Manchester United picked up just their second Premier League win since March on Wednesday, defeating European challenger Newcastle United 3-2.

Erik ten Hag fielded a side without a true number nine, and the overall team performance was slightly better than what the fans have witnessed recently.

That said, the same issues continue to appear, particularly at the back, with the Red Devils facing 21 shots and the visitors missing five big chances.

However, there was one player at the other end of the field who struggled to have any real influence on the game, and it’s time for the star to be given a well-earned test.

Alejandro Garnacho’s 23/24 campaign

It can’t be denied that Alejandro Garnacho has been one of the most consistent performers for Man United this season, with his 35 league appearances proving he’s often relied on by the boss.

In the Premier League alone, the Argentine star has netted seven times and provided four assists, but it’s the constant threat he offers that makes him such a huge talent.

According to DataMB, Garnacho ranks among Bukayo Saka and Michael Olise for dribbles, carries, and expected goal involvements, while he’s also by far the best talent under the age of 20.

Garnacho PL Stats Ranked vs U20 Players

Stats

Rank

Goals

1st

xG

1st

xA

1st

Shots

1st

Dribbles

1st

Crosses

1st

Touches in box

1st

Via DataMB

Unsurprisingly, starting his 36th consecutive game is clearly taking its toll on the young winger, who’s given his all for the side each time he’s on the grass, but his performance against the Magpies signified that he deserves a rest, just like Rasmus Hojlund.

Alejandro Garnacho’s performance vs Newcastle

Garnacho’s name being in the starting lineup is guaranteed at this point, and the 19-year-old began in his favourite left-wing spot against the Magpies.

From the off, the number 17 looked to cause Kieran Tippier plenty of issues, driving at the right-back and often finding himself in and around the penalty area, but he was unable to take advantage of his opportunities.

As the game progressed, Garnacho’s influence on the match decreased, with Amad Diallo instead taking on most of the attacking responsibility, scoring, and assisting.

Manchester Evening News reporter Samuel Luckhurst handed Garnacho a 5/10 rating for his performance, stating that he was “weak in the first half,” and the statistics also support that he was much quieter than his usual self.

Garnacho vs Gordon Stats

Stats

Garnacho

Gordon

Goals

0

1

Shots

2

3

Touches

26

64

Passes completed

13

29

Key passes

2

5

Successful dribbles

1/1

3/4

Via Sofascore

As you can see, the winger was often a passenger during the game, with his overall involvement quite low, especially when his touches and passes are compared to his positional peer on the away side, Anthony Gordon, and goalkeeper Andre Onana, who also had superior touches and passes, 52 and 25.

Yet, even when he was on the ball, other than his two key passes, he was largely wasteful, boasting a pass accuracy of 72% and losing possession eight times.

But, considering this is his first full campaign as a professional, the demand on him to inspire the team and perform every single week is way too high, so a cameo like yesterday’s is completely expected.

If Ten Hag wants the best version of Garnacho ready and firing on all cylinders against Manchester City in the FA Cup final, the best decision may be to drop him to the bench against Brighton & Hove Albion at the weekend.

This means that his long starting streak will come to an end, but it’ll most definitely be worth it if he’s holding the FA Cup trophy in just over a week’s time.

Related 8/10 Man Utd “superstar” has now made himself as undroppable as Fernandes

The Man United star had more touches than Mainoo against Newcastle.

Posts ByTom Lever May 16, 2024

South African scores first hundred of Bob Willis Trophy to give his side the upper hand

