Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac have been urged to dispense with manager Phil Parkinson and appoint Arsenal legend Freddie Ljungberg as the Welsh club aim to finally reach the Premier League. The club have endured a difficult start to life in the second-tier after flying up the divisions from non-league, and the pressure is ramping up on the Wrexham head coach.

Wrexham's difficult start

The Welsh club have flown up the divisions since Reynolds and Mac took the reigns, but have appeared to hit something of a plateau after their promotion into the Championship. Thus far this season, Phil Parkinson's side have won just two of their 10 games, drawing four and losing four. As a result, they sit 19th in the table, and are already eight points behind the play-off places, increasing the pressure on manager Parkinson. Now, Anders Limpar has insisted that the club should make a change, and look towards a former Invincible in Ljungberg. 

AdvertisementAFPLimpar's recommendation

Limpar told Hajper: "Should Ryan Reynolds speak to Freddie Ljungberg about the Wrexham job in the future? Yes, why not! Freddie Ljungberg is a good communicator. I think he’s ready to step in to take on another team. He has the right personality.

"Unfortunately he got the sack from Wolfsburg and then suddenly he just stopped but that’s not fair on Freddie because when he talks about football, he is a very clever guy and he can see the systems as an analyst as well. For whoever gives him another chance, he will be an unbelievable manager.

"In general, if you ask a Swedish person about Wrexham they don't have a clue but for those of us who are following the Premier League and the Championship, for sure they are known as a small club who are trying to get up the leagues.

"We have (Olof) Mellberg, Freddie and Henrik Larsson. All three are potentially very good managers. It was between Graham Potter and Olof Mellberg for the Swedish job. So give them a chance. There would be no regrets for the club."

Ljungberg's CV

Ljungberg was previously an interim manager at Arsenal but has never actually managed a senior team for any length of time. He did work in the Gunners' coaching staff for some time, doing so between 2016 and 2017, and then again between 2018 and 2020. Upon his departure, he confirmed his desire to pursue new managerial opportunities, but they have not been forthcoming. 

At the time, he said: "I have decided to leave my first-team assistant coaching role at Arsenal to progress my management experience. I have been involved with this club on and off since 1998 and am grateful for all the opportunities they have given me both as a player and as a coach.

"I wish Mikel and all the team every success for the season ahead. Thanks also to the fans for their constant support and for always being by my side. I hope we will all meet again soon."

Edu, who was Arsenal's technical director at the time, also lavished praise on the Swede, adding: "We're really sad to see Freddie leave as we know how much he loves Arsenal. However, we know he has had various opportunities over the last 12 months and stuck to the job at Arsenal. Now he has the opportunity to consider other options, and it makes sense for his career at this time.

"Freddie has made a huge contribution in his coaching role, most importantly when he led the team during that difficult period between Unai's departure and Mikel's appointment. We will forever be grateful for what he did then and what he's done since but fully recognise his desire to move on and be a head coach himself."

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Getty Images SportWhat comes next?

Wrexham's next fixture comes against Oxford United this weekend, in what could be fairly termed as a six-pointer. Oxford sit 20th, just one place behind Parkinson's side, and will be out for a scalp this weekend. Parkinson will be hopeful of recording three morale-boosting points as they aim to climb the league table. 

The selectors have dropped Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Tanvir Islam and Tanzim Hasan

