Borussia Dortmund v Bayern Munich - Champions League final preview and team news
May 25, 2013 (13:55) [ Indexed from A Different League ]
The strength of the Bundesliga at the moment will be shown in full force as Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich descend on Wembley for the 2013 Champions League final.For Dortmund, it represents the first time they have reached the occasion since their sole success in the competition in 1997. In contrast, this is Bayerns third in the last four years and after their previous defeats to Inter Milan in 2010 and then more agonisingly on penalties to Chelsea on their home turf at the Allianz Arena last year, Jupp Heynckes side will be confide More...

Everton close in on Wigan's Martinez
May 25, 2013 (12:20) [ Indexed from A Different League ]
Everton are closing in on Wigan manager Roberto Martinez as they seek to replace Man United-bound David Moyes, reports the Mail Online.Martinez saw his Wigan side win the FA Cup just days before being relegated from the Premier League, and rumours have been swirling that the former Wigan player could be set to take the hotseat at Goodison Park this summer.Martinez had been due to give chairman Dave Whelan a decision earlier this week, but has requested more time to consider his next career move and is spending the More...

Lampard backs Terry to stay at Chelsea
May 25, 2013 (12:15) [ Indexed from A Different League ]
Frank Lampard has backed John Terry to commit his future to Chelsea, despite having lost his place as a first team regular at the club, reports the Mail Online.Lampard himself was the subject of much speculation surrounding his future before recently signing a one year contract extension at Stamford Bridge, and John Terry spoke out earlier this month about his uncertainty over whether or not the club would offer him a new deal when his contract expires next summer.Lampard, who recently broke Bobby Tamblings club More...

Aguero dismisses Madrid link, says he is happy at Man City
May 25, 2013 (11:55) [ Indexed from A Different League ]
Sergio Aguero has dismissed reports that he could be set to leave Man City, with Real Madrid interested in bringing him in according to The Mirror.Aguero is on Real Madrids hitlist, as they have made concerted efforts to bring the striker back to Spain. However, the 24-year-old has reassured City fans that he has no intentions of going anywhere.Aguero recently split with his wife, who has moved with their son from Manchester to Madrid, and Agueros future in the North West has since been cast in doubt. More...

Carragher backs Dortmund ahead of Champions League final
May 25, 2013 (11:45) [ Indexed from A Different League ]
Retiring Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has given Borussia Dortmund his backing ahead of the Champions League final at Wembley, stating that they are the underdogs " just as Liverpool themselves were when they won the trophy in 2005.Writing for the Daily Mail, Carragher admitted that while on paper the final could be seen as a one sided affair, he would refuse to write off Dortmunds chances.Liverpool faced AC Milan in Istanbul in 2005, and came back from a three goal deficit to clinch the trophy on a penalty sh More...

Liverpool to make a move for Porto winger Atsu
May 25, 2013 (11:35) [ Indexed from A Different League ]
Liverpool could be set to recruit cut-price winger Christian Atsu, reports The Mirror.The club have identified Atsu as a high priority signing in the summer, with Oussama Assaid looking set to leave the club he joined in the summer.Reports indicate that the Kop will also listen to offers for former Aston Villa and Middlesbrough midfielder Stewart Downing, who has struggled to find his feet at Anfield this season.The Mirror claims that Atsu has a release clause in his contract at Porto of More...

Cole warns Moyes he must win straight away to keep United fans happy
May 25, 2013 (11:30) [ Indexed from A Different League ]
Former Man United striker Andy Cole has warned incoming chief David Moyes that he must win silverware in his first season at Old Trafford if he is to keep the Red Devils fans happy, reports The Mirror.Cole does not believe the Everton boss will be given any grace when he takes over the reins at the club following Sir Alex Fergusons retirement, and also thinks that the pressure of maintaining Fergusons legendary legacy at the club will be a burden from day one.Cole also believes that title rivals Chelsea and Man More...

Beckham's MLS aspirations put on hold by Man City
May 25, 2013 (11:25) [ Indexed from A Different League ]
David Beckhams hopes of owning a franchise in the MLS have been put on hold by Man City, according to The Mirror.Becks, who recently announced his retirement from playing, had hoped to set up a club to compete in the MLS, with the league still falling short of their 20 team quota.However, Man City have now purchased New York City FC, and it is this club which will now take up the final slot next season.With New York Citys launch in partnership with baseball giants New York Yankees, leag More...

Chelsea stopper Cech backs Mourinho to repeat success
May 25, 2013 (11:25) [ Indexed from A Different League ]
The Mirror is reporting that Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has backed the clubs desire to bring back fan favourite Jose Mourinho in the summer, stating his belief that the Portuguese would be able to replicate the glory of his first reign if he were to take over at Stamford Bridge once again in the summer, as is expected.Mourinho won five trophies in during his first three year spell at Stamford Bridge, including two Premier League titles, and retiring Man United manager Sir Alex Ferguson also recently said that the Blues would once again More...

Real Madrid legend Zidane heaps praise on Spurs star Bale
May 25, 2013 (11:20) [ Indexed from A Different League ]
Zinedine Zidane has lavished praise on Tottenham star Gareth Bale, presumably in the hopes of trying to lure the Welsh Wizard to Real Madrid in the summer, according to The Mirror.The 23-year-old looks set to face a summer of speculation relating to his future, with several of Europes top clubs monitoring his situation at White Hart Lane.French legend Zidane, who achieved fan favourite status at the Bernabeu during a glittering five year stay at the Spanish outfit, says that Bale must be considered in the top thr More...

