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Will Celtic ever find themselves a new manager? That’s the question on the lips of many a Hoops supporter around the globe right now.

The Parkhead faithful are imminently awaiting any announcement and one could be upon us sooner rather than later.

What’s the word?

The main man when it comes to Celtic managerial talk in recent weeks has been Eddie Howe. Roy Keane was the favourite before he was quickly usurped by the Englishman.

Howe is a free agent after leaving Bournemouth last year and is thought to have held discussions with Celtic and Dermot Desmond over moving to Paradise, but a number of obstacles have fallen in their path. One of the biggest roadblocks is the rumours of a move to Crystal Palace, where he is on a three-man shortlist to replace Roy Hodgson.

That being said, new information suggests that those links could be a red herring, with Howe still expected to arrive in Glasgow.

Speaking on Clyde 1, Scottish Daily Mail reporter Stephen McGowan said this week: “The two sides seem more relaxed about it than the fans are. He met Dermot Desmond two weeks ago in London, there was an expectation things might move quickly because he’s out of work but that hasn’t happened, but there might be reasons for that.”

McGowan continued: “Fans are threatened that he’s using Celtic as a bargaining tool with Crystal Palace. I think that’s a bit of a red herring, personally. I think the info coming from the Howe circle is he’s really tired of firefighting and relegation struggles and he fancies something different, the chance to manage in Europe and win trophies.

He concluded: “I think Celtic fears he has been playing them off against other clubs is a bit overplayed. If I was down to my last tenner now, I’d still stick it on Howe for Celtic.”

Relief for Desmond

This is exactly the news that majority shareholder Desmond will have wanted. This season has been a constant cycle of negative hearsay for the Hoops hierarchy but at last Desmond could have something to shout about.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-celtic-manager-and-transfer-news-howe-favre-edouard-desmond” title= “Read the latest Celtic manager and transfer news!”]

He has witnessed his team being usurped by their fierce rivals, Rangers, and he has also seen the Green Brigade protest and question his leadership.

Desmond has never been keen to sell his share,s and if he gets the Howe appointment spot on, that stance will be completely vindicated.

He has sat back in recent weeks and watched Howe play him around a bit. Firstly, the 43-year-old’s representatives told news outlets that he didn’t want to return to management until the summer, and then he had complex demands relating to his backroom staff.

However, there was no bigger threat to a deal than interest from elsewhere. After all, Howe has been a little reluctant to move his family so far away from home.

If the Crystal Palace news is merely a smokescreen, then it bodes well for the rest of Celtic’s pursuit. Hopefully things will get a little easier for the Hoops hierarchy now.

AND in other news, Celtic could replace Klimala by signing “dangerous” 19 y/o with “the heart of a lion”…

تحدث يحيى الكومي رئيس نادي الإسماعيلي عن شكوى الدراويش بعد مواجهة الأهلي في ثاني جولات كأس الرابطة، والتي انتهت بالتعادل الإيجابي بهدف لكل فريق.

طالع.. بيان رسمي | الإسماعيلي يحتج على حكم مباراة الأهلي ويهدد بالانسحاب من كأس الرابطة

وقال الكومي في تصريحات تلفزيونية بفضائية “المحور” عبر برنامج “الريمونتادا”: “الاعتراض على العدالة في التحكيم، الهدف من هذا البيان هو تحقيق العدالة للكل، وأن يتم تصحيح المنظومة”.

وأضاف: “حكم اللقاء محمد الصباحي كان يريد أن يداري على خطأ باهر المحمدي باحتساب ركلة جزاء للأهلي”.

وأردف: “تقنية الفار لم تطالب الحكم بالحضور لمشاهدة ركلة الجزاء، أريد من الحكم أن يجلس مع نفسه هو ولجنة الحكام ويشاهدوا اللعبة”.

وتابع: “أرى ان الحكم كان يريد صنع توازن بين الفريقين، وهذا الكلام كان غير صحيح، احتساب الصباحي لركلة جزاء الأهلي كان من أجل إرضاء الخصم وجماهيره”.

واستكمل: “الإسماعيلي قدم مباراة جيدة جدًا وكنا أكثر خطورة على مرمى الأهلي، وهذا كله كان غير موجود في المباريات الأخيرة”.

