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Sheffield United are being linked with former Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic, who could prove to be a superb appointment ahead of next season in the Championship.

According to James Shield of the Sheffield Star, Sheffield United will discuss their managerial vacancy with the Serbian over the coming days.

Paul Heckingbottom has been in temporary charge at Bramall Lane since Chris Wilder left in March, having previously managed the U23 side, with results unfortunately not improving under the former Barnsley boss, which culminated in the Blades’ relegation back to the Championship.

Since his appointment, the South Yorkshire side have won just one of their last eight games, losing the other seven, so it was perhaps clear that he was never going to be given the opportunity to take charge permanently.

Jokanovic, therefore, could prove to be a shrewd appointment should he take charge at Bramall Lane this summer, as he has plenty of experience in both the Premier League and the Championship.

The 52-year-old is currently in charge at Qatari club Al-Gharafa SC, where he has taken charge of 53 matches, picking up an impressive points per game average of 1.6.

However, his contract there is set to expire in the summer, which suggests that he will soon be looking for a new job and if he does end up leaving the Stars League outfit, then Sheffield United could bring him in without having to pay any compensatory fee.

Jokanovic is perhaps best known for his spell with Fulham, spending three years there between 2015-2018, taking charge of 144 matches with a solid points per game average of 1.56.

He also helped the Cottagers to promotion in the 2017/18 season via the Championship playoffs, which led Danny Murphy to label the job he had done as “remarkable” before being rather harshly sacked after a poor run of form in the Premier League.

It would be good for the Blades to have a manager with two Championship promotions on his CV, having also earned promotion with Watford in 2014/15.

Therefore, this looks like good news for Sheffield United as they continue their search for a new manager ahead of next season. They want a man who can earn promotion and in Jokanovic, they could get a man with a proven track-record of doing just that, with two different clubs.

And, in other news… Fewer touches than Ramsdale: Sheffield United dud was shocking in CPFC defeat

Liam Kennedy has criticised the performance of Federico Fernandez as Newcastle United lost 4-3 to Manchester City in the Premier League on Friday night.

The Lowdown: Newcastle inspired

Steve Bruce’s team put in an inspired display against the newly-crowned champions at St James’ Park, but goals from Emil Krafth, Joelinton and Joe Willock were not enough as Pep Guardiola’s men took all three points away from Tyneside.

One player who did not have the best of games was Fernandez, and Kennedy was particularly critical of the Argentine’s performance.

The Latest: Kennedy criticises Fernandez

Writing in his latest player ratings piece for Shields Gazette, Kennedy claimed that Fernandez ‘looked a yard off the pace’ and was ‘second to every ball’, gibing him a mere 5/10 overall rating, the lowest out of any player to have started the game for the Magpies.

The former Swansea City man endured a torrid time, particularly against Ferran Torres, who ended up scoring a hat-trick.

The Verdict: Fernandez must do better

Fernandez simply has to do better if he is to stay in the team for Newcastle’s remaining fixtures of the campaign.

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The Argentina international failed to block any shots or record any interceptions or tackles against Pep Guardiola’s side and only managed 18 touches of the ball in total, fewer than his own goalkeeper Martin Dubravka and any other outfield player to have started the match (Sofascore).

Nonetheless, it was against the newly-crowned champions and Champions League finalists, and so the 32-year-old defender will be hoping that there are easier assignments to come after a less than stellar display last night.

In other news, find out what big Mike Ashley claim has been dropped after a takeover statement was released.

Legia Warsaw manager Czeslaw Michniewicz has confirmed he has been in touch with Leeds United midfielder Mateusz Bogusz over a possible summer swoop.

The Lowdown: Bogusz’s Logrones’ struggles

Bogusz, who signed a new Elland Road deal until 2023 last summer, has spent this season on loan at Spanish second division side Logrones.

He’s struggled to become a mainstay in the side, with just nine of his 21 La Liga 2 appearances coming as a starter.

The 19-year-old has managed a single goal and assist in those appearances, turning out in six different positions, showing his versatility.

It looks as if he could be on the move again this summer though, with former Poland Under-21 manager Czeslaw Michniewicz sharing some comments regarding the teenager.

The Latest: Michniewicz confirms Bogusz talks

TVP Sport interviewed Michniewicz, with his comments relayed by Sports Witness. He was questioned if he has been in touch with the Leeds midfielder over a possible move to Legia Warsaw, to which he replied:

“Yes. We are in touch, but this is a complicated topic. The English club are in no hurry, it is not even known if Bielsa will lead Leeds next season.

