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The finishing faults of Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane at Liverpool puzzle Peter Crouch, with the former Reds striker admitting he expects neither to score when presented with an opportunity.

Confidence has eroded within Jurgen Klopp's squad this season, with the reigning Premier League champions enduring a humbling fall from grace.

A once-fearsome attacking unit has not been immune to criticism and dips in form - despite Mohamed Salah maintaining his impressive standards - and questions continue to be asked of where Mane and Firmino, who have 19 goals between them, figure in future plans.

What has been said?

After seeing the pair draw a blank again in the 1-1 draw with Newcastle, Crouch told the Daily Mail: "One thing jumped out at me on Saturday when I was watching the game. It was the moment Salah got through in the first half and teed it up for Mane to finish. The Mane of last year or the year before doesn't think twice and he puts his foot through it.

"When he took a touch, however, I knew that was it. His confidence has deserted him and it's the same for Firmino. I watch Firmino play and I see a beautiful footballer, whose flicks and positional play are outstanding but when he takes a shot, I expect it to roll on the floor to the goalkeeper.

"It's important to stress that these two players command so much respect and I am not in the business of saying they should be sold. I was asked about moving them on by a reader last week and I found it disrespectful to say, after all they have done, that they should be sold.

"I'm prepared to give both of them some grace this season because things have been so strange. Liverpool need the season to end, their players need to be re-energised and I wouldn't write them off. At the same time, they really do have something to prove in August."

Can Liverpool rediscover their spark?

Injuries have conspired against the Reds during a testing 2020-21 campaign, with the hope being that luck will turn next season.

With a fully fit squad, and with potential summer additions added to the pot, Liverpool can be expected to come back into contention for major silverware.

It does, however, remain to be seen whether high-profile exits will be sanctioned in the next window.

The likes of Mane and Salah have been linked with Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona for some time, with the potential there for big-money bids to be tabled.

Klopp, though, has offered no indication that he is considering sales and remains fully focused on lifting his underperforming side out of sixth spot in the Premier League and back into the top four.

Further reading

Zinedine Zidane has confirmed Eden Hazard is in line for a reunion with Chelsea, with Real Madrid also expecting to have Toni Kroos at their disposal for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday.

Real have been ravaged by injuries this season, with the Belgian playmaker among those to have spent more time on the sidelines than anyone in the Spanish capital would have liked.

Hazard did however get 15 minutes off the bench in the Liga meeting with Real Betis on Sunday, and is now in contention to face his former employers from Stamford Bridge.

What has been said?

Zidane told reporters at his pre-match press conference: "I don’t see Eden having any doubts. He looked very good on the field the other day.

"That was the most important, not feeling anything from his old problems. Now he is good, and now to push on. We are happy to have him with us, he will bring a lot to the team."

Who else will play for Real?

Germany international midfielder Toni Kroos has been out of action since the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie with Liverpool on April 14, but is now ready to step back in.

French left-back Ferland Mendy is, however, set to be missing once again as he nurses a calf complaint.

Zidane said: "Toni will be available, Ferland won't."

Any other business?

There have been suggestions that Real's involvement in the controversial Super League proposals, which have been shelved for now, could see them banned by UEFA.

Zidane doubts that will be the case and said: "It's absurd to think that we won't be in the Champions League [next season[.

"There is a lot of talk from the outside. There is going to be a lot of talk, but as we don't control it, I'm just focusing on the game.

"My opinion is that we all want to see Madrid in the Champions League."

Further reading

Manchester City captain Fernandinho has stated Riyad Mahrez is ‘high in confidence’ following his man-of-the-match performance in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final triumph over Tottenham Hotspur.

The 30-year-old dazzled at Wembley Stadium as Aymeric Laporte’s 82nd-minute header secured a 1-0 victory for the Citizens.

Mahrez played from start to finish for City and he was named the Man of the Match as a reward for his attacking contributions in the encounter.

