Blanc confirmed as new PSG manager

Diego Simeone gave a strong indication that he will still be Atletico Madrid head coach next season after claiming his presence, as a hologram, at an Audi Cup news conference was proof of his commitment.

Doubts over the long-term future of Simeone in the Spanish capital have persisted throughout the season, with the Argentine admitting to his desire to coach Inter – who he represented during his playing career – in the future.

Speculation of a San Siro return has gathered pace following the Nerazzurri s sacking of Stefano Pioli this week.

But Simeone – who led Atleti to LaLiga glory in the 2013-14 season – suggested that, at least for the time being, his future remains with his present employers, hence his appearance at a media conference to promote the p…

New Rangers boss Pedro Caixinha says he has taken over the biggest club in Scotland as he begins the challenge of restoring the club to its former glories.

Caixinha, most recently in charge of Al Gharafa in Qatar, has signed a three-year contract at Ibrox to replace Mark Warburton, who left in chaotic circumstances last month.

Celtic s dominance of Scottish football has been unrivalled in the wake of Rangers being liquidated, reformed and forced to climb back up the divisions, starting from the fourth tier in 2012-13.    

But in a dig at Brendan Rodgers side, Caixinha says it is Rangers who are the biggest team in the Old Firm rivalry.

We are talking about a worldwide club, he told Rangers TV.

It is a massive club the biggest club in Scotland.…

Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone insisted he loves rebellious players after praising Joao Felix s angry goal celebration.

Joao Felix – a club-record €126million signing in 2019 – came off the bench in the second half to seal a 2-0 win over Villarreal on Sunday as Atletico put their LaLiga title charge back on track.

The Portugal international looked unimpressed after scoring in the 69th minute – Joao Felix gesturing and shouting towards the Atletico bench – following Alfonso Pedraza s own goal.

Asked about the celebration, Simeone told reporters post-match:   You ll have to ask him.

…

Fabian Delph has moved from Manchester City to Everton, signing a three-year contract.

Everton swooped to sign the midfielder for a fee that could reportedly rise to £10million after he entered the final 12 months of his deal at the Etihad Stadium.

England international Delph made 89 appearances in all competitions for City over four seasons, occasionally filling in at left-back.

He started 21 times for Pep Guardiola s men when they cantered to the title in 2017-18 but featured less regularly last term as City were crowned champions again.

The 29-year-old s hopes of returning to first-team calculations were further diminished when City paid Atletico Madrid a club-record fee to secure the talented Rodri.

Every time I have played against Eve…

Josko Gvardiol remains totally happy at RB Leipzig with no hurry to rush into a pre-transfer agreement amid growing links to Real Madrid and Chelsea.

That was the message from the centre-back s agent Marjan Sisic as Gvardiol continues to impress at the World Cup with Croatia, who beat Japan on penalties to reach the quarter-finals on Monday.

Chelsea reportedly had a £77million (€90m) offer rejected before the start of the season before the 20-year-old signed a new contract with Leipzig.

Madrid are said to have joined the growing list of Europe s elite clubs interested in the defender, though Sisic insists his client will not be forced into making a quick decision on his future.

Regarding a possible transfer in summer 2023, we are in no hurry and I can…

Nigeria are set for participate in the Nelson Mandela Challenge for the second time when they face South Africa in Durban on Wednesday.

The charity match has been held once a year since 1994, and has extra poignancy this time around due to the former South African president s ill health.

Nigeria last featured in the 2004 edition of the fixture and suffered a 2-1 loss in Johannesburg, but they will be confident of turning the tables in 2013.

Prior to losses at the hands of Copa America holders Uruguay and world champions Spain in the FIFA Confederations Cup, the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winners had avoided defeat for 19-straight games.

South Africa, meanwhile, have alternated between victory and defeat in their last four fixtures, and come into this game locked …

The trial of French footballers Karim Benzema and Franck Ribery for allegedly paying an underage prostitute for sex has been adjourned.

With the footballers lawyers having challenged the legality of the charges levelled against their clients, the judge in charge of the case has postponed the trial until January 2014 to address that issue in another court.

Benzema and Ribery are charged with paying the then under 18-year-old Zahia Dehar for sex in 2008 and 2009 but their lawyers believe the case is unconstitutional and hope it will be thrown out.

Obviously for Karim Benzema, it is more waiting time that he has to suffer, Benzema s lawyer Sylvain Cormier said after the trial was adjourned on Tuesday.

It is not good news.

The text for the proceedings seems to …

Zinedine Zidane on a mission / Image via sports.ndtv.com

He enjoyed his fair share of duels with the greatest rivals during his playing career, but Zinedine Zidane is now preparing for a different kind of a challenge.

Standing on the touchline as Real Madrid manager, the French legend will head into his first El Clasico as a coach on Saturday eager to prove a point against the in-form Catalans who are shoe-in for another La Liga title with ten points of advantage in front of their arch rivals.

El Clasico hoodoo

Zinedine Zidane is entering his first ever clash against Barcelona with a huge load upon his back.

With his team almost effectively out of the title race, the French tactician is by no means expected to throw in the white towel, but will …

History will be made one way or the other when Queretaro and Tigres meet in the CONCACAF Champions League last four, with neither having ever made the final.

Queretaro host the first leg of the tie on Tuesday and will be hoping to taste some success following their poor start to the Liga MX Clausura. 

Victor Manuel Vucetich s men sit third from bottom after 10 games, with just two wins and eight points to their name, but Paraguay international Edgar Benitez – a winner of the tournament with Pachuca in 2010 – is determined to rewrite the record books.

We have already talked about it, there was a talk among all the team-mates, he said. The objective is to make the Liguilla and, in CONCACAF, we want to fight and make history.

A 2-0 loss to Leo…

Guangzhou Evergrande suffered a heartbreaking 5-4 defeat on penalties to nine-man Chinese Super League rivals Shanghai SIPG after coming agonisingly close to a sensational AFC Champions League comeback win.

It appeared that Guangzhou, winners of the tournament in 2013 and 2015, faced an impossible task to progress after losing the away leg of their quarter-final tie 4-0 three weeks ago.

But they won Tuesday s return leg by the same margin and then emerged from an extra-time period that saw two Shanghai SIPG players see red with a 5-1 lead, forcing a shoot-out.

However, Andre Villas-Boas men were able to survive and reach the last four, winning by a solitary spot-kick after Ricardo Goulart, who had earlier scored a hat-trick, hit the post with Guangzhou s first p…