Spain have been rocked by the shock sacking of Julen Lopetegui on the eve of the World Cup but Brazil midfielder Paulinho believes the 2010 champions remain one of the favourites in Russia.
With Spain due to kick off their Group B campaign against Portugal in Sochi on Friday, Lopetegui was sensationally relieved of his duties by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) on Wednesday after agreeing to replace Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid following the tournament.
Former Spain captain Fernando Hierro was appointed just hours after Lopetegui s dismissal.
Asked about Lopetegui s exit, Paulinho – who helped Barcelona win the 2017-18 LaLiga title and is set to come up against the Madrid-bound boss next season – told reporters: The issue of Spain being one of t…
Barcelona coach Luis Enrique has nothing but praise for Pep Guardiola ahead of Wednesday s Champions League encounter and believes the current Manchester City boss will go down in history as one of the greatest ever.
Guardiola enjoyed a hugely successful spell in charge of Barcelona between 2008 and 2012, before guiding Bayer Munich to three consecutive Bundesliga titles between 2013 and 2016.
He left Bayern for City during the off-season and Luis Enrique already sees his compatriot s impact at the Etihad.
I take it as a habit to value my friends more than enemies. Pep is a good friend. It is easy to value him. I think he is the best coach, Luis Enrique said at a news conference.
When you coach at this level if you win everything it is easy. When you lo…
Arne Slot is bringing an elegant style of play to Liverpool, and Harvey Elliott is relishing a fresh start under the Dutchman.
Slot replaced Jurgen Klopp at the start of July, with the latter having called time on his near nine-year stint at Anfield.
Klopp led Liverpool to great success during his time at the club, and Slot acknowledged he has big shoes to fill.
But Elliott, who was a regular under Klopp last season, playing 34 times in the Premier League and scoring three goals, says former Feyenoord boss Slot has hit the ground running.
It s [a] very elegant, Dutch style, it s very nice, Elliott said, as reported by BBC Sport.
The style of play is a lot different. It s more about in possession now.
The players are excited, we play cer…
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says defender Ben White can make the step up to be part of England s 2022 World Cup squad.
The 24-year-old centre-back was left out of Gareth Southgate s last England squad for the Nations League games against Italy and Germany.
Right-back Kyle Walker s groin injury has opened up the possibility of a World Cup recall for the versatile White, who has played that role with the Gunners this season.
Ben would be very comfortable playing on the right side of a back three as well as in the middle or as a full-back, Arteta said.
If you ask me if he is ready to make that step [to England], then the answer is yes because he is a very confident boy, he gives you absolutely everything, he is always available and he has the courage to p…
Alejandro Garnacho’s staggering overhead kick set Manchester United on course for a comprehensive 3-0 away win on a day when hosts Everton protested against their Premier League points deduction.
Goodison Park was a cauldron as the infuriated Toffees returned to action for the first time since Sean Dyche’s side were docked 10 points for breaching financial rules.
The Premier League felt the full force of Everton fans’ ire before and during a match that went United’s way as goals from Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial complemented Garnacho’s acrobatic stunner.
Three goals Three points
An away win for that included one of the great Premier League goals from Alejandro Garnacho
— Premier League (@premierleague)
The 19-year-o…
Although West Ham might have thrown away that three-goal lead against when heading into March’s international break, The Hammers have shocked many this season.
While the east London outfit might have only just hung onto their Premier League status last year, they now have a European finish at the top of their agenda.
With the likes of and Tomáš Souček have an instant impact at The London Stadium, it is no secret that David Moyes’ men are on the lookout for another striker this summer.
With Michail Antonio the only number nine in their ranks, we have taken a look at three striking stars who are reportedly on Moyes’ radar when the window reopens.
Ivan Toney Brentford
After making Saïd Benrahma s £25million move a permanent one earlier in the …
Ryan Mason has been handed the role of interim head coach at Tottenham until the end of the season following Jose Mourinho s dismissal.
Spurs sacked Mourinho on Monday six days before the EFL Cup final against Manchester City, with their Champions League qualification hopes hanging by a thread.
Mason took first-team training after that move and will now lead the team for the remainder of the 2020-21 campaign.
The first game for Mason will see seventh-placed Tottenham host Southampton in the Premier League on Wednesday.
Mason will be assisted by Chris Powell and Nigel Gibbs, with Ledley King continuing as a first-team assistant and Michel Vorm as his goalkeeping coach.
20 No Premier League side has dropped more points from winning positions this …
At least I did not put them off the job! said Arsene Wenger last week, as two of his old Arsenal stalwarts, Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira, prepare to go head to head on Friday.
Vieira s Nice will visit Henry s Monaco in a Ligue 1 derby match that could go some way towards defining just how successful their first seasons at their respective clubs will prove to be.
Things have not gone too well for Henry, who only managed his second win since taking charge in mid-October on Tuesday against Amiens. They remain level on points with two sides still in the bottom three.
Vieira, who returned to his homeland after honing his skills with New York City, has put Nice in the European reckoning but has seen their form stumble with back-to-back goalless draws.
As…
According to a recent report from Calciomercato, AC Milan are interested in attempting to re-sign Zlatan Ibrahimovic on a free transfer. It was recently confirmed that the popular forward will be leaving LA Galaxy at the end of his contract which is set to expire next month, with the most likely possibility being that he will return to Europe for the final few years of his career.
The deal would need to be given the green light by chief executive Ivan Gazidis, who has been at the heart of Milan’s attempts to build a squad capable of challenging in the top four once again in Serie A.
Zlatan has always been a controversial figure in Milan as a result of his career options, but it’s always been a place where, for the most part, he has been able to thrive. If he …
“I’m sure there will be news soon. My idea is to stay here, I hope that can be sealed very soon”.
As reported by Sport, these are the words of Jordi Alba who seems to be interested in signing a new contract with Barcelona. The 29 year old has been at the Nou Camp since back in 2012, when he made the switch over from Valencia. His current deal is set to expire in 2020, and there had been rumblings that he wanted out. However, in the wake of Barca’s recent 4-2 win over Sevilla, it appears as if he’s changed his mind.
A similar thing has happened with Ivan Rakitic, who has reportedly declared that he wants to stay with the Spanish champions too.
Alba has been a featured member of the Spanish national team since back in 2011, and he’s also been an ever p…