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Celtic would be taking a huge ‘gamble’ if they appoint Enzo Maresca as their new manager, according to Kevin Phillips.

The Hoops are weighing up the candidates for Neil Lennon’s permanent replacement after the Northern Irishman resigned in February.

Maresca has been one name mentioned as a potential successor, with Italian journalist Nicolo Schira even claiming he was Celtic’s ‘first target’ for the job.

Phillips explains why Maresca may not fit the bill

However, Phillips – the English Premier League’s Golden Boot winner in 1999/2000 – has issued a warning.

He pointed out that there is a requirement for immediate success at Parkhead and that swiftly dethroning Rangers may be too big an ask for Maresca, currently in charge of Manchester City’s under-23s.

“It would be a risk because Celtic need to be challenging next year at the very minimum. They really need to win the league,” Phillips told Football Insider.

“To take a young manager, who has no experience of Scottish football or managing a first team is a big ask.

“Rangers are flying so I think Maresca would be a big risk. If it was a long-term rebuild and they hadn’t won the title in years then maybe. It would be like when Rangers appointed Gerrard.

“But next season Celtic need to be challenging for the league at the very least. Maresca would be a gamble.”

Enzo Maresca’s credentials

As Phillips mentioned, Maresca has not taken charge of a team at senior level before, but he has been an assistant coach at Sevilla and West Ham (Transfermarkt). He worked under Premier League-winning manager Manuel Pellegrini at the London Stadium during the 2018/19 season.

The 41-year-old Italian is doing an excellent job with Man City’s youth side. They are two points clear at the top of Premier League 2 with a game in hand and their goal difference of +30 dwarfs that of the teams below them.

The big question, of course, is whether he can make the step-up to senior football management.

Transfer Tavern verdict

As much as Rangers’ celebrations are a galling sight for Celtic fans after watching their side win nine consecutive titles, perhaps they could actually afford to exercise some patience.

The Gers will take some catching regardless – they’re 20 points ahead with six games remaining and they haven’t lost a league game all season.

Perhaps the Hoops should be willing to accept a little more short-term pain for long-term gain. After all, their Glasgow rivals have bought into a project with a previously unproven coach in the form of Steven Gerrard, and the signs are very promising for him. Maybe Celtic could have similar success if they take a punt on Maresca.

In other news, this former Celtic player is reportedly interested in the job.

Liverpool’s search for a new centre-back could take them back to RB Leipzig this summer, with Ibrahima Konate apparently available.

Having already signed Naby Keita from the Bundesliga outfit back in 2018, it is reported that the French defender is now of interest to The Reds, according to Sunday World.

Even more positively, AS report that the 21-year-old could be available for as little as £22m, which for a player who is rated at £31.5m at the current time, represents stunning value. Liverpool should waste no time and need to move now to secure the defender.

Konate has slowly but surely forged an excellent reputation in Germany as Leipzig continue to challenge Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga.

Since arriving from FC Sochaux-Montbéliard four years ago when he was just 17, the centre-back has gone on to make 89 appearances for the club, including eight in the UEFA Champions League – an extremely respectable count for a player so young.

Whilst he hasn’t played as often as usual in the past couple of seasons, with Leipzig boss Julien Nagelsmann preferring a starting pair of Dayot Upamecano and Willi Orban, his potential and promise are undoubted.

After all, with his tender years, the 11-time France U21 international is extremely likely to improve.

When compared to Liverpool’s current centre-back options, Konate is bettering both Rhys Williams and Joe Gomez with his 0.4 tackles per game, whilst he is also overcoming Gomez and Joel Matip in terms of interceptions, according to WhoScored.

Considering that he would likely be the partner for Virgil van Dijk, to be outperforming the England man on those counts is intriguing.

For a player so experienced then, with a reported price tag so low, it seems like it would make perfect sense for Michael Edwards to swoop for Konate and bring the Reds’ long search for a centre-back to a close. It’ll be a masterclass of a move if he does so.

AND in more news, take a closer look at another reported centre-back target who Liverpool could sign in the summer…

With Neil Lennon finally gone, there is renewed positivity surrounding Celtic and their future heading into next season.

For the Parkhead faithful, this has been a diabolical campaign but fortunately, they’ve not had to be in the stadium to witness such terrible results. They are 15 points off the top and any chance of securing a tenth SPFL crown in a row is all but done.

John Kennedy has since been placed in interim charge of the Bhoys but Dermot Desmond and Peter Lawwell will surely look for more attractive suitors before the season is up.

He may have won his first game in charge over Aberdeen, but with some of the managers linked with the job, it would be quite something if he was handed the reins permanently.

