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      Shocking moment ex-Premier League manager was sacked on live TV with Match of the Day presenter breaking the news

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      CHELSEA legend Gus Poyet has opened up on the bizarre moment he realised he’d been sacked by Brighton – while broadcasting live on the BBC.The Uruguayan appeared on an episode of Match of the Day way back in 2013. Former Brighton manager Gus Poyet (left) won promotion with the Seagulls in 2009 from League OneCredit: GettyBut the Uruguayan found out he had been sacked four years later in a bizarre wayCredit: PA:Empics SportThe BBC’s Mark Chapman told a stunned Poyet he had been let go during a live broadcastCredit: BBCPoyet joined the Seagulls in 2009 and led his side to the Championship playoffs during the 2012/13 season. Brighton missed out on promotion to the Premier League after going down to arch-rivals Crystal Palace.Poyet claims there was “nothing to indicate” he wouldn’t be returning for another crack at the top-flight next season. He therefore took up a punditry job for the summer, joining BBC host Mark Chapman for a Confederations Cup match between Spain and Nigeria on June 23. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLBut Brighton bosses had already put out a statement revealing his job had been terminated – just as he hit the air. Poyet was handed the statement after it was printed out by production staff.Chapman read it to him on air at half time, with Poyet stuttering in response: “I’ve still had no communication, no text, no email, I didn’t receive anything by phone.”More than 12 years later, the former Chelsea midfielder has now opened up on the episode.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKHe told The Atlantic: “The commentary was starting at 7.30pm, so I switched my phone off at 7.20pm, when we did the last touches of our make-up.“There was nothing to indicate that I was going to be sacked. So I switched off my phone without any fears. Ex-Greece boss Gus Poyet pinpoints exactly what went wrong for England in shock Wembley loss”We did the pre-match analysis, then when the match started at 8pm, they said, ‘Now you can relax'”[Chapman] then said, ‘You know you’ve just been sacked?’ “We weren’t live on air, it was two minutes after the game had started at 8pm. “I said, ‘No’. He said, ‘Yes, it’s on the Brighton website’. “So then I asked staff if I could get a copy. I then asked permission to get out of the studio to call my lawyer and he told me.“The BBC thought it was perfect! We didn’t commentate one bit about the game at half-time, it was all about my sacking. “I remember saying to the BBC, ‘Oh, you’re lucky! This will never happen again!’”Poyet began his playing career in France before spells in both Uruguay and Spain.Read More on The SunHe joined Chelsea in 1997, winning the FA Cup and Cup Winners Cup in his first season at Stamford Bridge.Poyet later played for Tottenham and is currently manager at South Korean side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. More

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      Southampton tipped to make former Premier League star new manager but Chelsea could have final say

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      SOUTHAMPTON have cut their shortlist of new managers to three after axing Ivan Juric.The relegated Saints brought forward Juric’s break-clause from the summer after their drop to the Championship was confirmed at Tottenham on Sunday.Southampton are in the hunt for a new manager after letting Ivan Juric goCredit: GettyFormer Premier League star Liam Rosenior is one three names on the shortlistCredit: GettyThe Saints also fancy Sheffield Wednesday’s Danny Rohl as their next bossCredit: REXAs revealed by SunSport last month, Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl remains the leading candidate to take over at St. Mary’s next season.However, Saints new technical director, Johannes Spors, has been meeting with potential replacements since taking on the role in February.Southampton had a long-list of 10 potential managers and held talks with a number of them before cutting it down to a final three.Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior, 40, is an ambitious candidate.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe former Hull City boss, who has the Ligue 1 club fourth in the table and a point of the Champions League places, has impressed in France.Strasbourg are owned by Chelsea’s parent group, BlueCo, meaning Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali have a say over his future.Rosenior would be allowed to make his own decision, though it would be a surprise were he to ditch Strasbourg for a Championship club.Interim boss Simon Rusk, who will be assisted by Adam Lallana, will take charge of the remaining seven Premier League games.Most read in FootballTodd Boehly will have a say over whether Rosenior can leave Strasbourg, which is owned by Chelsea’s parent group BlueCoCredit: AlamyCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe third candidate is currently unknown, though there has become a focus on appointing a manager with experience of English football after the failed Juric experiment.Rohl’s appointment will hinge on agreeing a compensation package with Wednesday.Adam Lallana reflects on going back to his boyhood club Southampton The former Saints assistant manager has a release clause of £4million for a Premier League club, though the fee is lower for clubs in the Championship.That means, as with Russell Martin two years ago, Saints would have to wait until they have officially handed back their Premier League share to avoid a higher compensation fee.The deal to bring Martin from Swansea City two years ago ended up in a legal battle with the Welsh club, something Saints are keen to avoid this time around. More

