Author: WTX Sports Team

Chelsea set priorities for next manager as pressure grows on search The Independent says Chelsea have drawn up a managerial shortlist led by Julian Nagelsmann, Mauricio Pochettino, Luis Enrique and Roberto De Zerbi, but are prepared to go through their Champions League campaign with interim boss Bruno Saltor in charge as the priority is to get the appointment right for pre-season. Figures at the club are talking about an “exhaustive search” as, like the departed Graham Potter, they want a coach who buys into the idea of developing a young squad with the most progressive methods and understands the new…

Chelsea sack Graham Potter after less than seven months in charge The Metro says Chelsea have sacked Graham Potter after less than seven months in charge at Stamford Bridge. Potter only joined the Blues from Brighton last September – replacing the sacked Thomas Tuchel. After a decent start, results nosedived just before the World Cup and continued afterwards, with many Chelsea fans calling for his dismissal. But following a record-breaking spending spree in January, that included the signing of Enzo Fernandez for a British transfer-record, the wins began to come again and they advanced to the quarter-finals of the Champions…

Mirror Sport – Silva service at Stamford Bridge? The Mirror moves the story on from Graham Potter’s sacking at Chelsea with the claim that Fulham boss Marco Silva has been earmarked as his surprise successor. Former Blues boss Rafa Benitez is, they add, the favourite to take over from Brendan Rodgers at Leicester and lead the Foxes’ Premier League survival bid. Catch up on the back pages 

Express Sport – ‘All gone to Pot’ The Express also name-checks Mauricio Pochettino as a potential successor to Graham Potter at Chelsea, alongside Julian Nagelsmann and Marco Silva. Catch up on the back pages 

The i Sport – Potter sacked by Chelsea after poor run The iSport back page leads on the Stamford Bridge and King Power decision-makers’ reasons to sack Potter and Rodgers. And they also feature an emotive and celebratory Newcastle United picture after the Magpies boosted their Champions League qualification hopes by beating rivals Manchester United at St James’ Park. Catch up on the back pages 

Times Sport – Chelsea sacks Potter after 31 matches The Times says former Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann is the leading contender to replace Graham Potter at Chelsea. They also feature Luke Shaw’s reaction to Manchester United’s “unacceptable” performance in defeat at Newcastle. Catch up on the back pages 

Graham Potter sacked by Chelsea after less than seven months in charge Graham Potter has been sacked by Chelsea FC, less than seven months in the top job. The sacking came a day after Chelsea lost 2-0 at home to Aston Villa – making the loss the 11th in 31 games for Potter. London club Chelsea is now 11th in the Premier League despite having spent more than £550 million on new players this season.  Potter will be replaced by Brighton’s former Spanish right-back Bruno Saltor, who will serve as the interim head coach. Potter had won 12 of his…

The Tottenham chairman is willing to play a risky game with his star striker.

Can AJ get back to winning ways?

Wimbledon 2023 lifts ban on Russian & Belarusian players Russian and Belarusian tennis players will be able to compete at Wimbledon this summer, after the All England Club lifted the ban it imposed last year. The players will be able to feature this year “subject to competing as neutral athletes” and complying with certain conditions. The decision also covers other British events held in the run up to Wimbledon, most notably the tournaments at Queen’s and Eastbourne. However, players must agree not to support the Russian and/or Belarusian states or their regimes and leaders and not receive funding from Russian…

Michael Vaughan cleared of racism claims Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan has been cleared of using racist language towards ex-Yorkshire team-mate Azeem Rafiq. Vaughan was accused of saying “there’s too many of you lot, we need to have a word about that” to Rafiq and three other Asian players representing Yorkshire in 2009.  However, the Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) panel found that the England and Wales Cricket Board’s case against Vaughan was not proven.  The panel said it was “not satisfied on the balance of probabilities” that the words were said by Vaughan “at the time and in the…

Express – ‘What a mess’ The Express runs with Tottenham fans’ displeasure at what is happening at their club, with no manager and sporting director Fabio Paratici now serving a 30-month worldwide ban.

The Mail – ‘FA Cup set to end 3pm TV blackout’ The Mail writes that FA Cup semi finals could be shown live on TV at 15:00 BST on a Saturday, ending the traditional blackout.

The Times – ‘Clubs reject fly-on-wall Netflix series’ The Times are reporting that Premier League clubs have turned down an approach from Netflix for a documentary that shows how things work behind the scenes over three seasons.

The i – ‘Fergie would call me a fool for Palace return’ Roy Hodgson admits former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson wouldn’t approve of his return to Crystal Palace at the age of 75. That’s in the i.

The 20-year-old feels ready to take the next step in his career.

There’s plenty of hurdles left for Arsenal and City.

‘Joshua vs Fury would pick the sport up. But it can’t be on and off, We can’t do that again.’

‘He has extraordinary explosiveness.’

Stellini will take charge of Spurs for the remainder of the season.

This would be a huge gamble.

‘If you’re not winning it doesn’t matter what you’ve won in the past.’

They may still finish second…

Premier League clubs avoided £250m in tax, expert estimate Financial experts estimate that Premier League football clubs may have avoided paying £250m in taxes over a three-year period through the use of dual representation contracts by football agents.  The practice involves agents being paid for representing both players and clubs in negotiations, including transfers, resulting in half of the payment avoiding tax. The Tax Policy Associates think tank estimates that the use of dual representation may have saved players, agents, and acquiring clubs £81m in 2019, £91m in 2020, and £81m in 2021. However, HM Revenue and Customs has launched…

‘When there’s not an audience there, it’s difficult.’