Forget Leicester City, Southampton and Everton are a better bet for future Premier League success according to new management index May 5, 2016 Newly-crowned champions Leicester City are more likely to mimic Chelsea's collapse than retain the title next season, according to a new report on the management quality at Premier League clubs. Claudio Ranieri's side may have redefined what was previously thought possible, but similar-sized clubs hoping for long-term success should instead look to Southampton and Everton, [...]
Real Madrid 1, Manchester City 0 (Agg: 1-0): Pellegrini blames lack of creativity as City suffer European Bale-out May 4, 2016 Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini rued a lack of creative spark as his side meekly bowed out of the Champions League following an uninspiring showing against 10-time winners Real Madrid. Real set up a repeat of the 2014 final against La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid when former Tottenham forward Gareth Bale’s cross-cum-shot flew beyond City [...]
Chris Tremlett column: The secret life of a domestic cricketer May 4, 2016 I haven't missed playing at all since I announced my retirement in August last year, although that’s more to do with being in quite a lot of pain towards the end of my career due to injuries. With the domestic campaign up and running again, I wanted to give a flavour of what it’s like [...]
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp eager to harness Anfield factor again as Reds bid for Europa League final May 4, 2016 Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has backed his side to stoke the “Liverpool world” by conjuring another Anfield comeback to dispatch Villarreal in Thursday's semi-final second leg and reach the Europa League final. Liverpool trail 1-0 from the first leg after conceding a last-gasp strike from Villarreal substitute Adrian Lopez, although for large parts of their [...]
Mousa Dembele facing extended ban after FA charge Tottenham midfielder with eye-gouging Chelsea’s Diego Costa May 4, 2016 Tottenham midfielder Mousa Dembele is facing a lengthy ban after he was charged with violent conduct by the Football Association (FA) for appearing to gouge Chelsea striker Diego Costa in the eye. The FA emphasised that Dembele’s alleged offence was so severe that, if found guilty, he should be punished more severely than with the [...]
Mercedes deny claims of bias against Lewis Hamilton in bizarre open letter May 4, 2016 Mercedes have hit back at claims they have favoured Nico Rosberg over team-mate Lewis Hamilton this season with a bizarre open letter rebuking “haters, naysayers and conspirators”. Rosberg has won all four races so far this season while Britain’s Hamilton has seen the defence of his title undermined by a series of mechanical failures – [...]
Malt from the Blue: Scotland and Sale scrum-half Chris Cusiter to start Scotch whisky business after announcing retirement from rugby May 4, 2016 Sale Sharks scrum-half Chris Cusiter is set to start a Scotch whisky business in Los Angeles after announcing his retirement. Cusiter joined Sale two years ago following spells with Glasgow Warriors, Border Reivers and Perpignan and has made 12 appearances for Steve Diamond’s side this term. The 33-year-old now intends move into the specialist market [...]
Bayern Munich 2, Atletico Madrid 1 (Agg: 2-2, Atletico win on away goals) Manchester City-bound Pep Guardiola fails to deliver Champions League parting gift May 3, 2016 Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola’s quest to deliver Champions League glory as his leaving gift before joining Manchester City in the summer was destroyed as Atletico Madrid progressed from Tuesday's semi-final second leg on away goals. Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, Bayern levelled the tie through former Liverpool midfielder Xavi Alonso but wasted a golden [...]
Manchester City not fretting over expected return of Cristiano Ronaldo, insists Manuel Pellegrini as he plots pathway to Champions League final May 3, 2016 Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini insists he is not having sleepless nights over the expected return of two-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo as his side bid to reach the Champions League final by toppling Real Madrid. Former Manchester United attacker Ronaldo, who has scored 47 goals – 16 in the Champions League – this term, [...]
Leicester have uncomplicated football and stuck a finger up the nostril of those who think it’s only about talent May 3, 2016 I expect there will be a lot of books read and psychology studied over the summer as their rivals try to understand just how Leicester City have achieved a truly once-in-a-lifetime success. Every other manager will be casting envious glances at the new Premier League champions and reflecting to themselves: “I wish we had that [...]