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Luke Edwards has dropped a big update on the future of Steve Bruce at Newcastle United.

Writing in his latest piece for the Daily Telegraph, the football journalist has claimed that the St. James’ Park faithful could offer the former Aston Villa and Sunderland boss a new deal in the North East if he keeps them up in the Premier League at the end of the 2020/21 term.

Mike Ashley is continuing to show his support for Bruce despite the real chance of the Tyneside club finding themselves relegated down to the EFL Championship, but it is not clear whether he would still back the manager if this were to happen.

Edwards tweeted that the contract talks, that could open up in the summer, ‘all seems a long way off’ at this moment in time, given that the Magpies are far from secure in the top flight.

Newcastle must stay up

The Toon just need to prioritise staying in the division for now before any discussions over a potential new contract for Bruce.

However, even if they were to stay up, one could still question whether it would be a successful season to just avoid relegation, especially considering the discontent from fans about the play-style and tactics offered by Bruce.

NUFC need a manager that will push them on, and it seems pretty clear by now that Bruce cannot do that.

In other news, find out what worrying update Bruce has dropped ahead of Tottenham Hotspur here!

Flocking to an official West Ham United post, plenty of Irons supporters were in awe of star midfielder Tomas Soucek after the club relayed news of his brilliant international hat-trick for the Czech Republic on Wednesday night.

The 26-year-old, who has arguably been manager David Moyes’ signing of the season, took his fine form abroad as he helped to dismantle European minnows Estonia.

Soucek enjoyed a lethal evening as his nation got off to a fine World Cup qualifying start, opening his account just 32 minutes into the game and adding two more strikes soon afterwards – cementing a well deserved hat trick in the resounding 6-2 victory.

West Ham United, in response, let Irons supporters know of Soucek’s masterclass against Estonia – resulting in plenty of Hammers fans worshipping the midfielder.

Coming just after he was named Czech Footballer of the Year, it’s safe to say he’s enjoying a fine campaign.

Find all of their best verdicts down below.

West Ham fans hail Soucek in club post response

“Sensational Soucek”

Credit: @IronessWest

“What a bargain he has turned out to be”

Credit: @allthingsirons

“Wow he’s just so good”

Credit: @nathware10

“Unreal”

Credit: @TheWestHamVault

“signing of the season”

Credit: @hammers_dave

“Different class”

Credit: @WHU_Nathan

“Best midfielder in the world”

Credit: @WHUNath8

In other news: West Ham fans were also lived at GSB, find out why here.

Celtic’s season has been a diabolical, error-prone affair. Whether it be Scott Brown being sent off after five minutes of his introduction against Livingston or Shane Duffy’s baffling cameo in the Old Firm, it has been full of mind-boggling moments.

Over the last decade, very rarely have the Hoops made mistakes. They’ve recruited well, ably replacing players like Virgil van Dijk and Moussa Dembele, and they’ve won an unprecedented number of trophies.

Unfortunately, they’ve now surrendered their grasp on the Premiership title to their biggest rivals. They have eradicated one part of the problem with the much-maligned Neil Lennon departing a fortnight ago but issues remain on the pitch.

Their 0-0 draw with Dundee United last weekend typified their inability to score goals on a regular basis as they were given a classic case of ‘what if’.

What if Celtic had signed Benjamin Siegrist in January was the query. The Dundee United stopper was in inspired form, making a grand total of 12 saves at Tannadice on Sunday afternoon.

The 29-year-old was linked with a move to the club a few months ago after his agent revealed that the Hoops had been scouting him. Indeed, they were shown firsthand his qualities last weekend in what was a remarkable performance by the Swiss stopper.

Celtic troubled Siegrist’s goal on numerous occasions but couldn’t break his resolve. The Bhoys lacked a cutting edge but it showed the benefit of having an adequate ‘keeper between the sticks.

Time and again this term, their goalkeepers have been the Hoops’ biggest problem. Celtic have conceded 14 more goals in the league than Rangers and shipped a grand total of 19 in just six Europa League outings.

It was in Europe where their goalkeepers really let them down. Vasilis Barkas, signed for £4.5m last summer, somehow let in a free kick against AC Milan which was fired towards his part of the goal.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-celtic-transfer-news-onuachu-edouard-dembele-turnbull” title=”The latest Celtic news and views!”]

Then, in Prague, it was Scott Bain running a mockery. Two of the goals were his fault as he let the ball across the box for one of the strikes before racing out of his area for another and failing to clear.

Even Conor Hazard was full of errors in the Scottish Cup final; that was despite saving Celtic’s bacon in the penalty shootout.

One of a few defensive players who has looked capable this season is Kristoffer Ajer. John Hartson dubbed him a “credit to the rest of the players”, suggesting he was the glue which binds this team together. As he demonstrated with his winning kick against Hearts in the aforementioned final, he is the man for the big occasion.

