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Footballers are among a pantheon of the biggest celebrities across the globe these days, but just who are the most searched footy stars in 2023?

Plenty of the high-profile stars in the game today have attracted a mainstream audience; you simply need to look at the most followed people on social media handles like Instagram or Facebook to tell you that.

Players from PSG, the Saudi Pro League, Real Madrid, and Barcelona have emerged as the most sought-after personalities on Google searches in 2023. There's been a change of guard lately, but Google trends are showing that established stars still matter most.

If you're anything crazy about football stars like us, you might have wondered which players occupy football fans’ search engines. If yes, then you are in the right place to find it out. Here at GOAL, we present you with the list of the top 10 searched footballers on Google.

GettyLionel Messi | Inter Miami | 18.4 million average monthly searches

Whether you regard him as the undisputed GOAT or not, Lionel Messi is still one of the greatest players to have graced the football pitch in the history of the game. It's a status he has earned by virtue of his incredible achievements, which he continues to stack up even at the age of 36.

Messi fired Argentina to World Cup glory in December 2022, winning the Golden Ball for his exploits in the tournament. He then shocked the sporting world by joining David Beckham's Inter Miami in the MLS after leaving Paris Saint-German, and mesmerised the States with his gifted talents, leading the Herons' to their first-ever silverware in the form of the inaugural Leagues Cup competition.

The Argentine superstar also clinched the 2023 Men's Ballon d'Or award to take his overall count to a record-extending eighth, and being the most recognisable face of football, it's fair to assume that he's also one of the most searched sportsmen in 2023.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesCristiano Ronaldo | Al-Nassr | 15.2 million average monthly searches

While most footballers are winding down in their late thirties, CR7 still seems hungrier than ever. Arguably the most popular sporting personality on the planet, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner was Googled close to 200 million times in 2023. It has been a momentous year for the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo as he turned around his fortunes at Al-Nassr, having departed Manchester United under something of a cloud in January 2023.

The Portuguese legend's move to the Saudi Pro League does appear to have rejuvenated him and has already won his first trophy in the Middle-East after guiding Al-Nassr to a remarkable Arab Club Champions triumph. He currently leads the Saudi top-flight goalscoring standings as things stand, while he finished Euro 2024 qualifying as the competition's leading goal marksman.

His record of 53 goals in 58 appearances for both club and country during the calendar year puts him above European heavyweights like Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, and Harry Kane for the record of most goals in 2023.

Getty ImagesKylian Mbappe | Paris Saint-Germain | 12.5 million average monthly searches

Kylian Mbappe has well-and-truly emerged as one of the brightest stars in the football galaxy over the last half a decade or so. The Frenchman has captured the hearts of fans worldwide with his electrifying pace and skills, combined with exceptional goal-scoring potency on the pitch.

As one of the most prolific and dynamic forwards in the game, the Frenchman's popularity has transcended beyond the realm of football and he has truly become a global icon, as evident from the Google search volume of his name, with the speculation over his future making headline news on a constant basis.

Regarded as one of the best players of the 21st century, Mbappe helped Paris Saint-Germain retain the Ligue 1 title this year and also impressed at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at the end of last year by winning the Golden Boot and scoring a hat trick in the final against eventual winners Argentina. With Lionel Messi and Neymar now out of the fray at PSG, Mbappe is very much the main man in the French capital.

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GettyErling Haaland | Manchester City | 11.7 million monthly searches

Norwegian goal-machine Erling Haaland had an incredible 2023 as he won the Ballon d'Or Gerd Muller Trophy, which recognised him as the best striker last season. He broke the record for the most goals in a single Premier League season with 36 in only 35 appearances.

Powered by Haaland's insatiable hunger for goals, Man City completed a historic treble as the Citizens lifted the FA Cup, Premier League, and a first-ever Champions League, which they had long craved for, but seemed incapable of getting over the line until the arrival of Haaland, who also finished top scorer in Europe's elite competition.

It is hard to argue the result of the 23-year-old scooping the prize, although he was beaten to the prestigious Ballon d'Or honour by Messi in November.

Real Madrid continue to be linked with Erling Haaland, with it reported that Los Blancos would pay less for the Man City striker than European rivals.

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• Prolific Norwegian striker starring in England
• Working on contract through to 2027
• Seeing future switch to Spain speculated on

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The prolific Norway international has been at the Etihad Stadium since the summer of 2022 – with his debut campaign in English football delivering 52 goals and a historic treble triumph. He is tied to a contract through to 2027, but there are plenty of rumours to suggest that deal will not be seen out.