ECB Reporters Network01-Aug-2020Kent 344 for 6 (Kuhn 140*, Robinson 78) v Essex Heino Kuhn became the first player to score a Bob Willis Trophy century as Kent recovered from a morning blip to dominate day one against Essex.Former South Africa Test batsman Kuhn hadn’t made a hundred since his arrival at Canterbury in 2018, but finished on a chanceless unbeaten 140 on a good batting wicket at the Cloudfm County Ground, Chelmsford.He and Ollie Robinson (78) added 150 for the fourth wicket to put Kent to the road for recovery after Sam Cook and Jamie Porter had restricted the visitors to 23 for 3.Robinson and Kuhn’s work was followed up by Darren Stevens and Grant Stewart adding 80 and 53 in partnership with the immovable Kuhn – Kent reaching close on 344 for 6.Before play started, both sides observed a minute’s silence as a mark of respect for those affected by Covid-19, before bursting into applause to celebrate the work of the NHS and key workers during the pandemic.Then after standing umpire Ben Debenham called play both squads to take a knee to promote racial equality.Daniel Bell-Drummond, standing in for England’s Sam Billings, won the toss and elected to bat first with Chelmsford empty other than the two sides, officials, media and a mass of seagulls.That decision appeared sensible with a fine batting deck on show, and would later prove to be correct, but 20 minutes into the season Bell-Drummond may have been questioning himself.He was the first to depart, plumb lbw to Sam Cook, in the fourth over.Jordan Cox and Jack Leaning, making his Kent debut following his winter move from Yorkshire, both departed within four balls.Cox hung his bat down the legside and tickled Porter behind to a sprawling Adam Wheater, before Leaning pulled Cook to debutant Feroze Khushi at midwicket for a duck.But Essex’s roll was halted as Robinson and Kuhn came together to counter-attack – and push the scoring rate comfortably over four an over.Robinson was the more aggressive and that role was typified when he pumped Simon Harmer’s second delivery back over his head – the 2020 Wisden Cricketer of the Year had taken an eight-for against Kent on this ground last season.As such the 21-year-old was the first to his half-century, the sixth of his fledgling first-class career, brought up from his 68th delivery with a fine square drive.Kuhn followed him to the milestone the other side of lunch off 85 balls, made up of nine fours.After the partnership had reached exactly 150, Robinson departed for 78 when he feathered Porter behind. That brought Stevens, in his 24th professional season, to the crease and he continued where his fallen teammate left off.The fifth-wicket compiled 80 in a steady manner, albeit one which ground the Essex bowlers down, and that weariness was perfectly encapsulated in the farcical way Kuhn moved to a century.Kuhn, on 98, flicked off his pads to fine leg for a simple single, but Porter’s fatigued 20-yard throw back to Wheater cannoned into the keeper’s pads and squirted for an additional run.Stevens departed for 36 when he drilled Porter to Nick Browne at point, before Stewart came and went with an entertaining 37, which included a six off Harmer.But it was Kuhn, on his 29th appearance for the county, who had placed Kent in a commanding position with his array of reverse sweeps and daps to third man.

Jack Wood, a young left-arm wristspinner, has also earned his first contract

Andrew McGlashan24-Jun-2020

Joe Burns pulls through square leg•Getty Images

Queensland could be able to field a formidable batting line-up in the early stages of next season with current and recent internationals jostling with up-coming state talent.Joe Burns and Marnus Labuschagne should be available until the Test summer starts and will join captain Usman Khawaja, Matt Renshaw, Bryce Street and Sam Heazlett among the top-order options as well as 20-year-old Max Bryant who made his first-class debut late last season, although the depth will be needed when Burns and Labuchagne depart.Street has earned his first full contract after having a rookie deal last year following a solid start in Sheffield Shield cricket where he made 489 runs at 37.61 with his ability to bat long periods of time standing out as he scored two centuries, both coming against Western Australia. Two weeks before his first-class debut he made the highest individual total in Australian 2nd XI cricket with 345 against Victoria.Khawaja will be looking to prove to the Australia selectors that he warrants a recall to the Test side after he was dropped during last year’s Ashes and subsequently lost his central contract in April. Renshaw, meanwhile, has drifting down the national pecking order after a promising start to his Test career.”I think the biggest thing for me is making sure I’m consistently scoring runs, and if I am no-one can drop me and if I bang the door down they have to pick me, and I’m doing well for my state and winning cricket games,” Khawaja said. “That’s the most important thing, but in the end there are somethings you can control and some things you can’t control and I’ve learned that from a long experience of playing cricket, being dropped, I’ve been dropped probably more than anyone has I reckon, that’s playing at the moment.”Batting has been Queensland’s weakness in recent seasons and they have the lowest collective batting average in the last two summers – albeit conditions at the Gabba can be challenge – although last summer’s return of four individual hundreds was an improvement on 2018-19 where they managed just one hundred in the Shield.”We’re pleased that Joe and Marnus have pushed up into the Australian ranks and know that Usman still has much to offer to the national set-up,” coach Wade Seccombe said. “It has been a different pre-season for the group and this summer will no doubt provide us with some unique challenges, but it also presents some exciting opportunities for us all.”Jack Wood, a 23-year-old left-arm wristspinner, is another handed his first full contract after impressive club and 2nd XI returns.Cameron Gannon, the leading wicket-taker in the Shield last season, has moved to Western Australia and Charlie Hemphrey has dropped off the list and moved to Glamorgan in county cricket.Queensland squad Xavier Bartlett, Max Bryant, Joe Burns*, Brendan Doggett, Blake Edwards, Sam Heazlett, Usman Khawaja, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne*, Nathan McSweeney, Michael Neser, Lachlan Pfeffer, Jimmy Peirson, Matt Renshaw, Billy Stanlake, Mark Steketee, Bryce Street, Mitch Swepson, Jack Wildermuth, Jack Wood*CA contractRookies Corey Hunter, Jack Clayton, Benji Floros, Matthew Willans, Connor Sully

