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The Argentinian coach is already focused on Pumas clash after tough loss to Pachuca

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• Sergio Ramos, Sergio Canales, and Óliver Torres missed the match due to injury
• Monterrey will host Pumas this weekend in a do-or-die match for a spot in the Liguilla
• The winner will face Toluca in the quarterfinals

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Monterrey head coach Martín Demichelis is already turning the page after his team’s 2–1 defeat to Pachuca in the Play-In, a result that now forces into a do-or-die matchup against Pumas for a spot in the Liguilla. The winner will advance to face Toluca in the quarterfinals.

  Key absences played a role in the loss, as Sergio Ramos, Sergio Canales, and Óliver Torres all missed the match due to injury, leaving Monterrey without their Spanish core. Despite an early lead through Germán Berterame in the 11th minute, mounted a late comeback with goals from Lucas Bauermann (82’) and Salomón Rondón (87’).

  “The feeling is the opposite of happiness. We faced a rival that made us uncomfortable. In the second half, without making changes, we adjusted and improved, took the lead, and then had four fatal minutes where every action turned the game,” said Demichelis after the match. “The feeling is one of great frustration and sadness because we expected to take that step into the playoffs.”

  Still, the Argentine coach emphasized that the team must quickly shift its focus to the upcoming challenge.

  “There's no time for regrets, we have to prepare for the match against Pumas,” he added. “We have to take responsibility. The tougher things get, the more this team responds.”

  Demichelis could have reinforcements for the decisive weekend clash, as Ramos, Canales, and Torres may return to action just in time.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  There’s no time for regret in Monterrey – nothing is lost yet. will have one final shot at reaching the Liguilla when they host Pumas this weekend, but the pressure is immense on Demichelis and his squad. With significant investments made in the roster, including the high-profile signing of Sergio Ramos for the Clausura 2025, crashing out in the Play-In would be considered a major failure.

  Despite the fans’ growing frustration, the Argentine coach remains hopeful that supporters will fill the stadium for the decisive showdown.

  “There’s no explanation that can satisfy the fans – there just isn’t. Let me stay positive and focus on the next match. After that, we’ll make a full assessment of what these four months have been: the short preseason, the injuries, the squad… But there are no words, not even apologies, because we’ve already put ourselves in the fans’ shoes and apologized in the past,” Demichelis said.

  “The fans’ frustration is totally understandable and valid. The only thing we can say is that we have one week left – we must beat Pumas and qualify for the playoffs. After that, we’ll all need to engage in self-criticism to help this institution continue growing. But right now, there’s no sugarcoating, no excuses, nothing we can say to the fans,” he added.

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  WHAT EFRAÍN JUÁREZ SAID

  In one of the other Play-In matches, UNAM punched their ticket to the next round after edging FC Juárez in a dramatic penalty shootout, with goalkeeper Alex Padilla emerging as the hero. The young shot-stopper made key saves during the shootout, ensuring his team’s progression.

  The Auriazules will now travel to Monterrey to face in a decisive clash for a place in the Liguilla.

  “I believe we truly deserve to advance to the next round. We created more chances, and the team put in an extraordinary defensive effort. We looked organized and knew exactly how we wanted to play,” said the coach. “Even with 10 men, we generated scoring opportunities – doing that on the road is something to be proud of.”

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  Monterrey head into their decisive match against Pumas carrying a dominant record in recent meetings. are unbeaten in their last nine games against the Mexico City side, with Pumas’ most recent win coming back in 2022.

  To further highlight Monterrey's superiority in this rivalry, consider this: in the last 20 encounters between the two clubs, UNAM has managed just two victories. have claimed 13 wins and five draws over that stretch — a clear sign of their recent dominance.

Harry Kane is a player who’s constantly terrorised Arsenal during his professional career, scoring on countless occasions against the Gunners, whether that be for Tottenham Hotspur or Bayern Munich.

