Mauricio Pochettino is Bayern’s No1 choice to replace axed Niko Kovac
BAYERN MUNICH have made Mauricio Pochettino their main priority as they search for a new boss, according to reports.The Bundesliga giants axed Niko Kovac this month and Hansi Flick is expected to continue until the end of the season.1 Mauricio Pochettino is on the radar of a number of top sidesCredit: AFP or licensorsCaretaker Flick masterminded a 4-0 hammering of Borussia Dortmund but Pochettino is being lined up should he quit Spurs, claims The Athletic.A source is quoted as saying: “Pochettino would be the preferred solution.“If he and Spurs end up splitting, which looks likely, Bayern will do anything to get him.”On the other hand, that’s what everyone would do, even Real Madrid and probably Manchester United, who have been aiming at him for a year and a half now.”It’s a very difficult option, but that would be Bayern’s priority.”The report adds that Thomas Tuchel is another frontrunner, while Arsene Wenger was only considered as a caretaker.Pochettino has failed to build on last season’s Champions League final run and Spurs are a club in crisis with several senior players joining the boss in wanting out.Most read in footballTHROUGH ITRobbie Keane reveals Claudine’s father was ’50-50′ in coronavirus battleTOP SELLERGavin Whelan has gone from League of Ireland to David Beckham’s InstagramExclusiveRIYAD RAIDMan City’s Riyad Mahrez has three luxury watches stolen in £500,000 raidPicturedAN EYEFULMeet Playboy model and football agent Anamaria Prodan bidding to buy her own clubI SAW ROORodallega saw Rooney ‘drinking like madman’ & Gerrard ‘on bar dancing shirtless’NEXT STEPJonny Hayes set to move to English Championship having been let go by CelticREF RELEASEDChampions League ref Vincic released by cops after arrest in prostitution raidKEANE DEALEx Man United youth ace David Jones says Roy Keane negotiated a contract for himREF RAIDChampions League ref Vincic ‘arrested in raid into drugs and prostitution ring’NICE RONCristiano Ronaldo goes on family bike ride with partner Georgina Rodriguez & kidsJan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld and Christian Eriksen are all out of contract in the summer and a rebuild is on the cards.Tottenham struggled to a VAR-assisted 1-1 draw with newly-promoted Sheffield United in their last outing before the international break.And they will try to regroup for a clash against West Ham on November 23 before Olympiakos visit London three days later.[pod_component pod_component_config_id=”bWMArKDIZ”pod_component_config_url=”https://www.thesun.co.uk/nu-sun-pod-component-config-prod/bWMArKDIZ.json” pod_component_config_loader_url=”https://www.thesun.co.uk/nu-sun-pod-loaders-prod/1.66.0/componentLoader.js?114810″ src=”https%3A%2F%2Fiframe.thesun.co.uk%2Fnu-sun-pod-widgets-prod%2Fiframe-pod.html%3Fid%3DbWMArKDIZ%26script%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.thesun.co.uk%2Fnu-sun-pod-loaders-prod%2F1.66.0%2FcomponentLoader.js%3F114810%26config%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.thesun.co.uk%2Fnu-sun-pod-component-config-prod%2FbWMArKDIZ.json”]Son proves he is the ‘nicest footballer in the world’ as Spurs star uses his hands to protect mascot from the rain
TOTTENHAM fans held up a banner to thank their beloved Mauricio Pochettino and welcome Jose Mourinho to the club during his first game in charge.The new Spurs boss, who replaced the Argentine on Wednesday, got his reign underway with an away win over West Ham.3 Tottenham supporters made The Special One feel welcome during the clash against West HamCredit: Getty Images – Getty3 Jose Mourinho appeared to be in high spirits ahead of kick-offCredit: EPATottenham fans were out in force to cheer on their new boss as he looks to turn their season around after a poor run of form.A group of supporters in the away end of the London Stadium held up a banner which read: “Thank you Poch. Welcome Jose.”The Special One’s afternoon got off to an incredible start after Son Heung-min gave his side the lead after 35 minutes.And Lucas Moura doubled Spurs’ tally on the brink of half-time before Harry Kane made it 3-0 early in the second half.Prior to kick-off, even the Hammers fans proved they were excited to see the 56-year-old back in the Premier League.ACCA WITH LADBROKES Pick up a whole load of acca features to help you land the big onemost read in sport THROUGH ITRobbie Keane reveals Claudine’s father was ’50-50′ in coronavirus battle’I ACCEPT’McGregor accepts Silva fight at UFC catchweight of 176lbs in huge super-fightTOP SELLERGavin Whelan has gone from League of Ireland to David Beckham’s InstagramPicturedA CUT ABOVEMike