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Julian Nagelsmann has offered hope to his many suitors in the Premier League, with the 33-year-old RB Leipzig boss admitting a job in England could appeal to him at some stage in the future.

Despite being younger than many players at the very highest level, the German has already established a reputation as one of the most exciting coaches in Europe.

His work at Hoffenheim and Leipzig has attracted interest from afar, with there a number of clubs that would be prepared to throw open their doors if he ever decided to break his current contract.

What has been said?

“I have a contract now until 2023 so I think I will stay in Leipzig,” Nagelsmann told The Telegraph ahead of the Champions League last-16 showdown with Liverpool on Tuesday. 

“The Premier League is a very interesting league and I can imagine it could be a big aim to be a big manager in the Premier League one day like Jurgen [Klopp], who is very successful. It could be a step in the future.

“You know, in soccer it's not that easy to plan 'how long will you be a manager in Leipzig? When will you go to the Premier League? I could imagine going to the Premier League.

“I could imagine staying as a manager in the Bundesliga for my whole career. It's cool to be a manager in my own country, I love it. Then perhaps in the future we can meet face-to-face in the Premier League, who knows.”

What is Nagelsmann’s managerial record?

Hoffenheim promoted Nagelsmann out of their academy system and into a top job in 2016, with the reins inherited from Hubb Stevens ahead of schedule in February of that year.

He collected 55 wins and 43 draws from 136 games in charge of the Bundesliga outfit, leading them away from relegation danger and into the Champions League.

Leipzig snapped him up in the summer of 2019 on a four-year contract.

Records have continued to tumble around him in his current post, with the history books re-written as the youngest coach to win a Champions League knockout game and reach the semi-finals of that competition.

In total, Nagelsmann has overseen 46 wins from 77 games, with only 12 defeats.

Who has been linked with Nagelsmann?

He has turned down a role at Real Madrid in the past, but interest in his services remains high.

Manchester United are said to have indentified an emerging talent as the man to succeed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Old Trafford, while Tottenham are also reportedly keen on securing his signature.

Roles at Liverpool and Chelsea have also been mooted, that would allow him to follow in the footsteps of fellow countrymen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel.

Further reading

Ousmane Dembele believes he has turned a corner at Barcelona, with the World Cup winner feeling he is starting to justify his €105 million (£92m/$128m) price tag after arriving at Camp Nou “very frail”.

The Liga giants invested heavily in the French forward’s potential after the record-breaking sale of Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2017.

Big things were expected of Dembele but, amid questions of his fitness and attitude, it is only recently that he has started to deliver on expectations.

What has been said?

“I've changed a lot,” Dembele has told UEFA’s official website when reflecting on his time at Barca. “How have I changed the most? Physically, I think. When I came here, I was very frail.

"Even when I was starting out professionally at Stade Rennais and Borussia Dortmund, I was very frail, but I've come on a long way at Barcelona with the physical trainers. My way of training, my way of preparing for matches, it's all changed.

“The years go by and I'm growing up, so it's kind of normal for me to change a bit. I'm more comfortable, I feel good here in Barcelona and in my own life.

“Even though I had three years of little physical problems, those are the challenges of life, and that's just how it is. You have to face them with a smile.”

Dembele’s record at Barcelona

The 23-year-old has taken his overall tally of appearances for the Blaugrana to 100, with 25 goals and 20 assists.

He has found the target on six occasions this season while teeing up four efforts for team-mates, and is starting to find the consistency that has been lacking since he completed his big-money move.

Working with some of the finest talent in the business is aiding that cause, with the France international taking as many lessons as possible from Lionel Messi and co.

He has added: “There are world-class players here whom you learn from every day. I’ve been able to play alongside Andres Iniesta, Luis Suarez. They gave me a lot of advice when I joined. Lionel Messi too.

“Leo is a genius, we all know about him. He's a genius, he's the best player in the history of football. He inspired me when I was young, he inspires me now, and it's honestly an honour for me to play alongside him.”

Further reading

Uganda U20 coach Morley Byekwaso believes his charges are ready to play Mozambique hoping to get maximum points from Group A.

