Where will Christian Horner end up next? There seem to be two realistic options...

Last week, ahead of the release of his new book, Drive, I spent 30 minutes interviewing Christian Horner – Formula 1’s ultimate marmite figure. 

It was not my first interaction with Horner. Having been in the paddock at races for more than four years, I regularly attended the former Red Bull F1 boss’ press conferences and eye-opening post-race media briefings. An environment in which Horner was like a king holding court. 

I remember one such occasion at a car launch when Horner did not even need his accompanying press officer to dictate proceedings (as is now customary) or allow journalists to freely butt in; instead, he simply stated the names of journalists, one by one, with an authority indicative of his position at the team and in the sport. 

Of course, now, Horner is a free agent after his ruthless sacking last summer and a tumultuous final 18 months at the helm. He spoke to me about that topsy-turvy period in his life, the support of his “phenomenal” wife Geri Halliwell throughout it all and his newfound freedom as a present family man. 

Yet the lingering question surrounding the 52-year-old now is… where next? Much was made a few weeks back when he declared a move to Ferrari would be “the dream” job – a quote he told me was taken out of context and instead meant as a mark of respect to the Scuderia team. 

Horner has already detailed that he wants equity in his next team, with Ferrari the one exception. The prancing horse, meanwhile, have thrown their full weight of support behind team principal Fred Vasseur. Things can change quickly in Formula 1, but Horner making the move to Maranello does not seem likely at this stage. 

Sources have told me that a move to Alpine, run by Horner’s close friend Flavio Briatore, was close and could still come to fruition. Much depends on whether Horner can obtain a bigger stake in the Renault-owned team than the 24% minority stake held by Otro Capital. A crucial Renault veto window expired last month. 

A reunion with Adrian Newey at struggling Aston Martin is seen as very unlikely. Thus, the only other feasible option is Horner spearheading a 12th entry, as he hinted in our chat. He has held discussions with BYD, the Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, regarding a brand-new team, though discussions have cooled. 

Horner is keen on a return to the sport, but only for the “right project.” With all the big-hitters fully stocked at the top, it will be fascinating to see where, and when, his next destination materialises.

Christian Horner is eyeing his next move, 15 months after his Red Bull firing (Will Carne)

After his brace for Bayern Munich against Viking on Tuesday, Harry Kane has now scored in nine successive Champions League games. Two other players have matched that feat and one player has bettered it (11 games) - who are they? 

‘The aura has gone’: Inside Thomas Tuchel’s fight to prevent England mutiny

With England players now said to feel the way they went out of the World Cup will be ‘talked about in 30 years’, the danger for Tuchel is that he doesn't have the same ‘respect’ in the dressing room, writes Miguel Delaney in his latest Inside Football newsletter

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THE DISPATCH

The Man City mess is unsustainable for the Premier League

In the stands for their win over Liverpool at Anfield, Miguel Delaney reveals questions are being asked as to whether Man City should even still be allowed to compete in the top flight, with the club ‘in purgatory’ as they await sanction 

It was, in the words of one senior football figure, like “sitting in purgatory”. That could be sensed in the reactions at Anfield.

On one side, righteous jubilation, “rising above it”. Enzo Maresca sat there beaming after his Manchester City team’s brilliant 3-0 win over Liverpool. It leaves them with a perfect six wins from six, and again top of the league.

And yet that was all to the soundtrack of Liverpool fans singing "going down".

Up. Down. All so unclear, not least how to feel about it.

Well, one response is obvious. This is utterly unsustainable. The Premier League can’t go on like this, at least in any kind of proper sense.

Read Miguel's comment piece here.