Real Madrid have officially announced the signing of the versatile defender David Alaba from Bayern Munich. After months of speculation, the 28-year-old has signed a five-year contract at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Austria international arrives in Madrid as a free agent after refusing to commit his future to Bayern despite the club’s relentless efforts to tie him down to a new deal. Alaba spent 12 memorable years at the Allianz Arena, becoming one of the symbols of the Bavarians’ domestic and continental success in the past decade. He recorded 512 appearances for Bayern in all competitions en route to winning 27 major titles, including ten Bundesliga titles and two Champions Leagues. Alaba was part of the squad that won the record-breaking nine Bundesliga titles in a row and was an integra...
Real Madrid have identified Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino as a perfect long-term replacement for Zinedine Zidane. After months of speculation, Zidane decided to call time on his second stint in Madrid on Thursday, leaving a vacancy only a handful of managers can fill. One of them is Pochettino, who has experienced a rather torrid six-month spell in Paris after replacing Thomas Tuchel in January. PSG sacked the German tactician in the midst of the side’s rough patch and opted for the ex-Tottenham boss to take over the reins at the Parc des Princes. However, the move has not worked out as expected, with Les Parisiens suffering a heartbreaking Champions League exit to Manchester City in the semi-finals. Paris’ underwhelming campaign culminated with a domestic heartache as Lille...
In the second-last match of continental football in Europe for the 2020/21 season, Villarreal and Manchester United prepared to square off for the UEFA Europa League trophy. Ole Gunnar Solskjær was leading the Red Devils into his first-ever final as a manager, meaning that this was also his first chance to lift a trophy for the club, and it would also be United’s first major honour since 2017 when they won the same competition. Villarreal, meanwhile, were battling for their first-ever coveted piece of silverware barring the Tercera División and UEFA Intertoto Cup, as Unai Emery was eyeing his fourth Europa League success in five finals. The Yellow Submarine had an additional incentive as this was a bonus shot for them to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League, as their sevent...
Wales international Gareth Bale is technically on loan at Tottenham Hotspur from Real Madrid until the end of June. The winger bagged a brace in Spurs’ 4-2 victory over Leicester City in the final game of the Premier League campaign on Sunday, helping the north Londoners qualify for the inaugural Europa Conference League as a result. Bale was coy when asked about his future after the game, insisting we will have to wait for his decision after the Euros as he ‘will just cause chaos if he says anything’. Spanish outlet ABC Deportes are claiming retirement is what the 31-year-old was hinting at. According to their report, Bale is considering negotiating a contract termination with Madrid and then retiring after Euro 2020. He returned to Spain immediately after Spurs’ game on Sunday, and is no...