The 2020 U20 Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (Cecafa) champions will be targeting maximum points with a good margin of goals to go top of the group after hosts Mauritania fell by a solitary goal to Cameroon in the tournament's opener played at Olympic Stadium in Nouakchott on Sunday.

The tactician admits there are several challenges his charges have to adapt to but he is targeting a positive outcome.

"We had some problems with the weather here [in Mauritania]," Byekwaso said ahead of the Monday game.

"The wind was too heavy for my players but they have managed to adapt to it. We have made enough preparations to get the best from the match. We respect Mozambique but we are ready and we want to come out victorious."

The East Africans played two friendly matches against their neighbours Tanzania, who are also playing in the competition, winning 1-0 in the first meeting before falling 5-3 in the next one.

After dominating the East African region, Uganda are now aiming to make a mark in the continent. It is the first time the two countries are meeting at junior level.

After taking on Mozambique, the Hippos will then play Cameroon on Wednesday, February 17 before playing hosts Mauritania on February 20 in their final group game.

Goalkeepers: Komakech Jack (18) (Ascent SA), Oyo Delton (Busoga United FC), Ssenyondwa Denis Kaala (SC Villa).

Defenders: Kizito Mugweri Gavin (SC Villa), Semakula Kenneth (Busoga United FC), Musa Ramathan (KCCA FC) Kafumbe Joseph (KCCA FC), Begisa James Penz (UPDF FC), Baligeya Simon (Kibuli SS), Abdul Azizi Kayondo (Vipers SC)

Midfielders: Mugulusi Isma (Busoga United FC), Yiga Najib (Vipers SC), Bobosi Byaruhanga (Vipers SC) Sserwadda Steven (KCCA FC), Eyamu Ivan (Mbarara City FC), Kawooya Andrew (KCCA FC), Asaba Ivan (Vipers SC), Ssekajja Davis (Bright Stars FC), Wabyoona Faisal (Big Talent SA).

Forwards: Bogere Ivan (Proline FC), Ssenyonjo Samuel (KCCA FC), Kakooza Derrick (Police FC), Basangwa Richard (Vipers SC), Bukenya Joseph Kizza (KCCA FC), Ssali Alpha Thierry (Proline FC).

Talk of Mohamed Salah having his head turned by Barcelona or Real Madrid has been shrugged off by Liverpool legend Ian Rush, with a prolific presence from the Reds’ past expecting one in the present to stay put.

Speculation surrounding a talismanic presence at Anfield has surfaced amid a testing campaign for the reigning Premier League champions on and off the field.

Salah has kept the rumour mill ticking over with admissions that his long-term future could lie away from Merseyside, but Rush cannot see a stunning switch being made any time soon.

What has been said?

“I think Liverpool has a broad appeal,” Reds icon Rush, who netted 230 goals for the club across two spells, has told HorseRacing.net.

“Teams like Barcelona and Real Madrid have the history, same as Liverpool and Manchester United, and for him to be linked to any of those clubs means that he is one hell of a player but for me I think Mo Salah will stay at Liverpool.

“The fans love him, he loves the fans. The Premier League is the hardest and the most demanding league in the world.

“When you look at Barcelona and Real Madrid, Juventus and Milan in Serie A, where else do you get a league where the bottom team beats the top, like Sheffield United beating Manchester United? That could only happen in the English Premier League.”

What has Salah said on his future?

The Egyptian frontman told AS in December 2020 when asked about his plans: "I think Madrid and Barcelona are two top clubs. 

"Who knows what will happen in the future, but right now I am focused on winning the Premier League and the Champions League with Liverpool again."

"Of course I want to break records here and, I repeat, all the club records, but everything is in the hands of the club."

He has since sought to curb exit talk on Merseyside by telling TV2 in January: “If you ask, I say I want to stay here as long as I can, but as I have said before, it is in the hands of the club.

“I will always give 100 per cent to the last minute I am in this club and I want to win as many trophies as I can, and I want to give 100 per cent to the people, who show me love all the time.”

Will Salah stay at Liverpool?

The 28-year-old is tied to a contract at Anfield through to the summer of 2023.

