Sports

For now, at least, the future of Pep Guardiola is secure.

The Manchester City manager has signed a new two-year contract that will keep him at the Etihad Stadium until 2023.

There is no denying Guardiola has brought spectacular success to City, but few would deny there have been some concerning signs in the early stages of the 2020-21 season.

So, is his new deal the right decision?

There s unfinished business says Pep

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— Manchester City (@ManCity)

GUARDIOLA HAS MADE CITY HISTORY – THEY CAN T RISK HIM GOING ELSEWHERE
By John Skilbeck

If City ever seriously considered a future without Guardiola, then a glance across town should have given them pause for thought: if you ve got a proven winner, cling to him for dear l…

Hakan Calhanoglu s agent has held positive talks with Milan over a new contract for the midfielder.

The Turkey international s deal expires at the end of the season and there has been speculation Manchester United are interested in a free transfer.

United could strike a pre-contract agreement with Calhanoglu as early as next month, but it appears the player is increasingly likely to stay with the Serie A leaders.

His agent, Gordon Stipic, met with Milan directors on Wednesday and is optimistic an extension can be agreed.

There are suggestions both parties are eager to tie up negotiations quickly due to the looming prospect of stricter coronavirus regulations in Italy, which could make talks more difficult.

It was a positive meeting, Stipic told T…

Virgil van Dijk admits Liverpool s confidence is creeping away after making their worst start to a Premier League campaign in a decade.

Liverpool s 3-2 loss to Arsenal in Sunday s contest at Emirates Stadium leaves them with 10 points from eight games – their lowest return since the 2012-13 season (nine).

The Reds have conceded 16 goals across their past 12 league matches and kept just two clean sheets, while conceding the opening goal of the game on 10 occasions.

And centre-back Van Dijk, who has come in for criticism for his performances this campaign, accepts a lack of belief is playing a part in Liverpool s disappointing run of form.

Confidence is definitely a thing that plays a part. We re all human beings, he told Sky Sports.

Sometimes y…

Pep Guardiola revealed he is learning from his former assistant Mikel Arteta, despite Manchester City overcoming Arsenal on Sunday.

City s storming form continued as they sealed an 18th straight victory in all competitions – making it 13 wins from their last 13 games in the league – thanks to Raheem Sterling s early goal.

The visitors started in superb fashion at Emirates Stadium though failed to keep up the blistering pace. Arsenal, however, managed only one attempt on target despite some promising flashes.

Guardiola s team are 10 points clear at the top of the table, and 25 ahead of 10th-place Arsenal, who have lost their last eight league games against City, their joint-longest run of consecutive league defeats against an opponent, along with an eight-ga…

Rangers and Celtic meet for the first time this season when they clash at Ibrox in the cinch Premiership on Sunday.

Both sides have already dropped points in the cinch Premiership title race.

Here are some major talking points ahead of the noon kick-off.

Form has already gone out the window

FULL-TIME: PSV 5-1 Rangers (Agg 7-3)

— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC)

The cliche claims that recent results do not matter when these teams meet, although that is not always backed up by facts. However, this time round both sides come into the game looking for a lift. Celtic crashed out of the Viaplay Cup at Kilmarnock and were then held to a goalless league draw by bottom club St Johnstone at Parkhead. It was the first time since May 2018 they had fail…

Stoke City are interested in signing Conor Coady from Leicester City in the summer transfer window, according to . The report has claimed that Leicester, who have won promotion to the Premier League for next season, do not have Coady in their plans, and that Stoke are keen on a loan deal for the former Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers players.

Coady has been on the books of Leicester since the summer of 2023 when he joined from Wolverhampton Wanderers. The defender spent the 2022-23 season on loan at Everton, who decided not to make the deal permanent last summer. The 31-year-old made eight starts and four substitute appearances in the Championship for the Foxes last season. He also played four times in the FA Cup and once in the Carabao Cup for Leicester this campaign.