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Robbie Savage has led Macclesfield FC to promotion in his first season as a manager.

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• Phoenix club will play in National League North next year
• Co-owner of the club Savage, appointed himself manager
• Pundit had promised to sack himself if he failed

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The ex-Leicester City and Manchester United midfielder marshalled the phoenix club, built from the remnants of the now-defunct Macclesfield Town, to a commanding title-winning season in the Northern Premier League Premier Division. Savage's side have won 29 of their 36 games, and have secured the crown with six games remaining. The success was confirmed earlier this afternoon with a 2-1 win over Bamber Bridge.

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• GETTY
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The TNT Pundit has been a owner of the club since 2020, but only installed himself as coach this season. Never one to shy away from a challenge, the combative Savage previously said he would sack himself if he couldn't secure the Silkmen a promotion.

• WHAT ROBBIE SAVAGE SAID

  Robbie Savage said: "I’ve been lucky enough to captain four teams in the Premier League, play nearly 350 games in the top-flight, appear in Wembley finals and win 39 caps for my country.

  "But Macclesfield being crowned champions of the Northern Premier League was my proudest moment of all.

  "For all the haters, doubters and keyboard warriors, they have fuelled my fire and that of my players.

  "I have answered every single person who spoke negatively about us."

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  Macclesfield FC was formed in October 2020, just a few weeks after Macclesfield Town was wound up by a High Court Ruling. Savage serves as both Director of Football, and Head Coach.

Manchester United fell to their second consecutive defeat under the new reign of boss Ruben Amorim with a 3-2 home defeat to Nottingham Forest.

That defeat leaves United in 13th place in the table and a gap of six points has already opened up from the European spots.

The Red Devils dominated the game at Old Trafford: they had 71% of possession, 17 goal attempts and more corner kicks than their opponents Forest.

Yet, despite their dominance, the Red Devils went on to lose the game and it once again highlighted a glaring hole in the centre-forward position that Amorim needs to fill if he is to turn around United’s fortunes.

Current centre forwards Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund have scored just five Premier League goals between them this season and despite Hojlund bagging on Saturday night, many believe the lack of quality in this area is costing United points.

Zirkzee and Hojlund upgrade being lined up

According to TBR Football, Dusan Vlahovic is a striker that Manchester United are keeping tabs on and remain interested in should any potential deal arise.

Serie A’s highest-paid player at £200k-a-week, is currently stalling on a new contract with his current deal running out in 2026.

Juventus want their frontman to take a pay cut to reflect his underwhelming performances since joining the Bianconeri, something Vlahovic is reluctant to do.

United are one of many clubs remaining attentive to the situation and could swoop if Juventus decide to cash in on the striker in order to recoup as much of their £70m outlay as possible.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

How Vlahovic compares to Zirkzee and Hojlund

Vlahovic has been in decent form for Juventus this season, scoring six goals in 13 Serie A appearances and adding a further three goals in the Champions League.

The Serbian striker has scored more than Zirkzee and Hojlund combined this term, however, it is not just goals where the Juventus man would be an upgrade on United’s current attacking duo.

From the above table, it is clear that Vlahovic would be better suited to playing the number 9 role at Old Trafford. From these stats, you can begin to see why Vlahovic has been labelled as “more complete than Haaland” by Serbian FA president Nenad Bjekovic.

Vlahovic has played more minutes than both Zirkzee and Hojlund this season and leads the way on expected goals (xG) with 8.3 for this season.

Being that focal point is something that United have been looking for in their striker so with Vlahovic coming out on top in progressive passes received and aerial duels won, he is proving that he may be more of a handful for Premier League defenders.

In addition, the Serbian has had more touches than both his United counterparts this season and would be an ideal linkman for the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho to bounce off and link with.

Furthermore, the Juve star seems to also add value in United’s own box with their recent set-piece troubles being highlighted; the Serb having made eight set-piece clearances this season.

It remains to be seen whether a deal can be struck between the two clubs but it is evident that Vlahovic would be that focal point that Amorim is desperately craving at the start of his Manchester United reign.

He lost the ball 20x: Amorim got it wrong by giving Man Utd star 90 minutes

The Man Utd ace was poor against Nottingham Forest

By
Joe Nuttall

Dec 8, 2024

Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane bagged the opener against St Pauli to ensure he has now scored against every Bundesliga team he has faced.