The Englishman has registered 15 goals in 20 appearances when facing the Gunners, the third most against any side he’s faced, showcasing the clinical nature he possesses in attacking areas.

Many supporters must wish the club had a player with a similar finishing ability to the 31-year-old, potentially proving to be the difference between coming second and ending the two-decade wait for a Premier League title.

Boss Mikel Arteta has been in the market for a new talisman all month long but is yet to secure a move for a new frontman with time ticking rapidly towards Monday’s deadline.

However, he’s recently been in the hunt for one player, but it remains to be seen if the Spaniard will return after the latest development at his current side.

Arsenal’s pursuit to land Ollie Watkins in January

On Wednesday, it was confirmed that Arsenal had submitted a £60m bid for Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins, just a couple of hours before their crunch Champions League clash with Celtic.

However, the offer was swiftly rejected for the 29-year-old, with Unai Emery desperately wanting to keep hold of their star man who’s registered 21 combined goal contributions across 2024/25.

Any chance of landing the Englishman now looks to be a long shot after the West Midlands outfit accepted a mammoth £64m bid from Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr for fellow striker Jhon Duran.

It’s been reported that Arsenal are set to return with another bid for Watkins before the end of the window, but given the pending departure of one current Villa striker, it’s highly unlikely that Emery would risk losing both of his senior options this last on.

As a result, other options will have to be considered if Arteta is to land the attacking reinforcements he desires, with the likes of Benjamin Sesko and Dušan Vlahović already linked with a move to North London.

However, the Spaniard could instead return to the market for another player who’s previously been on their radar in recent weeks.

The player who would be a better option than Watkins

Jonathan David is a player who’s been in huge demand in recent months and understandably so after his superb form in Ligue 1 and the Champions League for French outfit Lille.

The Canadian international has registered 19 goals to date, with eight coming in the Champions League, playing a vital role in his current employers’ shock automatic qualification in the group stage.

As a result, Chelsea have been strongly linked alongside Newcastle United, but the Gunners have also previously been credited with an interest in the 25-year-old who could be available for a bargain fee in the coming days with his contract set to expire at the end of the season.

Given his form and the interest in his services, the Arsenal hierarchy will have to work tirelessly to secure a move for David, who’s been classed as a similar player to Kane by FBref based on his figures in Europe this campaign.

He’s also massively outperformed Watkins in the same competition, highlighting why Arteta must pursue a move for the Canadian instead of returning for Villa’s talisman in the coming days.

David, who’s previously been dubbed a “superstar” by international teammate Jonathan Osario, has outscored the 29-year-old in Europe to date, whilst also posting a higher shot-on-target accuracy rate – offering that clinical edge which the Gunners have been desperately lacking.

He’s also completed more progressive passes and achieved a higher success rate of dribbles, showcasing his all-round ability, fitting into the club’s current possession-based philosophy which requires all players to be technically gifted in such an area.

Given his current contract situation, it could be worth a late move for his services, potentially grabbing themselves a Kane-esque bargain before the closure of the window.

David’s quality is evident, as seen from his figures which have blown Watkins out of the water, with Arteta needing to put all of his efforts into securing a move for the Canadian over the Villa ace.

Their answer to Tel: Arsenal targeting move for "one of the best talents"

Arsenal could land their own Mathys Tle in a late move for an attacking talent.

By
Ethan Lamb

Jan 31, 2025

Aston Villa are weighing up a move to sign a defensive “leader” to replace Diego Carlos, according to a recent report.

Aston Villa transfer news

Unai Emery has already been backed by NSWE in this transfer window as he’s been able to get Donyell Malen and Andres Garcia through the door. However, given they decided to let Diego Carlos leave and join Turkish side Fenerbahce on a permanent basis last week, they are in the market for a new defender.

Sky Sports: Club in talks to sign £75k-p/w Aston Villa player open to exit

Before the transfer window closes, there could be a big departure from Villa Park.

