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      Fulham will NOT sack Scott Parker after Premier League relegation despite friction with club chiefs

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      FULHAM will not sack Scott Parker despite  friction between the manager and the club’s ruling Khan family.Owner Shahid Khan and his son Tony, the club’s controversial director of football, are fuming with their 40-year-old manager after a late-season capitulation saw them relegated with three games to go.
      Scott Parker will not be sacked by Fulham despite relegationCredit: Rex
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      But former player Parker is under contract for two more years.
      And he will not be offered a pay-off.
      Fulham have taken just one point from seven games — including Monday’s 2-0 home defeat by Burnley — which confirmed the yo-yo club would swap divisions for a fourth consecutive season.
      Parker has voiced concerns at the lack of communication with Tony Khan, who also works for his father’s NFL franchise Jacksonville Jaguars and in American wrestling.
      But it is understood Khan has no intention of stepping aside from his Fulham duties and believes that the club has backed Parker.
      So Parker must thrash out his differences with the Khans or quit his job.
      The Fulham gaffer has needed to rely largely on loan signings this season, after the west London club busted the bank on their previous failed attempt to stay in the top flight in 2018-19.
      The Khans argue that most of the loanees have impressed.
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      Only Chelsea man Ruben Loftus-Cheek — a signing recommended by Parker — flopped during Fulham’s latest relegation campaign.
      Ex-Tottenham midfielder Parker has been linked with the vacant Spurs job.
      But it is thought that the manner of Fulham’s relegation would make him too hard a sell to take over from the axed  Jose Mourinho at White Hart Lane.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Scott Parker talks about the challenges of being head coach at Fulham More

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      West Brom want Roy Hodgson, 73, to replace Sam Allardyce, 66, if boss leaves after Premier League relegation

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      ROY HODGSON is in line for a shock return to West Brom if Sam Allardyce quits as boss.Hodgson’s four-year Crystal Palace reign will end next weekend, with the club not extending the former England manager’s contract.
      Allardyce’s future remains unclear following West Brom’s relegation to the ChampionshipCredit: Getty
      Hodgson wants to continue management despite turning 74 before the start of next seasonCredit: PA
      But the 73-year-old has no intention of retiring and is now believed to be on the Baggies’ radar.
      Allardyce has the chance to carry on at The Hawthorns, despite being relegated from the Premier League for the first time in his career.
      He said: “Myself and the club going forward will put everything to bed before the end of the season and see where we go from there.
      “There’s no decision that has been made yet. I can’t make a decision quickly on this, it’s not one I can make. The decision will be made before the end of the season.
      “There’s a lot to discuss and go through, a lot to divulge.
      “The shock for me is that I can’t get my head around it because I never expected it.”
      If Allardyce, 66, does not continue, Hodgson will be sounded out about a return to West Brom, nine years after leaving the Midlands club.
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      Liverpool boast the most-valuable squad in the Premier League
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      He enjoyed a successful 15-month spell there before taking the England job in 2012 and remains a popular figure among supporters.
      Despite turning 74 in August, Hodgson remains a hands-on, training-ground manager.
      He has no desire to move upstairs into a director of football role.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Sam Allardyce will not discuss his future as West Brom’s relegation is confirmed More

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      Jurgen Klopp to hold clear-the-air talks with Sadio Mane after handshake snub amid doubts over star’s Liverpool future

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      JURGEN KLOPP will hold clear-the-air talks with Sadio Mane after the snub that put a new question mark over his Reds future.Mane angrily rejected his manager’s offer of a handshake moments after Liverpool’s 4-2 win at Manchester United.
      Mane rejected Klopp’s attempt at a handshake after the game at Old TraffordCredit: Sky Sports
      But the Reds boss hopes to reconcile with his player before their game on the weekendCredit: Reuters
      As Klopp held out his right hand, the 29-year-old shook his head and kept on walking.
      Mane’s reaction was condemned by ex-Liverpool boss Graeme Souness as “disrespectful” to the manager and club.
      Fellow pundit Roy Keane said he was “out of order”.
      But Klopp said: “Football is an emotional game and people expect that we control our emotions always — but it doesn’t work out that way.

