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[JurgenKlopp]

Capello: Conte must learn English to succeed at Chelsea

By Tom Beck
Feb 29, 2016 18:38:10

The Italian boss is planning for life as Chelsea head coach despite his ongoing managerial duties with the national team, according to an iconic former manager

Former England manager Fabio Capello insists it is "fundamental" Antonio Conte learns the English language quickly if he is to be a success at Chelsea.

The former Juventus head coach is widely expected to take charge at Stamford Bridge at the start of next season, when Gus Hiddink's temporary contract as interim-boss comes to a close.

Capello has experienced a language barrier at international and domestic level and claims not being able to fully express your instructions to players makes the role more difficult.
GOAL READ MORE | 'Pato in line for Chelsea debut at Norwich'

"His communication with the players will also be fundamental," the 69-year-old said. "I myself had a difficult experience in Russia where I always had to speak through a translator.

"It was not easy, because the players always expect that extra word from the coach, the decisive statement to let you understand or change something.”

Conte's main focus will be taking charge of Italy during this summer's European Championship in France but Capello remains confident the former midfielder will be planning for the future.

He added: “Conte is preparing for Chelsea. He has the time to arrive and train Chelsea in the best way, as this is an important club.

"I think the most important thing will be the team he is able to put on the field. He needs defenders and there aren’t that many around.”

 

[thacxin]

West Brom were comfortably beaten by a slick Manchester City side on Monday – the title hopefuls proving a class apart in their 3-0 success.

Manager Tony Pulis accepted responsibility for the loss, admitting he had been too adventurous in his formation.

A lack of match fitness could rule out club-record signing Jose Salomon Rondon, while Gareth McAuley remains a doubt after picking up a calf injury in pre-season.

Pulis is likely to keep faith with the forward pairing of Rickie Lambert and Saido Berahino ahead of the sides' first top-flight meeting since 1985.

The former Liverpool man has scored five goals in his last two appearances against Watford, including a hat-trick for Southampton in the Championship back in February 2012.

 

[Moyes]

Football player Adam Johnson facing jail after child sex conviction

Reuters
March 3, 2016, 4:58 am

Former Sunderland soccer player Adam Johnson arrives at Bradford Crown Court in Bradford, Britain March 2, 2016. Johnson pleaded guilty to one count of sexual activity with a child, but denied two other charges. REUTERS/Phil Noble

LONDON (Reuters) - English football player Adam Johnson, who was sacked by Premier League club Sunderland last month, was facing jail after being found guilty on Wednesday of sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl.

The 28-year-old winger, who has played 12 times for England, had admitted kissing and grooming the teenager at the beginning of his trial but had denied two more serious accusations of sexual activity.

A jury at Bradford Crown Court in northern England cleared him of one of these charges but convicted him of the other. He will be sentenced at a later date.

"In our football-obsessed region Adam Johnson had a responsibility as a professional footballer to be a role model, a role he did not fulfil," Detective Inspector Aelfwynn Sampson told reporters outside court.

"He knew very early on in this case how old the victim was and continued to contact her and continued to be in contact with her and arrange to meet her."

In a statement issued through the police the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said she had suffered abuse and felt used.

"He was my favourite football player at Sunderland, a club I was a massive supporter of," she said in the statement. "Him being found guilty and pleading guilty shows everyone that I was telling the truth."

Sunderland sacked Johnson after he entered his guilty pleas but the club has been criticised for not taking action sooner. In a statement, the club said it had been acting on legal advice.

"Had the club known that Mr Johnson intended to plead guilty to any of these charges, then his employment would have been terminated immediately," Sunderland said.

Sportswear firm Adidas also cancelled its boot contract with the midfielder after his guilty pleas.

Johnson, who began his career at Middlesbrough and also played for Manchester City, joined Sunderland for 10 million pounds ($14.46 million) in 2012 on a four-year contract.

He had been a regular for the northeast side this season and scored in his last appearance in a 2-2 draw with Liverpool last month.