By
Brett Worthington

Jan 26, 2025

The Villans have been heavily linked with a move for Sevilla defender Loic Bade, but a transfer has hit a stumbling block in the last week, with reports stating that a deal could be off.

Another defender that is on the radar of Villa is Villarreal centre-back Juan Foyth. The Argentina international is well known to Emery, as the Villa boss worked with the player during his time at the La Liga club. Fabrizio Romano has reported that Villa are in talks with Foyth over a possible move back to the Premier League.

It is not only defenders Villa are looking to sign, as they are also in the running to sign teenage hotshot Sverre Nypan. The Midlands side have presented their project to Nypan, but so have Arsenal and the City Group. The 18-year-old is set to visit all interested clubs before making a decision on his future.

Aston Villa agree personal terms to sign defensive "leader"

If talks don’t go well with Foyth, Villa do have another option on the table, as according to Football Insider, Aston Villa are exploring a loan move for Chelsea defender Axel Disasi.

The report states that Emery is keen to bring in a new defender before the transfer window closes next Monday, as Carlos’ departure has left his options at the back short. Disasi has fallen down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge, and a loan move could materialise before February 3rd.

It has since been added by Fabrizio Romano that personal term have been agreed between Disasi and Villa following a direct talk with Emery.

The 26-year-old, who has been dubbed a “leader” for his performances, has played just six times in the Premier League this season, scoring one goal in the process, which came in the emphatic win over Southampton in December. The Frenchman, who earns £80,000 a week, has also played six times in the UEFA Conference League, as well as a handful of appearances in the cup competitions.

His position under Enzo Maresca is a surprise given he played 31 times in the Premier League last season, but for whatever reason, he is out of favour under the Italian, and given he is under contract until 2029, the best Chelsea may be able to get is the defender leaving on loan. Disasi showed last season that he is comfortable in English football and could be an excellent addition for Villa, bringing composure and experience to their backline.

Carlo Ancelotti is all set to leave Real Madrid as he has agreed to take charge of the Brazil national team from June.

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• Ancelotti set to leave Real Madrid
• Has agreed to manage Brazil from June
• Will not coach Madrid at Club World Cup

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Per Fabrizio Romano, Ancelotti has reached an agreement in principle with the CBF to become manager of the Brazil national team in June. He will be in charge of the Selecao as they dream of winning their sixth World Cup title in North America, Mexico and Canada in 2026.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The report adds that the Italian coach will now work on the formalities to officially complete his exit from Real Madrid as he is all set to take charge of the five-time world champions, starting June 2025. The CBF want their new head coach to be on the sidelines for Brazil's upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Ecuador and Paraguay on June 6 and 10, respectively.

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  also reports that there are no chances of Ancelotti managing Real Madrid in the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup in the US, as the CBF's condition has always been to appoint Dorival Junior's successor before the June international break.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Los Blancos still have five La Liga games left to play and sit four points behind Barcelona in the table. Ancelotti's side are due to finish their campaign with games against Celta Vigo, Barcelona, Mallorca, Sevilla and Real Sociedad.

Aston Villa have gone three games without a win in the Premier League, though they beat Celtic in their conclusive Champions League group game to finish eighth and advance straight to the round-of-16, missing out on the extra qualifying stage.

It’s all going rather well, Villa transformed from the frustrating up-and-down football of Steven Gerrard and Dean Smith. Heading into the deep space of Europe’s elite club competition is a real possibility, and so is qualifying for continental competition for the third successive season through the English top flight.

With progress comes heightened expectation, but so too comes the ability to target bigger names on the transfer front. Villa enjoyed a successful January transfer window, with one name above all others standing out.

Why Aston Villa signed Marcus Rashford

Unai Emery was the defining factor in convincing Marcus Rashford to swap Manchester United’s red shirt for one of a different hue. It is the first time across the England international’s career that he has stepped away from Old Trafford’s authority.

