IAN LADYMAN: Lou Macari turns 75 on Friday and without a doubt his continues to be a life well lived. For those of us who have watched a lot of football down the years, it's still possible to recall him playing. A short, stocky, clever and rather rumbustious attacker, Celtic, Manchester United and Scotland all benefited from the fire that burned within. He was a decent manager, too. Especially at Stoke City in a town that continues to benefit from a stubborn, determined streak that has always run right through the middle of him....read
Stoke City FC team and transfer news
Monaco join Chelsea and AC Milan in pursuit of 17-year-old Stoke starlet Sol Sidibe - son of former Potters favourite Mamady - after midfielder made first-team breakthrough
He was handed a professional debut aged 16 when Stoke played Rotherham United in the Championship back in August.
Chelsea among the clubs monitoring former Premier League forward's son, 17, after breakthrough year at Stoke... with Rangers and AC Milan also tracking the midfielder's progress
JACK GAUGHAN: The France-born central midfielder earned rave reviews after being handed a full debut by former manager Alex Neil in a Carabao Cup victory over West Brom.
WONDERS OF THE PYRAMID: How boss Des Buckingham's 'reverse mullet' has taken Oxford to the brink of the Championship - with Wembley next on his bucket list
LEWIS STEELE: After a nail-biting second leg against Peterborough at London Road, the U's are within 90 minutes of Championship football for the first time this century.
From fan at the final to Real Madrid's hero in just two years: Ex-Stoke and Newcastle flop Joselu proved football can make dreams come true after his late heroics against Bayern Munich
Two years ago, Joselu was in Paris with his father to watch Real Madrid win the Champions League as a fan. Now he is set to play in a final for his beloved club.
Real Madrid 2-1 Bayern Munich (agg 4-3): A simple mistake swung the Champions League semi-final out of the hands of Harry Kane and into those of Jude Bellingham, writes IAN LADYMAN
REAL MADRID 2-1 (4-3) BAYERN MUNICH - IAN LADYMAN AT THE BERNABEU: With three minutes to go here Bayern were a goal up and heading for a Champions League final at Wembley.
EFL Championship final day RECAP: Ipswich Town are PROMOTED to the Premier League after a 22-year absence - while Leeds settle for the play-offs and Birmingham are RELEGATED to League One
Re-live Mail Sport's live blog from the final day of the EFL Championship season, with Ipswich gaining promotion to the Premier League and Birmingham going down.
Fans joke that Arsenal are creating 'clones' of Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard and Emile Smith Rowe after their U-21s score sensational team goal
The academy outfit drew 2-2 in their Premier League 2 match earlier this week, with promising youngsters Amario Cozier-Duberry and Ethan Nwaneri both on target.
A Premier League 'luxury tax' would allow clubs outside the 'Big Seven' to dream and compete just as it should be, writes MIKE KEEGAN
MIKE KEEGAN: It comesas little surprise that agreement on a system to replace the current Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) remains, according to another, 'a million miles off'.
What happened to the ghost grounds: How football's once-great stadiums have been transformed… so can you match the present drone photos with their historic past?
IAN HERBERT: It sometimes seems that those who view our football from beyond these shores have the greatest appreciation of the cathedrals, which have been bulldozed now.
Former Premier League striker is appointed as manager of a tiny Micronesian island with a population of just 13,000... and they haven't even played a game yet!
You'll find more people at Stoke's Bet365 Stadium on a Saturday than the microscopic state, which has a population of under 13,000 and an area of 8.1 square miles.
MATT BARLOW: 46 years on, the pesky corner flag that ruined Blyth Spartans' epic Cup run still rankles…
They remain the lowest ranked team to reach that stage of the competition and it still rankles in the Northumberland town that they did not make it to a quarter-final against Arsenal.
John Eustace set to become the new manager of Blackburn Rovers after agreeing his contract... and will replace Jon Dahl Tomasson following dismal eight-game winless run
The former Birmingham City boss will join on a two-and-a-half-year deal, with current manager Jon Dahl Tomasson and his assistant Remy Reijnierse set to leave Ewood Park.
John Eustace is on verge of taking over at Blackburn Rovers and replacing manager Jon Dahl Tomasson amid dismal eight-game winless run
As Mail Sport revealed on Wednesday evening, the Championship club are in the process of finalising the departure of coach Jon Dahl Tomasson and his assistant Remy Reijnierse.
