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Dean Windass has exclusively told Football FanCast that Jose Mourinho’s treatment of his players led to his sacking at Tottenham.

After just 17 months in Tottenham dugout, the Special One was relieved of duties on Monday after a run of just one victory from six matches in all competitions.

Spurs topped the Premier League back in December, but their inability to protect leads has left them unlikely to finish in the top four, with the risk of missing out on European football on the whole.

Following Tottenham’s wretched run of results, Mourinho started speaking publically about his players – notably saying ‘same coach, different players,’ when his team conceded a late equaliser against Newcastle earlier this month, before accusing his players of hiding after the north London derby defeat.

And Windass told Football FanCast that Mourinho’s constant scrutiny of his players left Daniel Levy with no choice but to sack him:

“For me if a manager came out and criticised me, I would be banging on his door saying ‘why would you do that?’. If you’ve got a problem with me, tell me face to face, don’t tell the rest of the world.

“That’s the reason why he’s gone. I think Daniel spoke to a lot of the players, or the club captain and Harry [Kane] and said ‘what’s the dressing room like? Is it divided?’ Yeah. That’s why we’re not winning football matches and in the top four and Daniel has gone, ‘rubbish to this, he’s got to go’.”

Writing for the Athletic, answering fan questions in a Q&A, Tottenham journalist Jack Pitt-Brooke has explained that Belgium international boss Roberto Martinez has ‘come up in conversations’ as a possible outside candidate to succeed Jose Mourinho if he is sacked by Spurs.

Martinez, who has won the FA Cup with Wigan, causing an upset against Manchester City at Wembley in 2013, is currently overseeing the Red Devils’ charge for international silverware.

Martinez emerges as possible Tottenham candidate

The 47-year-old was also in charge of Everton between 2013/2016, and he has now apparently come up in conversations as a possible candidate to replace Mourinho at Tottenham – especially if Belgium enjoy a successful European Championship this summer.

Pitt-Brooke explains the three favourites are currently Julian Naglesmann, Brendan Rodgers and Ralph Hasenhuttl – even though they all come with certain caveats.

Expanding on who could be an outsider to take charge at Spurs as an heir to Mourinho, Pitt-Brooke mentioned Martinez as a dark horse and a potential man in demand if his national side meet expectations.

This comes after a past report from the Daily Star, who revealed back in 2019 that the Spanish boss was ‘ready to dump’ Belgium for Tottenham.

Transfer Tavern take

Indeed, he apparently made the club aware of his interest when there was growing pressure on former Lilywhites manager Mauricio Pochettino.

He was allegedly on chairman Daniel Levy’s list of names up for consideration once Pochettino was sacked, but the two parties never got round to formal talks.

As per this report, it appears Martinez is a name back in the fray, but only time will tell whether he is the man to replace Mourinho if Levy opts to sack him.

In other news: Tottenham will make a move to sign this ‘leader’ for Spurs, find out more here.

Fans of Glasgow Rangers have been reacting to a post on Twitter, in which Rangers relayed footage of central-midfielder, Joe Aribo, in action at Ibrox.

So far this season, Aribo has been one of Steven Gerrard’s stand out players in the club’s title-winning campaign, with the 24-year-old scoring six goals and registering four assists over his 26 Scottish Premiership appearances, as well as averaging a highly impressive WhoScored match rating of 7.40 – ranking him as Gers’ joint second-best performer in the Scottish top flight, behind only James Tavernier.

In the club’s recent 2-1 win over Hibernian, the midfielder displayed his talents admirably once again, particularly in one phase of play, in which Aribo plucked a high ball out of the sky with an incredibly deft touch.

And, after Rangers shared footage of the touch in question on Twitter, fans of the club flocked to have their say on the matter, with many heaping a considerable amount of praise on the midfielder.

So, what exactly did these Rangers fans have to say in reaction to the footage of Joe Aribo?

“I used to think Dennis Bergkamp had the best first touch. Not so sure anymore!”

@Xero1982

“Honestly, I’d drop a baby out of a burning building to Joe Aribo with 100% confidence he would caress it to safety with his feet.”

@Jock_Rangers

“Velcro feet.”

@nathrfc1

“His first touch is worth £10m.”

@kyle__55

“Beautiful.”

@Jack64527644

“Feet like pillows.”

@sagahansenOF

“It is simply sensational.”

@J_Munro98

In other news: Sources lift lid on ‘strong interest’ in Gerrard; chief executive has link with the Gers boss – find out more here!

Odsonne Edouard’s performances may be ‘starting to pick up’ because ‘you have to play well if you want a move’, according to Celtic legend Frank McAvennie.

