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Sky Sports reporter Paul Gilmour has suggested that Tottenham Hotspur could sack interim manager Cristian Stellini after the club's humiliating loss.

What's the latest on Spurs and their manager?

It's hardly been a good season for the North London outfit but some must have hoped things would improve when Antonio Conte left a few weeks ago.

Instead of a new manager bounce, however, the club have sunken even further into their own misery with the Italian's former assistant Stellini now pulling the strings.

Indeed, the shocking 6-1 defeat at Newcastle United in the Premier League over the weekend means the interim has won just one of his four games in charge and it sounds as though he might not be around to oversee many more.

Indeed, when asked if he thinks Stellini could be sacked before the end of the season, Gilmour revealed that the club's hierarchy were at the training ground early on Monday morning so an exit for the 48-year-old might be on the cards.

He told Sky Sports News (1:40): "It wouldn't surprise me if the club were at least discussing that after what happened yesterday.

"We have seen many of the club's hierarchy drive into the training ground early this morning."

Will Cristian Stellini be sacked by Spurs?

Stellini was promoted by Daniel Levy to take charge until the end of the season, giving Spurs ample time to decide a long-term replacement for Conte who would be hired in the summer.

With that in mind, it's a remarkable turn of events which leaves the club now potentially on the brink of sacking the 48-year-old coach.

Only adding to Gilmour's insight, Dan Kilpatrick has reported in the Evening Standard that "sources" at Spurs are unsure if Stellini will last until Thursday when Manchester United travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – with Ryan Mason tipped to potentially step up.

The current interim certainly has come in for some heavy criticism in the media after the loss at Newcastle, with Jamie Carragher calling for him to be sacked.

The pundit wrote on Twitter: "Tottenham are a disgrace!

"How have they gone to a back four for the first time this season, with Porro a full back that can’t defend & Perisic who is a winger.

"Get a proper manager in right now, not Conte’s mate."

While Stellini himself dropped a damning assessment of the game, telling reporters (via Goal): "There are no words to explain a performance like this. The first 25 minutes were maybe the worst I've ever seen. Changing the system was the wrong decision and that's my responsibility.

"We have to apologise to everyone. If it's the system, it's easier to change. If it's not the system, then we have to analyse why.

It was Afghanistan’s first win in the Super 10s, it was their first win in any format against a Full Member side other than Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, and they had done rather well to beat West Indies, but the West Indies captain was in no mood to praise his opponents. An uncharacteristically tetchy Darren Sammy instead said his team should have had the match in the bag, that they should have easily chased 124, and failed to do so only because none of their batsmen took the responsibility of anchoring the chase.”[I] don’t think it was difficult,” he said, when asked about the challenge of batting against Afghanistan’s spinners on a slow, grippy pitch. “At the end of the day, we just didn’t play smart enough. We backed ourselves. The games we have won, every match somebody took responsibility to bat through. Chris [Gayle] did it in the first game, [Andre] Fletcher did it in the second game, Marlon [Samuels] did it in the third.”This time nobody did it. Nobody took responsibility, just left it for the next man to come. Like I said to the guys tonight, we just leave this game here in Nagpur. It’s a new focus now, which is the semi-final which is the first step and we just have to be ready to face whoever it is in Mumbai.”In a closely fought match decided by a six-run margin, Afghanistan ran 11 twos, while West Indies only managed five. Sammy didn’t think this had been a key difference between the two sides in the game, and repeated his belief that West Indies should have won the game comfortably.”This ground is probably one of the biggest grounds in India,” he said. “Plenty [of] twos were on display, especially when you are trying to save the boundary. Batsmen, depending on how quickly the ball is coming to you, always [have] two on offer particularly if you run the first one hard. Yeah, look, at the end of the day, we were really happy chasing 124. We should have gotten it. We lost the game, they didn’t win it.”While disappointed that West Indies had lost, Sammy was happy they had won their first three games and to be among the final four teams left standing in the World T20.”They [Afghanistan] are a side we were supposed to beat, and we just didn’t do that today. But the main objective of the Super 10 was to qualify for the semis and that we did.”Fletcher retired hurt after the sixth over of West Indies’ innings, while batting on 10. He returned to the crease in the final over, with West Indies needing 10 off the last three balls, but looked in clear discomfort, hobbling the last run of his innings. Philip Spooner, the West Indies media manager, said he had injured his right hamstring.”We will assess him tomorrow early and a decision would be made,” he said. “At this stage, as you could see, he is struggling, but a full assessment will be made tomorrow.”

