Football News

Liverpool and Manchester United would have both received more than £70million extra in Premier League TV money had the cash been distributed based on audience. Brendan Rodgers' side collected £97.5m in television money last season, the most in the Premier League, but they would have been in line for £172.3m if the distribution was based on the number of TV viewers - a difference of £74.8m. Manchester United would have received £159.5m if the Premier League split their money more evenly based on UK audience. As it was, United picked up £89.1m, more than £70m less. 

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina is not sure where he will be playing football next season after his one-year loan spell with Napoli in Italy ended. Reina, who is currently training with Spain ahead of the World Cup, is still a Liverpool player with two years left on his current contract at Anfield. The 31-year-old doesn't appear to be in Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers' long term plans and has been linked with a return to La Liga after a solid campaign with Napoli, but Reina is keeping his focus on the World Cup. "Right now I'm only thinking of La Roja (Spain's national team)," Reina said. "With regards to a new club, I will first have to speak to Liverpool. "My season on loan at Napoli has been very positive and I thank the Napoli people and the club. "With Barcelona there is nothing, they have just acquired (German goalkeeper) Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, hence they have that role covered. "I haven't had any contact either with Atletico M

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina is not sure where he will be playing football next season after his one-year loan spell with Napoli in Italy ended. Reina, who is currently training with Spain ahead of the World Cup, is still a Liverpool player with two years left on his current contract at Anfield. The 31-year-old doesn't appear to be in Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers' long term plans and has been linked with a return to La Liga after a solid campaign with Napoli, but Reina is keeping his focus on the World Cup. "Right now I'm only thinking of La Roja (Spain's national team)," Reina said. "With regards to a new club, I will first have to speak to Liverpool. "My season on loan at Napoli has been very positive and I thank the Napoli people and the club. "With Barcelona there is nothing, they have just acquired (German goalkeeper) Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, hence they have that role covered. "I haven't had any contact either with Atletico M

After the great performance against Valladolid, there will be no more league matches at the Santiago Bernabéu until next year - to be precise, the sixth of January, when Real Madrid will face Celta in the last match of the first half of the league programme. Until then, the Real Madrid players will have to pack their bags and play away in the two remaining league games of December, at two grounds which are not going to be easy for them - at Pamplona against Osasuna on 14th, and then at Mestalla against Valencia on 21st. These are two clashes which will be highly significant for Real Madrid's league aspirations. Besides these league trips, Real Madrid will also have to travel to Xativa in the King's Cup, and to Copenhagen in the Champions League. These two trips look quite easy, and will serve to give outings to some of the other squad members, and let the first team men rest. In the cup match, Real should not have any problems winning against Olimpic de Xativa, from the Spanish

Mauricio Pochettino is ready to speak in English at White Hart Lane after Tottenham made the Argentinian their new head coach. The 42-year-old was handed a five-year deal as Spurs boss on Tuesday after resigning from his post at Southampton, where he spent 17 months and made great strides. Pochettino used a translator during Saints press conferences despite his time in the Premier League, but footage shows him speaking fluent English.

Brendan Rodgers has signed a new long-term contract after Liverpool’s owners promised he will be given every help to make the club champions. Rodgers, who was named LMA Manager of the Year after he took Liverpool to within two points of the title last season, completed the formalities of signing a deal on Monday and the improved terms, which are believed to run to 2018, reflect his outstanding work. Personal gain, however, is not his motivation and the main crux of negotiations with Fenway Sports Group – who described Rodgers as a 'hugely talented individual' – stemmed around boosting a squad that will have the added demands next year of a Champions League campaign.

