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The ex-Portsmouth, Reading and Leeds United forward is expected to be handed a first permanent managerial role
Former Pompey striker Noel Hunt is the ‘likely and obvious’ choice for the Reading managerial vacancy, according to reports.

The Royals are currently on the lookout for a new head coach to lead the team forward after the high-profile departure of Ruben Selles, who decided to swap a League One promotion push for a Championship relegation battle with strugglers Hull City.

Former Southampton bossSelles led Reading to a 17th place finish in League One last term during a difficult period which was marred by off the pitch issues, player sales and a six-point deduction. He leaves Reading in sixth position after a strong start to this season, with the team winning nine of their opening 17 league games.

Hunt, who formed part of Pompey League Two title-winning team under Paul Cook – with one goal in 20 appearances during the 2016/17 season – has a long association with Reading. The now 44-year-old scored 33 goals in 145 matches for the Royals after arriving from Dundee United while notably winning the Championship title in 2012.

The three-time Republic of Ireland international, who also played for Leeds United, Ipswich Town and Wigan Athletic, retired from football in 2018 to become a coach at his local club Waterford in Ireland.

He was appointed assistant manager to Richie Wellens at Swindon Town in 2018 and continued to work alongside him in South Yorkshire at Doncaster Rovers in 2020.

The retired striker has worked as the manager of the team’s highly successful under-21 side, which has provided a platform for the majority of the first team at this moment in time as well.

Hunt’s knowledge of Reading, his experience both at other club and with the existing playing staff, makes him a prime candidate to succeed Selles and attempt to continue the club’s recent upturn in fortunes, according to TalkSPORT’s Alex Crook.

Guardiola, whose team lost 2-0 at Liverpool on Sunday, held up six fingers to home fans to indicate the number of league titles he won in response to chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning.”

Mourinho, while managing Manchester United, had similarly held up three fingers to opposing fans during an underwhelming league campaign, before being sacked in December 2018 after a loss to Liverpool.

Guardiola was asked at a press conference whether he could face a fate similar to Mourinho.

“I hope not in my case… he won three, I won six.. but we are the same like that,” Guardiola answered.

In his response to the Spaniard, Mourinho alluded to City’s charges over alleged violations of the Premier League’s financial rules ranging from 2009 to 2018, which the club has always denied.

“Guardiola said something about me… he won six trophies and I won three, but I won fairly and cleanly,” Turkish outlet Hurriyet quoted Mourinho as saying on Friday, ahead of his team Fenerbahce’s clash with Besiktas.

“If I lost, I want to congratulate my opponent because he was better than me. I don’t want to win by dealing with 150 court cases.”

Mourinho has taken shots at City before, saying he was hoping he could add a fourth Premier League medal to his cabinet if City are stripped of their titles and United, who finished second in 2017-18, are awarded the Premier League trophy.

Guardiola and Mourinho have had a long-standing rivalry whoch really kicked off when they were in charge of Barcelona and Real Madrid in the Spanish league.

Premier League champions Manchester City were drawn with Juventus, Wydad Casablanca and Al Ain on Thursday in Group G for next year’s FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.

Lionel Messi and MLS side Inter Miami are in Group A and will face Al Ahly in the opening match of the expanded 32-team tournament before games against Porto and Palmeiras.
The tournament, featuring top teams from around the world, will be held in 12 stadiums around the country from June 15-July 13 and serve as a dress rehearsal for the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico and Canada.

Among the powerhouse clubs in the field are Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan. There’s also the four highest-ranked teams from South America: Flamengo, Palmeiras, River Plate and Fluminense.
And Messi’s team, as a representative of the host nation, gets the distinction of playing the first match. It’ll happen at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

“It’s about inclusivity, it’s about bringing clubs from all over the world, the 32 best clubs and best players from all over the world together,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said.

Other opening matchups include: Paris Saint-Germain vs. Atlético Madrid and  Botafogo playing at Seattle in Group B; Monterrey against Inter Milan in Group E; and Real Madrid facing the Saudi club Al-Hilal in Group H — a showdown of superstars, with Kylian Mbappé for Real Madrid and potentially Neymar for Al-Hilal.
Manchester City won the most recent Club World Cup in 2023 under the old format and are fourth in the Premier League after being hit hard by injuries to key players such as  Spain midfielder and Ballon d’Or winner Rodri.

City, who this year won an unprecedented fourth straight English Premier League title, will face Wydad Casablanca in their opening match and Al Ain before closing out the group stage against Juventus.