واستطرد: “ألوم على معلق المباراة الذي كان يعلق لجمهور الأهلي فقط، هذه ليست عدالة، الأهلي سيظل يفوز بكل البطولات لغياب العدالة، وإذا كنتم تريدون أن يفوز الأهلي باستمرار أقترح عليكم إقامة دوري خاص للأهلي فقط ليفوز به، مع إقامة دوري آخر للفرق (الغلابة) الأخرى”.

MatériaMais Notícias

Após a derrota de 4 a 2 para o Figueirense, o técnico Zé Ricardo vem dando ênfase à troca de passes nos treinos do Flamengo. Em vídeo compartilhado pelo Rubro-Negro, é possível conferir o treinador exigindo agilidade para chegar ao gol. Confira abaixo:

Manchester United have made it clear that one of their transfer priorities is to sign a centre-back in the summer.

It is no surprise, then, that the Red Devils have consequently been linked with a number of Europe’s most promising centre-backs – the latest name in the frame being AS Roma’s Gianluca Mancini.

According to the Daily Express, Manchester United and Premier League rivals Chelsea are interested in making a move for the 24-year-old – and the Italian would be the perfect partner for current United defender Harry Maguire at Old Trafford.

Mancini has certainly had a stark rise in Italian football in recent seasons. Starting his career at Fiorentina, he has also represented Perugia and Atalanta before earning his big move to the Stadio Olimpico. That should stand him in excellent stead should a move to Manchester come to fruition.

Since his arrival in the Italian capital, he has played a key role in their 2020/21 season under Paulo Fonseca, making 23 appearances in Serie A and scoring four goals, as well as keeping seven clean sheets.

When looking at his personal statistics, Mancini seems even more impressive. According to WhoScored, the £22.5m-rated defender is averaging 6.3 defensive contributions per match in all competitions this season – 1.7 tackles, 2.1 interceptions, 2.1 clearances and 0.4 blocks.

This ranks the Italian higher than current Red Devils defender and the man he would likely replace in the starting lineup, Victor Lindelof, who only averages 5.7 defensive interventions per match. His numbers are also just marginally lower than the statistics racked up by Harry Maguire and Eric Bailly this season; 6.8 and 6.4 respectively.

Should Ole Gunnaer Solskjaer elect to bring in a centre-back during the upcoming summer transfer window, the evidence all points to that man being Mancini, a move the club should very much pursue.

In more news, read how instead of signing a centre-back, the Red Devils could potentially turn their attentions to one of their youth options at Old Trafford…

Many Everton fans have been left to slam Fabian Delph after the Liverpool Echo reported that he will not be available for the away trip to West Brom.

Carlo Ancelotti had confirmed that the former Manchester City player had a problem with his tendon and therefore will not be able to play any part against Sam Allardyce’s men at the Hawthorns on Thursday evening.

Delph has missed no fewer than 40 games for the Goodison Park faithful through various injury problems ever since his arrival from City a couple of years ago, and has never really been able to get a consistent run of matches together.

Thus, it may just be time for the 31-year-old to leave the Merseyside club, especially with the likes of Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure being brought in back in the summer transfer window.

Everton fan reaction to Delph injury

These Toffees supporters slammed Delph on Twitter after his latest injury setback, with one Blues fan even going as far as to call the Englishman a ‘waste of space’:

“Genuinely feel like starting a go fund me page to pay off this absolute waste of space.”

Credit: @seann1878

“A disaster of a transfer. Does he care I wonder?”

Credit: @iamandrewholden

“End his contract. Offered nothing during his time at Everton and prefers fronting fans than giving even 5% on the pitch. Waste of time and money.”

Credit: @TheDanMox

“It’s not frustrating is just awful. Was a pointless signing on a big wage. Club will likely be signing another CM in the summer an will have Gbamin back. Should really look at paying off his contract an just getting rid. One of our worst signings ever”

Credit: @Vicaz22

“Disastrous signing. Total waste of a salary for us. He also has no connection with the fans whatsoever.”