West Ham are reportedly eyeing up former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho as David Moyes’ replacement, should he be sacked in the near future.

The Lowdown: Moyes under huge pressure

The Hammers were humbled away to Brighton on Saturday afternoon, losing 4-0 on the south coast and being comprehensively outplayed throughout.

It was a result that left West Ham sitting 16th in the Premier League at the end of the weekend action, with Moyes finding himself under increasing pressure.

Rumours have already emerged regarding the east Londoners looking at a new manager to bring in and now a fresh update has emerged.

The Latest: Mourinho offer made

According to LaRoma24.it [via Sport Witness], West Ham have ‘delivered a remarkable offer’ to Mourinho, as they look to entice him away from Roma.

It is believed that the 60-year-old is flattered by the ‘rich contract’ coming his way but is currently happy at the Serie A club.

The Verdict: Could be a great appointment

Acquiring Mourinho’s signature certainly looks like it could be difficult for West Ham but he is someone who could be a magnificent appointment if they get it done.

Granted, the Portuguese’s powers may have waned a little since his Chelsea days, when he won three league titles and was considered arguably Europe’s best manager, but he is a born winner and remains a force, clinching UEFA Conference League glory last season.

Mourinho would surely have the experience and talent to steer the Hammers away from the relegation zone, before then building towards better things this summer and beyond.

For now, his appointment may have to feel like nothing more than a pipe dream for West Ham supporters, but if something changes, it could be a masterstroke by the club.

On the South African Highveld, from Bloemfontein to Johannesburg, the grass dies in the winter and it never rains. It is cold, often bitterly so. In Cape Town, by contrast, it normally rains a lot in the winter and the grass is saturated

Neil Manthorp27-Apr-2006

Stephen Fleming basks in the orange light of the South African winter © AFP
On the South African Highveld, from Bloemfontein to Johannesburg, the grass dies in the winter and it never rains. It is cold, often bitterly so. In Cape Town, by contrast, it normally rains a lot in the winter and the grass is saturated. It is also, usually, very cold.Neither climate is conducive to any cricket, let alone attractive cricket, yet New Zealand and South Africa are battling away in the middle of the rugby season with a pile of sweaters on stand-by, bad light a constant threat, morning dew on the outfield and appalling 9.30am start times which have given the bowlers an obscene head start.Actually, the part about ‘bad’ light is untrue. The light at this time of the year is undeniably beautiful, a combination of molten gold and long, stretching shadows which, provided you are wrapped up in your winter woolies, are a joy to watch.But umpires with light metres don’t see it that way and when the sun dipped just behind Table Mountain during the Newlands Test in Cape Town on Thursday, the players left the field despite a wash of orange-tinged daylight and a cloudless sky. The floodlights were turned on, too, for good measure. And the start of play was delayed because the outfield was wet.The third Test will be played at the Wanderers in Johannesburg just six weeks away from mid-winter with rugby’s Super-14 competition approaching the semi-final stage.So why is this nonsense happening? Is it greed? Or just bad planning?South Africa’s officials and administrators cannot afford to say what they really feel, but they all know – as do the players – that the season should have finished with the departure of Australia three weeks ago. Even that would have represented the latest finish to a season ever in South Africa.But the ICC’s decision to stage their inaugural (and financiallylucrative) Super Series between Australia and a World XI in October last year meant that South Africa’s three-Test, five one-dayer series against the Kiwis could not be concluded as scheduled – also in October.”It was never our intention to play cricket at this time of the year,” said Brian Basson, the United Cricket Board of South Africa’s Manager of Playing Affairs. “The late fixtures arose out of our inability to complete our series against New Zealand in October due to the ICC’s Super Series. That’s why we had to reschedule the Test matches against New Zealand at the back end of our season.” To say he was terse would be kind.There is nothing sublime to add to the ridiculous of winter cricket in South Africa, but there appears no end to the ridiculous. In order to try and make conditions playable for the scheduled start on day two, somebody has had the bright idea of using a hovercraft to glide around the outfield at the crack of dawn clearing the early morning dew.But nature is nature. And the cricket season is the cricket season. Perhaps the ICC could find a way of keeping the sun up a bit longer. Or maybe they could help lower Table Mountain.

