Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis has claimed Unai Emery was the stand-out candidate in a search that saw them interview EIGHT managers for the job.
Emery has the unenviable task of replacing long-serving Frenchman Arsene Wenger, but Gazidis is confident they have the right man for the job.
He told a press conference: ‘We had some clear criteria we were looking for. We wanted progessive, entertaining football.
‘A personality to fit Arsenal values and a reputation for developing players. And also through cultural demands, demanding more from them. Read more... (256 words, 1 image, estimated 1:01 mins reading time)
Quite a coup for Napoli as they have hired Carlo Ancelotti to replace Maurizio Sarri, who led Napoli to two second-place and one third-place finish during his three seasons in charge, as their new manager
‘SSC Napoli is delighted to announce that an agreement has been reached with Carlo Ancelotti for him to become the head coach of the first team for three seasons starting in 2018-19,’ the club said in a statement on its website.
Ancelotti, who is back managing in Italy for the first time since leaving Milan in 2009, says he is coming to Napoli with “the aim to conquer the Scudetto 28 years later” at “one of the greatest teams in Italy.” Read more... (494 words, 1 image, estimated 1:59 mins reading time)
Atletico Madrid have offered Antoine Griezmann around €10 million more than Barcelona in a last-ditch bid to keep him at the club.
The 27-year-old France international meets up with his French team-mates on Wednesday with his future still — publicly at least — undecided.
Barcelona are sure a deal that has been in place since the tail-end of last year will still go through. But while there is silence from Griezmann they are nervous about a similar situation which happened last summer, when they believed they had signed Marco Verratti from PSG only for him to stay in France. Read more... (343 words, 1 image, estimated 1:22 mins reading time)
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. Read more... (632 words, 1 image, estimated 2:32 mins reading time)
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. Read more... (276 words, 1 image, estimated 1:06 mins reading time)
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. Read more... (397 words, 1 image, estimated 1:35 mins reading time)
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. Read more... (400 words, 1 image, estimated 1:36 mins reading time)
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: ” Read more... (393 words, 1 image, estimated 1:34 mins reading time)
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. Read more... (484 words, 1 image, estimated 1:56 mins reading time)
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. Read more... (511 words, 1 image, estimated 2:03 mins reading time)
