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      Former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte takes cheeky swipe at Spurs as he reveals which club he’d like to manage next

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      ANTONIO CONTE has taken a thinly-veiled swipe at former club Tottenham.The Italian has been out of a job since leaving the North London side last season.
      Antonio Conte appears to have aimed a sly dig at TottenhamCredit: AFP
      Conte is reportedly in the running to take over the Napoli jobCredit: Getty
      However, following reports he could soon take over at Napoli, Conte appeared to take a dig at his old club while simultaneously talking about his achievements with Juventus and Chelsea.
      Speaking at a Gazzetta dello Sport event, he said: “One day I would like to train a team that has recently won, because for example I took Chelsea coming off seventh place, Juve were seventh too.”
      He also hinted at his return to management with a warning to rivals.
      Conte continued: “Now I have unplugged to spend more time with my family and for myself. I continue studying, seeing what changes there are in the sport and understand new situations.
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      “When I do return, I will be even more ready to handle the top challenges.”
      Directly addressing rumours about him taking over in Naples, he added: “I know that some stories emerged, but now I feel the need to dedicate time to myself and my daughter, who is growing up.
      “After Tottenham, I promised to dedicate time to family, it’s a lifestyle choice.
      “After that, I will be ready to get back to the battle. And when I do, it will be tough for everyone else.”
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      Conte, 54, managed Spurs between November 2021 and March of this year.
      After his arrival, the club managed to claw its way into the top four following a poor start to the season.
      However, things unravelled in his second season, with Spurs failing to qualify for any European football.
      Under new boss Ange Postecoglou they sit top of the league following an unbeaten start.
      Spurs host Fulham when club football resumes next weekend. More

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      West Ham star Tomas Soucek ‘lined up for free transfer’ by Champions League giants as Hammers face dilemma

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      WEST HAM star Tomas Soucek is being lined up by Italian giants Inter Milan ahead of a possible free transfer at the end of the season, according to reports in Italy.The Czech midfielder’s contract expires in June 2024 but West Ham do have an option to extend it by another year.
      Soucek has undergone a positive start to the seasonCredit: Rex
      Corriere dello Sport report that West Ham will not activate the clause should Soucek make it clear that he wants to leave and that could see him join Inter on a free.
      The Milan club have been active in the free agency market in recent years, bringing in Marcus Thuram, Davy Klaasen and Juan Cuadrado as free agents this summer.
      In the past they have also brought in the likes of Hakan Calhanoglu, Andre Onana and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
      Inter manager Simone Inzaghi is keen to add some steel to the Inter midfield and Soucek fits the bill as a player that can not only provide solidity but score goals too.
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      The Czech Republic international has four goals and one assist in his 10 games for West Ham so far this season in all competitions.
      The midfielder has also scored in The Hammers’ last two games against Sheffield United and Newcastle.
      Soucek has undergone a revival this season after The Hammers lost Declan Rice to Arsenal in a £100million deal.
      The absence of Rice has allowed Soucek to get forward again and return a similar amount of goals as he last did in the 2020/21 season.
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      Since joining West Ham in January 2020, Soucek has made 165 appearances for West Ham, scoring 26 goals and becoming a fans’ favourite at The London Stadium.
      Inter have won the Coppa Italia and Italian Super Cup in Inzaghi’s two seasons in charge – as well as reaching last year’s Champions League final which they lost to Manchester City.
      Their quest for their first Scudetto since Antonio Conte led them to victory in 2021 got off to the perfect start, with the club winning their opening five games.
      But they have won just one of their three games since then and go into the international break off the back of a disappointing 2-2 draw at home to Bologna. More

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      Romelu Lukaku reveals he felt like he might ‘explode’ during nightmare summer amid Chelsea transfer saga

