Podolski delighted with fourth spot Lukas Podolski expressed his delight at Arsenal's fourth-place Premier League finish that sealed UEFA Champions League football next season.
The striker was Arsene Wenger's marquee signing in July 2012 and he has repaid the faith shown in him by the Frenchman with a double-figure goal tally this season.
The German's two strikes against Wigan in their final home game of the season gave Arsenal the advantage over rivals Tottenham in their race for fourth place.
A final-day victory over Newcastle United secured a 16th consecutive season in the UEFA Champions League for the club, something Podolski knows was crucial.
"Of course you'd rather play in the Cha
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Category: News Views: 836 Added: SkyDate: 21.05.2013 - 19:42
Martinez coy on Wigan future Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has refused to commit to another season with the relegated club at their FA Cup celebration parade.
Martinez has been linked with the vacant manager's job at Everton, following David Moyes' departure to Manchester United.
Speaking to Wigan fans on Monday, Martinez refused to commit to another campaign with the Lancashire-based club, who will play in the Championship next season following their relegation from the Premier League.
As fans chanted 'we want you to stay, we want you to stay', Martinez paid tribute to Wigan's players and coaching staff.
Category: News Views: 839 Added: SkyDate: 21.05.2013 - 19:41
Schneiderlin backs Southampton to improve Morgan Schneiderlin has backed Southampton to become an established Premier League outfit.
The French midfielder, who made the second-most appearances for the club this season with 37, helped his side finish 14th and described the campaign as "amazing".
Schneiderlin insisted Southampton can go on to achieve even greater things next season and in the years to follow.
Speaking to the club's official website, the 23-year-old said: "It was an amazing season.
"As a group, we wanted to show everyone that we have a place in the Premier League. I think that, especially with the people we've played in the second
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Category: News Views: 864 Added: SkyDate: 21.05.2013 - 19:39
Hummels pledges future to Dortmund Mats Hummels has pledged his future to Borussia Dortmund amid speculation that he may leave the club at the end of the season.
The German central defender has no plans to leave the Westfalenstadion despite missing out on the Bundesliga title this season to Bayern Munich.
Dortmund meet Bayern in the UEFA Champions League final at Wembley on Saturday and Hummels is hoping to record their first victory over their rivals this season.
They have drawn twice in the league and been beaten in the German Super Cup and DFB-Pokal, so Hummels is hoping it will be fifth-time lucky for his side.
Category: News Views: 735 Added: SkyDate: 21.05.2013 - 19:38
Retiring Ferguson overwhelmed by recognition Alex Ferguson was 'overwhelmed' after receiving the League Managers' Association Manager of the Year award on Monday.
The Scot, who has now landed the award a record-breaking four times, announced his retirement from Manchester United after 26 years and 1500 games at the club, winning his 13th league title this season with victory over Aston Villa in April.
After another successful season at the club Ferguson was given the honour by the LMA members, including all managers from the top four leagues in English football.
Ferguson's previous awards came after league triumphs in 1998-99, 2007-08 and 2010-11, and this fourth honour moves him ahead of David Moyes, his replacemen
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Category: News Views: 749 Added: SkyDate: 21.05.2013 - 19:37
Rodgers pleased with Coutinho impact Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has been surprised by how well Philippe Coutinho has adapted to life in the Premier League.
The Brazilian midfielder has been impressive since arriving from Inter in January, scoring three goals in 13 appearances, and Rodgers has been taken aback by his start to life at Anfield.
"When you bring somebody in during January you hope they can make an impact," Rodgers told the club's official website.
"You are also looking at it as a six-month adaptation period before you get the best out of them from pre-season onwards.
"We are all pleasantly pleased and surprised by how well he has done. His numbers tell you the story in terms of goals and assists."
Category: News Views: 724 Added: SkyDate: 21.05.2013 - 19:35
Ibrahimovic and Silva to stay Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo has stressed that Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva will not be leaving the club.
PSG manager Carlo Ancelotti has asked to leave the Parc des Princes outfit for Real Madrid, a request which was rejected, and Brazilian Leonardo was admant that the futures of top scorer Ibrahimovic and much-praised defender Thiago Silva are not tied to that of their Italian boss.
He told L'Equipe: "Neither Ibrahimovic, nor Thiago Silva will leave the club if Ancelotti moves on."
