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Man Utd transfer target Viktor Gyokeres ‘UNHAPPY with Ruben Amorim’ as boss prepares to quit Sporting to replace Ten Hag

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Man Utd transfer target Viktor Gyokeres ‘UNHAPPY with Ruben Amorim’ as boss prepares to quit Sporting to replace Ten Hag

RUBEN AMORIM’S expected move to Manchester United has not gone down well with two Sporting CP stars, reports suggest.

The Red Devils sacked Erik ten Hag on Monday and appointed assistant coach Ruud van Nistelrooy as interim manager.

Ruben Amorim is expected to leave Sporting CP for Man Utd

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Ruben Amorim is expected to leave Sporting CP for Man Utd
However, this has left star striker Viktor Gyokeres upset after he stayed in Lisbon to play under Amorim

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However, this has left star striker Viktor Gyokeres upset after he stayed in Lisbon to play under AmorimCredit: Reuters

However, club bosses Ineos proved to be laser-focused in appointing the next permanent manager, with two-time league winner Amorim set to take charge.

United have indicated they are willing to pay the 39-year-old’s £8.3million release clause, but have been told to cough up a further £4m to take his coaching staff as well.

SunSport exclusively revealed that idol and former tutor Jose Mourinho encouraged him to take the job.

Tuesday night saw Amorim’s Sporting side win 3-1 over Nacional in the Portuguese League Cup.

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But come Wednesday, not all was as it seemed with O Jogo reporting that star striker Viktor Gyokeres had been left unhappy with Amorim’s upcoming exit.

The Swede has become one of Europe’s top strikers under Amorim, and scored in Tuesday’s 3-1 win, but was “enticed” to stay in Portugal to continue working with the “Special One 2.0”.

However, both the 26-year-old and Danish star Morten Hjulmand have been left irritated by the Amorim news after turning down interest from elsewhere, including from Man Utd.

Speaking to SportTV, ex-Coventry ace Gyokeres said: “He’s here and that’s what I’m focused on, let’s see what happens. He’s still here, so I’m not going to wear myself out.”

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Amorim was asked about player instability regarding his move at his press conference.

He replied: “If I haven’t even left Sporting yet. What I say is that, when everything is decided, I will come here to explain everything. At this moment, everything I can say to a Sporting fan. It is obvious that they are revolted about the situation.

Watch Sporting Lisbon fan reveal how you’ve been pronouncing incoming Man Utd manger Ruben Amorim’s name all wrong

“Because they have a lot of affection for me. They believe a lot in my work. And love is very close. It’s not really hateful. But we know what football is like. I realize that.

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“People have to feel what they have to feel at this moment, I have nothing to say about it and I think it’s perfectly natural. What I am saying is that now I cannot say anything definitive or definitive.

“And I’ll be able to say that. If I have the opportunity, and I should, I’m sure I will, I’ll explain here, step by step, why I decided one thing or another. I don’t want to give hope to anyone, nor stop giving hope.

“What I say is that there was the club’s situation. The communication had to come out on this day that there is a game. The feeling in the stadium that Pedro had, I had.

“I can see that my players, when they go to a lecture, are not the same. This is part of our life and we know what these situations are like. We have been through in the past.

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Ruben Amorim is ‘Mourinho 2.0’ who turned Sporting from ‘walking dead’ into Portuguese champs… he can revive Man Utd

WHEN Ruben Amorim took charge of Sporting Lisbon in March 2020, one club official compared their situation to the “walking dead”, writes Jordan Davies.

Optimism and hope was at an all-time low.

But the Amorim-effect was almost instantaneous, guiding the Portuguese sleeping giants to their first league title for 19 years in 2020/21, losing just once and only conceding 20 goals.

Since then, Sporting have lifted another league title in 2023/24 – as well as two League Cups – and currently sit top with nine wins from nine this term.

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He may be young, but Amorim already has an eye for rebuilding and revitalising fallen super powers with his infectious charisma and intense tactical philosophy that hardly ever wavers. 

