Новости за 21.04.2018

When Ernesto Valverde steps out at the Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday, chasing the first part of a domestic double in the Copa del Rey final against Sevilla and on track for an undefeated title canter, the early weeks of his Barcelona tenure last year will feel like an increasingly distant and terrible dream. Installed as Luis Enrique's successor and charged with ensuring Real Madrid's latest LaLiga reign was one of brevity, the unheralded 54-year-old's reputation as a safe pair of hands was quickly... Читать дальше...

Patrick Vieira is flattered to be named among the potential candidates to succeed Arsene Wenger at Arsenal, but claims he is happy at New York City. The Frenchman was an integral member of Wenger's successful early teams at Highbury, winning three Premier League titles and three FA Cups between 1996 and 2005. He later played for Juventus, Inter and Manchester City, and is now coaching the latter's sister club in Major League Soccer. Arsenal announced Wenger's impending departure on Friday, prompting... Читать дальше...

Former Arsenal star Ian Wright has suggested Arsene Wenger was forced to announce his decision to leave the club. The Gunners released a statement on Friday in which Wenger stated his intention to step down at the end of the season, despite having a year remaining on his contract. The Frenchman has resisted repeated calls for him to resign from disgruntled sections of the club's fanbase in recent years, Wenger ignoring their dissatisfaction to sign a two-year extension in May 2017. And Wright... Читать дальше...

Manchester United have been left behind by Manchester City this season and major improvement will be required if they are to compete with Pep Guardiola's title-holders in 2018-19, according to former Red Devils defender Paul Parker. United's 1-0 loss to West Brom last Sunday saw City seal top spot with five games to spare, a joint record indicating the relative ease with which they have marched to the championship. Jose Mourinho's side are 13 points behind in second place and, despite coming from... Читать дальше...

Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic told star team-mate Paul Pogba he needed to "take more responsibility". Pogba, 25, has been criticised for some of his displays this season, with manager Jose Mourinho unhappy with the midfielder's form at different times. But the France international produced a stunning half in United's come-from-behind derby win over Manchester City earlier this month, scoring a brace. Matic said his team-mate would only get better, but he urged Pogba to deliver more often for United. Читать дальше...

A Johnny Russell hat-trick helped Sporting Kansas City to a 6-0 thrashing of a nine-man Vancouver Whitecaps in MLS Friday. The former Scotland and Derby County forward starred as Sporting moved seven points clear atop the Western Conference. Russell opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a neat finish from a Roger Espinoza cutback. That duo combined again just minutes later, Russell surging into the area before finding the bottom corner. Peter Vermes' Sporting made it 3-0 on the half-hour mark... Читать дальше...

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is embracing the challenge of trying to close the gap to Premier League champions Manchester City next season. City, who have already secured the title, are 17 points clear of Klopp's men, but Pep Guardiola's side have struggled against Liverpool. In four meetings this campaign, City have won just one outing, including suffering a Champions League quarter-final exit. Klopp is eager for his side, who are third in the table behind Manchester United and ahead of Tottenham... Читать дальше...

Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte defended his record at the helm of the Premier League giants in comparison to Jose Mourinho after reaching 100 games in charge. A 2-1 win over Burnley Thursday was Conte's 100th game at the helm of Chelsea, marking his 65th victory – a rate bettered only by Mourinho (72). But Conte said his record could not be compared to the Portuguese tactician's, given Mourinho was first in charge of Chelsea beginning in 2004. "For sure, this is a good stat but I know that, this season... Читать дальше...

Espanyol have sacked Quique Sanchez Flores after a poor run in LaLiga. The experienced manager - who previously had spells in charge of Atletico Madrid and Valencia in Spain, as well as Watford in the Premier League - led the club to an eighth-place finish in LaLiga last year. However, they've struggled in 2017-18, managing just eight victories in the league to sit 16th in the table, just eight points above the relegation zone with five games to play. Flores, who had failed to see his side score in their last five outings... Читать дальше...

Reims clinched promotion back to Ligue 1 thanks to a 1-0 home win over Ajaccio on Friday. David Guion's side held a comfortable cushion at the top of the table but their promotion party appeared in danger of falling flat as they struggled to break the deadlock. However, less than a minute after his introduction off the bench, Grejohn Kyei fizzed in a 76th-minute winner to secure the hosts all three points at Stade Auguste-Delaune. With nearest rivals Nimes only able to draw 2-2 at Bourg-en-Bresse... Читать дальше...

Fulham moved up to second place in the Championship table courtesy of an impressive 3-0 away win over Millwall on Friday. Slavisa Jokanovic's side extended their unbeaten league run to 22 games as they leapfrogged over Cardiff City to boost their hopes of automatic promotion to the Premier League. However, they had to come through an early onslaught from Millwall, who remain in the play-off places despite seeing a 17-match unbeaten run in the Championship come to an end. Fulham goalkeeper Marcus... Читать дальше...