Premier League

FORMER Liverpool star Dean Saunders is tipping No2 Pep Lijnders to replace Jurgen Klopp this summer.And he reckons the Anfield assistant has already got the backing of the dressing room as FSG step up their search for a new manager.Liverpool No2 Pep Lijnders has been tipped to replace Jurgen KloppCredit: PAHe has been assistant boss since 2014, apart from five months managing in HollandCredit: GettyKlopp is leaving Liverpool at the end of the season after winning the lot on Merseyside.Xabi Alonso is the clear favourite to succeed him after leading Bayer Leverkusen to the brink of a first-ever Premier League title.Liverpool are also interested in Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim.While Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi is on their radar too.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHowever, ex-Kop ace Saunders believes a more left-field approach could be taken by Liverpool owner John Henry and FSG.He believes Klopp’s assistant Lijnders has emerged as an option, despite only having one extremely brief experience in the dugout.The Dutchman, 41, first joined Liverpool as assistant in 2014 before leaving to become manager of NEC in January 2018.But he was sacked just five months later after failing to win promotion to the Eredivisie.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERAnd he returned to Liverpool soon after, eventually helping them win the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup.Lijnders’ departure as assistant this manager was confirmed alongside Klopp’s exit message.Jurgen Klopp announces he will QUIT Liverpool at end of season in bombshell statementDean Saunders reckons Lijnders already has the backing of Liverpool’s dressing roomCredit: PA:Empics SportBut Saunders reckons there could be a plot twist for Lijnders to stay on as the main man, having already won the backing of the dressing room.Alan Brazil first told talkSPORT: “I am told the players wouldn’t mind the number two, Pep, taking over.”Saunders, who scored 11 goals in 42 games for Liverpool, responded: “I heard that as well. At least Lijnders knows what’s going on there.“It’s difficult, who do you give the job to? That club is that big.”Lijnders himself spoke about his future after the Carabao Cup final win against Chelsea.He said: “Nobody will replace Jurgen. I was clear, to be honest, when we had the talk a long time ago, for me it was clear and it made it easier for me.“I always got offers and my heart says yes, but my loyalty to Jurgen said no.READ MORE SUN STORIES“So we agreed to finish this project together and it is the right way to do it.“Liverpool will find a new coach with ideas and I am excited to manage to find the right club. But until the last final of the season, I am focused on Liverpool.” More

LIVERPOOL defender Jarell Quansah has revealed why he snubbed Manchester United and Manchester City to stay on Merseyside.The English centre-back, 21, has been with The Reds since he arrived as a young boy in 2008.Jarell Quansah, left, has established himself in Liverpool’s first-team squadCredit: GettyAnd he is beginning to make a name for himself having featured 24 times this season – including six Premier League starts.But there was a time when he was coming through the Anfield ranks that he looked at other clubs.They included both Man Utd and Man City, but it was Liverpool’s quality of training that made up his mind.Speaking to The Athletic, he said: “I went around different places to see what was out there. I did City, Manchester United, Wigan, Bolton… all of them.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”Back then, I was just playing and enjoying what I was doing. Any time I could play football, I was happy.”My parents thought having more options would be better.”He then went on to add: “I just remember Liverpool offering the best training.”That was where I enjoyed my football the most and that’s why I stayed.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSQuansah, who has benefited from injuries to Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate, admits at the start of the season he thought he would be loaned out again – following a spell with Bristol Rovers in the 2022/23 campaign.But he ended up forcing his way into Jurgen Klopp’s side and has developed at a rapid rate.Tyson Fury rocks very bold outfit as Gypsy King attends huge heavyweight Man Utd vs Liverpool FA Cup clashHe said: “Coming into the season, it was more about the opportunity to train with the best players in the world and learn from them.”Last summer, I probably thought the plan would be to go out on loan again.”But when I went on pre-season with the first team I just said to myself, ‘You’ve got to give everything and show what you can do’.”Thankfully, I did that, and I was able to kick on. I’ve learned already in football that it’s a mad game and anything can happen.” More