علق إسماعيل يوسف، لاعب ومدرب الزمالك السابق، على رحيل البرتغالي جوزيه جوميز، عن تدريب القلعة البيضاء بشكل مفاجئ خلال الأيام الماضية.

وكان جوميز أخطر إدارة الزمالك بالرحيل قبل نهاية عقده، من أجل أن يتولى تدريب فريق الفتح السعودي.

طالع | جوميز: تركت 40 مليون مشجع لـ الزمالك من أجل الفتح.. وأنا الطرف الذي يفسخ العقود دائمًا

وقال يوسف خلال تصريحات عبر قناة “إم بي سي مصر 2” لبرنامج “الكورة مع فايق”: “جوميز كان منذ فترة لا يعمل، سيرة ذاتية لم تليق بالزمالك، وبعدما عمل مع الفريق، استطاع أن يكبر اسمه”.

وأضاف: “جوميز من حقه دفع الشرط الجزائي والرحيل عن الزمالك، هو ليس ابن من أبناء القلعة البيضاء، ونادي الزمالك كبير ومجلس الإدارة حسنًا فعل وتعاقد مع مدير فني أكبر وهو السويسري كريستيان جروس”.

وواصل: “أتمنى له التوفيق ولكن لم يعجبني ما قاله، عملت لمدة 13 سنة مع نادي الزمالك ولكن لم أعمل بعقود لأن الزمالك بيتي، نادي الزمالك لا يأكل أموال على أحد، شرف كبير أننا نعمل في نادي الزمالك”.

وأكمل: “لا أحد يلوم أحمد مجدي أنه قرر الرحيل مع جوميز ولكن اللوم عليه تصريحه الذي قاله إنه لا يشعر بأمان”.

طالع | “لم أبيع النادي”.. أحمد مجدي يكشف سبب موافقته على الرحيل مع جوميز عن الزمالك

وأتم: “أعجبني نادي الزمالك أنه ذهب للتعاقد مع مدير فني أجنبي”.

West Ham, led by co-chairman David Sullivan and technical director Tim Steidten, are now favourites to sign a £25 million forward in January.

Forwards linked with moves to West Ham

The east Londoners are believed to be prioritising attacking options above all else next month, as they seek to give manager David Moyes what he needs to make another European push.

Moyes may well end up leaving West Ham at the end of the Premier League season, with his contract set to expire in 2024. However, until then, it's perhaps imperative that they bring in more attacking options.

Transfer twist as West Ham may green-light exit for "energetic" team player

This could come as a surprise after recent news.

ByEmilio Galantini Dec 7, 2023

As highlighted by a recent injury to Michail Antonio, and Jarrod Bowen's knock coming back from international duty, Moyes could suddenly find himself very short of numbers going forward depending on the fitness of his squad. Stuttgart striker Serhou Guirassy has been linked with a move to West Ham, while RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner is another player who could join Moyes in the winter.

This comes as Sullivan and Steidten seemingly work in tandem on the club's transfer activity, with the latter's influence growing behind the scenes.

“Tim Steidten’s role at the club has grown in seniority since his arrival,” stated club insider ExWHUemployee recently.

“His knowledge, targets and dealings have really impressed Sullivan, who now fully trusts Tim as his right-hand-man. This will almost certainly mean that Steidten will be leading the search for our next manager in the future. However, its understood his main focus for now is player contracts and January recruitment – with a striker top of the list.”

Now, according to a report by TEAMtalk, there is another attacker who West Ham could well bring to the London Stadium soon.

West Ham "best placed" to sign Cherki

According to their information, that man is Lyon forward Rayan Cherki. West Ham are the Premier League favourites to sign Cherki next month with Chelsea pulling out of the race to sign him.