How Dortmund structure pre-season training Dortmund - While the majority of the footballing community may be relishing the prospect of high-quality games aplenty in the month long fiesta that will be the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, spare a thought for the Bundesliga clubs who face a logistical headache in planning for the 2014/15 season with their players dotted around the globe in differing states of fitness. So how do the clubs avoid their preparations descending into chaos? Easily enough with a bit of forethought, as Borussia Dortmund’s chief fitness coach Dr. Andreas Schlumberger told bvb.de. Four groups The Bundesliga runners-up are scheduled to begin their pre-season training on 5 July, but in the meantime the club has equipped each player with an individually-tailored programme. As to the intensity of said plans, Dortmund divided up their senior squad into four distinct groups. The first band of players includes those who will participate in the World Cup, such as Marco Reus

The 76-year-old has urged the Old Lady to make a move for the Chile international and rebuild their squad this summer Former Juventus director Luciano Moggi believes the Serie A champions should make the signing of Barcelona attacker Alexis Sanchez their main priority this summer if they want to be competitive again in Europe. The Chile international has been strongly linked with a return to Serie A after three seasons at Barcelona and Moggi feels the winger is exactly what Juventus need, while also urging the Turin giants to further rebuild their squad ahead of next season. "Juventus' main priority this summer should be the signing of Alexis Sanchez," Moggi was quoted as saying by Tuttosport. "He has already shown in the past that he can add something extra in Serie A during his time at Udinese. "From there one, you will have to be ready to sell important players and replace them with even better alternatives. Back in 2001, we sold Zinedine Zidane and got back

Manchester City star Yaya Toure has told France Football that he could not rule out a possible move to Paris Saint-Germain. Toure's future has become subject to heated speculation after his agent suggested the Ivory Coast midfielder was underappreciated and disrespected at City. Toure backed his agent's comments and he himself admitted he would like the chance to return to former club Barcelona at some point in the future. Now Toure, who is currently with the Ivorian squad ahead of the World Cup finals which begin next month, has refused to rule out a possible future switch to PSG - who have been linked in recent days. Talking to France Football and asked about the possibility of moving to the Parc des Princes, he is quoted as saying: "Considering the objectives in Paris, how could you not be attracted by such a club? Player Profile 42. Yaya Toure Appearances 50 (2) Goals 24 Assists 11 Yellows 11 Reds 0 Current Season "PSG has become one (of the) strongholds in Europe

Manchester United's players will be worked into the ground during 'enormously intense' 75-minute bursts by Louis van Gaal when the Dutchman takes charge in July. That is the message from Robin van Persie, who expects the Holland coach to repair the damage left behind by David Moyes during a disastrous campaign in charge. United finished seventh in the Premier League and failed to win any major silverware under the Scot. And their under-performing flops will be strenuously put through their paces when Van Gaal rocks up at Carrington.

2013/14 season review: Hertha Berlin Munich - Ostensibly, an eleventh-placed finish is far from disastrous for a newly-promoted club, but it was also the very least Hertha Berlin fans would have expected after their team flew out of the traps at the beginning of 2013/14. The Old Lady were touted by many as possible European contenders following a highly impressive Hinrunde, but a disastrous second half of the season saw Jos Luhukay’s charges drop like a stone, and despite finishing in a healthy mid-table position, the Dutchman will be looking for a marked improvement from his side next term. bundesliga.com looks back on the capital club’s campaign… Season overview Hertha could hardly have wished for a better start to the 2013/14 season. A comprehensive 6-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt, who had finished the previous campaign in sixth, certainly got pulses racing at the Olympiastadion, and fans’ expectations duly skyrocketed. A 1-0 victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach on Matchday 9 saw

Goal collected some of the best photos of the Santiago Bernabeu side's celebrations in the wake of their dramatic triumph in Lisbon Real Madrid's 4-1 win after extra time over city rivals Atletico in Saturday's Champions League final meant Los Blancos' wait for La Decima came to an end 12 years after beating Bayer Leverkusen in the 2002 tournament decider. The Madrid fans were understandably delighted with their team's success and came out in numbers to celebrate at the Plaza de Cibeles as Carlo Ancelotti's men showed 'the cup with the big ears' to their loyal supporters.

