Gossip: Rodgers, Coutinho, Moyes, Pep

Daniel Storey

Rodgers or Moyes (!!) for England, Coutinho wanted by City, Pep says yes…

 

CITY WILL TARGET COUTINHO
Jurgen Klopp’s first task as Liverpool manager might be to nip down to B&Q for some masking tape in order to tie down Philippe Coutinho and stop him leaving the club.

It seems pretty clear that the Brazilian’s agent is doing a little bit of cheeky naughty in the media. Last week we had rumours of Barcelona interest in Coutinho, with his agent Kia Joorabchian then saying rumours that he had been talking to Real Madrid were untrue. Nobody had really been saying that Kia.

Now reports suggest that Manchester City are interested in signing Coutinho, with the Daily Mirror claiming that they see him as the long-term replacement for David Silva.

The obvious conclusion is that interest from Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester City makes it damn difficult to keep a player happy. Fingers crossed Klopp can weave some magic.

 

RODGERS, MARTINEZ OR MOYES FOR ENGLAND
Well, well. With the international break now (sadly?) upon us, thoughts in the papers turn to the identity of Roy Hodgson’s possible replacement after Euro 2016.

It should be said that Hodgson is no certainty to leave. If England finally perform at a level above abject at a major tournament next summer, he will surely be given the chance to take us into the next World Cup. Stop laughing at the back.

That said, it’s always nice to keep options open. The Times claims that Brendan Rodgers will be on the Football Association’s list to replace Hodgson. We can’t say we’re convinced that international football is where Rodgers’ expertise would lie, but who knows.

The Daily Telegraph steam in with extra information, claiming that David Moyes and Roberto Martinez are also on the FA’s shortlist. Hodgson has never seemed so attractive.

 

PEP SAYS YES TO CITY
Pep Guardiola managing Manchester City feels like an inevitability rather than possibility. Linking up with Txiki Begiristain has long been on the cards and, with Pep leaving Bayern at the end of the season, the time might be now.

Spanish news outlet Mundo Deportivo reports that Guardiola has already reached a tentative agreement with City to take over, although Bayern would still like to tie him down to a new contract.

Mundo Deportivo do point out that the agreement is only verbal, but that Begiristain is convinced that the arrival of Guardiola would spur City on to greater things. It’s difficult to argue with that sentiment.