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      “If somebody shows me five million times respect and one time not, what’s more important?
      “We will talk about it and everything will be fine.”
      Yet there will now be fears that having delivered a previous snub — Mane was offered a new £220,000-a-week contract almost two years ago that has remained unsigned — the striker may be planning on walking away from Anfield.
      He has two years left of his current £150,000-a-week deal — and Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona have all been courting him.
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      Liverpool boast the most-valuable squad in the Premier League
      The £30million former Southampton star did post on Instagram pictures of the win over United, declaring: “Big three points.”
      Yet Mane was clearly upset at being left on the bench for Diogo Jota — having earlier this week admitted he had consulted medics about what he described as “the worst season of my career”.
      And in Jota, a £45m signing from Wolves, Mane now has a serious rival for his left-sided attacking slot.
      Jota missed three months of the season but stands on the 13-goal mark, only one short of Mane.
      But Klopp was at pains to make clear that while he will sit down with him and discuss Thursday night’s incident, he understands why his player reacted in the way he did.
      The German is also anxious that the fallout from that failed attempt at a handshake does not disturb the equilibrium of the fallen champs, who face West Brom on Sunday with new hope of pinching a place in the top four.
      He stressed: “I can’t make a big story out of this.
      “This is not the first time in my life that something like this has happened and it probably won’t be the last time. And if you could have seen me when I was a player showing the emotions I sometimes showed . . . it was insane. It will be sorted.”

      Meanwhile, Klopp can only smile at how Mo Salah continues to impress on the opposite side of the pitch from Mane.
      He collected his 124th goal in 200 appearances for Liverpool on Thursday  and the ex-Borussia Dortmund manager says he is one of his greatest signings.
      Klopp said: “Let me say it like this: two players, there’s Robert Lewandowski, who I signed for a different amount of money, who had an incredible development from a different level.
      “With Mo, from the guy who scores from time to time and is a really good football player to this goalscoring machine is a massive development.
      “He is an outstanding signing but the way he developed, the way he treats himself, the game preparation, the training preparation, training attitude and all these kind of things, that’s exceptional.
      “That’s a real role model and he deserves all that, absolutely.”
       LIVERPOOL (likely): Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Phillips, Williams, Robertson, Thiago, Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Salah, Firmino, Jota.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Jurgen Klopp reacts to the Sadio Mane incident after Liverpool’s win over Man Utd More

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      Spurs star Dele Alli spotted snogging Man City boss Pep Guardiola’s daughter