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• Kane back in the goals for Bayern Munich
• Scores against St Pauli
• Has netted against every Bundesliga team he's faced

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Kane has been in prolific form during his career at Bayern Munich and added another record to his extensive collection on Saturday. The Bayern star bagged the opener against St Pauli to ensure he's now scored against every single Bundesliga team he's faced. The goal also ends a mini-drought for Kane in the German top flight. England's captain had gone five league games without a goal before Saturday's fixture.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Kane returned to Bayern after scoring for England in World Cup qualifying wins over Albania and Latvia. The skipper will now focus on his club side until the end of the season and will be aiming to end his famous trophy drought. Bayern currently sit on top of the Bundesliga table and are into the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  In total, Kane now has 58 goals in 57 Bundesliga appearances for Bayern since moving to the club from Tottenham.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR KANE

  Kane and Bayern are set to take on Augsburg in the Bundesliga on Friday and will then go on to face Inter in the first leg of their Champions League tie.

Leeds United are currently second in the Championship table after 20 matches following Sheffield United’s win over Millwall on Wednesday night.

The Whites are three points ahead of Burnley in third place and will be looking to maintain their position in the automatic promotion places over the months to come.

Daniel Farke’s side finished third in the division at the end of last season and, ultimately, lost 1-0 to Southampton at Wembley in the play-off final, which meant that they were unable to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

The West Yorkshire outfit lost a number of their top players from the 2023/24 campaign after they failed to achieve promotion back to the top-flight, including Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter, Archie Gray, and Glen Kamara.

Those sales did, however, allow Leeds to dip into the market to strengthen their squad, with the likes of Largie Ramazani, Joe Rothwell, Ao Tanaka, and Joe Rodon.

One player who has had a mixed start to life at Elland Road since his move to the club in the summer transfer window, though, is winger Manor Solomon.

Manor Solomon's form for Leeds this season

The Israel international was brought in on loan from Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur and there may have been a degree of expectation over his performances.

Solomon arrived as a 25-year-old attacker with experience in the top-flight with Spurs and Fulham, rather than coming in from a lower league or as a young player in one of their first loan spells, which meant that supporters – and the club – may have expected him to hit the ground running in the Championship.

His debut suggested that that was going to be the case. The loanee started on his debut against Hull in August and registered an assist with a brilliant run and cross for Mateo Joseph in the 2-0 win.

Since then, however, Solomon has produced two goals and zero assists in 12 appearances in the second tier for Leeds, and both of those goals came in the 4-3 win over Swansea.

This means that the Spurs loanee has failed to provide a goal or an assist in 11 of his 13 appearances for the Whites since his move to Elland Road in the summer.

He has, to put it simply, not provided enough quality in the final third on a consistent basis and Leeds should consider sending him back to the Premier League side next month, as it could allow them to go and recruit a better option in that position.

In fact, the Whites have been linked with a potential move for a player who could come in and offer more than Solomon on the left flank in the second half of the season.

Leeds United linked with League One starlet

It was recently reported by TEAMtalk that Leeds United are one of a number of clubs in the race to sign Aston Villa forward Louie Barry next month.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

The 21-year-old sensation is currently on loan with Stockport County in League One but the Villans are said to be weighing up their options with him ahead of the January window, as they feel that he could benefit from playing at a higher level than the third tier.

It was claimed that the Whites have joined the race to secure his signature and that they are keen to add him to their squad to help with his development over the coming months.

The outlet added that Villa have the option to recall him from his loan with Stockport in January and named Leeds and Middlesbrough as two of a number of Championship teams interested in landing his services.

This means that there could be fierce competition for Barry and that it will not be an easy deal for Farke’s side to get over the line when the January transfer window officially opens for business next month.

It is one that the German head coach should push the board to get done, though, as signing the Aston Villa youngster to bolster his squad could allow him to brutally bin Solomon ahead of the second half of the season.

Why Leeds should sign Louie Barry

Firstly, Leeds should sign Barry because he is a left-sided attacker who could provide the likes of Ramazani and Wilfried Gnonto with competition on the left flank, which would mean that Solomon is not needed.

That would, in theory, allow the Whites to send the Israel international back to Tottenham, if such a clause exits in the deal, after his underwhelming start to his loan spell with the club.

Leeds should also swoop for the 21-year-old star because he is a promising young talent who has been in terrific form in League One for Stockport so far this season.

The former England youth international, who scored 23 goals in 30 matches for Villa at youth level, has racked up 15 goals in all competitions for the third tier outfit.

This comes after the Villa youngster, whose composure was once hailed as “incredible” by Declan Rice, produced nine goals and four assists in 20 matches for Stockport on loan in League Two during the 2023/24 campaign.