Speaking to Football Insider, McAvennie said that the 23-year-old impressed him in the recent 1-1 draw with their Glasgow rivals, when the Frenchman laid on Mohamed Elyounoussi’s 23rd-minute opener at Parkhead. The ex-Hoops striker said:

“They complemented each other so well in that first half against Rangers. They were superb. I liked what I saw from those two as a combination but we have not seen it enough this year.

“You have to play well if you want a move and Edouard’s performances are starting to pick up.”

Premier League big hitters eyeing prolific Edouard

Edouard could leave Parkhead this summer before he enters the final year of his contract.

Leicester City are among the clubs said to be keen, with the Daily Mail reporting at the beginning of March that a £15m deal was in the works. Arsenal and Liverpool have also been linked with the French marksman.

Edouard, who is Celtic’s record signing at £9.27m, has scored 81 goals and set up a further 36 in 162 appearances for the club. He has hit 20 goals in 34 games this season for the Hoops, but there have been occasional dry spells.

After scoring a hat-trick on the opening day of the season against Hamilton, he found the net only twice more before facing the same opposition on Boxing Day. His output then notably picked up from the end of January with a run of eight goals in six matches.

Transfer Tavern verdict

It will be interesting to see how Edouard performs this summer when, in all likelihood, he represents France in the knockout stages of the Under-21 European Championships, when he will be very much in the continental spotlight.

He has already opened his account for the tournament, netting from the penalty spot in their group stage win over Russia on Sunday. McAvennie is right in saying that Edouard’s form has improved in recent weeks, but it remains to be seen whether that will predicate a summer exit from Glasgow.

In other news, as one Celtic player leaves, a former Hoops ace could return. 

Lots of Everton fans have been left in awe of Ben Godfrey after his comments ahead of their away trip to Chelsea in the Premier League on Monday.

As per the official website of the Goodison Park faithful, the former Norwich City man said: “The character we have is unbelievable – we’ve got a great dressing room. Long may that continue. Especially in these final stages of the season, we’re going to go to some tough places – that character and bond we’ve got has to be there.”

The comments made are encouraging to hear from a player that only joined the Merseyside club in the summer transfer window, as he has clearly gelled in very well with new teammates and has the determination to finish the 2020/21 term strongly.

The central defender has been nothing short of a revelation since he signed for the Toffees, winning no fewer than 4.4 of his duels a game in the Premier League as well as averaging 3.2 clearances, 1.6 tackles and 1.2 interceptions per match, helping his team on the way to six clean sheets in the process (Sofascore).

A win against Chelsea would turn the Toffees into serious candidates for a top four finish come the end of the campaign, and that will no doubt be thanks in part to the former Norwich youngster.

Everton fan reaction to Godfrey comments

These Blues hailed Godfrey on Twitter after reading his comments, with one EFC supporter even going as far to claim that the 23-year-old Englishman is a ‘future captain’:

“Future Captain”

Credit: @davemc45

“God Benfrey. Absolute steal of a signing!”

Credit: @Gillsta1878

“Okay. I’m officially in love.”

Credit: @jvas1878

“Announce new 10 year contract.”

Credit: @Kian0201

“Music to my ears.. especially him saying “our” about us…”

Credit: @Earlofbootle

“Next on my kid’s shirt this lad”

Credit: @paulwallace1efc

In other news, find out whose display against West Brom was blasted here!

After young Liverpool attacker Layton Stewart was stretched off during the under-23s’ 1-1 draw with West Ham United on Saturday, many Reds were left gutted by the ‘devastating’ news, with the 18-year-old requiring oxygen before being taken carried away. 

Stewart, who has been in fine form for both the under-18s and under-23s this season in Liverpool’s academy, needed treatment following a collision with a Hammers defender.

Having made the step up to the under-23s on a permanent basis, scoring against the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea, the Reds’ injury jinx appears to be continuing as this news emerges that Stewart was stretched off.

Needing to be administered oxygen, many Liverpool fans were left gutted over this untimely news, flocking to Twitter and wishing their best for the attacker.

Given his form for Liverpool’s youngsters, this does indeed come as ‘devastating’ for Stewart – find some of the Reds’ messages of support down below.

Liverpool fans gutted by Stewart news

“Wow.. this is not good. Poor Layton Stewart”

Credit: @LFCTransferRoom

“Layton Stewart stretched off after a knee injury, seems quite serious. poor lad was receiving oxygen. devastating for him :(“

Credit: @ellajxde

“Awful news from our u23 game against West Ham today as Layton Stewart picked up what seemed like a horrific injury.