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      ‘It’s not realistic’ – Rio Ferdinand calls out Roy Keane and Gary Neville’s takes on Man Utd vs Man City

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      RIO FERDINAND has called out Roy Keane and Gary Neville for their “unrealistic” expectations of Manchester United.Keane and Neville both slammed their former club for failing to put on a show in the boring Manchester derby, which ended in a flat 0-0.Rio Ferdinand has called out two Man Utd legends for having ‘unrealistic expectations’Credit: https://x.com/FIVEUKGary Neville launched a passionate tirade at both sides after the Manchester derbyRoy Keane slammed the ‘friendly’ nature of the derbyCredit: GettyThe Old Trafford encounter lacked the kind of excitement usually found in one of the league’s biggest matches.And Neville could not hold back from the gantry as his frustrations burst out while he made it clear that neither side had done enough.After spotting both teams hugging and chatting at full-time, the former Man Utd right back fumed: “It should have more blood, thunder, risk, and courage involved in playing the game.”The congratulations and love-in I’m watching says both teams are happy with 0-0. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS”It looks like it’s Sunday afternoon and they’re going to go for a roast dinner together now.”It’s like we’ve got to a point in football where teams are frightened to death to give the ball away, make a mistake, take a risk.”They’re all so obsessed with shape… nothing off-the-cuff is happening in lots of games.”Neville was far from alone in lamenting what he had seen, as Sky pundits Keane and Micah Richards also vented their frustrations.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordKeane, 53, said: “There’s a real lack of quality. No atmosphere. City have dominated possession, United have sat in. “But it’s a derby game, there’s no energy in the stadium. This is a friendly derby!”Why Ruben Amorim’s Man United system is brokenBut Ferdinand believes both Keane and Neville aren’t judging Man Utd in their current practical state.Former defender Ferdinand said on his Rio Presents podcast: “The expectations that Roy is talking about is the Man Utd that he played in.”Where a 0-0 draw against anybody at home is unacceptable. You’re disappointed immediately.”But this team aren’t there. They got beat by Nottingham Forest last Tuesday. So to think that you’re going to beat Man City.”Or that you should be expected to beat City on the back of defeat to Forest is wild to me. It’s not realistic.”Ferdinand, 46, continued on his rant about Neville and Keane: “They’ve both criticised United for being too open before. The manager has adapted a bit and we get a 0-0 draw against City and that’s not right either.”So you can’t do right, for doing wrong. You’ve got to allow them to adapt and get a result out of it, but you’re still not happy.”Where will you find happiness then?”Meanwhile, several fans praised Ferdinand for being “sensible”, with one writing: “Rio is saying it how it is. United are 13th in the league.”While another said: “Spot on. We’re just not there yet and been battered by City in the past.”Read More on The SunA third said: “United were the better team. Just need a striker.”One more added: “Bang on. When United are open Roy and Gary complain, when United play compact they complain. Can’t win with these guys.” More

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      Arsenal vs Real Madrid LIVE: Champions League quarter-final updates and team news with Saka set to START – stream FREE

