Exclusive: Hoddle: Independent academies can nurture kids better than clubs October 8, 2013 Former England boss tells Josh Richards his academy blueprint FORMER England manager Glenn Hoddle has told new Football Association chairman Greg Dyke that a radical overhaul of professional clubs’ academies can be the solution he is seeking to the shortage of homegrown talent breaking into the top flight. Hoddle is today expected to be added [...]
Real Madrid debt far higher than club admit, claims fans’ group October 8, 2013 REAL Madrid have been accused of misleading their supporters over the club’s debt levels and operating an inefficient business by a group representing the Spanish team’s members. The Asociacion por los Valores del Madridismo (Association for Madrid Values) says the club’s total debt is €541m (£457m), not the €91m (£77m) reported by Real president Florentino [...]
Cole to miss crunch World Cup qualifier with rib injury October 7, 2013 ENGLAND manager Roy Hodgson must prepare his side for their most important qualifying matches in six years without their joint-most experienced squad member Ashley Cole, who was forced to withdraw last night because of a rib problem. Cole, winner of 105 international caps, underwent a scan yesterday on the injury suffered during the second-half of [...]
Poyet ready to succeed Di Canio at league strugglers Sunderland October 7, 2013 FORMER Chelsea and Tottenham midfielder Gus Poyet is expected to be confirmed today as the new manager of Premier League strugglers Sunderland. Black Cats chairman Ellis Short has been on the hunt for a new boss after he sacked Paolo Di Canio last month following a tumultuous six-month tenure, which culminated in a 3-0 defeat [...]
Premier League: Wenger hails Wilshere spark as battling Arsenal stay top October 6, 2013 WEST BROMWICH ALBION 1 vs ARSENAL 1 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger praised midfielder Jack Wilshere for bouncing back with an important equaliser at the Hawthorns yesterday, despite being unhappy that the 21-year-old was caught smoking a cigarette last week. The Gunners maintained their 11-match unbeaten run – and position at the top of the Premier [...]
Premier League: Pochettino refuses to get carried away as Saints march to top four October 6, 2013 SOUTHAMPTON 2 vs SWANSEA 0 SOUTHAMPTON boss Mauricio Pochettino urged caution yesterday despite seeing his team propelled into the top four of the Premier League following a hard-fought home win against Swansea. Adam Lallana belted the ball into the roof of the net to open the scoring in the 19th minute, before Jay Rodriguez took [...]
Premier League: Blues supersubs show they’re not to be sniffed at October 6, 2013 NORWICH CITY 1 vs CHELSEA 3 CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho relished a gamble that paid off yesterday after his decision to go for broke snatched a first Premier League away victory of the season from the jaws of defeat at Norwich. The Blues looked vulnerable when midfielder Anthony Pilkington’s header cancelled out Oscar’s fine opener, [...]
Premier League: Allardyce: Now Morrison’s the genius Fergie told me about October 6, 2013 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 0 vs WEST HAM UNITED 3 REFORMED character Ravel Morrison is finally fulfilling the “genius” tag first coined by ex-Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, according to West Ham boss Sam Allardyce. Morrison scored a spectacular solo goal to put the gloss on the Hammers’ first win at White Hart Lane since 1999 [...]
Europa League: Defoe fires way into contention for starting role October 3, 2013 ANZHI MAKHACHKALA 0 vs TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2 TOTTENHAM manager Andre Villas-Boas has hinted Jermain Defoe may earn his first Premier League start of the season in Sunday’s derby with former club West Ham after hitting his seventh goal in four starts last night. The 30-year-old also bagged his 21st goal for Spurs in Europe and [...]
Toffees to prove tough nut to crack again for wounded City October 3, 2013 THERE’S no doubt that Champions League holders Bayern Munich are a team right out of the top drawer but, even so, the way they brushed aside Manchester City on Wednesday night at the Etihad was phenomenal. Pep Guardiola’s side absolutely battered the ragged hosts and a 3-1 scoreline understates their superiority. While it’s been David [...]