Steve McClaren admits he was not ready for the England job as he prepares to return to Wembley for the first time since he was sacked.
McClaren will be back at Wembley on Saturday, leading Derby County in their Championship play-off final against Queens Park Rangers, with not only a spot in the Premier League on the line but a chance to exorcise ghosts of the past.
The 53-year-old endured a forgettable tenure as manager of England after replacing Sven Goran Eriksson, with the nation failing to qualify for the 2008 European Championships.
McLaren s one-year spell at the helm, the shortest period of any England manager, was summed up by the 3-2 defeat to Croatia at Wembley in November 2007, which resulted in him being dubbed the Wally with the Brolly when he sheltered fr…
Xavi is eyeing the Barcelona job and an opportunity to coach superstar captain Lionel Messi, insisting he is ready to work at Camp Nou.
Barca great Xavi has long been linked with the head-coaching role and he was strongly tipped to return to the club before president Joan Laporta opted to retain Ronald Koeman.
Xavi signed a new contract with Al Sadd in May, tying the 41-year-old to the Qatari side until 2023.
But Xavi, who held the record for most Barca appearances before it was broken by Messi this past season, has his sights set on taking charge at some stage.
I am always on the market, Xavi said during a news conference on Thursday. The club decided to continue with Koeman and I wish him the best.
In these last four months, I have not had any…
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain fired Arsenal into the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup with both goals in a routine 2-0 win over Reading on Tuesday.
When these two sides met at the same stage four years ago, Arsenal came back from 4-0 down to win an incredible contest 7-5 after extra-time, but this encounter was a much more straightforward affair.
Arsene Wenger s men have not lost in all competitions since the opening day of the season, and they were dominant throughout at the Emirates Stadium as Oxlade-Chamberlain broke the deadlock late in the first half.
Reading are just a point off the play-offs in the Championship, but have been on a tough run of late and their hosts proved their class before the break with a string of chances culminating in the opener.
Althou…
Wolfsburg striker Ivica Olic has suggested that he has received an offer from Premier League side Stoke.
The veteran forward will be out of contract in the summer and he is currently considering his options.
He has recently been offered a one-year contract extension by the club and he admits he is satisfied with the latest proposal.
“We have spoken. The offer is good, I am satisfied. But, I do not know if I will stay,” the Croat .
The 34-year-old then moved to confirm that Stoke City were also in the race for his signature, and he is clearly tempted by the opportunity to move to English Premier League.
“It is of course a great chance to play again against Chelsea, Liverpool or Manchester at the end of my career.”
Ivica Olic has sp…
Liverpool assistant boss Pep Lijnders believes they will take on a Premier League quality team in Leicester in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
The Championship leaders, who look set to vie for an immediate return to the top flight under new coach Enzo Maresca, will make the trip to Anfield for a third-round tie.
Lijnders took over the hotseat from Jurgen Klopp for the pre-match press conference, and he said: “We know we’re going to play against a team that has a lot of individual quality.
Next up…
The Reds return to Anfield for in the
— Liverpool FC (@LFC)
“It shows how they are doing in the league. A real clear offensive game idea, very quick installation of this idea with the coach Enzo – he does an unbelievable job. I thin…
AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool have agreed a deal that will see Nathaniel Clyne move to the south of England for the rest of the season.
Having spent four seasons with Crystal Palace and three with Southampton, the defender joined Liverpool in 2015 for a fee of £12.5 million on a five-year contract. He was one of the most regular names on the teamsheet throughout his first two seasons at Anfield, making a total of 93 appearances in that time.
However, injuries hampered his efforts at the start of 2017/18, and having now recovered, the 27-year-old has found himself behind youngsters Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez in the pecking order. He started only one Premier League game this season, against Manchester United, and even though he put in an excellent performance,…
Liverpool s managing director Ian Ayre said guaranteeing UEFA Champions League football will bring big names to Anfield.
The Reds have not been involved in Europe s premier club competition since 2009-10, but are assured of a group-stage spot in 2014-15 after their impressive season that sees them on the brink of a maiden Premier League title.
And with their spot in Europe secured courtesy of a 3-2 win at Norwich City, Ayre said he is eyeing big transfer targets to bolster their squad ahead of their venture back into the Champions League.
It has always been tougher in the transfer market when you are not competing at the highest level, Ayre said.
We had the issue with Luis Suarez last summer because he wanted to play in the best games against the best players.
Former FA Cup winners Portsmouth were dumped out at the first round on Wednesday after a 1-0 defeat at non-League Aldershot Town.
The Hampshire sides had played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at Fratton Park to force a replay, and the second tie was equally absorbing, if less prolific.
An end-to-end contest at the Recreation Ground gave fans of both sides plenty to cheer about.
But it was the home fans celebrating come full time as Mark Molesley bundled home after a goalmouth scramble to help the Conference side eliminate the 2008 Cup winners and set up a meeting with Rochdale in round two.
Portsmouth s prized youngster Jed Wallace almost lit up the contest with an impressive first-half volley, but Paul Smith was equal to it in Aldershot s goal.
Wal…
Antoine Griezmann and Saul Niguez were the big names to move late on deadline day, with Atletico Madrid having a busy night.
Griezmann s move to his former club completed a day of outgoings for Barcelona, who sold Emerson Royal and Ilaix Moriba, as well as loaning out Ray Minaj.
Ronald Koeman s Barca did get one player in, however, who will seemingly replace Griezmann in attack.
Barca s LaLiga rivals Real Madrid did not manage to get a mega deal for Kylian Mbappe over the line, despite a reported bid of €200m having been lodged on Tuesday, though Los Blancos did sign Rennes sensation Eduardo Camavinga.
Cristiano Ronaldo s move back to Manchester United was confirmed early on, but there was plenty of late action in England, too.
Anoth…
that AC Milan are weighing up summer bid for Lazio forward Balde Diao Keita.
The Rossoneri were looking to submit an official proposal for the player’s services in January, but were unable to do so as the club takeover took longer than expected.
But, given that AC Milan will have money to spend in the summer, they have now rekindled their interest in Keita.
The 22-year-old is almost certain to leave Stadio Olimpico for greener pastures at the end of the season considering that he is not interested in extending his deal with the Biancocelesti.
Lazio could wait until the forward’s contract expires in June 2018 and let him leave on a free transfer, but they are unlikely to miss the chance to sell him for a considerable fee at the end of the season.
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