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  Talk of an exit clause existing in Haaland’s contract, which could be triggered by teams outside of England, has been played down by the 23-year-old’s agent. There is, however, talk of a move to Spain being made at some stage – with his representative Rafaela Pimenta a regular visitor to Santiago Bernabeu.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  According to , Haaland’s asking price would be knocked down considerably if Real Madrid were to enter into discussions. The reports of €200 million (£172m/$219m) being required in order to do a deal are said to relate to interest being shown in the striker from another Premier League club – with the fee involved for Real said to be “much closer to 100 million than 200”.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR HAALAND?

  Real are also monitoring Kylian Mbappe’s situation at Paris Saint-Germain, as he runs down his deal in France, but a deadline of January 15 has been set for any future decisions there. Haaland will remain on Los Blancos’ radar regardless of what happens with Mbappe, with the Spanish giants forever in the hunt for recruits that fit the ‘Galacticos’ recruitment model of club president Florentino Perez.

Joe Root is discovering the relentless demands made on an England captain – and that is even before he begins to think about the Ashes

George Dobell13-Aug-2017There’s a scene in the film, The Hunger, where the character played by David Bowie ages several decades in a few minutes.It would be an exaggeration to suggest Joe Root must know exactly how Bowie’s character felt – his downfall was related to a vampire lifestyle, after all, and they frown on that sort of thing in Yorkshire – but you get the picture. The demands of captaining the England Test side are substantial and there have been times during the summer when they have shown on Root’s face and in his demeanour.Defeat at Trent Bridge appeared to hit especially hard. “Why’s Joe Root’s granddad taking a press conference?” one journalist whispered as a man who looked a bit like Root shuffled in and tried to explain the loss. Let nobody doubt how much he cares.He looks much brighter today. Rejuvenated by some time off with his family and the series victory over South Africa he is back in Sheffield and, in between thrashing paint-covered cricket balls on to canvas to advertise life insurance – no, I didn’t get it, either – he is reflecting on his first few weeks in the job and looking ahead to England’s first day-night Test and the Ashes.He admits the demands of captaincy have surprised him a little. Not so much the on-field aspects – at which he has excelled – but the off-field requirements.Today is a good example. He is obliged to give a series of interviews which probe his views on a variety of subjects. He’s asked about his thoughts on top-order batting (it’s hard), playing Oasis songs on the guitar (it’s easy), being rested from the limited-overs matches against West Indies (it’s possible), religion (he’s in favour), Sheffield United (he likes them), his method of transporting a guitar on flights (he listens with rapt attention as a journalist tells him the secret is not to use a case) and day-night cricket (it’s worth a try but the fielding side had better strike with that new ball because it goes soft fast).Then he’s asked to do it all again in front of different cameras. Then he does it wearing a different coloured shirt. It is relentless and it is exhausting.”Maybe I was slightly naïve to the time and energy that would go into captaincy,” Root admits now. “I knew there would be a lot more demand upon my time and energy. And I quite enjoy the different responsibilities that come with it.”But I suppose there is slightly more than I expected. I’ve never been a great sleeper and I do find myself thinking about cricket even more than before.”When it comes to batting it’s been fine. I generally don’t think too much other than about watching the ball and playing the situation. In practice it’s about making sure I get all the preparation I need to be ready to score runs.Joe Root fulfils another sponsorship obligation•Getty Images”Coming off the field and having a young family it’s very easy to distract yourself. It’s such a nice thing to be able to go back to. You just don’t think about cricket when you’re back there. It’s the times when you’re on your own and you don’t have that where it’s slightly trickier.”No period was more tricky than the aftermath of that Trent Bridge defeat. While South Africa played beautifully in Nottingham, Root was hugely disappointed by the naïve manner his side responded to the challenge of the moving ball and a fine attack. In the first major test of his leadership, he made it clear that better, tougher cricket was expected from his team. The way they responded bodes well for him.”It was important we sat down after that game and were honest about where we were as a team,” Root says. “It wasn’t a good enough performance by everyone involved and we needed to make sure we adapted better and quicker to the situation. We did that excellently in the next two games.”I don’t think I’ll ever be a man for Churchillian speeches or making everyone emotional through my words, but I feel like I can hold my own in terms of getting my message across in the group.”He knows, too, that one of the most significant test looms just ahead. Whether it’s right or wrong, England players – and captains, in particular – are still judged disproportionately by their success in Ashes series.Root admits he was shocked by the hostility of the Australian crowds in the 2013-14 series. Despite having spent a season playing Grade cricket for Prospect CC in Adelaide (“I enjoyed it, but I’d have loved to score more runs”) and expecting some “banter” on the field, he found it extended off the pitch.While he feels it’s crucial to see the humour in such exchanges, he also believes it is important to warn new players as to what to expect. One particular chant, which rhymed “Trott” with “vagina rot” was especially memorable.”I was slightly surprised,” he says. “I thought they might give us a bit of banter but it was a bit more than that.”A lot of the side that went in 2013-14 was similar to the one which won there in 2010-11. They all said it was an amazing tour and they had a great time. It was tough cricket but brilliant.”My experience was different. It was very hostile. It was aggressive on and off the field. Especially off the field, in fact. The crowd give you a hard time and the guys are fully aware that’s the case.”At Brisbane a beach ball came on the field and they wanted me to throw it back. Someone said something a bit rude so I chucked it to the steward, who popped it. For the rest of that day they carried on about it. There were some not very nice words. It wasn’t very family friendly.”There was a few chants from the crowd that were quite personal at times. Quite offensive. The thing to remember, even if it doesn’t seem it at the time, is it’s generally in good spirit and they’re just trying to create an atmosphere for their side.”But if you respond well to it you have the opportunity to win them over. So I think it’s important to warn players over what to expect. You don’t want to go out there and it just hit you like a train. You want to make sure you’re fully aware of what’s coming your way.”I think that’s probably what made it so enjoyable for the guys who went there and won. You do get a hard time but when you win it’s that bit more enjoyable. Our challenge is to experience that, not let it faze us and hopefully come back with that little urn.”Joe Root is an Ambassador for health and life insurer Vitality, inspiring healthy and active lifestyles

