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      Manchester City sack head coach Gareth Taylor FIVE days before Women’s League Cup final clash with Chelsea

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      MANCHESTER CITY have brought the curtain down on Gareth Taylor’s reign as manager of their Women’s Super League side. Today the club announced their decision to part ways with the head coach, 52, just under a week before their League Cup decider duel with Chelsea. Manchester City have parted ways with Gareth Taylor with their WSL team currently fourth and 12 points behind leaders ChelseaCredit: GettyThe club’s decision to part ways with Taylor, 52, comes a day after the team reached this year’s FA Cup semi-finalsCredit: ReutersFormer City Women’s boss Nick Cushing will take charge of the WSL side on an interim basis for rest of this seasonCredit: GettyFormer City Women’s boss Nick Cushing will return to take charge of the side on a temporary basis. The Chester-born head coach managed City for seven years from 2013 guiding the team to their first and only WSL title triumph to date in 2016. Taylor’s departure comes with the Cityzens currently sitting fourth in the top tier after winning 10 of the 16 league games they have played so far this term. The team are fourth and one point and one place outside of the WSL’s top three spots for Champions League qualification. Read More Football StoriesThis follows them losing four and drawing two of their league games this season. In a statement, Man City’s women’s managing director Charlotte O’Neill said: “Manchester City prides itself on competing at the top of the WSL and on its outstanding record of qualifying for European competition. “Unfortunately, results this season have so far not reached this high standard.”With six games of the WSL campaign remaining, we believe that a change of management will breathe fresh life into our bid to ensure qualification for the 2025/26 UEFA Women’s Champions League.Most read in Football”We would like to place on record our thanks to Gareth for all of his efforts during his many years at City. “Our FA Cup and League Cup triumphs will remain special moments in the history of this football club.”“We wish him all the best for the future.”City’s decision to end Taylor’s reign comes just over 12 months after he signed a three-year deal with the club to remain in charge of their women’s side. During his tenure of almost five years at City’s helm, Taylor guided the team to an FA Cup win after a 3-1 defeat of Everton in May 2020. This was followed by a League Cup triumph in March 2022 when his side beat Emma Hayes’ Chelsea 3-1 at Plough Lane. This season Man City have lost ground in the race for the WSL title with leaders Chelsea 12 points ahead at the summit.  Recent results include a 1-1 draw with ninth-placed West Ham on March 5 with Manuela Pavi netting a stoppage-time equaliser following Khadija Shaw’s 80th-minute goal. Away from the pitch City were at the centre of a dramatic transfer saga this January with Chloe Kelly sealing a loan move to Arsenal. The departure of the forward, who netted England’s tournament-winning goal at the 2022 Euros, followed her struggle for minutes this term. After making six WSL appearances for the team this season, Kelly issued a bombshell exit plea before making her January 30 Arsenal switch. Her current contract with City, whom she joined in July 2020, is set to expire in June. Man City are due to play Chelsea in the Women’s League Cup final at Pride Park on March 15Credit: PASince joining the Gunners the forward netted her first league goal of the season in their 4-3 defeat of West Ham last weekend.  READ MORE SUN STORIESOn Sunday Man City reached the semis of this year’s FA Cup after beating Aston Villa 2-0 in the quarter-final. They will face neighbours Man United in the contest’s semi-finals next month. More

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      Kalvin Phillips could be set for fairytale Leeds transfer return after former club scout on-loan Man City star

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      KALVIN PHILLIPS could be set for a fairytale return to Leeds as the club plan for life in the Premier League.Daniel Farke’s side are clear favourites to win the Championship and secure a return to the top-flight.Kalvin Phillips could make a sensational return to LeedsCredit: RexPhillips previously spent 12 years at LeedsCredit: GettyAnd the Elland Road side are already looking to build a squad that can survive.Leeds scouts have been tracking the progress of Phillips, who has spent this season on loan at Ipswich from Manchester City.The ex-England midfielder is likely to leave the Etihad at the end of the season with Ipswich looking doomed to relegation.Phillips left his boyhood club for City back in 2022 in a £45million deal.Read More in FootballHe’s had a nightmare time at the Etihad, playing just 16 times in the Premier League in two seasons before being loaned to West Ham and then the Tractor Boys.But Phillips remains a firm favourite among fans in Yorkshire, and would be welcomed back to Leeds with open arms.Phillips’ social media activity would suggest his ties to the club remain strong.Last week he commented on the form of Leeds’ flying winger Dan James, who is continuing to set the Championship alight.Most read in ChampionshipCheltenham Festival betting offers and free betsThe Welshman has discovered a new side to himself over the last two seasons at Elland Road, having managed 23 goals and 17 assists in 76 appearances since returning from his loan at Fulham.Only Joel Piroe has more Championship goal contributions for Leeds this season, with the team currently topping the league table with 11 games to play.Frank Lampard shows his disappointment after Coventry defeat to Leeds With three goals and four assists to his name in February, the 27-year-old was awarded Championship Player of the Month.Responding to the news, Phillips liked the official post.The Whites will likely be planning for promotion back to the Premier League as the season comes to a close. And they have been heavily linked with a move for Roma striker Tammy Abraham.Manor Solomon’s future at Elland Road will also be a top priority.The on-loan midfielder has already registered seven goals and seven assists in the league this season. More