Mohammad Isam04-Jun-2025

Ebadot Hossain returns to the Bangladesh team for the first time in almost two years, after being named in the 16-man squad for the two Tests against Sri Lanka later this month. He has recovered from an ACL surgery after he was injured during an ODI against Afghanistan in July 2023. Litton Das also returns to the Test side after he was given time off during the Zimbabwe series in April.The selectors, meanwhile, have dropped Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Tanvir Islam and Tanzim Hasan for the Sri Lanka Tests. Taskin Ahmed couldn’t be fit in time for the Test series as he recovers from an ankle injury.Ebadot’s return, however, is good news. He played 27 competitive matches in the 2024-25 season including three first-class matches. He played one of those against the visiting New Zealand A side last month. The 31-year-old Ebadot has taken 42 wickets in 20 Tests so far.Left-arm spinner Hasan Murad returns to the Test side too, after he was in the squad against South Africa and West Indies last year. Murad played only three first-class matches in the past season, as he was touring with the senior team during the 2024-25 National Cricket League.Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will kick off the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle. Bangladesh drew their last Test series, against Zimbabwe at home, in April.Bangladesh are likely to arrive in Sri Lanka on June 13, with their first Test in Galle from June 17. The second Test is at the Singhalese Sports Club Cricket ground in Colombo from June 25. The Tests are followed by three ODIs and three T20Is, with the tour ending on July 16.IN: Litton Das, Hasan Murad, Ebadot Hossain, Khaled AhmedOUT: Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Tanvir Islam, Tanzim Hasan SakibBangladesh squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Shadman Islam, Anamul Haque Bijoy, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Mahidul Islam, Jaker Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Hasan Murad, Ebadot Hossain, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana, Khaled Ahmed

MatériaMais Notícias

O Santos visitou o Bahia nesta segunda-feira (18), na Arena Fonte Nova, pela 24ª rodada do Brasileirão. A partida terminou com vitória alvinegra por 2 a 1, com gols de Marcos Leonardo, Camilo Cándido e Julio Furch — grande herói do jogo.

BAHIA 1 X 2 SANTOS
24ª RODADA DO CAMPEONATO BRASILEIRO

Local:Arena Fonte Nova, em Salvador (BA)
Data e hora:18 de setembro de 2023, segunda-feira, às 20h (horário de Brasília)
Árbitro:Ramon Abatti Abel (FIFA-SC)
Assistentes:Alex dos Santos (SC) e Thiaggo Americano Labes (SC)
VAR:Carlos Eduardo Nunes Braga (RJ)
Cartões amarelos:Lucas Mugni (BAH) e Joaquim (SAN)
Cartões vermelhos:-

Gols:Camilo Cándido, 14’/2ºT (1-0), Marcos Leonardo, 27’/2°T (1-1) e Julio Furch, 48’/2ºT (1-2)

BAHIA
Marcos Felipe; Gilberto, Kanu, Vitor Hugo e Camilo Cándido; Acevedo, Yago Felipe (Mugni, 37’/2°T) e Thaciano; Ademir (Luciano Juba, 20’/2ºT), Rafael Ratão (Biel, 27’/2ºT) e Everaldo (Vinicius Mingotti, 27’/2ºT).Técnico:Rogério Ceni.

SANTOS
João Paulo; Joaquim, João Basso e Dodô; Lucas Braga, Rincón, Jean Lucas, Lucas Lima (Nonato, 31’/2ºT) e Kevyson (Júnior Caiçara, 34’/2°T); Soteldo (Dodi, 46’/2°T) e Marcos Leonardo (Julio Furch, 46’/2ºT).Técnico:Marcelo Fernandes.