“This is a distant topic because the club has time to choose the path for its midfielder. There will be something, but I do not count on Bogusz to become a serious topic for Legia from the beginning of the transfer window and the tournament.”

The Verdict: Another loan a shrewd move?

In our opinion, another loan spell next season could be helpful to Bogusz.

It’s good that the youngster has played in a number of different positions at senior level during the current campaign, but you feel he’ll need to be a starring member of Legia Warsaw’s side, should a move go through, to then have a chance of first-team football at Elland Road going forward.

Former Leeds man Noel Whelan also wants Bogusz to stand out in the 2021/22 season away from Elland Road, describing next year as ‘massive’ for the Pole.

Another option the Whites have is to keep Bogusz and use him in the club’s Under-23 side following their title-winning campaign.

You’d expect Marcelo Bielsa will have the final say, though, so this could be one to keep a close eye on over the coming weeks.

In other news: Leeds linked with move for Colombian winger, find out more here. 

Eddie Howe’s proposed move to Celtic is on, according to the Daily Record.

The Lowdown: Cherries’ Championship play-off woes

Bournemouth suffered play-off heartbreak on Saturday, which seems to have opened up Howe’s move to Scotland. The Cherries lost 3-2 to Brentford on aggregate in the Championship play-off semi-finals, with former Celtic target Ivan Toney starting the comeback for the Bees from the penalty spot.

Celtic’s hopes of landing Howe could have been dashed if the Cherries sealed an immediate return to the top flight, but their season is now over.

The Latest: Howe closing in on Parkhead move

The Daily Record ran a story shortly after Bournemouth’s defeat in west London, admitting that Howe is now closing in on a Celtic switch as a result.

The report claimed ‘all roads to lead to Parkhead’ – six words which appear to be huge when it comes to the Hoops getting their man, to whom they first spoke seven weeks ago. Richard Hughes is poised to become technical director, with coaches Stephen Purches and Simon Weatherstone also looking to move north.

Another man mentioned for a coaching role is former Celtic player Pete Grant, with Howe looking to put his mark on the club’s summer rebuild.

The Verdict: It looks as if the Hoops have got their man

Dermot Desmond was the man who met Howe in London at the beginning of April, and although reports briefly suggested that Roy Keane and John Kennedy were also in the frame for the full-time role, it seems as if Howe was always the club’s top target.

It should come as a huge boost to the Hoops if a deal officially goes through, and hopefully Howe will have already begun assessing Celtic’s squad.

Plenty of incomings and outgoings are expected over the coming months, but with Howe successfully leading a Bournemouth rebuild, taking them from League Two to the Premier League in six seasons, he appears to be the right man for the Celtic job.

In other news: Pundit thinks ‘brilliant’ £7.5k-p/w Celtic ace could seal exit before June 11, find out more here.

Former Southampton vice-chairman Les Reed has lifted the lid on his relationship with the club’s owner Katharina Liebherr, confirming that he enjoyed working with her.

Liebherr currently has a 20 per cent stake of the club, having taken ownership of the club in 2010 after the death of her father, Markus.

Reed was first appointed by Saints in 2010, coming in as the Head of Football Development and Support, before later becoming vice-chairman.

Reed has revealed that he was given carte blanche to work largely alone, having been entrusted with a budget by Liebherr, and he says he never needed to double-check with her over any deals, with the decision instead made by himself.

And the 68-year-old, who left the club in 2018, has nothing but praise for the work that Liebherr has done during her time with the club.

Her 20 per cent stake, per The Athletic, includes a veto of any proposed takeover of the club, so she will remain in the background for the foreseeable future, even if she isn’t a front-facing figure at this point.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, Reed said: “The relationship I had with Katharina Liebherr, is she’s been absolutely magnificent for that football club. Just when she thought she was getting some money out, it needed to go back in, and she’s done that all the time.

“When [Nicola] Cortese left, the relationship I had then with Katharina Liebherr meant that we didn’t have a chain of command that we had to get checked and double checked. There was just fantastic trust and therefore decision making was quick, easy and I could act.

“I could sit in a meeting with an agent or with a club about buying a player and make that decision there. I wouldn’t have to go ‘right, I need to go and check with the owner, I need to go and check with the CEO, I need to go and check with the chairman’.

“I could make that decision because she had trusted me to work within the budget and never go over it, which I never did. I could make those decisions.”

Leicester City have been linked with a move for Burnley defender James Tarkowski ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

What’s the story?

According to Lancs Live, the Turf Moor outfit are anticipating renewed interest in their centre-back after another impressive campaign.

Brendan Rodgers’ charges tabled a bid for Tarkowski last summer, along with West Ham United, but both offers were rejected after failing to match Burnley’s £50m asking price.