(Reporting by Michael Holden; Editing by Alison Williams)

 

[JurgenKlopp]

Friend out of hospital after touchline injury

2 March 2016 19:54

Premier League official Kevin Friend is out of hospital following the head injury he sustained during AFC Bournemouth's win over Southampton on Tuesday.

The first half was cut short at the Vitality Stadium and the second half was delayed after fourth official Friend struck his head on a dugout and subsequently required medical assistance.

Friend was taken to a nearby hospital for checks and kept overnight as a local referee assumed fourth official responsibilities.

But Professional Game Match Officials Limited confirmed to the Premier League on Wednesday that the 44-year-old is out of hospital.

However, Friend will be unable to officiate either this weekend or during next midweek due to concussion protocol.

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe said after the match: "I saw [Friend] very dazed and shaken afterwards and don't know any more than that. We wish him a speedy recovery."

 

[DeBruyne]

Swansea boss Guidolin admitted to hospital with chest infection

By Alex Fisher
Mar 2, 2016 19:13:11

The Swans have confirmed the 60-year-old is in a comfortable position in a London hospital where he is expected to remain for a few days for further treatment

Swansea City head coach Francesco Guidolin will miss their trip to Arsenal on Wednesday after being admitted to hospital with a chest infection.

Guidolin was unable to complete media duties due to the problem last week but was in the dugout as Swansea were beaten 2-1 by Tottenham on Sunday.

The Italian had been expected to on the sidelines at Emirates Stadium as the Swans look to ease their relegation worries, however he was taken to a respiratory specialist for further treatment.

"Swansea City head coach Francesco Guidolin will miss tonight's Premier League fixture at Arsenal," a club statement read.

"Guidolin has been struggling with a chest infection for over a week and after failing to respond fully to medical treatment, was referred to a respiratory specialist at a London hospital this afternoon.

"The specialist felt that the best course of action was for Guidolin to remain in hospital for a few days to receive further treatment.

"He is in a comfortable position and is expected to recover fully in a few days."

Coach Alan Curtis will step up and take charge of Swansea in Guidolin's absence.

 

[Depay]

Ranieri hesitant over European Super League plans

By Tom Beck
Mar 4, 2016 18:00:05

The Italian head coach believes smaller clubs should not be denied the chance to compete against the sport's elite sides and urged the top teams to examine the wider picture

Claudio Ranieri has urged authorities to think of supporters amid proposed plans to introduce a European Super League.

The idea, debated between top officials from Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United at a meeting with International Champions Cup organisers Relevant Sports on Tuesday, would see the tournament effectively replace the current Champions League format.

As reported by The Sun, competition places would be allocated - and guaranteed - to the sport's historically successful and most popular teams, while the smaller sides such as Premier League surprise package Leicester City and Eredivise giants PSV would miss out due to their smaller stature.

Speaking ahead of this weekend's Premier League trip to Watford, Leicester coach Ranieri found issue with the plans: "People must think what the fans want, not about money," he said.

"If something strange happen [in the Premier League]. It's not to blame the little teams. They must blame themselves."

 

[MesutOzil]

Hiddink: Sometimes I have to put Costa on a leash

By Nicholas McGee
Mar 4, 2016 14:40:30

The Spain international has made 35 appearances in all competitions thus far this season and his manager insists he may have to limit his game time in the coming weeks

Guus Hiddink says he may need to limit Diego Costa's game time to keep the Chelsea striker in peak physical shape, claiming he has to "put him on the leash" at times.

Costa has been pivotal to Chelsea's resurgence under Hiddink, netting 10 goals and contributing six assists in his last 14 appearances.

His performances have helped Chelsea go from surprise strugglers to potential Champions League contenders, with Hiddink's men now eight points adrift of the top four with 10 games left to play.

Hiddink had previously hinted that Costa may be rested against Stoke City this weekend and, while he has now said the Spain international will start, the Dutchman is keen to ensure the former Atletico Madrid forward is not overworked.