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      ARSENAL are hosting Real Madrid at the Emirates in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final TONIGHT!The Gunners are boosted by the return of star winger Bukayo Saka, as they aim to beat the 15-time champions of Europe.Mikel Arteta rested key players Saka, Martin Odegaard and Jurrien Timber in their 1-1 Premier League draw with Everton, indicating all their focus is on the Champions League. Jude Bellingham and Co already have recent success in the capital, having won last season’s Champions League final at Wembley, and will be looking to repeat the trick in north London.Kick-off time: 8pmTV channel/FREE live stream: Amazon Prime VideoArsenal team: Team news to follow…Real Madrid team: Team news to follow…CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSFollow Arsenal’s Champions League clash below…One awayThere are a handful of players on both sides who, if cautioned, would miss the second leg in a week. For Real Madrid, these are:Vinicius JuniorLucas VazquezEndrickEduardo CamavingaAntonio RudigerLuka ModricAnd for Arsenal, they are:Declan RiceJurrien TimberGabriel MartinelliCopy linkCopiedTime to step upAs one man rose, another man fell.Bukayo Saka could not even make it back onto the pitch before Mikel Arteta was handed yet another injury dilemma against Fulham.In the first half, star defender Gabriel went down injured, and has since been ruled out for the season. With Calafiori also out, this left Jakub Kiwior as the only other recognised centre-back in Arteta’s side. Will the Polish centre-half make a name for himself, or is this just fitness for Kiwior, as he reportedly heads for the exit door at the Emirates? Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedArsenal transfer newsWhile Arsenal are gearing up for their huge clash tonight, they are also gearing up for next season.SunSport has Gunners fans covered with all the rumours ahead of a BIG 2025/26 season.Copy linkCopiedBellingham vs.. VARDespite Jude Bellingham having a HUGE clash against Arsenal tonight, it seems his real enemy is VAR.Bellingham won the competition last season, then shone for England in the summer at the Euros.However, during Real’s loss to Valencia, Bellingham was seen booting the technology.Can you blame him going after the computers, after they predicted his side to lose tonight?Copy linkCopiedWho else is on tonight?There are four games over the next two days.Tonight, alongside the clash in the capital, Bayern Munich host Inter Milan. There are two more tomorrow night, as Aston Villa travel to PSG, and Barcelona host Borussia Dortmund. Copy linkCopiedThe computer has spoken…The supercomputer has spoken ahead of tonight’s clash… and it says Arsenal are FAVOURITES. According to the device, the Gunners are set for a first semi-final in 16 years.But, can they go all the way?Copy linkCopiedArteta wants fans to bring the noiseAhead of a huge clash, Arteta has urged his sides supporters to get behind the team ahead of the game.The Gunners need the Emirates bouncing if they are to throw Real Madrid off their game.Copy linkCopiedEarly team newsMadrid Xtra on X (fka Twittter) are reporting that David Alaba and Lucas Vazquez will both START for Real tonight. The account also hinted that the starting midfield for the defending champions would be Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham. Copy linkCopiedForm guideIn their last five, the Gunners are unbeaten. In fact, their unbeaten run stretches back to February 26, their last defeat coming at the hands of West Ham at the Emirates. Real Madrid don’t have to go back so far for their last defeat, it was last Saturday, at home to Valencia. Los Blancos only have two wins in five, but everyone knows the danger of their attack once they get going. Credit: Bradley Collyer/PA WireCopy linkCopiedFamiliar facesFor a side like Real, the phrase “the one that got away” seems obsolete, especially with the likes of Achraf Hakimi and Theo Hernandez blowing Europe away after once being on their books.But, Martin Odegaard was famously once at Real Madrid, aged just 16. A babyfaced Odegaard failed to have much, if any of an impact for Los Blancos, but he has grown into the player that made Madrid sign him back in 2015.His disappointing spell in the Spanish capital saw him allowed to leave on loan to Arsenal in January 2021, then making it a permanent switch in August that year.He is not the only familiar face between the sides.Dani Ceballos spent two years at the Emirates between 2019 and 2021.But, unfortunately for Ceballos, he will miss his grand return to his former side with a muscle injury.Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedA first meeting since 2006Despite both sides European pedigree over the last 20 years, this is the first time they have met since the round of 16 in 2006.The two legged tie was a cagey affair between the two sides.Arsenal won at the Bernabeu, a certain Thierry Henry scoring the winner.The Gunners then held Real to a 0-0 draw at the Emirates, sending them through to the quarter-finals.Credit: CARMELO RUBIO/AFP via Getty ImagesCopy linkCopiedMbappe and Rudiger to PLAYBeating your rivals in any context is a huge deal, especially when it is on penalties in their own back yard in the Champions League.However, in the heat of the moment, UEFA decided Real went too far.Gestures made by Antonio Rudiger and Kylian Mbappe will see them miss one game, BUT, crucially, not this one.The pair were handed a suspended one-match ban, so they are both free to play the HUGE clash at the Emirates.Credit: REUTERS/Susana Vera/File PhotoCopy linkCopiedSaka’s big returnThe phrase “I’m back like I never left” can only be brandished in special situations, but Saka is truly back like he never left.His return to action has given the Gunners a huge boost ahead of tonight’s game.The winger scored less than 10 minutes into his return against Fulham in the Premier League.Having missed a long spell of the season, in which time Arsenal’s title hopes dwindled, Saka returned just in time.He will be looking for a huge impact, and to create some memories for the Emirates faithful.Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedArsenal focus on the Champions LeagueIt is all or nothing for the Gunners in the Champions League, it seems.In hindsight, Arsenal should have started their key men against Everton, as the lead to Liverpool could now be single digits if they had beaten the Toffees.However, Saka, Odegaard and Timber all had to watch from the bench for a period on Sunday.Arteta’s key men on the bench, it seems all his eggs are in the Champions League basket.Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedGunner be a big oneWelcome to SunSport’s coverage of Arsenal vs Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final.Martin Odegaard steps up to his former side, looking to guide Arsenal into a first Champions League semi-final in 16 years.For Madrid, they are looking for a 16 themselves, but not a first semi-final in 16 years, rather a 16th title to add to their collection.The defending champions have previous success in London, winning the final at Wembley against Dortmund last season.Mikel Arteta’s team selection last time out against Everton points towards one thing for the Gunners: it is all or nothing in the Champions League.With an 11 point gap to close on Liverpool, the Gunners only have eyes for a first Champions League title in their history.Follow along with SunSport’s comprehensive blog of ALL the action from tonight’s HUGE clash.Copy linkCopied More

