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Chile 2-0 Brazil: Vargas & Alexis consign Selecao to defeat
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World-class Klopp can 'reignite' Liverpool, says Werner
New Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has what it takes to "reignite" the club, says chairman Tom Werner.
The former Borussia Dortmund boss was confirmed on Thursday as Brendan Rodgers' successor at Anfield and has promised fans that they are in for "full-throttle" football under his leadership.
Werner hailed him as "world-class" and "inspirational", believing that he has everything required to take the club back to the top.
"In Jurgen Klopp we have appointed a world-class manager with a proven track record of winning and someone who has the personality and charisma to reignite this football club and take the team forward," he told the club's official website.
"When an opportunity presents itself to acquire one of the most sought-after leaders in the game, it is something you have to pursue decisively and we are delighted he has accepted our invitation.
"He possesses all the qualities we are looking for in a manager - he is a strong, inspirational leader, who has a clear philosophy of high-energy, attacking football. Critically, he is also a winner and someone who can connect with and enthuse our supporters.
"It is our job now to support Jurgen every step of the way and help him achieve his full potential at this great football club.
"He is enthusiastic about the squad of players and wants the team to fight to achieve success this season and beyond. His attitude is infectious and we believe it will lift the entire club."
New Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has what it takes to "reignite" the club, says chairman Tom Werner.
The former Borussia Dortmund boss was confirmed on Thursday as Brendan Rodgers' successor at Anfield and has promised fans that they are in for "full-throttle" football under his leadership.
Werner hailed him as "world-class" and "inspirational", believing that he has everything required to take the club back to the top.
"In Jurgen Klopp we have appointed a world-class manager with a proven track record of winning and someone who has the personality and charisma to reignite this football club and take the team forward," he told the club's official website.
"When an opportunity presents itself to acquire one of the most sought-after leaders in the game, it is something you have to pursue decisively and we are delighted he has accepted our invitation.
"He possesses all the qualities we are looking for in a manager - he is a strong, inspirational leader, who has a clear philosophy of high-energy, attacking football. Critically, he is also a winner and someone who can connect with and enthuse our supporters.
"It is our job now to support Jurgen every step of the way and help him achieve his full potential at this great football club.
"He is enthusiastic about the squad of players and wants the team to fight to achieve success this season and beyond. His attitude is infectious and we believe it will lift the entire club."
No Guardiola agreement with Man City...yet
Pep Guardiola has not yet reached an agreement to join Manchester City and is keeping his options open before his contract with Bayern Munich expires next summer, sources have told Goal.
Reports in Spain this week suggested that Guardiola had already given City his word that he will become their manager next year. However, Goal understands he is unlikely to make a definite decision on his future before the end of 2015, with Bayern still hoping to convince him to stay at the Allianz Arena.
Guardiola won 14 trophies in four years at Barcelona when he worked with Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain, who are now City’s chief executive and director of football respectively. The club’s Abu Dhabi owners appointed Soriano and Begiristain as they looked to follow Barcelona’s blueprint of winning trophies with attractive football and producing players from the academy.
Begiristain and Guardiola are particularly close and speak on a weekly basis. It is no secret at City that Guardiola is considered the club’s dream manager and there has long been an expectation that he will take over from Manuel Pellegrini next summer.
The Premier League leaders sounded Guardiola out in the summer but he has not yet committed to City. There has been no serious contact about the job since Manuel Pellegrini extended his City contract until 2017 in August.
Pellegrini won the title in his first season at City in 2013-14 and, after finishing second last term, his side currently top the table after eight matches.
Guardiola is also aware that other attractive jobs in the Premier League could become available.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is known to be a huge admirer of the Catalan and Jose Mourinho is currently under massive pressure at Stamford Bridge, while Arsene Wenger turns 66 this month and may step aside as Arsenal manager next summer.
Guardiola prides himself on his professionalism and remains fully focused on coaching Bundesliga leaders Bayern.
The Catalan has won back-to-back league titles with the German giants and chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has spoken of the club’s desire to extend his time in Munich.
"One thing is clear: we have a good team. And a good team needs a good coach," Rummenigge told DPA news agency last month.
"We had one in Jupp Heynckes, and we have one now in Pep Guardiola. I am definitely optimistic that Pep will stay beyond June 30, 2016.
"The coach feels good. He has a good team. It helps to have Munich as a city. There's a lot going for Pep Guardiola deciding for Bayern Munich."
Pep Guardiola has not yet reached an agreement to join Manchester City and is keeping his options open before his contract with Bayern Munich expires next summer, sources have told Goal.
Reports in Spain this week suggested that Guardiola had already given City his word that he will become their manager next year. However, Goal understands he is unlikely to make a definite decision on his future before the end of 2015, with Bayern still hoping to convince him to stay at the Allianz Arena.
Guardiola won 14 trophies in four years at Barcelona when he worked with Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain, who are now City’s chief executive and director of football respectively. The club’s Abu Dhabi owners appointed Soriano and Begiristain as they looked to follow Barcelona’s blueprint of winning trophies with attractive football and producing players from the academy.
Begiristain and Guardiola are particularly close and speak on a weekly basis. It is no secret at City that Guardiola is considered the club’s dream manager and there has long been an expectation that he will take over from Manuel Pellegrini next summer.
The Premier League leaders sounded Guardiola out in the summer but he has not yet committed to City. There has been no serious contact about the job since Manuel Pellegrini extended his City contract until 2017 in August.
Pellegrini won the title in his first season at City in 2013-14 and, after finishing second last term, his side currently top the table after eight matches.
Guardiola is also aware that other attractive jobs in the Premier League could become available.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is known to be a huge admirer of the Catalan and Jose Mourinho is currently under massive pressure at Stamford Bridge, while Arsene Wenger turns 66 this month and may step aside as Arsenal manager next summer.
Guardiola prides himself on his professionalism and remains fully focused on coaching Bundesliga leaders Bayern.
The Catalan has won back-to-back league titles with the German giants and chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has spoken of the club’s desire to extend his time in Munich.
"One thing is clear: we have a good team. And a good team needs a good coach," Rummenigge told DPA news agency last month.
"We had one in Jupp Heynckes, and we have one now in Pep Guardiola. I am definitely optimistic that Pep will stay beyond June 30, 2016.
"The coach feels good. He has a good team. It helps to have Munich as a city. There's a lot going for Pep Guardiola deciding for Bayern Munich."
Klopp's message to Liverpool fans: Stop doubting and start believing
New Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has launched a rallying call to fans of the club to stop doubting the team and start believing in them.
The former Borussia Dortmund manager replaces Brendan Rodgers at Anfield, and admitted he felt there was a negative atmosphere around the club that he is looking to change.
But Klopp is now keen for Reds supporters to forget about their illustrious history and concentrate on building towards more success under his guidance.
"First of all, we have to talk with all LFC fans to talk about our expectations," he told LFCTV. "Expectations can be a real big problem.
"Having a backpack with 20 kilos in it is not so cool to run with. We have to talk about this and then we can start.
"The LFC family is a little bit too nervous and a bit too pessimistic. They all celebrate the game and it’s a great atmosphere in the stadium, but they don’t believe.
