PORTO, PORTUGAL (REUTERS) – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says having to leave out players from his starting lineup for the Champions League final against Chelsea is a task he would not wish on anyone. Given the strength in depth of Guardiola’s squad, top internationals such as Brazilian Gabriel Jesus, England’s Raheem Sterling and Spain... » read more
ROME (AFP) – Antonio Conte hailed his “journey” as Inter Milan coach on Thursday (May 27), the day after he quit the newly-crowned Italian champions amid clashes with the club’s cash-strapped Chinese owners. “What a journey during these two years! No excuses, no alibis, only work, work and work, with respect and courtesy,” wrote Conte... » read more
MILAN (AFP) – Antonio Conte has parted company with newly-crowned Serie A champions Inter Milan after leading them to a first title in 11 years, the Italian club confirmed on Wednesday (May 26). “FC Internazionale Milano can confirm that an agreement has been reached with Antonio Conte for the termination of his contract by mutual... » read more
MANCHESTER (REUTERS) – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was named League Managers Association (LMA) Manager of the Year on Monday (May 24) for leading his side to their third Premier League title in four years. City finished 12 points ahead of second-placed Manchester United and also won a fourth consecutive League Cup, beating Tottenham Hotspur... » read more
LEICESTER, ENGLAND (REUTERS) – Leicester City want to build on their FA Cup victory and challenge for greater honours next season even though they lack the financial muscle to compete with the Premier League’s bigger clubs, manager Brendan Rodgers said on Friday (May 21). Leicester are fifth in the standings – level on 66 points... » read more
BURNLEY, ENGLAND (REUTERS) – Liverpool moved into the Champions League qualifying spots after a 3-0 win at Burnley on Wednesday (May 19) took them above Leicester City and into fourth place with one round of Premier League matches remaining. Roberto Firmino struck two minutes before halftime and a Nathaniel Phillips header made it 2-0 in... » read more
MANCHESTER (AFP, REUTERS) – Caglar Soyuncu’s second-half goal saw Leicester beat Manchester United 2-1 on Tuesday (May 11) in a result that confirmed Manchester City as Premier League champions and strengthened the Foxes’ bid for a place in the Champions League. Luke Thomas put Leicester ahead in the 10th minute at Old Trafford but the... » read more
MUNICH, GERMANY (AFP) – Thomas Mueller hailed Bayern Munich’s “phenomenal” achievement after they were confirmed Bundesliga champions for the ninth season in a row on Saturday (May 8). Robert Lewandowski grabbed a hat-trick in a 6-0 thrashing of Borussia Moenchengladbach at the Allianz Arena in Munich. Bayern were confirmed champions even before kick-off after Borussia... » read more
MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM (AFP) – Chelsea forced Manchester City to put their Premier League title party on hold on Saturday (May 8), winning 2-1 to boost their own chances of a top-four finish in a dress rehearsal for the Champions League final. Raheem Sterling gave the home side the lead just before half-time at an... » read more
LONDON (AFP) – Britain on Friday (May 7) said it was willing to step in to host the Champions League football final, after the government placed Turkey on a coronavirus travel red list. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said Britain was “very open to hosting the final round” of the competition, which is due to take... » read more
LONDON (AFP) – Thomas Tuchel has hailed rejuvenated Cesar Azpilicueta as a “key factor” in Chelsea’s fine run, saying the pair struck up an instant rapport. Chelsea have lost just twice since the German replaced Frank Lampard as manager at Stamford Bridge in January, reaching the FA Cup final and the Champions League final. Tuchel’s... » read more
LONDON (AFP) – Thomas Tuchel says it is not the right time to focus on extending his contract at Chelsea as he prepares his team to face Real Madrid with a place in the Champions League final at stake. Real’s Karim Benzema cancelled out a Christian Pulisic away goal in the first leg in Spain... » read more
PARIS (AFP) – Kylian Mbappe is a doubt for Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Manchester City on Tuesday (May 4) according to coach Mauricio Pochettino. Mbappe missed PSG’s 2-1 win over Lens in Ligue 1 at the weekend with a calf problem but was included in the squad that travelled to Manchester.... » read more
LONDON (AFP) – Manchester City were on the brink of clinching the Premier League title after a 2-0 win against Crystal Palace on Saturday (May 1), while Chelsea maintained their hold on fourth place after beating Fulham by the same scoreline. Pep Guardiola’s side moved 13 points clear at the top thanks to second-half goals... » read more
MADRID (REUTERS) – Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema scored an acrobatic goal to cancel out an earlier strike from Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic as Tuesday’s (April 27) Champions League semi-final first leg ended 1-1 to keep the tie delicately balanced. Chelsea made a bright start in heavy rain at the Alfredo di Stefano Stadium and deservedly went... » read more
LAUSANNE (AFP) – Uefa meets on Friday (April 23) with revenge on some members’ minds following the attempted Super League breakaway, while the fate of some Euro host cities is also on the agenda. In the space of 48 emotional hours, between Sunday evening and Tuesday evening, European football’s governing body, aided by fans and... » read more
LONDON (AFP) – Manchester City suffered a major injury scare just 11 days before the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain as Kevin De Bruyne was forced off with an ankle injury in Saturday’s (April 17) FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea. The Belgium playmaker came off worst in a challenge with... » read more
LONDON (AFP) – Chelsea ended Manchester City’s quest for a historic quadruple of trophies as Hakim Ziyech’s goal earned a 1-0 win to take the Blues into the FA Cup final on Saturday (April 17). A damaging day for City also saw them lose Kevin De Bruyne to an ankle injury just over a week... » read more
WOLFSBURG, GERMANY (AFP) – Bayern Munich head coach Hansi Flick revealed Saturday (April 17) he wants to quit the Bundesliga leaders even though their 3-2 win at Wolfsburg left the champions seven points clear at the top of the table and on the verge of a ninth straight league title. “I told the team that... » read more
LONDON (REUTERS) – Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has urged his players to execute their plans on the pitch rather than worry about different scoreline permutations for their Champions League quarter-final second leg against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday (April 14). City will take a 2-1 lead to Dortmund, knowing the German side could seal progress... » read more