Sam Allardyce set to be appointed England manager after winning race to succeed Roy Hodgson July 20, 2016 Frontrunner Sam Allardyce is set to be confirmed as the new England manager on Thursday after the soon-to-be ex-Sunderland boss won the battle to succeed Roy Hodgson. The appointment of Allardyce, who took charge of the Black Cats’ friendly clash with League Two side Hartlepool United last night, is expected to be ratified at tomorrow’s Football [...]
Belgium v Portugal friendly cancelled following Brussels terror attacks March 23, 2016 Belgium have moved next week's friendly match with Portugal to Leiria following terrorist attacks in Brussels. Plans to hold the game at the King Baudouin Stadium next Tuesday were scrapped on the request of city authorities. Belgium's football association has arranged to play the game in Portugal and has offered to refund fans who bought a [...]
How Chris Coleman used Rafael Benitez’s preferred tactics tool to guide Wales to the semi-finals of Euro 2016 July 7, 2016 With 10 players in his squad playing in England's second or third tiers last season, the onus was on Wales manager Chris Coleman to be a man with a specific tactical plan if his side were to achieve something special at Euro 2016. His side may have fallen narrowly short of the ultimate prize following a 2-0 [...]
Townsend, Rashford and Wilshere named in expanded England Euro 2016 squad May 16, 2016 Newcastle winger Andros Townsend is the surprise name in England provisional squad for this summer's European Championship in France. Teenage Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford and injury-plagued Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere are also in the 26-man party, which will be cut to 23. Wilshere's Gunners colleague Theo Walcott and Everton defenders Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka miss out, while [...]
Liverpool’s Mamadou Sakho out for the season – and maybe longer – after failed drug test April 28, 2016 Liverpool and France defender Mamadou Sakho is set to miss the rest of the season – and could yet be ruled out of Euro 2016 – following his failed drug test. European governing body Uefa today confirmed that it has opened disciplinary proceedings against Sakho and accordingly issued him with a provisional 30-day suspension. If [...]
England v Wales player ratings: Tottenham’s Kyle Walker the star of the show as Roy Hodgson’s gung-ho gamble pays off June 16, 2016 It wasn't easy, it wasn't perfect and it wasn't always pretty but England eventually broke down a stubborn Wales side in Lens to go top of Group B. Following a frustrating first-half, Roy Hodgson gave the gung-ho go-ahead to his side and the gamble paid off. Just. Here's how they rated: Joe Hart – 4 Had little to [...]
Roy Hodgson must build on encouraging displays of Rooney and Lallana to keep England positive for crunch Wales clash June 12, 2016 The worst time at a major tournament – as many in this inexperienced England squad will be discovering now – is the period in between games when you haven’t had the result that you wanted. Normally a team in this position would go back to what they know has got them through previous difficult times, [...]
The effect Brexit will have on football, the Premier League and clubs such as Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and others June 24, 2016 Premier League clubs could be forced to drastically change their approach to the transfer market after Britain voted to leave the EU, with a multitude of current Premier League stars ineligible for the work permits required of non-European Economic Area players. The free movement afforded to European Union citizens has enabled clubs to bring players such as [...]
Euro 2016 most valuable squad: Germany top value ranking ahead of England while Portugal and Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo is most valuable player June 10, 2016 England’s squad for Euro 2016 is the fourth most-valuable in the competition, behind only hosts France, reigning champions Spain and World Cup winners Germany. Roy Hodgson’s 23-man squad has a collective value of £357.8m at an average of £15.6m per player, according to independent database transfermarkt. That makes the Three Lions more valuable than every [...]
Advertising giant WPP beats expectations as Sir Martin Sorrell says he is still bullish on China August 26, 2015 WPP's share price fell more than one per cent this morning, despite beating expectations on both profit and like-for-likes. The figures The advertising giant reported headline profit before tax up 12.1 per cent to £596m – ahead of expectations that it would come in around £590m – and up 13.2 per cent on a constant [...]