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11 players Gareth Southgate should consider for England World Cup squad

Kyle Bainbridge: Are matchday programmes the last bastion of the Beautiful Game?

James Robinson: Thank you, Chris Cohen, for your service to Nottingham Forest

Kyle Bainbridge: Should Wembley Stadium be sold to Fulham and Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan?

Arsene Wenger: A tribute to the Arsenal and Premier League icon

Sam Betts: Is Burnley boss Sean Dyche more worthy of the Premier League Manager of the Season award than Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola?

Chris Crook: VAR! What is it good for? Absolutely nothing!

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola: Fraudiola or world class?

Are Liverpool genuine Champions League contenders ahead of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Roma?

Who out of Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Southampton wants the FA Cup more?
Watford sign England Under-19s defender Ben Wilmot from Stevenage
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- 2 hours ago
Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino pens new deal

Joe Jones 0 0

5 hours ago
League One playoff final preview: Will Rotherham United or Shrewsbury Town make it into Championship?

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6 hours ago
James Collins and Patrice Evra to leave West Ham
- Joe Jones 0 0
- 8 hours ago
Andres Iniesta joins Japanese side Vissel Kobe
- Joe Jones 0 0
- 11 hours ago
Carlo Ancelotti to replace Maurizio Sarri as Napoli coach
- Joe Jones 0 0
- Yesterday at 17:36
West Ham co-owner David Gold pledges to give Manuel Pellegrini huge budget
- Joe Jones 0 0
- Yesterday at 13:20
Yaya Toure not rulling out potential Manchester United switch
- Joe Jones 0 0
- Yesterday at 12:29
Arsenal appoint Unai Emery as new manager
- Joe Jones 0 0
- Yesterday at 09:35
Lucien Favre appointed Borussia Dortmund head coach
- Joe Jones 0 0
- Tuesday at 10:00
West Ham appoint Manuel Pellegrini as manager
- Joe Jones 0 0
- Tuesday at 09:23
Santi Cazorla to leave Arsenal when upon contract expiry
- Joe Jones 0 0
- Monday at 18:39
Radja Nainggolan retires from Belgium duty following World Cup squad omission
- Joe Jones 0 0
- Monday at 14:14
Khaldoon Al Mubarak highlights importance of Manchester City summer recruitment
- Joe Jones 0 0
- Monday at 10:59
Jurgen Klinsmann unlikely to manage in Premier League
- Joe Jones 0 0
- Monday at 08:08
PSG president rules out Arsene Wenger backroom appointment
- Joe Jones 0 0
- Sunday at 18:30
Jordan Henderson: 'I refused to leave Liverpool during Brendan Rodgers tenure'
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- Sunday at 12:43

General Football News
Julen Lopetegui extends Spain contract until 2020

The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has announced that Spain coach Julen Lopetegui has signed a two-year contract extension. The announcement was made on Tuesday, less than a week before Spain begins their preparations for next month's World Cup in Russia. Lopetegui, 51, replaced the retiring Vicente del Bosque as coach following Spain's elimination from Euro 2016. "It's a happy day," RFEF president Luis Robiales said in a statement. "We could not have allowed Julen and his team to leave. The professional admiration and respect that we feel for him is huge and we want to announce the extension of his contract until 2020. "We have much hope for the World Cup with him, knowing that it is difficult and that he only has a guarantee for three games -- but with him, everything is possible." Lopetegui has led Spain on an 18-game unbeaten streak since his appointment, and Spain comfortably qualified for the World Cup in a group that included Italy. "I'm grateful for the confidence placed in me and in my staff," Lopetegui said at a news conference on Tuesday. "I wasn't losing any sleep regarding a new contract as we all know that football is uncertain. "We are very happy with what we have done so far. We've worked very hard the past two years and we will continue to do so." Share your thoughts about this news story on Football Manics by signing up for FREE to the website, visiting the forum and joining the chat with fellow football fans.
Rival captains ask FIFA to allow Peru skipper Paolo Guerrero to compete at 2018 World Cup