Although he could not add to his tally of 11 goals and six assists in all competitions on Sunday, Fernandinho noted Mahrez’s impact in games.

"He's really important. He's really confident. He has his confidence back and I'm really happy to see him high in confidence,” Fernandinho told the club website.

"He can help us a lot during the games."

Sunday’s cup win sealed Manchester City’s fourth Carabao Cup title in a row and Mahrez was thrilled with the presence of the club faithful at Wembley.

"It’s so good to have the fans back. They made a massive difference,” he said after the game.

"The atmosphere with just 8,000 fans was amazing and we can’t wait to have more fans back soon."

The 2016 African Footballer of the Year added that they were patient for the late winning goal after dominating the match with the most chances and possession.

"We knew it was going to be tough. We stayed focused, we kept dominating the ball and then we scored. I think we deserved to win,” he continued.

"You are always scared because it is a good team but we are confident in our game. It is a very good win and we get the trophy again. We are very happy.

"We just focus on every competition that we play in. Today was a final, whether we play well or not we have to win - today I think we played good and won."

Mahrez will hope to maintain his fine form when he travels back to his city of birth for Wednesday's Champions League semi-final clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City.

Raphael Varane has addressed his contract situation at Real Madrid amid rumours linking him with Manchester United and Chelsea.

Speculation over Varane's future is rife as he heads towards the final year of his current deal at Santiago Bernabeu, with the Blancos having yet to reach an agreement with the defender over an extension.

It has been suggested that Varane could take up a new challenge in the Premier League this summer amid reported interest from United and Chelsea, but the Frenchman insists he isn't looking that far ahead.

What's been said?

Speaking ahead of the first leg of Madrid's Champions League semi-final against Chelsea on Tuesday, Varane told a press conference: “My future is clear. I am focused on the end of this season.

"We are in a very intense and key moment."

Pressed on whether he wants to remain at the Bernabeu beyond 2022, the 28-year-old responded: "It is normal that my focus is on the end of the season. The message to the fans is that I am 100 per cent committed to the team.

"We have challenges that encourage us a lot. I am focused on giving everything on the field."

Madrid's stance on Varane

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane moved to try and silence the rumours surrounding Varane back in November, insisting that the centre-back remains a key member of his squad and will not be sold.

However, club president Florentino Perez was less convincing when quizzed on Varane last week, as he told Spanish radio station El Larguero: "Varane? I’m happy with our team... if players don't want to stay at Madrid they can leave."

Varane's record at Madrid

Varane has long been one of the most sought-after defenders in European football, having enjoyed an illustrious career with Madrid over the past 10 years which has seen him win 18 major trophies.

The World Cup winner's long list of awards includes three La Liga titles and four Champions League crowns, and he has appeared in 357 games in all competitions for the club to date while striking up a formidable partnership with Blancos captain Sergio Ramos.

Further reading

Unai Emery considers Mikel Arteta and Arsenal to be a "good marriage" with the former Gunners boss claiming to look back fondly on his time at Emirates Stadium despite being ushered through the exits as a fellow Spaniard took his place.

The north London heavyweights made the change in their dugout in November 2019, with the gamble taken on Emery to succeed Arsene Wenger written off after just 18 months.

Former club captain Arteta left Pep Guardiola's side at Manchester City, and FA Cup glory has been enjoyed alongside a run to this season's Europa League semi-finals.

What has been side?

Arsenal are set to meet Emery and his Villarreal side in the last-four of continental competition, with a man who knows the Gunners well claiming to see signs of progress despite more struggles for consistency in 2020-21.

Emery told UEFA's official website: "Arteta is putting his own stamp on things – in the way they play, it’s easy to identify he’s bringing back that Arsenal tradition of playing attractive football.

"His first steps as Pep Guardiola’s assistant have helped him to position himself in this new profession which is being the manager. Now he has been given this opportunity at Arsenal, and I think it’s a good place to develop because he is much loved by Arsenal thanks to the time he spent in the team. 