The England international burst onto the scene as a promising frontman at Manchester City, but took the opportunity to run down his contract the Etihad Stadium and move to Chelsea in 2009. An initial lack of opportunities forced him out on loan, with a spell at Bolton Wanderers showing that he could get goals at a Premier League level. Chelsea remained reluctant to deploy Sturridge down the middle, though, and he soon grew disillusioned with life on the flanks. A switch to Anfield in January 2013 offered him a clean slate, and the 24-year-old has responded with 35 goals in 49 games - a return he always believed he was capable of providing. Sturridge said in the Daily Telegraph ahead of his involvement at this summer's World Cup: "I've just been given the opportunity, and that's what I've asked for in the past. "That's what I've said, 'Give me that opportunity and then I can try to show what I can do'. "I think that it's down to the clu

Fresh from helping Real Madrid to UEFA Champions League glory, Clement's future has again fallen under the spotlight. He has now worked alongside Carlo Ancelotti at Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Real, but harbours ambitions of one day stepping out on his own. Clement was heavily linked with a role at West Bromwich Albion following their dismissal of Steve Clarke, and is said to once again figure prominently on the Baggies' wish list as they look for a successor to Pepe Mel. A return to England could be on the cards for a man who has been coaching since the age of 23, although he admits he will find it difficult to tear himself away from life at one of world football's most iconic clubs. Asked if the time is right for him to become a boss in his own right, Clement said: "I think soon, it will be soon. "A few opportunities have come my way but this is a difficult place to leave. "It's a great club, a great city, a great tradition and it gives you an oppo

The Germany playmaker received plenty of criticism during his first season in England but his international team-mate says that he needs a top-class forward to play behind EXCLUSIVE By Thomas Unsworth Philipp Lahm is confident that Mesut Ozil will be "devastating" for Arsenal next season - if the club can sign the right striker this summer. Ozil lifted his first silverware as a Gunners player on Saturday when his side beat Hull City in the FA Cup final at Wembley but his debut season in English football was marked by widespread criticism. Following some below-par displays over Christmas and into the New Year, the €50 million signing was accused of lacking fight in some quarters but Bayern Munich utility man Lahm says that the playmaker's talent is obvious and just needs to be properly exploited. "Anybody who has played with Mesut will tell you how intelligent he is as a player," Lahm told Goal. "His vision is probably the best I have ever seen and that is w

\ The Welshman scored in extra-time as Real Madrid beat city rivals Atletico 4-1 after 120 minutes at Estadio da Luz and could not hide his delight after the game.

Louis Van Gaal's Holland squad are taking a relaxed approach to their preparations for this summer's World Cup. AC milan midfielder Nigel De Jong, sat opposite Robin van Persie, posted a photo of the Netherlands squad sat together on Twitter and tweeted: 'Relaxation at lunch with the boys.' Manchester United frontman Van Persie, who is expected to captain the Dutch in Brazil, smiled for the camera as Swansea stars Michel Vorm and Jonathan de Guzman, sat next to each other, also posed for the snap. Relaxation with the boys: Nigel de Jong posted a picture of the Holland squad enjoying lunch on Saturday.

Iker Casillas: C- Atlético took the lead thanks to Casillas. It's cruel but that's just what happened. He looked hesitant all night long and almost gave Atleti another goal in overtime. Sadly, it's not like he was required to do a lot. Thankfully, he was up there in the end to lift the Décima. Dani Carvajal: B Great first half by Dani. He looked shaky at times, especially on defense, but he was all over the place and looked like his energy just wasn't going to run out. Raphael Varane: A The French looked really solid all night long. He was a brilliant replacement for Pepe. Great on the aerial game as well. Sergio Ramos: A+ What else can you say about Sergio? The guy was our MVP in the final stretch of the season and he was the hero of the day once again. He destroyed Bayern and gave Atlético a devastating blow to keep Madrid alive when we needed him the most. Never die, Sergio. You are the man. Fábio Coentrao: B+ He was replaced not because he wasn't good. He was so

Already it has become the defining image of the title race: the slip, the desperate scramble to get upright and the despairing chase as Demba Ba closes in on goal to score for Chelsea. It encapsulated everything that has made the Premier League a compelling global spectacle. There was genuine pathos in seeing a player of Steven Gerrard’s stature close to a title that no one had ever imagined him winning, only to see it fall away in the final games of the season, in part as a result of his own mistake. It was almost irrelevant that title races are not decided in single moments, that a combination of events over nine months determines the outcome and that, in that Chelsea match, there was still time for  Liverpool to recover. Such rationality is obscured by the power of a 10-second video clip that seemingly changed Gerrard’s destiny.