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      Pep Guardiola in secret Spain trip to save marriage as he refuses to give up hope after divorce announcement

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      PEP Guardiola has made a secret three-day trip to Barcelona to rescue his marriage — staying with wife Cristina at their home.The Man City boss has “not given up hope on his marriage” despite a divorce announcement in January, sources say.Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola flew to Spain to try to rescue his marriage to Cristina SerraCredit: SplashPep and Cristina had announced plans to divorce, but he is not giving up on their marriageCredit: GettyPep, 54, took a private jet from Manchester to Barcelona just hours after his team’s 3-1 win against Plymouth in the FA Cup last Saturday.City had seven days without a game ahead of yesterday’s Premier League defeat against Nottingham Forest.A source said: “They spent three nights together in Barcelona, both staying at the family home.“Pep went out on Monday to the dentist and Cristina went to her fashion shop in the city centre.READ MORE ON PEP GUARDIOLA“They met up again at the shop and spent three hours there before returning to the house to spend the evening together. “Pep left for Manchester on Tuesday morning.”The trip has given rise to hopes that the couple will save their marriage.They drifted apart after Cristina, 52, moved back to Barcelona in 2019.Most read in FootballManchester City were approached for comment on behalf of Pep.Henry reveals sympathy for Pep Guardiola after own marriage split with Man City boss ‘not usual self’ More

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      Nottingham Forest 1 Man City 0: Callum Hudson-Odoi scores late winner that could propel his side into Champions League

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      THANKS to Callum Hudson-Odoi, Forest’s fans can now start to imagine the Champions League theme tune being played at the City Ground next season.Hudson’s Odoi’s winner with seven minutes left proved beyond doubt that Forest now have a brilliant chance of making a long-awaited return to European club football’s top competition.Callum Hudson-Odoi scored Nottingham Forest’s winner against Man CityCredit: ReutersIt’s a major boost in their Champions League hopesCredit: GettyWith 10 games left, they are four points clear of CIty. No-one, absolutely no-one, could have imagined this at the start of what is proving to be a dream season at Forest.Meanwhile, for Pep Guardiola, this was a ninth Premier League loss and his team were truly awful.In a week which saw Alisson deliver a one-man wondershow away to PSG for Liverpool, fellow Brazilian keeper Ederson was caught out badly at his near post for the Hudson-Odoi goal.And this came after he made a decent save from the same player earlier in the second half.READ MORE IN footballSo now for Forest, it is home draws with Liverpool and Arsenal followed by this win over City. This is definitely the type of form which gets you a top four or top five spot.England assistant manager Anthony Barry was here with Thomas Tuchel to name his first squad on Friday and Hudson-Odoi certainly gave himself a chance.In contrast, City’s Phil Foden had little influence and then looked peed off when he was replaced by Kevin de Bruyne with 21 minutes left.Yet despite City bringing on both the Belgian midfielder and forward Omar Marmoush, Forest held firm in a similar cat-and-mouse type of game to the 1-1 draw with Arsenal. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSOnly on this occasion, they stuck the knife in right at the end and as you could imagine, there were jubilant  scenes at the end.It was certainly a lively ending to an otherwise dismal game which had promised so much but delivered very little.For much of the game, Guardiola stood on the touchline with both hands on his head although when Hudson-Odoi grabbed the winner, he was sat on the bench and just took a giant swig of water. At that point, he must have admitted it was something stronger.For Forest, this was a game which started and finished with a standing ovation. There was applause in the third minute for club legend Stuart Pearce who is recovering after failing ill on a transatlantic fight and a “get well soon, Stuart” message flashed up on the big screen.This tribute to the former England no 3 came in the third minute with the home fans singing the name of the ex left-back.Soon after, as City looked to get off to a flying start, Erling Haaland was understandably baffled when he was not given a corner even though his goal-bound shot, which seemed to be heading towards the bottom corner, was deflected wide by Murillo.Bernardo SIlva also showed his complete dismay at what was a poor decision by referee Chris Kavanagh.With Forest struggling to get out of their own half, Nico Gonzalez thumped a shot wide and then delivered an attempt so high and wide it probably ended up in the club shop – but Notts County’s on the other side of the Trent.City’s first official shot on target,  if you do not include the early Haaland strike, came through Jeremy Doku and that was just before half-timeAnd 30 seconds later, Chris Wood also chipped in with Forest’s only shot on target but this attempted lob sailed into the arms of Ederson.Forest were better in the second half and they managed the best chance of the game but City keeper Ederson got down low to his left to turn Hudson-Odoi’s shot against the post.Guardiola made his changes, bringing on Rico Lewis and Mateo Kovacic at first and De Bruyne and Marmoush soon after.De Bruyne had an immediate chance but lifted his effort into the away end and then hammered a free-kick straight at Matz Sels.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut just when you thought Forest might settle for a point, they turned three points into three.Morgan Gibbs-White launched a long ball to Hudson-Odoi who was given an incredible amount of time and space by Josko Gvardiol. He then hammered an effort which Ederson should have saved by no-one at the City Ground was complaining.Pep Guardiola looks on in frustrationCredit: AlamyIt was a famous win for ForestCredit: Getty More

