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Misbah-ul-Haq has played down talk of his days as head coach of the Pakistan team being numbered, saying that stakeholders in Pakistan cricket need to avoid “being reactive”. He added that he is hoping that the PCB cricket committee’s summons to him and Waqar Younis is only a discussion to help improve Pakistan cricket and not much more.Misbah has a three-year contract with the PCB but his position – first as chief selector and chief coach and now as only the latter – has come in for scrutiny often in the recent past as losses have piled up for the team, most recently in New Zealand. When the PCB cricket committee meets him on Tuesday, it will be the second review of Misbah’s performance in three months. ESPNcricinfo understands that the review is a routine affair that broadly covers 2020-21 domestic and international season.”There is scrutiny and then there is an analysis of any series, which is how it should be, and I don’t mind it,” Misbah told a press conference at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Monday. “But obviously there shouldn’t be any communication gap. We need confidence and continuity with no uncertainty.”Improvement takes time and you can’t be overly reactive with it. We have young players and haven’t got experience in the side and that is why it’s taking some time to get favourable results, and this needs to be understood. I hope this committee isn’t for grilling me, but to help and share what they think needs to be done to get things better for the country.”After Misbah came into the picture, the PCB took several bold decisions, such as removing Sarfaraz Ahmed as captain and dropping him from the team in all three formats. Soon after, Azhar Ali was made the Test captain while Babar Azam was chosen to lead the team in the limited-overs formats. However, after the England series last year, Ali was stripped off the captaincy and Azam made captain in all formats.But with the results not being as good as expected, Misbah’s stocks appear to have taken a hit.”There is always pressure on me being in this post, on the team, or the position in which Waqar is,” Misbah said. “We are indeed disappointed about these results [Pakistan lost the Tests 2-0 and T20Is 2-1 in New Zealand most recently] because this is not on. This is not the result we anticipated. Nobody needs to tell us, we know we need to improve as a team, we know we need to improve as a coaching team to get good results.”But, at the same time, no sportsman in the world can be locked in a room for 19 days and then with just a week of preparation expected to beat a world-class team and that too in their own conditions.”I have no doubt about the commitment of my players. They are giving their best and there are performances we can take forward, but overall it’s not reflecting on the end result and that is where everyone is focusing. There are performances in phases and there were some great fightbacks we saw on the New Zealand tour. I know we are improving and when you judge the series, it doesn’t always give you a true picture.”Prior to the tour of New Zealand, the contingent spent three days in Lahore, got on a flight to Auckland, and then spent 14 days in strict quarantine in Queenstown. The team effectively got six days of training before the first game. Before that, the Pakistani players were in a bio-bubble in England, as well as at home during the final leg of the PSL, the Zimbabwe series, the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and the National T20s.”Bio-bubbles are affecting players mentally and physically and this isn’t just an excuse but a fact everyone is talking about,” Misbah said. “Moving from one bubble to another and maintaining the quality of cricket and player fitness is becoming a worry. If you look around in the cricket world, coaches like Mark Boucher, Mickey Arthur, Ravi Shastri, they are all facing the same problem.”The preparatory camps aren’t serving the way they used to, and that it affecting the fitness of players. All of this is adding up and eventually reflecting on our performance. We have to find a way out to counter this situation.”

The summer transfer window officially opened for business last month and Leeds United have made three additions to Daniel Farke's squad so far.

Joe Rodon was the first arrival ahead of the 2024/25 campaign after his permanent move from Tottenham Hotspur, having spent the 2023/24 campaign on loan at Elland Road.

Goalkeeper Alex Cairns then joined to provide an experienced back-up option between the sticks, shortly before Joe Rothwell was signed on loan from Premier League side Bournemouth.

The Whites do not look to be done there, though, as they are reportedly interested in signing a right-back from one of their Championship rivals.

Leeds United's interest in £7m star

According to the printed edition of The Sun (page 59, 14/07), as relayed by LeedsUnitedNews, the West Yorkshire outfit are keen on a deal for Sheffield United defender Jayden Bogle.

