Summary

  • Nottingham Forest confirm sacking of manager Steve Cooper

  • Ex-Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo in talks with Forest

  • Q&A: Chief football writer Phil McNulty answers your questions

  • Man City start Club World Cup campaign against Urawa Red Diamonds (18:00)

  • Everton host Fulham in Carabao Cup quarter-final (19:45 GMT)

  • League One side Port Vale face Middlesbrough (19:45)

  • Newcastle travel to Chelsea seeking spot in semi-finals (20:00)

  • Get involved: #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

  1. 'United try to flog flops to Saudi'published at 07:45 Greenwich Mean Time 19 December 2023

    Today's back pages

    The Daily Mail

    The Mail report that Manchester United are looking to offload their unwanted players to Saudi Arabia in January with Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane, Casemiro and Anthony Martial all up for sale.

    Meanwhile, Manchester City have been fined £120,000 after their players surrounded referee Simon Hooper at the end of their 3-3 draw with Tottenham earlier this month.

    Mail back pageImage source, Mail
  2. 'Kev's back as Pep bids to 'close the circle''published at 07:37 Greenwich Mean Time 19 December 2023

    Today's back pages

    Metro

    Kevin de Bruyne is the main focus on the back page of the Metro with the Manchester City midfielder back in training as he closes in on a return from a hamstring injury.

    Elsewhere, Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk has taken the brave move of publicly disagreeing with Roy Keane after the former Manchester United captain accused him of arrogance.

    Metro back pageImage source, Metro
  3. 'Bernardo: Players are exhausted by calendar'published at 07:31 Greenwich Mean Time 19 December 2023

    The Daily Telegraph

    The Daily Telegraph leads with a different line from Manchester City's Bernardo Silva saying that players are tired as a result of the hectic football schedule, which is set to get even busier with the Club World Cup set to be expanded to 32 teams in 2025.

    The Portugal midfielder says the quality of games will suffer if teams are asked to play too many matches.

    Telegraph back pageImage source, Telegraph
  4. 'We'll hunt you down again'published at 07:24 Greenwich Mean Time 19 December 2023

    Today's back pages

    The Daily Express

    The Daily Express leads with Manchester City and Bernardo Silva's warning that the Premier League champions are ready to bounce back from their recent slump.

    There's also a line on Kevin de Bruyne staying with his team-mates in Saudi Arabia to prepare for the Club World Cup, despite his house being broken into.

    And Christmas is cancelled for Newcastle!

    Express back pageImage source, Express
  5. Postpublished at 07:20 Greenwich Mean Time 19 December 2023

    While we wait for your questions to come flooding in, let's take a look at today's back pages.

  6. Phil McNulty Q&Apublished at 07:14 Greenwich Mean Time 19 December 2023

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

    And... we also have chief football writer Phil McNulty with us today.

    In what has become a weekly fixture on our daily football live, Phil will be answering your questions.

    No topic is off limits so use your opportunity wisely.

    You can get in touch via Whatsapp, text or X using the contact details above.

    Please clearly mark for Phil McNulty and include your own name too.

  7. Foxes still flying in Championshippublished at 07:07 Greenwich Mean Time 19 December 2023

    Birmingham 2-3 Leicester

    Stephy Mavididi celebrates with his teammatesImage source, Getty Images

    On top of all of that, Leicester opened up a three-point gap at the top of the Championship last night after winning an entertaining game at Birmingham.

    The Foxes extended their winning streak to four and are unbeaten in six as they look to secure an immediate return to the Premier League.

    It remains a tough time for Birmingham, having won just two of their 11 games since Wayne Rooney was appointed manager.

    Read the full report here.

  8. Good morning!published at 07:00 Greenwich Mean Time 19 December 2023

    It's Christmas week, is that a thing?

    As is always the case over the festive period, there's no shortage of football to feast on.

    We've got three fixtures tonight in the Carabao Cup with the quarter-final stage getting under way.

    There are two all-Premier League ties with Everton hosting Fulham (19:45 GMT) and Newcastle heading to Chelsea (20:00).

    And League One outfit Port Vale have done a fine job to reach the last eight - they host Championship side Middlesbrough at (19:45 GMT).

    Liverpool face West Ham in the other tie tomorrow, so we'll be hearing from Jurgen Klopp and David Moyes today.

    Manchester City's Club World Cup campaign starts at 18:00 - they face Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds in Saudi Arabia.

    As I said, plenty to get stuck into... let's go.