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Newcastle Should Consider Hiring Andoni Iraola

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Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has to be under pressure at St James’ Park, and PIF should be doing everything they can to bring Andoni Iraola to the club.

Newcastle’s latest defeat saw them beaten at the hands of their North East rivals Sunderland, with Nick Woltemade heading into his own net to separate the sides. That means the Magpies sit in 12th position in the Premier League table, with their away form a particular concern, winning just once on the road this season.

Newcastle scraped Champions League qualification last term on the final day of the campaign, but they’ve taken a step back with their progress this season. Howe’s side invested significantly in the summer transfer window to strengthen the squad, so the pressure has to be mounting on the manager after a disappointing few months.

Newcastle Must Hire Andoni Iraola to Replace Eddie Howe

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola watching on from the touchline

After significant investment, Newcastle have to be competing for European places. Although pressure on Howe might feel a little premature, there has been lots of media speculation surrounding the future of Thomas Frank at Tottenham Hotspur, and the Danish manager has his side higher than Newcastle, despite finishing 17th last term.

The same pressure doesn’t appear to be on Howe, but if their form on the road continues, Newcastle will have to consider making a decision.

Iraola has done a superb job, turning Bournemouth from a struggling side to one that has a chance of competing in the top half. The Cherries finished ninth last season, and although they’ve dropped off this term, they sold three of their starting back four, and their recruitment is heavily focused on signing young talent, meaning it’s never going to be instant success.

Despite that, Iraola has made Bournemouth a competitive side, and his play style could be suited to the Magpies. The Mirror have tipped Iraola as a potential replacement for Howe, with his high-energy style and blending of young talent likely attractive to Newcastle.

Iraola Could be Keen on Newcastle Move

Andoni Iraola applauds Bournemouth supporters

Although Iraola appears happy at Bournemouth, there could come a time when their transfer strategy frustrates him. Their recruitment policy is to sign young players, develop, and sell, and it becomes difficult for them to progress as they are constantly losing top-quality stars.

Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez, and Illya Zabarnyi are recent examples, while Antoine Semenyo, who described Iraola as ‘unbelievable’, could be on his way out the door due to having a release clause. Newcastle are less inclined to sell their best players, excluding Alexander Isak after Liverpool‘s ridiculous offer, and that could be an attraction for Iraola.

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Tottenham Chiefs Confident of Signing Eli Junior Kroupi After Tonali

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Tottenham Hotspur chiefs are now confident that they can sign Bournemouth striker Eli Junior Kroupi this summer.

Tottenham have already agreed six new signings this summer, with the latest additions of Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali setting the club back a huge £185m outlay.

Spurs’ ambition is showing no signs of slowing down yet, and while their defensive and midfield options are looking stronger ahead of next season, we could see new faces arrive to boost the attack too.

The north Londoners remain in talks with Manchester City over a deal for left-winger Savinho, following their failed attempt to bring him to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium 12 months ago.

However, Tottenham are also considering other options for that flank too, with links to a second raid on West Ham United for Crysencio Summerville, while they have been offered the chance to sign Rafael Leao from AC Milan by Jorge Mendes during the Fernandes transfer talks.

Spurs are also considering signing a new striker with doubts over the future of Richarlison, who has long been linked with a move away from the north London outfit.

Tottenham are seemingly ready to make their move to try and bring Junior Kroupi to the capital from the south coast.

Tottenham Believe They Can Sign Junior Kroupi

AFC Bournemouth's Eli Junior Kroupi celebrates
AFC Bournemouth’s Eli Junior Kroupi celebrates
via Reuters

Tottenham are one of many top Premier League clubs linked with a move for Junior Kroupi this summer, following an outstanding and record-breaking debut campaign in the English top flight for the Frenchman.

The 20-year-old scored 13 goals in 33 Premier League games for the Cherries as they qualified for the Europa League, and the club are determined to keep hold of him for next season for their first ever European campaign.

However, according to a top Tottenham source on X, Spurs officials are confident that they can complete a deal for the youngster this summer.

The same source claims that Spurs have already scheduled talks with the Frenchman’s representatives soon, although Bournemouth would want at least £90m to sell him in this window.

Kroupi Junior is also said to be open to a move to Spurs, following previous talks between the parties in March.

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Tottenham Also Want ‘One of the Best Players in the World’

Marcus Rashford in action for England Marty Jean-Louis/Sipa USA via Reuters Connect

Tottenham’s level of ambition this summer is showing no signs of slowing down, and now they are also targeting a move for Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, believing he can cover both the left wing and centre-forward positions.

The England international has been described as ‘one of the best players in the world’ on his day by Three Lions teammate Anthony Gordon, and it is hard to disagree when we see what he has done over the years for the Red Devils and then on loan at Barcelona last season.

The 30-year-old is said to prefer a permanent move abroad following his spell with Barca, although it appears as though Spurs are positioning themselves right at the front of the queue should he end up remaining in England.