"He [Costa] won't have a full game. We monitor them with the data. He is in perfect physical shape, but we must not give him an overload in games, but he is difficult to stop," Hiddink said.

 

[JurgenKlopp]

Lucas set for five to six weeks on sidelines

4 March 2016

Lucas Leiva is set for five to six weeks on the sidelines with a quad injury, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed.

The Brazilian midfielder missed Wednesday's 3-0 win over Manchester City due to the problem, which he sustained taking a penalty in Liverpool's League Cup final shoot-out loss to the same opponents last weekend.

And the 29-year-old will now be out of action for a lengthy spell as Liverpool push to finish the Premier League season in a European qualification place.

"I've never heard of an injury like this, after taking a penalty," Klopp said at his pre-match media conference ahead of Sunday's trip to Crystal Palace.

"It's more serious than we thought. It's a quad injury. Five or six weeks."

Daniel Sturridge is back in full training after missing the win over City, while Mamadou Sakho was restricted to a light session on Friday following a head injury that kept him out of the same fixture.

Liverpool are six points outside the top four going into the match at Selhurst Park.

But Klopp is adamant Liverpool have what it takes to bridge that gap and return to Europe's elite club competition.

"Six points is not the world. We have to show it, consistency has not been our hobby until now. We need to improve that.

"Our starting position isn't a masterclass but we are still in a good enough position to achieve something."

 

[Martinez]

Vieira refuses to rule Arsenal, United out of title race

3 March 2016

Former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira believes Arsene Wenger's men can still win the Premier League title and refused to rule Manchester United out of the race.

Arsenal have come in for heavy criticism after suffering a second straight defeat in a 2-1 loss to relegation-threatened Swansea City, which followed a 3-2 reverse at United on Sunday.

Those results have left Arsenal six points adrift of leaders Leicester City in perhaps the most open title race in Premier League history, leading Alexis Sanchez to claim the north London club lack self-belief ahead of this weekend's derby with second-placed Tottenham.

Meanwhile, United - having earned back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time since November - are 10 points off the pace and level on points with Manchester City, who were beaten 3-0 by Liverpool in midweek.

But Vieira feels neither Manchester team nor Arsenal are out of the running.

Responding to a question from Omnisport during a conference call on Thursday, the New York City head coach said: "I'm watching the league and I think when you look at the table anything can happen.

"I think with Arsenal losing, City losing, Leicester drawing [with West Brom], even Spurs losing [to West Ham], it's still a really open Premier League, really exciting.

"I think the fans love that kind of drama and situation and I still believe even United [are] still in a good seat to win the title.

"I know it is only 10 games

but 10 is quite a lot of points on the table.

"Arsenal still have a chance, City still have a chance, and I'm going to be sitting in front of my TV and just watching the games."



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[LouisVanGaal]

Van Gaal accuses Mata of 'damaging' Manchester United after red card

By Chris Davie
Mar 6, 2016 18:30:00

The Spaniard was sent off for the first time in his career - but the Dutchman also feels that the referee should have taken into account the midfielder's personality
Louis van Gaal admits Juan Mata ‘damaged’ Manchester United’s chances of victory in Sunday’s defeat to West Brom before suggesting that the referee should have taken into account the midfielder's character.

The Spaniard was sent off after just 26 minutes at The Hawthorns for two yellow cards - one for preventing a quick free-kick, and the second for a challenge on Darren Fletcher.

It was the first red card of Mata's professional career, but Van Gaal was keen to stress that the midfielder has never intentionally hurt an opponent.

“The first yellow card I think was stupid because you know in advance it’s a yellow card, but the second, you know you already have one yellow card, you have to take into account with the second, it’s difficult. You damage the benefit of the team,” Van Gaal told Sky Sports.

“But the referee also has to know the person who makes the tackle. And Juan Mata has never hurt an opponent.

“I ask him also, how many red cards have you had? None, it’s the first."

When asked if taking Mata’s personality into account is relevant, Van Gaal replied: “No, it’s not relevant, but you have to know the characters of the players, I think.