As you can see in the table above, Barry has caught the eye with a whopping 18 goals and ‘big chances’ created combined in just 19 League One appearances, whilst Solomon has only managed four in 13 Championship outings.

The Stockport loanee is a left winger who can dribble past opponents and cut inside onto his stronger right foot to cause havoc in the final third, which has resulted in plenty of big moments this season – as shown by his goalscoring output from the left flank.

Barry has yet to prove himself in the Championship but appears to be too good to be playing in the third tier and Leeds should offer him a chance to showcase his talent at a higher level, brutally binning Solomon in the process.

Leeds could sign a "ridiculous" £5m star to be their next Archie Gray

Leeds United have been linked with an interest in the talented teenage sensation.

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By
Dan Emery

Dec 9, 2024

The Bundesliga giants and the NFL side have announced a partnership, marking a first-of-its-kind collaboration between the two iconic sides

• Teams join forces to boost international growth efforts
• Partnership includes joint activities, content, and fan engagement initiatives
• Collaboration builds on shared colors, industrial heritage, and winning traditions

• AFP
  

  WHAT HAPPENED

  Borussia Dortmund and the Pittsburgh Steelers have formed a unique partnership aimed at furthering both clubs' international growth efforts. The collaboration will involve joint team activities, content creation, and fan engagement initiatives, leveraging the shared black and yellow colors of both teams.

  This comes after the Steelers got a license for Germany in 2024 from the NFL as a part of the league’s Global Markets Program which allows the club to participate in a partnership on the ground activities and various other things. Steeler’s Director of Business Development and Strategy, Dan Rooney had a lot to say on the matter and believes that it’s the perfect partnership for both sides.

  “The partnership with Borussia Dortmund, the first-of-its-kind for the Steelers organization, builds off the deep connections both of our teams have with the communities we represent, as well as our shared values, rooted in our industrial pasts, of hard work, determination, and a winning spirit,” said Pittsburgh Steelers Director of Business Development and Strategy, Dan Rooney. “We look forward to what’s next as we support each other’s success in reaching fans in new markets and raising the profiles of the cities we call home.”

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• WHAT BORUSSIA DORTMUND POSTED

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The collaboration between Dortmund and the Steelers goes beyond their shared team colors. Both clubs have deep roots in industrial cities with a strong steel-making heritage, and both are known for their passionate fan bases and winning traditions. The partnership has already begun in the form of business collaboration between the two sides, as Dortmund has hosted a Steelers' delegation to watch a home game at the Westfalenstadion amongst other things.

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• WHAT’S NEXT?

  The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to welcome a delegation from Borussia Dortmund in the spring and are also set to host its first-ever German-based flag football clinic at the BVB Football Academy, featuring an unnamed Steelers player in mid-April.

Wrexham are eyeing the January signing of a player who Jamie Carragher has described as “brilliant”, according to journalist Graeme Bailey.

Wrexham looking strong in promotion push

Phil Parkinson’s side continue to impress back in League One, with some wondering if they would find it hard being in the third tier of English football back in August.

Instead, Wrexham have taken to the league like a duck to water, sitting third in the table behind Birmingham City and Wycombe Wanderers, with the trio looking like front-runners to seal promotion to the Championship.

The Welsh outfit could be looking to conduct some important business during the January transfer window, in order to give Parkinson’s men an even better chance of sealing promotion once again.

Ethan Wheatley has emerged as a rumoured target for Wrexham, even being seen as a player who could bring similar qualities to Sporting CP sensation Viktor Gyokeres. The 18-year-old Manchester United ace has been touted as a loan option, providing extra firepower in the final third.

Wrexham keen on signing "brilliant" ace in January

Speaking to The Wrexham Insider, Bailey talked up the idea of Wrexham signing Leeds United striker Joe Gelhardt in January, possibly instead of Patrick Bamford:

“Patrick Bamford is an interesting name, but from what I am told Leeds are not in a huge hurry to lose anyone this January, it is all about promotion for them. And whilst Wrexham have a big budget, I don’t see how they could afford Bamford who is still on a Premier League contract.

“I do expect Wrexham to do something and I am actually told they could raid Leeds for another player, as they like Joe Gelhardt, although they are not alone and it would not easy to land him either. But I understand Wrexham have been offered a host of names and are confident of getting the right man.”

Gelhardt could be such an exciting addition for Wrexham midway through the season, with Carragher calling him “brilliant” in the past, seeing him as a gifted young player.

