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MANCHESTER CITY CHAIRMAN KHALDOON AL MUBARAK RUES INVOLVEMENT IN ESL

Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has vowed to continue to “disrupt” the world’s best but revealed his regret over the doomed European Super League.

The Premier League champions caused outrage in April by agreeing to join a Super League with 11 other European giants.

City, Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham all quickly pulled out of the plan – which also involved Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, both Milan clubs and Juventus – after furious fan protests.

A new set of measures put in place by the Premier League in May includes an owners’ charter which all club owners will be required to sign up to – committing them to the core principles of the competition – but Al Mubarak insisted City will always look to improve.

He said: “We will continue to push the envelope in everything we do. We want to be the best club in the world and to do so we have to disrupt and we will disrupt.

“In being disruptive sometimes you make mistakes. We have made mistakes in the past, we will make mistakes in the future, but we will do more right than wrong.

“We will be better, stronger and more successful. What I tell the fans on this is, to get to where we are today we have done a lot of things right and we have made a lot of mistakes. It’s part of growing and improving.

“You need to have the courage to make mistakes and to own up to these mistakes to go forward.

“If you go back 12 years ago where we started, to where we are today, we couldn’t have done the leaps we have made over the years without taking risks and without making mistakes, learning and coming back and constantly improving.”

But Al Mubarak conceded it was a mistake to get involved in the Super League which strained their relationships with fans, the league and other top-flight clubs.
“Regret, yes, a big learning experience. We go on and we will continue,” he told the club’s website.

“It was a decision based on a view, which was a mistaken view, this will improve and strengthen our position as a club. What it missed was an important aspect which is how the fans felt about it.

“We will learn from it, I have no doubt. Our fans appreciate the heart and spirit of everything we do. Our fans, I hope, will understand when we make such a mistake like this our heart was in the right place. Our assessment was wrong.

“We took a decision, I took a decision on this and I take full responsibility, it was a mistake.”

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WOLVES CLOSER TO APPOINTING BRUNO LAGE AS NEW MANAGER

Wolves moved a step closer to appointing Bruno Lage as their new boss after the switch was cleared by the Football Association.

The 45-year-old initially failed to pass post-Brexit regulations but, at a hearing on Wednesday, Wolves won their case and he has been given the green light to move to Molineux.

Lage has been first choice to replace former manager Nuno Espirito Santo, who left at the end of the season, in a move driven by owners Fosun.

He held talks with Wolves last month as the club look to progress further after four years under Nuno, who took them from the Championship and into Europe.

Nuno left after the club finished 13th in the Premier League, although his exit was not based on results.

Fosun had been considering a change in regards to the club’s wider progress, with the owners wanting to make a proactive and decisive choice.

The incoming Lage guided Benfica to the Portuguese title in 2019 with his side including current Manchester City defender – and former Wolves target – Ruben Dias.

He left in June 2020 and his expected appointment at Molineux will see him return to English football.

Lage spent time as Carlos Carvalhal’s assistant at Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea.

Nuno, meanwhile, has been linked to the vacant jobs at Everton and Crystal Palace after the departure of Carlo Ancelotti to Real Madrid and Roy Hodgson’s decision to step down at Selhurst Park.

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BARCELONA RESIGNS ERIC GARCIA FROM MANCHESTER CITY, SETS $344M BUY OUT CLAUSE

Barcelona will sign Spain international Eric Garcia when his contract at Manchester City expires next month, the LaLiga club have announced.

Barca have included a buyout clause of 400m euros (£344m) in the 20-year-old defender’s five-year contract.

He will officially be unveiled on the Nou Camp pitch later on Tuesday afternoon – but the presentation will be behind closed doors due to the ongoing coronavirus restrictions.

Garcia’s youth career began at Barcelona and he captained his hometown club at every level before moving to City in 2017.

The centre-back made 35 first-team appearances for City, making his debut in a Carabao Cup quarter-final win against Leicester in December 2018.

He made 12 appearances in all competitions as Pep Guardiola’s side won the Premier League title this season but started just three matches.

