A “fantastic” former Chelsea manager would be interested in taking over from Graham Potter as West Ham United manager, a leading agent source has revealed.
Speculation over Potter's future continues despite victory over Forest
It would be fair to say West Ham have made a disappointing start to the campaign, and Potter was under intense pressure heading into his side’s trip to Nottingham Forest before the international break.
However, the Hammers came out fighting, picking up a shock 3-0 victory at The City Ground, which should provide the Englishman with a little while longer to put things right.
That said, it will not be easy, given that the Irons have a tough run of fixtures after the international break, taking on Tottenham Hotspur at home, before also facing Crystal Palace at the London Stadium, who are on a 14-game unbeaten run.
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As such, the West Ham hierarchy have already identified a number of potential options to replace Potter, with it recently being revealed that Jose Mourinho is one of the leading targets, while contact has been made with Coventry City boss Frank Lampard.
According to a new update from Hammers News, a leading agent source has revealed that Lampard would be interested in taking over from Potter at the London Stadium, should the job become available.
The former West Ham man would back himself to be a success in the role and win over the supporters, who he has always had a difficult relationship with, having left to join Chelsea when he was young.
That said, contrary to other reports, a spokesman has reportedly revealed there is no truth to the rumours that an approach has been made for the Coventry boss at this stage.
Lampard has done a "fantastic job" at Coventry
The former Chelsea boss has had a mixed managerial career up to this point, having been sacked by the Blues after failing to win a trophy, while also being dismissed by Everton, although he did manage to lead the Toffees to Premier League safety.
However, the 47-year-old has managed to impress in the Championship, leading Derby County to Wembley in the 2019 Championship play-off final, before also going on to reach the play-offs with the Sky Blues last season after a remarkable turnaround.
That said, given that the former Hammer has had limited success above the second tier, it would be a very questionable decision for West Ham to bring him in as a replacement for Potter.
Not only that, but Lampard burned his bridges with a lot of fans after moving to Chelsea, so it would be a divisive move from owners who are already under intense scrutiny.
Leeds United have now officially confirmed Anton Stach’s arrival on the scene, with £17.4m forked out on the midfield talent.
Stach joining from Hoffenheim very much continues the trend of the Whites diving into the Bundesliga for summer buys, with Augsburg goalkeeper Finn Dahmen a reported target from Daniel Farke’s homeland too.
The newly promoted side has been looking closer to home when attempting to enhance their attacking personnel, however, with Fulham attacker Rodrigo Muniz’s signature still being pursued.
However, he isn’t the only striker catching the Whites’ eye.
Fulham's RodrigoMunizcelebrates scoring their third goal
Leeds make surprise approach for striker
One of the hurdles continuing to trip Leeds up in their advances for Muniz will surely be his extortionate £50m price tag.
This is a risky amount of money to splurge, considering this signing whirring into motion would then make Muniz Leeds’ most expensive purchase in history, eclipsing Georginio Rutter’s £35.5m valuation.
Rodrigo Muniz Premier League stats – Fulham
He does have a healthy 17 Premier League strikes next to his name for the Cottagers, but a far cheaper move might soon be on the cards for the Whites to land a more potent finisher.
Indeed, reports from Italy indicate that Leeds have made an approach to sign wantaway Inter Milan Mehdi Taremi over a surprise move this summer, with the move surely costing the Premier League newcomers less than Muniz’s speculated £50m, owing to the Iranian striker being 33 years of age.
Porto's Mehdi Taremi
Taremi’s veteran status shouldn’t put Leeds off making the move a reality, though, with the former FC Porto man a feared goal machine when performing at the top of his game, which could make him an even better signing than Muniz entering the ranks.
How Taremi could be a better signing than Muniz
Muniz does have the slight edge of possessing Premier League experience on his side, but his overall numbers across his entire career are blown out of the water by Taremi’s usual Midas touch in front of goal.
