Misc Rumor - Soccer Wiretap

Eddie Howe: Bruno Guimaraes' $125M Release Clause Expires In June

Apr 26, 2024 2:25 PM

Eddie Howe has revealed that Newcastle's £100 million ($125 million) release clause on Bruno Guimaraes expires in June.

“Having that was well planned and structured in the sense that there’s a finish point,” said Howe. “We don’t want a summer of speculation. I don’t think that would be healthy for the player or for us.”

Howe is desperate to build his roster around Guimaraes, but if a club meets the release clause, it would allow Newcastle to use those funds this summer. 

Howe is optimistic the short window will keep Guimaraes on his squad.

“We want to keep Bruno,” he said. “We want to build our team around him. He’s an integral part of what we’re doing. His form has been very good. He seems very happy and settled here. He’s a big part of where we can hopefully take the team. But we’re not in control of that so we shall see.”

Louise Taylor/The Guardian

Tags: Newcastle United, Misc Rumor, Transfer Rumor

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Arne Slot Expects To Become Next Manager Of Liverpool

Apr 25, 2024 9:32 PM

Arne Slot has confirmed he would like to leave Feyenoord to become the next manager of Liverpool. Slot has two seasons remaining on his contract and it will take a compensation fee of approximately €10 million to release him from his deal.

Jurgen Klopp is stepping down as manager of Liverpool at the conclusion of the season.

“The only thing I can say about it is that the clubs are in negotiations – and then you sit in the waiting room and wait for what will come out. It seems clear to me that I would like to go to Liverpool,” he said. “Now I am waiting to see whether the clubs reach an agreement. I have every ­confidence in that.”

Slot added: “The clubs have to do their job and then I am waiting, and as the ‘main character’ I have to respect that. It will undoubtedly become clear in the coming days. It’s no secret that I want to go to Liverpool.”

Mark Dobson/The Guardian

Tags: Liverpool, Misc Rumor

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Xavi Reverses Decision, Will Remain As Barcelona Manager Next Season

Apr 24, 2024 9:47 PM

Xavi has agreed to remain as manager of Barcelona until the end of his contract at the end of the 24-25 season. Xavi previously announced he would step down at the end of the current season.

Barcelona vice president Rafa Yuste appeared to confirm the agreement when exiting the meeting late Wednesday night.

"We had a meeting with the coach and the president in which Xavi showed us his commitment," he told reporters. "He is a Barça guy, he is the coach who can lead our project and our young players from the club. I am convinced that he will do a great job, I am very happy for him because he is a great 'culé.'

"I am happy [with Xavi staying] because I always defended the continuity of the project he started two-and-a-half years ago.

"We have not talked [in the meeting] about changes in our team at all. Xavi has shown his enthusiasm and we must support him and his staff to continue with this project."

Xavi was appointed manager in 2021 and led them to win their first LaLiga title in four seasons last year.

Sam Marsden, Moises Llorens/ESPN

Tags: Barcelona, Misc Rumor

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Erik Ten Hag To Take 25 Percent Cut Next Season With United Out Of UCL

Apr 24, 2024 9:45 PM

Erik ten Hag will face a 25 percent pay reduction next season if he is retained as manager of Manchester United due to the club's failure to quality for the Champions League.

Ten Hag signed a three-year contract after leaving Ajax to join United in May 2022.

United's new football regime, headed by minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, have been exploring possible alternatives to Ten Hag by assessing the qualities of other managers including England's Gareth Southgate, Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi, Brentford's Thomas Frank and Wolves' Gary O'Neil.

Mark Ogden/ESPN

Tags: Manchester United, Misc Rumor

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Arne Slot Emerges As Leading Candidate For Liverpool Job

Apr 24, 2024 11:55 AM

Feyenoord manager Arne Slot has been identified by Liverpool as a leading candidate to replace Jurgen Klopp.

Liverpool's interest in Sporting CP coach Ruben Amorim has reportedly cooled. Slot has emerged ahead of Amorim and Brighton's Roberto De Zerbi in the race to replace Klopp.

Xabi Alonso was Liverpool's top choice, but he decided to remain with Bayer Leverkusen. 

Slot, 45, rejected Premier League advances from both Chelsea and Tottenham last season in order to remain at Feyenoord. 

Mark Ogden/ESPN

Tags: Liverpool, Misc Rumor

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Aston Villa Extends Unai Emery's Contract Through 2027

Apr 23, 2024 10:19 AM

Aston Villa have exercised their one-year option on the contract of Unai Emery to extend his stay at least through 2027.

Bayern Munich and Barcelona had interest in Emery as they look to fill their vacancy.

Emery is on course to lead Villa into the Champions League and, after reaching the Europa Conference League semi-finals, he could deliver the club’s first major trophy since 1996. 

Emery has transformed Villa since succeeding Steven Gerrard 18 months ago .

Villa finished seventh last season and are six points clear of Spurs for fourth place, though Tottenham has two matches in hand.

