Borussia Mönchengladbach boss denies reports of PSV offer for Ko Itakura
Virkus spoke with both Kicker and Sport Bild.
'There is no offer for Ko,' Virkus told Kicker. 'There was a vague inquiry about four weeks ago, but nothing has happened since then.'
'There is no Virkus-Neuhaus case,' Virkus told Sport Bild when asked about his standing with the presently suspended midfielder. 'I am not a vindictive person. The club's values were violated. He was disciplined. That's the end of it.'
Both Virkus and his fellow front office manager Stefan Stegemann have been clear about the fact that Neuhaus' situation will be reassessed after his month-long training demotion with the reserves has elapsed.
Much as the Westphalians might wish to sell Neuhaus, a termination of the 28-year-old's contract isn't really an option. Buying Neuhaus out of his contract could cost Gladbach untold millions.
Generally speaking, terminating a contract prematurely costs double what a player earns in a season. Neuhaus presently draws a €4m annual paycheck.
GGFN |
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Lando Norris ready to go all the way in championship battle with Oscar Piastri
Lando Norris believes his championship battle with Oscar Piastri will go to the wire following his victory at Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix. Norris started third and dropped to fifth after a poor first corner at the Hungaroring before he rolled the strategy dice – stopping one less time than his rivals – to take the lead and then held off Piastri's late charge in a brilliant finale. Piastri came within centimetres of colliding with Norris on the penultimate lap when he momentarily lost control of his McLaren as he attempted a banzai move for the win. But Norris survived and held his nerve to keep the fast-charging Australian at bay to land his fifth win of the season – his third in his last four appearances – taking the chequered flag just six tenths clear and reducing the championship deficit to nine points with 10 rounds remaining. Max Verstappen, who finished ninth on Sunday, remains in third in the standings but 97 points off the championship pace. 'I'm dead,' said Norris. 'In the final stint Oscar was catching and I was pushing flat out. My voice has gone a little bit. 'It has been a tough battle so far with Oscar and it is going to continue to be tough. The margins between us are pretty small. There are things I can do better and improve on, and I am sure he will probably say the same thing. So, it is going to be a good and tough fight, probably until the end. 'Even though the results have looked great, I'm not making my life very easy at the minute. If I can work on those things, then I'll be in a better place.' Norris' win in the concluding round before the summer break reignites his bid to land a maiden world crown. But the Bristolian can count himself somewhat fortunate to be standing on the top step of the podium. At the start, Norris got away well from his marks, but an attempt to pass Piastri on the inside of the opening corner backfired. Norris did not commit to the overtake and that left him in no-man's land, allowing George Russell and then Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso to breeze through. On lap three, Norris fought his way clear of Alonso but was then tucked up behind Russell and making little progress. Piastri and Charles Leclerc, who controlled the first stint of the race from pole position, stopped for new tyres on laps 18 and 19 respectively. Russell also peeled into the pits on lap 19 promoting Norris to the front. McLaren were now considering a one-stop strategy. Norris' race engineer, Will Joseph, was on the radio: 'Lando, 40 laps on the hard tyre, you up for it?' Norris replied: 'Yeah, why not?' On lap 31 of 70, the Englishman came in for his sole change of tyres before lighting up the timesheets with the fastest laps of the race so far. In his haste to catch up, Norris then dropped two wheels through the gravel on the exit of the chicane, which irked Joseph. 'Lando, just keep the focus, we don't want these mistakes,' he said. Leclerc, Piastri and Russell were all forced to stop again. When it all shuffled out, Norris led Leclerc by seven seconds, with Piastri five seconds further back. But Piastri was on the move, swatting Leclerc aside on lap 51 and then set about reducing Norris' nine-second advantage. With five laps to go, Piastri was just a second behind his team-mate, and on the penultimate lap, the Australian went for glory at the first bend. However, Norris retained his composure and remained ahead to land what could be a pivotal win in his championship charge. Russell took the final place on the podium with Leclerc a disappointed fourth. The next race takes place in the Netherlands on August 31.
