Sir Alex Ferguson has explained the reasons why he recommended David Moyes to replace him as Manchester United manager.
"What I know of David is he's hard working and has an integrity about him," said Fergie. "He's also got a work ethic about him and he's a serious football man.
England manager Roy Hodgson has refused to criticize Chelsea's Ashley Cole and Manchester
United's Ashley Young for missing the penalty kicks that cost the nation an opportunity to progress
to the Euro 2012 semifinals.
Instead, the Three Lions' boss has congratulated his team for an overall display that ended in a
respectable manner with no actual defeat after 120 minutes of goalless football against a gritty
Italian side.
Dirk Kuyt has today ended a 6 year association with Liverpool football club with the news that
he will be signing for Turkish giants Fenerbache for £1 million. The 31 year old is leaving just
as new manager Brendan Rogers arrives, but he has assured fans that it is nothing to do with the
change in management.
Chelsea-bound Belgian winger Eden Hazard has hit back at those who interpreted some of his
recent remarks about pre-match training as an indication of a lazy work ethic.
Hazard recently told his Twitter fans that he will be joining European champions
Chelsea over the summer and the news has understandably been the talk of the town ever since the
21-year old announced his decision.
After a brilliant season for Gary Neville working for Sky Sports, with even the most passionate
fans who hated Neville throughout his United career acknowledging how good his punditry is, Roy
Hodgson asked the former United captain to join the England coaching staff for the Euros.
"A lot of people thought he might be biased towards Manchester United but, watching the
games and hearing his opinions, I don't think he has," said Lescott.
With his performances for both club and country, Sporting Kansas City midfielder Graham Zusi has
quietly gone about the business of moving up the ladder of the U.S. Men's National Team.
"We are please with his progress, and that's why he is coming in again," said U.S. head coach
Jurgen Klinsmann.
It has been less than two days since the death of Columbus Crew midfielder Kirk Urso at the age
of 22 and the American soccer community is still coming to grips with the passing of a young player
who garnered so much respect and admiration in a relatively short amount of time.
The recurring themes that emerge from people discussing Urso was his friendly and happy
personality off the field and his determination and work ethic on the field.
Michael Bradley started hearing whispers about clubs being interested in acquiring him from
Chievo Verona while with the U.S. men's national team earlier this summer. There were plenty of
options from both inside of Italy and out, but as soon as he learned Italian heavyweights AS Roma
were serious about signing him, he needed to hear nothing more.
Roger Levesque will officially sail off into the sunset following the Seattle Sounders' friendly
against Chelsea on Wednesday. The official announcement comes on the heals of Seattle Times
columnist Steve Kelley breaking the news a night earlier.
"I would like to thank the Sounders organization for giving me the opportunity to play
professionally for the past nine years," Levesque said in the team release.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes that humility and a disciplined work ethic has been the key
to his side's perfect defensive start to the campaign, with the Gunners keeping three consecutive
clean sheets despite missing their first-choice goalkeeper in the last two outings.
Wojciech Szczesny was absent and 24-year old third-choice stopper Vito Mannone had to deputize
in the goal as Arsenal made tricky trips to Stoke and Liverpool.
Arsene Wenger has revealed his excitement at adding France international striker Olivier Giroud
to his Arsenal (no pun intended), explaining that the acquisition adds an additional dimension to
his side's attack.
Given that the Gunners recently also signed German star Lukas Podolski, all eyes are now on
Wenger to see if he can convince prolific skipper Robin van Persie to commit long-term and form a
threatening trio up front.
Arsenal have officially confirmed the signing of France international Olivier Giroud from
Montpellier for a reported £13million.
The 25-year old striker completed a medical before agreeing terms at Arsemal's training ground
on Monday evening. The completion of the transfer is now just the subject of formal processes.
And it's straight down to business this morning and the signing of Olivier Giroud is official.
Arsenal announced the deal yesterday and Arsene Wenger said:
We are delighted to have secured the signing of Olivier Giroud. He has a very good physical
presence and is exceptional in the air, with a great work ethic.
Arsenal have officially confirmed the signing of France international Olivier Giroud from
Montpellier for a reported £13million.
The 25-year old striker completed a medical before agreeing terms at Arsemal's training ground
on Monday evening. The completion of the transfer is now just the subject of formal processes.
Your whistle-stop guide to the latest Premier League arrivals Name: Olivier Giroud Age: 25
Position: Striker Signed from: Montpellier Fee: £12.8million Did you know? He was released by
Grenoble in 2010, with coach Mehmed Bazdarevic claiming the striker "not have the level to play at
the elite". Grenoble's treasurer is probably now ruing that assessment.
