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      Arsenal ready to ‘rescue’ Real Madrid’s ‘next Martin Odegaard’ who could help solve two problem positions

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      ARSENAL are plotting a January swoop for Real Madrid star Arda Guler, according to reports in Spain.The Gunners are seeking reinforcements for Mikel Arteta’s squad.Arda Guler has struggled for starts at Real MadridCredit: GettyAnd they see similarities with their club captain Martin Odegaard.The Norwegian, 25, had arrived at the Bernabeu as a highly-rated teen, but found game time hard to come by during the first half of the 2020-21 season.In January 2021 the Gunners moved to sign him on loan, before making the deal permanent in the summer.Odegaard has gone on to be a huge success at the Emirates and is now viewed as one of Arteta’s most important players.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAccording to Spanish outlet Sport, Gunners chiefs believe that something similar could happen with Guler.The Turkish wonderkid, 19, arrived in Madrid from Fenerbahce in the summer of 2023.Amid several injuries and stiff competition, he has struggled for minutes under Carlo Ancelotti.They claim that he has become unhappy with the situation, having made just three LaLiga starts so far this term.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSMartin Odegaard struggled for game time at Real MadridCredit: GettyGunners chiefs are claimed to have “made contact” with Guler’s entourage as they plot a potential move.But they are set to face fierce competition, with other teams having reportedly done the same.Excited fans say ‘whoever gets Arda Guler is so lucky’ as they realise Turkish wonderkid’s ‘bargain’ release clauseGuler has made 24 appearances in total for Real Madrid, scoring six goals.Last season he was scuppered by knee and muscle injuries, being limited to just 10 LaLiga outings.The teenager has already become a key man for his country.He starred at Euro 2024, scoring against Georgia and laying on assists vs Austria and the Netherlands. More

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      Chelsea coach QUITS after 18 years at club to join Thomas Tuchel’s England set-up

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      HENRIQUE HILARIO is set to end 18 years with Chelsea by leaving to join Thomas Tuchel at England.The goalkeeper signed for the Blues in 2006 as third-choice behind Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini.Henrique Hilario will leave as Chelsea goalkeeping coach to join EnglandCredit: GettyHilario provided back-up for Chelsea stoppersCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdAnd he spent almost a decade providing back-up before retiring in 2014 having been part of Premier League and Champions League-winning sides.Two years after hanging up his gloves, Hilario returned to Chelsea under Antonio Conte as assistant goalkeeping coach. He was then promoted two years later by Maurizio Sarri and remained in that role – under Tuchel too. But the German manager – who succeeds Gareth Southgate as Three Lions boss – will take Hilario with him to Wembley. READ MORE ON CHELSEASunSport revealed in November how Tuchel plotted a swoop for his former keeping coach.The FA officially announced the out-of-work German as Gareth Southgate’s successor in October.But he won’t take charge of the Three Lions – who he’s signed an 18-month deal with – until January 1.Tuchel, 51, is using the time off to get his backroom team in place.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe’s also convinced Chelsea’s current performance analyst James Melbourne to join him.Hilario and Melbourne will be welcomed by a familiar face in former Blues coach Anthony Barry, who Tuchel has installed as his No2.’Why should a player have to be from a country and not the manager’ says Wenger as he questions Tuchel as England boss More

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      Pep Guardiola ‘has no relegation break clause’ in new Man City contract despite threat of punishment over 115 charges

