SPORTS UPDATE

[Edoman]

Champions League: Lampard blasts Chelsea midfielder over “lack of professionalism”




Champions League: Lampard blasts Chelsea midfielder over “lack of professionalism”


Published
 3 hours ago 
on
 November 27, 2019
By
 Ifreke Inyang [url=https://dailypost.ng/2019/11/27/champions-league-lampard-blasts-chelsea-midfielder-over-lack-of-professionalism/dailypostngr][/url]


Chelsea manager, Frank Lampard, has accused Ross Barkley of showing a “lack of professionalism” after he was pictured shirtless in a nightclub during the international break.

It was the second time Barkley had attracted negative headlines in recent months, after he was involved in an incident with a taxi driver earlier this season.

Barkley has been out with an ankle injury over the last few weeks and Lampard says he must knuckle down, after leaving him out of the squad for Wednesday’s Champions League trip to Valencia.

“There are two separate issues; one is the headlines this week. Ross knows how I felt about the first headline. I backed him then and I still back him now. But he showed a lack of professionalism as far as I’m concerned.

“It’s not something that I want to come down hard on, because I understand all my players are humans and have lives. I don’t police every moment of their lives. So I don’t think it’s a terrible thing that he’s done.

“But Ross has had an injury, he’s still kind of carrying an injury, so he just has to work his way back in and train well.

“I certainly don’t hold anything against my players. I like Ross and he needs now to show all his reactions on the pitch,” Lampard said according to Sky Sports.

[Edoman]

Champions League: Chelsea’s squad to face Valencia revealed [Full list]



Chelsea have announced their squad to face Valencia in the UEFA Champions League fixture at the Mestalla Stadium on Wednesday night.

According to Football London, Chelsea manager, Frank Lampard, has released a 19-man travelling party squad to tackle the La Liga side.

Lampard’s side head to the game following a 2-1 defeat to Manchester City in the Premier League last weekend.
Below is Chelsea’s squad against Valencia:


Kepa, Andreas Christensen, Jorginho, N’Golo Kante, Tammy Abraham, Willian, Pedro, Willy Caballero, Kurt Zouma, Mateo Kovacic, Olivier Giroud, Mason Mount, Christian Pulisic, Michy Batshuayi, Reece James, Cesar Azpilicueta, Fikayo Tomori, Jamie Cumming, Emerson.


The kick-off time for the match is 6:55pm.

[Edoman]

Tammy Abraham was taken straight to hospital on Wednesday night after damaging his stomach during Chelsea's Champions League clash with Valencia.



The England striker landed awkwardly on Ezequiel Garay at the end of the first half and was in obvious pain as he limped off the pitch.

He had to be taken off on a stretcher at the Mestalla before going to hospital instead of receiving treatment in the dressing room.

Screenshot_20191127214332
Abraham 'taken straight to hospital' after damaging his stomach in Valencia draw

Joe Cole said in the BT Sport stuido: 'That's a sore one. He's in a lot of pain. Tammy is not the type of lad, it will take a big incident for him not to play, he loves playing football.'

Glenn Hoddle added: 'If it's a hip injury then it's going to be complicated but you just hope it's not internal like a problem with his kidney or something like that but he did look in absolute agony.'


https://www.reportminds.com/2019/11/abraham-rushed-to-hospital-after.html?m=1

[Edoman]

Portuguese youngster Joao Felix named 2019 Golden Boy winner ahead of Jadon Sancho and Kai Havertz









Portuguese and Atletico Madrid superstar, Joao Felix has won the Golden Boy award for 2019 ahead of Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho and Bayer Leverkusen's Kai Havertz. 
 
The 20-year-old youngster earned global recognition after scoring 18 goals last season for his former club Benfica . His outstanding performances earned him a £113million move to Spanish football club, Atletico Madrid earlier this summer.
 
On being named the 2019 Golden Boy winner, Felix said: 'Thanks to Tuttosport for the Golden Boy Award 2019, I am very proud.
 
