Manchester United are believed to be in contact with a club’s director of recruitment over the signing of an “outstanding” goalkeeper this summer, according to a new report.

Man Utd produce historic comeback

Ruben Amorim’s side may have had a season to forget, but their 5-4 win over Lyon on Thursday evening was one of the most dramatic nights Old Trafford has ever witnessed.

Having led 2-0 and seemingly heading into the semi-finals of the Europa League with ease, United suddenly found themselves drawing 2-2 after 90 minutes, before then trailing 4-2 in extra-time against ten men.

Remarkably, the Red Devils scored three times in the remaining minutes, with Bruno Fernandes scoring a penalty, Kobbie Mainoo brilliantly curling home and Harry Maguire heading in a memorable last-gasp winner.

It was a remarkable evening that has kept United’s season alive, and given the nature of their victory over Lyon, there will be some who feel that their name is on the trophy. Regardless of what happens this season, though, lots of new signings are a must, including in goal to replace Andre Onana, and one intriguing transfer target in that position has now emerged.

Man Utd make contact for Kaua Santos

According to Sport Bild, Manchester United have held talks with Eintracht Frankfurt sporting director Markus Krosche over the signing of Kaua Santos this summer. The German outfit want £51m for his services and would rather keep hold of him.

It is claimed that Red Devils director of recruitment Christopher Vivell spoke with him during Frankfurt’s Europa League quarter-final first leg tie against Tottenham last week, as they look to entice the 22-year-old to Old Trafford.

Santos could be a strong addition for United ahead of next season, having enjoyed an impressive campaign for Frankfurt in Europe, standing out as a key man at a young age, especially for a ‘keeper. The Brazilian has started five matches in the Europa League this term, prior to being eliminated by Spurs on Thursday night, and the Red Devils may see him as having a higher long-term ceiling than Onana.

Santos has been hailed as an “outstanding” player by Bayern Munich and Germany legend Thomas Muller, while analyst Ben Mattinson has described him as among the “most promising” young ‘keepers in Europe.

While Onana has had good moments in a United shirt, he is an error-prone player who doesn’t seem to bring calm to the defence, and if Amorim wants to take his team to another level, an upgrade is required.

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Santos is admittedly still a goalkeeper learning his trade, but his performances this season suggest that he would be an exciting signing who should only grow as a player.

Everton are nine games unbeaten in the Premier League. Nine. David Moyes lost his opener against Aston Villa after replacing the beleaguered Sean Dyche, but the progress has been otherwise breathtaking.

This Toffees team is a far cry from the previous version, refashioned only a few months ago with just Charly Alcaraz welcomed from the transfer gates in January.

If the 15th-placed club are to compete at a higher level over the coming years, it’s important that the market is well utilised. What Everton need is a superstar signing, comparatively speaking.

Well, The Friedkin Group certainly have a shock move lined up. You need only look over to Anfield Road to find this player’s signature.

Everton lining up move for Liverpool star

According to recent reports, via The Mirror, Everton are weighing up a move for Liverpool talent Ben Doak in what would be a shocking transfer. Doak has excelled on loan at Middlesbrough this season and Moyes is thoroughly impressed.

The Toffees are preparing to test the waters with a £25m offer, which falls into a similar ballpark as bids from Bournemouth and Crystal Palace back in January, both rebuffed by the Reds.

Dealings between the Merseyside rivals have been sparse in modern times. In fact, Abel Xavier is the last player to transfer directly between the two teams, joining Liverpool from Everton in 2002.

Everton could land their next Wayne Rooney

Let’s be honest, this would be as difficult a deal to orchestrate as any. However, saying that, Liverpool have been open to selling Doak in recent months and their ostensible interest in Jarrad Branthwaite suggests negotiations could be somewhat amenable.

And Doak would be worth the effort. Only 19, the Scotland winger has dazzled through the maiden years of his career, so brisk and powerful and purposeful down the right flank.

On that note, with Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrom’s loans at Goodison Park wrapping up this summer, the urgency for a fresh right flanker is doubly important.

Across 24 Championship appearances this term (21 starts), he’s scored three goals and assisted seven more, leading former Scotland manager Craig Levein to say: “This kid could be a world-class player.”

