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A former West Ham employee has shared some “clear” boardroom issues he saw during his time at the club, amid the ongoing protests surrounding Karren Brady and David Sullivan’s leadership.

West Ham fans have been increasingly vocal in their opposition to the club’s ownership under Brady and Sullivan, with discontent reaching new heights.

Supporter groups are so frustrated that they’re planning protests at every Saturday home game this season, aiming to make their voices heard loud and clear.

The root of the protest lies in fans’ growing frustration over what they see as mismanagement and broken promises by Brady and Sullivan. Many supporters feel the duo have prioritised profit over the club’s long-term success, failing to reinvest adequately in the squad and infrastructure.

Sunderland 3-0 West Ham

West Ham 1-5 Chelsea

Nottingham Forest 0-3 West Ham

West Ham 0-3 Tottenham

West Ham 1-2 Crystal Palace

Everton 1-1 West Ham

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

West Ham 0-2 Brentford

Leeds 2-1 West Ham

Despite some initial optimism when they took over, the lack of consistent on-field progress, underwhelming recruitment strategy and no clear plan moving forward has undoubtedly escalated tensions to boiling point.

Just two years after West Ham won their first major trophy in decades, with David Moyes’ Hammers lifting the Conference League in 2023, the east Londoners find themselves battling relegation after conceding more goals than any other Premier League side.

Since Moyes’ departure, a host of managers in Julen Lopetegui, Graham Potter and now Nuno Espirito Santo have failed to transform their fortunes, with things looking very bleak at the London Stadium.

While reports suggest that West Ham are ready to spend in January as they look to save their season, the club’s precarious position can be majorly put down to some questionable decisions by Sullivan, Brady and co.

Former West Ham scout reveals "clear" boardroom issues he saw during his time at the club

Speaking to Football Insider, ex-West Ham senior scout Mick Brown, didn’t hold back in his criticism of the boardroom — saying their problems go all the way back to when he was employed by the Irons.

Given this is coming from someone who once worked for West Ham, it is evident that fans’ frustrations are entirely justified.

Now, Nuno is the latest under-fire boss to be tasked with getting the best out of this uninspired West Ham side, who’ve looked as poor of an outfit as we’ve seen this season.

January represents a major lifeline for the club as they reportedly target a new defender, midfielder and forward, but questions will be asked as to why they didn’t address these three positions properly in the summer.

Come the winter, it could even be a case of too little, too late.

Insider shares more "bad news" for West Ham as Nuno dealt "another injury blow"

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Em campo, a temporada do Vitória já acabou, mas fora dele o clube passa por um momento decisivo neste sábado (13). Das 9h às 19h (de Brasília), os sócio-torcedores vão ter a oportunidade de escolher o novo presidente da instituição para o triênio 2026/2028, além do vice-presidente e líderes do Conselho Deliberativo e Conselho Fiscal. Abaixo, o Lance! traz as principais informações sobre o pleito.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFutebol NacionalCoritiba supera concorrentes e deve fechar com volante do VitóriaFutebol Nacional11/12/2025VitóriaContratações do Vitória: veja quem fica e quem sai do time em 2026Vitória11/12/2025VitóriaPresidente do Vitória alfineta o Bahia: ‘Não é nordestino’Vitória10/12/2025

✅ Clique aqui e siga o canal do Leão no WhatsApp para ficar por dentro das últimas notícias

Antes de conhecer as duas chapas concorrentes, é importante o torcedor se atentar para alguns processos que devem ser seguidos no dia da votação.

O local será acessado pelos torcedores no Portão 18, que leva ao Estacionamento Premium, na Avenida Artêmio Castro Valente. O estacionamento será gratuito e funcionará a partir das 8h, com entrada pela rampa da Avenida Mário Sérgio.

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No local, só serão permitidos sócios aptos a votar, a comissão eleitoral, os representantes de chapas e fiscais. Para exercer o voto, o torcedor vai passar por uma triagem no Portão 18 e precisa levar documento de identificação original com foto.

A apuração começa logo depois do término da votação, e a proclamação da posse é feita no mesmo dia, para mandato até dezembro de 2028.