"He had his time [playing] there with Arsene Wenger so I’m sure he can apply everything he learned. I think it’s a good marriage: Arteta-Arsenal, Arsenal-Arteta."

Emery's record at Arsenal

The Spaniard did guide the Gunners to the Europa League final during his time in England, only to suffer defeat against domestic rivals Chelsea.

He was backed with big money in the transfer market, but failed to deliver on expectations and departed after 43 wins, 16 draws and 19 defeats from 78 games at the helm.

Reflecting on his time with the Gunners, Emery added: "Arsenal’s history is renowned throughout the world. I am lucky enough to have coached over there, although it ended in unwanted circumstances. Now I'm happy where I am and appreciate my new coaching job at Villarreal.

"I have great memories from my one year and four or five-month stay at Arsenal. We experienced great moments together on the pitch, such as reaching and preparing for the final against Chelsea, and in the day-to-day stuff as well, at the training ground. Those are great memories but now we are on different teams.

"There are a lot of players that are still there, players who started their careers with me as their coach. I always tell this little anecdote about Bukayo Saka. He made his [Premier League] debut against Fulham, which I remember we won 4-1. I think it kicked off at 12:30, and he played the last eight to ten minutes and didn’t touch the ball. Now he's establishing himself at a high level.

"Many of the players I coached [are still at Arsenal]. I have fond memories of them: Hector Bellerin, [Calum] Chambers, [Rob] Holding: exceptional guys; [Mohamed] Elneny, who is an extraordinary player and an extraordinary person.

"They have [Alexandre] Lacazette, [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang, [Gabriel] Martinelli, who is becoming more important now after a serious injury.

"[Nicolas] Pepe is also an important player, who I think is settling and getting more and more confident. Then you have the younger players such as [Emile] Smith Rowe. Smith Rowe played the pre-season with us at the age of 17, and he has gradually grown after loan spells away.

"You also have [Bernd] Leno, who is a great goalkeeper and good with his feet. He has significant experience."

Further reading

Retired Kenyan striker Ronald Okoth has explained why he thinks the Tanzania Mainland Premier League is one of the best competitions in Africa.

Okoth has cited financial benefits that players enjoy in Tanzania as one of the reasons he feels the East African league has made tremendous steps on matters of development.

“Notable clubs in Tanzania pay sign-on fees in excess of $40,000 and salaries ranging up to $4000 plus a fully furnished apartment,” Okoth tweeted. “Having been invited for a try-out with one of the clubs in Dar es Salaam sometime back, I must admit it’s one of the most attractive and lucrative leagues in Africa.

“Games were a must-win.”

The Tanzanian competition has attracted mentionable regional talents in the recent past including Brazil’s Gerson Fraga, Clatous Chama and Larry Bwalya of Zambia, Meddie Kagere of Rwanda, Joash Onyango and Francis Kahata of Kenya, Chris Mugalu of DR Congo and Uganda’s Taddeo Lwanga all at Simba SC.

At Yanga SC, Mukoko Tonombe and Tuisila Kisinda of DR Congo as well as Kenya’s goalkeeper Farouk Shikhalo are the foreign-based stars. At Azam FC, Never Tigere and Prince Dube of Zimbabwe and Uganda’s Mathias Kigonya are the talents sourced from the regional market.

The former Sofapaka and KCB striker also stated he is hopeful that the Football Kenya Federation Premier League will follow the Mainland Premier League to develop better.

“Despite the challenges, our local league is slowly growing,” he added. ‘Hopefully one day we can make it as lucrative as other elites and pay all our players and managers at the top level decently in order for them to be able to make smart and comfortable future investments.

“We will get there.”

Although he revealed a love for the South African Premier Soccer League, Okoth wondered why the success of the competition cannot be transmitted to the national sides.