Credit: @Burnsey1001

“Terminate his contract”

Credit: @Feedtheyak22

In other news, find out which Liverpool pundit EFC fans have agreed with lately here!

Steve Bruce should push Newcastle United and Matty Longstaff to accept a half-season loan spell with Watford as the Toon reportedly near an agreement to sign Arsenal’s Joe Willock.

What’s the word?

According to the Press Association’s Mark Mann-Bryans, talks are taking place between the Magpies and Gunners to reach a definitive agreement over the temporary transfer of Willock.

A deal for the midfielder to see out the rest of the season at St. James’ Park is now considered to be very likely, following reports over the weekend that United were urging Mikel Arteta to grant Willock permission to leave the Emirates Stadium.

Willock is keen to secure a half-season loan move on Deadline Day in order to play regular first-team football after a bit-part role under Arteta, who had been reluctant to lose the box-to-box 21-year-old due to the potential exit fellow Newcastle target Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

Willock has only played 14 minutes of Premier League football in 2021, while starting just two of his seven top-flight appearances all season. The £14.5m-rated gem was a more regular fixture of the Arsenal side during their Europa League Group Stage efforts, scoring three and assisting three goals in five games.

Newcastle signing Willock may end Bruce’s long-running search for a new midfielder in the winter market, with Matt Ritchie no longer returning to AFC Bournemouth after the Magpies reportedly rejected the Cherries’ offer.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/newcastle-deadline-day-latest-news-transfer-rumours-and-more” title=”Deadline day is here: Read the latest Rangers news, transfer rumours and more!”]

Hello Willock, goodbye Longstaff?

Willock’s arrival on Tyneside may have a drastic impact on United’s Deadline Day business, having so far rejected approaches from Watford for academy graduate Longstaff, per the Daily Mail.

It is claimed the Toon are refusing to part with the 20-year-old on a six-month deal, following efforts by the Hornets to take Longstaff to Vicarage Road as a replacement for Leicester City target Nathaniel Chalobah amid their push for an immediate to the Premier League.

Newcastle are not in a position where they must listen to offers for Longstaff to free a squad spot for Willock to join, given the Magpies ace does not take up a place because of his age. But his chances of featuring will decrease with a deal for the Gunners talent, having already been slim in recent weeks.

Longstaff has not been given a role in any of Newcastle’s last three Premier League fixtures after been axed following last month’s 3-0 defeat at Arsenal, which marked only his fourth top-flight start of the season after a problematic and persistent thigh injury.

The £4.5m-rated gem had produced a solid start at the Emirates but lost his way in the second period, having been unable to replicate his performance against the champions when Longstaff proved ice cool in the engine room to dictate United’s game plan against Liverpool.

Bruce would likely have not needed to sign a replacement in Willock if Longstaff had been able to produce consistent performances, yet must now urge the Magpies and the Magpies product to leave on loan so that he can find his rhythm and come back even stronger.

AND in other news, Newcastle United have faced enquiries over a £15m deal to sell a Steve Bruce outcast…

According to West Ham United outlet WestHamFans.org, deals for RB Leipzig duo Hee-Chan Hwang and Matthew Bondswell are expected to be concluded within the ‘next couple of days’ as manager David Moyes eyes a new striker and a potential star for the future.

Hwang and Bondswell, according to this report, have now emerged as likely signings – with the Irons looking to complete these acquisitions imminently.

West Ham expected to conclude signings

Hwang, a striker, is now being touted as a potentially great partner to Michail Antonio in the forward position, especially with a nickname like ‘The Bull’ – even despite playing just 136 minutes of Bundesliga action with RB Leipzig (WhoScored).

Indeed, according to the report, Hwang is apparently on his way to the London Stadium with an agreement for his signature expected to be concluded in the next few days.

As well as the South Korean, Bondswell is also expected to join – with the former Nottingham Forest left-back seen as a young, hungry player who can fit Moyes’ plans for the future alongside Frederik Alves (WestHamFans.org).

According to this report, once those moves are completed, West Ham’s business for January will be concluded – except for potential outgoings.

Transfer Tavern take

Judging by this inside claim, Irons fans could get excited by this news a striker could imminently be arriving at the London Stadium – but only time will tell if or when the club announce it.

