Van Gaal and Enrique start their rescue missions

Monday saw big changes at the top of two of Europe's biggest clubs as Manchester United appointed Louis van Gaal their new manager and Barcelona replaced Tata Martino with Luis Enrique.

Both new men have a significant amount of work to do. United endured their worst season of the Premier League era under David Moyes, who was sacked just 10 months into a six-year contract in April.

Barcelona, meanwhile, lost legendary former manager Tito Vilanova to throat cancer, unpopular president Sandro Rosell to the Neymar contract scandal and both La Liga and the Champions League to Atletico Madrid.

For United, Van Gaal is a proven winner with his own distinctive philosophy who has shown a talent for developing young players and playing expansive, attacking football.

Barcelona hope Enrique, another former La Masia graduate, can provide a return to the dominant passing style refined under Pep Guardiola and Vilanova and the unprecedented level of success which it brought about.

Only time will tell if either man has the right tools for the job, but there promises to be plenty of drama along the way.

Tuesday, 20 May 2014 12:18

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FA Cup win is the most precious moment of Wenger’s career

Arsene Wenger’s men ended the drought of several years of not winning a trophy by beating Hull City in the FA Cup 2014 final 3-2 after a dramatic match.

Wenger told the press  ”This was more important than all the others,” he said “We have twice won the double, but were not under pressure then like we were today.” quoting from Goal.com.

Wenger also signed a new contract with Arsenal to continue his journey with the team and to build a new era with the club.

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Drogba ponders next step after leaving Galatasaray

Didier Drogba has announced he will leave Galatasaray at the conclusion of his 18-month contract.

The Chelsea legend joined the Turkish club back in January 2013, after a short spell with Shanghai Shenhua, but has decided not to extend his stay with the side who finished second in the Super Lig table.

Drogba will now ponder the next step of his career with the 36-year-old potentially weighing up a move back to Stamford Bridge in a non-playing capacity. Where will the Ivorian end up after the World Cup?

Monday, 19 May 2014 12:30

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Atletico title win a fitting tribute to Aragones

Atletico Madrid secured an incredible Spanish league title on Saturday after holding Barcelona to a 1-1 draw at Camp Nou.

It has been a remarkable season for Diego Simeone's side, who also face rivals Real Madrid in the Champions League final on May 24.

But the new league champions have also endured heartache this season, after Luis Aragones - the club's all-time top goalscorer and former head coach - died in February aged 75.

Simeone was quick to acknowledge Aragones after the game.

"Today is one of the best days in the history of Atleti," Simeone said afterwards. "To be champions in Barcelona against a team like this, the champions of all in recent years.

"I'm sure Luis Aragones was defending for us in the second half."

Sunday, 18 May 2014 12:30

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Moyes flop costs Manchester United £30m

The full extent of the financial cost of David Moyes's ill-fated spell in charge of Manchester United was revealed on Thursday.

Old Trafford executive vice-chairman, Ed Woodward, explained the club's seventh-place finish in the Premier League - their worst since 1989-90 - would see a staggering £30 million drop in income due to the lack of European football next season.

But it's not all bad news for United fans - Woodward also suggested an announcement regarding the appointment of a new manager, expected to be Louis van Gaal - would be made soon.

And plenty of transfer activity is also expected at Old Trafford over the summer.

Friday, 16 May 2014 11:25

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Bela Guttman's curse strikes Benfica AGAIN

Benfica fell to a penalty shoot-out defeat to Sevilla in the Europa League final on Wednesday night, making it eight straight defeats in European finals.

Hungarian boss Bela Guttman cursed the club after they refused to give the two-time European Cup-winning manager a new and improved contact in 1962, saying they would be destined to not win in Europe for another 100 years.

An extra-time defeat to Chelsea in 2012-13 was the most recent failure, before Jorge Jesus's side failed to find a way past a dogged Sevilla side in the Juventus Stadium.

Goalkeeper Beto then went on to make two saves in the shoot-out to hand the Andalusian side their third European trophy and ensure the drought at Benfica continues.

Thursday, 15 May 2014 13:32

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Tottenham bin Sherwood - and his gilet!

Tim Sherwood's gilet was in the headlines almost as much as the controversial former midfielder during his time as Tottenham boss.

As well as being worn with a strange kind of pride by Sherwood, it was hurled to the ground during one match against Arsenal and then, on the final day of the season, handed to a fan as he sat in the White Hart Lane hot-seat.

But when Daniel Levy sacked his man on Tuesday, he made sure he'll never see the cursed gilet ever again!

Wednesday, 14 May 2014 10:45

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Rooney & Roy lead England's school trip to Brazil

Roy Hodgson's England squad may read a bit like a school trip after six players under the age of 23 were named for this summer's World Cup in Brazil.

Luke Shaw, Raheem Sterling, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ross Barkley, Phil Jones and Jack Wilshere will all be heading to South America, so the experience of the squad's senior players will be more vital than ever. That means Wayne Rooney riding up front with Roy!

Tuesday, 13 May 2014 12:00

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Man City coast as La Liga title scuffle continues

While Manchester City were celebrating their second Premier League title in three years having cruised to a 2-0 win over West Ham on the final day of the season, the scramble for the Spanish championship continued.

Atletico Madrid, who lead La Liga by three points, were held at home by Malaga but Barcelona were unable to capitalise as they slipped to a goalless draw at Elche.

Diego Simeone's side now face a trip to Barcelona next Saturday in a match which will decide the title.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, are now out of the running following their 2-0 defeat at Celta.

Monday, 12 May 2014 12:00

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Liverpool calling in Carroll favour

In a curious quirk of fate, Liverpool are hoping Andy Carroll - a player they sold last summer - can hand them the Premier League title by netting against Manchester City on Sunday.

The Reds must beat Newcastle and hope West Ham can triumph at the Etihad Stadium, with a draw likely to be enough for City who boast a healthy goal difference advantage over the Merseysiders.

Anfield midfielder Lucas Leiva admitted he would be texting both the Hammers frontman and former Reds winger Stewart Downing to urge them to do everything possible to beat City, with Carroll saying he would "do his best" to crown his old club champions.

Ironically, after ushering Carroll towards the Anfield exit little under a year ago, Liverpool now need the towering Geordie striker to do them a massive favour - it would certainly be one way to repay his £35m price-tag!

Sunday, 11 May 2014 08:30

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