FABRIZIO ROMANO REVEALS IF ARSENAL WILL SELL ETHAN NWANERI AFTER MARSEILLE SPELL: ' I CAN GUARANTEE '

Fabrizio Romano has said that Arsenal have no plans whatsoever to sell Ethan Nwaneri in the summer after the journalist reflected on a difficult spell for the teenager with Marseille and having revealed what the immediate future holds for the 18-year-old in France.

Nwaneri joined Marseille on loan from Arsenal in the winter transfer window and is scheduled to return to the Premier League club at the end of the season.

The 18-year-old attacking midfielder was expected to be a regular for Marseille under then-manager Roberto De Zerbi.

However, De Zerbi left his managerial role at Marseille by mutual consent in February, and things have been tough for Nwaneri.

Nwaneri, who is also able to operate as a winger, has been able to make only seven appearances for Marseille during his loan spell so far, scoring one goal and providing one assist in the process.

The English gem is under contract at Arsenal until the summer of 2030, and transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has revealed that the Premier League club have no plans whatsoever to sell him.

Romano said on his YouTube channel about Nwaneri: “Yes, for Nwaneri it’s not an easy situation at present obviously because he went to Olympique Marseille with the expectation to work under Roberto De Zerbi, and then De Zerbi decided to leave Marseille.

“So, it’s a completely different situation. Also, the expectation was for Marseille to continue their Champions League campaign, and then they got eliminated in the final minutes of the final game.

“So, it has been different compared to the expectations for Nwaneri. But, at the moment, I can guarantee that Arsenal maintain full confidence in the player.

“So, Arsenal are waiting for him to complete the season at Olympique Marseille for this final 10, 11 games and then come back to the club, come back to Arsenal. They believe in Nwaneri 100%.

"So, the message from Arsenal is still optimistic. In the summer, they will speak to the player to understand what’s the best situation for him, whether it’s staying at Arsenal or maybe going on loan somewhere else.

"So, they will assess all the options with the player. But Arsenal maintain full trust in Ethan.

“Even if they understand it has been an unlucky loan so far at Olympique Marseille, they believe in the player, they trust the player, they trust his potential, and so nothing has changes in terms of long-term plans.”

Romano’s update on Nwaneri is in sharp contrast to a report in The Telegraph earlier this month.

The report claimed that Nwaneri is one of the players that Arsenal could sell at the end of the season.

French publication L’Equipe has reported that Marseille have no plans to make Nwaneri’s loan deal permanent.

Arsenal sent Nwaneri out on loan for the second half of the season to get some regular playing time.

That is not happening, and it will be interesting to see what Nwaneri does next season, given that he will once again not be guaranteed a place in the Arsenal starting line-up.

Latest Arsenal transfer news: Midfielder ‘talks’, Nigerian ‘superstar’ wanted

Meanwhile, sources have told TEAMtalk’s transfer correspondent, Fraser Fletcher, that Arsenal have held ‘talks’ to sign a dynamic Bundesliga midfielder, but there is interest in him from Manchester United, too.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is reportedly keen on signing a Nigerian ‘superstar’ this summer and views him as the ‘final piece of the puzzle’.

And finally, Arsenal are ready to ‘break the market’ by signing a truly world-class winger.

- Subhankar Mondal

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MAN UNITED MANAGER RÚBEN AMORIM

Manchester United have agreed to a deal bringing Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim in to replace Erik ten Hag, but what type of manager are they getting?

In only his third senior job, Amorim, 39, guided Sporting to two Portuguese league titles after arriving from Braga in 2020. Prior to his appointment, the Lisbon giants had waited 19 years to end their title drought.

Usually favouring a defensive back three with attack-minded wing-backs, Amorim's sides are attractive to watch. Starting play from the back and interchanging positions -- with centre-backs even joining the buildup -- Sporting are incredibly flexible and one of the most aggressive sides in Portugal without the ball.

Amorim was considered by Liverpool, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and West Ham for their vacant managerial roles last season before he committed his future to Sporting at the end of last season. But now he has opted to test himself in the Premier League. So what can Man United expect?

A studious thinker

As a player, Amorim was seen as a studious, methodical thinker, enjoying a respectable career that saw him amass more than 100 games for Lisbon side Belenenses before rejoining Benfica, where he'd come through the youth ranks.

A tactically astute and technically gifted central midfielder who was particularly good at keeping the ball and building play from deep, he also proved valuable as a utility player, occasionally deputising at right-back. Though unusual for a top-level Portuguese footballer of his generation, he had to wait until he was 30 years old to move abroad, spending a season in Qatar at the tail end of a playing career that saw him win 14 senior international caps. -- Karlsen

Rúben Amorim has had only a few years experience as a manager and is now in charge of Manchester United. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)

A coaching rise reminiscent of Jose Mourinho

Amorim's rise as a head coach in Portugal is so spectacular it can only be rivalled by Jose Mourinho, who went on to great things in Serie A, the Premier League and LaLiga after winning the UEFA Champions League with FC Porto early in his managerial career in 2004.

In 2018, perhaps too eager to get his coaching career off the ground, Amorim was suspended months into his first job at third-tier Casa Pia as he was deemed to have taken an active role on the touchline without having the appropriate UEFA badges. Initially the club were threatened with a points deduction and Amorim was handed a 12-month ban from the dugout. Although the proposed punishment was eventually lifted, the young coach resigned, next taking a post with Braga's B-side nine months later once he had the appropriate qualifications.

The job may have been designed for Amorim to gradually learn his trade, but those plans went out the window after three months as he was unexpectedly promoted to head coach of the Braga first team in December 2019. In 13 games, he led them to two wins against Porto (including a League Cup title), a double against Sporting CP, and an away win at Benfica for the first time in 65 years. The three-month spell convinced Sporting's management that Amorim was a coaching prodigy and, controversially due to his playing career at rivals Benfica, the club moved swiftly to secure his services, paying his €10 million release clause in March 2020.

Sporting's decision to pay a Portuguese record transfer fee for a manager was soon justified. In his first full season (2020-21) Amorim led the club to its first league title in 19 years and repeated the feat last season. This season, he has overseen nine league wins from nine games with 30 goals scored and only two conceded. -- Karlsen

'Nothing fake about him'

Amorim is detailed-oriented, which is how he is able to get his message across on the training ground. But one source close to the manager told ESPN that his willingness to learn and awareness of his own strengths and weaknesses are particularly useful.