Liverpool have, however, struggled to piece together a Premier League title defence this season, with Jurgen Klopp already throwing in the towel, and changes could be on the cards.

The Reds would be reluctant to see Salah form part of that process, as he has found the target on 117 occasions through 185 appearances, but it remains to be seen what future transfer windows will bring.

Further reading

Erling Haaland has called on his Borussia Dortmund team-mates to "stick to the plan" in order to ease pressure on interim head coach Edin Terzic.

Terzic was handed a contract until the end of the season after Lucien Favre's sacking in December, but the German's position is already being called into question after a poor run of results.

Dortmund slipped to sixth in the Bundesliga standings after being held to a 2-2 draw by Hoffenheim at Westfalenstadion on Saturday, however Haaland has urged the squad to rally around their manager after another damaging setback.

What was said?

''We just have to try to stick to the match schedule we get before the game and stick to it," Haaland told Sky Germany. "We get this plan because the coach believes that with this plan we can win against the team we are up against. We just have to stick to it and try to show the performance."

The Norwegian striker added: "I've been in situations like this before. It's not easy, but I try not to think about it too much. It's difficult when we lose again and you have the feeling that everything is going against you. Then we try to zero everything and bring new positive energy into the team, and that as quickly as possible."

Can Dortmund still achieve their goals in the Bundesliga?

Prior to the 2020-21 season, Dortmund's main target would have been to close the gap on Bayern Munich, who won the title by 13 points in 2019-10.

However, Terzic's side now find themselves 15 points adrift of the reigning champions and it is highly unlikely they will be able to knock them off their perch come May with only 13 fixtures left to play.

Dortmund's main focus is making sure that they salvage a place in the Champions League again, but it won't be an easy task with Wolfsburg currently sitting six points above them in fourth place.

What's next for Dortmund?

Dortmund are currently preparing for their Champions League round of 16 first leg tie against Sevilla on Wednesday, which will be staged at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

Haaland admits that the German giants will have to raise their game significantly in order to qualify for the quarter-finals, with the forward well aware of the threat the Liga outfit will pose.

''Sevilla are a strong team that have won the Europa League several times," he said. "We just have to get back in shape and do our best on the pitch to have a chance. If we play like we did in the last few games, we don't stand a chance."

Further reading

Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang said his first Premier League hat-trick against Leeds United has brought relief to him after enduring a difficult period.

The 31-year-old, on his first start since he returned from personal family issues, inspired Mikel Arteta's side back to winning ways with a comfortable 4-2 victory at home on Sunday.

He started the party in North London with a 13th-minute opener and he later doubled the hosts' lead with his 41st-minute strike from the penalty spot, after Bukayo Saka was brought down by goalkeeper Illan Meslier.

The 2015 African Footballer of the Year sealed Arsenal's win with his header two minutes into the second half, which stretched his tally to eight goals after 20 Premier League matches in this campaign.

On his reaction after he returned to the scoresheet since January 18 when he scored a brace against Newcastle United, Aubameyang told the club website: “For sure, it means a lot to me. I'm a guy who always works hard and tries to give the best, first for my family, and also for the team as well.

“It's been a tough time for me but now it's time to get my smile back, to win games and score goals.

“I'm happy, really happy, and my kids are going to be happy because they are going to get the ball! But yeah, I'm really happy with the performance from the team today.

“We knew it was going to be a hard game, they never give up. They fought a lot, I think we had good game management at the end and won the game.”

Aubameyang also appreciated the support offered to him by the club faithful during his absence in late January.

“Definitely, from everybody at the club, everyone has given me a lot of love,” he continued.

“I'm really proud to be a part of this family, so I have to say thank you to everyone at the club, and the fans as well because I received a lot of messages. I'm really happy and these goals are for them.”

Aubameyang will be targeting another win when Arsenal take on Benfica in their Europa League round of 32 fixture on Thursday, before they host Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Simba SC midfielder Francis Kahata is delighted with the 1-0 win the team got away to AS Vita in Group A of the Caf Champions League on Friday night.

