..::Football IV::..

[Wolverine GTR]

You can't criticise Rooney, insists Lingard

Nobody should be criticising Manchester United and England captain Wayne Rooney because of what he has achieved in the game, according to Jesse Lingard.

The winger - recalled to the England squad and hoping to win his first senior cap in the World Cup qualifier against Malta on Saturday - does not feel that his skipper at club and international level deserves recent negative publicity for his performances.

Rooney has lost his place in United's starting XI and has also seen his position for the national team questioned despite being kept on as captain after Euro 2016 by former manager Sam Allardyce and new interim boss Gareth Southgate.

"I think that, really, because [of what he's achieved], no-one can say anything [bad] about him," Lingard told reporters of England's record goalscorer."He's determined to get back and hopefully he can do that. I think he's very determined.

"Even though he hasn't been playing for the club, he's still supporting us and he's going to get back into the fold. He's remained captain here, which is great, and that will be great for his confidence as well.

"I've known Wayne for a long time and he's very determined to play. He's got a love for the game which hasn't left him. He's been a top professional on and off the field for us and we look up to him as well.

"For the club, he's a great leader for us - as young lads, we can speak to him whenever we want and he always helps the young lads, which is good. He's been doing it now for a couple of years."Rooney has only scored once in 11 appearances for United and England in 2016-17.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Pelle kicked out of Italy squad after refusing to shake Ventura's hand

Graziano Pelle has been excluded from the Italy squad for their match against Macedonia after refusing to shake hands with coach Giampiero Ventura following his substitution against Spain.

The Shandong Luneng striker, 31, started Thursday's 1-1 draw with Spain in Turin but was replaced by Ciro Immobile after an hour with the hosts trailing to Vitolo's goal.

Italy went on to rescue a point thanks to Daniele De Rossi's late penalty to give them momentum ahead of their trip to Macedonia on Sunday but Pelle will not be involved after the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) announced his punishment for snubbing Ventura.

"Giampiero Ventura, in agreement with the FIGC, has decided to exclude Graziano Pelle from the squad for the match against FYR Macedonia on Sunday, October 9 in Skopje for disrespectful behaviour at the time of his substitution during yesterday's match with Spain," read the statement.

"Being part of the national team entails the sharing of values and attitudes befitting the national team, starting with respect towards the staff, team-mates and fans. The player will return today to his parent club."Pelle has won 20 Italy caps since making his debut against Malta in October 2014 and scored nine goals, including three at Euro 2016.

Ventura had initially attempted to play down the incident at his post-match media conference, saying: "These things happen. I think Graziano was more angry at himself and the way his performance went than anything else."Pelle, meanwhile, had already released an apology prior to Italy's decision to remove him from the squad.

"Unfortunately, I have once again made a mistake," he wrote on Instagram. "It was unacceptable behaviour, against the coach in the first place and also to my team-mates, who have always shown to have team spirit in a fantastic Italy group that we all belong to.

"Like any great mistake, you always suffer the consequences and it is only right that I take full responsibility. I must ask from the heart for forgiveness from everyone. Graziano."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Arsenal star Monreal replaces Jordi Alba in Spain squad

Jordi Alba will miss Spain's World Cup qualifier against Albania after suffering a thigh injury against Italy, with Nacho Monreal drafted in as his replacement.

The Barcelona defender received medical treatment before walking off the pitch in the 22nd minute of Thursday's 1-1 draw in Turin to be replaced by Real Madrid stopper Nacho.

Alba, 27, was the subject of medical tests on Friday morning which confirmed a muscular injury on his left thigh, meaning he will return home.Spain have called up Arsenal left-back Monreal to replace Alba for Sunday's clash against Albania in Shkoder.

"The RFEF's medical services have contacted FC Barcelona to inform them of diagnostics," read Spain's statement.Spain have four points from their first two Group G qualifiers, with upcoming opponents Albania sitting top on six.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Icardi signs new Inter deal

Striker Mauro Icardi has signed a new contract at Inter that ties him to the Nerazzurri until 2021, the club have announced.

Argentina international Icardi's previous deal was due to expire in three years' time but Inter have been eager to prolong the captain's stay at San Siro.The 23-year-old joined Inter from Sampdoria in 2013 and has scored 58 goals in 114 appearances in all competitions.

A club statement read: "FC Internazionale is delighted to announce that an agreement has been reached to extend Mauro Icardi's contract until June 30, 2021.

