Northern Ireland coach Michael O Neill was asked to give some advice to the ailing Brazil national team ahead of his own side s crunch Euro 2016 encounter with world champions Germany.
Joachim Low s men famously demolished Germany 7-1 in the 2014 World Cup semi-final in Belo Horizonte before lifting the trophy thanks to an extra-time triumph versus Argentina.
Brazil are arguably still feeling the effects of that humiliation, having parted company with coach Dunga on the back of a dispiriting group-stage exit at the Copa America Centenario.
In contrast, Northern Ireland are on the crest of a wave following the surprise 2-0 win over Ukraine that leaves them within touching distance of a place in the last 16 of Euro 2016.
They will resume underdog duties in…
Torsten Frings returns to the international fray for Germany in Wednesday s friendly with Norway intent on putting his public spat with Joachim Loew behind him.
The Werder Bremen midfielder fell out with the Germany manager after being dropped to the bench for last October s World Cup qualifiers against Russia and Wales and not even picked for November s friendly against England.
I see my role as exactly the same as it was before. Players have never had a guarantee of getting picked. Rudi Voller, Jurgen Klinsmann or Joachim Loew never said You, my boy, you will systematically play as long as I m the coach’ Frings told a press conference on Tuesday.
The 32-year-old added: My last cap goes back to the Euro 2008 final. I reckon that I ve regained my best level, bu…
Celtic manager Neil Lennon is tipping Gary Hooper for an England call-up after the striker scored four goals in their League Cup match on Wednesday.
The Celts defeated First Division Raith Rovers 4-1 at Parkhead, with the former Scunthorpe United frontman netting all four goals in a lethal display of finishing.
The 24-year-old has been prolific in front of goal ever since he joined the Scottish Premier League champions in 2010 and his latest heroics took his goal tally to 58 from just 97 appearances for the club.
Lennon believes Hooper s game has reached a level where he is now worthy of selection by England boss Roy Hodgson for his nation s World Cup 2014 qualifying campaign.
In Hooper we have a phenomenal player, Lennon told reporters at the post-matc…
Prediction: Manchester City to win 3-0
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Manchester City and Newcastle United will lock horns with each other this weekend. The Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium is slated to kick off at 8pm UK time on Saturday and could be an interesting game of football.
Manchester City
Manchester City are not having the best of seasons at the moment, but there have been positive signs in recent days. Last weekend, Pep Guardiola’s side got the better of high-flying Southampton 1-0 away from home at St. Mary’s Stadium in the Premier League before easing past Arsenal 4-1 at the Emirates Stadium in North London in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.
City are eighth in the Premier League table at the moment with 23 points fr…
Jose Mourinho claimed Tottenham lacked the ambition and desire to push for a win against Wolves.
Spurs went in front on Sunday through Tanguy Ndombele s first-minute strike, yet only managed another two attempts on target – the last of which came when Sergio Reguilon drilled at Rui Patricio in the 21st minute.
Wolves made it count, scoring in the 86th minute through Romain Saiss header, and the home side should have won it when Fabio Silva headed straight into the gloves of Hugo Lloris in stoppage time.
Tottenham have now dropped nine points this season due to conceding goals in the last 10 minutes of matches, the most of any side in the Premier League, while Mourinho s team are without a win in four league matches.
I am, Mourinho responded to Sky Spo…
England youth international Rob Holding has pledged his future to Arsenal by signing a new long-term contract.
The extension comes despite the 22-year-old s struggles to break into the first team, having made just seven Premier League starts this term.
He has been a more regular figure in the run to the Europa League semi-finals, although Arsene Wenger overlooked the defender for last week s first-leg draw with Atletico Madrid.
Holding, who played 90 minutes in last year s FA Cup final triumph over Chelsea, has made 42 senior appearances in total since signing from Bolton in July 2016.
The Gunners did not confirm the exact length of the deal.
Delighted to have extended my contract with . Really looking forward to the exciting years ahead. Thank y…
Pep Guardiola expressed his disagreement with the idea of a breakaway competition for Europe s top clubs, saying a prospective Super League would kill domestic football.
Reports suggesting Bayern Munich and their chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge might attempt to lead the creation of a new competition for Europe s biggest clubs have been circulating since late 2018, and Guardiola is one of many to have voiced their concern.
Bayern and Rummenigge have strongly denied the reports but rumours persist that the clubs who dominate their respective leagues might seek to establish a year-round competition that offers the quality, competitiveness and lucrative rewards of the Champions League.
Guardiola was asked for his views on a breakaway league in an interview with Catal…
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte insists Nemanja Matic is going nowhere and believes the Serbia international can become one of the best midfielders in the world.
Matic was a star performer as Chelsea romped to the Premier League title in 2014-15 but struggled last term as a shambolic title defence cost Jose Mourinho his job at Stamford Bridge midway through last season.
Although the 27-year-old was not alone as a key player losing his way for Chelsea, his fall from grace was as pronounced as any and he regularly found himself behind the unheralded Jon Obi Mikel in the pecking order under interim manager Guus Hiddink.
Conte s move to bring in N Golo Kante from Leicester City threw Matic s future into doubt but, amid speculation the manager s former club Juventus are ey…
Enrique Cerezo has dismissed suggestions Atletico Madrid are keen to re-sign Chelsea striker Diego Costa ahead of the 2016-17 campaign.
The Spain international, 27, departed the Vicente Calderon in 2014 and helped Chelsea to a Premier League and League Cup double in his first season.
Costa struggled for form and fitness as Chelsea s title defence f
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ell apart last season, though, and he has been heavily linked with an Atleti return throughout the close season.
However, president Cerezo says Atleti who reinforced their forward options with the signing of Kevin Gameiro from Sevilla in this window are not planning a move for Costa.
There was never a Diego Costa transfer saga, Cerezo told Marca.
Diego has a contract with Chelsea and is par…
Stephan El Shaarawy is settled at Milan after he insisted he would snub offers from any team in favour of staying at San Siro.
Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani revealed last month that the 20-year-old attacker rejected a huge offer to remain with the Serie A club amid reported speculation of interest from the likes of Chelsea.
And El Shaarawy, who scored 19 goals in 46 appearances in all competitions, is happy with the decision he made and reiterated his commitment to Milan, who he supported as a child growing up.
He told Tuttosport: I ve always been convinced of my decisions, so I never thought about changing team.
I have been a Milan fan since childhood, so being here is a dream come true.
I would never have left, not even faced with an offer from Re…