➡️Contratações do Vitória: veja quem fica e quem sai do time em 2026

As chapas nas eleições do Vitória

O atual presidente do Vitória, Fábio Mota, vai concorrer à reeleição com a chapa Leão Colossal. Aos 54 anos, Mota está à frente do clube desde 2021, quando o então presidente Paulo Carneiro foi afastado. De início, ele assumiu de forma interina e só foi efetivado em maio de 2022 ao ser eleito com 821 votos (66% do total). À época, o Rubro-Negro vivia uma das piores crises da sua história e tinha acabado de ser rebaixado para a Série C.

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Advogado, historiador e pecuarista, Fábio Mota também já foi presidente do Conselho Deliberativo do Vitória de 2020 a 2022 e ocupou o cargo de secretário municipal de Salvador em três áreas diferentes: Cultura e Turismo, Urbanismo e Transporte, e Mobilidade.

A chapa Leão Colossal também tem Nilton Almeida e Nilton Sampaio Filho como candidatos à reeleição para os cargos de presidente e vice do Conselho Deliberativo, respectivamente. Já Raimundo Viana e Bruno Torres também tentam continuar como líderes do Conselho Fiscal, como presidente e vice.

Principais propostas de Fábio Mota:

Busca por uma SAF de forma responsável e cautelosa;Arena Barradão para captar novas receitas e atrair investidores para a SAF;Responsabilidade fiscal com orçamento;Investimento nas categorias de base.

Do outro lado da disputa está Marcone Amaral, de 47 anos, que tem vasta experiência política, mas ficou conhecido pelo torcedor depois da sua passagem pelo clube como zagueiro, a partir de 1994. Ele se profissionalizou na Toca do Leão e conquistou três títulos do Campeonato Baiano e dois da Copa do Nordeste.

Depois, Marcone seguiu para o mundo árabe e fez sucesso no Catar, onde jogou por 11 anos e chegou a defender a seleção local. De volta ao Brasil, ele entrou para o mundo da política ao assumir como prefeito de Itajuípe, no Sul da Bahia, de 2017 a 2021. Marcone foi reeleito, mas renunciou ao cargo para disputar uma vaga como deputado estadual, posição que ocupa atualmente pelo partido PSD.

A chapa Aliança Vitória SAF tem quatro grupos políticos de oposição a Fábio Mota: Vitória de Verdade, Frente Vitória Popular, ⁠Novo Vitória e ⁠Movimento Vitória SAF. Kito Magalhães é o candidato a vice-presidente.

Já Vagner Reis e Ícaro Argolo concorrem à presidência e vice-presidência do Conselho Deliberativo, respectivamente. Para o Conselho Fiscal, os candidatos são Valmar Sant’anna (presidência) e Domingos Arjones (vice).

Principais propostas de Marcone Amaral:

Busca por um investidor para realização da SAF;Restruturação da divisão de base, políticas de revelação e interiorização da captação de talentos no estado;Reformulação total do Departamento de Futebol e a chegada de um diretor de futebol renomado;⁠Planos de sócio-torcedor de baixa renda pelo CadÚnico e voto online.

Tudo sobre

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Rain seems to be following NZ at this World Cup and there is more expected in Visakhapatnam

Andrew Fidel Fernando25-Oct-20254:21

Preview: Will England’s middle order step up?

