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With the Chelsea and Man Utd bosses landing blows on each other via recent press conferences, Goal takes a look at some famous managerial feuds

• Julian Finney
  

  Jose Mourinho vs Antonio Conte

  New year, same Mourinho – 2018 began with the Manchester United boss claiming that he 'does not have to act like a lunatic on the sideline' during matches, something which hit a nerve with Chelsea boss Antonio Conte. The Italian bit back, but only to be met with a stinging reply from Mourinho in regards to a match-fixing scandal which Conte was caught up in during his time in charge of Juventus. The Chelsea boss slammed Mourinho as 'a little man' and called him a fraud for his public reaction to the sacking of Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri in 2017. The two have put a lid on the row for now, but it'll certainly boil over again during the rest of the season.

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  Sir Alex Ferguson vs Arsene Wenger

  Arguably the biggest managerial rivalry the Premier League has ever had, the battle between Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger peaked in 2004 when Cesc Fabregas comically threw a slice of pizza at the former Manchester United boss in a post-match brawl. Following a heated match at Old Trafford which would end the Gunners' 49-match unbeaten run, a number of players and staff from both sides were involved in the incident which only highlighted the tension between the two parties further. A true battle of two managers on a quest to secure their club's status as the best in the country.

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  Jose Mourinho vs Arsene Wenger

  Jose Mourinho has always enjoyed sharing his success and has never been shy in downplaying opposition managers, which Arsene Wenger found out when 'The Special One' was appointed Chelsea manager for the first time in 2004. The two would trade blows via the media throughout Mourinho's first spell in England, with the now-Manchester United boss labelling Wenger as a 'specialist in failure'. The way in which the two approach the game has also been the centre of rows, with Arsene's 'Wengerball' disagreeing with Mourinho's pragmatic approach. 

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  Sir Alex Ferguson vs Rafa Benitez

  Rafa Benitez's time at Liverpool naturally saw him come up against Sir Alex Ferguson and the Spaniard would waste no time in getting under the Scotsman's skin. Benitez's repetitive claims that Ferguson spent too much time talking about referees and trying to influence decisions led to one of the most memorable rants in English top tier history, with Benitez presenting a number of facts to his United counterpart. 

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, former Premier League striker Dean Windass has tipped West Ham to sign Jesse Lingard on a permanent basis this summer.

Having fallen down the pecking order under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Manchester United, the England international made the switch to the London Stadium on loan in January to enhance his opportunities.

£75,000-a-week man Lingard hadn’t played a single minute of Premier League football for United this season, but has enjoyed an impressive revival since signing for to the Hammers.

He scored a brace on his debut at Aston Villa before netting the crucial second in the win over London rivals Tottenham last month, which has seen West Ham emerge as genuine top-four contenders.

Lingard’s contract at Old Trafford expires next summer, which could lead to him being available to West Ham at a cut-price.

And Windass believes that it’s a deal that he thinks will happen once the window reopens.

He exclusively told Football FanCast:

“He’s hit the ground running. I think Lingard will sign for West Ham. His days at Manchester United are numbered.”

Windass might be right here. Whilst Lingard is a United Academy graduate, he’s approaching a stage in his career where he must be playing regularly.

And if he isn’t part of Solsjkaer’s plans moving forward, then a permanent move to West Ham would be a positive deal for all parties.

Not to mention that West Ham are on course to finish in Europe, which could therefore improve Lingard’s chances of getting an England recall.

According to recent reports, Tottenham Hotspur will have to pay €50m (£42.8m) should they wish to sign Franck Kessie this summer.

The report by Milan Live (via Sport Witness) claimed that AC Milan are attempting to tie Kessie down to a new deal at the San Siro which would see the 24-year-old remain with the Rossoneri until the summer of 2026.

This is said to be an effort to deter a potential summer move to the likes of Tottenham, Arsenal and West Ham United, who are all reported to have “shown interest” in the central midfielder.

