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Kyle Bainbridge: England pride restored at 2018 World Cup

Kyle Bainbridge: England's World Cup win over Tunisia and VAR

Will England's defence be their downfall at the 2018 World Cup?

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!
Niko Kovac: 'Renato Sanches is unfreezing at Bayern Munich'
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General Football News
Rafael Benitez: 'I had chance to manage Spain during World Cup'

Rafael Benitez has admitted that he had the chance to manage Spain during the World Cup following Julen Lopetegui's departure, but insists he is happy to remain at Newcastle United. Lopetegui was sacked on the eve of the tournament after failing to give the Spanish FA adequate warning that he had agreed to take charge of Real Madrid after the World Cup. Sporting director Fernando Hierro replaced Lopetegui during the tournament, but could only lead Spain to a last-16 exit at the hands of hosts Russia. Hierro has since departed the Spanish FA, who have appointed former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique as the new manager. But, when asked if he was offered the opportunity to take charge of his country during the World Cup, Benitez said: "There was maybe a chance. "But still I am here and I am happy to be here. I still feel young so I have plenty of time to do that. "Spain I think are a very good team and they will be better in the future." 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.
Tim Cahill retires from Australia duty aged 38

Australia icon Tim Cahill has announced his retirement from international football aged 38. The former Everton forward became the first Australian to play at four consecutive World Cups when he came off the bench in the Socceroos' 2-0 defeat to Peru in the group stages of the competition. Cahill, who had a second spell with Millwall before being released when his short-term deal ended at the end of last season, retires as Australia's leading goalscorer with 50 goals from 107 appearances. "Today's the day I'm officially hanging up my boots on my international career with the Socceroos," he tweeted. "No words can describe what it has meant to represent my country. "A massive thank you to everyone for the support throughout all my years wearing the Australian badge. "I am incredibly proud to have had the opportunity to represent my country over 100 times. Every single cap has been an honour." 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.

Argentina part ways with coach Jorge Sampaoli

Argentina and manager Jorge Sampaoli have "mutually agreed" to terminate his contract in the wake of the team's disappointing 2018 World Cup campaign. The 2014 runners-up went out of the tournament courtesy of a 4-3 defeat by France at the last-16 stage. Sampaoli, 58, took charge of his home country in May 2017 and the team scraped through qualifying. The team only progressed from the group stages in Russia with an 86th-minute winner from Marcos Rojo against Nigeria. That came after Argentina drew their first game 1-1 with Iceland before a 3-0 defeat by eventual group winners Croatia. “The Argentine Football Association and the former national team coach, Jorge Sampaoli, have mutually agreed to the termination of their contract," the AFA said in a statement on Sunday. “Likewise, the physical trainer Jorge Desio and the video analyst Matias Manna have also left. “Next Tuesday it will be decided who will be in charge of the under-20 team in the COTIF L’Alcudia 2018 tournament. “The association thanks the professionals for their work with the team during their time.” 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 not shy over England selection decisions

Gareth Southgate has stressed that he will continue to make ruthless decisions to ensure England develop and evolve following their run to the World Cup semi-finals. The Three Lions returned home on Sunday after producing a memorable run to the final four for the first time since 1990. The preference for promise over experience worked well in Russia and Southgate will not start shying away from putting his faith in youth. "I think we've always found a balance of making the decisions that need to be made and looking at how we grow a group of players and a togetherness and spirit that will stand us in good stead," Southgate told Sky Sports. "We try and find that balance of an environment where people can improve and learn and get better and recognise at the time you have to make selection decisions as well." 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.
Didier Deschamps wants calm, confident France in World Cup final

Didier Deschamps has urged his France players to be calm, confident and keep their concentration in Sunday's World Cup final against Croatia in Moscow. Deschamps captained France to their sole World Cup success in 1998 and his side will be favourites when they face Croatia, making their first appearance in a World Cup final, at the Luzhniki Stadium. France lost in their last appearance in the World Cup final in 2006, while Deschamps' side also suffered defeat when tipped as favourites against Portugal in the Euro 2016 final. Deschamps said France are a very different team to the one that lost to Portugal in Paris two years ago but accepted they are inexperienced compared to the Croatians. "It's a huge pleasure and privilege to play in such a match, there's nothing more beautiful as a professional football player than to play in the World Cup final," he told Sky Sports. "We have prepared them as best we can. We must stay calm, we must have confidence and we must concentrate - these are the three words we've have been focusing on to get them ready for the final. "The 14 players I have integrated since the Euro final, they have only learned what playing a big tournament is all about here in Russia, so of course the experience is less but the quality is there. "Croatia has players with great club experience and their squad has been together for a long time but every team we've faced here has been more experienced. "There is no euphoria here, we are all satisfied because we have reached this point, and this is the biggest game of the year. 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.
2022 World Cup dates announced as Qatar tournament set to be played at end of year

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will be played between November 21 and December 18. However, the number of participating teams is still unconfirmed. The next edition of the tournament will switch to the winter months because of the summer climate in Qatar, and Infantino announced the exact dates. "The dates for the World Cup are set. It will played in Qatar from Nov. 21 to Dec. 18, 2022," he said. "The leagues are all aware and they will have to adapt their calendars as a consequence. "In the end it is the right decision. It cannot be played in June and July and in November and December the players are very well prepared because it is almost the beginning of the season." In recent months, Infantino has supported calls to add 16 more teams to the 2022 tournament, a plan that could make Qatar share hosting duties because it is building only eight stadiums. Infantino said Qatar can insist on keeping a 32-team format, though he is "pretty sure that all options will be on the table." "In the coming months, we will meet with them and adopt a decision. For the moment, it will be played with 32 teams and the distribution of spots will remain as they are," he said. "First we will discuss with the Qataris and then with the FIFA Council and stakeholders and decide calmly what the decision is. For the moment, we have a World Cup with 32 teams." 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.
Zlatko Dalic: 'Croatia better in all segments of the game against England'

