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• Bayern 'really couldn't help' Nagelsmann leak, will 'let Tuchel be Tuchel'

  Bayern Munich are adamant they were not at fault as Thomas Tuchel's appointment was reported before previous head coach Julian Nagelsmann had been sacked.

  Nagelsmann was said to have learned of his departure through the media while skiing in Austria this week.

  The news first broke on Thursday but was not made official for another 24 hours, by which point Tuchel had formally agreed to take the Bayern job.

  However, Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic appeared on SPORT1's STAHLWERK Doppelpass on Sunday and defended the club's position.

  "We met [with Tuchel] on Tuesday, had a very good conversation," Salihamidzic said. "And on Wednesday and Thursday, we negotiated with Thomas' managers.

  "On Thursday evening, we learned that the information had been leaked by a third party. We really couldn't help it.

  "I don't know who that was [behind the leak] – certainly from the other side. We behaved fairly. As fair as you can be in this business.

  "The first person we called on Thursday was Julian Nagelsmann. You don't share such a decision on the phone. That's why we met the next day at Sabener Strasse. We waited until there was a commitment from Thomas Tuchel."

  Indeed, although the leak looked "bad", the Bayern chief explained why it was not possible to dismiss Nagelsmann before putting a deal in place with Tuchel.

  "It came out before Thomas Tuchel agreed, so I wouldn't have been able to call Julian yet," Salihamidzic said.

  "I couldn't have told him, 'we're talking to Thomas now, but if he doesn't want to, you'll go ahead'.

  "Of course, it's bad that this comes out beforehand, but that's not our fault."

  Now, Bayern are looking forward to a future with Tuchel, even if he has had strained relationships with bosses at Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea.

  Disputes have often centred around transfer business, but the Bundesliga champions are ready to back Tuchel.

  "With Julian Nagelsmann, we entered the transfer market together and discussed everything. We will do the same with Thomas Tuchel," Salihamidzic said.

  "The coach's ideas are important, he has to transfer them to the team. We have let Julian be Julian and will also let Thomas Tuchel be Thomas Tuchel."

• Man City and England star Foden undergoes appendix surgery

  Manchester City attacker Phil Foden has undergone surgery to remove his appendix.

  England confirmed the news on Sunday, ruling Foden out of the Euro 2024 qualifier against Ukraine.

  City subsequently announced that Foden would definitely miss next Saturday's crucial Premier League clash with Liverpool.

  Foden, who came on as a substitute in England's win over Italy on Thursday but lasted only 12 minutes, had been suffering from acute appendicitis.

  No firm timescale has been given for the 22-year-old's return, though the UK National Health Service (NHS) guidance recommends at least a two-week recovery period.

  Foden has scored 13 goals and provided five assists in 36 appearances for City this season.

• Joselu basks in unforgettable Spain debut: 'I still don't believe it!'

  Joselu was in dreamland after scoring twice on his Spain debut to help La Roja beat Norway 3-0 in Malaga on Saturday.

  New head coach Luis de la Fuente named a somewhat unfamiliar squad ahead of their two opening Euro 2024 qualifiers as he began his tenure after replacing Luis Enrique.

  Joselu's call-up was long overdue in the eyes of many, given he had reached double figures for LaLiga goals in each of the previous three seasons.

  He was introduced at La Rosaleda in the second half with Spain stuttering unconvincingly towards a 1-0 win, but he scored twice to put the game to bed.

  As such, he became the oldest debutant to score for Spain since September 2006, two days before his 33rd birthday, and he was left in disbelief.

  "The truth is that I still don't believe it," he told TVE. "This is everything a player can have and in the end, the daily work has had its reward.

  "I think I would especially like to thank my wife and my children, and my mother, who have come here today.

  "The truth is that I am not believing it."

  Joselu was also Spain's oldest debutant since 2006, with De la Fuente opting to pick a few somewhat unfashionable options who were largely neglected by his predecessor.

  The striker subsequently paid tribute to De la Fuente for giving him the opportunity.

  "I thank him for everything, being here, trusting me, being on the first list," he said.

  "I think I have responded more than enough.

  "Age doesn't matter to me because I feel like a kid, I feel like an 18-year-old kid. I want to enjoy this; I want to hug my family because today is an incredible day."

  Joselu may feel he has done enough to earn a maiden start next time out, when Spain are set to face Scotland at Hampden Park on Tuesday.

  "Knowing the players and giving them confidence is our job, but all the credit belongs to him," De la Fuente said of Joselu. 

  "We have recognised the great work he does every day at his club and I am happy for him and for everyone else."