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      FOOTBALL star Dele Alli has been spotted snogging the daughter of Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.The Spurs and England midfielder — who has not scored in the Premier League all season — cosied up with Maria, 20, at a rooftop bar.
      Dele Alli was spotted snogging Maria Guardiola
      Maria and Dele enjoyed a cosy night together at a rooftop bar in London
      The Spurs star recently became single after splitting with his long-term girlfriendCredit: Getty
      Dele, 25, was closely marking her as dozens of other drinkers looked on in London.
      Fittingly for a player who has spent most of the season as a sub, he made his move on Maria as they sat together on a bench.
      It appeared that he had put his bitter split from model Ruby Mae, 23, behind him.
      He leaned in for a smooch after he and Maria chatted for hours at the capital’s trendy Cloud 9 bar.
      Dele, in a white T-shirt and green baseball cap over his newly dreadlocked hair, hugged and kissed Maria, who was wearing a white hoodie.
      It is understood that Dele first met Maria last month.
      An onlooker told The Sun: “Dele and Maria didn’t seem to have a care in the world.
      Maria, 20, is the daughter of Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola
      It’s understood Dele first met Maria last monthCredit: Getty
      “They didn’t mind who saw them as they smooched in front of the DJ booth.
      “It was packed with hundreds of revellers watching on. All the tables had been booked and were completely full.
      “Strangers were wandering past and Dele and Maria didn’t blink an eye.
      “They were in a group together and it was very cosy. They looked so cute and could have been honeymooners.”
      Dele and Maria’s public smooch came last Sunday — a day after Tottenham’s 3-1 Premier League defeat at Leeds United.
      It was very cosy. Dele and Maria looked so cute and could have been honeymooners.
      Maria’s Spanish dad’s Man City side had also suffered a defeat a day earlier against Chelsea — but went on to be declared this season’s Premier League champions.
      A friend told The Sun: “Dele looked smitten and finally over being dumped by his long-term lover Ruby Mae.
      “Dele and Maria are young, free and single. Who knows where it will go from here?”
      Maria has become something of a style icon thanks to her impressive online following
      The student is the eldest of Pep’s three children with Cristine Serra
      Pep and his children have repeatedly posed together at his end-of-season trophy celebrationsCredit: PA:Press Association
      Maria has told pals about the rooftop encounter with Dele but says they are “just friends”.
      The Sun told how Ruby ended her relationship with Dele after growing tired of his behaviour — including spending hours playing online game Fortnite.
      She has shared repeated public posts with her followers alluding to her joy at finally being free from the footballer.
      Dele has struggled for form this season — prompting speculation that he could be sold to a rival team, possibly Manchester City.
      Meanwhile student Maria, who lives in London, has won an army of online fans. She is a Spanish style icon with snaps of her jetset lifestyle shared on social media.
      She is the eldest of Pep’s three children with businesswoman Cristina Serra.
      The couple met in a shop and dated for 20 years before marrying in 2014 in Matadepera — after their children were born.
      Model Ruby Mae ended her relationship with Dele after growing tired of him spending so much time on FortniteCredit: Getty

      Maria is close to her brother Marius, 18, and sister Valentina, 13, and the family have repeatedly posed together publicly at Pep’s end-of-season trophy celebrations.
      The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss has proudly beamed in front of cameras with his arm around Maria.
      Last night, a spokesman for Dele declined to comment.
      Dele Alli has split from model girlfriend Ruby Mae ‘because he spent too long playing Fortnite’ More

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      Soyuncu and Fofana are top players… but Leicester need orchestrator Jonny Evans back to beat Chelsea in FA Cup final

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      LEICESTER’S chances of winning their first FA Cup will be dampened if Jonny Evans is not fit.Brendan Rodgers has come out and said that even if the Northern Irishman is not 100 per cent, he will be on the pitch at Wembley.
      Experienced Jonny Evans is essential to Leicester’s preferred system of playing three centre-backs so it’s vital he’s fit to face ChelseaCredit: AFP
      Wesley Fofana and Caglar Soyuncu showed vs Man Utd they are superb defenders but the Foxes gel better when Jonny Evans plays next to themCredit: Getty
      And that is because he knows just how instrumental he is to this Foxes side.
      Since their 3-1 home defeat to Arsenal in February, Rodgers changed Leicester to a 3-4-1-2 formation.
      Injuries to wide players Harvey Barnes and Ayoze Perez forced his hand into playing wing-backs.
      The switch saw Kelechi Iheanacho come into the side alongside Jamie Vardy and we all know how well he has done.
      But what it also did was show Evans’ worth to this team as he became the orchestrator of the three-man defence.
      Sitting in the middle, he would have Wesley Fofana and Caglar Soyuncu on strings by allowing them to go man for man while he sweeps up the rest.
      In the six games they played together, Leicester won five, drew one and only conceded three goals.
      And when he was taken out of the side due to injury they shipped four goals for the first time this season against Newcastle.
      Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers could face a tactical dilemma against ChelseaCredit: Getty
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      There is no doubt both Soyuncu and Fofana are outstanding defenders and examples of Leicester’s amazing business model of developing great players.
      But despite their quality it was clear they were lacking the leadership and communication which Evans brings to the table.
      So the difference he makes to this side is humongous.
      The fact that Foxes boss Rodgers went and reverted to a back four against Manchester United tells me the Newcastle defeat showed Evans’ importance to the system.
      They may have got a result, but no disrespect, it was not United’s strongest team.
      But at Wembley they will be coming up against a full-strength Chelsea side who have pace, movement and quality.
      And with Blues manager Thomas Tuchel opting to play without a recognised striker, that leadership and communication becomes vital.
      As the reason for playing a false nine is to try and pull defenders out of position to make space for midfield runners.
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      So if Evans falls short in his race to be fit, it could go horribly wrong — as no one will be there to keep  Soyuncu and Fofana in check.
      This final will feature two football teams who are both more comfortable on the counter.
      But the onus will be on Chelsea to dominate — which could play into Leicester’s advantage.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Chelsea boss Tuchel says Kovacic will return for FA Cup final against Leicester More

