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Man United ruthlessly dismissed Ruben Amorim on Monday following a spectacular breakdown in relations, with the search now on for his successor.

The 41-year-old departed after just 14 months at Old Trafford, becoming the sixth permanent manager discarded since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.

Sky Sports state that Amorim’s emotional and inconsistent behaviour proved pivotal in United’s decision, with hierarchy concluding his stubborn refusal to adapt his rigid 3-4-3 system demonstrated he was out of his depth.

A heated Friday meeting with director of football Jason Wilcox deteriorated rapidly when Amorim’s tactical approaches were questioned, with the tactician not taking too kindly, according to insiders.

The final straw arrived hours after Sunday’s Leeds stalemate when Amorim insisted he came to be ‘the manager, not the coach’ — openly criticising Wilcox while demanding full control over tactical decisions.

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ESPN report that Amorim felt micromanaged by superiors and lacked freedom to implement his vision, though United maintain they provided 100 percent backing, including £250 million spent since his appointment in late 2024.

According to Opta, Amorim departs with the worst win ratio and highest goals conceded per game of any United manager in the Premier League era, finishing 15th last season with 42 points — their lowest tally in over half a century.

The disastrous campaign included a Europa League final defeat to Tottenham, compounding supporters’ frustrations with his stubborn tactical approach.

However, there are those who will point to the fact that the Red Devils are still sixth in the table, level on points with Chelsea and just three points off a Champions League place.

Amorim could well have guided them back to the pinnacle of European football if he was given the chance, but now the Portuguese has departed, the search begins for his long-term successor.

Former United boss and club legend Ole Gunnar Solksjear is believed to be extremely keen on a caretaker role until the end of the season, with Michael Carrick also open to the prospect of being interim manager.

That is according to journalist Ben Jacobs, who also reports that ex-Barcelona boss Xavi has made his stance known on a potential move to Manchester.

Xavi 'open' to Man United move as Red Devils harbor doubts

Writing for GiveMeSport, Jacobs claims that Xavi himself is open to the prospect of joining United, but the club themselves actually harbor doubts over his possible appointment.

It is believed that the 45-year-old – who won a La Liga title at Barcelona in 2023 and another league crown with Qatari side Al-Sadd in 2021 – is genuinely tempted by Old Trafford.

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However, it is currently unclear whether INEOS will consider the big-name tactician when factoring in his lack of Premier League experience, with the likes of Andoni Iraola, Marco Silva and Oliver Glasner all potentially up for grabs later this year.

Even when considering the fact he hasn’t coached in England before, Xavi’s experience managing clubs with huge pressure on the biggest stages is surely enough to get United at least thinking about his arrival.

Despite parting ways with the tactician, Barça president Joan Laporta once called him the best coach in world football.

Make no mistake, Xavi’s free agent status means his name will be mentioned more as United’s search for a new boss drags on, with some reports in Spain suggesting that talks are expected to take place.

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Tottenham Hotspur will close the door on 2025 as the reigning Europa League champions, but that silver-laden success is tainted by the turmoil that has prevented the club from making headway on the domestic front.

While Ange Postecoglou’s dismissal was understandable after Spurs slumped to a 17th-place Premier League finish last season, Thomas Frank’s early reign has left much to be desired, though the weekend win at Crystal Palace has eased the pressure on the Danish tactician.

Now, it’s time to spend. The Lewis family have given the manager their backing. While Micky van de Ven’s contract renewal is taking precedence, the north Londoners are also in desperate need of a freshen-up in the final third.

Spurs planning to sign a new forward

Tottenham’s number nines have left something to be desired this season. Richarlison can’t stay consistent. Randal Kolo Muani has struggled to adapt. Dominic Solanke can’t stay fit. Reinforcements are needed.

Football.london’s Alasdair Gold has acknowledged Tottenham need to sign a left-back, following Destiny Udogie’s latest injury, and a left winger, following Heung-min Son’s summer sale to LAFC, but there is also a desire to land a top-class centre-forward.

And according to the well-connected correspondent, Porto striker Samu Aghehowa remains high in Johan Lange and Fabio Paratici’s reckoning.

Valued at £70m, the 21-year-old has been on Spurs’ radar for a while, and it’s beginning to look like a formal move could be in the pipeline.

Why Samu would be a Solanke upgrade

Chelsea tried to sign Samu in 2024 before he completed a cut-price move from Atletico Madrid to Porto, but this spell in Portugal may have bore dividends for the young striker.