Tyson shows two-inch cut ‘picked up in training’ ahead of boxing returnExclusiveRIYAD RAIDMan City’s Riyad Mahrez has three luxury watches stolen in £500,000 raidPicturedAN EYEFULMeet Playboy model and football agent Anamaria Prodan bidding to buy her own clubI SAW ROORodallega saw Rooney ‘drinking like madman’ & Gerrard ‘on bar dancing shirtless’NEXT STEPJonny Hayes set to move to English Championship having been let go by CelticIT’S…NOT TOMMY BOWETommy Bowe discovers someone has been impersonating him on TinderMAC DADDYTriple H wants McGregor v McMahon with winner getting rights to billionaire strutThe ex-Chelsea manager was spotted signing West Ham and Tottenham shirts for the home supporters.Mourinho has set his sights on winning the Premier League with the north London club next season.And he is set to pocket a juicy £2million bonus if he can lead struggling Spurs to the top four this term.3Jose Mourinho admits he wasn’t happy at Man Utd ahead of his first game for Spurs
REAL MADRID have not sealed a deal to sign Donny van de Beek, the Ajax midfielder himself has confirmed.Manchester United and Tottenham are also said to be chasing the Dutchman who was strongly tipped by Spanish media to sign for Los Blancos.2 Van de Beek, 22, was reported to have agreed a move to Real MadridCredit: Getty Images – GettyBut, while van de Beek admits the Iberian climate would be nice to play in, he insists he is yet to accept any offer to leave Ajax.Speaking to magazine Helden, the 22-year-old noted: “Playing in the sun is always nice, but no, I haven’t started taking Spanish classes.”I still haven’t said ‘yes’ to anyone, it’s all open.”I know what I have here, I’m loved by Ajax and I love Ajax.”My feelings should be positive at a club, not only that they want me but also that I fit in their style of play.”Of course, I also want to know the game time they will give me.”Rumours mounted of a January exit to Madrid before van de Beek committed himself to seeing out the current season in Amsterdam.He told reporters “we’ll see what happens later” when asked about the summer with the coming transfer market shaken up by the coronavirus pandemic and a global financial crash.MAN UTD NEWS LIVE: Follow for the latest United newslatest football newsTHE WIN CROWDFA Cup final ‘may see 20,000 at Wembley in trial allowing some fans at games’CommentPHIL THOMASDiving and whining was never a good look and will seem worse after lockdownExclusive’I’M IN A BAD WAY’Ex-England star Kenny Sansom talks for first time since being attackedExclusiveBOURNE AGAINHowe says Cherries are stronger after lockdown with FIVE fit-again starsExclusiveSWAN THAT GOT AWAYSwansea wanted £3m Davies three years ago but couldn’t get work permitNEXT STEPJonny Hayes set to move to English Championship having been let go by CelticBAYERN 5 DUSSELDORF 0Lewa bags two as Bayern thump rivals to close on 8th straight titleTHEIR CALLReferees in Northern Ireland will be given choice on coming back says union bossDonny van de Beek shows his keepie uppie skills in Ajax training Previously, a fee of around £47million has been talked up with United reported to have once been close to a £20m deal.Spurs also made a play for van de Beek last year, according to Dutch media, ahead of losing playmaker Christian Eriksen to Inter Milan.Van de Beek, who scored against Tottenham in last season’s Champions League semi-final, has 10 goals and 11 assists in all competitions this campaign with Ajax leading the Eredivisie on goal difference.2
The lock picked up the problem, which tests have proven to be a grade two strain of the medial ligament, in the early stages of the 23-22 success at Murrayfield.Coleman had also started the 32-8 hammering of Wales the previous week, but his participation in the tour is now over and he will miss further Tests against France, Ireland and England.Wallabies coach Michael Cheika conceded the news was a blow, but has been impressed with the way Coleman has combined with Rory Arnold and taken on the responsibility of the line-out.”It’s bit of a shame for him because he’s had a really good start to the year and he’s worked his way through since June but in saying that it gives someone else an opportunity,” Cheika said.”There’s two ways to look at it. There’s discovery, so we’ve been able to find, get those two guys playing good rugby and starting to improve at this level and we’ve also got ourselves another very, very handy line-out caller and he’s only in single digit Tests.”He’s got a good future, he’s got to keep working on it, there’s no doubt about that, he knows that.”He’s disappointed but that’s the way footy goes sometimes, you’ve just got to go with it.”
