Dublin (AFP) – Martin O'Neill ended months of speculation on Friday revealing he and assistant Roy Keane had signed extensions to their contracts with the Republic of Ireland. The 64-year-old Northern Irishman — who has been at the helm since 2013 — had agreed to the deal back in June but it had remained unsigned […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho insisted Friday he was unhurt by attacks on his players from football "Einsteins", adding it was a very different matter when he publicly criticised his team. Mourinho's approach was called into question by various sections of the media during a run of three successive defeats […]

Madrid (AFP) – Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane insists it is obvious rivals Barcelona will miss the injured Lionel Messi during a three-week layoff, but has injury concerns of his own ahead of Saturday's trip to Las Palmas. The five-time World Player of the Year is set to be sidelined for Barca's trips to Sporting […]

Cobham (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has warned Arsenal it would be a huge mistake to part ways with Arsene Wenger if he doesn't deliver a major trophy this season. Wenger has marked the 20th anniversary of his arrival at Arsenal this week ahead of Saturday's clash with Chelsea, but the Gunners […]

London (AFP) – Arsene Wenger said Friday that he preferred to avoid a "destructive mode" as he played down claims that adversary Jose Mourinho had once wanted to "break his face". The Arsenal manager said he was concentrating solely on the Gunners' Premier League clash with Chelsea on Saturday and did not want to linger […]

Madrid (AFP) – Five-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi insists he will bounceback "even stronger" from a groin injury that is set to keep him sidelined for three weeks. Messi limped off after an hour of Barca's 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday and is expected to miss Barca's next three games […]

Shanghai (AFP) – The Chinese consortium that agreed to buy AC Milan in a multi-million dollar deal this summer has been hit with new forgery claims, local media said Friday. In August, Silvio Berlusconi agreed to sell more than 99 percent of AC Milan to a little-known Chinese consortium named Sino-Europe Sports Investment Management Changxing. […]

London (AFP) – England international defender Kyle Walker has become the latest Tottenham star to sign a new contract with the Premier League high-flyers, the club said on Friday. The 26-year-old right-back put pen to paper on a new five-year deal to join Christian Eriksen, Harry Winks, Tom Carroll, Eric Dier, Danny Rose and Dele […]

London (AFP) – Arsene Wenger memorably announced his arrival as a revolutionary force in England by banning his players from eating sweets, but the Arsenal manager's reign has turned increasingly sour as he marks the 20th anniversary of his appointment. Arguably the most significant agent of change in the Premier League era, the 66-year-old's achievements […]

Glasgow (AFP) – This weekend will see the return of one of Scottish football's nastiest fixtures and no one is looking forward to it more than the Rangers players, manager Mark Warburton says. Sparks are sure to fly at Pittodrie on Sunday as the Glasgow giants make their way north to take on Aberdeen in […]

Milan (AFP) – Juventus must "take command" of their opponents, thundered coach Massimiliano Allegri, as they look to warm up for a vital Champions League clash with a win at Palermo on Saturday. Juve pounced on Napoli's shock scoreless draw at Genoa on Wednesday to go top of Serie A with a one-point lead on […]

London (AFP) – Arsene Wenger celebrates his 20th anniversary as Arsenal manager this weekend against opponents who have caused him more anguish than almost any other team. The Frenchman has won only five of his last 31 meetings against Chelsea and had his last major milestone — his 1,000th match as Arsenal manager — spoilt […]

Middlesbrough (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Kyle Walker has underlined the growing confidence at White Hart Lane by insisting Tottenham are targeting a clean sweep of honours this season. Mauricio Pochettino's side travel to Middlesbrough on Saturday sitting third in the Premier League table and in buoyant mood after thrashing Gillingham 5-0 in the League Cup […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Liverpool are building momentum after three successive wins in league and cup but manager Jurgen Klopp is pleading for patience when his team face Hull City at Anfield on Saturday. Klopp's men have swatted aside high-quality opponents in Arsenal, champions Leicester City and Chelsea this season with a brand of exciting, fast […]

Berlin (AFP) – Carlo Ancelotti's all-conquering German league leaders Bayern Munich face a Hamburg side in turmoil on Saturday with coach Bruno Labbadia under the threat of the axe after three straight defeats. Hamburg's 1-0 defeat at Freiburg on Tuesday followed their humiliating 4-0 drubbing at home to RB Leipzig last Saturday. Labbadia has been […]