The report claimed that Farke's side want to bring the former England U21 international to Elland Road to bolster their full-back options, which comes after Archie Gray completed a transfer to Spurs and Connor Roberts returned to Burnley at the end of his loan spell.

However, The Sun added that the Blades, who were relegated from the Premier League earlier this year, want a staggering £7m for the player, despite him being in the final 12 months of his contract.

It revealed that Leeds disagree with that valuation and are not prepared to meet their demands as it stands, which means that the two clubs will have to reach a compromise to make a move happen.

If the Whites can negotiate a better deal for the right-back, who has been described as "outstanding" by manager Chris Wilder, before the end of the window then Farke could land a dream partner for Dan James down the flank.

Why Jayden Bogle would be a dream for Dan James

The £20k-per-week star could be an excellent addition to play behind the Welsh speedster as he has the defensive qualities to be a solid operator, allowing the winger to bomb on as much as possible.

Over the last 365 days, Bogle ranks within the top 11% of full-backs in the Men's Top 5 Leagues and European competition for aerials won per 90 (1.61) and clearances per 90 (3.13). He also ranks within the top 39% or higher for tackles (2.13), interceptions (1.03), and blocks (1.36) per 90.

These statistics suggest that he is a very active defender who constantly looks to step in to cut out opposition attacks, which could lead to more counter-attacks for James to then show off his pace on the break.

Appearances

40

37

Goals

2

1

Assists

8

5

Big chances created

4

4

Dribbles completed per game

1.3

1.7

As you can see in the table above, Bogle previously caught the eye with his offensive contributions for Derby County before his move to Sheffield United.

Farke could also look to bring that back to his game, after just one assist in the last two seasons for the Blades, to make him an overlapping threat, which would attract attention from defenders and possibly free up more space for James.

The Wales international, who produced 13 goals and seven assists in 40 Championship games last season, could then thrive at the top end of the pitch with the secure, and possibly exciting, presence of Bogle behind him on the flank.

Farke could forget about Gnonto with Leeds swoop for "ridiculous" star

The Whites were linked with a potential swoop for the winger earlier this summer.

ByDan Emery Jul 10, 2024

Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Robert Andrich believes his team-mate Florian Wirtz is better than Bayern Munich sensation Jamal Musiala.

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• Andrich believes Wirtz is better than Musiala
• Has played with the duo for German NT
• Wirtz and Musiala among the world's best youngsters

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala might not have even turned 22 yet, but they are not just wonderkids anymore. They are among the best 'young' players in the world, have been lighting up Bundesliga and Europe, and are the beacon of hope for the upcoming generation of Germany.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The amount of talent and quality these two possess will make it extremely hard for anyone to make a verdict on who's better.

  Musiala has been among Bayern Munich's best players since breaking into the first team in 2020. Wirtz, on the other hand, has been near unstoppable at Bayer Leverkusen, propelling the Xabi Alonso-caoched side to the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal titles last season, not to forget a heartbreaking runners-up finish in the Europa League.

  However, German holding midfielder Robert Andrich has already given his stance on who he believes to be the better player.

• WHAT ROBERT ANDRICH SAID

  "For me, Flo is better than Jamal. For me, it's just brutal how he embodies so much of a winning mentality at his age and also makes so many meters for the team when the ball is not in play, putting his stamp on every team," Andrich opined in an interview with BILD last Sunday.

  "Everyone knows what quality Flo has, the best player I've played with. Incredibly consistent at his age, his mentality is not normal. We'll see whether he'll take the next step in the summer, but it will come at some point, that's for sure."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR JAMAL MUSIALA AND FLORIAN WIRTZ?

  Musiala will be eager to help his side maintain their unbeaten domestic run when they host in-form Union Berlin on Saturday, November 2.

  Meanwhile, Wirtz will feature in Leverkusen's home outing against Stuttgart on Friday night, with Alonso and Co. keen to cut the lead at the top of the table.