Cook did his chances no harm with a strong 60-minute stint against Wigan on Saturday night, playing a hand in three of the Rabbitohs’ four tries.The 26-year-old is quietly confident the end of the chopping and changing with Robbie Farah is near after new coach Anthony Seibold declared he wants an 80-minute rake. Whether Cook is the man for the job will come down to the Rabbitohs’ Charity Shield fixture in Mudgee.”I obviously do want to be the number one hooker and will keep working on what I need to do and hopefully hold that position,” Cook said after his side’s 18-8 win.”I don’t think it’s good to never feel safe in a jersey, it’s always good to have that competition in a club as well. I want to get to a position where I’m trusted by the team and the coach that it is my position. But you’ve got to earn the right to do that, being in and out of starting sides.”Hopefully I get to a time where when he [Seibold] writes the team sheet out I’m one of the one’s who he puts down straight away.”Cook can name the players he has competed with over the years in the space of 10 seconds after stints at the St George Illawarra Dragons and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.He credits them for shaping his 49-game career, and providing the motivation to never lose hope of finding a sense of security.”I’ve always been in competition with other hookers and it brings the best out in me and makes me want to keep bettering myself,” he said.”I probably have to thank all those good quality hookers that I’ve been up against … Mitch Rein and Cameron King at the Dragons, Mick Ennis and Michael Lichaa at the Bulldogs, Cameron McInnes here and Farah … they’re all good quality hookers in the game. It’s good they push me along and make sure I work hard.”Off-contract at season’s end, Cook said Farah had shown no signs of slowing down and continues to push the Helensburgh junior.Farah moved to halfback against the Warriors during the 10-point win, before switching back into the hooking role when Cook left the field for a breather after half-time.”I don’t think Robbie has backed off at all, he’s won the Dally M hooker twice but over a period of years apart,” Cook said.”It shows how competitive he has been throughout his career. He’s just been good to have around. We’re different types of hookers but are learning from each other.”The healthy competition is bring the best out in both of us.”Rabbitohs kick-start 2018 campaign with win over WiganRabbitohs to keep Reynolds and Crichton on iceSeibold remained coy on who had their nose in front following the double header victory.”It’s a good battle between the two of them so we’ll have to go back and have a look and see where they fit into the group,” he said.”They’ve both had good attitudes during the pre-season and I thought that showed tonight. It’s a good problem for the club to have. They’re both quality players and they’re both putting the team first and we’ll have a think about it.”