Now, he’s ready for the Premier League, and he has the skills to become Spurs’ main man, even if Solanke, who completed a £55m move from Bournemouth last year, recovers his fitness levels. Indeed, Solanke, 28, has only played twice in the top flight this term.

He’s not there yet, but Samu has the potential to be “one of the best strikers in Europe”, according to journalist Zach Lowy, and his prolific performances in Portugal have underlined that potential.

Moreover, he’s got an eye for the continental stage, with nine goals from 14 Europa League appearances. This consistency across different spheres bodes well, and suggests that Samu could quickly leapfrog the struggling Solanke if added to Frank’s squad.

Samu in Liga Portugal

Stats (* per game)

24/25

25/26

Matches (starts)

30 (23)

14 (13)

Goals

19

9

Assists

3

1

Shots (on target)*

2.7 (1.1)

3.1 (1.9)

Big chances missed

18

6

Pass completion

79%

73%

Big chances created

5

0

Key passes*

0.6

0.3

Dribbles*

0.4

1.1

Duels won*

3.3

3.5

Stats via Sofascore

Not only a deadly goalscorer, Samu ranks among the top 16% of Liga Portugal forwards for shot-creating actions and the top 5% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref, emphasising his creativity and pace.

This presence as a large, imposing striker with an eye for link-up play could indeed see Samu prove the perfect upgrade on Solanke, who created six big chances and won 4.3 duels on average in the Premier League last season, as per Sofascore, as well as scoring nine goals and supplying three assists.

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It’s clear that Tottenham had a vision when they paid a hefty sum for Bournemouth’s talisman, but injuries have not been kind to the Three Lions man. Perhaps it’s time for a new, hungry, younger striker.

Talent scout Jacek Kulig has described the Spanish striker as a “true monster in the making”, and after a year-and-a-half in Portugal, sharpening his scoring ability, it might be time for Samu to make the move to the Premier League.

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Everton made a number of signings in the January transfer window in an attempt to save the season.

Many of the new faces have made an appearance in the side, however, the Toffees are not out of trouble yet, and now Frank Lampard could be set to secure his first summer acquisition too.

What’s the word?

According to the Daily Star, Donny Van de Beek is interested in making a permanent move to Everton this summer, should they stay up in the Premier League at the end of the season.

The report claims that the Manchester United loanee has no interest in returning to Old Trafford in June just to sit on the bench again, and is desperate to stay at Goodison Park after having a taste of regular first-team Premier League football.

Fans will be buzzing

It is safe to say that Van de Beek has been the most impactful addition to the side since he arrived at Goodison Park when he signed on Deadline Day, meaning supporters would be delighted to see him arrive on a permanent basis.

Supporters got a great sense of what he’s capable of recently, with the midfielder playing a huge role in the 3-0 win over Leeds United.

According to Squawka, the 24-year-old won the most possession in the middle third (6), made ten ball recoveries, making the joint-most tackles (4) and aerial duels won (3) in the Toffees first victory in over two months, proving he can be a hugely influential player for this side.

The ex-Chelsea boss is a big fan of Van de Beek, and has already sung his praises calling him a “top player” in a recent interview, so it would be likely that the idea of a permanent move for the player would be desirable for both parties, as Lampard will want to strengthen his team further for next season, to ensure the side don’t find themselves in their current situation again.

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The Dutch national will face one of his toughest tests as a Premier League player yet, with Everton hosting top of the table, Manchester City, at Goodison Park next weekend and a fantastic impactful performance at home, will surely distract fans from the disappointing defeat against Southampton this weekend.

In other news: Jonjoe Kenny has blown his chance with Lampard

Younis Khan gets another shot at responsibility, this time as deputy to Shoaib Malik © AFP