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      Prem players, managers, staff and volunteers have worked wonders this season… but it’s been tarnished by ESL and VAR

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      IT has been a season we will all remember… and some may wish to forget.In pure football terms, the players, the managers, the staff and volunteers have performed wonders during the pandemic.
      West Ham have enjoyed a sensational season on the pitchCredit: Reuters
      Man Utd fans have been amongst the most vociferous protesters after the club owners joined the ill-fated plot for a European Super LeagueCredit: AP
      As freedom beckons, here is my brief summary of a unique season.
      At West Ham it has been thrilling and exceptional. Unhappily, our supporters have been forced to miss the consistent quality of live performance they have been waiting for.
      No doubt in plenty of East London living rooms the noise has been gargantuan, drowning out television commentaries and soundtracks that early on was hilariously off-target, operated by a DJ on speed, it seemed.
      The TV companies were doing what the authorities asked for. They provided your team’s every game in the Prem and many in the EFL — no complaint about high-quality production or the new rollover contracts.
      The truth, however, is while for the millions of football nuts watching televised matches was great, it is not a substitute for actually being there.
      Supporters have missed out on another thrilling season.
      To a man or woman, high-class footballers have discovered that football without a crowd is an emptiness in their lives.
      I must add that an emptiness in club bank accounts, too.
      We all have to overcome that, and some sadly might fail. The players have proved this — put down a ball on the centre spot no matter the restrictions in daily lives, working in bubbles, tests and vaccines and they will perform as professionals.

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      Dodgy decisions and delays involving VAR have plagued the Premier League seasonCredit: Rex
      Whether the billionaires of the breakaway six were encouraged by nil  stadium receipts or their greed for profits generally, the quickly aborted European Super League has created dark thoughts among the 14 clubs they  considered inferior.
      They must be shown that the price for disloyalty is steep although what  form sanctions should take is for Uefa and the Premier League to decide.
      I calculate Uefa’s initial fines amount to under £10million each. This is  pathetically small and something much greater is surely merited. It’s a  smack on the legs when it should be a painful spanking.
      New champions Manchester City and Chelsea, both of whom had grave doubts before joining the ESL, reached the Champions League final after two hypnotic semi-finals have emphasised how their absence would have undermined our exceptional club football.
      The season has been blotted by bad VAR incidents. It’s unlikely that any manager has escaped shocking verdicts on offsides, penalties or sendings off. VAR is a bigger offender than any player.
      Crowds in limited numbers will be allowed for home matches from next  Monday, unfortunately a few days late for the EFL which has been helped  along by grants from the PL, furloughing and the hard work of staff and volunteers.
      The leagues beyond are going to suffer greatly but our country is resourceful and the population helpful of their heroes.
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      Again the Prem has come to the rescue with money needed and as a result, I’m confident most clubs will survive.
      At the London Stadium and no doubt every other ground, we are waiting impatiently for the time when we can forget testing for the virus, avoiding bodily contact with friends and telling players not to hug and leap on the scorer  until he collapses to the turf.
      Over-the-top, yes, but soon to be utterly, joyfully permissible.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Porto to host Champions League final between Manchester City and Chelsea More