“And that’s why an experienced referee is always better. And I always think you take that into account.”

 

[MesutOzil]

Wenger wants technology to aid offside calls

7 March 2016 16:43

Arsenal manger Arsene Wenger is in favour of video technology in football being extended to help with offside decisions.

A meeting of the International Football Association Board in Cardiff last week confirmed live trials over the use of increased technology to help match officials will start by the 2017-18 season, something new FIFA president Gianni Infantino described as a "historic decision".

The Premier League has used a goal-line review system to adjudicate on whether goals are scored since 2013-14 and Wenger would be in favour of similar steps being taken to help banish controversial offside calls - although he does not believe other areas of play should be affected.

"It depends how they do it and I think next step is for the offside to be treated like goal-line technology, exactly the same," he said. "That is the easiest step to do.

"All the other ideas for me are too premature but the offside can be treated very well and in a scientific way and that should be the only next step."

 

[Martinez]

Former Chelsea doctor Carneiro demands public apology from Mourinho

7 March 2016 16:50

Former Chelsea doctor Eva Carneiro is seeking a public apology from Jose Mourinho as part of the settlement in her legal case against the Portuguese.

Carneiro is claiming constructive dismissal against Chelsea and is concurrently pursuing a separate case against former manager Mourinho, centred on alleged discrimination and victimisation.

The 42-year-old attended a tribunal hearing in south London on Monday, accompanied by her legal team, who have called for Mourinho to apologise for his actions prior to the medic's departure from the Premier League champions in September.

Barrister Mary O'Rourke told ITV: "We're not expecting a resolution today. The two sides are so far apart financially. And we want Mr. Mourinho to make a public apology."

Carneiro was banished from appearing in the Chelsea dugout by Mourinho after he publicly criticised her decision to treat Eden Hazard during a match with Swansea City in August, with his side already down to 10 men.

Mourinho was cleared of using discriminatory language in a touchline altercation with Carneiro by the Football Association in October.

 

[Moyes]

Guidolin ready to return to work at Swansea

7 March 2016 15:20

Swansea City have confirmed head coach Francesco Guidolin will return to work after being released from hospital.

A chest infection led to the Italian - appointed in January following the departure of Garry Monk at the end of 2015 - missing the Premier League club's last two fixtures.

First-team coach Alan Curtis stepped in to take charge on a temporary basis and steered Swansea to victories over Arsenal and Norwich City, lifting the Welsh side nine points clear of the relegation zone with just nine games remaining.

However, Guidolin is set to be back alongside Curtis in the dugout when Swansea travel to the Vitality Stadium to take on AFC Bournemouth on Saturday.

Swansea confirmed on their official Twitter feed that the former Udinese coach had left hospital on Monday after making a "good recovery".

 

[JurgenKlopp]

Bilic: There´s been a permanent shift atop Premier League

7 March 2016 02:38

Slaven Bilic said Leicester City's table-topping form and West Ham's high-flying season is not a one-off, with the manager believing there has been a permanent shift at the top of the Premier League.

League leaders Leicester have enjoyed a remarkable season and they are on track to lift the trophy in May, with Claudio Ranieri's men five points clear of Tottenham as they continue to upstage Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United.

Bilic's West Ham have also defied the odds this term, occupying fifth position ahead of United, with a top-four finish and Champions League football a real possibility for the Londoners.

And Bilic believes it is a sign of things to come in England's top flight as he looks to guide West Ham to Premier League glory.

"I think this is a permanent shift at the top," Bilic said. "At least I hope it is.

"Our story is excellent but their story is miraculous. I would love to be the number one story."

With a lucrative television deal set to come into play next season, Bilic believes the likes of West Ham and Leicester can only get better, while the Premier League's big teams have little room to improve on their already star-studded squads.

"Say Man City buy Karim Benzema. They have Sergio Aguero already, so there is no big gap for them to improve," he added.

"There is no big space to get much better. Chelsea can sell Diego Costa and buy Robert Lewandowski, yes, but they are only different; not better.