When I was 15 years old, I didn’t really know what I wanted from life, yada yada. But I did know that I loved football and I also knew that I adored Liverpool.

But we weren’t very good. Despite the thrilling Luis Suarez-charged success of the 2013/14 season, Liverpool had spent far too long adrift from the position of prominence and power that was fitting for a club of its stature.

Then Jurgen Klopp came along. The former Borussia Dortmund manager had enjoyed acclaim in his homeland, toppling Bayern Munich to the Bundesliga title in successive years before suffering a nosedive and calling time on his Signal Iduna Park career.

As Liverpool prepare to host Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League for the last dance, fans will cheer Klopp’s name one final time, the 56-year-old having been roared on for the best part of nine years.

Were it not for him, I likely would not be writing this salute to a man who, seriously, has had such a profound impact on so many like myself.

Liverpool’s rise and rise coincided with my conclusion of studies at secondary school, and so I entered into the unknown with no clue where to head. But Klopp sculpted a journey that lifted the hearts of many, and so when it came to choosing a profession at this fledgling phase I followed my love for football and the joy that I had found through his forged connection with the club.

Of course, football’s inevitable circularity precludes lasting success – for most, anyway – and it would be foolish to only take joy in the good times, but Klopp proved that football is a life force that doesn’t need the rubber-stamping of silver objects to provide a sense of fulfilment and wonder that few things else can give to those stalwart supporters.

Klopp, to put it another way, proved that football’s beauty is an incredible, at times ineffable thing, and so this is a profession worth pursuing, for here is the palpable intensity of a person who gets it, a person who provided the balmy warmth that fans crave, to feel worth something, a part of something.

I will forever hold a dear place in my heart for Klopp, whose all-consuming passion for Liverpool and its success has created so many memories, leaving the city aglow. To see him step down from his duties is sad, yes, but it has certainly been worth the tears.

Self-indulgent stream of consciousness out of the way. But this is simply one story in a million of how Klopp stretched his wings down onto Liverpool and touched the lives of so many.

Some footballing figures exist beyond their stay. Klopp is the embodiment of a person who takes a club and its people beyond the mere enjoyment of watching people hoof an object between two sticks.

From doubters to believers

It’s quite hard to articulate just how much football means to many, many people. To those observing from afar, away from the prism, it all must look a bit naff.

Klopp must look a bit naff sometimes, even to those absorbed and engulfed in football and all its myriad facets. But that’s what makes him so brilliant, an irreplaceable part of Liverpool.

Be it his fury of post-match fist pumps, his scorn at the weather and how it stifled his team, or be it his hilarious in-match facial expressions, his explosion of passion when Mohamed Salah curls yet another strike beyond the hapless keeper, Alisson Becker contorts to make an acrobatic, all-important save.

The thing is, Liverpool is an emotional football club; it’s an emotional city. Klopp understood this, alighting in Merseyside following Brendan Rodgers’ dismissal.

There’s something very earnest about Liverpool and its path over the last nine years or so, a deep, visceral connection between player and club and fan and gaffer. Klopp transformed Anfield, wrapped the outfit in on itself with his quirks and convictions and his heart and his soul.

You could feel it in his very first game, which, inaptly perhaps, was a goalless draw against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane, a fixture that has since produced 62 goals from 19 matches in all competitions.

