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• De Ligt: Nagelsmann sacking 'hard to swallow'

  Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt was surprised by the club's decision to part company with head coach Julian Nagelsmann and says it has been "hard to swallow".

  German heavyweights Bayern officially called time on Nagelsmann's 20-month reign on Friday and swiftly appointed Thomas Tuchel as his successor.

  Nagelsmann won the Bundesliga in his only full season in Bavaria, but Bayern find themselves a point behind Borussia Dortmund with 25 games of this campaign played.

  Bayern face leaders Dortmund in a huge clash on Saturday, while they also have DFB-Pokal and Champions League quarter-final ties to play in April.

  And with the club still in the hunt for a treble, De Ligt – who has been away on international duty with the Netherlands – did not see Nagelsmann's sacking coming.

  "I was surprised," he told Dutch TV broadcaster NOS. "We're second in the league and in the quarter-finals of the cups. We're still playing for everything.

  "Those in charge decide who the coach is, but it was a difficult decision that is hard to swallow. But I also believe that Tuchel is a coach who suits us."

  According to a report in the German media, certain Bayern players turned against Nagelsmann and effectively forced him out of the Allianz Arena.

  But De Ligt, who has played 31 times since arriving at Bayern from Juventus at the start of the season, refuted those suggestions.

  "Oh, the German media. That says it all," he said. "I had a good relationship with him and his team.

  "I sent him a message and thanked him for everything he taught me.

  "He really wanted me here at the club and was very important to me. 

  "Thanks in part to him, I have taken important steps in my development over the past few months."

• Tottenham chief Paratici faces uncertain future after ban extended worldwide by FIFA

  Tottenham managing director of football Fabio Paratici's future at the club has been cast into doubt after his ban by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) was extended worldwide by FIFA.

  Paratici was one of 11 individuals connected with Juventus who were issued with bans by the FIGC in January after the club was found guilty of false accounting in relation to transfer dealings.

  Juventus were also docked 15 points as part of the punishment.

  Paratici and Juventus denied any wrongdoing, with an appeal against the initial sanctions imposed by the FIGC to be heard by the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) on April 19.

  Despite his 30-month ban, Spurs director Paratici was able to continue his role with the Premier League club because the suspension only applied to Italian Football. 

  However, FIFA confirmed on Wednesday the bans handed out by the FIGC have been extended worldwide, meaning Paratici will be unable to fulfil his duties at Spurs unless his appeal is successful. 

  A widely reported FIFA statement read: "FIFA can confirm that following a request by the FIGC, the chairperson of the FIFA disciplinary committee has decided to extend the sanctions imposed by the FIGC on several football officials to have worldwide effect."

  The news comes just three days after the sacking of Spurs head coach Antonio Conte, with the Italian leaving after 17 months in charge. 

  Paratici, who would have likely played an important in appointing Conte’s replacement, appeared in a video on Tuesday outlining Spurs' plans for the rest of the season and describing the decision to fire the former Inter and Chelsea coach as "the right decision."

• Fati's father wants son to leave Barcelona despite Ansu's wish to stay

  Ansu Fati wants to stay at Barcelona, but his father has other ideas.

  The 20-year-old, who has been with the club for a decade, has made 38 appearances in all competitions this season but 27 of them have come as a substitute.

  Bori Fati – who manages his son alongside agent Jorge Mendes – has been left angered by the situation and believes the winger deserves more minutes for Xavi's side.

  "If it was up to me, I would take him [to another team] but [Ansu] wants to stay at Barcelona," Bori Fati told Spanish outlet Cope.

  "He does not want to sign for another club, but I want to see him succeed. As a dad, I am angry.

  "Seeing Ansu play so little winds you up a little bit, and sometimes I think as a father, not a coach."

  Fati, who has scored six goals this season, is under a long-term contract with Barca, who are 12 points clear at the top of LaLiga. 

  And despite his father's wish, Fati has previously stated his desire to remain with Barcelona, where he feels at home. 

  "I'm under contract with Barcelona until June 2027, and I hope to stay here for many more years," he said in February.

  "I feel grateful and lucky to play for Barca and I have to thank the people who support me daily for their backing."

   

  The situation led to Bori calling a meeting with Barcelona sporting director Mateu Alemany, and agent Mendes.

  Alemany reassured him of his son's role at the club, though Bori remains unconvinced the situation will change.

  "I called Mateu," said Bori. "He told us that Ansu is part of the club's heritage, and they have bet big on him.

  "As a dad, I think differently, maybe I am wrong. He is your franchise player, the number 10, he took [that number] on when no one was ready to take it from [Lionel] Messi.

  "What annoys me is how they're treating him in terms of minutes. One minute, two, three.

  "I am not asking for him to be a starter, because all the forwards at the club are phenomenal, but we are talking about Ansu Fati, of Spain and Barcelona, who came through La Masia."

  It is now at the point where Bori no longer wants to visit Camp Nou to watch his son play.

  "If it carries on like this, I will go [back] to [the family home in] Seville and that's that," said Bori.

  "I didn't go to the game against [Real] Madrid. I won't go to the stadium anymore.

  "The other day Ansu asked me why I didn't go, he thought I was there. I told him I didn't fancy it."