Melbourne teams in the WBBL, the Renegades and Stars, will venture a little into the unknown this weekend when they begin their tournaments having done the majority of their preparation amid strict Covid-19 lockdown in Victoria.Although Victoria-based players, who were not part of the Australia squad for the recent series against New Zealand, have been able to train during Melbourne’s stage 4 restrictions it has been a far from ideal lead-in for the competition that will be staged in a Sydney-based hub over the next five weeks.There have been some protocols other teams have needed to follow, specifically those in Sydney, but far less restrictive than Melbourne over the last three months while the Perth Scorchers, Adelaide Strikers, Hobart Hurricanes and the defending champions Brisbane Heat have largely been able to train as normal in their home states.The teams have all been in Sydney this week so have been able to train at full tilt ahead of starting the competition on Sunday, but Renegades head coach Lachlan Stevens knows it has been a tough build-up.”It’s a really difficult question to answer,” he told ESPNcricinfo about how ready the Victoria-based players would be. “First and foremost we are very grateful to everyone who has gone out of their way and helped us come into the tournament, helped us train before the tournament even though it was with restrictions and a lot of protocols because of what was going on down in Melbourne.”We are all really lucky to be here, both the girls in the Stars and the Renegades teams. It’s certainly been a challenge and I’ve certainly felt for them in that regard so I’m really hoping once they get out there, and I know they will, they compete as hard as they can but it’s been a difficult preparation.”While Stevens expected the will to win to be as strong as usual, he conceded that the pandemic and the challenges of the last seven months brings a different outlook”It’s not that we are not here to try and compete and everyone will be doing their best to win matches,” he said, “but certainly I think you’d be a pretty harsh judge if you walked away from a tournament where everyone was safe and happy expecting any more than that. We want to provide an environment where they can do the very best they can and then whatever comes of that. Priorities have changed a little bit as they have for everyone in the last 12 months.”There will be challenges on the field for the Renegades from the outset with New Zealand pace bowler Lea Tahuhu not set to feature for at least the first half of the competition due to the side injury she picked up against Australia and is doubtful for the whole tournament. Stevens hopes to cover her absence from within the squad rather than dipping into the replacement-player pool that is available.They will also have to contend with missing last season’s leading run-scorer Jess Duffin following her pregnancy, but do have the return of Amy Satterthwaite as captain plus a potent spin attack of Georgia Wareham, Sophie Molineux and Molly Strano.”With Lea and Jess being out they [the spinners] are our ace in the pack,” Stevens said. “If we can get them enough runs on the board to be able to do what they do well, and likewise if we are bowling first hopefully they can take some wickets for us and be restrictive, then it gives us an opportunity in the game. They are certainly holding a large key for how we go about our work over the next few weeks.”Wareham and Molineux were both outstanding in the recent internationals against New Zealand in Brisbane and Strano is the leading wicket-taker in WBBL history with 96 in 72 matches at 17.10. She was a late addition to the T20 World Cup squad after injury to Tayla Vlaeminck, but given the strength of Australia’s resources can’t command a regular place.”She’s just one of the most wonderful team people in the history of cricket,” Stevens said. “She brings energy, enthusiasm and competes as hard as she possibly can every time. And with a smile on her face. I love watching her play.”What she does well is understand where batters’ strengths lie and how she can control them. She reads the play and batters very well and that goes a long way towards her record.”

Among the new convener’s most pressing early task will be to appoint a new men’s Test captain

Firdose Moonda14-Sep-2020

Although he has extensive experience, Linda Zondi (far right) is not among the candidates South Africa are looking at to be their new convener of selectors•AFP via Getty Images