'It is the second time that a player from Atletico Madrid has won this award and I am happy.
 
'Thanks also to Benfica, in particular to coach Bruno Lage for all he has done for me and my family that is always close to me.'
 
Borussia Dortmund and England footballer, Sancho finished as runner-up for the prize.
 
SEE PAST GOLDEN BOY WINNERS BELOW.
 
2003: Rafael van der Vaart
2004: Wayne Rooney
2005: Lionel Messi
2006: Cesc Fabregas
2007: Sergio Aguero
2008: Anderson
2009: Alexandre Pato 
2010: Mario Balotelli 
2011: Mario Gotze
2012: Isco
2013: Paul Pogba
2014: Raheem Sterling
2015: Anthony Martial
2016: Renato Sanches 
2017: Kylian Mbappe
2018: Mattijs de Ligt 

[Edoman]

Man United include 19 year old Max Taylor in Europa League squad barely nine months after undergoing chemotherapy and battling cancer 



               


Manchester United football club of England have included youngster Max Taylor in it's 19-man Europa league squad to face Astana on Thursday, barely nine months after the player went through chemotherapy.
 

 
                 
 
Taylor, 19, was diagnosed with cancer in February before undergoing intensive chemotherapy and miraculously last month the defender made an emotional return to the club's U23 side, earning the praise of his teammates and his manager, Ole Gunnaer Solksjaer in the process.


Manchester United have already qualified for the next stage of the Europa league, and Soksjaer wanted to give some youngsters some playing time in the Europa, so included Taylor's name in the squad after playing for a month in the Under 23 side and coming through unscathed.


Taylor, who changed his surname from Dunne, joined the club in 2014 following a successful trial - and Solksjaer is impressed with his attitude and determination after coming through such a dark period to carry on his progress as a footballer.


Taylor, who still visits other cancer patients at Manchester's Christie hospital, said: 'The position I was in this time last year, I was in my first few weeks where I had chemotherapy, I wouldn't have thought, a year on, I'd be travelling with the first team.

'It doesn't matter what the environment is like, just being out there is massive. It's been a dream since I can remember ever kicking a ball - being a Manchester United first-team player,' Taylor told United's website.

'Obviously, Ole has given quite a few of us the opportunity to travel with the team and, hopefully, a few of us will get a game.'


Teenagers joining Taylor in Kazakhstan include 17-year-old centre half Teden Mengi, 18-year-old midfielder James Garner, winger Tahith Chong, attacking midfielder Angel Gomes and striker Greenwood.
 

[Edoman]

The ‘little fat pig’ Andy Ruiz Jr who murdered every doughnut in California will beat Anthony Joshua again- Tyson Fury says ahead of rematch



               


Former boxing heavyweight champion of the world, Tyson Fury has backed current heavyweight champion of the world, Andy Ruiz Jr in his fight against Anthony Joshua this December.
 

 
Mexican-American Ruiz stunned the boxing world when he beat the formerly undefeated Joshua in 7 rounds on June 6 and both fighters will square off in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on the 6th of December in what has been tagged 'the clash of the dunes'
 
With about 40m dollars up to be shared between both fighters and the pair set to put the WBA, WBO and IBF titles on the line, Fury, still undefeated as a boxer, who watched the contest with a keen interest, believes the belts will be going back to Ruiz.
 
I see it going pretty much similar to the first fight,” Fury said on the True Geordie podcast. 
“Now, I know they’ve both lost some weight and whatever and they’ve had more time to prepare and they’ve changed a few things in the training team and the training camp.
“And they will have different game plans and different approaches, but Mike Tyson said it and it is very true; ‘Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.’
"And it is so true because you can be working on something for ages and then you work on it, work on it, work on it and then you get tagged.
“And that’s it; you go back to how you once was and you want to fight and that’s exactly what I see happening.'
 
