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    Fiorentina sack head coach Montella

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    Fiorentina have announced they have parted company with head coach Vincenzo Montella.

    The former striker had caused frustration among the Viola hierarchy after delaying a decision over whether or not to commit to the club for the long term, with his contract soon to enter its final year.

    President Andrea Della Valle released a statement last week expressing his concern over Montella's reluctancy to settle his future, arguing that the club "could not afford to wait around any longer" for a decision.

    And Fiorentina have now announced they have released Montella from his position, citing a breach of trust in a terse statement released through their official website on Monday.

    "ACF Fiorentina have valued the recent behaviour of head coach Vincenzo Montella as a clear desire to break free of a contract legitimately signed less than two years ago," the statement read.

    "So, with great regret, we must note a failed level of trust necessary for the continuation of any relationship, and we are therefore forced - for the good of the club - to dismiss Vincenzo Montella.

    "The situation obviously creates sudden organisational problems which we must resolve urgently.

    "We would have expected behaviour that was clearer, more respectful and less ambiguous with respect to a club and fans who gave him so much."

    The decision comes just days after Montella had claimed he would honour his contract despite Fiorentina's public frustration.

    "I am surprised by the club's announcement, but I'm the Fiorentina coach and I am available to continue at the helm with enthusiasm," he told reporters.

    Basel head coach Paulo Sousa has been touted as a favourite to replace Montella but the Portuguese was keen to play down any imminent agreement.

    "These are just rumours," he told FiorentinaNews.

    "That's normal in football. In any case, I'm obviously planning for next season here [at Basel]."

    Basel sporting director Georg Heitz stated that no approaches have yet been made for Sousa, who won the league title and reached the Champions League last 16 with the Swiss club this term, but could not rule out a departure.

    "As of today, we believe that Paulo Sousa will be our coach next season," he said at a press conference on Monday. "No club has yet approached us with an offer for him, and that would need to be a hugely compelling one, because he has a contract with us.

    "But, in football, there are no guarantees. Therein lie the dynamics of our business."

    Former Italy striker Montella, who led Fiorentina to the 2014 Coppa Italia final and the last four of the Europa League this term, has been linked with the vacant job at Napoli as well as the AC Milan post.
     

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    Van Persie: I was in Rome… but only on holiday

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    Manchester United striker Robin van Persie has played down rumours that he could move to Lazio or Roma, insisting that he was only in the Italian capital on holiday.

    The Netherlands international was spotted taking a selfie with a Roma fan at Rome's airport, and has also been heavily linked with the Biancocelesti – though sporting director Igli Tare revealed on Monday that the Dutchman was out of Lazio's price range.

    The 31-year-old has previously hinted at leaving Old Trafford in search of game time, reiterating his desire to be in peak form for next summer's European Championship, but dismissed reports of an impending move to Serie A.

    "All the rumours about Rome as a city are true: it is a beautiful place," Van Persie told Voetbal International when asked about a potential move to the city this summer.

    "I have a life away from football and I always wanted to visit Rome with my wife and this was our chance. We enjoyed it very much."

    Oranje's all-time top scorer has struggled for form domestically in the past season, scoring just 10 times in 27 Premier League appearances for Louis van Gaal’s side.

    It is claimed that the veteran United coach is ready to axe Van Persie and overhaul his forward line, with the former Arsenal star suggesting his countryman has a €275 million warchest to spend this summer.
     

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    'Dybala will star at the highest level with Juventus'

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    Palermo midfielder Mato Jajalo believes Paulo Dybala will waste little time in settling into life at new club Juventus and tipped him to star at the highest level.

    The Argentine attacker has agreed to join the Serie A champions in a deal which could eventually rise to a value of €40 million.

    However, Jajalo has no doubt that his old team-mate could prove to be worth every penny for the beaten Champions League finalists."Believe me, Dybala is really an excellent player. He is definitely a player for Juventus," the 27-year-old told Goal.

    "I'm glad he made the transfer. He is a great guy who, I'm sure, will succeed at the highest level. He will adjust without a problem at Juventus."

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    When asked what kind of forward Juve fans can expect to see in Dybala, Jajalo was quick to highlight his pace as a major asset.