(GK) – Simon Mignolet

(RB) – Nathaniel Clyne

(CB) – Martin Skrtel

(CB) – Mamadou Sakho

(LB) – Alberto Moreno

(CM) – Lucas Leiva

(CM) – Emre Can

(RW) – James Milner

(AM) – Adam Lallana

(LW) – Philippe Coutinho

(ST) – Divock Origi

The starting line-up for that fixture tells the tale of Klopp’s dynasty, taking a – frankly – average team and turning it into something special. Sure, high-money signings were made along the way but Klopp battled tooth and nail against superior financial powers and cemented legendary status along the way.

What to pin down as the pinnacle of Klopp’s reign? Would it be the historic comeback against Barcelona – corner taken quickly is now a phrase synonymous with his reign – coming from behind to dismantle Lionel Messi’s team to advance to the final and dispatch Tottenham, a first slice of silverware under the 56-year-old?

Or perhaps, a few months into the new era, Liverpool’s 2-2 draw at home against West Bromwich Albion was the watershed moment, when Divock Origi salvaged a deflected last-gasp point and an incensed German manager ordered his team to link hands and celebrate in front of the Kop. It was a ridiculed reaction but Klopp was building something down Anfield Road and it paid dividends.

There are too many to count, but Klopp’s legacy is not defined by trophies and nor is it defined by statistics and tables and tallies, although he sits favourably on many. He changed lives, his influence transcends what it means to be a successful football manager in English football and his absence will leave a disconsolate piece missing from Liverpool and all involved.

The end of an era

But what if this isn’t the end at all? Possibly, Liverpool have simply entered the next phase of a glowing era that started nearly nine years ago, when a gegenpressing, thrash-metal style was inculcated into a football club crying for fresh life.

Klopp arrived and pulled Anfield’s denizens from the shadowed recess where they languished, nurtured them, enriched them and lifted them. This is not the end. This legacy endures.

Football is cyclical. Managers come; managers go. Players come; players go. Success arrives, ephemerally, and then disappears, flaking away and dissipating in the wind, like a sheet of paper caught aflame, as rivals shift ahead and revel in the glow of the limelight.

But while this cynical standpoint carries truth, it’s the fleeting nature of the success that makes it so special. Klopp knows this. The 56-year-old recently remarked that “other managers collect trophies, I collect relationships,” when reflecting on his time at the Anfield helm.

1.

Roberto Firmino

355

2.

Mohamed Salah

348

3.

James Milner

323

4.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

309

5.

Jordan Henderson

304

It was a comment that, naturally, was met with a measure of scorn from rivals, but Liverpool have won it all in the timeframe since the German’s advent. We’ve conquered all of Europe, and thanks to the outfit’s outgoing manager, we’re never going to stop.

Klopp, let’s not forget, restored Liverpool and gave it power and purpose as a behemoth of the global game once more. His mere presence has left fully-grown fans giddy with childish avidity, taking Liverpool’s hard-working, respite-seeking football faithful back to their springtime. To a better time. Away from life and all of its struggles. A utopia sculpted within Anfield’s four stands.

Arne Slot is the man to succeed Klopp, an unenviable task if there ever was one, and while he will come and he will go, Feyenoord’s successful head coach takes the reins of a club geared for more prosperity down the line.

Perhaps this is an end. Maybe that’s okay. It’s one end, an end as such that will close the door on a slice of history in one football club’s journey among many. But it isn’t the end.

To say it’s the end would be to say that Jurgen Klopp and all that he stands for is no more, that this electric, larger-than-life German has been stripped away from the outfit’s DNA like bark from a tree.

So, no. Stand still. Crane your neck. Listen close. He’s here. Can you hear him? He’s in the crowd, cheering Liverpool on come August. It’s a booming, infectious noise, carried with care through the crowd’s song, passed through to the pitch, where Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold bellow and bay at their teammates, spurring them on.

This isn’t the end. Klopp has etched his name into Anfield’s very core, scrawling his teachings and tricks across Merseyside. And away from the figurative, he truly will return, for real, one day – lopsided grin, gleaming gnashers, awe-inspiring gaze and all. There to watch his club, always his club, to cheer them on.

He’s there, waving, taking it in, lapping it up. Klopp stands, cameras fixed, Anfield fixed, 61,000-odd pairs of eyes pinned on him. For he is here – perhaps he always will be. This isn’t the end.

