Sports
Celtic Must Hire ‘Magnificent’ Kjetil Knutsen to Return to Elite This Season
Celtic’s start to the season has been turbulent, to say the least. The Scottish giants saw manager Brendan Rodgers resign just three months into the campaign and welcomed the return of a familiar face in the dugout, Martin O’Neill.
The Hoops, who appointed the 73-year-old as interim boss last month, have seen mixed results since the Northern Irishman took charge at Parkhead, winning three of their first four games, including a 3-1 defeat to Danish side Midtjylland in the Europa League last week.
While they secured another convincing 4-0 win over Kilmarnock in the Premiership on Sunday, Celtic are forced to play catch-up to league leaders Hearts, who currently sit seven points clear at the top of the table.
Although the Hoops have a game in hand that could narrow the gap, their inconsistency has cast doubt on their title hopes this season, and a new man in the dugout could be exactly what Celtic need to restore stability and push back to the top.
Celtic Must Hire Kjetil Knutsen to Replace O’Neill
Celtic have been linked with a host of potential long-term replacements for O’Neill in recent days, but one name that stands out is Bodo/Glimt manager Kjetil Knutsen.
The 47-year-old is a serial winner – he led the Norwegian side to four league titles in the last five seasons and is aiming for his fifth, with Bodo/Glimt currently sitting second in the Eliteserien table.
Knutsen has never managed outside his home country – he began his managerial career in the fifth tier of Norwegian football in 1995 and has worked his way to the Champions League 30 years later.
After beating Austrian side Sturm Graz in qualifying, Bodo/Glimt are competing in the prestigious European competition for the first time in their history this season and have already taken points off serious opposition.
The Norwegian side drew 2-2 with Tottenham and Slavia Prague and suffered defeats to Monaco and Galatasaray in the first two rounds.
Knutsen, who was named Eliteserien Coach of the Year three consecutive times from 2019 to 2021, is proving this season that he deserves a chance to take his talents elsewhere after turning Bodo/Glimt into a dominant force in Norway.
The 47-year-old’s contract expires at the end of the year, which could present the perfect opportunity for Celtic to snap up the ‘magnificent’ tactician.
Sports
Alasdair Gold says Bournemouth are blocking Junior Kroupi sale to Spurs
Tottenham are now said to be going after attackers as they look to continue their huge spending this summer. Spurs have already racked up a huge spending total this season, and a record total at that. Roberto De zerbi has been handed more than £230million to improve his squad, and there will be more money spent before the summer is out.
There will be some sales along the way, and Luka Vuskovic was the first to go, while Cristian Romero is likely to follow at some point this summer. But Tottenham’s spending will far outweigh their incomings, and especially after they add to their business with attacking recruits, which is the next step after the signings of Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes.
Tottenham handed Kroupi blow
Tottenham’s next priority in the summer window is to sign a winger, with De Zerbi wanting another dangerous wideman and potentially another forward. A number of potential targets have been linked, including Manchester City’s winger Savinho and AFC Bournemouth’s forward Junior Kroupi.
Kroupi has scored 13 goals in 33 league appearances for Bournemouth, and he is now attracting attention from a number of clubs.
Spurs are said to be one of those interested, but according to journalist Alasdair Gold, Bournemouth are not likely to play ball.
“Junior Kroupi we know is a player of huge interest to a lot of clubs, not just Tottenham,” Gold said on his YouTube show. “He is a terrific talent but the feeling coming out of Bournemouth is that he is not for a sale and they’ve been making similar noises about Alex Scott. Spurs are admirers of him. I would love them to go for Alex Scott and he may pick them being a Tottenham fan.”
Kroupi a ‘generational talent’
AFC Bournemouth defender Marcus Tavernier described Kroupi as a ‘generational talent’ earlier this year. He said: “I’ve said before, Junior is a generational talent.
“The club has done an amazing job to pick Kroupi up. That boy has an unbelievable future ahead of him and today he showed why he’s such a good talent in the world of football.”
Kroupi has also been linked with a move to PSG, and there have been reports that he prefers a move back to his home country, France, but much will come down to who can convince Bournemouth to sell. An £80million price has been floated, but if the Cherries do not want to sell, it’s likely any interested club will have to pay over the odds.
Sports
Man Utd Told They Can Sign Aurelien Tchouameni if They Can Agree Contract
Manchester United have been given fresh hope of landing one of their dream transfer targets this summer, The Red Devils have a few needs this summer as they look to build on the momentum from last season, with Michael Carrick having led them to a top three finish.
