List of All Articles with Tag 'foot'

Sheikh Jassim has submitted an improved fifth and final bid for Manchester United – and wants an answer by Friday, the PA news agency understands. The club announced in November that the board was exploring strategic alternatives to enhance the club’s growth, with a full sale one option being considered. Current owners, the Glazer family, are said to value United at £6billion and the Raine Group was brought in to oversee the process. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim both publicly confirmed initial offers after the February 17 soft deadline for expressions of interest, then another by the second deadline of March 22. That was eventually extended by a few days and Raine asked interested parties for their third and final bids on April 28. Talk has increased over the subsequent 40 days that Ratcliffe and INEOS have emerged as favourites to take over at United, despite Sheikh Jassim placing a fourth bid last month. Now the PA news agency understands the Qataris this week lodged a fifth and final bid, along with sending a warning that patience is wearing thin. The fifth offer remains for 100 per cent of the club and Sheikh Jassim’s bid team have set Friday as a deadline to make headway in discussions. While Sheikh Jassim’s offer is understood to remain after that point, the end of the week would mark the end of their ongoing engagement in the process. This is a crunch period on and off the field for United, who won the Carabao Cup, finished third in the Premier League and lost Saturday’s FA Cup final in Erik ten Hag’s first season in charge. Co-owner Avram Glazer was at Wembley for Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester City and ignored questions about the takeover as he left through the interview area. Asked about the potential takeover and summer improvements, United boss Ten Hag said: “I think in this moment I don’t want to discuss that. “It’s about finalising the season. We have to be quiet, analyse the season, go into the depth, then set the right conclusions and then take action. It’s about that. “Of course, during the season you continually make your considerations and already some actions are into process. “But, yeah, now the season is finished and the conclusion all over is we played a brilliant season.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live London Irish file for administration after suspension from all club competitions Beatriz Haddad Maia claims historic victory to reach French Open semi-finals David Warner out for 43 just before lunch on day one of World Test Championship

Serhiy Rebrov, the former Tottenham and West Ham striker, has been appointed as head coach of Ukraine. The 49-year-old has enjoyed a varied managerial career, with spells in charge of Dinamo Kyiv, Al-Ahli, Ferencvaros and most recently Al-Ain. Former Ukraine striker Rebrov, who won 75 caps as a player, has now taken the reins of his national team on a deal until 2026. Ukrainian Football Association chief Andriy Pavelko said: “This is a long-awaited event. A new stage in the history of Ukrainian football. “A special moment, since the new page will be written during martial law, in a special period for our country.” Rebrov takes charge of a Ukraine side looking to kickstart their Euro 2024 qualification hopes having lost their opener against England in March. Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka scored in a 2-0 win at Wembley, where the visitors were managed by interim boss Ruslan Rotan. Rebrov’s first game will be at North Macedonia next Friday, before playing Malta three days later – a match that will be hosted in Trnava, Slovakia due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Pavelko added: “We will expect from our national team, a game that will please Ukrainian fans.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

West Ham United stars will be hoping to write their names into club history on Wednesday, when they face Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final. The likes of Declan Rice and Michail Antonio are aiming for the first major trophies of their careers, while as a club the Hammers are hoping to end over four decades of waiting to see silverware lifted with their ribbon colours attached. Fiorentina finished in the top half of Serie A this season so will present a huge test - West Ham came 14th in England - but La Viola have themselves gone more than 20 years without a big trophy too. In Prague, one of those clubs will end their long waits and their fans will have a celebration for the ages; the other will be left to wonder what might have been, and have to get ready to do it all again next year. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the final. When is the match? The final kicks off at 8pm (UK) on Wednesday 7 June. Where can I watch it? The match will be shown live on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport Ultimate. It can also be streamed on the BT Sport website, BT Sport app and BT Sport YouTube channel. What is the team news? Gianluca Scamacca misses the final after having knee surgery but otherwise, the Hammers should have a full squad to choose from. For Fiorentina, it’s goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu who will miss out, while Nicolas Gonzalez needs a late check to see if he can start. What are the predicted lineups WHU - Areola, Kehrer, Aguerd, Zouma, Cresswell, Rice, Soucek, Bowen, Paqueta, Benrahma, Antonio FIO - Terracciano, Dodo, Martinez, Milenkovic, Biraghi, Amrabat, Mandragora, Ikone, Gonzalez, Bonaventura, Cabral Odds West Ham 37/20 Draw 11/5 Fiorentina 37/20 Prediction The Hammers to bring home a long-awaited trophy. West Ham 2-1 Fiorentina Read More Carlton Cole on West Ham’s final, coaching and surprise sporting ‘love’ David Moyes ready for ‘biggest moment’ of career in first European final West Ham vs Fiorentina predicted line-ups and team news ahead of final Route to the final: How did West Ham reach the Europa Conference League showpiece? Football says goodbye to Zlatan Ibrahimovic – Monday’s sporting social Golf and water parks can help West Ham to European glory, says Thilo Kehrer

