French Ligue 1
Zidane snubs Man United for PSG
It is becoming increasingly clear why former Real Madrid coach, Zinedine Zidane has rebuffed Manchester United who are in despirate search for a manager following the sack of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
A French newspaper, Le Parisien has reported that Zidane dreams of coaching PSG, as he is a shareholder of the Parisian team and an ambassador for the Qatar World Cup. There have already been contacts.
He is therefore tipped to be PSG’s new coach in the coming weeks in the event that Mauricio Pochettino ends up leaving the French capital.
In what may also look as a swap, Pochttino may be heading to Manchester United.
The rumour that came out yesterday afternoon in England has become a reality in France, which takes for granted that, in the event that the Argentine coach ends up signing for Manchester United, Zidane will be the one chosen to arrive in the French capital .
In fact, and as reported by Le Parisien, PSG has already had several previous contacts with Zidane to make him their new coach.
The former Real Madrid coach maintains a great relationship with Al Khelaïfi and the club, as he is a shareholder through the QSI fund and became an ambassador for the Qatar World Cup. In addition, in Paris they see his signing as a possibility to convince Mbappé to continue in the French capital , since Zidane is an idol in France and his touch with young people could be decisive for him to end up renewing.
Since leaving Real Madrid, Zidane wants to train a team as soon as possible . Despite the fact that all the pools give him the favourite to succeed Deschamps for the World Cup in Qatar, nothing is assured for the Marseille, who could succeed Pochettino.
The Argentine coach wants to leave Paris after having discrepancies with Leonardo and having no room for maneuver in decision-making.
“The sheik needs a superstar coach”
By the time United’s interest in Pochettino has leaked, a box has been opened with all the possibilities that would definitely shake up European football. And, of course, the option of Zidane joining PSG as an answer was on the table . It should be remembered that the French have already rejected the offer of the English for their family and for the language.
Miguel Ángel Moyá, exporter, has spoken in El Tercer Tiempo of Movistar + about the situation of the PSG bench and has given a vision that until now had not been debated : ” Maybe what the PSG sheikh needs is to sign a coach That he gives off the same affection as signing a superstar . What coach can be in that superstar circle? Zidane. For what he was as a coach and also as a player.
He continues with the comparison of the last residents of the Parisian bench: ” Emery, Pochettino or Tuchel are great coaches, but they have not been what Zidane was as a player. Maybe if someone with that aura of a superstar coach arrives, he might be able to respects and for him to come and say: ‘I’ve seen how PSG works, but here I want to do what I believe as a coach.’ I don’t see it wrong, I’d like to “.
After Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi signed a contract extension with French Ligue 1 side, Paris Saint-Germain, he became the World’s most-paid fullback.
The Moroccan international will earn a staggering €70 million in wages over his new five-year deal, cementing his status as football’s highest-paid defender.
He signed a contract extension with the French champions until 2029. The new deal adds three years to his previous contract, which was set to expire in 2026.
His net salary is increasing from €10 million to €14 million per season (€28 million gross).
Follow the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
The 2024 Ballon d’Or nominee and Super Eagles winger, Ademola Lookman, is almost certain to leave the Serie A in the coming winter transfer window following interest from Premiership but the biggest interest is from Paris Saint Germaine.
The AFCON 2024 silver medal winner with Nigeria has been on the radar of the London side, West Ham United and three other sides from the league but all is more certain that the London club will find it difficult to compete for the signature of Atalanta star according to Football Insider.
Reports have suggested that the Irons are ready to swoop for the Nigeria international in the January transfer window.
However, sources say there will be “huge interest” from Europe in the 27-year-old ex-Everton star.
Paris Saint-Germain will be the frontrunner for the forward if he becomes available in the coming months.
Additionally, Lookman plays in the same area of the pitch as West Ham’s big-money summer signings Crysencio Summerville and Luis Guilherme.
The London-born has raised his stock with his displays for Atalanta since joining from RB Leipzig in 2022.
He finished 14th in the Ballon d’Or rankings this year after leading the Italian side to a Europa League title last term.
Lookman has already hit five goals and contributed five assists in 10 games across all competitions this term.
The forward, who is under contract until June 2026, hit 17 goals and notched 10 assists in 45 appearances last season.
West Ham are unlikely to have serious funds to spend in the January window after their lavish spending in the off-season.
Julen Lopetegui’s side started slowly and sat 13th in the Premier League after nine games.
Paris St Germain will take their wage dispute with Kylian Mbappe to court after the French football league’s governing body (LFP) ruled in favour of the France captain on Friday.
French media reported the 25-year-old, who has not commented on the dispute, is seeking around 55 million euros ($59.52 million) in salary and bonuses he says he is owed by the club.
The Ligue 1 champions, however, say Mbappe’s contract was “legally amended” and that he reneged on commitments when he left the club to join Spanish giants Real Madrid in the close season.
PSG said last month that Mbappe had refused an offer from the LFP to mediate on the issue.
The LFP’s National Joint Appeals Commission heard the parties on Oct. 15 and announced on Friday it had ruled in favour of Mbappe.
“The club must pay him the salary he is claiming. This decision is not subject to appeal, but may be referred to the FFF (French Football Federation) Executive Committee,” the LFP told Reuters.
However, PSG said they would be “forced to bring the case before the competent courts” while still trying to find an “amicable solution” with Mbappe, who became the French club’s all-time top scorer during his seven-year stay in the capital.
“What is in debate, and will ultimately be heard before an appropriate tribunal, is that the original contract was legally amended in August 2023 relating to the 2024-25 season, and also fully recognised by the player including in January 2024 – until the player then decided to renege all his commitments upon leaving the club,” a PSG spokesperson said.
“As a matter of law and fact, the player has made clear, repeated public and private commitments that the club simply asks are honoured, with the player being afforded unprecedented benefits by the club over seven years in Paris.
“The club hopes these basic commitments will simply be respected, knowing that the club will be forced to have the player’s bad faith judged by the competent courts if the player regrettably seeks to pursue this incomprehensibly damaging dispute, for himself and for French football, further.”
Mbappe’s representatives were not immediately available for comment.
In January, Mbappe had said he made an agreement with PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi which would “protect all parties and preserve the club’s serenity for the challenges ahead”.
-Reuters
Heineken Unites Nigeria’s “Hardcore Fans” for Champions League Semi-Final Showdowns
Abdulfatai, Udoaka top seedings for 2025 National Table Tennis Championships in Osun
Gov. Abiodun extols Remo Stars over unprecedented victory
- WOMEN'S FOOTBALL1 week ago
Naira rain falls on Nigeria’s Flamingos after a 4-0 defeat of Algeria
- Nigerian Football5 days ago
Financial rainfall awaits Nigeria’s Flamingos for every goal scored in Algeria
- OBITUARY7 days ago
NFF mourns the demise of former FIFA referee, Bosede Momoh
- U-17 AFCON1 week ago
Morocco crowned CAF U-17 AFCON champions after dramatic penalty shootout win over Mali
- U-20 FOOTBALL1 week ago
Nigeria begin CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations title chase with Tunisian clash
- Nigerian Football1 week ago
Remo Stars maintain ‘7Up’ lead over Rivers United
- feature1 week ago
Ghana’s Cardinal, Appiah Turkson, listed as a possible Pope
- Nigerian Football5 days ago
Former WAFU President, Ogufere mourns Christian Chukwu