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      ‘Best striker at our club’ – Man Utd fans in meltdown over Chido Obi’s solo goal for U21s team

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      MANCHESTER UNITED fans were in meltdown after Chido Obi’s wondergoal for the Under-21s.Obi, 17, joined the United academy from Arsenal last summer. Chido Obi scored a superb solo goal for Manchester United’s Under-21sObi has made three Premier League appearances this term aged 17Credit: AlamyAnd he has certainly impressed his new supporters in his debut campaign with the club. So much so that the teenager has already broken into Ruben Amorim’s first team this season. Obi came off the bench against Tottenham, Everton and Leicester in the Premier League – and Fulham in the FA Cup. But he was back in Premier League 2 action for the U21s on Monday.READ MORE ON MAN UTDObi scored twice in the thrilling 3-3 draw against Nottingham Forest to take his tally across the Premier League 2, FA Youth Cup and U18 Premier League to 14 in 13 games.His first goal saw him turn home from close range.But it was his second effort that put United’s youngsters 3-1 up that caught the eye. Obi received the ball with his back to goal on the halfway line with a centre-back pressing into him. Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordHe spun past the defender and sprinted towards the Forest goal. Then when surrounded by a rabble of Forest defenders, he twisted past between two.New Man Utd signing arrives at Old Trafford for first time since transfer… only to see horror show against TottenhamAnd Obi rounded off the superb solo effort by unleashing a low strike into the bottom corner. It didn’t take long for United fans to flood social media with comments in awe of the goal. One said: “We made the right decision snatching him from Arsenal. Serious talent.”Another wrote: “That is absolutely ridiculous, abnormally good. U21 football or not.”A third added: “This is a ridiculous goal.”A fourth commented: “Simply too good for that level.”And a since-deleted tweet labelled Obi the “best striker at the club”. United’s first-team forwards have struggled in front of goal this term.Read More on The SunRasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee both have three goals apiece in the Premier League in 2024-25. And while Obi is yet to get on the scoresheet, goals like his U21s strike mean it surely won’t be long before he finds the net for the Amorim. Obi picked up the ball near the halfway lineHe drove towards the box, turned past defenders and found the corner More