Another source close to the manager highlighted his general likability and easy manner with other people. "I think the thing that impresses me the most about Ruben is that he's genuine. There's nothing fake about him. And everyone can feel that -- players, other coaches, or the average person. He's not big-headed or boastful in any way -- just a nice person -- and people trust him because of that."

While niceness alone might not get you very far in football management, a quick glance at how Sporting operate as a unit indicates that he also possesses some authority to go with it. Similarly, his record in promoting young players (Gonçalo Inacio, Ousmane Diomande, Geny Catamo) or getting the best out of his squad players would never have materialised without a high level of empathy and understanding of human nature. -- Karlsen

How Amorim ended up on Man United's radar, and how they signed him

Manchester United had been ready to fire Ten Hag at the end of last season, following the team's eighth-place finish in the Premier League, but a 2-1 win against Manchester City in the FA Cup final kept Ten Hag in a job, albeit after a two-week review period in the wake of the cup final.

United spoke to several managers at the end of last season, including Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino, Roberto De Zerbi and Kieran McKenna. Gareth Southgate, then England manager, had strong internal support but was ruled out because of his determination to focus solely on his Euro 2024 commitments. Sources familiar with the situation have told ESPN that United "got pretty far down the road" with Tuchel before the former Chelsea and Bayern Munich coach backed out of the running, telling United he was not ready for a return to work after leaving Bayern in May and would instead wait until the autumn. Tuchel was named as England manager in October.

While Amorim was not on the short list at the end of last season, sources familiar with the situation said his credentials began to be assessed by United during the summer as part of contingency planning in the event Ten Hag, who had been given a one-year contract extension, failed to take the team forward. And after United lost 3-0 at home to Tottenham at the end of September, the Old Trafford hierarchy actively stepped up their research of Amorim -- along with other coaches, including Xavi and former Borussia Dortmund coach Edin Terzic -- as Ten Hag's position became increasingly tenuous.

Sources around the team have told ESPN, however, that while the Spurs game raised alarm within United, a decision to fire Ten Hag was not made at that point. Instead, the team decided to make plans to replace him if the loss of form continued.

Omar Berrada, the United CEO whom they recruited from Manchester City last season, was a strong advocate for Amorim, team sources said, and he quickly became the favoured option because of his track record in Portugal, his communication skills and the relatively inexpensive £8.3 million release clause at Sporting. Discreet discussions with Amorim and other candidates continued during the October international break, and a decision was made to move for the Sporting coach following Sunday's 2-1 defeat at West Ham, which proved to be Ten Hag's final game in charge. -- Ogden

A 3-4-3 with aggressive pressing

Amorim has stayed loyal to a possession-based 3-4-3 (3-4-2-1) formation while occasionally fielding two central strikers. This unwavering allegiance to a set formation has seen him labelled a dogmatic coach -- sources close to the manager told ESPN's Mark Ogden that his insistence on a back three was one factor that may have cost him the Liverpool job in the summer -- but his tactical concept is a well-drilled, collective approach born out of hours of meticulous work on the training ground. There may be some room for individualism, but first and foremost he expects tactical discipline and loyalty from his players.

Defence: Inviting the opposition to press high to open space in his midfield, Amorim wants his three centre-backs and goalkeeper to be comfortable on the ball in order to start attacks.

Midfield: He tends to prefer a balanced pair who are positionally cautious rather than impatient box-to-box types -- though half of the duo is given the liberty of making deeps runs into the box.

Attack: Amorim has been known to field out-and-out wingers as wing-backs, with the emergence of 17-year-old Geovany Quenda this season a case in point. Up front, he favours something akin to a "double No. 10" to tuck in behind the central striker in order to invite combinations with his attacking wing-backs. The key, however, is to create movement and space around this striker, who tends to operate very centrally.

Ranking the top 50 best men's club managers in Europe

No. 16. RUBEN AMORIM, 39

Coaching acumen: 13/20
Style: 15/20
People management: 14/20
Communication: 14/20
History/achievements: 3/10
X factor: 7/10

Total: 66/100

In quotes

Man United captain Bruno Fernandes: "Since Coach Amorim arrived to Sporting they became one of the teams that play better and most consistent football. I think the signings have been right, and they are in a very good moment. They've won last year and this season have started leading in the standings. It's a very well-prepared team," he said at a news conference with Portugal earlier this month.

"Regarding Mr. Amorim, I spoke about him several times and I said that at this moment he is well-prepared because it is not easy to win titles at Sporting. Sporting was 20 years without winning trophies. Mr. Amorim came and won two and that proves his work has been good. Now, if he will be able to do the same in England or Spain or anywhere else? We'll never know until he gets there but I'm sure that Mr. Amorim qualities are there in everyone's eyes."

How might Manchester United line up if everyone is healthy?

Is Amorim a good fit for Manchester United?

While it's been proved time and again that bringing in a new manager offers no guarantees, there are plenty of signs that point to this being a highly intriguing appointment for a club in dramatic decline.

The most obvious topic is whether Amorim's 3-4-3 formation is the immediate remedy to produce short-term results for Man United. While he might find himself short of ball-playing centre-backs (though having 18-year-old Leny Yoro back to fitness, estimated to return around Nov. 24, should help), the picture is not too grim with Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martínez, Victor Lindelöf, Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans.

The United stars who might suffer most are classic wingers Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo. But Amorim has used players like this before to great effect and with an improved work-rate and willingness to track back, a wing-back role might work for them, or they could be moved inside. Meanwhile, the likes of Diogo Dalot, Luke Shaw and Noussair Mazraoui could thrive in a more advanced wing-back position.

Whether Amorim can get 15-20 goals from Manchester United's centre-forwards (Joshua Zirkzee, Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Højlund) is another question, but he needs to implement more structured attacking patterns than what has come before and teach them how to collectively break down low blocks. Though his floating double No. 10 roles could suit the likes of Fernandes, Mason Mount and Christian Eriksen, with Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo as the midfield pivot behind them.

Plus, could a Portuguese speaker with such a positive mindset help get the best out of the struggling Casemiro and Antony? The former could work well in the double pivot; the latter may be more productive as a "False No. 10" -- but that may be a stretch.

Perhaps the most immediate challenge is to bring positivity and new energy to a club that have been a permanent building site for a decade.

Though the United fans have proved extremely patient, Amorim will know that talk of transition periods, solid work at academy level, culture building and "trusting the process" won't suffice. The new manager has some outstanding skills and that should offer them some hope for the future. -- Karlsen

Why didn't Amorim end up at Barca/Liverpool?

Liverpool's interest in Amorim during their search for a successor to Jurgen Klopp last season intensified following Xabi Alonso's announcement that he'd be staying with Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen this season. With Alonso out of the running, Liverpool shifted their focus to Amorim and Arne Slot, who was then in charge of Feyenoord.