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has declared that Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp is the greatest rival he has faced in his coaching career.

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Guardiola calls Klopp his greatest rival

Duo were formidable opponents in Bundesliga

Pep claimed German "made me a better manager"WHAT HAPPENED?

Guardiola comes to face-to-face with Klopp on Saturday when City host Liverpool, and the Catalan admitted that the German has been his greatest opponent in his 15-year coaching career, even more formidable than Jose Mourinho, his first great rival. City have pipped Liverpool to two league titles in the last five seasons – both by a single point – but the Merseysiders came out on top in the 2022 FA Cup semi-final and a Champions League quarter-final tie in 2018, as well as romping to the Premier League title in 2020.

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The Man City boss told reporters: "Yep, by far [Klopp is his greatest rival] because we faced each other a thousand million times. Absolutely, he made me better, him and his teams, here and Dortmund, always been big rivals, good games for both, positive approach and always attractive. He made me a better manager through his teams, and of course the way the play is good with the transitions, the runs, they are a fantastic team, a top side, no doubt."

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Mourinho had a bitter rivalry with Guardiola stemming from an ill-tempered Champions League semi-final tie between Inter and Barcelona in 2010. The tension between the two managers was raised further when Mourinho became coach of Real Madrid, facing Guardiola's Barcelona four times in the space of two dramatic weeks in 2011, with the Catalans winning the La Liga title and a Champions League semi-final tie. Madrid reclaimed the Spanish title in 2012 and Guardiola then quit as Barca coach.

The pair would meet again in the Premier League when Guardiola became City boss in 2016 and Mourinho took over at Old Trafford. But Guardiola came out on top as the Sky Blues romped to two Premier League titles, while the Portuguese was sacked by the Red Devils in 2018.

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DID YOU KNOW?

Klopp and Guardiola have faced each other 28 times, in the Bundesliga, Premier League and Champions League, with the German winning 11 of the matches and the Spaniard 10.