After rejecting the captaincy twice in his career, Pakistan batsman Younis Khan has accepted the responsibility of taking over as the vice-captain for the tour of India, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced today.Younis takes over from opener Salman Butt, who held the post through the two-Test series against South Africa.Younis had served as the vice-captain of the side for nearly two years under Inzamam-ul-Haq, and was appointed captain during the Champions Trophy in India last year in Inzamam’s absence. However, he announced in a press conference that he refused to be a ‘dummy captain’ and walked off, only to be reinstated under a new board administration two days later.He was widely expected to take over following Inzamam’s resignation after a disasterous World Cup in the West Indies but turned it down again, citing mental strain after the trauma of coach Bob Woolmer’s death. What upset him the most was the hostile reception the team got on returning to Pakistan, and the fact that the Jamaican authorities viewed the players as suspects in Woolmer’s death, which was treated as a murder investigation.”I am still hurt and upset at the sort of hostile reception we have got since returning from the World Cup,” Younis said back in April. “I have always given 100% for my country. But when your family gets threatening calls and our effigies are burnt and our pictures put on donkeys, then I can’t lead the team in such circumstances.”The board eventually opted for a young captain, Shoaib Malik, and after an impressive start was handed a one-year extension. Younis had another shot at leading the side, albeit briefly, when Malik went off the field during the second one-dayer against South Africa. With Butt, the official vice-captain, not in the playing XI, Younis took over and reportedly showed a lot of enthusiasm.One of the probable reasons for the PCB not persisting with Butt is that he isn’t able to hold his place in the one-day team, on account of his poor batting form. Though he was the official vice-captain, he sat on the bench through all five one-dayers against South Africa.

Former South Africa coach Graham Ford has asked to be released from his contract as head coach of the Nashua Dolphins for personal reasons.Ford, 45, who also coaches Kent in the English County Championship, had only recently returned to the domestic scene.Cassim Docrat, CEO of the KZN Cricket Union, said: ‘ It is very sad to lose Graham Ford as Head Coach of the Nashua Dolphins. We are in a rebuilding phase, and Graham has a proven track record in bringing young players through, however we have to respect his personal wishes and wish him well. Our doors are always open to Graham in which ever capacity he wishes to contribute to KZN Cricket’.Provincial team coach Yashin Ebrahim will succeed him as head coach with immediate effect.

Bob Merriman will remain a Cricket Australia director © Getty Images

Creagh O’Connor has been elected as the Cricket Australia chairman and will replace Bob Merriman, who has completed his term that began in 2001. O’Connor, who was appointed deputy chairman in 2004, said the implementation of Cricket Australia’s strategic plan, which was reviewed and finalised during the past year, was a priority so the organisation could achieve its vision of being Australia’s favourite sport.”Australian cricket has set itself some challenging targets through its most-recently adopted strategic plan,” he said. “To achieve these Cricket Australia will need to work closely with its members and other stakeholders.” Mr O’Connor, who spent 30 years in the engineering and construction industries, was appointed to the Cricket Australia board in 1998 and has served on the SACA board since 1991. He is also a trustee of the Les Favell Foundation in Adelaide.Merriman said several landmarks stood out during his four years as chairman. “On the field there have been a number of satisfying moments including the 2003 World Cup win, winning the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time since 1969, the record-breaking streak of the Australian Test team, and holding the Ashes from 1989 until 2005,” he said. “This was all capped off by the magnificent show of goodwill by all players during the tsunami appeal match at the MCG earlier this year.” Merriman will continue to serve on the Cricket Australia board after Cricket Victoria reappointed him as a Cricket Australia director.

White’s cool head, talented batsmanship and wicket-taking bowling have come in for praise from higher up© Getty Images

Greg Shipperd, Victoria’s coach, has spoken up for Cameron White, who he believes embodies the next generation of Australian players. He said that Australia would do well to include White in the India-bound squad, for if he played well there, it would only mean good things for the team.White is viewed as an un-Australian legspinner, as he does not turn the ball significantly, instead relying on changes of pace and a wrong `un, which has sparked comparisions with Anil Kumble. But his wicket-taking ability, along with his batting talent and cool thinking, was instrumental in his promotion to captaincy of the Victorian side at the age of 20. He was applauded for his handling of more experienced teammates, and it was this maturity that Shipperd pointed to.”It think it’s a great opportunity for them,” said Shipperd, referring to Australia. “They need to look to the next generation for a spinner to go after Warney, and Cameron is clearly the brightest light, not only for his bowling but because his other skills are so good. The time is right, while Warney is still around and he can learn from him and tour in that environment.”While Warne and White play for Victoria, they have never played in a Test together. The closest they came to it was during the Zimbabwe tour, when White was called up to replace Stuart MacGill, who withdrew from the tour. The tour was eventually cancelled.MacGill has since been told that his selection for the Indian tour was unlikely, and there has been speculation that the selectors might pick a spinner in a different mould. According to Shipperd, White fits that mould perfectly because of his resemblance to Kumble, who has been prolific on Indian wickets.”Those who think they need someone who turns the ball into the right-hander rather than a legspinner only need to look at how he moves the ball through the air, like Kumble does, and Kumble’s record in India speaks for itself,” said Shipperd. “We’ve got someone like him and if he gets it right over there then there could be 10 years in front of him.”Incidentally, White played against the Indians during their tour of Australia, but success eluded him. He conceded 60 runs in 13 wicketless overs and scored only 20 in the match.