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      Nottingham Forest and Man City fans pay emotional tribute to Stuart Pearce after England legend’s health scare on flight

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      NOTTINGHAM FOREST and Man City fans sent an emotional message of support to Stuart Pearce after the England great’s health scare.The Sun revealed on Friday that Pearce had suffered a medical emergency onboard a trans-Atlantic flight, forcing it to make an emergency landing in Canada.Stuart Pearce suffered a health scare onboard a trans-Atlantic flightCredit: GettyFans paid tribute to the legend of the game on the third minuteCredit: GettyFans applauded their former starCredit: TNT SPORTSFans held up a banner in support of their heroCredit: AFP or licensorsDuring Saturday’s lunchtime kick off between Forest and City – two of Pearce’s former clubs – supporters stood for a round of applause in the third minute.’Get well Stuart’ was displayed on the big screen at the City Ground, and the TNT Sports commentators also paid tribute to the legendary defender.Fans in the stands also displayed a banner showing support for the hero.Pearce, 62, wore the number three for many of his former clubs and when playing for the Three Lions too.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe icon of the English game played some 460 times for Forest, winning to League Cups with the club.While he also managed the historic club for 32 games between 2014 and 2015.It was Manchester City where he ended his incredible career, playing just one season with the Cityzens and making 43 appearances.He then took charge City in his first ever managerial role, seeing the club through 97 games between 2005 and 2007.Most read in FootballStuart Pearce spent most of his career as a Nottingham Forest playerCredit: GettyHe played out his final season as a pro with Manchester CityCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdForests official X account also tweeted “Psycho” with a love heart on the third minute, a tribute to Pearce’s nickname during his playing days.Pearce, who represented England 78 times, was taken to hospital after his mid-air scare and is now recovering. Tony Cascarino & Stuart Pearce recall hilarious memories during Irish Sun’s Goals Live eventStaff on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner checked him constantly and decided to change course to land at St John’s in Canada early on Monday.Medics rushed on board and took the former Nottingham Forest defender to hospital.He and his partner had been in the economy section of Flight VS156 that left the US at 8.45pm last Sunday.A source said: “Stuart’s pains appeared to be getting worse as the flight continued.“He was constantly shifting position in his seat to try and find some comfort.“It was very clear the situation was serious. The crew and other passengers trained in first aid were marvellous.“He received the best available care in the circumstances and was so grateful to everyone involved, and for the plane diverting to Canada.”READ MORE SUN STORIESA Virgin Atlantic spokesperson said last night: “Due to an unwell customer on board, the VS156 on March 2 flying from Las Vegas to London Heathrow diverted to St John’s International Airport, Canada, and was met by the medical services.“The safety and well-being of our customers and crew is always our number one priority and we apologise for the delay to our customers’ journey.” More

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      ‘He’s so famous’ – Pep Guardiola gives blunt nine-word answer when asked about Jack Grealish’s night out at social club

