Vicente del Bosque has agreed to stay on as Spain coach beyond next year s FIFA World Cup.
Del Bosque s current deal expires after next year s tournament in Brazil and his future has been the subject of much speculation in recent times.
The 62-year-old masterminded Spain s World Cup triumph in South Africa three years ago and their UEFA European Championship success last year.
And the former Real Madrid coach is set to remain in the post until after the 2016 European Championship, having guided Spain to the top of Group I to ensure they will get the chance to be crowned world champions once again next year.
We are agreed, Del Bosque, who was appointed Spain coach in 2008, told Television Espanola.
We get on very well. I really think highly of the national t…
Thomas Muller admits he is wary of meeting Juventus in Wednesday s Champions League last-16 clash after their late comeback against Bayern Munich in the first leg in Turin.
Bayern appeared to be cruising to victory thanks to goals from Muller and Arjen Robben, but last year s finalists responded in the second half to seal a 2-2 draw and keep their hopes of the quarter-finals alive.
Juve have failed to win any of their last five Champions League games with the Bundesliga leaders and Pep Guardiola s side have been in formidable form in the competition at home, winning all of their last nine games at the Allianz Arena, scoring 36 goals and conceding just four.
But Muller has warned his team-mates to be on their guard against Massimiliano Allegri s side in a match�…
Newly promoted Crystal Palace have completed the signing of striker Marouane Chamakh from Arsenal.
The Morocco international joins on a one-year deal for an undisclosed fee after largely failing to establish himself in the first-team squad during a three-year spell at the Emirates.
Chamakh joined Arsenal from Bordeaux in 2010 after scoring 71 goals for the Aquitane club who he helped to the Ligue 1 title under Laurent Blanc in 2009.
However, Chamakh has since scored a mere 14 goals in just 67 appearances for Arsene Wenger s side.
The 29-year-old spent last season on loan at West Ham, but made only three appearances in that stint, with Andy Carroll cementing his place as the Upton Park club s first-choice striker.
Chamakh will now look to revive his career…
Competition: Premier League
Market: Tottenham to win against Newcastle
Odds:
Tottenham Hotspur travel to St James’ Park to face Newcastle United in the Premier League this afternoon, and will fancy their chances of beating the already-relegated Magpies to seal their runners-up spot in the table.
The Londoners are second in the Premier League table with 70 points from 37 games, and are two points clear of third-placed Arsenal. Spurs only realistically need a draw against Newcastle to keep Arsenal from leapfrogging them in the division due to their superior goal difference, but Mauricio Pochettino’s side will want the win.
Tottenham have been struggling for form of late, having dropped points in their last three games, culminating in them losing th…
Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic has told former club Sevilla to be content with winning the Europa League this season as he aims to triumph in Sunday s Copa del Rey final.
Unai Emery s side made history this week as they claimed Europe s secondary competition for the third year in a row with a 3-1 victory over Liverpool in the final in Basle.
Sevilla now turn their attentions to facing holders Barca at the Vicente Calderon as they look to lift the Copa del Rey for the first time since 2010, when they beat Atletico Madrid in the final at Camp Nou.
But Rakitic, who says he will not celebrate if he scores a goal against the club he left in 2014, is determined to secure a second domestic double in a row with Barca.
Of course I have a bit of my heart on t…
Diego Simeone is not worried about Diego Costa s arrival giving Atletico Madrid too many options in attack, as he believes important teams grow because of major players .
Chelsea and Atletico reached an agreement for the transfer of Costa on Thursday, with the unsettled striker reportedly set to cost €60million, depending on bonuses.
The move will see the Spain international return to the club where he rose to prominence in the 2012-13 and 2013-14 campaigns, scoring 56 goals across the two seasons.
When Atletico are able to register Costa in January, he will add to Simeone s significant number of forwards, with Antoine Griezmann, Angel Correa, Kevin Gameiro and Luciano Vietto all in the squad to face Sevilla on Saturday, with Fernando Torres missing this weeke…
World champions Germany and Group C rivals Poland played out a goalless draw at the Stade de France, which leaves both nations in good shape to qualify for the last 16 and eliminates Ukraine from contention.
After opening-match wins, victory on Thursday for either side would have secured a spot in the knockout phase, but for the most part the game failed to capture the imagination.
Indeed, it was not until the opening minute of the second half that the first real opening materialised – Arkadiusz Milik somehow failing to connect with a dangerous Kamil Grosicki cross.
Mario Gotze stung Lukasz Fabianski s palms at the other end, with the Poland goalkeeper also alert to keep out Mesut Ozil.
There was still time for another moment to forget for Milik as h…
Defender Silvio has left Atletico Madrid and signed for Wolves on a one-year contract, with the club holding the option for an additional year.
The Championship club confirmed they have landed the 28-year-old one day after Walter Zenga was announced as the new head coach at Molineux.
Wolves have had a busy off-season, with a takeover by Chinese conglomerate Fosun International now complete and Silvio, a full-back, is their newest addition.
The versatile full back has put pen to paper on a one year contract – with a further year’s option in the club’s favour – having reached a settlement to have his contract cancelled with Champions League runners-up Atletico Madrid, read Wolves statement.
Silvio signed for Atletico in May 2011, winning the Europa…
A-League leaders Brisbane Roar will play host to title rivals Melbourne Victory at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.
Roar have delighted their fans with free-flowing football to occupy top spot in the competition, eight points clear of third-placed Victory.
Mike Mulvey s men showcased their title credentials with a crushing 5-2 win over Sydney FC, while Victory salvaged a point at home to Western Sydney Wanderers thanks to Gui Finker s last-gasp free-kick at AAMI Park.
Brisbane will once again be without star striker Besart Berisha, who is still recovering from a hip injury but veteran Archie Thompson could return for Victory.
The biggest concern for Kevin Muscat s side is their away form with the team yet to win a game outside of Melbourne since March a run of five g…
Andrea Pirlo described Pep Guardiola as a model for the whole football movement and admits he never dreamed he would one day be coaching Cristiano Ronaldo.
Italy great Pirlo has taken his first steps into coaching with Juventus this season and his side have eight points from his four Serie A games in charge.
There are some parallels to be drawn with Guardiola, who cut his managerial teeth at Barcelona – initially with Los Cules B team before going on to oversee one of the greatest sides of any generation with a star-studded cast including Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta.
He consequently went on to coach Bayern Munich before joining Manchester City in 2016 and Pirlo sees Guardiola as an example for any rookie coach.
Guardiola is an …