Benitez keen to challenge for Champions League with next club
Outgoing Chelsea interim manager Rafa Benitez wants his next side to be in the UEFA Champions League.
Speaking after Chelsea lost 5-3 to Manchester City in an end-of-season friendly in New York, Benitez confirmed he wants to challenge for Europe's top club competition.
The former Liverpool manager has tasted continental success this season already having guided his side to UEFA Europa League glory, but he told Sky Sports News he wants to go one better with whoever he takes charge of next.
"I am going to London now," he said.
"I want to be in a top side so that we can play in the Champions League, if that is possible."
Category: News
Views: 855
Added: Sky
Date: 26.05.2013 - 23:50
Neymar announces Barca switch
Neymar has revealed he is set to leave Santos for Barcelona, and will sign a five-year contract with the Liga champions on Monday.
Brazilian club Santos had accepted two offers for the 21-year-old star, reported to be from Barcelona and Real Madrid, and the forward has now agreed terms with the Catalan giants.
After scoring 107 goals in 176 domestic appearances for Santos, Neymar is one of the hottest properties in football and a move to either of the Spanish heavyweights was expected, although the player had suggested he would remain in Brazil until after the 2014 FIFA World Cup when his contract was due to expire.
However, Barcelona have snapped him up a year early and he will
...
Read more »
Category: News
Views: 821
Added: Sky
Date: 26.05.2013 - 23:47
Heynckes may delay retirement
Jupp Heynckes has hinted he may continue coaching elsewhere after guiding Bayern Munich to UEFA Champions League glory.
The 68-year-old will be replaced at the Bayern helm by Pep Guardiola next season and was widely expected to bring an end to his distinguished managerial career.
However, following the 2-1 win over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley on Saturday, the veteran coach indicated his time may not yet be up.
"The decision on what I will do after the cup match was already taken last June? Retire? No, you will learn that after the cup final (against Stuttgart next Saturday)," Heynckes told reporters after the game.
...
Read more »
Category: News
Views: 772
Added: Sky
Date: 26.05.2013 - 23:45
Klopp, Dortmund vow to recover
Jurgen Klopp says Borussia Dortmund will bounce back from their 2-1 UEFA Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich on Saturday.
A late strike from Arjen Robben saw Jupp Heynckes' men crowned European champions after a scintillating clash at Wembley Stadium between the German sides, but Klopp has assured everyone his talented outfit will be back in contention again.
"I've told the players that we will come back," Klopp said.
"Maybe not to Wembley but we will try to come back to another final. That's what I told them."
Dortmund have lit up the competition this season with their brand of swashbucklin
...
Read more »
Category: News
Views: 837
Added: Sky
Date: 26.05.2013 - 23:43
Robben relieved to net winner
Arjen Robben has spoken of his relief at scoring the winning goal as Bayern Munich beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in the Champions League final.
The attacking midfielder, who missed a penalty in extra-time as Bayern lost to Chelsea in last season's final, described the emotional moment he beat Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller to win the game on Saturday with just minutes remaining.
"The feeling is unbelievable, I can't describe what is going through my mind, it's too difficult, there's so many emotions," he said.
"When I got the ball, I was free and I was anticipating on Franck's (Ribery) move. My only hope was that he left the ball there, in the space, or a little bi
...
Read more »
Category: News
Views: 841
Added: Sky
Date: 26.05.2013 - 23:41
Rogers joins LA Galaxy
Former US international midfielder Robbie Rogers has joined MLS side LA Galaxy.
Rogers, who came out as gay in February and subsequently retired from the game, becomes the only openly homosexual male athlete to compete in an American professional team sport.
The former Leeds United player could be in line for an appearance in the Galaxy's clash with Seattle Sounders and said he is ready for his return to the game.
"I was afraid to put myself back in a situation where I felt like I was kind of an outcast I guess, or just different from people," Rogers said.
"But after this whole process I've realised that everyone is a bit different, everyone has their issues
...
Read more »
Category: News
Views: 766
Added: Sky
Date: 26.05.2013 - 23:34
Hodgson predicts big future for Zaha
England manager Roy Hodgson expects Wilfried Zaha to make a big impact at Manchester United next season.
The 20-year-old will play his final game for Championship side Crystal Palace in the play-off final against Watford on Monday after agreeing to join Manchester United ahead of the 2013-14 campaign in January.
Zaha won his first England cap under Hodgson in November last year, coming on as a substitute in a 4-2 defeat against Sweden, and the former Liverpool boss feels the forward will be a success at Old Trafford.
"I like Wilfried Zaha. I think he is a good player," he said.
Category: News
Views: 662
Added: Sky
Date: 26.05.2013 - 23:31
Impressive Celtic cruise to Scottish Cup win
Celtic completed the double at Hampden Park on Sunday with a convincing 3-0 win over Hibernian in the Scottish Cup final.
A Gary Hooper double ensured the Parkhead trophy cabinet will have two new additions this season while Hibs again taste heartbreak, following last season's defeat in the final against Hearts.
The Scottish Premier League champions had to weather some strong early pressure from Hibs, with Eoin Doyle going close after eight minutes with a header.
However, Celtic were ahead just minutes later when Gary Hooper grabbed the first of two goals, sneaking in at the far post to finish off an Anthony Stokes cross.
Category: News
Views: 573
Added: Sky
Date: 26.05.2013 - 23:30
Duplan seals UEFA Europa League spot for Utrecht
Utrecht sealed the final European spot in the Eredivisie with a 3-2 aggregate victory over Twente in the end-of-season play-offs.
Twente may have won the second leg 2-1 but Edouard Duplan's strike, 18 seconds into the second half, sealed an aggregate victory for Jan Wouters' side.
Long-range strikes from Dusan Tadic and Nacer Chadli brought the scores level by half-time, but a mistake from Felipe Gutierrez after a poor clearance from Sander Boschker allowed Duplan to seal Utrecht's return to European football after three seasons away with a simple finish.
After sealing a first-leg victory, the home side looked in confident mood in the opening half hour of the game.
...
Read more »
Category: News
Views: 700
Added: Sky
Date: 26.05.2013 - 23:28
Lewandowski close to Bayern move, hints Heynckes
Bayern Munich manager Jupp Heynckes has hinted that Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski is set to join the club.
Heynckes' men overcame Dortmund in Saturday's UEFA Champions League final at Wembley, thanks to a late winner from Arjen Robben.
Lewandowski has won plaudits for his performances this season, particularly his four-goal showing against Real Madrid in the semi-final stage of the same competition, and has been continuously linked with a move away, with Bayern among the front-runners for his signature.
Heynckes had previously been coy on the subject, but suggested deal is in the works and that the Allianz Arena outfit are only waiting on a decision from
...
Read more »
Category: News
Views: 640
Added: Sky
Date: 26.05.2013 - 23:26
Champions League: Borussia Dortmund 1:2 Bayern Munich - Commentary
OFFICIAL COMMENTARY
Borussia Dortmund 1-2 Bayern Munich
This match was hyped up to extraordinary levels, but it more than matched the expectations as Bayern Munich dramatically secured the Champions League trophy that they will feel ha
...
Read more »
Category: News
Views: 1073
Added: Better
Date: 26.05.2013 - 01:48