Rome (AFP) – As a player, Andrea Pirlo was a genius on the ball. But as a coach the former Italy and Juventus star remains an unknown entity. The 'Maestro turned Mister' starts his reign on the Juve bench against Sampdoria on Sunday, in a debut season expected to reap a 10th consecutive Italian league […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge confirmed Thursday the club has agreed a transfer with Liverpool for Spain midfielder Thiago Alcantara. "I can confirm that FC Bayern have finally agreed with Liverpool FC," Rummenigge told German daily Bild. "It was Thiago's big wish to once more do something new before the end of […]

London (AFP) – The Premier League announced on Thursday that it had agreed a new broadcast deal in China for the rest of the season with Tencent Sports. The previous agreement with PPTV was terminated after a dispute over a missed payment. Viewers in China will have access to all the remaining 372 matches of […]

Madrid (AFP) – Gareth Bale's move back to Tottenham Hotspur from Real Madrid will be completed this week, the player's agent Jonathan Barnett told AFP on Thursday. The final details of a complicated deal are now being finalised by Madrid and Spurs, with Bale expected to seal a return to the club he left for […]

London (AFP) – Liverpool are close to tying up a deal with Bayern Munich for the transfer of midfielder Thiago Alcantara, it was widely reported on Thursday. Jurgen Klopp's Premier League champions are in talks with the Champions League winners after being heavily linked with the Spain playmaker. It is understood Liverpool would pay an […]

London (AFP) – Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder says he is baffled by coronavirus rules that allow fans into stadiums for a pilot scheme at the same time as tough new restrictions are in place to limit social mixing. Eight English Football League matches are set to be played in front of crowds of up […]

Rome (AFP) – As a player, Andrea Pirlo was a genius on the ball. But as a coach the former Italy and Juventus star remains an unknown quantity. The 'Maestro turned Mister' starts his reign on the Juve bench against Sampdoria on Sunday, in a debut season expected to reap a 10th consecutive Italian league […]

Berlin (AFP) – The 2020/21 Bundesliga season kicks off on Friday when holders Bayern Munich launch their quest for a ninth straight league title at home to Schalke. AFP Sport looks at five new signings to look out for this season: LEROY SANE (Bayern Munich) Bayern Munich paid Manchester City 45 million euros ($53 million) […]

London (AFP) – Gareth Bale is "close" to sealing a sensational move back to Tottenham, the player's agent Jonathan Barnett said on Wednesday, seven years after joining the Spanish giants from Spurs for a world record fee. The Wales international has been frozen out by Real manager Zinedine Zidane and said earlier this month he […]

Paris (AFP) – Julian Draxler scored in added time on Wednesday night to give depleted Paris Saint-Germain their first league win of the season, 1-0 at home against Metz. Draxler pounced on rebound to nod home PSG's first goal of the league season PSG, who started the game seriously depleted, were reduced to 10 men […]

London (AFP) – Leeds and Southampton were the Premier League casualties in the second round of the League Cup on Wednesday as League One Hull won a Yorkshire derby 9-8 on penalties at Elland Road, while Saints lost 2-0 at home to Brentford. On their first appearance in the top-flight for 16 years, Leeds were […]

Paris (AFP) – Neymar received a two-match ban Wednesday for his red card against Marseille as the French league announced it would open an investigation into accusations of racism by the Brazil forward against Alvaro Gonzalez. Angel Di Maria will also be summoned to the league's next disciplinary commission meeting on September 23 over claims […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Lionel Messi scored twice on Wednesday as Barcelona beat second-division Girona 3-1 in a preseason friendly. Messi helped set up Philippe Coutinho, back from his loan at Bayern Munich, for the first goal after 21 minutes. The Argentine scored his first after 45 minutes, spinning on the edge of the penalty area […]

Milan (AFP) – Andrea Pirlo has been awarded his coaching licence just days before Juventus open their bid for a 10th consecutive Serie A title, the Italian Football Federation announced on Wednesday. Former Italy and Juventus star Pirlo was promoted to the top job in Turin last month just a week after being appointed coach […]

London (AFP) – Chelsea striker Timo Werner believes the Blues have assembled a team capable of winning titles for years to come after a £200 million ($260 million) spending spree in an otherwise depressed transfer market. Werner made a £50 million move from RB Leipzig in June and has been joined in London by German […]