RUUD VAN NISTELROOY is eyeing a Premier League managerial role after almost a year away from the dugout.The Dutchman has rejected multiple offers since leaving PSV in the summer.Ruud van Nistelrooy is eyeing a managerial role in the Premier LeagueCredit: GettyThe Dutchman won a Premier League title during five years with Manchester UnitedCredit: GettyVan Nistelrooy guided his former club to a second place finish and a Dutch Cup triumph during his only season in charge.Several clubs have attempted to lure him back to management this term, including Dutch side Heerenveen.However, the 47-year-old has now revealed he wants to manage in either England or Spain.He is quoted by The Mirror explaining: “I have had offers from various clubs, also in my own country, but I would love to work in England or in Spain.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”I want to coach in a league where I have played, because in those countries I speak the language fluently. In my opinion, I have gained plenty of experience. I have gone through the ranks.”I did the younger youth teams at PSV Eindhoven, I was coach of the under-21s and subsequently became manager of the first team.”I have managed a lot of different players. I helped young talented players develop, let them grow, like Gakpo, Madueke, (Johan) Bakayoko and Xavi Simons. I was able to support them in their development.”It matters to me that it is a well organised club. I still want to work with young players, but ideally with a mixture of experienced professionals.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”I want to help them improve and bring a winning mentality. The latter is the most important thing. With my style of football.”Prior to managing PSV, Van Nistelrooy worked with the club’s youth teams earlier in his coaching career as well as serving as Netherlands assistant manager.Rio Ferdinand reveals Cristiano Ronaldo wasn’t best finisher at Man Utd – and all other strikers ‘would agree’The former striker spent five years in England as a player after joining Manchester United in 2001.He went on to score 150 goals in 219 appearances for the Red Devils, including 95 Premier League strikes.Van Nistelrooy also finished as top scorer during United’s title-winning 2002/03 campaign, one of four major trophies he won with the club. More

JESSE LINGARD’S manager allegedly raged “he didn’t work hard” after the Englishman made just his third appearance for FC Seoul.The South Korean side secured their first win of the season but the ex-Manchester United star was blasted for his performance.Jesse Lingard’s FC Seoul boss blasted his third performance for the teamCredit: RexSeoul manager Kim Gi-dong said Lingard ‘didn’t work hard’ in their 2-0 win against JejuCredit: RexLingard again started on the bench as Seoul manager Kim Gi-dong made a few alterations to the starting XI that drew with Incheon United last week.But the 31-year-old’s impact in the game was hardly noticeable in Seoul’s 2-0 win over Jeju and boss Gi-Dong had a few words to say about it.After the match he was claimed to have said: “Even though he came on as a substitute, he didn’t work hard and avoided tussle. “The name value has no meaning on the pitch. I will tell him this exactly.”READ MORE FOOTBALLDespite securing three-point and some more game time, former England star Lingard has not had the start he hoped for since moving to South Korea.In the outing against Jeju, in which he came on in the 57th minute, he was booked for protesting when he appeared to score from a corner before it was ruled out by officials.After the game, Lingard was spotted taking part in a Seoul tradition that looks very similar to Liverpool’s post-match routine.The ex-England star was seen standing in front of his side’s fans as the supporters chanted the star’s name as he proceeded to perform three fist pumps towards them.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERThe fist pump celebration is now seen at clubs across England – but the post-win routine is synonymous with Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp.The midfielder is yet to start for the K League side and has failed to score a legitimate goal in Seoul’s first three games of the term.Jesse Lingard swarmed by fans as ex-Man Utd star arrives in South Korea ahead of shock FC Seoul transferBut the Englishman has still prompted huge excitement among the South Korean side’s fanbase.On his debut game a “Lingard Zone” was set up outside the ground for fans to buy the former England star’s FC Seoul merchandise.More than two hours before the game a huge queue could be seen outside the stall as Seoul set up an entirely separate shop for Lingard merch, such was the expected demand. More