The coach was devastated that his Atletico were defeated in extra-time by Real Madrid, while he avoided criticising the referee or Raphael Varane despite a late clash Diego Simeone stressed he was "bitter, but not sad" after Atletico Madrid were defeated 4-1 in the Champions League final by Real Madrid on Saturday. The coach was fuming on the sidelines over the five added minutes in the second half in which Sergio Ramos scored his dramatic equaliser after Diego Godin's opener to send the match into extra-time. Having remonstrated with the referee after 105 minutes had been played, Simeone then stormed on to the pitch after becoming riled by Madrid defender Raphael Varane, who seemed to provoke the Atletico bench by kicking a ball into the dugout following Cristiano Ronaldo's late penalty. "I don't feel sad," the Argentine told reporters after the match. "It's bitterness that I feel for not reaching my goal. Now the calmness is stronger and it ha

Remy joined QPR in January 2013 from Marseille, but has spent the past season on loan at Newcastle United following his parent club's relegation to the Championship. The France international has scored 14 goals in 26 Premier League appearances for Newcastle and is wanted on a permanent basis at St James' Park. Newcastle boss Alan Pardew stated earlier this month that he was not resigned to missing out on Remy, but there is strong competition for his signature. Arsenal have been regularly linked with a bid for Remy and last month Arsene Wenger refused to rule out a summer offer for the 27-year-old. The FA Cup winners are now understood to have made an enquiry for Remy, who attended Arsenal's 1-0 home win over West Brom at the start of May. Liverpool are also thought to be interested in Remy as manager Brendan Rodgers looks to add quality to his squad ahead of the club's return to the UEFA Champions League next season.

The Republic of Ireland international only moved to Goodison Park on deadline day on September 2 last year when he followed Roberto Martinez from Wigan. He played a starring role in his debut campaign as Everton claimed fifth place in the Premier League to secure qualification for the Europa League. McCarthy's role in Everton's terrific season has not gone unnoticed and, although Louis van Gaal is being linked with a string of foreign signings as an overhaul of United's squad is widely anticipated, one of his key signings could be from a North-West rival. Everton are keen to open talks with the 23-year-old over a new deal, but news that United could be ready to make a move may scupper that idea. Sources have confirmed to Sky Sports that United may even try to offer Tom Cleverley in exchange as Martinez is known to be fan of the England midfielder and it appears he could be one of a number of Old Trafford regulars allowed to leave this summer.

Toure's future at the Etihad Stadium has been brought into sharp focus this week following claims by the player's agent of signs of disrespect regarding the lack of acknowledgement of his recent birthday. The Ivory Coast international, who was a key figure in City's Premier League title triumph, has also conceded that he is open concerning his future at the club. His representative Dimitry Seluk subsequently told Sky Sports News on Thursday that Toure wants a role at City when he retires and that the player 'must feel happy'. Silva, who joined City in 2010 in the same summer as Toure, has stated that he has not spotted any signs that the former Barcelona midfielder is unhappy. "I've been playing with the guy for years and I've always thought he was okay," Silva told the Daily Mirror. "So I don't understand why anyone would necessarily think he was unhappy, he's always seemed fine to me." Regarding his own future, Silva has no inte

  Andre Schurrle bolts in his chair, pupils dilated. The conversation has moved on to how much it really means to pull on a Germany shirt. ‘It’s the most important thing for us, without doubt,’ he says. ‘Look at the players who have pulled on that jersey throughout history. You are one of them.’ And so the Chelsea man recounts the names. Beckenbauer, Muller, Matthaus, even Ballack. ‘It means so much to me. When I was young I saw the national team with this pride and history.’ In the build-up to what should prove to be a World Cup to beat any of the previous three, the Germans know what they are and know exactly what they ought to achieve.