After struggling in the first 45 minutes, Wekunudu wa Msimbazi came into the second half as a much-improved side and prevented the Congolese from playing as freely as they did. They were eventually rewarded in the 60th minute. 

Clatous Chama managed to get into a good position and cut the ball back to Luis Miquissone. The Mozambican's effort was blocked by Ousmane Ouattara's hand and the referee awarded the visitors a penalty. 

Chris Mugalu held his nerve to send Simon Omossola the wrong way and give his team what turned out to be the winning goal.

The Kenya international admits the game was tough, but he has explained why it was essential for the East Africa heavyweights to get a decent result away in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

"It was a good start considering it was our first game in the group away," Kahata told Goal on Monday.

"The game was not an easy one, it was tough. But getting three points is what we had gone for and everybody is happy we managed to do that. The win sets a base for our forthcoming assignments in the competition. 

"We want to go far this season and the result was what we needed."

In the 2018/19 season, Wekundu wa Msimbazi suffered a 5-0 loss against the DR Congo heavyweights.

"It was a good moment for all the players and supporters as well because the last time the team suffered a heavy loss at the same venue," Kahata continued.

"The win was good revenge for us, a good start which we all needed, and a motivation to the technical bench and players as well."

Simba will now welcome Egyptian giants and defending champions Al Ahly to Dar es Salaam in their second group stage match on February 23.

Wekundu wa Msimbazi lead the group with maximum points which came from the win over the Black Dolphins. They are targeting to reach the semis this season. 

Real Sociedad star Adnan Januzaj has insisted that he's looking forward to his upcoming reunion with Manchester United, claiming "I don't have to prove to anyone how good I am".

Sociedad and United are set to meet in the Europa League knockout stages on Thursday night, with Januzaj due to come up against the club where he began his professional career.

The Belgian winger called time on his six-year spell at Old Trafford in 2017 amid a lack of regular minutes but insists he won't be out to get one over on the Red Devils when they meet at Juventus Stadium in Turin.

What was said?

Januzaj told ESPN ahead of the round of 32 first-leg tie: "I don't have to prove to anyone how good I am, I just have to believe in myself, get my games and be happy.

"I'm really happy to go back there, the club I love. Once I'm on the pitch, there's going to be no friends because obviously, I'm playing for another club now and also I want to win the game.

"I want to go through with my team. I'm really happy to go back there to see the people but once I'm on the pitch there will be no friends."

How did Januzaj get on at Man Utd?

After two years in the academy set-up, Januzai graduated to the senior squad at Man Utd in 2013, and went on to feature in 63 games across all competitions for United, scoring five goals.

Sir Alex Ferguson gave the Belgian his start in Manchester before David Moyes handed him a starring role in the starting XI, but his fortunes dipped after the Scottish boss was sacked in April 2014.

Januzaj found himself on the fringes of the action under both Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho, and eventually took the decision to join Sociedad in order to reignite his career.

"I had Fergie and David Moyes, coaches that were believing in me, but then some others came in and they wanted a bit more experience in the team," the 26-year-old said of his time with the Red Devils.

"I was a young boy and when you're a young boy you have to shut up and do what people tell you to do.

"I didn't have the right coach to push me. For example when Van Gaal came I was playing one game out of six so it was difficult and I was like 'what am I doing here?'

"The first season under Moyes I was getting game time to show myself. At Manchester United, the most disappointing thing was that I wasn't getting games."

Januzaj's record at Sociedad

Sociedad has proven to be the ideal place for Januzai's talent to develop, with the Belgian having firmly established himself as a key member of the squad over the past four years.

The ex-United star has contributed 16 goals and 16 assists to the club's cause from 109 appearances, helping them emerge as genuine contenders for a top-four finish in La Liga.

Further reading

Jose Mourinho admits he has made “wrong decisions” with Gareth Bale and Dele Alli this season, with the Tottenham boss eager to have as many “good quality” players at his disposal as possible.

Bale and Alli have not always figured in the Portuguese’s plans, with the Wales and England internationals struggling for form, fitness and favour.

Mourinho has been critical of the pair at times, leading to questions being asked of their respective futures, but the Spurs boss has suggested that he will be wiping the slate clean.

