Misc Rumor - Soccer Wiretap

Erik Ten Hag Prefers Remaining With United Over Bayern Move

May 6, 2024 2:15 PM

Erik ten Hag prefers to remain with Manchester United rather than join Bayern Munich.

Bayern are looking for a new manager after announcing in February they will part company with Thomas Tuchel at the end of the season.

Ten Hag has had a disappointing season with United. Ten Hag has a contract at the club until 2025, although he has been given no formal guarantees by new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe that he will still be manager at the start of next season.

Rob Dawson/ESPN

Tags: Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Misc Rumor

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West Ham Parts Ways With David Moyes, Hires Julen Lopetegui

May 6, 2024 2:14 PM

West Ham has parted ways with David Moyes and will hire Julen Lopetegui as his replacement.

Moyes said: “I have enjoyed four-and-a-half brilliant years at West Ham, and the club is in a stronger position than when I returned back in 2019.

“When I joined West Ham for a second time, the club was one place above the relegation zone, and it has been a terrific journey to have achieved three consecutive seasons in Europe.

“After leading the club to safety, we guided the team to finishes of sixth and seventh in the Premier League, and I was delighted when we won the Europa Conference League title last June – the club’s first major trophy in 43 years.

“I would like to thank all the players for their support, and all the success they have achieved, over the last four-and-a-half years.”

PA Media

Tags: West Ham United, Misc Rumor

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Jadon Sancho's United Exit Expected To Become Permanent

May 2, 2024 10:57 PM

Jadon Sancho is expected to leave Manchester United permanently this summer even if Erik ten Hag is dismissed as manager.

Sancho was loaned back to Borussia Dortmund back in January. Dortmund would like to keep Sancho, but they would struggle to afford his contract and transfer fee.

A second loan spell covering the 2024-25 season is a possibility, but United's preference is for a permanent transfer.

United signed Sancho in 2021 from Dortmund for $91 million.

Sancho has returned to form since rejoining Dortmund.

Rob Dawson/ESPN

Tags: Borussia Dortmund, Manchester United, Loan, Misc Rumor, Transfer Rumor

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Ralf Rangnick Declines Bayern Offer To Remain As Manager Of Austria

May 2, 2024 4:20 PM

Ralf Rangnick has declined an approach by Bayern Munich to remain manager of the Austria national team.

"I am the Austrian team boss with all my heart," Rangnick said in a statement on Thursday.

"I really enjoy this task and am determined to successfully continue on our chosen path.

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

Rangnick was previously interim manager of Manchester United and also took Schalke to the Champions Leauge semifinals in 2011. Rangnick  was also director of football at RB Leipzig and FC Salzburg.

ESPN

Tags: Bayern Munich, Misc Rumor

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United Emerge As Favorites To Sign Michael Olise From Crystal Palace

May 2, 2024 11:26 AM

Manchester United have emerged as the frontrunners to sign Michael Olise from Crystal Palace.

Olise has a release clause that becomes active this summer that is believed to be between £50 million and £60 million.

Olise has seven goals and four assists in 16 matches this season with Palace. 

James Olley/ESPN

Tags: Crystal Palace, Manchester United, Misc Rumor, Transfer Rumor

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Liverpool Confident Mohamed Salah Will Want To Return Next Season

Apr 29, 2024 11:48 AM

Liverpool is calm over the future of Mohamed Salah with the club and expect him to return next season as he enters the final 12 months of his contract.

Salah refused to shake Jurgen Klopp's hand on Saturday before coming on a substitute.

Salah has given no indication he wishes to leave Liverpool and the club expects him to remain a critical part of their plans under Arne Slot.

Liverpool rejected a £150 million offer from Al-Ittihad last summer.

Andy Hunter/The Guardian

Tags: Liverpool, Misc Rumor, Transfer Rumor

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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

Mark Ogden/ESPN

Aston Villa Extends Unai Emery's Contract Through 2027

Ben Fisher/The Guardian

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

Sam Marsden, Moises Llorens/ESPN

Thomas Tuchel Prefers Return To Premier League Over Barcelona

Rob Dawson/ESPN

Zinedine Zidane Hasn't Had Talks With Bayern

Julien Laurens/ESPN

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

Rob Dawson/ESPN

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