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      PEP GUARDIOLA has reportedly agreed to extend his stay at Manchester City.But his new contract does not include a break clause if City are relegated as punishment for the 115 financial charges tabled against them, according to The Guardian.Pep Guardiola’s contract does not include a relegation break clauseCredit: PAGuardiola, 53, is understood to have agreed to extend his stay at the Etihad by a further year until 2026.However there is no agreement in the deal for the Spaniard to simply walk away if City are relegated.City are involved in a court battle with the Premier League over their alleged financial crimes, with the club denying all allegations.Guardiola insisted he was looking forward to the beginning of the trial, despite one possible consequence being City’s expulsion from all domestic competitions. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHowever, SunSport understands that it is unlikely that that the Cityzens would be dumped from all competitions despite the rules allowing for it to happen.But it has been reported that a one-off points deduction is not seen as “sufficient punishment” for City if they are found guilty of their alleged breaches.Relegation remains a potential option and Guardiola was defiant when asked about the possibility of dropping to the lower leagues.Asked if he would consider his position if City were relegated, he replied: “I will answer when I have the sentence.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS“You are questioning like we have been punished. And in the moment we are innocent until guilt is proved. I know the people want it. I know, I feel it. I will wait. Wait and see it and after the sentence has been done we will come here and explain it.“But absolutely I will not consider my future [if] it depends on being here [Premier League] or being in League One. Absolutely. There is more chance to stay if we are in League One than if we were in the Champions League.”Meet Man City’s Nico O’Reilly: Rodri’s heir? More

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      Ruben Amorim’s backroom staff: Who are the coaches working alongside Man Utd boss?

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      RUBEN AMORIM is the sixth permanent manager Manchester United have appointed since club icon Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.The young Portugese coach follows David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Erik ten Hag in the Old Trafford hot seat.Ruben Amorim joined Manchester United in November 2024Credit: GettyAmorim is highly thought of in the world of football after a very successful tenure at Sporting.In his first full season at the club, he guided the Portugese giants to a domestic double, including their first league title in 19 years.Sporting only suffered one defeat in Liga Portugal all campaign, which came on the penultimate weekend after they had already become champions.The season before Amorim joined Man Utd, he led the Lisbon club to a second league title in four years, developing some of the hottest talents in Europe, including goal machine Viktor Gyokores.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe 39-year-old will be hoping he can replicate his success at Sporting in Manchester and end the post-Sir Alex Ferguson struggles at the club.But who has Amorim brought along for the journey at the Red Devils?Ruben Amorim’s Man Utd backroom staffRuben Amorim has brought SIX members of his Sporting backroom staff to Man Utd.All six worked alongside the Man Utd boss during his four-year spell at the Portugese giants.Most read in FootballCarlos Fernandes is Ruben Amorim’s assistant at Manchester UnitedCredit: GettyCarlos Fernandes will be Amorim’s assistant head coach, the same job he occupied while working in Lisbon.The 30-year-old first linked up with the Red Devils gaffer at Casa Pia in 2018 – and the two have worked alongside each other since.In addition to Fernandes, Adelio Candido and Emanuel Ferro join Darren Fletcher and Andreas Georgson as Man Utd first-team coaches.Jorge Vital takes up the role of first-team goalkeeper coach – and will be assisted by Craig Mawson – while Paulo Barreira arrives as physical performance coach.Amorim has also brought 39-year-old analyst Eduardo Rosalino with him from Sporting. More

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      ‘She throws that in my face every day’ – Man Utd boss Amorim reveals his regret that wife Maria always brings up

