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      in Soccer

      Pep Guardiola eyes Lautaro Martinez transfer with Man City ready to splash £81m to beat Barcelona to Inter striker

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      MANCHESTER CITY will step up their efforts to sign a striker with Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez their number one target.
      Pep Guardiola is desperate to sign a long-term replacement for Sergio Aguero and Harry Kane has been his first choice.

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      Manchester City are ready to make a move for inter star Lautaro Martinez Credit: Friedemann Vogel
      But City know it would be impossible to land the Spurs and England striker this year so they are now focusing on Martinez, 22, who featured in the Europa League final defeat Inter against Sevilla.
      Martinez has scored 20 times this season.
      He has a release clause of £81million which City will be able to match although they are keen to offload some players to help fund more buying.
      Barcelona have also been keen on bringing the hotshot to the Nou Camp.

      But they admitted defeat in their pursuit of the ace earlier this week.
      Inter signed Martinez from Racing Club in Argentina for £20m two years ago and has represented Argentina on 17 occasions, scoring nine times – including a hat-trick against Mexico last September.
      The Nerazzuri are keen for him to remain at the club but Guardiola, who has signed defender Nathan Ake from Bournemouth for £41million, wants to buy both a new central striker and a No10.

      Top striker Aguero has one more year left on his current deal.

      And he is set to return back to Argentina to play although City are offering 12 more months.
      Aguero has starred for City since his move from Atletico Madrid in 2011, becoming the club’s all-time leading goalscorer with 180 goals. More

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      in Soccer

      Ex-Man Utd starlet John O’Kane reveals autism battle after having professionalism questioned by Gary Neville

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      JOHN O’KANE was known as ‘The Spaceman’ because he always seemed to be out there on his own planet.
      Sir Alex Ferguson told him he had more ability than Gary Neville but would slap him on the head before games because he often seemed so distant.

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      Former Man Utd youngster John O’Kane has revealed he has battled autism for much of his lifeCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      After he left Manchester United for Everton, boss Walter Smith bumped into him in a Goodison corridor and said: “Oh, you’re the lazy b, aren’t you?”
      Last year, Neville had a Twitter spat with his fellow Class of ’92 member, declaring that O’Kane was wasting his time waging war on United’s owners, the Glazers.
      Neville tweeted: “Are there 2 John O’Kanes?
      “The one I knew that cowered at the thought of giving his all for the club and was unprofessional whilst wearing the shirt.

      “And this one who is a Twitter warrior and represents the fans with all his heart. Can’t be the same bloke surely!”

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      Gary Neville had questioned O’Kane’s professionalism as a footballerCredit: PA:Press Association
      O’Kane is indeed the same bloke.
      It is just that he was never the bloke that Neville, Fergie, Smith and all the others who criticised him for lacking focus and wasting his talent, thought he was.
      O’Kane is autistic and, until now, has never made that public.

      He has just retired after 15 years working with disadvantaged kids because he also suffers from stage four kidney disease.
      There is a danger that, like former United star Andy Cole two years ago, a kidney transplant may be needed to save his life.
      Yet O’Kane, 45, insisted he has never been happier.
      He said: “They’ve got me on pills for my kidney condition and everything is under control.
      “What was never under control when I was playing was my mental state because of autism.
      “My team-mates would call me The Spaceman, because at times I seemed a bit detached.
      “And Sir Alex — in a good way — would whack me to get me going. There was a battle with Brian Clough at Nottingham Forest to sign me when I was 15.
      “I came from Nottingham but Sir Alex got me after he invited me to his home.
      “There was this surreal experience of us having a game of snooker together before we went to a game against Arsenal.

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      Some of John O’Kane’s class of ’92 team-mates enjoyed a bit more success than himCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      “He always liked me, always said ‘Come on, you are my best right-back — go out and prove it’.
      “And I knew I was more gifted than most but I was never as committed because I was constantly battling things in my head.
      “All my managers and team-mates knew there was something ‘different’ about me.
      “I always knew I was autistic but I just tried to get on with it.
      “But it was always such a mental drain. Nobody knew what I was really going through.
      “Howard Kendall signed me for Everton in 1998, then got sacked and Walter Smith took over.
      “By then I had the reputation of being too laid back, not committed enough, not hungry enough and Smith made his feelings clear.
      “We never got on and he got rid of me as soon as he could.
      “I never said there was pressure in my brain as well as on my body — I was just ‘lazy’ John O’Kane who threw his career away.”
      The former right-back ended that career at non–league Hyde.
      He quit the game in 2006 and is now writing his autobiography.
      O’Kane added: “Had I been able to be more emotionally committed, I might have been winning the 1999 Treble.

