Summary

  • Ange Postecoglou named new Tottenham manager

  • Postecoglou leaves Celtic, signing four-year contract

  • West Ham preparing for Wednesday's Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina

  • Gossip: Man City's Ilkay Gundogan interests Arsenal, Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund

  • Gossip: Will Harry Kane stay at Tottenham?

  • Gossip: Alexis Mac Allister could sign five-year deal with Liverpool

  1. Thank you and goodbye!published at 14:58 British Summer Time 6 June 2023

    That's all from us for today, as always thank you for your contributions and company.

    It's been another busy day at the office, as Tottenham appoint Ange Postecoglou as their new boss on a four-year contract.

    He leaves Celtic after winning successive Scottish Premiership titles in his two seasons in charge, but who will take his place at Celtic Park?

    Liverpool are also a step closer to signing Brighton midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, with the Argentinian international set to have his medical before completing the move.

    There's been lots more too, so let's take a look at today's top stories:

    We'll be back tomorrow with more transfer news and build up to the Europa Conference League final!

    See you then.

  2. McNamara believes Celtic will 'go back to Rodgers'published at 14:54 British Summer Time 6 June 2023

    Brendan Rodgers with Celtic playersImage source, Getty Images

    With Ange Postecoglou's move to Tottenham sealed, Celtic have confirmed "the process of appointing the club's next manager" has begun.

    So who will they go for? West Ham boss David Moyes, ex-Leeds head coach Jesse Marsch and Manchester City coach Enzo Maresca are among the names reportedly linked.

    But former Celtic captain Jackie McNamara believes the board will "go back to Brendan Rodgers" in their search for a new manager.

    "I think [Rodgers] was up at Hampden for Celtic's Scottish Cup semi-final against Rangers," McNamara said on the Scottish Football Podcast.

    "He's out a job just now. I wouldn't be surprised if he works his way back in. There are plenty of strong candidates, but I don't think they'll look by Brendan if they can get him."

    Regardless of who is appointed, McNamara has concerns about Celtic's summer recruitment due to the timing of Postecoglou's departure and the shrewd business the Australian conducted in his two years in charge.

    "Part of the problem before Ange came in was recruitment," the Celtic captain adds. "They haven't been linked with players in the past couple weeks, which tells me a lot has been going on [with the manager].

    "Most of Ange's signings have been hits. Ange was the attraction because some of the players knew of him."

  3. Mac Allister set for Liverpool medicalpublished at 14:50 British Summer Time 6 June 2023

    Alexis Mac AllisterImage source, Getty Images

    Mandeep Sanghera and Simon Stone bring you an update on Alexis Mac Allister. They report: "Brighton's Mac Allister is set to make a £55m move to Liverpool after the Seagulls gave permission for the midfielder to have a medical.

    "The Argentina playmaker played a key role as Brighton finished sixth in the Premier League last season to qualify for Europe for the first time.

    "The 24-year-old also helped his country win the World Cup in December.

    "Liverpool need to add to their midfield with James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain leaving this summer."

    Read the full piece.

  4. Postpublished at 14:48 British Summer Time 6 June 2023

    That's all from Pep! Just a few more bits to bring you, including a big transfer update ...

  5. 'I don't know if Manchester United want us to win'published at 14:46 British Summer Time 6 June 2023

    Man City v Inter Milan (20:00 BST)

    Manchester City

    And finally he was asked if the rest of the Premier League want Manchester City to win the Champions League, Guardiola replied: "I don't know if Manchester United want us to win the Champions League final... I am not able to speak for all the other clubs in England but we want to represent this country and do it well. Our fans when they travel to Istanbul represent our club and the United Kingdom."

  6. 'There will be some scepticism'published at 14:43 British Summer Time 6 June 2023

    Ange PostecoglouImage source, Getty Images

    Lee McQueen from the Last Word On Spurs podcast says Andre Postecoglou should bring the right "sense of dicretion and vision" to Tottenham, something they urgently need.

    Speaking to BBC Radio London's Ross Ryan, McQueen said: "He wasn't my first choice, as I wanted Pochettino back but that ship soon sailed.

    "I think the club has had to do a huge amount of work behind the scenes. There will be some scepticism because he's not managed in the Premier League but Brendan Rodgers won trebles and then came and won an FA Cup with Leicester.

    "He's not a big name like Antonio Conte or Jose Mourinho but right now Spurs don't need that. They need sense of direction, a vision and a plan to unite everybody back together."

