Roma go from digital to physical with Nigerian link
February 12 – AS Roma is to open their first youth academy on the African continent in Abuja, Nigeria, the Italian club have announced.
Performance
Return of Domenech lasts just 6 weeks at Nantes
February 10 – Former French national coach Raymond Domenech has been sacked by Nantes after just six weeks in charge following a string of poor results with the club hovering just above the relegation places.
Mexico’s Tigres strike a blow at the old order with win over Palmeiras to make CWC final
February 8 – Mexico’s Tigres upset Copa Libertadores winners Palmeiras from Brazil in a 1-0 semi-final victory at the Club World Cup to become the first Concacaf club to reach the final of tournament.
Bayern are Europe’s top finishers; Atlético, Leicester, Inter and Monaco top Big 5
February 3 – Bayern Munich are the most clinical goal finishers in Europe’s Big 5 leagues, scoring on average every 5.3 shots.
Thrown to the Wolves. Tuchel takes charge of post-Lampard Chelsea tonight
January 27 – As predicted, Thomas Tuchel has become the 11th full-time Chelsea manager in the ruthless 18-year Roman Abramovich era following Frank Lampard’s sacking, and takes charge of the club for the first time tonight at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
End of a icon. Chelsea boot Lampard into the stands
November 25 – Chelsea’s notorious policy of impatience and short-termism is back in the spotlight after the club sacked Frank Lampard as manager.
Turkish delight: Ozil leaves Arsenal on a free for cash-strapped Fenerbahce
By Andrew Warshaw
January 25 – He cost almost £42 million when he moved to Arsenal over seven years ago, then a club record, helped Germany win the World Cup, earned an eye-watering weekly fortune but has now been transferred for precisely nothing.
Bayern’s Manuel Neuer breaks Oliver Khan’s clean sheet record
January 25 – Bayern Munich’s German international goalkeeper Manuel Neuer set a new Bundesliga record with the 197th clean sheet of his career in Sunday’s 4-0 win over Schalke.
Beckham backs old pal Neville asserting he is in Miami on merit
January 25 – David Beckham insists that his former England and Manchester United teammate Phil Neville was appointed as Inter Miami head coach since he is “the right man for the job” rather than anything to do with their friendship.
Anfield rattled: Burnley end Liverpool’s unbeaten 68-game home run
January 22 – One of the most formidable records in English football came to a sudden and unexpected halt on Thursday night when Liverpool’s 68-match unbeaten home streak in the Premier League ended with a shock 1-0 loss to lowly Burnley, the latest setback of a rapidly fading title defence.
Villa and Saints keep player rotation to minimum as Newcastle’s revolving door keeps spinning
January 22 – Aston Villa (87%) and Southampton (85%) are the two clubs handing the eleven most fielded players the most playing time according to the CIES Football Observatory.
Poland bring in Paula Sousa to lead national team into Euros
January 22 – Poland will be coached by former Portuguese international Paulo Sousa (pictured) at the delayed Euro 2020 finals this year.
Premier League greenlights concussion subs from next week
January 21 – The English Premier League is making a head start on everyone else by becoming the first competition to approve permanent concussion substitutes from next week.
Real Madrid knocked out of Spanish Cup by third-tier giantkillers Alcoyano
January 21 – Rotation can backfire. An understrength Real Madrid crashed out of the Spanish Cup in the round of 32 at the hands of third-division club Alcoyano on Wednesday, increasing pressure on French coach Zinedine Zidane.
Is Chelsea’s poor form leaving Lampard playing Russian Roulette?
January 21 – Under-fire Chelsea manager Frank Lampard is to be given more time to turn around the fortunes of the club, according to British reports, after they slumped to eighth in the Premier League despite spending a whopping £220 million during the summer.