Kohli plays down ‘banter’ as Aussies level series PAGE 16 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2018 Lionel Messi collects a record 5th Golden EFL CUP Shoe award as top goalscorer in Europe ARSENAL VS TOTTENHAM Manchester United lose patience, sack Mourinho Tottenham manager Mauricio AFP who played for United. Tot- Pochettino. (REUTERS) MANCHESTER (UK) tenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino is also MANCHESTER UNITED strongly tipped. Pochettino sacked manager Jose Mour- Mourinho’s reign had start- inho on Tuesday after the ed well enough with the League fits bill as club’s worst start to a season Cup and the Europa League in nearly three decades. trophies but for a club that has new manager, Mourinho, 55, became in- been champions of England 20 creasingly spiky in his last few times, neighbours Manchester says Neville months at Old Trafford, lash- City’s dominance over them in ing out at the board’s transfer the league has hurt. AFP policy and turning his fire on The wound went even LONDON his squad, especially record deeper for Mourinho as City signing Paul Pogba. are managed by Pep Guardi- GARY NEVILLE says Man- His constant complaints ola, who got the better of him chester United should target about the players’ lack of de- when he was in charge at Bar- Mauricio Pochettino as their sire had an impact on the celona and Mourinho was at new manager after sacking pitch, culminating in the 3-1 Real Madrid. Jose Mourinho, describing the defeat by Premier League Despite his protestations Spurs boss as the “ideal candi- leaders Liverpool on Sunday to the contrary, the United date”. which left United 19 points board gave Mourinho plenty Neville, who won multiple behind their opponents. of money to compete. Premier League titles during his Mourinho’s sacking comes Top-quality players such spell at Old Trafford under Alex just two-and-a-half years into as Belgian striker Romelu Ferguson, said the departure his tenure and three years and Lukaku – who he persuaded of the Portuguese boss was a a day since Chelsea sacked to snub Chelsea and come to chance to hit the “reset” button. him just months after he had United for £75 million in 2017 United, in sixth place in guided them to the title. – and Pogba for a then world the league, are 19 points be- Reports said United will record fee of £89 million in hind leaders Liverpool after a name a caretaker manager in 2016 have floundered under miserable season. the next 48 hours. his authoritarian stewardship. “I said last season that the The club’s worst start in Indeed it was his deterio- next manager of Manchester the league since 1990 means rating relationship with World United should be Mauricio even Mourinho’s ambition of Cup-winning midfielder Pog- Pochettino,” Neville told Sky finishing in the top four and a ba – one of many to feel the Sports News. Champions League qualifica- lash of his tongue in public – “When I look at the values tion spot is in danger. Jose Mourinho is driven away from his accommodation after leaving his job as Manchester United’s manager, in Manchester, on Tuesday. (REUTERS) that symbolised the decline at of Manchester United, you Despite United reaching the club under him. look at Mauricio Pochettino’s the Champions League knock- Mourinho questioned his belief in young players at (pre- out stages, where they face an ‘Caption this’: Pogba deletes cryptic post after Mourinho axed attitude while the player hit vious club) Southampton and intimidating last-16 tie with LONDON: Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba quickly deleted a controversial social media post of him smiling after manager Jose back with open criticism of with Tottenham. Paris Saint-Germain, a com- Mourinho was sacked by the club on Tuesday. The volatile Mourinho’s exit was in part triggered by the breakdown of his relationship the tactics, culminating in him “You look at his perfor- bination of poor results, dress- with France midfielder Pogba, who did not even make an appearance as a substitute for Sunday’s dismal 3-1 defeat at Liverpool. kicking his heels on the bench mance levels and the style of ing-room discord and criticism Pogba took to Instagram just moments after news of Mourinho’s sacking broke, posting a picture of himself smiling and writing ‘cap- during the Liverpool debacle on play, the way in which he car- of the board proved potent fac- tion this’ next to it. The 25-year-old’s post was widely interpreted as celebrating Mourinho’s departure and he was criticised by former Sunday. The manager’s overall ries himself at all times, pub- tors in the decision to dismiss United defender Gary Neville, who responded on Twitter by writing: “You do one as