Gossip column: Mourinho sacking rumours, Vardy, Valdes, Falcao

Jose Mourinho is on the brink of leaving Chelsea with his senior players believing it is a case of 'when not if' the manager is sacked. (Daily Mirror) 

The club have started to discuss the possibility of sacking the 52-year-old, but are mindful that his departure would cost £30m. (ESPN) 

Mourinho's representatives are already investigating a move to Paris St-Germain or a return to Inter Milan if he is dismissed. (Independent)

 A shareholder of Ligue 1 side Monaco says the Portuguese has been approached to replace Leonardo Jardim as manager. (Sport - in Spanish) 

Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola is the overwhelming favourite to replace Mourinho if he is removed from his position. (The Sun - subscription required) 

However, Roman Abramovich could well be frustrated in his pursuit of Guardiola, who is believed to be open to the possibility of extending his current deal with the German champions beyond this season. (Times - subscription required) 

Mourinho may not even be in the dugout for his side's Premier League game against Liverpool on Saturday, as he faces the possibility of a stadium ban following his latest Football Association charge. (Daily Express) 

Stoke manager Mark Hughes has given his support to Mourinho, saying Blues owner Abramovich would be making a mistake if he sacked him. (Daily Star) 

Alternatively, Mourinho's job is safe. Abramovich is planning to review the under-fire manager's position during the international break in November. (Goal.com) 

Mourinho has also been accused of tarnishing the image of the Premier League by former referees' chief Keith Hackett, who says taking charge of Chelsea games has become a "poisoned chalice" for officials. (Daily Mirror) 

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri believes "not many clubs" have enough money to buy the Premier League's leading scorer Jamie Vardy, 28, who has been linked with a move to Real Madrid. (Leicester Mercury) 

Zenit St Petersburg manager Andre Villas-Boas wants to end 29-year-old Radamel Falcao's nightmare at Stamford Bridge by taking him on loan at the Russian club. (Daily Telegraph) 

Real Madrid have signed 15-year-old Lucas Patanelli, who has been playing in Independiente's youth sides and has been dubbed "the next Lionel Messi". (Marca) 

Aston Villa's pursuit of former Lyon manager Remi Garde has hit a stumbling block over the appointment of his assistants, with the French club reluctant to let Gerald Baticle and Robert Duverne leave. (Times - subscription rManchester City captain Vincent Kompany is prepared to risk a fall-out with Manuel Pellegrini by playing for Belgium even if his club boss believes he is not fit enough to do so.(Guardian) 

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney rates club and country team-mate Chris Smalling among the best three centre-backs in the world.(Manchester Evening News) 

Victor Valdes' agent has confirmed that the 33-year-old Spanish goalkeeper is keen to stay in the Premier League if Manchester United let him leave during the January transfer window.(Evening Standard) 

Tottenham will allow winger Andros Townsend, 24, to leave the club on loan during the transfer window and are looking at signing Crystal Palace winger Yannick Bolasie, 26, as a replacement. (The Sun - subscription required) 

Spurs midfielder Dele Alli, 19, has been linked with a move to Ligue 1 leaders Paris St-Germain. (One MK) 

Everton are confident of signing Bury's 17-year-old left-footed centre-half Matty Foulds when the transfer window opens on 2 January. (Liverpool Echo) 

Swansea have been linked with a move for Brentford midfielder Alan Judge, 26, who has scored six goals for the Bees this season. (South Wales Evening Post) 

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has backed goalkeeper Artur Boruc, 35, to respond to his side's 5-1 defeat by Tottenham in positive fashion, after making three mistakes that led to goals. (Bournemouth Eche) 

Uefa's Gianni Infantino enters Fifa presidential race

Uefa general secretary Gianni Infantino entered the Fifa presidential race hours before Monday's deadline.

Infantino joined suspended Uefa boss Michel Platini in the bid to replace outgoing president Sepp Blatter, 79.

Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa also confirmed his candidacy.

The deadline passed at 23:00 GMT on Monday, with nine candidates thought to be in the running, although Fifa has yet to confirm the shortlist.

All candidates had to obtain the written backing of five football associations under Fifa electoral rules, with Blatter - who like Platini is also banned - to be succeeded at an election on 26 February.

Infantino, who joined Uefa in 2000 and has been general secretary since 2009, joined the shortlist on Monday.

"I will in due course be setting out my detailed thinking in a manifesto which will address the challenges and opportunities ahead," said the 45-year-old Swiss.

It will be based on the need for ‎reform and also for a Fifa that genuinely serves the interests of all 209 national associations, big or small, and that puts football and football development at the top of its agenda.

"If elected I would lead that change in partnership with all who want to see a Fifa worthy of governing the world's number one sport with dignity and respect."

The AFC website  reported on Monday that Salman told the 47 AFC member associations his campaign will be entirely self-financed, and that he will not use the AFC's resources, human or otherwise, in the election.

Platini maintains he will stand despite Fifa saying it cannot recognise its vice-president's candidacy while his 90-day ban is in place.

To date, South Africa's Tokyo Sexwale, Prince Ali Bin al-Hussein of Jordan, former Trinidad and Tobago international David Nakhid, former Fifa deputy general secretary Jerome Champagne and Liberia FA president Musa Bility have said they have formally submitted their bids.

Fifa has confirmed it will hold the election to determine Blatter's successor at a special congress on 26 February, 2016.

Swiss Blatter and Frenchman Platini, 60, are suspended while Fifa investigates reports that a £1.35m payment was made in 2011 for work Platini did as Blatter's adviser.

