Archive June 10, 2025

Spurs close in on appointing Frank as manager

PA Media
  • 461 Comments

Tottenham are closing in on appointing Brentford manager Thomas Frank as their new head coach by the weekend.

Talks between the clubs are ongoing and have progressed positively amid a growing expectation Frank could even be confirmed in the next 48 hours as Ange Postecoglou’s successor.

Discussions are understood to be amicable and there is a will from all parties to conclude the agreement quickly.

BBC Sport understands that recently appointed Spurs chief executive Vinai Venkatesham, who only started work last Monday, has been involved in the process of appointing Frank, alongside chairman Daniel Levy.

Brentford are entitled to compensation for the 51-year-old Frank, who joined them in 2016 after a stint with Brondby, with sources indicating it will cost Tottenham £10m to release him from his contract.

Frank took charge at Brentford in 2018, after his initial spell as assistant boss, and guided them into the Premier League, winning the Championship play-off final at Wembley in 2021 and establishing them as a top-flight club on a small budget.

Brentford finished 10th in the 2024-25 Premier League season, seven places and 18 points above Tottenham, who ended in 17th spot and won just 11 of their 38 games in the competition.

Related topics

  • Brentford
  • Premier League
  • Tottenham Hotspur
  • Football

Spurs close in on Frank appointment as new boss

PA Media
  • 135 Comments

Tottenham are closing in on appointing Brentford manager Thomas Frank as their new head coach by the weekend.

Talks between the clubs are ongoing, but have progressed positively amid a growing expectation Frank could even be confirmed in the next 48 hours as Ange Postecoglou’s successor.

Discussions are understood to be amicable and there is a will from all parties to conclude the agreement quickly.

BBC Sport understands that recently appointed Spurs chief executive Vinai Venkatesham, who only started work last Monday, has been involved in the process of appointing Frank, alongside chairman Daniel Levy.

Brentford are entitled to compensation for the 51-year-old Frank, who joined them in 2016 after a stint with Brondby, with sources indicating it will cost Tottenham £10m to release him from his contract.

Related topics

  • Brentford
  • Premier League
  • Tottenham Hotspur
  • Football

Jeremy Clarkson spotted making huge move just weeks after ‘dreadful’ farm decision

Jeremy Clarkson was seen agonising over the decision to buy a new tractor in the final episode of the hit Amazon Prime show – but has now sold the green mega machine

Jeremy Clarkson was spotted making a major decision

Jeremy Clarkson has ditched the shiny new Lamborghini tractor he recently acquired for his Diddly Squat Farm, despite only having bought it weeks ago. Viewers will remember that Jeremy was seen on Clarkson’s Farm deliberating over the extravagant purchase.

Just a matter of weeks ago, viewers of Clarkson’s Farm witnessed Jeremy test-driving a plethora of tractors to the dismay of his partner Lisa Hogan, expressing that picking the perfect one was “filling me with absolute dread”. He eventually decided upon an £85,000 green Lamborghini beast, powered by a 7.8-litre engine and packing 340 horsepower, much to co-star Kaleb Cooper’s amazement.

Jeremy Clarkson
Jeremy made the surprise decision to sell his tractor

Yet, in a turn of events, Clarkson was spotted this week at a farm machinery and tractor sale near Ely in Cambridgeshire, parting ways with the newly bought green machine.

Bystanders reported that Clarkson admitted to selling the tractor due to numerous electrical faults and opted to revive his beloved older Lamborghini tractor from retirement.

TRACTOR
He bought the green tractor on the latest series
Article continues below

A witness, a 31-year-old engineer who prefers anonymity, encountered Clarkson and his right-hand man Kaleb surrounded by cameras and the posh tractor at the auction saying: “It was fantastic. I was so surprised to see him there.

“I was getting a coffee and someone said he was there. I turned around and realised I was right near his tractor. I’m a massive fan. It was amazing! I watched every episode of Top Gear with my dad and every episode of Clarkson’s Farm with my son.”

Kaleb Cooper
Kaleb was on hand to support Jeremy

Auctioneers Cheffins did not respond to comment; however, they did tantalise enthusiasts with an Instagram video flaunting the tractors up for grabs at the auction, including the eye-catching green Lambo.

One social media user questioned: “Is that Clarkson’s Lamborghini?” with a dozen others showing their approval with a ‘thumbs up’. Jeremy Clarkson, known for his penchant for fast cars, has a Lamborghini Trattori R8 270 DCR in his collection, which he acquired second-hand for £40,000.