Thus, just imagine what a defender of his calibre could do with someone like Siegrist in the defence.

Ajer has lacked a competent goalkeeper behind him all season long. By signing the 6 foot 4 star in the summer, it could go a long way to fixing some of the issues which have plagued Celtic’s season.

Siegrist has been described as a “monster” by Dundee United manager Micky Mellon this season. That not only typifies his display a few days ago, but also his season as a whole.

AND in other news, 108 aerials won: Celtic could replace Edouard with “special” 6 ft 7 colossus…

Leicester City booked their first FA Cup semi-final place with a stunning 3-1 victory against Manchester United on Sunday evening.

Kelechi Iheanacho scored twice, with Youri Tielemans getting the other as the Foxes scythed through the Red Devils despite Mason Greenwood’s first-half equaliser at the King Power Stadium.

The Nigerian striker followed up his hat-trick against Sheffield United with another all-action showing, inspiring Brendan Rodgers’ men through to the last-four where they will now meet Southampton at Wembley Stadium.

Iheanacho was a threat to the Red Devils from the off, with his constant pressing a thorn in the side of the visitors.

That paid dividends midway through the first-half as he picked off a poor Fred backpass to round Dean Henderson and score with a low finish.

He then doubled his afternoon’s work with a well-guided header from Marc Albrighton’s free-kick to take his goal count to 12 for the season and a remarkable nine since early February in all competitions.

Iheanacho’s excellent performance did not just end with his goals however.

According to WhoScored, he had two shots on target, both of them finding the net, whilst also producing a dribble and drawing as many as three fouls – more than any player on either side.

His creativity was also eye-catching as well, contributing a further three key passes, with just Marc Albrighton contributing more than the former Manchester City man.

Whilst he was a threat to the Red Devils throughout the 90 minutes in an attacking sense, Iheanacho also contributed defensively, too.

He racked-up two tackles and two interceptions in what ended up to be an energy sapping 90 minutes.

Considering his performances in recent weeks, including his performance against Manchester United, Iheanacho is certainly earning his £60k per-week wages.

AND in more news, take a look at which Foxes’ star’s comments have reaffirmed his commitment to the Foxes…

Leeds United narrowly lost to Wolves in the Premier League on Friday night, however talisman Patrick Bamford believes VAR denied the club of getting some points out of the game.

Bamford fumes at VAR

The striker thought he had equalised in the second-half following a nice strike, but it was ruled out as offside. Looking back at the decision, you can see that there is only a few millimetres in the decision. Bamford tweeted: “Gutted for the lads tonight, robbed of a point but at least it’s ‘mAkInG tHe GaMe BeTtEr’ we go again Tuesday”

The striker has a point

Bamford has indeed had a great campaign so far this season, scoring twelve Premier League goals in 20 appearances (Transfermarkt). He has received praise by many, one being Gabriel Agbonlahor, who said: “He’s been outstanding”

As well as his twelve goals, Bamford has also picked up five assists and managed 3.3 shots per game (WhoScored). Without his eleven goals, Leeds would be a lot closer to the relegation zone than they currently are. With it being mentioned by many that Bamford could possibly get an England call-up, the amount of goals he can get this season matters massively.

When the decision is so tight, it seems silly to not give the decision to the attacker, as he is not getting an advantage from being millimetres offside. This plus him battling for an England spot emphasises that it is understandable to see him so frustrated at the goal being disallowed.

In other Leeds news, one star has been praised by legend Deco, have a read who it is here!

MatériaMais Notícias

Milton Cruz não trabalha mais para o São Paulo. Há mais de 20 anos no clube, o profissional foi comunicado de sua demissão nesta quinta-feira. O clube já confirma o desligamento do agora ex-auxiliar.

Antes de ser comunicado da demissão, Milton Cruz participou de seu último treino pelo São Paulo, na tarde desta quinta. Como sempre, ficou próximo do técnico Edgardo Bauza, conversou com jogadores e, no fim, teve uma conversa com o novo diretor de futebol Luiz Cunha. O presidente Carlos Augusto de Barros e Silva também compareceu à atividade. Cunha falou sobre o desligamento de Milton.

– Infelizmente, algumas vezes a gente tem de cortar na própria carne. Pelas circunstâncias e pelo momento, fomos obrigado a fazer. Conversamos com o Milton hoje, falamos que ele é um profissional extremamente bem sucedido no São Paulo, mas estava subutilizado e achamos mais justo e honesto conversarmos francamente. Também atendemos ao momento de restrição econômica e financeira de todo o Brasil e por isso, fizemos o desligamento dele.- afirmou o diretor de futebol.

O dirigente não descartou contratar um ex-jogador para assumir o papel de elo entre a diretoria e os jogadores. Disse, porém, que ainda não há um nome pretendido.

