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Roberto De Zerbi is now in the frame to replace Pep Guardiola, amid a new update on the Manchester City manager’s future at the Etihad Stadium.

Guardiola’s contract isn’t due to expire until the summer of 2027, having penned an extension last season, and Man City fans will no doubt be hoping he stays for the foreseeable future, given the unprecedented success he has brought to the blue side of Manchester.

Trophies Pep Guardiola has lifted at Manchester City

Number of times won

Premier League title

6

Champions League

1

UEFA Super Cup

1

Club World Cup

1

FA Cup

2

League Cup

4

Community Shield

3

However, Jurgen Klopp resigning as Liverpool manager at the end of the 2023-24 campaign due to fatigue displayed just how draining it is to be a Premier League manager for a sustained period of time, and there will come a point where City need to start seriously thinking about successors.

At the moment, the former Barcelona boss will be focusing on closing the gap to Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table, while also attempting to win a second Champions League, but there has now been a new update on when he could leave the Blues.

Man City targeting De Zerbi amid Guardiola future update

According to reliable reporter Paul Hirst, in a report for The Times, an exit at the end of the 2026-27 campaign is on the cards as the 54-year-old has won everything there is to win since arriving at the Etihad Stadium back in 2016.

The three-time Champions League-winning manager is expected to see out his current contract, but Man City may then be faced with the difficult task of bringing in a successor, and De Zerbi is in the frame, as the former Brighton & Hove Albion boss has admirers within the club.

Guardiola is personally a fan of the Marseille manager, who has made a fantastic start to the 2025-26 campaign, with his side currently second in Ligue 1, just two points behind Paris Saint-Germain at the top of the Ligue 1 table.

Not only is the 46-year-old impressing in France, but he was also hailed by Statman Dave for the work he did during his first year as Brighton manager.

The Italian is well-known to favour a possession-based style of football, so he may not need to make wholesale changes at Man City, which is another bonus, alongside his experience in the Premier League.

The only concern will be that De Zerbi is yet to lift many major trophies, winning only the Ukrainian Super Cup with Shakhtar Donetsk in the 2021-22 season.

In truth, whoever replaces Pep will find it almost impossible to eclipse what the Spaniard has achieved at City, and supporters will be hoping he extends his stay beyond the end of next season.

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ByCharlie Smith Nov 8, 2025

Tea Ladies and gentlemen, we have a ball game. A spirited second session of day two from India – namely Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna – has lit a fire under this fifth Test at The Oval, leaving England 215 for 7 at tea, trailing by nine. Harry Brook, fiery on 33 not out, remains England’s best hope of a worthwhile lead with England two wickets away from the end of their reply due to Chris Woakes’ shoulder injury.Three wickets each for Siraj and Prasidh more or less overturned the dominance asserted by openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett. They had propelled England to 109 for 1 at lunch, after Gus Atkinson’s fourth five-wicket haul had capped India’s first innings at 224.Any thoughts of that being under par have been struck from the mind, primarily down to an eight-over spell from Siraj that read 3 for 35, with stand-in skipper Ollie Pope, the prized wicket of Joe Root and Jacob Bethell seen off in the space of 12 overs of play.All three were found wanting by Siraj’s late movement off the surface, with the slightest lack of bounce, from The Micky Stewart Members’ Pavilion End. Pope’s required a review – despite striking the back pad plumb in front – before Root used one in vain to be dismissed for 29. Bethell simply walked.Prasidh could perhaps take an assist for Root’s wicket, having riled up the No. 2 on the all-time Test runs chart. Having thrown a ball at Crawley upon fielding in his follow-through – the pair exchanged an immediate apology and acceptance, respectively – Prasidh was in the book when Crawley failed to clear Ravindra Jadeja at midwicket for 64. He had earlier brought up his third half century of the series, and second in a row, from 42 deliveries.Root arrived and the pair became embroiled in a back and forth which left England’s No. 4 fuming. Prasidh then relieved Siraj and took India through to the break with two wickets in five deliveries; as Jamie Smith nicked high to KL Rahul at second slip and Jamie Overton was trapped LBW for what proved to be the final ball of the session.Prasidh Krishna struck twice in the last over before tea•Getty Images

