With less than two weeks to go until they get their Premier League campaign underway, Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly in pole position to jump ahead of Juventus and sign an attacking star.
Frank pays tribute to "fantastic" Son Heung-min
It’s been a mixed first summer for Thomas Frank in North London. Whilst he hasn’t seen Daniel Levy hand him a major overhaul at Tottenham, he has still welcomed some key reinforcements.
Mohammed Kudus and Joao Palhinha have been the most impressive arrivals on that front, whilst Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel have also turned their loan moves permanent to take Spurs’ list of incomings to four for the summer.
After Heung-min Son announced his decision to depart this summer, though, the Lilywhites must turn back towards the transfer market to replace an irreplaceable Tottenham icon.
The South Korean leaves as one of the greatest Premier League players to ever play for Spurs and an undeniable club legend.
Whilst he didn’t get the chance to enjoy Son’s magic beyond this summer in the early days of his tenure, Frank had nothing but praise for his departing captain – telling reporters: “For me, personally, I would have loved to have worked with this fantastic person and player.
“He is a true Spurs legend in every aspect, one of the greatest players to play in the Premier League. It is never easy to find the perfect timing and me coming in from the side, it makes it a bit easier to end on a high.”
As irreplaceable as his moments to remember are, Spurs must attempt to find the heir to Son’s throne this summer and that has reportedly seen them turn towards a Ligue 1 star.
Tottenham in pole position to sign Kolo Muani over Juventus
According to The Boot Room’s Graeme Bailey, Tottenham are now in pole position to sign Randal Kolo Muani ahead of Juventus, who have so far failed to get their deal over the line for the Paris Saint-Germain forward.
The Frenchman spent the second half of last season on loan at the Serie A club and enjoyed a rejuvenated spell. So far, however, talks between those in Turin and PSG have not gone well and are not advancing – leaving the door ajar for Spurs to enter.
After scoring 10 goals in 22 appearances for Juventus, Kolo Muani sent a timely reminder of his quality last season and finally backed up the previous praise of fellow Frenchman Kylian Mbappe.
Once sold to PSG for £77m by Eintracht Frankfurt, Kolo Muani is still capable of reaching those levels if Spurs take a gamble this summer.
Celtic have had a strong start to the Scottish Premiership this season, winning both their opening games with clean sheets and sitting comfortably with an early four-point lead over Rangers.
Celtic have made numerous additions to their title-winning team, including Arsenal’s Kirean Tireny on a free transfer. Additionally, Brendan Rodgers has continued the pattern that his predecessor, Ange Postecoglou, started and has once again delved into the Japanese market to bring in Shin Yamada and Hayato Inamura, who become the 7th and 8th Japanese players to join the club this decade.
Rodgers had also planned on bringing in Go Ahead Eagles winger Jakob Breum, but that deal now seems to have been indirectly foiled by their rivals.
Rangers scupper Celtic transfer hopes
Former Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers.
In July, a move for Breum looked likely. Celtic had begun negotiating a price, the player and agent were ready and willing, and the Go Ahead Eagles director spoke candidly about their willingness to sell for the right price. Fast-forward to the present, and Go Ahead Eagles are looking less inclined to sell.
The main reason for this is that the club has received a £6.6 million cash windfall, which means they don’t have to sell Breum if they don’t want to. Last season, the winger registered 15 goal involvements in 26 league appearances, which is likely why the club are inclined to keep hold of him.
In a bitter twist for Celtic, it’s now being reported by Football Insider that a significant factor in Go Ahead Eagles’ reluctance to sell Breum is because of the money they received from Rangers when they signed Oliver Antman.
Rangers brought Antman in from Go Ahead Eagles on Monday for an initial fee of £3 million. This income, partnered with the £3.6 million that the Eagles will receive from their qualification to the Europa League, has changed the Dutch side’s financial situation to the point where a sale of Breum is no longer necessary and attractive.
While it’s almost certain that Rangers had no idea that their deal would scupper Celtic’s move for Breum, it will likely be a cherry on top of the Antman signing that many Rangers fans will take some joy from.
Celtic's next move…
It’s a pain to have a long-term transfer target fall through, and that pain is only exacerbated by Rangers’ involvement, but there is still plenty of time left in the window for Celtic to get their winger.