-Sim, pensamos nisso. Precisamos dar uma chacoalhada nesse elenco. A gente já identificou carências, vamos tentar supri-las e vamos tentar alguém que possa trazer o que estamos buscando – declarou Cunha.

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Desde o início da gestão de Leco, em outubro do ano passado, a situação do profissional ficou complicadíssima. Este ano, foi remanejado, a contragosto, para o cargo de condutor do recém-criado departamento de scout. Era o prenúncio. Com a mudança, Milton passou a não acompanhar o time nos jogos, nem viajar.

Também pesou na decisão do São Paulo a relação do auxiliar com o empresário Abilio Diniz. Depois de ajudar a derrubar Carlos Miguel Aidar, que foi sucedido por Leco, Abilio entrou em rota de colisão com a nova diretoria e sua ligação com Milton passou a ser a incomodar os dirigentes.

Milton chegou ao São Paulo para trabalhar na comissão técnica em 1994. Iniciou na base até virar membro da comissão técnica fixa do profissional. Assumiu o time como interino diversas vezes. A última foi no fim do ano passado, no Campeonato Brasileiro, no lugar de Doriva. Classificou o time à Copa Libertadores, mas depois foi escanteado.

Steven Bergwijn has been quite the enigma at Tottenham Hotspur since his arrival nearly a year ago.

The 23-year-old arrived from PSV Eindhoven last January for around €30m (£26.5m) as one of Jose Mourinho’s first signings at the club. He has since seen his value rocket to a whopping €70m (£62m) as per the CIES Football Observatory.

But why?

Supporters on social media have gotten on his back at times, and on the face of it, it appears quite reasonable as he’s not scored since a 1-1 draw with Manchester City, which was Spurs’ first game back after the temporary break in June.

The general consensus

The north Londoners romped to a 3-0 victory over Leeds United on Saturday afternoon, a victory which moved them to third place in the Premier League.

Bergwijn was one of the few disappointments as he missed a sitter at 1-0. He also successfully pulled off just one of his three dribble attempts, fired three shots without scoring, won just 25% of his duels, and was dribbled past twice, via SofaScore.

It led to the following reactions on Twitter…

Unjust?

Indeed, the Dutch international has struggled in terms of goal contributions having provided only four assists in 19 appearances this term, but many in N17 need to realise the greater impact he is having under Mourinho.

In some ways, he has become his sacrificial lamb on that right-flank.

Per FBref, only three other players are pressing more than Bergwijn in the final third of the pitch and those three are managing more minutes, so it’s not completely reflective of his true potential.

This much is backed up by his heat map for the season, via SofaScore:

Clearly, he is involved way more than what is perceived – the map above shows he is contributing defensively just as much as he is up the field.

Without his presence against Leicester, Mourinho’s side were utterly dominated as the Foxes ran away with a 2-0 victory, so it can’t be a coincidence that Spurs pick up their first win in five games with Bergwijn back in the starting XI.

There’s a reason why journalists (The Extra Inch via This is Futbol) have lauded him a “really special” talent and “more effective than [Lucas] Moura” in the past.

Get off his back, Spurs fans.

AND in other news, Pathetic Spurs star who lost possession 19 TIMES badly betrayed Mourinho…

Rangers confirmed they had signed a pre-contract deal for Jack Simpson on Thursday, with the Scottish Premiership league leaders due to get their man to Glasgow in the summer.

The former England U21 international was the subject of interest from Steven Gerrard’s side several years ago.

With Connor Goldson’s future uncertain and Rangers short of options at the back following Nikola Katic’s injury, Gerrard will have been delighted to snap up Simpson by way of a Bosman move from Bournemouth.

After coming through the ranks at Dean Court, Simpson is fast approaching the prime of his career and fans will be hoping he can hit the ground running and play a crucial part in what could be their first title defence for many years next season, whilst he still has room to improve at the age of 24.

A quick look at the statistics suggest that while the Englishman has put in a solid shift at the back over the last few seasons, it is his ball distribution that could be of most benefit to his new employers.

Filip Helander and Leon Balogun have done a decent enough job at the back since the start of this season, but his range of passing could be a game-changer for Gerrard’s Gers.

At Bournemouth, Simpson has been averaging 39 passes per 90 minutes, which is a decent enough return, especially when you consider the fact that half of his appearances have come off the bench. Now, this is still some way off the likes of Helander (56.9) and Balogun (53.2), although it’s hard to draw direct comparisons as they are playing in different leagues with different levels of opposition.

However, Gerrard should be encouraged by Simpson’s highly competent range of passing, which should help to paint the full picture. Simpson has an average of 2.8 long balls per game this season, implying that he isn’t afraid to play long-range passes either in the air or on the ground to split defences and create opportunities for strikers to score goals in one-on-one situations with goalkeepers. For context, both Helander and Balogun have managed just 2.4 and 2.2 long balls in the Premiership respectively.