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      Chelsea files: Champions League star targeted with Sancho and Mudryk not in plans and Enzo Fernandez transfer dilemma

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      CHELSEA have started looking for yet MORE wingers – as they are planning for next season without both Jadon Sancho and Mykhailo Mudryk.The Blues have Noni Madueke, Pedro Neto and youngster Tyrique George as flank options, while Cole Palmer drifts wide when he sees the opportunity.Enzo Maresca will seek new attacking reinforcements this summerCredit: AlamyJadon Sancho is expected to return to Man UtdCredit: AlamyMykhailo Mudryk will likely remain unavailableCredit: GettyBut boss Enzo Maresca is working on the likelihood that neither on-loan Sancho nor Ukrainian Mudryk will be available next term.Forward Christopher Nkunku, who was a target for Bayern Munich in January, also remains likely to be moved on.Madueke is another to keep an eye on and could well be allowed to move on should a club come in with the right sort of offer.Chelsea chiefs are ready to pay Manchester United £5m to back out of their agreement to sign one-time England winger Sancho.And the club are still in the dark over the future of Mudryk after he was provisionally suspended for a failed drugs test.Mudryk costs the Blues £7.3m plus his £5.2m wages every season, with his amortisation precept still standing at nearly £45m this summer.The Ukrainian faces a potential four year ban under World Anti-Doping rules which are followed by the FA.Brazilian boy wonder Estevao Willian is being viewed as a potential first team squad member next year after his arrival from Palmeiras in a deal worth up to £48m.Join SUN CLUB for the Chelsea Files every Tuesday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Stamford BridgeIt is expected that Ecuadorean teenager Kendry Paez, 18, will be sent out on loan next season, although he could first be included in the squad for this summer’s Club World Cup.The youngster has been training with Liam Rosenior’s Ligue 1 side Strasbourg this week as he prepares for the move to Europe.Chelsea vs Tottenham descends into chaos as Romero sparks mass melee after shoving Colwill to groundChelsea have wanted to help Paez acclimatise to European life and the training culture before making the move permanent.Sources have indicated that there is no guarantee he will join Strasbourg next season, though it seems likely.OPEN THE DORONE winger Chelsea are tracking is Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens.The England Under-21 international is keen on a move to the Premier League with Liverpool also keeping a close eye.Chelsea have identified Jamie Gittens as a potential targetCredit: GettyChelsea may feel they hold an advantage over the Reds, with midfielder Carney Chukwumeka already on loan with the Bundesliga club.Dortmund hold an option they can activate for the former Aston Villa man, signed by Chelsea for £20m.The German side are understood to be able to sign Chukwuemeka for just below his £40m release clause at Stamford Bridge.That means any deal which involved Gittens would require Dortmund’s clause to be renegotiated, which some believe to be unlikely at this stage.Chukwumeka’s loan has been disrupted by injury but he scored on his first Bundesliga start in an eye-catching performance against Freiburg over the weekend.The midfielder also played a role in Serhou Guirassy’s goal, with a superb defence-splitting pass.Dortmund are keen to make the move permanent, so long as they qualify for the Champions League this season.’GAMING’ THE RULESCHELSEA’S near £200m sale of their relentless winning women’s team was a perfect example of “gaming” the Prem’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules.Despite that, Uefa will NOT allow the Blues to include the sale to parent company BlueCo 22 in their calculations, meaning a likely eight-figure fine for breaching Euro regulations.Chelsea sold its women’s team to parent company BlueCo in an attempt to remain in line with the Prem’s PSR rulesCredit: GettyUefa will not allow the Blues to include the sale in their calculationsCredit: PABut with Prem clubs – who voted against clamping down on “inter-group” property sales last summer – having also agreed to maintain the PSR status quo until the end of next season, Chelsea could have few other assets to flog to the company owned by Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali.Two of those are on the Stamford Bridge site, the restaurant at the front of the ground and the Health Club situated at the corner of the main East and Matthew Harding Stands.There is also the 117 acre Cobham training ground, a section of which is understood to have been sold to BlueCo this season.And at the main entrance to Cobham, there stands a large detached house, also owned by the club.However, the sale of the women’s team does mean that the costs and revenues associated with Sonia Bompastor’s side cannot be used in PSR calculations for this season or next term.ENZ OF THE ROAD?TALK of a summer exit for Enzo Fernandez is growing, with Madrid giants Real and Atletico both snooping around the Argentine playmaker.But the eight and a half year deal agreed when the South American made his £106m switch from Benfica in January 2023 means the Blues could be faced with a HUGE loss on any transfer – causing them a significant PSR issue.Enzo Fernandez could leave Stamford BridgeCredit: GettyThe massive contract length allowed Chelsea to “amortise” his annual cost – not including estimated wages of £9.3m a year – at £14.5m per season.Yet if Fernandez did leave this summer, with six years still to go on his initial deal, Chelsea would need to agree a deal of £87m JUST to break even.Any figure below that would significantly cut into their PSR calculation numbers, even if the Blues will be allowed to bank their up-front £30m entry fee for this summer’s Club World Cup.SAFETY CONCERNSCHELSEA fans need to be careful in Poland this week.The club failed in their bid to get more than 742 tickets for Thursday’s Europa Conference League quarter-final away to Legia Warsaw.Chelsea travel to face Legia Warsaw this weekCredit: ReutersThe behaviour of the Polish club’s notorious ultras was the reason why Chelsea received less than the normal 2000 tickets for an away game due to fears over the travelling supporters’ safety.Although Chelsea asked for more tickets Uefa insisted that they had to stick with the original amount.Equally, Legia are allowed only 1000 fans inside Stamford Bridge next week which is half the number they requested and there will be a huge police presence at the game.Legia fans are known for causing all sorts of problems home and away.They were banned from five away European games due to violent clashes before the Conference League match at Aston Villa in November 2023.In total, 46 men were charged after fans ran riot. A number of police officers were injured.In a statement, Villa said: “This shocking behaviour followed Legia club officials’ complete lack of cooperation with West Midlands Police, Aston Villa and UEFA throughout the day.”Legia have continued to be in hot water with Uefa this season. They unfurled a giant banner before a game against Molde criticising the governing body and this led to a one-game stadium ban.NO EXCUSESLOOKING through the Legia squad offers another example of how absurd it is the Blues are even in this competition.The Polish side’s most notable and valuable player is former Wolves defender Ruben Vinagre.According to Transfermarkt, in total the Warsaw squad is worth just over £31miliion, or one Malo Gusto.This week they face up with a Blues squad valued at a staggering £791m and recently confirmed as the most expensive in history in UEFA’s financial report.Chelsea have few excuses for not winning this competition. More

