Football news LIVE: Postecoglou reveals reaction to Spurs sacking at Forest unveiling, Chelsea hit with 74 charges, Onana arrives in Turkey

Banned

West Ham United are set to ban half-and-half scarves for their derby match this weekend against Tottenham Hotspur.

The Hammers meet Spurs at 5:30pm on Saturday evening, and the Irons son't want away fans getting into the home section.

As a result, this is part of a number of security measures being put into place.

Mohammed Kudus' return to the London Stadium is set to be a potential flashpoint.

In a statement, West Ham said: “West Ham United would like to make supporters aware that enhanced security measures will be in place for Saturday’s match against Tottenham Hotspur.

"This includes additional checks at turnstiles, restrictions on half-and-half scarves or items illustrating the colours/crests of both clubs and steps to ensure home areas remain for West Ham United fans only.

“We would like to kindly ask all supporters for patience when entering the stadium to allow our staff to perform these checks, especially during the busiest times in the 45 minutes ahead of kick-off.”

Boost

Liverpool have been handed a potential boost ahead of their opening Champions League game with the news that Thiago Almada has suffered a leg injury.

On Atletico Madrid's website, the Spanish giants said the forward has damaged a muscle.

They don't have a timeframe for the injury, but with game a week away, it appears unlikely he'll play any part.

The statement read: "Thiago Almada has a muscle injury in his right leg, according to our club's medical services after conducting tests on the Argentine international, who suffered the injury during his national team's training camp.

"The Rojiblanco number 11 will undergo physiotherapy sessions and rehabilitation work in the gym, and the progress of his injury will determine his return to competition."

Kai full of stars

Kai Rooney revealed his heartbreak after an injury left the Manchester United starlet on crutches.

The son of ex-United and England hero Wayne claimed he was at his lowest ebb after sharing images of himself with the crutches.

The 15-year-old posted the picture on Instagram alongside the caption "life can't get worse", alongside a crying emoji.

The post showed Kai wearing a medical boot while using crutches.

The extent of the injury is currently unknown, but by the looks of things, Kai could be out of action for a significant period.

He has been a part of the United academy since the age of 11 after joining the set-up back in 2020.

Mont everest

Former Manchester United star Anthony Martial is closing in on a move to join Sergio Ramos at Monterrey in Mexico.

The striker left Old Trafford as a free agent in 2024, following nine years in the Premier League during which he struggled with various injuries and loss of form.

His last appearance for United came on December 9, 2023, ahead of a free transfer to AEK Athens nine months later.

However, his spell in Greece has already come to an end, with Martial set for a medical at Monterrey.

Martial, once the world's most expensive teenager when he signed for the Red Devils from Monaco for £36million, missed 94 games for United through his various injuries.

League of their own

The English Football League is considering adding an eliminator round to the Championship play-offs, with six teams taking part.

The move would see the Championship adopt a similar format to that of the National League.

That would mean the team finishing fifth would play the eight-placed team and sixth taking on seventh in one-off matches with the highest placed team based on league position playing at home.

Championship play-offs could be expanded as EFL consider 'eliminator' shake-up

For Farke sake

Leeds manager Daniel Farke, on his side not signing another attacker in the transfer window: "It's fair to say that after deadline day we're not going to be dancing on the table.

"I've got a few principles with how I work and this is crucial for me. One principle is I like openness and transparency. I like to name it how I see it.

"The second principle is once a transfer window is closed and I can't influence things anymore, you won't hear one bad word or comment from me in any way.

"I'm pretty fortunate to be allowed to work in the business. My job is to adapt to the reality and work with what I've got.

"I don't want to say different things to what I've said before. I won't come out and say it was never the plan to sign offensive players. I would never do this because I don't like to talk nonsense. Once the situation is done I adapt to the reality. You won't hear one bad word from me. I'm there for my players.

"There is no point for me to feel down and sorry for myself.