Big picture: Can New Zealand salvage some pride?There is very nearly nothing on the line. If England win, they finish No. 2, which does not change their semi-final tie – they will play South Africa regardless. But that little bump up the table will certainly help them progress if the Guwahati knockout is subsequently rained out.New Zealand leave themselves at risk of slipping down to No. 7 or 8 if they lose, but even that is unlikely – Bangladesh having to beat India by a significant margin. The White Ferns will nevertheless be intent on salvaging a victory from an otherwise disappointing campaign. They had had to endure two washouts in Colombo, but have only beaten Bangladesh in their completed matches, going down comfortably to South Africa, India, and Australia.It is also Sophie Devine’s last match in the ODI format, with New Zealand’s captain having announced her retirement at the end of this World Cup. Devine is 36. Team-mate Suzie Bates, who is 38, could also be playing her last World Cup match, though she has not herself announced a retirement.England, meanwhile, may use this as an opportunity to tune up ahead of the final. They have consistently put up the same XI most of the way through the campaign. Perhaps they will give some tired bodies a rest.New Zealand have lost eight of their last nine ODIs against England•ICC/Getty ImagesForm guideEngland: LWWWW (last five completed matches, most recent first)
New Zealand: LWLLWIn the spotlight: Sophie Devine and England’s spin trioOne-hundred-and-fifty-eight matches, 4,256 runs, 110 wickets – whichever way you slice it, Sophie Devine’s numbers are immense. She had been the form batter of the tournament weeks ago, when she hit 112 against Australia, 85 against South Africa, and 63 against Bangladesh. The back-to-back washouts might have broken a litttle of her rhythm however. Can she regain it for her final ODI innings?Between Sophie Ecclestone (11), Linsey Smith (9), and Charlie Dean (7), England’s frontline spinners have 27 wickets in the tournament. None of these bowlers have gone at more than five an over (Dean has been by a distance the most expensive, with an economy rate of 4.73). They’d mostly had a quiet game in the loss to Australia. They will attempt to reimpose themselves.Team news: Will England rest key players?England may ring in the changes. With Sophia Dunkley not having made a major impact this tournament, could Danni Wyatt-Hodge come in? Could legspinner Sarah Glenn give one of the frontline spinners a rest?England (possible): 1 Amy Jones (wk), 2 Tammy Beaumont, 3 Heather Knight, 4 Nat Sciver-Brunt (capt), 5 Sophia Dunkley/Danni Wyatt-Hodge, 6 Emma Lamb, 7 Alice Capsey, 8 Charlie Dean, 9 Sophie Ecclestone/Sarah Glenn, 10 Linsey Smith, 11 Lauren BellFor New Zealand, there’s a little scrutiny on the place of Eden Carson, who has taken two wickets in the tournament.New Zealand (possible): 1 Suzie Bates, 2 Georgia Plimmer, 3 Amelia Kerr, 4 Sophie Devine, 5 Brooke Halliday, 6 Maddy Green, 7 Isabella Gaze (wk), 8 Jess Kerr, 9 Rosemary Mair, 10, Lea Tahuhu, 11 Eden Carson4:19

Healy, Knight, Mandhana, Devine, Dottin – analysing the best six-hitters

Pitch and conditions: Can the rain please stop?You won’t believe this, but there are rains forecast for Visakhapatnam on Sunday, with a cyclone supposedly brewing in the Bay of Bengal. So far this venue has seen medium-to-high scores during this World Cup, with India and Australia both having made more than 330 here in one match.Stats and trivia: NZ’s poor record vs England Sophie Ecclestone has taken at least one wicket in every match she has played so far this World Cup. Although she’s played only four innings, Devine is still among the tournament’s top five run-scorers, with 266 runs at an average of 66.50. New Zealand have lost eight of their last nine ODIs against England – a stretch that goes back to September 2021.

Arsenal have now joined the race to sign Marseille striker Robinio Vaz, who they could be a perfect fit for their attack, but there is set to be competition from a Premier League rival.

Despite bringing in Viktor Gyokeres in the summer transfer window, the Gunners have still been left a little light on options at centre-forward this season, with the Sweden international missing the last two Premier League games, alongside long-term absentee Kai Havertz.

However, Mikel Arteta’s side didn’t look like they were missing their star strikers one jot on Sunday afternoon, making a real statement with a 4-1 victory against bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby, with Eberechi Eze bagging a hat-trick.

Despite not scoring, Mikel Merino managed to impress in the absence of Gyokeres and Havertz, setting up Leandro Trossard’s opening goal, which suggests the north Londoners now have a deep enough squad to cope with any injury setbacks.

However, that hasn’t stopped Arteta & co identifying a new striker as a target…

Arsenal join race to sign Marseille striker Robinio Vaz

According to a report from Caught Offside, Arsenal have now joined the race to sign Marseille striker Vaz, with scouts of the belief he would be a perfect fit in their forward line, but there could be competition for the 18-year-old’s signature.

Chelsea have now taken the lead in the race for the striker, having already made contact with his representatives, while the Gunners are being more patient, given that the youngster is regarded as a long-term addition to the squad, rather than someone capable of making an instant impact.

