Tuchel’s WFH arrangement | Will Man City go for Wirtz? | Son hits back at Keane
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Welcome to Back Pages, bringing you everything you need to know about the biggest sports stories making the headlines in the morning's newspapers. I'm Dave Fulton and joining me are Martin Ziegler, Chief Sports Reporter for The Times and John Cross, the Mirror's Chief Football Writer. Welcome to you both.

Right, plenty to get through. Let's start with the times then. And Martin, your paper, Tuchel's WFH arrangement, the work from home arrangement. Matt Lawton, your colleague, writing about this £5 million, 18 month contract. He's missed quite a few games because of going backwards and forwards to see family. Is that right?

Yeah, basically he's been allowed as his flexibility to go back home to see his children effectively. And it does mean that he's missed three Premier League weekends, the FA Cup third round, all four Carabao Cup semi-finals. So you can understand why he wants to go and see his family. I suppose there's a question mark. Does he need to go and watch these matches in person? Can he catch up watching them on TV?

It's an interesting one, but this is certainly something that wouldn't have happened 10 years ago. So is this the new arrangement that we're seeing now? Is this here to stay? It's certainly an interesting one. Yeah, John, I guess the context was that he was unveiled back in October. He didn't attend those Nations League games against Greece and the Republic back in the autumn, not starting officially till January the 1st. And he actually is not naming a squad for a while yet.

because his first game, I think, is March the 21st. So there's not much been happening. He's been getting paid. So I guess it's the optics, really, of it all. Yeah, look, I think it's the optics. I think it's the debate about... Look, we might as well be blunt about this. It's about bringing it back to the debate about whether a foreign manager whose traditional home is abroad should be in charge of the England team. Because I have to say, I do think he's seen a lot of Premier League games

So I think he's been very, very busy. Listen, Matt Lawton's a brilliant story getter. You know, someone I admire most, you know, in the business. Absolutely fantastic. And, you know, he's one to get everyone talking, I guess. I guess the point here is that he has missed three Premier League match rounds and an FA Cup.

But within that period of time, he's then been to see the Milan derby, where quite a few players playing for AC, and plus also, of course, Karl Walker, who's there on loan. He's then seen in another weekend that he missed games here, he's been out to see the Madrid derby. And then last weekend, the weekend just gone, he's gone to see his captain, Harry Kane. So I guess the argument is, should he be seeing games here?

here or should it be getting his games abroad you know i'm sure he'd make a strong case for actually wants to go and see in his best player drew bellingham and his captain harry kane so you know it's it i think it takes it back to the basic debate doesn't it really whether you know i think whether people really want a foreign manager in charge i think thomas tuchel will be good i think he'll be you know he's got 18 months to make a difference he's got 18 months uh remit

to try and go and win the World Cup. And he has seen an awful lot of games. We did know at the start that he would be spending a lot of time back in Germany. That was part of the arrangement. It was said, you know, soon after he was unveiled. And he does have a base here in London. So I do think it's one that we'll debate. But here we are, me and Martin both broadcasting from home. So, you know, it's been a different...

It's been a different world when it comes to working from home, hasn't it, since COVID? And I guess, you know, even football managers are embracing it a bit now. Yeah, absolutely. On your £10 million salaries as well, chaps. Just in terms of, well, I guess it will all be forgotten about, Martin, if he actually goes and wins the World Cup. Ultimately, he's going to be judged on results and all this will be forgotten about.

Yeah, I mean, absolutely. It's going to be results based. I mean, you know, England should cruise to the World Cup, you'd think. So it's going to be all about how he does in the finals. And the expectation is that they'll have to do very well if he wants to stay on beyond the 18 months. I mean, you know, they've got a very strong team, got to the final of the Euros.

There's obviously people, there was some criticism of Gareth Southgate that he was a bit too cautious when it mattered. So can he take England that extra step? And as you say, people won't give two thoughts about what his working practices have been like if he can bring some success.

OK, let's move on then to the back of the sun and John could do Wurz. This is about Florian Wurz and City will battle Real for £85m Florian. Just strikes me that of all the clubs, Manchester City, English clubs, Manchester City have been the most active in this recent window and obviously they've had that bit of a blip. They look like they want to sign some real talented players to kind of go again, the rebuild.

Absolutely. With a seamless link here, you know, Thomas Tuchel would have seen his club bio Leverkusen play Bayern Munich at the weekend. And look...

