After Italy's defeat to Uruguay in the 2014 World Cup, Mario Balotelli said he is finally ready to return to his national team. Recall that he has enjoyed a lightning start with French Ligue 1 side Nice, scoring five goals in his first three league appearances to help them to the top of the table, above more-fancied Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain. We all know that the 26-year-old was not selected for Italy’s upcoming 2018 World Cup qualifiers at home to Spain but a return to Giampiero Ventura’s squad is sure for him. “It was right not to select me because I didn’t deserve it. I would not have given my best,” Balotelli said. Balotelli is known for his stubbornness on the field and disrespect to some of his team members. He had a three-year spell … [Read more...]
Don’t Underestimate Tottenham; they can win the Premier League- Guardiola
Pep Guardiola insisted Tottenham are genuine contenders for the English Premier League title after seeing his unbeaten start as Manchester City boss come to an end at White Hart Lane. The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach had won his first 10 games in charge of City before a midweek UEFA Champions League draw at Celtic was followed up with a maiden loss on Sunday (Monday AEST). Tottenham were good value for their win as an Aleksandar Kolarov own goal and a Dele Alli effort secured a 2-0 victory, with Erik Lamela unable to add the gloss to the three points as he saw a second-half penalty saved by Claudio Bravo. City were harried as they attempted to play their passing game and they missed the incisiveness of the injured Kevin De Bruyne as the Spurs … [Read more...]
Transfer Rumors: Giggs to move to Swansea as Next Coach!
Swansea are ready to sack Francesco Guidolin and install Ryan Giggs as the club's next manager, according to the Telegraph. Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Liverpool was the Welsh club's fourth straight reverse, and patience has reportedly worn thin with Guidolin. Giggs is one of the top candidates to take over, and is said to have met with the club's owners on Thursday. We still don't know how true this is but knowing football, there is no smoke without fire! Stay tuned to 234sport.com for more news! … [Read more...]
Manchester United: Has the Mighty Fallen?
Jose Mourinho insisted in the build-up to Sunday’s clash with Stoke City that he needs more time to get things the way he wants them at Manchester United. And, after Joe Allen made the most of an error by David de Gea to earn a 1-1 draw, his assertion that United are nowhere near the finished article is clear for all to see. After Anthony Martial had come off the bench to give them the lead with 21 minutes to go, this was a game they should have been able to see out with something to spare. Instead, their normally-reliable goalkeeper – Player of the Year for three seasons running – spilled what seemed a straight-forward save and they were made to pay. But, while De Gea will be thrust under the spotlight in a game when his opposite number Lee Grant earned … [Read more...]
Unbelievable! Rangers win Nigeria Premier League after many years!
Rangers International were on Sunday crowned champions of the 2015/2016 Nigeria Professional Football League. The Enugu-based club demolished El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri 4-0 in their last match of the season to seal the title. Chisom Egbuchulam scored a hat trick while Osas Okoro scored one to help Rangers win their first league title in 32 years. The Flying Antelopes amassed a total of 63 points from 38 games to finish first among the 19 competing clubs. While it was a carnival-like atmosphere at the Cathedral on Sunday, the late injury suffered by forward Ifeanyi Egwim was the only sour point in a largely flawless display by the Enugu State-owned team. Congrats to them! It was a well deserved win! … [Read more...]
Pep talks of a 3-year contract extension only 3 months into his job
Pep Guardiola is already looking at extending his stay at Manchester City if only he can lead the club to glory. However, he has warned his players he will accept nothing less than total commitment to his strict philosophy and approach to football management. Early Premier League leaders City lost their 100 per cent record under the manager in midweek with the 3-3 Champions League draw at Brendan Rodgers led Celtic. Midfielder Fernandinho admitted afterwards it is hard for City’s players to maintain the levels of intensity demanded by the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss. But Guardiola, whose City side visit London for a top of the table clash on Sunday against Tottenham, turned down the opinion, though he is enjoying life at City so much he coud … [Read more...]
Mourinho to hand key role to his friend, Sir Alex Ferguson
Jose Mourinho has moved to increase Sir Alex Ferguson's influence on decision-making at Old Trafford as part of the manager's efforts to return Manchester United to the summit of English football. Ferguson has been the most publicly prominent member of United's 'Football Club Board' since the Septuagenarian voluntarily stepped down as manager in the summer of 2013. His directorship, however, has been essentially ceremonial, with the main board of Manchester United PLC regularly ignoring his counsel on how the club should be run.qeup Though Ferguson was allowed to select his immediate successor as manager as a condition of his retirement, the nine-man PLC board have excluded him from the appointment processes that resulted in both Louis van Gaal in 2014, and … [Read more...]