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‘I don’t give a f*** for the physical condition,’ says Pep Guardiola after late collapse

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Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola swore in his post-match media briefing after watching his side throw away a two-goal lead against Juventus in the Champions League.

The Bavarian giants stormed ahead through goals from Thomas Muller and Arjen Robben but appeared tired in the second half and allowed Paulo Dybala and substitute Stefano Sturaro to level the arrears in Turin.

Bayern still have an away-goal advantage ahead of the round-of-16 second-leg in Munich, but Guardiola was clearly frustrated despite staunchly defending his players during his post-match media commitments. 

“The result is what it is,” said Guardiola, who has agreed to replace Manuel Pellegrini at Manchester City in the summer. “I know that in Italy you are about physical condition. I don’t give a f*** for the physical condition. It’s the mental question that I care about.

“I didn’t expect to come here and expect Juve not to shoot on target, or that we would play 90 fantastic minutes. They have players like [Mario] Mandzukic, [Paul] Pogba and [Leonardo] Bonucci, one of my all-time favourite players. And we showed character.”

The Spaniard, who still awaits his first European triumph with Bayern, also suggested he may one day manage in Italy if one of the country’s leading clubs show an interest.

“Will it be enough to go through? I don’t know. I would like to sit here after a win but the result is what it is. I am very happy with how I did. It is probably the evening that I am the most pleased as coach in my career. Maybe one day I will work in Italy. If they want me.”

source: www.independent.co.uk

Antonio Conte to Chelsea: Roman Abramovich closes in on Italy coach

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Antonio Conte is closing in on becoming Jose Mourinho’s permanent successor at Chelsea, with the Italy coach confident that he has seen off rivals Diego Simeone and Massimiliano Allegri to take charge at Stamford Bridge.

Although reports in Italy on Monday which suggested that the 46-year-old had agreed a deal in principle to become Chelsea manager are understood to be premature, the former Juventus coach is now the favoured candidate in the eyes of owner Roman Abramovich.

The Independent revealed last December that Conte had become the leading candidate to replace Mourinho in the event of the Portuguese being sacked by the club as a result of this season’s disastrous first half of the campaign. And although Guus Hiddink returned to Stamford Bridge as interim manager in the wake of Mourinho’s dismissal two months ago, the Dutchman is not a contender to take the job permanently, despite his success in reviving the team’s fortunes since his appointment.

Conte’s success with Juventus, who he guided to three successive Serie A titles before becoming Italy coach following the 2014 World Cup, has convinced Abramovich that the Italian is capable of restoring Chelsea to the top four next season and overseeing a title challenge.

With his contract with Italy due to expire at the end of Euro 2016, Conte has made no secret of his desire to work in the Premier League and he has already started to learn English in order to enhance his prospects of achieving success in this country.

Abramovich had been prepared to mount a charm offensive to lure Pep Guardiola from Bayern Munich following Mourinho’s departure, but with the former Barcelona coach now committed to a three-year contract at Manchester City from this summer, the Russian has turned to Conte ahead of Simeone, Allegri and former Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli.

Atletico Madrid coach Simeone had been the long-term frontrunner, but the Argentine is likely to remain in Spain for another year at least, while Sampaoli’s lack of top-level experience in Europe has counted against his prospects.

And although Allegri has become a sought-after coach with him having extended the success started by Conte at Juventus, the Italian champions are confident that the former Milan coach will commit to a new deal  in Turin.

Giuseppe Marotta, the Juventus sporting director, said: “The conditions for Allegri’s contract renewal are all there. The cycle has just started with him and I believe we can continue with him. On top of that, finding a club better than Juventus isn’t easy. I think that he can still get great pleasure from this team, thus there is no Allegri problem.”

source: www.independent.co.uk

Michael O’Neill: NI manager set for new four-year contract

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Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill has agreed terms for a lucrative new four-year contract after his side reached the Euro 2016 finals.

The Irish FA deal is said to be worth £500,000 a year, the Belfast Telegraphnewspaper reported on Tuesday.

That would make 46-year-old O’Neill the highest-paid manager in Northern Ireland’s history.

In June, Northern Ireland will play in the final stages of a major tournament for the first time since 1986.

Last October, O’Neill told BBC Sport his preference was for a four-year deal, rather than the IFA’s usual two-year policy.

A well-placed source told BBC Sport Northern Ireland that O’Neill’s contract extension is “now effectively a done deal”.