      “But I spent 15 years working with kids in the care sector.
      “They are my medals and I’m prouder of the work I did helping those poor youngsters than anything I ever did in the game.
      “I’m speaking out now about my autism because, if that helps one other person suffering in silence, then that will make me prouder still of my life.” More

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      in Boxing

      Dillian Whyte looking forward to retirement cuddles with a lapdog called Furball… but not before he gets world title

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      DILLIAN WHYTE will unleash the dogs of war on Alexander Povetkin tonight before enjoying his retirement with a lapdog called Furball. The 18st Brixton powerhouse adores his three giant muscle dogs Zeus, Hades and Titan that he trained in tracking and defence while in a 22-week training camp in Portugal. The 32-year-old had to leave […] More

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      in Soccer

      New Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman targets Manchester City defender Eric Garcia as man to replace Gerard Pique

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      NEW Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman aims to bring Eric Garcia back to the Nou Camp this summer.
      The Catalan giants have made it clear they want to re-sign Manchester City’s centre-back, 19, who came through their famed La Masia academy.

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      Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman aims to bring Eric Garcia back to the Nou Camp this summer

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      Gerard Pique’s Barcelona future is in doubt and Garcia is seen as his heir

      Yet with funds tight at the club, Barca chiefs were willing to wait until May when Garcia’s Etihad contract will have expired.
      Now Koeman wants to see if their move for the talented youngster — who has been called up by Spain this week — can be brought forward.
      With doubts over the future of veteran Barca defender Gerard Pique, 33, Koeman is hoping to secure a centre-half for the long-term future.
      City boss Pep Guardiola revealed earlier this month that the Spanish superkid has turned down a new deal and is keen to leave.

      But Etihad moneymen are demanding £30million to consider selling now — and Barca are unlikely to reach that figure.

      City would also be happy to keep Garcia next season and let him leave for free next summer.
      Dutchman Koeman admits it will be difficult to make sweeping changes this window, due to the economic impact of Covid-19.
      But the ex-Everton and Southampton chief knows he must shake things up after their humiliating 8-2 defeat by Bayern Munich — which led to Quique Setien being axed as manager.

      So instead, he will prioritise two or three new faces this summer — with Garcia expected to be one of them.
      Koeman said: “Big clubs are undergoing major losses and I’m aware it may be hard to bring in five or six players immediately.”

      City’s willingness to part with Garcia (right) this summer is likely to be linked to their success in the transfer market.
      They have already paid £40m to sign defender Nathan Ake from relegated Bournemouth.
      And Guardiola is eyeing a move for Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly, despite the Senegal centre-half’s £80m price tag.

      Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman says he doesn’t know if he has to convince Messi to stay More

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      in Soccer

      Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa finally set to sign new £8MILLION-a-year deal with Premier League new boys

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      MARCELO BIELSA is finally set to sign an £8million-a-year deal to stay at Leeds – as they landed a plum opener at Liverpool.
      The Premier League fixtures revealed yesterday pitted them against the champions at Anfield next month.

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      Marcelo Bielsa is finally set to sign a new £8m-a-year contract at Leeds
      Bielsa led Leeds back to the big time after a 16-year exile but fans feared the worst as his contract expired.
      Now he is set to pen a bumper new contract – taking his salary from £6m to £8m – until 2022.
      Leeds chief exec Angus Kinnear said: “I just need to find an appropriate window to get the paper in front of him and for him to sign it.

      “I know fans are nervous, it makes me a bit nervous, but I don’t think there is any reason to be.

      “Marcelo is absolutely focused on training, but like last season where I know everyone was nervous about the contract, it is about him getting the time to focus on signing it.
      “We have conversations daily and it tends to be about the minutiae of the preparations for the season rather than his contract.”
      After falling at the play-off hurdle the season before, the 64-year-old Argentine took Leeds to the title at the second time of asking.