He’s waving. And he is laughing. And we are singing.

Darwin Nunez axed, £180m trio sign: Arne Slot's dream XI at Liverpool

Things could be looking rather different at Anfield come August.

ByAngus Sinclair May 9, 2024

With a decision around whether the 2021 Women’s ODI World Cup goes ahead in New Zealand expected in the next couple of weeks, Australia captain Meg Lanning has acknowledged one of the issues will be whether all teams will be able to have adequate preparation due to Covid-19.While New Zealand has led the way in coping with the pandemic, and Australia has done well albeit there are now worries over the second wave, a number of countries either already qualified or hoping to be involved are currently far more severely hit.The qualifying tournament, which had been set for Sri Lanka in July, was postponed in May although ESPNcricinfo understands that if the World Cup still goes ahead, the plan would be to stage the qualifiers in the UAE during November.As things stand there remain three spots up for grabs in the World Cup, between Bangladesh, Ireland, Pakistan, West Indies, Ireland, Thailand, Zimbabwe, Papua New Guinea, USA and Netherlands.”It’s something the ICC will have to weigh up in whether the tournament goes ahead,” Lanning said. “Will every team in the competition have the opportunity to prepare adequately for a World Cup? There are still a few teams that have to go through the qualifying process so I’m not sure how that will pan out.”There’s a few more decisions to be made around it rather than whether it can just go ahead or not. It’s a pretty difficult position to be in, but as a player you want things to be as equal and fair as they can be heading into a big world tournament and I’m sure the organisers will make sure that happens.”It had been hoped that India would be able to travel to England for a tri-series also involving South Africa but the BCCI has said that won’t happen although there is belief South Africa will still tour.While Australia and New Zealand are scheduled to play each other in late September, and India are due to tour Australia in January, there is no other women’s cricket currently in the calendar.New Zealand’s trip across the Tasman is due to include three T20Is, all play in Sydney, followed by three ODIs played across Townsville, Cairns and the Gold Coast in Queensland.”The planning is for that to still go ahead as scheduled, there needs to be flexibility around things if they change but from what I’ve heard still planning for that to happen which is really great for the players to look forward to and an end point to pre-season,” Lanning said.

Reliable journalist Lewis Cox has dropped a concerning injury update regarding an "excellent" West Brom player, ahead of their final-day clash with Preston North End this weekend.

West Brom look to seal playoff spot

It has been a positive season for the Baggies, who went into the campaign with high hopes of earning promotion from the Championship back to the Premier League.

Admittedly, Carlos Corberan's side haven't secured automatic promotion, which is something the fans would have hoped for, but a playoff place now looks on the cards.

West Brom haven't got over the finish line yet, however, and on Saturday lunchtime, they face a crucial final game of the season at home to Preston. Corberan's men sit sixth in the Championship and two points clear of Hull City below them, so they know that victory this weekend will ensure that their season is extended, ahead of what is hopefully a triumphant day at Wembley later this month.

In fact, a draw should also be enough for the Baggies, given their superior goal difference, but a win for Hull at struggling Plymouth Argyle, coupled with defeat for West Brom, would seal a disastrous final day at the Hawthorns.

Worrying West Brom injury update

Taking to X ahead of the game, Cox admitted that Brandon Thomas-Asante is a doubt for West Brom's clash with Preston on Saturday, due to a hamstring issue: "Thomas-Asante been nursing hamstring discomfort, too, but optimism there."

In his report for The Express & Star, Cox also shared Corberan's comments on Thomas-Asante, with the Baggies manager saying: "Asante couldn’t start the week well. Before the previous game, he was still feeling something in his hamstring. With the minutes he was playing, he still felt something. It’s not muscle, it’s nerve, but he didn’t train the first day of this week. Right now, he’s training normally with the group."

Not having Thomas-Asante available for such an important game would be an undoubted blow for West Brom, considering the overall impact he has made this season. The 25-year-old has scored 11 times in the Championship, appearing in 38 of his side's 45 matches in the competition, also registering two assists.

Corberan is clearly an admirer of his attacking ace, too, saying of him after the 4-1 win over Blackburn Rovers earlier in the season: "Excellent, not only for the goals but the way he was linking the play and how he was helping the team build attacks. The most important thing with Brandon is his mentality and his physical condition to play and always be ready to help the team."

