It can't be easy when another manager is continually linked with your job. That is the situation Manuel Pellegrini currently finds himself in, with Pep Guardiola heavily tipped to succeed him, and former Manchester City defender Danny Mills believes this is undermining the Chilean's position.

"The Pep situation is an interesting one," he told Talksport., external "I almost think the club has to come out and make some sort of statement or at least tell Pellegrini the situation. 

"Speculation was rife at the start of the season and Pellegrini has always been under pressure, and now we know that Pep is definitely available. Manuel Pellegrini must feel a little undermined. 

"The players will be thinking that the manager might not be with them for much longer, and sometimes that can just drop five per cent off your performance."

Image source, AFP

File this under 'least surprising sports news of 2015'... Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic have been named the women's and men's players of the year by the International Tennis Federation., external

Both won three of the four Grand Slams in 2015 and are well clear in the world rankings.

This is the sixth time Williams has won the award and a fifth time for Djokovic. 

West Brom forwards James McClean and Salomon Rondon have been suspended for three matches by the Football Association. 

The pair were sent off during Saturday's 2-1 home defeat by Bournemouth in the Premier League, Irish international McClean for serious foul play and Venezuelan Rondon for violent conduct.  

McClean and Rondon will miss Saturday's match at Swansea City, the home game with Newcastle United on Monday and a visit from Stoke City on 2 January.

Image source, Getty Images

Sheel Jhaveri: Leicester City deserve it this season. I hope maherez and vardy stay till the end of the season  

Orange Eddie: No reason why Spurs cant win it. Decent buy or two in January. Most open title race ever. 

It'surkid: MUFC, but with Jose in charge.

Dead Pixel: (A United fan) We've more chance of winning the Super Bowl than the league this year...

Keep your title predictions coming in on Twitter at #bbcsportsday, via text to 81111, and on the BBC Sport Facebook page., external

Blatter was banned yesterday for eight years following an investigation by the Fifa ethics committee into a payment he made to Fifa vice-president Michel Platini.

Platini was also banned for eight years. Reports in France suggest he too may appeal the sanction.

Fifa president Sepp Blatter is to appeal his eight-year ban from football.

A statement released by his attorney said: "The evidence clearly demonstrates the relationship with Mr. Platini was in all respects appropriate. President Blatter is prepared to take all legal steps to clear his name."

Everything seems to point to Pep Guardiola taking charge at Man City - but the Spaniard's spouse could yet have the final say. And the Daily Mail reports, external that Cristina Serra has her heart set on a move to London.

"Chelsea are hoping the lure of a London lifestyle could be their trump card," Neil Ashton writes.

Pep, Sportsday feels your pain. The promise of the 'Manchester lifestyle' isn't such a winner with the ladies.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

England midfielder Karen Carney has joined Chelsea Ladies from Birmingham City on a two-year contract.

Carney has won 110 caps and helped England finish third at the World Cup earlier this year.

"There is no doubt that the Liverpool squad needs strengthening in January."

This is how former Red John Aldridgeopens his latest column in the Liverpool Echo., external After the 3-0 loss at Watford, few will disagree with him.

Aldridge continues: "In terms of positions where we need to buy, you could go right through the spine of the team - centre-half, centre midfield, striker."

He also calls for Jurgen Klopp to buy "battlers".

Image source, PA

Massimiliano Allegri is a candidate to become Chelsea manager in the summer if they cannot lure Pep Guardiola or Diego Simeone to Stamford Bridge, according to the Evening Standard., external

The Juventus coach has impressed the Stamford Bridge hierarchy with his work in Turin after leading his team to the domestic double last season, as well as the Champions League Final.  

Image source, EPA

Image source, Getty Images

Great Britain forward Alex Danson believes the women's team have a great chance of winning Olympic gold for the first time in Rio next year.

The 30-year-old, who was recently nominated for the world Player of the Year award, predicted that the Olympic competition will be an "absolute spectacle".

She told BBC South Today: "The 16 athletes that go will be the fittest, the fastest, the best technically we have ever been."