Both men deny any wrongdoing and are appealing against their 90-day bans.

Pacquiao to quit in April

Manny Pacquiao will retire from boxing after his next fight in April, according to promoter Bob Arum.

No opponent has been named for Pacquiao for his swansong on April 9 next year, but Arum believes the 36-year-old will turn his attention to a political career after the final bout.

Arum did add that Britain's Amir Khan was one of the options to go up against Pacquiao, who has won 57 of his 65 career fights.

Arum told ESPN: "Manny told me this fight on April 9 will be his last fight.

Jose Mourinho: Chelsea boss refuses to speak after red card

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho refused to speak to the media after he was sent to the stands during his side's 2-1 defeat by West Ham.

On Friday, Mourinho had warned his relationship with the media would be changing after phone camera footage of him in west London was published.

"You don't get good and funny headlines from me now," Mourinho said.

Gary Cahill was the only Chelsea player to speak after the game, saying: "We are not feeling sorry for ourselves."

Cahill had levelled after Mauro Zarate put West Ham ahead, but Andy Carroll's late header gave the Hammers the points.

The derby defeat was Chelsea's fifth in their opening 10 league matches this season, and came after Mourinho, assistant first team coach Silvino Louro and midfielder Nemanja Matic were all sent off.

Louro was dismissed for his reaction to Matic's second booking before half-time, while Mourinho was shown a red card for comments he made to referee Jon Moss during the interval.

Mourinho watched most of the second half from the directors' box at Upton Park, but disappeared shortly after Carroll headed home West Ham's winner.

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic said that he had spoken to Mourinho after the match.

"I feel for him," Bilic said. "Decisions from his point of view have gone against him. I would moan if it was against us. But they are not mistakes; they are matters of opinion."

Mourinho has been caught up in controversy numerous times this season, including banishing team doctor Eva Carneiro from the bench and being handed a £50,000 Football Association fine and suspended stadium banfor saying officials were "afraid" to award his side penalties.

Chris Eubank Jr stops Tony Jeter in round two in Sheffield

Chris Eubank Jr returned to the ring with a swift victory over American Tony Jeter to retain his interim WBA middleweight title in Sheffield.

The Briton, 13 years younger at 26, had his man down with a minute remaining in the first round and finished off Jeter after 29 seconds of round two.

It was Eubank Jr's first contest since winning the temporary title against Dmitry Chudinov in February.

Eubank Jr is next set to face Ireland's Gary 'Spike' O'Sullivan in December.

"This was the warm-up fight," Eubank Jr told Sky Sports.

"This is the fight that's getting me ready. This was getting rid of the ring rust and ready for December 12 against a man called Spike O'Sullivan.

"It's going to be one hell of a fight. He's been talking a lot of mess and it's time for some punishment. It's going to be all-out war; I'm going to be going in there an absolute animal, I hope he's ready for it."

Gavin McDonnell defended his European Super Bantamweight title with a unanimous decision against France's Jeremy Parodi, extending the 29-year-old Yorkshireman's unbeaten record to 16 fights.

Tim Sherwood: Aston Villa manager sacked after eight months

Aston Villa have sacked manager Tim Sherwood after eight months in charge, with the club 19th in the Premier League table.

The move follows a 2-1 defeat to Swansea on Saturday - Villa's sixth straight loss in the league.

Under-21 manager Kevin McDonald has been placed in interim charge.

Appointed in February, Sherwood reached the FA Cup final with Villa in his first season in charge, but has won one of ten league matches this term.

Jose Mourinho: Chelsea boss's legal team monitor 'shove' reports

Jose Mourinho's legal representatives are "closely monitoring" the reporting of an incident in which the Chelsea boss allegedly shoved a teenager in the back.

The boy filmed himself while the Portuguese boss could be seen walking behind him, but the video footage begins to shake as Mourinho overtakes.

A Chelsea spokesman said the behaviour was "overly intrusive".

He added there were two teenagers involved in the incident.

"While Jose understands the laws pertaining to filming in public places, the two teenagers in question followed him from his home for 20 minutes and constantly interrupted a private phone call," said the spokesperson, who criticised the tone of the reports.

"We also note the allegation of intimidation in those stories, which Jose strongly refutes and which his legal representatives will continue to monitor closely."

Mourinho rebuked media outlets on Friday for not showing him respect after publishing the video.

"I am going to treat your [media] bosses the way they treat me; no respect, no respect," said Mourinho.

"You don't get good and funny headlines from me now," added Mourinho. "I am not talking about football. I am ready to accept any kind of critics, even the stupid ones.

"I am talking about private lives and stupid things that you bring to light, I don't like it. We go to a different level of professional relationship now."

Mourinho has been caught up in controversy numerous times this season, including banishing team doctor Eva Carneiro from the bench and being handed a £50,000 Football Association fine for saying officials were "afraid" to award his side penalties.

The Blues have suffered their worst start to a top-flight season since 1978-79 and are 12th in the Premier League.

They have won just once in their last five games in all competitions and face fourth-placed West Ham United on Saturday.

Three People Shot on Tennessee State University Campus

Three people were shot on the campus of Tennessee State University in Nashville late Thursday, police confirmed. Police responded to a call of shots fired just before 11:00 p.m. (midnight ET) at 3500 John A. Merritt Blvd, Tonya Stone, with the Nashville Police Department, said. The victims, whose conditions were unknown, were transported toVanderbilt University Medical Center, Stone said.Police were still investigating the circumstances of the shooting.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.