Erling Haaland may stay at Borussia Dortmund beyond next season, Marco Rose has suggested.
Haaland was reported to be a target for Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City – among other major European clubs – heading into the current transfer window.
However, with many clubs on the continent struggling financially due to the coronavirus pandemic and, Chelsea having signed Romelu Lukaku, United moving for his former team-mate Jadon Sancho and City targeting Harry Kane, Haaland has stayed at Dortmund, with the Bundesliga club refusing to entertain offers for the 21-year-old who has scored a remarkable 62 goals in as many games since his arrival from Salzburg in January 2020.
Of players in Europe's top five leagues, only Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski, who came out on top in a head-to-head tussle with Haaland in the DFL-Supercup on Tuesday, has scored more in the same timeframe across all competitions (76 goals in 64 appearances).
Meanwhile, Haaland's expected goals (xG) total of 50.19 demonstrates he is finishing chances at a rate above what would be anticipated, while his minutes per-goal ratio of 82.19 ranks him third out of players to have netted at least 20 goals in the same period, trailing Lewandowski (72.87) and Atalanta's Luis Muriel (73.74).
The Norway international signed a four-and-a-half-year deal with Dortmund, though it is widely expected that BVB will be unable to their prized asset ahead of the 2022-23 season, with a reported €75m (£66m) release clause coming into effect next year.
New coach Rose, however, insisted that is not necessarily the case, pointing to Haaland still having three years left on his contract.
"He still has a long-term contract with us. Just because the public is constantly talking about him leaving next summer, that doesn't necessarily have to be the case," former Borussia Monchengladbach boss Rose told Sport Bild after Dortmund's Supercup defeat to Bayern.
"In the end, Erling has to decide for himself where he sees his future. In any case, we are happy that he is currently playing for us.
"Who knows, possibly it'll be even more than just one season if we write an extraordinary story here."
Dortmund have been tipped to challenge a Bayern team that are going through something of a rebuild under Julian Nagelsmann this season, though it was the Bavarians who came out on top at Signal Iduna Park.
Lewandowski netted a double on his former stomping ground, with Thomas Muller helping himself to Bayern's other goal in a 3-1 win for the Bundesliga champions - Marco Reus' stunner proving a mere consolation for Dortmund.
Eight of Haaland's goals for Dortmund have come from fast breaks, a record which trails only Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe (11) out of players to have scored at least 20 times since January 18, 2020 (when Haaland debuted for BVB).
Haaland's pace and power was on show again on Tuesday, but he failed to get on the scoresheet, having a goal disallowed for a marginal offside decision, and seeing his only effort on target saved superbly by Manuel Neuer.
Dortmund's number nine started his Bundesliga campaign with two goals and two assists in the 5-2 win over Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday. He finished third in the league's scoring charts last term with 27 strikes, behind Andre Silva (28) and Lewandowski (41).
Haaland's exploits have not just been reserved for the Bundesliga. He burst onto the scene with Salzburg in the Champions League and thrived for Dortmund in the competition last term, scoring 10 times in total.
In March, he became the fastest player to reach 20 goals in UEFA's flagship club competition with a double against Sevilla, meaning he achieved the feat in just 14 Champions League appearances.
Steve Cotterill leaves role as Shrewsbury manager
Steve Cotterill has left his role as manager of Shrewsbury.
The 58-year-old had already said his position at the club was uncertain and the Shrews have now confirmed his departure.
A statement read: “The club would like to place on record their thanks to Steve for all his hard work and commitment during the last two and a half years, taking us from a relegation place in League One to 12th in the table and also for working from his hospital bed during the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Cotterill guided the club to 12th in League One last season and spent 49 days at the Bristol Royal Infirmary after contracting Covid and developing pneumonia in 2021.
Cotterill, who joined the club in November 2020, released a statement though the League Managers’ Association.
“I’m proud of the work that has been done by everyone in the past two and a half years at the club,” he said. “From fighting relegation to a top-half finish. I am confident this team will continue its progression next season.
“Working through Covid was tough and I have to thank my incredible staff for their help throughout.
“I would also like to thank the players. It is a fantastic group that gave me absolutely everything, right up to the last game of the season. The relationship I had with them was very special.”
Scottish Gas agrees five-year deal to sponsor Scottish Cup
Scottish Gas has filled the void for Scottish Cup sponsorship in a deal understood to be worth about £5million a year.
