Former England manager Gareth Southgate has ruled out becoming the next Manchester United boss, stating he currently holds “no passion” for a return to Premier League management.
The 55-year-old had been heavily linked with the vacancy at Old Trafford following the recent dismissal of Ruben Amorim.
Speculation intensified after his long-time assistant Steve Holland joined Michael Carrick’s coaching staff at the club earlier this week.
However, the ex-Three Lions chief has firmly dismissed the possibility of a reunion in the dugout.
‘Spoiled’ by England role
Southgate has not held a managerial position since departing the national team setup in July 2024 following the defeat by Spain in the Euro 2024 final.
He believes his eight-year tenure in international football offered a unique environment that club management cannot currently match.
“I’ve got no passion to just go and manage in the Premier League,” he told The Football Boardroom podcast.
“I did that at 35, I finished 11th, 12th. Who is in those positions now, probably Bournemouth, Brighton?”
The former Middlesbrough manager feels the autonomy he enjoyed with the FA set a high benchmark.
“I’ve had one of the biggest jobs in world football so I’ve been spoiled. Huge nights, working with outstanding players. No owner interfering.”
Baggage and big clubs
Southgate acknowledged that his perception among supporters makes him a “complicated appointment” for elite domestic sides.
Despite leading his country to back-to-back European Championship finals and a World Cup semi-final, he feels his record is often scrutinised unfairly regarding silverware.
“The bit that, externally, people are saying is, ‘well, he didn’t win’. So how do you prove that you can win? You’ve got to go to one of those big clubs,” he explained.
“Now we know those big clubs… do I think I could have done the job that some people who have been in those clubs recently have done? Could I do better? I think I could.”
“But we’ve talked about the baggage that comes with me as an appointment if you’re an owner. And there’s a reality around that, I can understand what that noise is.”
Future away from the dugout
Carrick is currently leading United on an interim basis until the end of the season.
While Holland has returned to coaching to assist the former midfielder, Southgate confirmed he is not actively seeking a role.
“I don’t want to go and manage a different national team. Club? It’s honestly not what I’m looking to do,” he added.
“Now, two years after leaving England, I’m not actively looking for a role in coaching.”
Arsenal will look to maintain their Premier League title momentum when they host struggling London rivals Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Mikel Arteta’s side enter the contest fresh from a resounding 4-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby.
That result served as an emphatic statement of intent in their quest for a long-awaited league trophy.
Gunners aiming for consistency
Momentum is firmly with the hosts following their dominant display against Spurs.
Arteta will demand the same intensity, structure, and movement that saw his team dismantle their arch-rivals last weekend.
Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres were instrumental in that victory and will be expected to deliver a similar performance in front of the home crowd.
The Gunners have already faced the Blues three times this season, winning twice and drawing once across all competitions.
Chelsea seeking defensive answers
In contrast to their opponents, the visitors arrive in north London searching for stability under Liam Rosenior.
The Blues dropped points at home to relegation-threatened Burnley last weekend and recently squandered a two-goal lead against Leeds United.
Defensive frailties remain a primary concern, with the west London club keeping just one clean sheet in their last 11 league matches.
Wesley Fofana is suspended for the trip, forcing further changes to a backline that has struggled to find cohesion.
Tactical dilemmas for Rosenior
The Chelsea manager faces a significant selection headache regarding the positioning of Cole Palmer.
Recent decisions to deploy the England international wide to accommodate Enzo Fernandez centrally have notably limited Palmer’s influence.
History is also heavily weighted against the visitors, who have failed to beat Arsenal in their last 11 Premier League meetings.
With the hosts chasing the title and Chelsea struggling for form, Arteta’s men are firm favourites to extend that unbeaten run.
Mikel Arteta believes Eberechi Eze has changed his behaviour “dramatically” for the better as he adapts to the demands of playing for Arsenal.
The England international has experienced a fluctuating debut campaign following his £67.5m move from Crystal Palace last summer.
Despite struggling for consistency, the playmaker has established himself as a hero in the north London derby, scoring five goals in two matches against Tottenham.
Eze netted a hat-trick at the Emirates in November and secured a brace during last weekend’s commanding 4-1 away victory.
Building connections
Between those two standout performances against Spurs, the 27-year-old failed to register a single shot on target in the Premier League.
However, Arteta is confident that the foundations are being laid for the midfielder to deliver on a regular basis.
“To understand him, you have to understand how he connects with others players,” said the Arsenal manager ahead of Sunday’s match against Chelsea.
“What are the best connections that we can build in and around him, the spaces he’s more comfortable to use.”
“There are certain behaviours he’s changed dramatically into really positive things.”
“At the end, you don’t know if you’re going to see them in a week, or two, or in a month. But they’re coming.”
Tactical adjustments
The Gunners boss suggested he is finally learning how to extract the maximum potential from the former QPR and Palace man.