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      Man City target Morgan Gibbs-White and Florian Wirtz as shock transfer replacement for Kevin De Bruyne

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      MORGAN GIBBS-WHITE is a transfer target for Manchester City.And City want to complete a double swoop by also landing Florian Wirtz. Morgan Gibbs-White has been identified as a transfer target for Manchester CityCredit: PAFlorian Wirtz could also be on his way to the EtihadCredit: AFPKevin De Bruyne will leave the Etihad at the end of the season after ten years with the club.And the hunt to replace his crucial goals and assists is already underway.It is still to be decided whether City will target a like-for-like player or look to strengthen elsewhere and mould another player into the De Bruyne role.No deals will be finalised until incoming director of football Hugo Viana is fully underway after starting work this week. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLBut as first reported by The Athletic, City identified Gibbs-White as one of their key priorities when the transfer window reopens in the summer.The midfielder, 25, has enjoyed a superb season for Forest.The £42million 2022 signing from Wolves boasts an impressive five goals and nine assists for Nuno Espirito Santo’s Champions League chasers.Those strong performances earned Gibbs-White his senior England debut in September. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSPlaymaker Wirtz, 21, has also been in red-hot form for Bayer Leverkusen with 15 goals and 12 assists across the Bundesliga and Champions League. The German was crowned player of the year as he spearheaded Leverkusen to their maiden league title – plus the DFB-Pokal cup success. Pep Guardiola talks about Kevin De Bruyne’s decision to leave Man City after 10 years Arsenal and Real Madrid are among the big European clubs already linked with Wirtz.But City may test Leverkusen’s resolve with a summer approach. Pep Guardiola could, however, opt to move Phil Foden from his current wide role into more of a central position when De Bruyne leaves.The academy graduate – a six-time Premier League winner – has 97 goals and 60 assists for City.Of those, ten goals and just six assists come this term in what has been a difficult campaign for the player and the team. Manchester City spent huge money in January to sign Omar Marmoush (£64m), Abdukodir Khusanov (£34m), Vitor Reis (£29m) and Nico Gonzalez (£50m) to try and rescue their season. And now they are already being linked with plenty of new signings to bolster their fortunes next term.Kevin De Bruyne will leave City at the end of the seasonCredit: APPhil Foden could move into a more central roleCredit: Alamy More