What has been said?

“Good players when they are fit and when they are ready and when they can [play] are always welcome, always welcome,” Mourinho told reporters after the 3-0 defeat to Manchester City.

“We coaches sometimes we can make wrong decisions, we all do, but not one of us is crazy.

“Not one of us says I don't want this player to help me and the team when the player has the potential and the conditions he needs to do it.

“We miss Gio [Lo Celso] for a long, long time. We miss [Sergio] Reguilon for a few weeks. If we can have them back, if we can have Dele and Gareth fit and ready to play, it's a big improvement in our squad.”

How many games have Bale and Alli played in 2020-21?

Bale was returned to familiar surroundings during the summer of 2020, with Spurs putting a season-long loan agreement in place with Real Madrid.

Niggling knocks have followed him from Spain back to north London, with just 16 appearances and 248 minutes of Premier League football so far.

Alli has fared little better, with the 24-year-old midfielder playing 14 games and 101 minutes of top-flight action.

The bigger picture

Both men came off the bench for Spurs against City as they seek to convince Mourinho of their worth, and could get more game time in the Europa League last-32 clash with Wolfsberger on Thursday.

Mourinho has said of Bale’s potential involvement in that fixture: “I think [Bale] was ok. Of course one training session with the team, no more. Of course not ready for much more than this. Positive feelings.

“He had a good action, could score a goal. No problems after the match. Let's see if he can play Thursday or if not Thursday then next weekend.

“Players of good quality when they are fit can add something to the team, so if he's fit and if he's available, welcome.”

Further reading

Julian Nagelsmann is expecting a strong Liverpool showing in the Champions League despite their recent domestic struggles, saying Jurgen Klopp "has the gift" as one of the top managers in the business.

RB Leipzig are set to come up against Liverpool in Europe's elite competition on Tuesday night, with the first leg of their round of 16 tie due to be staged in Budapest due to coronavirus travel restrictions in Germany.

The Reds head into the clash on the back of just two wins from their last ten Premier League matches, but Nagelsmann is wary of the threat Jurgen Klopp's wounded team will pose at Puskas Arena.

What was said?

The Leipzig head coach told Kicker: "Jurgen is one of the most successful club coaches and has always made a difference in his stints in Mainz, Dortmund and Liverpool

"He took over Dortmund in a very bad time and made it a top club. He took over Liverpool in a not very successful time and became one very successful team made with the Champions League victory and the championship. He has the gift of developing clubs and moving people."

Nagelsmann added: "Due to many injuries, Liverpool have made some changes. Midfielders now play in defence in a position that they are not used to. In addition, they have played a lot of games and Jurgen Klopp is also very demanding and emotional that the opponents against Liverpool are always 110 per cent. You don't just put it all away. 

"If the many chances you create are not used in the same number as last year, you can quickly lose a few points. They are not in a mega-crisis and will certainly be stable against us."

The bigger picture

Liverpool will be slight favourites to progress to the quarter-finals at Leipzig's expense due to their recent history in the Champions League, with Klopp having guided the club to back-to-back European finals in 2017-18 and 2018-19.

The Reds lost the first to Real Madrid before beating Tottenham a year later, but they were knocked out at the last 16 stage by Atletico Madrid last season.

Leipzig, meanwhile, have only recently emerged as a major force in the continental competition, with a semi-final berth in 2019-20 marking their best showing to date.

Klopp also has history on his side when it comes to facing Nagelsmann, who coached Hoffenheim when they were beaten 6-3 on aggregate by Liverpool in the 2016-17 qualifying rounds.

Further reading

Antonio Rudiger claims leaving Chelsea has never been on the agenda, with the Blues defender saying: “Frank Lampard in or out, I would have stayed anyway”.

Transfer talk raged around the Germany international early in the 2020-21 campaign as he struggled for game time and saw just two Premier League appearances before the January window opened.

Various clubs were mooted for the 27-year-old, but his patience was rewarded with a return to favour before another change in the dugout at Stamford Bridge saw fellow countryman Thomas Tuchel appointed as successor to Chelsea legend Lampard.

What has been said?