Interact with the former Real Madrid attacker and ex-Atletico man as they tweet before, during and after the Champions League final Fernando Morientes and Luis Garcia will be tweeting their thoughts and opinions as Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid do battle for Champions League glory on Saturday. Tweet Fernando Morientes & Luis Garcia! Send your questions to former Real Madrid striker Fernando Morientes and ex-Atletico Madrid star Luis Garcia via @Heineken using #sharethesofa on Saturday. The newly-crowned champions of La Liga are hoping to win European club football's elite competition for the first time ever, but Carlo Ancelotti's men are desperate to at last lift La Decima after a 12-year wait. As the action unfolds at Benfica's Estadio da Luz, Morientes and Luis Garcia will be tweeting for in conjunction with Goal and you can send your questions to the Spaniards - who both won the Champions League during their playing days. To get involved, send your tweets to and us

Manchester City's director of football Txiki Begiristain will hold peace talks with Yaya Toure before the World Cup in an attempt to head off further trouble with the Ivory Coast midfielder. Toure’s agent Dimitry Seluk attracted widespread ridicule on Tuesday by claiming that the player could quit City this summer because he felt the new Premier League champions and their owner Sheik Mansour did not make enough of an effort to celebrate his 31st birthday during a post-season trip to Abu Dhabi last week. There are concerns that Seluk is trying to engineer a return to Barcelona for his client, who left the Nou Camp in a £24million deal in 2010 and has since established himself as one of City’s best  players, as well as one of the best paid.

It's perhaps no surprise that Yaya Toure wants to have his cake and eat it when the man pulling the strings is his long-time representative and mentor Dimitry Seluk. Those who have become used to Seluk’s bizarre utterances over the years will not have been shocked by the latest outburst in which he accused Manchester City of snubbing his famous client’s 31st birthday. The Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala once bought Brazilian defender Roberto Carlos a £800,000 Bugatti car, he noted. All Yaya got was two birthday cakes.

Liverpool are keen to add Barcelona and Spain forward Pedro to their ranks this summer, as Brendan Rodgers continues to plan for the dual challenge of Premier League and Champions League football next season. The Reds have already been heavily linked with Southampton's Adam Lallana, although no deal is likely for the England international until after the World Cup. But with Rodgers determined to add as many as five players to his squad he has already turned his attention to strengthening other positions. In demand: Barcelona and Spain attacker Pedro has emerged as a target for Liverpool.

Ask Ronald de Boer for his most vivid memories of Louis van Gaal and he is whisked back to De Meer, Ajax’s fabled old training base. This was Van Gaal’s domain, the setting where Manchester United’s new manager worked his magic; filling his players with confidence, plotting their path to glory and drilling passages of play that would become second nature on match days. It was also the place where Van Gaal would be fearsome and intimidating. The Dutch coach takes defeat as a personal affront and De Boer witnessed — as well as received — some of his most ferocious criticisms.

The young keeper feels he has earned a starting role after being a huge part of Atletico Madrid's title win. The future of on-loan Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois remains in doubt after he declared he does not want to share games with Petr Cech. Courtois has spent the past three seasons on loan at Atletico Madrid, since being signed by Chelsea in 2011, and has never played a game for the London-based Premier League club. But after helping Atletico to the La Liga title and into Saturday's UEFA Champions League final, the Belgian is expected to be recalled to Stamford Bridge next season, although he claims it would not be 'the healthiest thing' for him to be in the same squad as Cech, who has been Chelsea's number one goalkeeper for years. "The two of us want to play everything," Courtois said on Wednesday. "Nobody will be happy to play in only the League Cup or FA Cup. "Things are unclear at the moment. I have the biggest respect for Petr Cech