Fury also claimed Ruiz doesn't need to be as physically trimmed as Joshua to beat him, saying body shape is not necessary in heavyweight boxing.
There’s three rules to boxing; train hard, eat well and get your rest,” Fury added.
“Especially for heavyweights, there’s nothing else. Because when you want to start implementing all these different technologies into your game – improvements, 1% here and there – it’s a load of s***e to be honest with you.
“Andy Ruiz, let’s just use him because he’s a great example, little fat pig who comes in on three weeks notice. Murdered every doughnut and taco in California and then goes in with a man who’s had a 12-week training camp with every sports scientist in the United Kingdom.
And whatever else he has done, he’s broken every heart monitor in sight, he’s done every cross-fit machine, he’s done everything totally correct and he’s had the best nutrition and the best diet you can get.
“But the little fat fella goes in there and bowls him over in seven rounds. How do all those scientist look at me then and say ‘this is better, this is how you should do it’? Because they can’t.
“Because it is still one-on-one combat and anything can happen.
 
When asked if Joshua was ‘wasting his money’, Fury replied: “It’s all mental, it’s all in the mind.
"I believe if you get all those people and if you think, and if you believe, that they are going to improve you then they probably will.
“But I believe there is no substitute for hard work and dedication for the job and that is it.
“And now when my nutritionist says ‘we want you to eat this or that’ I say ‘No, I’m’ going to have a Mars bar, a chocolate biscuit and a cup of coffee with ten sugars.’
“Because it’s not going to alter my performance because I am a heavyweight and if you’ve got anything to say about it, go and watch the Andy Ruiz vs Anthony Joshua fight.”

[Edoman]

Champions League: Klopp speaks to Liverpool fans after disappointing 1-1 draw with Napoli

Published
 3 hours ago 
on
 November 28, 2019
By
 John Owen Nwachukwu


Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has apologised to the club’s fans following his team’s disappointing 1-1 draw in the Champions League against Napoli on Wednesday.

Liverpool were held to a 1-1 draw at Anfield on Wednesday night, with Dejan Lovren equalising in the second half after Dries Mertens had put the visitors ahead thanks to a fine finish.

The result has left the Champions League holders needing victory in their last group game at RB Salzburg on December 10 to top the group.

Klopp has said sorry to Liverpool supporters that were hoping for a pre-Christmas holiday in Austria.
“It is still open, the group is still open,’ the Reds manager BT Sport.

“It’s ok, not ideal, but ok.
“I don’t want to say we need intensity in every game, but now we have it already – can you tell me in all my time here when it was easy.

“Last year we had to win 1-0 against Napoli in the final game, and I can not remember a bigger pressure than that.
“I know how human beings are and I am sure they were hoping we could win here so we could make a holiday game in Salzburg or something like that.

“But it didn’t happen, I am sorry – really it never happens. There is always something on it.”

[Edoman]

Champions League: What Tammy Abraham said after being injured in Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Valencia




Chelsea striker, Tammy Abraham has allayed fears he had suffered a serious problem during their 2-2 draw with Valencia last night.

Abraham suffered a painful hip injury during the Champions League clash.

He landed awkwardly on Ezequiel Garay at the end of the first half and was in obvious pain as he limped off the pitch.

He had to be taken off on a stretcher at the Mestalla, but while initial reports suggested he had gone to hospital, the 22-year-old received treatment inside the dressing room.

“I got in and was able to walk again, move about, so I’m thankful and hopefully it’s not too long,” he told BT Sport.
“I hope so [bruising]. I’ll have a scan or x-ray tomorrow to see what the news is but hopefully it is just bruising.

 It was a knee to my hip area, so hopefully it’s nothing too serious.”

[Edoman]

Lionel Messi breaks Champions League record as Barcelona star leapfrogs his arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo









Lionel Messi has set a new milestone for himself after he scored in Barcelona's 3-1 victory against Borussia Dortmund in their Champions League clash on Wednesday night. 
 
