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Ex-Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Carlton Palmer has told Football FanCast in an exclusive interview that the players at his former club are pleased with manager Darren Moore.

Moore became Wednesday boss last month after leaving Doncaster Rovers and has managed to steer his new side to some decent results, with the 5-0 win against Cardiff City particularly coming to mind.

The Owls still find themselves in relegation trouble and look like they will go down at the end of the season but, even so, it seems Moore has been able to create a positive atmosphere at Hillsborough.

On how Wednesday’s players are finding life under the 46-year-old, Palmer told FFC:

“All I’ve heard is just positivity coming out since Darren went in there. What I’m hearing is they all wish that Darren had gone in there earlier — there’s a lot of positive feedback about Darren.”

Looking at the Championship table, it may be too little, too late for Wednesday. However, the impact that Moore has had since arriving at the Yorkshire club and the fact that the players seem to have taken a real liking to him bodes well for the future.

If the Owls do end up dropping down to League One, they look like they have a coach who could help them to bounce straight back up in the former West Brom manager.

Leeds could hire Marcelo Bielsa’s perfect successor in Rangers boss Steven Gerrard amid a major reveal by Phil Hay.

What’s the story?

Speaking on Ask Ornstein, The Athletic’s Hay name-checked Gerrard when discussing who could potentially succeed Bielsa as Leeds boss at Elland Road, with the Argentine’s future still in the air given that his contract comes to an end this summer.

Speaking exclusively to FFC about Gerrard potentially taking over at the club however, former Leeds man Carlton Palmer seemed to pour cold water on a move, saying: “I think Stevie G’s had a fantastic season up at Rangers. I can’t for the life of me see Stevie G leaving Rangers at this moment in time, apart from going back to Liverpool Football Club and I don’t think (Jurgen) Klopp’s going for a couple of seasons yet.”

Gerrard would be a perfect Bielsa replacement

While Leeds undoubtedly want Bielsa to stay given everything he’s built at Elland Road, there will be a time where the Argentine might call it a day, and it’s a prospect that Andrea Radrizzani will need to be ready for.

And in Gerrard, the Whites could hire arguably their perfect Bielsa successor.

His management style has earned him high praise from those who have had the chance to work under him, including former Spurs star Jermain Defoe, who reveled at his Bielsa-esque work ethic.

He said of Gerrard: “I don’t think it surprised me (his success) because he’s a winner. He always talks about Rangers standards, even if you are winning 6-0 or 7-0, the standards can’t drop. It’s not really surprised me he’s done well, to be honest.”

The former Liverpool man himself has delivered an insight into his footballing philosophy, saying: “That means trying to be a really tough team to play against, an aggressive team in the right way, but also play football at the right times in the right areas of the pitch.”

That intent on being “aggressive”, pressing from the front and being pleasing on the eye is what’s carried Rangers to a Scottish Premiership title, and why he seems like he’s schooled himself in the Bielsa style of coaching.

And just like the Leeds hero, Gerrard is a huge presence on the touch-line, constantly barking out instructions and immediately getting a response from his players.

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That’s not to mention the kind of similarities in the way both Gerrard and Bielsa have both dealt with player infractions this season, and how they’ve been keen to lay down the letter of the law and ensure those standards and principles are met.

If Radrizzani is looking to appoint someone who can bring that Bielsa energy both on and off the pitch, then Gerrard fits that bill to a tee. The “relentless” Gers boss could be the perfect fit at Leeds.

Meanwhile, Leeds are interested in signing this “Rolls-Royce of a player”…

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Premier League midfielder Carlton Palmer is adamant Daniel Levy will not pay the necessary money needed to make Julian Nagelsmann the next Tottenham manager.

Tottenham are searching for a new man for the dugout following the sacking of Jose Mourinho, and that search seems to have taken them to RB Leipzig boss Nagelsmann.

However, according to Goal, it will cost the north London club €30m (£26m) to get the 33-year-old out of his Leipzig contract.

It would be a world-record fee for a manager, a fee Palmer cannot see Levy and Tottenham paying.

