Paris (AFP) – Thomas Tuchel is not a big-name coach, he has won few trophies and has never managed a squad of stars, but French and German media agree that he will probably succeed Unai Emery at Paris Saint-Germain. The German website SportBuzzer reports that the 44-year-old Bavarian has already signed a two-year contract. In […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Pep Guardiola insists Manchester City are destined to win the Champions League one day, even if they fail to overcome a 3-0 quarter-final first-leg deficit against Liverpool on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Reds are sweating on the fitness of striker Mohamed Salah. A hitherto spectacular second season under Guardiola for City […]

Moscow (AFP) – Russia's World Cup coach Stanislav Cherchesov believes the hosts just have to relax and be themselves if they want to win before expectant fans and Vladimir Putin. The pressure will be on Russia to perform when they open the football final against Saudi Arabia in Moscow on June 14. Putin has already […]

Madrid (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo has already broken one record in this year's Champions League but against Juventus in their quarter-final return on Wednesday he can edge closer to beating a bigger milestone of his own. Ronaldo's bicycle kick in Real Madrid's 3-0 first leg victory last week ensured he passed Ruud van Nistelrooy's feat […]

London (AFP) – Former Afghanistan women's football captain Khalida Popal fled her country after receiving death threats but it has far from cowed her in fighting the prejudice which confronts women daily, she has told AFP. The 30-year-old — who has been based in Denmark since 2011 — takes her message round the world and […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – A FIFA evaluation committee launched a five-day inspection tour of the United States, Canada and Mexico on Monday as the bidding battle for the 2026 World Cup enters the home straight. With just over two months to go before the vote that will decide the hosts for the finals in eight […]

Berlin (AFP) – With Manuel Neuer still sidelined, Sven Ulreich is relishing his time in the spotlight as Bayern Munich's goalkeeper as he prepares for Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final return leg. Ulreich found himself suddenly elevated to the club's first-choice role in September when World Cup winner Neuer fractured his foot in training. The 29-year-old […]

Berlin (AFP) – Julian Brandt inspired Bayer Leverkusen to a crucial win over RB Leipzig on Monday that moved them into a Champions League qualification spot. The 21-year-old Brandt, who signed a surprise new contract at the club only last week, was at the centre of the action as Leverkusen turned around a 1-0 deficit […]

Rome (AFP) – Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde said on Monday he expects a Roma backlash in their Champions League quarter-final second leg at the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday. The Spanish league leaders have one foot in the semi-finals after romping to a 4-1 first leg victory in the Camp Nou last week as Roma proved […]

Buenos Aires (AFP) – Stars Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez are set to offer their backing to a joint bid from Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay to host the 2030 centenary World Cup, bid organisers told AFP. "Messi will join us in this initiative, and Suarez certainly," Fernando Marin, the joint bid co-ordinator, told AFP on […]

Milan (AFP) – Former Real Madrid and England coach Fabio Capello on Monday confirmed he has retired from football management and ruled himself out of the Italy coaching job. The 71-year-old Italian had been linked with the vacant Italy coaching job after leaving Jiangsu Suning of the Chinese Super League (CSL) last month. "I've already […]

Berlin (AFP) – Borussia Moenchengladbach have offered their apologies to the Bundesliga's only female referee Bibiana Steinhaus after a group of their fans called her a 'whore' during a league game with Hertha Berlin. Gladbach beat Hertha 2-1 on Saturday thanks to rapid-fire goals by Thorgan Hazard after the video assistant referee (VAR) twice intervened. […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Virgil van Dijk has lived up to his billing as the world's most expensive defender in his short Liverpool career, but shutting out a desperate Manchester City in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday will be his biggest test yet. Runaway Premier League leaders City could […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Pep Guardiola insisted Manchester City are on the road to winning the Champions League for a first time, even if they fail to overcome a 3-0 quarter-final first leg deficit against Liverpool on Tuesday. A hitherto spectacular second season under Guardiola for City has unravelled in the past week as […]

Paris (AFP) – The absence of injured Liverpool and Egypt star Mohamed Salah allowed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to steal the limelight among the African stars in Europe at the weekend. He scored his sixth goal in eighth appearances for Arsenal since moving from Borussia Dortmund as they shaded Southampton 3-2 in a fiery English Premier League […]