Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he does not fear for his future as Manchester United manager despite a spate of Premier League sackings as he prepares to face his predecessor Jose Mourinho. Spurs turned to Mourinho after dismissing Mauricio Pochettino last month, while Arsenal and Watford have subsequently sacked Unai Emery […]

Shanghai (AFP) – Fabio Cannavaro said taking Guangzhou Evergrande to the Chinese Super League title was "a miracle" and gave the strongest indication yet that he expects to keep his job. The 46-year-old Italian World Cup winner was temporarily moved aside as coach in October but returned to lead China's most successful club to the […]

London (AFP) – Ben Lampert is not a stereotypical football coach. Instead of yelling from the touchline, the deaf trainer issues his instructions in sign language. The 34-year-old, who is a coach with Brentford FC Community Sports Trust, is proving to be an inspirational mentor to both deaf and hearing children and has been nominated […]

Paris (AFP) – Megan Rapinoe completed an unprecedented clean sweep of honours on Monday as the trailblazing World Cup star and feminist icon added the Women's Ballon d'Or to her collection of accolades. The 34-year-old striker was the star of this year's Women's World Cup, scoring six goals as the United States successfully defended their […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Pep Guardiola says he will not be splashing out in January to revive Manchester City's flagging Premier League title fortunes despite the yawning gap to leaders Liverpool. The champions, in third place and trailing Jurgen Klopp's men by 11 points after 14 matches, visit Burnley on Tuesday. City have gone […]

Paris (AFP) – Virgil van Dijk said that seeing four Liverpool players finish in the top 10 in the ranking for this year's Ballon d'Or can be an extra source of motivation for the Anfield club in their quest for more on-field success this season. "Obviously the season we had was outstanding. We had even […]

Paris (AFP) – Lionel Messi won a record sixth men's Ballon d'Or award at a ceremony in Paris on Monday evening, while USA World Cup superstar Megan Rapinoe claimed the women's prize. Rapinoe was not at the Chatelet Theatre in the French capital, unable to make the trip back to the country where she led […]

Madrid (AFP) – Lionel Messi won a record-breaking sixth Ballon d'Or on Monday after another sublime year for the Argentinian, whose familiar brilliance remained undimmed even through difficult times for club and country. Despite Barcelona's collapse at the end of last season and Argentina losing to Brazil in the semi-finals of the Copa America, Messi's […]

Paris (AFP) – Lionel Messi won a record sixth men's Ballon d'Or award at a ceremony in Paris on Monday, beating Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk to take the honours. Now aged 32, it is Messi's first Ballon d'Or since 2015 and his sixth overall as he moves one ahead of his old rival Cristiano […]

Paris (AFP) – United States World Cup icon Megan Rapinoe won the women's Ballon d'Or prize at an awards ceremony in Paris on Monday. Rapinoe, 34, succeeds Norway's Ada Hegerberg, the inaugural winner of the women's prize last year, after starring on and off the field as the US retained the World Cup in France […]

Paris (AFP) – Dutch starlet Matthijs de Ligt won the Kopa Trophy for the best player aged under 21 at the Ballon d'Or awards ceremony in Paris on Monday, while Liverpool star Alisson won the inaugural Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper. Defender De Ligt, 20, starred in the Ajax side who reached the UEFA […]

Paris (AFP) – Dutch starlet Matthijs de Ligt succeeded Kylian Mbappe as the winner of the Kopa Trophy for the best player aged under 21 at the Ballon d'Or awards ceremony in Paris on Monday. The defender, 20, starred in the Ajax side who reached the UEFA Champions League semi-finals and won the Dutch title, […]

London (AFP) – Brendan Rodgers said Monday he had "no need to look elsewhere", restating his commitment to Leicester City after being consistently linked with the vacant Arsenal manager's job. The 46-year-old has been touted as one of the candidates to replace the sacked Unai Emery at the Emirates after the Spaniard was sacked on […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Pep Guardiola says Manchester City must tighten up in defence after they fell 11 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool. Following the disappointing 2-2 weekend draw at Newcastle, the defending Premier League champions visit Burnley on Tuesday, 24 hours before Liverpool host struggling Everton. Guardiola is well aware of where […]

Rome (AFP) – Napoli coach Carlo Ancelotti ordered his players on Monday into a training camp after their latest dismal defeat, risking further unrest at the troubled Serie A club. Ancelotti's side fell 2-1 at home to Bologna on Sunday, stretching their winless run in all competitions to eight and leaving them 17 points behind […]