Former Villa boss Steve Bruce says Republic of Ireland job ‘would interest me’

Steve Bruce feels the Republic of Ireland job “would suit me” as he considers a return to management.

The Football Association of Ireland made a swift announcement it would not be extending Stephen Kenny’s three-and-a-half-year stay following the end what was a disappointing Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, winning just two of eight matches.

The recruitment process for a new head coach has already started, with a review of the coaching staff set to take place once an appointment has been made ahead of friendly matches taking place in March and June 2024.

Bruce, 62, has been out of the game since leaving West Brom in October 2022.

The former Newcastle, Sheffield Wednesday and Aston Villa boss, though, believes the time is right to consider a return.

Carlos Corberan proud of West Brom turnaround despite missing out on play-offs

Carlos Corberan expressed his pride at turning around West Brom’s season despite a 3-2 final-day loss at Swansea as they fell short of the Sky Bet Championship play-offs.

West Brom had started the final day of the regular season as play-off outsiders, needing to beat Swansea and hope for favourable results elsewhere.

The Baggies ultimately finished ninth, as Sunderland and Coventry claimed the final two play-off places, after Corberan took over in October with the club second bottom of the Championship.

“The target we had was difficult, to change the momentum of the season,” said Corberan, whose side won only three of their final 10 games.

“It was very uncomfortable. We moved fast, we focused on the possibilities and I feel very proud.

“…

Aston Villa consider Collins deal

Aston Villa are considering a move for former West Ham United defender James Collins, according to the Telegraph.

The 35-year-old has been a free agent since his contract with the Hammers expired at the end of last season and was close to joining Ipswich Town last month.

However, he has been invited to train with Villa in a move that could see him earn a contract with the Midlands club – where he spent three years before returning to East London.

In that second spell at West Ham, Collins played just shy of one hundred and fifty games over six seasons, to add to the sixty-five appearances he made for the club between 2005 and 2009.

Internationally the centre-back was capped fifty-one times for his country, with two of those outings coming at Euro …

Josh Doig would be ideal solution at left-back for Rangers – Alan Hutton

Former Rangers full-back Alan Hutton believes Josh Doig would be an ideal solution to the Ibrox club’s impending decisions at left-back.

Borna Barisic is out of contract in the summer and has been linked with a return to Croatia with Dinamo Zagreb.

Ridvan Yilmaz has struggled for game time since arriving in the summer of 2022 but has impressed in recent weeks amid the absence of the injured Barisic.

However, the Turkey international has been linked with a switch to Hellas Verona, where Doig has plied his trade since moving from Hibernian to Italy.

Doig is also the subject of reported interest from Torino and Udinese and Hutton believes the 21-year-old would be a good fit at Ibrox.

“I thought that he was a player that both teams in Glasgow woul…

Carsley´s confidence boosted by victory over Ireland

England interim manager Lee Carsley believes he is capable of taking the job on a full-time basis, but conceded he had his doubts.

Carsley oversaw a 2-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland in his first match in charge since stepping in to replace Gareth Southgate on a temporary basis.

An extended audition continues on Tuesday when England take on Finland in their second Nations League match.

And Carsley acknowledged the performance and result against Ireland, who he represented as a player, has provided a much-needed confidence boost.

He said: In the back of your mind you always think you know, it s easy to be the England manager, isn t it, when you re sat in the house.

There have been times when I ve thought I m not sure if I could do it.

Josh Reid leaves Coventry to rejoin Ross County on three-year contract

Ross County have secured the return of left-back Josh Reid on a three-year contract.

Reid left County for Coventry in January 2021 after playing 24 times for the Dingwall side’s first team.

But the 21-year-old only made two appearances in England, one for the Sky Blues in the League Cup and one on loan with Stevenage.

Manager Malky Mackay told County’s website: “I am delighted to see Josh return to the club, he knows the club and area very well and is a player who has had recent international experience with the Scotland Under-21s.”

Hoffenheim 1-4 Bayer Leverkusen: Visitors bounce back with emphatic win

Champions Bayer Leverkusen cruised to a 4-1 victory at Hoffenheim on Saturday thanks to a dazzling performance by Victor Boniface.

The Nigerian scored two goals and laid on an assist, ensuring Leverkusen got back to winning ways in their first game since the international break.

The visitors struck twice in the first half an hour for a 2-0 lead, with Boniface setting up Martin Terrier for a tap-in in the 17th minute before turning scorer with a clever finish.

Mergim Berisha, making his first appearances since a knee ligament tear last November, cut the deficit for Hoffenheim just before the break from close range.

Leverkusen restored their two-goal lead courtesy of a penalty, buried by Florian Wirtz in the 72nd minute, after Dennis Geiger fouled Alex Grim…

Tottenham Hotspur linked with PSG forward Kylian Mbappe

Tottenham Hotspur are among the clubs who are interested in signing Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer transfer window, according to . The report in the Spanish publication has claimed that Manchester United, Real Madrid and Chelsea are also keen on the 24-year-old France international forward.

Mbappe has told PSG that he will not extend his current contract which runs out at the end of the next season. This means that, as things stand, the Frenchman will leave the Ligue 1 champions as a free agent next summer. PSG are not happy with the situation and want to cash in on the forward now.

The striker scored 29 goals and gave five assists in Ligue 1 and scored seven goals and provided three assists in the UEFA Champions League for PSG last season. Mbappe …

Former Uruguay, Man United forward Forlan retires

Former Uruguay and Manchester United forward Diego Forlan has announced his retirement from professional football.

Forlan, 40, last played for Kitchee in Hong Kong, with his final appearance coming in May last year.

The forward, who also played for the likes of Inter and Atletico Madrid during a fine career in Europe, confirmed his retirement on Tuesday.

It hasn t been easy, I didn t want the time to come, but I knew it was going to come, Forlan told Telemundo.

I have decided to stop playing football professionally.

Forlan started his professional career with Independiente in Argentina before earning a £6.9million move to Manchester United in January 2002.

He won the Premier League with United in 2002-03 and the FA Cup the following se…

Paulo Sousa leaves Bordeaux just days after Juventus links

Paulo Sousa has left his role as Bordeaux head coach by mutual agreement, with Jean-Louis Gasset appointed in his place on a two-year deal.

Sousa had been in charge of the Ligue 1 club since March 2019, although he was last week linked with Juventus who he represented as a player as Maurizio Sarri was sacked in Turin.

The Portuguese was said to be a popular choice with compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo, but Juve instead appointed Andrea Pirlo.

Sousa has departed Bordeaux regardless ahead of the new season, having guided his side to 12th in 2019-20 before the campaign was suspended.

Gasset returns to Bordeaux, where he served as assistant to Laurent Blanc during his successful reign that returned the 2008-09 Ligue 1 title.

Alongside Gasset, the club co…