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner who was level on 33 goals with his arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo, set a new record by scoring against his 34th in Europe's top competition.
 
The win for Barcelona, saw the Spanish giants seal the top spot in Group F and their progression to the Champions League round of 16.
 
See the top ten goal scorers below.
 
Lionel Messi - 34
Cristiano Ronaldo - 33
Karim Benzema - 29 
Thomas Muller - 25
Zlatan Ibrahimovic - 25
Robert Lewandowski - 24
Sergio Aguero - 23
Didier Drogba - 22
Arjen Robben - 20
Samuel Eto'o - 19 

[Edoman]

Martinez, Lukaku sink Slavia to keep Inter’s knockout hopes alive



Inter Milan’s Belgian forward Romelu Lukaku (L), Inter Milan’s Argentinian forward Lautaro Martinez and Inter Milan’s Spanish midfielder Borja Valero celebrate scoring during the UEFA Champions League football match SK Slavia Prague v Inter Milan in Prague, Czech Republic on November 27, 2019. (Photo by Michal CIZEK / AFP)


A brace from Lautaro Martinez and a Romelu Lukaku goal handed Inter Milan a 3-1 win at Slavia Prague on Wednesday, keeping the Italians in contention for the Champions League last 16.

Inter are level with Borussia Dortmund on seven points each in Group F topped by Barcelona who clinched a last-16 spot after beating the Germans 3-1 at the Camp Nou.


“The win is important for us, we had no choice but to win,” said Inter coach Antonio Conte.

“We knew what to expect, the forward duo was decisive and I’m very happy for them,” he added.


In the last round of games on December 10, Interface Barcelona at the San Siro while Dortmund host Slavia.
“We gave meaning to this match against Barca by winning,” said Conte.


“We are expecting a great match, hard, but we know that we can count on 80,000 people who will come to the stadium to push us. That was what we wanted.”


Martinez opened the scoring on nineteen minutes after Lukaku had picked up a pass, fought off two challenges and took the ball into the box before cutting it back to the unmarked Argentinian.


Martinez scored for the fourth consecutive Champions League game for Inter.


Tomas Soucek levelled for Slavia from the penalty spot in the 37th minute after Stefan de Vrij had brought down striker Peter Olayinka in the box.


Polish referee Szymon Marciniak first ignored the foul and let play continue with Lukaku scoring on the counter-attack before seeing his goal chalked off as the video referee took centre stage.


Lukaku added Inter’s second nine minutes from the end after Slavia’s last man Michal Frydrych slipped and let him round keeper Ondrej Kolar.


Martinez then volleyed home his second as Lukaku robbed the Slavia defence and provided him with a superb cross in the 88th minute.


‘Two excellent forwards’


Outside of the four goals, Slavia had the first sight of the target on five minutes when Josef Husbauer narrowly missed with a header.


Inter’s first shot came from Martinez whose low shot across the goal narrowly went the wrong side of Kolar’s left post.


After Inter’s opener, Slavia put the Nerazzurri under pressure, but Frydrych headed wide and Lukas Masopust just missed the top left corner of Samir Handanovic’s goal.


Inter were on the front foot early into the second half, but they failed to produce a decent chance at first.


On the other side, Handanovic had a hard time clearing a deflected Masopust shot over the crossbar and Slavia’s second-half substitute Ibrahim Traore missed narrowly.


Moments later, Lukaku sent his header onto the crossbar and Marcelo Brozovic then followed suit with a volley halfway into the second half.


Five minutes later Masopust intercepted a pass and sprinted down the centre but failed to beat Handanovic one-on-one.


“The game went the wrong way, we had many losses during the game and Inter, leaning on two excellent forwards, could capitalise on that,” said Slavia coach Jindrich Trpisovsky.


“Inter’s performance improved in the second half and ours was getting worse. In fact, they could have scored the decider much earlier.”