“In love with South African club football, my first-choice foreign league that I enjoy watching; beautiful football, professional clubs and players,” he concluded. “I still don’t comprehend how they just can’t replicate the same at the international level with all their organizational factors in place.”

Currently, leagues in Tanzania and Uganda are ongoing while in Kenya it remains suspended due to the rising cases of coronavirus infections.

Andy Robertson has aired his frustration at Liverpool repeating the "same mistakes" in 2020-21, with the dethroned Premier League champions in danger of missing out on a top-four finish.

Big things were expected of Jurgen Klopp's side this season on the back of bringing a 30-year wait for title glory to a close, with many tipping the Reds for more major silverware.

A serious step backwards has been taken at Anfield, with injury struggles doing little to aid that cause, and Robertson admits that - on the back of a frustrating 1-1 draw at home to Newcastle that could have been worse had Callum Wilson not had a goal ruled out for handball - the Reds have made a habit of shooting themselves in the foot.

What has been said?

Robertson told reporters when assessing Liverpool's efforts: "It pretty much sums up our season. We don't learn our lessons, we keep on doing the same thing making the same mistakes.

"Newcastle deserved their goal, the two of them, I think that rule is ridiculous.

"We could be sitting here with a defeat, which is baffling with the amount of chances we had, the first half and even second half and the control.

"What we were based on was that we were so good at seeing out results and we can't do that just now. It's as simple as that.

"Teams always have a chance against us, they always build in confidence the last 10 minutes and believe they can get something. That's not like us.

"We can't keep on coming out and speaking a good game, we're not doing it on the pitch and games are running out."

Will Liverpool finish in the top four?

Stalemate against the Magpies has left Klopp's side sat sixth in the Premier League table, four points adrift of the Champions League qualification spots with five games left to take in.

Robertson concedes that the Reds can only have themselves to blame for sweating on a place in elite continental competition, with their record against struggling rivals this season making for disappointing reading.

The Scotland international left-back added: "This club is a Champions League team.

"We got to the quarters-finals this year - and we are still disappointed with that - and two finals in the space of four years and won the Premier League comfortably last year, so to not have Champions League football next year would deflate the whole club, of course it would.

"This club is based on fighting to the end and that's what we need to do.

"Even if we win the next five games it might still not be enough but we need to put that pressure on the teams.

"There have just been too many games this season where we've dropped too many points. Against the bottom six, if you've only picked five points up at home then unfortunately you are going to fall short of your target."

Liverpool will be back in action on Sunday when they take in a trip to Old Trafford to face arch-rivals Manchester United.

Further reading

Simba SC Communications Officer Haji Manara has taken a jibe at rivals Yanga SC by stating they have a bad team whose realistic chance of winning the league title might occur in 2030.

Timu ya Wananchi played Azam FC in the Tanzania Mainland League assignment on Sunday at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium. They came into the match aiming at getting maximum points and dislodge Simba from the top of the table.

However, it was not the case; with five minutes to go, Zimbabwean Prince Dube unleashed a fierce shot from about 30-yards out that caught goalkeeper Farouk Shikhalo off-guard and it turned out to be the winning goal.

"Just continue thumping your chests daily when the fact remains you have a bad team," Manara posted on his social media platform.

"You are not ready to win the league title [this season], maybe in 2030. I always tell you to build a team and stop competing with Simba but you are not heeding my advice. Now, where are you?

"Thanks, Azam FC [my second team] you have bailed out the nation."

The result on Sunday means Wekundu wa Msimbazi, who have played 24 matches, remain top of the table with 58 points after 18 wins, four draws, and two losses.

Wananchi, who have played three games more, have managed 16 wins, nine draws, and two losses and as a result, they have 57 points. 

On their part, the Ice-cream Makers come in third position with 54 points from 28 matches having won 15 of them, drawn nine, and lost four.

On Saturday, Mnyama defeated Gwambina FC by a solitary goal scored by their assistant captain Mohamed Hussein. The left-back went on to explain how the reigning champions have struggled to get on top of the table.