Few teenagers carry themselves with such swagger and potency, but Doak’s certainly one of them. Moyes knows a thing or two about developing exciting prospects – he handed Wayne Rooney his professional debut, after all.

Rooney: scorer of great goals, leader of men. He’s one of the greatest footballers to do it in the Premier League, behind only Alan Shearer and Harry Kane in the division’s all-time scoring charts (with 208 goals).

Any youngster compared to the retired Three Lions captain is worth their salt, and Doak has indeed been claimed to have a stylistic semblance to Rooney, with his agent, Jackie McNamara, actually labelling him “a Scottish Wayne Rooney.”

His electric pace, his strong-limbed bursts into the danger area, do carry a hint of the former Premier League star, with Doak’s metrics from the 2024/25 campaign highlighting his barrelling style.

Goals scored

0.15

Top 69%

Assists

0.35

Top 9%

Shot-creating actions

4.15

Top 30%

Pass completion

79.1%

Top 21%

Progressive passes

2.83

Top 65%

Progressive carries

6.78

Top 1%

Successful take-ons

1.77

Top 24%

Everton need such a player, and Moyes has shown in the past that he has the tactical nous to bring the best out of such a youngster’s talent.

Now, it boils down to Liverpool and Everton’s ability to negotiate. It won’t be easy, but this could be quite the deal if pulled off.

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Everton are planning to strengthen in the transfer market this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair Mar 31, 2025

After a career full of incredible teammates – from Paul Gascoigne all the way to Terry Butcher – Ally McCoist has now revealed the two Rangers players that he feels went under the radar during his time at the club.

Ally McCoist's legendary Rangers career

A clinical striker who became a champion in Scotland as many as 10 times with Rangers, McCoist is an undeniable Ibrox legend who saw it all during his time at the club as both a manager and a player.

Of course, it must be said that his time as a player compared to his time in the dugout both came with incredibly different experiences and challenges. As a player, the Scot was part of a winning Rangers side who often took their place at the top of Scottish football – a contrast to Celtic’s current dominance under Brendan Rodgers.

As a manager, however, McCoist was left to pick up the pieces at a crumbling club as they went into administration and down from the Scottish Premiership. Stepping up nonetheless, the former Rangers man played a vital part in helping to drag the Gers back up the divisions in Scotland.

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There have been some suggestions of a move.

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Whilst many will be naturally quick to praise the likes of Gascoigne, Butcher or players of Brian Laudrup’s calibre for their success alongside McCoist, the man himself named two teammates who went under the radar during their time at Rangers.

McCoist names most "underrated" teammates

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, McCoist revealed two players who didn’t get enough of the spotlight: “I’ll give you two actually who were underrated. I was very lucky, I played with some brilliant players. Big Goughy (Richard Gough), Cooper, Gascoigne, Laudrup, Gordon, Terry Butcher, Ray Wilkins, guys like that. Fantastic players, absolutely fantastic players.

“Probably two underrated ones would be Stuart McCall and Ian Ferguson. Stuart was a brilliant midfielder, as was Ian.

“Stuart was just so underrated as a football player. The first thing that struck you about Stuart was his energy and his willingness to run about and work hard and I think in many ways that masked his ability in some people’s opinions, because he was a far better football player perhaps than the way he played.

“What caught your eye when he played was his work rate and his closing down, getting the ball back, but far cleverer with the ball and a better player than a lot of people imagined.

“And Ian Ferguson was the exact same. Those two guys could’ve played in any team at any level. Fergie came from St. Mirren as a younger man and Graeme (Souness) and Walter (Smith) turned him into a very mature, level-headed midfield player who was aggressive and had one of the hardest shots out of any players I ever played with.”

“The one thing about Fergie that helped was that he was a Rangers boy growing up so he absolutely loved every minute of putting on that blue jersey. Probably two I’d value as high as any are Stuart McCall and Ian Ferguson.”

