Zlatan Ibrahimovic has not been offered a new contract at Manchester United. The Swede who scored 28 goals, delivered 8 assists and 3 trophies agreed a one-year contract, with the club but his contract ahs not bee renewed and he will be out of contract by June 30. The 35 year-old who suffered a knee ligament injury in April became the oldest ever player to reach 15 goals in a Premier League season. His one season at the club saw him winning the Europa League, League Cup , Community Shield
Borussia Dortmund appoint Peter Bosz as new coach.
Borussia Dortmund have announced the appointment of Peter Bosz as their new coach, on a two-year deal. The former Dutch football midfielder Peter Bosz has been in charge of four clubs since the start of 2016; namely: Vitesse Maccabi, Tel Aviv, Ajax Borussia Dortmund Nomad. He replaces Thomas Tuchel who left the club a week ago after two years in charge amid a clash with the club’s CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke.
“Borussia Dortmund is one of the largest clubs in Europe, and it is a great honour to manage this club. You only get to know your players properly when you train with them. We want to play good football & be successful together.” The 53 year-old said.
Real Madrid become the first team in the CL Era to win back to back titles!
Real Madrid wrote another glorious chapter in their history when they beat Juventus 4-1 to become the first team to defend a UCL trophy after a thrilling encounter at the National Stadium of Wales. The only team who attained that feat was AC Milan 27 years ago. On the scoresheet for tonight’s game were Cristiano Ronaldo who scored a double, Marco Asensio, Casemiro and Juventus’ Mandzukic whose scissors kick sent the football world into a frenzy. Unfortunately the team couldn’t go beyond that, the final moments of the game was very embarrassing for the team as well.
The Los Blancos also created history by scoring their 500th goal in the Champions League – the first team in the history of the Champions League to attain the mark. Thanks to a strike by Cristiano Ronaldo. The Spanish club have won 3 Champions League trophies in the last 4 seasons. Tonight’s trophy is their 12th European Cup/Champions League trophy, five more than any other side.
Barca unveil Ernesto Valverde as new coach
Retired Spanish footballer, Ernesto Valverde has been named the new manager of Barcelona FC. He signed his contract alongside president Bartomeu and sporting vice president Jordi Mestre. The former Barcelona player who is replacing Luis Enrique was officially presented at a press conference today.
“I feel a great responsibility at this great club, it’s a challenge. It’s a privilege to be at FC Barcelona and that shows great confidence in me. It’s one of the best challenges, of that I have no doubt. My idea is to deepen that characteristic style that Barça has.
When a team like FC Barcelona calls you, you don’t have to think about it too much. I consider Iniesta to be a very important player for the team and for the Club – he can still bring a lot out on the field.
My idea is to have a fluid relationship with the B team, to see players getting better day by day to come up to the first team. “Luis Enrique is a high quality coach, he has achieved great things here. “It is the most difficult challenge in my career but also the most attractive. I feel confident. In my career as a player I had great coaches: Cruyff, Irureta, Heynckes, Clemente…You always take something from each one. Managing Barça will be the biggest challenge of my career
Man City sign Ederson from Benfica
Benfica confirm they have received €40 million fee for goalkeeper Ederson from Manchester City. The contract which has been tagged the second most expensive goalkeeper deal in history is for 5 years. ‘s Recall that Gianlugi Buffon’s transfer in 2001 was £33m / €53m Ederson‘s transfer in 2017: £33.4m is 40m
The 23 year-old Brazilian was in Manchester on Monday and was spotted at the club;s training ground on Tuesday where he was to complete a medical. He is expected to conduct interviews with the club’s in-house media channels. His official confirmation will be announced in the coming days.
Atletico Madrid's transfer ban has been upheld.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport has rejected Atletico Madrid‘s appeal against their transfer ban. The Spanish club’s hopes of signing players this summer have been dashed as they won’t be able to sign players until January 2018!
Full Statement from Atletico Madrid.