However, even if Jose Mourinho’s side were to put forward an offer to match Milan’s €50m (£42.8m) valuation of Kessie, the Serie A side are claimed to have no intention of allowing the Ivory Coast international to leave.

Transfer Tavern Take

So far this season, Kessie has been in excellent form over his 25 Serie A appearances for Stefano Pioli’s side, scoring nine league goals and providing two assists, as well as averaging a WhoScored match rating of 7.05 – ranking him as the fifth-best performer in a side who currently occupy second place in the Italian top flight. His goal tally in Serie A is one more than Gareth Bale and Lucas Moura (both wingers) combined in the 2020/21 Premier League.

As such, it is easy to see why Tottenham are said to have an interest in the 24-year-old. However, considering that Milan are preparing to offer the Ivorian a new deal, as well as placing a rather significant price tag on him, a deal for Kessie won’t be easy to complete for Spurs this summer.

In other news: Tottenham are also monitoring this attacker, find out more here.

Tottenham Hotspur could be looking to bolster Jose Mourinho’s midfield armoury, if recent reports are to be believed.

According to French outlet Jeunesfooteux, Spurs are considering a summer swoop for Sheffield United powerhouse Sander Berge, with the Blades staring down the barrel of a likely relegation.

The 23-year-old became their club-record signing for around £22m when joining Bramall Lane in January 2020, and could now be available for just €26m (£22.5m).

Berge, when fit, has been one of the only shining lights for the struggling Sheffield giants this season and he possesses all the attributes to potentially become an ideal partner for the impressive Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in a formidable duo that could become Spurs’ best since that of Mousa Dembele and Victor Wanyama.

Indeed, the Danish summer arrival has remained a constant in Mourinho’s starting XI having played from the off in all 28 league fixtures, but he’s been joined by a plethora of names throughout the campaign, ranging from Moussa Sissoko and Tanguy Ndombele to Harry Winks.

Neither offer the best skillset to be a true box-to-box option alongside the more defensively-minded Hojbjerg.

In terms of his ability in Spurs’ own third, Berge is impressive off the ball having averaged 1.6 tackles (2019/20) and 1.2 tackles (2020/21) per game, via WhoScored, since swapping Genk for the Blades.

Both returns see him well-placed amongst the current Spurs squad – by comparison, his 1.4 average across both seasons matches Ndombele (1.4), and eclipses that of Sissoko (one) and Winks (0.8). It’s even more central defender Eric Dier (0.8).

This shows that he’s prepared to put in the hard graft to win the ball back for his side, which should please Mourinho as his other options in the role aren’t doing that to the same standard.

Whilst in the attack, Berge likes to roam forward – averaging 1.5 dribbles, 0.9 key passes and 0.8 shots per game this term alone.

It means the Norwiegen is only behind Harry Kane and Heung-min Son for creativity, managing to make more chances than supposed no.10s Giovani Lo Celso (0.8 key passes) and Ndombele (0.5), whilst he’s accrued more dribbles than the aforementioned duo – perhaps a surprise given Son’s ability on that left flank.

Spurs know too well about his presence in the final third as he fired United into the lead back in their embarrassing 3-1 defeat in July 2020.

Berge’s box-to-box capabilities were summed up by his recently-departed boss, Chris Wilder, who told VG: “I just have to say it: Sander has been unique. He is the one who has stood out for us. He is a complete midfielder. He can play as an 8 and as 6. He can play in different formations.”

On the above evidence, the midfield monster – valued at £35m by CIES Football Observatory – would be a fine addition to Mourinho’s squad.

Imagine him alongside Hojbjerg, with an Ndombele, Lo Celso or Dele Alli having the freedom to operate as they like further up the pitch.

Daniel Levy could seal a formidable engine room for the future by swooping for the 6 foot 5 Blades sensation.

