Football

Harry Kane, England's captain, has expressed his disappointment over the high number of withdrawals from the national team squad this week, emphasizing that the team's interests should take precedence. England faces a crucial Nations League match against Greece on Thursday, followed by a home game against Ireland on Sunday. However, interim manager Lee Carsley's final camp before the arrival of Thomas Tuchel as the new manager has been marred by eight withdrawals.Kane, who will lead the team in Athens, expressed his frustration, stating that key players' absence in a must-win match is a setback. He highlighted the importance of prioritizing England over club commitments, emphasizing the joy and excitement that players should feel when representing their country.The Bayern Munich forward criticized the withdrawals, suggesting that the busy schedule may have been exploited. He believes that England's interests should come first, regardless of club situations.Carsley, who will return to his role as England Under-21s coach after the Nations League games, acknowledged the withdrawals but emphasized his focus on the players available. He stated that the situation provides opportunities for others to prove themselves.Despite Kane's comments, Carsley downplayed the significance of the withdrawals, stating that it is not uncommon during this time of year. He expressed his confidence in the players who have joined the squad and their readiness for the upcoming matches.

Xabi Alonso, the current coach of Bayer Leverkusen, has dismissed the speculation surrounding his future as a distraction for the Bundesliga leaders, following Bayern Munich's announcement that coach Thomas Tuchel will be leaving at the end of the season. Alonso's impressive performance with Leverkusen, leading them to an eight-point lead over Bayern in the Bundesliga, has made him one of the most sought-after coaches in European soccer, with potential vacancies at Bayern and Liverpool, both clubs where he played during his illustrious career.When asked about the speculation and Bayern's history of acquiring players and coaches from rival teams, Alonso remained unfazed, stating, "It's not a problem. It's a super opponent that we have, but there is no distraction." This response reflects Alonso's focus on the task at hand, as he aims to maintain Leverkusen's title challenge and continue their impressive unbeaten run of 32 games in all competitions.The news of Tuchel's departure from Bayern has further fueled the speculation surrounding Alonso's future, as both Liverpool and Bayern are in search of new coaches. Alonso's success with Leverkusen, coupled with his history with both clubs, makes him a strong candidate for either position. However, Alonso has remained tight-lipped about his plans, emphasizing his commitment to Leverkusen and his desire to achieve success with the club.Leverkusen's title challenge continues on Friday with a home match against Mainz, while Bayern faces Leipzig on Saturday. Alonso's team remains unbeaten in 32 games across all competitions and is a contender in the German Cup semi-finals and the Europa League. Alonso's ability to maintain this impressive form and guide Leverkusen to silverware will undoubtedly influence his future prospects and the decisions of potential suitors.

Bayern Munich, the reigning German champions, announced on Wednesday that they will part ways with manager Thomas Tuchel at the conclusion of the current season. This decision comes amidst Bayern's struggles to maintain their dominance in the Bundesliga title race.In a statement released by Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen, he stated that the club and Tuchel had engaged in a constructive and open dialogue, leading to the mutual agreement to end their collaboration in the summer. Dreesen expressed gratitude for Tuchel's contributions to the club, acknowledging his role in guiding Bayern to the Bundesliga title in the 2016-2017 season.However, the club's recent performances have raised concerns among fans and management alike. Bayern currently finds themselves trailing league leaders Borussia Dortmund by nine points, with just 10 matches remaining in the season. This significant gap has prompted the club to make a change in leadership, hoping to regain their title-winning form.Tuchel's departure marks the end of a two-year tenure at Bayern Munich. During his time at the club, he led the team to the Bundesliga title in his first season, along with the German Super Cup. However, the club's failure to replicate that success in subsequent seasons, coupled with their current struggles, has ultimately led to this decision.The search for Tuchel's successor is expected to begin immediately, with Bayern aiming to appoint a new manager who can restore the club's dominance in both domestic and European competitions. Several potential candidates have been mentioned, including former Bayern player and current RB Leipzig manager Julian Nagelsmann, as well as Ajax manager Erik ten Hag.As Bayern Munich looks towards the future, they will hope to find a manager who can bring stability and success back to the club. The upcoming summer transfer window will also be crucial for the team, as they aim to strengthen their squad and challenge for major trophies in the seasons to come.