Leonardo's sentiments were echoed by the South American centre-half's representative Paulo Tonietto, who insisted the former Milan man will not be leaving the French capital under any circumstances.
Category: News Views: 780 Added: SkyDate: 21.05.2013 - 19:33
Mourinho a scourge on Spanish football Departing Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has been described as a "scourge on Spanish football" by rivals Barcelona's vice-president.
Carles Vilarrubi launched a scathing attack on the Portuguese after Madrid president Florentino Perez announced on Monday that he would be leaving by mutual consent, despite having three years left on his contract.
"I said this three years ago through other means and now that he is no longer coach I can repeat what I thought then, that Mourinho would be a scourge on Spanish football. Now he no longer is," Vilarrubi declared on Radio Catalunya.
Mourinho worked at Barcelona under Bobby Robson and Louis van Gaal but after he left in 2000 his relationship with the club became strained, and his behav
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Category: News Views: 645 Added: SkyDate: 21.05.2013 - 19:32
Inter, Roma fined for racist abuse Inter and Roma have been fined 50,000 euros each after fans chanted racist abuse during the final round of Serie A matches on Sunday.
The incidents are the latest in a catalogue of episodes to blight the Italian game and come just a week after Roma were fined the same amount for abusing Milan striker Mario Balotelli in the 0-0 draw at San Siro on May 12.
Inter, who were also warned over their future conduct, have now been fined for the third time in four months after their fans shouted abuse in their 5-2 loss against Udinese.
The San Siro club were previously punished for similar actions in a game with Chievo back in February, and directing inflammatory chants towards Balotelli
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Category: News Views: 814 Added: SkyDate: 21.05.2013 - 00:51
Real Madrid part company with Mourinho Real Madrid have confirmed that manager Jose Mourinho will leave the club at the end of the season by mutual consent.
Speculation has been rife that the Portuguese manager would leave the Bernabeu and he has been heavily linked with a return to former club Chelsea, who are seeking a replacement for Rafael Benitez.
And during a press conference on Monday, Madrid president Florentino Perez revealed that the 50-year-old will leave the club after their final match of the season.
Perez said: "The time is right to bring our relationship to an end.
"The board of directors would like to thank Jose Mourinho for all his hard work. The team have improved in his t
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Category: News Views: 809 Added: SkyDate: 21.05.2013 - 00:50
Rodwell called up by England Manchester City's Jack Rodwell has been called up by England for the international matches against Republic of Ireland and Brazil.
The 22-year-old midfielder was added to his country's squad by manager Roy Hodgson on Monday as a potential replacement for Tom Cleverley.
Manchester United's Cleverley has not yet officially withdrawn from the friendly fixtures, but the English FA confirmed that he was doubtful for the double-header after he was substituted during his club's 5-5 draw with West Brom on Sunday.
Rodwell already has two England caps to his name, but he has not featured for his country since appearing in the 1-0 victory over Sweden in November 2011.
Category: News Views: 652 Added: SkyDate: 21.05.2013 - 00:48
Messi keen on Barca stay The 25-year-old Argentine enjoyed another prolific season in front of goal, scoring 60 goals in 50 matches in all competitions for the Catalan giants during 2012-13.
Despite being a Barcelona player since 2000, Messi is not growing weary at the club and remains committed to helping them achieve domestic and continental success.
He would have no shortage of suitors if he decided to exit Barcelona, but Messi declared that he is happy and leaving has not crossed his mind.
Category: News Views: 810 Added: SkyDate: 21.05.2013 - 00:46
Atletico Madrid ready to sell Falcao Atletico Madrid will not stand in the way of striker Radamel Falcao if he wants to leave the club.
The Colombian striker has scored 31 goals in 37 appearances this season and has had a host of top European clubs watching him.
Atletico have had a successful season under Diego Simeone, winning the Copa del Rey and finishing third in La Liga, but they are prepared to let their prize asset leave if the right bid comes in.
If he is to leave the club, he will go with the club's blessing according to general manager Miguel Angel Gil Marin.
"Before the start of the season, we spoke with Falcao and we promised him if he keeps the same performance and he helps us qual
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Category: News Views: 783 Added: SkyDate: 21.05.2013 - 00:44
Abbiati extends Milan deal Milan have announced that goalkeeper Christian Abbiati's contract has been extended until the end of next season.
