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Former England duo Joe Hart and Theo Walcott are set to appear as pundits on Match of the Day following Ian Wright's departure from the show.

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Hart & Walcott to replace WrightWright made MOTD debut in 1997Left show after 2023-24 seasonWHAT HAPPENED?

The BBC have confirmed that Man City legend Hart and former Arsenal star Walcott will appear on Match of the Day this season after Wright decided to end his long stay on the Premier League highlights show. Both Hart and Walcott have moved into punditry since retiring from football – Hart worked with the BBC at Euro 2024 – and will offer a fresh perspective on the modern game.

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There are two new guests who will review the top-flight action alongside host Gary Lineker. Hart, who ended his playing career by winning the Scottish title with Celtic, was articulate during Euro 2024 and offered a goalkeeper's take on goals and other incidents. Walcott has covered the Premier League with Sky Sports and can also be expected to provide insightful analysis.

WHAT WRIGHT SAID

Explaining his decision to leave MOTD, Wright said: "It was time. I had a dear friend who said that sometimes you’ve got to know when to step back, change, rest, have a break, and say no – it's just time. When you’re on Match of the Day, you're live and I've had a massive problem before with people knowing where you are, so I always want to get back home to the missus and the girls.

"It just takes me two to three days after that to get ready and there are other things I'm doing which I just haven't got the energy for sometimes. I'm getting older, I just want to make sure I use the time well and efficiently for myself and at the moment, Match of the Day is the one that if something had to go, it had to be that."

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR MOTD?

The BBC's flagship show, which has been on air since 1964, will return for another season this Saturday when Lineker and Co. break down the day's action, which includes Liverpool's trip to Ipswich Town and Arsenal against Wolves.

أكد نيكولو باريلا، لاعب إنتر ميلان الإيطالي، أن فريقه على نفس مستوى مانشستر سيتي الإنجليزي، متحدثًا بعد مباراة الفريقين في دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وحل إنتر ميلان ضيفًا على مانشستر سيتي بملعب “الاتحاد” في أولى مبارياته بدوري أبطال أوروبا، وحسمت المواجهة بالتعادل السلبي بينهما.

وقال باريلا لـ “أمازون برايم فيديو إيطاليا”: “فاز هذا الفريق بالدوري الإيطالي الموسم الماضي ولم يقدم أداءً كافيًا في دوري أبطال أوروبا، لذا نريد هذا العام أن نبذل المزيد من الجهد في أوروبا”.

وأضاف: “نحن ننمو، واكتسبنا الخبرة على طول الطريق وهذا يساعد، لقد وصلنا إلى النهائي قبل عامين، وطموحنا هو القيام بذلك مرة أخرى، ثم في كرة القدم يمكن أن يحدث أي شيء”.

وأصر: “أثبتنا اليوم ضد فريق قوي للغاية أننا نستطيع اللعب على نفس المستوى، في النهاية، الأحداث هي التي تحدد النتائج”. 

وتعادل إنتر ميلان الآن في جميع مبارياته الثلاث خارج أرضه أمام جنوى ومونزا ومانشستر سيتي.

وعلّق باريلا: “لقد أحببت الموقف، لأنه بعد أداء ليس جيدًا جدًا ضد مونزا، كان بإمكاننا أن نأتي إلى هنا بتوتر، ولكن بدلاً من ذلك قدمنا ​​200 % من الجهد وهذه هي العقلية التي نحتاجها للذهاب حتى النهاية”.

وعن مواجهة الديربي أمام ميلان الذي تعرض للهزيمة 3-1 أمام ليفربول في دوري أبطال أوروبا يوم الثلاثاء، اختتم باريلا حديثه قائلاً: “كنا نفكر فقط في هذه المباراة، تمامًا كما كان ميلان يفكر فقط في ليفربول، ولكن من الغد يمكننا الاستعداد للديربي بأفضل طريقة ممكنة”.

Celtic are interested in sealing the summer signing of a player compared to Italy and AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini, according to a new transfer rumour.