The Ligue 1 side are reluctant to cash-in, but a deal could be relatively affordable for the two London giants if they choose to step up their interest, given that the Frenchman’s asking price is around the €20m – €30m (£18m – £26m) mark.

The teenager, who has made two Champions League appearances this season, has been described as “pure quality” by scout Jacek Kulig, and there have been signs he could be a difference-maker in Marseille’s push to win the Ligue 1 title.

The centre-forward has managed to impress when coming off the bench this season, and he already has four goals to his name in the league, while also registering two assists.

That said, while Vaz may have the potential to become a top-level striker, it would not be the end of the world if Arsenal miss out, considering Arteta already has Gyokeres and Havertz at his disposal, while Gabriel Jesus has now returned to first-team training.

Viktor Gyokeres has been named as one of the best strikers in the world The Best 15 Strikers in World Football Ranked (2025)

Who is the best number nine right now?

ByCharlie Smith Nov 20, 2025

كشفت صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية تطورات موقف تشابي ألونسو المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ريال مدريد، من الشائعات التي أثيرت الساعات الماضية حول عدم استمراره بعد التعادل أمام إلتشي.

وكان ريال مدريد قد تعثر أمام إلتشي وتعادل بنتيجة 2/2 في المباراة التي جمعتهما ضمن منافسات الجولة الثالثة عشر من بطولة الدوري الإسباني “لا ليجا”.

وأصبح رصيد ريال مدريد 32 نقطة في صدارة ترتيب الدوري الإسباني، متقدمًا بفارق نقطة عن الوصيف برشلونة، الذي حقق فوزًا أمام أتلتيك بلباو برباعية نظيفة في نفس الجولة.

ووفقًا لصحيفة ماركا الإسبانية، فإن إدارة ريال مدريد تدرك تمامًا أن تشابي ألونسو هو قائد المشروع وفوق كل اللاعبين مهما كانت أهميتهم للنادي داخل الملعب وخارجه.

وأفادت أنه لا يزال الالتزام تجاه المدرب راسخًا رغم النتائج السيئة في آخر ثلاث مباريات والتي هددت صدارة الفريق في الدوري حيث الفارق نقطة واحدة بعدما كان 5 نقاط والخسارة أمام ليفربول في دوري أبطال أوروبا.

اقرأ أيضًا | قائمة ريال مدريد لمباراة أولمبياكوس في دوري أبطال أوروبا.. غيابات بالجملة

لا شك لدى إدارة ريال مدريد أن تشابي ألونسو هو المدرب المثالي لقيادة الفريق، وفي هذا الصدد، النتائج تتحدث عن نفسها، فرغم الانتكاسات والشكوك الأخيرة، يتمتع الفريق بوضع يسمح له بالمنافسة على اللقبين المنتظرين حاليًا وهما الدوري الإسباني ودوري أبطال أوروبا مع كأس السوبر الإسباني وكأس ملك إسبانيا في عام 2026.

وأكدت أن ريال مدريد يعتبر ألونسو هو القائد وأن الإدارة ستساند جميع قرارات المدرب بما في ذلك المثيرة للجدل مثل إبعاد فينيسيوس عن التشكيلة الأساسية أو تجربة تشكيلات تكتيكية مختلفة، مثل الدفاع بخمسة لاعبين الذي استُخدم في آخر مباراة للفريق يوم الأحد الماضي في إلتشي.

النادي الإسباني لديه ثقة تامة بقدرات مدرب باير ليفركوزن السابق وذلك بسبب مسيرته التدريبية القصيرة والناجحة والتي تُوجت بالألقاب التي فاز بها في ألمانيا.

وذكرت أن النادي يعتبر الاضطرابات الناتجة عن انتكاسات الفريق الأخيرة، لا سيما في مباراتيه في الدوري ضد رايو فاليكانو وإلتشي، أمرًا طبيعيًا لكنه لا يشكك في جودة ألونسو نظرًا لتوقيعه عقدًا لمدة ثلاث سنوات.