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      ROMELU LUKAKU feared he would “explode” in the summer during his bitter departure from Chelsea.The striker spent weeks in limbo after his loan at Inter Milan came to an end and he had no future at Stamford Bridge under new boss Mauricio Pochettino.
      Romelu Lukaku has opened up about his departure from ChelseaCredit: Getty
      Lukaku is now with Roma and in sparkling form with seven goals in eight games and there are plans for a permanent deal at the end of the season.
      But speaking ahead of Belgium’s clash with Austria, he said: “Most people in this room know me. You know that I don’t like to beat around the bush.
      “I will speak when the time is right, but if I told you how things really went last summer, everyone would be shocked.
      “There were moments when I felt like I could explode and five years ago I probably would’ve done.
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      “Now I am concentrating only on what I can do best, which is playing football. I worked hard all summer.
      “I was a bit uncomfortable after the Champions League final but my mind was troubled because of what happened in the days leading up to it. I will talk about that later.”
      Lukaku cost Chelsea a then club-record £97.5million two years ago but will likely be offloaded for around £40m next summer.
      He was never settled back in London and upset then Blues boss Thomas Tuchel by giving an unauthorised interview about his frustrations with tactics.
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      He is reunited with former Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho in the Italian capital.
      Lukaku said: “As I have said in the past, the coach and I have a special relationship.
      “He knows my family, he knows my children. He is someone I trust, as he has in me. He is also tough, as other coaches have been in the past, but it’s the only way I can grow as a player.’
      Lukaku, 30, revealed he was one of a number of leading stars targeted by the Saudi Pro League in the summer.
      Neymar, Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Riyad Mahrez and a list of vastly experienced players are enjoying massive paydays in the Arabian desert.
      Lukaku said: “I was honoured by their interest, but after the conversations we had, I was not completely convinced.
      “The league will become one of the biggest in the world, but I didn’t want to leave Europe yet.
      “I knew full well what was going to happen this summer and there were a few clubs I certainly would not go to.
      “Ultimately, you have to consider what happened in recent years on a football and personal level, which is why I made my choice.
      “I don’t like to talk too much off the field, but sometimes it’s good to tell people what really happened and what didn’t.
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      “I will one day but not now because I want to keep the focus on my football.
      “When I say things, they are taken out of context and I don’t want that right now.” More

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      Conte lined up for stunning return to management after five months in wilderness as European giants make approach

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      ANTONIO CONTE is being lined up for a return to management after five months away from football.The former Chelsea boss has been out of work since he was sacked by Tottenham in March.
      Napoli are lining up Antonio Conte as their next managerCredit: PA
      According to Fabrizio Romano, Conte could soon be back in the dugout in his homeland.
      Serie A champions Napoli are said to have formally approached Conte as a potential replacement for Rudi Garcia.
      Discussions are expected to take place although no final decision has been made yet.
      The report adds that their are plenty of points to discuss before the club choose to proceed with Conte as their preferred candidate.
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      Garcia is reportedly on the verge of being sacked despite only taking over at Napoli in the summer.
      He has won five of his 10 matches in charge since his arrival, but the Italian champions are currently just fifth in the table.
      As well as Conte, fellow former Chelsea manager Graham Potter is also understood to be in the running if Garcia is dismissed.
      Conte spent just under a year-and-a-half with Spurs before he was let go last season.
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      During his only full season in North London, he guided the club to a fourth place finish and a return to the Champions League.
      The 54-year-old has not managed in his native Italy since leaving Inter Milan in 2021.
      Including his title with Inter that year, Conte has won four Serie A titles as a manager as well as the Premier League with Chelsea. More

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      Juventus star Nicolo Fagioli could be banned for THREE YEARS as he’s investigated for alleged illegal betting breaches

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      JUVENTUS star Nicolo Fagioli is allegedly facing a potential three-year ban for betting breaches.Italian news outlet La Stampa have claimed today that the midfielder, 22, is under investigation for potential betting breaches on illegal platforms.
      Italy international Nicolo Fagioli is at the centre of an alleged scandalCredit: Getty
      The Juventus star could face a three-year ban for betting breachesCredit: Getty
      They state that it is part of an investigation by the Turin Prosecutor regarding gambling through illegal online platforms. 
      They report that investigators have scanned accesses, data and transactions and that Italy international Fagioli is one of the suspected bettors that are being investigated.
      The Juventus ace is said to have come to the FIGC’s attention back on August 30.
      Now prosecutor Giuseppe Chine has opened an investigation after Fagioli’s lawyers informed the Italian Football Federation about the ongoing investigation.
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      Article 24 of the Code of Sports Justice prohibits footy stars from gambling on “official events organised by FIGC, Uefa and Fifa”.
      And they “cannot place or receive bets, directly or indirectly”.
      Should Fagioli be found guilty of gambling on official football games he may be fined over £21,500.
      But the Cremonese loanee is also looking at a potential suspension from playing that could be up to THREE YEARS.
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      The shock report will come as a bitter blow to Juventus, who currently sit third in the Serie A table.
      And it could also impact the former Manchester United target’s international aspirations.
      He made his debut for Italy last November during a friendly match against Albania.
      Despite not winning another cap since, Fagioli still had hopes of representing his country at this summer’s European Championship as the Azzurri look to qualify from England’s group. More

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      Ex-Chelsea boss Graham Potter ‘lined up for Champions League manager’s job’ after rejecting TWO huge roles