Arsenal U18 coach Jack Wilshere 'prepares an application for Aberdeen's manager role'... but Neil Warnock and Alex Neil remain the front-runners at Pittodrie
The Scottish Premiership side is keen to take their time with their appointment in the wake of this week's sacking of Barry Robson, following a tepid 1-1 draw on Tuesday against Dundee at Pittodrie.
Premier League clubs have shelled out a whopping £3.7BILLION in winter windows since 1992... but which side contributed an eye-watering £632m alone to that total?
The 2024 January transfer window may have been the quietest one in recent memory - but that's not to say that Premier League clubs don't splash out in the winter months.
Al-Ettifaq hold talks with former Charlton boss Dean Holden over becoming Steven Gerrard's assistant, as they seek a replacement for Ian Foster following his move to Plymouth
Gerrard is looking for a new No2 after his former assistant Ian Foster joined Championship side Plymouth Argyle earlier this month.
Stoke City goalkeeper Tommy Simkin joins League Two strugglers Forest Green Rovers on loan until the end of the season... as Troy Deeney brings in reinforcements amid relegation battle
SIMON JONES: The highly rated shot-stopper impressed on loan at Solihull Moors during the first half of the season, which led to him being recalled by parent club Stoke in November.
Stoke City 2-4 Brighton: Joao Pedro strikes twice to ease Roberto De Zerbi's Seagulls into the fourth round... after initially falling behind to Championship opposition
JOE BERNSTEIN AT THE BET365 STADIUM: Joao Pedro has to be under consideration for signing of the season after a finishing masterclass dug Brighton out of a sticky spot..
USMNT captain Tyler Adams set to return from injury for Bournemouth between end of February and early March in major boost ahead of this summer's Copa America
Adams underwent two hamstring surgeries in 2023, with the latter coming just weeks after he made his Bournemouth debut in October following a summer transfer from relegated Leeds United.
Leicester City goalkeeper Daniel Iversen prepares to join Stoke City on loan until the end of the season as the out of favour Foxes stopper undergoes a medical with the Potters
SIMON JONES: Leicester rejected an offer of around £4million from Crystal Palace last summer for Iversen and have been awaiting fresh offers for this window.
FA Cup round-by-round prize money as Man City, Man United and Arsenal look aim to win football's oldest cup competition - which has a surprisingly low prize money
While it remains football's oldest cup competition, this season's winners will take home a surprisingly low amount.
Aston Villa loanee Finn Azaz tapped by Middlesbrough after impressing with Plymouth Argyle - with head coach Steve Schumacher calling him 'the most intelligent footballer I have ever met'
SIMON JONES: The 23-year-old has been excelling on loan at Plymouth Argyle for the past two seasons but Premier League title contenders Villa have the option to recall him.
Former Premier League icon Matthew Etherington is SACKED by League Two strugglers Colchester United after only 16 games in charge
The U's 10th defeat under the former West Ham and Stoke City winger - a 1-0 home loss to Gillingham - left them languishing in 22nd place in the fourth-tier.
Leicester 4-1 Huddersfield: Tom Cannon scores twice on his full debut as Enzo Maresca's men extend lead at top of the Championship to welcome in the new year
TAMARA PRENN AT THE KING POWER STADIUM: Leicester will no doubt have the record points tally of 106 firmly in their sights after goals from Ricardo Pereira, Stephy Mavididi, and Tom Cannon.
ON THE ROAD: Stoke City are stuck in a spiral of negativity with their time in the Championship mundane, mediocre and miserable... with relegation fears lingering despite axing of unpopular Alex Neil
ROSS HEPPENSTALL AT THE HAWTHORNS: The list of clubs who have fallen on hard times following relegation from the Premier League is endless.
West Brom 1-1 Stoke: Lynden Gooch secures point for managerless Potters... but the Championship strugglers are denied all three points after Brandon Thomas-Asante's equaliser
ROSS HEPPENSTALL AT THE HAWTHORNS: Stoke City arrived at West Brom on Sunday lunchtime aiming to make a point to the rest of the league and that is precisely what they departed with.
Alex Neil is SACKED as Stoke manager after suffering a fourth-straight defeat to leave the Potters 20th in the Championship - with Paul Gallagher installed as caretaker boss for Tuesday night's clash with Swansea
Stoke have sacked manager Alex Neil with the club sitting 20th in the Sky Bet Championship, with Paul Gallagher installed as caretaker boss.