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      RUBEN AMORIM shared his big regret that his wife Maria loves to tease him with.The new Manchester United boss is preparing for his first game in charge against Ipswich this weekend.Ruben Amiron revealed he is still teased by wife Maria over one thingCredit: D. RThe Man Utd boss shared his one big regretCredit: GettyIt has been a long journey to that position, from heartbreak at his release from Benfica as a teenager, to winning titles with the club he later re-joined in his career.His love for football and its priority in his life meant he was unable to complete his school exams – and he still regrets not having a better education.Amorim, 39, revealed he still gets teased by his wife, Maria Joao Diogo, for leaving school before taking his exams, aged 18.By then, the player who was released by Benfica as a youngster had already signed a professional contract with another Lisbon side, Belenenses.READ MORE ON MAN UTDAmorim told Portuguese paper Expresso: “I had an agreement with my mother.“I would continue at school until I signed a professional contract.“I signed when I was 17. Today, I regret it a lot. If I’d taken my exams, I could have done the 12th year.“I could also have entered a top college.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSRuben Amorim is ‘Mourinho 2.0’ who turned Sporting from ‘walking dead’ into Portuguese champs… he can revive Man UtdWHEN Ruben Amorim took charge of Sporting Lisbon in March 2020, one club official compared their situation to the “walking dead”, writes Jordan Davies.Optimism and hope was at an all-time low.But the Amorim-effect was almost instantaneous, guiding the Portuguese sleeping giants to their first league title for 19 years in 2020/21, losing just once and only conceding 20 goals.Since then, Sporting have lifted another league title in 2023/24 – as well as two League Cups – and currently sit top with nine wins from nine this term.He may be young, but Amorim already has an eye for rebuilding and revitalising fallen super powers with his infectious charisma and intense tactical philosophy that hardly ever wavers. The “walking dead” at Manchester United must be praying for a similar sort of revival.And they may just get it from one of the most talented young coaches on the continent – a man accustomed to breathing new life back into crumbling institutions such as Old Trafford.Amorim has spent the last decade dreaming of one day gracing England’s Premier League, such was his admiration for an ex-United boss in Jose Mourinho growing up.Often nicknamed ‘Mourinho 2.0’, Amorim spent a week with his coaching idol in an internship capacity at United’s Carrington training base in 2018, going on to cite him as his “reference point”.United should not be expecting a mini-Mourinho, as Amorim said himself: “Mourinho is one of a kind. There won’t be another Mourinho. Mourinho is unique.”And yet, you cannot help but compare the two.For all the mismanagement in the Old Trafford hot seats over the years, this would be a real get – finally a slap in the face United’s Prem rivals have no answer for.“My wife is an electrotechnical engineer and she throws that in my face every day.”Maria is also an interior designer and she married Amorim in 2013 – the couple have two children together.A look at the build-up to Ruben Amorim’s first match in charge of Man Utd The couple got married in 2013 in front of 160 guests at a beautiful ceremony at the Palácio de S. Marcos church in Coimbra.Together with Raquel Viana, she created Dois Tons, who offer interior, home staging, lighting, and turnkey projects as well as preparation of plans and layouts.Their website states that the objective is to design spaces in which “the client’s personality, needs and lifestyle become the pillar of the creative process”.Raquel Viana is the wife of Sporting Lisbon’s sporting director Hugo Viana.Viana will join Man City, where he will replace the departing Txiki Begiristain at the Etihad next season.Amorim and Viana’s wives run an interior design business together More

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      Man Utd joker Ruben Amorim is renowned for doing impressions of other managers and ‘clowning around’