Meanwhile, Jamie Redknapp has also spoken of his admiration for the Englishman in the past, saying: “You see him on the pitch, he made a real difference. I like him, he’s really exciting. He’s fast, he’s aggressive, he gets on the ball, takes people on. Once he gets into the box he loves it and where he can cause most of his damage.”

Admittedly, Gelhardt’s time at Leeds has petered out a little, with Daniel Farke struggling to make him a key man and only nine minutes of Championship action coming his way this season.

Wrexham in League One: Latest standings, fixtures, results & key dates

FFC has all the latest Wrexham info as they seek promotion from League One, along with a look at the Red Dragons’ journey to where they are today.

By
Stephan Georgiou

Oct 8, 2024

He is still only 22 years of age, however, and could simply be desperate for a fresh challenge to prove himself. He would, therefore, be an eye-catching addition for Wrexham, who could even eye a permanent move at the end of the season if he impresses.

A trophy winning machine is thought to be on Everton’s radar if they sack Sean Dyche, according to an intriguing new claim.

Dyche under huge pressure at Everton

At the beginning of the season, there was hope that the Blues would enjoy a much improved campaign under Dyche having once again staved off the threat of relegation from the Championship to the Premier League in 2023/24.

Instead, it has been another hugely uninspiring period for the Blues, who sit 16th in the table heading into 2025, playing poor football and not picking up enough positive results at the same time. Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest was the latest disappointing day at the office, and it means the pressure is cranking up on the manager.

While Dyche deserves some credit for keeping the Blues in the Premier League, there is an increasing feeling that a new boss is needed – one with a better playing style who can take them into a new era at their shiny Bramley Moore Dock home from next season.

Unsurprisingly, other managers have been linked with replacing the Englishman, should The Friedkin Group feel that a change is needed in the Goodison Park dugout, with Graham Potter seen as one of the favourites to come in. He is still looking for a new job after his failed spell at Chelsea, and could like the idea of managing the Merseysiders.

Everton eyeing 6-time champion to replace Dyche

According to an exciting update from TEAMtalk, Massimiliano Allegri is seen as an option to replace Sean Dyche as Everton manager, in what would be an audacious swoop.

The legendary Italian was “sounded out by Everton in their succession planning during Moshiri’s time as owner” and he is now also on The Friedkin Group’s “radar” as well.

If Everton were able to entice Allegri to the club it would be a major coup, considering he has been one of Europe’s leading managers over the past decade or so. The 57-year-old enjoyed a glorious period at Juventus, winning five Serie A titles and Italian Cups apiece, and he also sealed league glory during a stint in charge of AC Milan.

Allegri departed Juve earlier in 2024 after two separate spells there – he guided them to the 2017 Champions League final, where they lost to Real Madrid – but could be keen to get into management again.

If Dan Friedkin believes he can get his man, seeing him as the leading option to succeed Dyche, he should do all he can to secure his signature.

TFG must axe 4/10 Everton flop who’s earning over 2x more than Branthwaite

He needs to be out the door in 2025 as Everton begin an exciting transition.

By
Angus Sinclair

Dec 31, 2024

Whether the 3-5-2-playing Allegri is willing to make a step down and manage a team struggling towards the bottom of the Premier League remains to be seen, but Everton are still a huge club and their move to their new stadium has the potential to herald an exciting time, which could appeal to the former Juve hero, assuming they stay up this season. Either way, a change is needed in 2025.

Bayern Munich are worried they will miss out on a financial boost as Tottenham will decide against signing Mathys Tel permanently.

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• Tel joined Spurs on loan in winter window
• Has struggled to make an impact
• Tottenham not expected to take up purchase option

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Tel arrived at Tottenham at the end of the winter transfer window and was handed the No. 11 shirt. Tottenham have the option to sign Tel permanently for a fee of €50m (£43m)but do not look like taking it up as the striker is effectively fifth choice now in north London, according to . The striker is described as having been "anything but good" during his time with Spurs and the fear is he's turned into a flop.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Tel has managed just two goals for Spurs this season. He's netted against Aston Villa in the FA Cup and Southampton in the Premier League but has struggled to impress for Ange Postecoglou's side. If Tottenham do not sign Tel it will be a blow for Bayern, as the club had reportedly been planning on using the funds to help reinvest in the squad which may subsequently affect their summer transfer plans.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Tel was wanted by Tottenham's Europa League quarter-final opponents Eintracht Frankfurt last summer. Manager Dino Toppmoller told Sky Sport Germany: “Mathys was a topic during several transfer windows, of course because I know him and there’s simply a connection. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out the way we had hoped. I’m happy for him that he’s now found a club he’s chosen for himself. Let’s see how long he stays there – I believe it’s just a loan. We’ll see.”