The Committee of Administrators has said it will intervene if it feels the BCCI’s decision at the upcoming SGM hurts the interests of Indian cricket

Nagraj Gollapudi03-May-2017The committee of administrators (CoA) appointed by the Supreme Court to oversee the BCCI will not hesitate to intervene if it feels that decisions taken by the board at this weekend’s special general meeting are going to hurt the interests of Indian cricket.In an email to state associations ahead of the SGM on May 7, the CoA issued a thinly veiled warning that it would take the matter to the Supreme Court if BCCI took a “drastic step/measure,” which could “jeopardise” ongoing negotiations with the ICC.The BCCI called the SGM to update state associations on the outcomes of the April round of ICC Board meetings – the second SGM called by the BCCI in less than a month. At the previous one on April 18, the BCCI had authorised its acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary to ask the ICC Board to defer any decision on the new constitution, governance structure and the new finance model. Choudhary did so and also argued that the BCCI should get $570 million as its share from ICC tournaments in the 2015-23 right cycle.His request was rejected, though, and the BCCI was outvoted as the ICC passed the new constitution and finance model. The BCCI now stands to get $293 million as its share (the amount is based on the ICC earning a projected revenue of $2.7 billion).Some BCCI office bearers and state associations now want to take an aggressive stance and have threatened to revoke the Members Partnership Agreement (MPA) signed by the Indian board and ICC in 2014. A dozen state associations including two BCCI office-bearers – Choudhary and board treasurer Anirudh Chaudhry – wanted to send the ICC a legal notice challenging the decisions taken last week, a move thwarted by the CoA.If the BCCI was to revoke the MPA, then India will pull out of the Champions Trophy, which starts on June 1 in England. Pre-empting such a decision, the CoA sought a more collaborative approach.”It is in the interests of Indian cricket for the BCCI to continue negotiations with the ICC and other cricket boards to arrive at an amount/ share that is somewhere between that envisaged under the financial model that was put in place in 2014 and that which is envisaged under the revised financial model,” the CoA said in an email to the state associations on Wednesday.Being aggressive, the CoA said, would only harm the BCCI’s cause. “It is not in the interests of Indian cricket for the BCCI to take any drastic step/measure which may result in breakdown of negotiations between the BCCI, ICC and other cricket boards, especially since there is sufficient time between now and the ICC Conference to be held in June 2017 for a negotiated outcome to be arrived at.”The CoA would, the email said, support any decision taken by the BCCI as long as it was unanimous and protected the interests of Indian cricket.”In the extremely unlikely event that the decision of the Members of BCCI at the SGM is one which, in our view, is against the interests of Indian cricket, we would be duty bound to bring such decision to the attention of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, communicate our views to the Hon’ble Supreme Court and seek its intervention in the matter as also to take such other steps that we consider necessary to protect the interests of Indian cricket.”In an attempt to make the state associations understand the gravity of the situation, the CoA laid out the sequence of events leading to last week’s ICC Board meeting. In its discussions with ICC chairman Shashank Manohar and various member board representatives, the CoA was told about the vast “trust deficit” that had developed between them and the BCCI after the Big Three became a reality in early 2014. While acknowledging that the BCCI contributed “much more” to the ICC, member boards said their share in the Big Three model was “too high and unacceptable”.Instead, an acceptable figure lay somewhere between the Big Three model and the ICC’s revised finance model. The ICC’s members were keen to sort out the issue through negotiations rather than a vote, and the CoA told Choudhary that a “lack of flexibility” at the ICC Board meetings would not serve the BCCI well.”The decision regarding what amount/share and changes to the ICC governance structure the BCCI should finally agree to in the course of negotiations with the ICC and other cricket boards is certainly one that needs to be taken by the General Body of the BCCI as it has long term implications,” the CoA said.”It is extremely unlikely that the ICC and other cricket boards will agree to the amount/ share envisaged under the financial model that was put in place in 2014. The ICC and other cricket boards will certainly agree to an amount/ share that is higher than what is envisaged under the revised financial model.”The CoA also warned that if the talks failed it could have a negative impact on the observations made by the BCCI – through its CEO Rahul Johri – on the new governance structure, which was also approved by the ICC Board. Johri had expressed reservations on the scheduling of bilateral tours, membership criteria, the powers of the ICC chairman, and the composition of committees in an email to the ICC in March.

Tottenham Hotspur could sign Harry Maguire from Manchester United this summer and club talisman Harry Kane wouldn't 'be too concerned' over the 30-year-old joining him in N17, according to journalist Dean Jones.

What's the latest transfer news involving Harry Maguire?

As per The Evening Standard, Tottenham are keen on signing Maguire from Manchester United this summer as Ange Postecoglou gets to work regarding potential additions in north London.

The report states that Spurs may be reticent to move due to Maguire's £190,000 per week salary at the Red Devils; however, a loan move may emerge as a potential option for the 30-year-old in the transfer window.