The “walking dead” at Manchester United must be praying for a similar sort of revival.

And they may just get it from one of the most talented young coaches on the continent – a man accustomed to breathing new life back into crumbling institutions such as Old Trafford.

Amorim has spent the last decade dreaming of one day gracing England’s Premier League, such was his admiration for an ex-United boss in Jose Mourinho growing up.

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Often nicknamed ‘Mourinho 2.0’, Amorim spent a week with his coaching idol in an internship capacity at United’s Carrington training base in 2018, going on to cite him as his “reference point”.

United should not be expecting a mini-Mourinho, as Amorim said himself: “Mourinho is one of a kind. There won’t be another Mourinho. Mourinho is unique.”

And yet, you cannot help but compare the two.

For all the mismanagement in the Old Trafford hot seats over the years, this would be a real get – finally a slap in the face United’s Prem rivals have no answer for.

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“What I say is that a club has appeared that wants to pay my clause. And I don’t control that. When the plane came, I might not have caught the plane. It’s true.

“I thought the championship was already won. I couldn’t say that at the time, but now I do. In this situation, there are things that I do not control.

“What I control is that I’m going to say and I’m going to explain everything here. And I’ll explain my decision. That’s it. But I need to have everything defined. Players do not need to make any requests.

“I know what the players want. I know what the players feel. Now, it’s time to get ready to work.”

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Asked about the likes of Gyokeres in particular, he added: “First, no player was offered the clause [to leave mid-season]. And that doesn’t change. There is no more stability than that.

Ruben Amorim leaves Sporting on a high

By Charlie Wyett

RUBEN AMORIM would have preferred to leave Lisbon in a blaze of glory after winning a third Primeira Liga title.

Yet football does not work like that. And in what was surely his final game before taking charge of Manchester United, Amorim prepared to say his goodbyes at a half-empty Estadio Jose Alvalade in a League Cup quarter-final against Nacional.

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Sporting won 3-1 thanks to  second-half goals by captain  Morten Hjulmand and Viktor Gyokeres, who scored two.

Luis Esteves pulled back for Madeira-based Nacional.

The stadium  will be a good deal more lively on Tuesday when Manchester City are here for  a Champions League match — although Amorim should by then have his feet firmly under his desk at Old Trafford.

Liverpool and Aston Villa were both interested in Europe’s most sought-after coach. Even City could have been a possible destination post-Pep Guardiola.

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Yet the United job is one Amorim, 39,  could not turn  down — even if not everyone saw it that way at Sporting last night.

There is clearly a huge split in the Portuguese club’s fan base over their coach leaving at this stage of the season with many believing he should have seen the job through.

Yet Amorim, along with the three-man coaching team who are expected to follow him, leaves a club in a much better state than when he arrived here in 2020.

Inside the stadium, there was applause — albeit muted — when his name was read out before the game along with the line-ups.

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And there did not appear to be any jeers when Amorim shuffled out from the tunnel awkwardly towards the dugout.

So, while his departure is hard to take for some, none of the fans will forget his legacy.

This is a club which is back as the dominant force in Portugal. Even this term, Sporting have won their first nine league games, scoring 30 goals and conceding just two.

They are also eighth in the Champions League table, which is one hell of an effort.

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In contrast, Lisbon was not exactly hit by League Cup fever last night.

Amorim made lots of changes, which saw Sporting’s star man Gyokeres, the former Coventry striker, start on the bench.

There was, however, a first appearance in six weeks for former Tottenham winger Marcus Edwards.

He is certainly one player who has been transformed by Amorim since arriving at the club from Vitoria in 2022 and will be sorry to see the coach leave.

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While he changed his team, Amorim stuck with his tried and trusted formation of a back three.

It will certainly be something Manchester United’s fans will have to get used to over the  coming months.

But looking at the Premier League table, none of them will be complaining about the change.