Miami were the penultimate team added to the tournament after winning the Supporters’ Shield for finishing top of the MLS standings in the regular season before losing in the first round of the MLS playoffs last month.

“We always want to play against the best teams in the world,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber said. “This is an opportunity to show almost 30 years of development in our league. Now, to be able to play against the best in the world in our country, it’s super exciting.”

Brazilian side Botafogo only secured the final spot in the tournament last week by winning their first Copa Libertadores title.

Chelsea will begin Group D play against Leon before facing Flamengo and Esperance, while Group F is made up of Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan HD and Mamelodi Sundowns.
The club competition uses the traditional 32-team format used by the World Cup from 1998 to 2022. Eight round-robin groups of four teams each were drawn Thursday, with the top two from each group advancing to a knockout bracket of 16.
Europe got 12 spots and South America six to lead the field, while Africa, Asia and North America all got four – with Inter Miami essentially a fifth from North America since it has host status. Oceania got one spot.
The draw, conducted by Italy World Cup winner and former Juventus great Alessandro Del Piero, included a recorded message from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.
“The event is going to be incredible. I will try and be there. If I can I would, we’ll see what happens,” Trump said.

Club World Cup draw:

Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.

Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.

Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.

Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.

Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.

Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.

Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al-Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.

Christmas might come early for Bayern Munich fans. The Bavarian faithful got the best news about the contract extension of one of the key players in the squad on Thursday. Alphonso Davies may still have several years to spend in Munich.

According to reports, Bayern have made significant progress in contract talks with Alphonso Davies. There is still work to be done, but talks are moving quickly in the right direction. Max Eberl and Christoph Freund are working hard to tie down the Canadian defender on a long-term deal.

Davies has just over six months left on his current deal at Bayern. The Canadian defender has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid in the last 18 months. Bayern held positive talks over an improved deal in the summer, but the board eventually decided against approving the deal. Since Real Madrid wanted Davies on a free transfer, Bayern allowed the player to enter the final year of his contract.

Apart from Real Madrid, Manchester United are also showing concrete interest in signing Davies. However, Bayern remains eager to keep the 23-year-old in Munich for a long time. The latest update from Germany does suggest the relationship between Davies and Bayern has significantly improved.

There is an extra bit of information about the negotiations between Davies and Bayern. The Canadian defender has dropped his excessive wage demands and moved closer to what Bayern are ready to offer him. The salary for a new contract was the biggest stumbling block between the two parties. It does look like a matter of time before Davies signs a new contract.

The relationship between the representatives of Davies and Bayern had soured ever since Hasan Salihamidzic left the club in 2023. It does look like Max Eberl and Christoph Freund have managed to repair the damage to bring Davies back on the same page with the Bavarian club.

Vincent Kompany has massively helped Bayern’s cause in this contract stand-off. The Belgian coach has helped the Canadian left-back to get back to his best after an underwhelming last season. Davies is enjoying life under Kompany, which may have likely played a big role in the decision to sign a new deal.

Davies is far from the peak of his career, which further highlights what an incredible job Bayern chiefs have done to find a breakthrough in the contract talks.

Milan and Roma face stiff competition from perennial Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain in hot pursuit of Cagliari star Gabriele Zappa. According to Calciomercato, Les Parisiens have added the Sardinians right-back to their shortlist for the January transfer window.

Zappa’s contract at the Unipol Domus runs out at the end of the season. Despite Cagliari’s best effort to renew the 24-year-old’s deal, he seems keen to take his career to the next step, with Milan and Roma monitoring the situation with great attention.

Despite signing Emerson Royal in the summer, Milan remain in the market for an upgrade on the Brazilian and Davide Calabria. Zappa has emerged as a decent low-cost solution. The Inter academy graduate caught Milan’s eye after netting a spectacular brace in last month’s 3-3 draw.

Meanwhile, Claudio Ranieri wants to beat Milan to the punch and reunite with Zappa at Roma. The two worked together in Sardinia, and the veteran coach hopes to lure his former pupil to the Stadio Olimpico after returning from retirement to take over the Giallorossi.

However, Milan and Roma face formidable foreign competition from PSG. Achraf Hakimi has locked down the starting berth at the Parc des Princes as his own. Yet, Luis Enrique doesn’t have a suitable alternative for the Moroccan superstar, hence the club’s interest in Zappa.

On a positive note for Milan and Roma, PSG can’t offer the Italian ace regular first-team football. Indeed, they’re seeking a backup option, and Zappa will unlikely settle for playing second fiddle at this stage of his career.