Aged 27, Rashford’s bright career has petered out over the past few years, lacking its one-time enthusiasm and incisiveness in front of goal. A fractious relationship with Ruben Amorim had left the £300k-per-week talent ostracised from the Red Devils first team, last featuring in the Premier League against Nottingham Forest on December 7th.

He’s a wonderful player and determined to return to the free-scoring form of season’s past. Emery can spark this change. If he reaches his bygone top level, Rashford will undoubtedly be one of the Premier League’s standout performers over the coming months.

Would he be Aston Villa’s? It’s an interesting question, especially now that Jhon Duran has left for the riches of Saudi Arabia, signing for Al Nassr in a deal worth £71m.

Donyell Malen will rival Rashford for the hearts of the Villan fanbase, while Ollie Watkins will continue to bang them in from number nine.

Fine forwards all, but it’s Morgan Rogers who may be the cream of Villa Park’s crop.

Morgan Rogers' season in numbers

Aston Villa signed Rogers from Championship side Middlesbrough for a £15m fee at the end of last year’s winter transfer window, with The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell commenting that he “showed potential that could be refined” from an early age.

It’s been refined and then some. Rogers, who shuffles between the wing and a more central attacking role, adding energy through his frequent dribbles (completing nearly two per game this season) and adding combativeness too, averaging 4.4 successful duels and one tackle per match, as per Sofascore.

Rashford is actually considered Rogers’ most statistically similar player, according to FBref’s data model, with neither player ranking especially highly across ball-carrying and -playing metrics.

Still, speak to any of the Villa legion on matchday and you’ll find that statistics do not define the one-time Manchester City youngster, whose aggression and direct style have led to a focal role in Villa’s season.

Ten goals and five assists across 35 outings makes a neat return for the 22-year-old, but it’s hardly the best descriptor for an influential and layered approach.

Like Rogers, Rashford has that “explosive pace and ability to scare” defenders – as BBC pundit Danny Murphy noted earlier this season – with a crackling stride that, when at his best, serves as a set-up for fine interlinked team play and powerful finishes.

Scout Antonio Mango has praised Rogers as a “fearless” and “terrific” rising talent, and while he’s still got levels to hit before reaching his full potential, he is both Villa’s present and future. As pundit Stephen Warnock stated, he has been “magnificent” of late.

Rashford could revive his career under Emery’s wing, given that he’s got such a similar profile to Rogers. However, it will take some effort to replace his avid countryman as the Midlands side’s main man.

Their next Coutinho: Aston Villa lining up mega offer after Rashford

Aston Villa are enjoying a flurry of activity to close the January transfer window.

By
Angus Sinclair

Feb 3, 2025

Cristiano Ronaldo Jr paid tribute to his dad after bagging his first international goals and winning silverware with Portugal's Under-15s side.

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• Ronaldo Jr bagged brace in international tournament
• Helped Portugal overcome Croatia in final
• Hit iconic 'SIU' celebration

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ronaldo Jr recently made his debut for the U15 side and has been taking part in the Vlatko Markovic international tournament being held in Croatia this week. On what was only his fourth appearance for Portugal, the son of the five-time Ballon d'Or winner netted a brace in a 3-2 win over the hosts, getting his hands on silverware in the process. His first was a first-time strike that flew in off the crossbar, while his second was a header into an unguarded net.

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• WATCH THE CLIP

• WHAT RONALDO SAID

  Cristiano was clearly impressed with his son's contributions, reposting the video to his Instagram story with three 'fire' emojis as the caption.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Ronaldo Jr will be hoping his performances for the national side will work in his favour when it comes to following in his dad's footsteps. Manchester United have reportedly been scouting the young forward but it remains to be seen whether he can reach the same level as his iconic father.

It has felt like Arsenal have simply gone from one problem to another this season.

Mikel Arteta has had to deal with silly suspensions, a constant stream of injuries to key players and a lack of form from his attacking options.

In fact, the only fit attacker who is on song at the moment is 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri, who’s racked up a brilliant haul of seven goals and one assist in just 790 minutes of first-team football.