"They talk about five years ago, 10 years ago, 20 years ago, and yes that was great, but it’s great to remember. Now we have the opportunity to write a new story if we want.
"We have to clear a few things and maybe we can do this in the next few weeks to be as successful as we can be. I’m not saying this year will be the best in the history of LFC, but if it happens we can celebrate this. If not, we have to work.
"The message to the Liverpool supporters? We have to change from doubters, to believers… now."
Klopp was also asked about the style of play he would be bringing to Merseyside, with many expecting him to introduce his "gegenpressing" philosophy to the club.
And the former Mainz boss admitted he would be looking to make his side hard to beat and concentrating on the defence as he looks to lift them from 10th in the Premier League table.
“A wild one!" he joked when asked what his style would be. "In this case, all the world-class teams play ball possession football. That’s cool, and I like to watch this. Bayern Munich are a great team. Barcelona the same. Real Madrid on some days, and Manchester City.
"You cannot start as a ball possession team, so the first thing in life you need is a stable defence. That’s the first thing always. You can only stay confident in the game when not every offensive move of the other team is a goal.
"Always when you want to start a development, you never start from the top of the table. Our positon is absolutely OK, so we can start our development today and tomorrow.
"It is possible to be the hardest team in the world to beat, so let’s try to be this. If you are this then it’s not so far away to be a team that can win games."
New Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has launched a rallying call to fans of the club to stop doubting the team and start believing in them.
The former Borussia Dortmund manager replaces Brendan Rodgers at Anfield, and admitted he felt there was a negative atmosphere around the club that he is looking to change.
But Klopp is now keen for Reds supporters to forget about their illustrious history and concentrate on building towards more success under his guidance.
"First of all, we have to talk with all LFC fans to talk about our expectations," he told LFCTV. "Expectations can be a real big problem.
"Having a backpack with 20 kilos in it is not so cool to run with. We have to talk about this and then we can start.
"The LFC family is a little bit too nervous and a bit too pessimistic. They all celebrate the game and it’s a great atmosphere in the stadium, but they don’t believe.
"They talk about five years ago, 10 years ago, 20 years ago, and yes that was great, but it’s great to remember. Now we have the opportunity to write a new story if we want.
"We have to clear a few things and maybe we can do this in the next few weeks to be as successful as we can be. I’m not saying this year will be the best in the history of LFC, but if it happens we can celebrate this. If not, we have to work.
"The message to the Liverpool supporters? We have to change from doubters, to believers… now."
Klopp was also asked about the style of play he would be bringing to Merseyside, with many expecting him to introduce his "gegenpressing" philosophy to the club.
And the former Mainz boss admitted he would be looking to make his side hard to beat and concentrating on the defence as he looks to lift them from 10th in the Premier League table.
“A wild one!" he joked when asked what his style would be. "In this case, all the world-class teams play ball possession football. That’s cool, and I like to watch this. Bayern Munich are a great team. Barcelona the same. Real Madrid on some days, and Manchester City.
"You cannot start as a ball possession team, so the first thing in life you need is a stable defence. That’s the first thing always. You can only stay confident in the game when not every offensive move of the other team is a goal.
"Always when you want to start a development, you never start from the top of the table. Our positon is absolutely OK, so we can start our development today and tomorrow.
"It is possible to be the hardest team in the world to beat, so let’s try to be this. If you are this then it’s not so far away to be a team that can win games."
Klopp: I don't want Ronaldo or Messi!
New Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists he is happy with the squad at his disposal and is not looking for a "dream" signing of Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo .
Klopp has replaced Brendan Rodgers at Anfield as Liverpool look to bounce back from a disappointing start to the season, in which they have won just three Premier League games.
Rodgers was heavily criticised in some quarters for the club's transfer dealings over the past 18 months but Klopp is adamant the ingredients for success are there - provided they have the work-rate to match.
The former Borussia Dortmund manager insisted he is happy with the Liverpool squad, suggesting he would not want the two most recent Ballon d'Or winners and letting his new players now that the hard work starts now.
"Now we start work. I'm not a dream man, I don't want to have Cristiano or Lionel and all these players in one team," Klopp told LFCTV .
"I want these guys [the current squad], it was a decision for these guys. Now we start working."
Speculation has persisted that Klopp had reservations over working with Liverpool's much-discussed transfer committee but the former Borussia Dortmund boss insists he has no fears over their working relationship, indicating his belief that discussion around transfers can be a positive thing for a club.
"It's a really funny thing," he added. "It was absolutely no problem between [club owners] FSG and myself, we talked about this. It's nothing. If two smart, intelligent, clever guys sit together on a table and you both want the same, where can be the problem?
But Klopp did warn the club that he would require the final say on all dealings, with the manager being given first refusal on all player sales and purchases.
"I don't want to spend money the club doesn't have, I don't want to hold a player that doesn't want to stay," he continued.
"I have to work all day with these guys. Nobody will sell a player I want to work with, even if it's a good deal. Nobody wants to transfer a player without my 'yes'. So everything is okay, I don't need more."
And the 48-year-old Swabian remained optimistic about the squad at his disposal, regardless of any future transfr dealings, praising the players' speed and technical ability.
"I'm here because I believe the potential of the team. I see the team and think everything is good," the new Liverpool manager said.
"At this moment we're not the best team in the world, but who cares? We want to be the best team in the world. We have some problems and we have to solve them.
"We have speed and technical ability. The first game is Tottenham and we have to make a team for this game.
New Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists he is happy with the squad at his disposal and is not looking for a "dream" signing of Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo .
Klopp has replaced Brendan Rodgers at Anfield as Liverpool look to bounce back from a disappointing start to the season, in which they have won just three Premier League games.
Rodgers was heavily criticised in some quarters for the club's transfer dealings over the past 18 months but Klopp is adamant the ingredients for success are there - provided they have the work-rate to match.
The former Borussia Dortmund manager insisted he is happy with the Liverpool squad, suggesting he would not want the two most recent Ballon d'Or winners and letting his new players now that the hard work starts now.
"Now we start work. I'm not a dream man, I don't want to have Cristiano or Lionel and all these players in one team," Klopp told LFCTV .
"I want these guys [the current squad], it was a decision for these guys. Now we start working."
Speculation has persisted that Klopp had reservations over working with Liverpool's much-discussed transfer committee but the former Borussia Dortmund boss insists he has no fears over their working relationship, indicating his belief that discussion around transfers can be a positive thing for a club.
"It's a really funny thing," he added. "It was absolutely no problem between [club owners] FSG and myself, we talked about this. It's nothing. If two smart, intelligent, clever guys sit together on a table and you both want the same, where can be the problem?
But Klopp did warn the club that he would require the final say on all dealings, with the manager being given first refusal on all player sales and purchases.
"I don't want to spend money the club doesn't have, I don't want to hold a player that doesn't want to stay," he continued.
"I have to work all day with these guys. Nobody will sell a player I want to work with, even if it's a good deal. Nobody wants to transfer a player without my 'yes'. So everything is okay, I don't need more."
And the 48-year-old Swabian remained optimistic about the squad at his disposal, regardless of any future transfr dealings, praising the players' speed and technical ability.
"I'm here because I believe the potential of the team. I see the team and think everything is good," the new Liverpool manager said.
