Coral’s Rumour Reel: Man Utd, Man City in manager madness
Holly Thackeray | December 21, 2015
Pellegrini in Chelsea picture
The Premier League managerial merry-go-round looks set to take off just in time for Christmas, with Pep Guardiola’s decision not to re-sign on the dotted line with Bayern Munich sending plenty of clubs into a spin.
Usual suspects Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Ligue 1 giants PSG are said to be forming a not-so-orderly queue for the Catalan coach, but the Sky Blues are already believed to have won the scramble for his signature.
In a twist, if Guardiola opts for the Etihad, the Blues are then said to be considering recruiting potentially ousted City boss Manuel Pellegrini as the permanent replacement for Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge, with Guus Hiddink still tipped to be a temporary option.
Though, in a more surprising rumour, Chelsea playing legend Didier Drogba may return to the capital club as a coach, with a view to being positioned to take over the reins of the top job one day.
While, links between mercurial manager Mourinho and Man Utd are gathering pace, with the Portuguese’s one-time mentor Louis van Gaal looking like an increasingly lame duck. Rumour has it a Boxing Day battle with Stoke City could be the Dutchman’s last throw of the dice, with ‘The Special One’ set to step in.
Mahrez on the move to Mancunia?
Leicester City’s man of the moment Riyad Mahrez is back in the tabloid tattle, with the Red Devils readying around £29m for the flying Foxes winger in January. Though, the Algeria international might want to think twice about transferring to Old Trafford, as current coach Ranieri spoke of his side’s title chances.
Ranieri told press: “I believe also there are good champions inside. Anybody who watches us knows this, because to do what we do for two, three matches is okay.
“But to do it for six months now, then there are champions also in my team. What we are doing, it’s a miracle, so enjoy and play.”
Though the Italian tactician has no plans to shop this winter, stating: “Sometimes I’m asked, ‘in the window, what’s happening?’ – nothing.
“We have a very good team and an incredible spirit in this team. They are friendly together, they are close to each other. They help each other.
“That is fantastic, and if we take one, two, three players and wreck the dressing room? No! The team is fantastic.”
Through a Lens
Finally, this Monday morning gossip concludes with Sam Allardyce and his motley crew at Sunderland. Big Sam has reportedly had a disagreement with Dutch winger Jeremain Lens over a post-match warm-down, and will try to flog the forward in January.
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