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    Postecoglou agrees to become Tottenham boss with Spurs set to pay Celtic £5m compensation and first job is to keep Kane

    ANGE POSTECOGLOU agreed to become the new Spurs boss — and promised to bring attacking football back to the club.The Aussie is set to succeed Antonio Conte on a two-year deal, with an option of another 12 months once a £5million compensation deal is struck with Celtic.
    Tottenham will pay £5million to Celtic for manager Ange PostecoglouCredit: PA
    His first join job will be convincing Harry Kane to stayCredit: AFP
    His first job will be to keep Spurs’ record scorer Harry Kane with Real Madrid and Manchester United keen.
    Tottenham boast a rich history of attacking stars in Cliff Jones, Ossie Ardiles, Glenn Hoddle, Paul Gascoigne and Gareth Bale.
    And Hoddle’s ex-Spurs No 2 John Gorman said: “Can Ange replicate the style of play at Celtic when he goes to Spurs? Definitely. That’s what the fans want.
    “I would think it’s exactly how the fans at Tottenham want to see their team play. They’re an attacking team.”
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    Spurs cranked up talks with Postecoglou, who was on a 12-month rolling deal in Glasgow, after Celtic clinched an eighth treble in Saturday’s Scottish Cup win over Inverness.
    Chairman Daniel Levy had been frustrated in his efforts to bring in Arne Slot, Julian Nagelsmann and Vincent Kompany, while ex-boss Mauricio Pochettino joined Chelsea.
    If Postecoglou, 57,  is announced today it would match the 72-day period between Jose Mourinho’s departure and the start of Nuno Espirito Santo’s short-lived reign in 2021.
    Postecoglou delivered his fifth trophy in two seasons at Celtic.
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    The ex-Australia boss also won titles in his home country and Japan — all with attacking football.
    Now he has a far harder task of ending Spurs’ 15-year wait for silverware.
    It is understood Postecoglou wants to bring his coaching team of John Kennedy, Gavin Strachan and Greg Wallace with him.  
    And the Scottish champs are ready to negotiate compensation.
    That will clear the final hurdle between Postecoglou and the Spurs job.
    Kane, who has one year left on his Spurs contract, is seen as the ideal replacement for Karim Benzema at the Bernabeu.
    Postecoglou will be desperate to see £100m-rated Kane agree to stay for at least one season.
    The chief’s first match in pre-season is back on home soil as Spurs face West Ham in a Perth friendly on July 18. More

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    Fans feel sorry for Wout Weghorst as Burnley RETURN for pre-season before 2022-23 season even finishes

    FOOTBALL fans have been left feeling sorry for Wout Weghorst after Burnley RETURNED for pre-season. The Clarets squad were astonishingly pictured back on the training ground before the 2022/23 season has even concluded.

    Vincent Kompany has already brought his squad back to trainingCredit: PA
    Fans were left feeling sorry for Wout Weghorst, whose season only finished on SaturdayCredit: Getty
    One used an iconic Simpsons’ clip to poke fun at the situationCredit: Twitter/@KarenFaz
    Manchester City, the former club of manager Vincent Kompany still have a Champions League final to play at the weekend.
    However, Weghorst’s and the English domestic season only finished with the FA Cup final last weekend, when City narrowly beat Manchester United 2-1.
    Weghorst, a January signing for United, is set to return to Burnley in pre-season with the Red Devils choosing not to sign him permanently.
    While many stars such as Jay Rodriguez were seen in the group, Weghorst was not spotted with his season only finishing about 48 hours ago.
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    Reacting to the shock return of Kompany’s squad, one fan said: “Wow goodness me. Feels like we’ve just finished! [The] Champions League final hasn’t even happened yet 😂.”
    A second asked: “Wait a minute… the season ended in the EPL and ppl are already returning for training am I missing something here??”
    A third befuddled fan wrote: “Like already…. ???”
    “It’s the 5th of June what’s going on 😂😂,” remarked a fourth.
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    A fifth commented: “Wait, what?! 😂😭 it’s the first week of June?”
    Another typed: “Weghorst,” as they shared a meme of Grampa Simpson walking in and out of a bar from iconic American sitcom The Simpsons.
    The Dutch striker failed to score a league goal during his loan spell at United.
    Despite this, recent reports suggest Everton are interested in a transfer, with Sean Dyche wanting to reunite with the star he brought to the Clarets.
    Under Kompany, Burnley sealed promotion straight back to the top flight after earning 101 points in the Championship. More