Kylian Mbappe said he will take full responsibility for a “big mistake” after the striker missed another penalty in champions Real Madrid’s 2-1 defeat at Athletic Bilbao in La Liga on Wednesday.

Kylian Mbappe said he will take full responsibility for a “big mistake” after the striker missed another penalty in champions Real Madrid’s 2-1 defeat at Athletic Bilbao in La Liga on Wednesday. A week after the French superstar failed from the spot in the Champions League against Liverpool, he endured further misery from 12 yards as Los Blancos allowed league leaders Barcelona to retain their four-point advantage. Alejandro Berenguer fired Bilbao ahead early in the second half, with Jude Bellingham levelling for Madrid after Mbappe’s penalty miss.

However, substitute Gorka Guruzeta snatched fourth-place Athletic victory in the 80th minute after a Fede Valverde error.

The defeat and Mbappe’s penalty miss will heap further pressure on to the former Paris Saint-Germain striker’s shoulders after plenty of criticism in recent weeks.
“A big mistake in a match where every detail counts. I take full responsibility for it,” said Mbappe in a post on social media network Instagram.
“A difficult moment but it’s the best time to change this situation and show who I am.”

Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said the forward was downhearted after goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala saved his penalty.
“Obviously (Mbappe) is sad, disappointed, but he has to continue,” the Italian told reporters.

Mbappe has scored 10 goals in his first 20 games for Madrid across all competitions but is struggling for consistency.
“He’s not at his best level but we have to give him time to adapt, he’s scored 10 goals, he can do better and he’s working to do that,” said Ancelotti.

Madrid were hoping to build on three consecutive wins in La Liga, despite missing Vinicius Junior and other injured stars, with Ancelotti bringing French midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni back into the starting line-up.

Thibaut Courtois made an important early intervention to deny Spain winger Nico Williams, with his brother Inaki Williams lurking dangerously.

It was a first half of few clear chances, but one played with intensity in front of a packed San Mames stadium.
Mbappe found the net but the goal was ruled out for offside and the referee reviewed a Rodrygo penalty appeal but decided the Brazilian winger went down too easily.

At the other end, Berenguer should have put the hosts ahead but blasted high over the bar after Inaki Williams’ clever backheel teed him up.
The forward made amends early in the second half by bundling home from close range after Courtois could only palm an Inaki Williams cross into his path.

‘Thought he would go same way’
Mbappe had the chance to level for Madrid from the spot when Bilbao goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala barrelled into Antonio Rudiger.
After missing his penalty against Liverpool, Mbappe agreed to let Bellingham take one against Getafe on Sunday.

However this time the French forward stepped up himself but his weak effort, again to the goalkeeper’s left, was at a comfortable height for Agirrezabala to parry.

“These days we study everything a lot, I knew he was a good taker and he’d missed the last one, I thought he would go the same way and luckily he did,” Agirrezabala told DAZN.
“I’m very happy for what was an incredible night, beating Real Madrid in front of our fans is so nice.”

Mbappe did play a part in Madrid’s equaliser, though, with a vicious drive from distance that the stopper could only push out into the path of Bellingham, who finished tidily for his fourth goal in his last four league games.
Madrid were only level for two minutes before Bilbao regained the lead through Guruzeta, who stole the ball as Valverde prepared to pass and fired low past Courtois.

Mbappe cut a deflated figure in the final stages, with one attempt to break in down the left quickly shut down by the Bilbao defence to raucous cheers from their jubilant supporters.
Last season Real Madrid lost just twice across all competitions on their way to a La Liga and Champions League double, but this was their fifth defeat of the current campaign.

Manchester City ended a run of seven games without a win on Wednesday night but Pep Guardiola has confirmed a double injury blow.

The Premier League champions, who have been in horrific form in recent weeks, conjured up a 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest thanks to goals from Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku.

But it may have come at a cost for City after two of their players – Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji – suffered fresh injury problems at the Etihad.

Ake was forced off in the second half with what looked like a hamstring issue while Akanji was hooked at half-time in a new blow for Guardiola.

Speaking after the match, the City manager said: ‘The problems continued with Manuel and Nathan.

‘Nathan doesn’t look good. We will see tomorrow. He could not continue and we will see in three days what will happen.

‘I am sad for Nathan. Manu maybe [can return] in Turin [against Juventus on December 11]. Nathan will be longer.’

Meanwhile, City superstar De Bruyne denied rumours of a rift with his manager Guardiola after he scored in the win over Forest.

‘I know a lot has been said,’ De Bruyne told the BBC in response to the reports. ‘There have never been issues between me and Pep.

