Xavi, Mou and football hot topics ahead of the weekend

Al Saad, the Middle East club is threatening not to release Xavi Hernandez to Barcelona, with injuries piling up and results going south, will the sun shine on them soon? (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

The week served us interesting topics in the world of football, from Spurs’ sacking of Nuno to the eventual hiring of Conte, to Liverpool’s emphatic win over Atletico and some other developments, let’s look at a few shall we?

Mou trying to get sacked? Eyeing Newcastle?

When unfancied Bodo Glimt heaped an embarrassing six past Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma a fortnight ago, many thought it was a blip and the Portuguese would retaliate at the second leg, it didn’t happen like that and in fact it took a late equalizer for the Italian side not to lose again on Thursday night.

That brings us to ask, is Mou eyeing the juicy Newcastle job? He got on to a fine start at Roma but since the big take over at Tyneside, it’s been a downward spiral, is he interested in the job and hoping to land the gig?

Emery no, Howe yes!

Barring a last minute change, former Bournemouth head coach Eddie Howe is expected to be named as the permanent Newcastle manager in the wake of the sacking of Steve Bruce after Villareal boss Unai Emery rejected the job.

Emery was Newcastle’s first choice but after learning the hard way at Arsenal, the Spaniard won’t be risking anything and would focus on the hard work he’s on to with the Yellow Submarines, sorry Jose it’s not coming, and no “good ebening” too.

Contentious Conte?

It’s no longer news that Tottenham Hotspur now have a new man at the helm with Antonio Conte taking charge and his first game in charge was a thrilling, yet disturbing 3-2 success over Vitesse in the Europa Conference League on Thursday.

Defensive worries as well as disciplinary issues nearly ruined a script that started beautifully with Christian Romero receiving his marching orders, the visitors were later reduced to nine men with skipper and goalkeeper being sent off, but the animated man on the sidelines need some attention.

Barcelona in no man’s land?

FC Barcelona won their Champions League game away from home and one can think they’re doing well, no they aren’t and as a matter of fact they will labor hard in the coming weeks with yet another injury news coming from the usual source, Ousmane Dembele and right back Sergino Dest.

It's worrying really, Sergio Aguero is out till at least February and the only glimmer of hope for the Nou Camp landlords is Ansu Fathi, imagine the youngster limping off soon as well, there’s no respite for the Catalan giants, maybe with Xavi on the way something might change but tell that to the Saudi club too.