On Wednesday, West Ham United fans all over the country will spend the day somewhere between utter anxiety and outrageous optimism, preparing for the chance to win their first major trophy since 1980. The Hammers face Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final, a little over a year on from making the semi-finals of another European competition and falling just short. This time, there’s real optimism over them going the distance and lifting silverware, a moment which would be truly unique for a generation of supporters. Among them will be a certain Carlton Cole, striker for the Hammers for close to a decade from 2006 to 2015, now a coach within the Academy setup - and still very much someone hoping the club go the distance this time. The memories of last year and being close enough to touch a final appearance will spur the side on, but nothing can be taken for granted at this stage, he says. “If we had beat Frankfurt over two legs I think we’d have gone on to win it. We were so disappointed but now we’ve done really well in the Europa Conference League - you have to congratulate David Moyes for that even without it being a great Premier League season,” Cole told the Independent. “A Premier League team in this competition should be capable of winning it but a final is a one-off, you can’t say it’ll definitely happen.” Cole played almost 300 times for the east London club and was capped seven times at senior international level by England. That was a career highlight - he debut against Spain and almost scored - a moment he describes as the “pinnacle” for any aspiring player. But that is his past, and Cole has both eyes firmly on the future. That is both professionally and in his personal life, with the now 39-year-old an engaging and enthusiastic talker across a range of issues. When we meet, it’s in an unexpected location: the Monaco E-Prix, a flagship race in the Formula E all-electric racing series. The rapidly growing championship is now in it’s ninth season and Cole has found it an exhilarating sport to be around, along with it fitting into his own ethos of improved sustainability. “I went to the London E-Prix last summer and it was brilliant, I had a great time. They taught me about it and how different it is - I was never an F1 fan to be honest but you can see the tactical nouse you need to be a Formula E driver,” he explained. “That’s what I fell in love with, the tactical side - it remains me of football. The team around you need to be on point or you’re not getting the result you really want. Then [Jaguar’s British driver] Sam Bird has been on our TalkSport show and giving his score predictions so we have a bit of back-and-forth with that! “The way they invite people in and explain what’s going on and it ties in with the work I’m doing in sustainability. I’ve done some work with other pundits where we pull together to keep our carbon footprint as low as possible. I’ve looked into an electric car, my recycling is better. EVs are the future so it’s nice to be involved in something which is helping the ecosystem but which you can enjoy along the way too. It has been an eye-opener.” That willingness to absorb new ideas and information, and form his own opinions of where they can lead him, is evident elsewhere in Cole’s life. Having retired from playing, he set about taking the first steps in coaching and is now a Uefa A-licence holder, working with West Ham’s U16s - but he hasn’t necessarily pigeon-holed himself into continuing that route. “When I started I didn’t realise I would get this embedded. I was doing my badges but suddenly you’re a mentor to these kids, not just making them better footballers but better people too. I’m really happy West Ham have trusted me with these boys and it’s come to a point where I understand how far I can go. “Transitioning from being a player was hard to begin with but I think I’ve adapted now. I’m not sure whether long-term it’ll be coaching I stay in but it’s good to know I can do this. I didn’t go fast track, I did it step by step with the FA. “I know my philosophy, I know the style I want to play, but I can use that in other areas: I might want to be a director of football and coaching is just a part of the journey which might lead to bigger things. You have to find your identity within the game.” Within the game and without, it appears. Cole is making changes in both his day-to-day life and his professional career, but some things never change in football - he’ll be desperate to see West Ham win on Wednesday night in Prague, just like every other supporter. Read More West Ham vs Fiorentina predicted line-ups: Team news ahead of Europa Conference League final tonight David Moyes will not compare himself to Ron Greenwood and John Lyall West Ham vs Fiorentina live stream: How to watch Europa Conference League final online and on TV tonight