"The Argentine striker, born in Rosario, joined Inter from Sampdoria in the 2013-14 season. Since then he has scored 58 goals in 114 appearances, giving him one of the highest goals-per-game ratios in Nerazzurri history."And there's a whole lot more still to come..."

Icardi has been heavily linked with a move away from Inter in recent months.Napoli were reportedly interested in taking him south to replace Juventus-bound Gonzalo Higuain, while the player's wife and agent Wanda Nara also claimed she had met with Atletico Madrid over a potential transfer in July.Icardi himself, however, hinted in September that a contract renewal was in the offing.

He told Mediaset: "The club invested heavily in the summer, bringing in quality players and this is an advantage for me."I want to win with this shirt. I want to stay here. I am comfortable in the city and I never thought about leaving this team."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Portugal 6-0 Andorra: Ronaldo hits four on international return

Cristiano Ronaldo scored four on his Portugal return in a 6-0 World Cup qualifying victory over nine-man Andorra at the Estadio Municipal de Aveiro.

In his first international appearance since limping off in the Euro 2016 final win over France, Ronaldo helped soften the blow of Portugal's opening-game 2-0 defeat to Switzerland in Group B.The Real Madrid star, back from a knee injury, led by example on Friday as the captain netted twice in the opening three minutes to leave Andorra reeling.

Koldo Alvarez's men, who only lost their group opener 1-0 to Latvia, sometimes resorted to heavy-handed tactics in a bid to limit Portugal's dominance, but it had little impact.

Joao Cancelo's deft finish extended the hosts' advantage on the stroke of the interval, with Ronaldo securing the match ball at the start of the second half.

The visitors' night got worse when Jordi Rubio was dismissed for a second booking and Ronaldo scored again to take his international goal tally to 65, while Marc Rebes followed his team-mate down the tunnel soon after to compound their woes.Andre Silva's maiden international goal completed the scoring late on and Portugal will now turn their attention to Monday's trip to take on Faroe Islands.

The opener came in the second minute as Ronaldo volleyed home from inside the box after goalkeeper Josep Gomes flapped at a corner.He headed in a second from Ricardo Quaresma's searching cross two minutes later to set the tone for the evening.

The Real Madrid star squandered a hat-trick opportunity with a wayward 15th-minute header as Portugal continued to dominate.

Josep Gomes had to produce a sensational save to deny Jose Fonte after the Southampton defender planted a firm headed attempt on target from six yards.
Ronaldo then struck the post with yet another headed opportunity just past the half-hour mark, while Andre Gomes nodded onto the top of the crossbar from close range soon after.

But Andorra's hopes of avoiding further punishment before the break were dashed when Cancelo scored his second goal in as many caps, darting into the six-yard box and finding a way past Josep Gomes from an acute angle.Fernando Santos' side refused to ease off, scoring two minutes into the second half as Ronaldo drove in his third from Andre Gomes' cutback.

Rubio's blatant foul on Ronaldo saw his night come to a premature end with 30 minutes still left to play and Portugal's number seven fired in his fourth – the first time he has achieved the feat for his country – in the 68th minute, before being hacked down by Rebes as the midfielder saw red.

Silva spurned two excellent opportunities to add a sixth before finally doing so four minutes from time, prodding in after Quaresma's free-kick was fumbled to his feet.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Netherlands 4-1 Belarus: Promes breaks international duck with double

Quincy Promes scored his first international goals as Netherlands sealed their first win of 2018 World Cup qualifying with a 4-1 victory over Belarus at De Kuip.
In his previous 14 Netherlands appearances Promes had failed to hit the back of the net, but he finally broke his duck when he squeezed a shot past three defenders and into the bottom-right corner in the 15th minute.

The 24-year-old winger netted his second with the help of a deflection before half-time, with Davy Klaassen adding to the hosts' tally after Aleksei Rios had halved the deficit early in the second half.

Vincent Janssen capped a brilliant display when he slammed the ball into the top-right corner from 18 yards, and there was no way back for Aleksandr Khatskevich's side, who were unable to test Maarten Stekelenburg, making his first international appearance since October 2012, in the Netherlands net again.

However, it was Promes who was the star of the show, ensuring the absence of Arjen Robben due to a rib injury was not keenly felt, though the withdrawal of Wesley Sneijder at half-time may provide Danny Blind with cause for concern ahead of Monday's clash with France.

The defeat will be a blow for Belarus after opening their campaign with a goalless draw against France, but their next meeting with Luxembourg offers a chance to make up for lost ground.