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    Much maligned Man Utd centre-back set to be rewarded with new deal after impressing Ten Hag

    ERIK TEN HAG wants to keep Victor Lindelof at Manchester United.The Swedish centre-half is set to be offered fresh terms after an excellent end to the campaign.
    Victor Lindelof has impressed towards the end of the seasonCredit: Jamie McPhilimey
    Erik ten Hag now wants to keep the defenderCredit: Getty
    His Old Trafford deal expires next summer but United are keen to trigger a one-year extension.
    Lindelof started the last 12 games of the season following Lisandro Martinez’s injury, having overtaken Harry Maguire in the pecking order.
    The 28-year-old who was signed from Benfica for £31million in 2017, looked to be heading for the exit until impressing Ten Hag in recent months.
    With United ready to offload Maguire, they want another centre-half, with Napoli’s Kim Min-jae top of boss Ten Hag’s wishlist.
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    The FA and police are looking for the fan who hit Lindelof in the face with a lighter during Saturday’s FA Cup final.
    Many United fans issued apologies to Lindelof following his string of impressive displays, having confessed to “blaming him for Maguire’s mistakes”.
    Indeed, the games United lost in that run came from errors from other players.
    Errors from Maguire and David de Gea saw the Red Devils crash out of the Europa League.
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    In the Premier League, a late Luke Shaw handball against Brighton was followed up by another De Gea error against West Ham as United lost back-to-back games 1-0.
    And there was little he could do in the FA Cup final when he saw his defensive header land at the feet of Ilkay Gundogan before he made it 1-0 after just 12 seconds. More

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    Premier League cult hero unrecognisable as he poses with young Zlatan Ibrahimovic in throwback pic for touching tribute

    A PREMIER LEAGUE cult hero looks unrecognisable in an old picture as he pays tribute to Zlatan Ibrahimovic.The Sweden legend, 41, announced he was hanging up his boots following AC Milan’s Serie A match against Verona.
    A Premier League cult hero paid tribute to former team-mate Zlatan Ibrahimovic after his retirement
    The pair played together at AjaxCredit: Getty – Contributor
    Ibrahimovic announced his retirement at AC Milan’s final game of the seasonCredit: Reuters
    Ibrahimovic was on the sidelines after a calf injury suffered in April ended his campaign.
    Zlatan was visibly moved by the reception he received and choked back tears.
    Emotional supporters were spotted crying in the stands, as their hero said goodbye.
    And after making his announcement many from the footballing world took to social media to pay tribute to the iconic forward.
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    One of which was a former team-mate of Ibrahimovic from his time at Dutch outfit Ajax.
    The pair took very different career paths as Ibra went on to play for Europe’s elite while the other striker made a name for himself in the Premier League.
    He turned out for clubs such as Tottenham, Middlesbrough, Wigan and West Ham before leaving England permanently in 2011.
    His most prolific spell came in his first year at Spurs as he netted 13 goals in 36 Premier League games while on loan from Roma.
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    The player was former Spurs star Mido that paid tribute to ZlatanCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
    He also played for the likes of Wigan, Middlesbrough and West HamCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
    And that player is of course… Mido.
    The Egyptian forward played with Ibrahimovic between 2001 and 2003.
    He posted a snap of himself and the newly retired striker from their youth after just winning the Eredivisie title.
    He wrote: “Congratulations @Ibra_official on a great career.
    “You did your country, family, but mostly yourself proud! Good luck in your next chapter you will do great in anything you will decide to do.
    “It was an honor to play alongside you I have learned a lot of things from you on and off the pitch.
    “God bless you and bless your Family.” More

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    I was Wolves captain and a Premier League star – but I gave it up for a very different career