"We perhaps wanted a different deadline day or different transfer window, but right now we are just focused on trying to get as many Premier League points as possible."

Tricky Trees

Nottingham Forest boss Ange Postecoglou on unity at the club: "I think it's always been here.

"The supporters were right behind Coops [Steve Cooper] and the team. That was one of the attractions for me.

"You know how closely linked the football club is to the community. It won't happen overnight.

"They won't love me from the first day; it's something I have to earn.

"Longer term, I have to earn people's respect and trust. If we can tap into that then we can create something really special."

'Spurs was the first time I've been sacked'

Ange Postecoglou on his Tottenham exit: "It was unusual because it's never happened to me before. It's the first time I've been sacked.

"It's the first time I've had an off-season off. You wonder about the next opportunity.

"What I did know was I was really keen to go to a club that would give me the platform to continue what I've been doing in my career.

"If you asked me at the start of the year if a job with Nottingham Forest was a possibility, then I'd have said no because of the job Nuno had done. The opportunity presented itself, and I was here to take it."

On winning trophies, he added: "I've said already I want to win trophies and that's what I've done my whole career and that's what I'll do here.

"Every club wants to be successful, but what I've seen over the last few years, those ambitions are backed up with actions."

Don't look back in Ang-er

Ange Postecoglou on his relationship with Evangelos Marinakis: "I've been in his company three or four times. I don't know him well.

"We were in Athens because he presented me with an award, and I wasn't going to turn it down. It meant a lot to me because I was raised in Australia, but I was born in Greece.

"I had a brief interaction with him there. I haven't spent a lot of time with him, but from afar, you have to admire his ambition."

Mate rates

Ange Postecoglou on replacing Nuno: "It's the nature of football. You don't really know what circumstances you'll take over. Until Steve Cooper took over the club, they weren't looking as though they were going to be in the Premier League very quickly.

"They've had two excellent managers who have done fantastic work.

"You certainly don't know when these things come to an end.

"I certainly didn't think I would finish up after winning a trophy either - that's just the nature of football!"

Postecoglou: 'Forest are on their way up'

Postecoglou on changing Nottingham Forest's playing style after replacing Nuno Espirito Santo: "It's familiar territory for me.

"Similar when I took over at Spurs…but three games in, it'll be a gradual process.

"Nuno was transitioning into something different. But we're all different. It's just a matter of making it as smooth as possible."

The Australian also reaffirmed that he wants to win more silverware at Nottingham Forest as he's "won trophies all my career".

Postecoglou added: "It developed over the weekend but came to a head on the Monday.

"My staff were in different parts of the world. We had to make some quick decisions.

"They got me at a good time, I'd just done the school run. From my perspective, once we'd got into discussions over the weekend, it didn't take too much for me to realise it was a great opportunity."

Saud all over

Former Burnley captain Josh Brownhill has officially been unveiled at Saudi Pro League side Al-Shabab.

"I feel really honoured to join Al-Shabab," Brownhill said.

"The way the manager plays - formation, system and the vision that they see - is what really attracted me.

"I'm hoping to score a lot of goals and we'll be aiming to win some trophies this season."

Brownhill rejected the chance to join Brentford to seal a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia, talkSPORT revealed on Wednesday.

Brownhill had been biding his time before making a final decision on his future after leaving Burnley as a free agent.

The Bees were keen to add Brownhill to their ranks, but ultimately a six-figure-a-week deal with Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Shabab proved too good to turn down.

Brownhill also held talks with Leicester and Wolves.

Hey Jude

Jude Bellingham is the full package for England, but their World Cup chances could improve without him in the starting XI.

That is the view of talkSPORT's Hugh Woozencroft, who believes he is capable of being a superstar off the bench next summer instead.

On Kick Off, he explained: "Ultimately you need players, in my mind, in those biggest of moments, that you think, 'I can rely on him'.

"I think he can handle the pressure the most out of anyone, I think he can, I think he's already shown that. Because, he was really poor at times in the last tournament.