Arsenal set to smash wage structure to lure Man United's Rooney
May 25, 2013 (11:15) [ Indexed from A Different League ]
Arsene Wenger could be preparing to smash Arsenals wage structure in a bid to lure England striker Wayne Rooney to the Emirates, according to The Mirror.The striker has fallen out of favour at Man United, and question marks over his future were only increased when the club announced David Moyes as Sir Alex Fergusons successor.Moyes and Rooney have endured a turbulent relationship ever since the Scotsman gave Rooney his Premier League debut at the age of 16, though while the pair are said to have buried the hatch More...

UEFA impose strict racism sanctions
May 24, 2013 (14:45) [ Indexed from A Different League ]
European football governing body UEFA is starting to get tough on racism in football, ESPN has learned.UEFAs general secretary Gianni Infantino confirmed on Thursday that any players or officials that carry out any kind of racial abuse will be given a 10-match suspension, heavier than the sanctions the FA have given out in the past 18 months.Infantino said: An association should adopt the same or similar measures. UEFA has always acted in a way to try to convince people rather than impose. I dont think you meas More...

Osman pens new Everton contract
May 24, 2013 (14:40) [ Indexed from A Different League ]
Despite uncertainty on the identity of the next Everton manager, Leon Osman has signed a new contract to stay with the club.He penned the new deal on Friday, and it will keep the midfielder on Merseyside until 2015, the Daily Express confirms.Osman told Everton TV: I am delighted to have put my signature on another contract and secured another year at the club. I have been here since I left school, I am a player and a fan, I love coming to work every day and I am delighted thats going to continue. More...

Chelsea join Turan race
May 24, 2013 (14:40) [ Indexed from A Different League ]
The Daily Mail understands Chelsea have joined the race to lure the Turkish winger Arda Turan away from Atletico Madrid.The 26-year-old has had an excellent time in Spain, winning the Europa League last season and more recently, the Copa del Rey. He has scored nine times in all competitions for Atletico in 80 appearances, helping Diego Simeones side back into the Champions League for next season.However, Turan is unlikely to be allowed to leave, according to his former club Galatasaray and their president Unai Ay More...

Berlin to host 2015 Champions League final
May 24, 2013 (14:30) [ Indexed from A Different League ]
Sky Sports has revealed that Berlin and Warsaw will stage the two major European club competition finals in 2015, the Champions League and the Europa League.UEFA has announced that the German capital will stage the 2015 Champions League final on the eve of the all-German showpiece at Wembley tomorrow between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. Warsaws National Stadium will be the home for the 2015 Europa League final.Berlins Olympic Stadium was the iconic setting for the historic 1936 Olympic Games and also hel More...

Arsenal midfielder Frimpong undergoes knee surgery
May 24, 2013 (14:20) [ Indexed from A Different League ]
Luckless Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong has suffered another injury blow in his career, reports Sky Sports.The 21-year-old has undergone knee surgery, meaning he is out of action for two months and facing a race against time to be fully fit for next season. Frimpong was on loan at Fulham in the second half of the season, and picked up the injury in the Cottagers final Premier League game of the season at Swansea.The Ghanaian confirmed he had the surgery on his Twitter account, and took the opportunity to th More...

Klopp eyes Dortmund Champions League victory
May 24, 2013 (14:15) [ Indexed from A Different League ]
Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp is keeping his emotions in check ahead of the biggest game of his life.Klopp has guided Dortmund back to the summit of European football, with two Bundesliga titles in three years and a Champions League final appearance tomorrow night against Bayern Munich.However, he spoke to PUMA on the eve of the final and was staying composed about what was ahead of his young side.When asked about his feelings of being in the final, he said: To be honest, I have More...

Man City's Barry faces bleak England future
May 24, 2013 (14:15) [ Indexed from A Different League ]
32-year-old central midfielder Gareth Barry has officially been frozen out of a future in the international game. The Daily Star reports the Manchester City player will not be adding to his 53 caps for England, unless emergency cover is stipulated.Barry missed out on last summers European Championships through injury, while his last appearance for England was in a friendly win against Norway almost a year ago.Manager Roy Hodgson insists that in Steven Gerrard, Michael Carrick and Frank Lampard, he has plenty of c More...

Outgoing Man Utd chief executive Gill elected to UEFA committee
May 24, 2013 (14:10) [ Indexed from A Different League ]
David Gill will join UEFAs executive committee in his first main role since stepping down from his duties at Manchester United.Gill announced in February that he was relinquishing his role as chief executive at Old Trafford, going at the same time as manager Sir Alex Ferguson, with assistant manager Mike Phelan expected to be confirmed as leaving the club too later on Friday.The Daily Telegraph is saying Gill has won his place on the committee unopposed. The only other serious contender, Fernando Gomes from Portu More...

Man Utd Focus - Moyes heads into summer of intrigue at Old Trafford
May 24, 2013 (11:50) [ Indexed from A Different League ]
As David Moyes this week began unofficial life at Old Trafford, the new Manchester United manager will guide his new club into a summer of intense intrigue. The enormity of the task in hand will be the subject of great attention and discussion, as a number of story-lines will play out with Moyes at the forefront.The outgoing Everton boss pitched up to his new employers some 43 days before his contract is due to start, as what looks to be a seamless transition out of the Sir Alex Ferguson era kicks in. This was aptly illustrated by the imag More...