POSTCARD FROM MALTA: Former Coventry favourite and Maltese legend Michael Mifsud on how the national team will be feeling ahead of England clash at Wembley, who to watch out for and THAT night at Old Trafford
MICHAEL MIFSUD - FORMER MALTA CAPTAIN: Dubbed the Maltese Messi by Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, Mifsud went on to score 42 goals in 143 games for his country.
Football hooligans alliance supporters warn fans 'do not come tooled up' with weapons as they bid to 'protect' the Cenotaph from pro-Palestine protest - and sell out coaches for hundreds to head to London
The missive - shared by 'Football Lads against Extremism', which has far-right ties - called upon supporters groups to 'stand shoulder to shoulder' to safeguard the memorial.
CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND-UP: Sunderland are held by 10-man Swansea while Plymouth and Middlesbrough draw six-goal thriller
CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND-UP: The Swans were rocked by the 29th-minute dismissal of midfielder Charlie Patino, but Sunderland couldn't capitalise.
Sir Bobby Charlton's death at the age of 86 leaves hat-trick hero Sir Geoff Hurst as the SOLE surviving member of the England team that started the 1966 World Cup final
The death of Sir Bobby Charlton at the age of 86 leaves just one surviving member from the England team that started the 1966 World Cup final win over Germany.
USMNT star Tyler Adams 'out until at least February' after the Bournemouth midfielder re-aggravated a hamstring injury which required surgery
USMNT and Bournemouth holding midfielder Tyler Adams is set to be sidelined until February after he suffered a second hamstring injury inside of a calendar year.
Wayne Rooney 'targets former England team-mate' as his first signing at Birmingham City
Rooney, 37, was appointed Blues manager last week with a brief to return them to the Premier League and he is already targeting a former England colleague.
Leicester 2-0 Stoke City: Jamie Vardy and Kelechi Iheanacho score for the Foxes in dominant win
RYAN WALKER:Maresca's first test of trust in the depth of his Leicester squad didn't just pay off, it couldn't have gone any better. Six changes to key personnel and the Foxes still eased to victory.
USA captain Tyler Adams could need his SECOND hamstring surgery of 2023 after suffering 'setback' in Carabao Cup clash... with Bournemouth saying they 'don't expect him soon with us'
Things are not looking good for United States captain and Bournemouth midfielder Tyler Adams - who may be facing the possibility of his second hamstring surgery of 2023.
USA and Bournemouth midfielder Tyler Adams suffers a hamstring 'setback' according to boss Andoni Iraola just days after making Cherries debut
Bournemouth midfielder Tyler Adams has suffered a hamstring 'setback' according to manager Andoni Iraola. Adams hadn't played since March 11 before he made his Cherries debut.
Wrexham star James McClean admits he REGRETS posting his controversial balaclava picture during lockdown, claiming it was 'supposed to be a joke' but turned out to be a 'disaster'
The offensive image, which was accompanied by a caption that read 'today's school lesson - history' and laughing emojis, was interpreted as a reference to the IRA.
Neil Warnock will step down as Huddersfield Town manager after Wednesday's match against Stoke... but the 74-year-old insists he isn't going to retire again!
Warnock came out of retirement in February to return to Huddersfield 30 years after his first spell at the Yorkshire club started and kept them in the Championship.
Chelsea defender Bashir Humphrys joins Swansea on loan after inking new deal with the Blues following an impressive pre-season campaign
Chelsea defender Bashir Humphreys has joined Swansea City on loan on transfer deadline day.
LIVECarabao Cup - second round RECAP: Spurs are BEATEN on penalties by Fulham after Richarlison's first goal of the season... with Class of 92's Salford heading towards a shootout against Leeds
Re-live Mail Sport's live blog as Carabao Cup second round action got underway highlighted by an all Premier League London derby clash between Fulham and Tottenham.
TRANSFER CONFIDENTIAL: Man United REFUSE to loan out Harry Maguire to West Ham - as they need money for two targets
SIMON JONES: Man United will not entertain a loan for Harry Maguire. The defender is open to leaving for more first team football before the transfer deadline on Friday.
MATT BARLOW: Youth is the most precious commodity in a distorted transfer marketplace… especially with Man City's stamp of excellence as their academy graduates command huge fees
MATT BARLOW: Summer business has been brisk once again in the Manchester City farm shop. With Carlos Borges to Ajax, Shea Charles to Southampton and James Trafford to Burnley.
CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND-UP: Watford and Stoke begin season with big wins to take early lead at the top of the table
Watford laid down an early marker of their Sky Bet Championship promotion credentials with a 4-0 hammering of QPR.