"Yet, in the biggest of moments what he produced, the overhead kick goal [against Slovakia] alone, tells me everything about what he is, what he can do and what he can bring. The only issue is, can he play the role in the way that I think we really need him to?"

But Woozencroft chose Cole Palmer over Bellingham for the no. 10 role, and said: "I think even Morgan Rogers showed us [in the 5-0 win vs Serbia] that that no. 10 role has a sense of discipline around it that.

"For all of the qualities Jude Bellingham has, he hasn't shown... He can do everything, Jude Bellingham, and he tries to do everything.

"And no one has yet put the discipline into his game to say that, 'If you are going to play as the no. 10, actually what we need you to do is conduct the attack, and we need you to do that as kind of a central attacking pivot.' That's the position.

"We see him pop up in the left-back area, right-back area, making tackles in the penalty box, he's down the left wing, down the right wing.

"He can do everything, and that's why I'd actually say in the last half an hour of games, in extra time, he's going to be our guy who can impact games really seriously late on.

"Particularly if teams are in the heat of the United States, Mexico, Canada next summer, tired team, he's our guy off the [bench]...

"I actually think there's a really specific role for him to win matches for England, to close them out..."

Chelsea face 74 charges over agent payments

In 2023, it emerged that Blues co-owner Todd Boehly self-reported a number of financial irregularities inherited from his predecessor.

The majority of the breaches span between 2010 and 2016.

Whilst Chelsea have opened up their books to the FA, the Premier League are also running a concurrent investigation.

The main issue relates to incorrect reporting of agent payments, with Chelsea hiring one of the biggest accountancy firms to help analyse the breaches.

They do not believe there has been any sporting advantage and will argue that no sporting sanction is necessary.

Punishment can range from a fine, to a settlement and to a sporting sanction, with the Boehly-Clearlake ownership being very transparent in alerting the relevant authorities about the breaches.

talkSPORT understands the club have been negotiating a financial settlement with the FA in recent months to avoid a possible sporting sanction.

However, this has already been met with backlash from their Premier League rivals, who feel rich clubs should not be able to 'buy their way' out of points deductions.

Coote pleads not guilty

​​​​​​​Former Premier League referee David Coote has pleaded not guilty to the charge of making an indecent video of a child.

The 43-year-old appeared at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on Thursday for a first hearing relating to the charge.

Coote's case is now set to be heard at Nottingham Crown Court on October 9.

The former official was granted bail on the condition that he has no contact with a child under the age of 18 or lives in the same residence as an under-18.

Baj of honour

Liverpool have been handed a huge injury boost with Stefan Bajcetic joining Jeremie Frimpong and Alexander Isak in training.

The emergence of the 20-year-old was one of the few shining lights of the 2022/23 season under Jurgen Klopp.

However, the Spaniard has since suffered multiple injuries, the latest coming following a loan spell at Las Palmas last term.

Having undergone hamstring surgery at the start of the summer, Bajcetic was pictured in training on Wednesday.

'Cheeky' Bajcetic's dad played with Thiago's in Spain and could unlock ‘flawed’ Liverpool

Var from home

Jamie Vardy has claimed that 'age is just a number' as he opens a new chapter of his career with Italian side Cremonese.

During his first press conference, an Italian reporter quizzed: “In Italy, we are a little bit sceptical about players like you approaching their 40th birthday.

"We tend to say, where’s their motivation, how fit are they?”

Vardy shot back: "You must be one of the doubters. You're one that I'll have to prove wrong

"For me, age is just a number. As long as my legs are doing exactly what they used to and still feel as fresh as they do, then I will carry on.

"At the moment, there are no signs of them slowing down, so I'll keep going and I will be giving my all for this club.

"I will learn Italian, but [for now] it is not a problem: football has its own language, with the ball," Vardy added.

T-rent is due

Trent Alexander-Arnold faces an uphill battle to make England's World Cup squad - he may never get back into the starting XI.