One other issue that has arisen from the Antman/Breum debacle is that Football Insider also report that Celtic were waiting on the signing of Breum to green-light a sale of Hyunjun Yang to Norwich City. With the season underway, Celtic don’t want to be left shorthanded and so were waiting for their new signing before Yang on. This will now have to wait until they secure an alternative.
One player that Celtic may now go for is Brondby winger Clement Bischoff. TeamTalk had reported earlier this week that Bischoff was a player on the radars of both Celtic and Sunderland. Celtic would have to be willing to spend more than they had planned to spend on Breum, however, as Brondby want £6.3 million for the 19-year-old.
“He gave me a few words in terms of how the wicket would play… He read the wicket to the tee.”
Mohammad Isam23-Oct-2024Keshav Maharaj said that he benefited from Tamim Iqbal’s advice about the Dhaka pitch. The left-arm spinner has taken six wickets in the opening Test match against Bangladesh at the Shere Bangla National Stadium so far, bowling almost the perfect line and length in conditions that have assisted both seamers and the spinners. South Africa are in a good position in the game, needing three more wickets to bowl Bangladesh out in their second innings with the hosts leading by 81 runs.”I just sent Tamim a message,” Maharaj said. “I have got a good relationship with him. Obviously we played in the BPL. I just asked for some advice based on conditions and how to go about the business. He gave me a few words in terms of how the wicket would play. It wasn’t wrong. He read the wicket to the tee.”Maharaj played under Tamim for Fortune Barishal in BPL 2024. He took three wickets in three matches, but all of them were at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram. Maharaj is playing his first match in Dhaka and so he did what other overseas bowlers visiting the subcontinent do. In 1998, Shane Warne got in touch with Bishen Singh Bedi so that he could be better informed about how to bowl to Sachin Tendulkar.South Africa began the third day’s play with three wickets in the first 30 minutes before Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Jaker Ali put on 138 runs for the seventh wicket. Maharaj bowled 37 overs, taking 3 for 105.Related
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Mehidy 87*, Jaker 58 help Bangladesh fight back on truncated third day
“It’s nice to get a marathon spell out of the belt,” he said. “I love bowling. We should get a little bit less [square] cut balls at the start of the spell, but I think I settled in quite nicely. When the ball got a little bit older, there wasn’t much reaction from the wicket so I tried to keep it as tight as possible.”Maharaj’s discipline allows him to play both attacking and defensives roles based on the match situation. He helped keep the pressure up from the other end when Kagiso Rabada was running hot in the first session and then later South Africa looked to him to pose as the primary threat, which he did to break a big partnership and pick up Jaker’s wicket.”We have a four-bowler line-up in our attack,” Maharaj said. “My job, apart from trying to create opportunity, was to hold up an end. I think this morning when I bowled in tandem with KG [Rabada], you could see that his tail was up and got the ball to do a little bit.”So my job at that stage was to try and hold up an end, and then when the switch came, I posed a little bit more when the ball started to spin. I think as a spinner you want to allow yourself to settle in and get those long spells on a wicket like this, knowing that there is a ball that will turn and be in your favour. Luckily enough, towards the back end in the middle of my spell, I got some reward from that.”Maharaj gave credit to Mehidy and Jaker for putting up the rearguard action. He said that South Africa tried really hard to remove the pair, but couldn’t do it for a long period. “I think yesterday was probably the day that we went a little bit searching (for wickets), if I’m honest. And then we got the three wickets, and I think Mehidy and Jaker Ali played really well.”We threw everything at them, and I don’t think it was a case of us taking our foot off the gas. I think they played really well, and you must give credit towards the batters in that situation,” he said.
Crystal Palace have now made an approach over a deal for an “amazing” defender, journalist Mike McGrath has revealed.
Crystal Palace set sights on Guehi replacement
Marc Guehi will forever be remembered for being the first captain to lead Palace to a major trophy, but with two Premier League clubs battling it out for his services, it is looking increasingly likely that the Englishman could be heading for the exit door sooner rather than later.
Newcastle United and Liverpool are keen on the defender, who could be available for around £60m, and the centre-back’s departure could be a real blow for Oliver Glasner, considering he was among the Eagles’ most consistent performers in the Premier League last season.
