Outside90 takes a look at all the major football headlines from across the globe.
Few managers are as direct with their words as Jurgen Klopp, who never pulls a punch even when discussing his own team. According to the Daily Mail, the German has said the Reds have little hope of beating Arsenal this Thursday if they try to play the same “possession” style of football as the Gunners.
Much speculation already surrounds the departure of Pep Guardiola from Bayern Munich at the end of this season. The Premier League is looking to be the likeliest destination for the highly-sought after Spaniard, though this may not mean that Bayern’s stars will automatically follow suit. Fox Sports quotes striker Thomas Muller as saying he has little desire to leave a club at the level of the Bavarians, despite the many positives on offer in the English top-flight.
Guardiola himself may be tiring of the avalanche of rumours that has swept through the world’s major leagues over the past two weeks, with the Independent stating he issued an ‘apology’ directed at the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea for the interruptions such speculation can cause. The 44-year-old insists he is still 100% focused on Die Roten.
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The FA Cup always throws up some David against Goliath type fixtures between Premier League sides and those from the lower divisions. Though insidefutbol.com reports that this is welcomed in the case of Derby County, who’s manager Paul Clements looks toward the Fourth Round tie against Manchester United with high optimism, especially considering the Red Devils’ showings in the competition so far.
It is never easy taking the reins at a place such as the Santiago Bernabau, even for an ex-Real Madrid legend like Zinedine Zidane. Goal.com says the Frenchman is winning-over some key names at the club though, with Sergio Ramos praising the change of coach and also weighing-in on the Ballon d’Or contest between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Speaking of the Ballon d’Or, each year the winner is bound to spark debate and this did not change as the ‘Little Master’ from Argentina claimed the World’s Best Player mantle for a fifth time. Ronaldo was demoted to second place, yet still took more votes than Neymar Jr. and according to ESPNFC.com this raised the ire of the fiery Dani Alves, who believes his Barcelona and Brazilian teammate is on the cusp of breaking onto Messi’s level.
Newcastle United faces another do-or-die second-half to the Premier League season and some players are finding it hard to cope. The Daily Mail is reporting that summer-signing Chancel Mbemba has labelled the Toon’s season a “failure” and that when he moved from Anderlecht was expecting to be battling for a top-half finish, not for top-flight survival.
The New Year has brought no shelter for Louis van Gaal, with criticism still coming from all angles over the performances of his Manchester United team. In an article on Mirror.co.uk, legendary English striker Michael Owen blasts the Dutch manager for what he views as an insipid Red Devils outfit that leaves fans with little hope of making any meaningful impact on the season.
Claudio Ranieri has taken the Premier League by storm at the helm of Leicester City, yet lately has not been living up to his moniker of the ‘Tinkerman’. If the Guardian is to be believed, Ranieri has also put an end to anymore potential January transfers – stating “business is finished.”
Finally, the news that Liverpool had signed 24-year-old Stephen Caulker from Queen’s Park Rangers was met with near-outrage by fans and has led to the club responding in defence of their decision. The Daily Express quotes a statement given by the Reds, who value Caulker’s previous top-flight experience and willingness to come to Anfield on short-notice.
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