“It’s easy to say, only someone leaves here because of the clause. Then, it wasn’t Viktor who said that. He was Viktor’s agent. They are different people.

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“I will not be talking about the decision or non-decision. I’ll explain everything. What will force one way or the other, that doesn’t matter now. I’ll explain everything.

“Now, speaking of that part, the club only lets assets be sold in the middle of the season, it seemed to me, it was always that rule, by the clause.

“No player had proposals for the clause. None. In this respect, the project is not weakened because the rules remain. And the coherence remains.”

Despite reports initially claiming Amorim could be in charge as soon as this Sunday’s clash against Chelsea, The Guardian report there is a 30-day notice period before the switch can officially happen.

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The Red Devils play six games in that period before hosting Everton at Old Trafford on December 1 in what could be Amorim’s first game in charge.

In the meantime, United beat Leicester 5-2 in the League Cup on Wednesday, with Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro both grabbing a brace while Alejandro Garnacho also got on the scoresheet.

It was a stark contrast even to the West Ham game on Sunday, as Ten Hag’s squad struggled to get the ball in the net. A fact that ultimately cost the Dutchman his job.

Man Utd ratings vs Leicester

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MAN UNITED started life after Erik ten Hag with a comfortable win over Leicester in the Carabao Cup.

But who shone in the 5-2 victory, and who will be hoping incoming boss Ruben Amorim wasn’t watching?

SunSport’s Katherine Walsh gives her ratings…

Altay Bayindir – 6

Although United dominated, Bayindir looked shaky when Leicester’s chances came.

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He flapped with a dodgy punch which led to the away side’s 33rd minute goal. And he looked to repeat it with McAteer’s shot just before half-time.

But one excellent second half save, pushed on to the crossbar, when Steve Cooper’s side were pressing, boosts his mark up a bit.

Victor Lindelof – 6

Hasn’t got the partnership with De Ligt established yet as they both failed to deal with crosses too often from centre-back.

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But wasn’t really troubled consistently in the absence of Jamie Vardy in what was his second start of the season.

Matthijs De Ligt – 7

A more physical presence at the back than in previous performances but a more potent attack could have caused much more trouble.

Kasey McAteer got the better of him a few times and he was subbed in the 71st minute for Jonny Evans.

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Lisandro Martinez – 6

Looked vulnerable at left-back in moments, with Lindelof filling in at centre-back.

James Justin often had acres of space in the second half before United made it 5-2.

Diogo Dalot

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Back in his beloved right-hand side and told to push into midfield but often left his defensive channel wide open.

Passed back all too often and kept Justin onside in the first half.

He assisted Garnacho’s opener though after collecting Casemiro‘s stunning lofted pass.

Played a part in Leicester’s second after the ball bounced off him to drop for Coady in another silly goal to concede for the home side.

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Casemiro – 9

The star of the show. A stunning first-half showing saw Casemiro score a brace after bagging a 30-yard screamer for United’s opening goal inside 15 minutes.

He was involved in Garnacho’s goal too. Came up with a number of key defensive headers in the second-half to show class is permanent, although form might be temporary at 32 years old.

Manuel Ugarte – 6

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Conceded early fouls but worked hard. Slowly but surely starting to get to grips with his United team-mates after a shaky start.

Bruno Fernandes – 8

Restored United’s 3-1 lead with his first finish of the season. Played with a smile on his face, which we often haven’t seen this season.

Dummied the ball for Casemiro’s worldie and scored his second of the evening in the 57th minute after rolling it under Danny Ward before tapping it into an empty net.

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Will be leaned on heavily by Van Nistelrooy to produce the goods following Ten Hag’s departure.

Marcus Rashford – 6

A quiet evening for Rashford, who needs to kick on after Ten Hag’s exit.

The winger lost the ball a lot in the first 30 minutes. Flicks didn’t come off and hauled off again in the 60th minute.

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Rashford’s only played a full 90 minutes THREE times this season.