    Listen to the full discussion here

  7. 'It is a final against a top team'published at 14:40 British Summer Time 6 June 2023

    Man City v Inter Milan (20:00 BST)

    Manchester City

    Guardiola was asked again about their opponents Inter Milan: "They are used to controlling all their games in Italy, they have incredibly good patterns for everywhere and of course we have to defend really well. It is a final against a top team and we have to do it. Of course we are confident but I cannot deny the difficulties and the quality of the opponents."

  8. Watch and listen - How to follow the gamepublished at 14:38 British Summer Time 6 June 2023

    BBC Radio 5 Live will have full commentary of Wednesday's final, while the BBC Sport website will have live text, analysis and reaction.

    BT Sport is making the Europa Conference League final available for everyone in the UK, external to watch whether on TV, online or on mobile. It is doing the same for Saturday's Champions League final between Manchester City and Inter Milan (20:00 BST).

  9. 'We're very confident going into the final' - Kehrerpublished at 14:37 British Summer Time 6 June 2023

    Thilo KehrerImage source, Getty Images

    Thilo Kehrer says excitement is building as West Ham prepare for their first European final since 1980.

    David Moyes' side take on Fiorentina on Wednesday evening in Prague for the chance to win the Europa Conference League and Kehrer says he and his team-mates are feeding off the energy of Hammers' supporters.

    "We feel the support of every one of our fans," he said, "and are aware of all the people supporting us.

    "They are behind us, cheering us on and we are very glad about that. We are taking that energy with us."

    It has been an unusual 10 days for West Ham since the Premier League season finished on Sunday, 29 May, but the 26-year-old says they have used the time wisely on a short training break to Portugal.

    "We relaxed a bit but it’s also given some time together to regroup," he said. "We will try to use it as an advantage.

    "We’ve bonded well this season and we have used the last few days to get even more team spirit.

    "We have the squad and quality to do it so we’re very confident going into the final."

  10. 'I am calm and grateful'published at 14:35 British Summer Time 6 June 2023

    Man City v Inter Milan (20:00 BST)

    Manchester City

    On how relaxed he is ahead of the final, Guardiola added: "I am calm and grateful for what the players have done and what we are doing. But finals are completely different.

    "What we are trying to do in the next few days is try to understand how to play with a lot of difficulties as it is not easy to attack the defensive system Inter use. So we will have to bring a lot of rhythm and be patient - we are not going to do it with three or four passes. We have to know the right tempo."

  11. Is the Eden Arena too small?published at 14:33 British Summer Time 6 June 2023

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport in Prague

    Much has been made of the fact tomorrow’s final between West Ham and Fiorentina is being played in the 20,000 capacity Eden Arena, home of Slavia Prague, and whether it is big enough for a game of this size.

    UEFA chose the venue before the Europa Conference League was launched last season and weren’t sure what the reception would be.

    As it turned out, the single entrants from the bigger leagues usually take it seriously and often involve teams with big support who have not won anything for a while.

    Aston Villa are England’s qualifiers next season.

    …Image source, BBC Sport
    Image caption,

    Eden Arena

  12. 'It is a completely different situation'published at 14:30 British Summer Time 6 June 2023

    Man City v Inter Milan (20:00 BST)

    Manchester City

    GuardiolaImage source, Getty Images

    On learning from the 2021 Champions League final against Chelsea, Guardiola said: "I didn’t speak about it to the players as some where there some were not. It is a completely different situation. Of course it is not like last season or two years ago and of course we want to finish differently. We have to know exactly what to do to beat this opponent in terms of the system they use and what they do with and without the ball."

  13. 'It will be the biggest game of my career'published at 14:28 British Summer Time 6 June 2023

    Jarrod BowenImage source, Getty Images

    West Ham's Jarrod Bowen says that Wednesday’s Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina will be the "biggest game" of his career.

    The 26-year-old, who has four caps for England, has scored four goals and registered three assists in the competition this season.

    "I’ve played for England, but I think achieving this with your teammates who you’ve been with together to get to a final and you have the opportunity to win a trophy together, it will be a massive moment," Bowen said.

    "Of course, we’re all excited about being in the final of a European competition and this will be the pinnacle for a lot of players. It will certainly be the biggest game of my career.

    "We all want it, but it’s important to not get too hyped up for it. We need to find that balance of not going over the top but also not caring enough.

    "The main priority is to win the game. As players we want to be part of that moment but for the fans it would mean so much. I want to be part of the squad that gives the fans that moment and that’s what we’re all striving to do."