The Fulham number nine is only able to boast an unconvincing 40 goals across his career to date – with a large chunk of those coming at Craven Cottage – meaning he could well find the pressures of being Leeds’ leading man during a relegation fight to be too much.
On the contrary, the well-travelled Taremi would likely thrive with the same burden above his head, with Premier League outfit Chelsea already well aware of the magic the 33-year-old can produce when he fired home this acrobatic effort against them in the Champions League.
Wherever he’s been – minus an up-and-down spell in Serie A with Inter – the 6-foot-2 menace has largely been an overwhelming success.
Indeed, he boasts a “ridiculous” goal record, across his extensive playing days in the words of Rio Ferdinand.
Games played
445
Goals scored
202
Assists
101
Top goalscorer
5x
Player of the Year
2x
Indeed, the Iranian regular has a colossal haul of 202 goals and 101 assists from 445 career outings, with a bumper 95 of those strikes coming in Portugal when he led the line for Porto with some confidence.
He has experienced a bump in the road at Inter, but he hasn’t fallen off the wagon completely, with three goals and nine assists coming his way at the San Siro.
Mehdi Taremi
Muniz does have age on his side, too, with the potential for the Brazilian to grow into a more threatening, sharp-shooting presence under Farke’s wing.
But, if the Whites are hesitant to shell out that £50m, Taremi is surely their next best bet, as West Yorkshire is then exposed to the 33-year-old’s lethal nature.
Better signing than Stach: Leeds contenders to sign "remarkable" £17m star
Leeds United are in contention to land a star who would be an even better addition than Anton Stach.
In a few weeks, Arsenal will begin the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, and their eyes will be riveted on the prize.
Having fallen short in each of the past three seasons, the Gunners know that this is a big one, with Mikel Arteta’s side having gone five years without silverware.
But the improvements have been vast, these recent years. A lack of trophies aside, this has been an incredible resurgence for a giant who had been cast to the wayside before.
Arsenal manager MikelArteta
There’s a strong case for Arsenal’s unfortunate injury record across the 2024/25 term to have impeded them in their pursuit of glory, but Arteta has revised the issues and made some impactful summer signings to take his squad to the next level.
And the months of work have now been crowned by the addition of Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres.
Why Arsenal signed Viktor Gyokeres
Technically, Gyokeres isn’t yet an official Arsenal player, but the centre-forward has been the subject of an agreed £64m deal that will see him stand as Arteta’s chief goal-getter over the coming years.
The Sweden international scored 97 goals and added 28 assists across 102 matches for Sporting, winning the Liga Portugal in both of his seasons at the club.
Aged 27, he’s in the prime of his career, described by former Coventry City coach Adi Viveash as being a “physical machine”. He has what it takes to become one of the leading Premier League strikers of his era, rivalling the best over the coming years.
1)
Viktor Gyokeres
33
39
2)
Kylian Mbappe
34
31
3)
Mohamed Salah
38
29
4)
Robert Lewandowski
34
27
5)
Victor Osimhen
30
26
5=
Harry Kane
31
26
There’s no question that Gyokeres will be a fantastic signing for Arsenal, but there remains that slight uncertainty, for he has yet to ply his trade in the Premier League.
However, Arsenal are lining up another star who could prove to be an even better signing – and that’s not to Gyokeres’ discredit.
Arsenal agree fee for Premier League star
According to Football Transfers, Arsenal are confident that they will complete the signing of Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze this summer, having agreed to pay his £68m release clause through a series of manageable instalments.
Eze scored the winning goal as Palace won the FA Cup final against Manchester City last season, and has been expected to leave for a new challenge, having already agreed personal terms with the Gunners.
The £100k-per-week talent has also attracted interest from Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, but it’s Arteta’s side who are set to enjoy his qualities next season and beyond, should the finer details of the transfer go through without a hitch.