Lyon are now willing to cash in on the 20-year-old amid their terrible season in Ligue 1, and Moyes' side are allegedly "best placed" to do a deal for him. A transfer is apparently "there to be done" for around £25 million, with the French side ready to part company for a lesser fee when compared to summer.

The playmaker's current deal expires in 2025, having extended it earlier this year, but a run of poor form has prompted Lyon to green-light his sale mid-season.

Cherki scored four goals and bagged six assists last term, with former Napoli and Lyon boss Rudi Garcia once calling him a player with "exceptional qualities".

"He's a player with exceptional qualities," said Garcia.

"He's already worked with the National 2 group since the start of the season, which is quite rare for a 15-year-old player. He's mature and has great technical qualities. He reminds me of Hatem Ben Arfa."

Virgil van Dijk has issued a warning to Chelsea, suggesting them to not underestimate an injury-hit Liverpool side ahead of the Carabao Cup final.

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Liverpool could miss 10 players But Van Dijk insists Liverpool ready for Chelsea challenge Could lift first trophy as Liverpool captain GettyWHAT HAPPENED?

The Reds could be without 10 players for the final showdown against Chelsea. Despite the challenging circumstances, Van Dijk emphasized that there is an abundance of resilience and determination within the team to prove themselves in the Cup final.

AdvertisementWHAT VAN DIJK SAID ABOUT CHELSEA

“I think the players coming in have to step up and show they’re wrong,” the Liverpool captain told reporters. “I think that’s the only way to do it. If they [Chelsea] take us lightly, then that’s their problem. I think we have enough quality to read the opponents. Players who come in have to show that. That fear factor, we don’t have influence on that. Everyone has to step up, the ones that play have to deliver to get results.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Van Dijk praised the contributions of young talents like Connor Bradley and Jarell Quansah, who have risen to the occasion when called upon. He emphasized the collective responsibility of every player, stressing the need for confidence and self-belief among the squad ahead of a title decider.

“Younger players as well, everyone has to take responsibility,” he said.

“They also have to enjoy that. “I think everyone wants to get the opportunity and show themselves, and they have to be confident. I’m not worried about that. They just have to go out there and show their qualities. I think if you play for Liverpool, you’re quite a good player already, so go out there and make everyone proud.”

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Getty ImagesWHAT VAN DIJK SAID ABOUT KLOPP

Jurgen Klopp has already announced that he is in the final lap of his Liverpool stint and will leave Anfield in the summer. However, Van Dijk emphasized that securing victory in the final takes precedence over lifting the in honour of their departing manager.

“I think nothing has changed,” he said. “We all want to achieve this. Obviously, he’s going at the end of the season, that’s a decision that’s been made, but we all want to win trophies regardless.

“It wouldn’t change if he wasn’t leaving. We just have to go for it and let’s see what that brings. “I’m thinking about the big challenge ahead of us. Hopefully, we can make it an amazing afternoon on Sunday.

“Every game we have ahead of us is the most important game. Obviously going to Wembley will be an amazing experience again with these guys. And it’s a big opportunity to get silverware and hopefully, it gives us an extra boost for the last part of the season.”

Trent Alexander-Arnold settled the Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi GOAT debate, but the Liverpool defender snubbed his own team-mate Mohamed Salah.

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• TAA picks the best player in the world
• Defender chooses Salah over Kane
• Had to choose between the two GOATS in the final

• Getty
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Participating in a 'football bracket' challenge for JD Sports on TikTok, Alexander-Arnold engaged in a knockout tournament format, pitting 16 footballing icons against each other. In the final, he unequivocally chose Messi over Ronaldo, indicating his belief that the Argentine maestro reigns supreme in the realm of football greatness.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  While Egyptian sensation Salah had an impressive run in Alexander-Arnold's imaginary tournament, defeating Bayern Munich's Harry Kane in the round of 16, he ultimately fell short in the semi-finals against Portuguese forward Ronaldo. Whereas, in the other bracket, Messi knocked out former Real Madrid star Karim Benzema to set up a finale with Ronaldo.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Alexander-Arnold is currently nursing an injury which will keep him out of the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea on Sunday. While Conor Bradley has admirably stepped in to fill the void, his leadership and versatility will be sorely missed by the Reds faithful.