Crystal Palace’s best performers 24/25
Average rating (WhoScored)
Daniel Munoz
7.11
Eberechi Eze
7.09
Trevoh Chalobah
6.92
Maxence Lacroix
6.88
Marc Guehi
6.81
Amid doubts over Guehi’s future, the Eagles have started identifying potential replacements, and Sporting CP’s Ousmane Diomande has emerged as a major target, having tabled a bid for the Ivorian.
However, in a report for The Telegraph, McGrath has revealed there is another option from much closer to home, with Crystal Palace submitting an enquiry over a potential loan deal for Chelsea defender Josh Acheampong.
Palace have a history of doing deals with their London rivals, and Acheampong is now of interest, although only on a loan deal, with the reported asking price of £35m perhaps deemed to be too high.
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Only one loan is allowed from a Premier League rival, and the defender has been identified as the perfect addition to Glasner’s squad, given that he is versatile, with the defender comfortable playing at both centre-back and right-back.
"Amazing" Acheampong could be fantastic signing for Crystal Palace
The 19-year-old is still in the early days of his career, but he is clearly very highly-rated in west London, having been praised by Enzo Maresca after impressing in the Europa Conference League last season.
Maresca said: “The one that I fell in love with [tonight] is Josh Acheampong, because potentially he can be a fantastic player for this club, and for football in general”.
Teammate Tosin Adarabioyo has been left similarly impressed by his fellow defender, saying: “Josh has absolutely everything to be a top, top defender. He’s quick, he’s strong, he’s amazing on the ball, and he has a lot of confidence which I love to see in a young defender.”
The teenager is still inexperienced at first-team level, having made just 14 appearances for Chelsea, but he is clearly very talented, and Palace have a good history of signing young defenders on loan from their London rivals.
Chalobah impressed Glasner during his brief spell with the Eagles last season, prior to being recalled, and the manager will be hoping that Acheampong can have a similar impact at Selhurst Park, should the Blues be open to a loan deal.
FSG’s transfer ethos – getting their work done nice and early – often leaves Liverpool somewhat in the corner of the room while rivals party late into the market, enjoying the thrill of Fabrizio Romano and the rest’s transfer updates.
There are worse problems to have, it must be said. And the real success is found on the field. Liverpool are on the verge of signing Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez, having already added Jeremie Frimpong.
Now, it’s time to sign a centre-forward, for Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota left plenty to be desired as Arne Slot’s focal frontmen last season, actually paling in comparison to Liverpool’s wider forward.
Mohamed Salah
38 (38)
29
18
Luis Diaz
36 (28)
13
7
Cody Gakpo
35 (23)
10
5
Diogo Jota
26 (14)
6
4
Darwin Nunez
30 (8)
5
3
Federico Chiesa
6 (1)
0
0
Luis Diaz was even called into play as a makeshift number nine for much of the campaign, his false-nine-type qualities proving invaluable for the Reds as they marched toward the Premier League title.
Who, then, to sign? Targets like Hugo Ekitike, Viktor Gyokeres and Victor Osimhen would all do a job, but Alexander Isak is the cream of the crop, and sporting director Richard Hughes would rake in the plaudits if he got that one over the line.
The latest on Alexander Isak to Liverpool
It’s pretty clear Liverpool will sign a striker this summer. However, who that player might be is less certain. Liverpool can dream, though, and signing Isak would be an incredible way to cap off a wonderful summer.
As per transfer insider Ben Jacobs for GIVEMESPORT, Liverpool are prepared to break the British transfer record to sign Isak this summer, with Newcastle United valuing their striker at over £150m.
The “unstoppable” Isak, hailed by pundit Ally McCoist as “the best out-and-out forward in the league”, was outscored only by Mohamed Salah in the Premier League last season, his 23-goal return illustrating his elite ability.
However, Newcastle’s position on their talisman’s unavailability has been absolute (insofar as any stance can be absolute in the transfer market). Liverpool can dream, and it appears they will try, but don’t hold your breath.
Newcastle United's AlexanderIsakcelebrates scoring their first goal
Luckily, Liverpool are one of the most astute transfer operators, and they’ve already lined up the perfect alternative.
Liverpool line up Isak alternative
As per TEAMtalk, Liverpool have sounded out a potential move for Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez this summer, and while the La Liga side would be looking for an unrealistic £160m figure, Anfield hold a trump card.
Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez
Indeed, Diego Simeone is interested in bringing Nunez to the Wanda Metropolitano this summer, and previous reports even suggest personal terms have been agreed for around a month. As a result, TEAMtalk suggest that a swap deal is an avenue they are exploring this summer.
