Breaking
Arsenal Plan Ancelotti Talks After Napoli Sacking
Arsenal will hold talks with Carlo Ancelotti after the Italian was sacked by Napoli on Tuesday night.
The north London club are still searching for a permanent replacement for Unai Emery, who was dismissed a fortnight ago having overseen a run of seven games without a win.
Several names have been linked as potential candidates and Ancelotti has emerged as a possibility following his exit from the Serie A club. The former Chelsea boss was sacked hours after Napoli had beaten Genk 4-0 to book their spot in the Champions League knockout stages
A statement from the Italian side read: “SSC Napoli has decided to revoke the role of first-team coach from Mr Carlo Ancelotti.
“The rapport of friendship, admiration and reciprocal respect between the club, its president [Aurelio De Laurentiis] and Carlo Ancelotti remain intact.”
Everton are interested in Ancelotti, 60, and will also look to speak to him about succeeding Marco Silva, who was sacked last week.
Goal has been told that Arsenal’s priority is a younger coach, but that a figure like Ancelotti can’t be ruled out given his wealth of experience at the top level where he has managed clubs such as Juventus, AC Milan, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
The three-time Champions League winner is believed to be keen on returning to England, where he spent two years in charge of Chelsea a decade ago – winning the double in 2009-10.
Official discussions with Arsenal are expected over the coming days as the Gunners continue to sound out potential candidates before drawing up a final shortlist.
One man who has been heavily linked with the role is former Valencia coach Marcelino, with some reports suggesting he was interviewed in London this week.
Goal has been told, however, that the 54-year-old is not being viewed as a leading contender to replace Emery. Neither is Paulo Sousa, despite claims that he has been targeted by the Gunners.
The Portuguese coach is currently in charge of Bordeaux in France but his representatives have been quoted in the French press claiming Arsenal are interested in taking him to Emirates Stadium
“They like his profile, not just as a coach but also as a person,” an unnamed member of Sousa’s entourage told L’Equipe. “This does not mean that he will leave.
“They are in talks with multiple candidates but Paulo is part of that list, certainly. Between the two, it could work.
“But with all the problems currently ongoing at Bordeaux, why wouldn’t he leave? The project is not what was promised to him, that is a fact. He loves the fans but he needs more from the board, the team is not strong enough to finish in the top six.”
Mikel Arteta remains the leading candidate to replace Emery, but Manchester City would be reluctant to let Pep Guardiola’s assistant coach leave before the end of the season. Patrick Vieira is also being viewed favourably by the Arsenal hierarchy.
But head of football Raul Sanllehi and technical director Edu will not be rushed into making a decision and they continue to fully support Freddie Ljungberg, who got his first win as interim boss on Monday night against West Ham.
Importantly, the squad are happy with what the 42-year-old has done since being installed and the hierarchy back him to do the job for as long as is needed.
Breaking
Senator Ifeanyi Ubah dies at 52
The Senator representing Anambra South in the National Assembly, Ifeanyi Ubah, is dead.
Ubah, who was the Chief Executive Officer of Capital Oil, was said to have died in a hotel in London, the United Kingdom, on Saturday.
He would have been 53 on September 3.
Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, confirmed Ubah’s death to our correspondent on Saturday.
He said, “It’s confirmed, but I am sending an official statement soon.”
Ubah, who was re-elected into the 10th Senate under the Young Peoples Party, had last year defected to the All Progressive Congress.
In September 2022, Ubah escaped assassination when he was attacked by gunmen on his way to Nnewi in Enugwu-Ukwu in Anambra State.
Breaking
JUST IN: Edo state Assembly impeaches Deputy Governor Shaibu
The Edo State House of Assembly, on Monday, impeached the state’s Deputy governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu.
The impeachment followed the adoption of the report of the seven-man investigative panel set up by the Assembly to probe allegations of misconduct against Shaibu.
Breaking
JUST IN: Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun joins ancestors at 81
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun has joined his ancestors after a brief illness.
He joined his ancestors at the age of 81.
It was gathered that the late monarch was taken to the hospital Wednesday morning having stayed indoor throughout Tuesday on account of slight malaria fever, though, he was hail and hearty on Monday during which he personally received few guests that paid him congratulatory visits on his second year anniversary on that day.
Making this announcement was the Baba-Kekere Olubadan and his younger brother, Dr Kola Balogun in a statement by the Personal Assistant (Media) to the late monarch, Oladele Ogunsola.
According to the statement, Dr. Balogun disclosed that Oba Balogun would be buried at his Aliiwo ancestral home by 4.00pm on Friday according to Islamic rites just as he said that the State Governor Seyi Makinde, though already verbally informed, would be formally notified early in the morning.
The late Olubadan was the first most educated to have emerged as Ibadan monarch, a British trained P.hd holder, a former university lecturer, former member of management staff of Shell British Petroleum, former gubernatorial candidate of the defunct Nigeria People’s Party, NPP, former Senator and a successful business man.
His last official outing was the Olubadan Advisory Council’s meeting which he presided over last Saturday where the decision to derobed Mogaji Akinsola, Olawale Oladoja was taken.
He however, on Tuesday instructed the Ekerin Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade to midwife a small committee to deliberate on last Friday’s decision on what should be the position of Ibadan Zone in the proposed newly reconstituted Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.
The decision of the small committee was earlier on Thursday ratified by the Olubadan Advisory Council at a meeting presided over by Otun Olubadan and the former governor of Oyo State, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja and was to be taken to the late Oba Balogun for his signature Friday morning so as to meet the deadline for submission to the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters later in the day.
The late Olubadan is survived by wives, children and grandchildren.
Announcing the passage of the monarch, Governor Makinde, in a statement, stated that Olubadan, who joined his ancestors late Thursday evening at the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, described him as an epitome of royal excellence and a great achiever, who made great marks on Ibadanland in just a little over two years of his reign.
He expressed his condolences to the Olubadan-in-Council, the Oyo State Traditional Council and the people of Ibadanland and Oyo State, praying to God to grant repose to the soul of the deceased monarch.
Makinde said: “With total submission to the will of God, I announce the passing unto glory of our father, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Dr. Mohood Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland.
“A mighty Iroko has fallen; Oba Dr. Balogun has joined the ancestors.
“In Kabiyesi, Ibadanland had a cosmopolitan and well-experienced Olubadan, who made indelible marks on the sands of history and achieved greatly within a short while.
“On behalf of the Government and good People of Oyo State, I condole with the immediate family of the Oba Dr. Balogun, the Olubadan-in-Council, the Oyo State Traditional Council and the people of Ibadanland.
“It is my prayer that God grants repose to the soul of our late monarch.”
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