Paper Round: Mauricio Pochettino to reject Real Madrid, mutiny in Bayern Munich

Mauricio Pochettino will once more turn down the offer to manage Real Madrid, the Sun reports. The Spanish giants are ready to offer the Spurs boss £15m a year, but the 46-year-old has been put off by the 'constant disruption behind the scenes' at the Bernabeu. Real reportedly moved for Pochettino in the summer, but failed in their pursuit before plumping for Julen Lopetegui.

Paper Round's view: The poisoned chalice, and Pochettino seems determined not to take a sip. The time will come, you would imagine, when he does make the move aboard, but the timing could not be worse. Losing Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane, trying to follow up on three successive Champions Leagues. It has already claimed one manager, and you can see why Pochettino is not keen to put his reputation on the line - yet.

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The Mirror have picked up on Kicker's report that four leading Bayern Munich players have 'downed tools' in a bid to get manager Niko Kovac sacked. The Bundesliga champions are currently four points behind leaders Borussia Dortmund after 10 games, and Thomas Muller, Franck Ribery, Mats Hummels and Arjen Robben are reportedly frustrated with the boss' rotation policy.

Paper Round's view: Upset a settled squad at your peril, and particularly the big names within it. Bayern have been cruising along in third gear, picking up titles at a canter in recent years, and it has arguably become a case where the players would be confident to coach themselves to another Bundesliga trophy. Kovac has a lot to handle, and it may prove too much.

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Bayer Leverkusen winger Leon Bailey says he has rejected a host of Premier League clubs as the 21-year-old focuses on his development in the Bundesliga.

A number of British papers picked up on the quotes from FourFourTwo's interview, in which Bailey said Chelsea have been interested in signing him since he was 14 or 15.

“Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool – a lot of clubs were interested. But the most important thing as a pro is taking things a step at a time and not rushing to the top too quickly. Because once you get there, where do you go next?"

Paper Round's view: "Where do you go next?" Wise words from Bailey, who must be applauded for putting his development first, knowing that a big-money move to a big-name club will eventually play out when the moment is right.

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Mark Hughes could face the sack as Southampton manager if the club fail to beat Watford on Saturday, the Mirror reports. Southampton sit 16th in the Premier League after one win from their opening 11 games, and having scored just once from open play since mid-September, Hughes is facing the chop if the Saints cannot win at home to Watford.

Paper Round's view: Something has to give in the Premier League sack race. Cardiff seem to have accepted they're doomed with or without Neil Warnock, David Wagner scored a timely win with Huddersfield, leaving Fulham's Slavisa Jokanovic vying with Newcastle's Rafa Benitez and Hughes for the first - most likely - to go. It would be a surprise if no-one was axed this month.