Japan’s World Cup squad left for a training camp in the Swiss Alps Wednesday with coach Takeshi Okada insisting he is still eyeing a semi-final berth in South Africa despite recent poor form.Okada came under fire for asking Japan Football Association president Motoaki Inukai if he should quit in the wake of Monday’s 2-0 home defeat to Asian rivals...
Record crowd welcomes Ronaldo to Real Madrid
MADRID (AFP) – A capacity crowd of close to 80,000 people welcomed Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid on Monday, setting a new record for turnout at the presentation of a footballer, club officials said.“I am very happy to be here,” the 24-year-old Portuguese winger told cheering fans at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in the Spanish capital after completing...
Real´s ´Galactico´ president signs Pellegrini, Zidane
MADRID (AFP) – Florentino Perez, the inspiration behind the Real Madrid ‘Galacticos’, launched his second term as president on Monday by bringing in Chile’s Manuel Pellegrini as the club’s new coach and France legend Zinedine Zidane as a top advisor.The club also announced former Argentine striker and coach Jorge Valdano as its new director general.“Real...
Benitez unsure if Mourinho is fit for Real job
Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez has contributed to the long running war of words between him and Internazionale boss Jose Mourinho.The Spanish manager said he was unsure if the former Chelsea gaffer is the right man to take over at Real Madrid.Benitez also backed Real’s current coach Manuel Pellegrini, declaring that the Chilean has behaved impeccably...
Maldini and Ancelotti set for San Siro farewell
ROME (AFP) – After 24 seasons as one of Italy’s finest defenders and AC Milan’s emblem, Paolo Maldini will play his last match at the San Siro this weekend when AS Roma are in town.But while it has been known for some time that this game — while possibly not Maldini’s last ever in a Milan shirt as the club travels to Fiorentina next weekend for their...
Lippi rules out Juventus return
MILAN, Italy (AFP) – Italy coach Marcello Lippi on Thursday dismissed speculation he would return to Juventus after next year’s World Cup in South Africa.Lippi, who guided Italy to World Cup glory in Germany three years ago, has a contract with the Italian Football Association until the end of the next tournament.But the coach who led Juve to five...
Sacchi praises new Italy boss Prandelli
Arrigo Sacchi is full of praise for Cesare Prandelli, as “he is a great Coach and a great man.”Fiorentina boss Prandelli will take over from current Italy coach Marcello Lippi after the World Cup.“Cesare has proved numerous times, first with Parma and then Fiorentina, that he is a great Coach and a great man,” said Sacchi.Sacchi also worked alongside...