Premier League

CHELSEA and Todd Boehly have reportedly admitted in secret that firing Thomas Tuchel was a mistake.And they still believe sacked successor Graham Potter can shine at a top Premier League club.
Chelsea reportedly admit sacking Thomas Tuchel was a mistakeCredit: PA
Blues chiefs still feel Graham Potter can become a top manager elsewhereCredit: AP
Chelsea axed popular gaffer Tuchel in September after a clash of personalities.
They quickly moved for Brighton boss Potter, handing the Englishman a five-year deal.
But Chelsea’s form took a dismal dive and Potter was shown the door in April.
According to the Mail, Chelsea chiefs including Boehly now acknowledge they made a mistake in sacking Tuchel.
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Although it was clear the German was not the right man to take their project forward, it’s now believed Tuchel should have been given the rest of the season to allow a smoother handover to a new boss this summer.
As for Potter, Chelsea also acknowledge they paid over the odds for his signature after handing over a world-record £21.5million to Brighton.
But despite his shortcomings at Stamford Bridge, Boehly and Co still feel Potter had the qualities to succeed.
And they will not be surprised if he goes on to greater things at another top English side.
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For now, Chelsea are looking to the future after agreeing a three-year deal with ex-Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino.
The Argentine has finally struck terms after weeks of negotiations.
And his arrival is expected to be confirmed this week, although interim Frank Lampard will remain at the helm for Chelsea’s final three matches.
Poch is expected to see a massive overhaul of the Blues’ squad — with most of those being departures.
But he would like to bring in a top-class striker and goalie, as well as a new No6.
Todd Boehly is hoping for brighter things after a chaotic debut seasonCredit: Alamy
Chelsea are set to make Mauricio Pochettino their new managerCredit: PA More

MANCHESTER CITY star Ilkay Gundogan scored a sensational Puskas award contender versus Everton.The ball was crossed into the German from Riyad Mahrez and he controlled it brilliantly before flicking the ball into the back of the net on the volley.

Ilkay Gundogan scored a sensational reverse scorpion kickCredit: Reuters
He managed to flick it beyond a helpless Jordan PickfordCredit: PA
It was Gundogan’s third goal in two gamesCredit: Reuters
Fans were left in awe of the finish and have dubbed it a “reverse scorpion kick”.
One said: “Outrageous. Purely sensational to even attempt it.”
Another reacted: “I almost stood up and applauded. WHAT a goal by Gundogan.”
A third joked: “Call him Silkay Gundogan.”
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And Toffees fans could not believe it: “Everton trying not to get relegated. And Gundogan goes and wins the Puskas award, nice one.”
It put Man City into the lead at Goodison Park and they soon doubled their lead via Erling Haaland.
Gundogan then added a third with a fantastic free-kick as he continued to show off his quality to seal a 3-0 win.
Pep Guardiola’s side were desperate for the three points as they close in on the Premier League title.
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The three points took them four clear of closest challengers Arsenal with just two matches of the season to go.
Gundogan has just a matter of months left on his contract at City.
He has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona.
However, the 32-year-old will not decide on his future until the end of the season and he would have to take a pay cut to join the LaLiga side due to their ongoing financial troubles. More

AJAX’S trip to Groningen on Sunday was ABANDONED after multiple smoke bombs were thrown onto the pitch.The Eredivisie clash was halted just minutes after it started.
Groningen vs Ajax was suspended just minutes after the match kicked offCredit: Rex
Smoke bombs were thrown onto the pitch, while fans also ran on to the field of playCredit: Rex
Smoke was seen billowing in the airCredit: Rex
The game was officially suspended after ten minutesCredit: Rex
It is unclear when the game will be replayedCredit: Rex
A number of smoke bombs were thrown onto the pitch, while a Groningen fan was also seen being wrestled to the ground by security.
Groningen were relegated to the Dutch second tier with a 1-1 draw at Go Ahead Eagles last week, and today’s game was their first at home since being sent down.
It’s thought the home supporters were protesting against the state of affairs at the club.
Play was initially stopped on six minutes before being resumed after a short delay.
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But smoke bombs continued to be launched onto the playing surface.
Referee Jeroen Manschot then halted the game again, and the match was officially abandoned soon after.
Ajax’s players were then seen coming out to applaud the travelling supporters once the chaos had died down.
The Amsterdam outfit tweeted after the game that the club will provide a refund to supporters who went to the game.
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Back in March former Newcastle player Jetro Willems, who plays for Groningen, appeared to be punched by one of his own fans.
The incident came during a 2-0 home defeat to Heerenveen.
Relegation for the club this season ends a 23-year stay in the Dutch top flight. More

ERLING HAALAND used to sneak sweets into his room and watch Hannah Montana, claims his old roommate. Magnus Lundal lived with the Manchester City striker while they were on international duty with Norway’s Under-16s.
Erling Haaland used to sneak sweets in his hotel room as a kidCredit: Getty
Magnus Lundal has revealed all on what Haaland is likeCredit: www.stabak.no
Haaland was just 15-years-old at the time and Lundal has opened up on what he was like behind-the-scenes.
The midfielder, who plays in his homeland with Stabaek, said: “Having lived close to one of the world’s best footballers is something fun to look back on and a cool experience. 
“He was very relaxed and strong in his head and didn’t seem to be very nervous, even though it was his first internationals ever. 
“I saw his psyche was strong and something I knew he would benefit from.
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“It was a special feeling and experience to stay in a room with Erling.
“I remember the first thing that greeted me was that Erling had been to the cinema and bought some sweets. 
“He ran into the hotel and wanted us to hit the elevator as quickly as possible so no coaches could see him. I remember that well.
“He also watched Hannah Montana without thinking it was embarrassing at all, and had a good laugh about it. 
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“Erling is a wonderful guy, and it was incredibly fun to live with him.”
Haaland has scored an incredible 51 goals in 47 games this season and he has won the FWA Footballer of the Year award.
The goal machine even netted twice on his Norway Under-16 debut alongside Lundal versus Sweden.
Despite this, he didn’t think Haaland would go on to have such an exceptional career.
Lundal said: “If someone had said then, in 2015, that he would become one of the very best, it could certainly have happened, but I wouldn’t have been able to predict it then, no. 
“I would probably have been a bit shocked if I had already known then that a few years later he would be so good.” More