Leicestershire 193 for 8 (Kimber 51, Raine 5-23) beat Durham 187 for 7 (Aldridge 44, Kimber 2-14) by six runsLeicestershire Foxes picked up a third Vitality Blast win in four matches to keep their place among the front-runners in the North Group, defeating Durham by six runs in a tight finish at the Uptonsteel County Ground.Ben Raine took 5 for 23 against his former team-mates, with four wickets in his final two overs, but the Foxes still posted 193 for 8, their highest Blast score against Durham after skipper Louis Kimber made 51 off 27 balls and Lewis Hill 47 off 30.Graham Clark’s 29 from 12 balls in the powerplay suggested Durham would make a fight of it but after collapsing from 65 for one to 94 for 6 they looked out of the game, Tom Scriven taking 2 for 25.Yet Kasey Aldridge (44 not out) and Will Rhodes (43) shared a 91-run partnership that took Durham into the last over needing 13 to win before ex-Durham bowled Matt Salisbury kept his nerve to concede just sixSol Budinger followed his stunning 15-ball half-century in the Foxes’ season-opener here last month with a first-ball duck as Zak Foulkes nipped one back to take off stump. Yet the home side, having been put in, recovered to be 65 for two in the powerplay, Jimmy Neesham conceding 17 and Aldridge 23 off their respective opening overs.Rishi Patel, dropped on 30, fell for 36 (18 balls), caught at mid-off as Foulkes struck again with a slower ball, the Kiwi coming out of the powerplay with 2 for 19 from three overs.Patel’s tally of two sixes was doubled by Kimber, whose muscular 27-ball 51 ended with a miscued pull to long-on to leave Leicestershire 98 for 3 in the 10th, before Shan Masood hit Raine straight to mid-off.Leicestershire had their eyes on 200-plus as Hill led a 50-run partnership in 34 balls with Ben Cox but fell short thanks to two superb ‘death’ overs from Raine, the former Foxes all-rounder taking the pace off to claim two wickets in each at a cost of just 13 runs as Hill, Cox and Logan Van Beek failed to clear fielders before Scriven was stumped.Durham’s batting powerplay almost mirrored the Foxes’ at 66 for two but lost two batters who looked in good touch as Graham Clark (29 from 13) and former Leicestershire skipper Colin Ackermann (18 from 11) fell to well-judged catches at mid-wicket and mid-off, the former having lofted Roman Walker for consecutive sixes.The home bowlers then pinned their opponents down, going five overs without conceding a boundary, which may have played a part in Alex Lees and Ollie Robinson both finding fielders as Scriven and Kimber picked up wickets, with Durham’s woes quickly compounded as Raine mistimed Scriven to mid-on and Neesham’s reverse sweep looped straight to cover, 65 for 1 having turned to 94 for 6.But Aldridge and Rhodes were able not only to staunch the flow of wickets but build a partnership that almost threatened to pull off an unlikely victory after Van Beek had conceded two sixes in a final over costing 20. Yet Salisbury came up with what was required by his skipper in the last over, Durham’s last hope disappearing when Rhodes was run out with three balls remaining.

Manchester City are reportedly interested in completing the signing of a player who could possibly star at next summer’s World Cup.

Guardiola wants exciting Man City transfer

Pep Guardiola’s side are back in Premier League action after the international break this weekend, welcoming Everton to the Etihad on Saturday afternoon.

While there have been improvements in City’s form of late, due in part to the stunning performances of Erling Haaland, new signings need to be looked at, including in midfield, where Rodri continues to be an injury-plagued figure.

Crystal Palace and England star Adam Wharton has emerged as a rumoured target for Guardiola, with City’s boss looking to snap him up ahead of La Liga giants Real Madrid.

Meanwhile, Eintracht Frankfurt left-back Nathaniel Brown has also emerged as a potential signing for them, with the German an impressive young player, and now another hugely promising ace has been mentioned, too.

Man City eyeing £75m England international

According to The Express, Manchester City are interested in signing Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, but they face “stiff competition” from Chelsea.

The 22-year-old England international could cost as much £75m, having enjoyed a meteoric rise at both club and international level over the past 12 months or so, with Guardiola becoming a big fan of Anderson and making him a top target.

Anderson’s stock is sky-high currently, with the Forest man developing into a key man for England, excelling in front of the defence and enjoying a strong understanding with Declan Rice.

On current form, he will surely start for the Three Lions at the World Cup, with England manager Thomas Tuchel heaping praise on him recently.

“He’s just a very, very good football player. He has the physicality, he’s very mobile at No 6. He has the body, he loves to defend, he loves to put his body inside to duels. He loves passing, he loves to break the lines, he’s very mobile in this game. It was a pleasure to see. I think the team around him made it as easy as possible for him and he had a very strong performance.”

Rodri’s aforementioned injury problems are arguably becoming a concern, and at 29, he isn’t getting younger, so signing a top-quality successor has to be considered key business for City.

In Anderson, they could have a perfect option, with the Englishman already such a mature performer at the age of just 22, and still having so much time to improve further.

Related Man City's "serious talent" is now on borrowed time after O'Reilly's rise

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Posts 1 ByJoe Nuttall Oct 16, 2025

Whether he has the ability to get close to Rodri’s level remains to be seen – very few do, in fairness – but everything points towards him having a superb career, and if Guardiola believes he can get the best out of him, City should make their move in 2026.

