BERLIN: Bayern Munich will end their partnership with Thomas Tuchel at the end of the season despite having a contract until 2025, the club said today.

Bayern have lost their last three games in all competitions and are eight points behind Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga table.

They also lost 0-1 at the hands of Lazio in the first 16th of the Champions League last week.

Tuchel took over in March 2023 from Julian Nagelsmann.

Despite leading his club to the Bundesliga title on the final matchday last season, they failed to repeat the form that saw the squad dominate German football over the past decade.

MANCHESTER, England: The image of Manchester United’s young trio – Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo – celebrating their 3-0 win over West Ham United deservedly resonated on social media last night.

Erik ten Hag’s side surged past West Ham in sixth place in the Premier League with their biggest home league win of the season and the manager said seeing the trio in action and celebrating the win validated his hopes for them.

“You don’t believe me,” said Ten Hag, scolding journalists after the match.

“We bought players in the summer for the future. We made the choice to give players who deserve a chance in the squad, Garnacho and Mainoo. Hojlund is improving.

“We have an attack line that is a threat to every opponent and they have fun playing football. Three players celebrate together, it’s not about one player, it’s about the team, 11 defending, 11 attacking, it’s fun to watch that match.”

Garnacho, 19, scored twice, Hojlund scored on his 21st birthday and 18-year-old Mainoo was brilliant in midfield and Hojlund and Mainoo left the pitch to thunderous applause from the Old Trafford crowd.

Despite a difficult season that has raised questions about the stability of Ten Hag’s team, the Dutch manager stressed the team still has a lot of work to do.

They have 38 points after 23 matches, leaving them eight points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa who they visit next Sunday.

“I’m not telling you we’re there, where we want to be, but you see the potential,” Ten Hag said.

“(Young players) definitely need games, they need experience and the only way you can get that is to play in the first team.

“They have the right attitude and if you have the attitude to improve every day, I’m sure they can reach a high level but they need experienced players to help them and put them in the right position.”

FLORENCE, Italy: Inter Milan reclaimed the top spot in Serie A when they beat fifth-placed Fiorentina 1-0 early this morning thanks to Lautaro Martinez’s early header.

Inter, who were crowned champions of the Italian Super Cup for the third consecutive year on Monday, returned to the top of the league table with 54 points, one point ahead of second-placed Juventus with a game in hand.

Juve squandered a chance to extend their lead over Inter when they were forced to a 1-1 draw by lowly Empoli yesterday after playing most of the match with 10 men.

“This team did well in the first half and that’s where we should finish, maybe score another goal,” coach Simone Inzaghi told reporters.

“Even in the first half I wasn’t satisfied with 1-0. Fiorentina… often makes you languish, it’s an important win but not decisive anymore.”

Fiorentina thought they had taken the lead when striker M’Bala Nzola tricked visiting goalkeeper Yann Sommer in the 11th minute but the Angolan striker was ruled offside.

Martinez put Inter ahead three minutes later, heading in a free kick from a difficult angle.

Inter, who were without midfielders with the help of Hakan Calhanoglu and Nicolo Barella, allowed Fiorentina to have control of the ball but the hosts wasted many chances.

The Viola, who are in fifth place with 34 points and have played less than one game, will next visit the 14th place team, Lecce this Friday.

Inter hosts a visit from Juventus on February 4.

“A match between two teams that are doing well at the moment. We will try to prepare as well as possible,” said Inzaghi about the meeting with Juve.

LONDON: Liverpool are currently at the top of the English Premier League and the latest statistics prove why Jurgen Klopp’s squad deserves to be there.

Attacking speed has been the mainstay of Liverpool’s victories this season – with 1.96 meters per second (m/s) recorded to be the fastest team in attack.

In second place, Everton and West Ham recorded 1.94m/s, while Nottingham Forest was third at 1.93m/s.

Luton Town, who are 18th in the league, are fourth at 1.92m/s, followed by Manchester United (1.89m/s) and Bournemouth (1.87m/s).

Crystal Palace and Sheffield United are tied at 1.80m/s while Brentford record 1.79m/s.

Aston Villa averaged 1.74m/s, while Tottenham Hotspur – who were plagued by injuries – at 1.72m/s.

Fulham (1.69m/s), Newcastle United (1.68m/s), Chelsea (1.67m/s) and Wolverhampton Wanderers are below Spurs while Brighton and Hove Albion at the top of group three is dropped at 1.59m/s.

Arsenal and Manchester are in the last three groups with records of 1.54m/s and 1.26m/s. Burnley are in the middle of the pack of championship contenders at 1.45m/s.

LIVERPOOL, England: Mohamed Salah’s second-half brace made up for an earlier penalty miss as Liverpool started the new year three points clear at the top of the Premier League table with a 4-2 win over Newcastle United at Anfield in torrential rain.

Jurgen Klopp’s side, who started the day tied on points with Aston Villa, now have 45 points from 20 games.

Villa got 42 points while Manchester City, who played one game less, is third with 40 points. Newcastle are also in ninth place with 29 points.

Liverpool dominated the match and Salah, who fired a penalty past goalkeeper Martin Dubravka in the first half, finally broke the deadlock in the 49th minute when Darwin Nunez crossed for the Egyptian to finish from close range.

Alexander Isak grabbed Newcastle’s second try of the game in the 54th minute when he met Anthony Gordon’s beautiful pass and fired beyond Alisson’s reach.

However, Curtis Jones put the hosts back in front in the 74th minute with a simple header after receiving a cross from Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo added a goal four minutes later.

Sven Botman pulled one back for Newcastle in the 81st minute before Salah, playing his final game before departing for the Africa Cup of Nations, converted a penalty after Jota was fouled to seal victory in the 86th minute.