This would no doubt be a difficult one to get over the line, but Liverpool’s interest is long-standing and the Argentina forward would be perfect for Slot’s system.
Why Julian Alvarez would be perfect
Alvarez had been tracked by Liverpool during his time at Manchester City, where he scored 36 goals and laid on 19 assists across two trophy-laden campaigns, earning an £81.5m transfer to Atletico Madrid last summer.
His first term in Spain was his finest yet, posting 29 goals and seven assists across 55 matches, blending newfound potency with his robust and dynamic attacking style. Making a direct comment on his exploits in Spain, journalist Roy Nemer even described the player as “the best forward in the world.”
As per FBref, he ranked among the top 6% of strikers across Europe last year for passes attempted, shot-creating actions and progressive carries, the top 8% for progressive passes and the top 12% for successful take-ons per 90.
Already something of a nomad, the 25-year-old has demonstrated continual development and would now prove the perfect alternative to Isak, who is actually considered by the data-driven site as being one of Alvarez’s most comparable players.
River Plate
122
54
31
Manchester City
103
36
19
Atletico Madrid
53
29
6
Argentina
44
12
33
Liverpool need a new goalscorer to perch at the front of their ship, but they also need a centre-forward who will play with flair and bring the attacking players together.
One of the Merseysiders’ attacking staples is that when the frontline clicks, they perform in concert, effectively unplayable. Isak aligns perfectly in this regard, but Alvarez too could dovetail into Slot’s set-up and provide a higher level of goalscoring threat while using his technical skills and off-the-ball intelligence to open up a new dimension.
Isak’s completeness is echoed by Alvarez, but the roots of the South American’s style are shaped by a natural quality in front of goal. As per Sofascore, he only missed seven big chances in La Liga last season, scoring 17 goals and creating nine big chances too.
And this isn’t a simple anomaly. Across his two campaigns in the Premier League, the 2022 World Cup winner scored 20 goals from 44 starts, only missing 14 big chances.
It’s pretty clear he’d prove an upgrade on Nunez, and while Isak is FSG’s first-choice pick, Alvarez might just be the perfect fallback if ambitious efforts to bring Isak over from St. James’ Park don’t pull through.
The winds of change are blowing at Anfield, all right, but there’s more still to come for the Premier League champions, who are packaging a proven squad with exciting additions who might just solidify Slot’s early success, shaping it into a dynasty.
Huijsen was better: How Spanish media rated Trent's first game post-Liverpool
Trent Alexander-Arnold made his debut for Real Madrid in the Club World Cup.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is desperate to bolster his attacking options this summer, and Hugo Ekitike is a major target.
The Blues face competition from Manchester United, however, as the Red Devils have entered the race for the young Frenchman.
Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike
This could put Maresca on high alert, and he will do everything he can to try to lure the Eintracht Frankfurt striker to Stamford Bridge.
He isn’t the only transfer target to emerge from the Bundesliga, as news has emerged about their potential interest in a current RB Leipzig starlet.
Chelsea could target Bundesliga sensation
If a move for Ekitike does go through, Maresca will be keen on linking up with players who will be able to provide him with plenty of chances in the final third.
Of course, Cole Palmer will be ideal for him, but how about having a talent like Xavi Simons available?
Writer Bobby Vincent stated during a Q and A for football.london could perhaps be a target.
“As for Xavi Simons, I’ve heard his name mentioned a couple of times this summer as a potential option but nothing absolutely concrete yet,” said Vincent.
“He is someone who has cropped up in the past as well, so there is definite interest there.”
The Dutchman is still only 22 years of age and would make an ideal long-term option for Maresca, especially as he could work wonders with Ekitike.
Why Chelsea must sign Xavi Simons
Last season in the Premier League, Palmer created 24 big chances. Next on the list were Enzo Fernández with 13 and Pedro Neto with 11. These were the only players with over ten big chances created.
By signing Simons, Maresca would be getting a player who will be able to generate plenty of opportunities for Ekitike, who scored 22 goals in all competitions for Frankfurt this season.
Xavi Simons celebrates
Indeed, across 25 domestic matches last season, the youngster created 12 big chances, while also averaging two key passes per game and recording seven assists for Leipzig, which speaks to the kind of quality that he could provide the French striker with in front of goal.