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      NEW boss Ruben Amorim will be hoping to do more than just a good impersonation of a football manager at Manchester United.Yet behind the scenes, Amorim is known for being a good mimic.Ruben Amorim projects a laid-back and relaxed persona to the mediaCredit: GettyHe is known for doing impressions of other managers and generally joking aroundCredit: GettyIn fact, throughout his playing career at Belenenses and Benfica, Amorim was a massive joker and did impressions of his gaffers.And Amorim, 39, has kept his sense of humour.He said: “I’m a very jolly guy, but more within my closed circle. I was always given to clowning around — and I did it a lot.“I miss the changing room a lot because you are a child there. I only became an adult when I stopped playing football.READ MORE ON MAN UTD“But I’ve always played the clown and I’m good at imitating.“I often imitated Jorge Jesus [his ex-Benfica boss] and he knows it. Always with respect.“Once he went to a Uefa coaches meeting and missed training — and I took over training.“His assistant coach, the fitness coach, the physios, all came to see the session and see what I was like.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSWhat Man Utd said on hiring EACH of their post-Fergie managersDavid Moyes”All the skills needed to build on United’s phenomenal legacy.”Louis van Gaal”One of the outstanding managers in the game today.”Jose Mourinho”Quite simply the best manager in the game today.”Ole Gunnar Solskjaer “A wealth of experience, with a desire to give young players their chance and a deep understanding of the culture of the club.”Erik ten Hag”One of the most exciting and successful coaches in Europe.”Ruben Amorim “One of the most exciting and highly rated young coaches in European football.”Amorim’s cousin, Bruno Simao, said: “He loves imitating people and is very good at it. He’s really funny.”But new Man Utd manager Amorim also learnt something serious from former boss Jesus — that players can sometimes be given too much information by a coach.Man Utd divide fans with new ‘school playground’ free kick routine days after Ruben Amorim announcementHe told Portuguese paper Record: “He wanted to give a lot of information, so you have to have more time training and watching more videos.“It improved the team but exhausted a lot of players, so every two years he had to clean out the squad. Players can’t always take so much information.“Some can handle that pressure and others can’t.“Jorge is a coach who is tiring. It’s a lot of intensity and tactical information, every day loaded on to the player.“I worked a lot of years with him and it’s obvious that I have a similar level of work ethic to him.“But we have different personalities. I’ll be hard without being tiresome.“You have to create a link with players, always leave them with a positive thought, happy about training, about playing, so that they can put in a good performance.“All players feel it, but they also feel a great will during the game, when things are going well and you’re winning because you’re comfortable and have all the information.“That helps you a lot to be a better player. If you know the opponent and know what you have to do in every situation in the game, you go more freely on to the pitch.“A football coach isn’t like an engineer where you do this and it’s always right. No, you need a lot of chemistry with the group you have.“If you don’t have chemistry, you have a bad result.”Yet Amorim believes all managers should avoid social media.And he told Maisfutebol: “I don’t look at anything, because I can’t look. Anyone who is a coach shouldn’t look.“It’s impossible to stand all the comments and all that information. That’s why I don’t have it.“At the start, when I started to fall in love with my wife, it also helped me to change my life a bit and disappear from social networks.“That stuff about Instagram and Facebook, it seems it started a long time ago.“But when I was single that didn’t exist and now I thank God for that!”While Amorim is preparing for his huge test in English football, he still regrets not having a better education.And the Old Trafford supremo revealed he still gets teased by his wife, Maria Joao Diogo, for leaving school before taking his exams, aged 18.By then, the player who was released by Benfica as a youngster had already signed a professional contract with another Lisbon side, Belenenses.Amorim told Portuguese paper Expresso: “I had an agreement with my mother.“I would continue at school until I signed a professional contract.“I signed when I was 17. Today, I regret it a lot. If I’d taken my exams, I could have done the 12th year.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I could also have entered a top college.“My wife is an electrotechnical engineer and she throws that in my face every day.” More

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      Ruben Amorim tells Man Utd squad why all managers post-Fergie have failed with stars ‘blown away’ by ‘Mourinho 2.0’

