Connect with us

Sports

Zeljko Buvac contender for Arsenal job — but will have to work on Europa League budget

Published

on

ZELJKO BUVAC is a serious contender for Arsenal — to work on a Europa League budget.

The Liverpool No 2, who last week took a leave of absence from Anfield for personal reasons, has been targeted ahead of a big-name boss.

 Zeljko Buvac has been told he will have to work on a Europa League-level budget at Arsenal

PA:PRESS ASSOCIATION: Zeljko Buvac has been told he will have to work on a Europa League-level budget at Arsenal
 Buvac, right, was Jurgen Klopp's right-hand man at Dortmund and Liverpool but has taken a leave of absence from Melwood

AP:ASSOCIATED PRESS: Buvac, right, was Jurgen Klopp’s right-hand man at Dortmund and Liverpool but has taken a leave of absence from Melwood

And Gunners chiefs have already sounded out whether Buvac would be interested in the role.

But he is also on a shortlist at Borussia Dortmund, where he spent seven years as Jurgen Klopp’s assistant before following the German to Merseyside back in October 2015.

The terms on which Buvac, 56, is being considering are to work on much reduced finances compared to Champions League teams.

Arsenal’s failure to beat Atletico Madrid in their Europa League semi-final ruled out a return to Europe’s elite, meaning restricted cash for the new manager.

That has given Buvac an edge over former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique, who will demand monster £15million-a-year wages — not to mention mega-money to revamp Wenger’s squad.

Arsenal’s top brass have started the process of replacing Wenger after his 22 years in charge.

ALSO READ  Football managers to be shown red and yellow cards this season

Now they want a coach to train players on the pitches of London Colney rather than an all-powerful manager in the mould of Wenger.

And they are happy to look at candidates not currently No 1’s.

 Arsene Wenger will take charge of his last match at the Emirates with a fanfare sendoff

GETTY – CONTRIBUTOR: Arsene Wenger will take charge of his last match at the Emirates with a fanfare sendoff
 Luis Enrique reportedly wants a huge salary to manage Arsenal

GETTY – CONTRIBUTOR: Luis Enrique reportedly wants a huge salary to manage Arsenal

Added to that, Gunners’ head of recruitment Sven Mislintat knows Buvac well from their time together at Dortmund — putting the man known as “The Brain” behind Klopp’s success firmly in the running.

Buvac’s only experience as manager has been three years with Neukirchen in Germany’s lower leagues but had success at Dortmund.

Gunners chief executive Ivan Gazidis said he would be “bold in the appointment and get the person we believe is right” — following the masterstroke of unknown Wenger’s appointment back in 1996.

The next manager could, though, face a humiliating pre-season if Wenger’s final three matches fall flat.

Today’s Emirates visitors Burnley are just three points behind the Gunners — and could pip them into sixth.

That would mean Arsenal playing a Europa League qualifier and scrapping their lucrative pre-season Far East tour to Singapore.

ALSO READ  PSG star Marco Verratti suggests Lionel Messi gets 'special treatment'

 

 

 

Advertisement
Comments

Sports

Osimhen Crowned 2023 CAF Footballer of the Year

Published

on

By

Victor Osimhen has been named the 2023 African Footballer of the Year, cementing his status as one of the world’s top players.

Osimhen surpassed competition from Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah for the prestigious award.

The Super Eagles forward concluded a remarkable year in the imperial Moroccan city of Marakesh, ending Nigeria’s 24-year wait for Africa’s top individual prize, last won by legendary Kanu Nwankwo in 1999.

During the event, Osimhen expressed gratitude, acknowledging the impact of Nigerian legend Emmanuel Amuneke, who coached him at the U-17 level, and the support from fans and fellow players.

“It’s a dream come true for me. I want to thank everyone who has seen me through life’s journey, in achieving my dreams and goals. I appreciate Nigerians and Africa for their unwavering support and encouragement,” he said.

Osimhen recognised the influence of Emmanuel Adebayo, Solomon Kalu, and other African legends, expressing gratitude to his role model, Didier Drogba.

The award reflects Osimhen’s outstanding performances with Napoli, where he played a pivotal role in their Serie A title run, scoring 26 league goals and becoming the first African to win the top scorer award, breaking George Weah’s record in the Italian top-flight.”