It was a complete sea change from the morning, which featured Atkinson’s 5 for 33 upon his return to the side after two months out. He made light work of what remained of India’s first innings when they arrived on Friday morning on 204 for 6.It was all the more important after news this morning that Woakes would play no further part in the match after a suspected dislocated shoulder sustained in the field last night. And the Surrey quick, on his home ground, took three of the remaining four wickets that India had up their sleeve.Josh Tongue made the first key incision, albeit with a chaotic approach that would get any surgeon struck off. His first over, opening from the Vauxhall End, went for nine, but he was able to remove Karun Nair for 57 in his second. A sharp delivery that nipped into the stumps – Nair no doubt expected something short and wide either side of them – pinned the right-hander on the back leg. Plumb in front, Nair took one of India’s three reviews with him.Washington Sundar should have assumed the responsibility at that point as an elongated tail became exposed, but he fell five deliveries later, waltzing into a short ball trap, heaving Atkinson to deep square leg, where Jamie Overton sprinted in to take a smart catch.Atkinson would then skittle Siraj before Prasidh felt for a delivery outside off, completing a collapse of four for six in 18 balls. It also leaves Atkinson with an average of 21, the fourth best for an England seamer with fifty or more dismissals, and the second best strike rate, ever, at 34.9, for those who have taken 60 wickets.England’s openers were boundary happy, smoking 92 off just 77 deliveries, punishing India for every slight error in line or length. Duckett was the main driver, reverse-pulling Akash Deep over the cordon, then “conventionally” ramping Siraj into the sponge for the first two sixes of the match.Duckett fell to Akash Deep attempting a third, departing for 43 with the bowler putting his arm around the left-hander, as much in jest as respect.

Manchester United have now submitted a £26m opening offer for a former Premier League striker, who has been in impressive form this season.

Man Utd looking to sign new striker amid Sesko's slow start

Benjamin Sesko’s Man United career is yet to truly take off, having scored two goals in his first 11 Premier League games, and the Slovenian striker has missed the last two matches due to a knee injury, with Joshua Zirkzee leading the line against Crystal Palace last time out.

With Zirkzee ending his goal drought in the 2-1 triumph against the Eagles, it remains to be seen whether Sesko will be able to force his way back into the side upon his return, but the Dutchman could be on the move in the January transfer window.

West Ham United are now planning to sign Zirkzee this winter as a replacement for Niclas Fullkrug, with AS Roma also being credited as potential suitors, and the 24-year-old departing would exacerbate the need for Ruben Amorim to bring in a new centre-forward.

According to a report from Spain, Man United have now submitted an offer of around €30m (£26m) for Real Betis striker Cucho Hernandez, who has emerged as an important player for the Spanish side under the helm of Manuel Pellegrini.

The bid is said to be ‘financially attractive’ to Betis, but the La Liga side now have a big decision to make, given that Cucho could be the key to them having a successful season, and it would be difficult to replace him.

United are looking to bring in forwards capable of providing ‘energy, mobility and goals’, and they have decided the 26-year-old fits the bill, off the back of an impressive 2025-26 campaign thus far…

Cucho impressing in La Liga and Europa League

The Colombian recently scored his first Europa League goal of the season in Betis’ 2-1 victory against Utrecht, and he has also put in some eye-catching displays in La Liga, chipping in with five goals and two assists in 14 games.

The former Watford man has some Premier League experience too, scoring five goals in 25 matches for the Hornets in the 2021-22 campaign, during which time Claudio Ranieri said: “I love him, because always during the training session he gives 100 per cent. He wants to score, he wants to shoot. He is a fighter. I love these kinds of people.”

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Man United should have reservations about signing Cucho, given that the centre-forward wasn’t exactly prolific during his previous stint in England, but he could be a decent back-up option for Sesko, should Zirkzee move on this winter.

Mikel Arteta has revealed the unorthodox technique he used to get Arsenal players and staff onside when he first arrived at the club in 2019. Having arrived at the Emirates during a transitional period, he used the metaphor of making a "big mess" to represent how those outside the club viewed the Gunners at the time. Urging the players to accept his help in rediscovering "the standards" needed at the club, Arteta's words appear to have had the desired impact.

Arteta's strange technique for first Arsenal meeting revealed

Speaking in an interview with , Arteta set the scene of his first encounter with the playing squad when he arrived in December 2019, as he detailed his expectations of what needed to change.

Returning to the club he had once captained as a player just three years after retiring at the Emirates, Arteta’s comeback was not to be taken lightly and he made an instant impression as he used a bizarre “mess” metaphor to visually represent the state the north London club were in at the time.

While it took some time for Arteta to truly carry out his vision, his words were clearly taken on board quickly as the Gunners have risen back to being one of the Premier League’s elite sides in recent years – though a league title has eluded them up to this point.