Moments that marked Chris Gayle’s 300th ODI appearance and his record for most runs by a West Indian in the 50-over game

Aishwarya Kumar in Port of Spain12-Aug-2019The infectious smile that reaches his eyes. The shoulder jigs to Caribbean music. The quiet leadership as he helps Jason Holder with field placements – there is an energy to Chris Gayle that is hard to describe; it’s often not evident in his movements, or the lack of them. Holder has often said “there’s a special energy” in the dressing room when Gayle is around. It’s like the crowd has suddenly been jerked awake and given a double shot of espresso and now they all suddenly want to bounce off the walls.That’s the effect Gayle has.In the second ODI against India in Port of Spain – also his 300th ODI, a feat Holder called “unimaginable to many players in the dressing room” – Gayle’s every move earned him cheers from fans, and sometimes from his opponents too. Along the way, he also overtook Brian Lara’s record of 10,353 runs to top the run chart for West Indies in ODI history.Starting with the photo-op
He posed with the numbers 3, 0 and 0 from the manual scorecard before the West Indies started bowling after losing the toss, big smile on, his colleagues clapping. At first slip, he helped Holder make fielding decisions, often getting in a huddle with the captain to figure out a new plan when Virat Kohli took flight. The crowd cheered on every save he made, especially the one at extra cover when he stopped a Kohli extra-cover drive off Kemar Roach early on.And then off the field
After the 20-over mark, Gayle took some time off. Not unusual if you have followed his career of late. The fans wanted more, though, and put up placards that varied from “I love Gayle” and “We want a Gayle storm”, some yelling “come back Gayle”. He did, after a while.Going past Lara
Gayle took his time with his innings, as he often does, sneaking a couple of singles and letting local star Evin Lewis take the lead. In the ninth over, he cut a short delivery to third man for a single, and that took him past Lara to be West Indies’ top scorer in ODIs. When the fans didn’t react to the accomplishment, in the absence of a formal announcement, Kohli waved his arms, alerting them to the achievement. Gayle raised his bat, grinning widely. The crowd erupted, and the Indian fielders joined in with claps – it was quite a moment.Four deliveries later, he scythed a length ball between backward point and cover to overtake another one of Lara’s records – this time the total number of ODI runs scored (West Indies and ICC XI) – 10,353.And then it was all over
Every ball Gayle faces is an event at times, and so was the full delivery in the tenth over from Bhuvneshwar Kumar that struck him dead in front of middle stump. The umpire’s finger went up instantly, and Gayle, after taking a few seconds to think about it – an inside edge, maybe? – sent it up for a review. Replays showed no bat, and he took the ball low and centre. He was dismissed for 11 in 24 balls.”We didn’t want him to score runs, especially in this match,” Bhuvneshwar, whose four-wicket haul helped India to victory, said afterwards. “But, of course, we were all happy for him. He is a very good person and it’s a good achievement.”

Ryan Rickelton and Ottniel Baartman have also earned call-ups and are set to earn their first T20I caps

Firdose Moonda30-Apr-2024Anrich Nortje will make his international comeback after a nine-month absence at the 2024 T20 World Cup. Nortje, who has been in action at IPL 2024, has been named in South Africa’s 15-player squad that will be led by Aiden Markram. Opening batter Ryan Rickelton and seamer Ottniel Baartman – both standout performers at this year’s SA20 – have also earned call-ups and could earn their first T20I caps.Rickelton was the leading run-scorer in the SA20 and the second-highest run-scorer at the recent CSA T20 Challenge, and will likely partner Quinton de Kock at the top of the order.The T20 World Cup could also be de Kock’s last international appearance – he retired from ODI cricket last year but was persuaded to stay on in T20Is for this event. De Kock is no longer centrally contracted by CSA as he pursues opportunities in T20 leagues.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