When asked by FFC whether he could see Daniel Levy paying that sort of money for Nagelsmann, the ex-Sheffield Wednesday star said:

“In a word, no. They’ve made their decision; they’re not going to do anything until the summer. I think they sacked Jose because they were thinking about getting him out anyhow and what would have made it difficult for them to get him out is if he had won the cup.

“I don’t think anything’s going to happen before the summer.”

Tottenham, however, may not be able to wait until the summer, with Bayern Munich having already seemingly made their move for Nagelsmann.

Whatever the case, that £26m Leipzig are said to be demanding looks like it could be a sticking point for Spurs.

Whilst Rangers were able to celebrate a superb 4-1 win in the Old Firm derby at Ibrox on Sunday, it was not all good news for Steven Gerrard’s side, after influential left-back Borna Barisic was forced off through injury.

The Croatian international went down in agony after playing a pass and was taken off the pitch in some pain, which suggests that unfortunately, he could miss the final two games of the season as the Light Blues look to finish the league campaign unbeaten.

Following the game, Gerrard had this to say about the former Osijek man:

“I don’t know, it’s a quad issue, there’s certainly some tightness there.

“He seems a little uncomfortable at the moment so we’ll scan that in the coming days. We’ve got 10 days until the next game, hopefully that helps.”

As Gerrard suggests, Rangers’ next game isn’t until Wednesday 12th May when they face Livingston at the Almondvale Stadium, although given the non-contact nature of Barisic’s injury and how much pain he seemed to be in, it would be a surprise to see him feature again this season.

The 28-year-old left-back, who joined for £2.2m in 2018, has been one of Gerrard’s star performers in the Premiership this season, contributing one goal and five assists in 30 league appearances, resulting in a superb 7.35 average rating.

This is enough to rank him as the fifth-best performer in Rangers’ side so far this season, which emphasises just how important he is for the Light Blues and it is undoubtedly a huge blow that he seemingly won’t be available for the final two fixtures.

It is awful timing for Gerrard too, as second-choice left-back Calvin Bassey is also missing the final two games of the season due to suspension, which leaves the 40-year-old manager painfully thin in that position, which was clear to see on Sunday when Joe Aribo moved there after Barisic was forced off.

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Former Hoops defender Mark Wilson was full of praise for Barisic last season, saying:

Celtic are still without a new manager but the signs are now looking more positive for the Parkhead hierarchy.

The Hoops have been on the tail of Eddie Howe for a month but things are now appearing to reach a conclusion.

What’s the word?

Celtic have received some almighty boosts in their pursuit of Howe this week, with talks finally heading in the right direction. The Daily Mail claimed in midweek that a deal between both parties was now being finalised as the 43-year-old begins to pick his backroom staff.

The Scottish Sun had an update on this very matter, revealing a certain set of promises from the club’s majority shareholder Dermot Desmond. In an eye-opening update on Celtic’s manager hunt, the newspaper revealed that Desmond has given Howe full authority over his staff.

They also claimed that the former Bournemouth boss would be given substantial transfer resources and a yearly salary of £2m.

Lennon should be seething

There are a number of factors here which should leave Celtic’s former manager pretty angry.

For starters, Howe has already been promised one luxury Lennon never had – his own backroom staff. When the Northern Irishman took over from Brendan Rodgers in 2019, the Hoops decided to promote John Kennedy and Damian Duff to first team coaching roles instead.

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This left Lennon with coaches with whom he hadn’t really worked before and it was very evident on the training ground. The former Hoops boss was never particularly adept in this regard and organised very similar sessions to Rodgers’.

Had he been able to recruit more of his own backroom staff, then perhaps matters could have been improved at Lennoxtown.

Lennon was unable to bring his trusted advisor Garry Parker back to the club when he was re-appointed two years ago, merely being dumped with what Celtic wanted. He did bring in Peterborough’s Gavin Strachan, but that remained the sole appointment from a backroom perspective.

This wasn’t a very big help to the 49-year-old, and with Howe being promised very different things, Lennon shouldn’t be best pleased with the Celtic hierarchy.

