Munich (Germany) (AFP) – Bayern Munich are putting their faith in Willy Sagnol as interim coach "for now" while seeking a replacement for the sacked Carlo Ancelotti, said the club's sporting director Friday. Two days before the Bundesliga champions visit Hertha Berlin, sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic took Ancelotti's place at the pre-match press conference. Chief […]

London (AFP) – Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has suffered a broken rib in a car crash in the Netherlands, dealing a major blow to the Premier League leaders' title aspirations. Aguero had established himself as the driving force behind City's surge to the top of the table with six Premier League goals this season, […]

London (AFP) – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has called on television broadcasters to ditch their reported plan to move his club's clash with Arsenal to Christmas Eve. It has been suggested Sky chiefs are keen for Liverpool's trip to the Emirates Stadium to be put back a day and have already made both clubs aware […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola insisted he isn't concerned by his players' off-field activities just hours after Sergio Aguero was involved in a car crash in the Netherlands. City were forced to rule out Aguero for Saturday's clash at Premier League champions Chelsea after the Argentina forward was a passenger […]

Madrid (AFP) – For many a beacon of Catalan identity, Barcelona are walking a fine line in the debate over a banned independence referendum in Catalonia, backing the vote without openly calling for secession from Spain. After police last week detained key members of the team organising Sunday's referendum, the club issued a strongly-worded statement […]

London (AFP) – From Romelu Lukaku battering defences into submission to Alvaro Morata's dazzling array of sublime finishes, one of the central themes of the Premier League's opening weeks has been the renaissance of the star strikers. In recent years, coaches with an eye for the latest tactical trend ditched the traditional forward role in […]

Madrid (AFP) – Veteran forward David Villa was dropped on Friday from coach Julen Lopetegui's Spain squad to face Albania and Israel in World Cup qualifiers next month. However, in-form pair Jose Callejon of Napoli and Valencia's Rodrigo Moreno were both welcomed back into the 25-man squad. Lopetegui said that Villa, 35, who is two […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Jose Mourinho has finally admitted Paul Pogba's injury absence will be "long-term" amid fears the Manchester United star could be out until after the November international break. Pogba injured his hamstring in a Champions League tie against Basel earlier this month and initial reports suggested the France midfielder could be […]

London (AFP) – Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero suffered a broken rib in a car crash in the Netherlands, the club's manager Pep Guardiola confirmed on Friday. Aguero sustained the injury after a taxi taking him to an Amsterdam airport following a music concert was involved in an accident on Thursday night. Guardiola said Aguero […]

London (AFP) – Dele Alli has been given a one-game England ban after making an offensive gesture during his country's World Cup qualifier against Slovakia. Alli was hit with the punishment and fined 5,000 Swiss francs (£3,800) by world governing body FIFA following the incident in England's win at Wembley last month. Television footage showed […]

Milan (AFP) – Coach Vincenzo Montella wants captain Leonardo Bonucci to improve his leadership skills as AC Milan host Roma in a crucial Serie A clash this weekend. Montella's side fell to their second defeat of the Serie A campaign against Sampdoria last weekend with fitness coach Emanuele Mara getting the boot in the fallout. […]

London (AFP) – Manchester City's Argentine striker Sergio Aguero "sustained injuries" in a car crash in the Netherlands and is returning to Britain to be checked ahead of the weekend's Premier League fixtures, the club said Friday. "Sergio Aguero will be assessed by club doctors today after being involved in a road accident on Thursday. […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Brendan Rodgers's remarkable spell as Celtic manager has earned him rave notices from a whole range of people but perhaps most reassuringly his boss, chief executive Peter Lawwell. Lawwell hailed him as an 'outstanding manager' after Rodgers had guided Celtic to a 3-0 win over Belgian side Anderlecht in Brussels on Wednesday […]

Moscow (AFP) – Roberto Mancini warned his undefeated Zenit St Petersburg side that they still have a lot to learn as they seek to consolidate their Russian Premier League lead at rock-bottom Anzhi Makhachkala on Sunday. Zenit have eight wins and three draws from their 11 matches this season, conceding just three goals. Hapless Anzhi, […]

Paris (AFP) – After ruthlessly disposing of German heavyweights Bayern Munich in the Champions League, Paris Saint-Germain will look to shatter Bordeaux's unbeaten start to the French season on Saturday. PSG responded to dropping their first points in Ligue 1 at Montpellier last weekend by sweeping aside Bayern 3-0 at the Parc des Princes on […]