´Why not?´ – Former Spain captain Boquete tips Wiegman to succeed Southgate

Sarina Wiegman is an outstanding coach and could succeed Gareth Southgate as manager of the England men s national team, says former Spain captain Veronica Boquete.

With reports suggesting Southgate may depart after he leads the Three Lions to his fourth major tournament at Euro 2024, various coaches have been touted as potential successors.

Manchester City s Pep Guardiola is a reported target for the Football Association, but Wiegman s name has also been mentioned after she led the Lionesses to Euro 2022 glory last year.

Wiegman was denied another trophy as England were beaten by Spain in last month s Women s World Cup final, but Boquete remains convinced by her work with the Lionesses.

The 36-year-old midfielder – who captained her country at the 20…

Carvajal furious at missing Euro 2016

Dani Carvajal was left furious at the news that he will miss Euro 2016 as a result of an injury picked up in the Champions League final.

The 24-year-old sustained a muscle injury in Real Madrid s clash with Atletico Madrid at San Siro and has been replaced by Hector Bellerin in Vicente del Bosque s Spain squad.

And the full-back admits that it feels as though his hard work to force his way into the national team reckoning has all been for nothing.

After the last call-up when I was left out, I worked a lot to be on the preliminary list, and now look. I ve got a lot of suppressed anger, he told Cadena COPE s El Partido de las 12.

You fight for two years to try to be in the group and I ve been let down by bad luck.

I spent two weeks with a little …

Philadelphia Union v New York Red Bulls: Schwarz expecting tough encounter against the Union despite

New York Red Bulls head coach Sandro Schwarz believes his side must improve against a ‘tough’ Philadelphia Union side ahead of their encounter at Subaru Park.

The Red Bulls maintained their four-match unbeaten run with a 2-2 draw against DC United last time out, aided by Cristian Dajome’s early dismissal for the visitors.

Schwarz’s side sit fifth in the Eastern Conference and are among a cluster of teams tightly packed in the middle of the division, with every victory important at the halfway stage of the season.

The Red Bulls head coach praised his side’s mentality to gain a point against the Black and Red’s last time out but expects a difficult match against the Union.

“I think what we have to improve, especially with our ball position is …

David Moyes ready for ‘biggest moment’ of career in first European final

David Moyes admitted it was “surreal” to walk out at the Eden Arena in Prague preparing for his first European final, the “biggest moment” of his career.

Moyes’ West Ham face Italian side Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final in the Czech capital on Wednesday night.

The 60-year-old, who began his managerial career with Preston in 1998, is yet to lift a major piece of silverware, the Community Shield with Manchester United in 2013 notwithstanding.

Moyes is looking to become the first British manager since Sir Alex Ferguson, the man he replaced at the then champions, to lift a trophy, and join the former United boss in the pantheon of great Scottish managers in the English game.

Moyes, who has attended plenty of European finals in his r…

Blatter offers ´unconditional´ backing to Russia 2018

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has offered his unconditional support to Russia s hosting of the 2018 World Cup.

Recent reports suggested some European nations would consider boycotting the tournament due to the conflict in neighbouring Ukraine.

However, Blatter warned against such action on Tuesday, claiming that nothing good would come of it and comparing the situation to Russia s hosting of the 2014 Winter Olympics.

FIFA unconditionally supports the staging of the World Cup by Russia, he said. A boycott will never give any positive effect. We trust the country, its government.

Russia is the world s biggest country. You know, Russia is in the eye of the international media. Football cannot only unite Russia but show the whole world that it is stronger tha…

Dykes ruled out of Euro 2024 for Scotland

Scotland striker Lyndon Dykes has been ruled out of Euro 2024 after picking up an injury in training on Friday.

While preparing for their upcoming friendly against Gibraltar, Dykes left the training pitch on a stretcher with an apparent knee injury.

On Saturday, Scotland confirmed that the 28-year-old will miss the tournament, though the injury has not been specified.

Dykes has scored nine goals for Scotland in 36 appearances, and played in all eight of their Euro 2024 qualifiers, scoring once.

Steve Clarke s side will begin the tournament against hosts Germany in the opening match on June 14.

Following an injury in training yesterday, Lyndon Dykes has been ruled out of the squad for UEFA EURO 2024.

We’re gutted for you, Lyndon, but know…

Wayne Rooney rules out England return for 2018 World Cup

Wayne Rooney has no intention to come out of international retirement to try and help England at the 2018 World Cup should they qualify.

England s record goalscorer called time on his career with the national team in August after falling out of favour with Gareth Southgate due to a lack of playing time at Manchester United.

Two goals in his first two matches for Everton this season had led to calls for a recall, but Rooney retired before Southgate named his squad to play Malta and Slovakia.

And the 31-year-old insists there will be no come back to help England in Russia next year, the striker believing it is time for the next generation to take the team forward.

My mind is made up, Rooney, who was charged with drink driving on Friday, told talkSPORT. I h…

Prediction: Spain vs Georgia

Best odds: 6/4

Bookmaker:

After navigating contrasting paths in the group stage, Spain and the Euro 2024 underdogs Georgia will clash in a last-16 matchup in Cologne on Sunday evening.

Spain topped Group B with an unblemished record, showcasing their strength by winning all their matches. In contrast, Georgia pulled off a remarkable upset to defeat Portugal, securing their spot in the knockout stage. The two sides now compete for a coveted place in the quarterfinals.

Spain

Securing victories in all three group games of a European Championship for the first time since their era of dominance began in 2008, Spain comfortably advanced to the knockout stages of Euro 2024. With top spot in Group B already assured, Luis de la Fuente took the opportunity to rot…

Spain 3-3 Brazil: Paqueta snatches a draw as Endrick scores again for Selecao

Lucas Paqueta scored a last-gasp penalty as Brazil twice came from behind to draw 3-3 with Spain in a thrilling friendly at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Paqueta converted with one of the last kicks of the game, less than 10 minutes after Rodri thought he had grabbed the winner for Spain in their first meeting with Brazil for 11 years.

Rodri had opened the scoring from the spot before Dani Olmo s strike doubled Spain s advantage.

Rodrygo issued an immediate response to halve the deficit and Brazil wonderboy Endrick scored for the second game running to level the score, paving the way for the late drama.

Having missed an early opportunity when he failed to test Brazil goalkeeper Bento, Lamine Yamal was at the heart of Spain s opener when, in the 11th minute, he w…

Prediction: VfL Bochum vs Fortuna Dusseldorf

Best odds: 4/6

Bookmaker:

VfL Bochum will play host to Fortuna Dusseldorf at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion in the first leg of the Bundesliga relegation play-off on Thursday night.

The hosts are aiming to retain their top-flight status for next season, while the visitors aspire to return to Germany s top tier for the first time in five years.

VfL Bochum

Bochum s three-year stay in the Bundesliga is at risk after slipping into the bottom three on the final day of the regular season, following a heavy 4-1 defeat at Werder Bremen last weekend.

The Blues started the day in 14th place, one point clear of the danger zone, but defeats coupled with victories for Union Berlin and Mainz 05 relegated them to the playoff spot for the first time since 2011.

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