"I am happy to have scored the winning goal which helped us get on top of the table," Hussein told Goal.

"We have suffered to reach where we are right now, top of the table, and it is even better because my goal took the team top. We will continue giving our best in each and every match to ensure we get maximum points. 

"Winning every game will give us another opportunity to successfully defend our league title."

Kaizer Chiefs attacking midfielder Dumisani Zuma was the hero on Sunday after he came off the bench to score the winning goal in a 2-1 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

Zuma had started the match on the bench but had been introduced to the action shortly before the half-time interval, replacing Khama Billiat after he had taken a knock.

And it proved to be Zuma's day - less than two minutes after fellow substitute Samir Nurkovic's cross had been deflected into his own net by Downs defender Mosa Lebusa, the Amakhosi speedster secured victory when he showed the Sundowns defence a clean pair of heels and finished superbly with a low left-footed shot.

Asked to comment on Zuma, who has started just three league games and made a further seven appearances off the bench this season (he's also had some injury issues), Hunt underlined where he believes the 25-year-old can get better.

"How many coaches have had Zuma here? Quite a few. So it's time, he's really got to...he's got ability, it's the other part of the game, if he gets better at that, he plays,” Hunt told the media.

"And that's without the ball, he's got to get better without the ball, and he did that today. And you could see a resurgence in him with the goal."

It's not only Zuma who Hunt feels can up the defensive side of his game.

"And that's what we've got to have in this team. We've got to get the team good without the ball, and work hard. And then your creative players will come," said the four-time title-winning coach.

"But that's the thing on a daily basis which I do. If we get better without the ball, on Wednesday night (last week's 2-1 defeat to Cape Town City), you know we don't lose the game.

"That's things we can only work on in the training ground."

Mainland Premier League giants Yanga SC have confirmed they are on the right track to complete their first phase of transforming the club.

Last June, the Jangwani giants signed a historic deal with a consultancy firm from La Liga, which was aimed at providing counsel to the club in its transformation and development process.

La Liga’s consulting work with Yanga was to be carried out with the support of Sevilla, a leading La Liga team that will contribute its strategic vision to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of Yanga‘s resource management and complete its evolution into a leading club in Tanzania.

The club’s transformation committee under chairman Alex Mgongolwa recently presented their first report to the club’s chairman Msindo Msolla on the progress they have achieved so far and according to the club’s Vice Chairman of Registration Committee Hersi Said, the next stage will involve the government and stakeholders, who will, in turn, give feedback on the report before they move to the second phase.

“We are going to consult the Tanzania Football Federation, National Sports Council, Tanzania Premier League Board, Ministry for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Fair Competition Committee and other related stakeholders,” Hersi said as quoted by Daily News.

“These will help to give us government direction on the entire issue of club transformation and how it can work out well to have an impact to both sides for the benefit of the country.”

Hersi further said the club will soon involve its leaders from the branch level and across the country in a bid to have their say on the transformation process.

“After that, the Annual General Meeting will be conducted where everything will be put openly hence realising the transformation needs.”

The club’s consultant Senzo Mazingiza maintained they had followed all the internal processes and protocols on the transformation process by stating as quoted by the same portal: “Working in silence for an inclusive outcome. Never a one-man show, all stakeholders thoroughly engaged.

“Exciting transformation digital project underway for members and fans registration. Partnerships to be announced in the coming weeks.”

A week ago, Yanga also signed a partnership deal with Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca aimed at sharing their technical expertise.

Timo Werner believes a run to the Champions League semi-finals with Chelsea has helped him to silence those who criticised the timing of his move to England, with the German forward having unfinished business in Europe.

The forward, who was back in the goals during his last outing against West Ham, agreed a switch to Stamford Bridge in June 2020 when his former employers at RB Leipzig were still involved in continental competition.