‘He knows I’ve been struggling. It’s painful and uncomfortable. I want to be back on the pitch.

‘I felt good at the start of the season. I’m working hard to get back with my body. Maybe it’s going to be an up and down moment from now.

‘Hopefully I can get back to my body with not much pain and then I’ll be fine.’

City are back in Premier League action on Saturday as they lock horns with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

Latest Manchester United news as Ruben Amorim faces being without Luke Shaw for the next few weeks after latest setback.

Manchester United defender Luke Shaw is out with another injury setback after returning to Ruben Amorim’s squad in recent weeks. The left-back has made three appearances off the bench this season after recovering from a long-term spell on the sidelines. Shaw had missed the first part of the season under Erik ten Hag but made his return against Ipswich last month, his first appearance for United since February.

He had originally worked his way back to fitness in the summer to help England reach the Euro 2024 final, but a calf problem delayed his start to the season. In his emotional post on social media on Tuesday night, Shaw labelled the problem a ‘small setback’ with no mention of what the specifics were. The defender came off the bench in the 4-0 win over Everton on Sunday, playing 34 minutes. However, sources have confirmed the latest problem is muscular.

Shaw released a statement on social media about his injury on Tuesday night and said: “Hi guys, it’s hurting a lot having to write this as I really thought I had got through my recent struggles and was on a positive path going forward, but unfortunately I’ve had a small setback.

“I’ve been through a lot of ups and downs but this has definitely been my toughest period. I’m absolutely devastated and it’s extremely tough to come to terms with reality at this moment in time. “I understand there is going to be people frustrated, angry, disappointed and I understand all of that. There is no one feeling that more than me at this moment in time.’

Sources have confirmed to MEN Sport that Shaw is expected to be out for a few weeks. United play eight more times in December meaning the left-back will miss games against Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham.

In the New Year, the Red Devils travel to Anfield to take on Liverpool. They do have a FA Cup clash with Arsenal on January 11 before Europa League football returns on January 23 against Rangers.

Footballer Marc Guehi has broken his silence with a five-word Instagram story update after courting controversy for writing a Christian message on his LGBTQ+-inclusive rainbow captain’s armband.

The 24-year-old Crystal Palace and England defender wrote “I Love Jesus” on his armband ahead of his side’s Premier League game against Newcastle United on Saturday (30 November).

Despite being warned by the FA that the message breaches the sporting body’s rule on not displaying religious symbols, Guehi – who is the son of a minister and has spoken openly about his Christian faith – subsequently wrote “Jesus [heart symbol] You” on his armband for Crystal Palace’s Tuesday (2 December) match against Ipswich Town.

The rainbow coloured armbands were given to all Premier League clubs as part of Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign, which seeks to tackle anti-LGBTQ+ hate in sport and has been shown to have improved the attitudes of sports fans towards the LGBTQ+ community. The campaign runs from 29 November to 5 December.

FA policy allows initiatives and slogans that promote football, respect and integrity, but not “political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images”.

The policy says that “for any offence, the player and/or the team will be sanctioned by the competition organiser, national football association or by [world governing body] FIFA”.

According to ESPN, Geuhi’s decision to write the Christian message on an armband promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion could be viewed as an ‘aggravating factor’ in any punishment issued by the sporting body.

During the same weekend Guehi wrote “I Love Jesus” for the Crystal Palace-Newcastle game, Ipswich Town captain and Egyptian national Sam Morsy chose not to wear the rainbow armband because of his religious beliefs.

Despite not commenting on his decision to write the phrases publicly, Guehi took to Instagram on Tuesday evening, writing on his story: “Jesus [loves] you. Stay blessed”.

In response to the media storm around Guehi, Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner said the club will continue to “respect” him.

He said, as quoted by the Mirror: “We respect every single player, especially Marc, who is our captain. He is a great guy, very humble and we shouldn’t make it bigger than it is, he is very respectful to everyone in the club.

“In football we are all against discrimination, it’s a great campaign. We spoke about it, we speak often as he is my captain.”

Issuing a statement following the various media coverage, a spokesperson for campaign group Football vs Homophobia said: “Captains who choose to wear rainbow armbands send a strong message of allyship towards LGBTQ+ communities everywhere, not least those associated with their club or team.

Marc Guehi wrote a ‘Jesus loves you’ message on his rainbow captain’s armband for Crystal Palace’s match at Ipswich Town, despite being reminded by the Football Association that religious messaging on kit is banned.