"But clubs like us, Crystal Palace, West Brom, Leicester: we can still improve with the money. Two years ago West Brom maybe could afford Salomon Rondon, but they would have had to sell Saido Berahino to get him. Now they can keep Berahino, so next year, with more investment, you can keep those players. Crystal Palace can keep Yohan Cabaye and bring another one."

 

[DavidVilla]

Conte to tell Chelsea he wants Vidal, Nainggolan & Cuadrado

By Romeo Agresti
Mar 9, 2016 15:30:00

The coach of the Italian national team is set to hold further talks with Stamford Bridge chiefs in Monte Carlo and will inform them of three primary transfer targets

Antonio Conte is set to hold further talks with Chelsea chiefs as he looks to finalise his move to Stamford Bridge and has already identified two major transfer targets.

The Italy coach has notified the Italian Foobtall Federation (FIGC) that he intends to step down after the European Championships in France this summer and has already held preliminary talks with the Premier League champions.

Conte is understood to have visited Chelsea’s Cobham training base recently and is close to agreeing a three-year contract, worth £6.5 million per year, which would see him take over from interim boss Guus Hiddink.

Further talks centring on the make-up of Conte’s backroom team are scheduled to take place in Monte Carlo imminently, while the former Juventus coach will inform Chelsea chiefs that Roma enforcer Radja Nainggolan and Bayern’s all-action midfielder Arturo Vidal are among his primary targets.

Conte brought Vidal to Juventus from Bayer Leverkusen back in 2011 and made the Chile international the fulcrum of his multi Serie A winning side, while Nainggolan has been one of the Italian league’s most consistent performers since breaking through the youth ranks at Piacenza.

The 46-year-old Conte is also understood to be keen on bringing Juan Cuadrado back to his parent club once his loan spell with the Turin giants expires at the end of the season and intends to hold talks with the winger over his intentions.

The Colombia international was signed by Jose Mourinho in January 2015 and rarely featured under the Portuguese. The former Fiorentina star has, however, played an important role in restoring Juve to the Serie A summit in recent months on the back of an impressive 16-game winning streak.

Conte is keen to bring Angelo Alessio, his former assistant at Juve, with him to Stamford Bridge as his No.2 and is also hoping that Paolo Bertelli (fitness coach), Massimo Carrera (assistant coach) and his brother Gianluca Conte (scouting) will also join him in west London.

 

[Moyes]

Liverpool owners expect title from Klopp, claims Rodgers

By Chris Myson
Mar 9, 2016 13:17:06

The German coach is expected to bring a league title to Anfield, his predecessor has warned, discussing the expectancy levels set by their owners

Liverpool's owners will demand a Premier League title from Jurgen Klopp during his time at the club, according to Brendan Rodgers.

The former Borussia Dortmund boss replaced a sacked Rodgers in October and led the Reds to the League Cup final, where they lost to Manchester City on penalties.

Liverpool are down in seventh in the Premier League - 16 points behind leaders Leicester City - but Rodgers is certain they are expected to challenge for the title in the future.

"They have a very good manager in Jurgen Klopp in place," Rodgers told the Belfast Telegraph.

"It is going to take time to bed in his methods and how he wants to work. He has some very good players there.

"The expectancy of course is to win the league, we went very close in my time and obviously Jurgen will go in and feel that he can improve on that and that's why the owners made the change.

"They felt they wanted to improve and to improve on runners-up would be to win the league but it is going to take time. I'm sure the owners will give him that time."

Liverpool meet Manchester United in a huge Europa League tie this month, with the first leg taking place at Anfield on Thursday.

Rodgers thinks it is a difficult clash to call as both teams will go into the match believing they have reason to be confident.

"I was always pleased to be involved in those games as the manager of Liverpool," he said. "There is that rivalry between the two cities, in every aspect - economically and obviously football wise.

"It will be tight but Liverpool are coming off the back of good results so they will go into Thursday's first leg with confidence. United will feel, having done the double over Liverpool, that they also have a good chance. It will be tight."