The captains of Australia, Denmark and France have asked FIFA to lift the ban on Peru captain Paolo Guerrero so he can be allowed to compete at the World Cup in Russia. Guerrero recently completed a six-month ban after testing positive for benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine, before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) increased his suspension to 14 months on Monday. The extended ban, imposed after an appeal to CAS by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), means the 34-year-old is set to miss next month's World Cup where Peru have qualified for the first time in 36 years. The world players' union FIFPro wrote to FIFA on Sunday to request that Guerrero is allowed to play, and Hugo Lloris, Mile Jedinak and Simon Kjaer - the captains of Peru's Group C opponents France, Australia and Denmark - have also called for clemency in an open letter released on Tuesday. "We are writing to you in relation to the situation of the captain of the national team of Peru, Mr Paolo Guerrero," read the letter. "For the past 14 years he has represented his country with pride, pursuing qualification for the FIFA World Cup. Finally that moment has arrived, with Peru set to appear at the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals in Russia. "Peru is returning to football's ultimate stage after a 36-year absence and we believe Paolo Guerrero should be allowed to lead his nation and celebrate what will be a career highlight." Share your thoughts about this news story on Football Manics by signing up for FREE to the website, visiting the forum and joining the chat with fellow football fans.

Gareth Southgate names 23-man England squad for 2018 World Cup

Gareth Southgate has named his 23-man England squad for the World Cup in Russia this summer. Uncapped 19-year-old Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold is the big surprise in the squad, having has made just three appearances for England's U21s with this his first senior call-up. Defender Gary Cahill has been recalled and there are also places on the plane to Russia for Chelsea team-mate Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope. Goalkeeper Joe Hart and midfielder Jack Wilshere are arguably the biggest omissions from the squad as they have not been included, along with left-back Ryan Bertrand. Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana is one of five players on standby for the tournament, along with Burnley keeper Tom Heaton, Clarets defender James Tarkowski, Bournemouth's Lewis Cook and fellow midfielder Jake Livermore of West Brom. England start their Group G campaign against Tunisia on 18 June, before playing against Panama and Belgium. Goalkeepers: Jack Butland (Stoke), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Burnley). Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Fabian Delph (Manchester City), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Harry Maguire (Leicester), Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Tottenham Hotspur), Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Ashley Young (Manchester United). Midfielders: Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Jesse Lingard (Manchester United), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Chelsea). Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Jamie Vardy (Leicester), Danny Welbeck (Arsenal). Standby: Lewis Cook (Bournemouth), Tom Heaton (Burnley), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), Jake Livermore (West Brom), James Tarkowski (Burnley). Share your thoughts about this news story on Football Manics by signing up for FREE to the website, visiting the forum and joining the chat with fellow football fans.
Roberto Mancini appointed as Italy head coach

Roberto Mancini has been confirmed as the new head coach of Italy. The 53-year-old succeeds Gian Piero Ventura, who was sacked in November after the Azzurri missed out on the World Cup for the first time since 1958. Mancini, who led Manchester City to their first title in 44 years in 2012, will be undertaking his first role in international management. Since leaving the Etihad Stadium in 2013, the Italian has managed Galatasaray and Inter Milan before joining Zenit in June of 2017. He agreed a mutual termination of his contract with Zenit St Petersburg on Sunday and will now manage his country, for whom he played 36 times. Luigi di Biagio had stepped up from the under-21s to take interim charge of the senior national side but will now make way for Mancini. Share your thoughts about this news story on Football Manics by signing up for FREE to the website, visiting the forum and joining the chat with fellow football fans.
Andrea Pirlo eager to get into coaching and work with Italy national football team