Garcia has won seven caps for Spain since making his debut last September and he has been included in Luis Enrique’s squad for the forthcoming European Championship.

On Monday, Barca agreed a two-year deal with City striker Sergio Aguero, whose contract expires on June 30.

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UCL LOSS DOESN’T SOUR OUR SPECTACULAR SEASON – PEP

Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola said their season remained an exceptional one despite the campaign ending in disappointment with a 1-0 loss to Chelsea in Saturday’s Champions League final.

City clinched a fifth Premier League title in the last 10 years with ease this season, Guardiola’s third domestic crown since arriving at the club, but the Champions League continues to remain elusive after Kai Havertz’s winning goal for Chelsea.

It was City’s first appearance in the final of Europe’s elite club competition but they ultimately came up short, but Guardiola was still happy with his side’s work this term.

“I would like to say it was an exceptional season for us,” said the Spaniard. “It was a dream for us to be here, unfortunately we could not win.

“For most of us in this club it is the first time here, but we work to come back one day.

“It was a tough season in the pandemic, but we learn from this for the future. I have incredible respect for the players, they gave everything, but we will come back stronger. I want to congratulate them for their exceptional season.”

Guardiola has won two Champions League titles as a manager, both with Barcelona, but none since 2011, and was again unable to bring City their first European Cup.

City, who won the League Cup as well as the Premier League title, have been relentless at times this season, but on their big night they could only muster one shot on target all match.

“It was a tight game and we had some chances, but against the defensive structure of Chelsea it is not easy,” Guardiola said.

“We struggled with long balls and second balls. In that moment you need the inspiration and quality, there were three or four moments that were close but didn’t arrive.

“We played in the Champions League final, we won the Premier League again and competed well all season. Now, I want to go home with my family I have not seen for a long time, take a break, and start working on how to approach next season.”

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BRENTFORD BEAT SWANSEA 2-0 TO REACH PREMIER LEAGUE FOR THE FIRST TIME

Brentford made it 10th time lucky as they beat 10-man Swansea 2-0 in the Championship play-off final to reach the Premier League for the first time.

Goals from Ivan Toney and Emiliano Marcondes saw the Bees finally break their play-off hoodoo after all nine of their previous attempts had ended in failure.

It was swift redemption for Thomas Frank’s side, back at Wembley Stadium just nine months after losing to Fulham in last season’s delayed final.

There was to be no repeat of that heartbreak for the Bees, who in securing promotion will become the 50th different club to play in the Premier League.

They also ended the so-called curse of the red and white stripes, which has seen teams in Brentford’s colours feature in 33 play-off campaigns without achieving promotion. Lincoln, playing Blackpool in Sunday’s League One final, will surely have taken note.

It was somehow fitting that Brentford put paid to those statistical anomalies, given how their success is underpinned by a data-driven recruitment policy, and now the west London number-crunchers can factor an extra £160million or so into the kitty.

It was also fitting that Toney, who has flourished after being brought in at the start of the season to fill the void left by the sale of star players Ollie Watkins and Said Benrahma, was the man to open the scoring.

Just 10 minutes had elapsed when Bryan Mbeumo darted between two defenders to reach a through ball from Sergi Canos and was wiped out by Swans goalkeeper Freddie Woodman.

Toney had not missed a penalty all season and he was not about to start now, the prolific striker slotting his 33rd goal of the season into the bottom corner.

It was the start Swansea, so tight at the back but not exactly prolific in attack, would have dreaded – and things quickly got worse.

When Andre Ayew was dispossessed in the Brentford penalty area in the 20th minute Mbeumo was able to race upfield unchallenged.

Assistance arrived in the overlapping Mads Roerslev, who lifted the ball across goal for Marcondes to slam home first time.

Swansea were reeling and their noisy band of 5,000 supporters, among a restricted crowd of 11,689, were almost silenced when Toney chested the ball down before seeing his volley hit the underside of the crossbar.