    AN EX-Wolves captain and Premier League star has now given it all up for a VERY different career.Jody Craddock – a cult figure at Sunderland and Wolves – did not retire when he hung up his boots in 2013.
    Craddock enjoyed successful stints with Sunderland and WolvesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Craddock is a multi-talented artist but his preference is to work with oilCredit: Social Media – Refer to Source
    Craddock is now bombarded with requests to produce art for clubs and players around the worldCredit: Dave Pinegar – The Sun
    Instead, he took up a very different career – as a full-time artist and teacher.
    The former Cambridge and Sunderland centre-back enjoyed painting growing up – simply as a hobby rather than anything serious.
    But as football took precedence, art was forced to take a back seat.
    It was only once at the Stadium of Light that he could afford the quality materials and taught himself to do oil paintings.

    And after a team-mate noticed his secret talent when visiting Craddock’s home, he started to get requests.
    From goal celebrations to players’ children, he would do it all.
    Craddock is now in the midst of a successful second career as an artist, selling work online and producing commissioned work for the sport world.
    And, after a few years of doing it solo, he has taken under his wing an understudy, an apprentice – his son Joseph.
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    Speaking exclusively to SunSport, the pair explained how it all works.
    Former Wolves captain Craddock, 43, said: “We have a good laugh, it’s not all serious. It’s not like a lesson – we stick the TV on.
    “It’s really good bonding time especially for me as they get to the age where they’re on computers and have all this rubbish going on.
    “So it’s nice for us to sit for two or three hours in an evening, have a joke and do a bit of painting.”
    In 2002, Craddock and wife Shelley’s first born, Jake, tragically died at four months and the centre-back used art as a bereavement mechanism.
    Things were slightly different ten years later, though, when Craddock’s youngest boy Toby was diagnosed with leukaemia.
    Craddock found out as he approached the end of his decade at his beloved Wolves – the club he captained into the Premier League in 2008/09 and designed the matchday programmes for in their successful promotion campaign last season.
    Craddock said: “Art was massively important, especially with Jake. Whether it was a bit selfish or not, it was how I could cope with it. I’d just get the canvas out and do some painting.
    “It was a good way for me to, not forget, but just deal with the grief and put it to one side.
    “When I’m in front of the canvas, all I think about is what’s in front of me.
    “It was a bit harder and more difficult with Toby because of course we were more hands-on, in hospital day-in day-out for months.
    “It did take a bit of a back seat when Toby was diagnosed but once he came through it, that’s when I picked it back up again and carried on.”
    Seeing his son Joseph develop into an artist, naturally, makes Craddock Snr incredibly proud.
    But it is the strengthening of the pair’s relationship that matters as much as – if not more than – the artwork itself.
    He added: “We already had the bond obviously but it’s the kind of thing he’ll remember when he’s older and he’ll never forget.
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    “And then to then be selling them is brilliant because there’s not many kids at 14 that can say they’ve sold five paintings.”
    Craddock’s work is on sale here.
    Craddock is a full-time artist and teacherCredit: Social Media – Refer to Source
    Craddock captained Wolves into the Premier League in 2008/09Credit: PA:Press Association More

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    Champions League club ‘approach Wilfried Zaha over free transfer with star on clock to make £200k contract decision’

    ATLETICO MADRID have reportedly made an approach to sign Wilfried Zaha on a free transfer.The Premier League star is currently weighing up whether or not to extend his contract with Crystal Palace.
    Wilfried Zaha is reportedly wanted by Atletico MadridCredit: Getty
    Manager Diego Simeone is said to be a big fan of the Palace starCredit: EPA
    Zaha, 30, has until the end of June to decide whether or not he wants to move on from the South London side before he becomes a free agent.
    The Eagles have offered the key attacker an eye-watering £200k-per-week contract in an effort to keep him at Selhurst Park.
    The contract offer would make him the highest-paid player in the club’s history.
    However as his deal approaches its end, clubs are starting to circle as the Daily Mail have claimed that Atletico Madrid have enquired about a swoop for him.
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    The report suggests that manager Diego Simeone is a “long-term admirer” of the player and tried to sign him in 2020.
    The outlet has also claimed that the Ivory Coast international also has interest from the Middle East and offers from Saudi Arabia.
    Al-Ittihad are reported to have offered Zaha a contract with £9million after tax to join the club next season.
    Zaha will have to make his decision soon so he can prepare for pre-season and be in the best possible condition for his new club or Palace.
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    However, the draw of one of the top clubs in LaLiga could tempt the attacker as it would give him the chance to play Champions League football next season.
    Atletico qualified for the tournament after achieving a 3rd-placed finish in the table.
    Zaha has never played in a European competition in his career before.
    As he is free to discuss moves away from Selhurst Park, it could be a factor that sways his decision. More

