..::Football III::..

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Van Gaal: United came to me, just like Bayern

Louis van Gaal says he is "proud" that he didn't have to apply for the Manchester United job as it was the club who approached him.

The Netherlands coach was confirmed as David Moyes's permanent replacement on Monday, penning a three-year deal which will begin after his World Cup commitments.

And Van Gaal says it was United who came to him, as opposed to him having to apply for the job, just like Bayern Munich in 2009.

"I didn't call Manchester United, I didn't call Bayern Munich, they've always called me. And I'm proud of that," he told Dutch TV.

The former Ajax coach reiterated he was contacted by former United chief executive Peter Kenyon to take over at Old Trafford after Ferguson announced his intention to quit - only to make a U-turn on the decision and continue for over a decade.

"I was going to replace him in 2002, when he wanted to quit. But in the end he came back."

Former United and Scotland defender Gordon McQueen said earlier on Monday that he is "not sure" if Van Gaal is the right man for the club, stating that his relationship with Ferguson will be crucial.

But Van Gaal insists there will be no pressure with the former boss attending matches, and insisted two have a good relationship: "I don't think it's a big problem, I put more pressure on myself than others do.

"I'll undoubtedly have a drink with Ferguson. We’ve done that before. We like each other."

United suffered their worst ever Premier League season under Moyes, and Van Gaal acknowledged the need to improve results quickly in his new role.

"United is the biggest club in the world. Marketing-wise, but also if you look at their budget. They have to finish high [up the league].

"The aim is to bring them back to the No.1 position as soon as possible, because that’s where they were under Sir Alex Ferguson. It's going to be a difficult job but it is a fantastic challenge.

"It was retirement, or going to England. My wife Truus wanted me to retire. But now we're going to England.

"I told [Woodward] my vision, who I wanted on my staff and what I wanted for the future. He was impressed.

 

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Simeone waiting on Costa fitness

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone is refusing to rule star striker Diego Costa out of Saturday's Champions League final against Real Madrid.

The Spain international lasted just 16 minutes during Saturday's 1-1 draw with Barcelona, which won his side La Liga for the first time since 1996.

The club confirmed that he had a grade one hamstring injury, Simeone is still holding out hope that the 25-year-old could yet recover in time to face his side's arch rivals this weekend.

"We still have some days to go and I'm not going to say anything yet. It is too soon," he told reporters.

"We'll wait on the injury news from Costa and Arda until the end of the week. If necessary, we'll opt for alternatives as needed.

"This is not a game for players who are at 80 per cent. Obviously, we need players who are in good condition."

Simeone has told his troops that any lapse of concentration could cost them against Carlo Ancelotti's men.

"We arrive with a major motivation and desire. It will be a close game," he added.

"On Saturday we need 100% attention. I'm sure the players will respond as they have always responded."

 

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Mourinho is jealous of my CV, jokes Van Gaal

Louis van Gaal has revealed that Jose Mourinho texted him on his appointment as Manchester United manager to reveal his jealousy at the list of clubs the Dutchman has managed.

Van Gaal's imminent move to Old Trafford will provide the latest chapter in an illustrious career which also includes spells in charge of Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

Mourinho was interviewed by the Catalan giants prior to the appointment of Pep Guardiola in the summer of 2008, and was widely reported to be keen on succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson as United boss before David Moyes was chosen.

And speaking to Dutch television channel RTL, Van Gaal claimed that Mourinho - his former assistant and long-time friend - had been in touch to reveal his awe at his mentor's CV.

"Jose Mourinho was one of the first people that texted me when I got the job. He said that he was jealous of my resume of clubs," Van Gaal said with a smirk.

The 62-year-old also insisted he does not foresee any problems with Ferguson, who remains on the board of directors at United and previously endorsed Ryan Giggs for the manager's job.

"I will probably have a drink with Sir Alex Ferguson, but we've done that a couple of times before," he added. "We get along quite fine.

"I don't think his pressure will be a big problem. I put a lot of pressure on myself. We need to get United back to the summit, as soon as possible.

"Maybe people will think that this will happen in the first seeason, but we'll have to see. In the end, there's only one team that becomes champions."

