Archive for the ‘Football’ Category

Written on June 18th, 2013 by Football Comments

Spain are crowned Under 21 European Champions

Spain's Thiago Alcantara celebrates scoring against Italy

Spain’s Thiago Alcantara celebrates scoring against Italy

By Phillipa Hopwood: Spain have successfully defended their under 21’s European championship with a 4-2 win over Italy in Jerusalem, they are without doubt the most dominant force in football at the moment.

The Spanish national team are the holders of both the World Cup and the European Championship having won and then retained the trophy last year.

Now it seems the youngsters coming through are up to the challenge of continuing that success throughout the next ten years.

Spain faced the most successful team in this competition in the final and proved they deserved to retain the title brushing them aside with Captain Thiago Alcantara’s hat trick  (his first ever hat trick) and a goal from Isco midway through the second half, this was enough to see Spain lift the trophy for the fourth time.

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Written on June 16th, 2013 by Football Comments

Joe Kinnear joins Newcastle as Director of Football

Joe Kinnear set for Newcastle United

Joe Kinnear set for Newcastle United

By Jonno James: Joe Kinnear says he has signed a three-year deal to become Newcastle United’s director of football, the former Magpies manager comes in to help with team affairs with the role of improving their form on the pitch.

Kinnear will focus on recruitment matters, overseeing players that are coming and in and players going out, Kinnear will have the final say on transfer dealings. It is clear that there are areas that need addressing in the squad, he insists he will be there to offer he’s advice to Alan Pardew should he ask for any and he admits he will do what is necessary to get the right players in who he feels will benefit Newcastle.

Kinnear is not there to force his opinions on the manager and when asked about who would have the say on final future transfer targets, he added; “It will be me.

“If between the three of us (Kinnear, Pardew and head scout Graham Carr) we sit down and iron it out and them two decide that he’s not that good, then my ears will be wide open. It’s not a case of lump it or like it.

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Written on June 14th, 2013 by Football Comments

Manuel Pellegrini appointed Man City manager

Manuel Pellegrini appointed Man City manager

Manuel Pellegrini appointed Man City manager

By Phillipa Hopwood: Former Malaga manager Manuel Pellegrini will take over at The Etihad on a three-year contract.

The Chilean will take control of the club from the 24th June after this morning it was revealed that he had cut his ties with former club Malaga.

The 59-year-old takes over the former champions nearly a month after Roberto Mancini was sacked.

Malaga has announced that Bernd Schuster, the former Real Madrid and Barcelona player takes over from the Chilean at La Rosaleda.

Manchester City have tried to get Pellegrini to sign for weeks after it was announced he would leave Malaga and finally today they have their man, he said in a statement:

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Written on June 14th, 2013 by Football Comments

Owen Coyle is the new Wigan Manager?

Owen Coyle

Owen Coyle

By Phillipa Hopwood: Owen Coyle has been announced this morning as the successor of Roberto Martinez at The DW Stadium.Sky Sports have announced that he is set to sign a 12 month rolling contract which will see him earn a bonus if he lands promotion back to The Premier League on his first attempt.

The manager merry go round began back in May when Alex Ferguson announced his retirement so David Moyes replaced him at Manchester United, Then Roberto Martinez replaced Moyes at Everton and finally Wigan have found a replacement for the former player.

The former Bolton manager has been out of work since October when he left Bolton after a 2-1 loss to Millwall meant they had won just three league games in 10.

The 46- year -old started his managing career at Falkirk before joining St Johnstone and then Burnley and then deciding to remain in Lancaster to manage Bolton in the Premier League.

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