"At this moment we're not the best team in the world, but who cares? We want to be the best team in the world. We have some problems and we have to solve them.
"We have speed and technical ability. The first game is Tottenham and we have to make a team for this game.
Benzema: Maybe my critics like me too much!
Karim Benzema suggested that his critics like him "too much" after ending a 12-game goalscoring drought for France in a 4-0 win over Armenia on Thursday.
The Real Madrid striker scored twice, also creating the opener for Antoine Griezmann, and after the match in Nice he downplayed claims he is not happy when playing for his national team.
"I do not know if there is a debate,” the 27-year old responded to Sport24 when asked about the conversations focusing on his form and commitment to Didier Deschamps’ side.
"I’m happy to join up with the team. I have heard some [people] say I was not happy and that I do not want to join the France team, but that is wrong!
"I’m happy when I'm with the Blues. I want to win titles with this team. I do not know why there are so many questions about me.
"Maybe some people have problems, worries or maybe they like me too much, I do not know."
Benzema, who is the top scorer in La Liga at the moment with six goals, was forced off in the second half with a hamstring problem, but Deschamps insisted it was nothing serious.
"He felt a little discomfort,” the France coach explained, “but it’s not serious. There is a little something, though, and he will find out more after tests on Friday.”
Next up for France, who host next summer’s European Championships, are Denmark in Copenhagen on Sunday.
Karim Benzema suggested that his critics like him "too much" after ending a 12-game goalscoring drought for France in a 4-0 win over Armenia on Thursday.
The Real Madrid striker scored twice, also creating the opener for Antoine Griezmann, and after the match in Nice he downplayed claims he is not happy when playing for his national team.
"I do not know if there is a debate,” the 27-year old responded to Sport24 when asked about the conversations focusing on his form and commitment to Didier Deschamps’ side.
"I’m happy to join up with the team. I have heard some [people] say I was not happy and that I do not want to join the France team, but that is wrong!
"I’m happy when I'm with the Blues. I want to win titles with this team. I do not know why there are so many questions about me.
"Maybe some people have problems, worries or maybe they like me too much, I do not know."
Benzema, who is the top scorer in La Liga at the moment with six goals, was forced off in the second half with a hamstring problem, but Deschamps insisted it was nothing serious.
"He felt a little discomfort,” the France coach explained, “but it’s not serious. There is a little something, though, and he will find out more after tests on Friday.”
Next up for France, who host next summer’s European Championships, are Denmark in Copenhagen on Sunday.
Martino invites feedback from Argentina players after shock defeat
Argentina head coach Gerardo Martino will ask for feedback from his players after they suffered a shock 2-0 home loss to Ecuador in their opening World Cup qualifier.
The match in Buenos Aires looked like it was destined to finish in a goalless draw until Frickson Erazo and Felipe Caicedo struck inside the final 10 minutes as the Copa America runners-up fell to defeat.
Martino admitted Ecuador had been better than Argentina in every aspect and revealed he would listen to opinions from his players ahead of their next game against Paraguay on Tuesday.
"The team's work in every line of play wasn't good enough," the former Barcelona boss said to Ole.
"Now the players have to recover and talk over the game. It will be good to listen to them in order to see what happened and where they didn't feel comfortable.
"I cannot tell you what the worst thing was, but playing badly with the ball causes damage without it. What we did when we had it, or what we didn't do when they had it, was the worst.
"Ecuador were better than us in every aspect. The team lost its shape."
Argentina are currently without injured captain Lionel Messi, while they suffered an additional blow when Sergio Aguero suffered a hamstring injury during the Ecuador defeat.
Argentina head coach Gerardo Martino will ask for feedback from his players after they suffered a shock 2-0 home loss to Ecuador in their opening World Cup qualifier.
The match in Buenos Aires looked like it was destined to finish in a goalless draw until Frickson Erazo and Felipe Caicedo struck inside the final 10 minutes as the Copa America runners-up fell to defeat.
Martino admitted Ecuador had been better than Argentina in every aspect and revealed he would listen to opinions from his players ahead of their next game against Paraguay on Tuesday.
"The team's work in every line of play wasn't good enough," the former Barcelona boss said to Ole.
"Now the players have to recover and talk over the game. It will be good to listen to them in order to see what happened and where they didn't feel comfortable.
"I cannot tell you what the worst thing was, but playing badly with the ball causes damage without it. What we did when we had it, or what we didn't do when they had it, was the worst.
"Ecuador were better than us in every aspect. The team lost its shape."
Argentina are currently without injured captain Lionel Messi, while they suffered an additional blow when Sergio Aguero suffered a hamstring injury during the Ecuador defeat.
Klopp: I am 'The Normal One'
New Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has claimed he is 'The Normal One' after taking over the reins at Anfield.
The former Borussia Dortmund manager was asked how he would describe himself after Jose Mourinho's infamous 'Special One' comment on his arrival at Chelsea, but he was not willing to talk up his own abilities.
"I don't want to describe myself,” the 48-year-old said on Friday at his first press conference since taking charge at the Premier League club.
“Does anyone in this room think that I can do wonders? No? So let me work. I'm a totally normal guy.
“I came from the Black Forest. My mother is watching this at home on the television, but she won't understand a word. She is very proud, though.
"I am the 'Normal One', if you want [a description]. I was a very, very average player.”
Klopp, though, did praise his roots in management, urging people to go and watch a Mainz game if they can and labelling Dortmund a great club.
“I became a manager in Germany with a very special club,” he added.
“If you've never been to Germany to watch Mainz, try to do it. Try to get a ticket. It's really special there.
“I then had a great opportunity to [manage] Dortmund — a very special club, a great club. After seven years, though, it was best to leave.
“Now I'm here and I hope to enjoy my work. All the people [talk] so much about the British press, it's up to you to show me they're all liars."
Liverpool face Tottenham at White Hart Lane after the international break next weekend in what will be Klopp’s first game in charge of his new side.
New Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has claimed he is 'The Normal One' after taking over the reins at Anfield.
The former Borussia Dortmund manager was asked how he would describe himself after Jose Mourinho's infamous 'Special One' comment on his arrival at Chelsea, but he was not willing to talk up his own abilities.
"I don't want to describe myself,” the 48-year-old said on Friday at his first press conference since taking charge at the Premier League club.
“Does anyone in this room think that I can do wonders? No? So let me work. I'm a totally normal guy.
“I came from the Black Forest. My mother is watching this at home on the television, but she won't understand a word. She is very proud, though.
"I am the 'Normal One', if you want [a description]. I was a very, very average player.”
Klopp, though, did praise his roots in management, urging people to go and watch a Mainz game if they can and labelling Dortmund a great club.
“I became a manager in Germany with a very special club,” he added.
“If you've never been to Germany to watch Mainz, try to do it. Try to get a ticket. It's really special there.
“I then had a great opportunity to [manage] Dortmund — a very special club, a great club. After seven years, though, it was best to leave.
“Now I'm here and I hope to enjoy my work. All the people [talk] so much about the British press, it's up to you to show me they're all liars."
Liverpool face Tottenham at White Hart Lane after the international break next weekend in what will be Klopp’s first game in charge of his new side.
