Erik ten Hag can improve Manchester United s fortunes but will need time to affect change, according to former Ajax and Liverpool midfielder Jari Litmanen.
Ten Hag was appointed manager at Old Trafford in April after a successful period in charge of Ajax, but he suffered a chastening 2-1 home defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday in his first Premier League game at the helm.
Litmanen had two spells with Ajax during an illustrious playing career, winning five Eredivisie titles, three KNVB Cups and a Champions League crown.
Speaking to Stats Perform at the UEFA fan park in Helsinki ahead of Wednesday s Super Cup, Finland great Litmanen joked when asked if he believed Ten Hag would be a success at United: I am for Liverpool, so hopefully not!
I hope…
Record signing Romelu Lukaku says he has returned to Chelsea as a more “complete” player.
Chelsea spent a reported £97.5million to re-sign the striker, who previously joined as an 18-year-old from Anderlecht in 2011, from Inter.
Lukaku enjoyed spells with West Brom, Everton and Manchester United before impressing at Inter with 24 goals in Serie A last term to secure their first title in 11 years.
The 28-year-old spent two seasons in Serie A, notching 64 goals across all competitions as he quickly became Antonio Conte s main man in attack.
I just feel more complete, Lukaku told the club s official website on Monday when asked to compare the difference between his two arrivals at Stamford Bridge.
I’ve tried to master all the facets that a s…
Inter players look set to be given a prize from club president Steven Zhang after their dramatic 2-1 Supercoppa Italiana success over Juventus, according to coach Simone Inzaghi.
The Nerazzurri lifted the first piece of silverware of the Italian season late in extra-time, with Alexis Sanchez netting the decisive goal.
Weston McKennie had previously given Juve the lead, before a Lautaro Martinez penalty tied it up.
The two teams would remain level throughout the second half and for much of the additional 30 minutes.
That was until an error from Alex Sandro allowed Matteo Darmian to nudge the ball to Sanchez, who prodded home from close range with the last kick of the game to spark joyous celebrations.
It ensured Inzaghi became the first coach to b…
Spain responded to their shock defeat against Slovakia by cruising to a 4-0 Euro 2014 qualifying victory over Luxembourg on Sunday.
The European champions were stunned by a 2-1 Group C loss in Zilina on Thursday, but Diego Costa ended his international goal drought as they secured a comfortable win at Stade Josy Barthel to go second behind Slovakia.
Coach Vicente del Bosque dropped captain Iker Casillas after his costly mistake against Slovakia, with David de Gea replacing him in goal in the youngest starting line-up during the former Real Madrid coach s six-year tenure.
David Silva put Spain in front and Paco Alcacer s third goal in as many competitive games for his country three minutes before half-time put the visitors in command.
Brazil-born striker C…
Former England manager Graham Taylor wants current boss Roy Hodgson to stay on beyond Euro 2016.
Hodgson s contract expires at the end of the tournament in France and the former Switzerland, Inter and Liverpool manager has previously insisted he will only extend his deal if he is wanted.
Football Association chairman Greg Dyke has talked up the possibility of a new contract for Hodgson, whose side have a 100 per cent record in qualifying for Euro 2016.
And Taylor, who managed England from 1990 to 1993, told Perform: I have great respect for Roy.
Roy is the only England manager that has ever been appointed that has previous experience of World Cup tournaments with Switzerland.
I think Roy has done well in what was a trying time for English …
Gregg Berhalter is hopeful United States talisman Christian Pulisic will be fit to face the Netherlands this weekend, believing he looks pretty good ahead of training on Friday.
Pulisic suffered a pelvic injury when scoring the winning goal in the USA s victory over Iran on Tuesday.
The Chelsea forward was substituted at half-time, but hopes to recover in time to take on the Oranje in their last-16 clash at Khalifa International Stadium on Saturday.
While Boss Berhalter is confident Pulisic will feature, he is less optimistic about forward Josh Sargent, who injured his ankle in the win over Iran.
We re going to see him on the training field today, he said.
What I think is it looks pretty good. But we re going to have to see him on the training p…
Dani Alves said wearing the Barcelona jersey makes him feel like a superhero after returning to Camp Nou as he tries to rescue the club.
Alves is back at embattled LaLiga powerhouse Barca for a second spell following his departure from Brazilian giants Sao Paulo.
The 38-year-old Brazilian full-back, who signed a deal until the end of the season but will not be eligible to play until January, left Barca five and a half years ago.
Alves made 247 appearances for Barca after arriving from Sevilla in 2008, winning six LaLiga titles and three Champions League crowns among 23 honours.
There are two shirts I wear that make me feel like a superhero: the Brazil shirt and the Barcelona shirt, Alves told Barca TV.
So putting that shirt back on will give me…
Sergio Aguero has confirmed his retirement, at the age of 33.
The Barcelona forward announced his decision in a statement on Wednesday that was delivered at an event featuring president Joan Laporta and the club s first-team players.
Aguero, who starred for Atletico Madrid before becoming a Manchester City great, suffered chest pain in the draw with Deportivo Alaves on October 30, which the club confirmed was down to a heart arrhythmia.
He scored just one goal for Barca – an injury time consolation in October s Clasico defeat to Real Madrid.
But it will be his time at City that will be most fondly remembered, and he undoubtedly goes down as one of the club s greatest signings.
Aguero s arrival in 2011 came three years after the Abu Dhabi Uni…
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Greece will be riding high on confidence after their stunning 2-1 win over England at Wembley, a result that not only shocked many but also demonstrated their resilience and tactical discipline. Backed by this emotionally charged victory, the Balkan side will look to build on their momentum when they return home to face the Republic of Ireland on Sunday in their next UEFA Nations League clash.
Similarly, Ireland will enter the contest on a positive note after securing a 2-1 victory over Finland. The Boys in Green have been looking to solidify their place in League B Group 2, and a win over Greece would keep them on track.
Greece
The tragic passing of former Greece international and Sheffield United right-back George Baldock cast a …
Nicola Rizzoli could get the chance to complete a European Championship and World Cup double next year after being named on UEFA s 18-man referee list for Euro 2016.
The Italian took charge of the World Cup final in 2014 as Germany beaten Argentina 1-0 after extra time in Brazil and he could officiate the Euro showdown, unless Antonio Conte s side reach the showpiece.
Rizzoli is one of seven referees to head to France after representing UEFA in Brazil, a list that includes the 2015 Champions League final referee Cuneyt Cakir from Turkey.
Felix Brych, Jonas Eriksson, Bjorn Kuipers, Milorad Mazic and Carlos Velasco Carballo complete the list of officials heading to a second consecutive major finals.
England will be the only nation to be represented by t…