Amorim's 3-4-3 philosophy was not regarded as a deal-breaker by the Liverpool hierarchy, who were impressed by the 39-year-old during discussions, but sources close to negotiations told ESPN that a close race between Amorim and Slot was settled in the Dutchman's favour when Liverpool became aware of Amorim assessing options at other clubs. Club sources have said that Amorim's public flirtation with West Ham, when he flew to London to speak to the club, was regarded by Liverpool as a play to put them under pressure to accelerate a deal and agree to a pay structure beyond what they had budgeted for. As a consequence, Liverpool moved instead to hire Slot.

Barcelona also had Amorim high on their list of Xavi replacements at the end of the 2023-24 season, but a combination of his release clause at Sporting and the potential cost of reshaping the club's squad to suit Amorim's tactical approach led Barca to hire former Bayern Munich and Germany coach Hansi Flick instead.

And although Amorim held face-to-face discussions with West Ham, who were planning to part company with David Moyes, the coach quickly made it clear that he would not be moving to the London Stadium and instead said he would stay at Sporting for at least one more season. -- Ogden

Was Amorim ever on Man City's radar as a Guardiola replacement?

Manchester City have insisted this week that Amorim was not lined up to replace Pep Guardiola, citing the coach's tactical approach as one significant reason for their lack of interest. Also, perhaps more importantly, Guardiola is still in charge and the club hope to extend his stay beyond the expiration of his contract next summer.

Ultimately, the Amorim connection with City was rooted in the Premier League champions' hiring of Hugo Viana as replacement for Txiki Begiristain, who will step down from his post at director of football at the Etihad at the end of this season. Viana, who spent four years in England as a forward with Newcastle United between 2002-06, has been director of football at Sporting since 2018 and he hired Amorim from Braga in 2020. The 41-year-old has also been credited with developing Sporting's highly regarded scouting network which has seen them sign and develop players such as Gyokeres, João Palhinha, Matheus Nunes and Ugarte, who signed for United this summer, a year after leaving Sporting for Paris Saint-Germain.

Despite his close connection with Viana, Amorim will not be heading to City. Instead, he has chosen to take his next step in the red half of Manchester with United. -- Ogden

- - Tor-Kristian Karlsen and Mark Ogden

IBIZA SHOCKS | MAN UNITED CHIEFS FUME AT ERIK TEN HAG FOR REVEALING DETAILS OF THEIR IBIZA SUMMIT IN BOMBSHELL INTERVIEW WITH DUTCH TV

Sir Jim Ratcliffe did not want the meeting made public Credit: ALAMY

 

ERIK TEN HAG is in hot water with Manchester United’s hierarchy after revealing details of their  Ibiza summit.

The Red Devils boss was on holiday there when officials from the club turned up on his doorstep to ask him to continue as the club’s manager.

 "They also informed him they had spoken to other candidates, including former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel, but that they wanted to keep the Dutchman on.

Ten Hag was understandably angry with how he had been treated and the way in which this message was delivered when he was supposed to be on a relaxing break.

But new part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his team are unhappy that what they thought was a private meeting was made public by the manager on Dutch television this week.

The club DO want Ten Hag, 54, to sign a new three-year deal but that is understandably some way from being agreed as yet.

Ratcliffe owns 27.7 per cent of United and has been tasked with looking after all football operations at the club.

He has Sir David Brailsford as his right-hand man and employed Jason Wilcox as technical director.

Meanwhile, incoming football director Dan Ashworth and CEO Omar Berrada are still seeing out gardening leave from their former clubs — Newcastle and Manchester City respectively.

It has not been a great start for the new regime as majority owners, the Glazer family, take a back seat.

What did Erik ten Hag say?

Here is a full transcript of Erik ten Hag's interview that upset Manchester United officials 

Interviewer: "Have you been able to recover a bit over the past few weeks? Obviously, it's been turbulent.

ETH: "It's been a tumultuous season, a very turbulent year of course.

Interviewer: "But it is never dull right?

ETH: "No, never a dull moment at Manchester United."

Interviewer: "But have you been able to have a little vacation?

ETH: "Yes, but this week, they really threw a spanner in the works because then, out of nowhere, they suddenly showed up right on our doorstep.

Interviewer: "At your place?"

ETH: "Mine, yes. They wanted to continue with me."

Interviewer: "How did that go? How did you experience those weeks, then? Because your position was unclear, they were considering whether to continue with you.

ETH: "Yes, I think as in any organisation I think that is very wise that you evaluate and draw conclusions from there that's what Manchester United did.

"The leadership, the new leadership, who are in football for the first time have taken extensive time to evaluate things.

Interviewer: "The men of Ineos, actually, tell me everything because, for example, the story goes that Thomas Tuchel was also approached during that period. Do they tell all that, or is it also just go ahead now, and we don't look back?"

ETH: "No they did indeed tell me that. But anywhere I don't think that is a secret either because everyone got to know that they talked to several candidates."

Interviewer: "How did that come across to you?

ETH: "Well, look in the Netherlands that is still thin we have CDV here and that's not allowed at all.

"You are not even allowed to talk to another club the moment the trainer is an incumbent.

"Well, the rules are a little different, and they did that, but in the end, they came to the conclusion that they had the best trainer."

Interviewer: "And in between they were at the door or they called? 

ETH: "Yes, they came to Ibiza.

Interviewer: "You yourself still had the idea of, well, I don't know if I want to go on then myself?

ETH: "We had a good talk and various topics were discussed and the conclusion was that we will continue with each other but also the conclusion is that we are going to sit down to renew the contract."

Interviewer: "Okay, so the air is cleared, and you go because you have another year's contract, and you're going to renew now?

ETH: "Well of course, we absolutely have to come to some sort of agreement."

Interviewer: "Well, congratulations, already almost then, right? Or you say, well, that's not done one, two, three just yet?"

ETH: "No that's not one, two, three done yet, we still have to talk about that".

Ratcliffe and Co have angered staff behind the scenes with criticisms in emails, while also offering redundancy packages. They wanted to give Ten Hag one of those, too, after the club finished a record low of eighth in the Premier League last season.

But United’s surprise FA Cup final win over champions City saw a wave of support from fans swing behind Ten Hag.

This rattled Ratcliffe and his team and they bought themselves time by claiming a season’s review was needed before making a final decision.

Then, after no new suitable candidate wanted the job or could be found, they decided to keep Ten Hag.

