Real Madrid on brink of new manager announcement

All that is required now is the official announcement and that is something that Real Madrid appear to be holding on to. Santiago Solari's appointment as the permanent boss of Madrid is still being written in terms of "set to" and "all but done". But Tuesday could well be the day. And yes, Sports Burst did write that Monday could well be the day. Heck, it might even be Wednesday. 

The paperwork has reportedly been sent off and received at Spanish football's HQ for Solari’s contract. Spanish daily, Marca, has written a glowing report of the coach's genius today and how Florentino Perez never, ever, ever considered anyone else for the role such as Antonio Conte, for example. 

There are even stories on which players will benefit from Solari's tenure - good for Vinicius Junior and bad for the increasingly-sidelined Isco and Marco Asensio. 

Either way, Madrid need to do something soon. It's international week and a sporting vacuum needs to be filled. 

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USA and Mexico on brink of new manager announcement 

Real Madrid is not the only institution that is stalling on announcing a new coach. However, while the La Liga club is dawdling by just a day or two, the USA has been waiting over a year to find a new manager. One. Whole. Year.

The chosen one after an exhaustive search of...well...the MLS system appears to be current Columbus Crew coach, Gregg Berhalter. It was thought that US Soccer would wait until the Crew's duties in the playoffs were over - they are now - before making the announcement.

But now it might be after the international break. The USMNT is in Europe to take part in Wayne Rooney's testimonial and Italy. Indeed, one report said it will all happen in the new year. But...it could even be today. 

Our neighbors to the south, Mexico, are in the same position with Tata Martino supposedly the front-runner for the job, but busy with Atlanta United duties. Former Watford boss, Quique Sanchez Flores and even Julen Lopetegui have been linked with the still vacant role. 

Mexico is in action in a double-header against Argentina. 

No grudge match for Alba and Enrique

One of the more peculiar choices of new Spain boss, Luis Enrique, had been to pretty much exile his former Barcelona charge, Jordi Alba, from the national team. All this took place while Alba was arguably in the form of his life. Even fullbacks from Watford were chosen ahead of the Barca man.

However, football form took over and Alba is back in the fold and has spoken today about serving Spain again.

“About time,” yelled Alba to the press, “I am not sure what the boss has being doing with his time, but it hasn’t been watching Barcelona.” Sadly, that wasn’t the case. It would certainly have livened up the international break. Instead, Alba monotoned that there was no bad blood between them and all is good in the world. “Nothing has ever happened between us,” declared Alba in front of disappointed journalists desperate for some juice.

Sami Nasri battles for return to football after suspension 

Time for some TRANSFER TRACKER! nonsense. 

Remember Sami Nasri? French midfielder? Caught up in a very bizarre scandal involving IV drips, a Los Angeles clinic and a doping suspension. 

Well, Nasri is set to undergo a medical with Premier League outfit, West Ham United, now that the footballer's suspension is over. The Frenchman could be signing a six-month deal starting from 1st January. However, whether or not Nasri actually passes the medical is another question. 

        View this post on Instagram                   @manchesterunited 🔴 A post shared by Alexis Sanchez (@alexis_officia1) on Nov 4, 2018 at 2:24am PST

Remember Alexis Sanchez? Chilean forward? Plays at Manchester United sometimes? Well, Sanchez is reportedly looking for the Old Trafford exit door in January, having not exactly excelled in his almost one year at Manchester United. The problem? No-one else wants him.  

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