      They sealed the championship in the penultimate game of the season at Derby, where they were charged after their players celebrated with flares at an empty Pride Park.

      Leeds have accepted the charge, with the incident coming on the same day director of football Victor Orta mocked the Rams by celebrating with binoculars.
      This followed ‘Spygate’, in which Bielsa admitted to snooping on Frank Lampard’s Derby training the season before.

      The Premier League opening day fixtures for 2020-21 have been revealed

      Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman says he doesn’t know if he has to convince Messi to stay More

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      in Soccer

      Mauricio Pochettino is becoming football’s forgotten man after Barcelona and Juventus rejection

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      WHEN Juventus fired Maurizio Sarri last week, they were widely reported to want Mauricio Pochettino as their next head coach.
      But those ‘expert’ predictions had barely made it online before the Italian Champions appointed club legend Andrea Pirlo.

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      Mauricio Pochettino was overlooked by both Barcelona and Juventus
      The same thing happened the other day, when Barcelona reacted to their Champions League humiliation at the hands of Bayern Munich by sacking coach Quique Setien.
      Once again we were reliably informed that Pochettino was top of their wanted list — until it was announced that Ronald Koeman would be taking over at the Nou Camp.
      Poch, it seems, had barely registered in the thoughts of two of football’s biggest clubs before being passed over.
      And now the out-of-work Argentine must be wondering exactly when his big chance is going to come.

      It is more than nine months since he left Tottenham with a £12million pay-off.
      So at least he’s not short of a few bob as he awaits his next opportunity.
      But all those elite manager’s jobs which were supposed to be awaiting him have yet to materialise.
      And we’re rapidly approaching the point where Poch is in danger of becoming the forgotten man of football.

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      Juventus appointed club legend Andrea Pirlo as their new manager
      The Argentine Alan Curbishley, if you like.
      Pochettino could never have envisaged such a situation when he was dismissed by Spurs last November.
      After all, hadn’t he worked a minor miracle during his five years in North London?
      Surely he was destined for the very top after leading Tottenham to second place in the 2016-17 campaign — their highest Premier League finish — and to last season’s Champions League final while working to a limited budget.
      The general consensus at the time was that he was all set to replace struggling Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Manchester United.
      Yet just when it seemed the writing was on the Old Trafford walls for Ole, he seized the wheel to turn the United ship around, aided by the signing of £55million man Bruno Fernandes and a s***-load of penalties.
      Now we’re being told it’s actually Manchester City who are lining up Pochettino, if Pep Guardiola decides he wants a new challenge.

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      Ronald Koeman replaced Quique Setien at Barcelona
      But that’s a big ‘if’, because Guardiola still has a year of his Etihad contract to run and Sheikh Mansour is doing everything in his considerable power to secure a new deal.
      And even if Guardiola does leave City next summer, can Pochettino really afford to wait that long?
      Football club owners, like goldfish, tend to have very short memories and Poch’s previous achievements are rapidly fading into the mists of time.
      He needs to make his managerial return sooner rather than later but if you look across Europe’s elite teams, it’s the same tale of blocked roads.
      Former club Paris Saint-Germain aren’t going to be sacking Thomas Tuchel after getting to Sunday’s Champions League final.And Zinedine Zidane looks equally secure at Real Madrid.
      Bayern Munich are in love with new boss Hansi Flick and none of the Premier League’s ‘Big Six’ will be in the market for a new boss any time soon.
      Even Newcastle have had to curb their fanciful big-time ambitions after the collapse of their proposed Saudi-backed takeover.

      So that leaves maybe one of the lesser French, German or Italian teams — but none who would be regarded as a step up from Spurs, nor able to pay him the £170,000 a week he was getting in his previous job.
      At 48, Pochettino is far from finished and surely it’s only a matter of time before his star is back in the ascendancy.
      But the anticipated stampede of clubs beating a path to his door has not transpired and that must be a painful blow to his self-esteem.

      Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman says he doesn’t know if he has to convince Messi to stay More

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      in Boxing

      Alexander Povetkin tells Dillian Whyte not to be ‘scared’ and invites him to eat ‘buffet lunch’ after heavyweight clash

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      ALEXANDER POVETKIN reckons ‘scared’ rival Dillian Whyte should stop hiding out in his caravan.
      Brixton ace Whyte has resorted to living in a couple of motorhomes at Brentwood Holiday Inn, while his Russian opponent stays in a regular room.