Celtic to chase defensive additions this summer

The Hoops will no doubt be eyeing a busy summer transfer window, in order to take Brendan Rodgers' squad up another level, and they seem to be targeting defensive additions at the moment.

Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has emerged as a hugely exciting option, with the Republic of Ireland international potentially looking for a fresh challenge away from the Reds. He is enjoying plenty of minutes this season, due to Alisson being injured, but while the Brazilian is around, he is going to find it hard to ever be first choice.

In the same update, Trabzonspor stopper Ugurcan Cakir is seen as an alternative option for Kelleher, should the Liverpool man either stay put or go elsewhere, with the 27-year-old winning 26 caps for Turkey to date.

Rapid Vienna centre-back Leopold Querfeld has been linked with a summer move to Celtic, too, with the tall centre-back considered an exciting young target, along with midfield teammate Matthias Seidl.

Celtic want player compared to Paolo Maldini

According to 1908.nl [via Sport Witness], Celtic are interested in signing FC Twente left-back Gijs Smal this summer, with a free transfer in the offing. That's because the 26-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season, and it looks unlikely that he will sign an extension at his current club.

Rangers are mentioned as suitors in the report, too, but the Hoops' rivals will have to sell either Borna Barisic or Ridvan Yilmaz before they consider sealing a move for him.

Celtic are believed to have already told Smal "what they can offer", suggesting that talks have already taken place with him, and it looks like a signing that would tick plenty of boxes.

The 26-year-old is at a brilliant age to come in and make an immediate impression at Parkhead, having picked up so much experience in his career, but also still having plenty of years ahead of him at a high level.

Appearances

16

26

Goal contributions

1

7

Tackles per game

1.3

1.6

Clearances per game

1.3

0.9

Key passes per game

1.1

1.8

Pass completion rate

79.7%

82.5%

This season, Smal has made 16 appearances for Twente in the Eredivisie, also enjoying two outings in the UEFA Europa Conference League. Perhaps the biggest compliment he can be paid is that he has been nicknamed 'Smaldini' in his homeland in the past, drawing comparisons to the Italy icon.

The Dutchman could provide strong competition at left-back for Greg Taylor at Celtic, giving Rodgers two excellent options there, assuming the current Hoops ace stays put at the club ahead of his contract expiring in the summer of 2025.

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Smal has the pedigree and quality to be a big success at Parkhead, and if the Hoops were to beat Rangers to his signature, it would feel even sweeter.

West Ham United are plotting to appoint the “next Unai Emery” to replace David Moyes at the London Stadium, according to a new update.

David Moyes under West Ham pressure

The Hammers are still yet to win a game in 2024 after suffering another Premier League defeat on the weekend, this time to strugglers Nottingham Forest.

It was yet another afternoon to forget, losing 2-0 and seeing new signing Kalvin Phillips sent off. Plenty of West Ham supporters in the away end at The City Ground made their feelings known at the end of the game, unveiling a ‘Moyes Out’ banner.

West Ham make decision on future of David Moyes amid Forest defeat

The Hammers appear to have changed their mind on the future of the Scottish manager.

ByBen Browning Feb 17, 2024

However, Moyes came out and defended his position after the defeat at The City Ground, saying on fans’ discontent:

“I’m pretty long in the tooth, it happens and I don’t think you can please everybody. I think it would be hard to say there have been many better times at West Ham. Maybe they want something different but if they’re honest I think they probably have to say it’s been as good a time as they’ve had at the club, winning a trophy and the league positions.

"Maybe they’ve had managers who excite them more, possibly, but the one who’s sitting here wins more.”

It is believed that Moyes is still under no immediate pressure in regards to getting the sack, but it looks as if club officials are looking at their options.

West Ham manager update

According to Football Insider reporter Pete O’Rourke in the last 48 hours, West Ham are plotting to appoint the “next Unai Emery”, looking at bosses who are serial trophy winners and have a CV littered with top clubs. Those at the London Stadium have been ‘impressed with Aston Villa’s capture of Emery in 2022 and would consider the potential to lure a top-calibre manager of their own’.

