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      Fans are only just realising the Champions League will never look the same again after this week

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      FANS of the Champions League are only just realising that after this week’s round of fixtures the competition will never look the same again.That’s because starting from next season, there will be no group stage in the competition.
      The group stage will be scrapped next season in favour of the Swiss modelCredit: Rex
      A change in the Champions League’s format will see it expand from 32 to 36 teams next season.
      And that’s because Uefa bigwigs approved to change the format to a “Swiss league”.
      That will mean that the competition’s group stage will be replaced by a 36 team league with teams playing eight times rather than the current six.
      These eight games will be played against eight different teams.
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      The games will be against seeded opposition and not at random, with a focus being on creating a balanced and fair fixture list for clubs in the competition.
      The top eight from the final league table will progress to the knockout stage automatically.
      They will then be joined by the eight winners of the play-offs between sides placed ninth to 24th in the table.
      The bottom eight teams will then be knocked out of the competition.
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      The expansion of the competition means in theory the Premier League’s top five teams could all qualify for next season’s Champions League.
      Currently, four teams can qualify for the Champions League but five clubs will qualify next season if English teams perform well in Europe.
      With Manchester City winning the Champions League and West Ham winning the Europa Conference, England would have had five places in this season’s Champions League if the system was implemented last year.
      In fact, in five of the past six seasons – or seven of the last 11 – England would have been handed an extra spot for being among the best two performing nations.
      But things are looking less secure this year.
      The Premier League needs as many teams as possible to go deep in Europe and Manchester United and Newcastle are both on the brink of crashing out of the Champions League. More

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      Sky Sports legend reveals he was pulled apart from Fergie by Man Utd icon’s daughter after Cristiano Ronaldo question

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      SKY SPORTS legend Geoff Shreeves revealed he had a bust-up with Sir Alex Ferguson and needed Denis Law’s daughter to pull them apart. Shreeves was with the broadcaster for over three decades before leaving them this year.
      Sir Alex Ferguson and Cristiano Ronaldo pictured in 2008Credit: Getty
      Sky Sports legend Geoff Shreeves was involved in a bust-up with Fergie over RonaldoCredit: Getty
      He has since joined CBS Sports in America on their Golazo show.
      During his time in England, Shreeves interviewed some of the biggest names in footballing history.
      But it was not always plain sailing, especially with United icon Fergie.
      He told BettingSites: “They were such huge characters.
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      “Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger and Mourinho, along with Pep and Jurgen, they’re the five grand dukes I loved dueling with the most.
      “When you’re going in there to interview them, you’re trying to get an answer for your viewers, so it’s how far you are willing to push them; a lot of that depends on your relationship with them. 
      “I never fell out with Mourinho. Pep I’ve had a few frosty exchanges with, and Arsene Wenger didn’t take it too well when I asked him if he thought he might be relieved of his duties after they just lost 8-2 at Old Trafford. That didn’t go so well.
      “One time I did an interview with Cristiano Ronaldo which Sir Alex took exception to and he had a pop at me.
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      “I had a pop back and then he physically jumped towards me, and a press officer – Dennis Law’s daughter – jumped in between us and said, ‘Stop this, stop this’.”
      Shreeves was best known for his pitchside reporting and post-match interviews.
      He even featured on EA Sports’ popular FIFA gaming franchises and admitted his departure from Sky was partially down to money.
      Shreeves revealed: “There was a reduction in money, but the offer they made me was good.
      “I could have easily taken it, but it didn’t leave me much room to do anything else.
      “I was interested in documentaries, in film, in podcasts and production in general as well.
      “So I had to make a decision. Do I stay here now, and realistically see out my career here?
      “It was a hard decision because one of the most difficult things in life, I always say, is knowing when to leave a really good party.
      “Stay too late, everybody’s drunk and you wish you’d gone earlier. Go too early, you’ve missed all the fun.
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      “I just thought, you know what, now it’s a good time to go, so I’ll go. I wouldn’t rule out working with Sky in the future at some point.
      “They might have ruled me out, but I wouldn’t rule out working with them again.”
      Shreeves left Sky after 31 years with the broadcasterCredit: Getty More

