Dyche reveals he never held Spurs talks
Sean Dyche has predicted relegation-threatened Tottenham will rally under new boss Robert De Zerbi, insisting their dire form has bottomed out.
Dyche was one of the names linked with replacing Igor Tudor after the Croatians short, calamitous reign, but told talkSPORT on Tuesday he never held talks with the club.
Instead, they appointed former Brighton man De Zerbi and Dyche expects to see a badly needed upturn in form.
Tottenham have bottomed out, Im sure, which means they can only get better, he told the radio station.
Id be amazed if they dont have a bounce. But I dont think you can call it (the relegation battle). I have no clue whos staying up.
Former Burnley and Everton boss Dyche, who was sacked after 18 games in charge of Spurs fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest earlier this year, had been touted as a short-term fire-fighting option for the London club.
And, while he suggested the idea did not appeal to him, he offered some advice to De Zerbi about what would be needed to stay in the top flight.
For me it would be: strong, fit and organised. That keeps you up, not just relying on talent, he said.
Whats the framework of the side? Whats the energy, whats the output? Whats the hard yards and how much of those are you putting in?
You are going to find it very hard to stay in the Premier League if you dont get the framework and the basics right.
Reflecting on the concerns he would have harboured had Tottenham approached him, Dyche added: I wouldnt go in there looking for money.
They could offer me a massive amount of money, Im sure theyre capable of it, and allegedly theyve offered De Zerbi a massive amount of money. It would have been about what are you going to help me gain as a human being. What would I gain?
Lets say you go in there and get the job done, then next season if youre not in the top four and the footballs not what they want, then youre rubbish and they want you out. If you dont get the job done, then somehow its on my neck that I took Tottenham down.
Man Utd players back Carrick as the right man to be clubs manager
Manchester United players believe Michael Carrick is the right man to lead the club forward on a permanent basis, according to Amad Diallo.
Carrick has transformed Uniteds fortunes since taking the job until the end of the season in January, guiding them up to third in the Premier League and putting them in the box seat to secure a return to the Champions League next season.
After sacking Ruben Amorim at the start of the year, United had wanted to give themselves time to consider all their options for a long-term appointment, but Carrick has put himself firmly in the frame.
Speaking during the clubs training camp outside Dublin, Amad gave his backing to the former United captain.
Obviously its not for us as a player to decide his future, but hes been very great, hes been doing so much for the team, Amad said. He has a lot of experience, he knows the club and has the DNA. We think hes the right man, but we are really happy for what hes doing right now.
Since hes arrived hes been clear to everyone that he wants to win, he wants to reach the Champions League next season, working with each player. Hes been doing really well and were really happy to have him as the manager.
Sometimes this kind of manager can bring a club where they belong. From my personal side hes the right man but its not the players who decide, but we are really happy to have him as a manager.
Sitting alongside Amad in a press conference at their training base near Maynooth, Bryan Mbeumo said the players had enjoyed working under Carrick, who has won seven of his 10 games in charge.
Weve got good experience with him, playing under him as well, he said. As [Amad] said, its not for us to decide, but were going to try to take as much as we can from him.
He knows the DNA of the club, he knows how to talk to us as well, I think its been easier because he knows the place. Its been great to work under him.
'Everyone is delighted!' | Carrick reacts to Maguire contract extension
Michael Carrick says everyone at Manchester United is "delighted" Harry Maguire has signed a contract extension to 2027.
Flick tight-lipped on Lewandowski's Barca future
Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski scored an 87th-minute winner against Atletico Madrid in LaLiga on Saturday, although the Poland striker is reportedly considering leaving the Catalans when his contract expires this summer.
But Barca boss Hansi Flick was coy when asked about the player's future ahead of the sides' clash in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
"We all know this situation, I am happy with Robert, I am happy with my players," said Flick.
"We have eight games left to play and for me nothing is done, so we have to stay focused, we have to stay always ready to fight and this is the job of us, the players, the staff and this is what we want to do.
"We want to do our job until it is done and then we see."
Cherries eye Senesi replacement?
Bournemouth have a "rising" interest in Bologna defender Jhon Lucumi, according to the city's newspaper Il Resto del Carlino, as a potential replacement for out-of-contract Marcos Senesi.
The paper claims Barcelona are eyeing the 27-year-old if they fail to sign Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni, but that the Cherries consider Lucumi an ideal signing should Senesi leave in June, given both are left footed.
Sunderland reportedly had a 30m (26.2m) bid turned down for the Colombia international last summer, but reportedly also retain an interest in a possible move.
Ramsey announces retirement from football
Former Wales captain and Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey has announced his retirement from football, bringing the curtain down on a 20-year playing career.
From goal-fest to snooze-fest - inside Defoe's mixed start at Woking
A six-goal thriller followed by a lifeless stalemate - Jermain Defoe experienced the full rollercoaster of management during his first weekend at Woking.
Maguire signs new one-year Man Utd deal
Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has signed a new one-year contract at Old Trafford.
Chelsea plotting 60m Roefs move?
Chelsea are considering a 60m move for Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs, reports Football Insider.
The Blues have endured goalkeeper troubles in recent years as they demand to stick to their sporting model of buying younger players, but the 23-year-old would fit into those plans.
The outlet claims Chelsea may face competition from Man City and Liverpool, who are also keeping an eye on the Dutchman.
Could Amorim replace Mourinho at Benfica?
Ex-Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has emerged as a contender to potentially replace Jose Mourinho at Benfica if the former Chelsea boss leaves, according to The Sun.
It has been claimed that Mourinho's agent, Jorge Mendes, has told him to leave the club this summer.