What Eberechi Eze would bring to Arsenal
Like Gyokeres, Eze is 27, and would provide the Gunners with maturity and completeness of development. The Three Lions star’s 2024/25 season proved to the world that he has what it takes to become a star member of one of Europe’s elite outfits.
Pundit Rio Ferdinand hailed his “unique” style of play back in March, going on to claim he could “play for one of the top teams” in the world.
A dribble-happy attacking midfielder, Eze’s low centre of gravity, immense core strength and skilled passing game make him a difficult opponent indeed, with so many different ways to hurt his opponents.
Typically used as a left-sided midfielder by Oliver Glasner over the past 18 months, Eze completed 82% of his passes in the Premier League last term, as per Sofascore, while averaging two dribbles, 1.7 key passes and 4.8 successful duels per game, underscoring his roundedness.
Attacking midfield
74
25
11
Left winger
52
9
7
Central midfield
25
6
3
Right winger
3
0
0
His ability to shift, seamlessly, between the left flank and a more central attacking position bespeaks his sharpness and intelligence. Eze, in this regard, could plug two holes for Arteta, with both Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli linked with moves away this summer.
While Eze has become more potent over the past few years, he remains a robust physical profile who could dynamise the club’s overall attacking build-up.
As per FBref, he ranked last season among the top 11% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe for shot-creating actions, the top 10% for successful take-ons and the top 14% for ball recoveries per 90.
There’s no question that Gyokeres would bring to Arsenal a newfound degree of goalscoring quality, but there’s also no doubt that Eze has a skill set so impressive that he could come to nail down a starting berth on the left flank and emerge as one of Arteta’s most trusted lieutenants.
Sporting CP's ViktorGyokeresreacts
Will Arsenal’s soon-to-be-sealed striker hit the ground running in England’s top flight? Will he manage to retain that same level of destructive brilliance in tougher conditions, against steelier defenders?
These are the questions, and we shall soon find out. In any case, Eze has built himself up over a number of years in Europe’s highest-quality division, and, of course, with Gyokeres as a target man in the middle, both could enjoy the fruits of each other’s labours.
In Gyokeres, Arsenal will secure the centre-forward they have desired over the past several years. However, Eze might prove to be the better signing, all things considered.
His higher fee reflects that, and so does the consistency for Palace in the Premier League over the past five years, even leading analyst Ben Mattinson to call him a “superstar”.
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Arsenal have a bigger talent than all of the high-profile names floating about due to this summer’s transfer window.
Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr have their eyes on an Arsenal star this summer, and could offer the Gunners a record-breaking amount of cash for his signature.
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Much has been made of Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta bringing in elite-level players to follow the likes of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard to N5, but Arsenal may soon find themselves needing to balance their books.
Kepa (£5m), Zubimendi (£56m) and Norgaard (£15m) have already set the north Londoners back around £76 million, if certain add-ons are met for the latter, with Arsenal also believed to be in talks with Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze, who has a £68.5 million release clause.
Arteta’s side wish to sign a left-winger too, with Real Madrid’s Rodrygo and Chelsea’s Noni Madueke among their targets for that position. Alongside their ongoing pursuit of a new striker, which looks reportedly likely to be Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres, business could get very expensive.
One of Leandro Trossard or Gabriel Martinelli would need to be sold if Arsenal do sign another left-winger, or potentially before. This is backed up by multiple reliable media sources as well, so supporters may have to wait a little longer for Berta to secure a star wide player.
"They've always wanted to strengthen on the left wing, but they've got Gabriel Martinelli, a very fine player, there already,” said journalist David Ornstein on The Athletic FC podcast."If he were to leave, then you can see them bringing in a top left-sided winger. If he's not to leave, then I don't think so. We've talked and reported on Rodrygo and Anthony Gordon. I think that's if Martinelli leaves. I don't necessarily think that's if he were to stay."Luckily for the Premier League title hopefuls, Ronaldo's Al-Nassr may now assist them in that regard. Al-Nassr plot £73 million bid for Gabriel Martinelli
According to talkSPORT and journalist Ben Jacobs, Al-Nassr are considering a mammoth £73 million bid for Martinelli – which would more than double their record £35 million sale of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Liverpool in 2017.