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      Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest ‘chasing same manager after approaching former Premier League boss’

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      CRYSTAL PALACE and Nottingham Forest are allegedly “chasing the same manager” with both looking to make potential changes.The Eagles and Forest are both slumped down in the lower reaches of the Premier League after disappointing starts to the campaign.
      Julen Lopetegui is on the radar of two Premier League clubsCredit: Getty
      Pressure is mounting on Roy Hodgson at Crystal PalaceCredit: Rex
      Palace have won just four times in 16 matches, piling pressure on veteran boss Roy Hodgson.
      And speculation continues to claim that Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis could replace Steve Cooper – despite supporters still very much showing their support for their manager.
      Now a fresh report in Spain has claimed that Julen Lopetegui is wanted by both teams.
      The 57-year-old former Spanish national team and Real Madrid boss is currently a free agent.
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      He impressed last season in the Premier League after taking over at Wolves in November and led them away from danger to a 13th finish.
      However, following a disagreement with Molineux chiefs over the direction that the club was going in, he left the club just days before the start of this season.
      Lopetegui is allegedly still living in England due to his desire to land another job in our top-flight.
      And now he may not have to wait too much longer for an opportunity.
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      Marca claim that Palace have “already approached” Lopetegui about potentially replacing Hodgson, but Forest are “the most interested” in him.
      This update states that he has been “updating himself” by watching a lot of live matches throughout his time out of the game.
      He has also visited Manchester City to chat with Pep Guardiola and is believed to have enjoyed a recent three-hour meeting with England’s Gareth Southgate as well.
      Lopetegui remains “waiting” for something to come up and this report is saying that Forest have already “sounded out” his availability.
      But with Palace also already being in touch with an approach, it looks set to be a straight out fight for his services from the two strugglers.
      Steve Cooper is under huge pressure at Nottingham ForestCredit: Getty More

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      Man Utd have just ONE Premier League match in January as seven fixtures are changed for TV

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      MANCHESTER UNITED will have to play just one Premier League game in January due to schedule changes.As things stand, the Red Devils will face Wigan and Tottenham at the start of the new year.
      Man Utd have just two games scheduled for JanuaryCredit: Reuters
      Should they defeat Wigan in the FA Cup, one more game will be added to their January schedule at the end of the month.
      However, United’s only Prem outing will be a home clash with Tottenham on January 14.
      Erik ten Hag’s side were originally set to face Wolves in the league on January 30, but that fixture has been moved to February 1 so it can be shown live on TNT Sports.
      The fixture change will likely come as a relief for Man Utd as the club continue to manage several injuries.
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      Casemiro is not expected to return until mid-January due to a hamstring injury.
      Lisandro Martinez is also unavailable until the beginning of 2024 as he continues to nurse a foot injury.
      The lack of fixtures in January could also see Tyrell Malacia re-introduced to the squad for the first time this season.
      Malacia has not made an appearance for the Red Devils since last season due to a knee issue.
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      Christian Eriksen, Mason Mount and Amad Diallo are also expected to return from injury in the coming weeks.
      The light new year schedule could provide the perfect opportunity for all three players to build up their game time.
      Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal, Aston Villa vs Newcastle, Tottenham vs Brentford, Man City vs Burnley, Liverpool vs Chelsea and West Ham vs Bournemouth have also been moved to accommodate TV scheduling on TNT Sports. More

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      Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp honoured with never-before-seen eight euro banknote of iconic goal