The striker required oxygen after damaging his knee.

Lets just hope it’s not as bad as it looked”

Credit: @Anfield_Central

“Layton Stewart get well soon”

Credit: @FalseNineRole_

“Gutted for Layton Stewart, looks a bad one.”

Credit: @Brand0nLFC

“Oh dear Layton Stewart…”

Credit: @lfcnoah1

“That’s doesn’t look good!”

Credit: @FanaticalRich

“Looks like a bad injury for Layton Stewart there poor kid getting oxygen on the pitch”

Credit: @ATW1062

In other news: Many Liverpool fans flocked to a James Pearce claim, find out more here.

Frank McAvennie has exclusively told Football FanCast that his former side West Ham should only sign Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham providing he fits the bill for David Moyes.

Following the January departure of their only recognised striker Sebastien Haller, West Ham are likely to replace the Ivorian this summer following their failed attempts in the winter window.

Reports have suggested that the east London outfit are keen on signing the England frontman – with his long-term future at Chelsea in serious doubt.

Chelsea bought in Timo Werner last summer, whilst Thomas Tuchel’s side are keen on signing Borussia Dortmund star Erlind Haaland, meaning Abraham’s days at Stamford Bridge could be numbered.

The £36m-rated man has scored 12 goals in all competitions for the Blues this season, although he’s started just twice in the Premier League under Tuchel and has been in and out the team since his appointment.

Abraham’s contract talks have stalled in recent months, which could make him available for a transfer this summer, but McAvennie has warned West Ham to avoid another repeat of what happened with Haller.

He told Football FanCast:

“They don’t need someone that is going to be a target man, they don’t need another [Sebastien] Haller that isn’t going to run, they need someone like Antonio, that gives energy and chases people.

“If that isn’t Tammy Abraham, don’t go near him. But I’m not going to question David Moyes because the signings that he’s bought in this year have been different class – Coufal, Soucek, Lingard. Bowen is another example. These are all players that David has bought in and have done very well.

“Tammy Abraham, wonderful striker he might be, if he’s not the mould he wants with energy up front, then he won’t come.”

Former Rangers manager Alex McLeish claims it is only a matter of time before Allan McGregor signs a new contract at Ibrox this season.

What’s the word?

Reports in recent weeks suggested Steven Gerrard’s side are planning on offering the 38-year-old a new deal, with the Ibrox boss himself claiming that the club will hold talks with the veteran goalkeeper about his long-term future.

When asked if he feels McGregor will sign a new deal, McLeish told Ibrox News: “Yes, I believe so.

“If he’s not got any underlying issues in terms of his knees, his hips, his back or anything because old age does catch up with you sometimes.

“McGregor looks as if he’s going to be able to go on above 90-years-old, he’s playing at a great level, and he’s playing at Champions level.”

However, given there has been no confirmation of at least a short-term extension yet, there remains uncertainty surrounding his future as the deadline edges closer.

Wilson must act now

When fit, McGregor has shown that he is one of Rangers’ most important players alongside the likes of Glen Kamara and James Tavernier, as he has earned a regular role in the first-team this season, with Gers icon Peter Lovenkrands even saying he’s in the conversation for the club’s player of the year award.

Lovenkrands added: “When he’s called upon he comes up with the big moments and the big saves.”

It’s precisely why Ross Wilson must act now and tie him down to a new deal before it’s too late.

The 38-year-old, who earns wages worth £13,000-per-week, re-joined Rangers in 2018 – six years after leaving Ibrox for Besiktas. Since then, he has made 128 appearances under Gerrard across all competitions, that being bettered only by his teammates Tavernier and Connor Goldson respectively.

The former Scotland international, who remains a hugely popular character among Rangers players and staff, has previously impressed Gerrard with his attitude during first-team training – the Gers boss even mentioned him as a “pillar” of the dressing room and someone who sets the standard for the rest of his teammates.

Time and again, McGregor has proved to be the difference-maker. His performance in the Old Firm derby at the start of this calendar year have said as much.

Given the lack of options, this is surely a no-brainer, as Jon McLaughlin has found himself on the fringes of the squad, having made just nine top-flight appearances so far this season.

A contract extension for McGregor seems like a no-brainer, and it’s something Ross Wilson surely has to get done and dusted as soon as possible.

AND in other news, Rangers should unleash Cedric Itten against Hamilton Academical…

Glasgow Rangers must do everything in their power to prevent Allan McGregor from walking away for free at the end of the season as his performances between the sticks have surely warranted him a new deal.