Alejandro Garnacho – 7

A goal and assist for Garnacho, who attended the Ballon d’Or on Monday.

The 20-year-old doubled United’s lead inside 27 minutes after a well worked team move and set up Casemiro’s brilliant opener.

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Looked a constant threat throughout and was taken off 20 minutes from time to be saved for Sunday’s clash against Chelsea.

Joshua Zirkzee – 4

Worked hard but never looked confident on the ball and struggled to get involved in the seven-goal thriller. Never seemed to be on his toes either.

But the only consolation is that he was involved in Casemiro’s second (United’s fourth).

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Trudged off after 85 minutes looking disgruntled with his tail between his legs.

Subs

Amad (60′ for Rashford) – 7

Instant impact from the bench. The youngster almost scored an overhead kick with his first touch of the evening.

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Mazraoui (60′ for Martinez) – 6

Hojlund (71′ for Garnacho) – 6

Jonny Evans (71′ for De Ligt) – 6

Ethan Wheatley (85′ for Zirkzee) – N/A

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Motorsports

Martin “more mature” than in 2023 MotoGP title scrap

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World championship leader Jorge Martin says he is a less nervous and a more mature rider than he was at this stage of his 2023 points battle with Francesco Bagnaia.

Pramac Ducati’s Martin heads into this weekend’s Malaysian Grand Prix, the penultimate event of the season, with a lead of 17 points over factory Ducati rider Bagnaia. Last year he came into the penultimate round as the chaser, 14 points behind Bagnaia – and ultimately lost out at the final round.

Speaking ahead of the Sepang weekend, Martin claimed to be far more relaxed as the duo repeat their battle in 2024.

“Last season I was really tense and really nervous,” admitted the Spaniard. “I was really struggling with the situation and I felt a lot of pressure.

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“This year, pressure is there but I think I’ve improved a lot. I’m much more mature now. I know I can lose it but I know I can win it. Last year I lost it and nothing happened to me – it’s not the end of the world!

“I try to learn from the pain and the bad moments. I think that’s where you learn more – losing can also be really exciting!”

Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team

Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

For his part, Bagnaia said he would thrive on the pressure of chasing – and that he needs to cut Martin’s advantage to under 10 points heading into the final round.

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“Pressure is always there but it’s nice to be in this situation,” remarked the reigning champion. “I love to be in this situation. It’s a critical situation for [the rider chasing]: you know you have to be fast because you cannot lose points. You have to be the faster one but you cannot make mistakes.

“I will try to win both races and close the gap. We have to try and gain more than the three points we gained in Thailand last weekend. We need to go away from this weekend with a gap of less than 10 points.”

The Italian pointed out that Martin would also face his own brand of pressure trying to guard a lead.

“We’re at a moment where I have to take a bit more risk than Jorge. He can be more calm. He doesn’t need to make mistakes because he can also finish second.

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“But I was in Jorge’s situation last year and I know it’s a situation where you feel like you need to be more calm. Being competitive in this situation is not easy.”

Where exactly that final round will take place remains an open question given the doubts around the Valencia venue. The region is currently dealing with a major flood situation that has cost lives as well as heavily damaging at least one of the circuit access roads.

Martin and Bagnaia joined a number of riders to argue on Thursday that the finale should be moved elsewhere.

“Valencia will be difficult even if everything [around the circuit] is solved. It’s a difficult situation [in terms of] respect for the people over there. The best option would be to race elsewhere.”

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Asked which alternative venue would be ideal from his perspective, Martin joked: “For sure I wouldn’t want to go to Assen. Pecco is so strong there!”

Bagnaia underlined the ethical issue with racing in Valencia in somewhat stronger terms.

“For me, the ethical side is the most difficult thing. Racing there is like a party…it’s a moment to enjoy. But knowing that the situation is what it is, it’s not correct. It could be wrong to race there.

“If it were my choice, I would prefer not to race there. It’s not my decision, but we have many more options.”