Arsenal's GabrielMartinellireacts
While Arsenal are not exactly clamoring to sell the Brazilian, and have yet to receive contact from the Saudis, an offer like this could be too good to ignore. It could also help them fund a move for the likes of Rodrygo, who’s been described as a “dream” target for Arteta, even if the Spaniard has praised Martinelli as a “leader” in his squad.
“When you look at the consistency shown over the last few years, the amount of goals he has scored at his age and the contribution to a big club like Arsenal, it’s not easy at all,” said Arteta about Martinelli in April.
“So I think he’s on the right path. He’s a fantastic player to work with. His work ethic, his understanding, his desire to play every minute of every competition. That’s the kind of characters and leaders that we want in the team. And I’m very, very happy with him.”
TalkSPORT state that Arteta wants to freshen up his squad, and Al-Nassr’s potential offer would be impossible not to at least consider, especially given the amount of cash that Arsenal are already poised to spend this summer, with PSR requiring consideration too.
Aston Villa fans will be concerned about the amount of outgoings currently being talked about at Villa Park.
Indeed, every passing day seems to throw up another rumoured casualty from the West Midlands giants, with Ollie Watkins the next high-profile name to be linked with an exit as Arsenal show an interest in the lethal Premier League goal machine again.
Emiliano Martinez’s name is also in this constant conversation, with a move to Manchester United reportedly lined up.
But why is this all happening? Well, Unai Emery’s men are trying to balance the books by whatever means necessary to comply with stringent PSR rules.
Aston Villa chasing £30m signing
Martinez and Watkins aren’t the only key members of the Villa squad who could depart the Midlands this summer with Arsenal also allegedly eyeing Morgan Rogers.
If the England international does exit, presumably for a colossal fee, they would need a replacement.
Morgan Rogers
Well, according to reports from Spain, via Sport Witness, Villa are continuing to hunt the signature of Real Betis starlet Jesus Rodriguez this summer.
It is stated that several clubs are looking at the teenage sensation, with Cesc Fabregas’ Como said to be accelerating their efforts to tempt the Spanish hotshot to Italy, alongside Monchi also powering ahead with Villa’s own advances.
Betis are reportedly willing to sanction a move for Rodriguez to leave when he returns from international action with Spain U21s at the ongoing Euros tournament, with a £30m price-tag also above his head if he does seek out a new home shortly.
Villa could well have that amount in the bank if a major sale is signed off on, with this going down as a worthwhile investment if Rodriguez can instantly acclimatise to his new environment.
Already, the Seville-born attacker has made waves in the senior picture at Betis, as seen in this coolly tucked away chance in European action.
How Rodriguez could become Emery's next Rogers
Much like Emery managed with a once wide-eyed Rogers, Rodriguez could soon be transformed into a far more impressive forward player under the ex-Arsenal manager’s expert guidance.
After all, Rogers was only two years older than Rodriguez is now when he was first handed a senior shot at Villa, having cost £15m to obtain from Middlesbrough.
Now, Rogers is spoken about as a player worth around £100m, and for good reason too when you consider his whirlwind rise at Villa Park from promising youngster plucked out of the EFL, to one of the key first names on Emery’s teamsheet.
Rogers wasn’t an overnight success, however, with only four goal contributions coming his way from his first 16 Villa first-team outings. But, the rest is history now for the “unstoppable” attacker, as Jamie Carragher glowingly labelled him last season, with a spellbinding 29 goal contributions next to his name during his second campaign at Emery’s men.
Rodriguez will hope he can be turned into a similar superstar under the Spaniard’s tutelage, with the 19-year-old already being described as “explosive” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, even as he’s still navigating the fledgling stages of his career.