Wurtz is a brilliant, brilliant player. I don't know quite how much people have seen of him. Honestly, if you haven't, make sure you do. He's a brilliantly talented midfielder. He is, at 21, one of the most sought-after and exciting midfielders on the European stage. Yeah, there's going to be a hell of a lot of interest in him this summer. Real Madrid, as Martin Blackburn in his piece, making the point, leading the chase, and Martin's piece,

makes the point that that would arguably be his preferred destination. Quite where they're going to fit him in that midfield, I don't quite know. But then also Manchester City are trying to replace, I guess in the longer term, Kevin De Bruyne, one of the best midfielders we've seen in the Premier League. And so basically to do that, you're going to have to come up with something special. I do think this guy is going to be in demand. I tell you what, if someone can get him for £85 million, £85 million,

then they'll be doing well. This guy's going to be in serious demand this summer. So it's a great, really good talking point. Get to see him if you haven't. Brilliant. Yeah, I guess, Martin, he'll be watching pretty closely the game tomorrow as well, the Champions League second leg. What do you make of this story?

No, I think, I mean, I'm sure everybody wants him. I mean, I think there was a story last week saying Bayern Munich that they were going to go all out to get him as well. And you just imagine people are going to be queuing up. So he will, I'm sure, have his pick. I suppose there'll be questions, I guess, what happens to Manchester City and the 115 charges? What happens with that? That could play a big part in his decision, potentially, potentially.

And yes, the outcome of the Champions League match

Whoever wins that, that could be a big draw for Wurzbunny, makes his decision. Yeah, we'll watch this space. Right, let's go to John's story on the back of the mirror then. A slightly mischievous John Cross here. More bad news. Cass wants to stay. Casemiro has stunned Manchester United. John, you're right here, but declaring he wants to stay at Old Trafford and see out his contract.

Yeah, I had a bit of a ding-dong with our on-duty sports editor today, Alan McKinley, who nicked me intro for the headline. So for once in my life, I actually wrote the headline. But Macca's an absolute genius at doing those. But look, it is a bit of a giggle. We've had a bit of fun with it because basically Casemiro, who during his time has been a wonderful, wonderful player.

for Real Madrid, for Brazil and basically that first year at United we saw a glimpse of it. Now he's at 32. I think I was at Spurs yesterday. Everyone who watches him thinks he's run out of time, frankly. Even Amarim recently acknowledged that the intensity of the Premier League and the system that he plays is not best suited for

to Casemiro. Ideally, they would have got shot, I think, in January. They were forced to give him his first start since December yesterday. But he's just not a player that sits in that system. He's on £350,000 a week, £15 million a year.

It's a hell of a commitment for a team which, you know, openly says we're going to have to sell before we can buy. And basically, I'm afraid to say, a lot of United fans won't be shedding too many tears, I'm afraid, if they can get rid of Casemiro. But Casemiro making it very clear here that he wants to honour his 18 months left on his contract and me standing up for the player and the player's rights. I have to say, if you give him that contract in the first place,

Forget it. He's entitled to it. I'm sorry, but that comes down to your recruitment and your contracts. Absolutely. The contracts there. Someone signed it from Manchester United's perspective. But Marty, John made the point that, you know, United kind of have to sell before they can really buy. Amarim's not going to be blessed with a big treasure chest, is he? So actually, the likes of Casemiro in an ideal world, he's not going to play much. They'll want him off the books.

Yeah, and I suppose you then have the trouble finding someone who's prepared to pay anything like his wages. I think that's probably fairly unlikely, especially with how he's sort of fallen down the pecking order in recent months. And so, what do United do? They decide they'll pay part of the wages. I think we've seen that happen before with other players. Maybe they'll have to sort of bite the bullet and do that and at least try and get...

get some of that money back that they're not paying out. I mean, it's such a huge amount of money for a player who's not part of the manager's plans. And it's, yeah, there's another story, I think, in the eye saying that Amaran may only have £20 million to spend in the summer. I mean, if that's true, that's like,

that just basically pays for Casemiro's wages and that's about and there's a little bit left over. Yeah, not ideal. Let's stay with the mirror then and this story that Hume Minson, John, has hit back at Roy Keane over the Madison Blast. Tell us about this one.