Saj Chowdhury
BBC Sport

Fifa president Sepp Blatter - banned from football for eight years - has been stripped of the honorary degree he received from Leicester's De Montfort University.

The Swiss received the honour 10 years ago, but the British higher education establishment revealed that it took the step of removing his title two months ago.

A spokesperson for De Montfort University said: "The university has long been concerned by the nature of the allegations, had been closely monitoring events at Fifa, and in October formally withdrew the honorary doctorate in Arts and Humanities awarded to Mr Blatter in 2005."

Image source, Getty Images

Cardiff say manager Malky Mackay will remain in charge for the "foreseeable future" in a statement on the club's official website.

The announcement came after club owner Vincent Tan sent Mackay an email in which he heavily criticised the Scot before demanding he resign, or face the sack.

However, it was temporary relief. Mackay lost his job not long after - ousted as Bluebirds boss two days after Christmas with the team just above the Premier League relegation zone.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer replaced Mackay, but to no avail -the Bluebirds were relegated by the start of May.

John: I'm a Spurs man, but hope it will be Leicester they deserve it. Anyone but Arsenal...

Football Guru: If Leicester City actually did win the league ahead of the big money boys, would it not be the greatest sports story ever.

Patrick Zougbede: So am I the only one to still believe that Manchester United will win the League? First United, second City, third Arsenal.

Ambitious Patrick. Any United fans agree with that? Or City fans for that matter?

Steve Sidwell. Remember him? The midfielder has been trying to force his way into the Stoke midfield and failing this season. And, according to Talksport,, external he is ready to call it quits and seek out a new club.

The 33-year-old former Chelsea and Fulham man is out of contract in the summer so would be available for a nominal fee in January.

Image source, Getty Images

Lionel Messi eat your heart out.

A 29-year-old who works in insurance has a chance to write himself into the Guinness World Book of Records after firing four hat-tricks in as many games.

Graeme Rose, who plays for Swanage Town and Herston in the Dorset Premier League, has scored an astonishing 12 goals in his last four outings 

And another treble - in the next game, Hamworthy United on 2 January - would take him past the current record holder for most consecutive hat-tricks, former Japan international Masashi Nakayam.

"It would be unbelievable to be included in Guinness World Records," a slightly bemused Rose told the Bournemouth Echo., external " I never thought I'd get close to getting in it unless it was for something completely wacky."

Michel Platini has called Fifa's eight year ban a "kick in the teeth" but vowed that he will fight on for the presidency of world football's governing body. 

In an interview with AFP, the 60-year-old Frenchman said: "I will fight. But then I'll take my responsibilities according to what happens.

"I'm fighting against this injustice, from one court to another. 

"But there you go, in the meantime, my name has been dragged through the mud in the press. 

"Whatever happens, my reputation has been sullied, I've been kicked in the teeth."

Image source, AFP

Keep your opinions coming on Twitter. In the meantime, here are a selection of comments from the BBC Sport Facebook page.

Irfan Baig: Leicester are first at Xmas and stats show in the last five seasons, four teams going into Xmas top have won the league. So I’m going for Leicester, but I think Arsenal are playing really good football this season and they will be up there fighting.

Image source, Getty Images

Matthew Rose: Christmas is a good indication of where teams will end up but it's still too early to say for certain. With Kompany still to return for City and Aguero back in the team, I'd give them the edge. As Wenger does seem confident (and why not), they'll push them to the wire and could nick it. If Leicester City can keep Mahrez and Vardy fit - who knows..?

Andy Jarv: Jamie Vardy to score a hat-trick at Chelsea last game of the season to win it! 

Football: Arsene Wenger says the win over Man City gives Arsenal belief in the title race.

Football: Michel Platini says he will pursue his bid for the Fifa presidency despite his eight-year ban from football.

Cricket: England beat South Africa A by an innings and 91 runs in the final warm-up match before the Test series.

Speaking of young Joe Root, some colleagues on the BBC cricket desk have put together a rather wonderful infographic on his year in cricket. Click here to view.

You can also find out how many nights out Root has enjoyed this year (clue: more than Sportsday's combined total).

Image source, PA