Gennaro Gattuso has taken over from Carlo Ancelotti at Napoli but received advice from the former head coach on how to turn their fortunes around.
Ancelotti was sacked in the hours following Tuesday s 4-0 win over Genk that secured progression to the Champions League last 16, his position having come under intense scrutiny amid poor form and a reported rift between the players and president Aurelio De Laurentiis.
Napoli announced Gattuso as their new boss on Wednesday, and the 41-year-old made sure to reach out to Ancelotti – who he won two Champions League titles under as a Milan player – before he was presented to the media.
We spoke this morning, even though I wanted to talk to him last night. These days were not easy. I knew I had to clarify things wi…
Fabinho applauded Jurgen Klopp s man-management style, convinced the Liverpool boss knows what is best for his players development.
Klopp has earned wide acclaim ever since joining Liverpool in 2015, with the ex-Borussia Dortmund boss introducing an entertaining brand of football and overseeing a notable improvement in team who lead Premier League champions Manchester City by four points at the top of the table.
He has also been praised for his impact on the players themselves, with Klopp putting trust in youngsters and ensuring others have improved.
Fabinho is one of those to have made significant strides, as the Brazilian struggled to get in Liverpool s team initially after joining from Monaco for a reported £44million in July.
There were reservations …
Roberto Mancini was pleased to end his wait for a Serie A win in his second stint with Inter as they beat Chievo 2-0 on Monday.
The head coach had only collected one point from the three league matches since his return to San Siro in November, however he oversaw a victory in Verona.
Mancini previously led the club from 2004 to 2008.
Goals from Mateo Kovacic and Andrea Ranocchia were enough to give Inter a comfortable victory, althouygh the winning margin could have been wider with better finishing.
Mancini did not mind, though, as recording all three points was much more significant to the 50-year-old.
It’s an important win, as clearly we are gaining confidence because despite the difficulties of facing Chievo we didn t concede, he is quoted as…
Market: Augsburg win
Odds: 10/11 @
Looking to make an immediate return to winning ways on Saturday afternoon, Augsburg will welcome Darmstadt to Bavaria.
Starting with the hosts, putting in a flat performance last weekend as they slumped to a routine 2-0 loss away at Freiburg, Augsburg will be seeking an immediate response here. However, while Enrico Maaben’s men might have spent large spells of last season looking over her shoulder at a looming relegation scrap, the Whites have made some improvements since opening up the 2023/24 campaign. Losing just a pair of their previous five Bundesliga appearances and smelling a golden chance this weekend, Augsburg will be excited to make a return to Bavaria on Saturday afternoon. Last seen in front of their own supporte…
Jack Butland has joined Manchester United on loan from Crystal Palace for the remainder of the 2022-23 season.
The Red Devils had been in the hunt for extra competition at goalkeeper after Martin Dubravka was recalled from his own temporary spell by Newcastle United.
United boss Erik ten Hag had confirmed to the media on Thursday that Butland was set to arrive and provide competition to David de Gea and Tom Heaton, and the move was confirmed on Friday.
This is an amazing club and one that I am now proud to represent. I m really looking forward to working with an unbelievable goalkeeping group, supporting each other every day to create the best training and playing environment for the team, Butland told United s official website.
Massive club. Massive opp…
A match between Boca Juniors and River Plate is never short of meaning and when the rivalry between Argentina s two biggest clubs resumes with a Superclasico at the iconic Bombonera on Sunday, the title is potentially at stake.
Boca have been the dominating force in the monstrous 30-team Primera Division that is late Argentine Football Association president Julio Grondona s legacy this season, with River seven points adrift in fifth – a position that would see them fail to qualify for the 2018 Copa Libertadores.
Marcelo Gallardo s side possess a game in hand and victory will reinvigorate the title race, but defeat in the cacophonous Bombonera this weekend is not an option.
A domestic league title is the only thing evading Gallardo, a highly regarded coach who h…
Steve Clarke believes Scotland’s maximum performance against Spain on Thursday night will be good enough to get them at least the point they need to qualify for Euro 2024.
The Scots have won their first five qualifiers including a morale-boosting 2-0 victory over Spain at Hampden Park in March.
Scotland are six points clear of Luis de la Fuente’s side at the top of the table and will qualify for next summer’s finals in Germany if they avoid defeat in Seville or if Norway fail to beat Cyprus on the same night.
Scotland have Georgia away and Norway at home in November to complete their campaign.
One more session
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT)
Clarke said: “Belief will be part of it, obviously we have to get the…
Anthony Martial has reportedly been permitted to explore his options by Manchester United.
Martial has fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford since Cristiano Ronaldo s return.
France international Martial scored four league goals for United last term, after netting 17 times in the 2019-20 Premier League campaign.
TOP STORY – DORTMUND PLOTS MARTIAL MOVE
Borussia Dortmund are bracing for Erling Haaland s departure by plotting a move for Manchester United forward Anthony Martial, claims 90Min.
Haaland, who has a release clause in his contract that activates in mid-2022, is being chased by a host of top clubs, including Premier League champions Manchester City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, Liverpoo…
England star Phil Foden was set to join back up with his team-mates on Thursday, according to reports.
Foden left England s Euro 2024 camp on Wednesday due to a pressing family matter .
It was subsequently confirmed Foden was attending the birth of his third child.
The 24-year-old was then travelling back to Germany late on Thursday.
England face Slovakia in the last 16 on Sunday.
Foden has started all three of England s matches at the tournament so far, though the Premier League Player of the Season has so far failed to find his best form.
The grind doesn t stop
— England (@England)
…
Inter have completed the signing of Kristjan Asllani on loan from Empoli with an obligation to buy.
The 20-year-old has signed a contract until June 2027 and will cost Inter €14million, with €4m of that identified as the fee for the initial loan.
A central midfielder, Asllani came through Empoli s youth system and enjoyed a breakout season in 2021-22, featuring 23 times in Serie A as the Tuscans comfortably avoided relegation.
He scored his only goal of the season in a 4-2 defeat to Inter on May 6.
= Kristjan Asllani
— Inter (@Inter)
While the youngster is unlikely to be a regular starter initially – rather a back-up to Marcelo Brozovic – he will bolster Inter s midfield following the departure of Matias Vecino and expec…