Rudiger told Sky Sports: “I'm a competitor, I want to play. Obviously it is frustrating and it was the first time in my career that I had this type of situation. I just said to myself 'work, try hard to get back into the first team'. Now I can say I'm receiving the good from the hard work that I did before.

“You just have to get ready. You have to always make yourself available and always be ready in your mindset. Maybe in the future - I hope not, but this is football - someone gets injured and maybe they are going to say your name and you have to be up there and ready.

“This is how I prepare for every game. Although maybe you know you're not playing because you can see it through the training, but in my head, I always prepared like I was going to play so that I'm always ready in my mind.

“Inside myself, I was always calm and relaxed, I'll be very honest. I was not going crazy because I was not playing at the beginning and when you're not in the squad, you think 'oh wow, what's happening?'

“Then suddenly I was back in the team and got some games. From that moment on, my head was 'I'm staying here at Chelsea and trying to fight for my spot'. In the last games of Frank Lampard, I was featuring even more. Lampard in or out, I would have stayed anyway.”

Will Rudiger be staying at Chelsea long-term?

While a return to form and favour has been taken in, Rudiger is only tied to a contract in west London through to the summer of 2022.

Quizzed on whether he could commit to an extension, the centre-half said: “The thing is I cannot give myself a new contract. The talks have to come from the board, from Marina [Granovskaia], I'm very calm when it comes to that.”

The bigger picture

Rudiger, who was snapped up by Chelsea from Roma in 2017, is now up to 14 appearances this season and has played a prominent role under Tuchel with four clean sheets secured.

In total, he has figured in 129 games while at Stamford Bridge and will be hoping to retain his starting berth for the Premier League clash with Newcastle on Monday.

Further reading

FKF Premier League side Mathare United have confirmed defender Harun Junior will undergo surgery to repair his torn ACL on Tuesday.

The Slum Boys have revealed the development on their social media pages by stating: “Harun [Junior] is set to undergo surgery on a torn ACL on Tuesday, the defender has been out for a year since suffering the injury in a league game against Sofapaka in February of 2020.

“An MRI conducted at the time revealed the extent of the damage but restrictions brought about by the Covid-19 outbreak in the country delayed his treatment. He was however able to be taken through physical therapy rehabilitation that helped a good deal in strengthening the muscles around the knee.

“A second MRI was performed earlier in the month setting up tomorrow’s [Tuesday’s] appointment.”

The club’s team doctor Wycliffe Omom also explained what the player will go through by stating: “The procedure Harun will undergo is a reconstruction whereby the damaged ligament will be replaced by a piece of a tendon that will be extracted from another part of the knee.”

“As extreme as that sounds, it is not going to be a lengthy procedure, and the surgeon who will conduct it was very impressed with how stable the muscles around Harun’s knee are, as it will make the work easier for him as well as expedite the healing process.”

Former Harambee Stars defender David ‘Cheche’ Ochieng and Clifford Alwanga are the other players currently out with injury. Ochieng suffered a knock to the ribs in our home game against Western Stima while Alwanga sprained his knee in training.

Mathare United, who were reinstated to the league by FKF after they moved to endorse the broadcast deal between the federation and FKF, are currently sitting in position 16 of the 18-team table with eight points from eight matches.

The team’s last match saw them snatch a 1-0 win against Nzoia Sugar courtesy of James Kinyanjui and they will now face promoted side Bidco United on February 19.

Kim Poulsen has been confirmed as the new Tanzania head coach by Tanzania Football Federation.

The Federation believes the 61-year-old is the best candidate to help the East Africans meet their targets.

"TFF has appointed Danish Kim Poulsen as the national team head coach effective immediately," read a statement by the Federation and obtained by Goal.

"The tactician has signed a three-year contract to coach Taifa Stars who are currently in the race to seal a place in the [Africa Cup of Nations finals] in Cameroon as well as the 2022 World Cup qualifiers."

"Poulsen has initially coached Taifa Stars between 2012 and 2013; he has also managed the youth team," the statement continued.

"The tactician takes over from Etienne Ndayiragijje who recently parted ways with TFF on mutual consent; he had been appointed to coach the team in 2019."