Jeremy Clarkson
The TV star was filmed at the auctioneers

It remains a mystery whether this is the tractor he mentioned he’s “taking out of retirement”. Things haven’t been smooth sailing for Jeremy lately, as he was forced to hit out following a complaint at his pub.

He has insisted on paying ‘premium’ prices for top-quality local beef for the pies served up at The Farmer’s Dog, the pub showcased in the Amazon series. Clarkson suggested that those baulking at the cost could resort to less scrumptious, chemically-treated alternatives.

Jeremy Clarkson
Jeremy remained focus on trying to sell the tractor

The sharp-tongued ex-Top Gear presenter delivered the rebuff following criticism from a disgruntled punter who contacted him on social media, fuming: “Thought @JeremyClarkson wanted an affordable pub for customers. £24 for pie and veg is a bit much.”

TRACTOR
He parted ways with the tractor

Clarkson fired back: “Have you seen beef prices right now? If you could make it for less, I’ll give you a job.” In response to another query, “Your cows aren’t they Jeremy?” Clarkson clarified: “Some are. Most come from other farmers in the area and we pay a premium. We are here to back British farming. If you don’t want to do that, fine. Enjoy your chlorine.”

Article continues below

READ MORE: ‘Perfect’ Father’s Day present dubbed ‘must have for dads’ is £11

Combs Defense Seeks To Show Ex Had Agency

Sean Combs’s defense lawyers on Tuesday began questioning a woman who dated the music mogul up until his arrest, and who has testified in agonizing detail that he pressured her into drug-fueled sex with escorts.

In the initial hours of questioning defense attorney Teny Geragos sought to show that this woman speaking under the pseudonym Jane had agency throughout her relationship with Combs — an attempt to show that what prosecutors deem to be sex trafficking was in fact consensual.

The defense exhibited loving messages and voice notes the pair shared, and also asked Jane about her “jealousy” regarding Combs’s “polyamorous” lifestyle that involved other girlfriends, some of them public.

Geragos elicited testimony from Jane in which she said she gravitated to men who were “successful.”

“My ideal partner is a protector and provider,” Jane said.

She also testified that at points she felt “very loved” by Combs and that he was her “baby.”

This witness questioning core to the case has so far been largely cordial, with Jane responding calmly and precisely.

At one point when Geragos asked her a probing question about her ex’s relationship with their child, Jane was direct.

“What does that have to do with this whole thing?” she answered.

Violent outburst

Jane previously told jurors how the final year of her relationship with the artist known as “Diddy” exploded into violence in June 2024.

At the time, Combs was already under investigation by federal authorities; his homes had been raided, and the now-infamous security footage of him assaulting his ex-girlfriend Casandra Ventura in a hotel was public.

Jane, who began seeing Combs in early 2021, detailed how she had longed for a more traditional romantic relationship with him.

But she said 90 percent of their time together resulted in sometimes days-long sex parties that saw Combs direct her to have sex with male escorts while he watched, even as she told him the encounters made her feel “sleazy” and “disgusted.”

Jane told jurors Combs paid for her rent at the time and still does. He also continues to fund her legal costs.

She previously testified at length that she felt “obligated” to participate in hotel sex parties for “fear of losing the roof over my head” that Combs was bankrolling.

A June 2024 date-turned-argument escalated when Jane said she pushed Combs’s head onto a marble countertop in her home and began hurling candles — acts of “built-up” anger, she testified.

Combs was livid: Jane said he kicked down doors and ultimately put her in a chokehold.

She ran out but upon return Combs kicked and punched her until she had a black eye and “golf-ball” sized welts, she said.

Combs instructed her to ice the injuries and prepare for a hotel night with an escort.

“You’re not going to ruin my fucking night,” she said Combs told her. When she said she didn’t want to participate, he stood closely to her face as he asked in a “forceful” tone: “Then is this coercion?”

Jane ultimately complied: “I just felt like I wasn’t even in my own body,” she said.

‘Sexual trauma’

When Ventura — who last month testified of physical and psychological abuse in similarily excruciating detail — filed her 2023 civil lawsuit that opened the door for a federal investigation, Jane said she “almost fainted.”

“There was a whole other woman feeling the same thing,” Jane said.

“I feel like I’m reading my own sexual trauma. It makes me sick how three solid pages, word for word, is exactly my experiences and my anguish,” she messaged Combs, in text records read in court.

Jane said that following their physical fight in the summer of 2024, they saw each other twice more before his arrest last September.

The 55-year-old faces life in prison if convicted of racketeering and sex trafficking.

