by David
on November 19, 2018
Jose Mourinho described Manchester City’s quality as “untouchable” in the build-up to the Sunday’s derby, with his United side nine points behind the defending Premier League champions.
City have made a stunning start to the season and are on track to defend their title under Mourinho’s old foe Pep Guardiola despite Chelsea and Liverpool’s similarly impressive form.
But City’s preparations for Sunday’s derby at the Etihad Stadium have been disrupted by a series of allegations of financial impropriety, which Mourinho addressed at his pre-match news conference. Read more... (554 words, estimated 2:13 mins reading time)
by David
on November 9, 2018
Mauricio Pochettino has dismissed speculation he was offered £15 million a year to leave Tottenham and take charge of Real Madrid.
Pochettino has long been touted as a future Madrid manager and speculation over his Spurs future has been rife since last month’s sacking of Julen Lopetegui.
Reports suggested Madrid offered Pochettino a blockbuster deal to succeed Lopetegui, only for the Argentine to turn Los Blancos down.
And Pochettino, who signed a new long-term Tottenham contract this year, addressed the latest speculation when he appeared in front of the media on Thursday. Read more... (448 words, estimated 1:48 mins reading time)
by David
on November 9, 2018
Jurgen Klopp believes Liverpool’s season will be viewed as a failure if they do not win the Premier League title this season.
Liverpool have taken 27 points from a possible 33 in the league, and if they beat Fulham this weekend they will have their best goal difference and points total at this stage of the Premier League era.
Despite that, Liverpool head into this weekend in third place, tied with Chelsea and two points behind leaders Manchester City.
‘The season so far, point-wise, is really successful but it doesn’t feel like that for two reasons, Klopp said. Read more... (620 words, estimated 2:29 mins reading time)
by David
on November 9, 2018
After four rounds of Champions League football, only one club, Barcelona, are officially through to the knockout stages. Here is a look at what other teams could possible be joining the La Liga Champions in the knockout stages:
Group E: AEK Athens (0 points) v Ajax (8) [18:55CET], Bayern München (10) v Benfica (4) Read more... (952 words, estimated 3:48 mins reading time)
- Bayern will be through if they draw and will clinch first place if they win and Ajax do not.
- Ajax will be through with a victory or if Benfica fail to win.
- Benfica must win to maintain a chance of a top-two finish.
by David
on November 9, 2018
Olivier Giroud ended his drought by scoring the only goal to lead Chelsea to a 1-0 win at BATE Borisov on Thursday that clinched a place in the knockout stage of the Europa League with two group games to spare.
Giroud had not scored for Chelsea for six months but he knows what it’s like to net against BATE. Last season, the France forward was on target in both games against the Belarusian champion when he played for London rival Arsenal in Europe’s second tier competition. Read more... (765 words, estimated 3:04 mins reading time)
by David
on November 9, 2018
Liverpool may soon be up for sale after owner John W Henry ‘quietly signaled’ he is willing to relinquish control of the Anfield club.
According to the New York Post, Henry and Fenway Sports Group (FSG) are currently ‘running a passive sales process’ for Liverpool.
In short, the paper report that he is entertaining offers in private, and would only accept a price north of $2billion.
A source is alleged to have said: ‘It’s for sale if he can get the right place.’ Read more... (294 words, estimated 1:11 mins reading time)
by David
on November 8, 2018
David Beckham’s hopes of building a new stadium for his Inter Miami franchise in the MLS moved a step closer to being realized after a vote by residents.
About 60% of the city’s voters opted to allow the club to negotiate to build on a 73-acre site that is currently a council-owned golf course.
The complex would house a stadium, shopping mall, hotel and public park.
Beckham’s group now has to get the backing of four of the city’s five commissioners. That is not guaranteed as two of them, Willy Gort and Manolo Reyes, have voiced opposition to the plans. Read more... (268 words, estimated 1:04 mins reading time)
by David
on November 6, 2018
Manchester City and Paris St-Germain “are cheating and should be sanctioned”, according to La Liga following financial conduct allegations.
German news magazine Der Spiegel says City and PSG overvalued sponsorship deals to help meet Uefa’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules.
And it says that in 2014 the clubs negotiated with Fifa president Gianni Infantino, who was then general secretary of European football’s governing body Uefa, to agree reduced punishments.
City say they will not be commenting on the claims and that the attempt to damage their reputation is “organized and clear”. Read more... (397 words, estimated 1:35 mins reading time)
by David
on November 6, 2018
Pep Guardiola has defended Manchester City in light of allegations the club breached financial fair play regulations and said they have to “accept it” if people claim they only win because of because of their spending power.
German magazine Der Spiegel released a number of stories based on so-called Football Leaks data alleging City had avoided UEFA’s FFP regulations.
City released a statement following the initial allegations that were made on Friday. The statement said the club would not comment on “the attempt to damage the club’s reputation,” but Guardiola fielded questions about the allegations at a news conference ahead of their Champions League game against Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday. Read more... (473 words, estimated 1:54 mins reading time)
by David
on November 6, 2018
Leonardo Jardim is under consideration by Real Madrid to be their next permanent first team coach.
Jardim won the 2016-17 Ligue 1 title with Monaco and also guided them to that season’s Champions League semifinals, but was relieved of his duties last month after a poor start to the 2018-19 campaign.
Madrid are still looking for a permanent replacement for Julen Lopetegui, who was manager for 14 games at the Bernabeu. His 139 days in charge came to an end following the 5-1 Clasico defeat at Barcelona. Read more... (301 words, estimated 1:12 mins reading time)