Linda Zondi will not be considered for South Africa’s convener of selectors position, after failing to be shortlisted for the post despite being the incumbent. ESPNcricinfo understands that Victor Mpitsang, Hussein Manack and Patrick Moroney were interviewed last week with Mpitsang the frontrunner to get the job.The post, which has been vacant since Zondi’s contract ended after the 2019 World Cup, has been significantly revamped and is now a full-time role. The convener will no longer only select the men’s national team but will also be responsible for selecting the women’s side, the A team, the under-19 team and will oversee the scouting and selection program in consultation with the director of cricket (DOC) Graeme Smith. Earlier this month, Smith spoke about the importance of the position.”The convenor of selectors is a key person in CSA. It’s a job that comes with a lot of pressure from all fronts,” he said. “The role definition is slightly changed. We’ve shifted it to not only being a national team convener but to controlling the whole pipeline, which speaks to our high-performance strategy. We feel it’s important to create the avenues of communication — the way we play, the way we select, the way we think, the way we operate, the type of people we want involved in that environment is key. We’ve aligned the convenor of selectors right through the pipeline. He’ll be overseeing everything. The convenor now is a much more extensive job. The convenor of selectors working on the whole system and owning the whole system, and being part of all the processes, is key.”For that reason, an extensive list of criteria was laid out for applicants to the post including a minimum of five years experience as a selector and a qualification in sports management. Zondi, who has been a selector for 13 years and holds a diploma in sports management, was told he did not meet the requirements to be shortlisted.”The process to appoint the new convener is currently under way and once it is complete we will announce the successful candidate and other relevant information,” a CSA statement said.It is also unclear when the new convener will be unveiled but ESPNcricinfo expects it imminently. Mpitsang, who is understood to be the preferred choice, convened the selection panel for the under-19 team that participated in this year’s World Cup and placed eighth. He has also worked as a commentator for pay-television channel . He is also the only black African candidate on the shortlist and although CSA’s affirmative action policy does not extend to full-time employees (only consultants), having Mpitsang on the staff is likely to be met with approval from CSA’s transformation policy.Still, Mpitsang does have competition. Manack and Moroney both impressed the interview panel. Manack served as a selector under Zondi and also applied for the DOC position but lost out to Smith. Moroney was being considered under the former CEO Thabang Moroe’s regime and convened the selection panel for the Jozi Stars, the team that won the inaugural Mzansi Super League (MSL).In contrast, Zondi, who will no longer be involved, has a history of selection that stretches back almost two decades. He worked within the structures at the Kwa-Zulu Natal province and Dolphins franchise, as a national women’s selector between 2007 and 2009, as national men’s team selector between 2013 to 2015, during which time he also selected the under-19 squad that won the 2014 World Cup, and as convener of selectors between 2015 and 2019. During that time, Zondi’s picks including the likes of Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Lungi Ngidi and Rassie van der Dussen have thrived and he was also involved with Quinton de Kock’s elevation to white-ball captain. He was then reappointed as an “independent selector,” when the national men’s team management was overhauled last December, on a short-term contract which ended in April.Among the new convener’s most pressing early task will be to appoint a new men’s Test captain, even though there is no indication of when the national team will be in action again.

Baroda to decide in Apex Council meeting about Dav Whatmore, their 66-year-old director of cricket