Sol Sidibie, 16, is set to follow in the footsteps of his father, Mamady, at Stoke City and join the likes of Tom Ince and Liam Delap to forge careers like their dad's did
If following in the footsteps of your famous footballer dad is the ambition then Stoke is the place to be. In recent seasons, the likes of Tom Ince and Liam Delap have had spells with the Potters.
Bristol Rovers to sign Stoke City's Connor Taylor as defender undergoes medical
The 21-year old enjoyed a successful loan spell with Joey Barton's side in 2021-22 where the manager described the young centre back as 'a colossus'.
TRANSFER CONFIDENTIAL: Man United could rival Liverpool for £50m Romeo Lavia, Tottenham line up Brennan Johnson to replace Harry Kane and Robert Sanchez agrees move to Chelsea
SIMON JONES: Tottenham are considering a move for Nottingham Forest's Brennan Johnson should the sale of Harry Kane to Bundesliga side Bayern Munich go through.
Stoke City 0-1 Everton: Amadou Onana bags 96th minute winner, while Dwight McNeil limps off the pitch as fears grow for key player's injury
Everton clinched a narrow victory over championship side Stoke City at an away friendly ahead of the new Premier League season.
Aston Villa agree deals for TWO strikers as Wesley Moraes completes shock switch to Stoke City on a one-year deal - while youngster Louie Barry seals loan move to Stockport County
Wesley made 26 appearances for Villa across three seasons, scoring six goals in all competitions before spending the last two seasons away on loan.
MAN UNITED PLAYER RATINGS: Andre Onana shows the future is bright in goal, but it's a long night for Casemiro, Marcus Rashford and Aaron Wan-Bissaka as Erik ten Hag's side are beaten by Real Madrid in Houston
CHRIS WHEELER IN HOUSTON: Man United fell to a second defeat in 48 hours as Erik ten Hag's side fell to a 2-0 defeat to an impressive Real Madrid team. Here are the player ratings in Houston.
- Harry Kane leads the line over Alvaro Morata with Rodri the man in the middle... but how many English players make Gary Neville, Roy Keane and Co's combined Euros 2024 final XI?
- Aston Villa are on the brink of £50m deal to sign Everton's Amadou Onana in shock transfer... and the move could be bad news for Man United in their bid to land £75m-rated Jarrad Branthwaite
- Whichever system is selected, Gareth Southgate must implement one thing if England are to beat Spain at Euro 2024, writes MARTIN KEOWN
- Jurgen Klopp secures a new role at Liverpool just months after former manager was replaced by Arne Slot
- Ad Feature Uruguay to have 10+ shots on target in 90 mins against Canada now 14/1... while Luis Suarez to score or assist in 90 minutes is boosted to 10/11 in Copa America third-place play-off
- Under-fire Gary Lineker claims he was 'shafted' over his jibe that England were 's***' against Denmark - as he reveals that he doesn't have Harry Kane's number after captain hit back at pundits' criticism
- Euro 2024 final LIVE: Build up and latest news as the the Three Lions have their last training session in Blankenhain ahead of Spain vs England
- New Zealand 24-17 England: All Blacks show their class in commanding second-half display to sink Steve Borthwick's spirited side and extend their unbeaten Eden Park run
- I don't like long farewells but here's why our greatest-ever bowler James Anderson needed to be rewarded with two and a bit days like this at Lord's, writes NASSER HUSSAIN
- Here we go! England step out for their final training session before meeting Spain in Sunday's Euro 2024 final... and there's NO pre-match injury worries as all of Gareth Southgate's squad take part in Blankenhain
- Which presenter just 'gets it'? Which pundit has been the addition of the tournament? And who has the better commentary team? HENRY CLARK runs the rule over BBC and ITV ahead of the Euro 2024 final
- It's the biggest decision of Gareth Southgate's life... and I'm afraid he needs to drop Harry Kane, writes GRAEME SOUNESS
- Gareth Southgate wants to win Euro 2024 so much it 'HURTS' as the England boss admits Sunday's result against Spain will define his Three Lions career
- Spain defender Marc Cucurella names the England star he hopes 'stays on the bench' when La Roja meet Gareth Southgate's side in the Euro 2024 final
- Inside the England rugby camp: JAMIE GEORGE reveals his day-to-day diary of how they are preparing to beat the All Blacks - including Whoop bands, sleeping in until 2pm... and playing very little rugby!