White-ball coach Rob Walter confirmed that despite poor form in his last three tournaments, de Kock has been picked on historic performances. “Quinny, we’ve seen him do it time and time again for us,” Walter said. “Reeza [Hendricks] has been a star performer for us in T20 cricket, was a standout in this domestic CSA T20 challenge again, and Ryan Rickelton has had two outstanding competitions really where he’s played the brand of cricket that we’re looking to play. And then we’re going to have Aidan Markram and that’ll be the top order. It’s mostly a performance-based decision and from Quinton’s point of view is just a real knowledge of what he’s capable of.”Baartman, the second-highest wicket-taker at the SA20, has been chosen with the death overs in mind. “Over the last couple of years, he’s been outstanding. Butin particular in the SA20, he was a cut above the rest. He really showed himself as a quality death bowler,” Walter said. “We’ve seen particularly in the last couple of weeks in IPL being able to manage the death is going to be critical and he is someone who offers that speciality. If you look at the numbers, he’s been successful through all the phases of the game. He’s worked really hard to get his name into the mix through sheer performance.”The IPL has also given Walter the confidence to pick Nortje, who has taken seven wickets in six matches for Delhi Capitals so far. He has conceded at 13.36 runs an over but has bowled fast. “Anrich has got another month before the World Cup starts so I have no doubt he’ll hit his straps,” Walter said. “It’s good to see that his speed is up. The one thing Anrich has that separates him from others is raw pace. There’s not many guys who can bowl 150kph and he can. Pace is an X-factor.”Nortje’s speeds helped him be selected ahead of Lungi Ngidi, who missed the IPL with a lower back injury but returned during the CSA T20 Challenge and is one of two traveling reserves. Left-arm seamer Nandre Burger, currently with Rajasthan Royals, is the other. The squad includes four frontline seamers in Nortje, Baartman, Kagiso Rabada and Gerald Coetzee, with Ngidi and Burger as traveling reserves, and three spinners. Left-arm spinners Keshav Maharaj and Bjorn Fortuin are part of the squad, along with wristspinner Tabraiz Shamsi. That left room for only one allrounder: Marco Jansen, with Andile Phehlukwayo and Wiaan Mulder missing out.Their batting will include a strong middle order of Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller and Tristan Stubbs and no batters among the reserves. Faf du Plessis, who was in line for an international comeback, has not been named while Rassie van der Dussen and Matthew Breetzke – the leading run-scorer in the CSA T20 Challenge and third-highest in the SA20 – have both been overlooked.Rassie van der Dussen hasn’t been included in the T20 World Cup squad•AFP/Getty Images

Van der Dussen and Breetkze will, however, travel with a second-string South Africa side to play West Indies in three T20Is that precede the World Cup, though that squad could change based on player availability from the IPL. That squad includes uncapped legspinner Nqaba Peter, who was the second-highest wicket-taker in the CSA T20 Challenge.The other absentees from South Africa’s last T20 World Cup squad, in 2022, are former captain Temba Bavuma, Rilee Rossouw and Wayne Parnell. Bavuma, Parnell and Ngidi’s exclusions, in particular, have created something of a complication for Walter because the squad is short on players of colour. The 15-man traveling group includes only six players of colour and one black African (Rabada), which will leave South Africa short of the targets at the tournament. The current target requires the national team to field an average of six players of colour of which at least two must be black African over the course of a season, so Walter has the opportunity to make that up in other matches but is mindful that he could face criticism over reduced representation.”My number one imperative is to create a winning team. In order to do that, every time I pick a side, I’ve got to pick the best team at the time that I think will give us a chance of doing that. That said, the system needs to really up the ante so that in six months, 12 months, or two years’ time, and in particular when we reach the 2027 [ODI] World Cup at home, that the demographics and the representation in our team starts to look a bit different.”Outside of the World Cup, we’ll continue to use our bilateral series to grow our base of players, to create international opportunity, to give opportunity for players to put their skills at a higher level and just make sure that we are delivering on a process that’s going to change what our team looks like as we move forward.”Asked whether, in the absence of a selection panel, he required special dispensation to fall short of the target, Walter indicated that the squad was chosen in collaboration with Enoch Nkwe, South Africa’s director of cricket. “No squad that I pick is picked without discussion with the director of cricket. It’s as simple as that.”South Africa begin their T20 World Cup campaign on June 3 against Sri Lanka in New York.