The Hammers want Moyes to stay but now have a shortlist of potential managers to replace the Scot, should they feel a change is needed.

It looks as if the club could well have a new man in the dugout during 2024, but when that will be remains to be seen. Moyes’ current contract expires at the end of the season, with talks over an extension thought to be on hold for now.

So far this year, things have gone from bad to worse, falling down the Premier League table and exiting the FA Cup to Championship side Bristol City.

In regards to who could take over in the Emery mould, former Wolves, Sevilla and Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui has been mentioned and is open to the idea of replacing Moyes.

He‘s won three honours as a manager and has taken charge of a number of top clubs, so perhaps Lopetegui could be a target, making this one to keep an eye on over the coming weeks and months.

da cassino online： Liverpool are interested in appointing a "remarkable" individual as the club's new sporting director after Jorg Schmadtke, according to an exciting new update.

Liverpool eyeing backroom additions

da dobrowin： It's going to be all change at Anfield come the end of the season, with Jurgen Klopp's shock decision to leave as manager set to create a gaping void. His entire backroom team will also move on, including assistant manager Pep Lijnders.

It remains to be seen who will replace the legendary German as Reds boss this summer, but Xabi Alonso has arguably emerged as the favourite to take charge, as he continues to work wonders with Bayer Leverkusen this season.

Others are also believed to be in the mix, including Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi, but nothing too concrete has emerged yet regarding the decision.

Away from the managerial situation, Liverpool also need to find a new sporting director, with Schmadtke leaving at the end of January, following a short stint in the role after replacing Julian Ward.

Liverpool identify new sporting director

According to Football Insider, Liverpool want to bring Bayer Leverkusen managing director Simon Rolfes to the club this summer, along with Alonso, after the pair have "stunned" onlookers in Germany.

"Liverpool are plotting to bring Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso and sporting director Simon Rolfes to the club in a sensational double swoop, sources have told Football Insider. It is believed that the duo are at the top of the Merseysiders’ list as they shortlist replacements for manager Jurgen Klopp and sporting director Jorg Schmadtke.

"Well-placed sources have told Football Insider that Liverpool are keen to snap up the pair key to the stunning transformation of the Bundesliga side."

This is such exciting news for Liverpool, considering how brilliantly Alonso and Rolfes are working together currently, inspiring Leverkusen to the top of the Bundesliga table. When Klopp leaves, the importance of nailing not only the managerial appointment but also other backroom additions cannot be downplayed, with wrong choices potentially setting the club back years.

Rolfes looks to be an ideal candidate to be the next sporting director at Anfield, not only because of his relationship with Alonso, but due to his own expertise in his own role. He has been hailed by Leverkusen chairman Fernando Carro, who has said of him recently:

"Simon Rolfes has demonstrated a remarkable ability to blend his experience and qualities as a player with the challenges of modern professional football management."

Replacing Klopp is ultimately going to be incredibly difficult, considering he is one of the most influential figures in the history of Liverpool Football Club, but it does feel as though Alonso is the standout choice, especially given his ties to the Reds as a player.

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If they can snap him up and bring Rolfes with him, it should stand Liverpool in good stead to enjoy as seamless a transition as possible without Klopp around, ensuring that the club don't go backwards.

Eric Garcia confirmed he’s in talks with Barcelona over a contract renewal while hinting he could be a future captain at the Spanish club.

• Garcia's contract ends in 2026
• Contract renewal talks have begun
• Defender talks about potential Barcelona captaincy

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Garcia’s current contract with Barcelona expires in June 2026, which could leave him free to negotiate a move next season. To avoid that scenario, the club have already opened discussions to secure his future with an extension running until 2029. In a recent interview, Garcia confirmed the talks, revealing that Barcelona officials have initiated negotiations with his agent to finalise a long-term deal.