Bondswell’s potential signing also outlines the way Moyes is planning for the future, and with West Ham sitting fourth in the Premier League, that future certainly looks bright.

In other news: West Ham fans praised this ace against Crystal Palace, find out more here.

MatériaMais Notícias

A frustração continua a tomar conta de Bruno Rangel por sua atuação no empate em 1 a 1 entre a Chapecoense e o Guarani de Palhoça, pelo Campeonato Catarinense. Em entrevista ao “Diário Catarinense” nesta segunda-feira, o atacante lamentou ter desperdiçado dois pênaltis no confronto, mas isenta-se do rótulo de “culpado” do tropeço da equipe na Arena Condá:

– Nos sábado foi difícil dormir, mas tem dias que acontece isso. Mas não sou responsável pelo empate.

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Questionado sobre suas decisões ao cobrar os dois pênaltis contra Thiago, o atacante foi lacônico:

– É um jogo de adivinhação. Mas não bateria um terceiro pênalti. Resta treinar mais, e trabalhar minhas cobranças.

A Chapecoense volta a campo nesta quinta-feira, contra o Avaí, no Estádio Aníbal Costa.

According to an update by Claret & Hugh, West Ham outcast Felipe Anderson has played just 52 minutes since going out on loan to FC Porto and was left out of the squad during their 3-0 Champions League home win over Marseille. 

Anderson, who has seen precious little match action since securing a loan move to the Portuguese giants, is struggling to establish himself at the Estádio do Dragão.

The Brazilian, valued at £22.5 million by Transfermarkt, was shipped out by GSB and manager David Moyes, who didn’t see Anderson as a part of the Hammers’ plans this season.

Wondering what the future holds for him, many West Ham supporters aren’t exactly optimistic – going on to blast the ‘lazy’ ace after this startling revelation.

Find all of their best verdicts from social media here.

Hammers blast Anderson

In other news: West Ham fans think this beast has a promising future – find out more here. 

Manchester City have already secured top spot in Group C ahead of their game against Marseille on Wednesday night and with the Citizens set to face Manchester United on Saturday, this could be the perfect opportunity for Pep Guardiola to rest some of his key players.

Although the Spanish manager suggested in his pre-match conference that he wasn’t going to rotate too much ahead of the derby, he could simply be playing mind games with Marseille boss Andre Villas-Boas, and we expect him to ring the changes in his side.

Here’s how Football FanCast expects Guardiola to line his side up against Marseille, with nine changes from the side that comfortably beat Fulham last time out…

Zak Steffen makes his Champions League debut for the club by starting in goal for Guardiola’s side, replacing Ederson between the sticks.

There are three changes in the City defence, as Aymeric Laporte and Oleksandr Zinchenko return on the left-hand side, whilst 18-year-old Taylor Harwood-Bellis is rewarded with a Champions League start after signing a new contract with the Citizens earlier this week.

Ilkay Gundogan keeps his place in midfield, with Fernandinho starting in the defensive-midfield role in place of Rodri, whilst Phil Foden starts ahead of Kevin De Bruyne, who is one player who should almost certainly be rested ahead of the Manchester derby.

The Belgian midfielder was heavily praised by Guardiola earlier this year, with the former Barcelona boss saying:

“He doesn’t feel much pressure, he likes to play in the big events, he’s an exceptional player.

“He’s able to see something special and you have the spaces no one else can see but even with that he’s improving and improving.”

Therefore, it may be sensible not to risk the former Chelsea midfielder on Wednesday, although he could perhaps have a place on the bench in case City aren’t performing.

Guardiola should also rotate his attack, with Ferran Torres and Bernardo Silva replacing Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling on the wings, with the Spanish youngster hoping to continue his impressive form in the Champions League so far this season with another strong performance against Les Olympiens.

Finally, Sergio Aguero can pick up some much-needed minutes by starting ahead of Gabriel Jesus in the attack, with the legendary striker having made just four appearances for the Citizens since injuring his knee in June, so hopefully, he can get himself back on the scoresheet against Marseille on Wednesday.

And, in other news… Garcia heir apparent: Guardiola can trust “exceptional” 18 y/o in his first-team