    "He is very agile, clever and a really dangerous striker," he said. "He can overtake a player easily and score.

    "We will miss him next season - Juventus have done a really god job."Dybala, 21, managed 13 goals and 10 assists in 34 Serie A starts for Palermo this season.
     

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    Dani Alves must decide future quickly, say Barcelona

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    Barcelona have told Dani Alves to decide quickly whether he wants to sign a new contract with the club.The 32-year-old admitted following Barca's treble celebrations that he could be set to leave Camp Nou after failing to agree terms over a new deal.

    However, with presidential elections on the horizon, the current Barcelona chiefs have made it clear there will be no further offer made to the former Sevilla man and have urged him to make up his mind.

    "Alves has had an offer on the table for weeks. He has an offer for two years, plus one more, and he will decide what he will do. There is not much for us to decide," president Josep Maria Bartomeu told TV3.

    Vice-president Jordi Mestre, speaking after the official signing of Aleix Vidal on Monday, added: "We have made an offer that I think is good. The floor is his.
    "It's his decision and he has to take it quickly. If he didn't want to continue, we wouldn't have made any offer."

    Alves has been linked with AC Milan, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain in recent weeks.
     

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    Manchester United become football's first 'billion dollar' brand


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    Manchester United have been named the most valuable football club in the world and have become the first "billion dollar" brand in the sport.

    The Red Devils reclaimed their place at the top of Brand Finance's Football 50 Brand Value ranking, despite a transitional and trophyless season under new manager Louis van Gaal, and are now worth an all-time high $1.2bn - a staggering growth of 64 per cent.

    From third in the previous analysis, United leapfrogged Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, both beaten Champions League semi-finalists, to regain top spot even though they missed out on European football altogether in the 2013-14 campaign. Madrid have also been pipped to top spot in a separate Brand Power ranking, this time by rivals Barcelona.

    United first claimed top spot in the Brand Value stakes in 2009 after winning the Champions League a year previously, and recorded their previous highest brand value of $853m in 2012 following success in the Premier League and second place in Europe's top club competition.

    The club dropped to third in 2013, their lowest position ever in the rankings, following David Moyes' ultimately unsuccessful stint as Alex Ferguson's successor.

    This year's resurgence, despite two consecutive seasons without silverware, highlights the club's enduring financial power.

    Off-field rather than on-field dominance, according to Brand Finance, has been the major driver in the club's revival. Citing more than half a billion fans worldwide, record-breaking sponsorship deals with Chevrolet and Adidas, as well as an expected return to the Champions League, the company expects United's revenues and brand value to increase in coming years.

    The most important factor, however, has been the Premier League's earth-shattering €6.94bn UK broadcast rights deal, which pushed United's share price up by 5% as soon as it was announced in February.

    United's power surge in the most recent analysis has outstripped a 4% increase in brand value from previous leaders Bayern, and a 14% increase from Madrid.

    The Bundesliga champions are now worth $933m compared to $896m last year, while the Spanish giants leapt from $768m to $873m.

    With English clubs, boosted by that Premier League rights deal, growing by more than 85% in the cases of Southampton, Everton, Stoke City and West Ham, Bayern and their flat growth are being caught up by traditionally smaller clubs.

    "Bayern must internationalise its appeal in order to stay at (or near) the top," Brand Finance says in its report. "Though commercial revenue is high, there are few opportunities to extract further value from its current fan base, which is much more domestic in its composition than other top teams."

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    Barcelona, despite huge gains in Brand Strength thanks to their success in La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League, have slipped behind Chelsea and Manchester City in the Brand Value stakes.

    Despite shooting up from $622m in 2013 to $773m this time around (24% growth), the Premier League clubs' huge gains (58% for Chelsea, 57% for Man City) have claimed another European powerhouse.

    The Catalans, though, are indeed ranked as the most powerful football brand on the planet above rivals Real Madrid. Traditional European powerhouses, boosted by impressive Champions League showings, dominate the top five, with Manchester United the only representative.
     
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    Wolverine GTR

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    Cech set for crunch Chelsea exit talks

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    Petr Cech will hold talks with Chelsea next week to determine his future, hinting that he is reluctant to uproot his family and is open to remaining in the Premier League.