The contract extension, which will begin after Euro 2016, will include a release clause which would allow see the IFA being entitled to compensation if O’Neill was to be lured into club management.

source: www.bbc.co.uk

Steve Smith to become Australia Test captain at end of Ashes

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Steve Smith will become Australia’s Test captain after the Ashes following Michael Clarke’s decision to retire at the end of the series. Smith, 26, already leads the one-day side and will also captain the Twenty20 team in the absence of the injured Aaron Finch. Fellow batsman David Warner, 28, has been named as Smith’s vice-captain. “At 26, Steve is a fine young man with extraordinary talent,” said national selector Rod Marsh.

“He is highly regarded by the selectors and we congratulate him on being appointed to the role on an ongoing basis. He should be incredibly proud.” Clarke, 34, confirmed his decision to retire after his side surrendered the Ashes with a heavy defeat by England at Trent Bridge, which gave the hosts a 3-1 lead. Smith had already captained the side in three Tests against India last summer, when Clarke was recovering from hamstring surgery and back issues.

The New South Welshman has played in 32 Tests for his country, scoring 2,952 runs at an average of 54.66. “When Michael made his decision to retire last week it was a very straightforward decision for us to nominate Steve as his successor,” added Marsh. “He has big shoes to fill but everything about him suggests he is the right man for the job.” Warner has earned the vice-captain’s role despite a history ofdisciplinary problems, and Marsh said of the opener: “David has matured and developed into an important senior figure in the Australian team. He has come a long way.

“We believe that he will respond well to the added responsibility of leadership.”

Smith and Warner will lead Australia in the limited-overs matches that follow the final Ashes Test at the Oval, which starts on 20 August.

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Scottish bid to host 2019 Solheim Cup at Gleneagles

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Last year’s Ryder Cup venue Gleneagles could host the 2019 Solheim Cup after a bid was submitted to bring the tournament back to Scotland. The biennial women’s match play event between Europe and United States was last held in Scotland in 2000. “We would be truly honoured to welcome the Solheim Cup to Gleneagles,” said Gleneagles managing director Bernard Murphy. This year’s tournament takes place from 18-20 September in Germany. Europe are the current holders, claiming their fifth win to United States’ eight in Colorado in 2013.

American Juli Inkster and Swede Carin Koch are this year’s Solheim Cup team captains. Scotland’s top female golfer Catriona Matthew has played in seven Solheim Cups and described the tournament as “a special event, which is growing in profile and stature with each passing staging”. “I have no doubt that a Solheim Cup in 2019 at Gleneagles would be the biggest and best yet and further help to enhance the stature of the event and women’s golf as a whole,” she added.

“Golf in Scotland is a national past-time and the Scottish crowds would come out to support The Solheim Cup in droves. Equally, both players and media love coming to golf events in Scotland. “It is the Home of Golf and there is always that something extra every time you tee it up in a competition here.”
The bid is being led by VisitScotland in conjunction with the Scottish government. “Last year Scotland showed what it can do on the world-stage when it not only held, but significantly enhanced, some of the biggest events in the world of sport,” said Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon.

“The 2014 Ryder Cup was a magnificent spectacle and will be remembered for many years to come, while the XX Commonwealth Games was another huge success story for our country. We want to do the same thing with The Solheim Cup in 2019. “Scotland is now renowned as a world-class tourism and events destination. “Not only would hosting the Solheim Cup in Scotland, the Home of Golf, provide a huge boost to the profile of this fantastic event, it would continue to promote equality across the game and show that golf in Scotland, where it began, is a sport for all after the successful hosting of the Ryder Cup.”

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Formula 1: Ferrari rumours are disturbing – Valtteri Bottas

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Valtteri Bottas says speculation about a move to Ferrari is “disturbing” as he looks to focus on winning his first grand prix with Williams. The 25-year-old has been linked with replacing Kimi Raikkonen at the Italian team from 2016 onwards.

However, Bottas – in his third season at Williams – says he is thinking only about helping his current team challenge for victories. “Once you’re in the car you don’t think about any speculation,” he said.

Jump media playerMedia player helpOut of media player. Press enter to return or tab to continue. Flying start from Williams to overtake Mercedes “There is nothing in your mind other than driving, but out of the car of course it is disturbing when there are some rumours.” Mercedes have been in dominant form through the first half of 2015. Reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton has won five of the 10 races so far, with his team-mate Nico Rosberg winning three.

However, Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel picked up his second win of the year in Hungary last time out, giving Bottas the belief that Mercedes can be toppled. “Mercedes are really strong at the moment but Ferrari showed in Budapest that it is possible to beat them,” he said. “Never say never, we are still aiming to win races. They have a really quick car but anything can happen in motorsport.