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      Everton star Abdoulaye Doucoure burgled sparking fears club is being targeted by criminals

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      A THIRD Everton star has been burgled — sparking fears the Premier League club is being targeted by criminals.Midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure, 28, had his luxury mansion broken into last month while his team were playing away at Arsenal.
      Abdoulaye Doucoure’s luxury mansion was broken into last monthCredit: PA
      The gang forced their way inside his home and stole a safe containing several watches plus a set of car keys.
      They then returned to the rented property in Hale Barns, Gtr Manchester, and made off with a luxury motor.
      Frenchman Doucoure did not play in the Blues’ team at Arsenal but it is understood he was not at home when the break-ins occurred — some time between 2pm on April 23 and 8pm on April 25.
      The raid came just weeks after masked men broke into Toffees manager Carlo Ancelotti’s home in Formby, Merseyside.
      In March, goalkeeper Robin Olsen was at home with his wife and two young children when a gang smashed their way in and demanded valuables, including cash, jewellery and designer watches.
      A source said: “The club have told players and staff to beef up security amid fears the players are being followed home from training.”
      Robin Olsen was at home with his wife and two young children when a gang smashed their way inCredit: Getty
      Masked men also broke into Carlo Ancelotti’s homeCredit: Getty
      Doucoure, who signed for Everton from Watford last September for £20million, played on Thursday against Aston Villa after returning from injury.
      Last year he had his £170,000 Lamborghini Urus seized by police in London for driving with no insurance.

      On another occasion, he was caught speeding at 102mph while at the wheel of an Audi.
      A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said of the raid: “No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.”
      His club and agent did not respond to repeated requests for comment.
      Everton agree £22m Abdoulaye Doucoure transfer with Watford after beating Wolves and Fulham to midfielder More

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      Goalkeeper scored three times in a semi-final but still ended up on the losing team

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      GOALKEEPER Jordan Holt scored an incredible three times in a cup semi-final — and still ended up on the losing team.His football side was 2-0 down in stoppage time at the end of the game when he went for up a corner and headed the ball into the net.
      Goalkeeper Jordan Holt, 27, ended up on the losing team during a cup semi-final despite scoring an incredible three times
      Jordan was playing for York-based Wigginton Grasshoppers against Teesside’s Yarm and Eaglescliffe FC
      Moments later, he repeated the feat to send the tie into extra time and then penalties.
      Builder Jordan, 27, scored a spot kick and saved one for his team in the shootout.
      But their opponents won after it went to sudden death — and a teammate’s penalty was saved.
      Jordan said: “It was one of those games where I thought ‘today is my day’.
      “I was gutted to end up on the losing side.”
      He was playing for York-based Wigginton Grasshoppers in last weekend’s North Riding County Cup semi against Teesside’s Yarm and Eaglescliffe FC.
      The 6ft stopper soared above the opposition defence to score in the 91st and 93rd minutes.
      Jordan, of York, said: “I’ve never scored before as a goalie.
      His team was 2-0 down with just minutes left when he went for up a corner and headed the ball into the net
      Jordan, who had previously never scored as a goalie, repeated the feat to send the tie into extra time and then penalties
      The goalie said ‘I was gutted to end up on the losing side’

      “To get two in injury time was unbelievable. I saved their fourth pen then took our fifth and put that away.”
      Jordan, a former centre half, added: “I just hope the lads aren’t expecting that from me every week.”
      A Yarm and Eaglescliffe spokesman said: “Their keeper made it one of the most exciting and stressful games we’ve had.”
      A Yarm and Eaglescliffe spokesman said ‘Their keeper made it one of the most exciting and stressful games we’ve had’
      Boy rushed to hospital with serious injuries after being struck by lightning while playing football in Blackpool More