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Monday Kickoff: Mourinho linked with Paris St. Germain, Wenger angry at reports about his contract status, and more

BY DAN KARELL

It’s looking more and more likely that Jose Mourinho will be managing a new team next season.

The Real Madrid boss increased speculation of his La Liga exit when he stated that he’d be interested in coaching in Ligue 1, leaving many to believe he could be the next man for the Paris Saint-Germain job, if the Paris club sack Carlo Ancelotti.

Mourinho’s team has underperformed this season, with the side holding third place in La Liga, and having endured an embarrassing drop of captain and starting goalkeeper Iker Casillas, before the latter was injured. Meanwhile PSG remain top of the French table, though their lead is only three points now, over rivals Lyon.

Here are some more stories to get your Monday going:

WENGER ANGERED BY REPORTS OF HIS CONTRACT SITUATION

On the wrong end of yet another embarrassing defeat to a lower league side this season, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger lashed out at critics on Monday, expressing anger over reports suggesting his contract talks with the Gunners have been halted by the team’s recent results.

The Gunners lost 1-0 at home on Saturday to Blackburn in the FA Cup, knocking them out of the competition, but despite the loss, Wenger has said his team must turn their focus towards Tuesday’s Champions League match against Bayern Munich at the Emirates.

A report in the UK by The Sun suggested that Wenger was on the verge of signing a two-year extension before this weekend’s shocking loss to Blackburn. Wenger called the report “wrong information”. Wenger’s contract runs through the 2013/2014 season.

Arsenal is in the midst of their worst season under Wenger’s watch, sitting in sixth-place in the league table, and losing to the likes of Bradford City in the League Cup, as well as the aforementioned Blackburn. A loss to Bayern Munich over two legs would likely relegate Arsenal to an eight consecutive year without a trophy.

QUICK KICKS

Napoli captain Marek Hamsik was robbed at gunpoint as he was heading for the airport. (REPORT)

Liverpool forward Fabio Borini has been ruled out for the season after suffering a dislocated shoulder in Sunday’s match against Swansea City. (REPORT)

Former French World Cup hero David Trezeguet scored River Plate’s lone goal in their victory over Estudiantes on Sunday. (REPORT)

Mexico midfielder Javier Aquino made his first appearance for new squad Villarreal in their match against Heracles on Sunday, coming off the bench in the 68th minute. (REPORT)

Neymar drew the fifth red card of his young career, and lashed out, saying football is getting “really boring” because of bad calls like the red card given to him. (REPORT)

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What do you think of these reports? Do you see Messi continuing his scoring output? Do you believe that Mourinho can succeed at PSG? Do you think Arsene Wenger can survive this season?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Wenger, when you don’t produce, you’re usually out of a job. You had a good run but ultimately you need a new challenge and Arsenal needs someone that doesn’t make excuses for everything.

    Love his brand of football, I can’t respect him as a manager…the guy is an excuse-ridden whiner.

    Reply
    • There is a great video (can be seen on one of the global soccer web sites) of Wenger in full melt-down mode at today’s press conference ahead of the Arsenal-Bayern match. Wenger appears to be losing his mind.

      Reply
      • Just saw the clip on youtube.

        I didn’t really hear a meltdown but I definitely saw an abundant amount of excuses again.

        The guy is a broken record of self pity.

  2. Why would anyone want the sideshow that is Mourinho? Despite he’s record he seems to be a cancer and disrupting figure. His pattern goes something like this:

    1st season: loads of signings, puts his foot down & establishes he’s the boss, wins a title

    2nd season: less signings, loses out on domestic title, does well but puts all emphasis on Europe,

    begins to clash with media

    3rd season: even fewer signings, out of title race early on, still does well in Europe, starts playing

    favorties / dropping key players, shifts responsibility off him, starts openly plotting a

    new move, starts burning bridges with management

    Is he really worth it??? He is a coach but he wants all the spotlight on him and when things don’t go according to plan he starts getting shifty and then it all blows up.

    Reply
    • +1 Love Madrid, but cannot stand Jose, who I think is overrated and can only work with teams oozing in money, unlike truly great coaches like Jurgen Klopp, who I would like to see take over Madrid at some point.

      Reply
      • Porto and Inter weren’t exactly oozing with money.

        Either way, I get that some people are turned off by his demeanor/antics but to call Jose Mourinho overrated is just being a hater.

        He’s anything but.

        For context, I don’t think Phil Jackson is overrated either. Some do, though.

  3. This is sacreligious, but I think it IS Wenger’s time to go. If you look at their roster and resources they should be much more competitive, even if their biggest star every offseason. Much like the Oakland Athletics, the rest of the league has caught up to your scouting methods and tactical style so you’re pretty much just a good talent scout now who is an average coach and a terrible player manager. Teams with Arsenal’s resources don’t settle for average tactical coaches and terrible player managers.

    Reply

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