As expected, Arsenal have completed the signing of Montpellier striker Olivier Giroud for a fee
of £12million. The Frenchman scored 21 goals for the French side as they won their first Ligue 1
title.
"We are delighted to have secured the signing of Olivier Giroud," said Arsene Wenger said.
There's usually a lot of sizzle and no steak when it comes to offseason football rumours, but
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger does have some actual decisions to make concerning the club's roster
for next season. As most fans have probably heard by now, Chelsea has more or less given Wenger an
ultimatum regarding on-loan midfielder Yossi Benayoun.
The Revolution midfield has shown so far this season that it is one of the most dynamic and
dangerous in all of Major League Soccer. With a seemingly endless number of combinations, the Revs
have a real dominance in the center of the pitch that can rarely be matched. But their own worst
enemy can sometimes be themselves, with the occasional uncertainty as to which midfield will show
up on game day.
The Brotherly Game talked with Martin Shatzer of Black and Red United, SB Nation's D.C. United
site, ahead of tonight's Philadelphia Union-D.C. United game at PPL Park. For more on the game, and
United, head over to Black and Red United. The Brotherly Game: Last year it was a ridiculous run by Dwayne De Rosario that helped to
make D.
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has continued to express his satisfaction with England's Euro
2012 efforts on both a personal and collective level but insists that he remains inconsolable at
the moment.
Gerrard's Lions teammate Theo Walcott suggested that the team needs to quickly overcome the
heartbreak suffered following the penalty shoot-out elimination at the hands of Italy on
Tuesday.
In the past few months, we've seen the looks of surprise on the faces of people who've asked us the
million dollar question : "Who do you think will win the Euro 2012?" If
you've been a Fabulous Futbolita Friend (you know you are!
Manchester City assistant manager Brian Kidd has called on fans around the country to support
England boss Roy Hodgson as the Three Lions prepare for this summer's Euro 2012 tournament. Hodgson
has recently taken over the national side following the departure of Fabio Capello in February.
"It has been very difficult for Roy," Kidd was quoted as saying in the Daily Mail.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has defended keeper Pepe Reina after the Spaniard's blunder in
the Reds' Europa League tie against Hearts.
With five minutes of normal time remaining, the Spain international managed to let a David
Templeton shot squirm though his grasp and over the line before Luis Suarez saved his blushes
scoring the winner three minutes later.
Torsten Frings is undoubtedly one of most recognizable figures in Major League Soccer.
He's a well-decorated player whose reputation precedes him, having won domestic league and cup
titles in Germany, and winning a bronze medal at the 2006 World Cup.
The Timbers held a closed practice at their Beaverton training facility as they returned from
their midweek day off. Where Wednesday's practice seemed somewhat unsettled at times, today saw the
team out and joking with each other from the get go.
After the usual running, the team broke into groups for games of keep away and Gavin Wilkinson
yelled for the "privileged kids" to get in the middle.
Last night's game was a lot of fun. No pressure to win, no expectations for three points. Really
it was all about having fun and watching our home team challenge a team from one of the best
leagues in the world. More than that, though, it was a bit of a revelation watching the Portland
Timbers young guns strut their stuff in front of an increasingly lethargic starting XI side.
Nicolas Anelka, aka, Le Sulk, faces the ultimate dilemma of his career: how does a
player who has hated all his coaches handle being a player-coach? Does he hate himself? Has he
always hated himself? Before we get to the armchair psychology and dramatic conclusion, let's
look at how Anelka reached this delicate point.
Borussia Dortmund wrote a new chapter in their history when winning the DFB Pokal (German Cup)
last night. Not content with winning the Bundesliga with a record total of 81 points , the
Schwarzgelben (black and yellows) routed UEFA Champions League finalists FC Bayern 5-2 to claim the
German league and cup double for the first time in the club's history.
During halftime of last night's 0-0 draw against Real Salt Lake, Chicago Fire legend and current
RSL assistant coach CJ Brown was the seventh member inducted into the Ring of Fire. Holder of the
club record for all-time appearances and minutes played, CJ Brown and the Chicago Fire are
practically synonymous.
Italian fans lived through a dramatic Match Day which concluded with Juventus winning the league
title after bitter rivals Inter clinched a precious derby win over Milan.
At one point, both Juve and the Rossoneri were ahead meaning the title would not be decided
until the final week of fixtures.
