Sports
Jurgen Klopp ‘Demands’ Two Real Madrid Players Are Sold if He Takes Job
Jurgen Klopp wants two Real Madrid players to leave the club if he becomes the club’s new manager, it has been claimed.
Real sacked former midfielder Xabi Alonso earlier this month after under eight months in charge.
He was immediately replaced by another former Los Blancos player in Alvaro Arbeloa, who had been coaching Real’s Castilla squad...TAP TO CONTINUE FULL READING.
His tenure got off to the worst possible start as Real were dumped out of the Copa del Rey at the third-round stage by second-tier Albacete.
But Los Blancos bounced back with a 2-0 La Liga win over Levante, before thrashing Monaco 6-1 at the Bernabeu in the Champions League.
Details behind Arbeloa’s appointment – such as contract length – have been few and far between, with Real only going as far as to simply announce that he was the new head coach at the time of Alonso’s exit.
That has opened the door to speculation over whether the Spaniard could himself be replaced at the end of the season.
Diario AS report that former Liverpool boss Klopp’s name was mentioned in association with the job by Real chiefs earlier this month, but that any plans to appoint him are currently ‘on hold’.
The German is currently the global head of football at Red Bull, and when asked about the Real rumours by The Athletic, Klopp admitted he was ‘partly amused and partly exasperated.
“I know I can coach a football team, but that doesn’t mean I have to do it until my last day … I don’t want to be somewhere else,” he said.
But Madrid-based outlet Defensa Central claim that, if Klopp were to be approached by Real and decide to take charge, he would want to sell two players.
Full-backs Daniel Carvajal and Ferland Mendy would, it is claimed, be the first two players out of the door as part of Klopp’s rebuild.
Carvajal is in direct competition for a right-back spot with Trent Alexander-Arnold, who Klopp developed into one of the world’s top attacking full-backs at Liverpool.
He returned from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury last year and, at 34, sees his contract expire this summer.
Mendy, meanwhile, has suffered from recurring muscle injury problems throughout much of his time in Spain, but they have been so severe this season as to restrict him to just two minutes of La Liga action and a single Champions League appearance.
The 30-year-old France left-back suffered a calf problem – his fourth injury in 12 months – earlier in January that is currently ruling him out of action.
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FIFA President Gianni Infantino has insisted that Iran “will be participating” in the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, dismissing calls for Italy to replace them. Iran is currently embroiled in a war with the USA and Israel, raising doubts about their participation. Infantino said, “The reason is simple, because we have to unite. We have to bring people together.” Iran’s group matches are scheduled to be played in the United States.
Key Points:
Iran was the only country not represented at Thursday’s FIFA congress in Vancouver.
Trump’s special envoy had pushed for Italy to replace Iran, claiming a “more than 50 per cent chance.”
Italian football officials have insisted they would not want to be added to the tournament this way.
Iran will face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, then Egypt in Seattle.
The World Cup kicks off on June 11, 2026...TAP TO CONTINUE FULL READING.
Infantino’s statement rules out the possibility of an Italy recall.
Sources: Complete Sports
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Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has reaffirmed his commitment to Galatasaray amid growing transfer speculation linking him to Barcelona and Arsenal. The 27-year-old said, “I think I’ve found a home here where I am comfortable.” Osimhen joined Galatasaray on loan from Napoli two years ago before completing a permanent €75 million transfer last summer. He has recorded 57 goals and 15 assists in 72 appearances for the Turkish giants.
Key Points:
Osimhen is the highest earner in Turkey with a package of around €21 million net.
He praised the club’s atmosphere, calling it “family, love, unity, and utmost respect.”
He said hundreds of fans crowded the airport to welcome him upon arrival.
The club organised an elaborate tifo to honour him and his late mother.
Any formal bid would need to be in the nine-figure range...TAP TO CONTINUE FULL READING.
Osimhen’s comments suggest he is settled in Istanbul and not looking for a move.
Sources: Soccernet, Complete Sports
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Former Super Eagles midfielder Sunday Oliseh has praised the late Nigerian football legend Stephen Keshi as the nation’s “first genuine superstar.” Speaking on the Global Football Insights podcast, Oliseh said:
“We never questioned his quality as a player because you could see how he performed. This man was the first superstar of Nigerian football.” He highlighted Keshi’s leadership, professionalism, and impact both on and off the field.
Key Points:..TAP TO CONTINUE FULL READING.
Keshi became the first Nigerian to play in a major UEFA club competition final.
He was a member of the victorious 1994 Super Eagles AFCON-winning team.
Oliseh noted Keshi would fly from Belgium to play at AFCON and return to his club.
He described Keshi as disciplined and a winner who “led by example.”
Keshi’s playing career included stints in Belgium, France, and the Ivory Coast.
Oliseh emphasised that Keshi’s performances were self-evident and propelled him to legendary status.
Sources: Complete Sports
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