Southampton forward Jay Rodriguez has admitted the future of manager Mauricio Pochettino is 'up in the air' amid growing speculation the Argentinian is set to become the new manager of Tottenham. Pochettino's brilliant season at St Mary's has made him the clear bookmakers' favourite to take over at White Hart Lane following the dismissal of Tim Sherwood last week. Rodriguez, who is recovering from a knee injury which ruled him out of the World Cup, told talkSPORT: 'It's up in the air and we're not too sure at the moment. Speculation: Saints boss Mauricio Pochettino has been heavily linked with a move to Tottenham.

The right-back came through Los Blancos' youth team ranks but has insisted ahead of Saturday's Champions League final that he is now Atleti through and through Juanfran remains grateful to Real Madrid for developing him as a player but says that he is glad that he is now wearing the red and white of Atletico. The defender came through Los Blancos' youth system, making six Liga appearances for the Santiago Bernabeu side before leaving for Osasuna - after a loan spell at Espanyol - and then moving to the Vicente Calderon in 2011. However, despite his Real background, Juanfran insisted ahead of Saturday's all-Madrid Champions League final in Lisbon that he is now Atletico through and through. "I'm very grateful to Madrid for the years I spent there, how they treated me and trained me, but now I'm an Atletico Madrid player and I am aware I've been wearing the best colours," the right-back told Uefa. "Of course, matches against Real Madrid are diff

Steve McClaren has revealed how he once gave Louis Van Gaal a bouquet of flowers ahead of a match as a tactic to win a vital three points and clinch Champions League football for FC Twente. Van Gaal had guided AZ Alkmaar to the Eredivisie title in 2009 when he travelled to play McClaren’s side at the start of May. Twente needed a victory to secure second place ahead of Ajax and McClaren reckoned that lavishing the famously fierce Dutchman and his team with praise might soften them up ahead of the encounter. The 'tulips trick' seemed to work as Twente won 3-0 and finished one point better off then Ajax.

It will be hailed as Carlo Ancelotti’s greatest achievement but victory on Saturday would owe as much to domestic failure as superiority in European competition. When the Champions League was expanded in 1997, there was a major outcry over the decision to include clubs that had not won their domestic titles. How can the champion of Europe not be the champion of its own territory? It makes a mockery of the competition, said the critics. THE GREAT  LEAGUE & UCL DOUBLE WINNERS Manchester United Bayern Munich Porto Barcelona Manchester United Inter Barcelona Bayern Munich 1999 2001 2004 2006 2008 2010 2011 2013 The answer from UEFA chiefs and their supporters was that cream generally rises to the top and, in most years, the winner will be the champion team of its country - either in the season of qualification or the season of competition. As our graphic demonstrates, UEFA has generally been proved right. On only five occasions since the revamp has the competition been won by a side wh

May 13: the date in 1638 when construction began on the Red Fort in Delhi; the day in 1799 that the Treaty of Teschen was signed to end the War of the Bavarian Succession. But, more momentously, it is the date in 1983 Yaya Toure was born in the Ivory Coast. Only the most loosely educated of us would fail to remember such a historic moment. Sadly, the miraculous birth slipped the minds of  Manchester City's high-ups, factotums and players a week ago yesterday when Toure turned 31 — a landmark birthday, by any reckoning.

Yaya Toure's future at Manchester City was plunged into doubt after his agent made a bizarre rant against the Premier League champions over a perceived birthday snub. The Ivory Coast midfielder, who is a year into a four-year deal worth £220,000 a week, is said to have been incensed that no one wished him happy returns last week at a title celebration party that  coincided with his 31st birthday.

Jose Mourinho says the amount of jobs football generates for the community is justification for the astronomical wages paid to its superstar players. The Chelsea boss was announced on Tuesday as a UN ambassador against hunger as part of the World Food Programme, with his first call of duty set to be a trip to Liberia to witness the ravages of hunger first-hand. Mourinho said the sheer weight of numbers inspired his involvement with the cause. 