Jane’s story was not in the original indictment against Combs, but she was added after receiving a subpoena requiring she testify in November 2024 before a grand jury.

She began speaking to prosecutors in January of this year.

Jane testified that she told Combs’s defense team about the brawl last summer before she told prosecutors.

She said she felt “obligated” to meet the defense team “due to my relationship.”

Jane has not filed any civil suit against Combs, and said in court Monday she has no plans to.

‘One of Europe’s best technicians’ – why Man City signed ‘genius’ Cherki

Getty Images
  • 506 Comments

If the casual football fan wasn’t already familiar with the name Rayan Cherki, they certainly are now.

Last week videos of his incredible goal during France’s 5-4 defeat by Spain in the Uefa Nations League semi-final went viral.

After controlling a bobbling pass and setting himself up in one touch, the 21-year-old rifled a hip-height volley on the swivel past Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simon at full stretch.

You just don’t see instinctive goals like that very often, certainly not from a player 15 minutes into his senior international debut.

Cherki is one of the most sought after talents in world football right now and has now signed for Manchester City in a £30.45m transfer from Lyon.

‘An absolute master, a wizard with the ball’ – who is the magical Frenchman?

Cherki is only the latest talent fresh off the Lyon production line, but may be the best yet.

He joined Lyon at the age of seven from AS Saint-Priest and, aged 16 years and 140 days, Cherki became the youngest goalscorer in the Ligue 1 side’s history in a French Cup tie back in January 2020.

Before that in November 2019, a Champions League debut came against Zenit, while he also helped France reach the quarter-finals of the European Under-21 Championships in 2023.

Previously linked with Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea, in 2020 he admitted to Lyon TV “my dream is to play for Real Madrid”.

His footballing idol is Cristiano Ronaldo, can play as a winger but his preference is a more central number 10 role.

Cherki has just enjoyed a break-out campaign in Ligue 1, providing 11 assists, 22 big chances – the most in the league – 13 through-balls and 48 successful dribbles.

A return of 12 goals in all competitions is by far the best of his short career, but it is his work and understanding of the game off the ball that has arguably improved the most this term.

French football expert Julien Laurens, speaking on the Euro Leagues podcast, said: “He has been incredible this season. Since he was 16 – even before that – the talent is there, left foot or right foot.

“A player at this level who takes corners with each foot depending on which side of the corner it is, to be an inswinger every time is just incredible.

“He is one of the greatest technicians in Europe right now.”

The stats support Cherki’s ambipedal qualities. Of the 44 shots he took with his feet in Ligue 1 last season, 22 came with the left and 22 with the right.

Cherki’s growing reputation was only enhanced by Thursday’s stunning international debut on Thursday against Spain, where he sparked France’s comeback from 5-1 down.

Three days later he made his full international debut as Les Bleus beat Germany 2-0 in the Nations League third-place play-off.

Laurens certainly isn’t Cherki’s only admirer.

France legend Thierry Henry has previously said he has “never seen a player in history who dribbles as quickly as him”, while Lyon’s captain Alexandre Lacazette described him as “special”.

The former Arsenal striker added: “This season, he has managed to raise his level. I would put [Mesut] Ozil in a different category but, with time, Rayan can get close to him.”

Cherki, also part of the France squad that finished runners-up at the 2024 Olympics, scored in both legs for Lyon against Manchester United in a Europa League quarter-final defeat last season.

Speaking to BBC Sport in April about him, Lyon’s former Arsenal player Ainsley Maitland-Niles said: “He is the best natural talent I’ve ever seen. An absolute master, a wizard with the ball.

Rayan Cherkigetty

How would Cherki fit in?

Pep Guardiola will now have Cherki in his squad next season, but how would he fit in at Manchester City?

The Premier League club have wasted no time in strengthening after enduring their worst campaign since Guardiola took charge nine years ago.

A £46.3m deal has been agreed with AC Milan for Netherlands midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, while a £31m move for Wolves left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri has been completed.

With Reijnders capable of playing anywhere in midfield, Cherki will likely play in an advanced role just behind Erling Haaland.

Guardiola traditionally prefers his midfielders to keep the ball and be patient rather than play in a direct, transitional style. However, he now has a Kevin de Bruyne-shaped hole to fill following the Belgian’s departure.

Cherki could also be deployed on the right wing, with wide players Jeremy Doku and Savinho struggling for consistency last season and Jack Grealish open to leaving the club.

It’s an exciting time for a player who, in the space of seven days, has gone from making his international debut to joining one of the world’s best clubs.

Related topics

  • Lyon
  • Premier League
  • Manchester City
  • France
  • Football