AdvertisementArteta speaks on first meeting with Arsenal players

When asked about his first meeting with the players, Arteta said: “It was the players and the staff, and it was in one of the rooms upstairs. And what I did is I put the room in a really awkward place.

"So, a lot of things on the floor. It looked a big mess. And I said 'This is the impression, and this is how a lot of people have described the moment that we are in. So, do you want me to come and help you to get this to the standards and the level, and the enjoyment that deserves to be part of this football club? Get everything together and start working'."

That first meeting set the scene for what would be to come

Arteta’s harsh words certainly set a precedent for what would be to come, as the Spaniard aimed to quickly turn around the culture at the club. Following FA Cup final success in his first season, he gradually moved on from high-earning players such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Mesut Ozil, bringing through Hale End academy stars such as Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith-Rowe and Eddie Nketiah.

Once the transition was complete, by 2022-23 Arsenal were title challengers again. Three years of second-placed finishes have followed, but the Gunners currently hold a healthy lead at the top of the Premier League table, and it is widely believed that this campaign is the best chance they have had to win their first top-flight title since the Invincibles in 2003-04.

Whether Arteta’s interesting decision to create a mess in the meeting room in order to put his point across was the first key moment which ultimately led to all of this is a mystery, but six years on the Spaniard is coming ever-closer to achieving all he set out to at the Emirates.

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Getty Images SportArteta reflects on Arsenal squad ahead of January transfer window

Speaking in his press conference on Friday, Arteta reflected on his side and their prospects of strengthening during the upcoming transfer window, as his side continue to be linked with potential new signings.

“We’ve built a squad that we believe is the best one to give us the possibility to do it. Is it where I want it to be? No, because of the injuries that we have," he said.

“To have a squad means that the players have to be fit and available because that has a lot of consequences, not only during matches but also in the way that we prepare for the week, and the options that we have to change and keep the freshness in the team. But certainly, very happy with how we have dealt with certain situations.

“We always have to be prepared. The moment that we have an option to touch the squad, to improve the squad or to protect the squad, I think we need to be open for what is going to happen from now until the window closes, this is football.

“We don’t know, but we’re certainly going to be alert and we know where the risks can come in terms of the squad. We have to be ready in case we need to do something.”

Everton’s good form continued with an impressive 3-0 win at the Hill Dickinson Stadium over Nottingham Forest.

The Toffees move into fifth in the Premier League, taking their record since the start of November to four wins, one draw and one loss.

It was a fast start for David Moyes’ side. Just two minutes into the clash with the East Midlands outfit, Forest centre-back Nikola Milenkovic headed a cross into the back of his own net, to give Everton the lead almost immediately.

Then, in the third minute of stoppage time before half-time, the Evertonians doubled their lead. It was a significant moment for Thierno Barry, who got off the mark in that famous Blue shirt after some impressive performances of late.

Iliman Ndiaye carried the ball to the edge of the Forest box before laying it into the path of Barry, who slotted home.

The perfect day for Moyes’ side was capped off in the 80th minute when another summer signing, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, drilled home a volley after the ball bounced to him from a corner. Everton ran out deserved winners to continue their excellent form.

It was a day to remember for the Toffees, with some standout performances.

Everton’s standout players vs. Forest

This will certainly be a day that Thierno Barry remembers. The Frenchman bagged his very first goal in an Everton shirt, showing the sort of quality in front of goal that earned him the big move to the Premier League from Villarreal in the summer.

What a tidy finish it was from the Toffees’ number 11, too. Ndiaye drove towards the penalty box, with Barry making a good diagonal run to find space.

The finish was composed, slotting it past Matz Sels.

Speaking of Ndiaye, the Senegalese attacker was in imperious form once again. So often the source of everything the Merseysiders do well in attack, he was a handful for the Forest defence and, of course, set Barry up.

One person who was impressed by Ndiaye’s efforts was Chris Beesley, Everton reporter for the Liverpool Echo. He gave the attacker a 7/10 rating, praising him for ‘always providing an outlet for his side’ throughout the night.

However, neither Barry nor Ndiaye were the stars of the show for Moyes’ side in a fantastic win.

Everton’s best player in their 3-0 win

What a performance it was from another of the Everton summer signings, Dewsbury-Hall.

The Englishman was at the heart of the Toffees’ midfield today, scoring his excellent goal late on, putting in the cross for the own goal, and offering plenty more on the ball.

The stats reflect just how well Dewsbury-Hall performed against the East Midlands outfit. He had 56 touches and 86% of his passes.