AND in other news, Mourinho could find his own Van Dijk in £13.5m-rated “role model”…

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Steve Howey, who made 99 appearances for Manchester City, believes Brendan Rodgers would not be a manager City would look at as a Pep Guardiola replacement.

Rodgers has proven his ability at every club he’s managed. He turned Swansea from a Championship side into Premier League regulars before taking Liverpool close to the title and winning seven trophies in two and a half years at Celtic.

However, it’s his current job at Leicester City which is getting rave reviews because of his he’s made them regular top four contenders as well as bringing in great players such as Youri Tielemans, Anthony Castagne and Wesley Fofana.

Speaking on how Rodgers would not be someone the champions to be would look to appoint, Howey told FFC:

“It all depends on what the hierarchy at Manchester City wants to do, but probably not for me.

“It isn’t because he’s not a very good manager because he is, and he has had success everywhere he has been.”

The 48-year-old has been tipped to be one of the candidates to succeed Guardiola at the Etihad when he eventually does depart.

Leicester have enjoyed a great season domestically as they find themselves in the top four of the Premier League as well as in the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

Many Arsenal fans have been left slamming the first half display of Eddie Nketiah during their FA Cup tie away at Southampton.

While Gabriel looked very shaky to say the least in the opening minutes of the game, with a quite unfortunate own goal to top it off, it was the first half performance of the 21-year-old that flattered to deceive several members of the Emirates Stadium faithful.

He was left pretty anonymous for large periods of the first half, with fans perhaps wondering whether Alexandre Lacazette would need to be brought on off of the bench to be a bigger threat for Mikel Arteta’s team going forward, given that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been left out of the squad altogether for personal reasons.

Arsenal fan reaction to Nketiah display

These Gooners slammed his first half performance on Twitter, with one AFC fan even going as far as to describe him as ‘useless’ while another claimed that the English striker ‘needs to do more’:

“Watching Eddie Nketiah play football should be a crime”

Credit: @zohino3

“Nketiah is useless”

Credit: @victorcoimbra

“Nketiah gets knocked off balance very easily at this level. Quite often he’s first to the ball but he can’t retain.”

Credit: @galway89

“I’m actually done with Nketiah, he’s actually not good”

Credit: @Forbesy15

“20 mins in and I just remembered Nketiah is on the pitch. He needs to do more to get involved and link up the play.”

Credit: @SDGoonerCap

“Nketiah never drops back and gets involved. Disappearing act once again”

Credit: @gunnerbeeks

In other news, find out which Premier League star has been linked with a move to Arsenal here!

Glasgow Rangers have been strongly linked with a move for Fashion Sakala in recent months, and a report from The Daily Record claimed that a move to Ibrox could be on the cards. However, it now appears he is close to signing a new contract with his current club KV Oostende, according to reports.

Sakala, who has been a part of Oostende’s first team since 2018, has risen to prominence over the past year alone, having made 23 Jupiler Pro League appearances with 13 goals and 2 assists to show for his 22 starts.

Oostende sporting director Gauthier Ganaye recently admitted that he is resigned to losing the 23-year-old in the summer, but it seems he has performed an abrupt U-turn in a dramatic twist, with Sakala himself all but confirming he will be extending his contract and staying at the Diaz Arena, which will be a mammoth blow for Steven Gerrard.

The Rangers manager’s desire to sign the 5-cap Zambia international was one of the worst-kept secrets in Scottish football back in January, with Gerrard said to be keen on securing a pre-contract move for the striker, but it’s now likely he will be forced to rethink his transfer plans for the future.

However, if we’re being honest, the attack is one area of the field that Rangers are not in dire need of strengthening, with Alfredo Morelos, Ryan Kent and Kemar Roofe among the options currently available to Gerrard.

Just like Sakala, Roofe’s versatility means he can be used at the top of the pitch or on either flank, with Kent a shoe-in on the left wing. In terms of statistics, however, Sakala trails the 24-year-old by quite some margin.