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      Alexander Povetkin reckons ‘scared’ rival Dillian Whyte should stop hiding out in his caravan

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      Whyte has resorted to living in a couple of motorhomes at Brentwood Holiday Inn
      Whyte, 32, and promoter Eddie Hearn insist it is to stop the pair scrapping on the M25 before tomorrow’s first bell.
      But the heavyweights shared a cordial stage for yesterday’s press conference and Povetkin, 40, even invited his rival to share a buffet lunch with him before he flies home.
      The Soviet slugger said: “I don’t see why it is necessary for him to live in a caravan — but it is up to Dillian.
      “I don’t need to be hidden away or kept separate from him or any of his team but maybe it’s different for him.

      “We are eating and training and walking around in the same places as everyone else with no problems.
      “I don’t care how he feels. Maybe he’s afraid, but he doesn’t need to be — he looks in good shape and I don’t bite.”

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      Povetkin gave Anthony Joshua a serious scare in September 2018, before being brutally stopped in round seven.
      He scored a savage KO win over David Price to land that Wembley showdown with AJ and followed it up with a unanimous comeback decision over Hughie Fury.

      The ex-world champ is close friends with London veteran Derek Chisora and invites Daniel Dubois out to Russia for sparring.
      Now he is hoping to add Whyte to his list of fighting friends.
      He said: “I don’t like fighting or beating UK guys in particular — but I do love the fans here and the atmosphere.
      “I have a very good relationship with Chisora. He was going to come in and train with me but the Covid lockdown restrictions were changing too much.
      “I feel I can shake the hands of Anthony Joshua, David Price and Hughie Fury, too, and Dillian could be the same.”

      I don’t care how he feels. Maybe he’s afraid, but he doesn’t need to be — he looks in good shape and I don’t bite.”
      Povetkin on Whyte

      Povetkin welcomed son Slava to the family in July, making his Covid-hit training camp even more complicated.
      And the proud new father — who has often been painted as boxing’s Mr Bland — opened up on fatherhood at 40.
      He added: “I am a pretty fun guy in real life but maybe the UK reporters didn’t want to know about my personality before.
      “I like to train and keep fit in lots of ways and enjoy time with the baby. But, no, I am not good at changing nappies.
      “I have had a baby but everything is normal, nothing changed with my camp, my wife is doing all of the work very well.”
      On Povetkin’s three previous UK missions he has had judges of mixed nationality.
      Due to British Boxing Board of Control restrictions, all tomorrow’s fight officials will be home grown.

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      Povetkin said: “I won’t be particularly trying to win with a left hook. Any way the win comes will be fine — even a decision.
      “There will be three British judges and a British referee, but hopefully I don’t get any bad scoring from the judges.
      “I hope they are respectful of the fact I’ve taken the fight under these conditions.”

      Dillian Whyte says pressure does not affect him as he prepares to fight Alexander Povetkin More

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      in Soccer

      Barcelona’s next president has already decided to SACK Ronald Koeman… and replace him with Xavi

      by

      RONALD KOEMAN has always called it his dream job.
      Yet the Dutchman may soon be waking up in hot sweats given the nightmare nature of the task he is inheriting at Barcelona.

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      New Barcelona chief Ronald Koeman is ready to oust some of their 30-something legends but could be booted out himself next yearCredit: EPA

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      Nou Camp icon Xavi, now boss of Quatari side Al Sadd, is wanted as Barca manager from 2021-22 if Victor Font becomes presidentCredit: AFP or licensors
      The ex-Southampton and Everton boss takes over at the club where he was a legendary European Cup- winning player, amid an almighty sewage storm.
      He arrives in the aftermath of an historic Champions League humiliation by Bayern Munich — which saw his predecessor Quique Setien sacked.
      Koeman has been told he must oversee the departures of some of Barca’s modern-day greats,  including Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez.
      And he must do so in the knowledge that the favourite to become club president next year has vowed to SACK him, even if he wins the Champions League.