In contrast, club captain Martin Odegaard and experienced winger Leandro Trossard have been disappointing and, worse yet, are being outperformed by a Premier League star axed by the club as a youngster.

Odegaard and Trossard's season so far

So, after winning the club’s Player of the Year for the second successive campaign last season, it would be fair to say that there was an expectation that Odegaard would once again be one of Arsenal’s best players this year.

Unfortunately, as things stand, that is not the case, and while his ankle injury has likely played a role in his lacklustre form, it seems equally unlikely that it’s all down to that.

In all, the Norwegian maestro has scored three goals and provided six assists in 26 games this season, which isn’t enough from the team’s leader, and on top of that, he’s been taken off early in several games when the team have been searching for a goal, such as Everton at home and Newcastle United away.

Like his captain, Trossard has been incredibly underwhelming this season.

For example, the Belgian ace, who racked up 17 goals and two assists in 46 appearances last season, has only been able to score five goals and provide seven assists in 37 appearances this year.

That’s a drop from an average of a goal involvement every 2.42 games to one every 3.08 games, which might not be enormous, but considering how much of the goalscoring burden rests on him for at least the next month, it is concerning.

What makes the pair’s drop-off all the more frustrating is that a player axed from the club’s academy well over a decade ago is now pulling up trees in the Premier League and outperforming them both.

Where Are They Now

The Arsenal youngster sold too soon

Given the size of Arsenal and their impressive academy system, there are several players who they’ve released too soon, from the most well-known, Harry Kane, to his new teammate at Bayern Munich, Micheal Olise.

However, in this instance, the youngster in question is actually the Frenchman’s old teammate, Eberechi Eze.

The dynamic attacker joined the North Londoners’ academy as a child but was released in 2011 at just 13 years old, after which he’d spend the next five years in the academies of Fulham, Reading and Millwall before finally joining Queens Park Rangers in 2016.

Four years after that, with 32 goal involvements in 112 first-team appearances and a loan spell with Wycombe Wanderers under his belt, the young Englishman secured a £20m move to Premier League side Crystal Palace, where he has since cemented his place as one of the most exciting players in the division.

Not only can the “superstar” attacker, as dubbed by football analyst Ben Mattinson, play in midfield and out wide, but he’s also more than capable of chipping in with goals and assists, racking up a total of 32 goals and 23 assists in 150 games for the club.

However, in terms of just this season, he’s already scored six goals and provided six assists in just 26 appearances, totalling 2012 minutes.

That means the former QPR ace is averaging a goal involvement every 2.16 games, or every 167.66 minutes, which is a better rate of return than both Odegaard and Trossard, despite playing a team that’ll likely finish midtable at best.

Ultimately, determining which youngsters are worth investing in is notoriously difficult, so it’s hard to blame Arsenal for missing out on Eze, but we reckon the team’s injury crisis would be a lot more manageable with him in the side.

Arsenal struck gold on "beast" whose valued has soared by 1488% this season

The incredible talent has a bright future with Arsenal.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Feb 19, 2025

Jill Roord has admitted that she lost her love of football at Manchester City as she returns to FC Twente.

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• Roord leaves City for Twente
• Dutch midfielder spent two seasons at City
• Joined from Wolfsburg after leaving Arsenal

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Roord sealed a move back to her first club in the hopes of rediscovering her love for the game again. The Dutch midfielder spent two seasons at City, but had her playing time blighted by an injury to her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). In her time at the club, Roord scored 11 goals and registered five assists in 30 WSL games. Despite a strong return, she was struggling to enjoy her football.

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  WHAT ROORD SAID

  Speaking to FC Twente, Roord explained: “I grew up here and developed myself here. I played abroad for fantastic clubs for a long time and gave my all for eight years. In recent years, I have increasingly lost my enjoyment of football and my happiness, and I can already feel that I will find that here immediately. I still have many ambitions. FC Twente has always been my club and performing with your own club is the best thing there is. I hope to play an important role in that.”