 

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Van Gaal & Mourinho issara idalama close friends la neh!

 

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Wenger tath meh summer transfer window 1ke godak spend karanna wei bro
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Barcelona Unveil New Home Kit For 2014-15 Season

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Lassanai 2014/15 season 1ke home kit 1ka

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Wenger tath meh summer transfer window 1ke godak spend karanna wei bro
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ow machan kohomath players la 5k 6k ganna wenawa
100m thiyenawa kiyala thibba kohoma weyida danne nae

 

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Barcelona Unveil New Home Kit For 2014-15 Season

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Valdano to travel to World Cup with Honduras

Argentina legend Jorge Valdano will travel to the World Cup to help motivate the Honduras team.

The 58-year-old won the competition with Argentina in 1986 and has been recruited by the national team of the Central Americans, who will play in the competition for the third time, to pass on experience and advice to the players.

And Mario Faraj, vice-president of Diunsa, the company that sponsors the Honduras team, said that coach Luis Fernando Suarez "asked if it was possible to bring Valdano as team motivator", he told Medio Tempo.

"We made arrangements and we did."

Faraj added that it "wasn't easy [because of] commitments he has with a television company to discuss the Champions League final, but in the end he accepted [the offer] with pleasure."Valdano will work with players on the mental side of things as well as football. He is happy to share his football experience."

Honduras have been drawn in Group E, alongside Switzerland, Ecuador and France, against who they begin their campaign on June 15.

 

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Fifa won't change World Cup kick-off times

Fifa is not considering changing the kick-off times or adding mandatory cooling breaks in this summer's World Cup matches, despite Brazil's players' union (Fenapaf) taking legal action against the game's governing body over health concerns.

This week, the union filed a lawsuit to try and force Fifa to change the times of the 24 matches that are scheduled to start at 13:00 local time (17:00 CET), arguing that the intense heat and humidity in some venues will put players at risk.

Fenapaf has insisted that, at the very least, two minute water breaks must be taken at the midway point of each half during such games.

However, Fifa have ruled out changing kick-off times for next month's tournament.

"Fifa's medical team is always monitoring carefully all venues during any Fifa competition to protect the players' health," the organisation indicated in a press release.

"Cooling breaks will be considered on a match-by-match basis for the 64 matches. Official and mandatory cooling breaks will not be pre-established. Rather, climate conditions will be evaluated prior to each match by the Fifa venue medical officer.

"One core aspect in defining the kick-off times was the very thorough analysis of the historical climate data in all venues.

"Therefore, the venues with the highest average temperatures such as Manaus, Cuiaba and Fortaleza do not have any matches with 13:00 kick-off times during group stage."

Fenapaf insists the changes are required based on local labour regulations and a study conducted by Brazilian sports doctor Turibio Leite.

Union president Rinaldo Martorelli told Associated Press: "We've been trying to discuss this with Fifa for nearly two years and they won't even sit down to talk to us.

"The only alternative was to seek legal action. We really hope that they make the changes in kick-off times, but if that doesn't happen, they need to at least make the cooling breaks mandatory."

 

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England win Under-17 European Championship

England have won the Under-17 European Championship by beating Netherlands on penalties in Malta.

Chelsea striker Dominic Solanke gave John Peacock's men the lead with an opportunistic strike on 25 minutes, but Jari Schuurman brought the Dutch level with a clinical volley five minutes before the break.

After a goalless second half, the match went straight to penalties, with Dani van der Moot and Calvin Verdonk missing while Ryan Ledson, Taylor Moore, Callum Cooke and Jonjoe Kenny all converted for England.

The victory gives England their second European title at under-17 level, after a side boasting Ross Barkley, Connor Wickham, Josh McEachran and Andre Wisdom triumphed in Liechstenstein in 2010.

 

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Congratulations England U-17​

 

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This will be my last World Cup, says Ribery

France winger Franck Ribery has revealed that this year's World Cup will be his last.

The 31-year-old will appear in the finals for the third time this summer, after an agonising penalty-shootout defeat to Italy in the final in 2006 and a dismal first-round exit four years ago in South Africa.