It all adds up to a mess with the clock ticking down to United’s first pre-season game against Norwegian outfit Rosenborg in Trondheim on July 15.

And the spotlight will be on them at full beam as they get the new Prem season under way at home to Fulham on opening night, August 16.

 

Ten Hag was met by officials during his holiday in Ibiza Credit: BACKGRID

 

Nine managers Man United Considered before keeping Erik ten Hag 

ERIK TEN HAG appears to be safe as Man Utd manager, but the Dutchman edged dangerously close to the sack.

Here are nine managers Red Devils chiefs are reported to have considered for the job and what allegedly happened with each.

Gareth Southgate

Enjoys plenty of support among Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Ineos chiefs but made clear he wouldn't talk to any clubs until after Euro 2024. There is yet to be any suggestion that contact was made with the England boss.

Kieran McKenna

Talks were opened with McKenna's representatives before the FA Cup final, but the former Man Utd coach opted to sign a new deal with Ipswich after Ten Hag's Wembley win.

Roberto De Zerbi

Allegedly sounded out before the FA Cup final with salary expectations discussed. But Ineos chiefs concluded ex-Brighton boss was not the right fit for the project.

Thomas Frank

Brentford boss met Man Utd representatives the day before the FA Cup final. The Dane also dined with Ratcliffe, Roy Hodgson and Frank Lampard at the launch of a new Ineos car in February.

Marco Silva

Fulham boss reportedly met Man Utd representatives face-to-face two days before the FA Cup final, around the same time as Ten Hag was conducting his press conference.

Mauricio Pochettino

Fell out of Man Utd's thinking in the first week of June, despite being a favourite of Sir Alex Ferguson.

Thomas Tuchel

Made a very strong impression and came across well during a Monaco meeting. Personal terms were discussed before the ex-Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss decided to step back from the process.

Ruben Amorim

Sporting boss was discussed by the Man Utd hierarchy but did not make the final reckoning.

Roberto Martinez

Portugal manager was considered in the early stages.

 - Neil Curtis, Football Writer 

BARCELONA'S XAVI TO MEET LAPORTA TO DISCUSS FUTURE - SOURCES

Xavi will meet with Joan Laporta and Deco to discuss his future at Barcelona. Adria Puig/Anadolu via Getty Images

 Barcelona president Joan Laporta will meet with coach Xavi Hernández next week as he continues to weigh up whether to sack him as manager, sources have told ESPN.

Sporting director Deco -- as well as other members of the sporting directorate -- will also be present at the meeting, which will take place after Barça's final LaLiga game of the season against Sevilla on Sunday.

Club sources have told ESPN hat the meeting will serve as a debrief for Barça's trophyless season, but it comes with Xavi's future once again in the spotlight.

ESPN revealed last week that Laporta is seriously considering firing the coach and, while a decision has still not been made, there are more people inside the president's circle pushing for him to make a change.

If Xavi does leave, sources have told ESPN that Barça Atlétic coach Rafa Márquez, Hansi Flick and Brentford manager Thomas Tuchel are among the candidates to replace him. Thiago Motta and former Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi have also been linked.

Meanwhile, sources have confirmed that Deco and Bojan Krkic, who works alongside the sporting director, travelled to London on Wednesday, although the motive for the trip remains unclear.

The developments represent the latest chaotic twist in a saga which has been running since January, when Xavi first announced his intention to step down at the end of the season.

In April, following a meeting with Laporta at his residency in Barcelona, Xavi U-turned on his decision and revealed he would fulfil his contract, which runs until 2025.

However, comments made by Xavi last week, in which he spoke about the harsh realities of the club's financial situation, re-opened the debate about his future once again.

While those remarks have proved the spark for Laporta to weigh up firing Xavi, sources told ESPN that the president has never fully backed the coach.

The two men will now meet next week to analyse Barça's campaign, assess where it went wrong and discuss the future, with sources saying a definitive decision on Xavi's position is likely to arrive soon after.

Xavi took over Barça in 2021 and led them to their first LaLiga title since 2019 last season, but the team have failed to kick on this year and will end the campaign without any silverware.

Last weekend's win over Rayo Vallecano did at least secure second place in the table, which guarantees a place in the Spanish Supercopa next season, but the Blaugrana came up short in the Champions League, Copa del Rey and the Spanish Supercopa.

- Sam Marsden and Moises Llorens

MAURICIO POCHETTINO OUT AFTER 1 SEASON INCHARGE

Mauricio Pochettino has left Chelsea despite winning his last five league games. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

 Mauricio Pochettino has left Chelsea by mutual consent after just one season in charge, the club confirmed in a statement Tuesday.

Sources told ESPN that Pochettino, 52, departed following talks in the past 48 hours with co-owner Behdad Eghbali and co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart.

Pochettino, who also publicly confirmed he had dinner with co-owner Todd Boehly on Friday, guided Chelsea to a sixth-place finish in the Premier League, the Carabao Cup final and the FA Cup semifinals during his solitary campaign.

Sources insisted that although Pochettino had a year remaining on his contract, the decision was amicable on both sides.

Stewart and Winstanley said in a club statement: "On behalf of everyone at Chelsea, we would like to express our gratitude to Mauricio for his service this season. He will be welcome back to Stamford Bridge any time and we wish him all the very best in his future coaching career."

Pochettino said: "Thank you to the Chelsea ownership group and sporting directors for the opportunity to be part of this football club's history. The club is now well positioned to keep moving forward in the Premier League and Europe in the years to come."

Pochettino's coaching staff -- Jesus Perez, Miguel d'Agostino, Toni Jimenez and Sebastiano Pochettino -- have all also left the club.

Sources told ESPN that there has been a split for some time within the Chelsea hierarchy over whether to persist with Pochettino after a disappointing campaign in which they were languishing in midtable despite spending £1 billion ($1.27 billion) on new players since the Boehly-Clearlake Capital takeover of May 2022.

Sources told ESPN that Boehly was keen on retaining Pochettino but Eghbali wanted to replace him with a new coach.

Pochettino's frustration at the ongoing uncertainty over his future had spilled into his recent news conferences, insisting it "would not be the end of the world" if he left Chelsea.

Sources told ESPN that the players held a gathering with families at the stadium in the hours after Sunday's final-day win over Bournemouth and nobody there was told that Pochettino would be leaving.

Tuesday's decision comes after the club held an end of season review. The Blues ended their campaign with five consecutive wins and just one league defeat from 15 matches but frustrations on both sides had already been well established.

Sources said Chelsea expected quicker progress under Pochettino given the significant investment on players while the Argentine had concerns about the day-to-day running of the club and the lack of clarity over forward planning.