The day of reckoning looms in the Southern Electric Premier League, Division 3 championship stakes, with the top four going head to head.Unbeaten leaders Alton will be virtually assured of the title if they bag a 12th successive win, but if they slip up against near neighbours Rowledge, Ventnor could sneak in.But the Islanders, beaten only once in early June, face a testing time of their own against fourth-placed Trojans at Steephill.Alton, effectively 21 points clear at the top, parade a full strength side, while Rowledge’s prospects of winning probably hinge on Australian left-hander Justin Larrascy, whose 798-aggregate has bundled Trojans’ Erasmus Hendrikse off the top of the Premier 3 run scoriung charts.Alton spin duo Julian Ballinger (29 wickets) and Ben Jansen (23) arguably hold the key.South African Hendrikse, meanwhile, gets an opportunity to make his mark on the Steephill shirtfront, where Ventnor are launching their own promotion bid.Nigel le Bas misses the Ventnor boat trip.Talented Paultons all-rounder Tony Richman bids to improve on his 334 runs and 24 wickets against Waterloovile – one of several matches affecting the relegation zone.Basement boys Flamingo visit Havant II, Portsmouth II travel to Hook & Newnham Basics, and Hambledon host Hungerford at Ridge Meadow.A indoor soccer injury has put Martyn Isherwood out for the rest of the season and weakens Leckford’s prospects of a key win at South Wilts.

As a veteran leg spinner enjoyed one of the finest days of his career, so New Zealand’s cricketers experienced arguably the most disappointing of their current tour of Australia. Undone by a captivating display of bowling from Peter McIntyre, the Black Caps tumbled to a 17-run defeat at the handsof South Australia at the Adelaide Oval today.Inspired by another superb exhibition of left arm spin bowling from Daniel Vettori (6/80), the tourists had looked on course to claim their firstvictory on Australian soil this summer for long periods of the final day of this match. But a tentative batting effort on a difficult pitch led to theirdemise as they pursued a target of just 196 to win.Against the background of news that injured left arm paceman Shayne O’Connor will be returning home tomorrow, it was a sad way for the Kiwisto end four days of spirited, competitive cricket.It was in McIntyre (6/75), meanwhile, that a jubilant South Australian team found its destroyer-in-chief.The 35-year old is not a regular in the Redbacks’ team these days toward the end of a career that yielded an early switch of states and brought twoTest appearances for Australia in the mid-1990s. Yet that small matter didn’t stop him from confounding his rivals’ top and middle order with rippingleg breaks, top spinners and flippers on a wearing surface that added to the challenges confronting the batsmen.It might be argued that the only one among the first seven New Zealand wickets that didn’t fall to him – the freakish run out of Matthew Bell (29) -actually represented the chief turning point on the final day. But any attempt to detract from McIntyre’s influence over events would be seriouslymisguided.Mark Richardson (8) sparred at a delivery down the leg side to be brilliantly caught by wicketkeeper Graham Manou, though he looked unlucky because his shot must have attracted no more than the thinnest of edges. Mathew Sinclair (14) played outside the line of a modestly-turning ball to lose his off bail. LouVincent (0) was trapped in front of his stumps; Craig McMillan (32) succumbed to a sharp catch at a fine gully; Adam Parore (24) edged a widedelivery off the toe end of the bat to slip; and, Vettori (0) seemed to lose his bearings as he padded away a ball turning back in toward him.It was quite a catalogue of success.Bell, for his part, might have been another McIntyre victim too after he came well forward of his crease to push a delivery off bat and pad to DavidFitzgerald at silly mid off. But an extraordinary piece of nous from a juggling Fitzgerald saw him opt to expertly palm the ball into the stumps instead- with a perplexed batsman unable to successfully scramble back to regain his ground.McMillan, Parore and Glen Sulzberger (41) had kept New Zealand’s hopes alive by constructing brave innings in the circumstances, defying theattack with intelligent sweeping, cutting and paddling of the few loose deliveries that came along.Instructively, it was Sulzberger’s dismissal, at the head of a series of three late wickets that culminated in a brilliant direct-hit run out from square legfrom Mike Smith (2/31), that proved the straw that finally broke his side’s back.Earlier, the hosts had themselves been unravelled by a classy exhibition of left arm spin bowling from Vettori, tumbling from their overnight score of4/130 to a final mark of 212 in the shadows of lunch.Vettori took the game to the trenches with accuracy and appreciable turn on the helpful surface, leaving a defensively-minded Redbacks line-up withlittle option but to follow him there. Attacking him proved an even harder task than keeping him out: Smith (15) falling as he top-edged apremeditated slog-sweep; Manou (17) lobbing a forceful but mistimed drive to mid off; and Mark Harrity (10) depositing a stroke into the hands ofChris Martin at a wide long on position. Paul Rofe (0), padding up, was the only one to lose out through caution.The wickets of Ben Higgins (11) – out to a top-edged hook at Daryl Tuffey (1/21) – and Brad Young (15), who succumbed to a brilliant catchdown the leg side from Parore, were the only ones among the six that fell in the opening session in which Vettori did not have a hand.Though O’Connor’s continuing run of bad luck means that Tuffey and Shane Bond will be the likely new faces in the tourists’ eleven for the SecondTest in Hobart starting on Thursday, the Black Caps may well be hoping that the pitch there also yields to spin. If nothing else, they will be as wellprepared for a viciously turning surface as any other kind that may be in store.