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic Has Theory on Croatia VAR Controversy vs Portugal

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There was significant controversy as Portugal just about beat Croatia to make it into the next round of the 2026 World Cup. The two sides appeared to be destined for extra time before VAR intervened to rule out Josko Gvardiol’s late strike, sparking a strong reaction in the media.

Ivan Perisic opened the scoring before Cristiano Ronaldo levelled things from the penalty spot with 22 minutes remaining. Goncalo Ramos then gave Portugal the lead in stoppage time, but there was still time for Croatia to put the ball in the back of the net once more.

This time, however, the goal was chalked off. VAR deemed that Igor Matanovic had the slightest of touches on the cross that found Mario Pasalic, who was standing in an offside position before he touched the ball for Gvardiol to score.

An official FIFA explanation revealed that, thanks to ‘data provided by Connected Ball Technology’, it was proven that ‘contact was made’ by Croatia’s Matanovic in the build-up to the goal. Despite this, footage from the game looked inconclusive, leaving many baffled by the ruling.


Cristiano Ronaldo consoles Petar Sucic after Portugal 2-1 Croatia


What Cristiano Ronaldo Told Croatia Star After Controversy in World Cup Game

Petar Sucic has revealed Ronaldo’s comments to him after their controversial last 32 clash.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic Makes Ronaldo FIFA Claim After Croatia Controversy

Zlatan Ibrahimovic REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini

Among those angered by the VAR call to rule out Croatia’s late goal, former player Zlatan Ibrahimovic made his feelings on the matter clear. As quoted by Italian outlet Gazzetta, the Fox Sports

Pundit offered up a theory that FIFA were intent on having Ronaldo and Portugal meet Spain in the next round:

“It was a fantastic match ruined in the end by VAR. I see nothing irregular about the 2-2 goal; VAR disallowed it, but for me, it was a robbery. Either the sensor in the ball wasn’t working or something went wrong, because Renato Veiga touched the ball, which means there was no offside. Look at the angle: Croatia’s number 20 doesn’t touch the ball, nor does he change its trajectory in the slightest. It’s Portugal’s number 13 [Veiga] who touches it! How can it be offside?

“An opponent touches it, and suddenly the Croatian goalscorer is offside? Absurd! The Croatians, who had fought with all their heart, were denied a dream moment at this World Cup. To disallow a goal in the 90th minute, the decision must be crystal clear. Here, it wasn’t at all. This wasn’t refereeing. It was an outright theft. For me, it’s clear they [FIFA] wanted Portugal and Ronaldo to reach the Round of 16 to face Spain.”

Ivana Knoll Reacts to Croatia Defeat and Ibrahimovic Theory

Ivana Knoll | World Cup Fabrizio Bensch via Reuters

Adding to those unhappy with the final outcome, Croatia fan Ivana Knoll also expressed her anger to her 3 million followers on Instagram. The model, who went viral at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups – as well as at the Formula One earlier in 2026 – has turned heads this summer, now at her fourth FIFA tournament.

But now having attended the match, on her Instagram stories she first called out the referee, who ‘did such a sh** job,’ before then sharing a link to the Gazzetta story from Ibrahimovic, agreeing with his comments as she wrote: ‘exactly’

Screenshot of Zlatan Ibrahimovic via @Knolldoll/Instagram Screenshot of Zlatan Ibrahimovic via @Knolldoll/Instagram

She then spoke to the camera in another post, saying ‘it was a complete robbery’ and finally appeared to take aim at Ronaldo and co, saying ‘Karma will hit you’.



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Brazil vs Norway Kick-Off Time Set For Change

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A second World Cup game is now set to change its kick-off time amid the decision to bring England’s Round of 16 tie vs Mexico forward by six hours. Severe weather warnings have thrown the next knockout round into chaos in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, with the Three Lions’ treacherous trip to the Azteca Stadium the biggest match affected up until now.

Already well aware they face an uphill battle to keep their World Cup dreams alive, with altitude and a hostile atmosphere coming into effect, Thomas Tuchel’s side are now set to play at midday local time, which brings about the issues of 33 degree heat. El Tri, meanwhile, will be licking their lips at extending their imperious home record that has seen them lose just twice across their previous 89 matches.

However, another match has now also been affected by thunderstorms, while it is not certain if it is the last. FIFA are yet to issue a statement on the chaos, with one being expected imminently.

FIFA Set To Change Kick-Off Time Of Second World Cup Tie

World Cup Amber Searls/ Imagn Images via Reuters

Norway vs Brazil, currently scheduled for Sunday 9PM BST at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, is also reportedly being changed. That’s according to Brazilian journalist Raisa Simplicio, who has alleged that the new kick-off will be one hour later – but while storms have been the issue in Mexico, New York’s issue also lies in the heat.

New York City is expected to reach temperatures of 35 degrees on Sunday, with scattered thunderstorms also proving a logistical nightmare after France’s 3-0 win over Iraq during the group stages being delayed for two hours in Philadelphia.

More to follow…

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