أشاد آرني سلوت مدرب ليفربول بالنجم المصري محمد صلاح في مؤتمر صحفي لمواجهة مانشستر سيتي يوم الأحد المقبل في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وكان محمد صلاح قد ساهم في فوز ليفربول ضد ريال مدريد بهدف نظيف سجله لاعب خط الوسط الأرجنتيني ألكسيس ماك أليستر.

وقال سلوت في تصريحات نشرتها “ليفربول إيكو” البريطانية عن عمل صلاح الدفاعي المتزايد مؤخراً :”لقد لاحظت ذلك أيضاً، فقد ساعد الفريق كثيراً”.

وأضاف :”تأتي مساعدته لنا كما يكون التركيز على اللاعبين الذين يسجلون الكثير من الأهداف”.

أقرأ أيضاً.. ردود أفعال جماهير ليفربول على ترشيح محمد صلاح لجائزة أفضل لاعب في العالم 2025

واختتم :”من المهم جداً لنا أن يسجل محمد صلاح الأهداف ولكن من المهم أيضاً أن يقدم نفس الأداء الذي قدمه ضد سيتي الموسم الماضي، حيث سجل هدفا وصنع آخر وساهم في تحسين أداء الفريق دفاعياً وهو ما فعله مؤخراً في المباريات الماضية”.

ويستضيف ملعب”الاتحاد” مباراة فريقي مانشستر سيتي وليفربول مساء يوم الأحد في قمة منافسات الجولة الحادية عشر من بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

Arsenal are now very keen on signing an “extraordinary” midfielder, who has been likened to former player Granit Xhaka.

Gunners join race for midfielder despite summer rebuild

Following Thomas Partey’s departure, it was necessary for Mikel Arteta to rebuild his midfield in the summer transfer window, and Martin Zubimendi was undoubtedly the headline signing, with the Spaniard arriving from Real Sociedad.

The midfielder has made a fantastic start to life at the Emirates Stadium, perhaps most impressively bagging a brace in the 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest back in September, which led to high praise from Arteta.

Zubimendi isn’t the only new arrival either, as Cristian Norgaard joinied from Brentford, and attacking midfielder Eberechi Eze arrived from Crystal Palace, with the 13-time England international picking up two assists in his first five Premier League outings.

Despite the scale of the rebuild that has taken place, the north Londoners have now joined the race for another central midfielder, according to a report from Caught Offside, which states Arsenal are looking to sign FC Porto’s Victor Froholdt.

In fact, despite widespread interest in Froholdt, with Tottenham Hotspur, Brighton & Hove Albion and Atletico Madrid also in the race, the Gunners are said to be ‘particularly keen’, viewing him as a potential ‘cornerstone’ of their future midfield.

Arteta’s staff have been left particularly impressed with the Dane’s ‘passing range and intelligence’, and his ability to dictate the tempo of the game has led to comparisons to Xhaka, who spent seven seasons at the Emirates Stadium.

Porto are open to offers for the 19-year-old, but the Portuguese club would be looking to hold out for a relatively high fee of around €50m – €60m (£43m – £52m).

Arsenal now willing to go all out to sign "special" £130m Real Madrid star

The Gunners are prepared to do whatever it takes to sign a star, who has made a flying start to the season.

ByDominic Lund Oct 13, 2025 Froholdt could be "extraordinary" long-term addition for Arsenal

Once dubbed “extraordinary” by a Danish analyst, the teenager is a very well-rounded central midfielder, as showcased by his performance across a number of important metrics over the past year.

Statistic

Average per 90

Assists

0.23 (96th percentile)

Successful take-ons

1.43 (97th percentile)

Progressive carries

2.71 (97th percentile)

Blocks

1.58 (86th percentile)

After impressing for FC Copenhagen, amassing eight goals and six assists in 62 games, the Dane has since gone on to establish himself as a key player for Porto, starting all eight Liga Portugal games so far this season.