[Edoman]

Kane keen to build strong relationship with Mourinho at Spurs



Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane hopes the club’s winning start under new manager Jose Mourinho can help forge a strong relationship between the pair and lead to trophies.

Mourinho’s first home game as Spurs boss suffered a shocking start, ending happily, though, as Kane scored a brace that helped his team come from behind to beat Olympiakos Piraeus 4-2 and reach the Champions League last 16 on Tuesday.

That win came after a 3-2 Premier League victory at West Ham United in the Portuguese manager’s first match in charge following the sacking of Mauricio Pochettino last week.

“When you are winning, it definitely helps your relationship. Hopefully, we can build a strong relationship,” Kane told the British media.

“It’s early days. We have a good relationship so far. We talk; we try and help the team … Me being one of the leaders in the team he looks to me for feelings and advice on the team.”

Kane previously said Tottenham had found a “proven winner” in Mourinho as they bid to end 11-year title drought.
The former Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Manchester United boss has claimed 25 major honours, but that record will be put to the test at Spurs, who have not won a title since the 2008 League Cup.

“We know we both want to win big competitions. That’s the team’s aim, my aim and the manager’s aim. Hopefully, I can help him do that this year and see where we can go,” Kane said.

“He’s had two games. So far it’s been about trying to save energy, not trying to work too much with the players because of the games.

“But we obviously have a long season ahead so I’m sure we will get to know each other well over the next few weeks and implement what he wants on our team.”

Tottenham, who are 10th in the Premier League with 17 points, host Bournemouth on Saturday.

[Edoman]

Man City owners snap up Mumbai City as global empire grows




English Premier League football club Manchester City and City Football Group (CFG) CEO Ferran Soriano ® and India’s Football Sports Development Ltd chairperson Nita Ambani attend an event in Mumbai on November 28, 2019. – Manchester City’s parent company City Football Group announced on November 28 that it had bought a majority stake in Mumbai City, expanding its global empire of teams. (Photo by Indranil MUKHERJEE / AFP)

Manchester City’s parent company City Football Group announced on Thursday that it had bought a majority stake in Mumbai City, expanding its global empire of teams.

The Premier League club tweeted that CFG was delighted to welcome the Indian club to its “family of clubs”.
“City Football Group (CFG) has agreed on a deal to acquire a majority stake in its eighth club, Mumbai City FC in the Indian Super League, marking a major move into Indian football,” the group said in a statement.

“CFG will become the 65 percent majority shareholder of the club, alongside existing shareholders, acclaimed actor and film producer, Ranbir Kapoor and Bimal Parekh who combined will hold the remaining 35 percent of shares.”

Other clubs in the CFG stable include New York City, Melbourne City, Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan and Girona FC in Spain.

“We believe that this investment will deliver transformative benefits to Mumbai City FC, to City Football Group and to Indian football as a whole,” said CFG chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak.

“City Football Group is committed to the future of football in India and to the potential for Mumbai City FC within that future.”

Manchester City have won the Premier League title four times since Abu Dhabi United Group, the investment vehicle owned by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, took over the club.

They have enjoyed 11 successive years of financial growth and earlier this month reported record revenue of £535.2 million (628.6 million euros) last season.

They are sitting third in the Premier League table and reached the knockout stages of the Champions League on Tuesday.

[Edoman]

NFF queries Gernot Rohr over alleged ‘breaches of contract’



Nigeria’s German coach Gernot Rohr . / AFP PHOTO / PIUS UTOMI EKPEI

• Explains delay in paying players’ bonuses

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) yesterday revealed that it has queried Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr over alleged several breaches of the contract he signed with the body, which forbids him to divulge to the public/media information on some aspects of the contract.
 
NFF’s Technical Director, Bitrus Bewarang said in Abuja yesterday that Rohr’s new-found love for disclosing information beyond technical matters to the media is highly unprofessional and against the spirit and letter of his contractual relationship with the football–ruling body.
 