SOUTHAMPTON’S dismal Premier League campaign was underlined on Saturday when a 2-0 defeat to Fulham confirmed their relegation.Just six wins from 36 matches leaves them on 24 points, eight points adrift of safety with two games remaining.
Southampton were relegated following a loss to Fulham at St Mary’s on SaturdayCredit: PA
Nathan Jones was sacked after just three months at St Mary’sCredit: Getty
It has been a calamitous season for Saints – who are on their third head coach in six months.
And there have been several embarrassing factors that have compounded the South Coast club’s demise.
One of those was boss Nathan Jones sleeping on a sofa in his office.
Following Ralph Hasenhuttl’s sacking, Jones left Luton to join Southampton.
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But he lasted just three months before being dismissed and replaced by Ruben Selles.
And according to The Telegraph, Saints staff felt Jones’ determination to sleep in his office was a “meaningless gimmick”.
He also stunned fans on Sunday when asked whether he would have kept Southampton in the Premier League had he been given the rest of the season.
Jones, who lost seven of his eight league games in charge, told Sky Sports: “That is something that whatever I answer, it is a bit of a loaded question.
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“If I had got the results, then I know I would have kept improving the team.
“I believe in the work we do, but it is very difficult to turn around and say that because the last thing I want is another headline.
“But I enjoyed my time and now looking forward to the next challenge.”
The Telegraph’s report also revealed a club insider felt Saints’ transfer policy was “insane” as they sold the likes of Oriel Romeu and Jan Bednarek without bringing in replacements.
One member of staff was even said to have described the squad as “basically Prowsey [James Ward-Prowse], Theo [Walcott] and a bunch of children”.
And the atmosphere within the team was understood to have been far from a positive one.
Due to the size of the squad, they had to divide into two dressing rooms.
As reported by The Athletic, some of the younger players also sat on their phones during team meetings.
Being late for training and failing to realise the serious threat of relegation were also criticisms levelled at the inexperienced stars.
And skipper Ward-Prowse, 28, gave a damning assessment of Saints’ season after Fulham sent them down.
He told BBC Sport: “From the first day of pre-season until right now you can tell the standards at the club have slipped.
“We need to go away individually and as a club and assess if we’ve done everything we possibly could. I don’t think we have and that is a shame.”
He then went on to add: “I think as a team and a club overall we’ll think about the season that has gone by.

“Have decisions been right? Have we done everything we could on the pitch? I think we should perform at a better level than we have done.”
Southampton will now begin the 2023/24 campaign in the Championship – their first season outside the top flight since 2012. More

ERLING HAALAND has penned a mega contract with fashion brand Dolce & Gabbana, reports claim.The endorsement deal is reportedly worth up to £2million.
Erling Haaland has reportedly signed an endorsement deal with Dolce & GabbanaCredit: INSTAGRAM
The deal is claimed to be worth up to £2millionCredit: INSTAGRAM
Haaland regularly shows off his eye for fashion on his Instagram accountCredit: INSTAGRAM
The striker has enjoyed a stunning debut campaign at Manchester CityCredit: PA
That is according to The Mail on Sunday, who say Dolce & Gabbana are the first fashion brand to snap up the Manchester City star.
Elsewhere, PrettyLittleThing are also claimed to be keen on signing Haaland up to an endorsement deal.
The 22-year-old went to see PLT founder Umar Kamani at his Dubai mansion in December, but is yet to pen terms with the company.
But The Mail say Dolce & Gabbana have already swooped to agree an endorsement deal with Haaland.
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Etihad goal machine Haaland has been seen wearing the luxury brand on his Instagram profile.
Following the news of his Dolce & Gabbana deal, a source told The Mail: “He’s the man of the moment. He’s massive and Dolce & Gabbana has got hold of him first. 
“This is huge for them. He has brought their clothes to the forefront of his fans’ minds, making them cool for young people.”
Elsewhere, Haaland is said to boast an astonishing car collection, including a £300,000 Rolls Royce.
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And he also owns an array of watches worth over £1million.
Meanwhile on the pitch, Haaland has enjoyed a stunning debut season in the Premier League after joining from Borussia Dortmund last summer.
The Norwegian striker has netted 51 times this campaign – the most goals in one season in all competitions by a Prem player in history.
His goals have helped fire City towards a historic treble.
Pep Guardiola and Co are top of the Prem table, in the FA Cup final, and tied 1-1 with Real Madrid going into the second leg of their Champions League semi-final.
PrettyLittleThing are also claimed to be keen on agreeing an endorsement deal with HaalandCredit: INSTAGRAM
Haaland has scored 51 goals so far in his debut season for Manchester CityCredit: PA More