Klopp: Liverpool will win a title in four years - or I'm going to Switzerland!
New Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has vowed to bring a title to Anfield within four years and suggested that if he fails at the club he may have to take a job in Switzerland!
Speaking to reporters at Anfield as part of his formal unveiling as the new Liverpool manager on Friday, Klopp asked for patience and time in his efforts to mould the Reds into title challengers, indicating his belief that the club will manage to win at least one title in his time on Merseyside.
"Last night we signed the contract and this morning I wake and I'm manager of Liverpool FC," he told reporters.
"Please give us time to do the work but when I sit here in four years I think we may have one title. If not maybe [I'll win] the next one in Switzerland."
But the 48-year-old refused to be drawn on the specifics.
"All the great managers in the past - not one of them sat there on the first day and said I am going to win this title or that title," he said.
The former Borussia Dortmund boss pointed to the legacy he left in Germany, suggesting that the true test of a manager is not first impressions, but the state of the club when a coach leaves.
"I said when I left Dortmund it's not important what you think when someone comes in. It's important what you think when people leave. That when you leave it's a special day," the Swabian added.
Klopp, renowned as a coach that ofen provides colourful soundbites, admitted that he does not care for the media coverage of the game, instead aiming to focus on working on players.
"I don't care about all this press - I want to work with the players. I am a football manager," he continued.
New Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has vowed to bring a title to Anfield within four years and suggested that if he fails at the club he may have to take a job in Switzerland!
Speaking to reporters at Anfield as part of his formal unveiling as the new Liverpool manager on Friday, Klopp asked for patience and time in his efforts to mould the Reds into title challengers, indicating his belief that the club will manage to win at least one title in his time on Merseyside.
"Last night we signed the contract and this morning I wake and I'm manager of Liverpool FC," he told reporters.
"Please give us time to do the work but when I sit here in four years I think we may have one title. If not maybe [I'll win] the next one in Switzerland."
But the 48-year-old refused to be drawn on the specifics.
"All the great managers in the past - not one of them sat there on the first day and said I am going to win this title or that title," he said.
The former Borussia Dortmund boss pointed to the legacy he left in Germany, suggesting that the true test of a manager is not first impressions, but the state of the club when a coach leaves.
"I said when I left Dortmund it's not important what you think when someone comes in. It's important what you think when people leave. That when you leave it's a special day," the Swabian added.
Klopp, renowned as a coach that ofen provides colourful soundbites, admitted that he does not care for the media coverage of the game, instead aiming to focus on working on players.
"I don't care about all this press - I want to work with the players. I am a football manager," he continued.
sure karanna puluwan manager kenek & team 1kata hodata hadai
Van Persie decline represents Blind's biggest headache
Robin van Persie may be on the cusp of an impressive milestone with the Netherlands, as he is set to make his 100th appearance for the national team against Kazakhstan on Saturday, but his current situation at club and country is far from ideal. The striker’s career is in freefall and it leaves many problems for him and Oranje.
The 32-year-old has been a mainstay in the Dutch side for a decade now and has practically been untouchable for coaches throughout that period, even though large parts of his career have been plagued by injury.
That Van Persie is on the verge of a century of caps and remains the country’s top goalscorer says it all about his importance and class. But in these twilight years of his career, that his club career is going downhill yet he still walks into the Dutch starting XI sums up the issues facing the country perfectly.
Since picking up that bronze medal in Brazil last year, things have turned sour for both parties. The KNVB’s long-term plan of Guus Hiddink leading the team into Euro 2016 before being succeeded by Danny Blind has been predictably disastrous and unintentionally fast tracked. The former’s failure and departure has left the latter in a mess in taking over a team lacking structure and organisation with a sizeable gap between generations.
Blind, though unsuited for the job and so far not brave enough to make drastic but necessary changes, took one key decision upon his appointment – taking the captain’s armband from Van Persie and handing it to Arjen Robben. The coach then explained that Van Persie was not going to be first choice due to a lack of first team football at Fenerbahce.
Van Persie has cut a frustrated figure in Turkey. Cast aside at Manchester United, he joined the Istanbul club with the hope of being their star player, yet he has completed 90 minutes on just two occasions, scoring three times in his 12 appearances.
"I had a very clear conversation with Robin,” the manager said at before the game against Iceland. “I have an alternative in his position.”
Blind quickly reversed his position on Van Persie’s importance to the team as Robben picked up an injury in the 1-0 defeat to Iceland, and just days later he put him in the starting XI for the crucial match against Turkey. He was thoroughly ineffective throughout.
Still, he has started six games of Netherlands’ eight Euro 2016 qualifiers and his two goals have come in games against Latvia and Kazakhstan. The Oranje’s problems have been plentiful, but as one of the more experienced players in the squad, the ex-Manchester United man has been unable to lead them from the front. Furthermore, he has not been as efficient as Huntelaar. Van Persie’s two goals have come from 15 shots (seven on target), Huntelaar’s four have come from eight attempts (six on target) in six appearances.
Regardless, Van Persie is set to stay a key part of the team for the time being. With the odds stacked against them as they scrap for a playoff spot, it is expected that Blind will line up with both he and Huntelaar against Kazakhstan – even though the coach has reiterated his disappointment in the former’s lack of playing time.
“He has indeed played a whole game for Fenerbahce, but it is not ideal that one of our key players is not starting on a weekly basis,” Blind told the media on Monday.
It exposes an issue that has been a long time coming for the Dutch and they remain without a credible solution. That Van Marwijk, Van Gaal, Hiddink and Blind have had no option but to revert back to and rely heavily on Van Persie says more about the nation’s striking options than it does about his class.
Other than Huntelaar, they have no other choice. Both turned 32 in August and the time for the Oranje to plan for a life without them is fast approaching.
Looking to build for the 2018 World Cup is a necessity. That will not be too difficult for the most part. The personnel is there. Memphis Depay, Georginio Wijnaldum, Stefan de Vrij, Jordy Clasie, Kenny Tete, Riechedly Bazoer, Davy Klaassen, Jetro Willems, Jairo Riedewald, Anwar El Ghazi, Quincy Promes and the plethora of prodigious talents will be more experienced and ready to form a prominent team, but unlike with the current set up, they need to build an effective style to get the best out of them.
The more prominent issue facing them is that a natural successor to Van Persie and Huntelaar is yet to emerge. Bas Dost has never been a reliable and consistent goalscorer, while De Jong is still rebuilding his career at PSV and is not ready to have the weight of the country on his shoulders. There is promise in 18-year-old Richairo Zivkovic, but his development is stagnating drastically since his move to Ajax in 2014. Another emerging option is for a winger like Memphis to play a more central role or at least have the onus of goals shift to the wings.
Netherlands have boasted goalscoreres like Marco van Basten, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Patrick Kluivert amd Dennis Bergkamp. And have been lucky to be able to add Huntelaar and Van Persie to that list, but it is difficult to see who will take the goalscoring burden next.
Van Persie joins Club 100 for Oranje, but that his sharp decline has not slowed him down from reaching the milestone is worrying. The Dutch have not been able to plan for life without him, and now Blind is paying the price for it.