After the Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS) partially estimated the appeal filed by Atletico Madrid against the sanction imposed by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee in the case concerning the registration of licenses of underage players and that Ratified the FIFA Appeals Commission, reducing the economic penalty, but maintaining the ban on registering licenses in the next period of the market of signings, our club wants to state the following:
1. We consider that the decision to maintain the prohibition to register players in a second period, the one corresponding to the summer of 2017, supposes a comparative tort and discriminatory treatment towards our entity, since recently and in a similar case the Sanction allowing to register licenses from next July 1. This resolution is unfair and represents irreparable damage to our club.
2. The resolution was communicated outside the deadline established in the agreement signed by the parties and ended yesterday, May 31, 2017. This implies a lack of respect for our institution.
3. We wish to reiterate that we have been sanctioned despite strict compliance with Spanish legislation, Since we have always processed all our licenses through the Football Federation of Madrid, as indicated in the Sports Law.
4. Our sports planning for next season has contemplated at all times the two scenarios that could be given once the TAS emitted its decision. The club will advance from this moment on the negotiations necessary to formalize operations with the aim of registering players from January 1, when the next window opens in which we will be authorized by FIFA to register new licenses.
5. We are totally confident in our current squad, with which we have achieved the direct classification for the Champions League for the fifth consecutive year and with which we have reached the semi-finals of the Champions League and the Copa del Rey. From the club we have the commitment of players and technicians to continue competing at the same level next season despite this decision that obviously harms us. Together, team, club and hobby, we will continue fighting for our goals.
Arsenal and Wenger agree contract extension.
Arsenal Football Club and Arsène Wenger have agreed a two-year extension to his contract as manager and has been reportedly handed a £100m budget to spend in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Owner, Stan Kroenke said: “Our ambition is to win the Premier League and other major trophies in Europe. It’s what the fans, players, staff, manager and board expect and we won’t rest until that is achieved. Arsène is the best person to help us make that happen. He has a fantastic track record and has our full backing.”
Confirming the news, the Frenchman, said: “I love this club and I am looking forward to the future with optimism and excitement. We are looking at what we do well and how we can be stronger everywhere. This is a strong group of players and with some additions we can be even more successful. We’re committed to mounting a sustained league challenge and that will be our focus this summer and next season. I am grateful to have the support of the board and Stan in doing everything we can to win more trophies. It’s what we all want and I know it’s what our fans around the world demand.”
End Of An Era: Totti, Alonso, John Terry, others bid farewell to football.
The football world witnessed some emotional moments few days ago as legends; Francesco Totti, Phillip Lahm, Xabi Alonso, Dirk Kuyt, Maxwell, John Terry retired from the round leather game. Kuyt, Maxwell.
Totti who made 86 appearances in 25 seasons and scored 307 goals said farewell in an emotional speech after his final match for the club, a 3-2 win over Genoa. “Thank you, Rome. Thank you to my mother and father, my brother, my relatives and my friends. Thank you to my wife and to my three children. I wanted to start from the end – from the goodbyes – because I don’t know if I’ll be able to read these lines. It is impossible to sum up 28 years in a few sentences. I’d like to do so with a song or poem, but I can’t write any.
Over the years, I’ve tried to express myself through my feet, which have made everything simpler for me ever since I was a child. Speaking of childhood, can you guess what my favourite toy was? A football, of course! And it still is today. At some point in life, you grow up – that’s what I’ve been told and that’s what time has decided.
“Damned time. Back on 17 June 2001, we all wanted time to pass a little more quickly. We couldn’t wait to hear the referee blow the final whistle. I still get goose bumps now when I think back to it.
“Today, time has come to tap me on the shoulder and say: ‘We have to grow up. As of tomorrow, you’ll be an adult. Take off those shorts and boots because starting today, you are a man. You can no longer enjoy the smell of the grass, the sun on your face as you bear down on the opposition’s goal, the adrenaline consuming you, the joy of celebrating.
