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Monday Kickoff: Mancini nearing Galatasaray job; Gundogan suffers injury setback; and more

RobertoManciniManchesterCity5 (Getty)

By DAN KARELL

After being sacked by Manchester City last May, Roberto Mancini has found a new job, though it’s again a long way from home.

The Italian manager is reportedly very close to agreeing a deal to become the next coach of Galatasaray, who sacked current Turkey National Team coach Fatih Terim after a few poor results to open the 2013/2014 season, including a 6-1 drubbing at the hands of Real Madrid.

Galatasaray are expected to make an announcement on Monday of the next head coach of the club, with all signs pointing towards the 48-year-old manager.

Mancini most recently was in charge of Man City, leading them to their first league title in 44 years in 2011/2012, but his record in European competitions wasn’t up to standard for the Man City board, and they parted ways with the manager with two matches remaining in the season.

Here are some more stories to kick off your week:

GUNDOGAN DELAYS RETURN FROM INJURY

For the second time in a month, Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has suffered another setback in his return from injury.

In an interview with German publication Kicker, Borussia Sporting Director Michael Zorc confirmed that Gundogan is still not ready to return to training and rejoin the first team.

“It drags on,” Zorc told Kicker. “Ilkay is far from getting back to football-specific training.”

Gundogan, who also is a German international, injured his back in Germany’s August friendly match with Paraguay and was set to return in one month’s time. However, in early September, his recovery period was pushed back to the end of the month, and now he’s out indefinitely.

Despite his injury, Borussia are still top of the Bundesliga with 19 points from seven matches, and still hold an undefeated record.

MESSI OUT TWO TO THREE WEEKS

Barcelona learned on Sunday that they’ll be without their star forward Lionel Messi for a period of two to three weeks.

The Argentine suffered another thigh injury in his right leg, the second in this calendar year, in the first half of Barcelona’s 2-0 defeat of Almeria. Messi scored the first goal of the match in the 21st minute but was forced off with the injury in the 29th minute.

Gerardo Martino’s side now will have to face Celtic in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, Real Valladolid on Saturday without Messi before the international break, with Messi surely to miss both of Argentina’s matches, even though he’s been called up by Argentina manager Alejandro Sabella.

Barcelona are hedging their bets that Messi can return to full fitness by October 25, when they face arch-rivals Real Madrid in the first La Liga El Clasico of the season.

QUICK KICKS

Juventus forward Carlos Tevez is a doubt for their Wednesday UEFA Champions League match against Galatasaray after picking up a knock on Sunday. (REPORT)

Lazio striker Miroslav Klose is set to miss the next two weeks, as well as likely missing the Germany World Cup qualifiers next month, due to an operation he’ll have on his right foot on Wednesday to repair a nerve. (REPORT)

Barcelona president Sandro Rosell faces a vote of no confidence on Tuesday from the supporters after the fans opposition to the club’s dealings with Qatar, among other issues. (REPORT)

Chelsea forward Fernando Torres could face charges of violent conduct for raising his hands to the face of Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen in the second half of the club’s 1-1 draw. (REPORT)

Along with the injured Lionel Messi, Javier Mascherano, who is also injured with a hamstring knock, has been called up for Argentina’s final two World Cup qualifiers. Carlos Tevez was left off the roster list. (REPORT)

American-born defender Zak Whitbread has joined Derby County on a three-month loan from Leicester City. (REPORT)

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What do you think of these reports? Do you see Mancini succeeding in Turkish football? Do you see Gundogan returning before the new year? Do you see Barcelona struggling without Messi?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. This is not a big deal but to be clear, Turkey is not considered far from home for Mancini. A flight from Milan to Manchester is 1 hr 48 minutes. to Turkey is two and a half hours. Just report the news.

    Reply
  2. Do you remember yesterday when I said there would be a Part Two of the odd-sounding Jermaine Jones meniscus surgery news story?

    http://www.soccerbyives.net/2013/09/report-meniscus-surgery.html#comment-1307261

    Well, Jones has tweeted today it was all a big mistake and that he would be reporting for training today and apparently Schalke is not happy with Jermaine’s public antics.

    http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/startseite/592807/artikel_keine-op_suspendierter-jones-rudert-zurueck.html

    Reply

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