Marseille (AFP) – Marseille's new American owner on Thursday appointed former Roma and Lille boss Rudi Garcia as the club's coach on a three-year deal. Garcia replaces Franck Passi and will take charge for the French giants' clash against arch-rivals Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes on Sunday. "Rudi Garcia, 52, has signed a […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Barcelona's Uruguayan star Luis Suarez on Thursday collected the Golden Shoe award for the leading scorer in Europe last season and admitted he never imagined being the most prolific member of such a star-studded attack. "I didn't imagine myself as the top scorer, I only thought about being a champion, winning the […]

The penultimate weekend of the 2016 MLS regular season this past weekend was the league’s worst on ESPN. Sunday’s playoff race matches, which featured Portland Timbers vs. Colorado Rapids (178,000 viewers) and Montreal Impact against Toronto FC (161,000 viewers), were two of the lowest rated programs for the entire day on ESPN. They were also […]

Milan (AFP) – Juventus goalkeeping legend Gianluigi Buffon could become a future coach of Italy after revealing he would be tempted by a national team coaching role once he retires. At 38 years old, 2006 World Cup winner is still going strong for both club and country at the tail end of what has been […]

Paris (AFP) – Rudi Garcia was named as the new coach of French giants Marseille on Thursday, just three days after US tycoon Frank McCourt completed his purchase of the club, RTL radio reported. Garcia, 52, is set to replace Franck Passi, and will reportedly be in the dugout for Sunday's showdown with bitter rivals […]

Milan (AFP) – Inter Milan coach Frank De Boer could be sacked if the struggling Italian giants fail to claim their first Europa League group win at home to Southampton on Thursday, said reports. De Boer stepped in to replace Roberto Mancini two weeks before the start of the season with expectations the Nerazzurri would […]

London (AFP) – Jose Mourinho has insisted the likes of high-profile Manchester United signings Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are far from "untouchable" players. Both midfielder Pogba, a world record £89 million ($115 million, 102 million euros) arrival from Juventus, and striker Ibrahimovic have had their recent performances called into question. When he was Chelsea […]

Seoul (AFP) – A painful defeat on penalties is driving Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors as they prepare to take on Al Ain in the AFC Champions League final, their coach said. The K-League outfit beat domestic rivals FC Seoul 5-3 on aggregate late Wednesday to go into next month's two-legged title match against the Emirati giants. […]

Paris (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain coach Unai Emery acknowledged that his team are not yet up to the standard expected of serious Champions League contenders despite their 3-0 win over Basel on Wednesday. Goals from Angel Di Maria, Lucas and Edinson Cavani, with a late penalty, gave PSG an ultimately comfortable victory that keeps them […]

Milan (AFP) – Coach Maurizio Sarri says a more "carefree" approach could help Napoli unlock a Champions League last 16 place after a 3-2 defeat at home to Besiktas kept the Italians waiting. Napoli welcomed the Turkish champions knowing a third consecutive Group B win, along with a Dinamo Kiev-Benfica draw, would secure entry to […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers admits it will be very difficult for his side to progress further in Europe following their disappointing 2-0 home Champions League defeat by Borussia Monchengladbach. The Germans arrived in Glasgow with a horrendous injury list and struggling for form following defeats by Manchester City and Barcelona in their […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola was defiant he will not change his ways despite a harrowing night for goalkeeper Claudio Bravo on his return to Barcelona as a Lionel Messi hat-trick inspired a 4-0 Barca win on Wednesday. Bravo was sent-off with City trailing just 1-0 for saving Luis Suarez's effort when […]

Munich (Germany) (AFP) – Bayern Munich coach Carlo Ancelotti said their 4-1 romp against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League was the reaction he was looking for after a three-match winless streak. Bayern bounced back in emphatic style on Wednesday at the Allianz Arena with winger Arjen Robben in outstanding form. Goals by Thomas Mueller […]

London (AFP) – Arsene Wenger warned his Arsenal stars not to get carried away after they gave another demonstration of their sky-high confidence with a 6-0 demolition of Ludogorets in the Champions League. Wenger's side are in peak form at present and Bulgarian minnows Ludogorets were powerless to prevent their hot streak extending to seven […]

Milan (AFP) – Cameroon forward Vincent Aboubakar hit a brace as Ricardo Quaresma-inspired Besiktas ended Napoli's dreams of making Champions League history with a 3-2 win at the San Paolo on Wednesday. Napoli welcomed the Turkish champions knowing a third consecutive win in Group B, along with a draw between Dinamo Kiev and Benfica, would […]