It is unclear at this stage whom Chelsea will target as Pochettino's replacement. Sources told ESPN that the club will likely seek a younger profile of coach, with Kieran McKenna, who has guided Ipswich Town back to the Premier League for the first time in 22 years after back-to-back promotions, one name widely linked.

Roberto De Zerbi is a free agent after leaving Brighton, while Sporting CP boss Ruben Amorim has previously attracted interest from several Premier League clubs including West Ham. Sources told ESPN that Amorim, 39, is admired at Stamford Bridge.

Sporting CP president Frederico Varandas insisted this week that Amorim would remain with the Portuguese club next season.

- James Olley, Senior Writer, ESPN FC

RALF RANGNICK REJECTS BAYERN MÜNCHEN AS FORMER MANCHESTER UNITED BOSS LEAVES GERMAN GIANTS IN LIMBO

Bayern chief Max Eberl outlines plan to announce new coach as the Austria manager releases a statement

 

Leading the way in conservation and community empowerment

The favourite to take over as Bayern Munich’s next manager, Ralf Rangnick, has turned down the German giants.

Former Manchester United boss Rangnick has committed his future to the Austria national team despite being said to have held lengthy talks to succeed Thomas Tuchel at Allianz Arena.

According to Bild, the 65-year-old’s decision leaves Bayern in limbo over who will step into their dugout next season.

Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi and ex-Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane are among the bookmakers’ alternative frontrunners alongside Stuttgart’s Sebastian Hoeness and a potential return for Hansi Flick.

Rangnick released a statement on Thursday morning to explain his decision.

“I'm the Austrian team coach with all my heart,” he said. “I really enjoy this task and am determined to successfully continue on our chosen path.

“I would like to expressly emphasise that this is not a rejection of Bayern, but rather a decision for my team and our common goals. Our full concentration is on the Euros. We will do everything we can to get as far as possible.”

Bayern sporting director Max Eberl clarified this week that no announcement is imminent over the appointment.

“No announcement for next season can take place before the return match against Real Madrid,” he stated.

LIVERPOOL CONSIDER SLOT AS KLOPP'S REPLACEMENT

 Liverpool have identified Feyenoord coach Arne Slot as a leading candidate to succeed Jurgen Klopp as manager after cooling their interest in Sporting CP coach Ruben Amorim, sources have told ESPN.

With top target Xabi Alonso last month ruling himself out of the running for a return to the club he represented as a player by choosing to stay with newly crowned Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen, Slot has emerged ahead of Amorim and Brighton's Roberto De Zerbi in the race to replace Klopp.

However, sources have said that Liverpool expect a battle with Barcelona and Bayern Munich to appoint Slot and are therefore planning to continue to assess other candidates.

Klopp, who has won the Champions League and Premier League with Liverpool since replacing Brendan Rodgers at Anfield in October 2015, announced in January that he will step down from his position at the end of this season.

Following Klopp's surprise announcement -- the 56-year-old informed Liverpool's owners, Fenway Sports Group (FSG) of his decision last November -- Liverpool CEO Billy Hogan said that the club would take a "data-led" approach to finding a new manager.

Former sporting director Michael Edwards returned to Anfield last month as head of football operations with the responsibility of identifying and hiring Klopp's successor, and sources have told ESPN that Slot, who guided Feyenoord to the Dutch title last season, has become a strong contender to land the Liverpool job.

Slot, 45, rejected Premier League advances from both Chelsea and Tottenham last season in order to remain at Feyenoord. He signed a new three-year contract with the Rotterdam-based team in May 2023, thereby committing himself to the club until 2026.

Sources have told ESPN that the Liverpool hierarchy, led by Edwards and Hogan, believes that Slot fits all of its criteria in terms of style of play, personality and ability to work within the club's structure.

There is an acceptance within Anfield that Feyenoord will attempt to hold onto Slot, but there is also a hope that the lure of the Premier League could prompt the former AZ Alkmaar coach to take the opportunity to move to England.

Liverpool are second in the Premier League, level on points with leaders Arsenal, and face a derby clash against Merseyside rivals Everton at Goodison Park on Wednesday.

- Mark Ogden, Senior Writer, ESPN FC

LIVERPOOL,BARCA AND BAYERN COACH EXISTS SET UP A BUSY SUMMER

When Jurgen Klopp steps down from Liverpool this summer, along with the coaches at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, it may start a ripple of manager moves across Europe. Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

 Liverpool, Barcelona and Bayern Munich, three of the biggest clubs in the world, have a few things in common. They are perennial contenders to win their domestic leagues, they've all won the Champions League over the past decade, and, oh yeah, as of this summer, all three of them need to hire a new coach.

If global football were consolidated into a single pyramid, these three clubs would be at the top -- all of the best players and the best managers flow into these powerhouses. As such, these job openings have the potential to leave a ripple that will be felt throughout Europe and the world.

It started in January with Jurgen Klopp's shocking announcement that he would leave Liverpool at the end of the season, ending one of the most successful tenures in Premier League history. Klopp oversaw a turnaround that led Liverpool to their first league title in 30 years, a Champions League title, and plenty of other trophies -- but he said he was "running out of energy" for the job.

A day later, Xavi Hernandez announced he would step down from Barcelona following a loss that saw Barca concede five goals at home for the first time since 1963. Xavi led Barca to a LaLiga title last season, but this campaign has been rocky. "I don't want to be a problem for the club -- I want to be a solution," he said.

Last month, Thomas Tuchel made a similar announcement, vowing to leave Bayern Munich at the end of the season. For Bayern, a club that spends far more money on players than any other in the Bundesliga (and most clubs in Europe), sitting second behind the Xabi Alonso-led Bayer Leverkusen on the league table was untenable.

With that, three of the most prestigious manager jobs in the world will soon be open and, as a result, the biggest moves of the summer transfer window might revolve around managers, not players.

As these three clubs comb through candidates and start making job offers, there will be crossover and jostling for pole position -- the best candidates will be under consideration by all three. Then, as coaches leave their current jobs to fill the vacancies at Liverpool, Barcelona and Bayern, they will leave more vacancies behind, setting off a chain reaction felt throughout the offseason.

And yet, the reality is that not every coach is a good fit for every job. These clubs in three different leagues have their own unique challenges and their own particular requirements. Sure, they can all hire a big-name coach, but they need to hire the right coach to fit their needs. The style of play and identity at Liverpool aren't the same as at Barca, which differ from Bayern.