“In as much as we appreciate the work that Mr. Rohr has been doing with the Super Eagles in the past 40 months, his recent penchant for breaching provisions of the contract he signed with the NFF and the Code of Conduct for coaches is not good for the relationship.

 
“The NFF wishes that Mr. Rohr continues in the job because of the team he is building for Nigeria, which looks promising and has earned some good results since he took charge, but he cannot continue to nonchalantly cause the NFF as a body, and Nigeria as a nation, reputational damage through his utterances and actions,” Bewarang said.
 
Bewarang, who was assistant to Clemens Westerhof when the Super Eagles qualified Nigeria for her first-ever FIFA World Cup and won the Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia in 1994, pinpointed Clause N of the Code of Conduct for coaches, which states that “coaches must not by their actions or inaction cause NFF or the Federal Government of Nigeria any harm, reputational damage or embarrassment, nor do anything directly or indirectly to undermine their contract with the NFF.”He added, “Coaches must not misrepresent the NFF or distort information to the media. They are precluded from imparting unauthorized information to the media.”
 
Bewarang also denied that the federation has not met its obligations to Rohr in terms of salary and other entitlements, adding, however, “as at today, the only money that the NFF is owing Mr. Rohr is the differential in his new contract (about $30,000) which our financial advisors have to align and interface with AITEO before payment (as the improved contract came into effect in the last half of the year), and which process was concluded on Friday last week. He will soon be paid.”

He explained the delay in paying the players’ bonus for the AFCON 2021 qualifiers against Benin Republic and Lesotho, saying, “we are in the process of negotiating with the players on a new template of bonus payments based on performance after qualification for championships. This is still being discussed.
 
“The NFF is very much alive to its responsibilities but will not tolerate disrespect for the body and the country Nigeria by anyone. NFF can never be happy owing coaches in its employ, which is the reason why the present administration took the unprecedented step of putting in place a sponsor specifically to pay coaches’ salaries.”The technical director revealed that the NFF paid all the national team coaches their salaries last week, adding, “We are putting in place mechanism to ensure we don’t owe them going forward.” 

[Edoman]

The International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) AWARDS 2019



THE WORLD’S BEST PLAYMAKER 2019



LIONEL MESSI SOVEREIGN !



Lionel Messi won his fourfh Award of The World’s Best Playmaker after 2015, 2016 and 2017 with a runaway victory of 214 points before Belgium’s leaders Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard !

Football experts in 90 countries from all continents were again impressed by the regular performances of the Genius Messi, who holds the all-time record of the IFFHS most Awards, 10 in 9 years !

Lionel Messi is not only a Playmaker, he is also a Top Goal Scorer (4 Awards as Top Division Goal Scorer and 2 as Internatioanl Top Goal Scorer).

He joined Xavi, also winner of 4 Playmaker Awards at the first place in this category before Iniesta (2), Zidane, Modric, Kaka and Kroos (all 1) !



THE WORLD’S BEST PLAYMAKER 2019 (by IFFHS)

Ranking Name Country Club Points

1 Lionel MESSI Argentina FC Barcelona 299
2 Kevin DE BRUYNE Belgium FC Manchester City 85
3 Eden HAZARD Belgium FC Chelsea/Real Madrid CF 55
4 Roberto FIRMINO Brazil FC Liverpool 46
5 Bernardo SILVA Portugal FC Manchester City 32
6 Dusan TADIC Serbia FC Ajax Amsterdam 30
7 Frenkie DE JONG Netherlands FC Ajax Amsterdam/FC Barcelona 25
8 Christian ERIKSEN Denmark Tottenham Hotspurs 21
9 Antoine GRIEZMANN France Atlético Madrid/FC Barcelona 20
10 Georginio WIJNALDUM Netherlands FC Liverpool 17
11 Luka MODRIC Croatia Real Madrid CF 15
12 Miralem PJANIC Bosnia FC Juventus 11
13 Mohamed SALAH Egypt FC Liverpool 8
14 Riyad Karim MAHREZ Algeria FC Manchester City 6
14 Paul POGBA France FC Manchester United 6
16 Hakim ZIYECH Morocco FC Ajax Amsterdam 5
17 THIAGO Alcantara Spain FC Bayern München 3
18 Ismael BENNACER Algeria AC Milan 2
19 Ignacio FERNANDEZ Argentina FC River Plate 1
19 Lorenzo INSIGNE Italy SSC Napoli 1
19 Sunil CHHETRI India FC Bengaluru 1
19 Pablo SARABIA Spain Paris SG 1