He walked away from a last-four showdown, but will now get to grace that stage as Thomas Tuchel's Blues ready themselves for a heavyweight clash with Real Madrid, with the first leg of that encounter on Tuesday.

What has been said?

Werner told reporters: "Last year I dropped out in the quarter-finals because of the move.

"I had a lot of criticism for that in Germany because it is not often you are in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, but now I have reached it again, one year later, with my new club. I can show everybody I can do it not only with one team but with two, two years in a row.

"It makes me proud, more hungry to make it this year to the final, and maybe to win."

The bigger picture

Werner has endured a testing debut campaign with Chelsea, however he has never shied away from a challenge and has 11 efforts to his name across all competitions after grabbing the winner in the crucial derby win against the Hammers.

He said: "To reach the Champions League final and win it is the dream of every kid.

"We face a very strong opponent. We want to keep pushing and give everything we have. It’s very difficult because we have to also keep an eye on the Premier League because we have big games there. It is not boring!

"The Champions League is the most difficult cup in the world to win, but we also have a big chance to win the FA Cup. We have a good team. We are not here because we are lucky."

Further reading

A struggling Kaizer Chiefs side stunned the country by securing a come-from-behind win over a much-fancied Mamelodi Sundowns team in an enthralling PSL match on Sunday.

Two second-half goals from Mosa Lebusa (own-goal) and Dumisani Zuma inspired Amakhosi to a 2-1 win over the Brazilians, who had taken an early lead through Gaston Sirino at Loftus Versfeld Stadium. 

Therefore, Chiefs ended Sundowns' 21-match unbeaten run in the league and the result set social media alight as fans reacted to Amakhosi's surprising victory over the reigning PSL champions.

Read how Twitter reacted to Sundowns' maiden defeat in the league this season: 

Islam Slimani scored his second Ligue 1 goal of the season as Lyon gave up their two-goal lead and suffered a 3-2 loss against Lille.

The former Leicester City striker who opened his league goal account against Paris Saint-Germain a month ago, led the Kids' attack alongside Cameroon's Karl Toko Ekambi and Memphis Depay on Sunday.

It did not take long for the hosts to break the deadlock at the Groupama Stadium as Slimani fired home the opening goal in the 20th minute after linking up with Maxence Caqueret.

A few minutes later, Lyon doubled their lead courtesy of Jose Fonte's own goal but Lille reduced the deficit just before the break with Burak Yilmaz's goal in the added time which inspired a comeback.

Lille continued their push for an equaliser after the restart and it came just on the hour-mark, thanks to Jonathan David’s effort.

With five minutes left on the clock, Yilmaz scored his second goal of the night which turned the game around and sealed maximum points for the visitors.

The late winner broke Lyon fans' hearts as they remain fourth in the Ligue 1 table with 67 points after 34 matches while Lille displaced PSG to return to the summit of the table with 73 points after the same number of games.

Slimani and Toko Ekambi were on parade for 73 minutes before they were replaced by Ivory Coast's Maxwel Cornet and Zimbabwe's Tino Kadewere respectively.

The result was Lyon's second consecutive defeat in all competitions after they were booted out of the French Cup by Monaco on Wednesday, but they will be focused on boosting their Uefa Champions League qualification chances and return to winning ways when they travel to Monaco for their next Ligue 1 fixture on May 2.

Kelechi Nwakali scored his fourth goal in the Segunda Division as Alcorcon suffered a 2-1 loss against Kenneth Omeruo's Leganes.

The 22-year-old has now scored in three consecutive matches in the Spanish second division and all his four goals came in his last five league appearances for Juan Antonio Anquela’s side.

Nine minutes into Sunday's match, Nwakali stepped forward to put the hosts in front at the Estadio Santo Domingo after Xisco Jimenez was brought down.

The strike helped the 22-year-old equal his best scoring record of four goals in a European campaign when he scored the same number of goals in the Eerste Divisie with MVV Maastricht back in the 2017-18.