“Over the past few months, I’ve asked myself why I’m being awoken from this dream. Imagine you’re a child having a good dream… and your mother wakes you up to go to school. You want to keep dreaming… you try to slip back into the dream but you never can. This time, it’s not a dream, but reality. And I can no longer slip back in.
“I want to dedicate this letter to all of you – to all the children that have supported me. To the children of yesterday, who have grown up and become parents and to the children of today, who perhaps shout ‘Tottigol’. I’d like to think that for you, my career has become a fairytale for you to pass on.
https://twitter.com/RMadrid_Rey/status/869173637965852672
“It’s really over now. I’m taking off that jersey for the final time. I’ll fold it away, even though I’m not ready to say ‘enough’ and perhaps I never will be. Forgive me for not giving interviews and clarifying my thoughts, but it’s not easy to turn out the light. I’m afraid. It’s not the same fear you feel when you’re standing in front of the goal, about to take a penalty.
“This time, I can’t see what the future looks like through the holes of the net. Allow me to be afraid. This time, it’s me who needs you and the love that you’ve always shown me. With your support, I will succeed in turning the page and throwing myself into a new adventure. Now, it’s time for me to thank all of the team-mates, coaches, directors, presidents and everyone who has worked alongside me during this time.
“To the fans and the Curva Sud, a guiding light for all Romans and Romanisti. Being born Roman and Romanisti is a privilege. Being the captain of this team is an honour. You are – and will always be – my life. I will no longer entertain you with my feet, but my heart will always be there with you.
“Now, I will go down the stairs and enter the dressing room that welcomed me as a child and that I now leave as a man.
“I’m proud and happy to have given you 28 years of love.
“I love you.”
Ex Netherlands forward Dirk Kuyt also announced his retirement from professional football after an illustrious 19-year career that included spells in England and Turkey. The announcement came after firing the club to their first Eredivisie title in 18 years.
PSG’S Maxwell also retired from football about a week ago and speculation is rife that he could continue working for PSG. He retired with 37 titles.
Former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso has also called time on his career. He admitted that he will find it difficult to find a new challenge to replace football as he ends a glittering playing career.
Speaking on his biggest regrets, he said: “I would include not winning the Champions League with Bayern and the Premier League with Liverpool.”
A touching farewell for Xabi Alonso as he leaves the field for the final time😢
🎥 @btsportfootball pic.twitter.com/2JyJ4VfkZh
— Empire of the Kop (@empireofthekop) May 20, 2017
John Terry’s dream farewell was ruined as his side were thrashed 2-1 by Arsenal at the FA Cup final. He however wants to focus on his long-term goal of becoming a top-level manager.
https://twitter.com/101greatgoals/status/869092674242056192
UCL final winner Phillip Lahm’s retirement came with an induction into Bayern’s Hall of Fames, he becomes the first player since Oliver Kahn in 2008 to receive such a honour. “I feel honored to be given a star at the FC Bayern Erlebniswelt next to the other great club legends.”
Barcelona send Luis Enrique off in style
Messi, Neymar and Alcacer all struck tonight as Barcelona defeat Alaves to win their 29th Copa del Rey trophy. It was Luis Enrique last game in charge of the Catalans and clinching the trophy was an awesome way to send him off in style. The Spaniard featured in 181 games , won 9 trophies in three seasons at the Nou Camp.
The 47 year-old has the best win ratio (76.24%) as Barcelona coach in the club’s history (10+ games). He is also the the first manager to win three consecutive Copa del Rey finals in 64 years. (2014/2015, 2015/2016, 2016/2017)
Arsenal beat Chelsea to win the FA Cup
Arsenal beat 10-man Chelsea today to secure their 13th FA cup. The thrilling game which ended 2-1 at the Wembley saw Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez and Per Mertesacker and Chelsea’s Diego Costa get on the score sheet. Arsenal outclassed their opponents and Alexis Sanchez whose goal was ruled as handball was awarded Man of the Match for his performance. The Chilean has scored 30 Goals and 16 Assists in 50 Games. Arsenal have now won the FA Cup more times (13) than any other team in the competition’s history