The Hoops’ managerial target has a strong desire to bring Richard Hughes with him in a sporting director capacity, while Bournemouth coaches Stephen Purches and Simon Weatherstone could also join Howe in Glasgow.

This marks a major shift from those in the boardroom at Parkhead. Perhaps they’ve realised that their first team manager needs close friends around him in order to succeed.

After all, Rodgers was given the freedom to bring in Glen Driscoll, Chris Davies and Kolo Toure when he was at the club, and Celtic duly won a considerable haul of seven trophies under the current Leicester boss.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Turnbull: Celtic can form dream duo by signing “clinical” 30-goal bully…

Marcus Bent has exclusively told Football FanCast that he would welcome the signing of Ivan Toney at Everton.

With the likes of Josh King and Cenk Tosun expected to leave, Carlo Ancelotti would be left with just one senior recognised striker in Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Richarlison has previously played down the middle, but is predominantly a winger, meaning the Italian could need another centre-forward this summer, especially with the prospect of European football next term.

Reports in January suggested that Everton were keeping a close eye on the Brentford frontman, who’s caught the eye of several Premier League clubs this season, with the 25-year-old being looked at as a potential addition to the Toffees squad.

Toney has enjoyed a phenomenal first season at Championship level, scoring 30 goals and 10 assists in 44 appearances to help Brentford secure a top-six place.

And Bent told Football FanCast that he would back the decision to sign Toney:

“That’s quite a big one – he’s been quality in the Championship and showed that he’s got the talent.

“You don’t need to start in the Premier League to progress your career, so I think that’s a good one for Everton. Will he start? He’ll have to earn his place.

“But I think he could go up there, but him going to Everton he’s going to be away from his family again, but that’s football and I’m sure he can cope with that. “

As announced by UEFA, referee Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz will take charge of Manchester City’s first ever Champions League final at the end of this month against Chelsea – with many Sky Blues left horrified at the choice of official for their historic encounter.

City aim to clinch European glory after a phenomenal domestic season under Pep Guardiola overall, having already won the Premier League and Carabao Cup.

Indeed, Guardiola’s record breakers could put the cherry on top of 2020/2021 by winning their first ever Champions League title – with City’s last European trophy triumph coming way back in 1970.

However, as UEFA announce Lahoz will be officiating the final, City supporters have been left horrified with the decision whilst lamenting it as the ‘worst news’.

The Spanish referee has sent off Guardiola in a previous Champions League tie for confronting him about a disallowed Leroy Sane goal (Sky Sports).

Indeed, City’s boss was dismissed to the stands during their quarter-final second leg clash against Liverpool back in 2018, with Guardiola then making his feelings known in a post match press conference. 

Sky Blues, therefore, are in uproar at UEFA’s choice of official – find a flavour of their social media verdicts down below.

Man City fans horrified by Lahoz announcement

“Dreadful man, the worst news.”

Credit: @BenchSue

“This is unbelievable after the Liverpool game. Didn’t he disallow a goal for offside and send Pep off?”

Credit: @peterlakie

“We’re finished”

Credit: @KDBsIntern

“Noooooooo”

Credit: @mohamedamiin2

“Worst decision I have ever seen”

Credit: @iD7Mi1

“There’s always next season I guess”

Credit: @grantymcfc

“Oh no…”

Credit: @adl0133

“Was good while it lasted.”

Credit: @roamdeuter

In other news: Man City fans flock to huge contract claim, find out more here.

Dean Windass has exclusively told The Transfer Tavern that he thinks Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United future is hanging in the balance.

Bielsa’s Elland Road contract expires at the end of the season, and whilst reports believe the popular Argentine will extend his stay in Yorkshire, he hasn’t yet signed fresh terms.

Leeds’ 2-0 victory at Southampton on Tuesday evening, their third Premier League win on the bounce, guaranteed a top-half finish on an impressive return to the top-flight.

In fact, beating West Brom on the final-day could see Bielsa guide the club to an eighth-place finish, which would mark their best at this level since 2001-2002, although they’d need both Everton and Arsenal drop points.