So, that leaves us with some big questions to answer. Who are Liverpool, Barcelona and Bayern seriously considering as candidates? Who should these clubs hire based on their individual needs? What sort of ripple effect will impact clubs throughout Europe as a result? And what about Pep Guardiola -- he's hinted he'll leave Manchester City sooner rather than later, so how could he fit into all of this?

With reporting and analysis from Mark Ogden, Ryan O'Hanlon, James Olley, Julien Laurens and Rob Dawson, here's everything we know so far.

Behind the scenes of the coach searches at Liverpool, Barca and Bayern

The search is on, and there are some names that have already been attached to all three openings.

Two names -- Xabi Alonso and Roberto De Zerbi -- are a common thread. Bayern's honorary president, Uli Hoeness, said last week that his club, Liverpool and Real Madrid, who only recently gave coach Carlo Ancelotti a new contract, have all been attempting to hire Alonso, who is on course to guide Bayer Leverkusen to their first Bundesliga title this season.

With Alonso having spent five years with Real Madrid during his playing career, he is not considered a realistic contender for the job at rival Barcelona, but Brighton coach De Zerbi is under consideration at Camp Nou and is also on the radars of Liverpool and Bayern.

And just to further connect the dots, multiple sources have told ESPN that Tuchel has been discussed as a candidate at the highest level at Barcelona, who need to replace Xavi.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have been looking for a new coach since November, when Klopp told the club's owner, Fenway Sports Group, that he would be leaving Anfield in the summer. Klopp revealed his intentions publicly at the end of January.

Liverpool CEO Billy Hogan said publicly that their recruitment process for Klopp's successor will be "data-led," opening up the prospect of an unexpected appointment at Anfield. The return to the club of former sporting director Michael Edwards earlier this month underscored Liverpool's determination to stick to the tried and trusted methods that helped identify Klopp in 2015 (and also a stream of successful players signings since, too).

Alonso, a Champions League winner as a player with Liverpool, is the romantic choice, and the 42-year-old is indeed a serious contender if he is keen to replace Klopp, but De Zerbi and Sporting CP coach Ruben Amorim are also on Liverpool's radar.

And don't rule out VfB Stuttgart's Sebastian Hoeness as a surprise option for Liverpool following his impressive work at the Bundesliga team. He is also under consideration at Bayern, but Alonso remains the strong front-runner for the job in Munich. While Uli Hoeness -- Sebastian Hoeness' uncle -- is no longer a serious power broker at Bayern, he remains a well-connected figure at the club, so his recent comments about Bayern Munich and Liverpool working on hiring Alonso will have been delivered for a reason.

Perhaps Bayern are concerned that Liverpool have the edge on them for Alonso, or maybe they are trying to force Alonso into a decision either way. Bayern aren't accustomed to finishing second, on or off the pitch, so their bullish position on Alonso may not be as confident as it seems.

Max Eberl's appointment as Bayern sporting director in February means the former Borussia Monchengladbach and RB Leipzig executive will lead the search for a new coach -- but all the focus is on former Bayern midfielder Alonso right now. Where Alonso ends up will clearly have a domino effect on what happens everywhere else.

Barcelona are in a state of flux due to the financial issues at the club and the ongoing wait for a return to Camp Nou following the stadium's £1.3 billion renovation. Xavi has struggled to blend the club's old players with emerging youngsters, and a squad rebuild is needed to put the team back on a competitive level with Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.

But Barcelona remains one of the game's most historic clubs, and the appeal of managing the team will still attract the best coaches. Barcelona is still Barcelona.

Former coach Pep Guardiola and Liverpool's Klopp are the dream options within the Barcelona hierarchy, but neither are remotely possible, so there are competing factions attempting to crown different contenders. De Zerbi and Tuchel have been considered, while former Bayern and Germany coach Hansi Flick is another name in discussions.

Mikel Arteta is regarded as the best option within Barcelona, but the Arsenal coach rejected speculation in January linking him with the club where he started his playing career.

In their present state, Barcelona are having to try harder to nail down their preferred candidate, but Arteta remains a favoured option on the basis that, if he is offered the job, he could find it impossible to turn down. -- Mark Ogden

The best coaching fits for each club, according to the data

Liverpool: Thomas Frank

When Klopp announced he'd be leaving Liverpool back in January, I identified ... drumroll, please ... Brentford's Thomas Frank as a potential successor. Thomas Frank? As in, the guy whose team has lost seven of nine league matches since you wrote that article? Yes, that one.

The point is that Liverpool are weird among other top teams because their games feature lots of turnovers and lots of vertical passing. Most managers at top clubs have moved toward a much more measured, almost deliberate style in possession.

Here's how every team in Europe this season compares by how aggressively they press -- passes allowed per defensive action -- and how quickly they move the ball upfield in meters per second:

The three highlighted teams are Liverpool, the team coached by Liverpool's presumptive first option, Alonso, and the team coached by Thomas Frank. In terms of style, Brentford are more like Liverpool than Leverkusen -- and even with the terrible few months of results, they're still outperforming their resources by an even greater degree than Leverkusen are this season. And after all, the main objective of a manager is to make a team's talent perform at a higher level.

Hiring Frank would be a big risk for Liverpool, but so would hiring Alonso -- or just about anyone other than a clone of Klopp.

Barcelona: Xabi Alonso

The irony in all of this is that Alonso seems like he'd be a way better fit at Barcelona than any of the teams he's played for -- either Liverpool and Bayern Munich, who have openings this summer, or Real Madrid at some point in the future.

If we're going to define the Barcelona identity, then I think it would just be: using the ball. Using the ball to stay in possession so you don't have to defend, using the ball rather than pressing or transition opportunities or crosses to create chances at the other end. And, well, Bayer Leverkusen use the ball better than just about anyone else in Europe.

Here's how they compare to the rest of Europe in how far they pass the ball per pass and what percentage of their final-third passes are crosses:

Yep, that's them, all the way in the bottom left corner.

Alonso is so clearly an effective coach. There's no way that Bayer Leverkusen's players are just naturally playing in such an extreme fashion -- he's managed them into this approach. And it's obviously working: they haven't lost a game yet this season.

At the same time, if you're hiring him, you're either going to be asking him to overhaul your playing style or you're going to be asking him to adapt to your players -- both of which entail a good deal of uncertainty. However, the potential reward -- just look at the Bundesliga table -- seems worth it.

If Alonso, who played six seasons at Real Madrid, is not willing to cross the Clasico divide to coach at the Camp Nou, Brighton's De Zerbi looks like another snug stylistic fit -- but Barca should try to convince Alonso.