واختتمت أنه يبقى الرأي السائد، هو أن المدرب الإسباني يعتبر الأنسب لقيادة الحقبة الجديدة بعد رحيل كارلو أنشيلوتي، أنجح مدرب في تاريخ ريال مدريد، ويعتقد النادي أن النتائج حتى الآن تُثبت صحة هذا القرار.

There's only one game on the slate today after the Detroit Tigers, San Diego Padres and Kansas City Royals punched their tickets yesterday in two-game sweeps. 

The New YorkMets-Milwaukee Brewers matchup has been so much fun, and I can't wait to see this one play out today.

Let's follow the trend of backing the underdog!

If you had bet the underdog in every MLB playoff game so far, you would be 5-3, and your bankroll would be growing nicely. 

We're also going to follow the trend of this series going over.   Most playoff games tend to be low-scoring, but both games in this series have gone over, and with the season on the line, I trust these bats more. 

MLB Best Bets Today for Mets vs. Brewers Game 3

• Mets ML +114
• Over 7.5 +104

The Mets will start Jose Quintana tonight, who has an ERA of 3.75 this season, though his xERA is 4.49, according to Statcast. In two games vs. the Brewers this season, Quintana has allowed 11 hits, a .314 batting average, and four runs with an ERA of 4.00.

Quintana's 3.33 walks per nine could get him into some trouble with the Brewers' 9.7% regular-season walk rate, the second-best mark in the league. 

Tobias Myers starts for the Brewers. Myers has an ERA of 3.00 this season with an xERA of 4.11.  In his single outing vs. the Mets, he faced 14 batters and allowed only one hit and no earned runs.  

That's why we are getting another low game total, and the Brewers are favored.

Both bullpens have an ERA of 4.50 in this series. Managers will quickly make moves with their starters with the season on the line, but I don't have extreme faith in either team's relievers.

In just two playoff games, the Mets have hit .389 with a .958 OPS and 11 RBI with runners in scoring position. The Brewers have hit .250 with five RBI. That stat has me backing the Mets and the over in Game 3. 

The Mets have also scored the most runs and had an 11.5% walk rate with one stolen base. The Brewers have an uncharacteristic 2.9% walk rate over the last two.

Let's root for the bats today, with the underdogs coming out on top. 

Northants seamer destroys Worcestershire at the front and back to make it four wins in a row

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay06-Jun-2025Northamptonshire 190 for 5 (Vasconcelos 59, Duffy 2-27) Worcestershire 159 (Roderick 29, Sanderson 6-8) by 31 runsBen Sanderson stole the show as he returned figures of 6 for 8, including sealing the match with a hat-trick, as Northants Steelbacks hurried to a 31-run win over Worcestershire Rapids in the Vitality Blast North Group.Setting their opponents 191 to win, it was Ricardo Vasconcelos (59) who anchored the Steelbacks innings.In reply, the hosts never got a foothold in the game, with plenty of batters making starts, but regular wickets hampering their pursuit of a competitive score. Sanderson’s exceptional evening was capped off with three-in-three as a clinical Northants bowling performance secured them a fourth straight win.Having won the toss and elected to bat first, David Willey’s side got off to the worst possible start, losing opener Matthew Breetzke, in the first over of the match when he was caught off a Jacob Duffy bouncer.Ricardo Vasconcelos, came together with Willey, with both playing the conditions and bowling superbly, as pace on the ball only aided the run scoring.The pair added 74 for the second-wicket, including Willey taking one Ethan Brookes over for 21. Worcestershire had their spinners to thank in the middle overs however, as Tom Hinely removed Willey for 36, before Fateh Singh entered the attack to dismiss Justin Broad for 1.At 79 for 3, Vasconcelos was the in and set batter for Northants, who continued his terrific display of ball-striking on his way to an eye-catching 50 off just 34 balls.With veteran Ravi Bopara at the crease, the visitors continued their progress as the run-rate lingered around the ten-an-over mark, as the pair brought up their fifty partnership for the fourth-wicket.Fateh Singh (1 for 16) produced a canny four-over spell for his side, before Australian seamer Ben Dwarshuis returned to end the dangerous Vasoncelos onslaught for 59.Bopara, departed shortly after when he failed to clear the long-off boundary, and with his exit the Steelbacks found themselves stuttering somewhat at 147 for 5, doing well to add 43 in the final three overs to set the home side 191 to win.Sanderson opened his account for the evening when he removed the Rapids skipper in the second over of the reply, before following up with the big wicket of Kashif Ali, in his next, to leave Worcestershire 22 for 2 after four-overs.Pollock was the next man to go, before Brookes (15) followed suit not long after when Lloyd Pope had him caught out, as the Steelbacks bowling unit tightened their grip on proceedings.Adam Hose held the key for the hosts, as he continued to accumulate boundaries with new partner Gareth Roderick – but when he held out for 27, the odds were stacked against the Rapids.George Scrimshaw castled the threatening Gareth Roderick for 29, before the Rapids lost Hinley (21) and Dwarshuis (26), to all but end their hopes of a big comeback.Sanderson finished the evening with a hat-trick, to complete his exceptional figures of 6 for 8 from his four over spell, as he and his bowling counterparts drove their team to a thoroughly deserved 31-run victory.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola now personally wants to hijack Real Madrid and sign a “phenomenal” midfielder, who is valued at £87m.