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Regarding alternative venues, Bagnaia said: “Assen could be good, but it’s too cold. Mugello, maybe!”

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Ruben Amorim: Sporting want prospective new Manchester United manager to remain until international break

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Ruben Amorim: Sporting want prospective new Manchester United manager to remain until international break

Financial rules around Sporting mean they have to confirm to the Lisbon Stock Exchange when an agreement has been reached for him to leave.

Amorim is due to speak to the media at 13:00 before Friday’s Estrela match.

Three hours later, Ruud van Nistelrooy will conduct his first news conference since being appointed as United’s interim manager.

After the victory over Leicester, Van Nistelrooy said he was willing to continue working at the club “in any capacity”.

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United have home league matches against Chelsea on Sunday and Leicester on 10 November before the international break, split by a Europa League tie with Greek side PAOK at Old Trafford on 7 November.

They head to newly promoted Ipswich, managed by former United coach Kieran McKenna, immediately after the international break.

Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt could be Amorim’s first Old Trafford opposition in the Europa League on 28 November, with a Premier League game against Everton the following weekend.

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England rugby star Joe Marler slammed as ‘disrespectful’ after calling to BAN ‘ridiculous’ Haka

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England rugby star Joe Marler slammed as 'disrespectful' after calling to BAN 'ridiculous' Haka

JOE MARLER has received a backlash for calling to ban the Haka.

The experienced England international, 34, was writing on social media ahead of his country’s match against New Zealand at Twickenham this Saturday.

Joe Marler posted about the Haka on Tuesday

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Joe Marler posted about the Haka on TuesdayCredit: PA
The All Blacks perform their traditional Haka before matches

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The All Blacks perform their traditional Haka before matchesCredit: Getty

Ahead of matches, it is customary for the All Blacks to perform their famous Haka.

The Haka is a culturally significant war dance in Maori tradition.

Marler, however, has claimed that it is “ridiculous” and should be axed.

He wrote on X on Tuesday: “The haka needs binning. It’s ridiculous.

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“It’s only any good when teams actually front it with some sort of reply. Like the league boys did last week.”

Last Sunday, England’s rugby league national team faced Samoa in Wigan.

After Samoa performed their traditional Siva Tau pre-match routine, Mikey Lewis found himself head-to-head with Gordon Chan Kum Tong.

Marler received a backlash for his post, with one social user responding: “Have a bit of respect for other cultures.”

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Following the responses, Marler temporarily deactivated his X account.

The Harlequins star went on to return on Wednesday morning, posting: “Context is everything. Just having a bit of fun trying to spark interest in a mega rugby fixture. Some wild responses.”

Spain and Holland stars blasted for appearing to mock the Haka after arriving in New Zealand

He went on to add in a further post: “Also needed to satisfy my narcissism.”

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Marler has been recovering from a broken foot sustained in the summer and will not feature in this Saturday’s first Autumn International.

He is in the 36-man squad, however, and could be called upon by head coach Steve Borthwick in the coming weeks.

Autumn Nations Series fixtures

Saturday, November 2

  • 3.10pm: England vs New Zealand, Twickenham Stadium
  • 5.40pm: Scotland vs Fiji, Murrayfield

Friday, November 8

  • 8.10pm: Ireland vs New Zealand, Aviva Stadium

Saturday, November 9

  • 3.10pm: England vs Australia, Twickenham
  • 5.40pm: Italy vs Argentina, Stadio Friuli
  • 8.10pm: France vs Japan, Stade de France

Sunday, November 10

  • 1.40pm: Wales vs Fiji, Principality Stadium
  • 4.10pm: Scotland vs South Africa, Murrayfield

Friday, November 15

  • 8.10pm: Ireland vs Argentina, Aviva Stadium

Saturday, November 16

  • 3.10pm: Scotland vs Portugal, Murrayfield
  • 5.40pm: England vs South Africa, Twickenham
  • 8.10pm: France vs New Zealand, Stade de France