Bayern Munich: Sebastian Hoeness

In one sense, Bayern Munich have essentially been the same exact team under Julian Nagelsmann and Tuchel. They're scoring 2.7 non-penalty goals per game and allowing 1.0 non-penalty goals per game under Tuchel -- both the same numbers as the Nagelsmann era.

But in another sense, they've been the exact opposite. Under Tuchel, they've averaged 89.3 possessions per game. Under Nagelsmann, that number was all the way up at 102. Under Tuchel, their opponents have completed 79.3% of their passes. Under Nagelsmann: 74.4%. With Tuchel, it's total control. With Nagelsmann, it's complete chaos.

For that reason, if Nagelsmann were to leave Germany, he seems like a close-to-perfect stylistic fit for Liverpool. (Culturally? I'm not so sure.) The much more open playing style also just seems like it's a better fit for Bayern, a club that's seemingly always prided itself on being bigger, faster, and stronger than everybody else.

The ideal replacement would be Klopp, but that's not happening -- Klopp has made it clear he wants a break from coaching, not a break from Liverpool. Instead, Stuttgart's Hoeness seems to fit the bill. Stuttgart are vastly overperforming what they spend on their payroll, their matches feature an above-average number of possessions, and only seven teams in Europe have held their opponents to a lower pass-completion percentage. Plus, the club's honorary president, Uli, is his uncle. -- Ryan O'Hanlon

The other European clubs that could make changes -- and cause further ripples

The clouds are darkening over several managers around Europe's top leagues, with Mauricio Pochettino trying to navigate one of the most mutinous environments at Chelsea. A sizable number of supporters sang "you don't know what you're doing" at the Blues' boss during their 4-2 FA Cup quarterfinal win over Leicester City earlier this month, coming after chants for former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho as they laboured to a draw at Brentford.

Sources have told ESPN that there remains sympathy from within the club towards Pochettino, as internal data suggests performances have not got the results they deserve -- but the external pressure is building. Reaching Wembley twice this season -- they return to face Manchester City in the FA Cup semifinals next month after losing the Carabao Cup final to Liverpool at the end of February -- is a notable achievement, but it cannot entirely mask a dismal Premier League campaign given they currently sit in 11th place.

Winning the FA Cup would yield a valuable place in next season's Europa League, but if fan dissent continues to grow, Chelsea's owners may feel compelled to make a change. The complication there would be with the club's Financial Fair Play compliance, which would be tested further by paying off another manager and his staff.

Mourinho's availability casts a shadow over Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, who has found it difficult to sustain the rate of progress that delivered Champions League football to St James' Park for the first time in 20 years. They finished bottom of the group and sit 10th in the Premier League, facing a scramble to qualify for any European competition.

Despite Howe's good work, the club may look to replace him with a manager possessing a higher profile with a track record of competing at the top end of the game, even if there is sympathy for a lengthy and prolonged injury list that has undermined their season.

Manchester United's new part-owners, Ineos, are considering possible replacements for Erik ten Hag and ESPN reported recently that Gareth Southgate is a credible candidate, should his eight-year tenure as England boss come to an end this summer. On Tuesday, ESPN learned that Man United were interested in speaking with Wolves head coach Gary O'Neil.

Ten Hag is fighting to prove his worth, and a winnable FA Cup semifinal against Coventry City plus the probability of fifth place in the Premier League being good enough for Champions League qualification gives him two lifelines to cling to. But United's inconsistency in performances coupled with steady transfer market profligacy have left him vulnerable to the new ownership, who are intent on restoring the club to former glories. In order to achieve that, they may want to stamp their authority by making a change regardless of what Ten Hag delivers in the next two months.

Massimiliano Allegri has a year left on his Juventus contract, but speculation persists that he could leave the club. Juventus are currently 17 points behind runaway Serie A leaders Inter Milan, though Juve remain on course for Champions League qualification and have a two-legged Coppa Italia semifinal against Lazio to come next month. Allegri continues to divide opinion in Turin and any end-of-season downturn could seal his fate.

Edin Terzic is walking a similar tightrope at Borussia Dortmund, given they are 20 points adrift of Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen. If one side is traditionally expected to take advantage of a rare flawed Bayern Munich campaign, it would be Dortmund but they are clinging on to a Champions League qualification spot at present. However, they have reached the quarter-finals of this season's competition, where they will face Atletico Madrid, and so a positive end to the campaign is within Terzic's reach. -- James Olley

Which managers are on everyone's wish list this summer?

Sporting CP boss Ruben Amorim has plenty of admirers. Gualter Fatia/Getty Images

This summer will be a very busy one for many managers: the ones who are hoping to get back on a bench, the ones who will be heavily wooed, the ones who have already announced that they are leaving at the end of the season, and the ones who will hope a bigger club will come for them.

Many clubs and sporting directors in Europe are receiving applications from managers or from their agents every day already and, more than ever before, the manager market this summer will be a massive game of musical chairs.

The most coveted names

Imagine having not yet finished your first full season as a first-team manager and already being wanted by Liverpool and Bayern Munich. This is Xabi Alonso's situation. The Leverkusen coach is having a wonderful campaign with attacking football and tactical excellence. His 3-4-2-1 formation sometimes yields mixed results, but his team's football has been superb as his players execute with a genuine sense of purpose and confidence.

It's a similar picture for Thiago Motta, 41, at Bologna, who will surely leave for bigger and better things after a brilliant season in which his team are on course for a top-four Serie A finish. Ruben Amorim, even younger at 39, has been linked with many jobs since taking Sporting CP to a league title in 2021, with his 3-4-3 formation and a very intense style. Roberto De Zerbi, 44, is perhaps a more established choice and his passing, attacking approach has been great to see at Sassuolo, Shakhtar Donetsk and Brighton.

Finally, Thomas Tuchel, 50, is leaving Bayern Munich in June after an underwhelming time, but his stock is still high after his great run at Chelsea, which included a Champions League title, and his stint at Paris Saint-Germain, which included two Ligue 1 titles and a Champions League final. Tactically, he is one of the best out there.

The next wave of candidates

Zinedine Zidane has not been in a job for some time. Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

Is this summer the right one for Zinedine Zidane to take on a new challenge? The 51-year-old wants the France job, but if it doesn't become available, some clubs will come for him again, attracted by his amazing man-management skills that helped Real Madrid win two LaLiga titles and four Champions League crowns during his tenure.

Julian Nagelsmann, 36, will also be free after the Euros with Germany. A brilliant tactician and one of the youngest coaches to emerge in the world game, his underwhelming spell at Bayern hasn't hurt his reputation.