Shamya Dasgupta03-Aug-2020

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Bengal head coach Arun Lal doesn’t want life to “grind to a halt” because of the Covid-19 situation, while the Baroda Cricket Association is getting ready to write to the BCCI to request that its director of cricket, Dav Whatmore, be allowed to continue in his job for the forthcoming domestic season.Lal is 65 and Whatmore 66, and the reactions are to the BCCI’s recommendation that state cricket associations “discourage” individuals above 60 to be a part of training camps in their respective centres for the foreseeable, Covid-19-affected future.”Generally, we will take it as it comes,” Lal told ESPNcricinfo. “Things are very uncertain, and we are all intelligent enough to know the pitfalls, but we can’t let our lives grind to a halt. We’ll take all precautions, be aware, be intelligent about it, but I am not going to die before my death by sitting at home.”In its missive, the BCCI has specifically mentioned that “those individuals with underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, lung disease, weakened immunity, etc” among the support staff (as well as umpires and groundstaff) are to be considered vulnerable, having a higher risk of contracting Covid-19. “All such individuals should be discouraged from participating in the camp activities until suitable guidelines” are issued by the government, the standard operating procedure (SOP) document sent out to the associations said.In many ways, Lal fits the BCCI’s criterion for people who should be kept away from team activities, whenever they begin, as he is a cancer survivor. Lal, however, stressed that he had been taking all possible precautions, training hard himself, and also keeping tabs on the activities of the Bengal players – the team typically connects over video conferencing once in a while to compare notes.Elsewhere, there’s Whatmore, who was signed up by Baroda earlier this year. Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, the state association’s CEO and former Mumbai cricketer Shishir Hattangadi said, “These are, as of now, guidelines, given to us by the BCCI, preventive SOPs. The BCCI hasn’t barred anyone, they have only recommended. We will discuss the matter in our Apex Council meeting this week and then decide what to do, what to write to the BCCI.”Our coach is over 60, but he’s an international coach, he is fit. I’m sure there won’t be a problem.”The Covid-19 situation in India has continued to be serious, with government data at the time of filing this putting the number of active cases in the country at 579,357. A decision has been taken to shift the much-delayed IPL to the UAE – to be played from September 19 to November 10 – and the BCCI has expressed confidence than a truncated domestic season could still be hosted in the country.To put in place regulations and guidelines for conducting the domestic tournaments in these extraordinary times, the BCCI’s medical team had put together the SOPs, primarily meant for the players and coaching staff to resume training, help them understand how to operate in a sterile environment, the dos and don’ts of social distancing in a team environment, and what to do if someone tests positive.

Tim Ambrose, the Warwickshire wicketkeeper, has announced that he will retire from professional cricket at the end of the 2020 season.Ambrose, who will turn 38 in December, has played more than 500 professional games across his career, including 11 Tests and six limited-overs internationals for England.Born in New South Wales, Ambrose’s British passport opened up a route into county cricket which he took up as a 17-year-old when he joined Sussex. He faced a battle with Matt Prior to be the club’s first-choice wicketkeeper, and regularly managed to displace him from the side, but left for Warwickshire at the end of the 2005 season to secure first-team cricket.Following a prolific 2007 season, England’s selectors took notice and included him in the Test squad for the winter tour of New Zealand. He looked like a long-term option as England’s wicketkeeper when he made a doughty half-century on debut in Hamilton and followed it up with 102 in his second Test, but he was overtaken by Prior and returned to the county ranks.ALSO READ: Warwickshire size up move for Bess as Patel successorHis form dipped significantly in 2010, a season in which he later revealed he had been suffering from depression, but Warwickshire kept him on, and he played a vital role in their title two years later. He also featured during their T20 Blast triumph in 2014, and in their promotion back to Division One a year later.Ambrose said that he “fully intends” to play a full role in whatever season is possible this year, though he will face competition from Michael Burgess, the wicketkeeper brought in from Sussex last year who looks set to be his successor.”I will say the usual words of “honour” and “privilege” but will know that to me they don’t quite convey my gratitude for the opportunity I have had,” Ambrose said in a statement.Ambrose was part of the Division Two-winning side in 2018•Getty Images

“It is a difficult thing to accept as I would love to play another 20 years if it was at all possible but it is the right time for this talented, energetic and ambitious young squad to move forward and make their own mark. I have always tried to put the club and the team first and to not make this decision now would go against that.”I have too many people to thank but would like to take this opportunity to thank the Club, the members and the supporters, many of whom have shared in my experiences; like the gentleman who said “keep going Tim we’re all behind you” as I lumbered up the steps after getting out softly for another low score in 2010.”I later understood I was in a spell of depression at that time, but that man’s voice cut through the haze and white noise in my head and that small gesture of encouragement from an anonymous supporter was a genuine motivator for me to return to Warwickshire and repay the people who believed in me.”Paul Farbrace, Warwickshire’s sport director, said: “Tim has been one of the great wicketkeeper-batsmen of the modern game and he will retire at the end of this year as a true Warwickshire legend.”He’s a model professional and, by playing out the 2020 season, we will ensure that he has a very fitting farewell before he moves on to his next challenge. We thank him for his outstanding efforts for Warwickshire CCC and wish him the very best for this upcoming 2020 season and in his future career.”

