Antonio Conte has fired a warning shot across the bow of his Chelsea players after suffering a disappointing pre-season friendly defeat by Rapid Vienna on his debut as manager. The Italian took to the dug-out for the first time as Blues boss as a strong line-up including Diego Costa, Willian, Nemanja Matic and captain John Terry succumbed in the Austrian capital on Saturday. Joelinton gave Rapid an eighth-minute lead before Tomi Correa scored a second with nine minutes remaining as Costa and youngster Ola Aina conspired to spurn guilt-edged chances. Speaking at full-time, Conte said: “I always give education and respect but I demand the same, for all the people that work with me. I give them this and I demand this,” he said. “This was taught to me by … [Read more...]
Conte keen on signing only the right players
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte admits he “talks to the club every day” as he plots a third arrival of the summer at Stamford Bridge. The new Blues boss has already done deals for Michy Batshuayi and N’Golo Kante and the Italian admits the club are still working to add new names to the squad. Chelsea have on Sunday been linked with a move for Leicester star and reigning Player of the Year Riyad Mahrez , but Conte was given nothing away when questioned about who he might sign next. “All together we are working to improve the squad,” he said. “We know we have to but we prefer to wait and go for our targets, rather than go with emotion and take the players who don’t adapt to our idea of football. “I talk every day with the club, it’s very important because … [Read more...]
Henry dreams of Arsenal job; reveals details of coaching snub
Thierry Henry says he dreams of taking over the reins from Arsene Wenger at Arsenal, but he has played down his coaching exit from the club. The Gunners legend was offered a role as under-18 coach by the head of the Arsenal academy Andries Jonker, but Arsene Wenger did not want the Frenchman combining it with his job as a Sky Sports pundit. The 38-year-old, who had worked with the club’s academy players last season as he studied to gain his UEFA ‘A’ Licence, opted to continue in his media role and walk away from the club he “loves”. “Nothing will change with my love for Arsenal,” he told The Sun. “First and foremost, I wasn’t an employee. I was allowed to go and pass my badges there. This decision was taken months ago, but I guess it came out now … [Read more...]
Rio Ferdinand wants England coaching job
After working during Euro 2016 as a pundit, Rio Ferdinand has given his views on the problems the England side have to solve. Despite no coaching experience, Rio Ferdinand insists that he should be the next England boss. Roy Hodgson resigned following the Three Lions’ humiliating last 16 exit at Euro 2016 to underdogs Iceland and the hunt for his successor is well underway. Sam Allardyce is the current bookmakers’ favourite for the job but Ferdinand, who won 81 caps with the national team, has offered his own view on the team as well as throwing his hat in the ring. ‘When you don’t know your starting 11 when you get to the tournament and don’t know your best formation, there’s a problem,’ Ferdinand asserted in an interview with Copa 90. “When you … [Read more...]
Allegri keen to work with Higuain at Juventus
Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri would relish the potential arrival of Gonzalo Higuain and is keen for Paul Pogba to stay put. Massimiliano Allegri would welcome Gonzalo Higuain with open arms if the Napoli striker were to join Juventus. The Serie A champions are keen to sign a new striker following the departure of Alvaro Morata to Real Madrid and they have allegedly selected Higuain as the ideal replacement. Sporting director Fabio Paratici revealed on Friday that Juventus are indeed interested in signing the Argentina international, but stressed that a transfer is still far away at this stage. Allegri is keeping a close eye on the situation and believes the former Real Madrid forward would be a fine addition. "Higuain? Great players are … [Read more...]
Liverpool target set to remain in Italy
Jurgen Klopp will move on to other targets as Udinese’s Pietr Zielinski is reportedly closing in on a permanent transfer to Inter Milan. The Poland star has spent the last two seasons on loan at Empoli and has long been on the Reds’ radar, but his parent club Udinese have proved difficult to negotiate with according to Goal. The 22-year-old is said to have had his heart set on a move to Anfield. However, he is now ready to join AC Milan after talks with Liverpool continued to break down. Zielinski is not the only target Liverpool have failed to capture, with new boys Middlesbrough set to sign Borussia Dortmund centre-back Neven Subotic . Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has already expressed his desire to sign players who can enhance a strong team spirit and … [Read more...]
Del Bosque tips Man City boss as the ideal candidate for Spain job
After stepping down from his job as Spain’s coach following the early elimination in Euro 2016 at the hands of Italy, Vicente Del Bosque dropped Pep Guardiola’s name as the ideal La Roja in the future. The Salamanca native considers that political divergences should not be an obstacle. After stepping down from his job as Spain’s coach following the early elimination in Euro 2016 at the hands of Italy , Vicente Del Bosque dropped Pep Guardiola’s name as the ideal La Roja in the future. The Salamanca native considers that political divergences should not be an obstacle. “Why can’t a Catalan coach the Spanish national team?” Del Bosque told the Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper. “It would be great if such a move pulled Spain and Catalunya back … [Read more...]