ESPN understand that both Tottenham and West Ham United have been offered the chance to acquire Maguire, with Erik Ten Hag said to be open to letting go of his club captain.

Ten Hag has also spoken about the future of Maguire in a recent interview, stating: "I'm happy he's here… it's also a decision he has to make [because] nobody would be happy with this situation."

CBS Sports reporter Ben Jacobs told The United Stand YouTube channel that Wolverhampton Wanderers could also become a contender to tempt Maguire with a fresh challenge elsewhere.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Jones has suggested that Spurs marksman Kane would be content if his international teammate Maguire was to move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer.

Jones told FFC: "He's a total professional, he's come through some really tough times if you think of the mental challenges that he's faced on the back of some of his performances. I think if Tottenham were to ask Harry Kane for his views on it, I don't think he would be too concerned about Maguire coming."

Would Harry Maguire be a good signing for Tottenham Hotspur?

Maguire has his critics, it is fair to say; nevertheless, he has shown impressive mental resilience over the last year or so and would offer an experienced head in the Spurs backline if he was to move to the Lilywhites.

In 2022/23, the Red Devils' captain made 31 appearances in all competitions for his current employers in total, as per Transfermarkt.

The 30-year-old has shown his awareness to dangerous attacking situations efficiently in the season just gone, making an average of 2.6 clearances per match in the Premier League, according to WhoScored.

FBRef also note that Maguire has excelled compared to his positional peers across Europe's top five divisions in the art of aerial duels, winning around 3.01 per 90 minutes across the last 365 days, putting him in the top 12% for this metric.

Of course, some Tottenham fans would have doubts over the signing of Maguire due to his underwhelming time at Old Trafford, though he can still be a competent defender and has proved his worth at times for Manchester United over the last year.

Steven Gerrard could prove to be an unpopular choice as Leeds United's new manager among supporters, according to journalist Ryan Taylor.

Is Gerrard a front-runner for Leeds job?

The 43-year-old had an unsuccessful spell at Aston Villa earlier in the season, eventually being replaced by Unai Emery, who has ultimately showed him up with a much improved run of results.

Since then, Gerrard has been out of management, instead doing some punditry, but he has emerged as one of the favourites to become Leeds' next boss.

The Whites continue to look for the perfect man to come in and turn their fortunes around, with Championship football coming their way in 2023/24, following a bitterly disappointing Premier League campaign that culminated in relegation.

Gerrard is far from guaranteed the Leeds job, but he is certainly in the conversation, and it is an appointment that could split opinion, should it end up coming to fruition.

Is the jury out on Gerrard to Leeds?

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Taylor admitted that Gerrard's failed spell at Villa could make him an unpopular choice, even though he sees benefits behind the appointment:

"I do think Gerrard would be a decent fit. I know that might not be popular among some supporters because of what happened at Villa, but I think it's a different kind of job now. It's a project and something to build.

"I know that was the case at Villa, but their squad was so strong that it's not entirely surprising where they ended up finishing, although I know Unai Emery has done a great job.

"When Gerrard went to Rangers, he built, reasonably, from scratch. I think that's the sort of environment he would be walking into at Leeds as well, so I quite like those appointments. I think Ruben Selles would be a good option as well, but I've not seen any kind of links to Leeds."

There is understandable trepidation when it comes to Leeds potentially appointing Gerrard, given the manner in which things petered out at Villa, following a fairly promising start.

He is yet to properly prove himself in the Premier League or the Championship – he did win the Scottish Premiership title with Rangers, in fairness, which was a great achievement – so it would be more risky than someone like Daniel Farke or Scott Parker, both of whom have achieved that goal, both earning promotion from the latter.

That being said, Gerrard is still a young manager who could end up having a bright future in that aspect of football – his legendary status as a player is undisputed, but that doesn't automatically make you a great boss – so bringing him in certainly wouldn't be a disaster.

