Ranieri on radar after Xisco axe
ROUND-UP
EX-CHELSEA and Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri could be set for a return to the Premier League after holding talks with Watford.
The Hornets sacked Xisco Munoz after their 1-0 defeat by Leeds as Diego Llorente’s goal left the club 14th in the table.
A Watford statement said: “The board feels recent performances indicate a negative trend at a time when team cohesion should be visibly improving.
“The Hornets will always be grateful to Xisco for the part he played in securing last season’s promotion.”
Brighton fought out a 0-0 with Arsenal and exCeltic loanee Shane Duffy says it proved you don’t need superstars when one big happy family. Duffy, back in the team after the £50million sale of Ben White to the Gunners, was instrumental in clinching the clean sheet and puts the squad harmony down to Graham Potter’s style.
He said: “The club are really lucky to have this kind of manager who cares a lot about the players, about our personal life. That goes a long way in life.
“No one gets hammered for doing something wrong. There are no superstars.”
Duffy, who lost his father last year, suffered another family tragedy in the lead-up to the game.
Potter said: “A family member passed away so our thoughts are with his family with the sad news.”
Norwich boss Daniel Farke admitted his spirits were lifted by a 0-0 draw in the basement battle with Burnley.
He said: “We were sometimes a bit soft, a bit naive, a bit inexperienced against a very physical side with a direct approach.
“The point and the clean sheet will help with the mood and the confidence.”