Arteta admitted he is “starting to understand” the specific tactical requirements needed to unlock Eze’s ability.
“You see how players react in relation to certain decisions that you take,” the Spaniard added.
“When they have better games, when they have certain difficulties.”
“His role has been modified a few times throughout the season and his reaction has always been top, but it’s tough to perform after which is what we need.”
“He’s been exceptional in the manner he’s behaving every single day, but what we need is that those manners are transformed into huge performances that decide football matches.”
“That’s the reason we bought him.”
Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior says defender Wesley Fofana is “absolutely fine” despite being subjected to racist abuse online following his red card against Burnley.
The centre-back shared the hateful messages he received in the hours following his dismissal during the 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge last Saturday.
The UK Football Policing Unit has confirmed it is investigating the incident alongside several other reports of abuse within the game over the past week.
Rosenior addressed the situation ahead of his side’s Premier League fixture against Arsenal on Sunday.
‘We have to try our best to eradicate it’
Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri also highlighted abuse he received on Saturday, while Wolves striker Tolu Arokodare and Sunderland winger Romaine Mundle were targeted the following day.
The Premier League and all four clubs involved have unequivocally condemned the behaviour.
Rosenior, who recently spoke on the issue after Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior reported abuse, reiterated the need for change.
“It was a tough day for Wes, firstly what happened in the game, secondly the fallout and racist abuse that he got online,” Rosenior stated.
“Wes is a tough guy, he’s a good guy.”
The Chelsea boss expressed his frustration that the issue remains pervasive in the sport.
“It’s amazing, we spoke about racism last week. It affects you,” he added.
“It shouldn’t exist, whether it’s online, verbal, in person. It’s something we have to try our best to eradicate from life.”
Despite the off-field distractions, Rosenior confirmed the player has not let it impact his preparation.
“Wes is absolutely fine, he trained well this week.”
Record financial losses
Away from the pitch, Chelsea’s latest financial results have revealed a significant pre-tax loss of £355m for the 2024-25 period.
This figure sets a new record for an English club and is second in Europe only to Barcelona’s £484m loss in 2021.
The substantial deficit could lead to sanctions from Uefa if the governing body determines the club has breached financial sustainability regulations.
However, Rosenior insisted the boardroom figures would not distract him from his duties with the squad.
“My job is to focus on the team, to try and make the squad as strong as possible to eventually win things,” he said.
“That’s why I’m here.”
The manager acknowledged he would speak with the ownership but maintained his focus remains on results.
“It’s something that’s not at the forefront of my mind. I just want make sure on the pitch we’re as successful as possible.”
Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili is reportedly considering requesting a loan move this summer after growing frustrated with his limited opportunities at Anfield.
The Georgia international has found regular minutes hard to come by since linking up with the Reds, serving primarily as the understudy to Alisson.
Reports suggest the 25-year-old is now exploring options to secure consistent first-team football for the upcoming campaign.
Mamardashvili has made just 11 appearances across all competitions for Arne Slot’s side this season.
His most recent outing came on 12 January during the FA Cup third-round victory over Barnsley.
Struggle for minutes
The shot-stopper joined Liverpool from Valencia in a deal agreed in the summer of 2024, spending the subsequent season on loan in Spain before moving to Merseyside.
He arrived with a strong reputation, having kept 39 clean sheets in 134 appearances during his time in La Liga.
However, the former Valencia number one has been unable to displace Alisson, who remains the first choice between the posts.
Mamardashvili’s frustration was reportedly compounded when he was left on the bench for the FA Cup fourth-round tie against Brighton earlier this month.
Summer overhaul expected
A potential exit for the goalkeeper comes amidst a wider period of transition for Liverpool following a challenging second season under Slot.
The club is expected to be active in the transfer market again after previously investing heavily in the squad.
Defensive reinforcements appear to be a priority, with the club already agreeing a deal for Rennes centre-back Jeremy Jacquet.
Uncertainty also surrounds the left-back position as Andy Robertson approaches the expiry of his contract in June.
Reports indicate the Reds are monitoring Juventus defender Andrea Cambiaso as a potential competitor for Milos Kerkez on the left flank.
Danny Rohl demands ‘hot heart and smart mind’ for Rangers in Celtic clash
Rangers manager Danny Rohl has challenged his players to approach Sunday’s pivotal Scottish Premiership derby against Celtic with a mix of passion and tactical intelligence.
The Ibrox club are currently locked in a three-way title battle involving league leaders Hearts and their upcoming opponents.
Derek McInnes’ side currently sit four points clear at the summit of the table, intensifying the pressure on the chasing Glasgow giants.
Rangers occupy second place with a slender two-point cushion over Celtic, though the defending champions possess a game in hand against Aberdeen.
Tactical balance required
The German head coach, who successfully oversaw a 3-1 victory at Celtic Park in January, is confident his squad is prepared for the occasion.
