Countries
Tue, February 28th 2006
Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez has resigned, to be replaced by vice-president Fernando Martín.
Despite big name (and money signings) of Zidane, Ronaldo, Beckham, Figo and Robinho (amongst others), the club have not won a major trophy since 2003 and are in danger of another barren season unless they can overturn a 1-0 deficit to Arsenal in the Champions League.
One positive for Pérez has been Real recently overtaking Manchester Utd as the richest club in the world.
From: Guardian Football
Fri, February 17th 2006
In an survey for French football website MaxiFOOT , three quarters of the voters thought that Paul Le Guen should not join Rangers at the end of the season.
Voters commented that moving to the Scottish Premier League ("a second rate league") would be a backward step for a manager many see as being capable of taking on a top European club.
Via MaxiFOOT (in French).
Mon, February 13th 2006
Would you take the Newcastle job if you were O'Neill?
There is no doubt that the English FA were correct to state that Eriksson would be leaving after the World Cup. It ended potentially months of newspaper speculation.
However, you have to feel some sympathy with Premiership clubs caught up in the middle of the decision…
Fri, February 10th 2006
Martin O’Neill is the 13/8 favourite to become the next England manager after Premier League chairman Dave Richards was quoted as saying:
“It’s time for a British boss, somebody who understands our passion, belief and commitment. There’s no distinction between English and British.”
Richards is a member of the three-man panel that will find Eriksson’s successor.
Thu, February 9th 2006
Alex McLeish has been sacked and will leave his position as Rangers manager at the end of the season.
Rangers are claiming to already have a successor lined up—thought to be Lyon manager Paul Le Guen.
Fri, January 27th 2006
England land ‘soft’ group in Euro 2008 draw
ENGLAND, Croatia, Russia, Israel, Estonia, Macedonia, Andorra
via BBC
Mon, January 23rd 2006
The BBC is reporting that Sven-Goran Eriksson will quit as England coach following this summer’s World Cup finals.
Tue, January 17th 2006
Given that Arsenal started game with 11 foreign players, and that Middlesborough were reduced to fielding a team of youngsters, what exactly was Eriksson doing at Highbury on Saturday?
Surely the England manager could have found a more useful game to watch.
Sat, December 10th 2005
England have been drawn in Group B with Paraguay, Sweden and Trinidad & Tobago.
Hosts Germany will be happy with their group stage opposition, but Italy ranked 12 in the FIFA world rankings face the Czech Republic (ranked 2nd), USA (ranked 8th), and Ghana.
The full draw is:
GROUP A Germany, Costa Rica, Poland, Ecuador
GROUP B England, Paraguay, Trinidad & Tobago, Sweden
GROUP C Argentina, Ivory Coast, Serbia & Montenegro, Holland
GROUP D Mexico, Iran, Angola, Portugal
GROUP E Italy, Ghana, USA, Czech Republic
GROUP F Brazil, Croatia, Australia, Japan
GROUP G France, Switzerland, South Korea, Togo
GROUP H Spain, Ukraine, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia
Sat, November 12th 2005
A thoroughly entertaining friendly saw England beat Argentina 3-2 with 2 goals in the last 5 minutes.
Both sides played good attacking football and at times Argentina showed why they are ranked second in the world against a shaky looking England defence.
‘Eriksson in successful substitution shock’
How much Eriksson learnt about his players or formation I’m not sure, but I think the country at least regained some faith in the manager’s ability to change games (for the better).
By bringing Cole on for King, and switching Gerrard into the holding position, England became much more likely to score as Argentina began to sit on their 2-1 lead. And while, Crouch wasn’t able to get directly involved, Owen certainly capitalised, suddenly finding space in the Argentinian defence to score the 2 winning goals.
Robinson and Rooney were the highlights for England, with the midfielders all playing well in patches.
The defence needs work: Ferdinand and Terry never seem ‘together’ for me, and Bridge was obviously off the pace., but on the whole a very encouraging fixture in a game that the FA must be congratulated for arranging. A perfect friendly.