First team
32
3
2
Betis B
36
9
3
Everything is pointing in the direction of the Betis number 36 going on to live up to his hype, with Rodriguez ahead of Rogers’ development already by showing immense flashes of his quality at the very peak of Spanish football.
To add context, when Rogers was only 19 years of age himself, he was attempting to cut his teeth in the Championship with AFC Bournemouth, while Rodriguez is already confidently scoring in the Conference League.
Real Betis' Jesus Rodriguez.
Patience will need to be exercised on the ends of the Villans like they offered up to a growing Rogers, but with their depleted numbers down the left wing clear for all to see, Rodriguez might be immediately chucked into the deep-end, with a hope he doesn’t sink under all the pressure and instead excels.
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Wolverhampton Wanderers are now in a transfer race with Leeds United to sign a “future star”, with his club already setting their price tag, according to a recent report.
Wolves eyeing deals for two Premier League proven players
The Midlands side had already seen Matheus Cunha leave for Manchester United before Rayan Ait-Nouri departed for Manchester City. Wolves will be disappointed to lose the pair, but that departure means they now have money in the bank to bring in new players in line with PSR guidelines. Vitor Pereira will be keen to avoid a repeat of last season along with everyone else at Wolves, and one way they could improve is by looking at players closer to home.
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The Premier League side are keen to recruit new players and have been linked with moves for the likes of Gerard Martin and Evann Guessand in recent weeks, but they are also looking at stars from within the Premier League.
Indeed, according to a report from Caught Offside, Wolves are interested in signing Yegor Yarmolyuk from Brentford. The London side look set to lose Thomas Frank and Bryan Mbeumo already this summer, and they are now keen to keep hold of Yarmolyuk. However, while they want to retain him, they have also set a price tag of £25 million.
Wolves are also in the race to sign Vladimir Coufal on a free transfer.
Vladimir Coufal.
The defender is leaving West Ham at the end of this month after five years, and he is also wanted by teams such as Everton and Leeds. His arrival could be key at Molineux as Nélson Semedo looks set to depart on a free transfer.
Wolves in transfer race with Leeds to sign "future star" for £8.5m
Signing a new striker will be high on the list of priorities for Pereira given Cunha’s departure, and there is now a new name on their radar. According to Foot Mercato, Wolves are keen on signing Willem Geubbels from St. Gallen.
The 23-year-old has been with Swiss side St. Gallen since January 2023, when he joined on a free transfer from AS Monaco. He has been a key performer for the club in his two and a half years there, but last season was his strongest campaign, netting 14 goals in the league.
That form has now attracted interest from the Premier League and the Championship, as Leeds, Southampton, Sheffield United and Wolves all keep an eye on his situation.
There is also interest from teams in Germany and the Netherlands, and this has led to St. Gallen to place a €10 million price tag on his head, which is roughly £8.5 million.
Apps
92
Goals
27
Assists
8
Guebbels, who was once dubbed a “future star” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, would be a risky signing for the Midlands side, as he’s never played in England before and, until last season, hasn’t been prolific in front of goal. However, with the right players around him, he could be a player with a very high ceiling, much like a certain Brazilian who arrived from the continent.
Newcastle United are thought to be interested in completing the signing of an “exceptional” Premier League player in the summer transfer window.
Who are Newcastle being linked with this summer?
The Magpies continue to push for new signings all over the pitch, as Eddie Howe prepares for an exciting season back in the Champions League in 2025/26.
Crystal Palace and England centre-back Marc Guehi is a long-time target and Newcastle are said to be among the favourites to snap him up this summer, with a move away from the Eagles arguably feeling more likely than ever.
Crystal Palace's MarcGuehireacts after the match
Manchester United winger Marcus Rashford has also emerged as an audacious summer target, as the Magpies battle the likes of Bayern Munich and Barcelona for his signature. It feels highly likely that he will leave Old Trafford, with Ruben Amorim not considering him an important part of his plans.