Pep sets out to sign new midfielder amid Rodri concerns

After spending the majority of the 2024-25 season on the treatment table due to an ACL injury, Rodri has been eased back into the team by Pep, but the Spaniard suffered yet another setback in the 1-0 triumph at Brentford prior to the international break.

The central midfielder was ruled out of contention for Spain’s World Cup qualifiers, with Pep going on to express hope that it will be a matter of weeks, not months, before the 29-year-old returns.

He's perfect for Pep: Man City now rivalling Real Madrid for "pacy" £52m star

City are set to battle it out for a new defender, who is regarded as ideal for Pep Guardiola.

ByDominic Lund Oct 15, 2025

The City boss also went on to add: “You asked me why I don’t play him 90 minutes all the time. The journalists always ask me why I substitute him. This is why we tried to be gentle and play [him] for 60-65 minutes.”

Amid concerns over Rodri, the Blues have set out to bolster his options in the engine room, submitting offers for two up-and-coming English midfielders earlier this week, and a Premier League star has also now emerged as a target.

That is according to a report from Spain, which states Pep now personally wants to hijack Real Madrid and sign Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton, with Man City expressing serious interest in securing his signature.

Manchester United have also set out to sign Wharton, off the back of the midfielder’s impressive performances for the Eagles, and sources suggest the south Londoners could hold out for a fee of around €100m (£87m).

However, with the Englishman contracted until 2029, and happy at Selhurst Park, Palace currently have no pressing need to cash-in, with a move more likely to transpire next summer than in January.

"Phenomenal" Wharton has earned move to top club

In many ways, it is a real surprise the 21-year-old has just one England cap to his name, given the impact the central midfielder has made ever since arriving at Palace, with Dan Cook of HLTCO being left particularly impressed.

In his only appearance for England, which came against Bosnia & Herzegovina just over a year ago, the youngster became the only midfielder to attempt 30+ passes on his Three Lions debut and complete each one, in what was an assured performance.

Given Wharton’s passing ability, he could flourish in a Pep system, and Man City should undoubtedly make a move in 2026.

Despite securing their first league win of the season last time out, Glasgow Rangers are still reportedly set to look at one particular candidate to replace Russell Martin.

Martin responds to Rangers fan backlash

Even after Max Aarons netted a last-gasp winner against Livingston, the travelling Rangers fans chanted against Martin. In their eyes, one win changes nothing. There’s still plenty of work for the Southampton manager to do before he gets his own supporters back onside. Whether he’ll earn the results or the time to do that is the big question.

After a disastrous start, the Gers have picked up two wins in their last three games and have the chance to secure back-to-back victories against SK Sturm Graz in the Europa League this Thursday.

The focus will then move straight back to the Scottish Premiership, when Rangers will play host to a struggling Falkirk in what is another must-win game.

For now, despite what the fans think, Martin believes he still has the faith of the players, having told reporters following Sunday’s win: “All I can say to that is… Hibs, and today in the first half is the best we’ve been. So it suggests to me that the players are desperate to do it and improve.”