The Burundian was appointed to replace Emanuel Amuneke of Nigeria who was let go after a poor show at the Afcon in Egypt in 2019 where Taifa Stars finished without a point after losing all three matches against Algeria, Kenya and Senegal.

Ndayiragije left his position after Tanzania struggled in the recently concluded African Nations Championship in Cameroon. He helped Taifa Stars qualify for the tournament meant exclusively for players doing trade in their own domestic leagues.

He guided the Cecafa nation past Kenya and Sudan on their way to the Chan 2021 edition.

Ndayiragije is one of the most experienced regional coaches having handled Vital’ O of Burundi, Mbao FC, Kinondoni Municipal Council (KMC FC) and Azam FC.

At Vital’ O, he won the Premier League title as well as the FA Cup before he crossed the border to take over at Mbao of Tanzania in 2016. He did not stay for long at Mbao as he was appointed by KMC whom he helped qualify for the Caf Confederation Cup for the first time in their history when they finished fourth in the Mainland Premier League.

With the good record at KMC, he was approached and later appointed by Chamazi club Azam who he guided in the Confederation Cup campaign.

He was named the Taifa Stars coach – where he acted on an interim basis initially – from Azam. He helped the national side reach the group phase of the Fifa World Cup qualifiers after he eliminated Burundi in the preliminary stage.

Harry Maguire is “fed up” with critics of Victor Lindelof and Manchester United’s defence, with the Red Devils skipper claiming a “blatant foul” denied Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side another three points at West Brom.

A 1-1 draw was played out at The Hawthorns on Sunday, doing few favours to the lofty ambitions of title-chasing United or the survival hopes of the hosts.

More questions have been asked of United’s defence with Swedish centre-half Lindelof beaten in the air by Mbaye Diagne for the early opener, but Maguire retains full faith in those around him and believes match officials have been letting the Red Devils down.

What has been said?

United captain Maguire told MUTV: “It’s a big frustration. We know the first goal is crucial when you come to this place - but it’s a foul. I’m fed up of hearing ‘Vic can do better’. Of course he can do better, and I know he can.

“I’m fed up of hearing ‘people can do better’. ‘David [de Gea] can do better on the cross’. It’s a foul. It’s a foul from Billy Sharp on David [in the recent Sheffield United game]. If you get someone in the back, and if the big striker’s wrestling Vic and then puts his arms all over him, heads it in the back of the net, of course he can do better, but it’s a foul.”

Maguire added: “I had one disallowed at Burnley two or three weeks ago, and the difference is massive. You can’t tell me that I did more than the striker’s done there!

“So the inconsistency is something that we need to look at, but for sure, it’s a foul, and I’m not making up excuses, because Vic’s disappointed in there and he was disappointed at half-time. He’s reacted really well in the game. I’m sure he’ll feel it was a mistake, but like I say, I’m fed up of hearing about mistakes from defenders and goalkeepers when it’s a blatant foul.

“When are we going to get these decisions? As defenders and goalkeepers, you expect a fair decision. For me, I know Vic will be disappointed in there, and I’m sure he’s probably getting criticism, he knows he can do better.

"It’s a foul, so we shouldn’t even be speaking about this. He’s a big striker who’s bigger than Vic and he’s wrestling him, he’s got his arms all about it, and he heads the ball in the back of the net.”

The bigger picture

Having been held on the road at West Brom, United are now seven points adrift of table-topping rivals Manchester City.

The Blues also boast a game in hand on the Red Devils and are threatening to race clear of the chasing pack.

The focus for Solskjaer’s troops is about to shift to continental matters and the first leg of their Europa League last-32 encounter with Real Sociedad on Thursday, before then returning to domestic duty at home to Newcastle on Sunday.

There are issues for them to address at the back heading into those outings, amid mounting calls for defensive reinforcements to be brought in during the summer transfer window, with only eight sides – and one in the top-half – being breached on more occasions than United in the Premier League this season.

Further reading

Kenya international David Owino revealed the quality of players at Gor Mahia has reduced over the years, after they lost their first leg play-off of the Caf Confederation Cup against Napsa Stars on Sunday.