The youngster went on to bag his first goal for Denmark in his side’s 6-0 victory against Belarus last week, while also picking up an assist and maintaining a 93% pass-completion rate.

Having signed Norgaard and Zubimendi in the summer, there isn’t a pressing need for Arteta to bring in a new central midfielder, but Froholdt is starting to prove he could be a fantastic long-term addition to the squad.

Scotland international Scott McTominay has moved to quell talk of him moving away from Napoli and returning to the Premier League or making a remarkable switch to Catalan giants Barcelona. McTominay has impressed in Naples since joining from Manchester United for £30 million ($39.6m) last summer, landing the Serie A title in his first season and becoming a cult hero.

• McTominay's Italian job 

  The rebirth of McTominay at Napoli has been nothing short of spectacular, casting him as the club's new icon. The Scotland international's sensational debut season saw him reinvented under boss Antonio Conte, transforming from a defensive midfielder into a potent, box-crashing raider. His 12 Serie A goals were instrumental in securing the Scudetto, a contribution so profound he was named the league's Most Valuable Player and even earned a Ballon d'Or nomination. Adored by the passionate Neapolitan faithful, who dubbed him 'McFratm' (McBrother), McTominay has found a perfect home where his tenacity is not just appreciated, but celebrated.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Scotland star's 'exit' plan

  Speculation regarding McTominay’s future has grown louder in recent weeks, including claims he is attracting interest from top European clubs, including Barca, Tottenham and Newcastle, potentially leading to a summer 2026 exit. Reports suggest McTominay is considering a Premier League return due to feeling 'suffocated' by the intense fan attention in Naples. However, sources and McTominay's camp have since denied this and Napoli are planning to offer him a contract extension to secure his future. 

  According to a report, Barcelona are considering a surprise move for the 28-year-old, who previously played for Man Utd, and is on a three-man shortlist for Hansi Flick's team alongside Aston Villa's Amadou Onana and a La Masia graduate. A potential transfer could see McTominay reunited with former teammate Marcus Rashford, who is currently on loan at Barca and is hoping to make his move permanent. The report also states that while the January transfer window is ruled out, a summer switch is possible. 

• McTominay settled in Naples

  But while the rumours swirl around regarding McTominay, those close to him and the player himself have moved to pour cold water on any speculation regarding him leaving. Speaking to , McTominay said: "I’m really happy in Naples." And a source close to the player has added: "Scott loves the city, the club and the fans. He feels really good here."

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  McTominay eyeing second Scudetto

  Napoli sit top of the pile in Serie A yet again, although they are level on points with high-flying Roma. McTominay was a crucial figure again at the weekend as the Partonopei secured a huge victory over Inter, opening up a six-point gap to the dangerous Nerazzurri.

  During the summer, McTominay spoke with the about his time so far in Italy, he said: "The people in Naples are incredible, they're so passionate and everywhere you go there are people who say 'Forza Napoli' and they want to speak to you and have a conversation and that inspires you every time you go on the pitch because they care. It's different, a totally different way of life over there – the way you eat, the way you live and all that. It gives you more mental strength. I've always lived very close to my mum, so I could go whenever I wanted. Whereas now I live 1,500 miles away so I can't just go home and see my mum, my family, my sister and my kids so it's different, but in life you sometimes have to take yourself out of your comfort zone and I've always prided myself on that. I would never want to be in my comfort zone, and if I can go away anywhere and establish myself and do well, why not? Who's to stop me doing that?"

His obligations as Derbyshire head coach will keep him away from Guyana, the venue of the tournament

Mohammad Isam29-Jun-2025Mickey Arthur will next month oversee Rangpur Riders’ Global Super League title defence even though he won’t be present in Guyana, the venue of the tournament. Arthur will be 7500km away in Derbyshire, from where he will do the job remotely, according to Rangpur’s team director Shanian Taneem.Arthur had a similar arrangement with Pakistan where he oversaw strategies remotely during his stint as team director while he also fulfilled his responsibilities as head coach of Derbyshire in 2023.Rangpur will return as defending champions in the GSL’s second season, which begins on July 10. The other teams in the tournament are Dubai Capitals, Central Stags, Guyana Amazon Warriors and Hobart Hurricanes.Related

