Connect with us

Sports

What Pep Guardiola Told Sandro Tonali After Man City 3-1 Newcastle

Published

on


It was a comfortable win in the end for Manchester City, as they swept aside Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup semi-final. The first leg saw them win 2-0 away at St James’ Park, before then winning 3-1 in the home fixture at the Etihad.

A first-half brace from Omar Marmoush, followed shortly after by an effort from Tijjani Reijnders, put the game to bed before half-time. Anthony Elanga did pull one back for Eddie Howe’s men, but this was merely a consolation, with the tie finishing 5-1 to City on aggregate.

At full-time, Pep Guardiola drew attention to himself as he was spotted in deep conversation with Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali. Details of their chat have now been revealed.

The chat has naturally sparked talk of a potential transfer between the Italian and Man City in the future, with Tonali touted as a potential long-term midfield option. Guardiola, however, insisted that it was personal matters that led him to go for a conversation, explaining to reporters:

“What did I say? My Italian is perfect, so that’s why I can communicate with him. And we have an incredible friend in common from Brescia, Edoardo Piovani.

“And every time we are connected, I know his father some time ago and all the time we met we talked about his experience in Milan, the supporters, and how happy he is in Newcastle. He’s a really, really top player, top, top, top player!”

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola waving


Pep Guardiola Has Already Named Man City’s Future Manager – It’s Not Enzo Maresca

Pep Guardiola has already picked who he believes will be Manchester City boss after he departs the Etihad.

sandro tonali

Tonali, or rather his agent, made headlines in the dying stages of the January transfer window when reports revealed he had been offered to Arsenal. Trusted journalist David Ornstein later reported that this was true, but no deal was ever likely to materialise in the winter market with Newcastle not even contacted by the Gunners.

Tonali’s future, however, is likely to be a big topic in the 2026 summer transfer window. Journalist Luke Edwards has explained: “Sandro Tonali has reassured people behind the scenes that he is very happy at Newcastle and is not thinking about a move – but a rock was thrown into a lake on deadline day and the ripples will spread into the summer.”

While Guardiola was never likely to admit that he was trying to convince the Italian to join, it’s notable that he was full of praise for the Newcastle star, dubbing him a ‘really top player’. Of course, there are doubt that the Catalan coach will even be at the Etihad next season.

Earlier this week, a number of names, including Xabi Alonso, were touted as possible replacements for Guardiola should he leave. The 55-year-old has been coy on his future, recently remarking:

“When it is the [end of the] chapter the club will choose the best one to continue this incredible period in Man City. There have been rumours in the last years many, many times but I want to stay here. At the end of the season, we’ll see.”

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sports

Tottenham Agree Deal to Sign Martin Dubravka

Published

on

By


Tottenham Hotspur have now agreed their fourth summer signing as ENIC go into overdrive, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Tottenham have already been the busiest club in the summer transfer window, having completed and announced three deals, as they look to give Roberto De Zerbi the strong squad he needs to make the club contenders at the right end of the Premier League table again.

The additions of Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke have added experience and quality to a backline that has leaked goals for fun in recent years, with De Zerbi and the club still looking at making additions in other areas of the pitch.

Spurs are now working on two blockbuster midfielder deals as the club look to try and land both Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali and West Ham United’s Mateus Fernandes, with both players attracting interest from other top Premier League clubs this summer.

The North Londoners are also ready to transform their attack too, following the exit of Randal Kolo Muani after his unsuccessful loan spell, with Paul O’Keefe suggesting they want a left-winger, right-winger and a new centre-forward ahead of next season.

Tottenham are also looking to make a signing between the posts too.

Romano: Tottenham Agree Dubravka Deal

martin dubravka via Reuters

According to Romano, posting on X, Tottenham have now agreed their fourth signing of the summer as their business shows no signs of slowing down.

Spurs have wrapped up an agreement to sign Martin Dubravka on a free transfer, with his contract at Burnley due to expire at the end of this month.

The Slovakia international played 35 matches for the Clarets last season after joining them from Newcastle, but he was unable to stop them making an immediate return to the Championship.

The addition of the 37-year-old would suggest that one of Tottenham’s goalkeepers will be on their way out, with Guglielmo Vicario the most likely candidate following rumours he will return to Serie A this summer.

Bringing in Dubravka would also hint at Antonin Kinsky becoming De Zerbi’s first-choice keeper next term after an impressive end to the campaign under the leadership of the Italian.

England World Cup Quiz

You scored

out of 20

De Zerbi Tells Tottenham to Sign Man United Star

Roberto De Zerbi looks confused via Reuters

Tottenham’s current focus appears to be on trying to wrap up deals for Dubravka, Fernandes and Tonali, but after that they will need to look at their attack.

Spurs are in talks with Manchester City over a move for Savinho, although no progress has been made in negotiations yet.

Tottenham are looking at other left-sided alternatives to the Brazilian if reports are to be believed, with one report suggesting that De Zerbi is pushing the club to agree a deal to sign Marcus Rashford from Manchester United.

The England international is currently likely to leave Old Trafford this summer, although the Red Devils are keen to sell the 28-year-old on a permanent deal, with a £40m release clause available for all clubs apart from Liverpool and Manchester City.

Spurs are said to be unwilling to pay that amount, but they are exploring making a lower offer for a player who De Zerbi is a big fan of.

Continue Reading

Sports

Jude Bellingham Avoids Red Card For Banned Gesture vs Ghana

Published

on

By


England laboured to a disappointing goalless draw with Ghana in their second World Cup fixture, failing to register a shot on target for almost an hour.