The hope is that Thomas-Asante is at least fit enough for the substitutes' bench this weekend, but either way, West Brom have to back themselves to have enough quality to overcome a Preston side with little to play for.

West Brom could sign exciting teen talent as their next Holgate

West Bromwich Albion could stumble across their next Mason Holgate in this exciting trialist.

By
Kelan Sarson

May 2, 2024

It would then be a case of getting the attacker fully fit again for the playoffs, as the Baggies look to return to the Premier League after three seasons away.

علق نجم الزمالك السابق، فاروق جعفر، على القرعة التي أسفرت عن وقوع النادي الأهلي في مجموعة صعبة ببطولة كأس العالم للأندية 2025، مُشددًا على تفاؤله بقدرة المارد الأحمر على المنافسة والتأهل إلى الأدوار المتقدمة.

وتواجد الأهلي في المجموعة الأولي من مجموعات كأس العالم للأندية رفقة كل من بالميراس البرازيلي، وبورتو البرتغالي، وإنتر ميامي الأمريكي.

وقال فاروق جعفر في تصريحات عبر قناة “أون تايم سبورت 2”: “رأيك في المجموعة؟ فرصة للنادي الأهلي إنه يُنافس على مركز ويتأهل كمركز ثاني”.

طالع أيضًا | خالد مرتجي: إنفانتينو تحدث معنا بشأن مكافأة كأس العالم للأندية.. ويريدون الأهلي في النهائي

وعن مواجهة الأهلي لنجم كرة القدم ليونيل ميسي وفريقه إنتر ميامي، قال جعفر: “هل الأهلي سيواجه ميسي بمفرده أم فريق كامل!، اللاعبون المصريون عندهم إرادة دائمًا، خلال فترة 2006 و2008 و2010 حسن شحاتة مدرب منتخب مصر السابق غير مفاهيم الكرة، جعل الحس والانتماء للبلد عند اللاعبين عالي جدًا، وهذا جعل الأداء يتغير وفزنا بكأس أمم إفريقيا مرتين خارج ملعبنا”.

وأضاف: “الأهلي عنده أبنائه وجهاز فني وإدارة ولاعبين يقدمون أداء جيدًا، توقيت كأس العالم للأندية سيكون بعد نهاية موسم، وإعلان جدول المباريات مُبكرًا قد يُشغل ذهن اللاعبين من الآن”.

واختتم: “كل لاعب سيريد أن يثبت وجوده من خلال الدوري أو كأس التحدي، وهذه فرصة لإدارة الأهلي أنها أيضًا ممكن تدعم بلاعبين آخرين”.

Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou is personally looking at bringing in a replacement for a "relentless" Spurs player, as Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich eye a move for their potential third player after Harry Kane and Eric Dier.

Spurs ready to back Postecoglou rebuild after positive season

Even though Spurs missed out on fourth and Champions League qualification to Aston Villa, the 2023/2024 season still represented a campaign of real positives under Postecoglou.

Tottenham chiefs think they've sealed "huge coup" with prodigy set to sign

Their recruitment employees believe he’s an excellent capture.

ByEmilio Galantini May 18, 2024

The Lilywhites significantly improved on their 2022/23 finish under Antonio Conte and a succession of interim bosses after the Italian, with Postecoglou implementing an exciting brand of high-pressing football and making himself a popular figure at N17.

Postecoglou, though, has been frank in admitting that this Tottenham squad needs to undergo "drastic" change this summer – and suggests a few players could be set to depart as they're not part of the rebuild.

"We need change. Change has to happen," said Postecoglou on the summer transfer window.

Sheffield United 0-3 Tottenham

Tottenham 0-2 Man City

Tottenham 2-1 Burnley

Liverpool 4-2 Tottenham

Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham

"You can’t want to alter your course and expect the same people are going to be on that. It’s just not going to happen. We’ve had two windows and we’ve had some development of players, for sure, but when I say we’ve still got a long way to go, that’s what I’m talking about. It’s impossible to say you’re going to have drastic change and yet expect everyone to be on that journey.

"It’s not for the want of trying. It’s just that we’re going to play a certain way, we’re going to train a certain way, and we’re going to have a certain mindset. And that’s not for everyone."

