Pep guardiolas

LONDON Mikel Arteta says he is fully focused on doing “much better” at Arsenal after he was linked with the Barcelona manager’s job . Reports surfaced in Spain this week claiming presidential candidate Joan Laporta was eyeing a move for Gunners boss Arteta if he won the race to return to Barca . It was during his previous spell in the role that Laporta appointed Pep Guardiola as the head coach and ushered in an era of sustained success. Manchester City and took over as Arsenal manager in December 2019. Having come through the famed La Masia academy at Barca, Arteta is now said to be on a managerial shortlist for Laporta, should he be elected on March 7, although sources close to the campaign have reportedly distanced themselves from a move for the 38-year-old. “There is always going to be speculation when there are elections in Barcelona, it’s a huge team,” Arteta said on Wednesday when asked about being linked to the job, currently occupied by Ronald … [Read more...] about Arsenal boss Arteta dismisses Barcelona speculation

LONDON: Pep Guardiola called on Manchester City to learn from a nervy finish to a seventh straight Premier League victory as a 2-1 win at Watford moved the champions five points clear of Liverpool at the top of the table. City's goals came either side of half-time as Leroy Sane chested home before Riyad Mahrez doubled the visitors' lead early in the second period. However, despite dominating for the majority of the game, Guardiola's men had to withstand a nervy finish after Abdoulaye Doucoure bundled in five minutes from time. "We have in mind the last minutes, (in) the last minutes anything could happen," said Guardiola. "I think we played 65-70 minutes at a top, top level. "After 0-2 we lost a little bit our control. We suffered, but that is what it is. "We have to learn from what happened in the last 20-25 minutes." Guardiola made six changes to his starting line-up despite also missing Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne through injury. Yet, City were still far too … [Read more...] about Football: Man City withstand late Watford onslaught to move five points clear

Ajax Amsterdam, the four-time European champions, will take on Swiss club Young Boys, while Arsenal face Greek side Olympiakos and Tottenham Hotspur, the third English club to reach the last 16, will tackle Dinamo Zagreb. European debutants Granada of Spain will face Norwegian club Molde while AS Roma face a tough tie against seasoned European contenders Shakhtar Donetsk. * Werder Bremen's United States forward Josh Sargent scored the winner as his struggling side came from a goal down at halftime to beat Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 in the Bundesliga on Friday and hand the visitors a first league defeat of the year. Victory moved Werder eight points above the relegation zone while ending fourth-placed Frankfurt’s 11-match unbeaten run in the Bundesliga, stretching back to early December. * Fifteen-time major winner Tiger Woods is recovering and in "good spirits" after he received successful follow-up procedures on injuries sustained this week in a car accident, according to a statement … [Read more...] about Milan v Manchester United lights up Europa League last 16 draw

LIVERPOOL: Jurgen Klopp apologised for racing onto the pitch amid scenes of ecstasy after Liverpool's freak late winner against Everton at Anfield kept them on the coat-tails of Premier League pacesetters Manchester City. The match looked set for a 0-0 draw until the 96th minute, when Virgil van Dijk mishit a hopeful, desperate shot in the direction of the Everton goal, with the effort ballooning into the air. But Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford struggled to judge the ball as it dropped from the Anfield night sky. With the ball looking as if it might hit the crossbar, the England man pushed the ball upwards and presented Divock Origi with a simple headed finish into an open net to seal a 1-0 win. "I have to apologise because I didn't want to be disrespectful but I couldn't stop myself. It just happened," Klopp told Sky Sports. "The game was with unbelievable intensity. Both teams had chances. Both goalkeepers had outstanding performances. In the end it was a very weird … [Read more...] about Football: Klopp sorry after wild celebrations following ‘weird’ Liverpool winner

MANCHESTER: Jose Mourinho fears Manchester United will be unable to make major signings in January because their rivals no longer need to sell to them. United have spent almost £400 million (US$510 million) on players since Mourinho arrived at the club in 2016, but the manager claims buying top-level players is becoming increasingly difficult. Mourinho claims the balance of power has shifted in the Premier League - using the example of Tottenham, who spent no money on players during the last transfer window, but also managed to keep their key names, in Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Son Heung-Min. There was no attempt by United to sign any of those four players, but Mourinho is adamant Tottenham would have refused to sell even if there had been. He argued it did not used to be the case, with United prising England midfielder Michael Carrick from Tottenham in 2006, then luring Bulgaria striker Dimitar Berbatov from White Hart Lane in 2008. "Is Manchester United … [Read more...] about Football: Mourinho expects difficult January transfer window