England defender Kieran Trippier heaped praise on the unbelievable Jude Bellingham after he played a starring role in the Three Lions 6-2 hammering of Iran in their World Cup opener.
Bellingham came straight into England s starting XI for the clash at the Khalifa International Stadium on Monday, with Gareth Southgate somewhat catching fans off-guard by naming an attack-minded team.
Their attacking mentality certainly paid off, as did the selection of Bellingham, who opened the scoring just past the half-hour mark with a fine header after a trademark late run into the box, making him England s second-youngest World Cup goalscorer of all time.
While that was the only goal or assist the 19-year-old recorded, Bellingham also played a part in the build-up to Raheem St…
Former Rangers defender Stuart Munro will stay on as Perth Glory coach Ian Ferguson s senior assistant for a third season.
The losing A-League grand finalists are also welcoming former Newcastle Jets assistant Mark Jones to their coaching staff.
Jones, a former Australia Under-20 international, has joined as an assistant, with Ferguson thrilled to have the duo.
We are delighted to have them both on board, Ferguson said.
I m really pleased Stuart is with the club again and Mark will bring great experience having coached in the A-League (as an assistant) and the New South Wales Institute of Sport.
Jones, who was touted as a potential head coach of the Jets in 2009, said he was excited by the opportunity presented to him.
I m excited to …
Serie A club Chievo Verona have sacked head coach Domenico Di Carlo and brought in Eugenio Corini as his replacement.
Chievo have lost five straight games following their opening day victory over Bologna and last week s 4-1 defeat away to Palermo was the final straw for the club.
In a short statement, Chievo confirmed Di Carlo has left the club, ending his second stint as head coach after also leading the Verona-based side from 2008 to 2010.
The club offer our heartfelt gratitude to the coach and his staff, not only for the excellent results achieved during his three seasons at Chievo, but especially for their commitment, professionalism and dedication, the statement read.
Corini, who played 134 matches for Chievo from 1998 to 2003, has signed a deal to…
Sepp Blatter has reiterated his desire to implement a comprehensive programme of reforms for FIFA following a meeting with Domenico Scala, the independent chairman of the organisation s Audit and Compliance Committee.
Outgoing president Blatter announced his intention to resign on Tuesday, a decision he claimed was made in order to speed up the process of reform after nine past and present FIFA officials were indicted on charges of racketeering, conspiracy and corruption.
Blatter will continue as president until an Extraordinary Congress to select a successor is convened.
World football s governing body was rocked further on Wednesday by testimony by former FIFA official Chuck Blazer, who revealed he and others agreed to accept and facilitate bribes a…
AC Milan forward Bojan Krkic has hit out at former club Barcelona, claiming they should have treated Zlatan Ibrahimovic better.
Sweden international Ibrahimovic lasted only one season at Camp Nou in 2009/10, before he was shipped out to Milan, initially on loan.
But the 22-year-old striker is of the belief Barca should have persisted with the former Ajax man for longer.
I think (Zlatan) Ibrahimovic deserved to have been received differently by Barcelona, he told Gazzetta dello Sport.
He is a great player with a big heart.
Serbian-born Krkic also praised former bosses Frank Rijkaard and Pep Guardiola, singling out the former for special praise.
Rijkaard had complete trust in me. It was a difficult year when he left, but he has a great…
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone believes he will struggle to find a better club when he leaves his current employers.
On Friday, Simeone marked five years in charge of the LaLiga side – a largely celebrated spell during which he memorably pipped Barcelona and Real Madrid to the 2013-14 top-flight title.
However, the ex-Argentina international s future has become the subject of regular speculation since he negotiated for his contract to end in 2018 as opposed to 2020.
Atletico have struggled for their customary consistency this season and lie sixth in LaLiga at the mid-season break, while Simeone appeared to be deeply affected by a second Champions League final loss in three years to Real Madrid back in May.
The 46-year-old has spoken openly of his d…
Marley Watkins scored the only goal of the game as Kilmarnock sensationally sent holders Celtic spinning out of the Viaplay Cup at Rugby Park.
The big striker converted a Danny Armstrong pass in the 59th minute of a pulsating last-16 tie in which the home side were well-organised and disciplined.
Killie withstood Celtic’s relentless pressure thereafter to complete a remarkable early-season Old Firm double, having beaten Rangers 1-0 on the opening day of the cinch Premiership.
The 1-0 defeat was a bitter and unexpected blow to the treble winners who have won the trophy six times in the previous seven seasons.
Kilmarnock boss Derek McInnes has certainly got his side off to a flying start this season.
After taking four points from six in their open…
David Moyes believes his ill-fated Manchester United reign could have been different had he managed to win an early trophy like Jose Mourinho.
United host Premier League leaders Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday, a distant sixth from the title race.
However, Mourinho already has silverware in his possession after a Zlatan Ibrahimovic brace inspired a 3-2 EFL Cup final victory over Southampton in February and United are all square with Anderlecht after the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final.
Moyes signed a six-year contract as Alex Ferguson s successor in 2013 but failed to see out his first season at Old Trafford, with the Red Devils ending a wretched title defence in seventh.
They were beaten on penalties by Moyes current employers Sunder…
Ernesto Valverde says he is unable to confirm that he is in talks with Barcelona over becoming their new head coach.
The 53-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Camp Nou to replace Luis Enrique, who will step down when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Athletic Bilbao confirmed on Tuesday that Valverde would not stay on as coach for a fifth season, prompting significant speculation that he will hold talks to finalise a deal with Barca.
However, when asked about the reported interest from the Catalans, he told a news conference on Wednesday: I cannot confirm it, I m sorry.
Valverde claims there is a lot of interest in him but insists he has yet to speak with any club.
He continued: There is a lot of speculation regarding…
Erling Haaland became the fastest player to reach 10 goals for one team in Champions League history as he played a leading role for Borussia Dortmund against Sevilla on Wednesday.
The Norwegian was on target twice in the opening half as Dortmund impressively recovered after falling behind in the first leg of the last-16 tie.
Suso s seventh-minute opener put Sevilla on top, only for Mahmoud Dahoud to equalise with a long-range attempt.
Haaland bravely converted Jadon Sancho s throughball to put the visitors ahead at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, then added another before the break as he clinically finished off a flowing counter-attacking move, placing in a shot from Marco Reus pass.
The two-goal salvo lifted him to double …