Tottenham are ready to back Postecoglou in the summer transfer market, as the Australian prepares to implement this serious change. The club, led by chairman Daniel Levy, will look to make three key signings at least in the form of a new striker, centre-back and midfielder (Tom Allnutt).

However, there could even be more of an overhaul, as other reports suggest Postecoglou wants more full-back depth behind Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie. Right-back Emerson Royal has also been linked with a summer exit to facilitate this, with GiveMeSport sharing an update on the Brazilian's future this week.

Ange seeking Emerson Royal replacement as Bayern Munich eye move

According to GMS, Postecoglou is personally on the lookout for Royal replacement at Spurs, with a host of big-name clubs taking interest in the 25-year-old.

One of them, interestingly, is Bayern Munich – coming after their previous Tottenham deals for both Dier and Kane over the last 12 months. As well as Bayern, Juventus and AC Milan are said to be interested in Royal, which is a big compliment to the defender who could well be on the move.

Three years after he joined from Barcelona, the South American has racked up over a century of appearances for the north Londoners in all competitions, with pundit Kevin Campbell calling him "relentless".

Barcelona are said to have "serious concerns" about wonderkid Lamine Yamal following his rapid rise to the top of the game.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Yamal has enjoyed rapid riseWon Euro 2024 with SpainBarcelona now have concernsWHAT HAPPENED?

Yamal has been thrust into the spotlight at the tender age of 17 after becoming a key player for Barcelona and Spain. The teenage wonderkid helped La Roja win Euro 2024 in the summer and has broken a host of records for club and country. However, Barcelona have become concerned by his "excessive prominence" and fear he may not be able to "control what happens" to him, according to Marca. The club are now working hard to ensure Yamal is not overwhelmed by his rise to fame.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Yamal only turned 17 in July but has already been tipped as a future winner of the Ballon d'Or by Cristiano Ronaldo and former Barcelona striker and television pundit Gary Lineker. Barca's wonderkid is on the shortlist for this year's award, although it's too soon for him to be a credible challenger. However, he is expected to lift the Kopa Trophy instead.

DID YOU KNOW?

Yamal has been directly involved in 11 goals (three goals and eight assists) in 16 senior appearances for Spain in all competitions. This is the most by a player under the age of 18 in the history of the Spanish national team.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR YAMAL

Yamal is now back with Barcelona after starring for Spain over the international break. The teenager has one goal and four assists in four matches for the Catalans this season, with Hansi Flick's side set to take on Girona next in La Liga.

David Moyes’ tenure at West Ham United is set to come to an end this summer. It has been a wild ride, with the Scot taking over for a second time in late 2019 to drag the Hammers to Premier League safety.

What followed was truly remarkable, with the former Everton and Manchester United boss guiding the east Londoners into Europe, making the Europa League semi-finals in 2021/22, before famously going all the way a year later in the Europa Conference League, in what is arguably Moyes’ finest hour of his career.

However, things have gone rather stale at the London Stadium; their latest Europa League exit, while representing progress, comes amid another lacklustre Premier League campaign as they struggled to maintain the levels reached in recent seasons.

Therefore, a change in the dugout could well be on the horizon as Moyes’ contract expires this summer, and Football FanCast has taken a look at some of the candidates to take over in 2024/25.

Manager

Current club

Odds

Julen Lopetegui

n/a

15/8

Graham Potter

n/a

4/1

Paulo Fonseca

Lille

6/1

Ruben Amorim

Sporting CP

7/1

Will Still

n/a

8/1

Brendan Rodgers

Celtic

10/1

Gary O'Neil

Wolves

10/1

Michael Carrick

Middlesbrough

10/1

Hansi Flick

n/a

12/1

Thomas Tuchel

Bayern Munich

16/1

1 Julen Lopetegui Free agent (Last job: Wolves)

Ex-Wolves, Sevilla and Spain boss Julen Lopetegui is now reportedly set to take over from David Moyes next season.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the Spaniard has agreed terms to become the Hammers' new boss, with contracts now set to be signed:

Lopetegui was hamstrung financially during his brief yet successful time at Molineux as he steered the club to Premier League safety before making way for Gary O’Neil in the summer.