The president of Barça, Josep Maria Bartomeu, took advantage of the game of San Mamés to send a message of support to the template and try to soften the situation with the costumes. The president congratulated the players, whom he praised for his work and commitment and was sure that the team is on the right track.“From the outset I want to congratulate Athletic and the Catalans fans who have traveled to Bilbao and especially the players, have worked hard and the ambition is noticeable,” he told the club channel. Disappointed by an unfair elimination in the Cup, but proud of the ambition and attitude. Congratulate Athletic and thank the support of displaced members and fans. Full confidence in the technical team and players, who will fight until the end for League and Champions– Josep Maria Bartomeu (@jmbartomeu) February 6, 2020 The president explained that the fair semifinalist in his opinion should have been Barcelona: “We had many opportunities, there have been plays discussed within the area, but with this ambition we will achieve objectives. There is the logical disappointment of losing to a team that has only sucked once. We have had clear occasions. Barça’s dominance has been clear, but I am encouraged to see the players facing LaLiga and the Champions League. We will achieve many successes. “The president concluded that “from now on we will focus on LaLiga and the Champions League. I reiterate that I liked the ambition and the work. We are leaving with little prize for the opportunities. We deserved to spend ourselves.”Bartomeu He also wanted to send a message on Twitter: “Disappointed by an unfair elimination in the Cup, but proud of ambition and attitude. Congratulate Athletic and thank the support of displaced members and fans. Full confidence in the technical team and players, who will fight until the end for League and Champions. “
RashfordManchester United19312,364124.4 ImmobileLazio28292,34183.6 Raul JimenezWolverhamptontwenty383,019151 * Via Transfermarkt Moussa DembéléLyon183. 42,682149 MbappéPSG22261,91387 OmenManchester Citytwenty-one251,64178.1 PlayerEquipmentGoalsMatchesMinutesAverage (one goal every X minutes) WernerLeipzig25292,29691.8 BenzemaReal Madrid18302,419134.4 IcardiPSG18261,74596.9 LewandowskiBayern35292,51371.8 MessiBarcelona19252,100110.5 Christian RonaldoJuventus22272,387108.5 English football is the most representedDespite not having any strikers in the top five, The Premier League has five representatives of the 15 best scorers in Europe. Some of them sneak by the fact of have two drinks and not stop the competitions for Christmas. SterlingFor example, he has played 35 games; Raul Jiménez, 38; Salah, 33 … Lewandowski, the undisputed leader, has played 29. In other words, most of them score a lot of goals, but a deficit average in relation to the other exposed players. The exception is the Agüero brand, which has celebrated 21 in 25 duels.Europe’s top 15 scorers and their average SalahLiverpool18332,861158.9 After the conclusion of the first half of the season, the world-renowned scorers have already put aside injuries, adaptation and the small details that lead to a battering ram. They already take the top of the pichichi table and have in mind, not only the titles with their clubs, but also the Golden Boot. For now, and with a notable difference to the rest, Robert Lewandowski sweeps the scoring classification of the season, with a devastating figure: 35 points.No one shades the Polish, who has achieved it in 2,513 minutes. That is to say, celebrates somewhat every 71.8 minutes, also best record of the entire continent. It follows, although not very closely, Ciro Immobile. The striker of Lazio has surprised in the scoring plane and adds a total of 28 goals. Close the podium Timo Werner (25), always taking into account all official competitions that have been played so far.Kylian Mbappé, despite having to share offensively with other world stars like Icardi Y Neymar, appears fourth with 22 targets. Christian, for those who do not spend the years, is fifth with also 22 in his locker. They close the ‘top 10’ Omen (twenty-one), Lukaku (twenty), Sterling (twenty), Raul Jimenez (20) and Lionel Messi (25). Unlike other campaigns in which the star Blaugrana swept the scorer plane, this pays some physical discomfort and the downturn of Barcelona.Only a Real Madrid player in the ‘top 15’The real Madrid, leader of the classification of LaLiga Santander and qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League, It only has one representative in the European scorers table. It’s Karim Benzema, erected as a leader in the field of attack. However, it has never been a consecrated battering ram and his team is shining more in defense than in attack. Those of Zidane have only conceded 13 goals in the national league league and have scored 40, even less than two per encounter. The Frenchman has scored 18 in 2,419: one goal every 135 minutes. LukakuIntertwenty292,469123.5 SterlingManchester Citytwenty352,801140.1
Evidently Leo was referring to the Cup match against Athletic Bilbao (1-0) in San Mamés last Thursday. A game, which despite the elimination, the team showed for many minutes a solid and orderly image in the field, coming to dominate the rival widely.In any case, it seems clear that Messi’s motivational speech had its positive effects: the team maintained its composure at the rival’s rush – they barely finished off between Ter Stegen’s three suits – and was able to create many occasions against Joel’s goal. , being finally the central Clement Lenglet who ended up taking the prize, scoring a goal that ended up giving the victory and three points to Barcelona in the end. Leo Messi once again served as captain not only on the pitch but also outside. The game was matched to two and the swords were high, when the striker took advantage of the wait in the dressing room tunnel of Benito Villamarín to cheer his teammates with a short but blunt harangue. “Go on, come on, let’s get in,” Leo began, with Sergio Busquets, Sergio Roberto. Ter Stegen and Junior Firpo flanking the player. The only one missing during Messi’s motivational speech was Arturo Vidal, who arrived a few seconds later.Messi, aware that the team had to take a step forward in the second half if he did not want to miss the League train, continued with his clear messages about what the team had to do on the pitch: “We’re going to score goals, crazy, okay?”, insisted the captain, to then underline: “We are going to defend well, crazy, to defend together like the other day … that makes us stronger.”