Rodgers needs him

The Foxes missed out on a top-four finish by a single point in the recently-concluded campaign after a final day defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.

Injuries to all of Leicester’s key centre-backs throughout the season hampered the progress of the 2016 Premier League champions, with Jonny Evans, Wesley Fofana and Caglar Soyuncu all spending significant periods on the sidelines.

Their lack of strength in depth, combined with the departure of club captain Wes Morgan, has left the Midlands outfit prioritising a new defender this summer, meaning that another move for Tarkowski is expected.

The Leicester Mercury claimed that the Rodgers’ men are favourite to secure the England international’s signature over the coming months as the Northern Irish manager looks to bolster his first team squad for next season.

Tarkowski has won many plaudits for his impressive displays since arriving at Burnley back in 2016, earing high praise from his manager after a standout performance on his debut.

“Keano (Michael Keane) often gets the story, but that’s Tarky’s first Premier League start, I think that’s outstanding, to play against someone like (Christian) Benteke, get hit by a lighter, stay focused, get the job done,” Dyche said.

“I’m not interested in talking about Keano because Tarky’s been absolutely outstanding.”

Since then, the £22.5m-rated beast has gone from strength to strength, making 182 appearances for the Lancashire side as they’ve continued to defy expectations and maintain their Premier League status.

It’s no surprise that the Burnley hierarchy are trying to convince Tarkowski to extend his current contract with the club, which is set to expire in the summer of 2022.

“We have open lines of communication with him and his agent, as we do with all the players, and as far as I’m concerned he’s a Burnley player,” Dyche recently revealed.

“Contractual situations are private and personal, or they should be, they’re often not, but he’s been fantastic. He (Tarkowski) knows my thoughts on his future here, he knows I want him here. He knows his contract is where it is, everyone knows that, but he’ll be here as far as I’m concerned, it’s simple

“If someone wants to write a cheque for an immeasurable amount then that might be different, but at the moment he’s a Burnley player, and he’s done very well again for us this season. He’s a quality player.”

It remains to be seen whether Leicester can finally land their man this time around, but with Morgan’s departure and Rodgers’ ambitious hopes, director of football Jon Rudkin must do all he can to land Tarkowski as the Foxes attempt to secure a Champions League qualification spot at the end of next season.

In other news… Leicester City must seal swoop for 13-assist speed-demon, Rodgers needs him 

Charlton have been handed a major boost in their pursuit of Preston North End centre-forward Jayden Stockley.

What’s the talk?

According to the Lancashire Post, the 27-year-old is keen to sign a permanent deal with the Addicks following the end of his loan spell with the club. He arrived at The Valley on loan in January and caught the eye with an impressive run of form in the second half of the season, with Charlton now attempting to snap him up on a permanent basis.

The report claims that a number of League One clubs are interested in Stockley, with Preston primed to cash in on the striker. However, he would rather sign for Charlton over their League One rivals due to his time on loan with the club.

Earlier this season, Addicks manager Nigel Adkins labeled Stockley as “magnificent”, praising the forward for his work rate. He told London News Online: “Jayden Stockley was magnificent yet again. He works his socks off. In the last minute of the game he is down near our corner flag, winning the ball.

“He just kept going – phenomenal. He is such a massive threat. If we can just improve the quality to him, he is such a handful in this division.”Adkins will be ecstaticAdkins must be ecstatic to learn that Stockley is gunning for a return to the club this summer. The 27-year-old made a huge impact whilst on loan at the club and he thrived under Adkins’ management, suggesting that the pair work well together. This means he could be the ideal target to bring in, as he already knows the club and has proven that he can perform in the manager’s system.Stockley ended the campaign as Charlton’s highest-rated player according to WhoScored. He averaged a score of 7.41 in the league for the Addicks, with Jake Forster-Caskey (7.19) and Ryan Innis (7.16) behind him in the top three. He notched eight goals and two assists in 20 starts, whilst also averaging a jaw-dropping 9.8 aerial battles won per game. Innis was second in the Charlton squad for aerial battles won with 5.6 per game, highlighting just how impressive that figure is for Stockley.

The possible return of the £5,100-per-week ace could also be vital due to Chuks Aneke’s situation. The former MK Dons man was Charlton’s top scorer with 15 goals and is currently set to leave the club at the end of the month.

His contract expires at the end of June and there has been no update on his negotiations over a new deal. If he leaves The Valley, the signing of Stockley would be more important as Adkins would be losing one of his main contributors in front of goal.

AND in other news, Charlton must act swiftly to land “outstanding” £2.1k-p/w ace after major update… 

Crystal Palace could appoint their perfect manager this summer in the shape of Rafael Benitez, as the search for Roy Hodgson’s successor continues.