“We need to believe in it and take every opportunity – it could be there this season.”

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

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Rory McIlroy ‘100% ready’ for US PGA title defence

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World number one Rory McIlroy says he has recovered from injury and is ready to defend his US PGA Championship title this week. The 26-year-old suffered a “total rupture” of ligaments in his left ankle in July while playing football.

He then missed The Open, but will play the last major of the year, at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin. The Northern Irishman said: “To play golf, it’s 100%. To go back on a soccer pitch, it wouldn’t be quite ready.”

McIlroy played practice rounds at Whistling Straits over the weekend and completed nine holes in the rain on Monday. “To do what I need to do this week, it’s 100%,” he added. “If felt fine. I’ve come a long way in five weeks.”

Tee times were released on Friday with McIlroy grouped with the winners of this year’s majors, Jordan Spieth and Zach Johnson.

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Mouritz Botha: Newcastle Falcons sign former Saracens lock

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Premiership side Newcastle Falcons have signed former England second-row Mouritz Botha on a three-year deal. The 33-year-old joins from Super 15 side the Sharks, who he moved to in January after five years at Saracens.

South Africa-born Botha, who won 10 England caps between 2011 and 2012, moved to Sarries after being spotted at National League One side Bedford Blues. “Newcastle are in a position to make a real impact on the Premiership this year,” he said.

“I am looking to help them rise up the table and push for a place in Europe.”

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Man Utd: David De Gea is surprised at being left out

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David De Gea is surprised at being left out of Manchester United’s team for the first two games of the season. Contrary to Louis van Gaal’s comments, sources close to De Gea say he never expressed a desire not to play.

De Gea has been training with United’s reserve team and will not be considered for selection by manager Van Gaal until the transfer window closes.

De Gea, 24, is wanted by Real Madrid. United are demanding a world record fee and defender Sergio Ramos in exchange.

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Davis Cup: Andy Murray wins to wrap up GB victory over USA

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Andy Murray sealed a Davis Cup quarter-final place for Great Britain with a straight-sets win over American John Isner in Glasgow.

He saved three set points in the first set and won 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 7-6 (7-4) to give Britain an unassailable 3-1 lead in the World Group first-round tie.

Britain will next play France at home in July, with the venue to be decided.

“It feels great. This is a team effort and I think everyone agrees the team played their part,” said the Scot.

Murray, 27, who returned to play in Scotland this week for the first time in four years, looked edgy in the early stages against Isner but was clinical when it counted.

“On behalf of all of the players I want to thank the crowd because it’s been one of the most special atmospheres I’ve ever played in,” he added.

Murray had been a heavy favourite to finish the job for Britain against a player who had suffered a “brutal” five-set defeat by James Ward on Friday.

It is the second year running that Britain have beaten the United States, and Isner said: “This one’s on me.

“My team-mates may say otherwise but when you look at this match-up on paper, my loss on Friday put us in a huge hole.

“It’s so, so disappointing for me. I feel like I let us down this week. It’s a terrible feeling.”

Isner began the better, however, earning seven break points – three of them set points – before Murray finally fashioned his first after 86 minutes.

A double fault from Isner at the start of the tie-break proved the decisive moment in the first set, but he had already wasted two inviting forehands on set points.

Murray’s previously shaky serve found its range as he closed out the set efficiently, much to the relief of most of the 7,700 spectators.

It seemed inevitable that Isner’s challenge would fade after his exertions of 48 hours earlier but it took a moment of brilliance from Murray to get the better of his huge serve.

After some loose Isner forehands offered the Briton his first break point of the day, Murray sent up a brilliant lob that had the 6ft 10in American scrambling in vain.

While Isner was predictably leading the ace count, it was the steadily rising number of unforced errors that was now more significant as Murray saw out the set and pushed hard early in the third.

Isner served his way out of a seemingly desperate situation at 0-40 and got within two points of the set at 5-4, 0-30, but Murray snuffed out the danger.

Another early break in the tie-break helped the Scot to a 6-2 lead and he converted his third match point with an ace, drawing a deafening roar from the home crowd.

Asked about the prospect of facing France at home the week after Wimbledon, Murray said: “I would imagine we’d try to play that on a grass court possibly.

“I don’t know how many grass courts they have here in Glasgow but if they can lay one, I’d really love to play here again.”

Ward played the final dead rubber against Donald Young but retired after winning the first set to protect a sore knee, as he will fly to Indian Wells with Murray on Monday, so the tie ended in a 3-2 win for Britain.

source: www.bbc.o.uk