The striker arrived in January of last year as a star signing in the winter market. Morata came to reinforce a lead who had been lame with the Diego Costa’s injury. Atlético had in quality on loan to Morata Until this past summer, where he already exercised the mandatory purchase option on the tip. The rojiblanco club had to pay 55 million euros for the striker, who when finish this exercise will have three more years of commitment with the entity of the Wanda Metropolitano. Morata has said over and over again that she feels happy at Atlético and that he is delighted to wear the red and white shirt. Atlético only has two players what end their contract on June 30: Adam and Carrasco. The first ends its relationship with the red and white entity and the second has assignment with purchase option. A third footballer in question has sounded like a possible player who ended his contract with Atlético this summer: Álvaro Morata. This season their contribution has also been positive. Has played 32 competition matches official (23 from LaLiga, seven of Champions and two from the European Super Cup). And has marked twelve goals (eight in the championship, three in the Champions and one in the Spanish Super Cup). It has also distributed three assists, one in each competition. In total has operated on fifteen goals of the rojiblanco team throughout the present season. He was injured at Anfield by scoring 2-3 and the estimated time to leave is one month, which will not affect its performance, since the official competition is stopped and you will be able to play again when it is restarted.Morata is an important part of Athletic 2020-21. Waiting for what can happen with Diego Costa, It is a vital piece for Cholo for the next campaign. With 27 years is in the fullness of his career and the red and white fans already idolize him as one more. Atlético pushed hard for him and his signing was made to wait. But it was worth it.
The striker has had a big role in this almost year and a half that he has been at Atlético. Last season he played 15 LaLiga matches, framework six goals and gave an assist. In Champions he played the two matches against Juventus, but did not dial.
The Uruguayan defender recalled those feelings in a peculiar talk that he had by videoconference with Diego González, a 12-year-old member of the rojiblanco club, with whom he contacted to congratulate him on his birthday.During the conversation with the young athletic fan, whom he congratulated and recommended that he not lose the rhythm of study during home time due to confinement measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Uruguayan footballer explained his feelings in the match.“I entered the last 15 minutes, but the desire I had to play, see the teammates as they ran, the atmosphere of Anfield Road was brutal and the triumph I will not tell you. A gift for all of us, who have been through difficult times, we never gave up, “said Giménez. To questions from the young rojiblanco fan, the Uruguayan defender delved a little more into his experiences prior to that meeting against the current European champion, to which his team arrived with a scant 1-0 income achieved in the first leg in the Wanda Metropolitano.“The night before I remember a lot of anxiety, nervousness, We knew it was going to be a very difficult match, they showed it in Spain when they came, all the time they had the ball, we controlled well, and we knew that with the push of its people we were going to have a pretty bad time. But we have an incredible squad, We are a very young team and that gives us a lot of strength, “he explained.With the ball in motion, Giménez remembers “a lot of anxiety” when experiencing it from the bench, since he did not enter the grass until the overtime.“And more when they score two goals, then nervousness, but when we make the goal, the other one, the nervousness calms down, you start to enjoy, to feel immense joyAnd when the game ended we celebrated because it was a victory that we knew was going to cost us a lot, “he added.“Many people saw us outside but we trusted and we hold on to those who did believe in us and we fought with the strength of those people, “insisted the Uruguayan defender.Giménez finished the video remembering the solidarity campaign that Atlético’s coach, the Argentine Diego Pablo Simeone, has launched to raise funds for the Red Cross in favor of the fight against Covid-19, supported by the club.“Diego is at home and so am I, but many toilets continue to work. I join the ‘We give everything’ campaign, The talk ended to congratulate the young athletic partner. The Uruguayan defender of Atlético de Madrid José María Giménez assured that one of the things that “motivated” the team to beat Liverpool (2-3) on the return leg of the knockout stage of the Champions League, his last match before the suspension due to the coronavirus, was that many people “saw them outside”.“I thought we were going to pass and more with the game we had played on our court. People gave us away and I think that was one of the things that motivated us the most to play the game, “said Giménez in a video published by the Atletico club.