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    Harry Maguire was football’s ultimate role model now Greece arrest leaves Man Utd and England with disciplinary dilemma

    IF YOU had to name the England footballer most likely to be arrested for allegedly punching a police officer, Harry Maguire would not have been top of your list.
    The world’s most expensive defender promised boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer he would never cause him a moment’s trouble when he was appointed Manchester United captain in January.

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    Man Utd skipper Harry Maguire was seen at snooker star Judd Trump’s birthday bash with some club team-mates

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    Harry Maguire was pictured on partner Fern Hawkins’ Instagram as they relaxed on Mykonos
    It was Maguire who teamed up with Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson to establish the Players Together initiative to raise £4million for good causes when coronavirus hit.
    He even spent lockdown organising food deliveries for the elderly and vulnerable in his  home village.
    This was the down to earth lad who travelled to France with his friends to support England at Euro 2016 when he was still playing  for Hull.
    In short, he was football’s  ultimate role model.

    So the news that old slab ’ead had spent the night in a Mykonos nick will have come like a bolt out of the blue for Solskjaer and England boss Gareth Southgate.
    Now both managers must decide what to do with a player who is central to their plans for the upcoming season.
    They certainly cannot take any disciplinary action until the full facts behind Maguire’s arrest have been established.
    But it is difficult to see how Southgate can include him in his squad for the forthcoming Nations League matches against Iceland and Denmark.

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    Centre-back Harry Maguire became an England hero at the 2018 World Cup, most notably when he scored against SwedenCredit: EPA

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    Harry Maguire has gone from the glory of this quarter-final goal against Sweden to giving his club and country bosses a disciplinary headacheCredit: AP:Associated Press
    It is bad enough that the squad will be announced on Tuesday, at the same time  Jack Grealish was due to appear before Birmingham  Magistrates’ Court.
    The Aston Villa captain had been widely tipped for his first England call-up until he was charged with driving without due care and attention and failing to report a collision.
    The court  yesterday rescheduled his hearing to November 12 — three days before England take on Belgium in the Nations League.
    Now it is almost impossible for disciplinarian Southgate to consider football’s first Covidiot.
    Let’s not forget Kyle Walker being caught bang to rights ignoring lockdown rules to invite a couple of hookers to his flat.
    Southgate has never shied away from making difficult decisions during his four years as the  national manager.

    He was instrumental in helping set up the FA’s Respect code  of conduct, which specifically  precludes physical assault and intimidating behaviour.
    When Raheem Sterling instigated a scrap with England team-mate Joe Gomez last year, Southgate did not hesitate to leave the  Manchester City star out of the Euro qualifier against Montenegro, no matter what his importance to the team is.
    He hauled James  Maddison over the coals when the Leicester midfielder pulled out of an England game through  injury and then spent the night in a casino.
    And Wayne Rooney never started another game for his country after  gatecrashing a wedding party at the England hotel, reportedly the worse for wear.
    The FA have a chequered history dealing with disciplinary issues  surrounding their players.
    Long before Southgate became boss, Manchester United striker Alan Smith was ejected from the England squad in 2003 when he was charged with throwing a plastic bottle into the crowd at Elland Road.
    Then it emerged his replacement James Beattie was in the middle of a 30-month drink-driving ban.
    So when Steven Gerrard was arrested for a bar-room brawl in 2009, the FA changed the  rules so only convicted players were excluded.
    Now it is Maguire’s turn to be left sweating on his fate after being shipped from the party island of Mykonos to face charges by the public prosecutor.
    Both Southgate and Solskjaer will know Maguire’s alleged crime is completely out of character.

    Too many players dropped their guard the minute the season was over, many appearing to forget all social distancing advice to make the most of their brief summer break.

    Yet they cannot ignore the fact that he has let himself down at a time when footballers’ behaviour is under scrutiny like never before.
    They have been kept on the tightest of leashes throughout the lockdown, insulated in a bio-secure bubble to allow the game to  keep going.
    But too many players have dropped their guard the minute the season was over, with many appearing to forget all social  distancing advice to make the most of their brief summer break.
    Maguire was on holiday with his fiancee, his daughters and other family members.
    But he still attended snooker star Judd Trump’s birthday bash with a number of United team-mates.
    Premier League clubs have already recorded 14 positive  coronavirus tests this week — and that is before quite a few teams even return to training.
    The  Scottish season has been thrown into chaos by a Celtic player ignoring quarantine rules and eight Aberdeen players drinking in a crowded bar.
    Now the fear is that next month’s big kick-off could also be threatened by partying players failing to abide by the rules.