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      GRAHAM POTTER is being lined up by Napoli if they decide to axe Rudi Garcia, according to reports.The former Brighton and Chelsea boss has been out of work since he was sacked by the Blues in April.
      Graham Potter is being eyed up by NapoliCredit: PA
      Pressure is mounting on Rudi Garcia in NaplesCredit: Getty
      Potter has already turned down approaches from Rangers and Lyon, with him in no rush to return to the dugout.
      It is believed he is waiting for a club that suits him and it remains to be seen whether he will be tempted by Napoli.
      They won the Serie A last season for the first time in 33 years under the guidance of Luciano Spalletti.
      He since resigned and took over the Italian national team.
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      Napoli replaced Spalletti with Rudi Garcia, who has had a mixed start to life with the champions.
      They currently sit fifth in the league, already seven points behind AC Milan at the top and they are second in their Champions League group.
      And outlet Foot Mercato claim that pressure is mounting on Garcia with some of his own players expressing concerns about him.
      Potter could be set to battle fellow ex-Chelsea boss Antonio Conte for the job with Sky Italy reporting that he is a leading candidate.
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      Conte has been out of work since his bombshell exit from Tottenham.
      Ex-Marseille gaffer Igor Tudor, who has Serie A experience with Udinese and Hellas Verona, is also in the running.
      Additionally, former River Plate boss Marcelo Gallardo is an alternative. More

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      Chelsea agree Romelu Lukaku transfer fee with striker set to seal permanent Stamford Bridge exit

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      CHELSEA have agreed to sell Romelu Lukaku to Roma for £37million at the end of the season, according to reports.The Belgian moved to the Italian capital on loan from Stamford Bridge back in August.
      Romelu Lukaku has been in red-hot form for RomaCredit: Getty
      He has had a blistering start to life at Roma, scoring seven goals in eight appearances in all competitions.
      The 30-year-old was not involved at all in Chelsea’s pre-season and is unlikely to ever play for the Blues again.
      But upon the expiry of his Roma loan at the end of the campaign he will still have two years remaining on his Blues contract.
      According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea have agreed to “make Lukaku available” for a £37m fixed fee next summer.
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      The Blues forked out £97.5m to re-sign the striker from Inter Milan in the summer of 2021.
      He subsequently struggled to find his best form back at Stamford Bridge, scoring just eight Premier League goals during the 2021-22 campaign.
      Lukaku spent last season on loan at Inter, netting ten times in Serie A.
      The experienced forward has credited Roma manager Jose Mourinho for his renaissance this season.
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      After scoring twice in his side’s 4-1 win at Cagliari over the weekend, Lukaku explained of Mourinho: “As I’ve said in the past, he and I have a special relationship. He knows me and my children.
      “He’s someone I can trust, and he puts his trust in me.
      “He’s tough, but that’s the only way that I can grow.”
      Despite Lukaku’s red-hot form, Roma have had a mixed start to the season.
      They currently sit tenth in the Serie A table, having won three, drawn two and lost three of their eight matches thus far.
      Lukaku, 30, has a strong relationship with Jose MourinhoCredit: Getty More

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      Referee ‘set to be suspended’ after awkwardly snubbing handshake with female assistant before Serie A clash

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      REFEREE Juan Luca Sacchi is set to be suspended after awkwardly snubbing a handshake with his female assistant, according to reports.The Serie A official was caught on camera pulling his hand away from Francesca Di Monte before Friday’s match between Lecce and Sassuolo.
      Juan Luca Sacchi is set to be suspended for snubbing his assistant referee’s handshakeCredit: TikTok
      Francesca Di Monte was snubbed by Sacchi in the tunnel before Lecce vs SassuoloCredit: TikTok
      Footage shows the female assistant shaking her head after the incident.
      Sacchi can be seen embracing his other assistant and Lecce captain Gabriel Strefezza in the tunnel.
      According to reports in Italy, Sacchi will now be handed a one-match suspension as punishment for the incident.
      His actions are said to have caused embarrassment to the Italian Referees Association (AIA), who have claimed it was not a form of sexist discrimination.
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      The report adds that Sacchi was scolded in private by referee designator Gianluca Rocchi after footage of the snub emerged.
      A statement from the AIA, via news agency Ansa, explained: “We can absolutely exclude that this was a sexist gesture or a personal snub.
      “As far as we are concerned, it is not a problem, it was only an involuntary gesture that was misinterpreted.
      “The two colleagues worked well during the match and their performance was excellent.’
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      Sacchi could be suspended for one match, according to reports in ItalyCredit: Getty
      Di Monte was the assistant referee for Friday’s Serie A clash in LecceCredit: Rex
      “What is truly surprising is that there is talk of sexism in an association that has made the knocking down of gender barriers one of its greatest achievements.”
      Sacchi, 38, has been a Serie A referee since 2015, officiating a total of 43 matches to date.
      He was previously given a suspension after a costly blunder in Inter Milan’s 2-2 draw against Monza back in January.
      Sacchi came under fire after wrongly blowing his whistle for a foul and disallowing an Inter goal whilst they led 2-1.
      Once the action got underway, Lecce and Sassuolo played out a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Via del Mare.
      Nikola Krstovic equalised for the hosts after Domenico Berardi had opened the scoring from the penalty spot. More