Moneybags Mancini leaves Russia in the cold

 

Roberto Mancini's new Manchester City contract has kept Russia from luring him away from the Premier League champions.

The World Cup 2018 hosts are currently looking for a top-class manager to take over from Dick Advocaat, who parted ways with the nation after their group stage exit at Euro 2012.

Mancini was rumoured to be top of their list, alongside the likes of Fabio Capello and Pep Guardiola, after the Italian took the Blues to their first league title in over 40 years last season.

The Italian's side beat Manchester United on goal difference in the end after two dramatic stoppage-time goals allowed them to beat QPR and snatch the title from the Red Devils' grasp, something that City are keen to build on with the Italian manager...

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Deschamps calls on old friends as Ribery, Nasri et al get binned

 

 He was, then he wasn't, but now he definitely is. On Sunday it was announced that Didier Deschamps had officially become national team coach of France.

The former Les Bleus midfielder will have to get the side's house in order after a tumultuous Euro 2012 campaign that saw bust-ups involving Hatem Ben Arfa, Alou Diarra and, most explosively, Samir Nasri.
The France campaign at World Cup 2010 was also marred by internal strife and Deschamps will be keen to instill the kind of discipline and harmony that saw France win world football's biggest prize on home soil in 1998 before further triumph at Euro 2000.

Under pressure to weed out the trouble-makers and bring glory back to Les Bleus, could Deschamps turn to the successful class of '98 in order to get the job done?
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الشوابكة VS منصور مراد

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Villas-Boas first in line for Man City's summer sale

 

With Emmanuel Adebayor edging closer to a permanent move to Tottenham, Manchester City are set to complete the first sale in what is likely to be a large clear-out at Eastlands this summer.

The Premier League champions are keen on significantly shrinking their staggering wage bill by getting rid of several fringe players, with Roque Santa Cruz, Kolo Toure and Adam Johnson all tipped to leave the Etihad Stadium before the end of August.

Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas may have pounced first, but he is likely to be joined by other managers in a summer sale which could offer some real bargains.
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Van Gaal in the deep end with Netherlands job

 

After a disastrous Euro 2012 campaign which included squabbles within the squad and a string of toothless displays, Louis van Gaal has now been handed the task of getting Netherlands back on track.

A trio of dismal performances in Group B last month condemned Netherlands to an early exit and led to the resignation of Bert van Marwijk.

With a raft of Dutch players airing their differences with each other in public at last month's tournament, Van Gaal will step into the Oranje hotseat for the second time in his career but will instantly face a tough test ahead of the World Cup 2014 qualifiers.
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Man City face mountain challenge to stay on top of the pile

 

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini will take his squad to the Austrian Alps for an intense programme of pre-season training, it was revealed this week.

The Italian's training methods have not always been received favourably at the Premier League champions with double sessions reportedly having irked some members of the squad upon his arrival in 2009.

The players may be looking forward to some luxury chalet accommodation but may be less than impressed once the gruelling sessions get underway.

Regardless, it is likely to give Mario Balotelli an easy excuse to get the tabloid headlines into overdrive nice an early for the campaign so expect a little good to come out of the trip.
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Wenger in shock as Van Persie drops contract bombshell

 

Once again, Arsene Wenger's hopes of returning Arsenal to the summit of the Premier League have been handed a devastating blow.
Robin van Persie revealed his intention not to sign a new contract on Wednesday, though the Gunners have stated their determination to keep their star striker at the club.

Manchester City have been strongly linked with a move for last season's Premier League top scorer, with reigning Serie A champions Juventus also said to be interested.

Whether this summer or next, though, it looks as if Van Persie will soon be riding off into the sunset...

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Deschamps escapes the France hot seat

 

The fallout from France's uninspiring showing at Euro 2012 looks set to continue with Didier Deschamps reportedly turning down the chance to fill the coaching vacancy.
Laurent Blanc left his role in charge after a 2-0 quarter-final exit at the hands of eventual winners Spain, despite many tipping Les Bleus to have an outside chance of lifting the trophy.

Deschamps, a former team-mate of Blanc’s, was expected to accept the job offer after resigning from Marseille but, now, the search goes on...

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Spain smash all the records at Euro 2012

 

Spain secured their third major international tournament victory on the trot by emphatically beating Italy 4-0 in the final of Euro 2012.

First-half goals from David Silva and Jordi Alba gave La Roja a half-time lead before late strikes from Fernando Torres and Juan Mata added a gloss to the scoreline.

Their run of trophies on the international stage is unprecedented but that was not the only record that Spain smashed in Poland and Ukraine.

Their 4-0 victory over the Azzurri was the biggest ever in a European Championship final, while Iker Casillas became the first player to win 100 international matches.

13 Spain players are the first to appear in and win two European Championship finals and Fernando Torres and Xavi are the first to score and assist respectively in two of those games.
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El Toro

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