The 35-year-old has played 322 games for Milan since joining the club from Monza in 1998, while also spending time on loan at Juventus, Torino and Atletico Madrid.
Abbiati has worked his way back into the Milan side in recent years after dropping behind Brazilian Dida, which resulted in his temporary spells away from San Siro.
Speaking to Mediaset, the player confirmed his delight at the deal: "I've renewed for one more season. I'm very happy that I will be able to continue my adventure here. Milanello is my home."
Category: News Views: 780 Added: SkyDate: 21.05.2013 - 00:43
Terry misses Chelsea tour Injured Chelsea captain John Terry will not take part in the club's upcoming tour of the United States.
The defender, who is struggling with an ankle injury, was absent from the 23-man group who were due to fly to America on Monday ahead of a double-header against Manchester City, with the first game taking place in St Louis on Thursday.
The club confirmed that Frank Lampard will captain the side in the absence of Terry, while Ryan Bertrand was also missing from the travelling party.
There were, however, places in the squad for Academy duo defender Andreas Christensen and midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Category: News Views: 798 Added: SkyDate: 21.05.2013 - 00:42
Schwarzer unaware of new contract offer from Fulham Mark Schwarzer has denied receiving a new contract from Fulham but would like to stay at the club next season if he will be number one.
The Australian has been at Fulham since 2008 and made 36 appearances for the club this season, keeping eight clean sheets including one in the final game of the season away at Swansea.
However, his contract is set to expire in June and, despite club reports that he had been offered a new deal, the goalkeeper has insisted he never received that offer.
"I can say that I haven't had the offer of a new contract," he told Sky Sports.
Category: News Views: 612 Added: SkyDate: 21.05.2013 - 00:40
O´Brien proud of West Ham finish Joey O'Brien was delighted that West Ham's victory over Reading enabled them to meet their pre-season target of a top-10 finish.
The defender has been a first-team regular this season and is proud at finishing 10th in the Premier League to achieve the goal set for them by manager Sam Allardyce before the campaign began.
A victory on the final day of the season over Reading lifted them into the top half of the table, and the Ireland international was glad to end on a high.
"During pre-season in Portugal the manager said we wanted a top-ten finish and we've achieved that," he told the club's official website. "There's no better fe
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Category: News Views: 583 Added: SkyDate: 21.05.2013 - 00:38
Doncaster appoint Dickov as manager Paul Dickov has been appointed as the man to replace Brian Flynn as manager of Doncaster Rovers.
The former Oldham manager was declared the "correct person to move Doncaster Rovers forward" by chief executive Gavin Baldwin.
Dickov left Oldham in February, six days after guiding them to an FA Cup fourth-round victory over Liverpool, due to poor league form, but after extensive discussions with the Doncaster board he is the man trusted to mastermind their survival in the Championship having won promotion this season.
The Scot's record at Oldham saw him win 43 games out of 141, however this season's cup run brought him plaudits and he is the man who had met "an 18-point criteria" to identify the best candidate.
Category: News Views: 637 Added: SkyDate: 21.05.2013 - 00:37
Galliani to hold talks with Allegri Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani will meet Massimiliano Allegri on Wednesday to discuss the coach's future.
The club ensured their place in next season's UEFA Champions League when they came from behind to beat Siena on Sunday.
Mario Balotelli and Philippe Mexes both scored in the last 10 minutes to secure a 2-1 win, while Fiorentina missed out despite a 5-1 hammering of Pescara.
Despite confirming their place in Europe's premier club competition after a dreadful start to the season, Allegri's future has remained in doubt.
And Galliani, while happy with claiming third place, intends to meet with the coach to discuss the future.
Category: News Views: 600 Added: SkyDate: 21.05.2013 - 00:35
I have not performed at World Cups Chelsea and England midfielder Frank Lampard believes he has not produced top form for his country at major tournaments.
The 35-year-old has won all available major domestic honours in his time at Stamford Bridge, completing the set by added the UEFA Europa League title to his collection with victory over Benfica last Wednesday's final.
Yet Lampard revealed he is disappointed not to have tasted similar success with England, and feels he has not performed to a sufficient standard at FIFA World Cups and UEFA European Championships.
He told TalkSPORT: "As a group and individually, I'll hold my hands up and say at World Cups I haven't performed, certain England games I haven'
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Category: News Views: 621 Added: SkyDate: 21.05.2013 - 00:33