  14. 'Onana an exceptional keeper'published at 14:25 British Summer Time 6 June 2023

    Man City v Inter Milan (20:00 BST)

    Manchester City

    Andre OnanaImage source, Getty Images

    Guardiola on the threat of Inter Milan: "They have a lot of history and have done well in the last couple of years. They have a good shape not just in how they defend but how good they are with the ball in the transition when they lead with the strikers. They have a really good process which starts with Andre Onana - who is an exceptional keeper with build-up, so it makes our high pressing difficult."

  15. Could Rice have the perfect Hammers ending?published at 14:23 British Summer Time 6 June 2023

    Declan RiceImage source, Getty Images

    Could tomorrow night's European final be Declan Rice's swan song at West Ham?

    Hammers boss David Moyes has already said there's "a good chance" Rice would leave the club this summer but talks with other club's won't be held until the season is over.

    Rice has rejected all efforts to sign an extension amid interest from virtually all of England's top clubs.

    If the option of an additional season on his current deal was triggered, his contract would run to 2025.

    So do you think Rice will leave his boyhood club this summer? Let us know using those thumbs.

  16. 'It is not about history'published at 14:21 British Summer Time 6 June 2023

    Man City v Inter Milan (20:00 BST)

    Manchester City

    Pep GuardiolaImage source, Getty Images

    Guardiola on the excitement ahead of the final: "It is a dream to be here, two years ago we were there but in a different situation. We are going to try to do our best as we know the final depends on how you behave over the specific 90 minutes. It is not about history - if they are better than us.

    "It is about what you have to do in 90 minutes to be better than the opponent. It doesn’t count what you have done in the group stage, quarter-finals, last season, Premier League or FA Cup. It is one single game."

  17. 'Everyone involved will be remembered forever'published at 14:19 British Summer Time 6 June 2023

    Declan RiceImage source, Getty Images

    Declan Rice says there is a chance for West Ham players to "create a legacy" that will be "remembered forever" if the Hammers were to win the Conference League.

    The 24-year-old could be set to play his final game for the club, in the final against Fiorentina, after manager David Moyes accepted there is a "good chance" the midfielder leaves in the summer.

    "This will be the biggest match that the club has had in so long, so it’s going to be an honour to be part of and hopefully we can create some history on the night for the fans to cheer about," Rice said.

    "There's a chance to go and create a legacy where every single player, the manager, everyone involved will be remembered forever.

    "Now it’s a final, anything can happen. It’s a game of football and we’ll do everything we can to do the job.

    "I think it would be my biggest achievement I’ve had in football so far - 100%. I think that would be for a lot of us. I think to win a trophy like this, a European trophy, with West Ham, I think it puts every player at a higher status within the club in terms of with the fans, how you’ll be remembered.

    "It’s in our hands, so we’re going to push to do that."

  18. Walker to be assessedpublished at 14:16 British Summer Time 6 June 2023

    Man City v Inter Milan (20:00)

    Manchester City

    Kyle WalkerImage source, Getty Images

    Pep Guardiola confirmed Kyle Walker has a back issue and will be assessed ahead of the Champions League final.

  19. What's at stake for West Ham?published at 14:15 British Summer Time 6 June 2023

    As promised we will be looking ahead to West Ham's Europa Conference League final around Guardiola's conference.

    West Ham finished 14th in the Premier League table, six points above the relegation zone, but will secure a third successive season in Europe if they defeat their Italian opponents.

    That is because the winners of the Europa Conference League will qualify for the group stage of the 2023-24 Europa League.

    West Ham, if successful, will join fellow Premier League clubs Liverpool and Brighton in next season's competition.

    It will mean eight English clubs will compete in Europe next season: Manchester City (Champions League group), Arsenal (Champions League), Manchester United (Champions League), Newcastle United (Champions League), Liverpool (Europa League), Brighton (Europa League), Aston Villa (Europa Conference League play-off round).

  20. get involved

    Get Involved - Who should take over at Celtic?published at 14:12 British Summer Time 6 June 2023

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or via text to 81111 (UK only - texts will be charged at your standard message rate).

    Celtic are a massive club - to suggest otherwise shows elite levels of ignorance - but the simple fact is we can't compete with the financial power of the EPL. I wish Ange all the best but he will never feel the love that he had at Celtic. Spurs fans will find out that he's not another Gerrard, he is so much more and simply on a different level.

    Scott