Former Manchester United star David de Gea wished his old team-mate Marouane Fellaini a happy retirement after the Belgian called time on his career.

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Fellaini retires from football at 36Belgian sums up 'incredible journey'Ex-team-mate De Gea sends messageGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

The 36-year-old announced his retirement from football on Saturday after 18 years as a professional. After summing up his "incredible journey" in an Instagram post, some of his team-mates over the years wished the former Everton and United man all the best in the future – including keeper De Gea.

AdvertisementWHAT DAVID DE GEA SAID

Former Red Devils keeper De Gea, who played alongside Fellaini at Old Trafford between 2013-19, wrote on his Instagram post: "Enjoy life brother."

Fellow ex-United player Ander Herrera also commented: "Congratulations amigo and all the best for your next chapter."

Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

While Fellaini called it quits after getting the most out of his career, De Gea is still looking for a new club following his release from United last summer. However, it appears the 33-year-old is waiting for the right offer after rejecting an approach from Nottingham Forest last month.

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WHAT NEXT?

The Spanish international, who spent 12 years at United and played more than 500 times for the Red Devils, is still on the hunt for a new team. The free agent has been linked with Saudi Pro League interest but that has yet to come to fruition.

Chelsea appear to be well and truly setting their sights on a Michael Olise alternative as an update emerges on Lyon star Bradley Barcola.

Who have Chelsea signed?

Mauricio Pochettino's side, despite spending over £250 million already this transfer window, could move to strengthen further following their failed pursuit of Olise – with the Frenchman instead signing a new deal at Crystal Palace.

Midfield duo Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia are the first team stars to most recently come through the door at Stamford Bridge, with the former costing a British-record £115 million to prise away from Brighton.

"Moises has proved himself as a standout player in European football over the past 18 months, and we are thrilled to add him to Mauricio Pochettino’s squad," said Chelsea co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley.

"Moises possesses a rare midfield skill set and is a player we've been targeting for some time. We believe he will make a significant impact at Stamford Bridge this season – and in the years ahead."

Meanwhile, Pochettino has expressed his delight at the signing of Lavia from Southampton, with Chelsea's head coach revering the Belgian's quality after they announced a deal.

"We all know Romeo and his quality, his profile," said the Argentine.

"I think he’s a perfect player for this project. We are excited and we are so happy to add him in the squad.

"The club worked really hard on these signings. We have to congratulate the owners and the sporting directors Laurence [Stewart] and Paul [Winstanley], because the job was amazing."

Lavia and Caicedo join the likes of Christopher Nkunku, Axel Disasi, Nicolas Jackson, Lesley Ugochukwu, Robert Sanchez, Angelo and young Brazilian ace Deivid Washington in penning deals at the Bridge.

Lyon star Barcola, following Chelsea's summer spending spree, could be another player to make his way to west London as journalist Fabrice Hawkins shares an update for RMC Sport.

Indeed, it is believed Pochettino's side are "fully" chasing the 20-year-old forward and talks have "intensified" very recently following Chelsea's collapsed deal for Olise.

Lyon have already rejected a bid from PSG for the player, and Man City's interest in Barcola has cooled down as they pursue a move for Rennes winger Jeremy Doku.

This could open the door for Chelsea, but during talks, Lyon have apparently quoted a fee of around £43 million to let Barcola leave.

Who is Bradley Barcola?

Barcola played just 1438 minutes for Lyon over the 2022/2023 campaign, but in that time, he registered an impressive five goals and eight assists.

The Frenchman stands out as an incredibly direct winger, having averaged a brilliant 2.5 dribbles per 90 in Ligue 1 according to WhoScored, with Lyon boss Laurent Blanc heaping praise on the player this year.

Read the latest Chelsea transfer news HERE..

"He surprises me on a physical level. He doesn't second-guess himself… he scores goals, even though he is not necessarily an out-and-out striker," said Blanc.

"He can easily eliminate his opponents with his technical finesse and speed.

"When he wasn't a starter, I told him to be attentive and serious because he was certainly going to be able to occupy an important position in the team. He must have thought I was crazy not to play him. But I already had a few ideas."