https://iffhs.de/iffhs-awards-the-worlds-best-playmaker-2019-lionel-messi-argentinafc-barcelona/

[Edoman]

David Beckham plans to make Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira first head coach of his newly created club Inter Miami




             


Former Manchester United, Real Madrid and PSG player David Beckham plans to sign former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieria as the head coach of his new US club franchise, Inter Miami, and is set to enter advanced negotiations with the former Arsenal player.
 
             
 
According to the Daily Telegraph, David Beckham who has been involved with the Florida-based club since 2014, after his retirement at LA Galaxy, and is part of the Miami Freedom Park LLC ownership group, has put Vieira as his number one target.
 
Inter Miami have considered a number of other people to employ including Belgium's Roberto Martinez and River Plate’s Marcelo Gallardo, but Vieira is the preferred choice by Beckham.
 
Vieira has been in charge of Nice since June 2018, but his team lost 2-1 at Lyon on Saturday.
 
According to the Daily Telegraph;
"David Beckham is lining up Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira to become the first ever head coach of Inter Miami.
 
Vieira is currently in charge of Nice in France but is now emerging as the No. 1 choice to manage Beckham’s Major League Soccer newcomers.
 
The 43-year-old has been headhunted by Miami to take charge of their debut season in the MLS and the expansion club are prepared to pay Nice compensation to secure him as their new head coach.
 
Inter Miami have considered a number of other potential managers, including Belgium's Roberto Martinez and River Plate’s Marcelo Gallardo, but Vieira is the ambitious choice. 
 
Vieira has been in charge of Nice since June 2018, guiding them to seventh place in his first campaign. This season they are currently 15th in Ligue 1, losing 2-1 at Lyon on Saturday.
''It is understood that he has held talks this week with the Nice board, who are aware of Miami's interest."
 
 

[Edoman]

NFF to review match bonus payment structure for Super Eagles players




      


The body responsible for the organization of football in Nigeria, the Nigeria Football Federation has stated it is currently reviewing the way of payment and amount of payment given to the Super Eagles players as bonus for matches.
 
The Super Eagles are currently receiving $15,000 as bonus per tournament and $10,000 for other national engagements, this is different from money received from government, politicians and well meaning Nigerians to the team, and the NFF is in discussions with the players and their agents to renegotiate the bonus payments according to NFF technical director, Bitrus Bewarang.

Gernot Rohr’s men top Group L of the 2021 AFCON qualifying with six points after winning their opening two games against Benin and Lesotho but weren't given bonus payments for those two qualifiers as the NFF tries to modify the payment structure to be based on performance and not just appearance for the Super Eagles players.
 
“The present NFF started the policy of paying players a percentage of tournament bonuses during the 2018 FIFA World Cup just to motivate them, outside their bonuses and allowances,” Bitrus Bewerang stated.
 
“We did not pay any bonus for the 2021 AFCON qualifying matches against Benin Republic and Lesotho because we are in the process of negotiating with the players on a new template of bonus payments based on performance after qualification for championships. This is still being discussed.”

[Edoman]

Man United close in on record £70m-A-Year-Shirt sponsorship deal with Haier Group




             


Manchester United are close to signing a mouth watering  £70m-A-Year-Shirt Sponsorship Deal With Haier Group, replacing Chevrolet as the club's main shirt sponsors.
 
