'Ancelotti about to commit to Rangers job'
Davide Ancelotti is about to commit to Rangers as their new head coach for the next season after leaving his role as assistant to father Carlo with Real Madrid. (Ramon Alvarez on X)
Rangers will hold further discussions with Davide Ancelotti in the coming days as they look to conclude their manager search. (Rangers Review)
Advertisement
Out-of-work Marco Rose is rocketing up the next Rangers manager shortlist, but the Ibrox club could face a hefty price if they wish to appoint the German as Bild reports that the 48-year-old also linked with Roma is still under contract despite being relieved of his duties by RB Leipzig and his former club might require a compensation fee. (Sunday Mail)
Former Aberdeen boss Neil Warnock has revealed his disappointment at never managing Rangers, with the 76-year-old saying the job "would have been ideal for me at one point" but "there was always somebody behind the scenes who wanted somebody else". (The Herald On Sunday)
Rangers now know they will face either Brann, Panathinaikos or Servette in the Champions League second qualifying round next season. (The Herald On Sunday)
Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip in full.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
13 minutes ago
- Yahoo
New turf laid in Munich for Nations League after damage by PSG fans
French riot police on duty after clashes erupted at Paris Saint-Germain Champions League title celebrations in Paris. Julien Mattia/Le Pictorium via ZUMA Press/dpa Several square metres of new hybrid turf have been laid at Munich's Allianz Arena in time for the men's Nations League semi-final between Germany and Portugal on Wednesday. Exuberant Paris Saint-Germain fans had damaged the surface and taken some of it as a souvenir after Saturday's 5-0 win over Inter Milan in the Champions League final. Advertisement European governing body UEFA wanted the Champions League final to be followed in the same stadium by the first Nations League semi for organizational reasons. Munich city council was non-plussed about hosting the Nations League Final Four, but the stadium operator said the tight turnaround was no issue and the turg would bed in. "For us, this is routine. There was never any risk to the game taking place," Jürgen Muth, managing director of Allianz Arena München Stadion GmbH, told the newspaper group Münchner Merkur and tz on Tuesday. Munich also hosts the final on Sunday, with France taking on Spain in the other semi-final in Stuttgart on Thursday. Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann conducted a final training session with a full squad on a well-maintained pitch at the team's base in Herzogenaurach north of Munich.
New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
Could Martin Zubimendi be just as important to Arsenal as signing a new No 9?
It's set to be a pivotal summer for Arsenal in the transfer market — arguably the most important window since Mikel Arteta took charge. After finishing as Premier League runners-up for a third straight season and falling to eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semi-finals, the pressure will be on next season as only silverware will suffice. Advertisement The consensus is that a new No 9 is the missing piece to get Arsenal over the line, but the club appear to be on the verge of signing Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad. On the latest episode of Handbrake Off, Ian Stone, Liam Tharme, and Adrian Clarke discussed why Zubimendi's arrival could prove just as crucial as landing a new centre-forward. A partial transcript of his interview has been edited for clarity and length. The full episode is available on the Handbrake Off feed on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Ian: This is an interesting topic, so let's hear from The Athletic's tactics writer Liam Tharme on how the arrival of a player like Zubimendi could be just as important as a new No 9. Liam: With Arsenal currently, it's really important to hold multiple different opinions all at once. The reality is that they need a goalscorer, but the trick has been finding the right kind of midfield combination to improve them in open play. The left No 8 spot has been a problem for Mikel Arteta in the post-Granit Xhaka era. Kai Havertz was initially signed to fulfil that spot, but he's worked better as a No 9. Arteta has also seemed to prioritise physicality in the midfield, but it's come at a bit of a cost. We saw a drop-off last season in terms of their open play creativity, and they were maybe a little bit too reliant on set pieces, especially to break games open. It wasn't just the sheer volume of goals, but there were plenty of games, especially against mid-table and lower-table opposition, where they needed a set-piece goal to break the game open. And then they would create more chances once the opposition team were worn down a bit and had to come out and play against them a little more. So you can look at that left No 8 where Declan Rice will now go into as that spot now being filled. He put up his personal-best numbers last season for goals and assists. And he's had a real box-crashing threat which has been really important for those in-swinging crosses, especially from the wingers. So improving the midfield area is absolutely huge. Advertisement It really struck me in one of Arsenal's more recent games against Newcastle at home when they were struggling to play against the press — they did end up winning with a Declan Rice goal from range, but they really didn't create much in open play. Martin Odegaard was dropping so deep at times, especially in deep build-up, that you'd actually see a lot of improvement across the team if you could invest in Zubimendi. Or a profile of player that's got that press resistance and can hopefully shoulder a bit more of the creative burden. That's not just in terms of the final pass, but a bit deeper downfield in terms of linking the play too. They would definitely be improved by having a player who could score 15 to 20 goals, but there are definitely ways they can improve their build-up and in open play especially. Ian: Adrian, we're looking for players with attributes that will fit in with our other players in their best positions aren't we? Because we now think that Declan Rice's best position will be in that left No 8 position, where he can get forward. And we know Martin Odegaard plays on the other side, a little bit nearer Bukayo Saka and whoever the fullback is, so Zubimendi is going to play behind them. Again, it's about filling in the stuff that's missing from the team, and that seems to be what he does very well. Adrian: Yeah, definitely, and the point Liam made about the size and physicality of Arsenal's midfield is really important. Because we've maybe overcompensated by signing a lot of tall players who are physically dominant, which has made us an absolute force at attacking set pieces, but has it slowed down our build-up play? The answer is