Yeah, Mike Walters, my colleague, speaking to Human Son, basically, and the Tottenham captain, fulsome in his support for his team-mate James Madison. You might remember last week, Roy Keane basically making really quite a thing about saying that Madison's been so disappointing this season. He's not a match winner, doesn't step up to the plate, and doesn't make the difference. He's not a difference maker for Spurs. And Madison, as we all saw celebrate yesterday, I mean, he almost interrupted his traditional darts

celebration by running over the camera to go shush like this over his mouth basically to kind of quieten the critics. Normally I hate that celebration because I want to see players shout and scream but I did like it. I did think it was good. I mean why not have sort of an answer back at a critic? I mean Roy Keane is one of the most entertaining and colourful and controversial around. He's always got something to say.

And I have to say, if you ask a lot of Spurs fans, they'd probably agree with him on the basis of the season. So it was good to fire up Madison and get his kind of inspiration. And this is Son basically saying he's a great teammate. He always gives everything. And basically, you know, he is a difference maker and he is a quality top, top player for Spurs and will continue to do so. So really strong support there for Son.

Yeah, Martin, in fairness to James Madison, he is Spurs' leading scorer in the Premier League. I think that's nine goals for him. Having said that, the three of us probably could have tapped in from about a yard and a half, but he had a pretty decent game.

No, he did. But I suppose people will be asking the question, does he need to be fired up by Roy Keane's criticism in order to play like that? But he did. He let his football do the talking. I think it's not the first time Roy Keane's fired up a player, is it? And I think managers must be hoping he does it more often if they're not quite up to the mark. Some of their players, I think perhaps Keane can have a word with

and the next match and he can just play the video and get the player to do his talking on the pitch again. Right, let's get back to the times then and talk Everton, who say, Martin, hello to their new stadium. And yeah, it looks like it's pretty special.

Yeah, a lot of looking at some comments on social media, people saying it's absolutely fantastic to look at, to be in. And I think probably most importantly for Everton, it's going to be a potential game changer financially because Goodison Park, lovely old ground, but it has passed its sell by date. And you'd imagine they will at least double their matchday earnings, I think, from the new stadium.

John, what are your thoughts on the new stadium? Because we've seen teams move to different stadiums. I'm thinking West Ham, slightly different situation. And when Arsenal moved to the Emirates, sometimes it takes a bit of getting used to. I think there's a feeling with Everton that this move can't come soon enough in some regards.

Absolutely. Listen, we all love Goodison Park. I'm sure being there as a fan, as a kid, and basically was there last Wednesday to see the Battle of Goodison Park and what an atmosphere. Won't miss the press box, by the way. I mean, it was ridiculous to try and chew on yourself in there. But that has a place in the English footballing history and it's an iconic place.

But to move with the times, as Martin rightly says, Everton have got to make this thing. And basically, you know, the futuristic pictures that we're seeing there, I mean, it looks absolutely spectacular. I have seen it, not as up close and personal as the guys kind of invited in there amongst sort of kind of, what was it, 10,000, 15,000 sort of Everton fans tonight to a test run, Everton's youth team against Wigan.

And as I read with amusement, the basic Wigan goal scorer, Liverpool fan, basically holding up six fingers to kind of, you know, demonstrate how many European Cups Liverpool have won. You know, that's the sort of colour we like. You know, that's the sort of thing. But honestly, this stadium is state of the art. I do think stadium building has moved on a treat, really. I mean, now it's bizarre to think that the Emirates kind of almost 20 years on is...

showing a little bit signs of age, Arsenal trying to update it. You look at Spurs, the billion pound stadium just down the road, and it is absolutely magnificent. I think it's the best of its type. You know, Everton sort of kind of almost feeding some inspiration off that. The way it hangs off the, you know, the...

The edge of the dock there just looks so spectacular. It's a change of format, it's a change of scenery and I think, I guess, it's a change of ambition for Everton. Absolutely magnificent looking stadium. And of course, crucial, Martin, that they're in the Premier League in that new stadium and that David Moyes bounce looks like, I mean, it hasn't guaranteed them mathematically, but they're on course.

Absolutely, yeah. I mean, it's just been what a remarkable turnaround it has been. The last minute equaliser against Liverpool, that was just, I would imagine that would have been enough for the season. But I think it actually, you know, he, I think it's probably his return, I reckon, has guaranteed them Premier League football in their new stadium next season. And, yeah,

Yeah, what can go wrong from here? I mean, it could be the start of something quite special. OK, let's move from Everton to Liverpool then. And yes, we're going to go to the Guardian. Buckle up and enjoy the ride. Van Dijk calls on Liverpool to calm nerves and relish the title race. This is from Andy Hunter. I guess, John, for the first time against Wolves, we just saw a slightly different Liverpool. Yes, they've had...