Ben Fisher/The Guardian

Tags: Aston Villa, Misc Rumor

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Xavi Willing To Listen To Barcelona's Pitch On Returning Next Season

Apr 22, 2024 2:18 PM

Xavi hasn't made a final decision on his future as manager of Barcelona as the club makes a push for him to remain in charge next season. 

Xavi announced in January that he planned to step down as manager at the end of the season, but there has been a push to have him reverse his decision.

President Joan Laporta, vice president Rafa Yuste and sporting director Deco have all voiced their desire for Xavi to remain at the helm.

Barcelona are unable to invest significant money in a new manager due to the club's financial issues.

Xavi could reconsider his decision if he receives certain guarantees with regard to squad planning and signings ahead of the 2024-25 season.

Sam Marsden, Moises Llorens/ESPN

Tags: Barcelona, Misc Rumor

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Thomas Tuchel Prefers Return To Premier League Over Barcelona

Apr 22, 2024 2:09 PM

Thomas Tuchel has received interest from Barcelona for their managerial job, but he reportedly prefers a return to the Premier League.

Tuchel will leave Bayern Munich this summer.

Tuchel managed Chelsea between January 2021 and September 2022. Erik ten Hag's future with Manchester United is in doubt.

Tuchel, however, has not ruled out the Barcelona job. Rafael Marquez and Hansi Flick are also candidates for Barcelona. 

Rob Dawson/ESPN

Tags: Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Misc Rumor

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Zinedine Zidane Hasn't Had Talks With Bayern

Apr 19, 2024 2:56 PM

Zinedine Zidane has not been contacted by Bayern Munich about potentially replacing Thomas Tuchel as manager. Zidane has been heavily linked to Bayern in recent days by Spanish media.

Zidane is on Bayern's shortlist, though he is below Brighton's Roberto De Zerbi, Austria coach Ralf Rangnick and Stuttgart's Sebastian Hoeness.

Zidane speaks neither German nor English fluently, and considers communication and man-management crucial to his success.

Zidane hasn't coached since the end of his second stint at Madrid in the summer of 2021. 

Julien Laurens/ESPN

Tags: Bayern Munich, Misc Rumor

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Pep Guardiola: Cole Palmer Wanted To Leave City For Two Seasons

Apr 19, 2024 2:54 PM

Cole Palmer has scored 23 goals in all competitions this season for Chelsea as he has become one of the best signings of the Premier League. Palmer was sold by Manchester City to Chelsea for $53 million.

Guardiola shrugged when asked whether it was a mistake to let Palmer move but said the 21-year-old wanted to leave the Etihad Stadium long before he joined Chelsea.

"He's an exceptional player," Guardiola told a news conference.

"I said many times, I didn't give the minutes that maybe he deserved and now he has at Chelsea. I understand completely.

"He's a shy guy with a lot of potential. It is what it is. He's playing fantastic so what can I say? The decision has been made for many reasons.

"He was asking for two seasons to leave and I said stay. He said he wanted to leave. What could we do? I said stay because Riyad [Mahrez] is gone, but for two seasons he wanted to leave."

Rob Dawson/ESPN

Tags: Chelsea, Manchester City, Misc Rumor, Transfer Rumor

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Daniele De Rossi To Remain Manager Of Roma Next Season

ESPN

Rafa Marquez Emerges As Candidate For Barcelona Job

Sam Marsden, Moises Llorens/ESPN

Chelsea Want To Keep Reece James Despite Financial Pressures

James Olley/ESPN

Xabi Alonso Announces He'll Remain At Bayer Leverkusen

ESPN

Alphonso Davies' Agent Critical Of Bayern's Contract 'Ultimatum'

ESPN

Liverpool Gives Up On Xabi Alonso Replacing Jurgen Klopp

Mark Ogden/ESPN

Lionel Messi Will Only Retire When He Stops Performing

Adriana Garcia/ESPN

Kalvin Phillips Likely To Leave City In Summer

Rob Dawson/ESPN

City Agrees To Sign 14-Year-Old American Cavan Sullivan

Fabrizio Romano/The Guardian

Olivier Giroud In Talks To Join LAFC

Julien Laurens, Jeff Carlisle/ESPN

Ben White Signs Four-Year Extension With Arsenal

James Olley/ESPN

Maurizio Sarri Steps Down As Manager Of Lazio

Fabrizio Romano/The Guardian

Celta Vigo Fires Rafa Benitez As Manager

ESPN

Liverpool Hires Michael Edwards As CEO Of Football

ESPN

Chelsea Could Be In FFP Jeopardy With $115M Loss Last Year

Jacob Steinberg/The Guardian

Arsenal Still Plan To Pursue Striker During Summer Transfer Window

James Olley/ESPN

Wayne Rooney Still Aims To Manage United Or Everton Someday

ESPN

Saudi Pro League To Pursue Several Premier League Stars Again

Rob Dawson/ESPN

Thomas Tuchel To Leave Bayern At End Of Season

RealGM Staff Report

Barcelona Has Spending Limit Reduced By $71M

Sam Marsden/ESPN