Bayern & Dortmund given licence to thrill

 

There are only three days until the Champions League final, with two excellent German teams ready to take the field in London.

With Bayern's buying up of star players - including Dortmund's main-man Mario Gotze - one could be forgiven for seeing the Bundesliga champions as some sort of supervillain.

Will Dortmund, led by "Klopp... Jurgen Klopp..." be ready to shoot down Jupp Henyckes' side? Or, after being defeated in the final in two of the previous three years, is it a case of 'You Only Lose Twice' for Bayern?

One thing is for sure: both teams have a licence to thrill! 
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Casillas' birthday wish comes true as Mourinho leaves Madrid

 

And so the Special One finally departs the Bernabeu. What better day to do it on than the birthday of club captain, and feud-er in chief, Iker Casillas?

The pair had a rocky relationship this season, with Casillas' Spain team-mate and Barcelona rival Xavi lambasting Mourinho for his "terrible" treatment of the keeper.

But late on Monday, Real Madrid announced that they were parting company with Mourinho by mutual consent, and the manager is set to join Chelsea within the next two weeks.

So, happy birthday to Iker Casillas, who got exactly what he might have wished for. 

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Tears and cheers as the curtain closes on Premier League

 

Sunday saw the final round of games as another Premier League season came to an end.

Manchester United claimed the title, inspired by Robin van Persie's goals, before Sir Alex Ferguson stunned the world by announcing his intention to retire from the game, closely followed by Paul Scholes.

Deposed champions Manchester City lost not just top spot but also their manager after firing Roberto Mancini while Rafael Benitez went from zero to hero at Chelsea.

Elsewhere Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was rarely out of the headlines and Wigan claimed a memorable FA Cup win but still slipped out of the top flight.

And of course, there was still time for drama on the final day as Arsenal pipped Spurs to the fourth spot, despite Gareth Bale’s heroics, as the curtain came down on yet another season. 
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Fergie, Scholes, Owen & Carragher take to the stage one last time

 

It's the end of the season and we are bidding farewell to four Premier League stars as Sir Alex Ferguson, Paul Scholes, Jamie Carragher and Michael Owen all call time on their careers.

As we usher in a new wave of players and managers ready to take the Premier League by storm, Sunday provides a chance for football fans to pay homage to four people who have secured their own history in English football. 
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Mourinho & Ronaldo sent packing as Atletico win Copa del Rey

 

A thrilling Copa del Rey final saw Atletico Madrid come from behind to beat their city rivals Real 2-1 at the Bernabeu.

Los Rojiblancos had famously failed to beat Real since 1999 but an extra-time header from Miranda ended their miserable run and ensured their 10th Copa crown.

It was a miserable evening for Jose Mourinho’s men who looked on course for yet another victory after Cristiano Ronaldo had put them ahead after just 14 minutes.

However, Diego Costa levelled the tie after the break, after some great play by Radamel Falcao, before Miranda’s late heroics.

There was further misery too for Real as they hit the woodwork three times and saw Mourinho sent from the dugout before Ronaldo was controversially sent off late on.
 

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Fergie and The Gum

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Beckham joins Fergie, Scholes and Neville in Man Utd retirement home

 

David Beckham once again hit the headlines all over the world on Thursday when he announced his decision to retire from football.

The PSG midfielder has enjoyed a stellar career beginning at Manchester United before taking in Real Madrid, AC Milan and LA Galaxy.

Along the way he has become the world’s most famous footballer, and a global brand, but is now set to hang up his boots after 21 years at the top level.

He is not alone, of course, as his decision follows that of former Manchester United colleagues Sir Alex Ferguson and Paul Scholes, who will also bow out of the game on Sunday.

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Benitez bolsters CV as Chelsea celebrate Europa League glory

 

Chelsea secured their second European title in two seasons on Wednesday, seeing off Benfica in Amsterdam to win the Europa League final.

Fernando Torres opened the scoring for the Blues and although Oscar Cardozo equalised for Jorge Jesus’s men, Branislav Ivanovic’s late header won the title for Rafael Benitez’s men.

The win follows last season’s Champions League triumph and means Rafael Benitez has now become just the fourth manager to win the Europa League (or Uefa Cup in its previous incarnation) more than once.

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Relegated Wigan fall into the void

 

Just three days after securing their first ever FA Cup triumph with a memorable win over Manchester City at Wembley, Wigan have been relegated.

Roberto Martinez’s men lost 4-1 at Arsenal and tumbled out of the Premier League after an eight-year stay and will join QPR and Reading in the Championship.

The defeat means the Latics also pick the unwanted record of becoming the first side ever to win the FA Cup and be relegated in the same season.

Speaking after the game Roberto Martinez said he “never expected” to get relegated as the FA Cup winners tumble into the void.

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Sacked! City board do the Poznan as Mancini leaves

 

Exactly a year after leading Manchester City to their first ever Premier League title, manager Roberto Mancini has been sacked.

The announcement came as a surprise to exactly no-one, as defeat in the FA Cup final against Wigan capped off a disappointing season for the Italian and his side.

An early Champions League exit, followed by a dismal defence of their Premier League crown, saw the City board run out of patience with the Italian.

Manuel Pellegrini is the favourite to replace Mancini in the hot seat and will be hoping to get the the club's fans doing the Poznan again by returning City to winning ways.

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