Friday, May 17, 2013

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.

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.

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.

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.