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That may not stop the 49ers from considering all their options, however. So far, their first managerial appointment in Scotland hasn’t exactly gone to plan and the likes of Kevin Thelwell are already reportedly set to look at one candidate who could arrive to replace Martin.

Rangers to "look at" Steven Gerrard

As the pressure persists on Martin, the 49ers and Rangers are set to “look at” Steven Gerrard, according to former scout Mick Brown. The former Liverpool midfielder endured an impressive spell as Gers boss from 2018 to 2021 and could now make an incredible return to replace Martin.

Brown told Football Insider: “Gerrard is always going to be one Rangers look at. He knows the club well, knows a lot of the staff and people around the place, and he was very well-liked by the fans when he was there as well, I’m sure the fans would love it if he came back.

“He did a good job during his time there, obviously won them the league and then got a move elsewhere which didn’t quite work out.

“I think he’s exactly the type of manager they need, because he’s somebody who the fans and the players can get behind and somebody who is going to push them forward.”

Gerrard is, of course, the last manager to win the Scottish Premiership at Rangers and dethrone Celtic, so a return wouldn’t be a bad idea for the 49ers. As for the 45-year-old, himself, he could certainly do with some managerial redemption after failed spells at Aston Villa and Al-Ettifaq.

Gaikwad suffered an elbow injury while batting in the last game against Royals

Deivarayan Muthu04-Apr-20255:46

Rayudu on home fans rooting for CSK wickets: Only Dhoni can address it

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain Ruturaj Gaikwad is a doubtful starter for their home game against Delhi Captals (DC) at Chepauk on Saturday. MS Dhoni is likely to take over captaincy if Gaikwad doesn’t recover in time.Gaikwad had suffered a blow on his unprotected elbow against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Guwahati last Sunday after stepping out to Tushar Deshpande and missing the ball in the second over in CSK’s unsuccessful chase of 183.”Yeah, we’re hoping he [Gaikwad] is going to try and have a bat today for training,” Mike Hussey, CSK’s batting coach, said at his press conference on the eve of the match against DC. “And, yeah, it [elbow] is still a little bit sore, but it’s improving every day. So, we’re very hopeful that he’ll be fine for tomorrow.Related

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“I don’t think we’ve actually thought about that [captaincy] too much. Well, I haven’t thought about it too much. I’m sure Stephen Fleming [CSK head coach] and Rutu have thought about that. But we’ve got some young guy coming through. He’s behind the stumps. Maybe he can do a good job. I’m not sure. He’s got a bit of experience in the role, so maybe he could do it. But I’m not exactly sure, to be honest.”After being struck on the forearm last weekend, Gaikwad received some treatment on the field and continued to bat, scoring his second half-century in three matches this season. On Friday, Gaikwad only had a light workout for about ten minutes, taking throwdowns outside the nets. If he isn’t available to play, CSK will have to find a new top-order batter as well.Devon Conway, who was among the first group of batters to bat the nets on Friday, might be frontrunner to come in for Gaikwad and perhaps open with Rahul Tripathi, with Rachin Ravindra dropping down to No. 3. That may force CSK to leave out Jamie Overton and bring in an Indian fast bowler in Anshul Kamboj.Dhoni, 43, is functioning at reduced capacity, with Fleming saying his knees don’t allow him to bat too long. He has been CSK captain since their inception in 2008, barring the two years they were suspended and a few matches in 2022 when they tried handing over the reins to Ravindra Jadeja and it didn’t work out. Dhoni last led the team in the IPL final in 2023. CSK won that game, adding a fifth IPL title to their collection. But when the new season began, they had appointed Gaikwad as captain. CSK finished fifth in 2024, and missed the playoffs on net run rate.Andhra’s Shaik Rasheed, Tamil Nadu’s C Andre Siddarth and Delhi’s Vansh Bedi are the reserve Indian batters in the CSK squad, but all three are uncapped in the IPL.Mumbai teenager Ayush Mhatre, who recently broke Yashasvi Jaiswal’s record for the youngest batter to hit a 150-plus score in List A cricket, has joined CSK’s camp as a support player. It is understood that Mhatre’s presence in the camp is unrelated to Gaikwad’s injury or any other potential injury concerns.