That is according to talkSPORT's Adrian Durham after Reece James' impressive performances against Andorra and Serbia.

Assessing James' form for the national team, he told Hawksbee & Jacobs: "He's so good when he's fit and we're just hoping he stays fit because this could be the end of Trent Alexander-Arnold's international career.

"When you think about it, Reece James stays fit, does Trent get back in? Probably not, as good as he is.

"He's got to have a real good run at Real Madrid and produce at Real Madrid to even get back in the England squad.

"So Reece James staying fit is crucial for England to operate at full pelt in that right-back position. I think he's been excellent in this camp."

Nu chance

Nuno Espirito Santo will not struggle to return to management despite being sacked by Nottingham Forest.

That's the view of talkSPORT's Danny Murphy, although Simon Jordan does not believe he will work at a top six Premier League side again.

Speaking on White and Jordan about Espirito Santo's next steps in management, Murphy said: "I think he'll have multiple options.

"He's a very competent man who seems to conduct himself the right way, until very recently.

"But he's a certain style of manager, and there'll always be clubs who need someone to be able to organise and discipline, and create a team that's very difficult to play against.

"I don't see him struggling for work at all."

Eriksen lands in Germany

Christian Eriksen has spoken after signing with Wolfsburg.

The former Tottenham and Brentford midfielder became a free agent when his Manchester United contract expire on June 30, and he's now joined his first Bundesliga club.

Linked with Wrexham and Bayer Leverkusen, Eriksen explained that his five Danish teammates at Wolfsburg played a part in his decision.

"VfL Wolfsburg is my first club in the Bundesliga, and I'm really looking forward to this new adventure," said Eriksen.

"I'm convinced we can achieve something great together. The talks with the club management went very well. I immediately felt that Paul Simonis [sporting director] has a clear vision for the team and for me personally.

"The fact that there are several familiar faces in the squad from the Danish national team makes VfL a particularly attractive option for me."

Ange's first words

Ange Postecoglou has held his first interview as Nottingham Forest manager.

The Europa League champion with Tottenham has made a swift return to coaching, and has hit the right notes with Forest fans, talking about trophies and attacking football.

"I love winning things. That's what I've done," Postecoglou told the club's website.

"From my perspective now it's about implementing my own ideas. It's no secret I like my teams to attack, I love my teams to score goals.

"That is sometimes misconstrued as me just playing one way, but the reason I want my team to play that way is because I love winning things and that is what I want to do here.

"When you look at what the club has achieved in recent times, it's an outstanding feat to be where we are right now.

"Other clubs that have won promotion have struggled to stay in the league, but in a short space of time we're back in Europe and competing for honours, which is a great credit to everyone involved.

"I get a sense that the club wants more and that's certainly what I want, so I think it's a really exciting time.

"I'm honoured and I'm humbled, but more importantly I'm determined to make sure this football club takes its rightful place."

Palace World Cup winner retires

The only World Cup winner to play for Crystal Palace, Steve Mandanda, has retired at the age of 40.

The goalkeeper played for the Eagles ten times during the 2016/17 season and then won the World Cup with France the following summer.

Leaving south London for Marseille and Rennes, his contract at the latter expired on June 30.

In an interview with L'Equipe, Mandanda said: "I needed to take my time to accept it, first of all, because it's not easy, but yes, I'm stopping.

"I had a long period of reflection because I had a lot of calls, but I said no each time."

Thiago's return

Former Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara is set to return to Barcelona's bench.

The two-time Champions League winner with Bayern Munich and Barcelona left the Reds last summer and announced his retirement as a player.

He later joined Hansi Flick's coaching staff, but only briefly as he reportedly had to return to England to resolve tax issues.

He's now been spotted back at Barca's training ground, and leading Catalan outlet Mundo Deportivo say he's set to sign a contract that will see him work as a liaison between Flick and the squad, and also between the first team and La Masia.