Bayer Leverkusen have announced that manager Xabi Alonso will leave at the end of the current campaign after two-and-a-half years in charge, with reports linking him with a move to Real Madrid. Alonso – who made 236 appearances in five years with the Spanish giants during his playing career – made history during a record breaking 2023-24 campaign after ending Bayern Munich’s dominance to win the Bundesliga trophy. Alonso’s contract was due to expire in 2026 but both parties have agreed to a termination as a move to replace Brazil-bound Carlo Ancelotti in Spain looms. In a statement, Bayer Leverkusen…
Author: Somto Isaac
After a Premier League-winning campaign with Liverpool and picking up 90% of the votes from 900 FWA members, Mohamed Salah has been recognised for an incredible season. The Egyptian has been named the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year for a third time. Salah is the second player to win a hat-trick of awards after Thierry Henry and is the first Liverpool player to win the award since Jordan Henderson in 2019-20. The 32-year-old has recorded 28 goals and 18 assists to aid the Reds to a record-equalling Premier League crown. He is also one goal contribution away from…
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim stated his side’s journey to the Europa League final would mean nothing if they do not beat Tottenham Hotspur in Bilbao later in May. Amorim’s Red Devils dispatched Athletic Bilbao 7-1 on aggregate to secure their spot in the final of Europe’s second tier competition.United will face Spurs on May 21, with the winner assured of a spot in the Champions League next season. “It’s the least we can do for these fans, for the support they have given us in this tough season,” Amorim said to TNT Sports. “I’m stressed already because of the…
Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou understands a Europa League final against Manchester United stirs mixed reactions but the Austrialian insisted he does not look at different opinions. Spurs defeated Bodo/Glimt 2-0 to book their place in the final with a 5-1 aggregate victory and the North London side are now one win away from ending a troubled season with a first major trophy since 2008. Despite Tottenham being 16th and Man United sitting 15th in the Premier League, the winner of the contest in Bilbao will be rewarded with a spot in next season’s Champions League. “It’s going to…
Following elimination from the semi-final stage at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal gaffer Mikel Arteta cut a defiant figure as he insisted his side were the best team in the Champions League this season. Arteta’s charges lost 3-1 on aggregate following their 2-1 second leg loss at Parc des Princes, following goals from Fabian Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi. It was a bitter pill to swallow for the Gunners — who got a late goal through Bukayo Saka — after creating a number of good chances early on in the contest only to be denied by great saves from Gianluigi…
Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique insisted his team were deserving of their berth in the final of the UEFA Champions League following their triumph against Arsenal. “Over the two legs we scored more goals than them and in football its the most important thing, but Arsenal played a great game and we suffered a lot,” said the Spaniard. Goals in each half from Fabian Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi had put the French champions in a great position as Bukayo Saka pulled a goal back for the Gunners, with PSG’s Vitinha missing a penalty. However, the Parisians needed goalkeeper Gianluigi…
Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni has revealed what his teammates will do to contain Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal in the Champions League semi-final second leg on Tuesday. The 17-year-old sensation was in imperious form last time when the two sides met, as he netted a sublime goal, to help the Blaugrana rescue a 3-3 draw. Bastoni, who faced Yamal during the European Championship when Spain defeated Italy 1-0, showered praise while reflecting on the youngster’s growth. “I had already faced him with Spain, and he was not yet at this level,” Bastoni said in a press conference on Monday. “I was…
Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has given his thoughts on the Gunners’ clash against Paris Saint-Germain and how they can book their place in the final. PSG came out victorious in the first leg thanks to an early goal from Ousmane Dembele as the second leg at Parc des Princes looms this Wednesday. Arsenal and Mikel Arteta will be aiming to lift their first ever Champions League trophy by overturning the deficit — and Wenger, who came close to winning it during his time, spoke about what his former side must do. “What is interesting in the Champions League, when…
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick revealed the decision involving Robert Lewandowski, following his return from injury, ahead of the Champions League semi-final second leg at Inter Milan. Flick made it known the Poland captain, who missed the first leg, will start on the bench when the teams square off at San Siro. “Everything goes in the right way, and he is good, much better than we expected, and he is ready for the bench. So maybe when we need him, he can come in,” Flick said to reporters. Lewandowski’s return is a huge boost for Flick as the veteran striker…
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta had hoped to gain winning momentum into Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg at Paris Saint-Germain but has now urged his players to use the anger felt in the 2-1 home defeat against Bournemouth on Saturday. Midfielder Declan Rice netted the opening goal of the contest, on his 100th Arsenal appearance, to give the hosts a lead at the interval. But the Gunners conceded two goals in the second half, with Dean Huijsen and Evanilson netting in the space of eight minutes, to hit the North Londoners with a low boost ahead of the crucial…