Sunday, November 17

  • 1.40pm: Italy vs Georgia, Stadio Luigi Ferraris
  • 4.10pm: Wales vs Australia, Principality Stadium

Friday, November 22

  • 8.10pm: France vs Argentina, Stade de France

Saturday, November 23

  • 3.10pm: Ireland vs Fiji, Aviva Stadium
  • 5.40pm: Wales vs South Africa, Principality Stadium
  • 8.10pm: Italy vs New Zealand, Allianz Stadium, Turin

Sunday, November 24

  • 1.40pm: Scotland vs Australia, Murrayfield
  • 4.10pm: England vs Japan, Twickenham

Saturday, November 30

  • 3.10pm: Ireland vs Australia, Aviva Stadium

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We are in trouble with injuries – Guardiola

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We are in trouble with injuries - Guardiola



Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola admits his side are struggling with injuries and are “in trouble” with only 13 players to pick from after their 2-1 Carabao Cup defeat at Tottenham.



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Dodgers win World Series with 'comeback for the ages'

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Dodgers win World Series with 'comeback for the ages'

Watch the winning moment as the LA Dodgers win the 2024 World Series after beating the New York Yankees 7-6 at Yankee Stadium to earn a 4-1 series victory.

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Lotterer could continue with Porsche despite losing Hypercar drive

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Three-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner Andre Lotterer has not ruled out continuing his relationship with Porsche when he leaves its World Endurance Championship Hypercar squad after this season.

The German, who took his three Le Mans wins with Audi in 2011, ’12 and ’14, has revealed that talks with Porsche to extend his time with the marque are on-going.

But he declined to go into detail ahead of this weekend’s WEC finale in Bahrain in which he can claim a second world championship title together with Porsche Penske Motorsport team-mates Laurens Vanthoor and Kevin Estre.

“There are talks and it is possible [to continue with Porsche],” Lotterer told Motorsport.com.

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“There are discussions about what I could do in the future; they have asked me about what I would like to do after this.

“But I want to do this race first and then see afterwards – there is a championship to win.

“I don’t want anything to interfere with that.”

#6 Porsche Penske Motorsport Porsche 963: Kevin Estre, Andre Lotterer, Laurens Vanthoor

#6 Porsche Penske Motorsport Porsche 963: Kevin Estre, Andre Lotterer, Laurens Vanthoor

Photo by: JEP / Motorsport Images

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Lotterer will be out of contract at Porsche at the end of this season and has lost his place in the #6 Penske-run factory 963 LMDh as the German manufacturer downscales its full-season line-up from three to two drivers per car for 2025.

The 42-year-old stressed that he has no plans to retire from driving whether he remains with Porsche or not.

“I don’t want to retire,” said the German.

“When I stop, that is something that I would like to decide myself.”

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Lotterer has been linked to a role with Hyundai, which is developing an LMDh to race with the badges of its premium Genesis brand, but he declined to reveal whether he is in talks with a marque expected to enter the WEC in 2026.

“When something comes to an end, people ask what you could do next?” said Lotterer.

“Regardless of whether I am talking to them, there are other other opportunities for sure.”

Lotterer plumped for the current WEC season, which has so far included wins in Qatar and at Fuji as well as a further three podiums, as the highlight of a stint with Porsche that began in 2017 after his switch from Audi following its withdrawal from the WEC.

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“Last season when we came back [to the top class of the WEC] was so-so, but this year we have had a winning car and it is my best time with Porsche,” said Lotterer, who won his first WEC title with Audi in 2012.

He also revealed that he took satisfaction from Porsche’s successes in Formula E after his departure from its squad after three seasons at the end of the 2022/23 campaign.

“We worked really hard to have a strong foundation,” he explained.

“What we are seeing now is an evolution of that: it is nice to see the team succeeding.”

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Porsche’s factory squad won the FE title in 2023/24 with Pascal Wehrlein after Jake Dennis took the crown in ’22/23 with its powertrain in an Andretti entry.

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