Real Madrid fans and teammates paid tribute to a tearful Toni Kroos on Saturday as the midfielder played his last game at the Santiago Bernabeu before retiring from football this summer. Kroos — who announced his decision to retire this week — played 87 minutes of Madrid’s 0-0 LaLiga draw with Real Betis. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, NWSL more (U.S.) It was his second-to-last game for the club,…
Sevilla boss Quique Sánchez Flores has criticised Barcelona for their treatment of club greats after they announced on Friday that coach Xavi Hernández would be sacked at the end of the season. Barça fired Xavi just four weeks after confirming he would honour the last year of his contract and lead them through next season. He had announced in January that he would resign at the end of the campaign…
Tony Popovic pauses, figuring out the way to adequately convey himself. Clad in a Melbourne Victory tracksuit and wearing his favoured navy blue cap, the coach is sitting in the on-site cafe at AAMI Park, about an hour before he’ll jump on a bus with his squad and head to the airport ahead of Saturday’s A-League Men Grand Final against the Central Coast Mariners. “I pray and wish that I…
Manchester United have sounded out a number of potential replacements for Erik ten Hag ahead of a decision on the Dutchman’s future following the FA Cup final, sources told ESPN. Ten Hag’s position at Old Trafford is in serious doubt after a miserable second season in charge. – Stream LIVE: FA Cup final, Man City vs. Man United, Saturday 10a.m. ET ESPN+ United recorded their lowest ever finish in the…
West Ham have confirmed the appointment of Julen Lopetegui to replace David Moyes as head coach in an announcement on Thursday. Lopetegui, who has reportedly signed a two-year deal with an option for an extra season, was most recently in charge of Wolves during the 2022-23 campaign, while he has also had stints with the Spain national team, Porto, Real Madrid and Sevilla, where he won the Europa League in…
The 2023-24 Premier League season is over — Manchester City have won a record fourth successive title, Jürgen Klopp has vacated the stage as Liverpool manager and Manchester United have recorded their worst-ever finish in the Premier League. Arsenal nearly won the league, Tottenham fans angered manager Ange Postecoglou for wanting Spurs to lose against City and Aston Villa surprised everyone by qualifying for the Champions League. – Stream on…
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said on Tuesday it would resume the Brazilian Championship in early June after being forced to suspend matches last week due to historic floods in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The teams in Brazil’s southernmost state were unable to play after heavy rains battered the area since late April, with the downpours killing more than 160 people. Nearly 100 residents are still missing…
On May 21, 2023, Vinicius Junior was racially abused by fans at Valencia’s Mestalla Stadium. The Real Madrid forward’s reaction, confronting the individuals responsible and criticizing Spanish football’s failure to deal with the issue — he said “racism is normal in LaLiga” — sparked a global surge of support for the player, and he’s been a leading voice in this fight. In 2023, the Vinicius Jr. law was passed in…
Mauricio Pochettino has left Chelsea by mutual consent after just one season in charge, the club confirmed in a statement Tuesday. Sources told ESPN that Pochettino, 52, departed following talks in the past 48 hours with co-owner Behdad Eghbali and co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, NWSL more (U.S.) Pochettino, who also publicly confirmed he had dinner with co-owner Todd Boehly on Friday,…
France’s sports minister has called for football club Monaco to be sanctioned after one of their players covered over an LGBTQ support message on the team’s shirt during the team’s final league game on Sunday. The French league staged its annual campaign against discrimination during this weekend’s final round with each team wearing a badge featuring the word “homophobia” crossed out. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) However,…