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      PEP GUARDIOLA appears to be growing frustrated with Jack Grealish’s high jinks off the park.The £100million star was pictured in the North East’s North Biddick Social Club on Sunday night clearly enjoying himself.Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola appears to be growing frustrated with Jack GrealishMan City star Grealish was pictured in the North East’s North Biddick Social Club on Sunday nightCredit: X @footballbreakzHe is understood to have put at least £500 behind the bar for the locals of the club that describes itself as “Washington’s No 1 entertainment venue”.Last month, he was snapped leaving a swanky London eatery at the same time as a mystery blonde, quipping: “She’s not with me!”Guardiola insists he is happy to let his players lead their own lives when they are off duty.When asked about Grealish’s night out near Sunderland, he acidly replied: “He’s so famous. People follow him. Nothing to comment.”Read More on FootballThe Manchester City boss went on to suggest that being Jack the lad is one thing,  producing performances on the pitch is quite another.Asked about his players’ behaviour when they have time to themselves, he said: “They know what they have to do.“A day off is a day off, there is no training. They have private lives to do whatever they want. I’m not going to control what they do in their private life.“I judge what I see on the pitch, the training sessions and the performances in the game.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSGuardiola’s judgement of Grealish, who turns 30 in September,  in terms of the number of games he is selecting him for, indicates that he is far from entertained.City visit Nottingham Forest on Saturday in a clash crucial to both clubs’ chances of making next season’s Champions League.Man City boss Pep Guardiola apologises to Jack Grealish with England man playing just 604 Premier League minutes Grealish impressed in a central midfield role the last time the sides met on December 4, with City winning 3-0.But reminded of that display, edgy Pep replied: “That was a long time ago.”Since then, Grealish has started only one Premier League game, in a 2–1 defeat against the Aston Villa team he left for City four years ago.Pep did apologise to the Treble winner a month ago for not giving him enough minutes on the pitch, saying  the performances of Jeremy Doku and Savinho had forced his hand.But he also added: “Savinho is in better shape and everything than Jack and that’s why I play Savinho.“You can say it’s unfair. If you think that, it’s fine, but you have to prove, ‘OK, I’m going to fight with Savinho, to deserve to play in that position’, every single day, every single week and every single month.”Sympathy fadingAny lingering sympathy Guardiola still had for Grealish appears to be fading.And he stressed: “I wanted Jack at his best. But he had setbacks and didn’t play. “That was sometimes for the injuries, he could not get the rhythm that you need for being ready every three days.”Grealish did start in last Saturday’s 3-1 FA Cup fifth-round win over Plymouth but as part of an eleven–change team.But while Guardiola says he is fit to face Forest after seven days without a game, he is far from guaranteed a start.Grealish’s dip in form this season — he has only two goals in 26 appearances — means he is sweating on being selected for Thomas Tuchel’s start as England manager.Grealish wants England returnHis first squad will be announced on Thursday for the World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia.Guardiola said: “I want the best not just for Jack but for everyone.“Jack played really good the last game and hopefully he can have the consistency and I understand all the frustrations of all my players.“It’s so good to have a dream to play in the World Cup with his national team. I’m not bothered with that.READ MORE SUN STORIES“What happens in terms of Jack, in terms of everyone, they will be treated at the end of the season but now we are playing for many important things.”Meanwhile, Guardiola confirmed defender Nathan Ake will miss the rest of the season after foot surgery and now faces a race against time to be fit for this summer’s Club World Cup. More

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      Champions League’s fastest players revealed as Erling Haaland claims top spot and team-mate same speed as Kylian Mbappe

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      ERLING HAALAND has clocked the fastest speed in the Champions League this season.And the 24-year-old’s under the radar Manchester City team-mate hit the same pace as Real Madrid speedster Kylian Mbappe.Erling Haaland hit the fastest speed in the Champions League this seasonReal Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe completes the top threeBut Mbappe won where it counts after bagging a hat-trick in City’s second leg visit to the Bernabeu in the last 16 play-offs.And Haaland wasn’t fit enough to play as Madrid beat Pep Guardiola’s side 6-3 on aggregate and knocked them out of Europe.It was not a European campaign to remember for the Premier League champions, but some of City’s players still caught the eye with their pace.Haaland reached a top speed of 22.9mph, making him the quickest player in Europe’s elite club competition.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe Norwegian striker is known for racing past defenders, so his ranking may not surprise many fans.But it is somewhat of a shock to see his team-mate Matheus Nunes placing fourth on the list (22.6mph).Nunes started six of City’s 10 Champions League games and clocked the same speed as Mbappe.The midfielder is just behind Paris Saint-Germain right back Achraf Hakimi (22.7mph) who comes in second.Most read in Champions LeagueCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBrest’s Mama Balde (22.4mph) completes the top five.Hakimi played a full 90 minutes for the French champions as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool on Wednesday.Erling Haaland’s salary is only ninth biggest in football with Chelsea flop Koulibaly earning more than Man City starPSG defied the odds and penned Arne Slot’s side back for most of the game, registering 29 shots to Liverpool’s two.But Alisson’s heroic performance of nine outstanding saves was rewarded by Harvey Elliot’s late smash-and-grab winner.Mbappe fared much better as Real beat city rivals Atletico 2-1 to ensure they have a slim advantage heading into the second leg at the Metropolitano.January signing Abduqodir Khusanov (22.1mph) was the third City player to make up the top 10.City spent £33million to sign Khusanov from Ligue 1 outfit Lens at the start of the year.There is still plenty of time for these numbers to change as teams enter the business end of the Champions League over the coming weeks.The return legs of the last 16 ties will be played next week.Matheus Nunes clocked the same speed as Mbappe More