South Africa T20 World Cup squad

Aiden Markram (capt), Ottniel Baartman, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs.
Travelling reserves: Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi

South Africa T20I squad for series against West Indies

Ottniel Baartman, Matthew Breetzke, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Patrick Kruger, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Ryan Rickelton, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen

That is the the third-highest tally ever recorded in a calendar year, behind only Kumar Sangakkara and Ricky Ponting

Bharath Seervi05-Dec-2017610- Runs scored by Virat Kohli in this Test series, the most by an Indian in a three-match Test series and the fourth-highest overall. The record for this is held by Graham Gooch, who made 752 runs against India in 1990. Against Sri Lanka, only Brian Lara, with 688 runs in 2001-02, has done better than Kohli.3- Players who have scored more than 600 runs in a series batting five or fewer innings. They are Kohli, Don Bradman (806 against South Africa in 1931-32) and Mohammad Yousuf (665 against West Indies in 2006-07) The previous highest tally for an India batsman in a series playing five or fewer innings is 526 by Vinoo Mankad against New Zealand in 1955-56.293- Runs for Kohli in this Test – 243 in first innings and 50 in the second. This is the most made by an India captain in a Test match. He eclipsed Gavaskar’s 289 (107 & 182*) against West Indies at Eden Gardens in 1978-79. Kohli is the seventh captain to score a double-century and a fifty in the same Test and the first since Ricky Ponting, against Pakistan in Hobart in 2009-10.

3- Times that Kohli has aggregated 600-plus runs a Test series, which is a new record for India as he went past Sunil Gavaskar and Rahul Dravid, who have done it twice each. Kohli scored 692 runs in Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2014-15 (four Tests) and 655 against England last season (five Tests) before doing it again in this three-match series against Sri Lanka. Bradman, having scored 600-plus in six series, is the only player ahead of Kohli in this regard, whereas Neil Harvey, Garry Sobers and Lara have also had three such series.2- Batsmen to aggregate more than Kohli’s 610 runs in a series after starting off with a duck. They are Jacques Kallis 625 runs against England in 2004-05 and Michael Vaughan 615 runs against India in 2002. Kohli bagged a duck in the first innings of this series and followed it up with scores of 104*, 213, 243 and 50.ESPNcricinfo Ltd2818- Runs for Kohli across all formats in international cricket in 2017 – the third-highest tally ever recorded in a calendar year. The list is topped by Kumar Sangakkara with 2868 in 2014 and Ponting’s 2833 in 2005. With Kohli being rested from ODIs and T20Is against Sri Lanka, this is his final match of 2017.

Pakistan clinched the last semi-final berth at the Under-19 World Cup by beating Bangladesh by five runs in a low-scoring thriller on Saturday. India will now face South Africa in the first semi-final on February 6 while Pakistan will play Australia on February 8, in Benoni.Bangladesh’s dreams of an Under-19 World Cup encore in South Africa – they won the title here in 2020 – came crashing down in the most heartbreaking fashion in Benoni.Pakistan’s hero was Ubaid Shah, the younger brother of pace sensational Naseem Shah. Bowling with fire, intensity and raw pace that hustled Bangladesh’s batting line-up on a hot and dry day, Ubaid finished with figures of 5 for 44 as Pakistan sensationally defended 155 to win by five runs.But until 30 minutes prior to the dramatic ending, Ubaid was left wondering if he’d dropped the cup. With Bangladesh needing 37 with four wickets in hand, Ubaid put down an absolute sitter at fine leg to reprieve Mohammad Shihad James, Bangladesh’s last recognised batter for 24. However, Ubaid bounced back to dismiss him in the very next over with a superb lifter that James nicked to the wicketkeeper to trigger wild celebrations.Rohanat Doullah Borson, who earlier in the day picked up 4 for 24 to restrict Pakistan to a chaseble total, then came up with an impressive unbeaten 21 to take Bangladesh within touching distance, before Mohammad Zeeshan sent Pakistan into delirium with the final wicket of Maruf Mridha.Pakistan had done the unthinkable, clinching a game from the clutches of defeat in a manner reminiscent of their run to a famous title win in the 2006 final against India at the R Premadasa Stadium. That day it was Anwar Ali who swung India’s famed top order out in defense of a modest 109. On Saturday, Ubaid was firmly front and centre of an inspired defence.Their victory in the end may have been dramatic, but Pakistan were lackadaisical for large parts. Five batters got into double figures, but none carried on getting more than Arafat Mihnas’ 34 lower down the order. By then, they had been tottering at 89 for 6 and looked like they’d be bowled out well inside 40 overs. As it turned out, they just about managed to cross that mark.Along with pacer Borson, offspinner Sheikh Paevez Jibon contributed a four-wicket haul in a superb spell of guile and control. As it turned out, these two heroic efforts however were second-best on a heartbreaking evening for Bangladesh.The other two results didn’t have any major significance as far as semi-final qualification goes, but saw compelling performances nonetheless. Ireland upset New Zealand by 41 runs via the DLS method in Bloemfontein to finish the Super Six stage with a solitary win.Tazeem Chaudhary Ali picked up seven wickets against Zimbabwe•ICC/Getty Images

