In Kiev on Saturday, Jurgen Klopp has a chance to secure his legacy at Anfield by delivering the club’s sixth European Cup.
This is a different Liverpool team. If those built by Bob Paisley and others in the 1970s and 1980s were a mixture of fire and ice, Klopp’s side head to Ukraine like a blazing bonfire.
But what binds the eras is a sense of unwavering certainty that Liverpool’s way is the right way and, perhaps, the only way that can work for them.
Arsenal were supposed to announce this week that former captain Mikel Arteta had been hired to replace Arsene Wenger. It was a move that was supposed to show continuity in Arsene way. Similar approach. Similar style.
But then Arteta said that £50m was not enough to make Arsenal a top four contender and that he wanted a bigger transfer kitty and control of how that kitty was spent.
Arsenal said no and instead quickly moved quickly to secure a deal to bring former Seville and PSG coach Unai Emery to the Emirates. Emery is expected to sign a three year deal worth around £5million a year.
Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos has been talking to the press ahead of next weekend’s Champions League Final. Here are some of the highlights from the interview.
On how it feels to win the UEFA Champions League
When the referee blows up, maybe you do have a bit more time to think about the lonely life you lead as a footballer – with so many trips and hotel stays, you spend so much time without your family and children. So it reminds you of the people who are around, who were around and whom you now miss. You’re reminded of the sacrifice and hard work you put in as a footballer to reach that special moment. In my case, I’m honoured to be captain and I’m reminded of all those things because everything has served a purpose and helped me bring out the best in myself on such occasions.
Jürgen Klopp has given an interesting interview ahead of next weekend’s Champions League Final. Here are some of the highlights from the interview.
On his footballing philosophy
If we’ve won, then essentially it doesn’t matter to me how we’ve played: a win’s a win. However, I know that your chances of winning are dramatically increased when you know how you’re winning. That means you have to play a certain style of football. It’s about developing a type of football for yourselves which mostly brings success. That’s what we’re doing – nothing else. The fact that it’s sometimes spectacular to watch is, for me, quite right. I love the way the players recognise their own strengths and look to use them, while recognising the strengths of the others and looking to use them.
Jose Mourinho had a gilt-edged chance to end a season spent in Pep Guardiola’s shadow with a statement FA Cup final win on Saturday but ended up explaining away another passionless performance that will invite more criticism from the Old Trafford faithful.
Eden Hazard’s 22nd-minute penalty settled the final to ensure Mourinho’s second United season ended trophyless and the United was in a brusque mood in the Wembley press conference room.
When a reporter suggested United had made a slow start to the final, Mourinho began patting his hands together and replied: ”
Antonio Conte says he is a “serial winner” who “can’t change” as he led Chelsea to FA Cup success in what surely will be his final match in charge of Chelsea.
Speculation has been rife all season that Conte will be axed as head coach in the next week. The Italian won the Premier League 12 months ago in his first campaign, only for the Blues to finish fifth this term, missing out on Champions League qualification.
A second trophy came at Wembley in what could be Conte’s final match as boss, as Eden Hazard’s penalty earned a 1-0 win over Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United.
There were emotional scenes in Turin on Saturday as Gianluigi Buffon played his final game for Juventus after 17 years with the Italian champions.
Buffon announced this week that he would leave Juventus at the end of the season – although he would not retire from football, as was expected.
The home game at Juventus Stadium against Hellas Verona was his final match for the Serie A winners, and there were tears from both player and fans before the game, and then when he was subbed off to a standing ovation after 64 minutes.
Manchester United earned slightly more money than champions Manchester City from the Premier League last season, despite City’s record-breaking campaign.
United, who finished second, received £149.77m, £328,491 more than City because they ere shown live in the UK more often, and more TV games means more money in the payments system.
City received £38.63m for winning the league, £1.93m more than second-placed United.
The 20 clubs between them have split a staggering £2.42BILLION this season, from annual Premier League income that is now more than £3bn a year, the vast majority from TV deals either at home or from overseas.
Gianluigi Buffon will play his final game for Juventus on Saturday after 17 years with the club.
The World Cup winner will lift his ninth Serie A title against Hellas Verona at the Allianz Stadium.
Buffon said he changed his mind about retiring 15 days ago and has received job offers on and off the pitch.
“Next week, after two or three days of reflection and serenity, I will take my decision,” he said.
Buffon is facing a Uefa ban for comments made about English referee Michael Oliver, who sent him off during the Champions League quarter-final defeat by Real Madrid last month.
Antoine Griezmann scored twice as Atletico Madrid swept aside Marseille in Lyon to win the Europa League for the third time in nine years.
France forward Griezmann opened the scoring by punishing Andre Zambo Anguissa’s poor touch to coolly slot home, then casually dinked in a second.
Captain Gabi drilled in the third goal late on as Atletico again lifted the trophy they also won in 2010 and 2012.
The outcome could have been different had Marseille forward Valere Germain taken an early chance, before Griezmann’s lethal finishing allowed Atletico to take control.