But there is no need more glaring than the one at the heart of United’s midfield, with Casemiro’s departure leaving a big hole. Ederson is to be brought in from Atalanta, at least if he passes a new medical, and Carrick wants another midfielder.
Real Madrid superstar Aurelien Tchouameni is said to be the dream target, and there is a fresh claim on that front.
Tchouameni could now leave Real Madrid
According to a report from Spanish outlet Bernabeu Digital, Real Madrid are willing to sell Tchouameni this summer if the money is right and the player wants to leave. Real Madrid have been heavily linked with Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez this summer, but they now say they will not pursue him. Instead, their attention is said to be on Manchester City and Spain star Rodri, who is again having a fine World Cup campaign. The 30-year-old is in the final year of his contract at City, and the Citizens have just signed Elliot Anderson for £116million, meaning they have cover in that holding midfield spot.
The report claims Real Madrid will leave it down to Tchouameni to decide whether he wants to leave or not, but they will pursue a top new holding midfielder regardless, with José Mourinho wanting to strengthen the position.
Several reports suggest United see Tchouameni as their ideal target, and that they are ready to push for a move if they get a green light from Los Blancos.
Ferdinand backs Tchouameni switch
United legend Rio Ferdinand has been praising Tchouameni for years, saying back in 2022: “Listen, Tchouameni is a young kid, he’s going to make mistakes but he’s a superb talent, he produces moments out of nowhere, incredible player. Replacing Pogba in a France XI is not an easy task, but so far, Tchouaméni has been superb. Tchouameni showed why he plays for Real Madrid. He has the patience, talent, control, he has everything you need.”
Backing the midfielder to join United this summer, Ferdinand added: “Do you know what? I know I’ve been sitting here saying that Jose is going to be the man to reintegrate Tchouameni and Valverde together and keep them at Real Madrid.
“But I’ve got to say, if Tchouameni has a half a sniff of getting out of that club, Man Utd have to be the first team at the door knocking and make sure he can’t even talk to anybody else. Get him signed, sealed, delivered.”
Sports
Tottenham Star Cristian Romero Considers La Liga Move Amid Transfer Speculation
With Tottenham strengthening significantly in the summer transfer window, we could see a number of players head through the exit door.
The Spurs will be without European football heading into next season after they finished 17th in the Premier League table.
As a result, some of Tottenham’s key players will be looking for new challenges as they aim to play in the Champions League.
Thankfully for Spurs, they’ve already recruited significantly in the summer transfer window, confirming six new additions.
A big rebuild in the summer is likely for Tottenham, and it could be something that is hugely beneficial for them after such a difficult few years.
Roberto De Zerbi has shown signs of turning things around for Spurs, and the club are clearly looking to back him in the transfer market.
Tottenham star has strong chance of leaving
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Cristian Romero has a serious possibility of leaving the club in the summer transfer window.
The reliable journalist confirms that Romero wants to be playing European football next season, while he would also like to experience playing in La Liga.
“Cristian ‘Cuti’ Romero, at the moment, from Tottenham Hotspur, the view is clear, they have Van de Ven, Van Hecke, Senesi, they have plenty of centre-backs. Also, not playing European football this season, the idea of parting ways with Cuti Romero is still a serious possibility. So, there is still a strong chances for Romero to leave Tottenham this summer. Despite rumours from Italy that keep arriving with Romero, my understanding is that Romero would really like to have a new experience in LaLiga. So, Cuti Romero would like to have a new experience in LaLiga if the right opportunity arrives for him and for Tottenham.”
Romero adds that could mean playing for Barcelona or Atletico Madrid, but it is currently unclear where he will end up.
“That could be an option for Barcelona, it could be an option for Atletico Madrid, we will see, but Romero would like to go to LaLiga and try an experience in Spain. We will see what arrives for Romero because he signed a contract only a year ago, the season was not easy, but at the same time, there could be movement also because Tottenham already signed several centre-backs, and they feel well-covered in that situation, so it’s going to be a situation to watch.”
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Tottenham can afford to lose Romero
Romero, who has been described as ‘world-class’ by Spurs team-mate Micky van de Ven, has been a key player for Tottenham over the years, but considering their recent struggles, they shouldn’t be overly against selling anyone this summer.
A rebuild is exactly what they need to start heading back in the right direction. With Jan-Paul van Hecke and Marcos Senesi already arriving through the door, there’s no reason why Romero should be untouchable.
If Tottenham can receive a huge fee from a club in La Liga, it makes sense for them to cash in, especially as they are spending significantly in the summer transfer window.
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