La Liga

XABI ALONSO is claimed to have a plan ahead of a dream of managing European giants.The Bayer Leverkusen manager is one of the hottest prospects in European football at the moment.
Xabi Alonso is one of the most wanted managers in EuropeCredit: Rex
Guillem Balagué has insisted that the midfielder has a ‘secret’ planCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Alonso, 42, has been tipped to be the frontrunner for the Liverpool job following Jurgen Klopp’s summer exit.
The Spaniard has also been linked with jobs at Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in the past.
However, those clubs could be in Alonso’s sights is said to have a “secret” plan.
Spanish reporter Guillem Balagué has revealed that Alonso told his agent that he would go back to Real Sociedad if it did not “go well”.
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The retired midfielder was a coach at the LaLiga club as he took charge of the B team between 2019 and 2022.
It looks unlikely that Alonso will be returning to Spain with his side challenging for the Bundesliga title.
Balagué has insisted that Alonso will be eyeing up a big job for when he leaves Bayer Leverkusen.
He also suggested that Manchester City could also view Alonso as a potential replacement for Pep Guardiola
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He told the BBC’s The Football News Show: “I’ll tell you a little secret.
“When he went to Bayer Leverkusen, he told his agent ‘do you know what, I am thinking that if it doesn’t go well at Bayer Leverkusen, I’ll go back to Real Sociedad’.
Xabi Alonso and De Zerbi are two names who could replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool in the summer
“But if it goes well, from here, it’s Liverpool, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich.
“Let me add Manchester City to the equation and that’s where Xabi Alonso could go next.
“When, is a different matter.”
Meanwhile, Barcelona have also been reported to be interested in making a move for him.
Current boss Xavi Hernandez, like Klopp, has announced he will step down from managing in the summer.
His current deal at the BayArena runs until 2025, and he could have plenty of offers should he wait an extra year.
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Guardiola’s deal expires at the Etihad that year as does Carlo Ancelotti’s at Real Madrid.
However, Liverpool will likely be keen to appoint the long-term successor to Klopp this summer rather than wait a year. More

A FAN who poked the bum of Sevilla star Lucas Ocampos faces a one-year ban and £5,000 fine for the “obscene and inappropriate gesture.”The shocking incident occurred during this month’s clash between Sevilla and Rayo Vallecano in LaLiga.
A fan who poked Lucas Ocampos’ bum faces a year-long stadium ban and £5,000 fineCredit: X
Sevilla star Ocampos called for the incident to be treated ‘as seriously as racism’Credit: X
Ocampos was preparing to take a throw-in when a supporter appeared to jab his backside.
The winger was deeply unhappy with the situation as he remonstrated with the referee.
And Spain’s Anti-Violence Commission has now proposed slapping the supporter with a hefty £5k fine, while also banning them from stadiums for an entire year.
A statement, via Mundo Deportivo, read: “We propose a fine of 6,000 euros and prohibition of access to sports venues for a period of 12 months for an identified fan who is a minor and a follower of the local team who was sitting in the front row, touched a player’s buttock with his finger when he was going to take a throw-in.
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“The spectator and his companions showed a joking and defiant attitude towards the player’s protests.
“This serious incident against the integrity of the visiting team’s footballer caused the match to be interrupted for several minutes.
“After what happened, the spectator and his companions showed a joking and defiant attitude towards the player’s protests.” 
Ocampos, who joined Sevilla from Marseille in 2019 and has 43 goals in 191 games, had previously called for a harsh punishment.
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He said after the incident: “You can see what happened in the [video] images. I hope LaLiga takes it as seriously as it takes racism and these things.
“I don’t think all the Rayo people are like that because they have always treated us with respect, but there is always one fool.
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“I hope it doesn’t happen in other areas, because if this happens in a women’s football match, we know what can happen.
“I kept my calm because I have two daughters, I hope this doesn’t happen to them in the future.
“I hope that the action that has to be taken is taken, and I hope that a fool like this does not stain a set of fans who otherwise behaved very well.”
Sevilla ended up beating Rayo Vallecano 2-1 thanks to goals from Youssef En-Nesyri.
The seven-time Europa League champs, who have won the tournament five times in the past decade, are currently struggling in LaLiga this season.
They are 15th in the table after just five wins in 24 matches.
And just six points separate Sevilla from the drop zone, with Vallecano sitting one point above them in 14th. More

JOAN LAPORTA is reportedly at the centre of a bizarre “Canape-gate” scandal.The Barcelona president is believed to have been involved in an incident with a fan during the club’s 3-3 draw with Granada on Sunday.
Joan Laporta has overseen a difficult season at BarcelonaCredit: Getty
The LaLiga giants have struggled for consistency this season and are well off the pace at the top of the table.
And in the weekend’s clash, they could only manage a draw at home against the 19th-placed team in the league.
In fact, it looked like Barcelona were set to lose until Lamine Yamal netted in the 80th minute to rescue a point.
During the closing stages, Laporta, 61, was reported to be “very angry” at the performance.
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Catalunya Radio claimed that the president showcased his fury by throwing some trays of canapes that were served in his box at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium.
Barcelona are playing at the Catalonian national stadium while the Nou Camp is being renovated.
TV3 also reported that he had been angered by a group of fans that “approached the box”.
It has been said that they were chanting against the president for the recent poor performances of the side.
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Journalist Xavier Valls claims that Laporta was left alone in the box.
He said: “His trusted circle left him alone.
Xavi announces he’s stepping down as Barcelona coach at the end of the season
“They know him and they know that when Laporta combusts, the creatures must be removed.
“They left him alone.”
Barcelona is currently third in LaLiga with 51 points, ten points behind rival and league leaders Real Madrid.
The club and Laporta are on the hunt for their next manager after Xavi announced that he would be leaving the club at the end of the season.
Liverpool’s outgoing boss, Jurgen Klopp, is among the names that have been linked with the position. More