He would represent a high-profile appointment without the need for a compensation package, and as a Europa League winner with Sevilla, Lopetegui certainly has the pedigree required to succeed Moyes in the London Stadium hot seat.

2 Graham Potter Free agent (Last job: Chelsea)

Should things break down with Lopetegui, Graham Potter could be the leading candidate, with the 48-year-old having been out of work since being sacked by Chelsea in April 2023. He was arguably handed a poisoned chalice at Stamford Bridge having earned his stripes at Swansea City and Brighton & Hove Albion, as well as at Ostersunds in Sweden.

He’s been mentioned as a potential Moyes successor but is a man in demand, having recently held talks with Dutch giants Ajax, which reportedly broke down over salary demands. Whether he’d see West Ham as a bigger draw remains to be seen.

All 20 Premier League managers' salaries (lowest to highest)

How much each Premier League gaffer earns.

ByCharlie Smith Oct 21, 2025 3 Paulo Fonseca Lille

Paulo Fonseca has often been linked with Premier League roles, with Spurs and Everton among those in the past to consider hiring the Portuguese manager, who is currently chasing a Champions League place at Lille.

A well-travelled coach with previous stints at FC Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk and Roma, his lack of Premier League experience may not be as big a problem compared to some of the alternatives here.

4 Ruben Amorim Sporting CP

Sporting CP boss Ruben Amorim has already had well-publicised talks with West Ham – talks he has since admitted were a “mistake”.

It appears his apology was out of respect for his current club rather than an outright rejection of West Ham, though you would imagine it would be some U-turn to end up signing the dotted line at the London Stadium now. In fact, he has since pledged his future to Sporting.

That said, given his domestic and European success in recent years, it does suggest the Hammers are looking for an exciting appointment.

5 Will Still Free agent (Last job: Stade Reims)

Comfortably the youngest candidate on this list, Will Still has been a trailblazer as manager of Stade Reims in France’s Ligue 1, with his side holding their own in mid-table before he suddenly left his role by mutual consent this week.

Interestingly, Still is a West Ham fan, though whether the likes of David Sullivan will see his short managerial career to date as enough to take the team to the next level is another question.

6 Brendan Rodgers Celtic

An experienced boss at Premier League level, Brendan Rodgers was last in the English top flight with Leicester City, who went on to be relegated under Dean Smith.

Having managed in Europe with Celtic and Liverpool, there is no doubting the Northern Irishman’s credentials, but abruptly leaving the Bhoys for a second time may appear unlikely.

7 Gary O’Neil Wolves

Gary O’Neil has impressed since taking over from Julen Lopetegui at Wolves, with the former West Ham midfielder arguably punching above his weight with the Old Gold by keeping them clear of relegation trouble throughout the current campaign.

Having impressed at Bournemouth too, the only question would be whether hiring O’Neil would be seen as a step forward.

Ranking Wolves' best managers by win percentage

Where does Vitor Pereira rank among the best to work in the Wolves dugout?

ByJack Salveson Holmes Apr 15, 2024 8 Michael Carrick Middlesbrough

Another former West Ham midfielder, Michael Carrick’s first steps into senior management with Middlesbrough have seen some promising signs, with Boro making the Championship play-offs in his first season at the helm. He also guided his team to the Carabao Cup semis this term.

Having also been in caretaker charge of Manchester United, he would appear to be unflustered by the prospect of returning to east London.

9 Hansi Flick Free agent (Last job: Germany)

A Bundesliga and Champions League winner with Bayern Munich, there’s no doubt that Hansi Flick would be a huge coup for the Hammers.

His time as national coach of Germany may persuade the powers that be at the London Stadium that there are better, more reliable options available – but maybe Flick would see West Ham as the right team to rebuild his managerial career at club level.

Every Euro 2024 manager ranked by win rate

24 bosses are set to do battle for European glory this summer – but who has the best record heading into the tournament?

ByTom Cunningham Jun 12, 2024 10 Thomas Tuchel Bayern Munich

Set to exit Bavaria this summer, Thomas Tuchel has been mentioned as a potential Moyes successor in recent weeks. Another manager who needs no introduction, the Champions League winner could argue he has unfinished business in the Premier League.

This one looks to be on the unlikelier end of the scale, but the Hammers could yet be rewarded for their ambition if they were to hire the former Chelsea boss.