One coach touted with taking on the vacancy is Roberto Martinez. The 47-year-old is currently in charge of Belgium so would be a surprising appointment, especially with the Euros on the horizon. That being said, it’s certainly not out of the picture.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Dean Windass said: “I think that would appeal to him, yes. I’ve worked with him and he’s a gentleman.

“Shaun Maloney’s there too (at Belgium). So that would be a good fit – that would be a very good fit.”

Indeed, if Desmond can lure the Spaniard to Glasgow, it would be a thrilling appointment, one that could even rescue the future of one of their star men.

Kristoffer Ajer has continuously been linked with the exit door and with his deal expiring in 2022, leaving this summer may be a genuine option. Though, the arrival of a big-name coach in Martinez could sway him towards staying at Celtic.

That’s because of two things. One, the development of John Stones under Martinez at Everton, and two, the possession-based style of football that the Belgium manager likes to operate with.

For Ajer, a ball-playing centre-half, playing under a manager who likes to keep the ball on the ground would be a dream.

The Norwegian has a habit of breaking through the lines from defence and picking out a teammate with ease. You only need to look at his pass success rate of 88.3% this term to understand how comfortable he is with the ball at his feet.

Leon Osman revealed the Everton side under Martinez would “live and die” for possession football and it was because of the Spaniard that Stones rose to prominence. Another ball-playing centre-back, he’s become a key component of Pep Guardiola’s great Manchester City side, keeping an incredible haul of 18 clean sheets in just 23 outings this term.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/check-out-the-latest-on-celtics-managerial-vacancy” title=”Check out the latest on Celtic’s managerial vacancy!”]

His playstyle, something that was developed by Martinez, is one of the primary reasons he’s now one of the most impressive centre-backs in the English Premier League.

Ajer could see this is a major plus point in terms of his development, certainly at the age of just 22. With that in mind, there’s no reason he couldn’t stay for a bit longer at Parkhead before earning an even bigger move in a few years time.

Martinez could be the manager to extract even more from him. The defender has to stay if the former Everton manager walks through the door.

AND in other news, “He’s a big name in the game” – Exclusive: Pundit shares why former PL manager could join Celtic…

Having produced one of their most impressive displays of the season in beating Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford late last year, Arsenal will be relishing the prospect of taking on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men on Saturday afternoon.

The Gunners have turned a corner after beating Chelsea 3-1 at the Emirates, and have racked up five wins and a draw in their last six Premier League games.

Mikel Arteta’s side head into tonight’s match off the back of a fine victory away at Southampton, and they appear to have been given a late boost with some late injury news.

And with that in mind, below is a look at how Arsenal might line up to take on United.

In goal, Bernd Leno will be looking to preserve Arsenal’s record as the second-best defensive team in the league this season, with only Manchester City having conceded more goals than the Gunners.

The back-four could see one crucial change, with the return of Kieran Tierney at left-back. The £75k-a-week earning ace was pictured in full training with the rest of his teammates on Friday afternoon, and Arteta will surely be keen to get the man dubbed by Sir Alex Ferguson as “phenomenal”, back into the side.

The big call the Gunners boss will of course have to make is who starts at right-back, and based on current form, the nod should go to Cedric, who picked up an assist against Newcastle before providing the pre-assist to Alexandre Lacazette’s goal against Southampton.

In midfield, Goal journalist Charles Watts delivered a pre-game boost to the Gunners by confirming that Thomas Partey is expected to be fit to face United, and he could be partnered alongside Granit Xhaka once again.

Further forward, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is once again set to miss out, with Nicolas Pepe, Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka all set to start just behind number nine Alexandre Lacazette.

Meanwhile, Arsenal could sign their perfect Lacazette successor in this striker…

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, former Newcastle United man Rob Lee has claimed that Liverpool should consider re-signing Danny Ings from Southampton.

The striker signed for the Reds from Burnley in 2015 but managed just 25 appearances during his time at Anfield, due to two long-term injuries that kept him out for much of his time on Merseyside.

Ings was allowed to join Southampton on a permanent deal in the summer of 2019 and having overcome his injury issues, has established himself as one of the best strikers in the Premier League in the past two seasons.

The 28-year-old finished as joint-second top scorer in the top-flight last season, hitting 22 goals, and he has started this season in a similar fashion, with seven goals in 15 top-flight appearances.

Ings’ contract with Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side is set to expire at the end of next season, which has led to speculation about his future with the Saints, with the likes of Tottenham Hotspur said to be interested as he eyes a move to a Champions League club, according to The Telegraph.

When asked whether Ings had unfinished business at Anfield, Lee told FFC:

“I would definitely say he could play for Liverpool. [Roberto] Firmino, I’ve watched him the last few games, he’s the one that links them all together, for whatever reason, by his standards he’s been poor. He never scores loads of goals, his link-up play has not been good.

