PREMIER LEAGUE SURVIVAL SPECIALIST GARY O'NEIL LINED UP BY LEEDS
Leeds United is considering former Bournemouth and Wolves boss Gary O'Neil to replace Daniel Farke, valuing his Premier League survival track record.
Reports say Gary O'Neil might be heading back into management soon.
StadiumNest understands that the 42-year-old is being considered to take Daniel Farke's spot at Leeds United, should the German be dismissed.
After being promoted last season, Leeds is currently 18th in the Premier League.
Farke's team has been struggling, losing their last four games and not winning in their last eight league matches.
This poor performance has increased the pressure on the Leeds coach lately.
One angry fan even confronted him at Elland Road during last month's loss to Aston Villa.
There are whispers that Ange Postecoglou and Brendan Rodgers are also being considered if Leeds decides to make a change.
Leeds is facing a tough series of games, having recently played against Villa and Manchester City.
They're set to play Chelsea on Wednesday and then host Liverpool on Saturday night.
Even with their struggles, Leeds is only in the bottom three because of goals scored. They could jump up to 16th if they beat Chelsea.
O'Neil's name has come up as a possible candidate for Leeds, given his experience with Premier League relegation battles.
He has a track record of keeping both Bournemouth and Wolves in the top league.
He took over from Scott Parker at Bournemouth in the 2022/23 season.
When he joined in August, Bournemouth had just three points from four games and had just suffered a 9-0 defeat to Liverpool.
O'Neil went on to win 10 of his 34 Premier League games, securing a 15th-place finish and staying out of relegation by five points.
After leaving Bournemouth at the end of that season, he became the manager of Wolves just two months later.
Again, O'Neil ensured survival, with his team finishing 14th.
He stayed in charge until December 2024 and has been out of the dugout since then.
O'Neil has been mentioned for a few jobs recently, including a possible return to Southampton.
He also turned down the chance to go back to Wolves after his replacement, Vitor Pereira, was fired.
Sheffield United also showed interest in O'Neil last summer after their play-off final loss at Wembley Stadium.
HOW JAMES MADDISON’S INDIVIDUAL TRAINING SIGNALS A SHOCK SEASON RETURN
James Maddison returns to individual training as Igor Tudor prepares Tottenham for a vital relegation battle with Forest.
Ahead of Tottenham’s match against Nottingham Forest, manager Igor Tudor gave an update on when James Maddison might return from injury. It’s a crucial moment for Spurs as they prepare to host Forest in what could be the defining 90 minutes of Tudor’s time at the club and quite possibly a key fixture that will shape the season for both teams.
Currently separated by just one point, Tottenham and Forest are locked in a battle against relegation. A win would push Spurs four points clear of the drop zone, while a loss might drag them into the bottom three. The stakes couldn’t be clearer.
Tudor’s side heads into this game with renewed energy, surprisingly positive given the mood just two weeks ago. The draw at Anfield broke a six-game losing streak, and their recent 3-2 victory over Atlético Madrid, though not enough to overturn the aggregate score, brought back a sense of belief. Young players like Xavi Simons and Archie Gray impressed, while Mathys Tel kept the opposition on their toes. The atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was electric in a way fans haven’t felt for months. While the Champions League hopes are dashed, that performance has injected valuable momentum into Spurs’ survival fight.
There’s also some hopeful news on the injury front. Dominic Solanke, who missed the Atlético leg with a hip issue, might be available. His physical presence adds a different dimension to Tottenham’s attack, which Tudor will surely be glad to have.
But the most promising update came from Tudor’s comments about Maddison. The creative midfielder, sidelined since August after rupturing his ACL in a preseason friendly, has begun some individual training, spotted alongside Palhinha. Recoveries from ACL injuries are never straightforward, and the team won’t rush him back. With only seven league games left after Sunday, there’s a narrow window for his return. Still, even the possibility of Maddison getting back on the pitch—someone who can change a game with a moment of skill or a precise pass—offers a much-needed morale boost.
For now, though, the focus remains firmly on Forest.
WHY BORUSSIA DORTMUND EXPECT JADON SANCHO TO SIGN FOR FREE
Unai Emery praises Jadon Sancho despite poor stats, while Dortmund free up £21m in wages to lure him back to Germany.
Borussia Dortmund really want Jadon Sancho back, and they’re hoping to get him for free from Manchester United. Sancho’s contract runs out this summer, and honestly, no one expects United to offer him a new one.
Right now, Sancho’s on loan at Aston Villa. It’s his third spell away from Old Trafford since United signed him for £73 million in 2021. His move to Villa was just a loan with no option to buy.
Villa’s manager, Unai Emery, has hinted he might keep Sancho, but Dortmund aren’t sitting around. The Times says Dortmund didn’t chase wingers last summer because Nico Kovac liked the 3-4-2-1 formation, but now the boss has changed his mind and wants Sancho back.
If Sancho comes back, he'll need to take a hefty pay cut from his £300,000-a-week salary. Still, Dortmund’s where he made his name after moving from Manchester City in 2017.
Dortmund have room in the budget this summer; they let the contracts of Julian Brandt, Niklas Süle, and Salih Özcan run out. That saves them about £21 million a year, and they’re optimistic they can lure Sancho, who’s allowed to strike pre-contract deals with foreign clubs.
Sancho actually spent half of the 2024 season back at Dortmund after Erik ten Hag froze him out at United. He helped them reach the Champions League final, but nothing permanent came of it.
Something similar happened during his loan to Chelsea last season. The club even paid a £5 million penalty just to avoid having to sign him outright. Villa picked him up right at the transfer deadline in September, but, once again, he’s struggled.
So far, Sancho’s got one goal and one assist in 29 games across all competitions. Still, Emery thinks there’s more to come.
When asked in February about signing Sancho for good, Emery said, “Not yet, but he’s a fantastic player. Hopefully, he can help us by improving within our system, like he is doing.
“He’ll need a new contract; maybe it’s here. If he plays his best football, we’ll want him. But other teams will be interested, too.”
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