His former Cherries coach Carl Fletcher also believes he has the diversity to adapt to the rigorous demands of playing in the Scottish Premiership. He told BBC Sportsound: “He’s a very down to earth lad. He’s a really good lad and a good character, so I think whenever you have stepped outside of something you have always know there is always a degree of excitement and stepping out of your comfort zone, but I think it’s something he will adapt to no worries, going to Rangers and the size of the club.

“Players going into that environment there is always a transition period but I think Jack will take it in his stride and want to hit the ground running.”

Not only will Simpson, who was dubbed a “natural-born leader” by his former coach Tim Davis, be able to provide cover and competition for Goldson, Helander and Balogun, but he’ll also be able to offer an alternative threat from the back as well.

AND in other news, Rangers can sign perfect Brandon Barker replacement in Rochdale’s Kwadwo Baah…

Tottenham Hotspur couldn’t find a way past Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon but their shortcomings didn’t stop them from relinquishing top spot in the Premier League.

Jose Mourinho’s side seemed content to sit on their slender lead after Harry Kane opened the scoring with a 30-yard strike, but they were made to pay for doing so nine minutes from regular time.

A cross from Eberechi Eze was spilled by Hugo Lloris into the path of Jeffrey Schlupp, who couldn’t miss from close range, meaning Spurs returned to the north-side of London with just one point.

The ‘Special One’ made wholesale changes from Thursday night’s table-topping victory over Royal Antwerp in the Europa League and also handed a surprise inclusion to Dele Alli, who had only made two of their previous 11 top-flight matchday squads prior to kick-off.

And despite making a solid case earlier in the week, Argentine playmaker Giovani Lo Celso, signed for just £27m, was snubbed for the return of Tanguy Ndombele and Moussa Sissoko – a decision from Mourinho that soon turned sour.

The 24-year-old has every right to feel aggrieved and perhaps even infuriated as he literally ran the show against the Belgian outfit – the only team that has defeated Spurs since the opening day of the Premier League season.

He didn’t do himself any harm last weekend either as the side ran out victorious against arch-rivals Arsenal too.

In his absence, Spurs lacked a real creative and energetic spark in the transition between midfield and attack – that much was seen when the £64m-rated maestro replaced the struggling Frenchman in the 67th minute.

Ndombele managed just one key pass from 27 accurate attempts, lost possession nine times and committed two fouls, per SofaScore.

In the Europa League, no Spurs player is averaging more key passes per game (1.8) then Lo Celso whilst in the English top-flight, the Argentine ranks ahead of the Frenchman, via WhoScored.

The “extraordinary” attacking midfielder very much deserved to start at Selhurst Park, and just maybe if he did, the north London outfit would’ve found that added spark in front of goal.

It was criminal to only bring the £70k-per-week dynamo on with a little over 20 minutes remaining.

AND in other news, Forget Lloris: £120k-per-week calamity badly let Mourinho down vs Palace…

Manchester City look to have made a terrible mistake in loaning out Spanish left-back Angelino, as he continues to impress for RB Leipzig.

The 23-year-old was loaned out to Julian Nagelsmann’s side during the summer, with the Bundesliga side reportedly holding the option to make the move permanent for £16.3 million.

This looks to be a bargain deal when you consider the impressive manner in which the left-back has started the season, both in the Bundesliga and in the Champions League.

So far this season Angelino, described as “inquisitive” by Nagelsmann in October, has averaged an incredible 7.46 rating for his performances in Germany’s top-flight, having contributed four goals and two assists in those games (per WhoScored).

He has been equally impressive in the Champions League, with three goals and three assists to his name in the group stages, which saw him average a 7.24 rating.

The defender will no doubt have won over a lot of Manchester City fans with his most recent performance for Die Roten Bullen, as he earned the man-of-the-match award after scoring and assisting in Leipzig’s 3-2 win against Manchester United in midweek, which knocked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side out of the competition.

Angelino’s average rating far surpasses the likes of Benjamin Mendy, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Nathan Ake, who have all featured at left-back for Manchester City this season, suggesting that the club may have made a mistake in loaning him out.

City’s sporting director, Aitor “Txiki” Begiristain Mujika, will surely be regretting the decision and will be hoping that Leipzig don’t exercise their option to buy him, although when you consider his superb start to the season, this seems unlikely.

The Spanish defender, who earns €55k (£50k) per week, was never really given an opportunity to impress in Guardiola’s side, with just 15 first-team appearances to his name, which certainly seems like something the club may regret if he continues to impress with Leipzig.

And, in other news… 0% duels won: “Special” MCFC ace badly let Guardiola down with an abysmal display…