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Titans coach Brian Callahan calls out his offense after sloppy practice
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Titans and rookie quarterback Cam Ward turned in a sluggish performance Sunday, earning a profanity-laced tirade from head coach Brian Callahan as the session concluded. The No. 1 overall pick followed two solid practices with a rough showing Sunday in team drills. Ward completed just 4 of 13 passes in team drills and was off the mark on several throws. The Titans also had penalties and a play that would have been a sack as the defense pressured the young quarterback. Ward's final rep of the day was a pass that sailed far over the head of receiver Van Jefferson and out of bounds. That's when Callahan unleashed on the offense. The second-year Titans coach spoke before practice. After practice, Callahan stood near midfield talking with Ward, offensive coordinator Nick Holz and quarterbacks coach Bo Hardegree for about 20 minutes. Tennessee opens preseason play Saturday night at Tampa Bay with a joint practice on Thursday. Before practice, Callahan said some self-inflicted mistakes Saturday had him concerned because of the emphasis he has put on correcting those all offseason. 'The progress obviously isn't always going to be linear, we're going to have ups and downs,' Callahan said before practice. The Titans have NFL officials on hand to make clear when players commit penalties. Callahan said that's great to have that experience. The Titans called Callahan's outburst warranted because of a lack of focus and intensity on offense. 'He's not really an outburst-type of coach for the most part," left guard Peter Skoronski said. 'So I think so I think the practice kind of warranted it. It just felt kind of low and juice-less from an offensive end and lacking execution.' Skoronski said Sunday's session was disappointing and he could feel the frustration before Callahan went off. 'When he started yelling, I said, 'Oh there it is,'' Skoronski said. "We just didn't move the ball the way we needed to. I think it was warranted. We shouldn't need that to bring out the intensity. We shouldn't need the head coach to be like that. It should be player driven. We've got to be better and more on that.' ___ AP NFL:
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Gondomar SC Honour Diogo Jota and Andre Silva with 2025/26 Tribute Kit
Gondomar Launch 2025/26 Kit in Memory of Jota and Silva Gondomar Lead with Heartfelt Tribute to Local Heroes The scars left by the tragic deaths of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva are still raw. Two brothers, both from Gondomar in the eastern part of Porto, who brought joy on and off the pitch, were taken far too soon in a car crash on July 3rd. The footballing world mourns, still struggling to process the scale of this loss. But in the quiet resolve of the club where it all began, a beautiful tribute has emerged. Gondomar SC, where both Jota and Silva took their first footballing steps, have unveiled their 2025/26 kits with a poignant gesture that reflects the brothers' lasting legacy. The shirts feature images of the two players and their names stitched near the collar with an infinity symbol, an everlasting mark of remembrance. 'This tribute stems from the deep sense of loss felt by the club and the entire Gondomar community,' the club wrote on social media. 'Diogo Jota, who always maintained an emotional connection to our country and our club, and Andre Silva, who shared the same dream and passion for football, continue to inspire generations of young athletes growing up on our pitches.' Legacy Cemented by Symbolism and Memory The tribute extends far beyond simple symbolism. Gondomar SC's decision to include both brothers' images on every official kit worn in the 2025/26 season ensures their presence will be felt in every game played by the club. It is a tribute not for one match or one day, but a lasting honour across a season, and a lifetime. For Diogo Jota, whose Liverpool career lit up Anfield with moments of brilliance, Gondomar always remained close to his heart. In 2022, the club named its academy after him, a nod to his contribution not only as a footballer but as a person who never forgot his roots. Photo IMAGO Liverpool's Tribute Reflects Club and Community Values Liverpool, too, have played their part in remembering Jota. His shirt number remains part of the official 2025/26 squad list, allowing supporters to continue wearing his name on their backs, a simple but meaningful act of remembrance from a club that understands its responsibility in difficult times. The Reds' opening pre-season match against Preston North End was played under a heavy cloud. The occasion was less about tactics or results and more about unity, shared loss and paying tribute to a teammate and friend whose absence will be deeply felt throughout the season. Inspiration Through Tragedy There are times in football when rivalry, scorelines and statistics fall away. What remains are people. Human stories. The tale of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva is one of promise, brotherhood and passion, but now also of immense sorrow. Yet their story does not end with their passing. Gondomar SC's kits, Liverpool's tribute and the worldwide outpouring of support ensure that both names will echo through dressing rooms, academies and terraces for years to come. For a generation of young players in Gondomar and beyond, these shirts will represent more than identity. They symbolise love for the game, commitment to a dream, and the importance of community. 'Diogo and Andre continue to inspire,' the Gondomar statement reads. And that they surely will.