Month: December 2024

Inter have appointed 27-year-old Steven Zhang as their new president following the exit of former majority shareholder Erick Thohir.

Zhang is the president of Suning International, the overseas division of the group that owns Inter, and serves as a member of the UEFA Club Competitions Committee.

Thohir purchased Massimo Moratti s stake in the club in 2013 and was thanked for his service as a member of the board following the club s annual shareholders meeting in Milan.

Zhang said: I am extremely proud to lead this club into a new era. I feel the responsibility to satisfy the passion of the millions of fans all over the world and, I am more than ready to accept the challenge of president in this, the 110th year of this prestigious club.

We will continue t…

Bayern Munich may have won the last six Bundesliga titles but Arjen Robben says they need to find some consistency before they can contemplate adding to that tally this season.

Since 2012, Bayern have been the dominant force in German football and ahead of the 2018-19 campaign little suggested it would be any different.

The arrival of Niko Kovac as head coach has not delivered the results many would have hoped for, though, and Bayern sit seven points adrift of leaders Borussia Dortmund after 11 matches.

A 3-2 defeat to Dortmund prior to the international break left Bayern languishing in fifth place, and Robben says they should not be in any conversations about the destination of the title.

Just days now until we play back here

— FC Bayern Eng…

Gennaro Gattuso is the latest man charged with returning the great AC Milan to the height of their once so dominant powers.

Since Massimiliano Allegri, who led Milan to their last league title in 2010-11, was sacked in January 2014, five coaches have been permanently appointed and tasked with the challenge, and none have succeeded.

Clarence Seedorf, Filippo Inzaghi, Sinisa Mihajlovic, Cristian Brocchi (who in fairness only had a seven-game league spell), and now Vincenzo Montella have all bitten the dust as Milan coach.

Montella was heavily backed by new Chinese owners in the last transfer market, but not even that has been enough, yet, to start a resurgence, and just 20 points from 14 matches, 18 fewer than leaders Napoli, meant the writing was on the wall.

…

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insisted he was not the pope of football tactics as his side prepare to host Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday.

United are unbeaten at Anfield in the league since 2013 and Jose Mourinho s inconsistent team may again take what is perceived to be a negative approach to leaders Liverpool.

But Klopp was unwilling to criticise United s style, saying it was up to his team to find answers.

I don t see it that they play like that much. They have not only one style, long-ball football or deep sitting, the German told UK newspapers.

Maybe last year a little bit in the game [at Anfield], but they didn t do it at Old Trafford, no.

We re back at Anfield on Sunday for !

Here s a little something to give y…

Steven Gerrard is set to meet with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp but a playing return for the Anfield great remains unlikely.

Reports on Tuesday suggested the former England international and Liverpool skipper could return to his boyhood club to train, with a playing agreement also potentially in the offing.

Gerrard who joined LA Galaxy on an 18-month deal in July saw his maiden MLS campaign come to a close with defeat to Seattle Sounders last week but is unlikely to feature in the Premier League between now and next season.

Omnisport understands the 35-year-old has talked with Klopp to wish the German good luck at Anfield, having been appointed last month, and that the club great would be welcome to train at Melwood over the coming months.

The pair are…

Napoli have confirmed the loan signing of Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe for the rest of the season.

Tuanzebe made 11 appearances during a loan spell with Aston Villa this season, but was recently recalled by the Red Devils.

The 24-year-old central defender is on the move again after agreeing to join Serie A side Napoli.

Tuanzebe had spent two previous loan spells at Villa Park in 2018 and 2019, when the club was in the Championship, and has made 37 appearances for United.

 Welcome Axel! 

— Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli)

Tuanzebe could be available to make his debut for Luciano Spalletti s side against Sampdoria on Sunday, with the club struggling depleted due to injuries, C…

England demonstrated a rare degree of comfort with an experimental formation as they defeated Netherlands 1-0, while Bert van Marwijk s Australia tenure got off to a nightmare start during a busy night of international friendly action on Friday.

Argentina were without Lionel Messi for a game against Italy intended by Jorge Sampaoli to serve as a dress rehearsal for a World Cup knockout match.

And Didier Deschamps battle to transform an extraordinarily talented France squad into a consistent, polished team continued as Les Bleus lost 3-2 at home to Colombia.

Here, we bring you three winners and three losers from the high-profile clashes…

THE WINNERS

England s new-look defence

It takes a brave England coach to dispense with his …

Former Bayern Munich player and president Uli Hoeness will be released from prison on February 29, halfway through his jail sentence for tax crimes.

The 64-year-old was sentenced to three and a half years in prison in March 2014 after being found guilty of seven counts of tax evasion, in which he defrauded authorities of a total of €27.2million.

Having started his sentence in June 2014, the former West Germany international will leave custody next month after serving 637 days, with Hoeness not thought to be at risk of reoffending.

Hoeness probation has been set at three years, with an Augsburg Regional Court statement reading:  After hearing the convict, the chamber decided that the legal requirements are okay.

Taking into account his personali…

Los Angeles FC remain in the hunt for the MLS Supporters Shield despite being held to a 1-1 draw with fellow contenders Real Salt Lake at the BMO Stadium.

Cristian Olivera opened the scoring early on, only for Brayan Vera s free-kick to level the scores in a game full of missed opportunities for the visitors.

After falling to a 5-1 defeat to Columbus Crew last time out, an instant response was required by Steve Cherundolo s side, and they did just that in the fifth minute.

Having returned from Uruguay s third-place finish at the Copa America, Olivera pounced on a mistake by Salt Lake keeper Zac MacMath to net his fifth goal of the season.

MacMath almost presented the hosts with another opportunity to increase their lead as he gave the ball away to Mateu…