Beckenbauer backs Germany for Euro glory

Paris Saint-Germain have confirmed the appointment of Unai Emery as their new head coach.

Emery has been hired on a two-year deal, which can be extended to three, to replace Laurent Blanc, who paid the price for an inability to get beyond the Champions League quarter-finals in any of his three seasons in charge.

Former Sevilla coach Emery has bags of continental pedigree though, having won the Europa League in each of his three full seasons in charge at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

It is with great pride that I agreed to become the Paris-Saint Germain coach, Emery told the club s official website.

The club has become one of the biggest in Europe over the past few seasons and I am both happy and honoured to be able to help realise its great ambitions.

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The agent of Schalke defender Kyriakos Papadopoulos has confirmed reports linking his client with a number of top European clubs.

The 20-year-old has largely impressed playing for the Miners last season and he further established his reputation as one of the hottest prospects in Europe with rock-solid showings for Greece at the European Championship.

The talented defender was recently linked with a host of Europe’s top clubs and his representative now confirms the speculation.

“It is clear that he arouses interest,” agent Paul Koutsoliakos was in Bild.

“Papa is an exceptional player for his age. There are requests from various clubs.”

The Greek international, however, has a contract until June 2015 at Veltins Arena, and Koutsoliakos ex…

Neymar has promised he is happy at Paris Saint-Germain and eager to make a big impact in the Champions League knockout rounds.

The Brazil international openly admitted in October that he had wanted to leave the Parc des Princes, just two years after arriving from Barcelona in a record transfer.

PSG supporters booed Neymar earlier in the season, but he has started to make amends by scoring seven times in 10 appearances since returning from injury.

And after playing a starring role in Wednesday s 5-0 win over Galatasaray, Neymar insisted his full focus is on the French champions.

I m happy in Paris, he told RMC Sport. I m happy when I play football.

Que Deus nos abençoe e nos proteja 

— Neymar Jr (@neymarjr)

What I like best …

Jurgen Klopp saluted his players after adding the Premier League Manager of the Month award to the long-term Liverpool contract extension he signed on Friday.

The German claimed the prize for the third time this term in a quick reminder of why the Reds handed him a deal running through to 2024.

Klopp guided the European champions to four successive victories in November, including a crucial 3-1 win over title rivals Manchester City.

Liverpool sit eight points clear of second-placed Leicester City after 16 matches, with champions City 14 points behind the leaders.

It feels really good, Klopp said. But I don t take it personally. My players are responsible for that, obviously, because they have so far played an outstanding season.

 points clear …

Image Courtesy: inusanews.com

Mexico stretch their unbeaten run to 20 games in the Copa America 2016 Group C match at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Arizona on Sunday.

It need only four minutes for El Tri to take the lead. A delicious cross from Andres Guardado from the left was directed into his own net by Alvaro Pereira, but that’s really harsh on him. Had he not turned the ball past his own goalkeeper, Hector Herrera, who was vying to make contact, certainly would have.

Uruguay were reduced to 10 men before the break when midfielder Matias Vecino picked up his second booking for a rash tackle. Oscar Tabarez s men fought back brilliantly after the break and restored parity through their skipper Diego Godin.

Prior to the goal, Mexico found the…

Notts County have parted company with manager Shaun Derry after Saturday s 4-1 defeat at MK Dons left them on the brink of the League One relegation zone.

Derry took over at Meadow Lane in November 2013 and steered County to survival last term despite the team being bottom of the league when he joined.

However, County have won just two of their past 13 league matches and have taken only one point point from the last four.

That has left the club outside the bottom four on goal difference, with the hunt for a new boss now taking precedent. 

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Andreas Christensen is expected to miss the final Clasico of the season after Barcelona confirmed he sustained a calf injury on international duty.

The centre-back started Denmark s opening Euro 2024 qualifier against Finland on Thursday but lasted only 18 minutes before being forced off.

Barcelona revealed it to be a problem with his left calf on Saturday following widespread media reports of him facing a period on the sidelines.

While the club have not given a timeframe for Christensen s return, simply saying he is unavailable for selection and his recovery will determine his return , they are reportedly expecting him to be out for up to a month.

MEDICAL NEWS | Tests carried out on Saturday on the first team player Andreas Christensen have shown that he…

Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo is confident that the Red Devils will win the Premier League title this season.

The Portuguese ace was named Fifa’s World Player of the Year last night.

What my team has done already is the pinnacle of my career and there is more to come, said Ronaldo.

We have already proved we are one of the best in the world and we are moving into position to defend what we have.

In the Premier League we are in a good position and while we respect our opponents I believe we are going to win it.

In the Champions League the level of performance is outstanding. Barcelona are playing great football and I like them. What they do in Spain is impressive. I am happy for Barcelona, but we want to stay No.1.…

Tuesday s Champions League quarter-final first leg between Juventus and Real Madrid pits two of Europe s most in-form elite forwards against one another.

Both Paulo Dybala and Cristiano Ronaldo have had to battle through some tricky patches this season, but now look close to their best ahead of the match in Turin.

Who is most likely to be the hero? With the help of Opta, we preview a fascinating showdown

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored in his last nine games, equalling Ruud van Nistelrooy s record. 

Will he become the first to reach double figures at Juventus on Tuesday?  

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague)

WRETCHED RUNS IN THE PAST

Each of these forwards has had to overcome criticism this season to get back to the sta…

Juventus legend Gianluigi Buffon believes retiring now would rob himself of the beautiful emotions that remain ahead in his record-breaking career.

Buffon drew level with Paolo Maldini at the top of Serie A s list of all-time appearances when he deputised for the injured Wojciech Szczesny in a 2-1 win at Sampdoria on Wednesday.

The match was his 647th in Italy s top flight and his 479th at that level for Juve, one more than previous club record holder Alessandro Del Piero.

Now 41, Buffon has not been mistake-free since returning from a single-season spell with Paris Saint-Germain.

But the ex-Italy goalkeeper believes he has plenty left to experience and offer in his third decade as a professional.

The reason why I keep playing is that, together w…