Netherlands threatened down their right in the early stages and, after Janssen forced a save from Belarus goalkeeper Andrei Gorbunov and saw his shot from six yards blocked by Sergei Politevich, the breakthrough came.

Janssen moved out wide and fired in a cross that the visiting defence were unable to deal with, the loose ball falling to Promes who snuck a shot inside the near post.

Virgil van Dijk volleyed home in the centre of the area from Sneijder's free-kick but the goal was incorrectly ruled out for offside, with Janssen the player standing in an illegal position at the back post.

The second came in the 31st minute when a corner was only cleared as far as Promes, whose 20-yard volley found the bottom-right corner with the help of a deflection off Ivan Maevski.

Sneijder, whose preparation for the match was hampered by a hamstring injury, was replaced by Davy Propper for the second half, while Belarus replaced Maevski with Aleksandr Hleb.The visitors pulled one back within two minutes of the restart as Sergei Kornilenko spun Jeffrey Bruma and drilled a low cross in from the left that Rios tucked away.

However, Netherlands soon restored their two-goal cushion. A mistake on the edge of the box from Mikhail Sivakov allowed Promes to poke the ball to Janssen, whose 20-yard shot came back off the post but fell kindly for Klaassen to finish.
Janssen finally got on the scoresheet himself, bending a venomous left-footed shot in off the underside of the crossbar.

Georginio Wijnaldum was denied by the upright as Netherlands attempted to extend their advantage, but victory was secure and they were able to see out the closing stages comfortably.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

France 4-1 Bulgaria: Gameiro double inspires Les Bleus to victory

Two goals from Kevin Gameiro helped France return to winning ways with a 4-1 thumping of Bulgaria in Friday's World Cup qualifier in Paris.

The Atletico Madrid striker marked his first start for his country since November 2011 in style as Didier Deschamps' side came from behind to record their first victory in Group A and put last month's disappointing stalemate with Belarus behind them.

France lost out on a place at the 1994 tournament thanks to an infamous 2-1 home loss to the visitors 23 years ago, and they were given a scare when Mihail Aleksandrov scored an early penalty after Bacary Sagna fouled Georgi Milanov.

The home side responded with a quick-fire double, however, thanks to Gameiro's superb headed finish before Dimitri Payet's cross found the corner of the net.

Antoine Griezmann, who received his award for Euro 2016's Player of the Tournament before kick-off, struck a fine third shortly before the break to give France a stranglehold on the game that they never looked likely to relinquish.

Gameiro netted his second from a Griezmann cross to make it 4-1 in the second half, as France moved on to four points from two games and set up a tantalising clash with Netherlands in Amsterdam on Monday.

Stade de France was in fine voice as the teams entered the pitch, but the home fans were silenced with just six minutes of the match played.

Milanov twisted and turned in an effort to beat Sagna, who clipped the back of his heel inside the area to bring him to ground, allowing Aleksandrov to fire Bulgaria into the lead from the penalty spot.

France needed just 17 minutes to find a reply, however. Payet sent Sagna racing down the right flank, and his curling cross was glanced expertly into the far corner by Gameiro for his second international goal.

Barely three minutes later, Deschamps' side were ahead. Payet collected the ball to the right of the Bulgarian area before whipping in a cross that evaded the head of Griezmann only to nestle into the far corner.

France looked suddenly buoyant as the tricolor flags appeared in the stands, despite the blow of losing Sagna to an apparent hamstring problem, and they celebrated a third goal shortly before half-time thanks to a gift from Dimitar Pirgov.
The defender's square pass deep in his own half went straight to Griezmann , who steadied himself before arrowing a low shot beyond Vladislav Stoyanov from outside the area.

France's dominance continued after the break as Laurent Koscielny steered a header narrowly wide before Paul Pogba blasted a ferocious effort from 25 yards agonisingly past the post.

But moments later, the home side had their fourth. Layvin Kurzawa combined well with Griezmann down the left flank, and the marksman crossed for team-mate Gameiro to tap in his second from six yards out.

Blaise Matuidi spurned a chance for a fifth, turning a low shot onto Stoyanov's right-hand post from inside the area, but it did little to take the shine off an impressive display from the Euro 2016 runners-up.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ronaldo happy to be back after four-goal haul

Cristiano Ronaldo expressed his satisfaction after returning to the Portugal team with four goals in their 6-0 victory over Andorra.

Fernando Santos' side were beaten 2-0 by Switzerland in their first World Cup qualifier but were without talisman Ronaldo on that occasion due to the injury he suffered in the Euro 2016 final.