The bowling community might be breaking sweat over shining the ball in the absence of saliva, but Anil Kumble, the former India captain and chairman of the ICC’s cricket committee, believes cricket should utilise pitches to even up the contest between bat and ball. The former legspinner, who is the third-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket, said that it was time for teams to consider playing two spinners even in Australia and England by roughening up the pitch.”The advantage that cricket has over other sports is that there is an element of adjustable variance in the pitch, which not many sports have,” Kumble said during a webinar, organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) on Wednesday. “You could manage the pitch in such a way that you could bring about a better balance between bat and ball.”Incidentally, Kumble made this suggestion a few hours after Sri Lanka head coach Mickey Arthur told ESPNcricinfo that his bowlers preferred saliva over sweat to shine the ball. Arthur is part of the ICC cricket committee that recently recommended that saliva should not be applied on ball in cricket as Covid-19 is a respiratory infection and rubbing spit could result in spreading the virus, which is highly contagious.However, bowlers remain unconvinced. In a chat with the former fast-bowling pair of Ian Bishop and Shaun Pollock recently on the ICC’s video series Inside Out interviews, India quick Jasprit Bumrah said there needed to be an “alternative” to shine the ball other than sweat.ALSO READ: Sweat not as effective as saliva, SL bowlers tell coach Arthur“Based on medical advice, we believe that saliva could be the major contributor to carrying this disease and that’s why we banned the use of saliva, although it’s second nature in cricket,” Kumble said. “That’s something that players will find hard to manage.”According to Kumble, the pandemic offered another opportunity to “bring spinners” back into Test cricket. Outside the Indian subcontinent, especially in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand or Australia) countries, the norm has been to include just one spinner on pitches favouring seam bowling.”You can probably leave grass on the surface or even rough it up and have two spinners,” Kumble said. “Let’s get spinners back in the game in a Test match. Because if it’s a one-day or T20 game, you’re not worried about the ball or shining of the ball. Sweat can certainly take care of that.”It’s [a] Test match that that we’re taking about and in a Test match why not get two spinners? [I] would love to have two spinners playing in Australia, two spinners playing in England, which never happens. Not often do you see that happening. Of course in the subcontinent, you have two spinners playing. So, in cricket you have the surface you can play around with and bring about a balance between bat and ball. All of us are yearning to start the game and not really worried about saliva or sweat or condition of the ball – we just want to play cricket.”AFP

‘They’ve all been injured for the last three months’
According to Kumble, the other key factor team managements would need to pay close attention to is managing the workloads of the bowlers. Last month, while releasing guidelines for players returning to cricket at all levels, the ICC suggested teams would need to exercise extreme caution over bowlers’ workloads to avoid serious injuries like stress fracture of the spine.ALSO READ: ICC sets bowlers’ workload guidelines for resumption of cricketKumble concurred with that. “That’s why I believe that at training, they’ll have to start slowly. Because it’s not just about coming back and playing in a match,” he said. “It’s also about coming back from two-and-a-half months of lockdown. Especially if you are a bowler, you need to have those bowling overs under your belt before you start competing. So it’s important that you slowly and gradually come back into the sort of normalcy that you can.”He also said that a safe way for squads returning to sport would involve training in a “bio-secure zone” followed by playing practice matches between themselves before playing a Test match. “I know England have announced a potential Test series against West Indies, subject to the government allowing them, but there again the players will have to have some sort of a cushion [or] a back-up in terms of loading up their body to be able to sustain a Test match because bowling 30 overs for a fast bowler… 30-40 overs for a spinner is not going to be easy,” Kumble said. “And even for a batsman, the muscles which you use when you’re batting are totally different. In a match situation, you’re doing everything in a split of a second and you’re not training for those, especially in a home condition. So, you need to build it up and probably have a few friendly games before you get into an important Test match.”Kumble also said one good way to build the players’ confidence was to treat the current situation as if the entire team was returning from an injury, and handle the players with care. “It’s like when someone is injured and he’s coming back from injury, how do you monitor him? That’s how you need to look at the entire squad now,” he said. “They’ve all been injured for the last three months and they’re now coming back into training. So, you need to slowly load them up and then start building their skill levels. I think it’s mostly [about] the confidence. Once the players are out and training it comes back very quickly. It doesn’t go away; you’ve been doing this for all your life. It’s just a matter of being out there and training with the team. Within a few weeks, you’ll be back to your usual self.”