    The Czech Republic international – usurped as the Blues' No.1 goalkeeper by Thibaut Courtois – is set to tell Chelsea bosses that he would prefer to keep his family in London and join Arsenal.

    The Gunners' initial enquiry was rejected, with the Premier League champions insisting they would not sell to a direct rival, but that stance has softened and there is a growing sense that Chelsea will let the 33-year-old pick his next club out of respect for his 11 years of service in west London.

    That decision is likely to be made next week when Cech returns from international duty, with the veteran keeper to sit down with club officials to decide his next move.

    "First I have to agree with the club what the conditions would be for leaving," Cech told reporters ahead of his nation's European Championship qualifier against Iceland on Friday.

    "Next week we will have a meeting with Chelsea. At the moment it is with my agent. When it is clearer and all the cards are on the table, we will decide.

    "I believe that, for what I have done for the club and what the club has done for me, we can arrange it so we are all happy."

    He continued: "I keep all options open, regardless of the country. I will decide based on what is best for me and my family. It does not matter whether it is England, Germany, France or Spain.

    "If I move, it brings difficulties. It must change everything, looking for housing, a school for children and so on. Therefore, the sooner I know what to do the better. I can plan everything and even rest before the new season."
     

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    Wilshere stunned by FA charge over Tottenham chants

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    Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere is surprised by his FA charge for swearing and says his anti-Tottenham jibes were "a bit of fun".

    Wilshere is considering contesting the misconduct charge, which came after he sang offensive songs during the Gunners' FA Cup victory parade in London.

    The 23-year-old was told of the charge by a member of the FA's media department when he joined up with the England squad ahead of Sunday's Euro 2016 qualifier against Slovenia.

    Wilshere, at Arsenal since 2001, insists he has learned his lesson - but feels the threat of FA disciplinary action is too harsh.

    "That’s one way [lesson learned] of looking at it. But, at the same time, people have been giving me a lot of stick for having some fun and enjoying myself at the end of [the season]," he told reporters.

    "We've worked hard all year as a group of players and we've won a trophy. That's the best feeling in the world. No matter what job you do, if at the end of the year you get a promotion and a bonus, you're going to go out and celebrate. From that side of things it was a bit harsh.

    "I've always had that bond with the Arsenal fans since I was young because I came through the club. I grew up at Arsenal and I love the fans. I am quite proud of that.

    "But, believe it or not, I've actually got family who are Tottenham fans so it's nothing personal against them. It was just a bit of fun."
     

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    Madrid return would depend on many people, says Morata

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    Juventus forward Alvaro Morata says a return to Real Madrid would "depend on many people", following reports the club could bring him back to the Bernabeu.
    The 22-year-old only moved to Turin last year where he has since won the Scudetto and Coppa Italia and scored in the Champions League final before his side went on to lose 3-1 to Barcelona.

    Morata denied there had been talks to move back to Madrid following the departure of Carlo Ancelotti and subsequent appointment of Rafa Benitez, but didn't close the door completely on playing for the club again.

    "Nobody has spoken to me about going back," the Spain international told Cadena Ser. "It is something that would have to depend on many people.
    "That said, I have to think about how my year went here [at Juventus]. And I am very happy to be playing here."

    The Madrid cantera graduate moved to the Serie A champions to increase his chances of playing time and enjoyed a season of continuity in which he managed to score 15 goals in 46 games across all competitions.

    Nevertheless, Morata expressed his regret at not being able to do more in helping Juventus secure the treble but said their European disappointment on Saturday would serve as motivation next term."The year could have been better if we had won the Champions League," he continued. "I could have easily scored 20 to 25 goals had I been better prepared in the first half of the season.

    "I could have done much better. These have been a couple of hard days in which we lost the Champions League final, though I feel the team gained plenty from the journey.

    "Sometimes it's not always pretty but we've learnt and seen that we're not made of glass. We'll emerge out the other side soon."Juventus have already been busy reinforcing their squad to challenge on all fronts again next term, having completed the €40 million signing of Paulo Dybala from Palermo.
     