West Ham United haven’t won a major trophy since the 1980 FA Cup final, but the present day group of Hammers can rewrite history if they triumph against Fiorentina in the Uefa Europa Conference League final. La Viola finished eighth in the Serie A table this season and themselves have gone more than two decades without major silverware - the 2001 Coppa Italia was their most recent triumph. After a dismal first half of the domestic season, David Moyes’ team improved after the new year and eventually finished 14th in the Premier League, but it’s in Europe their attention has been focused over the past couple of months. They’ll look to the likes of Declan Rice and Lucas Paqueta to produce big performances, as they seek to triumph in Prague. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the final. When is the match? The final kicks off at 8pm (UK) on Wednesday 7 June. Where can I watch it? The match will be shown live on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport Ultimate. It can also be streamed on the BT Sport website, BT Sport app and BT Sport YouTube channel. What is the team news? Gianluca Scamacca misses the final after having knee surgery but otherwise, the Hammers should have a full squad to choose from. For Fiorentina, it’s goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu who will miss out, while Nicolas Gonzalez needs a late check to see if he can start. What are the predicted lineups WHU - Areola, Kehrer, Aguerd, Zouma, Cresswell, Rice, Soucek, Bowen, Paqueta, Benrahma, Antonio FIO - Terracciano, Dodo, Martinez, Milenkovic, Biraghi, Amrabat, Mandragora, Ikone, Gonzalez, Bonaventura, Cabral Odds West Ham 37/20 Draw 11/5 Fiorentina 37/20 Prediction The Hammers to bring home a long-awaited trophy. West Ham 2-1 Fiorentina Read More Carlton Cole on West Ham’s final, coaching and surprise sporting ‘love’ How to watch West Ham vs Fiorentina online and on TV tonight David Moyes ready for ‘biggest moment’ of career in first European final Route to the final: How did West Ham reach the Europa Conference League showpiece? Football says goodbye to Zlatan Ibrahimovic – Monday’s sporting social Golf and water parks can help West Ham to European glory, says Thilo Kehrer