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    Wolves star Ruben Neves ‘set to complete free transfer but manager DOESN’T WANT’ Arsenal target

    RUBEN NEVES is reportedly set to complete a free transfer to Barcelona.However there is one issue with the move, manager Xavi does not want the Wolves star.
    Ruben Neves is reportedly on his way to BarcelonaCredit: Getty
    However manager Xavi does not want himCredit: Getty
    And would rather the club signed Martin ZubimendiCredit: Getty
    According to Fichajes, the Spanish boss does not have “absolute confidence” in the Arsenal transfer target to play in the key position.
    Neves is said to have agreed on a four-year contract at the Nou Camp, however, the move still relies on Ansu Fati agreeing terms with Wolves.
    The club will not be spending any money on signing the Portuguese international as he will be involved in a swap deal that will see highly-rated Fati, 20, move the other way.
    Super-agent Jorge Mendes represents both the players and will be handling the negotiations.
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    The report claims that Xavi would prefer to sign a different Arsenal target to play the role instead.
    The outlet suggests that Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi is his preferred choice.
    He has been tipped as one of the best midfielders in Spain, with Xavi suggesting he is an “extraordinary pivot”.
    He said: “They mirror a bit our style of play.
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    “Zubimendi is an extraordinary defensive midfielder, he understands the model we like at Barça, and he dominates with and without the ball.”
    Zubimendi has a release clause of £52million, a transfer that would be a lot more expensive for Barcelona.
    The club is still dealing with the financial issues that have been a hindrance over the last year. More

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    Seven players released by Leicester including star whose strike won the FA Cup after relegation from Premier League

    LEICESTER CITY have confirmed that SEVEN star players have been released after their contracts expired.The Foxes have just been relegated from the Premier League and are in the process of building a team with the aim of a quick promotion out of the Championship.
    Youri Tielemans is one of seven players to be released by Leicester CityCredit: Getty
    Caglar Soyuncu is another player that will leave the clubCredit: PA
    Jonny Evans is in discussions over his futureCredit: Getty
    Among the players to leave the club is Belgian international Youri Tielemans, who has been linked with a host of Premier League clubs.
    The midfielder confirmed that he would be leaving the club last week when he posted an emotional message on Instagram.
    During his time at the club, he became an important member of the midfield and even scored a spectacular winning goal to earn the club victory in the FA Cup final in 2021.
    The goal ended the club’s 13-year wait to win the trophy at Wembley Stadium.
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    Caglar Soyuncu, Daniel Amartey, Nampalys Mendy, Ryan Bertrand, Ayoze Perez and Tete have all also been released.
    Soyuncu is believed to be on his way to LaLiga with reports claiming that he has agreed a deal to join Atletico Madrid.
    Former Champions League winner Bertrand will also leave the club after joining two years ago on a free transfer from Southampton.
    Tete only joined the Foxes in January on a short-term deal but will now return to Shakhtar Donetsk on July 1.
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    Perez leaves permanently having spent the second half of last season out on loan at LaLiga side Real Betis.
    During his time at the King Power Stadium, he made 114 appearances scoring 15 goals and assisting 12 more.
    The club have exercised the option to extend the contract of midfielder Hamza Choudhury until June 2024.
    Meanwhile, discussions are still underway over the future of club captain Jonny Evans ahead of his contract expiry at the end of the month.
    The statement on the club’s website concludes: “The Football Club extends its thanks to all seven players for their contributions during their time with Leicester City and wishes them every success in the next stages of their respective careers.” More