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  Barcelona brought in Garcia on a free transfer from Manchester City in 2021 after his contract expired. He spent two seasons at Camp Nou before moving on loan to Girona, seeking more game time after falling out of favour under then-coach Xavi. The defender also wanted regular minutes to stay sharp for the 2024 Paris Olympics. On his return to Barcelona, Garcia’s versatility quickly impressed new coach Hansi Flick. The German tactician deployed him in multiple roles, including at right-back to provide cover for the injured Jules Kounde.

• WHAT GARCIA SAID

  Speaking about the renewal, Garcia said: “Everything will be discussed soon. We've started talking about a renewal.”

  When asked about potential captaincy in the future he said: “Captain? Who knows if I could be a candidate for captaincy in the future.”

• Getty
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR GARCIA AND BARCELONA?

  Barcelona and Garcia will look to finalise the extension swiftly, allowing them to fully focus on the season ahead and the defense of their La Liga title reclaimed from Real Madrid last year.

Dutch batsman’s new deal will take him through to his 40th birthday

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Oct-2019

Ryan ten Doeschate is drenched is bubbly by his team-mates•Getty Images

Essex’s Championship-winning captain Ryan ten Doeschate has signed a one-year extension with the club, putting an end to speculation that he would follow Ravi Bopara out of Chelmsford.Ten Doeschate told ESPNcricinfo he would “take stock” before committing to a new contract at the club after leading them to a second Championship title in three years, saying he was “deeply aware there’s a time to move on.”But after his team-mate of 16 years Bopara left the club to join Sussex on Wednesday, ten Doeschate confirmed that he would spend the 2020 season at Essex.Ten Doeschate said: “I’m really pleased to extend my contract at the club and my affinity for Essex and the players just grows stronger and stronger.”We had an amazing season in 2019, but we’re constantly striving to improve and we want to build on our success.”I’m excited about the challenges and battles we’ll face in 2020, and I’m looking forward to giving my all in what will hopefully another successful year.”Ten Doeschate captained the club across formats from 2016 to 2018, but relinquished the T20 captaincy to Simon Harmer this year. He has represented the club 477 times in all formats, scoring 27 hundreds and taking more than 300 wickets in the process.He is currently in the UAE, where he will hope to play a key role in leading Netherlands through the T20 World Cup qualifier.Anthony McGrath, Essex’s head coach, said: “Ryan is a huge player for us, both on the field and in the dressing room, so we are all delighted that he will be staying for at least another season.”He’s a natural leader and has led this side to some fantastic achievements over recent years, and hopefully with any luck, there will be more to come.”

The 34-year old has made just four Test appearances since January 2017, his last one being the first Test in October 2018 against Australia in Dubai

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Sep-2019

Wahab Riaz struggled for rhythm•Getty Images

Pakistan fast bowler Wahab Riaz has decided to take an indefinite break from red-ball cricket in order to focus on limited-overs formats. He has also withdrawn from the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, just two days before the start of the tournament, where he was set to represent his domestic side Southern Punjab.Wahab, who made his Test debut for Pakistan in 2010 and has played 27 Tests, also added he wanted to focus on regaining fitness levels required for the longer format. Since January 2018, the 34-year-old has played only five red-ball matches, one Test and four first-class games.Wahab was also absent from Southern Punjab’s camp in Lahore, where the side was preparing for their opening game against Central Punjab.”After reviewing my past couple of years’ performances in red-ball cricket and the upcoming limited-overs cricket, I have decided to take time off from first-class cricket,” Wahab said. “During this period, I will like to focus on 50-over and 20-over cricket, and continue to access my fitness for the longer version of the game. At a stage I feel I cannot only return but also perform with the red-ball, I would make myself available. “The PCB had been trying to convince me to pursue my career with red-ball, but today I met them to convey my decision. I am grateful for their understanding and support.”Wahab was the casualty of former coach Mickey Arthur’s drive towards a high-performance culture within the Pakistan squad, where he was criticised for his work ethic, with Arthur even saying he had not won them a game in two years. After being ignored for the tour of Ireland and England in 2018, Wahab played in the Dubai Test against Australia where he finished wicketless. But just a year after Arthur seemingly signalled the end of his career, Wahab was added to their World Cup squad, nearly two years after his last ODI. He finished 11 wickets in eight games in the tournament.But now, with this break and him missing the first-class season, his Test chances appear slim. Pakistan, in the next 12 months, are scheduled to host two Tests against Sri Lanka, two against Bangladesh, and play away series in Australia and England.Wahab was earlier handed out a category B central contract, but it is understood he is likely to be demoted in due course following this announcement.