Off the ball, it was a masterclass from the former Leicester City star. He won an exceptional 8/13 ground duels and made five ball recoveries.

Touches

56

Pass accuracy

86%

Opposition half passes

16/20

Ground duels won

8/13

Ball recoveries

5

Tackles won

3/4

Goals

1

Dewsbury-Hall left thousands of Toffees fans impressed with his performance against Forest. Well, the same can be said for journalists, with Beesley giving him a 9/10 for his efforts, explaining he was ‘bright from the start’.

There is a case to be made that Dewsbury-Hall, described as the club’s “most important and best” player by journalist John Merro, is their best signing since Ndiaye.

The Senegalese attacker has been sensational since moving to Merseyside last summer, racking up 17 goals and assists in 54 games.

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As for the English midfielder, he has brought creativity and final third threat to Moyes’ side in just 15 games, with four goals and two assists so far.

However, the tenacity off the ball, on full show against Sean Dyche’s side, has been crucial this season too. It is certainly easy to see why Merro is of that opinion.

After paying just £28m for him this summer from Chelsea, it is looking like one of the biggest bargains in 2025. The all-action midfielder has shone so far, just like Ndiaye has on Merseyside.

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Newcastle United are now reportedly preparing a big-money offer to sign a Champions League star, who finished in the top 10 of the 2025 Ballon d’Or.

Eddie Howe drops Yoane Wissa update

It was such a frantic summer at St James’ Park that it’s sometimes easy to forget that Newcastle still have Yoane Wissa waiting in the wings. The striker is yet to kick a ball for the Magpies after suffering an injury on international duty not long after his £55m move from Brentford.

That could soon change, however. Eddie Howe recently took the chance to provide an update on his summer signing, who would certainly provide his side with a much-needed attacking boost.

The Magpies won’t want to rush Wissa back, but the fact that he is back training with the team is certainly a positive sign. With fixtures set to come thick and fast across the festive period too, they could do with every option possible available.

Whether Wissa’s return changes Newcastle’s January transfer plans is another question. It will potentially allow them to maintain their focus on signing an added midfield star and another winger.

The likes of Manu Kone have already been linked with a move to Tyneside this week and it’s becoming clear that Newcastle are keen to reinforce their midfield in 2026.

They could also land an instant upgrade on the struggling Anthony Elanga. The winger is yet to make his mark at the club, despite becoming one of the most expensive signings in Newcastle history in the summer and could now be replaced by a sensational move for Raphinha.

Newcastle readying big-money Raphinha offer

According to reports in Spain, Newcastle are now readying a big-money offer to sign Raphinha as PIF look to intensify their pursuit. The Barcelona star finished as high as fifth in the 2025 Ballon d’Or and could now be on his way back to the Premier League in sensational fashion.

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The former Leeds United man would transform Newcastle into a consistent Champions League side and the prospect of a partnership between himself and Nick Woltemade is certainly something to get excited about. In Raphina, the Magpies would be signing “one of the best players in the world”, according to Barcelona legend Romario.

Just how willing Barcelona are to sell one of their main men is the question. As usual, it’s worth noting that they could certainly do with the financial boost that a sale would hand them and this may be their final chance to cash in on 28-year-old Raphinha.

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UAE bring in fast bowler Muhammad Jawadullah for first match of double-header day

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Sep-2025Toss Oman opt to bowl vs UAEOman captain Jatinder Singh won the toss and chose to bowl against UAE, as both teams seek their first points in the Asia Cup 2025.Oman made three changes to the XI that lost to Pakistan earlier in the tournament, with allrounders Wasim Ali and Aryan Bisht and left-arm seamer Jiten Ramanandi coming in for Mohammad Nadeem, Sufyan Mehmood and Zikria Islam.UAE made one change from the XI that lost to India earlier in the tournament, benching left-arm spinner Simranjeet Singh for fast bowler Muhammad Jawadullah.This is the first double-header game of the Asia Cup, played in conditions where the heat rises up to 36 degree celsius.UAE: Muhammad Waseem (c), Muhammad Zohaib, Asif Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Rahul Chopra (wk), Dhruv Parashar, Haider Ali, Muhammad Rohid, Harshit Kaushik, Muhammad Jawad, Junaid SiddiqueOman: Jatinder Singh (c), Aamir Kaleem, Hammad Mirza, Vinayak Shukla (wk), Wasim Ali, Hassnain Shah, Shah Faisal, Aryan Bisht, Shakeel Ahmad, Samay Shrivastava, Jitenkumar Ramanandi