Milan legend Arrigo Sacchi is to receive the UEFA president s sward at Thursday s Champions League group stage draw.
The award, presented at the start of each season to recognise outstanding achievements that transcend the sport , was won by Milan defender Simon Kjaer and Denmark s medical team last year for their response to Christian Eriksen s cardiac arrest at Euro 2020.
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin hailed Sacchi, who will follow in the footsteps of previous Italian recipients Paolo Maldini, Gianni Rivera and Francesco Totti, for his endless tactical innovations which reshaped football.
Sacchi was credited with transforming the game by implementing a high-octane pressing style during a four-year spell as Milan coach between 1987 and 1991, winning one Se…
The Mirror understands that Manchester United are ready to offer David De Gea a contract for life.
The Spain international moved to Old Trafford from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2011 and he hes been long linked with a return to the Spanish capital with reigning La Liga and European champions Real big admirers.
He has eighteen months remaining on his current deal, with an option of a further year on the table though the Red Devils are keen to keep hold of his far beyond that.
The twenty-seven year old is closing in on three hundred appearances in all competitions for United and since moving to England he has helped them win the Premier League title, the FA Cup, the EFL Cup and the Europa League.
Internationally, he has been capped twenty-five tim…
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have rightly dominated the headlines for the past decade, leaving Andres Iniesta s sustained brilliance to go under the radar somewhat.
However, there is no question that the Spanish magician is the footballers footballer.
Much like Paul Scholes before him, his technique, vision and ability to dictate the pace of a game has been consistently recognised by some of the most high-profile names in the sport.
Following the news that the 33-year-old will leave Barcelona at the end of the season, with China his likely next destination to see out the final years of his career, we look at some of the glowing tributes paid to the imperious Iniesta during his time at the very top of the game.
Pep Guardiola
In…
Julen Lopetegui aims to build on the achievements of Vicente del Bosque after being named as the veteran coach s successor as Spain boss.
Del Bosque oversaw Spain s triumphant campaigns at the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012 but, after their shambolic defence of the world title in Brazil two years ago, his reign petered out with a last-16 exit at Euro 2016.
Stalwarts of this golden period, which also took in glory at Euro 2008 under Luis Aragones, are approaching the end of their international careers but former Porto coach Lopetegui was keen to preach evolution rather than revolution at a news conference shortly after his appointment was confirmed on Thursday.
We will try to take advantage of all the good he has done for Spanish football for many years, the 49-y…