well!”, suggesting he should leave the club as well. Premier League points haul of licly and in private.” the Portuguese manager. Over 64,000 people had ‘liked’ Pogba’s cheeky message, but he deleted the post 10 minutes later amid claims it was actually part of 176 since his appointment by Neville added: “Manches- A United source told AFP a marketing campaign for Adidas. The controversy was an appropriately rancorous end to the World Cup winner’s stormy relationship United lagged behind City, Liv- ter United have tried managers that Mourinho had been sup- with Mourinho. Pogba joined United for a club record £89 million ($112 million) just weeks after Mourinho was hired in 2016. erpool, Tottenham and Chelsea that have won European Cups, ported in his efforts to sign But the former Juventus player was repeatedly criticised by Mourinho during his two-and-a-half year reign. After his inspired performanc- during the same period. they’ve tried managers that have players and described reports es helped France win the World Cup in Russia in July, Mourinho opted not to praise Pogba, instead infuriating the star by publicly asking Patrice Evra, who made won multiple leagues, they’ve of player power at the club as why he did not try as hard for United. Pogba was stripped of the United vice-captaincy earlier this season. over 350 appearances for tried managers that have, to be being key to the sacking as The pair were captured having a frosty exchange on the training ground as Mourinho grew angry with his key midfielder’s lethargic per- United, expressed his annoy- fair, had that solid grounding in wide of the mark. formances, dropping him on several occasions to spark talk he would be sold by the end of the season. (AFP) ance at the focus on the Pog- the Premier League. United will reportedly have ba-Mourinho saga. “They need someone who to pay Mourinho £22.5 mil- “Let’s focus on rebuilding meets the three key principles lion ($28.5 million) – as the Mourinho has left the club ing his time at Manchester of the current season, while mer Real Madrid coach Zin- something solid instead of be- of that football club: the pro- club are still in the Champions with immediate effect,” a club United and to wish him suc- the club conducts a thorough edine Zidane has been linked ing in a playground. Doing this motion of youth, entertaining League – to sever the ties. statement said. cess in the future. recruitment process for a new, to the club as has his fellow is only disrespecting the badge, football and to win football “Manchester United an- “The club would like to “A new caretaker manager full-time manager.” 1998 World Cup-winning from now we only need positiv- matches.” nounces that manager Jose thank Jose for his work dur- will be appointed until the end In the longer term for- team-mate Laurent Blanc, ity,” the Frenchman tweeted. Another name heav- ily linked with United is former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane, who left the Spanish giants after guiding them to a third successive Champions Manateq QCCR to launch 2019 FIA World Cup League triumph earlier this year. TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK nies on the Pearl and five de- format for the 2019 edition. tional Circuit, and a bivouac Neville said of the French- DOHA manding desert special stages. Our start ceremony and prize will be located outside the man: “I don’t think anyone “We are delighted that giving will both take place at main indoor facilities. could argue with his pedigree. OFFICIALS at the Qatar Mo- the Manateq Qatar Cross- the fabulous location of the The ceremonial start will He’s been world-class on the tor and Motorcycle Federation Country Rally will be the Pearl and will feature live tel- take place from 18.30hrs on pitch and now been world-class (QMMF) have announced ini- opening round of the FIA evision coverage. February 21 and the five de- in the dugout at Real Madrid. tial plans for next year’s Qatar World Cup for Cross-Coun- “Our team has laid on a sert sections will take centre “He wouldn’t be my choice Cross-Country Rally (QCCR), try Rallies for the first time challenging five-day route stage from February 22 to 26 in the sense I would choose the opening round of the FIA in 2019,” said Abdulrahman through the remotest and before the ceremonial finish Mauricio Pochettino, but on the Cross-Country Rally World al Mannai, QMMF President most spectacular parts of the on the Pearl. other hand, you couldn’t argue Cup. The event takes place and Chairman of the organ- State of Qatar and we look Rally officials have put with the introduction of Zinedi- over five stages on February ising committee.
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