The Kenyan champions came up against the Zambian pensioners at Nyayo Stadium seeking a convincing win to take to the return leg but it was not the case as Daniel Adoko punished them with a thunderbolt in the 86th minute for the 1-0 advantage.

Owino, who was playing against his former club which he helped to win three league titles, has now admitted the Kenyan giants are a shadow of their old self and something urgent needs to be done to steady the sinking ship.

“The players we had during my time and the current ones are heaven and earth apart,” Owino said as quoted by The Star after the match. “The team assembled during our days had the capacity to beat any team in Africa.”

Owino also believes it is time for managers to invest heavily in clubs so they can perform well in continental football stating: “There is no big difference between the two countries as far as football is concerned but Zambian clubs take football as a full-time job unlike here.”

Owino who played for the entire 90 minutes as however, refused to rule out Gor Mahia from overturning the first leg result when the two sides face off in the return leg after a fortnight.

“It was a tough game and I must laud my teammates for sticking to the game plan throughout,” Owino continued. “Our plan was to remain compact and take a chance and luckily it worked for us. The return game will not be easy; it will depend on how each team will prepare for the match.”

On his part, Gor Mahia striker Nicholas Kipkirui remained optimistic of getting a positive result in Lusaka by explaining to the same publication: “We should not be written off yet, we have a chance to beat them convincingly in Lusaka and advance to the group stage.”

K’Ogalo coach Manuel Vaz Pinto and his men must now beat the pensioners with more than two unanswered goals on February 21 for them to progress to the lucrative group stage of the lower-tier competition.

Thomas Tuchel says he is striving to be an "unpredictable" character in the Chelsea dressing room, and that he doesn't "do stuff to be loved".

Tuchel has overseen a swift turnaround in fortunes at Chelsea since replacing Frank Lampard in the dugout last month, with four wins recorded from his first five matches at the helm.

The German has been able to bring the best out of previously inconsistent stars such as Callum Hudson-Odoi, Jorginho and Timo Werner while also endearing himself to the media, but he claims to be a tough taskmaster behind the scenes at Stamford Bridge.

What was said?

Speaking ahead of Chelsea's clash with Newcastle on Monday night, Tuchel told Sky Sports: "Just because I'm trying hard to be kind to you guys [the media], does not mean that I am trying too hard and that everybody loves me in the dressing room because this simply does not exist.

"Can I be a shouter? Yeah, of course, if it's absolutely necessary. I can be totally emotional, and I can also totally be a shouter if I feel this is the minute to do it and to surprise. If you do it all the time then no one would listen because it becomes a habit, so everybody gets used to it.

"The goal is also to stay a little bit unpredictable, and most of the time to be reasonable because, for me, it is important we build a trust and relationship that we can rely on.

"Players won't get punished, shouted at or insulted in front of a group, this is unacceptable - but if we have to point out things clearly I'm a big friend of doing it in front of the whole group.

"If we have behaviours that harm the group and cause trouble for the team on the pitch, we should tell the players individually, but I believe strongly that everybody has to have the personality to swallow criticism in front of the group.

"That way no harm is done because we can talk openly. To be clear and to be honest, this will never change. I don't do stuff to be loved by everyone in the dressing room, this is not possible."

The bigger picture

Tuchel's no-nonsense approach to management might hold him in good stead to last longer in the Chelsea hot seat than his predecessors, with club owner Roman Abramovich never having been one to afford a head coach any time to implement a long-term strategy.

Claudio Ranieri, Jose Mourinho, Luiz Felipe Scolari, Andre Villas-Boas, Roberto Di Matteo and Lampard were all sacked for failing to bring about immediate success, but the Blues have remained a competitive force despite the revolving door for head coaches.

For Tuchel to break the mould, he will have to continue delivering consistent results while also picking up regular trophies, and Chelsea still have two to play for between now and the end of the season.

The Premier League title looks out of reach at this point, but the Blues still have a Champions League round of 16 tie against Atletico Madrid to look forward to as well as an FA Cup quarter-final against Sheffield United.

Further reading