Michael Vaughan, the former England captain, has warned that Ben Stokes risks burn-out if England heap too many expectations onto his shoulders

Andrew Miller01-Nov-2016Michael Vaughan, the former England captain, has warned that Ben Stokes risks burn-out if England heap too many expectations on to his shoulders during the forthcoming Test tour of India. However, he also reckons that getting the ball out of Stokes’ hand in the big moments of the series will prove to be a management challenge for Alastair Cook.Stokes was England’s outstanding player during the 1-1 series draw with Bangladesh last month, especially during the first Test at Chittagong where he almost single-handedly hauled England to a 22-run victory. His total of 103 runs included a vital second-innings 85, while his six wickets in the match featured a key spell of reverse swing in Bangladesh’s first innings as he claimed 4 for 10 to secure a priceless first-innings lead.Throughout the two matches it was notable how Cook, a naturally conservative captain, turned to his seam bowlers in times of strife, especially given how little control he was able to exert with his spin attack. Stokes fronted up admirably with 11 wickets from 48.3 overs in the series – fewer than the first-choice spinners Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid, but more than any of the other quicks on show.However, he appeared to be hobbling when he came out to bat in England’s second innings at Dhaka and, with five Tests to come in the space of six weeks in India, Vaughan believes that Stokes may have to be protected from himself if England are to get full value from their most precious asset.”Stokes has got that ability to get in the opposing team’s faces with expertise,” Vaughan said during the launch of BT Sport’s cricket coverage. “Many players have tried to wind up the opposition by being forceful and aggressive without having the game [to back it up] but, with Stokes, you just know, every time he goes to the crease, things are going to happen.”I think the problem that Alastair will have is getting the ball out of his hands. He wants to bowl, he wants to compete – speak to Paul Collingwood, he bowls marathon spells for Durham, 16-17 overs – and he’s got that ability to produce magic with the old ball.”And even when he’s bowled badly, and sprayed the ball all over the place, he’s always created opportunities. Beefy Botham took a lot of wickets with long-hops and Ben Stokes is very similar, because he’s got that physical presence out in the middle. He does intimidate opposition batsmen, so he will create opportunities.”Vaughan sees inevitable parallels with England’s last genuine allrounder, Andrew Flintoff, whom he captained throughout the prime of his career from 2003 to 2006. And, like Flintoff, Stokes has already shown that his body may be vulnerable to the workload that he puts upon it, having undergone knee surgery early in the English season, before missing the final two Tests of Pakistan series with a calf tear.”The real question is injury,” Vaughan said. “We saw in the summer against Pakistan, he missed the two Tests that England lost [at Lord’s and The Oval]. The Chittagong Test win was 22 runs … without Ben Stokes England would have lost.”Many would say as a captain, did you go to bed at night and not sleep because of the toss or opposing team. No, the one thing that Cook will be saying at night is: ‘Please, Ben Stokes, don’t get injured’ because he’s that important to the team.”Like Flintoff, Stokes’ has a larger-than-life personality that can, on occasions, get him into scrapes. He was infamously sent home from England Lions’ tour of Australia in 2012-13 for persistently breaking the team curfew, and ruled himself out of the World T20 in Bangladesh in 2014 after punching a locker during a poor run of form during the ODI tour of the Caribbean.But Vaughan believes that Stokes’ exploits in recent months have shown a different side to his character. “He’s a quick learner and I think people possibly don’t see the amount of work he puts in. He’s a free spirit, and every now and again he will be talked about for doing the wrong things – punching a dressing-room door, partying too hard – but he wants to learn and get better, and I can only see that he is going to get better.”They will have to be wary of the amount of bowling he does in India, but he’s the kind of guy who wants to be in the game. I remember Duncan Fletcher used to say to the team, ‘get in the game’. If the game is flat, do something.”That’s the kind of player he is. Whatever the situation, you are looking at him and he’s in the game. Whether at backward point, or on the drive, or with the ball in hand, or striding out to bat. You just know things are going to happen.”Watch the first Test of the Australia v South Africa series exclusively live on BT Sport 3 from 2am on Thursday, November 4. BT Sport is your new home for Australia’s home international matches and Big Bash League, including the 2017-18 Ashes

A green pitch and humid conditions saw wickets tumble on the first day of the Specsavers County Championship Division Two match between Leicestershire and Sussex at the Fischer County Ground

