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Tom: Say what you want about Solskjaer's coaching ability but he comes across as a decent bloke who cares a lot about his club. He didn't deserve to be thrown under the bus by some of those players. Some of which, are showing that time and time again, if they don't like the manager, they will down tools at a moments notice.

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A-League club Brisbane Roar have announced the signing of 18-year-old midfielder Shae Cahill, son of former Australia and Everton star Tim Cahill.

Shae joined Everton's academy at 14 looking to follow in his father’s footsteps.

In the 2022-23 season he made nine appearances for Everton U18s, managing three assists.

Tim Cahill spent eight years at Everton between 2004 and 2012, making 226 Premier League appearances and scoring 56 goals.

Read more here., external

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Brentford head coach Thomas Frank says he would consider selling England striker Ivan Toney, 27, in January if the price was right, according to Sky Sports., external

Arsenal, Chelsea andTottenham are all interested in Toney with Brentford willing to let the player leave for a fee of £60m, says the Mirror., external

Read Wednesday's Gossip here.

Reading Football Club

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Reading owner, Yongge Dai, has been charged with misconduct by the English Football League.

A statement from the EFL said that Dai had been charged "after failing to comply with the order of an independent disciplinary commission which required him to deposit an amount equal to 125% of the club’s forecast monthly wage bill in a designated account by 12 September".

The statement added: "The league considers these further proceedings against him personally are necessary given the repeated failings in meeting the club’s funding requirements, which have only a detrimental impact on the club and its wider stakeholders."

Reading were docked six points by the EFL last season, leading to their relegation from the Championship, for breaching the terms of a profit and sustainability plan to manage their spending.

And the League One club was docked three points by the EFL last week after their owner failed to deposit enough money into an account for the club's monthly wage bill.

Reading Football Club

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Remember Ruben Selles? The Spaniard was handed the reins at Southampton last season following the sacking of Ralph Hasenhuttl and while the 40-year-old had some good results he was unable to stop their slide into the Championship.

Well, he has now been given a fresh start at Reading and is certainly making an impact at the League One club, guiding them to a 9-0 win over Exeter in the EFL Trophy.

But, sadly, the club's future is not looking so bright off the pitch...more on that coming up.

England

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The Football Association says it will pay a full tribute to Baroness Sue Campbell's "unique contribution" when she retires from her role as director of women’s football next year.

Campbell, 74, who joined the FA in 2016, said: "I have loved my time leading the women’s game in England and have been privileged and proud to work alongside so many talented people. We have had a shared mission and as a team we have taken the game to a new level.

"My focus now is the future of the women’s professional game, the continued drive for equal access for girls in schools and clubs, and the development of Para Football. We have made tremendous progress to date but there is still more to do in the months ahead to ensure that we create a truly equitable game for all."

England

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The Football Association said that it will begin the process of recruiting Baroness Sue Campbell’s successor "with a view to appointing a new director of women’s football in 2024".

The FA added that Campbell would retire from the role once her successor has been appointed.

Mark Bullingham, chief executive officer of the FA, said: "Sue has had a stellar 50-year career at the heart of English sport. Her last eight years have been focussed on driving the growth of the women’s game, and inspiring a new generation of players and fans.

"She has done an outstanding job, and we hope that she stays involved with women’s football when she steps down from her FA role next year."

He added: "These exciting times for the women’s game are testament to Sue’s brilliant leadership, total commitment and deep passion for the sport."

England

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Baroness Sue Campbell will retire from her role as director of women’s football in 2024, the Football Association has announced.

Campbell, 74, joined the FA in 2016.

"[She] has led a team that has transformed the women’s game, including the success of our England teams, the redesign of the talent pathway, the growth of the Barclays Women’s Super League and Barclays Championship, the delivery of equal access for girls in the grassroots game, and a significant uplift in the quality and quantity of coaches and referees in the women’s game," the FA said in a statement.

"She has also provided strategic leadership for Para Football, championing and developing disability football in England."

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Harry Kane may now be playing his club football in Germany for Bayern Munich, but the England captain remains a hot topic for the British press.

