More Football News
Mourinho sacked as Chelsea manager
By Martyn Herman LONDON (Reuters) – Jose Mourinho was sacked as manager of Premier League champions Chelsea on Thursday after a calamitous run of results left the west London club one point above the relegation zone. A statement said Chelsea and the 52-year-old Portuguese Mourinho had parted company by “mutual consent” seven months after he […]
Tottenham get planning permission for new ground
REUTERS – Tottenham Hotspur’s revised plans for a new 61,000-seater stadium have been given the green light by the local council with the Premier League club hoping to be playing in it from the start of the 2018-19 season. The stadium, costing around 400 million pounds ($598 million) will be built adjacent to the north […]
Putin says FIFA’s Blatter “a respected person”, deserves Nobel prize
MOSCOW (Reuters) – President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that suspended FIFA President Sepp Blatter was “a very respected person”, adding that it was up to investigators to establish whether there actually were cases of corruption in the world soccer body. “Whether there are signs of corruption in FIFA, the investigation must show. As for […]
Leicester success ‘refreshing’ for modern game – Martinez
REUTERS – Leicester City are breath of fresh air for a sport generally dominated by sides with the most financial clout, Everton manager Roberto Martinez said on Thursday ahead of his side’s Premier League clash against the Foxes. Claudio Ranieri’s side sit top of the table on 35 points after 16 games, their challenge spearheaded […]
Preview: Doubts on Guardiola’s Bayern future as break looms
BERLIN (Reuters) – Coach Pep Guardiola’s future is in doubt as Bayern Munich prepare to visit third from bottom Hanover 96 on Saturday, the final match for the champions before the Bundesliga takes a month-long winter break. The 44-year-old Spaniard, whose three-year contract with the league leaders expires at the end of the season, hinted […]
Lamela backs Spurs to rediscover form at Southampton
(Reuters) – Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Erik Lamela has backed his side to return to winning ways in Saturday’s clash against Southampton after the north London side’s 14-match unbeaten league run was brought to an end by Newcastle United last week. Spurs, who are fifth in the league table, will fancy their chances against the Saints, […]
Suarez scores hat-trick as Barcelona stroll into final
YOKOHAMA, Japan, (Reuters) – Luis Suarez scored a hat-trick, including an exquisite second goal, as Barcelona strolled into the Club World Cup final with a 3-0 win over Asian champions Guangzhou Evergrande on Thursday. Guangzhou gave the European champions a couple of scares in the first half but the Chinese side were utterly outclassed by […]
Everton’s Martinez impressed by Ranieri’s Leicester
(Reuters) – High-flying Leicester City’s exploits have won the admiration of their next Premier League opponents, with Everton manager Roberto Martinez praising counterpart Claudio Ranieri’s impact since taking over at the King Power Stadium. Tenth-placed Everton host the table-toppers on Saturday, with Martinez optimistic that his team can end the Foxes’ 11-game unbeaten away run […]
De Gea dismisses talk of dressing room unrest at Man Utd
(Reuters) – Goalkeeper David de Gea has dismissed reports of discontent in the Manchester United dressing room and credited captain Wayne Rooney with keeping the squad together and pulling in the same direction. United are fourth in the Premier League table and have been heavily criticised for their stodgy performances this season, including a perceived […]
Man City need to wake ‘the dragon’ against Arsenal – Hart
(Reuters) – Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart has told his team mates that they need a “one million percent” improvement if they are to come away from Monday’s Premier League trip to Arsenal with a win. City are third in the table, a point behind the Gunners, and Hart is displeased by what he perceives […]
Villa look lost cause despite support for Garde
LONDON (Reuters) – Remi Garde flew out to discuss Aston Villa’s future with owner Randy Lerner this week and, with the club stuck to the foot of the table, a contingency plan for life in the second tier was probably high on the agenda. Chief executive Tom Fox, who accompanied Frenchman Garde for talks with […]
Preview: Under-pressure Benitez needs Real trident firing again
BARCELONA (Reuters) – Real Madrid’s attacking trident has much potential but under-fire coach Rafa Benitez must harness it more effectively with his team hosting Rayo Vallecano on Sunday having slipped five points off the pace in La Liga. Defeat last weekend by Villarreal cranked up the pressure on Benitez and, apart from a fortunate victory […]