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    Official: Dani Alves renews Barcelona contract

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    Barcelona announced that Dani Alves signed a new contract with the club on Tuesday.

    The 32-year-old looked set to leave the outfit after talks stalled over a deal, with his agent revealing AC Milan and several others were interested in his services.

    However, both parties have now come to an agreement, meaning he will remain at the club until at least the summer of 2017."FC Barcelona announce that Dani Alves has accepted the club's proposal for the renewal of his contract," a statement on the Blaugrana's official website read.

    "The new agreement linking the two parties will run for two more seasons until 30 June 2017, plus an optional third season."Alves played a key role in Luis Enrique's side securing a magnificent treble of the Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League titles last term.

    The Brazilian was a €35 million signing from Sevilla in 2008 and has won five league titles and the Champions League three times at Camp Nou.
     

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    Milan have offered Dani Alves a deal - but so have others, says agent

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    AC Milan have already opened talks to sign out-of-contract Barcelona star Dani Alves, according to Dinorah Santa Ana da Silva, his agent and ex-wife.

    Alves has repeatedly stalled on signing an extension to his current deal at Camp Nou which runs out in June, and on Sunday appeared to drop his biggest hint yet that he would be leaving.

    And Silva has now confirmed that the 32-year-old is not short of offers.
    "Yes, I've had conversations with Milan," she told Tuttomercatoweb. "We'll see when we can talk to Dani and evaluate what to do."They are not the only ones interested, though. We've had many offers."

    Club president Josep Maria Bartomeu stated time was running out for the Brazilian to remain with last season's treble winners on Monday.
     

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    'Klopp finds the Premier League very exciting'

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    Jurgen Klopp finds the Premier League "very exciting" and would like to work under a sporting director in his next job, according to the coach's agent Marc Kosicke.

    Having called time on a seven-year spell in charge of Borussia Dortmund, Klopp is now one of the most coveted out-of-work coaches in Europe, though he confirmed at the start of June that he will take a short break from the game.

    The 47-year-old is widely respected in England as a result of his achievements in Germany and Kosicke admits his client is tempted by the possibility of coaching in the Premier League.

    "The Premier League is very exciting," he told SPOX. "And we do not only think about the top four because there are some other great clubs below them. But I am not sure the profile of the job could work.

    "In Germany there is a clear separation between manager and sporting director and I think in principle this is very good. Jurgen does not like to speak to player's agents or to carry out a transfer. So we have to see which is the most useful arrangement."

    Kosicke also insists Klopp is willing to consider clubs outside Europe's traditional elite if he feels he can build something special there.

    "It is always all about the challenge," he added. "When Jurgen signed for Dortmund there were other clubs who had better prestige and were in better financial mood at this time. Nevertheless he decided for Dortmund.

    "He has the great ability to develop things. If he goes into a stadium, feels the energy and thinks that he can make a difference here this could be more attractive to him than going with the big deals and aim for the treble."
     

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    Bartomeu and Barcelona board to formally resign on Tuesday

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    Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu and the rest of the club's board will formally step down from their posts on Tuesday so re-elections can get underway.

    Bartomeu has called for a press conference set for Tuesday 17:00CET, during which he will hand over control to an interim management that will decide the date presidential candidates can begin their campaigns.

    The 52-year-old has been in the head position ever since predecessor Sandro Rosell stepped down in January 2014 following controversy over financial irregulaties relating to the deal that brought Neymar to the club.

    Bartomeu himself has been charged with tax fraud in relation to the same transfer and was forced to call for summer re-elections this January in response to the team's crisis at that time, which saw them trail Real Madrid in La Liga and receive a transfer ban.

    Luis Enrique's men eventually turned their season around and became the first club ever to win the treble twice after winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey and Champions League.

    Bartomeu himself will launch a bid for the presidency, stating he would bring "renewal" if he won.
     

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    Official: Bilic appointed new West Ham manager

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    West Ham have confirmed they have appointed Slaven Bilic as their new manager on a three-year deal with the Croatian replacing the departed Sam Allardyce at Upton Park.

    Goal understands Bilic edged out competition from Marcelo Bielsa with both candidates having impressed co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold.

    Bilic returns to the club where he played for 18 months during 1996 and 1997 and says he is thrilled to be back with the Hammers.