Ayew looped a header onto the bar before half-time and then glanced another inches wide at the start of the second half as Swansea looked for a way back.

But their chances all-but ended in the 65th minute when Jay Fulton was shown a straight red card for an ugly-looking, but clumsy, lunge on Mathias Jensen.

It was a sad end to a fine campaign for Swansea and their manager Steve Cooper as they succumbed to Brentford in the play-offs for the second successive season, having lost last year’s semi-final.

But for Frank – the first Danish manager to win a promotion in England – and his forward-thinking club, the top flight beckons for the first time since 1947 and their new Community Stadium, empty for the majority of its maiden season, will be abuzz with Premier League football in August.

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SOLSKJAER TO GET NEW CONTRACT, TRANSFER BACKING DESPITE UNITED’S FINAL FAILURE

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be backed with a new contract and summer signings in the transfer market despite Manchester United finishing the season without a trophy.

United disappointed in the Europa League final this week but the campaign is seen by the club’s board as progress after finishing second in the Premier League and reaching their first final under Solskjaer.

The Norwegian (48) has one season left on his current deal and will open talks over a three-year extension. He’ll also be supported with up to four signings to bolster his squad in an attempt to close the gap with champions Manchester City.

Jadon Sancho is Solskjaer’s primary target as a wide forward, which is a key position to strengthen. The United boss also like a striker, young central midfielder and a defender.

Borussia Dortmund are understood to be desperate to sell this summer to raise money, while a list of outgoings could be headed by the potential sale of either David De Gea or Dean Henderson, with both goalkeepers understood to be unhappy at the prospect of starting next season as number 2.

Sancho (21) was a target a year ago but a deal could not be struck with Dortmund, who refused to lower his price from £108m.

The England forward is expected to leave Westfalenstadion this summer for a lower fee. Aston Villa forward Jack Grealish is also admired by United, but bringing Sancho back to England is Solskjaer’s preference.

The market has been altered by Harry Kane wanting to leave Tottenham but Daniel Levy is expected to fight to keep him. Southampton’s Danny Ings has been among the other players United have looked at, despite Ings being a former employee of United’s prime rivals Liverpool.

United would like to bring in a young central midfielder, one in the mould of Rennes’ Eduardo Camavinga, but it would be a player for the future rather than to immediately make an impact.

That, and other business, will be conducted according to United’s “transfer by committee” policy, one which will be headed by Ed Woodward despite him resigning in the wake of last month’s European Super League debacle.

Woodward will remain at the helm of United’s transfer plans for as long as he is in position as the club’s executive vice-chairman with his departure date still currently planned for the end of 2021.

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MANCHESTER CITY BOSS PEP GUARDIOLA NAMED LMA MANAGER OF THE YEAR

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been named the LMA manager of the year.

The 50-year-old reclaimed the Premier League title with City, won the League Cup for a fourth time and faces Chelsea in the Champions League final on Saturday.

The five other managers who received the most votes were Marcelo Bielsa, Daniel Farke, Emma Hayes, David Moyes and Brendan Rodgers.

Guardiola said: “I am delighted to win the LMA manager of the year award for the second time.
“It is, for me, such a special trophy to win because it is voted for by my fellow managers. An award like this is only possible though if a manager is surrounded by top professionals.

“My players have been fantastic – their dedication and professionalism never wavered, even in a season that has been the most challenging we have ever faced.

“And my staff are also deserving of the highest praise. I am so lucky to have a team of people who give everything they have every single day to make sure Manchester City are the best we can be.

“This award is dedicated to and shared with them.”

Guardiola won a third Premier League crown with City after they finished 12 points ahead of Manchester United.

Norwich manager Farke, Hull boss Grant McCann and Cheltenham chief Michael Duff won the awards for their respective divisions.
Chelsea’s Hayes won the Barclays FA Women’s Super League manager of the year while Rangers boss Steven Gerrard was presented with the LMA special achievement award after going unbeaten to win the Scottish Premiership.

LMA chairman Howard Wilkinson said: “Many congratulations to Pep on winning his second LMA manager of the year award, following a season which epitomises his career to date.