Like Tuchel did at Bayern, Xavi is also on the market after announcing he will leave Barcelona. At 44, he showed great resilience in adversity there and developed young players well, but the manager of the season in LaLiga is without a doubt Míchel, 48, at Girona. His ideas about pace, verticality, intensity and direct play have been implemented perfectly by his team, who were one of LaLiga's best sides over much of the season prior to a late swoon that's dropped them out of the title race.

The same can be said for Franck Haise, 52, at Lens. His high-press approach and 3-4-3 formation that gives his players freedom to find space have made him really attractive to big clubs. Finally, Julen Lopetegui, 57, has a lot of top-level experience and his ability to build teams makes him a good option.

A fading star and the old guard

Graham Potter, 48, should be considered a viable option for a top club, but the reputation of the former Brighton manager was seriously damaged by his awful time at Chelsea. He still has a nice brand of football and good man-management skills to offer, but in what kind of environment?

As for the old guard, what's next really? Who will still believe in José Mourinho, 61, after seeing him get sacked from his last five jobs? Which owner wants to deal with Antonio Conte, 54, given his temperamental behavior and constant demands for more resources at every club? Is 59-year-old Hansi Flick, the former Germany head coach, still considered a serious contender for a top job or even an average one? It feels like there is not a market for Jorge Sampaoli, 64, anymore in Europe. For some of them, rebooting away from the spotlight in the lucrative Saudi Pro League might be the best option. For some of them, rebooting away from the spotlight in the lucrative Saudi Pro League might be the best option.

The wild cards

Will Still is younger than most players but is making waves in France. Photo by ANP via Getty Images

All four of these managers have impressed in patches over the past couple of seasons and could be worth watching during this coaching shuffle.

Vincenzo Italiano, 46, has Fiorentina playing the best attacking football in Serie A.

Will Still, only 31, has been a revelation with Reims in Ligue 1 the past two seasons with intensity, pressing and vertical play. Arne Slot, 45, has a similar style at Feyenoord, yielding great results domestically (second in the Eredivisie) and in Europe (third in their Champions League group) with his team.

Meanwhile, Alexander Blessin, 50, has taken Union St-Gilloise to another level this season with a very aggressive brand of football.

The ones left behind

There's likely not much interest in this group this summer given some tough recent results. Wayne Rooney, 38, was terrible at Birmingham earlier this season and was sacked after barely two months, having left Major League Soccer late last year. Laurent Blanc, 58, was also let go by Lyon after a very disappointing spell there, though it was even worse for Rudi Garcia, 60, at Napoli (sacked in November) this season.

American coach Jesse Marsch, 50, is still looking for his next opportunity since leaving Leeds in February 2023. -- Julien Laurens

What about Pep Guardiola? Is there a chance he decides to leave Man City?

The big unknown in the managerial merry-go-round is Pep Guardiola's future. Specifically: how does the Manchester City manager envision leaving the Etihad Stadium?

What is certain is that Guardiola, now into his eighth season at the club, is into his endgame. He's already said he never planned to stay at Man City so long, and it raises the possibility that he could announce his departure quite suddenly. It was telling that after winning the FIFA Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia in December, he walked into his postmatch news conference and said he felt he had "closed a chapter." For those in the room, it felt like a resignation speech without the resignation.

There's an argument that if City were to win another treble this season -- and they are favourites to do just that -- then Guardiola would have nothing left to achieve at club level. Stalwart Bernardo Silva could leave in the summer and star striker Erling Haaland isn't planning to stick around forever; does Guardiola, now 53, really want to start another cycle during which anything other than complete success might be badged as something of a failure? Probably not.

The fly in the ointment is City's legal battle amid accusations of financial wrongdoing made by the Premier League. The case is expected to move forward in September or October and Guardiola has publicly pledged to see the club through whatever punishment -- if any -- comes their way. He has a contract until 2025 so there's no need to walk away before the process is complete as long as the timeline for a decision remains the same.

Could Guardiola's final act as City manager be to somehow guide them to Champions League qualification after being hit with a mammoth points deduction? It's not beyond the realms of possibility.

The other thing to consider is what Guardiola has in mind for his future. Jurgen Klopp has suggested he might never manage again, but Guardiola has other ambitions. He wants to manage a national team at a major tournament -- preferably a World Cup -- and if he decided to leave City this summer, he could take over as a national team boss in August or September and have a two-year build-up to the 2026 World Cup in the United States.

As a proud Catalan, it's unlikely he would ever take the Spain job, but England, Brazil or the United States are all possibilities. The English Football Association will be looking for a new manager in the summer if Gareth Southgate decides his time is up after the Euros and they would jump at the chance to appoint Guardiola.

For their part, City will leave it up to Guardiola to decide how he wants to finish at the club. Their forward planning in terms of squad development has been phenomenal and bosses -- particularly director of football, Txiki Begiristain -- will already have a shortlist in mind if Guardiola drops a bombshell at the end of the season. The Man City job would be an attractive proposition for almost any manager in the world. -- Rob Dawson

- ESPN

CHELSEA SIGN ECUADOR'S CAICEDO FROM BRIGHTON FOR BRITISH RECORD FEE

Chelseafc.com

Chelsea have broken the British transfer record for the second time in a year by signing Ecuador midfielder Moises Caicedo from Brighton & Hove Albion on an eight-year contract on Monday.

Financial details were not disclosed but British media said Chelsea will pay 115 million pounds ($145.96 million), eclipsing the 106 million pounds record fee the London club paid to sign Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez from Benfica in January.

"I am so happy to join Chelsea! I am so excited to be here at this big club and I didn't have to think twice when Chelsea called me, I just knew I wanted to sign for the club," Caicedo, 21, said in a statementfrom the Premier League side.

"It's a dream come true to be here and I can't wait to get started with the team."

ROBERTO DE ZERBI ON BRIGHTON PLAYERS MOVING TO BIGGER CLUBS

 

KLOPP CONFIRMS LIVERPOOL AGREE DEAL WITH BRIGHTON'S CAICEDO

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that the club has reached an agreement to sign midfielder Moisés Caicedo from Brighton.

But sources told ESPN that Chelsea are considering whether to improve their offer of £90m for the 21-year-old midfielder in an attempt to rival Liverpool's dramatic intervention.

Reports say the deal to bring Caicedo to Anfield is worth £111 million ($141m), which would be a British record for a player.

ROBERTO DE ZERBI ON BRIGHTON SWAPPING CAICEDO FOR LEVI COLWILL VIA BBC SPORT