    “I’m really glad to be back with West Ham United,” Bilic said. “It’s in the Premier League, which is among the best in the world. It’s a big challenge and you are competing with the best and what better club to do it with than West Ham.

    “I remember West Ham as a special club. I love these kinds of special clubs. My last club, Besiktas, was that kind of club. It’s not about the size – West Ham is big Club – there is something special about them - they are a cult clubs.

    “It is a great place to play and I felt like I was at home. It is a big privilege and a big responsibility to now be manager and I hope that I will prove it to the Board, players and fans.

    “My first priority when choosing a club is to look at its ambitions. When I spoke to the Chairmen and Karren Brady, they made clear that it is not only the fantastic new Stadium we are moving into, but they showed their determination and ambition to make what is a big club even bigger.

    “I saw their determination and passion that they want to do that. That was the number one reason. I could feel that they really wanted me so it was an easy choice.

    “I would say to the West Ham fans that I will give my best and together we will achieve great things.”
     

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    Bernat: I want to win as many trophies as possible

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    Juan Bernat is hopeful he can play a key role in winning eras for Bayern Munich and Spain, as he gears up for his country's upcoming tests against Costa Rica and Belarus.

    The 22-year-old had been a relative unknown outside his native Spain before last summer's €10 million move to Bayern Munich, but proved a revelation as he established himself in Pep Guardiola's plans.

    His fine form also saw him receive his first senior cap for la Roja in October, and now says his first piece of career silverware in Bayern's Bundesliga triumph has whet his appetite for more success on every front.

    "It's true that I'm very young at 22," Bernat told Marca. "It's also true what they say, a career in football is over quickly, but I want to try to win as many trophies as possible."I only won the Bundesliga this season, which was my first piece of silverware as a professional. Hopefully, next year we can contest some finals."

    Bernat enjoyed a speedy adaptation to German football given the sizeable Spanish contingent there, and revealed advice from team-mates such as Xabi Alonso and Pepe Reina were crucial to him making the next step in his Spain career."They've told me to enjoy it to the max because it's a really great experience.

    They've said that it's not easy to get here [the international set-up] and that I should try to seize every moment.

    "Thiago [Alcantara] was another who's really helped me to integrate into the group at Bayern. Since he's come back [from injury] he's been performing at an extremely high level and he looks in very good shape."

    Bernat has enjoyed the opportunity to work with coaches such as Guardiola and Vicente del Bosque, but refrained from stating that he preferred one trainer's methods over the other's.

    "Every coach has their quirks. You could say Pep is more approachable, but I haven't had that many call-ups to the national team," the left-back explained. "I don't especially like comparing them anyway.

    "Del Bosque likes to play a 4-3-3 and Guardiola has used that system before too, although on occasions he's opted for three centre-backs and two wing-backs.
    "Honestly, though, I can adapt to any system."
     

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    Official: Juventus sign Khedira

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    Juventus have confirmed that they will sign Sami Khedira on a free transfer upon the expiration of his contract with Real Madrid later this month.

    The Germany international failed to agree terms on a new deal with Los Blancos last summer and saw little game time under former coach Carlo Ancelotti during the 2014-15 campaign, much to the midfielder's frustration.

    Khedira had been linked with a return to the Bundesliga, with Schalke, while Premier League sides Chelsea and Arsenal were also said to be interested, but the World Cup winner has now elected to move to Turin.

    "Juventus Football Club has today completed the signing of Sami Khedira," read a statement released on the Bianconeri's official website on Tuesday.

    "The 28-year-old, who will officially join from Real Madrid on a free transfer on 1 July 2015, has agreed terms on a four-year contract which expires on 30 June 2019.

    "Khedira, who is normally deployed in front of the defence as a ball-winning midfielder, is able to cover a lot of ground while also possessing excellent passing and shooting ability, and great vision of the game.

    "Bianconeri boss Massimiliano Allegri is set to add a player of class, quality and international experience to his ranks, ready to enrich one of the strongest midfields in world football."

    Khedira will compete for a starting berth with Claudio Marchisio, Arturo Vidal, Andrea Pirlo and Paul Pogba.
     
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