Robin van Persie may be on the cusp of an impressive milestone with the Netherlands, as he is set to make his 100th appearance for the national team against Kazakhstan on Saturday, but his current situation at club and country is far from ideal. The striker’s career is in freefall and it leaves many problems for him and Oranje.
The 32-year-old has been a mainstay in the Dutch side for a decade now and has practically been untouchable for coaches throughout that period, even though large parts of his career have been plagued by injury.
That Van Persie is on the verge of a century of caps and remains the country’s top goalscorer says it all about his importance and class. But in these twilight years of his career, that his club career is going downhill yet he still walks into the Dutch starting XI sums up the issues facing the country perfectly.
Since picking up that bronze medal in Brazil last year, things have turned sour for both parties. The KNVB’s long-term plan of Guus Hiddink leading the team into Euro 2016 before being succeeded by Danny Blind has been predictably disastrous and unintentionally fast tracked. The former’s failure and departure has left the latter in a mess in taking over a team lacking structure and organisation with a sizeable gap between generations.
Blind, though unsuited for the job and so far not brave enough to make drastic but necessary changes, took one key decision upon his appointment – taking the captain’s armband from Van Persie and handing it to Arjen Robben. The coach then explained that Van Persie was not going to be first choice due to a lack of first team football at Fenerbahce.
Van Persie has cut a frustrated figure in Turkey. Cast aside at Manchester United, he joined the Istanbul club with the hope of being their star player, yet he has completed 90 minutes on just two occasions, scoring three times in his 12 appearances.
"I had a very clear conversation with Robin,” the manager said at before the game against Iceland. “I have an alternative in his position.”
Blind quickly reversed his position on Van Persie’s importance to the team as Robben picked up an injury in the 1-0 defeat to Iceland, and just days later he put him in the starting XI for the crucial match against Turkey. He was thoroughly ineffective throughout.
Still, he has started six games of Netherlands’ eight Euro 2016 qualifiers and his two goals have come in games against Latvia and Kazakhstan. The Oranje’s problems have been plentiful, but as one of the more experienced players in the squad, the ex-Manchester United man has been unable to lead them from the front. Furthermore, he has not been as efficient as Huntelaar. Van Persie’s two goals have come from 15 shots (seven on target), Huntelaar’s four have come from eight attempts (six on target) in six appearances.
Regardless, Van Persie is set to stay a key part of the team for the time being. With the odds stacked against them as they scrap for a playoff spot, it is expected that Blind will line up with both he and Huntelaar against Kazakhstan – even though the coach has reiterated his disappointment in the former’s lack of playing time.
“He has indeed played a whole game for Fenerbahce, but it is not ideal that one of our key players is not starting on a weekly basis,” Blind told the media on Monday.
It exposes an issue that has been a long time coming for the Dutch and they remain without a credible solution. That Van Marwijk, Van Gaal, Hiddink and Blind have had no option but to revert back to and rely heavily on Van Persie says more about the nation’s striking options than it does about his class.
Other than Huntelaar, they have no other choice. Both turned 32 in August and the time for the Oranje to plan for a life without them is fast approaching.
Looking to build for the 2018 World Cup is a necessity. That will not be too difficult for the most part. The personnel is there. Memphis Depay, Georginio Wijnaldum, Stefan de Vrij, Jordy Clasie, Kenny Tete, Riechedly Bazoer, Davy Klaassen, Jetro Willems, Jairo Riedewald, Anwar El Ghazi, Quincy Promes and the plethora of prodigious talents will be more experienced and ready to form a prominent team, but unlike with the current set up, they need to build an effective style to get the best out of them.
The more prominent issue facing them is that a natural successor to Van Persie and Huntelaar is yet to emerge. Bas Dost has never been a reliable and consistent goalscorer, while De Jong is still rebuilding his career at PSV and is not ready to have the weight of the country on his shoulders. There is promise in 18-year-old Richairo Zivkovic, but his development is stagnating drastically since his move to Ajax in 2014. Another emerging option is for a winger like Memphis to play a more central role or at least have the onus of goals shift to the wings.
Netherlands have boasted goalscoreres like Marco van Basten, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Patrick Kluivert amd Dennis Bergkamp. And have been lucky to be able to add Huntelaar and Van Persie to that list, but it is difficult to see who will take the goalscoring burden next.
Van Persie joins Club 100 for Oranje, but that his sharp decline has not slowed him down from reaching the milestone is worrying. The Dutch have not been able to plan for life without him, and now Blind is paying the price for it.
Benzema returns to Madrid and will miss Denmark game
Karim Benzema will miss France’s friendly with Denmark on Sunday after suffering a hamstring injury during the 4-0 win over Armenia.
The Real Madrid striker returned to the Spanish capital on Friday, with the French Football Federation announcing he has suffered a “first grade hamstring injury”.
Los Blancos have not yet commented on the news, although Spanish newspaper Marca have reported he could be out of action for up to three weeks — which would rule him out of matches against Levante, Celta Vigo and Paris Saint-Germain.
Benzema scored twice against Armenia, carrying his impressive club form into the international break.
The 27-year-old leads the scoring charts in La Liga with six strikes, but he had previously been on a 12-game drought for his country.
France coach Didier Deschamps said on Thursday that he didn’t expect the injury to be “too serious” and Rafa Benitez will hope that proves the case.
Madrid have already had to make do without Sergio Ramos and Gareth Bale for several matches this season, although both returned to the squad for the draw against Atletico Madrid.
Meanwhile, James Rodriguez, Pepe and Danilo were all unable to travel with their national sides this week due to injury problems.
Karim Benzema will miss France’s friendly with Denmark on Sunday after suffering a hamstring injury during the 4-0 win over Armenia.
The Real Madrid striker returned to the Spanish capital on Friday, with the French Football Federation announcing he has suffered a “first grade hamstring injury”.
Los Blancos have not yet commented on the news, although Spanish newspaper Marca have reported he could be out of action for up to three weeks — which would rule him out of matches against Levante, Celta Vigo and Paris Saint-Germain.
Benzema scored twice against Armenia, carrying his impressive club form into the international break.
The 27-year-old leads the scoring charts in La Liga with six strikes, but he had previously been on a 12-game drought for his country.
France coach Didier Deschamps said on Thursday that he didn’t expect the injury to be “too serious” and Rafa Benitez will hope that proves the case.
Madrid have already had to make do without Sergio Ramos and Gareth Bale for several matches this season, although both returned to the squad for the draw against Atletico Madrid.
Meanwhile, James Rodriguez, Pepe and Danilo were all unable to travel with their national sides this week due to injury problems.
Dropping Diego Costa was the right call for Spain
After another scoreless game in Spanish red, Diego Costa trudged off the pitch in Skopje, completely unaware that it would be his last game for his adopted nation for some time. The yellow card that he was issued during the 1-0 win against Macedonia rules him out of La Roja's match against Luxembourg on Friday, with Vicente del Bosque using the Chelsea striker's suspension as an excuse to completely ditch him from the squad.
"That's the first I've heard about it," Costa said, apparently surprised to learn from reporters that he had picked up a ban after the last match. He may have been equally as shocked when he learned of his omission from Del Bosque's latest roster - even if there have been doubts for a while now about his performances as the lone forward in a side overrun with diminutive midfield technicians.
