Rosario (Argentina) (AFP) – For Uruguay's Paolo Montero, Juventus versus Real Madrid means more than just this Saturday's Champions League final: it recalls a similar night 19 years ago with his then Juve teammate Zinedine Zidane. Now manager of Argentine side Rosario, Montero, 45, spoke to AFP about that match as the French maestro, 44, […]

Rome (AFP) – Arrigo Sacchi was a revolutionary who came from nowhere to lead a great AC Milan side to back-to-back European Cups in 1989 and 1990. It is a feat that no coach has achieved since, but that Zinedine Zidane will match if he retains the Champions League trophy with Real Madrid in Saturday's […]

Kawasaki (Japan) (AFP) – Ex-Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Paulinho grabbed a crucial goal as two-time winners Guangzhou Evergrande squeaked past Kashima Antlers on away goals on Tuesday to reach the AFC Champions League quarter-finals. Paulinho, the scorer in last week's 1-0 win in Guangzhou, scored a tap-in on 55 minutes and it was enough to put […]

Madrid (AFP) – Playing in a Champions League final in his home city was beyond Gareth Bale's dreams as a youngster, but Saturday's Cardiff showpiece catches the Welshman at a career crossroads. Real Madrid can make history by becoming the first team to retain the Champions League and complete a first La Liga and Champions […]

Madrid (AFP) – Gareth Bale believes he isn't fit to last 90 minutes for Real Madrid in his homecoming to Cardiff for the Champions League final against Juventus on Saturday and admitted taking painkillers to play earlier this season. Bale hasn't featured since suffering the latest in a series of calf injuries that have plagued […]

Lorient (France) (AFP) – Former France goalkeeper Mickael Landreau has taken the step into coaching, being appointed by Lorient, the second-tier club announced on Tuesday. The 38-year-old has agreed a four-year deal with Lorient saying in a statement that he will bring "freshness, leadership, his experience and his enthusiasm" to the role. Landreau replaces Bernard […]

Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines (France) (AFP) – France starlet Kylian Mbappe has admitted he used to dream about Zinedine Zidane amid speculation he could soon find himself playing under the French legend at Real Madrid. "The player made me dream, and still does when I see certain videos," said Mbappe when asked about Zidane, who won 108 caps […]

London (AFP) – Bournemouth signed Bosnia goalkeeper Asmir Begovic from Premier League champions Chelsea in a reported £10 million ($12 million, 11 million euros) deal on Tuesday. Begovic spent most of his two years with Chelsea as the back up to Thibaut Courtois and he has left Stamford Bridge in search of regular first-team action. […]

London (AFP) – Riyad Mahrez, one of the inspirations behind Leicester City's fairytale Premier League title triumph, has told the club he wants to leave, he said in a statement released on Tuesday. "Out of the huge admiration and respect I hold for Leicester City Football Club I wanted to be totally honest and transparent […]

Berlin (AFP) – His reputation for the unorthodox made Thomas Tuchel the perfect replacement as Borussia Dortmund's head coach when Jurgen Klopp quit in 2015. But two years later, Tuchel's relationship with the Bundesliga giants has turned sour. Tuchel was axed on Tuesday, with a year left on his contract, after falling out with Dortmund's […]

Rome (AFP) – AS Roma said Tuesday it had parted ways with Luciano Spalletti, who expressed mixed feelings on his departure just two days after guiding the team to Champions League football next season. Spalletti joined Roma for a second time as coach in January 2016 after a first stint between 2005-2009 during which time […]

London (AFP) – Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak insists reports that Sergio Aguero could be sold are ridiculous because the Argentine striker remains a key player for the Premier League club. Aguero lost his place in Pep Guardiola's starting line-up following the arrival of Brazilian starlet Gabriel Jesus in January. The 28-year-old, who has […]

Berlin (AFP) – Borussia Dortmund's head coach Thomas Tuchel has left the club, the Bundesliga side confirmed Tuesday, denying that the departure was sparked by a public spat with the club's chief executive. "We thank Thoas Tuchel and his training staff for their successful work at BVB," said the club, adding that the "cause of […]

London (AFP) – Arsene Wenger has told Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke he will accept the Premier League club's offer of a new two-year contract, according to reports on Tuesday. Wenger met Gunners majority shareholder Kroenke and chief executive Ivan Gazidis on Monday to discuss his future before his contract expires next month. The 67-year-old has […]

London (AFP) – Wolves manager Paul Lambert left the troubled Championship club on Tuesday after just seven months in charge. Lambert is believed to have parted company with the second tier side following a dispute with Wolves' Chinese owners over who would have the final say on new signings. The 47-year-old Scot is the third […]