“Danny Ings would certainly play for them, would Liverpool go back for him? It’s always a tough ego thing to do, ‘we got rid of him because of injuries, now we’re going to buy him back for a lot more money’ – I’m not sure Liverpool would do that.

“He could play in any team, he runs around, he’s very fit, strong, and technically he’s very very good and he can finish. That’s all you want from a striker.”

Therefore, whilst Lee is unconvinced that Liverpool would return for Ings, he does claim that the 28-year-old could play for any team in the Premier League.

Ings is said to want to play for a team with Champions League football in the future, which is something that Liverpool would most likely be able to provide next season, so perhaps they could convince him to return to Anfield in the summer.

Certainly, the £18 million-rated forward guarantees goals if he’s fit, and would offer something different to Firmino in Klopp’s side.

And, in other news… Klopp dealt transfer blow as reported bid for “natural leader” CB rejected 

فاز فريق يوفنتوس الإيطالي على نظيره مالمو السويدي بهدف دون رد، في منافسات دوري أبطال أوروبا، ليتصدر مجموعته بعد تعادل تشيلسي أمام زينت سان بطرسبرج.

وحل مالمو ضيفًا على يوفنتوس بملعب “آليانز ستاديوم” في الجولة السادسة والأخيرة لدور المجموعات بدوري أبطال أوروبا.

وتقدم يوفنتوس بهدف سجله مويس كين في الدقيقة 18 برأسية بعد تمريرة عرضية وصلت له من فيدريكو بيرنارديسكي.

وأجرى المدير الفني ماسيمليانو أليجري تبديلاً في بداية الشوط الثاني بخروج باولو ديبالا ومشاركة ألفارو موراتا.

وأهدر موراتا ومويس كين فرصًا متعددة أمام مرمى مالمو كادت أن تضاعف النتيجة لصالح السيدة العجوز.

وفي الدقيقة 71 قرر أليجري استبدال لاعبه كوني دي فينتر وشارك ماتيا دي تشيلو بديلاً له.

وبحلول الدقيقة 82 شارك الكولومبي خوان كوادرادو بديلاً لزميله فيدريكو بيرنارديسكي، ثم أجرى أليجري تبديلين آخرين بخروج مويس كين وبينتانكور ومشاركة دي جراسا وميرتي في الدقيقة 89.

حسمت المباراة بفوز يوفنتوس بهدف نظيف، وتأهل لدور الـ 16 متصدرًا للمجموعة بـ 15 نقطة، مستفيدًا من تعادل تشيلسي أمام زينت.

وكان تشيلسي متقدمًا بنتيجة (3-2) إلا أن زينيت اقتنص التعادل في الدقائق الأخيرة لتحسم المباراة (3-3) وبالتالي يتأهل تشيلسي كثانٍ مجموعة برصيد 13 نقطة. هدف مويس كين في مباراة يوفنتوس ومالمو 

MatériaMais Notícias

Uma antiga paixão de Carnaval do Botafogo está próxima de acertar com o clube. O uruguaio Juan Manuel Salgueiro, que quase defendeu o Glorioso há dez anos, já acertou bases salariais para, agora, ser jogador do Alvinegro. Resta, porém, a rescisão do atacante de 32 anos com o Olimpia, do Paraguai.

No fim de 2005 e começo de 2006, na gestão de Bebeto de Freitas, houve uma longa novela pela formação do ataque idealizado entre o uruguaio e Dodô. O “artilheiro dos gols bonitos” foi contratado. Salgueiro, não.

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A chegada de Salgueiro não inviabilizaria a vinda de Rafael Moura para o Botafogo. O atacante do Internacional, que também está na mira do Glorioso, possui características distintas das de Salgueiro, que tem 1,78 m. (Rafael Moura tem 1,88 m)

Na época, Carlos Augusto Montenegro era o vice-presidente de futebol do Glorioso. Apesar de não estar por dentro da negociação atual, o ex-dirigente vê com bons olhos a possível chegada do uruguaio.

– Na época, era um sonho que tínhamos. Uma revelação que estava arrebentando, mas o Danubio queria uma fortuna. Mas é um jogador que, se estiver em forma, vale a pena – comentou ao LANCE!.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Chris Kirkland has admitted that he could see Mauricio Pochettino being appointed Newcastle manager if a takeover went through.

After months and months of hope and promise, Newcastle fans had to watch as the Saudi consortium’s proposed takeover fell through.

It all looked as though Mike Ashley’s tenure at St James’ Park would be coming to an end, but in a cruel twist of fate, the Premier League’s indecision and labouring eventually saw things collapse in the final stages.

Spot the fact from the fib: Are these Premier League records true or false?