    Spending a night in a Greek prison cell is probably not the best way for anyone to test their immune system.
    It is safe to say Maguire is going to be subjected to the most rigorous of medical examinations when he finally gets back to England to begin his pre-season training with United.
    But a swab up the nose will be nothing compared to the grilling he faces from his angry bosses.

    Harry Maguire boozing with Love Island’s Chris Hughes and Lottie Moss in Mykonos before ‘arrest after bust-up with Greek police’ More

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    Leeds out to beat Tottenham to £20m Robin Koch transfer as Marcelo Bielsa moves on from Ben White

    LEEDS boss Marcelo Bielsa has set his sights on Freiburg centre-back Robin Koch after missing out on Ben White.
    And Bielsa is ready to pay £20million for the twice-capped German, 24,  following Brighton’s insistence that White is not for sale.

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    Promoted Leeds hope to land Spurs target Robin Koch from Freiburg Credit: AFP – Getty
    White, 22,  starred on loan at Elland Road last season, but United have moved on after having a third bid of £25m rejected.
    Bielsa likes ball-playing centre-backs, and Koch, is rated as one of the best in the Bundesliga.
    The German side want to cash in on Koch now rather than lose him on a free at the end of the season.
    He is also wanted by Tottenham, Newcastle, Lazio and RB Leipzig.

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    Elland Road boss Marcelo Bielsa wanted loan hit Ben White permanently but Brighton say he is not for sale Credit: Getty Images – Getty

    Bielsa is also eyeing-up a second swoop for Rangers winger Ryan Kent, 23, after having his initial offer of £10m rejected.
    Rangers insist former Liverpool star Kent is not for sale.
    Ibrox boss Steven Gerrard rapped: “The message  is ‘hands off’. Ryan is in a good place and he’s a player we want to keep.
    “Yes, we have had contact from Leeds, and an opening bid has been strongly rejected.

    “They are way, way off with that opening bid. That’s the truth and the reality. Ryan’s  not for sale.”
    Meanwhile, Northern Ireland star Alfie McCalmont has signed a new four-year contract with Leeds.
    The  midfielder, 20, who is now contracted until the summer of 2024, is yet to make a senior league appearance but played twice in the Carabao Cup last term.

    Leeds making shock £10m move for Rangers star Ryan Kent with Marcelo Bielsa huge fan of ex-Liverpool winger More

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    Stoke can be Championship dark horses while Bournemouth struggle, as Charlton and Forest Green eye glory, says Ashton

    THE fight to get out of the Championship will be as fierce as ever.
    Here, talkSPORT expert pundit DEAN ASHTON tells us his dark horse for promotion to the Premier League – and reveals how he sees some of the relegated clubs struggling in the second tier.
    He also his verdict on Leagues One and Two and what lies in store for new boys Barrow and Harrogate Town.

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    Bournemouth could struggle back down in the Championship, says Dean AshtonCredit: Getty – Pool
    CHAMPIONSHIP
    DARE I say it is more competitive this season than last.
    I keep going through lots of teams and thinking – ‘yeah I can see them going up, yeah I can see them having a good run, the teams who were relegated being okay.’
    The team that I will be certainly looking at for promotion is Stoke under Michael O’Neill.

    The record he had to take them from the bottom of the league to where they were, and he has already brought in some experienced players.
    I think they will be dark horses for promotion.

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    Stoke could have the tools to finally get back to the Premier LeagueCredit: PA:Press Association
    They have a hard start against Millwall. Gary Rowett did a great job to push them to the playoffs so he will be looking to build on that by making them hard to beat.
    That will be a good marker for Stoke to how they will be looking.

    I go through their squad and I still can’t believe they were in the position they were in last season.
    It is who they keep hold of. As it stands right now they will be too strong for most teams with the way that they play.
    They will be better defensively this time around in the Champions having learnt a lot in the Premier League.
    They will be far too good in possession, if they keep hold of their stars then they will get promoted automatically.
    I see Bournemouth struggling. Losing those players and even though the experience the manager has got alongside Eddie Howe. It is different being the manager and getting respect from the players that Eddie Howe had.