After a difficult second season in charge, Erik ten Hag's Manchester United future remains in doubt with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Red Devils reportedly reigniting their interest in a former Real Madrid manager.

Erik ten Hag's Man Utd future

Ten Hag is a man under pressure. His Manchester United side have failed to qualify for the Champions League this season following a disastrous Premier League campaign and are now left hoping to salvage something from their campaign in the FA Cup final against Manchester City.

The Red Devils very nearly went out to Championship side Coventry City in the semi-final of course, before winning on penalties. Ten Hag was quick to reiterate the achievement, nonetheless.

Those struggles have far from helped the Dutchman's job security, especially amid reports linking the likes of Gareth Southgate and Graham Potter to the job. And now, making matters worse for Ten Hag, the Red Devils have reportedly reignited their interest in another option.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Manchester United have reignited their interest in Julen Lopetegui after the former Real Madrid boss was eventually rejected by AC Milan. The Spaniard's last job actually came in the Premier League with Wolverhampton Wanderers, before he left at the end of last summer's pre-season having not been backed in the transfer market.

Man Utd make first move to sign "magnificent" new gem to support Hojlund

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ByTom Cunningham May 3, 2024

On paper, Lopetegui brings plenty of experience but in a move that United must get right, there still lies plenty of unanswered questions over his ability to take charge of a top club, while there is also the imminent threat of West Ham's pursuit of the Spaniard as well.

"Strong" Lopetegui is a risk

The last thing that Manchester United need is a risky appointment whose failure would take them straight back to square one. And Lopetegui represents that risk after a mediocre time in the Premier League. Gary O'Neil has since proven that mediocrity too, having taken the majority of the same Wolves side comfortably clear of the relegation zone and on the brink of breaking into the Premier League's top half.

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Wins

9

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Losses

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Even though his time at Wolves came to an abrupt end, the club's chairman Jeff Shi was once full of praise for Lopetegui, saying via the official website: "Julen has a strong personality and he’s a coach with clear leadership, not just with football players but with the clubs he has been at.

"He has a lot of experience in elite football and his track record is proven. We know we are in a difficult moment as a team right now, so we especially need a strong leader, with a strong personality, more than any other time I have been here. It is because of this that Julen was always our preferred choice."

Luka Modric has become the most-decorated player in the illustrious history of Real Madrid, with the Croatian savouring his 27th trophy triumph.

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Croatian joined Blancos in 2012Boasts remarkable collection of honoursSits one clear of Carvajal and NachoWHAT HAPPENED?

Modric, who won the Ballon d’Or in 2018, joined the Blancos from Premier League side Tottenham in 2012. He has gone on to take in over 530 appearances for the Spanish giants, helping them to a remarkable collection of major honours.

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His latest success came in the 2024 UEFA Super Cup, as Carlo Ancelotti’s side saw off Atalanta 2-0. New ‘Galactico’ Kylian Mbappe was on target in that contest, as the current holders of the Champions League crown picked up another piece of silverware.

GettyDID YOU KNOW?

Modric was the man to lift the trophy – his first as captain of Real. He now has more winners’ medals than any other Madrid player. His haul includes five UEFA Super Cups, six Champions Leagues, five FIFA Club World Cups, four La Liga titles, two Copas del Rey and five Spanish Super Cups.

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WHAT NEXT?

The evergreen 38-year-old now sits one trophy clear of former Real skipper Nacho, who left Santiago Bernabeu as a free agent this summer. Euro 2024 winner Dani Carvajal also has 26 successes to his name, while Karim Benzema and Marcelo sit on 25 wins apiece.