The Real Madrid star has had a difficult start to the campaign with his club but marked his international comeback in style by netting twice in the opening four minutes.

"We knew that the first goal would be really important against a team which puts 11 players behind the ball," he said after scoring his 42nd career hat-trick to take his international goals tally to 65.

"I know I am important, as are all the other players. I have always given everything for the national team, I feel useful and I'm happy to be back after that injury in the European championship.

"There are eight games to go and we want to win all eight to go to the World Cup."
Portugal play the Faroe Islands away from home on Monday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Griezmann: Pogba needs affection from journalists

Antoine Griezmann asked journalists to give Paul Pogba "a little affection" after the midfielder delivered another mixed performance for France in the 4-1 win over Bulgaria.

The Manchester United midfielder has not hit top form since completing his world-record move from Juventus and was overshadowed by Griezmann and Kevin Gameiro on Friday night.

The Atletico Madrid forward, however, defended his team-mate and claimed he is playing his part for the team rather than insisting upon being the star.

"Paul needs the affection of journalists so he tries to do his best, to give everything for the team," Griezmann told reporters.

"He has a different game with Juventus or with Manchester now. He tries to play for the team and it takes time to do it.

"Yes [I think there is a lack of affection for him], because every game you ask a bit too much from him. He needs, like me, like the whole team, a little affection from time to time."Griezmann did insist, however, that it was right to expect Pogba to control games from midfield for France.

"We expect him to make the team play, not that he scores goals from 50 metres," he added. "He should be the playmaker of the team, not the scorer."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'He has a nice future ahead of him' - Van Persie hails 'special' Rashford

Robin van Persie is the latest to laud Manchester United sensation Marcus Rashford following the teenager being named the club's September Player of the Month.

The 18-year-old England international scored in three consecutive outings in September; United's 3-1 loss at Watford, the 4-1 victory over Leicester at Old Trafford and in the League Cup against Northampton inbetween the two.

And former Netherlands captain Van Persie, who scored 48 goals in his 86 Premier League appearances for the Red Devils, believes that Rashford “has something about him” and reckons he can lead the United frontline for years to come."Marcus looks like a very special player to me," Van Persie told MUTV. "He has something about him.

"He’s always playing with pace and good technique, always with his eyes focused on going straight to the goal. A very good player and he has a nice future ahead of him."

United's Head of Academy Nicky Butt, Premier League all-time leading scorer Alan Shearer and former United forward Michael Owen have also praised Rashford's efforts. "Marcus is an amazing player," Butt said. "He’s a great footballer but he’s got a long way to go with a lot to learn. He knows that.

"That’s the great thing about him, he’s a good character with a good personality and he can be the shining star for our Academy. It’s great to have someone like Marcus and we’ve got a lot more coming along like him with good characters, who are good people that stand for what our Academy’s all about, which is great."

Shearer added: "Everyone at United should be very proud of him. He’s a fantastic talent with bundles of energy. He doesn’t seem to be affected by pressure or playing for such a huge football club and he’s someone that has been given a chance and he’s taken it.

"All forwards want to do is score goals and he’s doing that. He’s got tremendous pace and he seems to be able to handle the big occasion, even though he is still very young.

"The future is very exciting both for him and Manchester United and I hope he now starts for England and goes on to bag a few goals."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'He can and must do better' - Deschamps wants more from Pogba

France coach Didier Deschamps has urged Paul Pogba to improve following the midfielder's disappointing display in his side's 4-1 win over Bulgaria on Friday.

Les Bleus recorded their first win of the 2018 World Cup qualifying phase thanks to double from Kevin Gameiro and strikes from Dimitri Payet and Antoine Griezmann.

Pogba operated in a more defensive midfield role for the Euro 2016 finalists at Stade de France but struggled to shine.

“He can and must do better,” Deschamps said of Pogba. “When he has a defensive role like that, that's not the best for him. This is more a construction part, protection as compared to the central hinge.“He has everything to do it. He did some good things, some others less good.”

Deschamps was happy, however, with what he saw from Griezmann and Gameiro.
He added: "[Gameiro] is there to score goals. He scored two."He was very interesting with his movements. He played for the team and his combination with Antoine worked very well."Along with Netherlands and Sweden, France are on four points in the group ahead of facing the Dutch on Monday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Rooney to start for England against Malta

Captain Wayne Rooney will start in England's 2018 World Cup qualifier against Malta on Saturday, interim boss Gareth Southgate has confirmed.

