London (AFP) – Sam Allardyce's reign as England manager came to a humiliating end on Tuesday as he departed after just 67 days in charge following his controversial comments in a newspaper sting. Allardyce's reign was sensationally brought to a close as he paid the price for indiscreetly talking with undercover Daily Telegraph reporters posing […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Sam Allardyce left his post as England manager 67 days after his appointment on Tuesday. Here AFP Sports looks at five other managers whose reigns lasted an even shorter space of time (days in brackets): Steve Bruce – Wigan (55) Ironically the front runner in the betting to fill the […]

Naples (Italy) (AFP) – Brazilian goalkeeper Julio Cesar said he will be looking to put bad memories of previous visits to the San Paolo behind him when Benfica face Napoli in the Champions League on Wednesday. The 37-year-old spent "seven beautiful and successful" years with Serie A giants Inter Milan, helping them to Champions League […]

London (AFP) – Sam Allardyce has left his role as England manager by mutual consent, the Football Association (FA) announced on Tuesday. Allardyce and the FA felt his position was untenable after he was caught making a series of controversial comments in an embarrassing newspaper sting. "The FA can confirm that Sam Allardyce has left his […]

Miami (AFP) – Former Argentina coach Gerardo Martino is heading to Major League Soccer after agreeing a deal with new expansion side Atlanta United FC, the club said Tuesday. Martino, who stepped down as Argentina coach this year after his team was beaten in the final of the Copa America Centenario in June, will oversee […]

Madrid (AFP) – Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm insists the German champions must be on guard to stop Antoine Griezmann as they travel to face their Champions League conquerors last season in Atletico Madrid on Wednesday. Griezmann ousted two German sides from semi-finals in recent months as his away goal sealed Atletico's path to the […]

Monchengladbach (Germany) (AFP) – Luis Enrique has warned Barcelona to take nothing for granted when the Spanish giants, minus injured Lionel Messi, face Borussia Moenchengladbach on Wednesday in the Champions League. "Above everything else, Gladbach inspire awe at home. They aren't just dangerous with the ball, they also attack early and high up the pitch," […]

Naples (Italy) (AFP) – Napoli midfielder Jorginho insists his team have moved on from Gonzalo Higuain's shock departure to Juventus as they prepare to face Portuguese giants Benfica in the Champions League. Napoli, runners-up to Juventus in Serie A last season, host Benfica at the San Paolo in Group B on Wednesday looking to continue […]

London (AFP) – Nigel Pearson has been suspended as manager of Derby County, the English second-tier club announced on Tuesday, without providing an explanation. The move came following a meeting between Pearson and club chairman Mel Morris, with Derby releasing a statement a matter of hours before their Championship game at Cardiff City. "Derby County […]

London (AFP) – The issue of third-party ownership (TPO) of top footballers hit the headlines on Tuesday after England manager Sam Allardyce was apparently caught explaining how to dodge the rules imposed by his employer, the Football Association (FA). The practice is shrouded by complicated contracts and secrecy, but has been blamed for some of […]

Doha (AFP) – Qatar unveiled plans on Tuesday for a "fan village" to house up to 2,000 football supporters in Bedouin-style tents during the 2022 World Cup. Organisers said the village would be built in the south of the country and could eventually be one of five sites across Qatar offering tented accommodation. "We will […]

Berlin (AFP) – After three consecutive semi-final defeats against Spanish clubs in the Champions League, Bayern Munich head to Atletico Madrid for Wednesday's group match with a point to prove. "We want to show that we can do better than in the last few semi-finals. We certainly have a score to settle there," said Bayern […]

Monchengladbach (Germany) (AFP) – Borussia Monchengladbach coach Andre Schubert says his side have nothing to fear against a Barcelona team shorn of the injured Lionel Messi for Wednesday's Champions League clash. Barcelona opened their assault on Europe a fortnight ago with a 7-0 drubbing of Celtic at the Camp Nou while the Germans suffered a […]

London (AFP) – Sam Allardyce is set for crisis talks with his Football Association employers on Tuesday as the England manager fights to save his job after being caught in a newspaper sting. Allardyce gave advice on how to circumnavigate transfer rules, criticised the FA's decision to rebuild Wembley and mocked his England predecessor Roy […]

Doha (AFP) – Jorge Fossati was officially unveiled as Qatar's new coach on Tuesday and insisted that the 2022 host country's "big dream" of reaching the 2018 World Cup finals was still possible. Ambitious Qatar have never qualified for a World Cup before and are aiming to do so before staging the event in 2022, […]