Porto boss Jose Mourinho is the hot favourite to replace Claudio Ranieri at Stamford Bridge following Chelsea’s Champions League semi-final defeat against Monaco.

Mourinho bought a ticket for the match to see who his team would face in the final later this month. All papers claim he has already been lined-up by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich to succeed Ranieri in the summer.

But Mourinho insisted he was focused on preparing Porto for the Champions League final. "I won’t be speaking with clubs, directors, presidents of owners," he said. "I am very concentrated on my job." (Daily Express).

Meanwhile, Ranieri was left to reflect on Hugo Ibarra’s controversial goal which sparked a Monaco comeback after going 2-0 down. He said: "The referee did not see the handball, so what can you do?" (Daily Mirror)

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Alan Shearer has issued a rallying call to his Newcastle team-mates after admitting time is running out for him to win a major trophy.

Newcastle bid to reach the UEFA Cup final when they face Marseille at the Stade Velodrome tonight. Following a goal-less draw in the first leg, a score draw would be enough to take them to the final.

Shearer, who will retire at the end of next season, acknowledges this could be one of his last chances to win some silverware.

"I don’t think I will get too many more opportunities to break my duck at Newcastle and I’d love to win a major European trophy," said the former England star. (Daily Express, Daily Star)

"We’ve a chance to make this season a truly great one, but are aware too it could be bitterly disappointing and a huge let-down. (Daily Express, Daily Mirror, The Sun).

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Tony Adams has urged Sven-Goran Eriksson play Everton striker Wayne Rooney in England’s Euro 2004 opener against France.

Rooney has got off to a great start in his international career, having scored three times in his eleven appearances so far.

Explaining the reasoning behind his thinking, Adams said: "It would be foolish to play an open game against France. Rooney is a phenomenal young player." (The Sun)

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Teddy Sheringham could quit Portsmouth for a money-spinning move to the Middle East.

The former England striker, who will be out of contract at the end of the season, has hinted he could accept a £1million move to the mega-rich Gulf state of Qatar.

Sheringham admits he has been frustrated at his lack of games after being left out of Pompey’s starting line-up for the last five games.

He said: "I am disappointed to be left out of the team. I had a mid-season slump but I got back to full fitness and felt there was a job I could do. I do not know if I will be staying because it is a year by year thing." (Daily Mirror)

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Newcastle’s Lee Bowyer could be reunited with his former Leeds boss David O’Leary at Aston Villa.

O’Leary is believed to have lined-up a £2million bid for Bowyer who has made only 14 Premiership starts since joining Newcastle from West Ham.

O’Leary, who has been handed a £6million transfer kitty, believes he can rekindle Bowyer’s career.