Does it make any sense for Aaron Ramsey to stay at Arsenal? It might just be dawning on him now, that while Saturday’s victory was a special day, it’s almost literally nothing compared to this coming Saturday night in Lisbon. That’s the stage where Aaron Ramsey belongs.

The 33-year-old is out of contract following eight years at Stamford Bridge. The left-back, who retired from international football after being left out of England's World Cup squad, said on Twitter: "I am weighing up my options for playing next season with my agent and sadly it does not look like chelsea (sic) will be one of them. "Thank u Chelsea FC for making my 8 years there a pleasure to work all the staff and players, we've been through a lot, good and bad. "And of course the fans, how do I start, I can only say thank u for giving the boys confidence to win some amazing trophies, and once again. "And this tweet is to the FANS that have stood buy me through thick and thin, I will always have u in my hearts, #cfcfans. "And now I'll be looking for another journey in my life hope it can be like my others full of fun and of course WIN something." Cole was kept out of the side by Cesar Azpilicueta for much of last season, making just 17 Barclay

Mega Manchester City fan Ricky Hatton has tweeted a picture of himself displaying a banner celebrating their Premier League victory. The banner said 'Oops!! We did it again....' in a rather unsubtle take on famous Britney Spears number and in reference to City's second Premier League title in three years, which they secured on May 11. He wrote: 'Me & @DannyCawleyArt @HattonGym today. We couldn't look more manc.' 

It may be a superstitious decision, but following David Moyes' disastrous season in charge of Manchester United, it has been confirmed that the next manager will not be afforded a banner at Old Trafford's Stretford End. United legend Sir Alex Ferguson was originally honoured with a 72-metre banner proclaiming 'The Impossible Dream Made Possible' to celebrate 25 years at the club, which included wining 37 trophies. Stretford End Flags followed this with a 'Chosen One' banner for Moyes after the Scot arrived at the behest of his predecessor - but, should Louis van Gaal become United's next manager as expected he will not see his name in the stands, according to the Manchester Evening News.

David Beckham geared up for this summer's World Cup in Brazil, by exploring the country's Amazon for a special BBC documentary. The former England captain visited the South American nation with friends earlier this year to shoot the programme in the tropical rainforest. The 39-year-old former Manchester United and Real Madrid star explored the Amazon by bike, after having enjoyed the Carnival and play football on the beach.

Manchester United have appointed Louis van Gaal as their new manager following the sacking of David Moyes last month. As Sportsmail exclusively revealed, the Dutchman will replace caretaker boss Ryan Giggs in the Old Trafford hot-seat at the end of the season. Van Gaal, who is currently the manager of Holland, will begin his new role after this summer's World Cup in Brazil.

The Morocco winger spent the season on loan at the Britannia Stadium from the Anfield outfit, making 25 appearances in all competitions and scoring five goals. Hughes is keen to retain the services of the 25-year-old, despite expectations that Liverpool's return to Europe's elite competition will require greater squad depth for Reds manager Brendan Rodgers. The Stoke boss believes that the anticipated investment in new talent by Rodgers this summer will see Assaidi, who moved to Merseyside in a £2.4million deal from Heerenveen in August 2012, remain on the fringes of the first-team fold. Hughes told The Sentinel: "The ball is very much in Liverpool's court because he is their player. "I'm not saying I know what they are thinking, but I would imagine that being in the Champions League they will spend more money this summer. "And that could go against Ossie having a place there. "He is their player and we mustn't forget that, but yes we are hopeful

Arsene Wenger is a gambler. Each week he places a bet that his Arsenal team will be able to win a match the hardest way possible. Playing beautifully. He doesn’t exist on the counter, he doesn’t park two buses, or even one, and sometimes he comes  horribly, and humiliatingly, unstuck. He loses finals, important games. He is mocked as a failure, he concedes six at Stamford Bridge. And then, in a Wembley minute on Saturday, we catch sight of his genius.