The truth is that Costa, just turned 27, has not been good enough since he controversially opted to play for Spain over Brazil nearly two years ago. He has scored just once in nine caps — against Luxembourg in a qualification match for next summer's European Championships — and has struggled to replicate the menacing-but-dazzling from that he has so frequently shown off for Atletico Madrid and Chelsea.
His World Cup in Brazil, where he was booed by grieving home supporters, was brief and disappointing, perhaps because of the hamstring injury which he had picked up at the end of the previous season with Atletico. However, things have not improved since, with Del Bosque admitting after a recent victory over Slovakia that, when Spain come up against teams who park the bus, it is difficult for Costa to play his way.
"Of course I would like him to score more," the 64-year-old admitted. "Against teams that play so defensively, though, the player with the most difficult job is the striker. We have to be patient [with Costa]. A lot of the time, he's stuck with his back to goal."
Dropping him from his squad is perhaps not the best definition of the word 'patience' from the former Real Madrid boss. Costa may be suspended for Friday's game but he could have featured against Ukraine, allowing him another chance to get used to his role. He may have the world's worst hamstrings but, as a part of this Spain squad, it would have been nice for him to be there when they sealed their qualification for France 2016 — which they would do with a win against Luxembourg.
Delving deeper, though, it may not just be Costa's suspension and international form which is lingering in Del Bosque's mind. The burly forward admitted on Thursday that he has began the new season "overweight" and he has scored just two goals in eight appearances for Jose Mourinho's side since August. He bears little resemblance to the goalscoring monster who so easily took to the Premier League last year.
And then there is his conduct. Costa is very much an in-your-face type of player, provoking you and winding you up, waiting for you to snap. In Spain there were racism claims from then Sevilla midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia and, whenever he came up against Sergio Ramos and Pepe, their tussle descended into a Looney Tunes-style cloud of elbows. The excuse that his sympathisers have offered is his tough upbringing in Brazil, where he grew up learning the game on the streets.
That side of his game followed him to England. Within a month of Costa's arrival, Everton manager Roberto Martinez was angered by the way in which he taunted Seamus Coleman after a Chelsea goal. Then there were the two stamps against Liverpool for which the FA retrospectively banned him and, most recently, the clashes with Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel Paulista, which once again saw retrospective action taken — and that is barely scratching the surface.
Del Bosque admitted recently that these actions do not sit well with him. "What he did was unedifying and that's why he had to be punished," the Spain boss remarked. "I did not like it but that's not why I've not called him up. He can't play in the first game and we've decided not to bring him he hasn't played badly and it's not on merit."
Juan Mata, too, insists that Costa has a place in this Spain side, although he did reveal it has been tough for the foward so far. "Being the striker in a team like ours, with so many midfielders, is not easy," he explained on Spanish radio. "It's a complicated role. Players like [David] Villa and [Fernando] Torres did it very well but it's difficult to come and adapt. But I would rather have [Costa] as a team-mate than a rival. His movement and goals will always create problems. Also, he fight with the centre-backs, which creates problems and knocks the opponents' concentration."
Since Villa and Torres, there has been no easy solution to Del Bosque's striker problems. Alvaro Negredo and Fernando Llorente were clearly not the answers, which is why he was so desperate to lure Costa away from his native Brazil. He succeeded in doing so but Costa has still not succeeded with Spain.
Possibly because of the effort that it took to get him on board, Del Bosque has admirably stuck by his striker more than he has with some of his previous attacking options. Now, though, we have seen that he, too, like many others, has doubts over Costa's ability to function in a Spain side under pressure to recreate their back-to-back European Championships and World Cup wins.
Leaving him out because of the suspension is merely a ready-made excuse. The fact is that the two strikers in the current squad - Alvaro Morata and Paco Alcacer - represent far better options at present, even despite the latter's lack of game time at Valencia.
Costa will probably be in France next summer. On his day, he is too good to be left out but the fact that he will not be there as Spain qualify shows that he needs to buck up his ideas. If he has any more bouts of bad behaviour on the pitch or fails to shed those extra pounds put on over the summer, Del Bosque may once again find himself looking for an excuse.
After another scoreless game in Spanish red, Diego Costa trudged off the pitch in Skopje, completely unaware that it would be his last game for his adopted nation for some time. The yellow card that he was issued during the 1-0 win against Macedonia rules him out of La Roja's match against Luxembourg on Friday, with Vicente del Bosque using the Chelsea striker's suspension as an excuse to completely ditch him from the squad.
"That's the first I've heard about it," Costa said, apparently surprised to learn from reporters that he had picked up a ban after the last match. He may have been equally as shocked when he learned of his omission from Del Bosque's latest roster - even if there have been doubts for a while now about his performances as the lone forward in a side overrun with diminutive midfield technicians.
The truth is that Costa, just turned 27, has not been good enough since he controversially opted to play for Spain over Brazil nearly two years ago. He has scored just once in nine caps — against Luxembourg in a qualification match for next summer's European Championships — and has struggled to replicate the menacing-but-dazzling from that he has so frequently shown off for Atletico Madrid and Chelsea.
His World Cup in Brazil, where he was booed by grieving home supporters, was brief and disappointing, perhaps because of the hamstring injury which he had picked up at the end of the previous season with Atletico. However, things have not improved since, with Del Bosque admitting after a recent victory over Slovakia that, when Spain come up against teams who park the bus, it is difficult for Costa to play his way.
"Of course I would like him to score more," the 64-year-old admitted. "Against teams that play so defensively, though, the player with the most difficult job is the striker. We have to be patient [with Costa]. A lot of the time, he's stuck with his back to goal."
Dropping him from his squad is perhaps not the best definition of the word 'patience' from the former Real Madrid boss. Costa may be suspended for Friday's game but he could have featured against Ukraine, allowing him another chance to get used to his role. He may have the world's worst hamstrings but, as a part of this Spain squad, it would have been nice for him to be there when they sealed their qualification for France 2016 — which they would do with a win against Luxembourg.
Delving deeper, though, it may not just be Costa's suspension and international form which is lingering in Del Bosque's mind. The burly forward admitted on Thursday that he has began the new season "overweight" and he has scored just two goals in eight appearances for Jose Mourinho's side since August. He bears little resemblance to the goalscoring monster who so easily took to the Premier League last year.
And then there is his conduct. Costa is very much an in-your-face type of player, provoking you and winding you up, waiting for you to snap. In Spain there were racism claims from then Sevilla midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia and, whenever he came up against Sergio Ramos and Pepe, their tussle descended into a Looney Tunes-style cloud of elbows. The excuse that his sympathisers have offered is his tough upbringing in Brazil, where he grew up learning the game on the streets.
That side of his game followed him to England. Within a month of Costa's arrival, Everton manager Roberto Martinez was angered by the way in which he taunted Seamus Coleman after a Chelsea goal. Then there were the two stamps against Liverpool for which the FA retrospectively banned him and, most recently, the clashes with Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel Paulista, which once again saw retrospective action taken — and that is barely scratching the surface.
Del Bosque admitted recently that these actions do not sit well with him. "What he did was unedifying and that's why he had to be punished," the Spain boss remarked. "I did not like it but that's not why I've not called him up. He can't play in the first game and we've decided not to bring him he hasn't played badly and it's not on merit."