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      ‘His legacy will live on’ – Cristiano Ronaldo pays emotional tribute as scout who discovered him and Luis Figo dies

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      THE legendary scout who discovered football greats Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Figo has passed away aged 77.Aurelio Pereira, the former head of Sporting Lisbon’s recruitment department, died today, the Portuguese club have confirmed. Aurelio Pereira scouted a young Cristiano RonaldoSporting Lisbon confirmed the news of Pereira’s death on TuesdayPereira holding Ronaldo’s youth playing card ID while at SportingCredit: Instagram @cristianoA club statement read: “Sporting Clube de Portugal expresses its condolences on the death of Aurelio da Silva Pereira, the unmistakable, Mr. Formation.”He will forever be remembered as one of the greatest names in the history of national football and, above all, in the history of Sporting.”Born in Lisbon in 1947, Pereira joined Sporting as a youth player, before later signing for Operario FC and Benfica. After a short stint as a salesman, Pereira was persuaded into helping his brother coach at Benfica- where he went onto lead his sides to several championships.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe was then invited back to Sporting by club icon Hilario, where he would remain for two decades as a youth team coach.And in July 1988, he opened the Recruitment and Training Department of Sporting CP to develop a national network of scouts to identify young talent.And the rest history. Pereira went on to discover 2000 Ballon d’Or winner Figo and five-time Ballon d’Or superstar Ronaldo.The Manchester United and Real Madrid legend was among the first to send his heartfelt condolences and thanked Pereira for his career.Most read in FootballPereira scouted Ronaldo into Sporting’s Recruitment and Training DepartmentCredit: ReutersTaking to Instagram, Ronaldo wrote: “One of the great icons of world. Formation has left us but his legacy will live on forever. “Will never stop being grateful for all he has done for me and so many other players. Forever, Lord Aurelius, thank you for everything. Rest in peace.”Pereira first noticed Ronaldo’s promise while he was still playing for Nacional in Madeira.He later brought him to Sporting at 12, where Ronaldo began to thrive in a green-and-white jersey before making a high-profile move to Manchester at the age of 18.Sir Alex Ferguson signed Ronaldo after watching him shine in a pre-season friendly against his Man Utd side in 2003.Ronaldo became the talk of the United dressing room, before the club agreed to pay Sporting £12million for what Fergie considered to be “one of the most exciting young players” he had ever seen.Pereira also was credited for finding Paulo Futre, Simao Sabrosa, Ricardo Quaresma and former Man Utd winger Nani.Meanwhile, Portugal’s Euro 2016-winning squad featured 10 players unearthed by him.The Portuguese FA’s statement read: “The death of Aurelio Pereira represents an irreparable loss for Portuguese Football.”For history, in addition to the enormous legacy built by the man who discovered some of the best players in our history, there will be a kind person, of fine treatment and who always defended our talent.”In September 2012, Sporting named the club’s academy pitch in his honour.Read More on The SunAnd five years later in January 2017, he was awarded the City of Lisbon Sports Merit Medal.His brother Carlos played for Sporting for 13 years years and was Paulo Bento’s No 2 between October 2005 and November 2009. More