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      Hugo Viana knows how to turn Man City around after overcoming violent fans and mass exodus to rebuild club with Amorim

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      REPLACING Txiki Begiristain, Pep Guardiola’s lieutenant for 12 years and a close personal pal, is a formidable task in itself.But when the new job means overseeing the mass overhaul of a club which has dominated for nearly a decade?Hugo Viana has the immense task of replacing Txiki Begiristain at Man CityCredit: GettyViana has completed a major rebuild before at Sporting Lisbon while dealing with furious fansCredit: GettyViana oversaw the rebuild of Sporting with Ruben Amorim as managerCredit: GettyNow that really is enough to get the knees knocking.Yet when Viana officially starts work in June, it will be City’s new director of football — as much as Guardioia — who is responsible for reshaping the future.Nearly half the side which won a record-breaking four Prem titles on the bounce — but have never been in the hunt for a fifth — are nearing their sell-by date.After a Champions League schooling from Real Madrid saw them miss out on the last 16 for the first time in 12 years, even manager Guardiola admitted it was the end of an era.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLKyle Walker has gone; Ilkay Gundogan looks to be in his final season, and big doubts hang over Kevin De Bruyne, Ederson, John Stones and Bernardo Silva. Urgent and major surgery is needed.Some doubt whether Guardiola himself will stick around for the remaining two years of his contract.Viana, one of Europe’s most elegant midfielders as a player, faces a mission so intimidating many would buckle before they checked in.But not the new supremo from Sporting. He knows what it is like to walk into a club in REAL disarray.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSTwo months before Viana went to the Lisbon outfit in August 2018, raging fans stormed the training ground after missing out on the Champions League, attacking players and staff.Seven stars — including four of Portugal’s World Cup squad — terminated their contracts although Bruno Fernandes later stayed on. It was a club in chaos. Pep Guardiola admits ‘best team won’ as Real Madrid knock Man City out of Europe But Viana’s eye for talent and Midas touch in the transfer market brought a domestic cup double in his first season and first title in 19 years the next.There was a ruthless side, too, getting through three managers in 15 months, before taking a punt on an untried rookie from Braga in Ruben Amorim.The second of those was Jorge Manuel Rebelo Fernandes, known to Wolves fans as Silas, who made just 14 appearances in three dismal years at Molineux.Yet despite being axed for Amorim after six months, he still reckons his old Portugal pal from their playing days will have no trouble handling the heat at City.I worked with him for six months but saw his ability to revive a club that was in free fall when others would have thrown in the towel or collapsed.Jorge Manuel Rebelo FernandesSilas, now boss of Uniao Leiria, insisted: “You have to realise Hugo went to Sporting with almost no experience as a sports director when it needed a total reconstruction.“There was an internal rebellion, fans were violent and key men like William Carvalho, Rafael Leao and Rui Patricio — the backbone of the team — left, many for free. “It was a huge economic loss for Sporting and, a few months later, Hugo asked me to help — and you can’t say ‘no’ to a friend.“Sadly, I arrived in the midst of a crisis but in those difficult moments, with all these problems, Hugo did a fantastic job.“I worked with him for six months but saw his ability to revive a club that was in free fall when others would have thrown in the towel or collapsed.They made the perfect choice.Jorge Manuel Rebelo Fernandes“But Hugo was always so calm, never got angry and the results in his tenure spoke for themselves. There is no doubt he was the cornerstone of the resurgence.“Sporting was an intensive course for him where he learnt to solve problems in a high-pressure environment.”Viana’s stand-out success is his ability to rebuild a team, and when Amorim arrived, he did so virtually from scratch. City were certainly impressed.Silas added: “Hugo brought in the likes of Pedro Porro, Joao Palhinha and Morten Hjulmand, and made millions from selling Bruno Fernandes, Manuel Ugarte, Matheus Nunes and others.“I am not surprised City didn’t hesitate to sign him.READ MORE SUN STORIES“In Pep, they have the best coach in the world and I’m sure the two of them will work well together.“They made the perfect choice.” More