Bryan Mbeumo has constantly been mentioned as the leading choice to bolster Newcastle’s right-hand side, but it looks as though the Brentford ace could be off to United or Tottenham instead. For that reason, Bournemouth’s Justin Kluivert is reportedly being lined up as an alternative option.
Newcastle keen on "exceptional" Liverpool attacker Jota
According to a new claim that has emerged from Anfield Index, Newcastle are interested in signing Liverpool striker Diogo Jota this summer.
The Portuguese is considered a “potential attacking target” for the Magpies, with his future at Anfield up in the air, not least because the Reds have been linked with Alexander Isak, even holding talks with him over a move and remain in contact with the Newcastle star.
Liverpool forward Diogo Jota
On £140,000-a-week, Jota is a top-quality player when fit and firing, with Jurgen Klopp making it clear what he thought of him during their time working together.
“Exceptional player, exceptional boy. He has everything that a Liverpool player in this squad needs. He has the technical skills, he has the physical skills and he is very smart and can learn all the tactical stuff pretty quick. On top of that, he can play all three positions; in a 4-2-3-1 he could play as the 10. So, it is very helpful. He has the speed, has the desire to finish situations off really good. I think his goalscoring record is pretty impressive.”
If Jota is potentially being seen as a replacement for Isak, though, it would be very risky, considering the Portugal international is an injury-prone player who was limited to only 14 starts in the Premier League last season.
He also turns 29 later this year, and the fact that Liverpool may be willing to sell him suggests that he could be past his peak, with his fitness woes catching up with him.
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If the Reds ace is brought in as a backup option to Isak, it is easy to see it being shrewd business, given Jota’s ruthlessness in front of goal, but he may not be considered a key starter for Howe.
Aston Villa couldn’t turn down an offer of around £71m for Jhon Duran in January. The striker may have scored 12 goals in just 29 games for the club, but only seven of those appearances came in the starting XI.
It was unlikely the Colombian was going to usurp Ollie Watkins as Unai Emery’s main man.
While it made financial sense to sell, Watkins remains the only senior centre-forward at the club heading into the summer transfer market.
The Spaniard must bring in another one or two options in this department, especially if he wishes to lead the club to the Champions League once again.
Could he be targeting a young sensation who has enjoyed a fabulous season?
Aston Villa target Spanish centre-forward
A host of attacking players have been targeted recently. Tyler Dibling, the Southampton winger, has been linked with a big-money move to Villa.
Jadon Sancho is another wide option that Emery is showing interest in. Both of these talents would bolster the club’s wide options, but it is a more central player that the manager is desperate for.
According to Caught Offside, Villa are now chasing a move for FC Porto striker Samu Aghehowa.
The Spaniard has spent a single season with the Portuguese giants, but his performances have certainly caught the eye of potential suitors.
They don’t appear in a rush to sell their prized asset, who has a release clause of €100m (£85m) inserted into his current deal.
Despite that, further reports from Spanish publication, Sport, suggest that they have already approached Porto to figure out whether a deal could be done.
Why Aston Villa must sign Samu Aghehowa this summer
Young, an eye for a goal and a desire to succeed in the Premier League. Aghehowa might just be the club’s next Duran.
While Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio came in for the final few months of the season, the club missed the goals and impact of Duran, particularly during the final 30 minutes of games.
Well, Aghehowa scored 25 goals across 42 games for Porto last term, a more than impressive return, especially given it was his debut season at the club.
FC Porto's SamuOmorodioncelebrates scoring their first goal
The striker, who was described as “one of Europe’s most prolific players” by talent scout Jacek Kulig last season, also registered 2.7 shots per game in the league last term, while he also achieved a goal conversion percentage of 23% for Porto.