ALSO READ  PSG star Marco Verratti suggests Lionel Messi gets 'special treatment'

Continue Reading

Sports

Lionel Messi Secures Historic 8th Ballon d’Or Triumph

Published

on

By

 

Lionel Messi, the renowned Argentine football icon, clinched the coveted 2023 Ballon d’Or, setting a new record for the 2022 World Cup champion.

In a glamorous event held in Paris, Messi, who now plays for Inter Miami, received the prestigious award on Monday night. This achievement is widely seen as a well-deserved recognition for his pivotal role in guiding the Abiscelete to World Cup victory in the previous year.

Aged 36, Messi succeeded Karim Benzema as the recipient of this award, which acknowledges his exceptional performances during the last season when he inspired Argentina to triumph at the World Cup.

His remarkable displays in Qatar, where he led his nation to a historic victory, enabled him to surpass strong competition, notably from Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland. Haaland secured the second spot in the final voting, with Mbappe finishing third and Kevin De Bruyne taking fourth place.

Messi, a former Barcelona superstar, left an indelible mark at the World Cup, scoring seven crucial goals. His exceptional performance led to him being named the tournament’s best player, especially after Argentina’s victory over France in the final.

While Messi’s World Cup heroics were undeniable, his final season with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) was relatively lackluster. Subsequently, he made a move to Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.

ALSO READ  Arsene Wenger had bodyguard next to him at all games during last two years as Arsenal boss

His former PSG teammate, Mbappe, made a strong case for the Ballon d’Or with his outstanding World Cup performance, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with eight goals, including a memorable hat-trick in the final for France.

Norwegian striker Erling Haaland had a remarkable season, scoring an incredible 52 goals in 53 games for Manchester City. This stellar performance played a pivotal role in helping Pep Guardiola’s team secure a historic treble in the English Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League.

Both Haaland and De Bruyne were nominated for the Ballon d’Or from their exceptional contributions to the success of Manchester City.

Continue Reading

Sports

“B Sample Reveals Presence of Testosterone in Pogba’s Test Results”

Published

on

By

Juventus and France midfielder Paul Pogba’s ‘B’ sample has confirmed the presence of testosterone, a source close to the case told AFP on Friday.

The 30-year-old former Manchester United player, a World Cup winner in 2018, faces a ban of up to four years.

The original test by the Italian anti-doping agency (Nado) showed the presence of testosterone metabolites.

On Friday, Pogba learned that the analysis of his B sample, carried out on the previous day, had produced the same result.

The player’s entourage declined to comment.

Under the World Anti-Doping Code, Pogba is liable to a four-year suspension, which could be halved if he proves that he was not at fault.

The ban could even be limited to a few months if the use of the substance took place “out of competition and is not related to his level of performance”.

Pogba’s representatives said last month that the testosterone came from a food supplement prescribed by a doctor he consulted in the United States.

Testosterone promotes muscle development.

Contacted by AFP, Nado was unable to confirm this information “due to a decision by the Italian privacy authority”.

Pogba has seven days to submit his defence to Italy’s National Anti-Doping Tribunal, which will investigate his case and request a sanction, a process that could take several weeks.

ALSO READ  Yaya Toure's agent confirms midfielder has passed medical ahead of move to new club

In addition to the proceedings of the Italian sports justice system, a judicial investigation will be opened by the Turin public prosecutor’s office, as doping is a criminal offence in Italy.

Since the announcement of his positive test, Pogba has been unable to train with Juventus, the club to which he returned in July 2022 after six seasons with United.

The announcement came shortly before Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri’s press conference on the eve of the Turin derby against Torino, at which he simply said he was “sorry for Paul”.

Contacted by AFP, the club, which has also suspended payment of his estimated annual salary of 8 million euros (8.4 million dollars), did not respond.

Pogba started the season attempting to bounce back from string of injuries last season and from summer surgery.

His sample was reportedly taken at his club’s opening match of the Serie A season, a win at Udinese on August 20, during which he was an unused substitute.

After the first sample tested positive on September 11,  Pogba’s agent Rafaela Pimenta said she was “awaiting the second sample and cannot have an opinion before the results”.

“What is certain is that Paul Pogba never wanted to break a rule,” she added.

 

ALSO READ  PSG star Marco Verratti suggests Lionel Messi gets 'special treatment'

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Tweets by ‎@megaiconmagg

Subscribe to our Newsletter

* indicates required

MegaIcon Magazine Facebook Page

Advertisement

MEGAICON TV

Trending