BCB says the door is still open for Shakib to play for Bangladesh

Arthur was Rangpur’s head coach when they won the GSL’s inaugural edition last year. Since he will be concurrently coaching Derbyshire in Division Two of the County Championship, he will not be physically present at the GSL this time around.”As the English County Championship is ongoing and Mickey is coaching Derbyshire County Cricket Club, he is unavailable at the moment,” Shanian said during a jersey unveiling ceremony in Dhaka. “Therefore, we are appointing Greg Smith as our head coach. He is someone Mickey fully trusts. Mickey will stay connected with the players and continue to offer his input. Greg will lead the team under Mickey’s guidance.”Mickey Arthur was our head coach during the previous Global Super League and the last edition of the Bangladesh Premier League. We have strong confidence in his abilities. While forming our squad, we remained in constant touch with him and discussed which players would perform well on Guyana’s pitches.”Rangpur will be led by Nurul Hasan, who has been their captain since 2023. They have also retained Soumya Sarkar, Saif Hassan, Kamrul Islam Rabbi and Harmeet Singh from their 2024 squad. Their overseas contingent includes West Indies batter Kyle Mayers, South Africa wristspinner Tabraiz Shamsi, Pakistan allrounder Iftikhar Ahmed and Afghanistan opener Ibrahim Zadran.They have not picked Shakib Al Hasan, however, even though the tournament is taking place in the West Indies. Shakib, a former Awami League MP, has not traveled to Bangladesh since the fall of the Awami League government last year. He now resides in the USA.”Shakib Al Hasan is still one of the most valuable players not only in Bangladesh but in any franchise league of the world,” Shanian said. “It is not that we did not want him in the squad, but we know the situation of the country at this moment. Shakib still can feature in the starting eleven of any franchise team. But keeping the current situation in mind, we were not able to take him in the squad.”Rangpur will start the tournament against the Guayana Amazon Warriors in the evening match on July 10, the opening day.Rangpur Riders squad: Nurul Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Mohammad Naim, Mahidul Islam, Kamrul Islam Rabbi, Mohammad Saif, Abu Hider, Rakilbul Hasan, Yasir Ali, Kyle Mayers, Tabraiz Shamsi, Ibrahim Zadran, Akif Javed, Iftikar Ahmed, Harmeet Singh, Khawaja Nafay.

Daniel Farke said Leeds United were “blessed” to have Sean Longstaff after the midfielder’s man-of-the-match display in Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Bournemouth.

Longstaff, on £80,000-a-week, volleyed in off a post to put Leeds in front early in the second half at Elland Road after Joe Rodon’s header before the interval had cancelled out Antoine Semenyo’s free-kick for the visitors.

Farke hails Longstaff after Leeds draw vs Bournemouth

The £12million summer signing from Newcastle’s first Leeds goal – he also provided the corner for Rodon’s equaliser – looked to have sealed it for Farke’s side before Bournemouth’s teenage substitute Eli Kroupi struck at the far post in the third minute of stoppage time.

Farke said of Longstaff’s display:

Leeds sit mid-table in the Premier League after taking eight points from their first six games following promotion, while Bournemouth remain in the top six, three points better off.

Cherries skipper Ryan Christie admitted his side were pleased to leave Elland Road with a point, having trailed in time added on, and hailed their resilience. Christie told AFCB TV: “The way it went, we are probably happy with a point to be honest.

“The game went as we thought it would in terms of their physicality and in a high-energy stadium, they feed off that.

“But with this squad, even though you’re away from home, you never feel like you’re out of the game

“There is a resilience throughout the whole squad, which is a credit to the boys, especially when we have had the turnaround of players we’ve had this summer.

“I think everyone is feeding into this mindset of pulling together, the whole squad as one.

“It’s not just the starters and the bench and that’s it – there’s a real togetherness.”

Next up for Leeds is another home game against Tottenham in a lunchtime kick-off on Saturday, while Bournemouth face Fulham on Friday night at the Vitality Stadium.