Put simply, once he gets the ball in the box, the youngster scores more often than not, just as Duran did. He would get more of a chance at Villa than the South American, however, despite Watkins’ stature as the main centre-forward.
Metric
League
Europa League
Goals
19
6
Assists
3
0
Goal conversion percentage
23%
33%
Scoring frequency
119 minutes
228 minutes
Shots per game
2.7
2
Much will depend on the fee Porto are demanding for their star player, but if it is affordable, then Emery must make this deal a priority.
If he manages to lure Aghehowa to the Premier League, he could sparkle for Villa next season and beyond.
Aston Villa join battle for "fantastic" midfielder in cut-price £8m deal
Continuing their search for a new manager, the 49ers and Rangers have now reportedly added another name to their shortlist alongside Steven Gerrard and Davide Ancelotti.
Rangers' manager shortlist shrinking
The Gers have been considering their options ever since deciding to part ways with Philippe Clement and even handed Barry Ferguson the interim role to buy themselves some time for the rest of the season. With the season now over, however, those at Ibrox have a decision to make between a number of reported candidates.
One name that can at least be ruled out is Ferguson. Although the interim boss showed some promise in European action, his Ibrox record was always unlikely to be enough for the permanent job.
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Nonetheless, he admitted the honour of taking charge if only for a short spell, saying in a recent statement: “I’ve already lived the dream as a player and as captain of Rangers, and to do so as head coach in these last three months has been an enormous honour.
“There have been some ups and downs, but I have loved this experience and given it my all throughout. The backing I have received has been phenomenal. I said, no matter how this period panned out, I would always remain a committed supporter of the club, and I look forward to remaining a Rangers ambassador. I wish whomever becomes the new manager every success in the job.”
Narrowing Rangers’ shortlist down to just a few names, the Gers must get their next decision right. According to reports, it’s Steven Gerrard who is the favourite to become the next Rangers manager and arrive for his second stint in charge.
The former Aston Villa manager recently left Saudi Arabia after a difficult spell in charge of Al Ettifaq, but could be given an instant opportunity to get back to familiarities at Ibrox. Meanwhile, Davide Ancelotti – son of Carlo Ancelotti – has also been heavily linked with what would be his first managerial job away from his father.
There’s every chance that it could be neither of those options, however, with another name now reportedly added to the shortlist.
Rangers add Gattuso to list of candidates
According to Graeme Bailey for The Boot Room, Rangers have now also identified Gennaro Gattuso as a managerial option alongside Gerrard and Ancelotti. The Italian is well known around Ibrox thanks to his spell at the club from 1997 to 1998 and could now make his return away from the pitch and in the dugout at the home of the Scottish giants.
Gennaro Gattuso during his time with Marseille.
Whilst Gattuso’s playing career was undeniably iconic – Gerrard himself admitted the Italian’s style “really angered” him in their 2005 Champions League final meeting – his managerial career hasn’t quite hit the same heights.
Often implementing a 4-2-3-1 system, the longest that the Italian has lasted at a club is two years, with spells at Napoli, Valencia and AC Milan all ending fairly unsuccessfully. Now at Hajduk Split until at least 2026, Rangers would also face the problem of getting Gattuso out of his current role.
On their list nonetheless, Gattuso could be an interesting name to watch if neither Gerrard nor Ancelotti take the Rangers job in the coming months.
With the Europa League final looming, there no doubt remains a number of selection calls to make for manager Ruben Amorim, with there likely to be few nailed-on starters in Bilbao, not least considering the club’s continued woes domestically.
One position that, unfortunately, almost picks itself is the centre-forward berth, with the Portuguese coach forced to select the struggling Rasmus Hojlund by default, considering the lack of alternatives.
Indeed, the Red Devils suffered the blow of losing Joshua Zirkzee for what looks to be the remainder of the campaign, with the Dutchman notably netting against Real Sociedad and Lyon in successive away trips.