Metric
Bundesliga
Champions League
Goals
10
0
Assists
7
0
Big chances created
12
4
Key passes per game
2
1.4
Successful dribbles per game
1.3
1.4
Via Sofascore
It is no wonder he has been hailed as a “fantastic talent” in the past by talent scout Jacek Kulig. Now, Simons is finally delivering on his massive potential.
While Leipzig may have underwhelmed in the Champions League last season, Simons, who has been hailed as a “pocket rocket” by analyst Raj Chohan, shone from an individual perspective.
Indeed, when compared to his positional peers in the tournament, the 22-year-old ranked in the top 2% for shot-creating actions (5.91) and total shots per 90 (2.69) while also ranking in the top 9% for successful take-ons (1.88) and in the top 12% for touches in the opposition penalty area (3.49) per 90.
This set of statistics proves that Simons is among one of the finest attacking midfielders on the continent when it comes to creating chances, which is why he would be a dream signing alongside Ekitike as they could link up in the final third with the Dutchman creating chances for the striker to tuck away.
It could be a dream duo for the club next season, and if the club go far in the Club World Cup, there will be money to spend.
Chelsea can sign a bigger talent than Ekitike with move for £65m "maverick"
Chelsea could have the chance to reignite a move for a former target
This summer simply has to be a seismic one for Tottenham Hotspur.
Ange Postecoglou and his squad turned what could have been an utterly disastrous campaign into an iconic one with their Europa League triumph in Bilbao last week, and now it’s Daniel Levy and Co’s turn to deliver.
With Champions League football secured, the Lilywhites board should be able to push the boat out that bit more in the transfer window and bring in the right stars to ensure their Premier League campaign next year can be just as memorable as their European one this year.
Fortunately, that seems to be happening, as recent reports have linked the North Londoners with one of the most exciting players on the continent and someone who could send Son Heung-min packing.
Tottenham transfer news
Before getting to the young superstar in question, it’s worth looking at some of the other impressive players who have been linked with Spurs in recent weeks and months, such as Marc Guehi and Leroy Sané.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The former could cost up to £50m, and while that is a lot of money, he’d bring plenty of experience at the domestic and international level while also potentially being the perfect replacement for Cristian Romero should the World Cup finally move on this summer.
Sané, on the other hand, would be completely free thanks to his contract expiring in June, and while he’s nearer to the end than the start of his career, he’d undoubtedly add something to the Lilywhites attack, as in just 45 games this season he has scored 13 goals and provided six assists.
Leroy Sane celebrates for Germany
However, another more exciting major target for Tottenham has now entered the picture: Xavi Simons.
According to a recent report from ESPN, Spurs are interested in the RB Leipzig star, although they are certainly not the only ones.
Other stories from earlier this month have also credited the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United with an interest in the Flying Dutchman, who could cost around £67m.
It could be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given Simons’ incredible ability and potential, it’s one well worth fighting for, especially as he could be the perfect Son upgrade.
How Simons compares to Son
So, the first thing to say is that one of Simons’ biggest strengths is that he can play off the right or in attacking midfield with relative ease, but considering Brennan Johnson has been in fine form in the former and James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski occupy the latter, it seems likely that he’d come in as a left-wing option.
Xavi Simons celebrates
Therefore, one of his primary competitors for game time, and the man he’d ideally be the long-term heir to, is Son, so who comes out on top when we compare them?
Well, when it comes to their raw output, it’s the former Pairs Saint-Germain gem, with 11 goals and eight assists in just 33 first-team appearances, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.73 games.
Appearances
33
46
Goals
11
11
Assists
8
12
Goal Involvements per Match
0.57
0.50
In contrast, the former Bayer Leverkusen star has scored 11 goals and provided 12 assists in 46 appearances for the North Londoners this season, which comes out to a goal involvement every other game.
Okay, what about their underlying numbers from this year? Which winger comes out on top when we take a look under the hood?
Unfortunately for the Chuncheon-born icon, this is another battle he loses, as in most relevant metrics, bar a few here and there, the 22-year-old “game-changing signing,” as dubbed by respected analyst Ben Mattinson, comes out comfortably ahead.
These metrics include, but are not limited to, non-penalty goals plus assists, progressive passes, goals per shot and shot on target, passes into the final third and penalty area, expected assists, tackles won, interceptions, blocks, clearances, successful take-ons, aerial duels won and more, all per 90.
