Argentine
Andre-Villas Boas: Marcelo Bielsa’s nomination for The Best FIFA Coach award ‘scandalous’
Marseille boss Andre-Villas Boas has taken a swipe at Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa’s nomination for The Best FIFA Coach Award. The Argentine has joined a five-match shortlist that also includes Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, Sevilla’s Julen Lopetegui and Bayern Munich’s Champions League-winning coach Hansi Flick. Bielsa was at the helm as Leeds returned to the top flight of the English game for the first time in 2004, but Villas-Boas has suggested that these achievements pale into comparison with other coaches who have been overlooked. “Bielsa? Bielsa has to win a prestigious trophy,” he told the media on Friday. “But he’s not among the best five coaches in the world in 2020. It’s a scandal. He won the Championship!” Villas-Boas, who risks provoking the M...
Diego Maradona: ‘I hope we’ll play together in the sky’ – Pele
Brazilian football great Pele mourned his fellow legend Diego Maradona after the Argentine died Wednesday, saying he hoped they would “play together in the sky” one day. “Sad news today. I have lost a dear friend, and the world has lost a legend,” Pele wrote on Instagram, alongside a picture of Maradona hoisting the World Cup trophy in 1986. “There is much more to say, but for now may God give his family strength. One day, I hope, we will play soccer together in the sky.” Pele and Maradona, who often vie for the title of best footballer in history, had just celebrated milestone birthdays last month: 80 and 60, respectively. Pele had wished Maradona well on his birthday on October 30, writing, “May your journey be long and may you always smile, and make me smile, too!” Maradona had likewise...
Lionel Messi’s father already in talks with PSG to negotiate in January – report
According to a report published by ESPN, Lionel Messi’s father and agent Jorge Messi is already in talks with PSG over a negotiation that can take place in January. Messi wanted to leave the club in the summer, but a move to Manchester City fell through after extensive legal proceedings regarding his contract and if he could leave the club for free. Now former President Josep Bartomeu blocked the transfer himself, saying that he could leave for no less than his €700 million – the release clause mentioned in the contract. The Argentine came out after that to speak about the saga, explaining his unhappiness, and how the only reason he did not leave was because he did not want to drag the club he loved into a legal battle. However, he can leave Barça in June, next year on a free transfer, and...
Julian Nagelsmann on Man United’s list of potential Ole Gunnar Solskjaer replacements
RB Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann is reportedly on Manchester United’s list of potential replacements for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, amid the mounting pressure regarding the Norwegian’s future at Old Trafford. The current United boss has overseen a shaky start to the new season for United, with his side currently 15th in the table having won just two of their opening six Premier League fixtures. The Red Devils had appeared to have turned things around after the international break, with a thumping win over Newcastle United, as well as impressive Champions League victories over Paris Saint-Germain and Leipzig quietening the doubters somewhat. That all changed over the past week, however, with United putting in another drab performance at home in the 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at the weekend, before t...
Mauricio Pochettino opens door to Premier League return
Mauricio Pochettino says he is ready to return to management, almost a year after he was sacked by Tottenham. The Argentine’s enthusiasm will no doubt intensify speculation linking him with replacing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as manager of Manchester United. Pressure has begun to mount on Solskjaer at Old Trafford in recent months, with United currently 15th in the Premier League table. After taking Spurs to the Champions League final, Pochettino has been linked with a number of top jobs including those at Real Madrid, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain. However, after six years in England, Pochettino seems keen to return to the Premier League. “I discovered an amazing people in this country, an amazing culture. I am in love,” Pochettino said on Sky Sports. “I was always ready to be involved in t...
Novak Djokovic wins fifth Italian Open title
Novak Djokovic claimed a record 36th Masters crown on Monday, beating Argentine Diego Schwartzman in the final of the Italian Open. The world number one won 7-5, 6-3 to break a tie with Spanish rival Rafael Nadal for most master titles. For Djokovic, it was a fifth title in the warm-up clay-court tournament for next week’s French Open. Nine-time Rome winner Nadal, the defending champion, fell in the quarter-finals to eighth-seed Schwartzman. Get more stories like this on Twitter You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are looking for Dates Online. So we reimagined what a dating should be. It begins with giving you back power. Get to meet Beautiful people, chat and make money in the process. Earn rewards by chatting, sharing photos, blogging and help give users back their fair share of Inte...
