Schalke 04 dismissed coach Mirko Slomka on Sunday, a day after the club suffered a 5-1 defeat at Werder Bremen. The team had recently been eliminated from the Champions League after a 2-0 on aggregate to Barcelona and the defeat against Werder saw them slip from second to third in the Bundesliga. Slomka, 40, joined […]

For football reporters, last season was an investigative journalist's wet dream. There was Kia Joorabchian's role in the Tevez and Mascherano loan signings. BBC's Panorama lifted the lid off the bung scandal. Plus the riveting boardroom drama inside Arsenal. And these were just a few of the headlines. In comparison, this season has been relatively […]

The soap opera at Anfield continues to evolve. In Sunday's News of the World newspaper, journalist Chris Bascombe exclusively revealed that Tom Hicks has allegedly been seeking the advice of Jurgen Klinsmann in recent weeks. Not just any advice, but feedback on what the German thinks of Rafa Benitez's summer transfer targets! Of course, a […]

One of the finest, but often overlooked stadiums, in England is Villa Park, home to Aston Villa. It's a four star UEFA rated stadium, and was traditionally used as a preferred venue for FA Cup semi-finals before the honor was given to Wembley. Villa Park has also hosted 16 England international games. This season the […]

The scene after the match at Old Trafford looked quite familiar for Arsenal. Their legs spent. Their effort admirable. The run of play theirs'. The scoreline favoring the opposition. The Gunners have won just two of their last thirteen matches in all competitions. The only wins coming from a late brace against a gassed AC […]

It seems the debate about the standard of Major League Soccer is never ending and a huge gulf exists between those who believe MLS teams would be successful in Serie A or the Premier League and those who equate MLS teams to third or fourth division European teams. This debate may find itself shifted to […]

In recent weeks and months, there's been some discussion on two of the sources for soccer news I check routinely — Clever Football and the World Soccer Daily podcast — about the tiers of leagues in Europe and where MLS would fit in. Personally, I think that particular debate shouldn't even be had; it's like […]

The last few weeks have been a frustrating but predictable time for Arsenal players and fans. Despite controlling significant moments in key matches and creating plenty of chances in front of goal, they continue to fail to take advantage of their good fortune and it all seems to end in despair. Such was the case […]

In a tribute to The Offside's Daily Dose, here are several Premier League-related articles EPL Talk came across that we thought you may found interesting. Some of them are a little dated but still relevant. Enjoy. A day in the life of football commentator Martin Tyler (Sky Sports). Premier League fans in England paid an […]

One week ago, it seemed that the Premier League relegation battle was over. Fulham and Bolton both look destined for the drop after devastating losses against Sunderland (1-3) and Aston Villa (4-0) respectively. But incredibly, everything changed yesterday when Fulham recorded their first away win in 33 matches, while Bolton picked up a vital three […]

A photograph of Manchester United's 08/09 away shirt has been revealed on the Internet. Thanks to the great site Football Shirts for pointing us to it. Designed by Nike, the white shirt uses a new Nike template. Interestingly, the trim lines are blue which isn't a color you'd usually associate with Man United. Let us […]

Ah another Saturday of MLS action is in the books and interest already seems to be at midseason form: that is to say people are losing interest as evidenced by the attendance. Perhaps it was DC's midweek loss that rendered the best in MLS for another year inferior to an upper mid table Mexican side? […]

Barcelona are for all intents and purpose done. Their failure to come up with the three points in Huelva virtually made it a two-team race. Both of them will be playing tomorrow. An injured Samuel Eto'o was partnered with a recovering Lionel Messi, but that was still not enough as former River Plate and Rosario […]

Barcelona's Ronaldinho has reportedly agreed initial terms with Italian giants AC Milan, according to his brother and agent Roberto de Assis. Ronaldinho is out of action for the rest of the season with injury but is said to be disillusioned with life at the Nou Camp and keen for a move. Rivals Inter as well […]

My simple answer is no, not a chance. However others feel differently. Here is a recent give and take I had with “the Gaffer” from EPL Talk.com. The Gaffer is a friend of mine and generally a very good guy. He however, like many reared on European football in this country who don’t watch other […]