definitely yes. Whether it's Mikel Merino in there, Kai Havertz, or Thomas Partey as well. These are all players who are bigger guys and are really good at certain things, but are they brilliant at playing little one-twos in sharp areas and moving the ball between the lines like Santi Cazorla and Arteta did back in the day? The answer is probably no. So it's about getting the balance right, and you can have all the little guys because PSG have. Advertisement But for us, it's good to have a little bit of everything, and Zubimendi maybe counteracts the lack of balance that we've had. So that for me is quite exciting. He and Odegaard are really sharp on the ball and they're high-touch players. And with Rice, it's surprised me how few touches he sometimes has because he can obviously play. But he's definitely someone who's developing into more of a ball carrier and someone who can take the ball up the field, and obviously someone who can crash the box as well, which is really important. He's a proper box-to-box midfielder. So between the three of them, that's a really strong central midfield. You could have Zubimendi and Rice sit there in certain situations with Odegaard in front. And then when we get it, Myles Lewis-Skelly will be coming into midfield, so it will be Lewis-Skelly and Zubimendi with Rice and Odegaard pushed on. That's your box of four in midfield that hopefully can go and control games, that's how I see it working. When we're playing out from the back for instance, it won't just be Zubimendi that goes and shows for the pass, it'll be Lewis-Skelly as well. Then opponents will have a quandary over who they pick up, and if they get tight to both of them, we'll just miss them out and clip one into Declan Rice or one of the forwards. So he will improve the balance of the team, for sure. Remember, can listen to full episodes of Handbrake Off for free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. (Top Photo: Juan Manuel)
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
From Dembélé to Salah: six contenders in an open race for men's Ballon d'Or
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) George Weah remains the only African to win the prize and the Liverpool forward's form in the past year has put him in a similar bracket to the Liberian. 'The Egyptian King' scored 29 goals and assisted a further 18 to lead the Reds to the Premier League title, but he could not take them further than the last 16 in the Champions League. Arne Slot played Salah in every league match, a sign of his importance and his stupendous fitness. 'He's had very, very, very good seasons at Liverpool but this one probably stands out in terms of numbers,' Arne Slot said of Salah's Ballon d'Or chances. 'If there's ever a chance for him, it would be this season. If not, then he's going to try to push even harder next season'. Turning 33 in mid-June, this might be Salah's final chance to achieve the highest personal accolade in the game, even if his head coach thinks otherwise. Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain) Finally, at 28, the forward is fulfilling his promise and filling his mantelpiece with shiny trinkets in the process. Dembélé's career was on the slide when he moved to Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona in 2023, but back in France he has looked more comfortable. Luis Enrique, a former Barcelona manager, is getting the best out of him, even after dropping the France international for disciplinary reasons in October. His pace and skill have traumatised defenders alongside that of Désiré Doué – this year's vote might come too early for the talented teenager – across the continent and helped PSG secure a historic first Champions League triumph to complete the treble. Dembélé makes beating defenders look easy, scoring 21 goals in 29 Ligue 1 appearances in the process. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Paris Saint-Germain) Having started the season in Naples, the Georgian can boast the rare feat of winning two domestic titles – Serie A and Ligue 1 – in the same year. Oh and he lifted the Champions League. Not bad for a lad who used to play for Rustavi. Everyone has known about Kvaratskhelia's qualities for a long time; that ability to breeze past players, going left and right, while possessing a vicious strike to test the fingers of any goalkeeper. The son of a former international – although his father Badri played for Azerbaijan – Kvaratskhelia's path to stardom may not have taken the most direct route. The 24-year-old played three seasons in Russia before Napoli came calling. Kvaratskhelia made a difference when it mattered for PSG in Europe, taking them to the extra level they struggled to find in the league stage. Raphinha (Barcelona) Remember that bloke who once saved Leeds from relegation? Well, he is now a serious contender for the Ballon d'Or, which is an especially strange thing to consider given 12 months ago Barcelona would have quite happily waved the Brazilian off into the sunset in the hope of getting some much-needed cash. Hansi Flick always wanted Raphinha to stay because he appreciated the 28-year-old's qualities. and he has become an influential on-pitch figure at Barcelona. A goal every other league game - and 34 in all competitions - was a key reason behind Barça becoming La Liga champions for a 28th time, as well as reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League. And Raphinha, used predominantly on the left-wing, will for ever be a hero in Barcelona after scoring two goals in last month's 4-3 clásico win over Real Madrid. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) There are few guarantees in life but if Lamine Yamal does not win the Ballon d'Or this year then he will definitely do so in the future, and almost certainly many times. The 17-year-old is a generational talent, already laden with medals and personal awards. Last summer it was the European Championship; this season the Copa del Rey and La Liga. 'He has no ceiling,' Raphinha said of his teammate. 'He can go as far as he wants. It all depends on him. He has quality, commitment and works hard.' No one wants to play against the prodigy who has a knack for cutting in from the right and finding the top corner, leaving a trail of shellshocked defenders in his wake. Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) Currently listed at 50/1 by some bookmakers, Mbappé retains plenty of admirers. The Frenchman came sixth at the ceremony last year and none of those who finished above him are in contention this time. Admittedly, his first year at Real Madrid can be classed as forgettable. Mbappé won the Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup but losing out to Barcelona in La Liga and being brushed aside by Arsenal in the Champions League does not do much for egos in the Spanish capital. The goals flew in for Mbappé, with the 26-year-old scoring 31 times in 34 league appearances, but when it mattered in Europe, he did not produce what was required.