The 30-year-old has not started a game for Manchester United since the 3-1 EFL Cup win over Northampton Town last month, with manager Jose Mourinho using him as a second-half substitute in the Premier League matches against Leicester City and Stoke City.

Southgate is prepared to play Rooney from the start at Wembley, however, though he would not confirm whether he will be used as a forward or a midfielder.Asked if Rooney would play from the beginning as captain, Southgate replied: "Yes, he will. He'll play a good role, I hope.

"I know everyone is keen to know the team. I'm sure it'll leak out, but I don't see the point in giving the opposition the advantage of knowing our team.

"His ability to control games, his experience [will be important] - this is a game where we'll have a lot of the ball. I expect us to be controlling the game. "We're going to need to show patience and stick to our principles of playing. We may get an early goal and if we don't, it's even more important to stick to our style.

"I want to see an England team that is brave with the ball, in one-on-one opportunities."Southgate also confirmed that Theo Walcott, who has scored five goals in eight games for Arsenal this season, will also be handed a starting spot.

"Theo will start. It's a good moment for him, he's in good form," he said. "He's maturing hugely as a player and he should feel full of confidence."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Cazorla: Wenger could remain Arsenal boss next season

Arsene Wenger has shown no signs that he is contemplating calling time on his tenure as Arsenal manager at the end of the season, according to Santi Cazorla.

The 66-year-old's contract at the club is due to expire in June 2017 and he has been linked with the England job should Gareth Southgate not be made manager on a permanent basis after his interim spell.

Wenger, who recently celebrated his 20-year anniversary at Arsenal, has since taken steps to distance himself from the position, and Cazorla is confident the Frenchman has another year at Emirates Stadium in him at least."The boss has not indicated that this will be his last year, not at all," he told Cadena Cope .

"The truth is we do not have that feeling in the dressing room. He is fully focused on this season and I do not know what he is planning for the future."Today I do not rule him [out of] continuing another season, because he has not said he will leave.

"It is in his hands and he is the one who has to make the decision, but today I would say that he may continue."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Lingard: Rashford unfazed by rapid rise

Jesse Lingard says Marcus Rashford is unaffected by pressure and will continue to go from strength to strength as the goals come for Manchester United and England.

Rashford burst onto the scene last season under Louis van Gaal, scoring on his Europa League, Premier League and Manchester derby debuts.

Such was his impact he was handed his first international call-up and he again scored on his first outing, which was enough to see him included in England's Euro 2016 squad.

The 18-year-old has maintained his impressive form this term with four goals in nine appearances in all competitions for United, including one on his EFL Cup debut.And team-mate Lingard believes he can continue to improve – starting with England World Cup qualifier against Malta.

"I haven't seen him [Rashford] fazed at all. He's got a love for the game and every day he's got a ball at his feet," Lingard told reporters.

"He's still young as well so I think things are coming together for him just right at the moment and hopefully he can carry it on. Over the months he has matured a lot from making his debut to now.

"He's gained a lot of experience at international level and in the Premier League and other competitions. "He's coming along nicely now but we can't forget he's only young. He's still going to grow and he's still going to get bigger. We'll have to wait and see what he does after that.

"I think scoring against Malta would be massive for him. His confidence is already high anyway but if he scored on Saturday that would make him more confident."But first and foremost we've got to win the game and we'll see what happens after that.

"His confidence is getting better all the time, he scores in most of the games he plays in, or he's had a hand in the goals. So he's contributing well for the club and hopefully he can carry that on."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

We must love Costa the way he is – Lopetegui

Julen Lopetegui defended Diego Costa in the wake of Spain's 1-1 World Cup qualification draw with Italy, saying they must love him for who he is.

The Roja boss opted to withdraw Costa halfway through the second half with the striker in danger of a red card after receiving a booking shortly before the half-time whistle.

Prior to the game, the Chelsea forward has constantly received bad press for his impulsive and aggressive behaviour, enduring frequent run-ins with opponents and referees.And while Lopetegui hopes Costa can change his behaviour for his own sake, he was adamant he must be accepted for the way he is.

"Players keep developing right until they retire. You can change in a positive way if you make the right decisions," Lopetegui told El Larguero."Diego has a certain character. He is a fighter. But sometimes his reactions hurt his reputation.

"He will be able to iron out these things as he develops. He is aware of it and so are we. These things can cost him. It could be hurtful to him."But we must love Diego the way he is and try to understand him. Any small advantage can make the difference in a tight game."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Montolivo out for six months after successful surgery

AC Milan captain Riccardo Montolivo will be out of action for up to six months after successfully undergoing surgery on an injury to his anterior cruciate ligament.