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      DENNIS BERGKAMP will be honoured with a never-before-seen eight euro banknote which pays homage to one of his most iconic goals. The Royal Enschede printing company – responsible for making Holland’s currency – have been instructed to produce the unique note.
      Dennis Bergkamp will be honoured with a banknote which pays homage to one of his goals
      Bergkamp’s iconic goal against Argentina in the 1998 World CupCredit: AFP
      It will include images of Bergkamp’s wondergoal in the 1998 World Cup quarter-final against Argentina.
      The first ten notes will be limited edition, printed on paper made of 23-carat gold leaf and released next Sunday in Amsterdam
      Bergkamp – who wore the No8 shirt for his country – becomes the first Dutch sportsman or woman to be given this honour.
      The Arsenal legend made 79 appearances with the Netherlands, scoring 37 goals.
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      But he retired in 2006 with the Gunners following a trophy-laden career that included three Premier League titles and four FA Cups.
      And Bergkamp is now looking to move into ownership of a club.
      The former forward was part of a consortium that tried to purchase Wycombe Wanderers.
      But a deal fell through at the 11th hour as the club was sold to a different bidder.
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      Bergkamp’s consortium included other former football stars such as Phillip Cocu, Ronald Koeman, Dirk Kuyt and Henrik Larsson.
      The acquisition of a club is still a “dream” for Bergkamp and he is aiming for one in League One.
      He told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf: “Wycombe Wanderers was a nice project – and we were very far along with it. It only fell through at the end.
      “Together with Phillip Cocu, Ronald Koeman, Dirk Kuyt, Henrik Larsson and (agent) Rob Jansen we were going to buy the shares.
      “It is still a dream of mine to develop players, run an academy, and use all our knowledge and experience to get promoted.
      “Not with a foreign billionaire who puts in a lot of money just to go up quickly.
      “If you have a group of former top footballers together then you just start lower.
      “I am convinced that with a club in League One, with real football knowledge, you can get promoted to the Championship within five years, ten years at most.”
      Bergkamp wants to own a football clubCredit: Getty More

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      Rio Ferdinand reveals five wingers who would help Hojlund score for Man Utd including Dwight McNeil and Jacob Murphy

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      RIO FERDINAND has named the five wingers that could get Rasmus Hojlund firing for Manchester United.The forward joined the Red Devils from Atalanta in a £72million summer deal.
      Rasmus Hojlund is yet to score or assist in the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty
      Rio Ferdinand believes that Hojlund needs better service from United’s wingersCredit: Alamy
      Hojlund, 20, has shown promise in the Champions League, bagging five goals in five games in Europe.
      He has struggled in the Premier League, however, failing to score or assist in 12 appearances thus far.
      Man Utd legend Ferdinand believes that Hojlund has suffered from a lack of quality service this term.
      Marcus Rashford has endured a dip in form, while Antony has failed to deliver.
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      Jadon Sancho has meanwhile been banished from the first-team squad since September.
      With none of United’s wingers currently doing the business, Ferdinand has named the wide men he reckons would get Hojlund scoring.
      Speaking on his Vibe With Five show, the 45-year-old said: “If Man United had [Michael] Olise, Jack Harrison, [Dwight] McNeil at Everton, Jacob Murphy at Newcastle – any one of those four wingers, I reckon he [Hojlund] would have five or six goals by now.
      “Why? Because they cross the ball. All four of those boys, their first thought is, get the ball, head down, either beat the full-back and cross or give me a yard and cross the ball.”
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      Ferdinand believes Michael Olise could be a great fit for Man Utd
      The ex-United star also believes the Red Devils would benefit from a player like Jack Harrison
      McNeil has been in form for Everton in recent weeks
      Jacob Murphy is also a top pick for Ferdinand
      Ferdinand also believes Jarrod Bowen would help United
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      Ferdinand then added: “He [Hojlund] needs service. [Jarrod] Bowen [is another who would help.
      “These guys want to provide, we’ve got wingers who either want to get a shot off, shoot, beat someone.”
      The former defender then blasted United’s transfer policy in recent years – claiming that only one has managed to retain his value.
      He continued: “If you look at it, what player has gone to Man United and got better?
      “[Raphael] Varane has got worse, Casemiro has gone backwards now, their value and worth.
      “Bruno [Fernandes] is the only one who you’d get good money for. He’s the only one, who else?
      “[Aaron] Wan-Bissaka, you ain’t getting £50million for Wan-Bissaka. You ain’t getting what they paid for [Diogo] Dalot, I’m sure. Amad Diallo… I could go through them all.
      “I don’t know who comes in. Would you get the same money for Hojlund? No. Sancho? No. I could keep going… [Donny] Van de Beek.”
      Read more on The Sun
      Man Utd host Bayern Munich in a crunch Champions League clash this evening.
      In order to qualify, Erik ten Hag’s side need to beat Harry Kane and Co and hope that Copenhagen draw with Galatasaray.
      Rio Ferdinand believes that Bruno Fernandes is the only Man Utd signing to have retained their valueCredit: EPA More