Non-Penalty Goals + Assists
0.67
0.64
Progressive Passes
5.86
4.74
Progressive Carries
3.56
4.10
Shots
2.09
2.35
Shots on Target
0.96
1.02
Goals per Shot
0.20
0.11
Goals per Shot on Target
0.43
0.25
Passing Accuracy
78.6%
78.9%
Expected Assists
0.25
0.22
Passes into the Penalty Area
2.51
2.18
Passes into the Final Third
3.31
1.75
Live Passes
44.4
36.5
Shot-Creating Actions
4.52
4.99
Tackles
1.17
0.73
Tackles Won
0.88
0.38
Blocks
0.79
0.47
Interceptions
0.50
0.21
Clearances
0.79
0.73
Successful Take-Ons
1.38
1.24
Ball Recoveries
5.36
3.63
Aerial Duels Won
0.79
0.26
Finally, the Amsterdam-born “superstar,” as dubbed by Mattinson, is a decade younger than the captain, so there is every chance that he’ll continue to get better and better in the coming campaigns, which is a scary thought indeed.
Ultimately, Son has been an incredible player for Spurs over the years, but Simons looks to be better than him in practically every way, so Levy and Co should be doing all they can to sign him this summer.
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The iconic Spurs star should walk away this summer.
Even though this season is still ongoing, there’s only one question on Rangers supporters’ minds: who will be the next manager in the Ibrox dugout?
Barry Ferguson is still yet to oversee a home win for Rangers in five attempts during his interim spell, following Sunday’s 1-1 draw in the derby, hoping to change that at Ibrox this weekend.
So, as much as he might want it, it’s very unlikely that he is going to get the job full-time and, while there appear to be two clear front-runners to be appointed right now, should Rangers turn their attention to a “world-class manager”?
Rangers new manager latest
At the time of writing, there are two clear favourites to be appointed as the next Rangers manager.
One is Steven Gerrard, with Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider reporting that he is ‘now the leading candidate’ to be re-hired, just under four years after leaving the club for Aston Villa.
Gerrard has been out of work since January, when he was sacked by Al-Ettifaq after, as John Duerden of the Guardian puts it, a generally ‘underwhelming’ spell in charge of the Saudi Pro League club.
Thus, a report by TEAMTalk claims that Gerrard ‘would be very open’ to the possibility of a return to the Ibrox dugout.
The other manager seemingly in the fray is Marco Rose, with Mark Pirie of the Daily Record stating that the German is ‘being considered’ by Andrew Cavenagh, Paraag Marathe and the rest of 49ers Enterprises, ahead of their proposed takeover.
The 48-year-old is also currently out of work, having been sacked by RB Leipzig in March; he’s previously been in charge of RB Salzburg, Borussia Mönchengladbach and Borussia Dortmund.
Both would be intriguing appointments in very different ways, but should the 49ers actually attempt to appoint a manager with vastly more experience?
Rangers could land a world-class manager
A report by Mark Pirie of the Daily Record back in March claimed that Rafa Benítez is a candidate to become the new Rangers manager, stating that the Spaniard is ‘aware’ of speculation linking him to the vacancy.
Everton's former manager Rafael Benitez.
Few active managers on the planet can boast quite as impressive a CV as Benítez, as outlined in the table below.
Real Valladolid
1995-96
25
Osasuna
1996
9
Extremadura
1997-99
92
Segunda promotion
Tenerife
2000-01
46
Segunda promotion
Valencia
2001-04
162
La Liga X2
UEFA Cup
Liverpool
2004-12
350
Champions League
FA Cup
UEFA Super Cup
Internazionale
2010
25
FIFA Club World Cup
Supercoppa Italiana
Chelsea
2012-13
48
Europa League
Napoli
2013-15
112
Coppa Italia
Supercoppa Italiana
Real Madrid
2015-16
25
Newcastle United
2016-19
146
EFL Championship
Dalian Professional
2019-21
38
Everton
2021-22
22
Celta de Vigo
2023-24
33
Benítez’s credentials are there for all to see, having won the Champions League, two La Liga titles and the Europa League twice, as well as various other trophies, managing some of the world’s biggest clubs, including Liverpool, Real Madrid, Inter and Chelsea.