Regardless of where they end up, Bielsa has certainly left his mark on the Premier League, with his energetic Leeds outfit quickly becoming one of the most watchable teams at this level.

But whilst there are still fears the 65-year-old could quit Leeds this summer, he only put pen to paper on a new deal on the eve of the Premier League season back in September.

But how does Yorkshireman Windass assess the situation? He told The Transfer Tavern:

“He obviously wants to get to the end of the season. I’m sure the club will know what the situation is because if he’s said behind closed doors ‘I’m leaving’ then they’ll need to get a replacement as quickly as possible.

“It’s 50/50 for me, I’m not sure if he’ll stay or go. That’s only because he’s not said ‘yes, I want to stay, I enjoy living in Yorkshire’.

“He’s a manager that can pick and choose what he wants to do, and I hope he stays for Leeds United fans.”

Newcastle United are reportedly chasing Edin Terzic as a potential successor to Steve Bruce.

The Lowdown: Bruce future uncertain

A source from St. James’ Park has reportedly claimed that Bruce’s future in the North East would be uncertain if the proposed takeover by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) group were to go through.

The former Aston Villa and Sunderland boss does not have the best relationship with the fans anyway, having been recently booed by several members of the Toon Army despite their 1-0 home win over Sheffield United, which may force him out of the Tyneside club.

The Latest: Newcastle chase Terzic

As per Bild (via Sport Witness), the Magpies are chasing Terzic, who is currently the manager at Borussia Dortmund.

However, they would likely face competition from both Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace to bring him to NUFC.

Terzic has turned down the chance to manage Eintracht Frankfurt, and has been praised by the news outlet, as they have described him as an ‘eloquent’ man who ‘knows the Premier League’.

The Verdict: Newcastle should hire Terzic

Newcastle should seriously consider hiring Terzic to succeed Bruce, given the latter’s poor relationship with his own fanbase.

Terzic is a much younger manager than Bruce for a start, at just 38 years of age, and so has a lot of potential to grow into one of the world’s best coaches.

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In his short spell at Dortmund, he has managed to get them from looking like a mile off qualifying for the UEFA Champions League to securing qualification with a game to spare (Bundesliga).

The German has also won silverware in the domestic cup, which should give the Magpies hope of ending their long trophy drought.

Nonetheless, Terzic is a fresh face with a lot of promise, and somebody that the Toon can quickly get behind.

In other news, find out what promising insight from the takeover consortium on arbitration has been shared here!

West Ham United can seal a place in the Europa League with at least a draw in their final Premier League game of the 2020/21 season.

David Moyes and his side welcome Southampton to the London Stadium later this afternoon, where they’ll be looking to round off their phenomenal year in style.

It was only last season that the Scotsman saved the Irons from relegation with one game to go, now they need a solitary point to be competing on the biggest stage next term.

The 58-year-old has plenty to ponder in terms of team selection, so it will be interesting to see what sort of line up he selects, so here’s our predicted XI ahead of kick-off…

There could only be one change from the side that defeated West Brom in midweek.

Moyes may decide to revert back to the 3-4-3 system that has served the Hammers so well throughout the campaign in a bid to ensure a point, which would mean a defender would have to come into the side.

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Issa Diop is the obvious candidate to pair up alongside Angelo Ogbonna and Craig Dawson.

In the warm-up at the Hawthorns, Lukasz Fabianski pulled up with a knee problem, so Darren Randolph is expected to deputise between the sticks once again, with Aaron Cresswell and Vladimir Coufal taking up their usual roles out wide.

It means Tomas Soucek and Declan Rice continue their impressive partnership in the middle, whilst it is the £26m-rated Pablo Fornals who makes way for the 24-year-old Frenchman.

Michail Antonio will undoubtedly lead the line and he’ll be joined by Said Benrahama and Jesse Lingard, who Moyes does have a big decision over. The Man Utd loanee has been out of form recently, failing to score in their last five games, whilst he’s also only provided one assist in that run, too.

He does keep his place over the potential inclusion of Jarrod Bowen.

AND in other news, West Ham given big boost ahead of Southampton clash as injury news emerges…