“He never gives up, he is humble in victory and defeat and he is always respectful of his opponents, who in turn have shown him the ultimate respect in voting for him to win this award.”
Sir Alex Ferguson, an LMA committee member, also praised Guardiola: “As well as being a truly gifted manager and leader, you always display admirable humility and composure and I am sure your family must be very proud of you.”

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HARRY KANE BEATS MO SALAH TO PREMIER LEAGUE GOLDEN BOOT, WINS PLAY MAKER OF THE SEASON

Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane has won the 2020-21 Premier League Golden Boot after scoring 23 goals over the course of the season.

Kane, who according to ESPN sources has told Spurs he wants to leave this summer, beat Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah to the prize. The Egypt international finished the season with 22 goals.

Both players had gone into the final day level on 22, but Kane scored in Tottenham’s 4-2 win with Leicester City, while Salah drew a blank in Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace.

This is Kane’s third Golden Boot award after winning it in back-to-back seasons in 2015-16 and 2016-17.

He has scored 221 goals in 336 games for Spurs across all competitions and is on track to beat Alan Shearer’s Premier League record of 260 goals. Kane, 27, has 166.

Sunday’s game against Leicester possibly marked Kane’s last in a Tottenham shirt as he has requested a move away from Spurs.

Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City are all reportedly interested in the 27-year-old.

However, he still has three years left on his contract with the north London side and chairman Daniel Levy is said to be reluctant to let his star forward leave.

Should the move be sanctioned, though, Spurs are thought to want around £150 million for him.

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LEICESTER LOSE OUT AS SPURS BEAT FOXES TO HELP CHELSEA CLAIM TOP-FOUR SPOT

Tottenham did London rivals Chelsea a favour with a 4-2 win at Leicester which stopped the Foxes from qualifying for the Champions League at the expense of Thomas Tuchel’s side.

A 2-1 loss for the Blues at Aston Villa opened the door for the FA Cup winners to claim a fourth-place finish, but Brendan Rodgers’ men threw away two leads at the King Power Stadium.

Harry Kane’s volley was sandwiched by two Jamie Vardy penalties and yet a late turnaround by Spurs saw Kasper Schmeichel punch into his own net before substitute Gareth Bale hit a brace to end the Foxes hopes of qualifying for Europe’s elite competition.

Tottenham’s win means they will be in the inaugural edition of the Europa Conference League next term after a 3-0 triumph for West Ham against Southampton sealed their place in the Europa League.

Pablo Fornals struck twice in quick succession to put David Moyes’ team in control and Declan Rice made it safe with a third four minutes from time, much to the delight of the 10,000 supporters in attendance at the London Stadium.

Arsenal were set for a place in the Europa Conference League before a dramatic finale at Leicester as Nicolas Pepe continued his strong end to the campaign with a double in a 2-0 win at home to Brighton.

Everton’s faint hopes of Europe were over early at the Etihad where Sergio Aguero marked his final appearance for Manchester City with a classy brace.

Pep Guardiola watched his team deliver a five-star showing in a 5-0 victory with Kevin De Bruyne, Gabriel Jesus and Phil Foden putting the champions three up before record goalscorer Aguero took centre stage.

Next up for City is the Champions League final, where they will play Chelsea, who produced a below-par showing in a 2-1 loss at Villa Park.

Bertrand Traore and Anwar El Ghazi struck in close proximity before and after half-time and although Ben Chilwell pulled one back, the Blues, who finished with 10 men after Cesar Azpilicueta was sent off, had to rely on a helping hand from rivals Spurs.

Liverpool claimed third after a comfortable 2-0 win over Crystal Palace following Sadio Mane’s double at Anfield.

It was Roy Hodgson’s final game in charge of his boyhood club but the Reds were too strong and made sure the 73-year-old parted with a defeat.

Wolves were unable to give Nuno Espirio Santo one final win after a youthful Manchester United XI secured a 2-1 win on the road.