Juan Mata, too, insists that Costa has a place in this Spain side, although he did reveal it has been tough for the foward so far. "Being the striker in a team like ours, with so many midfielders, is not easy," he explained on Spanish radio. "It's a complicated role. Players like [David] Villa and [Fernando] Torres did it very well but it's difficult to come and adapt. But I would rather have [Costa] as a team-mate than a rival. His movement and goals will always create problems. Also, he fight with the centre-backs, which creates problems and knocks the opponents' concentration."
Since Villa and Torres, there has been no easy solution to Del Bosque's striker problems. Alvaro Negredo and Fernando Llorente were clearly not the answers, which is why he was so desperate to lure Costa away from his native Brazil. He succeeded in doing so but Costa has still not succeeded with Spain.
Possibly because of the effort that it took to get him on board, Del Bosque has admirably stuck by his striker more than he has with some of his previous attacking options. Now, though, we have seen that he, too, like many others, has doubts over Costa's ability to function in a Spain side under pressure to recreate their back-to-back European Championships and World Cup wins.
Leaving him out because of the suspension is merely a ready-made excuse. The fact is that the two strikers in the current squad - Alvaro Morata and Paco Alcacer - represent far better options at present, even despite the latter's lack of game time at Valencia.
Costa will probably be in France next summer. On his day, he is too good to be left out but the fact that he will not be there as Spain qualify shows that he needs to buck up his ideas. If he has any more bouts of bad behaviour on the pitch or fails to shed those extra pounds put on over the summer, Del Bosque may once again find himself looking for an excuse.
Anything but normal: Klopp makes special first impression at Liverpool
At 8.30am, the Reds Lounge in Anfield’s Centenary Stand was already swarming. Every section packed, every plug point taken, every attendee eager to assess whether the perception and reality aligned. Jurgen Klopp insisted he was The Normal One at his first press conference as Liverpool manager, but the evidence suggested otherwise.
He had the media pack completely affixed to his every answer. Energetic and unscripted, he approached each question with ease and intelligence in equal measure. Even the supposedly ‘tough’ ones couldn’t stand up to him.
Klopp laughed at the “really crazy discussion” around the transfer committee and wouldn’t succumb to the weight of expectation. Money? Four clubs with better resources? He’s not worried about that, he’s worried about the football.
Tied down by the glorious history? Klopp’s not going to carry that around like a heavy backpack. It's about the present. Concerned about the quality of the team? Not a chance. He thinks it’s got everything needed to work well. A quarter of a century without the title? He reckons he’ll deliver at least one within four years.
The last time Anfield had an audience, boos filled the stadium as Liverpool failed to beat Sion in the Europa League. On Friday, it was the German’s guffaw that trumpeted around the ground. Klopp was correct in his assertion that doubt and pessimism has plagued the club’s fanbase. But that was before it became obvious he’d be the new man in the dugout.
On Thursday, his movements from outside his house to Mainz to the inside of his hotel on Hope Street were frantically followed. Even Klopp’s flight on a private plane from Dortmund to John Lennon Airport was tracked, with updates regularly posted on Twitter. The euphoria has been building to a crescendo.
upporters see the reconstruction of the Main Stand and they now envisage a restoration of Liverpool’s fortunes too. The first step to winning is having an unswerving belief that you can, and Klopp has that packed into every inch of his six foot four frame.
The 48-year-old is exactly what Liverpool need right now - a hypnotic leader who is all about the football. All about emotional football. All about entertaining football. All about getting the best out of footballers.
No politics. No pretence. No punches. The fight will be saved for the pitch.
He knows his real work hasn’t started yet. But that’s all he craves - the training sessions, the matches, the atmosphere. The shame is that there is still a wait of over a week to endure before Anfield can truly welcome its new manager.
October 17 and the visit of Tottenham cannot come soon enough.
Klopp insisted "it’s not important what people think when you come in, but what they think when you leave."
If he’s started as he means to go on, The Normal One will long be loved in these parts.
At 8.30am, the Reds Lounge in Anfield’s Centenary Stand was already swarming. Every section packed, every plug point taken, every attendee eager to assess whether the perception and reality aligned. Jurgen Klopp insisted he was The Normal One at his first press conference as Liverpool manager, but the evidence suggested otherwise.
He had the media pack completely affixed to his every answer. Energetic and unscripted, he approached each question with ease and intelligence in equal measure. Even the supposedly ‘tough’ ones couldn’t stand up to him.
Klopp laughed at the “really crazy discussion” around the transfer committee and wouldn’t succumb to the weight of expectation. Money? Four clubs with better resources? He’s not worried about that, he’s worried about the football.
Tied down by the glorious history? Klopp’s not going to carry that around like a heavy backpack. It's about the present. Concerned about the quality of the team? Not a chance. He thinks it’s got everything needed to work well. A quarter of a century without the title? He reckons he’ll deliver at least one within four years.
The last time Anfield had an audience, boos filled the stadium as Liverpool failed to beat Sion in the Europa League. On Friday, it was the German’s guffaw that trumpeted around the ground. Klopp was correct in his assertion that doubt and pessimism has plagued the club’s fanbase. But that was before it became obvious he’d be the new man in the dugout.
On Thursday, his movements from outside his house to Mainz to the inside of his hotel on Hope Street were frantically followed. Even Klopp’s flight on a private plane from Dortmund to John Lennon Airport was tracked, with updates regularly posted on Twitter. The euphoria has been building to a crescendo.
upporters see the reconstruction of the Main Stand and they now envisage a restoration of Liverpool’s fortunes too. The first step to winning is having an unswerving belief that you can, and Klopp has that packed into every inch of his six foot four frame.
The 48-year-old is exactly what Liverpool need right now - a hypnotic leader who is all about the football. All about emotional football. All about entertaining football. All about getting the best out of footballers.
No politics. No pretence. No punches. The fight will be saved for the pitch.
He knows his real work hasn’t started yet. But that’s all he craves - the training sessions, the matches, the atmosphere. The shame is that there is still a wait of over a week to endure before Anfield can truly welcome its new manager.
October 17 and the visit of Tottenham cannot come soon enough.
Klopp insisted "it’s not important what people think when you come in, but what they think when you leave."
If he’s started as he means to go on, The Normal One will long be loved in these parts.
Bayern star Gotze out for up to 12 weeks
Bayern Munich have announced that midfielder Mario Gotze will be out of action for up to three months after suffering a muscle tendon rupture.
The former Dortmund star was replaced after 35 minutes of Germany's Euro 2016 qualification defeat to Republic of Ireland, with Shane Long's second-half winner defeating the world champions in Dublin on Thursday.
Gotze appeared to overstretch as he battled for possession with Everton midfielder James McCarthy before being replaced by Andre Schurrle, and Bundesliga winners Bayern have now released a statement confirming the extent of the injury.
The statement read: "That is bitter! Mario Gotze won't be available for FC Bayern for about 10 to 12 weeks. The 23-year old suffered a muscle tendon rupture in the adductors region during Germany's European qualifier against Ireland on Thursday night, which revealed an examination on Friday. Gotze will be treated by the DFB's medical stuff at Leipzig for the moment.