Leeds United confirm one-year contract extension for Marcelo Bielsa
Leeds confirmed that manager Marcelo Bielsa signed a one-year deal on Friday ahead of the club’s first Premier League game for 16 years. “Leeds United are pleased to confirm Marcelo Bielsa has signed a new one-year deal with the club to remain as head coach for the 2020/21 season,” Leeds said in a statement. After finally leading Leeds back into the top-flight, Bielsa’s side face the daunting task of beginning their Premier League campaign away to champions Liverpool on Saturday. The Argentine has a history of walking out early in the campaign after leaving Marseille just one game into the 2015/16 season and lasted just two days in charge of Lazio a year later. However, he eased Leeds fans’ fears on Thursday by signalling his intention to remain at Elland Road for another season. “I will b...
Barcelona prepare final offer to land Lautaro Martinez from Inter
Barcelona are preparing a final offer for Lautaro Martinez, with the beleaguered Blaugrana ready to test Inter’s resolve as they prepare for life without Luis Suarez at the head of their attack. New boss Ronald Koeman recently made it clear to the Uruguayan, despite him being close friends with wantaway Lionel Messi, that he would no longer be a key player for the Catalans and should attempt to find a new club. And although Lyon attacker Memphis Depay has been mooted as a potential successor due to his ties with Koeman, Goal reports that Lautaro remains at the top Barca’s wishlist, with the Argentine seen as a complete centre-forward in the precise mould the club are looking for. There are many complications in the way, however, the most notable of which being the fact that Suarez still ha...
Gary Neville: I hope Lionel Messi doesn’t do very well for Manchester City
Gary Neville cannot see his former employers at Manchester United joining the race for Lionel Messi and hopes the mercurial Argentine “doesn’t do very well” if he ends up leaving Barcelona for Manchester City. A switch to England continues to be mooted for the six-time Ballon d’Or winner. Messi has informed those at Camp Nou of his desire to move on, with further talks set to be held with the Liga club’s board as he mulls over his options during a period of personal frustration. Neville believes a compromise will be reached that keeps the South American in Catalunya, with an all-time great merely “flexing his muscles” and sending warning signals to the Blaugrana. If a stunning switch were to be made, though, then the ex-United defender concedes that the Ethiad Stadium – alongside one-time ...
Manchester United ‘focusing on Jadon Sancho not Lionel Messi’
Manchester United are maintaining focus on signing Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund, despite reported interest in Lionel Messi. The Argentine has handed in an official transfer request to leave Barcelona after 20 years. United are one of a number of clubs linked with the 33-year-old. But Sancho remains United’s top target, according to Sky Sports presenter Kavel Solhekol. “The next Premier League club: Manchester United,” Solhekol said on The Transfer Show. “No comment from them as far as any potential move for Lionel Messi is concerned. “Our information is that they’re No 1 target remains Jadon Sancho but of course potentially, Manchester United do have the finances to be able to do a deal.” Get more stories like this on Twitter You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are looking for D...
Bayern Munich make Lionel Messi transfer decision
Bayern Munich will not be making an audacious swoop to sign Lionel Messi from Barcelona as they simply can’t afford it, according to club CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. On Tuesday, Messi sent a fax to Barca officials indicating his desire to leave the club, requesting that he be let out of his contract. The Argentine is unhappy at the decline of the Blaugrana on the field, as in 2019/20 they failed to win any major silverware for the first time in 12 years. He is also disillusioned with how the club is being run at boardroom level. It was actually Bayern who arguably caused the final straw for Messi as it was the German side’s 8-2 destruction of Barca in the Champions League which led to Quique Setien being fired and then the player handing in his request to leave. Only a handful of clubs arou...
Manchester City, Inter Milan favourites to sign Lionel Messi
Manchester City and Inter are considered the favourites to sign Lionel Messi, according to The Independent. The 33-year-old shocked the world of football when he outlined his intention to leave Barcelona after 20 years at the club on Tuesday. There is confidence within Messi’s camp that the clause in his contract that would allow the Argentine to leave Barça for free will be triggered. However, the Catalans believe that clause has expired and will demand a transfer fee of around €700m for Messi. Manchester City are believed to be working on structuring a deal and the report states that a reunion with Pep Guardiola seems to be the most likely option if Messi does end up leaving the Camp Nou. Guardiola is believed to have been in contact with Messi in recent weeks to discuss a potential move...
