Manchester City eye Real Sociedad ace Mikel Oyarzabal

Hansi Flick has confirmed he is in advanced talks with the German Football Association (DFB) about taking over as coach of the national team, though his immediate focus is on saying farewell to Bayern Munich.

Joachim Low will end his tenure in charge of Die Mannschaft after the Euro 2020 finals, opting to leave rather than see his contract through to the 2022 World Cup.

Flick is seemingly set to return to the Germany fold, having previously served as Low’s assistant between 2006 and 2014, a span that included being crowned world champions in Brazil.

It is clear that I spoke to the DFB. Things always have to be regulated. It s about little things, Flick told the media on Friday ahead of his final game in charge of Bayern.

When the time comes, things…

Manchester City moved back to the top of the Premier League table with a 2-0 victory over Everton at Goodison Park.

City were seven points behind Liverpool on January 19 but Wednesday s win sees them move level with Jurgen Klopp s Reds, the defending champions taking over at the summit on goal difference.

Aymeric Laporte s second league goal of the season put City ahead in the final moments of the first half, Everton giving the defender the freedom of the penalty area to head past Jordan Pickford.

The visitors wasted a number of chances to extend their lead before Gabriel Jesus wrapped things up in stoppage time, condemning struggling Everton to a seventh defeat in their last 10 league matches.

HEAD BOY!

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— Manchester City (@ManCit…

Sir Kenny Dalglish would happily take a “rubbish” Scotland performance if they got a result in Spain and qualified for Euro 2024.

Spain captain Rodri labelled Scotland’s tactics “rubbish” after being on the end of a 2-0 defeat at Hampden in March, accusing Steve Clarke’s men of provocation, feigning injury and time-wasting.

Scotland have since taken their winning start to the group to five games and sit six points ahead of Spain before their meeting in Seville on Thursday, but the home side have hit 16 goals in their other three matches.

Dalglish, Scotland’s record appearance holder, said: “I think there will be a wee bit of an edge to the game after some of the statements made here when Spain got beat.

“I don’t think I would ever back…

Arsenal are reportedly lining up a move for Isco in January, while Barcelona and Liverpool are also eyeing a defender.

Isco is seemingly getting close to a Real Madrid exit as he struggles for minutes with the LaLiga champions.

The playmaker s next move could see him in the Premier League.

TOP STORY – ARSENAL WANT ISCO

Arsenal want to sign Real Madrid midfielder Isco on loan in January before buying him ahead of 2021-22, according to Defensa Central.

Isco has been at Madrid since 2013, but is linked with a move as he seeks more game time.

Previously linked to Everton, Isco is wanted by Arsenal and the report says Mikel Arteta has already asked for the 28-year-old to be signed.

ROUND-UP

Facing injur…

Luis Milla recalled fond memories of training and playing with Argentina and Napoli great Diego Maradona at LaLiga powerhouse Barcelona.

Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata head coach Maradona – arguably football s greatest ever player – died at the age of 60 after a suspected heart attack, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) confirmed on Wednesday.

Maradona was discharged from hospital a fortnight ago following brain surgery, having undergone a routine operation for a subdural haematoma after being admitted to hospital due to concerns over anaemia and dehydration.

Maradona had the best years of his club career in Italy, playing a massive part in Napoli winning the Serie A title in the 1986-87 and 1989-90 seasons, having arrived from Barca in 1984.

The…

One of the men behind behind the acclaimed Sunderland ‘Til I Die documentary series has admitted he may have to rethink a decision to call time on it if the club make it to the Champions League.

The third and final season of the Netflix show, which charts the Black Cats’ bid to fight their way out of Sky Bet League One at the fourth attempt, is due to hit screens next Wednesday and provide viewers with the happy ending the first two did not.

Ben Turner, a partner in the Fulwell 73 production company behind the documentary and a lifelong Sunderland fan, believes the story has drawn to a natural conclusion – at least for now.

However, asked if there could be another chapter to be written, he told the PA news agency with a smile: “This feels like the perfect…

Xavi is set to be confirmed as Barcelona s new head coach after leaving his role with Al Sadd. 

The 41-year-old will take over at Camp Nou having spent the past two and a half years in charge of Al Sadd.

Xavi still had two more years to run on his deal, but Barcelona have paid his release clause and reached an agreement with the Qatari side for the club legend to replace Ronald Koeman.

A statement from Al Sadd CEO Turk Al-Ali read: The Al Sadd administration has agreed on Xavi s move to Barcelona after the payment of the release clause stipulated in the contract.

We ve agreed on cooperation with Barcelona in the future. Xavi is an important part of Al-Sadd s history and we wish him success.

Xavi informed us a few days ago of his desire to …

Roy Keane said he felt sorry for the Manchester United players after their derby defeat to Manchester City as the former captain believes they are simply not good enough.

United were second best in a 2-0 loss to the Premier League champions at Old Trafford, an Eric Bailly own goal and a finish from Bernardo Silva settling the contest before half-time.

It was the Red Devils first home league match since the 5-0 thrashing by Liverpool but there was little better about this latest result other than the scoreline.

United had only one shot on target throughout, managing only 389 passes to City s 821, as Pep Guardiola s men eased through the contest in second gear.

Former United defender Gary Neville described it as a calm annihilation at City s hands, and Kean…

Newcastle midfielder Elliot Anderson has withdrawn from the Scotland squad for the double-header with Cyprus and England just over a week after being called up for the first time.

Back-up goalkeeper Liam Kelly has also dropped out and is replaced by Robby McCrorie ahead of Friday’s Euro 2024 qualifier in Limassol.

Whitley Bay-born Anderson, who has a Scottish grandmother, was a surprise inclusion in Steve Clarke’s squad last week after deciding against switching allegiance to England following positive discussions with the Scotland boss.

The highly-regarded 20-year-old trained at Lesser Hampden earlier this week but it was revealed on Wednesday that he had left the squad due to injury and would have to wait a while longer to ensure he was officially committed…

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Hoping to sign off their La Liga romp with another statement on the road, Barcelona will travel to Balaidos on Sunday night when they meet Celta Vigo.

Celta Vigo

Starting with the hosts, opening Sunday’s La Liga finale holding just a one-point buffer over slipping into the drop zone, Celta Vigo know that they have a huge amount of pressure on their shoulders this weekend. Knowing that potentially just three points could be enough to help them avoid an infamous top-flight relegation, Carlos Carvalhal s side are certainly limping their way over the finish line. Last seen putting in another nightmare display as they slumped to what could be a season-deciding 1-0 loss away at Cadiz, the one-time Sheffield Wednesday boss has come under p…