ECB Reporters Network06-Sep-2016
ScorecardSteve Magoffin helped rout Leicestershire for 135•Getty ImagesA green pitch and humid conditions saw wickets tumble on the first day of the Specsavers County Championship Division Two match between Leicestershire and Sussex at the Fischer County Ground. After dismissing Leicestershire for 135, Sussex finished the day in front on 182 for 7, despite Neil Dexter following Steve Magoffin in taking a five-for.Sussex captain Ben Brown cannot have thought too long and hard before deciding to exercise the away team’s right to bowl first, and was immediately rewarded when the first delivery of the match, bowled by Magoffin, seamed back and took the inside edge of Paul Horton’s bat before being caught by Brown behind the stumps.Magoffin and Ollie Robinson continued to beat the bat regularly, but Angus Robson and Dexter added 55 for the second wicket before Robson, on 18, left a delivery from Jofra Archer which both seamed back in and stayed low before knocking off and middle stumps out of the ground. Magoffin, playing his 150th first-class game, then removed Leicestershire skipper Mark Cosgrove with a well-pitched up delivery which swung back in and trapped the left-hander leg before.Dexter fought his way through until lunch in the company of Mark Pettini, but after the break Leicestershire lost their last seven wickets in adding just 45 runs. Archer bowled Pettini with a beauty, the ball nipping back to hit to the top of off-stump, and soon after going to his 50 with an expansive cover drive, an attempt to repeat the shot saw Dexter’s off stump uprooted by Archer.Lewis Hill, defending on the back foot, played on to Magoffin, who quickly made it five for the innings by having Clint McKay caught at first slip and bowling Zak Chappell with a ball that seamed back in. Raine edged a brute of a delivery from Archer, and Eckersley, looking to force the pace, gave mid-on a simple catch off a leading edge.When Sussex began their reply, Chris Nash and Ed Joyce, both of whom have already passed 1000 runs in the Championship this season, compiled an opening partnership of 82 before Joyce was bowled by Charlie Shreck, an inswinger clipping the top of the left-hander’s off-stump.Nash went to his 50, his eighth of the season, before a late decision to leave a Dexter delivery saw the ball clip the bat and cannon on to the stumps. Luke Wells was drawn into an attempted drive and edged Shreck to wicketkeeper Eckersley, and Dexter, pitching the ball up and swinging it away from the right-handers, went on to complete his first five wicket haul for Leicestershire, having Craig Cachopa and Fynn Hudson-Prentice caught behind, and Phil Salt and David Wiese leg before to keep his side in the game.

Tottenham Hotspur chiefs have internally discussed hiring out-of-work manager Brendan Rodgers as chairman Daniel Levy continues his search.

What's the latest Spurs manager news?

After sacking former boss Antonio Conte earlier this season, Spurs are still yet to officially appoint a permanent replacement for the Italian.

Since his dismissal, it has been a topsy-turvy time at N17, with Levy ending up having to sack former interim boss Cristian Stellini after an humiliating 6-1 defeat away to Newcastle United.

Ryan Mason has since taken temporary charge until the end of this Premier League campaign and recently oversaw an entertaining Spurs encounter at Anfield – one where they very nearly clinched a 3-3 comeback only to lose 4-3 in the dying seconds.

Whoever Levy appoints to replace Conte will have work to do on a leaky Tottenham defence and Spurs' next appointment could well be a crucial one as they look to reinstall some much-needed positivity.

The likes of Julian Nagelsmann are regularly mentioned as targets for the north Londoners but there are other names on the agenda.

Rodgers, who was recently sacked by Leicester after leading them into a relegation battle, has been linked with the vacant post with ESPN sharing an update.

According to their sources, it is believed that the 50-year-old has been mentioned as a possible candidate behind-the-scenes at Spurs.

Indeed, Lilywhites chiefs have apparently discussed the possibility of hiring Rodgers internally, though it is apparently unclear whether he is on Tottenham's shortlist as things stand.

It's added that Levy had personally spoken to Rodgers in the past about becoming manager though it isn't detailed as to when.

What could Rodgers bring to Spurs?

Other coaches in England's top flight hold the former Liverpool boss in very high esteem, with West Ham manager David Moyes recently saying this after his Leicester dismissal:

"Really disappointed for Brendan. Super manager. Really good coach. He won’t be out of a job long."

Meanwhile, Man City's Pep Guardiola has even claimed that he has taken some inspiration from Rodgers in the past – once admitting that he is a 'big fan'.

Guardiola explained:

“For the last however many years Leicester are one of the top contenders – a top-class team.

“I am a big fan of their manager; I learn a lot watching his teams.

“They have top sporting directors; they sign perfectly well for what they need and Leicester away is always a tough game."

Having this many plaudits from other top gaffers in the game is a big indicator of Rodgers' quality as a tactician, and it wasn't long ago he was winning both the FA Cup and Community Shield at Leicester.