"Gotze, who had to go off in Dublin after 35 minutes, was one of the key players at FC Bayern this season so far. He played in 11 of 12 competitive games and scored four times. Coach Pep Guardiola has to play without him in the upcoming Bundesliga and Champions League games, as well as in the DFB Pokal second round at VfL Wolfsburg."
The injury would see Gotze miss the Champions League double-header with Arsenal, while he is also likely to be absent from key Bundesliga fixtures, including the meeting with Schalke on November 21.
Bayern Munich have announced that midfielder Mario Gotze will be out of action for up to three months after suffering a muscle tendon rupture.
The former Dortmund star was replaced after 35 minutes of Germany's Euro 2016 qualification defeat to Republic of Ireland, with Shane Long's second-half winner defeating the world champions in Dublin on Thursday.
Gotze appeared to overstretch as he battled for possession with Everton midfielder James McCarthy before being replaced by Andre Schurrle, and Bundesliga winners Bayern have now released a statement confirming the extent of the injury.
The statement read: "That is bitter! Mario Gotze won't be available for FC Bayern for about 10 to 12 weeks. The 23-year old suffered a muscle tendon rupture in the adductors region during Germany's European qualifier against Ireland on Thursday night, which revealed an examination on Friday. Gotze will be treated by the DFB's medical stuff at Leipzig for the moment.
"Gotze, who had to go off in Dublin after 35 minutes, was one of the key players at FC Bayern this season so far. He played in 11 of 12 competitive games and scored four times. Coach Pep Guardiola has to play without him in the upcoming Bundesliga and Champions League games, as well as in the DFB Pokal second round at VfL Wolfsburg."
The injury would see Gotze miss the Champions League double-header with Arsenal, while he is also likely to be absent from key Bundesliga fixtures, including the meeting with Schalke on November 21.
Rooney's 24-carat golden boot for England
Here's the commemorative golden boot that Wayne Rooney will be given at Wembley on Friday evening after he became England's all-time leading goalscorer.
Rooney moved to 50 goals for England following his penalty in the 2-0 win over Switzerland in September, and to mark his achievement, the Manchester United striker will be presented with a golden boot by Sir Bobby Charlton.
Wenger explains how Arsenal can defeat 'unbeatable' Bayern Munich
Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal need to play at “a huge pace” in order to stand any chance of beating Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Arsenal are currently bottom of Group F following defeats to Dinamo Zagreb and Olympiacos, while the German champions are at the top of the table with two wins.
And when asked how he plans to mastermind a victory over Pep Guardiola side, Wenger told beIN Sports: “You mean how to beat the unbeatable?
“First of all, by doing exactly what we have done against Manchester United, playing at a huge pace and by playing with the same belief and by not letting them dictate the game because Bayern likes to have the ball, they like to get you back and so we have to win the ball well and be very well-organised and to use our opportunities to go forward with the maximum pace.”
Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal need to play at “a huge pace” in order to stand any chance of beating Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Arsenal are currently bottom of Group F following defeats to Dinamo Zagreb and Olympiacos, while the German champions are at the top of the table with two wins.
And when asked how he plans to mastermind a victory over Pep Guardiola side, Wenger told beIN Sports: “You mean how to beat the unbeatable?
“First of all, by doing exactly what we have done against Manchester United, playing at a huge pace and by playing with the same belief and by not letting them dictate the game because Bayern likes to have the ball, they like to get you back and so we have to win the ball well and be very well-organised and to use our opportunities to go forward with the maximum pace.”
Sunderland appoint Allardyce
Sunderland have announced the appointment of Sam Allardyce as their new manager.
The former West Ham boss has signed a two-year deal at the Stadium of Light and will be tasked with reversing their fortunes
The club narrowly avoided relegation under Dick Advocaat last season and are currently 19th in the Premier League table, having failed to win a single game, which led to the Dutchman's exit last week.
Allardyce has been out of management since leaving the Hammers at the end of last season, and has already expressed his desire to get back into the dugout.
“I have enjoyed my break from football and now I’m raring to get back. I met with Ellis (Short) and we spoke at length about the club and his ambitions and I knew I wanted to be part of that," he told Sunderland's official website.
“I hope to be able to help to bring the stability and success that everyone wants.
“Of course it’s a challenging job, but it’s something I have experience of in the past. I’m looking forward to working with the players and of course I will be relying on the help of the Sunderland supporters, whose tremendous passion I have experienced first-hand.
"I can’t wait to get started.”
Allardyce briefly managed Sunderland's bitter rivals Newcastle, in the 2007-08 season and Short has expressed his delight at the 60-year-old's appointment.
“I am very pleased to welcome Sam to our football club," he added. “Sunderland is a club he knows well and he was the obvious best choice for the job.
"He has vast experience of managing in the Premier League and an understanding first-hand of the north east and the passion of our fans, which will stand him in great stead.
“I would like to assure our fans that once Dick made us aware of his intention to leave, Lee Congerton oversaw an organised and structured recruitment process, that bore very little resemblance to what has been described in the media.
“For example, this was a very popular job, proactively sought after by a large number of managers - contrary to much of what has been portrayed. The process was made easier by the fact that Sam was such an obvious choice.
“The other misconception is that Sam had to be persuaded to join us; nothing could be further from the truth. From the very beginning, he understood the importance of this job and showed great enthusiasm for the role and a desire to be part of moving this club forward.”
Sunderland have announced the appointment of Sam Allardyce as their new manager.
The former West Ham boss has signed a two-year deal at the Stadium of Light and will be tasked with reversing their fortunes
The club narrowly avoided relegation under Dick Advocaat last season and are currently 19th in the Premier League table, having failed to win a single game, which led to the Dutchman's exit last week.
Allardyce has been out of management since leaving the Hammers at the end of last season, and has already expressed his desire to get back into the dugout.
“I have enjoyed my break from football and now I’m raring to get back. I met with Ellis (Short) and we spoke at length about the club and his ambitions and I knew I wanted to be part of that," he told Sunderland's official website.
“I hope to be able to help to bring the stability and success that everyone wants.
“Of course it’s a challenging job, but it’s something I have experience of in the past. I’m looking forward to working with the players and of course I will be relying on the help of the Sunderland supporters, whose tremendous passion I have experienced first-hand.
"I can’t wait to get started.”
Allardyce briefly managed Sunderland's bitter rivals Newcastle, in the 2007-08 season and Short has expressed his delight at the 60-year-old's appointment.
“I am very pleased to welcome Sam to our football club," he added. “Sunderland is a club he knows well and he was the obvious best choice for the job.
"He has vast experience of managing in the Premier League and an understanding first-hand of the north east and the passion of our fans, which will stand him in great stead.
“I would like to assure our fans that once Dick made us aware of his intention to leave, Lee Congerton oversaw an organised and structured recruitment process, that bore very little resemblance to what has been described in the media.
“For example, this was a very popular job, proactively sought after by a large number of managers - contrary to much of what has been portrayed. The process was made easier by the fact that Sam was such an obvious choice.
“The other misconception is that Sam had to be persuaded to join us; nothing could be further from the truth. From the very beginning, he understood the importance of this job and showed great enthusiasm for the role and a desire to be part of moving this club forward.”
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