Frank Lampard’s arrival in Major League Soccer was initially belated, and then rather disappointing. An extended spell at Manchester City, having agreed to join expansion outfit New York City FC, frustrated many, with the former England international arriving Stateside a year later than expected, and mid-season. Now 37 years of age, expecting the goal-getting midfielder to […]

In search of the 10th manager of his 12-year tenure as Chelsea owner, Roman Abramovich appears no nearer to his dream of owning a self-sustaining, crowd-pleasing soccer team. Jose Mourinho, sacked on Thursday, came back to Chelsea in 2013 vowing to build a legacy, but he instead brought characteristic short-term success, followed by a staggeringly […]

Chelsea start life after Jose Mourinho with a vital showdown against Sunderland on Saturday as the crisis-torn Premier League champions look to climb away from the relegation zone. Prior to his sacking on Thursday, Mourinho insisted that while the club was struggling near the bottom three, they were not in a relegation fight. But if […]

Germany's soccer association promised a package worth millions of euros to secure a crucial vote from disgraced official Jack Warner for its bid to host the 2006 World Cup, Der Spiegel said Friday. The news magazine — which in October broke the story alleging Germany bought votes to secure hosting rights for the tournament — […]

Guus Hiddink is "absolutely perfect" to step in as Chelsea's savior following Jose Mourinho's sacking, former Blues assistant boss Ray Wilkins said Friday, as reports said the Dutchman was poised to get the job. The 69-year-old is in a London hotel "holding discussions with Blues officials," the BBC reported. Hiddink "is yet to sign a […]

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque says he plans to step down from the post after Euro 2016 in France, according to extracts from his new book which were published on Friday. "If everything goes as expected, after Euro 2016 I will leave the national team and the Spanish football federation. It is also a question […]

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has apologized to West Bromwich Albion boss Tony Pulis for his emotional outburst following last weekend's fiery Premier League clash. Klopp and Pulis had several heated exchanges on the touchline during the 2-2 draw at Anfield, and the Reds boss did not exchange the customary handshake with his opposite number at […]

When Quique Sanchez Flores took over at Watford in the summer, many expected the club's direction to change. He’s an exotic name, after all, and having managed Atletico Madrid to the UEFA Europa League crown in 2010, Flores came with a stellar reputation. Free-flowing, continental soccer was anticipated at Vicarage Road. But the former Valencia […]

Prior to Thursday’s sacking of Jose Mourinho, headlines in the English paper were centered around Pep Guardiola’s long rumored move to Manchester City. The Bayern boss will reportedly announce next week that he will not return to the club after the conclusion of the 2015-16 season. Guardiola’s relationships with Manchester City’s top executives — CEO […]

Knees get shot, sharpness fades, minutes have to be managed. For sports fans, the idea that athletes have a limited shelf life is not a difficult one to accept. It’s always hard to watch your favorite player lose a step, but it’s never totally unexpected. A playing career is divided into three acts: the early […]

Jose Mourinho's sacking by Chelsea was depicted as an early Christmas carve up on Friday as the British press reported he had been let go after a holiday lunch with players. "Jose gets stuffed: Christmas lunch with team ... then Mourinho's sacked after losing toxic dressing room," wrote the Daily Mirror. "Carved up at festive […]

Germany striker Thomas Mueller, defender Jerome Boateng and Spain's Javi Martinez have all extended their contracts with Bayern Munich until 2021, the club said on Friday. The three-time defending German champions also extended midfield holder Xabi Alonso's deal until 2017. The news comes at a time when Bayern Munich are expected to announce they are […]

Claudio Ranieri is refusing to entertain the prospect of a Premier League title challenge from Leicester City, even though his side travel to Everton on Saturday as surprise leaders. Ranieri's side, who began the season among the favorites for relegation, have stunned the rest of the division with a superb run that has left them […]

Jose Mourinho was sacked as Chelsea manager on Thursday following the club's slide to within one point of the Premier League relegation zone. AFP Sports charts the nine league defeats that led to his dismissal by Chelsea for a second time: August 16: Manchester City 3-0 Chelsea In their second game, the champions are dealt […]

Jose Mourinho's tumultuous second spell as Chelsea manager was ended "by mutual consent" on Thursday, with the club's technical director revealing that squad disharmony was a significant factor. Chelsea's disastrous start to the season prompted owner Roman Abramovich to press the eject button, with the club saying it was "in the best interests of both […]