World Class score: 95% | Expert score: 80% | Veteran score: 65% | Intermediate score: 45% | Amateur score: 30% | Try Again: 5%

But with the Magpies still being linked with a potential takeover, all may not be over just yet. And speaking to FFC’s James Beavis, Kirkland delivered his thoughts on the Tyneside club appointing Pochettino as Steve Bruce’s replacement.

He said: “There’s talk if they get taken over, they will sack him [Bruce] and get Pochettino in or get somebody else in which is absurd for me. Nothing should surprise you in football.

“I could see it happening if they do get taken over. You can see them going for Pochettino if he’s still available.”

With his track record at Southampton and Tottenham especially, the Argentine would arrive with a wealth of top-level experience in the Premier League, and with an identity of playing attractive football.

The kind of negative approach that Bruce has adopted at St James’ Park is seeing indifferent results, with the Magpies of course suffering a 2-0 defeat to Southampton on Friday night.

If they do get taken over, bringing a name in like Pochettino could be the start of something great on Tyneside.

Whenever your side’s number one goalkeeper goes down with injury. you always begin to fear the worst. The position is one of the rare areas on the field where it’s highly improbably to have two shot-stoppers of equal quality, with one always being more favoured than the other.

When Newcastle saw Martin Dubravka ruled out of action, the Magpies may have been forgiven for for imagining worst-case scenarios. After all, getting off to a terrible start in the Premier League can prove to be the difference-maker when it comes to the end of the season.

But since Karl Darlow has come in, the 6 foot 3 ace has been one of Steve Bruce’s side’s more reliable performers. In fact, his display against Tottenham, in which he played a crucial role in ensuring Newcastle somehow came away with a point, saw Spurs manager Jose Mourinho to simply describe him as “phenomenal”.

There’s no doubting that the £25k-a-week earning ace absolutely made the most of his opportunity in between the sticks, and Bruce will be mightily proud of that. But when Dubravka comes back, the Magpies have to make the tough choice of dropping him.

Darlow’s commanding performances have only come from a small sample of games, whereas Dubravka proven for Newcastle – despite his occasional errors – that he can be a consistent player over the course of a season.

The Tyneside club only have to look at the summer decision made by fellow Premier League side Arsenal to see that when it comes to goalkeepers, the number one, is the number one.

Despite seeing Emiliano Martinez play in goal for both of the Gunners’ FA Cup and Community Shield triumphs, Mikel Arteta made the decision to stick with a returning Bernd Leno, instead allowing the former to join Aston Villa.

Whilst Darlow isn’t going to be sold, Newcastle mustn’t forget how well Dubravka has served them when he was fully fit and firing, and that should be the main considering factor when he makes his eventual return.

Manchester United remain on the hunt for a striker and have identified two candidates that they want to sign before Monday night’s transfer deadline.

Journalist Gianluca di Marzio has claimed that the Red Devils have Edinson Cavani and Luka Jovic on their shortlist of possible centre-forward signings, with the club reportedly in contact with the former (now a free agent) and an enquiry made for the latter.

Di Marzio added that, if Jovic signs, it would most likely be on loan with United possibly having an option to buy, although Real Madrid may be reluctant to agree to such a deal.

Cavani, who left Paris Saint-Germain this summer, has a phenomenal scoring record of 341 goals in 556 appearances in his club career, with 200 of those coming over seven seasons with PSG (as per TransferMarkt).

‘El Matador’ may be 33 now but his remarkable scoring tally across Serie A, Ligue 1 and European club competitions speaks for itself. Indeed, in a not dissimilar move in 2016, United snapped up a 34-year-old Zlatan Ibrahimovic and he went on to score 28 goals in his first season at Old Trafford.

Jovic is at the other end of his career at the tender age of 22 but his scoring return across Europe is also impressive, with 53 goals in 155 games for Red Star Belgrade, Benfica, Eintracht Frankfurt and Real Madrid.

His €60m (£54.82m) move to the Bernabeu last year has not gone smoothly, though, with just two goals in 28 matches for the La Liga champions as he has struggled to hold down a place in Zinedine Zidane’s starting XI (as per TransferMarkt).

Cavani is more than proven as a potent striker at a high level and is freely available, so long as United can agree on a pay packet for him – a possible move to Benfica collapsed earlier this month after they refused to meet his £175,000-a-week demands.

Jovic may be on a low ebb at Real Madrid but he is still young enough to enjoy a very strong career, while a change of scenery could be the spark that he needs to rediscover the form that made the Spanish club sign him in the first place.

While some may argue that United’s problems lie in other areas of the pitch, getting either of both of these strikers into the club should be a significant boon for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad.

Man United fans, would you like to have either (or both) of these players at Old Trafford? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!