The 31-year-old was carried off on a stretcher after half an hour of the 1-1 World Cup qualification draw between Italy and Spain on Thursday with the knock to his left knee.

Milan confirmed on Friday that Montolivo was due to go under the knife, with the midfielder now set to be sidelined for five to six months as a result.

"Milan announce that Riccardo Montolivo underwent medical surgery Saturday morning for the reconstruction of his left knee anterior cruciate ligament," a club statement reads.

"The surgeon Professor Doctor Herbert Schoenhuber is satisfied with the result of the surgery. The recovery time will be five to six months, unless complications arise."

The midfielder had played in all seven of his side's Serie A matches this season prior to earning a call-up to Giampiero Ventura's squad for the World Cup qualifiers this month.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Nolito: Barcelona return was close before I chose Man City

Nolito has confirmed he was close to joining Barcelona in the summer before eventually ending up at Manchester City with Pep Guardiola.

The Spain international had been strongly linked with a return to Camp Nou five years on from leaving Barca, with the Celta Vigo striker a strong candidate to serve as backup to the Catalans' MSN trio.And Nolito admitted it was a move that almost came to fruition before City paid his €18 million buyout close to Celta.

"I was close to Barcelona," he told Mundo Deportivo. "But in the end I decided to go to Manchester City."I think it was the best decision for me and my family and I am happy to play for City."

Nolito's move meant he once again linked up with Guardiola, who sanctioned his sale to Benfica when the Spaniard was Barca coach.

"[Our relationship is] good, pretty good, I'm not complaining," he added."It's a privilege for me to work with him and I try to learn every day and take advantage of the opportunities he is giving me."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bailly can become one of the best defenders in the world - Toure

Former Ivory Coast international Kolo Toure believes compatriot Eric Bailly could develop into one of the best defenders in the world at Manchester United.

The 22-year-old has impressed at Old Trafford since joining United from Villarreal ahead of the 2016-17 campaign and Toure has little doubt he will continue to get better under the tutelage of Jose Mourinho."He can be a big, big player for United. He can be the future for United," Toure told the United Review."What he's doing right now is amazing and I think his future is really, really bright.

He will improve and if he learns from Mourinho then he can become one of the best defenders in the world. He's tall, technically very good, has brilliant vision and he's really calm. That calmness is the most powerful attribute he's got.

"He can be up there with the top defenders United have had. He's young and will learn from working with one of the best managers in the world, and of course he's going to get better. Definitely.

"He's here to play football and he's really enjoying his time in Manchester with his family. You can tell that just from the way he's playing. He's enjoying the city and he's a really good boy."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Giggs explains why he didn't get the Swansea job

Ryan Giggs has admitted he came close to replacing Francesco Guidolin as Swansea manager and has explained why he opted not to take charge at the Liberty Stadium.

Guidolin was dismissed after a poor start to the season, that saw the club take just four points from their opening seven games to sit just two points off the bottom of the Premier League table.

Giggs was heavily linked with a move to the Swans, before Bob Bradley was appointed manager of the Welsh side becoming the first American to manage in the English top flight.

However, Giggs has revealed he met with the club to talk about becoming manager before explaining why he felt he was not the right man for the job."I was enjoying my year out, which was a bit of travelling and broadcasting, and I then got the call off Swansea," he told ITV Sport. "I met with them a few times. But in the end there was just mixed messages from the football side and the ownership side of the club and I just felt that their ambitions didn't really match mine so it didn't work out."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Arnautovic is too good for Stoke City, says Ivanovic

Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic believes Austria star Marko Arnautovic has outgrown Stoke City in terms of his ability.

Ivanovic will come face to face with Arnautovic when Serbia host Austria in a World Cup qualifier in Belgrade on Sunday and the 32-year-old does not need anyone to tell him who will be the visitors' main attacking threat.

Although he only has one Premier League goal for a struggling Stoke side this term, Arnautovic netted twice in Austria's 2-2 draw with Wales on Thursday and Ivanovic feels the former Werder Bremen man could play for a bigger club.

"I have the utmost respect for Arnautovic because he has matured in the last year and a half or two," he told a media conference.

"He has drawn a lot of attention here [in Serbia] because of his heritage [he has a Serbian father] and in footballing terms, he has perhaps improved beyond the quality of the club he plays for."We have to close him down and if we do, we have a good chance of keeping a clean sheet."