Pep Guardiola’s incredible reign at Manchester City is reportedly drawing to a close as his club prepare a last-gasp bid to deny Arsenal the Premier League title.
City must cast the speculation aside and beat Bournemouth on Tuesday otherwise the Gunners will claim the crown with a game to spare.
Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi is still urging caution as his side look to seal their top-flight survival, while the make-up of the Championship play-off final remains in doubt over the ‘Spygate’ affair.
Pep Guardiola reportedly set to quit Manchester City
Pep Guardiola’s trophy-laden Manchester City career could be close to the end
Pep Guardiola’s trophy-laden Manchester City career could be close to the end(John Walton/PA)
Manchester City are not commenting on a fresh report that manager Pep Guardiola is to stand down at the end of the season.
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The Daily Mail has claimed Sunday’s final Premier League game against Aston Villa will be the Spaniard’s last after 10 years in charge.
Guardiola still has a year remaining on his contract and City’s position on the matter has not changed throughout the season, despite persistent speculation over the 55-year-old’s future.
The club declined to comment when contacted by the Press Association.
Since his appointment in 2016, City have won 20 trophies including six Premier League titles and the Champions League.
Martin Odegaard desperate for double Gunners celebration
Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard is gunning for an historic double
Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard is gunning for an historic double(John Walton/PA)
Martin Odegaard said Arsenal are readt “to take the trophies home” after the Gunners took a giant stride towards winning the Premier League.
Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Burnley at the Emirates Stadium means Manchester City must now beat Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Tuesday night to take the title race to the final day of the season.
The Gunners could complete a historic double this month with a Champions League final against Paris St Germain in Budapest on May 30, and Odegaard said: “I am really proud.
“It has been an amazing season so far. We have one big one left and then the Champions League final and we want to take the trophies home.”
Roberto De Zerbi warns Spurs to stay focused on survival fight
Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi has warned his side they are not safe yet
Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi has warned his side they are not safe yet(Nick Potts/PA)
Roberto De Zerbi has warned Tottenham have work to do in their bid to secure their Premier League status ahead of Tuesday’s trip to rivals Chelsea.
Spurs only realistically require one point from their final two fixtures to avoid relegation after 18th-placed West Ham lost their penultimate match at Newcastle on Sunday, to stay two points adrift of the north London club and with an inferior goal difference.
However, De Zerbi was quick to dispel any notion on Monday that Tottenham were relaxed and ready to start summer planning.
Amid a flurry of questions about the future, the Italian said: “We can’t forget one month ago what was the situation. We are not safe yet.”
Saints and Boro set to learn fates over ‘Spygate’ row
Southampton boss Tonda Eckert remains at the centre of the ‘Spygate’ row
Southampton boss Tonda Eckert remains at the centre of the ‘Spygate’ row(Andrew Matthews/PA)
Southampton and Middlesbrough could discover their Championship play-off fate on Tuesday when the independent commission hearing on ‘Spygate’ is set to take place.
Saints were charged with a breach of EFL regulations 10 days ago having been reported for allegedly spying on a Boro training session at their Rockliffe Park base ahead of the first leg of their semi-final encounter.
Tonda Eckert’s side went on to reach the final where they are scheduled to face Hull on Saturday – but Middlesbrough have publicly demanded that Saints are prevented from playing in the Wembley showpiece.
The Press Association understands the independent commission will meet to rule on the matter on Tuesday, but the potential for an appeal means Saturday’s match remains in the balance.
PGMO chiefs apologise to Forest over referee blunder
Matheus Cunha’s goal against Manchester United should not have been allowed to stand
Matheus Cunha’s goal against Manchester United should not have been allowed to stand(Martin Rickett/PA)
The Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO) has apologised to Nottingham Forest after admitting referee Michael Salisbury was wrong to allow Matheus Cunha’s goal for Manchester United to stand in Sunday’s 3-2 Premier League defeat.
Cunha struck in the second half of Sunday’s Old Trafford clash to put United 2-1 up, with Salisbury overruling VAR on a contentious handball decision.
United forward Bryan Mbuemo, who then went on to score his side’s third, clearly controlled the ball with his arm in the build-up and Salisbury was sent to the pitchside monitor by VAR in expectation that the goal would be ruled out.
However, the Lancashire official decided Mbuemo handled the ball accidentally and the goal stood.
The Press Association understands PGMO chief Howard Webb has since contacted Forest to admit Salisbury should have overturned his original decision and apologised for the error, which resulted in Forest’s eight-game unbeaten run in the Premier League coming to an end.
What’s on today
Issues could be resolved at both ends of the Premier League table on Tuesday with both the title winners and the final relegation place potentially determined.
Manchester City go to in-form Bournemouth knowing anything less than a win at the Vitality Stadium will hand the league trophy to Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal with a game to spare.
Meanwhile Tottenham head to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge knowing a win will keep them safe and relegate West Ham – with even a point realistically enough for Roberto De Zerbi’s men.