Daily Schmankerl: Bayern eyeing up Tottenham Hotspur coach Mauricio Pochettino (!?) and Nice’s Youcef Atal; Nicolas Pepe to make a decision; and MORE!

Bayern “covets” Pochettino? (Sport Witness)

Inter Milan is allegedly very interested in bringing in Tottenham Hotspur coach Mauricio Pochettino. It appears that Bayern Munich is also interested and reportedly “covets” the Argentine.

However, they aren’t the only club interested, as France Football seem to suggest Bayern Munich, who haven’t been anywhere near as dominant as usual in the Bundesliga under Niko Kovac, want Pochettino too. Philippe Auclair is the man behind the article, writing that ‘sources close to Uli Hoeneß’ believe the Bavarian club ‘covet’ the Tottenham manager.

A few weeks back it was Jose Mourinho. Last week it was Antonio Conte. It’s your turn on the Bayern coaching rumor merry-go-round Mauricio. For the record, I think Kovac has proven that he deserves more time. Skewer me in the comments if you are staunchly #KovacOut!

Pepe expected to make a decision this week (Read Bundesliga)

Lille winger Nicolas Pepe is expected to make a decision on his future this week and Bayern, Chelsea, and Liverpool are among the teams in the mix.

LOSC Lille winger Nicolas Pepe is set to make an announcement on his future this week with Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Chelsea all said to be potential destinations. Pepe has arguably been Lille’s standout performer in Ligue 1 this season with 20 goals and 11 assists to his name in the French top flight, and interest in the winger is understandably high.

According to FourFourTwo, via Spanish outlet Diario Sport, Pepe could announce his decision in a press conference on Sunday either before or after his side host Lyon, with a number of clubs keen on landing the 23-year-old.

Bayern interested in Atal? (The Telegraph)

Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, and Chelsea might all be keeping an eye on Nice right back Youcef Atal.

Chelsea have included Nice right-back Youcef Atal on a list of possible transfer targets this summer, should their FIFA ban be delayed. The exciting 22-year-old is being tracked by a number of Europe’s biggest clubs, including Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid, and would cost at least €40 million (£34.6m), although that price could go up.

Atal became the first Algerian to score a hat-trick in Ligue 1 for 33 years at the weekend, in Nice’s 3-0 win over Guingamp, prompting coach Patrick Vieira to try and dampen down the interest and insist he is not for sale. However, Atal, who played on the left of midfield in that game, has already been scouted by clubs around Europe after a series of impressive performances; not least as a quick and skillful dribbler. It is therefore expected that Nice will have a fight on their hands should a bid be made and they try and keep him.

ICYMI: Reus and Wolf feel the wrath of their red cards (@BlackYellow)

The Borussia Dortmund duo of Marco Reus and Marius Wolf will be spending some time in the stands. Reus was hit with a two-game suspension, while Wolf was assessed a three-game ban for their actions in Dortmund’s stunning 4-2 loss to Schalke 04.

Obviously, Reus is a huge loss for BVB and his absence could have some really stark consequences. Of Dortmund’s final three games, I’d say the biggest challenge will be this weekend against Werder Bremen. Most may look at the Match Day 34 showdown against Borussia Monchengladbach, but Die Fohlen has fallen off severely. Werder Bremen should be over its brief spell of feeling sorry for itself after the DFB-Pokal semifinal and be ready to give Dortmund a challenge.