With an eye on Wednesday’s Europa League final, teenagers Amad Diallo and Anthony Elanga were handed starts and the latter opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a bullet header.

Nelson Semedo cancelled out that effort, but a Juan Mata spot-kick in first-half stoppage time gave United all three points.

Sheffield United bade farewell to the Premier League with a seventh win of the season after David McGoldrick scored the only goal against Burnley at Bramall Lane.

Fulham were unable to give their fans anything to cheer after a tough campaign in the top flight as Joe Willock continued his remarkable form.

The Arsenal loanee netted for his seventh game in a row and Fabian Schar added a second to give Newcastle a 2-0 win at Craven Cottage while Leeds finished with a 3-1 win at home to West Brom in Sam Allardyce’s final game.

Rodrigo and Kalvin Phillips put Marcelo Bielsa’s side two up at the break and Patrick Bamford added a third from the penalty spot 11 minutes from time for his 17th goal of the season before Hal Robson-Kanu grabbed a consolation at the death.

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MAN UNITED COMPLETE UNBEATEN AWAY LEAGUE CAMPAIGN WITH VOCTORY AT WOLVES

Manchester United completed the Premier League season undefeated away from home as Juan Mata’s penalty secured a 2-1 win at Wolves in the hosts’ final match under Nuno Espirito Santo.

A much-changed United took the lead in the 13th minute when 19-year-old forward Anthony Elanga headed in.

Nelson Semedo equalised in the 39th minute before Mata put Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men back in front with a spot-kick in first-half stoppage time.

In managing to go through the campaign without suffering a loss on the road, United have matched a feat only previously achieved in the English top-flight by Preston in 1888-89 and Arsenal in 2001-02 and 2003-04.

They had already been confirmed as finishing second in the table, while Wolves end the season in 13th place on the day fans returned to Molineux and bade farewell to Nuno after a four-year tenure.

With the runners-up spot sealed and Wednesday’s Europa League final against Villarreal ahead, Solskjaer made 10 changes to his starting-line up.

Axel Tuanzebe was the sole player retaining his place from the 1-1 draw with Fulham on Tuesday, with the likes of Edinson Cavani, Paul Pogba, Bruno Fernandes and David De Gea dropping out of the squad entirely.

Nuno, meanwhile, made three changes from Wednesday’s 1-0 loss to Everton for his last game in the job, two days on from Wolves’ announcement that he would be leaving by mutual consent following the contest.

A crowd of 4,500 Wolves fans were permitted to attend, and various chants of appreciation for the Portuguese were sung by the supporters both before the game outside the ground and during the match.

There were also some boos heard from the stands when the players took a knee ahead of kick-off.

Adama Traore produced the first attempt of the match when he flashed a shot across the face of the United goal in the second minute and Elanga then fired over the bar at the other end.

Five minutes later, the Swedish youngster was on target as he marked what was his second senior appearance with his first United goal, connecting with Daniel James’ cross from the left to head past Rui Patricio.

Wolves responded with a Fabio Silva header and an off-target Traore strike. Traore subsequently had a penalty appeal waved away by referee Mike Dean after a tussle with Tuanzebe before having to go off injured, with Willian Jose replacing him.

The home side drew level when Silva produced a cut-back and Semedo slid in and sent the ball past Dean Henderson.

Soon after, Patricio did well to save a Brandon Williams effort and United’s lead was then restored in the final moments of the half.

Romain Saiss’ challenge on Donny Van De Beek led to a VAR review, and after watching the incident back on the pitchside monitor, Dean awarded the penalty that Mata stroked past Patricio in composed fashion.

After the break, Jose and Rayan Ait-Nouri saw efforts comfortably dealt with by Henderson, either side of James being played in but was only able to send a shot wide.

Silva was twice thwarted by Williams blocks in the 79th minute and, after Amad Diallo saw a shot saved by Patricio, substitute Morgan Gibbs-White and Willy Boly struck wide in the closing moments as Wolves were unable to prevent Nuno’s tenure ending in defeat.