What the papers say Manchester United defender Harry Maguire, 30, has emerged as a target for Tottenham, according to The Daily Telegraph. The London club are hoping the signing could help persuade his England colleague Harry Kane to stay at the club as big-name clubs line up for his signature. Maguire is one of eight players United are looking to move on this summer, reports the Daily Mirror. Striker Anthony Martial, 27, Scott McTominay, 26, fellow midfielder Fred, 30, and goalkeeper Dean Henderson, 26, are also on the list, along with defenders Eric Bailly, 29, Alex Telles, 30, and Brandon Williams, 22. Brighton want more than £70 million for Manchester United target Moises Caicedo, says The Daily Telegraph. Chelsea and Arsenal are also chasing the 21-year-old Ecuador midfielder. Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante, 32, is wanted by two clubs in Saudi Arabia, according to The Guardian. Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr are keen on the France star with annual salary offers which could reach £86.2 million. Social media round-up Players to watch Levi Colwill: The Daily Mail reports Brighton are considering an increased bid of around £40 million for the Chelsea defender, who spent last season on loan at The Seagulls. Gabri Veiga: Chelsea have joined Liverpool and Barcelona in tracking the Celta Vigo midfielder, 21, who has a £34.4 million release clause, says The Guardian. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Chelsea and Jose Mourinho reached a settlement with former team doctor Eva Carneiro over her claims that she was constructively dismissed by the club, and victimised by its former manager, on this day in 2016. Carneiro had brought the claim at an employment tribunal, accusing Mourinho of victimisation and discrimination. She was due to begin giving evidence but after last-minute talks between the parties, a settlement was agreed. Mourinho made a surprise appearance at the hearing at the London South Employment Tribunal centre in Croydon. Addressing the tribunal, Daniel Stilitz QC, for Chelsea and Mourinho, said: “We are pleased to be able to tell the tribunal that the parties agreed a settlement on confidential terms.” The case was expected to last seven to 10 days and could have led to potentially embarrassing witness statements and documents – including texts and emails – being made public. It was revealed that Carneiro had refused £1.2 million to settle her claims with Mourinho and Chelsea. Details of the final deal between the parties were not released. Carneiro had alleged she was sexually discriminated against after she went on to the pitch to treat Eden Hazard during the opening day of the Premier League season on August 8, 2015. She claimed that, as she ran on to the pitch during the game with Swansea, Mourinho shouted “filha da puta” at her. In a statement to the tribunal, Mourinho conceded that he used the term “filho da puta”, meaning “son of a whore”, but insisted he had been using it throughout the match. Carneiro was removed from first-team duties at Chelsea shortly after the Swansea game and then parted company with the club the following month. Chelsea said in a statement: “The club regrets the circumstances which led to Dr Carneiro leaving the club and apologises unreservedly to her and her family for the distress caused. “We wish to place on record that in running onto the pitch Dr Carneiro was following both the rules of the game and fulfilling her responsibility to the players as a doctor, putting their safety first. “Dr Carneiro has always put the interests of the club’s players first. Dr Carneiro is a highly competent and professional sports doctor. She was a valued member of the club’s medical team and we wish her every success in her future career.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Rory McIlroy due to face media over PGA’s agreement with LIV Golf David Moyes will not compare himself to Ron Greenwood and John Lyall PGA Tour ‘should be ashamed’ over LIV deal, says 9/11 families group

David Moyes may stand just one match from writing his name into West Ham folklore, but he will not compare himself to the club’s two managerial greats. If the Hammers overcome Fiorentina in the final of the Europa Conference League on Wednesday night, Moyes will become only the third manager, after Ron Greenwood and John Lyall, to guide the east London club to a major trophy. Greenwood, who went on to manage England, was in charge when West Ham won their only previous European trophy, the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1964, while their last piece of silverware, the FA Cup, came under Lyall in 1980. Yet Moyes insisted: “I don’t think of myself as any different to anyone else in this room. “I’m really fortunate and privileged and thankful to be given an opportunity to be a football manager and to have the opportunity to go this far in my career and be on a stage like this. “I think it’s really special. I don’t ever really think of myself as being a legend or any words like that. “I’d just like to be known as a football manager and one who’s serious about his job and tries to do the best he possibly can, week-in week-out, try to prepare my teams to be competitive. “I’d like to be known as much for that as much as I would the word ‘legend’, really.” The final will hold special memories for West Ham’s Czech duo Vladimir Coufal and Tomas Soucek, who both played for Slavia Prague at the Eden Arena. Midfielder Soucek said: “When I realised one year ago that the final was in Prague and we were in this competition, I was like, ‘come on guys, we have to go there’. “And now we are here in the Eden Arena in Prague, I can connect with the two teams I love.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp praised rookie quarterback Stetson Bennett IV while throwing shade at Matthew Stafford.The Los Angeles Rams had the worst Super Bowl title defense in NFL history. After bringing home their second Lombardi Trophy, they went 5-12 in 2022. During that year...

Arch Manning is one of the most-hyped freshmen in college football history, but Texas football has more newcomers who will be huge for the Longhorns.The Texas Longhorns spring game solidified what a lot of people around the program already knew: This is Quinn Ewers' team going into the 2023...

