Roman Abramovich ‘offers’ Chelsea to Swiss billionaire Wyss, Madrid CONFIRM Hazard fate, Australian tournament – updates

Biel be alright

Marcelo Bielsa cut an emotional figure as he said goodbye to Leeds fans outside Elland Road after being sacked.

The popular Argentine was mobbed by supporters as he posed for pictures and signed autographs.

It comes on the same day Bielsa's dismissal at Leeds was confirmed, following a shocking run of results.

Prem giants to battle for Johnson

Tottenham are ready to battle Arsenal and Liverpool for West Ham star Ben Johnson.

Arsenal soon started taking close notice of him along with North London rivals Tottenham.

And Liverpool are also keen, according to .

No potential fee has been mentioned regarding any transfer fee.

We Marsch on

Jesse Marsch vowed to win over the Leeds fans - even if they don’t like his American accent. 

The Whites’ new head coach admitted he has everything to prove after replacing “hero” Marcelo Bielsa. 

Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani revealed he had to fast-track Bielsa’s exit because “something was broken”. 

Radrizzani said they were planning for Bielsa to leave in the summer, but that he had to sack the Argentine after five defeats in six left them two points off the drop. 

Marsch, 48, was appointed head coach last night, pending international clearance, with 12 games to beat the drop. 

And he said: “I have a lot to prove to our fanbase, that I’m the right guy to follow such a hero like Marcelo Bielsa. I respect totally their loyalty to Bielsa."

Good morning footy fans

Leeds have confirmed Jesse Marsch as their new boss to replace Marcelo Bielsa.

The Elland Road club's director of football Victor Orta said: “We are delighted to welcome Jesse to the club and excited for him to lead us into this new chapter.

“Jesse is someone we identified a number of years ago during his time at Red Bull Salzburg and we believe his philosophy and style of football aligns with that of the club and will suit the players very well.

“We have a long-term plan and firmly believe he can take Leeds United to the next level and are excited for what the future holds.”

Meanwhile, Fifa have booted Russia out of the World Cup - as football finally showed its spine.

After days of dither and delay, the global game belatedly stood up for the people of Ukraine by urging sporting sanctions against Russia and Belarus.

And less than 24 hours after Fifa tried to head off growing calls for a worldwide suspension by ordering Russia’s play-off with Poland to be played behind closed doors in a neutral country, President Gianni Infantino finally acted.

In a joint statement the world body announced: "FIFA and UEFA have today decided together that all Russian teams, whether national representative teams or club teams, shall be suspended from participation in both FIFA and UEFA competitions until further notice.

"Football is fully united here and in full solidarity with all the people affected in Ukraine. 

"Both Presidents hope that the situation in Ukraine will improve significantly and rapidly so that football can again be a vector for unity and peace amongst people."

Finally, Franck Ribery has been involved in a CAR CRASH and will now be forced to skip Salernitana training after suffering a head injury.

The former Bayern Munich winger, 38, is claimed to have been a passenger in a vehicle involved in a road traffic collision.

Ribery is set to miss around a week of action following what the club called a 'mild head injury'.

Vardy back to boost Foxes

There's one Premier League game this midweek, but it's important to matters at the bottom of the table.

Eighteenth-placed Burnley host Leicester on Tuesday evening with the chance to move out of the relegation zone for the first time since September.

However, the Clarets will not be counting their chickens after it was revealed that Jamie Vardy was back in contention for the out-of-form Foxes. The 35-year-old has been out since December with injury.

Speaking earlier this afternoon, Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers revealed: "Jamie's looked sharp in the few days’ training he’s had.

"He's a proven player with that mentality and to have that back is great. To be able to travel [to Turf Moor] and feature is a huge boost."

Pep pays tribute to Bielsa

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has hailed sacked Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa as 'spectacular', and insists the Argentine will have left a lasting impression on the club.

Speaking at his press conference ahead of the midweek FA Cup clash with Peterborough, Guardiola said: "I am so sorry for him. His legacy is there in Leeds’ city and the club, and I am pretty sure with the players.

"Unfortunately as managers, we are subject to results and lately they were not good. But in his four seasons, they was spectacular to watch and I wish him all the best."

Guardiola has been an admirer of Bielsa since his playing days, and once referred to El Loco as 'the best manager in the world.'

Fab finish to top four race

The battle to finish in the top four of the Premier League will go down to a dramatic final day shoot-out.

That's the view of West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, who is confident that his team will be involved in the fight for the Champions League until the very end.

Fabianski kept a clean sheet yesterday as the Hammers claimed a much-needed win against one of their rivals for European football, Wolves.

Afterwards he said: “I think if you look at the history of the Premier League it always goes to the last day of the season.

“What we want to do is basically stay in the mix and do our best, to give ourselves the chance to compete for the highest possible position in the table.

Tearful Thiago to be assessed

Liverpool face an anxious wait to discover the extent of Thiago's hamstring injury sustained in the warm-up just minutes before yesterday's League Cup Final was due to start.

The Spanish midfielder was then spotted on the bench in tears at the game's kick-off, having to be consoled by substitute goalkeeper Alisson.

The Reds will be hoping for good news with the player seen as pivotal to the club's Premier League title challenge.

Thiago was certainly a much happier figure by the end of Sunday's contest, and was able to participate in the on-field celebrations with his teammates.

FA quiz flare player Elliott

The Football Association have written to Harvey Elliott for his observations following the celebrations at the end of yesterday's League Cup Final, in which he was seen handling a red flare.

Elliott was a second half substitute at Wembley, despite not being named in Liverpool's original squad.

The teenager was called on to the bench minutes before kick-off when starter Thiago pulled out with an injury sustained in the warm-up.

Liverpool Football Club have declined to comment to Sky Sports on the incident.

Roman assisting in peace talks

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is reportedly in Belarus to assist in peace talks between Ukraine and Russia over the current conflict.

The bizarre twist comes just days after he gave up control of the London club amid questions over his links to tyrant Vladimir Putin.

However, Abramovich's spokesman declined to comment on reports he had flown to the country which borders both Ukraine and Russia.

"I can confirm that Roman Abramovich was contacted by the Ukrainian side for support in achieving a peaceful resolution, and that he has been trying to help ever since," said a spokesman for Abramovich.

"Considering what is at stake, we would ask for your understanding as to why we have not commented on neither the situation as such nor his involvement."

Buffon extends incredible playing career

Gianluigi Buffon has signed a new contract with Parma that will keep the legendary goalkeeper at the club until 2024.

The 44-year-old is back at the club where he began his astonishing playing career back in 1995, and has now agreed to stay on for a further two seasons.

Buffon spent the best years of his career at Juventus, for whom he made more than 500 league appearances. He also won 176 caps for Italy between 1997 and 2018.