A five-year contract has been agreed with the Scottish Football Association which will see the energy firm become the title sponsor of both the men’s and women’s competitions. The deal will also provide a major boost to grassroots football projects.
The deal was announced just before the SFA annual general meeting, which saw Alloa owner Mike Mulraney confirmed as president following the end of Rod Petrie’s four-year term. Hamilton’s Les Gray replaces Mulraney as vice-president.
Scottish Gas will become the first title sponsor of the Scottish Cup since William Hill’s nine-year partnership ended in 2020.
The men’s competition will be known as the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup from next season, its 150th anniversary, and the funding will also benefit the Scottish Gas Women’s Scottish Cup, the final of which was staged at Hampden this year for the first time.
The deal will help fund 120 new week-long holiday camps which will provide 6,000 opportunities for children to play football and receive free lunches.
The investment will also help Scottish Para-Football’s disability community initiatives by working with six clubs each year to set up the required infrastructure and playing conditions.
Scottish Gas will also work with the SFA to explore ways of making Hampden more sustainable and design a programme for clubs to help “reduce their carbon footprint and create more sustainable communities”.
SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell said: “I am absolutely delighted to welcome Scottish Gas on board as a committed multi-level partner and supporter of the Power of Football.
“As part of our 150th anniversary celebrations, they will help us activate the oldest and youngest cup trophies in world football, bringing new and existing fans on that famous road to Hampden.
“Through this agreement, Scottish Gas will also help reinforce the impact our national game has at grassroots level, especially among those whose need is greatest. We look forward to bringing the partnership to life and highlighting the ways in which, together, we can inspire the nation and transform lives.”
Chris O’Shea, chief executive of Centrica, the owner of Scottish Gas said: “We’re delighted to be investing in our customers’ communities and I’m particularly excited about the work we will be doing to support holiday camps, Para-Football and the women’s game across Scotland.”
Mulraney welcomed the deal and promised “100 per cent commitment and focus” on his new role.
“The Scottish FA is committed to inspiring the nation and transforming lives,” the Alloa chairman added.
“We made an impassioned plea at Holyrood only last week urging government and politicians to see us as allies in improving the health and wellbeing of the country and that is something I am determined to facilitate in a practical sense.
“The national association is primarily responsible for the development of the game, the grassroots and it is imperative we work with governments both national and local, philanthropists, commercial and charitable partners, to improve the fundamental infrastructure of our game – facilities.
“We have already agreed a £20m fund with the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and need more investment.
“We need to retain and upgrade the pitches we currently have, attain new funding for new facilities, especially to meet the growth of girls’ and women’s football, and ensure we contribute to sustainable clubs and communities, both from a financial and an environmental perspective.
“This will be a key priority for me as president and I look forward to working with partners to improve our infrastructure.”
SFA agree five-year Scottish Gas deal to sponsor men’s and women’s Scottish Cup
Scottish Gas has been announced as the title sponsor of both the men’s and women’s Scottish Cup.
A five-year contract has been agreed with the Scottish Football Association which will benefit grassroots football.
The men’s competition will be known as the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup from next season, its 150th anniversary, and the funding will also benefit the Scottish Gas Women’s Scottish Cup, the final of which was staged at Hampden this year for the first time.
The deal will help fund 120 new week-long holiday camps which will provide 6,000 opportunities for children to play football and receive free lunches.
The investment will also help Scottish Para-Football’s disability community initiatives by working with six clubs each year to set up the required infrastructure and playing conditions.
Scottish Gas will also work with the SFA to explore ways of making Hampden more sustainable and design a programme for clubs to help “reduce their carbon footprint and create more sustainable communities”.
SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell said: “I am absolutely delighted to welcome Scottish Gas on board as a committed multi-level partner and supporter of the Power of Football.
“As part of our 150th anniversary celebrations, they will help us activate the oldest and youngest cup trophies in world football, bringing new and existing fans on that famous road to Hampden.
“Through this agreement, Scottish Gas will also help reinforce the impact our national game has at grassroots level, especially among those whose need is greatest. We look forward to bringing the partnership to life and highlighting the ways in which, together, we can inspire the nation and transform lives.”
Chris O’Shea, chief executive of Centrica, the owner of Scottish Gas said: “Our partnership with the Scottish FA is the perfect match of energy and passion for Scottish Gas as we team up to support the nation.
“We’re delighted to be investing in our customers’ communities, and I’m particularly excited about the work we will be doing to support holiday camps, Para-Football and the women’s game across Scotland.”
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