Manchester United and Chelsea both made €80 million (£69m/$93m) bids for Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez this summer, per a new report.

Both Premier League clubs eyeing FerminBids reportedly tabled in JulyBarca plan to keep midfielderFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Per Sport, both United and Chelsea tabled huge bids for Fermin towards the end of July. However, there was some disagreement at Barca over whether to sell the star or not; several board members believed a sale would help fund the registration of new players, but manager Hansi Flick wanted him to stay. 

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The report claims negotiations lasted for over a week with both United and Chelsea attempting to extricate Fermin. Flick is said to have intervened personally to ensure that the attacking midfielder stayed at Camp Nou. 

DID YOU KNOW?

Fermin has made a total of 89 appearances for Barca, scoring 19 goals and registering 11 assists. He has also won two caps for Spain. 

(C)Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

Barca play Levante this weekend. Fermin will hope to be involved. 

India are getting closer to playing day-night Test cricket. According to BCCI president Sourav Ganguly, Indian captain Virat Kohli has told him he is “agreeable” to day-night Tests although there is no definitive date as to when it would happen.Ganguly said India had no choice and playing day-night Tests was the “way forward” if Test cricket needed to attract crowds. That is what he told Kohli during their meeting in Mumbai on Thursday at the BCCI headquarters. It was the first meeting between Ganguly and Kohli after the former captain took charge as BCCI president on October 23.”We all are thinking about this. We will do something about this,” Ganguly said on Friday at the Eden Gardens at an event organised by Cricket Association of Bengal to felicitate him on him taking charge at BCCI. “I am a big believer in day-night Tests. Kohli is agreeable to it. I see a lot of reports in newspapers that he is not, but that is not true. The game needs to go forward and that is the way forward. People should finish work and come to watch champions play. I don’t know when that will happen, but it will.”India, No.1 on the ICC’s Test rankings, and Bangladesh are the only teams (outside of newly promoted Ireland and Afghanistan) to never have played a pink ball Test cricket since Australia and New Zealand featured in the first one in 2016.Now, with the World Test Championship under way, the onus is on the host board to organise day-night Tests, but the BCCI had expressed its reluctance, mainly because India wanted to protect its points and Indian players had not played enough first-class cricket under lights.Sourav Ganguly holding his first press conference after being appointed the BCCI president•AFP

Ganguly has been pushing for India to play with the pink ball even when he was head of the BCCI’s technical committee. In the past, he had recommended that the BCCI continue to invest in playing Duleep Trophy under lights, an experiment first used in 2016. This season the board had initially planned for the Duleep final to be a day-night affair only to change its mind at the last minute.When day-night Tests were launched, the ICC had said that it was a way to let fans come back to the ground after work and have a nice time. The first one in Adelaide was packed on all three days.Earlier this week Kohli had suggested BCCI could limit Test cricket to five of the big venues in India, saying one of the advantages of doing that would be attracting large crowds. His comments came after the final two Tests of the South Africa series were played to sparse crowds in Pune and Ranchi. Ganguly thinks day-night Tests could be a good option to sort that problem too.”Cricket needs a change,” he said. “Who had thought that T20 cricket will be such a rage when it was first played? Even we (senior players) were asked to rest when the format was first played. See lifestyles have changed. No one can afford to bunk schools or offices these days to watch cricket. They need to be brought to the ground after day’s work.”India’s upcoming Test calendar includes a two-match series against Bangladesh in November and a three-match series in New Zealand next February and March