Manchester City right-back Kyle Walker has played down fears he could miss the Champions League final with a back injury. The England international did not feature in an open training session on Tuesday as City continued preparations for Saturday’s clash with Inter Milan in Istanbul. The 33-year-old looked in discomfort as he was substituted in the final minute of City’s FA Cup final triumph over Manchester United at Wembley. But Walker was one of a number of players made available for media interviews later on Tuesday and he insisted the problem was not serious. “I’m fine, I’m just getting old,” he told Sky Sports News. “I’m completely fine, it’s just an extra day of recovery. “I’ve played a lot of minutes over the last number of weeks so the manager said, ‘Just stay inside and come Saturday you will be raring to go’. “I’m fine, the minutes that I’ve played when everyone else was injured, I was there digging my heels in and getting through it. I won’t be missing the Champions League final for anything.” Manager Pep Guardiola also said Walker’s absence from training was only precautionary. “He has had a disturbance in his back,” said Guardiola at a press conference. “Yesterday he was not good, today he was a little bit better but we didn’t want to take any risks. We will see what happens in the next days.” City are bidding to win the Champions League for the first time and complete a glorious treble after their Premier League and FA Cup successes this season. They are also looking to erase the memory of their painful loss to Chelsea in the 2021 final. As three-time winners, Inter boast the greater European pedigree but City will go into the match as firm favourites against the side that finished third in Serie A this term. Guardiola, however, insists what has happened in the past – and even current form – counts for little now. He said: “It’s really good to travel in a few days to Istanbul. We go together and it is a dream to be here. “Two years ago we were there but in different situations with Covid. For history, they are better than us but it is about what you have to do to be better than the opponent in 95 minutes Pep Guardiola “We’re going to try to do our best and we know the final is how you behave in that specific 95 minutes, not history. “For history, they are better than us but it is about what you have to do to be better than the opponent in 95 minutes. “It doesn’t count what you have done in the group stages or the Premier League or the FA Cup. We have to be better than them.” Guardiola is comfortable with the tag of favourites. “We are used to it,” he said. “Why should it be more dangerous? Accept the role and go out there knowing the quality of the opponents. We accept what people say, no problem.” City’s form in the latter part of the season, when they reeled in Arsenal to win the Premier League and powered past Bayern Munich and Real Madrid to reach this weekend’s showpiece, has been outstanding. Guardiola acknowledges confidence is high in the City squad but insists there will be no complacency. He said: “It is a final against a top team and we have to do it. We are confident, I’m so optimistic, but at the same time I cannot deny the quality of the opponent. “I have never done that and especially not in the final of the Champions League.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Merger of golf’s warring factions sends shockwaves through sport London Irish suspended as takeover deal collapses London Irish’s highs and lows as the club face suspension

Karim Benzema has completed his move to Al-Ittihad, the Saudi Arabian club have confirmed. The striker is leaving Real Madrid in the summer and has signed a three-year deal with the Saudi champions. Benzema was allowed to leave the Bernabeu after 14 years after voiding the 12-month extension he had. Earlier on Tuesday, the 35-year-old vowed he will never forget Real. The France international scored 354 goals in 648 games and won a club-record 25 trophies during his time with the LaLiga side. “I’ll never forget Real Madrid because it’s impossible,” he told a farewell press conference. “It’s difficult to talk. There are so many emotions. I wanted to thank Real Madrid and my team-mates. It’s been a good journey in my life. It's difficult to talk. There are so many emotions. I wanted to thank Real Madrid and my team-mates. It's been a good journey in my life Karim Benzema “I was lucky enough to fulfil my childhood dream thanks to the president, who a long time ago, when I was just 21 years old, went to my house, with my parents. “When I saw you I said, he’s the man who brought Zizou and Ronaldo and now he wants me in his team. Thank you very much for that. “I’ll never forget Real Madrid because it is impossible. It’s the best club in the world and in history, that’s as good as it gets. It’s time for me to leave today and to have another story, but the most important thing for me is what I’ve won here. “It’s a little bit of a sad day, because I’m leaving this club and that pains me. My dream was in my head, I signed for Madrid and I wanted to finish at Madrid, but life sometimes gives you another opportunity and I’ve taken it with all my family.” Benzema joined from Lyon in 2009 and won four LaLiga titles and five Champions League crowns. He also won the 2022 Ballon d’Or. Real president Florentino Perez said: “Today is a very difficult day for me. It’s a day that brings back memories and the emotions of the last 14 years and it’s also a day of sentiment and emotions for all madridistas. “A period of enormous anticipation began 14 years ago for all madridistas, one of the most impressive in our 121 years of history.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Merger of golf’s warring factions sends shockwaves through sport London Irish suspended as takeover deal collapses London Irish’s highs and lows as the club face suspension