These two entries on the former Spurs striker are leading today's BBC Sport gossip column:

Bayern Munich and England striker Harry Kane, 30, would have waited until next summer to sign for Manchester United on a free transfer from Tottenham if he had been given assurances over a move to Old Trafford. (Mail), external

Real Madrid had put in a £60m bid for Kane before the England captain moved to Bayern Munich this summer while Paris St-Germain also made an approach. (The Athletic - subscription required), external

BBC Radio 5 Live

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Has it really been 24 years since Manchester United's last-gasp victory over Bayern Munich at the Nou Camp in the Champions League final?

BBC Radio 5 Live will bring you full commentary of tonight's Group B match in Munich from 20:00 BST, with Steve Crossman starting the build-up from 19:00.

There will also be updates from all the other Champions League ties, including Arsenal v PSV Eindhoven.

You can listen to the commentary and follow live text updates from this page.

Manchester United, of course, return to Champions League action tonight thanks to their third-place finish under Erik ten Hag in his first Premier League campaign as manager.

Here are all of tonight's Champions League fixtures:

Group A

Galatasaray v FC Copenhagen (17:45)

Bayern Munich v Manchester United (20:00)

Group B

Arsenal v PSV Eindhoven (20:00)

Sevilla v Lens (20:00)

Group C

Real Madrid v FC Union Berlin (17:45)

Sporting Braga v Napoli (20:00)

Group D

Benfica v Red Bull Salzburg (20:00)

Real Sociedad v Inter Milan (20:00)

Some interesting insights there from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. What do you think?

Send us your views on Solskjaer's reign as Manchester United manager and whether Erik ten Hag is the right man to launch a title challenge at Old Trafford.

Get in touch via X [formerly Twitter], text and WhatsApp using the contact details above.

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Finally, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has spoken to The Athletic, external about his desire to return to football management, after spending the last two years with his young family, coaching youth sides back in Norway.

The 50-year-old has also taken up a role with Uefa, but says the time feels right to return to a full-time position on the touchline.

"I’ve had offers. Most recently, two from Saudi Arabia," he said. "If you’ve managed Manchester United, you put your own criteria about what you want to work with.

"I love England and the Premier League. Even the Championship feels stronger than ever, but I don’t feel bound to England. Maybe a different challenge where I need to experience a new culture and learn a new language.

"The DNA and identity of the club are important, a club where I can be the best me. It has to be a match."

And he added: "I’m going to the east coast of the United States in a few weeks to see Wayne Rooney and David Beckham, see a few games and see what’s what.”

Manchester United

Last Saturday's 3-1 defeat to Brighton at Old Trafford left Manchester United 13th in the Premier League table, but boss Erik ten Hag says his side are not in need of a major reset.

"No, we don't feel we need that," the Dutch manager said. "We are in a process. In parts of the game we play well. In parts of the game we play below our levels. We need to be consistent for 90 plus minutes."

Image source, Reuters

Manchester United have suffered three defeats in their opening five Premier League matches this season after Erik ten Hag led them to a third-place finish in his first campaign as manager.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told The Athletic, external he hoped Ten Hag could be the first manager to win the league since Sir Alex Ferguson's final title in 2012-13.

But he discounted the argument that the owning Glazer family is to blame.

"In my conversations with them [the Glazers], they were honest and upfront. I had to be patient and mentally strong — and I was. And they’ve backed the manager now," said Solskjaer.

"Let’s hope Erik is successful and - if there is a cycle - that he breaks it. Someone is going to do it."

Image source, Getty Images

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was asked to assess his time as Manchester United manager in his interview with The Athletic.

"Well, there’s something missing: a trophy," he said.

"One penalty could have changed that (in the shootout defeat to Villarreal in the Europa League final) and my time there would be viewed differently."

Solskjaer added: "The remit I was given was to get fans smiling again and we had something going.

"We were top of the league in September 2021, Cristiano Ronaldo came in, and Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho joined.

"We’d gone strong by signing these players. It was about taking the next step to challenge for the title. And, unfortunately, it just didn’t work out."

Image source, Reuters

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, speaking to The Athletic, on Harry Maguire: "It’s a disgrace that he’s getting so much abuse. I feel sorry for him, but he’s a strong lad and I hope it turns for him.

"He raised our defence big time when he arrived and lifted the mood around the place.

"I can’t remember every signing I made, but I should because there was a cap on three main ones every season."