Ireland’s win was fashioned by batter Gavin Roulston, who top-scored with 82 in the team’s 267 for 9. Roulston’s 129-run third-wicket stand with Kian Hilton, who made 72, set Ireland up for a competitive total. Ireland were on track for a bigger score, but an underwhelming last ten overs scuttled their designs. Fast bowler Ewald Schreuder was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 4 for 46.New Zealand started slowly and seemed set on consolidation first before trying to make a late push towards victory. But from 92 for 2 in the 24th, they slipped to 131 for 5 in the 33rd. Having allowed the asking rate to spiral, they were under pressure when the rain came. Oliver Riley’s three-for early on was instrumental in ensuring Ireland were well ahead of the DLS as they eventually clinched victory.Legspinner Tazeem Chaudhry Ali picked up a seven-for, the best by an Englishman at an Under-19 World Cup, as they beat Zimbabwe by 146 runs in Potchefstroom.England’s win was a little more straightforward, even though it wasn’t the most convincing of batting performances. From 116 for 5, they had Charlie Allison to thank for a rescue. His 76 lifted them to 237 for 7, with Theo Wiley, the opener, being the other big contributor with 61.Zimbabwe’s chase never got off the blocks as they soon slipped to 51 for 5. From there on, there was no looking back as Chaudhary Ali made merry to record a superb performance to deliver a consolation win.

حقق الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي الزمالك، الفوز أمام نظيره المصري، بثلاثية نظيفة، خلال المباراة التي جرت بينهما اليوم ببطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

والتقى الزمالك مع المصري، على أرضية ملعب برج العرب، في إطار مواجهات الجولة السادسة من عمر مباريات بطولة الدوري المصري.

طالع |فيديو | عمر جابر يسجل هدف الزمالك الثاني أمام المصري

وأحرز عدي الدباغ هدف الزمالك الأول، في الدقيقة 30 من عمر الشوط الأول للمباراة، فيما جاء الهدف الثاني عن طريق عمر جابر في الدقيقة 64، فيما سجل الهدف الثالث عبد الله السعيد في الدقيقة 90 من ركلة جزاء.

بتلك النتيجة، يحتل الزمالك المركز الأول في جدول ترتيب الدوري المصري برصيد 13 نقطة، بينما يأتي المصري بالمركز الثاني، ولديه 11 نقطة.

ومن المقرر أن يلعب الزمالك مباراته القادمة أمام الإسماعيلي، ضمن مواجهات الجولة السابعة لبطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز. موعد مباراة الزمالك القادمة أمام الإسماعيلي في الدوري

تُقام المباراة يوم الخميس الموافق 18 سبتمبر القادم، في تمام الساعة الخامسة عصرا بتوقيت مصر والسعودية.

Bradley was introduced in the new role, and shared why he decided to go back to the club that launched his career

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Bradley introduced as new coachInspired by Klopp and Red Bull systemBradley's first game comes on June 21Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowWHAT HAPPENED?

After nearly 20 years playing for top clubs such as Gladbach and Roma, Michael Bradley is set to launch his head coaching career with the New York Red Bulls II. And it was more than sentimentality that brought back the former U.S. midfielder to the organization.