Kent is currently averaging two key passes per 90 in the Scottish Premiership this season and attempts more dribbles (2) than the Zambian, which suggests that he poses a greater counter-attacking threat.

Upon reflection, it’s unlikely the Ibrox boss will lose much sleep over Sakala penning a new contract if they end up stopping Celtic from winning an unprecedented ten in a row. If he intends to find a long-term replacement for Morelos, he will be forced to look elsewhere in all likelihood.

AND in other news, Steven Gerrard must unleash Rangers striker Cedric Itten on Kilmarnock…

After seeing Celtic’s Scottish Premiership campaign crumble in front of his very eyes, Peter Lawwell will desperately be searching for ways to hit the reset button and kick-start a new era of dominance.

The Hoops have endured a nightmare first-half to the season thus far, finding themselves 21 points behind leaders and Old Firm rivals Rangers.

If planning for next season isn’t already under way at Parkhead, then there is something seriously going wrong at the club. But, according to The Daily Mirror, the Bhoys do seem to be looking at ways of setting up a more exciting future, with it being suggested that Wigan teenager Kyle Joseph is someone who they’re looking at potentially signing.

The report claims that Celtic are not the only ones tracking the Scotland U19 international, with Rangers, Tottenham and Sheffield United all in the race to sign him too, although their hopes are boosted by the fact his contract with the Latics comes to an end in June.

And whilst the sample size is small – he’s played just 13 games of senior football at Wigan so far – he’s already shown signs of being a really impressive young talent.

The 19-year-old bagged a hat-trick in Wigan’s last game in League One, when they beat Burton Albion 4-3. Despite the Latics being near the foot of the table, Joseph’s goals showed that he’s got the mentality to continue playing his way, and that kind of fearlessness is something Celtic would surely love to add to their side.

His teammate, Kal Naismith, said he has a “great appetite for the game” and works hard, insisting that “he’ll be a top player”. At 19, Joseph isn’t going to come in at Celtic and hit the ground running or be the saviour to topple Rangers next season.

But he can be a major building block for their future as they start afresh, and Lawwell would do well to fend off competition to bring him to Scotland.

Meanwhile, Celtic can get an Edouard replacement in this 27-goal striker…

David Sullivan is heading for an unforgivable mistake by looking to sign Crystal Palace defender Mamadou Sakho for West Ham United in the January transfer window.

What’s the word?

According to The Sun (3/1, p. 57), the Irons are potentially set to rival West Bromwich Albion in hope of luring Sakho away from Selhurst Park with his Eagles future up in the air during the mid-season market.

Roy Hodgson’s south London side are open to selling Sakho with the 30-year-old due to be out of contract in the summer and having played a peripheral role for the last two seasons, making just four Premier League outings this term after 11 starts in the 2019/20 campaign.

Hodgson has admitted he finds it challenging to keep all of his players happy when they are not in his immediate plans, and could ease tensions by accepting an offer from the coach who signed Sakho, Sam Allardyce, following his appointment at West Brom.

Sakho earns £100,000-per-week at Palace but is behind Cheikhou Kouyate, Scott Dann and Gary Cahill in the pecking order, following his return from a hamstring strain in September that rounded out an injury-ravished 18-months for the former Liverpool brute.

An unforgivable mistake

Sullivan seeking an agreement with Crystal Palace for Sakho to join West Ham in the January window would be an unforgivable mistake by the co-owner and Chairman, as there is little chance of the 30-year-old earning a starting role at the London Stadium barring vast exits.

A move to West Ham would see Sakho contend with Angelo Ogbonna, Aaron Cresswell, Fabian Balbuena, Issa Diop and Craig Dawson for minutes, with the quintet all used at some stage of the campaign by David Moyes.

Hodgson has continued to laud Sakho as an “incredible” player for overcoming his injuries and not being afraid to take the plunge straight into the deep end, even against the medical staff of the Eagles’ best-wishes, but his performances would not scratch the surface in Moyes’ squad.