 

[JurgenKlopp]

Premier League clubs agree £30 away tickets for next three seasons

By Gill Clark
Mar 9, 2016 13:20:00

The 20 top flight clubs have "unanimously agreed" to cap prices in a move to make following teams away from home more affordable for supporters

The Premier League has confirmed clubs have agreed to cap away ticket prices at £30 for the next three seasons.

The 20 clubs in England's top flight have unanimously agreed the price cap which will come into force at the start of next season.

There have been a series of protests about ticket prices at Premier League grounds around the country this season and the Premier League has underlined the importance of supporters to the game.

"Clubs know that away fans have a unique status. They are essential for match atmosphere and stimulate the response from home fans that distinguishes Barclays Premier League matches from those of other leagues," read an official statement.

"This unique status has long been understood by Clubs, who currently provide away fans with a range of measures designed to assist them, including the Away Supporters’ Initiative (ASI), introduced in 2013.

"Away fans have additional travel costs and pay individual match prices, as season ticket and other discounts are not available to them and the responsibility for them is shared between Clubs and therefore it is right that there is a collective initiative to help them.

"At their last meeting on 4 February, 2016, the Clubs unanimously agreed that more should be done to help away fans and, after consideration of a range of options, have now decided to introduce the new £30 maximum price for away tickets."

 

[Martinez]

Premier League approves Everton investment

By David Manuca
Mar 9, 2016 00:12:29

The Merseysiders are hopeful that Iranian billionaire Farhad Moshiri, who was previously an Arsenal shareholder, can take them to the next level with fresh funds

The Premier League has approved billionaire Farhad Moshiri's proposed investment in Everton, the club announced on Tuesday.

Moshiri, who has an estimated personal wealth of £1.3billion according to American business magazine Forbes, will hold a 49.9 per cent stake in the Merseyside club.

"Everton Football Club has received notification that the proposed investment into the club by Farhad Moshiri has been approved by the Premier League," read a short club statement.

Moshiri, a former shareholder in Arsenal, will work alongside long-time chairman Bill Kenwright and Jon Woods as part of a three-man hierarchy at Everton.

Speaking after his investment was initially announced on February 27, Moshiri said: "I am delighted to take this opportunity to become a shareholder in Everton, with its rich heritage as one of Europe's leading football clubs.

"There has never been a more level playing field in the Premier League than now.

"[Everton chairman] Bill Kenwright has taught me what it means to be an Evertonian and I look forward with excitement to working with him to help deliver success for Everton in the future."

 

[JurgenKlopp]

Klopp made ´a classic mistake´ at Liverpool - Verheijen

10 March 2016

Jurgen Klopp made "a classic mistake" by implementing his demanding style at Liverpool too early, according to former Wales coach Raymond Verheijen.

Klopp succeeded Brendan Rodgers in October, but has endured mixed fortunes at Anfield so far, with inconsistent displays underlining a stuttering Premier League campaign, while they also suffered disappointment last month in losing the League Cup final to Manchester City.

Injuries to key personnel have not helped Liverpool's cause, with Klopp admitting in December that "hamstring is the s*** word of the year" after he lost Daniel Sturridge, Philippe Coutinho, Kolo Toure, Christian Benteke, Divock Origi and James Milner to similar muscle problems.

But Verheijen, who has worked as a fitness coach with Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Netherlands in the past, says the 48-year-old should have heeded the warning signs during a difficult final season with Borussia Dortmund before introducing his high-intensity pressing game from the outset in England.

"Jurgen Klopp has hopefully learned a valuable lesson at Liverpool," he told Omnisport. "They implemented the style they were successful with in the first few years at Dortmund. In the last few years they had a lot of injuries and little success, so you have to put their achievement into perspective. But he's a top coach, you can't deny that.

"But they made the classic mistake, like Louis van Gaal [at Manchester United] – they implemented their approach irrespective of the circumstances.

"Liverpool used to play a passing game with Brendan Rodgers. When you have possession, you spend less energy. So the playing style was less demanding and the players adapted to that.