His successor at Newcastle United, Steve Bruce, said that Benítez is unquestionably a “world-class manager”, even if his last two jobs, in charge of Everton and Celta Vigo, have both gone pretty disastrously.
He was never likely to succeed at Goodison was he, becoming only the second man, after William Edward Barclay in 1892, to manage both Merseyside giants.
Nevertheless, Dietmar Hamann, who played for Benítez at Liverpool, alongside Gerrard of course, described his former boss as a “genius” and a “fantastic manager”, adding that Rangers “could do a lot worse” in their search for a new head coach.
So, if the 49ers are looking for a manager who has vast experience when it comes to both British and European football, could the 65-year-old be the man tasked with overseeing the Rangers rebuild, pipping his former captain – and Rose – to the post?
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Alex Malcolm06-Mar-20252:29
Manjrekar: We will see an even better version of Smith in Tests now
In 2024, Cricket Australia held a fan poll to rename their One-Day domestic competition after one of it’s greatest 50-over players.Criteria included performances both domestically and internationally. As a current player, Steven Smith wasn’t eligible in the vote (Dean Jones was the worthy winner) but upon Smith’s retirement from the format, it is worth reflecting on a formidable 50-over record that has sometimes slipped under the radar.It is appropriate, whether by design or otherwise, that Smith has bowed out of ODI cricket while still being committed to playing Tests. It allows people to both notice and appreciate how good his one-day career was, given his 50-over record lives in the shadows of one of the most extraordinary Test careers of the modern age. He was pivotal to two World Cup wins. He was twice Australia’s ODI player of the year. His standing among Australia’s best in the format is undersold.Related
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His ODI career was only one year shorter in length than Ricky Ponting’s, yet he played 204 fewer ODIs, which speaks to the proliferation of T20I cricket post 2010 at the expense of the 50-over game and the format’s lesser relevance outside of global events.Purely by average, Smith ranks as Australia’s greatest ODI No. 3. He is also in fine company globally among just six men to average more than 50 at No. 3 in ODI cricket, alongside Virat Kohli, Babar Azam, Viv Richards, Faf du Plessis and Kane Williamson.It was no surprise, then, to read the reactions of some of his team-mates on social media to his sudden exit from the 50-over game. David Warner, a fellow Australia ODI great, said Smith is the “best player I’ve played alongside in my career” without any format caveats.Shane Watson, whose ODI batting record is almost the equal of Smith’s, wrote of how “effortless” Smith made difficult ODI batting look, highlighting the 2015 World Cup quarter-final against Pakistan, when Watson was being “absolutely peppered” by the quickest bowling he’d ever faced, from Wahab Riaz. Smith looked like Neo in at the other end, making Wahab’s bullets stand still as he cruised to a match-winning 64.Two-time ODI World Cup winners – Glenn Maxwell, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Steven Smith, Josh Hazlewood, David Warner, and Mitchell Marsh – strike a pose with the trophy•ICC/Getty ImagesWatson also referenced Smith’s next innings, in the semi-final against India, where he scorched 105 off 93 balls to help set Australia on a path to a home title.Those two innings perhaps best encapsulate Smith’s ODI batting. There is an assumption that his short-form method is just an extension of his Test-match brilliance. He has long been the insurance policy to a poor start, using his technical skill and savant-like game awareness to sum up the conditions, accumulate with minimal risk and set up the innings for others to finish.