The veteran goalkeeper’s contract with the club will run out at the end of this season and it’s becoming clearer and clearer that Ross Wilson simply must tie him down to a new contract after his recent run of form.

McGregor has been a big part of the Gers’ resurgence in form since the start of the season, with a strong showing against Celtic in the first Old Firm derby of the season before he kept his third consecutive clean sheet in the league against St. Mirren at Ibrox.

And his latest display against the Saints in his 400th appearance for the club is further proof to justify such a deal, as he continues to be a ballast at the back for Steven Gerrard’s side.

Against Saints, he had a far more comfortable afternoon than his previous trip to Paisley, after he recovered from an early spill to erase the memory of the humiliating defeat at the hands of Jim Goodwin’s side in the Betfred Cup.

Per SofaScore, the 38-year-old received a high rating of 7.5 out of ten for his efforts – the third-highest rating behind Connor Goldson and Alfredo Morelos – he made three saves, including two saves inside the box, one clearance, won 100% of his duels overall, and was fouled twice.

Former Rangers fullback Alan Hutton has heaped praise on his former teammate, saying: “He’s genuinely been unbelievable.

“He’s up there for player of the year in my opinion. Some of the games he’s saved Rangers in, it’s been frightening.”

Despite his age, McGregor has continued to show that he can be a big game player for the Gers, which will no doubt prove to be useful as Gerrard juggles the challenges of managing both domestic and European campaigns.

It would be a surprise to see him leave as a free agent at the ned of this season, considering the lack of genuine options Gerrard has at his disposal, with Jon McLaughlin heavily linked with the Ibrox exit, and if he can help the Gers regain the title for the first time since the 2010-11 season, he may have written his name in the club’s history books forever.

AND in other news, Glasgow Rangers defender Filip Helander badly let Gerrard down vs St. Mirren…

Cast your mind back to Leeds United’s summer of spending and you will likely recall seeing a wry smile on Victor Orta’s face. Who could blame him, either?

The Spaniard had just broken the club’s transfer record to sign Rodrigo from Valencia but things very nearly ended in tears when the window came to a close.

A deal to bring Michael Cuisance to the club fell through due to a failed medical, while a legal battle was ongoing with RB Leipzig over Jean-Kevin Augustin.

The failed transfer for Cuisance will have brought huge frustrations. The former Bayern Munich youngster was as good as through the door at Leeds but complications meant that he went back to Germany and ultimately signed for Marseille.

Leeds chose not to sign anyone else, but the January window has given them an opportunity to make amends. They could do so by signing versatile Chilean Erick Pulgar.

The Fiorentina midfielder has reportedly become an option for Leeds this month and if they did sign him, it would be a superb piece of business.

Pulgar is the definition of a pit bull in the middle of the park and would combine the best elements of both Kalvin Phillips and Mateusz Klich. That alone should have Leeds fans standing to attention.

The 26-year-old has failed to find the net this term but in 2019/20, he was an almighty lynchpin for La Viola in Serie A. He scored seven times and registered six assists in the process. While achieving those stats in the final third, Pulgar also offered a great deal defensively.

Making 66 tackles in the Italian top-flight, he produced two tackles per game. For context, that’s just 0.3 fewer challenges a match than Phillips. Klich, meanwhile, completed 1.9 tackles on average so the two players are incredibly alike.

Clearly, the 24-cap international has plenty to give, something typified by Cesare Prandelli. “He has good physical geometry, he is powerful,” the Italian commented.

Though, for a better opinion on the midfielder, you only need to read words from journalist Tim Vickery, someone who has previously assessed his suitability for Leeds. He once stated: “Erick Pulgar is a defensive midfielder, plays with Fiorentina in Italy, and in fact, in the last couple of years, he seems to have added goals to his game.”

He continued: “He’s been ghosting into the box, he’s tall, versatile, and if there is something in this, then I think he would be an asset, I think he would be a solid citizen to bring into Leeds’ central midfield.”

This would certainly be an intriguing addition, one Orta simply has to make to help his manager out.

Phillip and Klich are clearly important players for Leeds and given the amount of football Leeds will have to play between now and the end of the season, adding further bodies will no doubt help.

You only need to look at how Leeds lost 3-0 to League Two Crawley to understand there is a lack of quality throughout the entire squad.

Pulgar, therefore, could come into the Leeds side to replace Klich, which in turn could help Bielsa rotate without losing such a huge degree of quality as he did last weekend as Klich would be a more than capable rotational option.

AND in other news, Forget Dallas: Leeds must swoop for “reliable” 9-cap gem who always “gives everything”…