The Red Devils have used American car company, Chevrolet as their main kit sponsor on their kits since the start of the 2014-15 season after agreeing a huge deal worth around £450m in 2012 worth about 67m pounds per year and it is the biggest shirt sponsorship deal in world football.
 
But according to the SUN UK, the Red Devils under increasing pressure due to new shirt deals signed by Liverpool and Manchester City are in advanced negotiations with Haier Group, and executives from the club have held high level talks with the Chinese company about replacing their current sponsors.
 
The SUN UK report also states that senior representatives of the company have held talks at United’s London base over the last few days for a £70m-per-season deal.
 
Both sides are close to an agreement, but Man U will wait a little for other offers and see if Chevrolet will up their current deal.
“United’s sponsorship process has become an industry benchmark,” an industry source told The Sun .
“Their shirt is one of the most valuable assets in world sport.”

[Edoman]

EPL: Pochettino breaks silence after being sacked by Tottenham

 November 28, 





Former Tottenham boss, Mauricio Pochettino, has issued a first statement since his sacking as the manager of the club nine days ago.
The Argentine was dismissed by the club after five and a half years and just four months since guiding them to their first ever Champions League final.


Tottenham begun the season in poor form, winning just three of 12 league games to leave them in 14th – and 11 points off the top four – prompting chairman Daniel Levy to make a decision he was “extremely reluctant” to make.

Jose Mourinho was appointed as his successor less than 12 hours later, going on to win his opening two games in charge.

A statement, via the League Managers’ Association, read, “I would like to thank Joe Lewis and Daniel Levy for giving me the opportunity to be part of Tottenham Hotspur’s history.


“I would like to thank also everyone I met at Tottenham, all the club staff and the football players during these five and a half years.

“Finally I would like to give a special mention to the fans who make this club so great with their fantastic support.
“I gave the best of me to accomplish the objectives I was asked for in our first meeting. There were equally tough challenges as exciting success.


“Best wishes for the future, I am sure we will cross paths again.”



SPORT

[Edoman]

SPORT
EPL: Willian sends warning message to David Luiz





Chelsea star Willian, has said that he will not hesitate to nutmeg David Luiz when the pair meet next month.


Chelsea and Arsenal face each other another in the Premier League next month and Willian is not planning to take it easy on his Brazilian teammate.


Luiz sealed a surprise switch from Chelsea to Arsenal last summer in an £8m deal.

He had two spells with Chelsea with Willian present during both periods that has seen them win the Champions League, Europa League and FA Cup together.

And despite also being good pals from the national team, Willian admits there’s no loyalties when it comes to facing one another.


Willian warned Luiz, who is not stranger to a nutmeg, to keep his legs closed when coming up against him.


“I’ve faced him a few times, he for Chelsea, me for Shakhtar, me for Chelsea, he for PSG,” he told Globo Esporte.

“Now it’s he for Arsenal. He’s a brother that I have, we met at the age of eight.


“But on the pitch… there’s no way. If I have to nutmeg him, I will.”



SPORT

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EPL: Arsenal identify another Premier League manager as Emery’s replacement

 November 28, 2019





Arsenal have identified Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo as Unai Emery’s replacement at The Emirates, according to Daily Mail.

The newspaper reports that Santo is the leading contender to take over the reins of the Emirate Stadium.


Arsenal chiefs are weighing up Emery’s future at the north London side on a game by game basis following their winless run in the Premier League.

According to the report, the Arsenal board have been impressed with Santo’s success at Wolves after he won the Championship title in 2017-18 before leading them to a seventh-placed finish last term.

The Daily Mail added that Santo’s agent Jorge Mendes already has a long-standing relationship with Arsenal head of football Raul Sanllehi.


Arsenal are in eighth place in the Premier League table and a point adrift of fifth-placed Wolves following their 2-2 draw with Southampton last weekend


SPORT