What’s the story?

The 73-year-old departed Selhurst Park after last season’s conclusion following four relatively successful years in south London, but his replacement is yet to arrive.

It seemed as though former Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo was set to fill the vacant Palace hot seat until a last-minute U-turn, leaving the club’s hierarchy back at square one.

Palace’s perfect manager

Whoever takes over the reins at Palace will be faced with a daunting task. A major squad overhaul is required, and the absence of Eberechi Eze and Nathan Ferguson until the new year through injury will only complicate matters further.

An experienced head, therefore, seems the logical route to go down.

Several potentially exciting managerial prospects have been linked with the capital club, including Steve Cooper, Frank Lampard and Valerien Ismael, although the job at hand may be too much for those prospects to handle given their relative inexperience.

On the other hand, someone else who has been linked with the job, and someone who has been there and seen it all before is Benitez. The ex-Liverpool and Newcastle United man has taken charge of 340 Premier League games throughout his career, achieving a very respectable 49% win rate.

During his time at St.James’ Park, the Spaniard showcased his ability to extract results and performances far beyond the sum of his parts.

It’s a skill that will be required for any prospective Palace boss as they attempt to guide the Eagles to top-flight safety next season while working on a shoestring budget.

Key players such as Gary Cahill, Patrick van Aanholt and James McArthur may be allowed to walk out the exit door as the south London outfit enters a new chapter, but replacing them with similar quality stars will be a tricky assignment.

While bringing in a younger, more attack-minded manager may bring more excitement to the club’s supporters, pragmatism and experience are what is needed at this moment in time to steady a very rocky ship.

Under the 61-year-old Benitez, Palace would likely come out the other side of this transitional period with their Premier League status intact, and their playing squad revitalised, leaving the perfect foundation for a more ambitious tactician to take over further down the line.

And, in other news…Get it done: Parish must sanction Palace swoop for “outstanding” £14.4m-rated prodigy 

Former Leeds United defender Danny Mills doesn’t believe Derek McInnes would be a good managerial appointment for West Brom.

The Lowdown: McInnes linked with Baggies

The Baggies will spend the 2021/22 campaign in the Championship and are currently without a manager, following Sam Allardyce’s departure at the end of last season.

A number of names have been linked with taking charge at the Hawthorns, will McInnes one of them, according to a report from Football Insider.

The 49-year-old left his job as Aberdeen manager back in March, following eight years with the Scottish Premiership club.

The Latest: Mills unconvinced

Speaking to Football Insider, Mills admitted he thinks McInnes would be an ‘underwhelming’ choice as manager:

“He’s not a big name in any way shape or form. He’s not seriously inspiring in terms of prowess and records.

“He may well be a very good coach. On the face of it, you would say it’s a little bit underwhelming.”

The Verdict: Better options out there

While McInnes did a good job at Aberdeen over a long period of time, there should be reservations about him making the step up the Championship – arguably one of the most competitive leagues in Europe.

Someone like Chris Wilder would represent a stronger option, for example, considering he secured a top-half finish in the Premier League with Sheffield United in 2019/20 and proved he can drag a team up from the second tier in the season prior.

West Brom need to acquire the services of someone who can take the Baggies straight back into the top-flight – McInnes doesn’t necessarily look like that man based on his recent pedigree.

In other news, one West Brom player is reportedly on the verge of leaving the club. Find out who it is here.

Former Premier League manager Lawrie Sanchez has exclusively told Football FanCast that should Brendan Rodgers keep Leicester inside that top six, he’ll be a sho0-in to eventually replace Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

Despite their failure to qualify for the Champions League once again, even though the Foxes sat inside the top four for almost the entire season, Rodgers guided the club to their first ever FA Cup success and another fifth-place finish.

His impressive work has seen him linked to the job at Tottenham, whilst he’s previously been mentioned alongside the Arsenal vacancy.

But he recently reiterated his desire to remain at Leicester and continue making the club top six regulars having led the club into the Europa League twice on the bounce.

However, if Rodgers continues to defy the odds, a so called ‘top-six club’ could come calling.

And Sanchez told Football FanCast that it could yet be Manchester City when Pep eventually goes.

“I wonder whether if Brendan is thinking strategically, a couple of years at Leicester, where he could go?

“Tottenham are a big club, Arsenal? Guardiola is going to do two or three more years at Manchester City, then that job will become available.

“He had a go at Liverpool and came close, but if he’s in the top six for the next two or three years and Guardiola goes, he’d be a sho0-in for it wouldn’t he, you’d think.”