The Bayern Munich player will be 35 by the time the next showpiece comes around in Russia and told radio station RTL that this year's tournament in Brazil will be his final bow on the world stage."It will be my last World Cup," he said.

"We have to go there to achieve something, to try to win the World Cup, quite simply."France have been drawn in Group E along with Switzerland, Honduras and Ecuador.

Coach Didier Deschamps will be keen to avoid a repeat of their 2010 debacle, when former boss Raymond Domenech faced in-fighting within the squad as France took just one point from their three pool matches.

 

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Schmeichel expects Van Gaal to get Manchester United attacking


Former Manchester United stalwart Peter Schmeichel is hopeful Louis van Gaal's arrival at the club will see attacking football return to Old Trafford.

The Dutchman was appointed on Monday following the sacking of David Moyes in April - with the Scot having failed to live up to expectations after Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement.

Moyes was often accused of negative and slow-paced tactics during his ill-fated reign at Old Trafford as the club went from Premier League champions to a seventh-placed finish and Schmeichel expects better from the highly-decorated new boss.
"We've got someone who has managed at the very top of European football [at] Barcelona and Bayern Munich and he's with Holland in the World Cup," he said at Kick It Out's 20th anniversary dinner, "so we've definitely got somebody who is vastly experienced and has won before.

"A year ago we were talking about another new manager at the club, we were all hopeful and looking forward. We're doing the same thing again this year. Hopefully 12 months ahead we will be a lot happier because it hasn't been a good season.

"[Van Gaal]'s been a manager of Ajax a couple of times, he's been right in the core of creating the Ajax way of football so he's a guy who likes to see and watch football being played beautifully and effectively and trying to score goals.

"I think we have to wait and see but I'm convinced, going by where he's been, the way he plays with the Dutch national team, that's he's going to play attacking football."

Having seen the club relinquish their league crown this season, Schmeichel feels that Van Gaal should be targeting a title challenge in his first season.

"This is Manchester United we're talking about and the spirit of Manchester United or the core thought of Manchester United is that we're No.1 so we're always going to be looking at No.1," the Dane added.

"But, having had a season where we finished seventh, if we can get back into the swing of things and get qualified for the Champions League, that's going to be satisfactory - but of course we'll be looking to win the Premier League again."

 

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Courtois: Chelsea return would not be the ‘healthiest thing’

Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois says his future is still not clear but has insisted that a return to parent club Chelsea might not be the "healthiest thing in the world".

Goal understands the 21-year-old is close to agreeing to stay with the Liga winners for another season on loan, in a deal which will keep him at the Vicente Calderon for a fourth consecutive campaign.

Courtois feels that competing for the No.1 jersey at Stamford Bridge with Petr Cech would not be good for either goalkeeper but says he is still yet to make a final decision on his future.

"I have the biggest respect for Petr Cech. He is one of the best goalkeepers in the world so I think putting him and me in the same team is not the healthiest thing in the world," he told BBC Sport.

“The two of us want to play everything. Nobody will be happy to play in only the League Cup or FA Cup. Things are unclear at the moment.

"We will see in the next week if we can sit together with Chelsea to find something for next year, find out what they want, what my desire is. We will see."

Next up for Courtois is the Champions League final against rivals Real Madrid on Saturday and the goalkeeper says Diego Simeone's side must defend well if they are to claim European glory.

"We know these are top players and it will not be easy," he added.

"I think we will play the same game as we always do. There are some teams that play more defensive against us and we found it more difficult to make the game.

"Against Real Madrid they will have to come at us more. We will have to defend well and play more on the counter-attack."

 

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'Perhaps it's best if Costa doesn't play' - Cerezo

Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo says his side will not be taking any risks over the fitness of striker Diego Costa.

The Spain international's goals fired Diego Simeone's side to the Liga title but he picked up a hamstring problem on the final day of the season at Barcelona.

In a bid to recover his fitness for Saturday's Champions League final with Real Madrid, the 25-year-old is undergoing horse placenta treatment but Cerezo does not want to harm him further.