The Red Bull way, a playing style that all Red Bull clubs around the world follow and is led by famed former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, also played a big part in his decision.

"This is a dream opportunity for a young coach to be at this club, to be inside of the Red Bull family," Bradley said. "I couldn't be more excited."

Bradley acknowledged that while he was announced as the Red Bulls' Next Pro job a week ago, the move to join the Red Bull organization had been in the works for some time. He revealed he spent some time in Salzburg, learning from the Red Bulls team and even working directly with Klopp.

"One of the things that I've been able to do in the last few months is spend some time on a few different occasions with Jurgen, as well. And when you get that opportunity, and you hear him talk about the game, and you hear the way he speaks, and you see his passion and his energy, it's amazing," Bradley said.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Bradley, 37, said that he hopes to emulate the 2019 Champions League winner.

"For anybody who has watched his Liverpool teams play, his Dortmund teams play – like the idea that now you are going to try to take the starting points and the ideas of some of those teams," he said. "How does that get combined with the Red Bull identity of intensity, being dynamic, and stepping onto the field no matter who you play against, to put the game on your terms and be aggressive, pushing the game?

"Yeah, that fits with who I am. That fits with what I want. And so I think, again, as a young coach, the opportunity to be here, it fits in every way."

Bradley's first match will come against the Carolina Core, led by another USMNT legend in Eddie Pope. On July 11, his Red Bulls II side will travel to Toronto to face TFC II. The match will have added significance for Bradley as Toronto FC is where he had the most success, winning both the Supporters' Shield and MLS Cup in 2017.

"I saw when I looked on the schedule, and saw it was one of the first few games, I was excited," he said. "I've not been back to Toronto since January of 2024, and so I'm really looking forward to going back."

USA Today ImagesDID YOU KNOW?

Bradley played one season for the New York/New Jersey MetroStars before being sold to Eredivisie side SC Heerenveen for $250,000. At 16, he was the youngest player sold by MLS at the time. His record was eventually topped by Cavan Sullivan of the Philadelphia Union in his transfer to Manchester City when he was 14.

However, Bradley played immediately for Heerenveen, while Sullivan will join City when he turns 18. Bradley got his coaching role as a result of Ibrahim Sekagya, the former RBNY II coach, being promoted to the first-team coaching staff.

WHAT NEXT FOR BRADLEY

Bradley will make his head coaching debut this weekend.

A loss on Friday will end GT’s tournament, while CSK will be looking to boost their hopes of a playoff spot

Alagappan Muthu09-May-20244:37

Should CSK drop Rahane and open with Mitchell?

Match detailsGujarat Titans (10th; W4, L7) vs Chennai Super Kings (4th; W6, L5)
Ahmedabad, 7.30pm IST (2pm GMT)Big pictureChennai Super Kings right now are Gujarat Titans from the start of the season. They have pretty much lost their entire pace attack, which has been crucial to their challenge for a place in the playoffs. Matheesha Pathirana, Mustafizur Rahman and to a lesser extent Deepak Chahar had done such a good job that the CSK quicks are the ones with the best economy rate in the middle overs (8) and the second-best at the death (10.43) in IPL 2024.GT had a bowler that they relied on just as heavily. Mohammed Shami. But he’s been out, recovering from ankle injury, and then surgery. In his absence, the team has looked at various options. Azmatullah Omarzai. Spencer Johnson. Josh Little. But nothing has worked. Fast bowlers are a point of difference, especially those with slingy actions or supreme new-ball skills or hard-to-pick variations. And when they go missing, it can be difficult to cope.Related

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GT haven’t really been able to. A loss on Friday will end their tournament. CSK have to win. They are better placed to make a run at the playoffs and the final, which happens to be taking place at the very ground where someone said he wanted to end his career. Wouldn’t that be poetic?Form guideGujarat Titans LLLWL
Chennai Super Kings WLWLLPrevious meetingBack in March – seems ages ago, doesn’t it? – the re-match of the 2023 final fell CSK’s way with Shivam Dube hitting a whirlwind half-century and their fast bowlers refusing to let GT find a hero from out of nowhere like they used to do. 206 for 6 comfortably beat 143 for 8.