That game in midweek against Everton might have taken a bit out of them, but they looked a bit nervy. And Virgil van Dijk, who is the Rolls-Royce in that team, he's kind of come out and said, let's enjoy it, let's go with it.

Yeah, really interesting comments. Basically, he says embrace it, you know, enjoy it. Don't be nervous. You know, he obviously sensed the anxiety within the stadium at Anfield yesterday. And no wonder, you know, last Sunday, the previous Sunday, they lost Plymouth in the FA Cup. You know, they've had that bruising and sort of, you know, exhausting kind of derby, which was then sort of, you know, Tarkowski then grabs a point and they've dropped two points and then suddenly Arsenal win and they feel a bit of pressure, you know, and really, I

I personally don't think they need to. I just think they've been the best team by a million miles this season and worthy of their place at the top. Still seven points clear. That's still a three result turnover, if you like, needed. Arnie Slott, what a job he's done. Absolutely sensational. And I think Virgil van Dijk in his comments here is just basically trying to remind the crowd of that.

I mean, they've certainly, you know, had experience of great success down the years, so they're not exactly alien to it. But I do think that there must be an element that every team has a wobble in a season.

And I think if they'd drawn against Wolves, this is the point that basically then you'd say, wow, this is Liverpool's wobble. And this is the moment when they could get seriously tested. They're at Villa. I'm going to that game on Wednesday night. Man City there, you know, the following Sunday. This is a really tough period for Liverpool. It's testing them.

And yet they've come through the first hurdle against Wolves, which is no mean feat, bearing in mind what a tough test it was in midweek. Any concerns for Liverpool, Martin, given those fixtures that John mentions?

Yeah, I think they've got Newcastle as well after that, so it's not going to be easy. And I'm not convinced it's going to be a struggle in the park, actually, because Man City showed they seem to have shrugged off their bad patch last weekend. So I think there's going to be twists and turns on the way. And so I think these next three games are going to be critical.

OK, let's move to the back of the Telegraph then. Ineos cuts, John, sparked Mercedes backlash. Tell us a little bit about this one from Tom Carey.

Yeah, it's an interesting story, this. This suggests that at some point last season, basically, Sir Jim Ratcliffe had some doubts, INEOS had some doubts and some concerns about their sort of part in the Mercedes sponsorship of the F1 team. And they basically, you know, had discussions to such a point that Mercedes perhaps even looked elsewhere for potential funding in

In the event, you know, you're stuck with it and have basically, you know, stayed with the sponsorship deal. But the story there says perhaps there will be sort of a lower scale, if you like, sort of kind of livery on the cars, which will be unveiled later.

this week. So it kind of plays into what we've already seen about the kind of, you know, the sponsorship stories around the All Blacks and, you know, and also Ben Ainslie and the America's Cup sponsorship, really. So, you know, it is...

I think it's an incredibly interesting and valid story at this moment in time because it just plays into this idea that Ineos sort of kind of financially, are they beginning to rue Manchester United? Are they being tested by the Manchester United sponsorship system?

And it plays into the kind of the finances and the financial worries amongst United fans. And all of that around INEOS at the moment just makes it a very eye-catching and, you know, a sort of kind of headline-grabbing story, this one. Yeah, the wider context, Martin, is what John was just touching on there, the kind of Manchester United angle and the fact that INEOS are kind of cutting back here, they're making people redundant, they're putting up prices. It doesn't suggest that all is well. Yeah, I mean, I think...

When INEOS go into any takeover business, that is their sort of modus operandi to make cuts to increase the profit margin. It hasn't worked particularly well, Manchester United, at the moment so far in terms of getting results.

And if they're sort of feeling the pinch financially in their other sporting interests, then that could be an issue and one to watch going forward. OK, we're just going to come to you, Martin, on this one. A little bit of rugby in front of the Telegraph. Finn ready for Finn. Finn Smith pictured going up against Finn Russell. There was talk that Finn Russell might have missed this one because of a head injury. Looks like he might be back for Scotland tomorrow.

I think England have won this fixture since 2020, all gearing up for what could be a cracker.

Yeah, I think Scotland will desperately need him back. He missed most of the Ireland match, a clash of heads with his own player, a bit of a fear he wasn't going to make it. But in training, apparently he seems to be recovering. And although he passed his HIA, he couldn't remember some of the set plays. So that raised a concern with his coaches. England probably hoping he wasn't going to be ready, but Scotland, they really need him.