The closest the Three Lions came arrived late on, when Nico O’Reilly’s close-range header cannoned off the crossbar and Harry Kane’s follow-up was smashed high into the stands.

At half-time, Jude Bellingham was involved in a foul-mouthed altercation with the Ghanaian bench, drawing Carlos Queiroz into the confrontation, with the Ghana boss later claiming the midfielder’s choice of language created “more tension” between the two camps.


Carlos Queiroz pursuits Jude Bellingham at the 2026 World Cup


Carlos Queiroz Explains Why He Was Fuming With Jude Bellingham During England 0-0 Ghana

Ghana boss Carlos Queiroz explains why he was angry with England’s Jude Bellingham at the 2026 World Cup

Bellingham was also at the centre of a separate issue that went largely unnoticed amid the chaos and the goalless affair: a question over whether he should have been sent off.

Why Jude Bellingham Risked Being Sent off

Jude Bellingham in discussion with the referee at the 2026 World Cup Peter Cziborra via Reuters

While the half-time spat with Queiroz drew most of the attention, it was a quieter exchange with Ghana forward Jordan Ayew that carried the greater risk for Bellingham.

Cameras caught the midfielder speaking to Ayew while covering his mouth, a gesture FIFA has specifically targeted under new rules introduced for this tournament.

Referees can now dismiss players for hiding their mouth during exchanges, a measure brought in following the fallout from Gianluca Prestianni’s six-match ban for homophobic language directed at Vinicius Junior during a Champions League tie in February.

Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron already felt the force of the new law this tournament, when he was sent off against Turkey after VAR flagged the gesture to the referee. Bellingham avoided the same fate because his exchange with Ayew was not deemed confrontational.


England's Greatest 11


England’s Greatest 11 of the 21st Century

A nation that has produced a lot of talent, we look at England’s greatest 11 of the 21st century.

The rule only applies when the gesture accompanies a hostile interaction, meaning Ayew’s lack of a reaction likely kept Bellingham on the pitch, whereas Turkey’s Mert Mulder made an immediate beeline for the referee.

Pierluigi Collina Explains FIFA’s Reasoning Behind the Rule

FIFA referees committee chairman Pierluigi Collina addressed the law before the tournament began, making clear the intent behind the crackdown.

“If the conversation is friendly, they can continue to do it without any problem. When the conversation is confrontational, covering the mouth means that you are doing something very wrong, potentially, and the sanction is the red card.”

Had officials viewed the moment differently, England would have been without one of their talismans for this weekend’s pivotal Group L finale, leaving Thomas Tuchel’s side to wonder just how close they came to a damaging twist on top of an already frustrating night in Boston.

You scored

out of 20

Continue Reading

Sports

Josh Hokit Reveals ‘Real Reason’ He Insulted Michelle Obama at UFC White House

Published

on

By


Rising UFC heavyweight contender Josh Hokit has revealed the ‘real reason’ why he insulted former first lady Michelle Obama after his win at the White House earlier this month.

The former NFL player went viral for his post-fight interview after stopping Derrick Lewis in the second round. Instead of basking in the 10th win of his professional career on such a big stage, the 28-year-old caused major controversy when he declared: “Michelle Obama is a man” and followed that up with “Am I right, America?”

Veteran broadcaster Joe Rogan quickly wrapped up the interview to avoid Hokit making any more remarks. Among those to publicly criticise the fighter for his slur was UFC Hall of Famer, Daniel Cormier, who branded it “disgusting”.

Although UFC CEO Dana White has confirmed that Hokit will not be punished by the promotion for his actions, the interview is still a major point of contention for many.

Josh Hokit Opens Up on Controversial Michelle Obama Interview

As a result, when Hokit appeared on a recent edition of the Ariel Helwani Show, the veteran Canadian podcaster was keen to find out what had motivated the Californian native to make such an offensive comment.

Hokit has become known for his outlandish, tongue-in-cheek, statements since joining the UFC and so it was no surprise to see him take a similar stance when Helwani first asked him about his interview.

“I thought I was giving her a compliment. I don’t think anyone viewed it as Michelle Obama being a man. It’s more like she knows how to deal with adversity, she knows how to work hard like a man when times get tough.

“It was a perfect opportunity to show the world how great this country is with freedom of speech… In other parts of the world, you say something like that and you die,” he reasoned, before insisting that he would never apologise for his words.

“That’s one thing about my career… You’ll never hear me backtrack from what I say.”

Josh Hokit Amber Searls via Imagn Images

Josh Hokit’s Motivation Behind Michelle Obama UFC White House Insult

However, later in the interview, Hokit gave a far more grounded explanation as to why he chooses to make such controversial comments.

“Don’t hate the player, hate the game, and that’s the game we’re playing nowadays. We’re playing a numbers game, and I’m gonna win them every single time. Whatever brings the most eyes to my fight, that’s what I’m going to do.”

Speaking about the financial impact of his UFC notoriety, the fighter confirmed:

“If anything, I’ve gained more money… I’ll coach a class on this one day, but I got seven figures in seven months, just put it like that. By the end of the year, this might be a $3 to 4 million dollars a year.”

As distasteful as some may find Hokit’s comments, he stated that the UFC have not contacted him to complain about his conduct.

“They would message me if they really felt a certain way. They can always feel some type of way. I respect their opinions, but we do have freedom of speech, so it is what it is. I don’t like what other people say, but I’ve got to deal with it.”

After his win at the White House, Hokit looks to be in line for a big fight next, with names such as Brazilian superstar Alex Pereira being mentioned as a possible opponent.

Continue Reading

Trending