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      How Todd Boehly became world’s most generous sports owner as LA Dodgers break MLB record for Ohtani after Chelsea spree

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      TODD BOEHLY has made waves since taking over from Chelsea thanks to his splurges in the transfer market.This summer, moves for the likes of Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia and Cole Palmer saw his spending since taking over from Roman Abramovich break the £1billion mark.
      Todd Boehly has just broke the record for the biggest contract handed out in MLB historyCredit: Getty
      Shohei Ohtani is on a $700million contract at the LA DodgersCredit: Reuters
      Boehly also owns American baseball team the LA Dodgers and his latest deal to bring Shohei Ohtani to the franchise will see the pitcher paid as much as $700million over 10 years.
      In a typical Todd Boehly deal, the contract will be amortised across the duration of his contract.
      Ohtani will be paid $2m a year for the first ten years of his deal but will be paid a deferred $680million in his final season.
      It’s a record-high contract for the MLB, with Ohtani set to become the best paid player in history.
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      Ohtani is 29, meaning he will need to stay at the Dodgers until he is nearly 40 to receive the full $700m.
      This type of long-term deal has been used extensively by Boehly since he took over Chelsea.
      Enzo Fernandez, Mykhailo Mudryk and Moises Caicedo joined The Blues for a combined £310.5m all on contracts of at least eight years.
      The long duration of the contract allows Chelsea to spread the cost paid for these players out over eight years in their accounts – allowing them to fall within FFP constraints.
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      That will soon be a thing of the past though, with Premier League clubs voting to introduce a limit of five years on amortisation going forward.
      Boehly’s deal to bring Ohtani to LA comes after Mauricio Pochettino suggested the club need to dip back into the transfer market in January to sign MORE players.
      He said after Chelsea’s defeat to Everton: “I’m really disappointed. This was a game to play and to win. It’s a problem we need to check.
      “We need to talk and to try and improve in the next transfer market.”
      A striker is thought to be the club’s top priority with Victor Osimhen, Ivan Toney and Viktor Gyokeres all said to be options. More

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      Premier League clubs vote for anti-Chelsea rule with fans stunned to find Todd Boehly’s Blues were one of them

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      PREMIER LEAGUE clubs have voted to limit the period over which transfer fees can be paid to just five years. The decision was made following a vote at a virtual shareholders’ meeting on Tuesday.
      Chelsea have spent £1bn in transfers under Todd BoehlyCredit: Rex
      Todd Boehly’s Chelsea had taken advantage of amortisation rules to sign more than £1BILLION worth of players and spread the cost over a longer period to help balance the books.
      So a player signed for £60m on a six-year contract would cost a team £10m per year in their accounts.
      Enzo Fernandez penned a staggering eight-and-a-half-year deal, while Mykhailo Mudryk and Moises Caicedo both signed eight-year contracts.
      The new rule brings the Premier League in line with Uefa, who set a five-year limit on amortisation in June.
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      It was voted in by 15 Premier League clubs INCLUDING Chelsea, kicks in tomorrow and does not affect existing deals.
      And teams ARE still allowed to give players contracts lasting longer than five years.
      A statement read: “Premier League Shareholders today agreed to amend the rule on amortisation of player registration costs to bring in line with UEFA’s regulations.
      “Going forward, a five-year maximum will apply to all new or extended player contracts.
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      “Clubs also approved a rule amendment to enable the Premier League Board, in circumstances where a Club owes a transfer debt to another Premier League or EFL Club, to stop the Club registering more players until the outstanding payment has been made.
      “The Board can also have the option to deduct the amount from the Club’s entitlement to the League’s central funds.”
      Boehly’s decision to vote for the rule change sparked a frenzy with fans.
      One said: “Why is Chelsea in favour of that.”
      Another added: “Exploited the system then stopped the other teams from copying.”
      One joked: “Take advantage of the loophole and then vote against it. Todd Boehly Masterclass.”
      Another said: “Boehly really be playing 8D chess. Took advantage of the long ass contracts and then chose to vote against so nobody can follow suit” More