“It would be euphoric” – Everton chiefs make emotional play to lure Wayne Rooney back to Merseyside February 28, 2017 Everton have launched an unabashed charm offensive to lure Wayne Rooney back to Goodison Park, with manager Ronald Koeman insisting the England striker can play at the top level for three more years. Rooney looks increasingly likely to leave Manchester United in the summer, 13 years after his £26m arrival, having seen his role diminish [...]
Surrey all-rounder Tom Curran “giddy” after maiden senior England call-up February 28, 2017 Surrey all-rounder Tom Curran admitted he was “giddy” after being added to England’s one-day squad for their Caribbean tour as injury cover for Nottinghamshire quick Jake Ball. The 21-year-old Cape Town-born seamer was informed of his call-up by national selector James Whitaker hours after featuring for the England Lions in their defeat to Sri Lanka [...]
UEFA Champions League auction: BT and Sky prepare bids but could others come to the party? February 28, 2017 BT and Sky will go head-to-head in a near billion pound battle over the UK television rights for European Champions League football. A tender process kicks off with bids needing to be in tomorrow to secure the rights that also include the Europa League and will run for three years starting from the 2018/19 season. BT Sport is the incumbent provider [...]
Spot The Difference: Claudio Ranieri And The CEOs Being Kicked Out Of The FTSE100 February 28, 2017 What's the difference between Claudio Ranieri and the chief executives of the companies at the bottom of the FTSE100? That's easy. The latter aren't Italian, don't get nicknamed the Tinkerman and haven't won trophies lately. They are also still in their jobs. On the field, Ranieri, the manager who won international acclaim for achieving a 100-year-first [...]
Jurgen Klopp must go back to the drawing board to fix soft touch Liverpool, whose season is heading for almighty failure February 28, 2017 Jurgen Klopp seemed clueless as to the reasons behind his team’s slump when he was interviewed on Monday night, moments after Liverpool had been comprehensively beaten 3-1 by Leicester. It was the latest setback in a dramatic decline in results since the turn of the year. Having won 17 of their first 23 games of [...]
Jonny Brownlee interview: I’m sick of being the nearly man, it’s time to emerge from Alistair’s shadow February 28, 2017 Seeing older brother Alistair carry his younger sibling over the finish line might be one of sport’s most endearing images, but for Jonny Brownlee it remains a source of considerable embarrassment. Jonny was a matter of metres from claiming his second world triathlon title in Cozumel, Mexico in September when heat stroke and exhaustion kicked in, [...]
Former Saracens boss Brendan Venter could have set a precedent with remarkable Italy “ruckgate” tactic against England February 28, 2017 One can only speculate on what was said in the home dressing room deep beneath Twickenham’s West Stand on Sunday afternoon. After the first half’s bemusing events, themselves the result of a considered Italian strategy, England eventually hauled their way back into the match before recording a 36-15 victory. Brendan Venter, Italy’s defence coach, employed [...]
Next Liverpool CEO Peter Moore signals new direction for the club – six things you need to know February 28, 2017 As their team nursed the wounds of a bruising 3-1 defeat to Leicester City on Monday night, Liverpool made an announcement that could have much further-reaching implications than a disappointing loss in the league. The club revealed that from June its new chief executive will be Peter Moore, currently chief competition officer at video game giants Electronic [...]
Seamer Jake Ball a doubt for England’s one-day series, although opener Alex Hales returns February 28, 2017 England seamer Jake Ball could be forced out of his side’s one-day series against West Indies after suffering a knee injury during Monday’s final warm-up clash in St Kitts. The 25-year-old, who played all three of England’s 50-over matches against India in January, limped from the field following the first delivery of his third over [...]
Leicester City 3, Liverpool 1: Ranieri-less Foxes summon spirit of 2016 as Klopp slams Reds February 27, 2017 Leicester caretaker manager Craig Shakespeare insisted the strength of criticism his players received following the sacking of Claudio Ranieri provoked the retaliation witnessed in victory against Liverpool. Goal-shy Foxes forward Jamie Vardy rediscovered his Premier League scoring touch after seven barren matches by netting twice, either side of a Danny Drinkwater stunner, while Philippe Coutinho [...]