Italy legend Andrea Pirlo has revealed that he is considering a move into coaching and would like to work with the Azzurri. The 38-year-old retired in November last year, having played out the final years of his career with MLS side New York City. Italy, who failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, are currently on the lookout for a new manager, with former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini believed to be the frontrunner for the role. "I'll speak with (Italian FA sub-commissioner Alessandro) Costacurta because he's a friend," Pirlo told Sky Sports. "I see him often. "If there's a way to work together then great but we'll decide over time. I'm still young, I have time to think about it. "It would be nice to work with the national team, the blue shirt has always been a second skin." Pirlo - who has a farewell testimonial planned at the San Siro later this month - also said he would be keen to once again work with his former manager Carlo Ancelotti. He said: "We talked about it recently with Carlo. We talked about the possibility of coaching together. "He was a special person who taught us so much on a human level, so I just want to thank him for that." Share your thoughts about this news story on Football Manics by signing up for FREE to the website, visiting the forum and joining the chat with fellow football fans.
Germany submits bid to host Euro 2024

The German Football Association (DFB) has submitted its bid to host the 2024 European Championship finals. UEFA confirmed in March 2017 that the tournament will be held in either Germany or Turkey. DFB president Reinhard Grindel handed over the association's bid documents to UEFA on Tuesday alongside bid ambassador and former Germany and Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm. The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) will submit its bid this week, with European football's governing body set to announce the host on 27 September. "I am certain that we will once again feel great enthusiasm and create a new spirit of solidarity at Euro 2024," said Lahm, who captained the World Cup 2014 winners and is a DFB bid ambassador. "We are building bridges between people of different nations, and are making an important contribution to bringing alive both the values of football and those of a modern civil society," added Grindel. Euro 2024 will return to a single-host format, after Euro 2020 will be held in 12 cities across Europe. Share your thoughts about this news story on Football Manics by signing up for FREE to the website, visiting the forum and joining the chat with fellow football fans.
Kyle Walker: 'England need miracle to win Russia World Cup'

Kyle Walker has claimed that England will need a “miracle” to win the World Cup in Russia this summer. The 27-year-old has been a key component of Manchester City's Premier League title-winning season following his summer arrival from Tottenham Hotspur In addition, Walker Gareth Southgate's men earn automatic qualification to the World Cup from Group F as the Lions went unbeaten. Walker was part of the disappointing exit to Iceland at Euro 2016 in France and says their inexperience on the world stage means both players and managers need to be realistic about their chances. "I hope we can go as far as we can go, but we need to be realistic," Walker told TalkSPORT. "To win the World Cup is going to be a miracle, but we have got the players to do it. A lot of us play in probably the best league in the world. "We've got the players to do it, but have we got the experience going further along in competitions? No, we haven't. Not in recent years. "We need to be realistic. There are a lot of good teams out there and our record in tournaments has not been fantastic. "We've had a lot of conversations inside the camp - England haven't won a knockout game for God knows how many years, so for us to go there and win a knockout game, that would be a step in the right direction." Share your thoughts about this news story on Football Manics by signing up for FREE to the website, visiting the forum and joining the chat with fellow football fans.
Joey Barton to take charge of Fleetwood Town

Joey Barton will take charge of League One club Fleetwood Town at the end of the season. The 35-year-old, who has played for the likes of Manchester City, Queens Park Rangers and Burnley, has penned a three-year deal and will officially take charge from June 2. Barton was expected to continue his playing career from the start of next season once his ban for breaching betting rules expired. However, Fleetwood have announced that the midfielder will succeed John Sheridan in the Highbury Stadium hotseat, giving him his first taste of management. Barton said: "I'm very excited by the challenge and the project at Fleetwood Town. It's a club I've known for a long time, and a chairman I already have a very good relationship with. "My first job in management was always going to be a big decision for me and I'm delighted with the opportunity ahead, I'm joining a club with big ambitions. I'm looking forward to getting started on June 2nd." Chairman Andy Pilley added: "This is a huge appointment for Fleetwood Town Football Club and one I'm very excited about. Joey not only brings a host of experience and profile, but I also feel he has the potential to become one of the best in the new generation of coaches. "He's someone I've known for a number of years and I'm convinced he's ready to make the step into management, and that he will be a huge success. Joey will be able to build-on the fantastic work done by John Sheridan during the last couple of months, one he deserves huge credit for. "John joined us on a short term arrangement with the aim of keeping us in League One and I'm delighted he's been able to do that. Today's news signals a new chapter for Fleetwood Town which starts on June 2nd, and one which we are all excited about." Share your thoughts about this news story on Football Manics by signing up for FREE to the website, visiting the forum and joining the chat with fellow football fans.
Neymar hopes to be back for Brazil at World Cup