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic has claimed that his side were better "in all segments of the game" as they beat England to reach the World Cup final for the first time. The Three Lions opened the scoring at the Luzhniki Stadium, but the Vatreni came from behind, saw the game out and will now face France in Sunday's showpiece finale. Ivan Perisic drew Croatia level and Mario Mandzukic secured a 2-1 extra-time win to propel the country into their first World Cup final. Asked for the reasons behind Croatia's comeback, Dalic said: "Because we were the better team in all segments of the game. "We did not underestimate them. We respected them because we analysed them. We knew what they were doing and where. "We played a high press on their backline. We closed down (John) Stones and (Jordan) Henderson. We nullified them. "We let the centre-halves play. (Luka) Modric and (Ivan) Rakitic pressed their backline and we had the ball possession. "During half-time, I told the players 'calmly pass the ball, do not lose your heads'. We showed that we were the better team in all segments of the game. "I think this was our best game. We played today better than against Argentina. "We were motivated and what I told these players before the game was 'there's no pressure, no nerves, don't lose your head - you've reached the semi-final, be proud and enjoy your football'. "And this is exactly what they did - they enjoyed their football." 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 praises young England side after World Cup semi-final run

Gareth Southgate has praised his overachieving England side after their World Cup came to an end in the semi-finals at hands of Croatia. Kieran Trippier fired England into a fifth-minute lead but Ivan Perisic forced extra-time, where Mario Mandzukic won the match for the Vatreni. "At the moment we all feel the pain of the defeat," England manager Southgate told FIFA.com. "Did we expect to be in this position? I don't think realistically any of us did. "But when you've got to this point and you've played in the way we have and played as well as we have in the first half you want to take those opportunities in life. "The dressing room is a very difficult place at the moment. But what I will say is I'm remarkably proud of a group of players who have really advanced. "I think the reaction of the supporters to them, compared to two years ago, tells them that, first and foremost, that experiences with England can be positive, the country are very proud of them and the way that they've played and there will in time be a lot of positives to take." 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.
Former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique appointed as Spain head coach

Former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique has been appointed as Spain's new head coach on a two-year deal. The president of Spain's football federation Luis Rubiales revealed in a press conference on Monday that the decision to hire Enrique was unanimous, saying the 48-year-old met all of the criteria. Julen Lopetegui was sacked on the eve of the World Cup after agreeing a deal to become Real Madrid's next boss, leaving former sporting director Fernando Hierro to take interim charge of the side. Hierro stepped down from his post as caretaker boss on Sunday after Spain's early elimination from the World Cup, losing to hosts Russia on penalties in the last-16. Enrique, who previously managed Roma and Celta Vigo, won two La Liga titles, three Copa del Rey trophies and one Champions League during his three-year spell in charge of Barcelona. Spain’s newly-installed sporting director, Jose Francisco Molina, said: “We need a successful coach, who’s modern and who knows the game style but can make small adjustments. "We can’t swipe everything clean, with regards to all the work carried out.” 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

Kyle Bainbridge: England pride restored at 2018 World Cup

Kyle Bainbridge: England's World Cup win over Tunisia and VAR

Will England's defence be their downfall at the 2018 World Cup?

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!

Niko Kovac: 'Renato Sanches is unfreezing at Bayern Munich'

Joe Hart keen to secure permanent move from Manchester City

Jurgen Klopp defends Liverpool transfer spending

Naby Keita: 'Liverpool can compete for Premier League title'

Pep Guardiola: 'Leroy Sane must forget Germany World Cup omission'

Leicester City sign Liverpool, Wales goalkeeper Danny Ward

Neymar: 'I am staying at Paris Saint-Germain'

Liverpool complete signing of Roma, Brazil goalkeeper Alisson Becker

Zlatan Ibrahimovic: 'Paul Pogba has answered critics'

Jurgen Klopp: 'Liverpool players will not fear new arrivals'

Lorenzo Insigne: 'Cristiano Ronaldo cannot win Juventus games all by himself'

Wayne Rooney: 'I did not want to be dead weight at Everton'

Brighton & Hove Albion sign Mali midfielder Yves Bissouma from Lille

Roberto Martinez: 'Eden Hazard should consider leaving Chelsea'

Toby Alderweireld: 'Spurs omission unjustified'

Jose Mourinho confirms World Cup player absence for start of Manchester United season

West Ham complete club record signing of Lazio midfielder Felipe Anderson

General Football News

Rafael Benitez: 'I had chance to manage Spain during World Cup'

Tim Cahill retires from Australia duty aged 38

Argentina part ways with coach Jorge Sampaoli

Gareth Southgate not shy over England selection decisions

Didier Deschamps wants calm, confident France in World Cup final

2022 World Cup dates announced as Qatar tournament set to be played at end of year

Zlatko Dalic: 'Croatia better in all segments of the game against England'

Gareth Southgate praises young England side after World Cup semi-final run

Former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique appointed as Spain head coach

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Kyle Bainbridge: England pride restored at 2018 World Cup

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Vote for FM's top European Championships legend 15 members have voted

1. Which of the six selected players do you feel is the ultimate European Championship legend?

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