Sakho has managed just 0.8 successful tackles, 0.8 interceptions and 2.8 clearances while winning 2.3 duels a game in his four Premier League outings thus far this term, while conceding a penalty, per SofaScore. He only won 0.5 tackles, 2.1 duels and made 1.4 interceptions a game last season, too, while committing errors that led to a shot and a goal.

Only Craig Dawson, whose played just two Premier League games so far, has averaged fewer successful tackles per top-flight appearance among West Ham’s defenders this season, while Diop’s 0.75 interceptions and Cresswell’s 2.06 clearances are close to Sakho’s numbers.

AND in other news, David Moyes must consider a drastic U-turn on an £18m-rated West Ham “monster”…

Real Madrid maestro Lucas Vazquez delivered Everton a statement by producing a complete performance against Atalanta BC in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

Los Blancos won 1-0 on their travels to their Serie A outfit thanks to an 86th-minute winner from full-back Ferland Mendy, ensuring Zinedine Zidane’s side took a first-leg lead back to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Real appeared set to leave Italy on the back of a frustrating visit against a well-organised Gian Piero Gasperini line-up, until Mendy curled his effort home to bag an away goal and snatch the strike that Remo Freuler had denied him in the first half.

Zidane was without a number of his top talents at the Gewiss Stadium with Sergio Ramos, Karim Benzema, Eden Hazard and Dani Carvajal all absent from the matchday squad.

Vazquez took over Carvajal’s duties at right-back and delivered a top-draw performance at both ends of the pitch, to warrant Everton’s recent speculated interest.

It is thought that the Goodison Park natives are monitoring the £113,000-per-week forward’s situation in the Spanish capital with his contract due to expire in the summer, and no further talks being scheduled between Vazquez and the Madrid hierarchy.

The 29-year-old snubbed the offer previously tabled to remain with the Galacticos, feeling that the terms did not represent a player as important to Zidane having started 15 of his 18 La Liga outings and six of Real’s seven Champions League ties thus far this term.

Vazquez now wants to see his future resolved in March, per Cuatro, as he does not want to wait until June to know where he will be playing next season, so will soon sit down and review all proposals received to assess which is the most interesting option.

Vazquez’s performance at the Gewiss Stadium will have certainly raised a few eyebrows from those monitoring developments back at Goodison Park, as the £13.5m-rated maestro dominated on the right-flank to help dictate proceedings in Real Madrid’s favour.

Atalanta’s defence often withstood the danger posed from Real’s attacks, and did well to head clear Vazquez’s teasing cross in the closing stages minutes before Mendy produced his moment of magic to curl home from close to 25-yards out.

That chance denied Vazquez his sixth assist of the season across all competitions, with just one of his three crosses able to reach a Madrid player having been given a licence to push forward from full-back, per SofaScore.

Eighty-one of his 90 ground passes found a Los Blancos player, leading to one key ball, as Vazquez helped pull the stings thanks to a mammoth 122 touches – only Toni Kroos (155) took more touches for either side.

Vazquez further won six of his eight ground duels, and battled hard to win possession back during Atalanta’s mere 31% share of the possession with three successful tackles, two interceptions and two clearances.

The nine-cap Spain international has only averaged 1.5 tackles, 0.7 interceptions and won 4.5 ground duels with a 45% success rate per game in the Champions League this season.

Vazquez efforts against Atalanta would be enough to rank third for tackles, first for interceptions, seventh for clearances and second for ground duels won at Everton, based on performances produced per game in the Premier League this season.

He would further offer the joint-third most key passes and second-most accurate crosses, with only Lucas Digne (1.63) producing a higher number of successful deliveries among those called on more than once by Carlo Ancelotti to date.

If Vazquez is still unhappy with the offer tabled by Real and open to leaving Madrid amid Everton’s interest, his Champions League masterclass will have come at the perfect time.

AND in other news, Everton face European competition to sign a £35m target this summer…