Neymar has expressed his hopes of being fit for this summer's World Cup and says he will return to training from a broken foot in May. The Paris Saint-Germain and Brazil forward needed surgery on a broken metatarsal bone after being injured in a league game in February. Brazil play their World Cup opening fixture against Switzerland on 17 June, a month after his expected return. "I hope to get there in great shape," the 26-year-old told a news conference in Sao Paulo, where he has been receiving treatment. "I get my final examination on 17 May and then I'll be free to play, I had an examination last week, it is all perfect, evolving well, so I hope that continues so I can get back as soon as possible. "I am having treatment every day, and from the moment I start training I am going to work harder than I ever worked because this is a dream that's coming up. It's a World Cup. I've waited four years for this chance, it's close." Share your thoughts about this news story on Football Manics by signing up for FREE to the website, visiting the forum and joining the chat with fellow football fans.

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Featured Articles

11 players Gareth Southgate should consider for England World Cup squad

Kyle Bainbridge: Are matchday programmes the last bastion of the Beautiful Game?

James Robinson: Thank you, Chris Cohen, for your service to Nottingham Forest

Kyle Bainbridge: Should Wembley Stadium be sold to Fulham and Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan?

Arsene Wenger: A tribute to the Arsenal and Premier League icon

Sam Betts: Is Burnley boss Sean Dyche more worthy of the Premier League Manager of the Season award than Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola?

Chris Crook: VAR! What is it good for? Absolutely nothing!

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola: Fraudiola or world class?

Are Liverpool genuine Champions League contenders ahead of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Roma?

Who out of Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Southampton wants the FA Cup more?

Watford sign England Under-19s defender Ben Wilmot from Stevenage

Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino pens new deal

League One playoff final preview: Will Rotherham United or Shrewsbury Town make it into Championship?

James Collins and Patrice Evra to leave West Ham

Andres Iniesta joins Japanese side Vissel Kobe

Carlo Ancelotti to replace Maurizio Sarri as Napoli coach

West Ham co-owner David Gold pledges to give Manuel Pellegrini huge budget

Yaya Toure not rulling out potential Manchester United switch

Arsenal appoint Unai Emery as new manager

Lucien Favre appointed Borussia Dortmund head coach

West Ham appoint Manuel Pellegrini as manager

Santi Cazorla to leave Arsenal when upon contract expiry

Radja Nainggolan retires from Belgium duty following World Cup squad omission

Khaldoon Al Mubarak highlights importance of Manchester City summer recruitment

Jurgen Klinsmann unlikely to manage in Premier League

PSG president rules out Arsene Wenger backroom appointment

Jordan Henderson: 'I refused to leave Liverpool during Brendan Rodgers tenure'

General Football News

Julen Lopetegui extends Spain contract until 2020

Rival captains ask FIFA to allow Peru skipper Paolo Guerrero to compete at 2018 World Cup

Gareth Southgate names 23-man England squad for 2018 World Cup

Roberto Mancini appointed as Italy head coach

Andrea Pirlo eager to get into coaching and work with Italy national football team

Germany submits bid to host Euro 2024

Kyle Walker: 'England need miracle to win Russia World Cup'

Joey Barton to take charge of Fleetwood Town

Neymar hopes to be back for Brazil at World Cup

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League One playoff final preview: Will Rotherham United or Shrewsbury Town make it into Championship?

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Vote for FM's top European Championships legend 14 members have voted

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