German Football Association (DFB) president Bernd Neuendorf has announced the formation of a new advisory group to help the national team bounce back from their dismal World Cup.
Germany, who were expected to reach the latter stages of Qatar 2022, crashed out at the group stage, leading to the departure of team director Oliver Bierhoff after 18 years.
There was speculation boss Hansi Flick would follow him, but the former Bayern Munich coach confirmed he would be staying on board.
The new advisory group includes former Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Oliver Mintzlaff, and former Germany internationals Matthias Sammer, Rudi Voller and Oliver Kahn.
It will be led by Neuendorf and DFB vice-chairman Hans-Joachim Watzke.
2 – Germany have failed to …
Fiorentina have agreed a deal to sign Jonathan Ikone from Lille for a reported €15 million fee.
Ikone played 150 games for Lille across all competitions, scoring 16 goals and assisting 26 times as he helped Les Dogues to the Ligue 1 title last term and top spot in their Champions League group this campaign.
The 23-year-old, known for his versatility across the frontline, had two years left to run on his current contract but has signed for Fiorentina on a reported five-year deal.
Lille allowed Ikone to train with the Serie A outfit in preparation for the move, which will officially go through on Monday when the transfer window opens.
We can confirm the total agreement with for the transfer of Jonathan Ikoné
The French international will sign …
Bernardo Silva has been charged by the Football Association (FA) over his racially insensitive social media post about Manchester City team-mate Benjamin Mendy.
The midfielder has until October 9 to respond to a misconduct charge, which relates to an alleged breach of FA Rule E3.
Portugal international Silva last month tweeted – and subsequently deleted – a photo of a young Mendy and a dated image from Spanish confectionary Conguitos that has been criticised for its racist connotations.
The post included the caption: Guess who?
Silva, after receiving staunch public support from City manager Pep Guardiola, wrote to the FA to apologise and is understood to be close friends with Mendy, who did not appear to take offence.
But the governing body h…
The big clubs in England and their supporters frequently talk about their teams chasing the elusive quadruple , seeking to unite the Champions League, the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup on the season s shelf in their trophy cabinet. Well, one of those competitions is now over when it comes to 2021-22, and it s Liverpool who raised the cup following a penalty shootout at the end of a very intense final against Chelsea at Wembley on Sunday.
The Goalkeepers
The goalkeepers involved in this match are definitely the main talking point of this final. The match was highly dynamic, with both sides having their fair share of chances to swing it in their favour, but Edouard Mendy in the Chelsea goal and Caoimhin Kelleher in Liverpool s both delivered superb performances …
Liverpool s principal owner John W Henry believes Luis Suarez s new deal illustrates the progress being made by the club.
The Premier League s top scorer has agreed a long-term contract at Liverpool, ending speculation over his future at the end of a year in which he expressed a desire to leave and was the subject of a rejected bid from Arsenal.
Manager Brendan Rodgers has been steadfast in his desire to keep the striker and rewarded with a prolific start to the season from Suarez, who has scored 17 times in 11 league outings.
Under Rodgers, Liverpool are second in the Premier League, two points adrift of leaders Arsenal, and aiming to return to the UEFA Champions League for the first time since the 2009-10 season.
And Henry believes the evolution of the club bot…
Chelsea assistant coach Zsolt Low heaped praise on Kepa Arrizabalaga following his impressive display in the Club World Cup semi-final win over Al-Hilal.
The 2020-21 Champions League winners progressed to the final of the competition, where they will face Palmeiras after scraping past the Asian champions 1-0.
Romelu Lukaku s 32nd-minute strike settled the contest at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, but it was a generally lacklustre display by Chelsea.
After controlling large periods of the first half, recording 61.9 per cent of possession, the Blues only registered 45.4 per cent after the break and had to rely on important saves from Kepa to keep Al-Hilal at bay.
The Spain international, who was given the nod ahead of Edouard Mendy following t…
One of the last men off of the pitch ahead of kick-off in Derby County s 2-2 draw against Leeds United at Pride Park, most would have thought current assistant manager, Kevin Phillips, was keen to tie up his laces and lead the line for the Rams.
The legendary forward hung up his boots at the conclusion of the 2013/14 season after assisting Leicester City s charge back to the Premier League after a ten year absence. The ex-Sunderland and Southampton striker scored three goals that campaign, echoing back to the days of his former glories.
That is exactly what the diminutive striker was doing during the warm-up on Wednesday evening, allowing for the occasional scuffed shot that simply span up into the arms of Kelle Roos.
Finishing touch lacking in opening period
T…
Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski has admitted his regret at leaving Bayern Munich to join Cologne in 2009.
The 28-year-old fell down the pecking order during his time with the European champions and opted to return to the RheinEnergieStadion, where he eventually suffered relegation in 2012.
And Podolski believes his decision to leave the Bavarian giants had a negative impact on his career.
I believe that if Jupp Heynckes (Bayern interim coach) had arrived one or two weeks earlier in 2009, I would probably still be at Bayern now, he told Bild. He was desperate to keep me.
From a purely sporting perspective, returning to Cologne was certainly not helpful.
Podolski was linked with a move away from Arsenal in January after failing to break into the starting line…
Newcastle winger Harvey Barnes could be facing months on the sidelines as he awaits a specialist’s verdict on the foot injury he suffered at Sheffield United.
The 25-year-old limped out of Sunday’s 8-0 Premier League demolition job at Bramall Lane after just 12 minutes, and head coach Eddie Howe fears he could miss a significant proportion of the campaign with surgery a possibility.
Asked if Barnes could be out for some time, Howe said: “Yes, we’re fearing it’s going to be. It’s difficult. I don’t want to put a time on it until we get confirmation from the specialist, but I think it will be months rather than weeks.”
An update from Eddie Howe on the injury Harvey Barnes sustained at Bramall Lane on Sunday.
It s an injury to his foot, jus…
Borussia Dortmund have confirmed they have reached an agreement to sign Germany international centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck from fellow Bundesliga side Freiburg.
The 22-year-old has featured 53 times for Freiburg in all competitions, including 35 outings this campaign, and will remain with the club until the end of the 2021-22 season.
Schlotterbeck, who had a spell on loan with Union Berlin last season, has signed a long-term deal with Dortmund that runs through until July 2027.
He is the second new defensive addition for BVB ahead of the transfer window officially opening, with Niklas Sule also set to join from rivals Bayern Munich.
Great to see you, Nico!
Borussia Dortmund has signed Nico Schlotterbeck for the 2022/23 season
— Borus…