- Lamine Yamal's dad claims his son is NOT worried about taking on England in the final of Euro 2024 - as he reveals what the 17-year-old Spanish wonderkid is like off the pitch
- Marc Cucurella reveals freak virus and burglary contributed to 'a NIGHTMARE start' to his Chelsea career... as he lifts the lid on the reaction in the Blues dressing room to Mauricio Pochettino's shock exit
- For decades England have been stalked by fear but now there's nothing to be scared of - Gareth Southgate's gang belong with the European elite, writes IAN LADYMAN
- Man United 'interested in Brentford striker Ivan Toney' despite imminent arrival of Joshua Zirkzee... with Bees striker 'keen on' move to Old Trafford
- 'I enjoyed myself in prison': Man United legend Patrice Evra hits back after being handed suspended 12-month sentence as he shares bizarre video showing him wearing HANDCUFFS and jail uniform
- Spain rocked by heated row involving key player just one day before Euro 2024 final against England - as LaLiga club president SLAMS Spanish FA for treatment of their star
- Inside the 10-mile Stockport triangle which forged England's three musketeers as Cole Palmer, Phil Foden and Kobbie Mainoo prepare to shine in Euro 2024 final
- Families of England players face major travel CHAOS as they look to attend the Euro 2024 final - with direct commercial flights to Berlin selling out and private jet quotes reaching £18k
- Gareth Southgate admits England's Euro 2024 campaign was in 'danger' of unravelling after disappointing group stage, as he opens up on confronting his critics to lead the Three Lions to the brink of glory
- Patrick Mahomes' wife Brittany announces she's pregnant with couple's third child
- Harrison Butker snaps back at Serena Williams after tennis star's BRUTAL dig at him to his face at the ESPYs
- Caitlin Clark handed shock Olympics lifeline with key Team USA star facing race against time to be fit
- Sadio Mane, 32, celebrates with his teenage wife after she graduates from school in Senegal... six months after ex-Liverpool star's arranged marriage
- The USMNT is in turmoil ahead of a home World Cup - after Jurgen Klopp said no, here's why US Soccer must go for Mauricio Pochettino or Gareth Southgate... there's no turning back
- Lionel Messi's wife mocked for 'posting squat videos to strangers on the internet'
- NFL legend Jerry Rice tells reporters 'I will f**k you up' while competing alongside Jason Kelce at celebrity golf tournament
- Caitlin Clark smashes ANOTHER record in upset victory over Phoenix... after she was handed shock Olympics lifeline
- Taylor Swift subtly reacts to boyfriend Travis Kelce being named the NFL's No. 1 tight end... after he dedicated cringeworthy karaoke performance to her
- Travis Kelce dedicates karaoke win to Taylor Swift as fans go wild for his cringeworthy performance of iconic rock song
- Shohei Ohtani 'decides to sell his new $8million mansion over privacy concerns after two Japanese networks revealed Dodgers star's address'
- Olivia Dunne reacts to boyfriend Paul Skenes getting pulled by the Pirates during his latest no-hitter
- Man United legend Patrice Evra handed suspended 12-month PRISON sentence after being found guilty of abandoning his wife and their two children - and he owes over £800k in unpaid alimony
- Jadon Sancho returns to Man United training after calling a truce with Erik ten Hag 10 months on from fallout that saw forward eat and train on his own before loan move away
- See how Taylor Swift, Caitlin Clark and more stars celebrated Patrick and Brittany Mahomes' pregnancy announcement
- NFL star Jonnu Smith reveals the team that plays in 'the WORST place you can be in the world'
- Darwin Nunez among 11 Uruguay players facing disciplinary action for violent clashes with Colombia fans - but they won't miss final Copa America game
- ESPN under fire for cutting to Damar Hamlin after death comment during the ESPYs
- Travis Kelce and brother Jason mobbed by adoring fans as NFL brothers tee it up at ACC celebrity golf tournament on Lake Tahoe
- Travis Kelce kisses golf fan's arm after hitting him with a wayward shot during Lake Tahoe celebrity golf tournament
- Novak Djokovic is booed AGAIN at Wimbledon after reaching the final - as celebration aimed at his daughter causes confusion for SW19 crowd
- Former NFL star's LA home burglarized after thieves 'smashed through a rear window and ransacked the property'
- Cooper Flagg will face same 'enormous pressure' as Caitlin Clark 'because he's white', says ESPN analyst
- BBC staff at Euro 2024 'feel unhappy, uncomfortable and embarrassed by Gary Lineker's criticism of Gareth Southgate - and refusal to back down' as questions are raised over drinking wine on £1.35m-a-year star's podcast
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