.
      Arturo Vidal and Carles Alena are also no longer with the Spanish giants following transfers to Flamengo and Getafe.
      Then up front, Barcelona played the pair of Antoine Griezmann and Carles Perez.
      Griezmann has since gone back to Atletico Madrid on loan, while Perez joined Celta Vigo, before being loaned to Jose Mourinho’s Roma.
      That Barcelona team did get the job done in 2019 as they beat Inter Milan 2-1 at the San Siro.
      In fact, Inter have not beaten Barca in any of their previous five meetings – a run which stretches back to the 2009/10 Champions League semi-finals.
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      On that occasion, Inter won the first leg 3-1 before losing the return fixture 1-0 – a result which was enough to see them progress through to the final.
      The Italian giants then went on to beat Bayern Munich 2-0 in the final and lift the trophy for a third time. More

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      I’m a former LaLiga star and Lionel Messi gave me sleepless nights… he’s an alien who left me for dead on the pitch

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      LIONEL MESSI is often described as inhuman by football fans left in awe by what he can do with the ball at his feet.But even professional stars who the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner plays against are labelling the ex-Barcelona man as an alien.
      Former La Liga star Guilherme Santos has compared Lionel Messi as an alien
      Santos was helpless to stopping Messi when he faced him in his Barcelona heydayCredit: Getty
      Former LaLiga defender Guilherme Santos, 34, who faced Messi with Almeira in the late 2000s, admitted the now PSG man gave him sleepless nights.
      Santos told ESPN Brazil of his time in Spain: “When I went there, I didn’t sleep. I knew it was possible that I will be ashamed. I believed in my potential. But we have to respect [Messi].
      “The man was an ET [extra terrestrial]. The ball was with him at all times.”
      Santos recalled once pressing Messi and managing to steal the ball from him – something he later regretted.
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      He continued: “I always had a lot of strength. When I pressed, I won. I thought ‘This guy is not all that’. Why did I poke the guy? Are you crazy?
      “The last ball, he looked at me. In one he cut me, he cut in, out, in and out. I kept looking back like that. Where’s Mano [Messi]? I got lost.”
      Santos added: “Then, just when I thought he was going to kick, he cut. He did some things at the last minute, you know? And he couldn’t. It was really genius.”
      The defender is now plying his trade in the Brazilian lower leagues, but he isn’t the only person to compare the Argentinian superstar to an alien.
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      Former Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde once said on Messi: “He is extra terrestrial in a way, because every time he takes the ball something extraordinary happens.”
      Over a decade on from Santos’ encounters with Messi, the PSG forward continues to produce out of this world performances.
      The 35-year-old has netted six times and provided eight assists in just 11 games to start the campaign.
      And he made it 12 goals for the season with a stunning free-kick past summer signing Kasper Schmeichel in Saturday’s clash with Nice.
      Messi has started his second season at PSG with a bangCredit: AP More

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      Barcelona set to offload three top earners including Busquets in bid to slash massive £546m wage bill by £150m

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      SERGIO BUSQUETS will be among the casualties when Barcelona offload three of their highest earners.It comes as Barcelona move to re-establish financial stability within the club after a summer of turmoil.
      Sergio Busquets is set to leave Barcelona when his contract expiresCredit: Getty
      Gerard Pique, left, Busquets and Jordi Alba, right, are all set to leave the Camp Nou next summerCredit: Rex
      The midfield general is set to be joined on the chopping board by defenders Jordi Alba and Gerard Pique.
      According to Spanish publication Sport, Barcelona chiefs want to reduce the clubs wage bill by a further £150million.
      The current bill stands at a whopping £546m, with the target figure between £376m and £402m.
      The trio of Barca captains all have bumper deals at the club, but while Busquets remains an integral figure Alba and Pique have been pushed to the side.
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      The trio have over 1,700 appearances between them, and a massive haul of trophies to boot.
      However, with the new direction the club are pressing towards under Xavi’s tutelage, their days are now numbered.
      A summer spend of £145m was partially funded by the restructuring of the clubs debt and the sale of the clubs TV rights going forward.
      This movement of capital allowed the club to raise the funds to bring in a host of new stars, including Robert Lewandowski, Jules Kounde and Raphinha.
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      While the loss of three popular veterans will be a big blow to the club and its fanbase, they could be appeased via the return of Lionel Messi.
      Barcelona’s economic vice-president revealed the Argentine’s return was economically viable, amid speculation surrounding the forwards future.
      SunSport exclusively revealed earlier this week Messi had no concrete offers currently on the table. More