Equally, the decision not to include 17-year-old starlet, Chido Obi, in the Europa League squad has now potentially backfired, thus leaving Hojlund as the only senior striker available in the competition.
With Chelsea – and then Aston Villa – to come in the Premier League, however, it would be worth Amorim experimenting with a different approach, with the 40-year-old potentially overlooking a potential solution in the academy ranks.
How Man Utd can replace Hojlund
With a trip to Stamford Bridge in store on Friday – just five days prior to next Wednesday’s crucial clash with Tottenham Hotspur – it may be a wise choice to take Hojlund out of the firing line, not least with the Dane against drawing a blank against West Ham United at the weekend.
Touches
31
Pass accuracy
9/15 (60%
Shots on target
2
Shots off target
4
Key passes
0
Successful dribbles
0/2
Big chances created
0
Big chances missed
2
Possession lost
13
Ground duels won
1/6
Aerial duels won
3/8
That alteration could potentially see young Obi thrown into the mix, albeit with the teenager still far from the finished article, having also failed to find the back of the net himself in seven first-team appearances this season.
Something of “a goal machine” at academy level, according to analyst Ben Mattinson, the former Arsenal ace has found the step up to life in the senior ranks far more difficult, with journalist Samuel Luckhurst noting that he looked like an ‘an underdeveloped 17-year-old boy among men’, following his first start in the 4-3 defeat to Brentford.
Even Amorim subsequently admitted that Obi had been “naive” with regard to the use of his body against the Bees, with that outing seeing him register just nine passes, while winning just two of his nine attempted duels.
As his absence from the Europa League roster explains, Obi is perhaps not yet truly ready to be leading the line for the first team, having arguably been thrown in too soon due to Hojlund’s woes.
Further options could lie in the form of Kobbie Mainoo in a false nine role, with Bruno Fernandes or Amad also potential solutions in that berth, yet Amorim may wish to consider looking elsewhere in the academy ranks for an in-house alternative.
Man Utd could be brewing Amorim's next Gyokeres
Amorim must be tearing his hair out at the lack of a consistent striker in Manchester. Back in Lisbon, meanwhile, Viktor Gyokeres continues to go from strength to strength for Sporting CP, having racked up 95 goals in just 100 games for the club to date.
66 of those strikes came in just 68 games under Amorim’s watch, following the Swede’s arrival from Coventry City in the summer of 2023, with it no surprise that there has been talk of a reunion at Old Trafford ahead of next term.
That said, the new United boss may already have a prolific, exciting attacking talent of his own who he can mould into his next Gyokeres, with 18-year-old, Victor Musa, currently shining in the youth set-up.
In The Pipeline
Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.
A towering centre-forward – in a similar mould to the 6 foot 2 Gyokeres – Musa has been a revelation this season at U18 level, having previously been hampered by injury last term.
Indeed, the promising marksman has scored 16 times in just 19 games at U18 Premier League level in 2024/25, with that return including a brutal six-goal haul in the 13-1 win over rivals Leeds United last month.
That outing showcased the full array of his striking potential, with Musa leading the line in superb fashion, having regularly cut in off the right flank with devastating effect, while also possessing a poacher’s instinct in the penalty box.
A player who can also operate on the flanks if required – much like Gyokeres has done in his career previously – the versatile talent is now even at the centre of a tussle between Spain and England regarding his international allegiance, having thus far featured for both nations at youth level.
There had been reports that he is even being deemed to be United’s own version of Barcelona superstar, Lamine Yamal, a further nod to just how highly-rated the left-footer is right now.
With Hojlund needing a rest and Obi still looking too raw, Musa could be worthy of his own chance to impress against the Blues, be it off the bench or with a surprise start in west London.
Amorim, either through the transfer market or with an in-house option, needs to find his next Gyokeres-esque attacking figurehead. Why not give Musa the chance to showcase why he could be a homegrown alternative to the Swedish monster?
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