Martin proud to defy expectations as Saints march back to Premier League

Martin proud to defy expectations as Saints march back to Premier League

Southampton manager Russell Martin admitted he was proud to defy the low expectations that greeted his appointment by leading his club back to the Premier League on Sunday. Adam Armstrong's clinical first half strike sealed a 1-0 win against Leeds in the Championship play-off final at Wembley. The Saints' return to the Premier League after their one-year exile following last season's relegation is a major feather in Martin's […]

May 27, 2024 4

Sport

Japan drop goalkeeper Suzuki for World Cup qualifiers

Goalkeeper Zion Suzuki was dropped from Japan's squad Friday as coach Hajime Moriyasu made his selections for next month's World Cup qualifiers against Myanmar and Syria. The inexperienced Suzuki was Moriyasu's first-choice goalkeeper at the Asian Cup in Qatar this year but he made a series of errors before Japan went out in the quarter-finals. The 21-year-old, whose father is Ghanaian and mother Japanese, was also racially abused online […]

May 24, 2024 7

Sport

Atalanta’s Gasperini glad to end Italy’s 25-year Europa League drought

Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini is proud of bringing the Europa League trophy to Italy after 25 "cursed" years, the coach said after his side's emphatic 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the final. Ademola Lookman's stunning hat-trick helped Atalanta secure a second major trophy in their 117-year history in the final in Dublin on Wednesday. They became the first Italian club to win the competition since Parma in […]

May 23, 2024 13

Namibia

Nyambe to miss World Cup qualifiers, Cosafa Cup due to injury

International footballer Ryan Nyambe, who plays for League One outfit Derby County in the United Kingdom, will not be available for the Brave Warriors squad for the World Cup qualifiers or Cosafa Cup as he is undergoing rehabilitation. Brave Warriors coach Collin Benjamin called up a 52-man squad earlier this month to prepare for the World Cup qualifiers against Liberia and Tunisia on 05 and 09 June 2024, […]

May 23, 2024 22

Sport

Eddie Howe blasts Chelsea sacking of Pochettino

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has blasted Chelsea's ruthless sacking of Mauricio Pochettino as "harsh" and a "sad" moment for the English Premier League. The Argentine was axed this week after just a year in charge despite steering Chelsea to a sixth-place finish and Europe next season – three points clear of Newcastle in seventh. "Very surprised," Howe said in Melbourne after winning a post-season friendly against Pochettino's former club […]

May 23, 2024 12

Sport

Kane fit for Euro2024

England captain Harry Kane has recovered from a back injury and is looking forward to the upcoming European Championship, manager Gareth Southgate said on Tuesday. Bayern Munich striker Kane missed his side's final two Bundesliga games with back issues he has been dealing with since before their Champions League semifinal loss to Real Madrid a fortnight ago. However, England manager Southgate included the 30-year-old striker in his provisional squad […]

May 22, 2024 5

Sport

Kroos to retire after EURO2024

Germany's Toni Kroos, 34, will retire after this year's European Championship, the Real Madrid midfielder announced on Tuesday, adding that next month's Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund will be his last game for the Spanish club. "My career as an active footballer will end this summer after the Euro championship. As I have always said: Real Madrid is and will be my last club," Kroos said in a […]

May 22, 2024 12

Sport

Man City’s Guardiola named Premier League Manager of the Year

Pep Guardiola was named Premier League Manager of the Year on Tuesday after guiding Manchester City to an unprecedented fourth successive title. The Spanish coach has previously won the award four times since he joined the club in 2016. With six league titles, he is now the joint second-most successful coach in the history of English football. "This award reflects the hard work and excellence of the people at […]

May 22, 2024 6

Sport

Pochettino leaves Chelsea by mutual consent

Mauricio Pochettino has left his job as Chelsea manager by mutual consent, the Premier League club announced on Tuesday, ending the Argentine's reign at the club after one season despite a late revival in their fortunes. Pochettino joined Chelsea ahead of the 2023-24 campaign when he replaced interim manager Frank Lampard as the club's new owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital looked to freshen things up after a 12th-placedfinish […]

May 22, 2024 6