Four years since helping Bristol Rovers win promotion from League Two, Elliot Anderson faces what could be a defining summer. The 23-year-old has quickly become a key man for national team boss Thomas Tuchel - winning eight caps this season, just three years after being called up by Scotland. Forest have already turned down a significant bid from Manchester City for Anderson, as owner Evangelos Marinakis holds out for a reported £110m.
Arsenal co-chair Josh Kroenke says behind-closed-doors football during the Covid-19 pandemic allowed manager Mikel Arteta "space" to help revive the "sleeping giant". The Kroenke Sports and Entertainment (KSE) group took full control of Arsenal in 2018 but it has not always been easy, with fan protests targeted at how the club was being run taking place during their tenure. The Kroenkes hired Arteta in 2019, giving the former Arsenal player his first senior managerial role, after a period of uncertainty at the club.
Ex-Middlesbrough and Sunderland captain Lee Cattermole has agreed a deal to become the new Hartlepool manager, talkSPORT understands. The former midfielder is believed to be in the final stages of concluding his coaching team before succeeding Nicky Featherstone at Victoria Park. Lee Cattermole is set to venture into management for the first time with Hartlepool Cattermole’s backroom team is likely to consist of ex-Newcastle and Sunderland assistant boss Steve Agnew and Gary Liddle, who worked alongside Featherstone at Hartlepool. Matt Hamshaw, who was axed by Rotherham last month, was initially in the mix to link up with Cattermole but the two parties were unable to find an agreement The 38-year-old previously coached Middlesbrough’s Under-18 side before going on to show his expertise at Bristol Rovers. He held the position of first-team coach with focus on improving the team’s efficiency from set-pieces. However, his spell with The Pirates was an eventful one as he was promoted to caretaker manager alongside David Horseman following the sacking of Matt Taylor. But before his first game in charge, Cattermole opted to depart the club. Cattermole has never hidden his desire to become a manager in the future and it appears that his wish will come to fruition. Cat’s out of the bag The sole aim for Cattermole will be to get Hartlepool back into the EFL following this season’s ninth-placed finish in the National League. Hartlepool, owned by American Landon Smith, assigned Bromby and Partners to spearhead change with the club’s on-pitch displays. Ex-Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds defender is in charge of business matters with head of football operations Chris Maxwell focusing on the day-to-day activities. Cattermole will be tasked with bringing EFL football back to Victoria Park Maxwell said earlier this week: “A number of important decisions have already been taken to strengthen the structure of the football department. “It gives us a clear platform to build from as we look ahead to next season and beyond. “There is still important work to be done, including the appointment of a new first-team coach and the continued development of our backroom structure. “That work is ongoing, and we are confident we are putting the right people and processes in place to achieve our ambitions.” Hartlepool announced their retained list this week with just seven players kept on for next season. A total of 13 players were released with four loan signings sent back to the parent clubs.