Nwakali's opener was not enough to help Alcorcon grab maximum points as goals after Gaku Shibasaki and Jose Arnaiz turned the game around for the visitors.

With his recent performances, the former Arsenal midfielder appears to have found his form in Alcorcon following his loan move after La Liga club Huesca in January where he played five league games in the first-half of the season.

Nwakali featured from start to finish for the Potters but his compatriot Kenneth Omeruo did not make the trip to Alcorcon due to suspension.

The Super Eagles centre-back received two yellow cards in a league outing against Ponferradina last Monday.

The defeat dealt a blow to Alcorcon's survival hopes as they remain 19th in the second division table with 38 points from 36 matches - a point from safety with six games remaining.

Leganes, on the other hand, climbed to fourth in the league table after picking up 61 points from 36 matches, with seven points adrift of the automatic promotion spot.

Following Sunday's disappointing result, Nwakali will aim to help Alcorcon bounce back to winning ways when they visit bottom-placed Albacete for their next Segunda Division fixture on May 3.

Bayern Munich have declared their interest in appointing Julian Nagelsmann as their new head coach, but RB Leipzig are demanding a world-record €30 million (£26m/$36m) to let him go, Goal and Spox can confirm.

Hansi Flick is poised to step down as Bayern coach in the summer, having previously intimated his decision in an interview. It has not otherwise been made official.

With a void to fill, Bayern are set to turn towards the young Leipzig boss. The €30m fee would be the biggest in the history of the sport for a coach.

What are Nagelsmann’s credentials?

Though only 33, Nagelsmann has been a coach in the Bundesliga for five years, having initially taken charge of Hoffenheim. Aged just 28, he was the youngest manager in the Bundesliga’s history and he steered the club from a position in the relegation zone to an eventual Champions League place.

Following on from his success at Hoffenheim, where he ultimately spent almost three full seasons, he moved to RB Leipzig. He led the club into the Champions League and from there guided them to the 2019-20 semi-final, in which they were defeated by Paris Saint-Germain.

This term, meanwhile, he has virtually guaranteed a second-place finish for the side, while they have also mounted a title challenge against Bayern Munich.

Why is Flick leaving Bayern?

Flick, who scooped six trophies as Bayern boss and has his side on the verge of another Bundesliga triumph, is set to depart due to his difficult relationship with sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic.

He has been heavily linked with the Germany post, which will become vacant in the summer, although the DFB have said they will not approach any coach still under contract.

Further reading

Paul Onuachu has helped Genk win the Belgian Cup on Sunday with his assist in their 2-1 victory over Standard Liege.

The Super Eagles forward set up Theo Bongonda to score the Smurfs' second goal in the 80th minute after Junya Ito opened the scoring in Brussels, three minutes into the second half.

A late goal from DR Congo forward Jackson Muleka in the 84th minute was not enough to inspire Standard Liege who ended the encounter with 10 men after Mali defender Moussa Sissako was expelled in the stoppage-time.

Onuachu played the entire duration and the assist took his tally to 31 goals and four assists in all competitions for Genk this season.

A week ago, the 26-year-old ended the regular First Division A campaign with 29 goals in 33 matches as John van den Brom's side finished fourth in the league table thereby qualifying for the play-offs.

However, his compatriot Cyril Dessers was an unused substitute as they both lifted their maiden title in Belgium.

Sunday’s triumph secured Genk’s automatic qualification for next season’ Uefa Europa League play-off round, and it was the club's first honour since the won the Belgian top-flight title and Super Cup in 2019.

Following their latest success, Onuachu and Dessers will shift their attention to the play-offs where they will battle Royal Antwerp on Friday with a place in the Uefa Champions League also up for grabs.

The Smurfs are fourth in the play-off table with 28 points after overall points during the regular season were halved. They will also battle Anderlecht and Club Brugge - who sit at the top with 38 points.