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      RUBEN AMORIM believes Manchester United have failed because they have played in the shadow of Sir Alex Ferguson – instead of in his spirit.The new Old Trafford boss has not been shy of making huge statements to players in his early training sessions this week.Kobbie Mainoo, Amad Diallo and Marcus Rashford were among Red Devils’ players knuckling down to training under Ruben AmorimCredit: GettyNew chief Amorim has impressed Man Utd stars with his ‘confidence’Credit: GettyWinger Antony is one of the aces hoping Amorim revives their fortunesCredit: GettyAmad Diallo shared a glowing verdict on Amorim via social mediaCredit: GettyIn a video released by United on Monday, Amorim, 39, drilled his stars who were not on international duty.But SunSport can reveal the players have been ‘blown away’ by his immediate impact with ‘Mourinho-style confidence’.Fergie left 11 years ago and a string of managers, including most-recently sacked Erik ten Hag, have not won the Premier League since.A source said: “He told them that top managers have not replicated Sir Alex’s success because they have lived in his shadow, rather than getting their team to play with his spirit.READ MORE TOP FOOTBALL“Even before Monday’s first session, the players have been very impressed.“Then, after the sessions, they are blown away by his energy, approach and confidence.“There’s definite Mourinho vibes in the way he speaks and his self belief – but the style is his own.“The players think he’s very approachable and that he will understand them. Some of them are calling him Mourinho 2.0.”Most read in FootballUnited players have been told to be inspired not intimidated by the legendary 27-year reign of Sir Alex FergusonCredit: PA:Press AssociationFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAmorim was mentored by ex-United boss Jose Mourinho and even had a week internship at Old Trafford with him in 2018, shortly before his two-year spell as manager came to an end.Portuguese boss Mourinho was also one of Amorim’s first calls when he was offered the United job with the original Special One telling him ‘to go for it’.Ruben Amorim takes charge of first Man Utd training sessionThe source added: “He told the ones he’s seen so far that the talent in the squad is unbelievable – but they need to start playing as a team.”The new head coach met some players in the gym at Carrington last week, with others on holiday or with their national sides.But the likes of Luke Shaw, Casemiro, Marcus Rashford, Leny Yoro, Mason Mount and Kobbie Mainoo were part of early drills in a new 3-4-3 shape and with a new style on Monday.Amorim is desperate to give United a new identity and stamp his mark on the team from day one – with his first game at Ipswich on Sunday.Amad Diallo, Antony, Rashford and Jonny Evans all uploaded glowing social media posts after their first sessions under the new head coach and his backroom team.Amorim also told players he likes a settled team – but they all have the chance to impress him on the training pitch.Portugal stars Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot have been away on international duty but had already told their club team-mates they will be impressed and how good Amorim is in training.The former Sporting manager has been very affectionate with the players and told them it is only natural he will have pre-conceived ideas about them – but they have the time to change his minds.In his first interview, Amorim told fans they would have an idea immediately of how he wants his team to play.United are 13th with a zero goal difference – but only four points off Chelsea in third with the Prem returning on Saturday.And the stars on the training ground were left with no doubt on the shape and system he wants to play from the outset.Mainoo was singled out for tactical advice at CarringtonCredit: GettyAmorim has informed his squad he prefers a settled teamCredit: GettyThe source added: “One thing the players are going to have to learn fast is that it is imperative they stick to his system and principles.“He gets how they live, how they want to work and how to get the best out of them. ”“Because he’s only 39, he gets their fashion, their music and their feelings about the modern game.”Mainoo was given special treatment by ex-midfielder Amorim in the first session.The England star, 19, was getting instructions on where to receive the ball and spin into space.Antony was given a right wing-back role in training – but with Dalot, Alejandro Garnacho and Noussair Mazraoiu away, it is unlikely he will play there at Portman Road.Shaw is trying to regain fitness and he spent the 3-4-3 schooling to the left of Jonny Evans in the back three, with Yoro to the right.READ MORE SUN STORIESCasemiro and Mainoo were in midfield with Rashford up front. Mount and Amad slotted into the No10 roles behind the striker.The source added: “The players and club are energized. The other players will be anxious to get back to Carrington to prove themselves.” More

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      Pep Guardiola on verge of sensational new Man City deal to extend stay past a decade despite being expected to leave

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      PEP GUARDIOLA is close to agreeing a new one-year contract extension with Manchester City.The 53-year-old’s existing deal is due to expire at the end of the season.Pep Guardiola has agreed a new one-year deal with Man CityCredit: EPAHowever, SunSport understands Guardiola has committed to a deal in principal with the reigning Premier League champions for at least another year.It’s expected he will put pen to paper on a new one-year deal with the option of a further 12 months.Should the terms be fulfilled, it would take his time at the Etihad to a decade.Guardiola joined City back in 2016 following the departure of Manuel Pellegrini.Read More in FootballOver the last eight years, the Spaniard has won 18 trophies including six Premier League titles, the Champions League, two FA Cups and the Club World Cup.But there had been speculation regarding his future in recent weeks amid the club’s legal battle with Prem bosses.The hearing into Man City’s alleged breaches of Financial Fair Play has entered it’s 10th week.City are currently facing 115 charges relating to their financial dealings between 2009 and 2018.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSIf found guilty, the Prem giants could face a significant punishment.They may even be expelled from the top division.Man City player ratings: Even Pep Guardiola can’t believe how good Erling Haaland is as new Samba man fails to shine (1)With Guardiola set to stay, he will be forced to lead the Cityzens through the storm of whatever penalty – if any – they receive.Following Man City’s 4-1 defeat to Sporting Lisbon earlier this month, the manager said: “It is a tough challenge, but I am here.”It will be a tough season — we knew that from the start. But this is what it is. I like it, I love it, I want to face it and lift my players and try it.” More