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Before joining City, Roord spent two seasons at German club Wolfsburg where she finished as a runner-up in the Champions League. She joined the German club from City's WSL rivals Arsenal where she scored two consecutive hat-tricks in the first two games of the 2020-21 season against Reading and West Ham United. She has more than 100 caps for her national team and will hope to add to those at this summer's European Championship.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR ROORD?

  The Netherlands kick off their Euro 2025 campaign against Wales on July 5. The Dutch have three games leading up to the tournament, though, with Nations League fixtures against Scotland and Germany and a friendly against Finland to get them warmed up.

Leroy Sane has received a new contract offer from Bayern Munich but it's still uncertain whether he will renew as Arsenal monitor the situation.

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• Sane out of contract this summer
• Bayern make improved offer
• Arsenal linked with free transfer

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to , Bayern have submitted a new contract offer to Germany international Sane, whose current deal is due to expire this summer. His agent, Pini Zahavi, was spotted having dinner with sporting director Max Eberl this week and it looks like those discussions have been positive, with a final decision on the renewal now expected in the coming days.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Sane's contract situation has seen Premier League sides like Arsenal and Tottenham be linked with free transfers during the summer window. The 29-year-old previously spent four seasons at Manchester City, though his final campaign was curtailed by an anterior cruciate ligament injury. He won two top-flight league titles in England as well as three Carabao Cups and an FA Cup.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Sane bagged 12 goals in all competitions during the 2024-25 campaign, making it the fifth season in a row where he has hit double figures since he joined Bayern.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR SANE?

  Sane has a big decision to make in the coming days. Bayern are thought to want a resolution before they start their Club World Cup campaign next month, where they will take on Auckland City, Boca Juniors and Benfica during the group stages in the USA.

Manchester City are now considering an “incredible” manager to replace Pep Guardiola, but there may be competition from Real Madrid, according to a report.

City showing signs of improvement

A 4-0 defeat at home to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League back in November consigned Man City to five losses on the bounce, but there have since been signs of improvement, with a top-four finish still very much on the cards.

City avenged their loss against Spurs with a 1-0 victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last night, with Erling Haaland striking early in the first half to secure all three points, moving Guardiola’s side above Chelsea and into fourth place.

Although the reigning Premier League champions are still some way off their best, the uptick in form should give them renewed hope of qualifying for the Champions League, before Guardiola continues to rebuild the squad in the summer.

Man City want to sign "insane" £83m star who Pep loves; he's a key target

City could be set to battle rivals Manchester United for the forward’s signature.

By
Dominic Lund

Feb 26, 2025

The 54-year-old signed a new two-year contract to extend his stay at the Etihad Stadium until 2027 earlier this season, but there have now been suggestions the Man City hierarchy are looking at potential replacements.

According to a report from SportBILD (via Sport Witness), City are considering Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso as a heir to Guardiola, should the former Barcelona boss decide to walk away.

There is doubt about whether the Spanish coach will see out his new contract, and if he chooses to move on, the board could make a move for Alonso, who is highly sought-after, with Real Madrid also keen.

However, the Leverkusen manager is not currently interested in leaving the German club, where he has done a stellar job, winning a domestic double last season, while also guiding his side to the final of the Europa League.

"Incredible" Alonso could be a fantastic Pep heir

The former Liverpool player, who earns around £5.12m a year (£98k-per-week), has done a stellar job in his first senior managerial role, receiving high praise from the media for the way in which he has transformed Leverkusen.

As such, Alonso could be a fantastic long-term heir to Guardiola, but City fans and the board alike will no doubt be hoping the manager sees out his contract, despite the drop-off this season, given everything he has achieved at the Etihad Stadium.

The former Bayern Munich boss led City to a famous treble and four Premier League titles on the bounce, and he has maintained an incredible record in the league at every club he’s managed.

As such, while this season has been far from ideal, there is no manager better suited to orchestrating the summer rebuild than Guardiola.