      Koeman has spent 23 years in coaching and management waiting for this chance to take charge at the  Nou Camp — and quit as  Holland  national team boss to do so.
      And he did not mince his words when insisting Barcelona’s 8-2 quarter-final defeat by Bayern was unacceptable and that he only wanted players  fully committed to the club.

      It is not a revolution. We must seek the best for the club and if that implies changes, we will make changes… what we saw against Bayern is not the Barca we will see.

      Koeman said: “We have to make changes, the image of the other day against Bayern is not what we want. We will work hard to regain prestige.
      “I only want to work with people who want to be here — if they are not happy here, let them say so.

      “I want people who are going to give everything for Barca.
      “It is not a revolution. We must seek the best for the club and if that implies changes, we will make changes. But we will do so by talking to the players.
      “We are clear that what we saw against Bayern is not the Barca  we will see — we want a very different image.”
      Yet before a masked Koeman had been unveiled on the Nou Camp pitch, he had already been warned  his tenure could be short-lived.

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      Uruguay and former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, 33, is likely to be one of the big-name casualties at BarcelonaCredit: AP:Associated Press

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      Gerard Pique, also 33, shows the shock that reverberated around Barcelona as Bayern humbled them, and knows he too could be leavingCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      That was the message from club presidential candidate Victor Font, who is widely expected to unseat Josep Maria Bartomeu in an election in March.
      Font hardly rolled out the red carpet for the man whose goal won Barca their first European Cup, under Dutch legend Johan Cruyff, in 1992.
      He insisted he wants another Barca playing great, Xavi, to take over if he wins the presidential vote.
      Font warned: “Even if Koeman  has a great season, I will not change my plans.
      “If I become president, Koeman will not be the coach of Barca in the 2021-22 season.
      “Xavi understands that all the  puzzles in the club must be put together.
      MESSI ONE OF EIGHT ‘UNTOUCHABLES’
      “Who will lead the team will be decided by the board of directors — in our case it will be Xavi.
      “Lionel Messi is completely disappointed because of the critical situation at the club.
      “I expect that Messi will play under Xavi in 2021.”
      Messi is one of eight players labelled ‘untouchable’ by Bartomeu,  along with keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, defenders Clement Lenglet and Nelson Semedo, as well as Antoine Griezmann, Frenkie de Jong, French winger Ousmane Dembele and Spanish superkid Ansu Fati, 17.
      That means stalwarts  Pique and Busquets can leave — along with  fellow thirtysomethings Suarez, Ivan Rakitic and Jordi Alba.
      While Bartomeu has insisted that Koeman will decide whether Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho stays at the club.

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      Ronald Koeman says he has yet to speak to Lionel Messi but wants to keep the Argentinian he still rates as the world’s best playerCredit: AP:Associated Press
      And Koeman admitted he is yet to speak to Messi about his future — but remains adamant that he wants the Argentinian maestro to extend his contract beyond next summer. 
      Koeman said: “I don’t know if I have to convince Messi.
      “He’s the best player in the world and the best in the world you want him in your team — not the other way around.
      “Messi has a contract and is very important, I want him in my team.”
      Koeman’s appointment follows a recent trend for major clubs to appoint great former players as  managers.
      But while Chelsea’s Frank Lampard, Manchester United’s Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Andrea Pirlo, newly installed at Juventus, had little or no managerial experience, Koeman has a decent CV.

      He won titles in Holland with Ajax and PSV, and the Copa del Rey with Valencia.
      The Dutchman then enjoyed three good seasons in Premier League before he was sacked by Everton following a disastrous start to the 2017-18 campaign.
      Koeman guided both the Saints and Everton to Europa League football and has since revived the fortunes of his national team.
      He guided them to last year’s Nations League final after the Dutch had failed to qualify for the World Cup.
      And like Pirlo, Lampard and Solskjaer, there is no doubting   Koeman’s status as a player at the club he now manages.
      He also follows in a famous line of Dutchmen to have managed Barca, after ‘Total Football’ architect Rinus Michels, Cruyff, Louis van Gaal and Frank Rijkaard.

      Koeman, 57, who only underwent heart surgery in May, explained: “It is a day to be very happy, proud. Barca is my home.
      “It is such a challenge — it is not easy. Barca always demands the maximum.
      “That is how it should be.”

      Barcelona president confirms Ronald Koeman as new boss and says Lionel Messi is staying More