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    Dean Ashton is looking forward to an exciting Championshbip seasonCredit: Rex Features
    We have seen it with so many teams before when they lose a manager that had been there for so long.
    It is going to be a real struggle for Bournemouth like we have seen with Stoke and Middlesbrough.
    Play offs are realistic for Brentford. That team looked so good last season and that was their opportunity I think.
    If they keep hold of everyone then they will go again but with the transfer window staying open for a good while after the season starts – if any of them play well they will just be poached.
    The likes of Derby, Forest and Cardiff will be pushing but I quite fancy Blackburn.

    They gave loads of attacking options, if they get that consistency then they could be the ones to really look out for.
    When talking about relegation, It is hard to look past the teams who got promoted.
    I would expect all three of the promoted sides – Coventry, Wycombe and Rotherham – to be in the bottom six.
    I think it is going to be that tough for them. It is just a case of them getting a decent run and keeping their heads above water.
    There will be a fair few players worth watching, of course.
    QPR winger Bright Osayi-Samuel is certainly one to watch again, if he stays at Loftus Road.
    You also have striker Matt Godden at Coventry as well, whose goals got them up. It’ll be interesting to see how he does at the higher level.
    LEAGUE ONE
    I REALLY fancy Charlton to go up. With Lee Bowyer still there, he is able to bring together a side.
    He showed how well he can do in the low market which will be crucial to most clubs and that is where he has excelled.
    I fully expect Charlton to be right up there fighting for the automatic places.
    I think Sunderland, Ipswich, Hull and Portsmouth – these are big clubs in that league which will all be looking to be competitive and be all in the promotion places all throughout the season.

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    Lee Bowyer can guide Charlton back to the ChampionshipCredit: PA:Empics Sport
    But if I had to pick one it would be Portsmouth. I thought they looked good towards the end of the season and were unlucky the season ended when it did.
    Peterborough are a side that have shown they can match the top sides in the division and if they keep hold of Ivan Toney they will be a big threat as well.
    At the other end, Wigan will be in trouble having lost Paul Cook.
    He was the one the Latics will miss most despite selling all of their players. I think It will be a tough season for them to even try and consolidate mid table would be a good season for them.
    As for my old team Crewe, it’s the big question. For so many seasons now they have been too good for League Two and not good enough for League One.
    It is whether they can make that leap with the strategy they have always had which is to give them young players.
    I see Swindon struggling where Plymouth I fancy to do pretty well.
    LEAGUE TWO
    BOLTON will be the bookies’ favourites but it is a difficult one with them.
    Although the club is big and they have made some signings, you look at the squad and the way they have played over the past few seasons.
    I just don’t see the sudden turnaround in mentality there despite the appointment of Ian Evatt.
    They will be looking for play-offs rather than automatics.

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    Mark Cooper can turn Forest Green Rovers into promotion-chasersCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Forest Green are a team I will probably be tipping quite heavily next season. I liked what I saw last season under Mark Cooper and I think they can build on that.
    Michael Duff’s Cheltenham were another who were strong last season and were unlucky again with the campaign finishing when it did due to coronavirus.
    Tranmere will be champing at the bit as well.
    With what happened to them and the way they got relegated (by Points Per Game after the League One season was stopped early due to Covid-19) they will have an edge to get back into League One.
    And everyone associated with the club will have that anger towards the season and I can see them doing well.

    It is great to see both Harrogate and Barrow, now managed by David Dunn, in the league.
    It will be exciting to see how they get on. People know what great National League sides they are but to see them in the Football League is going to be tough.
    But I would hate to say it but I think it is going to come down to the finances of certain clubs as to where they are at. That is what is going to be key in that league More

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

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

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

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

    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.

    BASH HARRY
    Maguire spending 2nd night in cells for ‘punching cop & trying to bribe police’

    ‘CUT THE S***E’
    Tyson Fury’s dad John ‘to fight bigmouth bum Micky Theo on Sunday’

    SEEING RED
    Maguire arrested after he ‘PUNCHED cop then tried to bribe officers’ in bust-up

    RED MIST
    Maguire to spend 2nd night in cells after ‘punching cop & trying to bribe police’

    TAKING THE MYK
    Why Mykonos is the luxury hotspot loved by footballers like Maguire and Alli

    NO LUK
    Heartbroken Lukaku refuses to collect medal as cruel own goal costs Inter in final

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

    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