Rohl believes maintaining composure is just as vital as aggression in the heated atmosphere of the derby.
“We are ready. Do it with a hot heart and a smart mind,” said Rohl.
“If we do this then we have a big chance, we have a clear idea of what we want to do.”
The Rangers boss insists his side have identified specific tactical solutions to hurt their city rivals.
Resilience and recent form
While the Parkhead outfit have struggled recently, suffering a home defeat by Hibernian, the hosts have displayed significant character.
Rohl’s men recovered from a two-goal deficit to salvage a 2-2 draw at Livingston last week, following a 4-2 comeback victory over Hearts the previous weekend.
“My team showed character, big personality in the last couple of weeks,” Rohl added.
“I feel the confidence, I feel the belief. It’s not just about the shape and the tactic, but it’s also about how we go in duels.”
The manager emphasized that the spirited reaction to falling behind at Livingston has kept the squad’s momentum “on fire” heading into Sunday.
The title race picture
Sunday’s fixture marks the third league meeting between the sides this season, with a Scottish Cup clash also looming at Ibrox the following week.
Despite the magnitude of the game, Rohl was keen to stress that the result will not be mathematically decisive.
“It’s a crucial game, but no team will be out after this game because there are still 27 points you can take,” the German explained.
“It’s a crucial one because when you come closer and closer to the end of the season and there is more and more in, then you know every game is important.”
Manchester City could face a deduction of up to 60 points if found guilty of the 115 financial charges brought against them, according to a leading football finance expert.
The Premier League champions have been awaiting a verdict since a 10-week hearing into the historical accusations concluded in December 2024.
Pep Guardiola’s side were first accused of serious financial breaches in February 2023, initiating a complex legal process that could reshape English football.
While the Etihad club strenuously deny all charges, speculation regarding potential punishments continues to mount pending the decision of the Independent Commission.
Projected sanctions
Kieran Maguire, a specialist in football finance, believes the scale of the alleged offences suggests a punishment far exceeding recent precedents.
Speaking on The Overlap, Maguire referenced the deductions handed to Everton and Nottingham Forest for profitability and sustainability rules (PSR) breaches.
He noted that those sanctions covered a three-year period, whereas the case against the treble winners spans nine years.
“I think you have to add a zero to what we’ve seen in terms of Forest and Everton, so somewhere between a 40 and 60-point deduction would be, on merit to be consistent with what we’ve seen with other decisions, would make a lot of logic.”
Kieran Maguire, Football Finance Expert
Maguire indicated that the sheer volume of evidence presented by both prosecution and defence likely amounts to “half a million pieces”.
Relegation restrictions
Despite the severity of the potential points loss, the Premier League does not hold the authority to directly relegate a club to the English Football League (EFL).
Maguire explained that relegation to League One or League Two requires an EFL decision, and the organisation has not proven any charges against the Manchester club.
Consequently, any sporting sanction applied by the Premier League must come in the form of a points deduction within the current division.
Impact on the table
A deduction of this magnitude would have immediate and drastic consequences for the current league standings.
Based on a current total of 56 points, a 60-point penalty would drop Guardiola’s team to minus four points.
Such a ruling would leave the reigning champions bottom of the table, facing a distinct battle against relegation.
The shift would significantly alter the title race, potentially allowing Arsenal to open a substantial lead over challengers such as Aston Villa and Liverpool.
Arsenal could owe Sporting CP an additional six-figure sum if Viktor Gyokeres reaches a goal involvement milestone against Chelsea on Sunday.
The Sweden international has triggered several performance-related add-ons since his arrival, with another potential payment looming for the Gunners.
Gyokeres currently sits on 17 goal involvements for the club, comprising 15 goals and two assists across all competitions.
His former club are reportedly due £437,000 for every 20 goal contributions he registers.
A hat-trick of goals or assists at the Emirates Stadium this weekend would see the forward hit that mark.
While three goal contributions in a single match is a significant demand, the striker has already achieved the feat against the Blues this season.
He scored twice and provided an assist in a 3-2 Carabao Cup semi-final victory earlier in the campaign.
Contract clauses and bonuses
The deal bringing the prolific scorer to north London included various structured payments beyond the initial transfer fee.
Arsenal have already paid out £1.1m after the forward reached 20 appearances lasting at least 45 minutes.
Sporting will continue to receive this amount for every block of 20 games up to his 80th appearance.
However, the payments regarding his direct output in front of goal are capped.
There is only one further instalment available beyond the upcoming milestone, should he reach 40 combined goals and assists.
European qualification costs
Further financial implications are tied to the club’s standing in European competition.
Sporting are set to receive approximately £874,000 for each season Arsenal qualify for the Champions League.
This specific clause remains active until the total accumulated bonus reaches £3.5m.
Gyokeres enters Sunday’s fixture in fine form, having recently scored a brace against Tottenham in the north London derby.