The Bianconeri's dominance in Serie A this season has seen them move to within one point of a magnificent century Juventus have 99 points and counting. Theirs has been a season to remember, with all-comers being swatted aside by the brilliant Bianconeri. Only Cagliari stand between Antonio Conte's side and a sensational century of points and a 100 per cent home record throughout the entire campaign. While two major disappointments have been suffered in Europe, Italy just hasn't been able to keep up with the pace of the Turin outfit, and, as long as they don't lose at Juventus Stadium on Sunday, they are set to join a select band of teams who have chalked up 100 points in a European season. Of course, they have already surpassed the Italian record, overcoming the 97-point season of Inter in 2006-07. That felt particularly good for Juventini, stung by the circumstances which saw their side relegated to Serie B while their biggest enemies were busy securing win after win i

Sochaux suffered relegation from Ligue 1 for the first time in their history after losing 3-0 to rivals Evian, while PSG ran out 4-0 winners over Montpellier. Top-flight members since their foundation in 1928 and one of only five remaining top-flight clubs who participated in the inaugural 1932-33 Ligue 1 season, Sochaux had flirted with the drop throughout the current campaign before staging a remarkable revival to move to within one point of Evian and safety. On the night, it was Sochaux who cracked under the pressure, and Evian secured a fourth consecutive campaign in the top-flight with a goal from Gael Angoula and two from Daniel Wass. At the other end of the table, Lille booked their place in the qualifying rounds of the Champions League with a thumping 4-1 victory away to Lorient. Les Dogues needed a win to hold off the challenge of St Etienne, two points behind, and delivered in emphatic style despite falling behind to Jeremie Aliadiere's 22nd-minute goal. Salomon Kalou hit

Diego Costa and Arda Turan were reduced to tears after limping off in the Liga decider against Barcelona on Saturday but they are not the only ones to have shown raw emotion COMMENT By Paul Macdonald Crying doesn't make you any less of a man. Sometimes, football can be the cruellest of games, taking players to within moments of glory only to snatch it from them without so much as a warning. Sometimes it can be frustration boiling over at an inept performance or things just not going your way. Other times it can be an injury robbing you of everything you worked hard for. The latter was certainly the case for Atletico Madrid duo Diego Costa and Arda Turan, who were both reduced to tears during the Liga decider against Barcelona on Saturday after being forced off with first half injuries. These injuries now put their participation in next week's Champions League final against Real Madrid in serious doubt, although the 1-1 draw at Camp Nou which clinched Atletico the title will at

City will see their Champions League squad trimmed to 21 names as one of the punishments handed out by European football's governing body, but it appears they will let Micah Richards, Jack Rodwell and Scott Sinclair depart the Etihad Stadium during the forthcoming transfer window. Coupled with the departures of two other players who are out of contract this summer, Gareth Barry and Joleon Lescott, it means the new Premier League champions will mount the defence of their title without five of their current English contingent. UEFA's Champions League squad restriction includes a stipulation that between four and eight players named are 'homegrown', meaning they have to be English or have spent at least three years in an English academy. City, whose summer transfer business will also be limited to £49m following the FFP breach, have outlined a number of potential targets but none of them are understood to be English after the club were quoted transfer fees which they belie

When I heard the final whistle on the Camp Nou, I immediately took to Twitter and did what I should have done: congratulated Atlético Madrid on winning the title. I said they deserved it, that Barcelona wasted its opportunities and Atleti played a hundred percent every single time they entered a football pitch, and because of that, they should have won the championship they were celebrating as the Barcelona crowd applauded the visitors. After that, I switched over to the FA Cup final between Arsenal and Hull City. It was a lot of fun, and I laughed out loud when I finally saw Arsenal actually win something. It was awesome to see them relieved after winning a title they also deserved. Then, it was time to watch the German Cup final between Bayern München and Borussia Dormtund. Another great one, two sensational teams playing their style and delivering more fun and excitement. Bayern wound up as champions, and I was happy to see Pep Guardiola winning once again. Then, I switched over to