"It depends on this horse placenta that he’s going to be treated with," he told AS.

"I don’t know, because I’m not a doctor. And, to be honest, if it’s harmful to him then it’s best if he doesn’t play. But, if he doesn’t play, whoever plays in his position will do phenomenally well.

"We’ll look to go out and win. Depending on the course the match takes, we’ll win or we’ll lose; but the team is mentally prepared, is strong and is up for it.

"That doesn’t mean we’re going to win, but at least we’ll bring something to the match. It’s 50-50."

The Madrid derby Champions League final kicks off at 20:45CET on Saturday in Lisbon.

 

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Liverpool star Agger needs to be playing, warns Olsen

Denmark coach Morten Olsen fears Daniel Agger could become "frustrated and irritated" if he remains on the periphery at Liverpool.

The 29-year-old has only started 16 Premier League games this term, with injuries playing a part, while Mamadou Sakho and Martin Skrtel have been the preferred pairing, and Goal understands that the Reds are open to offers for the centre-back.

Agger spoke of his frustration at how his personal campaign had gone in the Danish press recently and hinted at a potential exit, stating that he was "no-one's third choice".

Barcelona have previously been linked with a move for the Denmark captain and national coach Olsen fears that Agger could grow frustrated without regular first-team football.

"You may ask Daniel about [it]," he told Bold. "He can best gauge how it looks now and, more important, [for] next season.

"But of course he should be playing. Otherwise, I believe we will have a frustrated and irritated captain.

"I hope he will make the right choice."

 

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Gerrard to decide international future after World Cup

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers expects Steven Gerrard to make a decision on his international future after this summer's World Cup.

Gerrard, who turns 34 on May 30, could finish his England career after leading his nation at Brazil 2014.

But a strong Premier League campaign as a deep-lying midfielder may yet prolong Gerrard's career at both club and international level.

And Rodgers believes discussions about Gerrard's England future can wait until after the showpiece event in June and July.

"He's coped really well with balancing both (club and international commitments). That will be a decision purely for him," Rodgers said.

"He keeps himself fit – every player at Liverpool has an individual plan – but what will be will be after the World Cup.

"He goes there in great form, and I am sure he will perform really well. If he ever asked my advice, I will always be there to give my opinion.

"But there will be no decision made now, and we will see what happens after the World Cup."

Rodgers insists it was always his intention to move Gerrard into a deeper role, and that it was only a question of timing the switch right.

"I sat with Steven when I first came in, two years ago. And I said that this was my vision for him prolonging his career. I felt he had the real quality to play in that role," Rodgers added.

"After that, it was only about timing really. It was about when we put him in that position. And probably halfway through the season, once I had the players fit that could move and work around him, we changed him and from then he's been outstanding.

"Steven's a really intelligent player. He's played really as a more attacking player all his life but he's dropped back into that role.

"It's still a playmaking position, and he's started off a number of our attacks from there. And for him to finish the season like he did was incredible.

"He goes into the World Cup in great form, and he will be strong next year as well I am sure."

 

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Fabianski rejects last-ditch Arsenal contract offer

Lukasz Fabianski has rejected a last-ditch attempt by Arsenal to prevent him from leaving the club, Goal understands.

Arsene Wenger is keen for Fabianski, whose contract expires next month, to stay and challenge fellow Pole Wojciech Szczesny for the No.1 spot next season.

But Goal has learned that the 29-year-old remains determined to seek a change of environment, despite the latest in a series of contract offers from the Gunners to extend his seven-year spell at Emirates Stadium.

Schalke and Borussia Dortmund now lead the race to capture Fabianski, while there is also interest in him from a number of Premier League clubs.

His availability on a free transfer makes him an attractive proposition in the wake of a series of solid displays when he filled in for Szczesny this season.

Fabianski was an ever-present during Arsenal's FA Cup run and he ended his career at the club in style last Saturday when they beat Hull City 3-2 in the final to end their nine-year trophy drought.

"It was probably my last game for Arsenal," said Fabianski afterwards.

"I don't know what I can say, but if I end my Arsenal career in that way then it is the best way to finish."