The influence of a World Cup winning Australian did not rub off on South Africa at the tournament earlier this year, but they have not given up on Michael Hussey’s magic yet. Hussey is back with the squad and will work with them during the three-match T20I series in India, with the focus on preparation for the World T20 in next year.Hussey will work as a specialist batting consultant – South Africa’s second as they also have former coach Gary Kirsten on a 50-day-a-year contract – and T20I captain Faf du Plessis hoped he will teach the newer members of the team about both temperament and technique.”Mike is such a good guy from a coaching point of view. He has got a great batting mind so the young batters coming into the team, he’s the best guy you can learn from,” du Plessis said. “He does all the right things. He trains hard and fits in beautifully into our team. I think we are very lucky to have him in our side.”Du Plessis’ praise suggested Hussey’s involvement could extend beyond the India tour to the World T20, where South Africa will want the likes of Quinton de Kock and David Miller to fire. Both lacked runs recently, and de Kock was even dropped to the South Africa A side after a lean run in Bangladesh, though Miller, who last scored an international half-century 15 innings ago at the World Cup, survived. South Africa will hope the problems Miller had with his positioning at the crease have not. If they have, Hussey, also a left-hand batsman, may be able to help.Similarly, Hussey could work with de Kock, who recovered from his rocky road by scoring three centuries for the A side on the tour of India, but may still need tightening up outside the offstump. South Africa’s core of senior batsmen – du Plessis, AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla and JP Duminy – will also look to feed off Hussey’s knowledge, which has so far tried to instil in them the value of an all-round team performance.Hussey was with the South Africa team in the build up to the match against India in the 2015 World Cup, and he emphasised the need for some of the lesser lights to shine in major tournaments. “To win World Cups, you need world class performers and you look down the list of the South African team, you’ve got AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla, Dale Steyn, JP Duminy, Morne Morkel. You need those guys to fire and play well in World Cups and then that fires the other guys,” Hussey said at the World Cup. “But quite often you need some unsung heroes as well.”I look at the South Africa team and see a lot of those world class stars and there might be some unsung heroes like a David Miller or one of the other bowlers can come in and do a job as well.”South Africa’s current T20 squad has the same blend of big names and bits-and-pieces players, who will have to start seeing themselves as part of the bigger picture. Farhaan Behardien has started to do that, fitting in at No.7, sharing the fifth bowler duties and working on his finishing abilities with the bat. Both the uncapped Khaya Zondo and allrounder Chris Morris will have to follow suit.Zondo is likely to play some part in the series because of the absence of Rilee Rossouw, who is recovering from a stress fracture of the foot, and Morris should get a look in after David Wiese was ruled out of the series with a hand injury. South Africa’s middle-order will need them to be solid if it is serious about competing for the World T20 and it won’t take Hussey to tell them that.