The rainbow armbands are being worn as Premier League clubs show support for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sport by taking part in charity Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign.

The Football Association told Guehi and his club that religious messaging on kit is banned after the 24-year-old’s rainbow armband in Palace’s draw against Newcastle United on Saturday had the message ‘I love Jesus’ written on it.

Ipswich Town captain Sam Morsy did not wear a rainbow armband again on Tuesday, after his club said he elected not to do so at the weekend because of his “religious beliefs”.

Following his side’s 1-0 victory at Portman Road, Palace manager Oliver Glasner appealed for “calm” about the issue.

“We all have the same opinion. We are in sports and in sports we are always against discrimination and any kind of abuse, and Marc as well.”

Glasner said he spoke to Guehi about the issue before the match, adding the England international is “not a child”.

“He has his opinion and we accept and respect every opinion,” added Glasner.

“This is the quote of this campaign, it’s being tolerant and Marc is very tolerant so everything is fine.”

Guehi’s actions on Saturday risked a formal FA charge.

Rule A4 of the FA’s kit and advertising regulations prohibit the “appearance on, or incorporation in, any item of clothing, football boots or other equipment of any religious message”.

The Rainbow Laces support from Premier League club began on 29 November 29 and runs to 5 December.

A Stonewall spokesperson said on Tuesday: “It has been incredible to see so many football teams at all levels support our campaign to make sport safer and more inclusive for all.

“When we see clubs show their support for LGBTQ+ inclusion, it helps people feel safe and welcome both on and off the pitch. It is up to individuals to choose if and how they show their support for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sport.”

Barcelona have been under pressure in recent weeks after three winless La Liga matches in a row – against Real Sociedad, Celta Vigo and Las Palmas. However, the slump has been ended in fine style, as the league leaders secured an emphatic 5-1 victory over Mallorca at Son Moix.

Ferran Torres made his first start in two months, replacing the rested Robert Lewandowski, and he opened the scoring after 12 minutes following a huge defensive mix-up involving Mallorca defender Johan Mojica. However, the hosts were able to find an equaliser just before half time courtesy of Vedat Muriqi.

Despite this, Barcelona would take firm control in the second half. Raphinha scored from the penalty spot after Mojica had fouled Lamine Yamal, before the Brazilian winger netted his brace on 74 minutes.

Soon after, Frenkie de Jong managed to fire home his first goal of the season, which will lift some of the pressure off his shoulders. On 84 minutes, fellow substitute Pau Victor would also get himself on the scoresheet.

The result takes Barcelona four points clear at the top of La Liga, albeit they have played two more matches than nearest challengers Real Madrid.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca says the club can “dominate” the Premier League in the next five to 10 years. The 44-year-old Italian has repeatedly played down his team’s title chances this season, despite Chelsea being third in the table and level on points and goal difference with Mikel Arteta’s challengers Arsenal.

Chelsea leapfrogged struggling champions Manchester City after a convincing 3-0 win at home to Aston Villa on Sunday, but still trail league leaders Liverpool by nine points. However, Maresca has played down Chelsea’s readiness to compete for titles despite the vast sums paid out in multiple transfer windows under their Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital ownership group.

Chelsea have spent more than £1.5bn since the Clearlake takeover – largely on younger players on longer contracts – albeit balanced by substantial sales. The likes of Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Nicolas Jackson are hitting peak form, adding to the star impact of Cole Palmer over the past 18 months.

But Maresca believes the inexperience of his squad, which has an average age of just over 23, is a reason they will ultimately fall short this season. “We’re not in the title race. We are not, in my opinion,” said Maresca.

Speaking before Wednesday’s Premier League match at Southampton, Maresca added: “What I said to the owners and the sporting directors the first time I met them, because of the age, and because of how good the squad is, for me Chelsea in the next five to 10 years will be one of the teams, or the team, that is going to dominate English football.

“This is what I said this to the club the first time I met them. No matter who will be the manager, for the next five or 10 years, because of the age, the squad, you can dominate English football, and I still think exactly the same.

“In terms of a target they didn’t ask me for any target, only to try to build something important for the next years. I think we are [heading] in the right direction. “In terms of a personal target, I know you struggle to believe but I’m not focused on [the] end of season, next season, because it’s not real.”

Chelsea finished 12th and sixth in the first two seasons under their American ownership, without winning a trophy, but they have begun to stabilise and improve under Maresca. Meanwhile, Maresca did not give an exact timeline on Wesley Fofana’s latest hamstring injury setback but said the centre-back, 23, would be out for “weeks”, along with captain Reece James.