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  WHAT NEXT FOR TEL

  Tel will come up against Frankfurt in the second leg of the Europa League tie on Thursday in Germany. Before then, Spurs face a trip to Molineux to take on Wolves on Sunday in the Premier League.

Despite some recent shaky form, Aston Villa fans will be hoping that 2025 is another successful year after 2024 saw Unai Emery’s men amazingly clinch Champions League football.

Of course, that added competition to the already busy fixture list could have well have a negative impact on their form in the Premier League to date, with the Villans somewhat underperforming domestically in a lacklustre ninth spot.

There is still plenty of football to be played, however, with Emery all too aware now that Morgan Rogers will be key to his side climbing up the division heading into a frantic January.

Morgan Rogers' form this season

After a promising first season donning claret and blue saw the 22-year-old pick up three strikes from 11 top-flight games, Rogers has truly kicked on to reach even loftier heights this campaign.

In the Premier League alone, the ex-Manchester City youngster turned Villa superstar has amassed six goals and three assists, with his last goal coming just last match to gift the Villans a slender 2-1 lead versus Brighton and Hove Albion before the Seagulls mounted a late fight-back.

Plenty more will be anticipated from Rogers in 2025, who managed to win himself a new Villa contract and a senior England call-up in 2024 after dazzling countless top-flight defences with his trickery on the ball.

Emery will no doubt want more players of a similar calibre to Rogers to boost his team’s chances of leaping up the table, but he might not need to go shopping in January to add in that quality, with a homegrown gem making quite the impact in the youth ranks.

The Aston Villa teen outscoring Rogers

Staggeringly, teen ace Bradley Burrowes is outscoring Rogers playing for both the U18s and U21s this season, as Villa look to have found yet another golden wonderkid through their academy system.

Obviously, Rogers wasn’t plucked off the Villa production line having been purchased from Middlesbrough last year, but Burrowes will hope he can follow in the footsteps of the likes of Jack Grealish in making a name for himself at his boyhood club for being a skilful and explosive attacking midfielder.

In total, Burrowes has found the back of the net a very impressive nine times this season playing in a whole plethora of different competitions, which beats Rogers’ total for the season by three, albeit at youth level.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast's In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

Moreover, one of those strikes actually came in the Premier League 2 off the back of the 16-year-old being deemed worthy of an opportunity at that level after tearing the U18 league to shreds.

That late effort versus Southampton back in September showcases the raw pace of Burrowes on the break and his ability to slot home chances confidently, leading to U23 football scout Antonio Mango labelling the England U17 international as “exceptional.”

It does feel unlikely that the 16-year-old would be bumped up to the senior picture soon, but it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary to see him blessed with some first-team opportunities down the line, considering Grealish was gifted his Villans senior debut at the tender age of 18.

After all, it would mean Emery and Co didn’t have to fork out wild sums of money attempting to bolster the attacking positions this January, knowing that there are many top talents emerging up the ranks at Villa Park.

Not just Watkins: 8/10 star just saved his Aston Villa career vs Brighton

This Aston Villa star stood out during his side’s 2-2 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion.

By
Kelan Sarson

Dec 31, 2024

Mason Greenwood has been labelled as an "average player" and manager Roberto De Zerbi has also come in for criticism due to Marseille's struggles.

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• Greenwood labelled "average player"
• Head coach De Zerbi also criticised
• Marseille's poor form continues

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Following Marseille's resounding 3-0 loss to Monaco at the weekend, ex-France internationals Jerome Rothen and Christophe Dugarry have dug out Greenwood and head coach De Zerbi as the club's poor run continues.

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  WHAT ROTHEN AND DUGARRY SAID

  On RMC Sport, Rothen said: "Everyone is responsible. We got excited about Greenwood and [Pierre-Emile] Højbjerg, but they are average players. It's up to De Zerbi to find solutions, but he hasn't found any."

  And Dugarry called in to say: "[Medhi] Benatia (sporting director) is the one I blame the least. De Zerbi is the one primarily responsible. The leaders did everything they could to make him succeed. He was presented as the savior, but he offered nothing!"

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Marseille have now lost four of their last five Ligue 1 games and have a real fight on their hands to qualify for next season's Champions League, after looking like the best-placed side to challenge Paris Saint-Germain for the league title. If results don't improve soon, De Zerbi may not be in charge for next term and Greenwood could be heading to pastures new.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Marseille will look to arrest their wretched form when they host Montpellier in Ligue 1 on Saturday night.