High-class No. 3 and 4 batters are like gold dust in ODI cricket. T20 specialists have time and again proven inadequate to handle the range of scenarios those batters face in the medium-length version of the game
But Smith’s ability to move through the gears is underappreciated. He could step on the accelerator when needed and had a greater ability than raise the pace against the opposition’s best bowlers.In that semi-final innings, he dragged Aaron Finch along in a 182-run stand, of which Smith scored 105, as Finch crawled at a strike rate of just 69.82. Australia posted 328 for 7, which proved 95 too many. Smith’s record in ODI World Cup knockout matches is unrivalled. That golden three-match run in 2015 finished with him hitting the winning runs at the MCG.His last three ODI hundreds also showcased his extraordinary range. He plundered back-to-back centuries off 62 balls against India in 2020. In 2022, on an incredibly tricky pitch in Cairns, he made 105 off 131 to help Australia defeat New Zealand in a game where no other player passed 52.Steven Smith was superb at being able to change gears•Getty ImagesHis impact wasn’t just with the bat. Smith’s name does not come front of mind when a list of Australia’s greatest ODI fielders is called for. You couldn’t compile an hour-long highlights package of all his direct hits, like former YouTuber Rob Moody once did for Ponting. But some of Smith’s catching was otherworldly. He was Glenn Phillips before Glenn Phillips at backward point, taking one-handed grabs at full stretch like they were routine.All this from a player who was initially selected as a legspinning allrounder and did not bat in 11 of his first 36 ODIs before his first innings at No. 3. He only bowled 11 times in his last 134 matches thereafter.As captain, his tactical nous was often on display, right up to his final match as he tried to marshal an inexperienced attack against India’s batting behemoths, but a defining moment eluded him. Smith led Australia in 64 ODIs from 2015 to 2025. Only Ponting, Allan Border, Steve Waugh, Mark Taylor and Michael Clarke have done so on more occasions. All five of those captained Australia to a World Cup final and four secured seven titles between them. Smith was the only one to not lead his country in a World Cup. The leadership ban imposed after the 2018 ball-tampering scandal meant he was ineligible for the 2019 edition, and by 2023 Pat Cummins had taken over.Steven Smith made two 62-ball hundreds in three days against India in 2020•Getty ImagesHis ODI retirement can be viewed one of two ways. Optimists are hoping it will extend his Test career. Pessimists would suggest this an indicator that the end is closer than Australia would hope. Smith referenced being committed to the home Ashes at the end of this year but nothing beyond that, despite saying “I feel I still have a lot to contribute on that stage.”The task of replacing him in the ODI side is hard enough without contemplating the cavernous hole he will leave in the Test side. Australia haven’t been able to replace Warner adequately yet in any format. It took two years for Smith to emerge as Ponting’s heir at No. 3 in ODI cricket. Australia only have two years to complete another such search before the next World Cup.High-class No. 3 and 4 batters are like gold dust in ODI cricket. T20 specialists have time and again proven inadequate to handle the range of scenarios those batters face in the medium-length version of the game.Smith was Australia’s ODI Swiss Army knife. Reliable and adaptable. They never went anywhere or succeeded in anything without him. He might never have a 50-over trophy named after him, but it will be very difficult for Australia to win their next one without him.
All the numbers from Mumbai Indians’ first win against Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL
Sampath Bandarupalli24-May-20231:30
Manjrekar: Bowlers like Madhwal are gold dust
1 – Akash Madhwal became the first bowler to claim a five-wicket haul in a playoff match in the IPL. The previous best bowling figures in the playoffs or knockouts were 4 for 13 by Doug Bollinger for Chennai Super Kings in the 2010 semi-final against Deccan Chargers.101 – Lucknow Super Giants’ total against Mumbai Indians is the third-lowest in the IPL playoffs. The lowest is 82 all out by Deccan Chargers against Royal Challengers Bangalore in the third-place playoff in 2010, while Delhi Daredevils were bundled out for 87 against Rajasthan Royals in the semi-final in 2008.ESPNcricinfo Ltd5 – Runs conceded by Madhwal in his five-wicket haul. It is the joint-cheapest five-for in the IPL. Anil Kumble also conceded only five runs during his five-wicket haul against Royals in 2009.5 for 5 – Madhwal’s figures against LSG are the best for an Indian bowler in the IPL, as he equals Kumble’s figures from 2009. Madhwal’s figures are also the joint fourth-best in the IPL.ESPNcricinfo Ltd6 – Bowlers with consecutive hauls of four or more wickets in the IPL, including Madhwal, who took a four-wicket hauls against Sunrisers Hyderabad in their final league match. He is only the second player for Mumbai in the IPL with consecutive four-wicket hauls, after Munaf Patel in 2012.32 – Runs added by LSG for their last seven partnerships, going down from 69 for 2 to 101 all out. It is the joint-fifth worst eight-wicket collapse by any team in the IPL and the worst-ever collapse in a playoff game.
81 – Mumbai’s win margin against LSG is the third-biggest win by runs in the IPL playoffs. The best-ever win is of 105 runs by Royals against Daredevils in 2008, while CSK defeated Daredevils by 86 runs in the second Qualifier in 2012.14 – Wickets for pace bowlers in the LSG-MI Eliminator. These are the second-most wickets picked by pace bowlers in an IPL game at Chepauk, behind the 15 between CSK and RCB in 2015.