Pep Guardiola rules out trying to lure Lionel Messi to Manchester after formal unveiling as City boss July 3, 2016 New Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has ruled out launching an audacious multi-million pound bid for Barcelona forward Lionel Messi after being officially unveiled as the club’s manager. The Spaniard conducted a question and answer session at the Etihad Stadium, having arrived at City on the back of three seasons with Bayern Munich during which [...]
Belgian Blues help entice in-demand Michy Batshuayi to Chelsea July 3, 2016 Chelsea's newest recruit Michy Batshuayi has revealed that Belgium team-mates Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois helped convince him to move to Stamford Bridge in a £33m transfer. The 22-year-old striker completed his move from Marseille on Sunday, signing a five-year contract, following Belgium’s elimination from the European Championship by Wales on Friday. “I am delighted to [...]
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger tips Takuma Asano for stardom after clinching deal for Japan striker July 3, 2016 Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has tipped Japan striker Takuma Asano as a star of the future after the Gunners agreed a deal for the 21-year-old. Asano is set to join from Sanfrecce Hiroshima, subject to receiving a work permit, where he scored 11 goals in 56 appearances and was in 2015 voted the J-League’s Rookie of [...]
The Tour de France: a French institution. Visit and you’ll soon find out why… July 3, 2016 It is carnival time in Normandy. Yes, France is still hosting the football European Championships, but many believe there is no sporting event that captures the hearts and minds of the French public better than the Tour de France. The event isn’t just a bicycle race. Aside from being pinnacle of professional racing, it gives the opportunity for [...]
Wimbledon prize money 2016: Novak Djokovic leaves with £80,000 after being dumped out by Sam Querrey in the third round July 2, 2016 Novak Djokovic has exited Wimbledon in the third round — his worst performance for eight years — following a shock loss to American Sam Querrey. Querrey showed superb spirit to knock out the world No1 in four sets, winning 6-7 1-6 6-3 6-7 to progress to the fourth round and match his best-ever performance at the All England [...]
Macbeth at Shakespeare’s Globe theatre review: An unsettling production with some top notch witches July 1, 2016 If you’re uncertain about whether a production of Macbeth is any good, just ask yourself – are the weird sisters sufficiently weird? While magical realism is present in lots of Shakepeare’s plays, it’s intrinsic to Macbeth, driving much of the action. If it’s poorly executed, tragedy quickly slides into farce. In the Globe’s production, the [...]
Formula E more of a sport than Formula 1 suggest DS Virgin Racing Team ahead of London finale in Battersea Park July 1, 2016 Alex Tai has flown jets in the Royal Air Force, worked on space travel, submarines and hot air balloons. So when he says that being team principal of the DS Virgin Racing in Formula E, the electric car racing series, is one of the “most enjoyable jobs I’ve ever had”, you’re inclined to pay attention [...]
Olympics and Euro 2016 sponsors who don’t take risks like Paddy Power’s Nicklas Bendtner stunt will fall behind to smaller businesses July 1, 2016 This summer’s raft of sporting events creates a global platform for businesses to raise their profile with sponsorship deals. But as marketing campaigns get more creative, innovative and technologically advanced, are traditional sponsorship packages at the Olympics, Euros and Wimbledon, staid, safe and a little boring in comparison? A study out this week showed which [...]
Poland 1, Portugal 1 (AET, Portugal win 5-3 on penalties): Wonder-kid Renato Sanches shrugs off criticism as Portuguese reaches Euro semi-finals again July 1, 2016 Portugal wonder-kid Renato Sanches brushed off criticism of his side as they reached the European Championship semi-finals for the fourth time in five tournaments with a shoot-out victory over Poland in Marseille last night. Ex-Chelsea winger Ricardo Quaresma had the final word after former Poland skipper Jakub Blaszczykowski had seen his penalty saved. The evening [...]
Brendan Rodgers becomes latest manager to distance himself from succeeding Roy Hodgson as England boss July 1, 2016 English football chiefs were yesterday forced to cross another potential candidate off their shortlist to replace Roy Hodgson as Three Lions boss as Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers ruled himself out of the running. The process is underway to find a replacement for Hodgson, who quit in the wake of England’s dismal Euro 2016 exit, while [...]