"When you implement a more demanding pressing game, the bodies of the players need time to adapt. But if Jurgen Klopp had analysed the situation when he started, he'd have realised they were about to play the most games of anyone in Europe. He implemented a more demanding pressing game in a period when players had less time to recover.

"What you ask from the players is to recover from more fatigue in a shorter space of time. You don't have to be Einstein to work out that that's impossible."

Verheijen also expects Tottenham to suffer during the closing weeks of the season as a result of a similarly taxing approach encouraged by boss Mauricio Pochettino.

"Spurs are in a flow, they're great to watch, but what you often see is that his teams run out of gas in the last part of the season," he said. "That happened at Southampton and in his first season with Spurs.

"They had some setbacks in the last few weeks, so now the question is will they be able to pick up or will this pattern of losing and drawing develop further. It's a critical moment for them.

"He really wants to improve his players individually and his teams as a whole. In pre-season they had double or sometimes triple sessions.

"But that only works with young players. If Pochettino applies this approach with all the players, it will be a big problem because they will not be able to maintain it.

"The smart thing he does is that he rotates his team in relation to the Europa League. Although rotation has a negative effect on the tactical development of your team, to keep your players fit and fresh for the whole season, it's the only thing you can do."

Liverpool host Manchester United in the Europa League on Thursday, while Tottenham travel to face Dortmund.

 

[Lukaku]

Rafa Benitez takes over as Newcastle manager after Steve McClaren is fired

Spaniard, who signs a three-year agreement, will start his first match in charge of the Magpies on Monday against surprise league leaders Leicester

PUBLISHED : Saturday, 12 March, 2016, 1:54am
UPDATED : Saturday, 12 March, 2016, 1:57am

Associated Press

Newcastle United manager Steve McClaren is sacked on Friday. Photo: Reuters

Rafael Benitez started this season tasked with winning the Champions League with Real Madrid. He will end it trying to keep Newcastle in the English Premier League.

The Spaniard replaced Steve McClaren as manager on Friday, signing a three-year deal with the club that is 19th in the 20-team standings, but only a point from safety.

“I have the pleasure to confirm I have committed to a legendary English club, with the massive challenge of remaining part of the Premier League,” said the former Liverpool manager, before taking the first training session with his new players.

“Personally, it means my return to the Premier League, closer to my home and my family. I can’t be happier.”

Benitez was dismissed as coach of Madrid in January, winning 17 of his 25 matches with the team.

His first game in charge of Newcastle will be against surprise Premier League leaders Leicester on Monday, before facing 17th-place Sunderland the following Sunday in a relegation fight.

Northeast rivals Sunderland is led by Sam Allardyce, who has an ongoing feud with Benitez from 2009.

Allardyce, then at Blackburn, interpreted Benitez’s signal of crossing and opening his arms to mean “game over” when Liverpool took a 2-0 lead after 33 minutes in a league game which it eventually won 4-0. Benitez denied he had meant this.

Rafael Benitez has signed a three-year deal with Newcastle United and is happy he is returning to the Premier League. Photo: AP

The 55-year-old Benitez has plenty of Premier League experience, having managed Liverpool for six years – winning the Champions League in 2005 – and a six-month spell as interim boss at Chelsea in 2011-12.

He has also taken charge of Valencia, Inter Milan and Napoli.

McClaren was fired earlier on Friday after only nine months in the role, following nine losses in 12 games.

Fans turned against the then Newcastle manager Steve McClaren in their game against Bournemouth at St James’ Park. Photo: Reuters

“We feel that a change is now needed in order to give the club the best possible chance of securing its Premier League future,” managing director Lee Charnley said.

McClaren was hired by Newcastle on a three-year deal during the last offseason and also given a place on the club’s board.

Newcastle spent a reported £80 million (HK$883.4 million) over the last two transfer windows – no other European club spent more – but the signings have had little effect. The Magpies have spent more days in the bottom three this season than in any other previous Premier League campaign.