Germany defender Per Mertesacker has announced his retirement from international football, effective immediately.
The 29-year-old won 104 caps for his country and was a late substitute in Germany s 1-0 FIFA World Cup final victory over Argentina last month.
The centre-back becomes the third Germany player to retire following their triumph in Brazil, joining veteran striker Miroslav Klose and former captain Philipp Lahm.
First and foremost it was about me, after a 10-year career in the team, being able to say when the chapter ended, Mertesacker told Suddeutsche Zeitung newspaper.
Mertesacker also cited a desire to focus on his club football with Arsenal as a reason behind his decision.
He scored four goals for Germany in his career and was also a …
Micky van de Ven is no stranger to proving people wrong and has total confidence Tottenham can continue to silence the “negative” talk which surrounded the club this summer.
The Dutch defender has been a revelation since he signed from Wolfsburg for an initial £34.5million fee and has helped Ange Postecoglou’s new-look team win four of their opening six Premier League fixtures despite the departure of record goal-scorer Harry Kane.
While Van de Ven and Spurs are enjoying a new lease of life under Postecoglou, it has not been a smooth journey for the 22-year-old with a career outside of football considered and a difficult first campaign in Germany navigated before he reached England’s top flight.
Van de Ven was on the brink of being released by Volendam d…
After losing his job as head coach of the United States, Jurgen Klinsmann sent a heartfelt message out to fans thanking them for their support during his tenure.
US Soccer sacked Klinsmann on Monday, with the embarrassing 4-0 CONCACAF World Cup qualifying defeat to Costa Rica last week the final straw, following the 2-1 loss to Mexico.
USA have since turned to Bruce Arena for a second spell in charge of the national team. And Klinsmann, who was appointed in 2011, used Facebook to express his gratitude.
Thank you for the amazing ride over the last five years, Klinsmann said.
It s been a huge honour to lead the team over the amount of time. We ve had some amazing experiences together. It s come to an end, and I obviously have to respect that. I just want …
Freiburg have extended the contract of defender Mensur Mujdza, it has been announced.
The 30-year-old, who was provisionally named in the Bosnia-Herzegovina squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup last week, has been with the club since signing from Zagreb in 2009.
Mujdza has had an injury-marred 2013-14 campaign, making just seven Bundesliga appearances, but Freiburg have now confirmed the player will remain with the club for a sixth season.
Details of the deal remain under wraps, but Mujdza revealed his delight at having clarified his future.
I feel totally comfortable in Freiburg and look forward to my sixth season at the sports club, he told the club s official website.
I appreciate very much that the club has always supported me and I still have a lot to ach…
In-form striker Ivan Toney could be fit for Brentford s first Premier League game of the year against Liverpool on Monday.
There were fears Toney may be facing a lengthy absence after he suffered a knee injury in Friday s 2-0 London derby win at West Ham.
Toney was carted off at the London Stadium, but Bees head coach Thomas Frank revealed on New Year s Day that his leading goalscorer might be available for the visit of the Reds.
The Dane said: It s good news with Ivan, it s not a significant injury.
He could potentially be available for tomorrow. There s nothing wrong with his knee. Without going too much into the details, it s something with the muscle.
The physios explained the details and I completely forgot! I m just glad it isn’t serious…
Liverpool sent a message of support to former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson after he suffered a brain haemorrhage, calling the Scot a great friend of the club following his backing in the aftermath of the Hillsborough disaster.
United confirmed reports on Saturday that Ferguson fell ill a day earlier and was in intensive care after undergoing emergency surgery which went very well .
Ferguson managed Liverpool s great rivals United for 27 years until 2013, a period in which the two clubs enjoyed numerous heated clashes.
When the 76-year-old Scot was appointed in 1986, Liverpool were the most successful team in the English top flight with 18 titles triumphs, compared to United s seven.
Ferguson famously quipped in his early days that his target wa…
Sunderland manager David Moyes
Prior to a Premier League match, whilst working for Sky Sports in 2011, Richard Keys and Andy Gray were caught making sexist comments about assistant referee Sian Massey, believing they were off-air.
The ex-Scotland international said: “Can you believe that? A female linesman. Women don’t know the offside rule.” To which the broadcast presenter replied: “Course they don’t.”
Further footage of Gray then emerged of him making a derogatory comment to Sky Sports presenter Charlotte Jackson, asking her to help fit a microphone down the front of his trousers.
The due was rightly and deservedly sacked from their well-paid positions as sexism incident’s like this one don t belong in football and never will.
Th…
Chris Wilder has left his role as Sheffield United manager by mutual consent as the club face the prospect of Premier League relegation.
After two days of fervent speculation, the Blades confirmed on Saturday that the 53-year-old had departed the club following discussions after almost five years in charge.
Wilder was hugely successful in the first four of those, leading Sheffield United to two promotions from League One to the Premier League.
He followed that up with a fantastic ninth-placed finish in the top flight last season.
This campaign has been a huge struggle, though, with the Blades rooted to the bottom of the table on 14 points, having won just four of their 28 matches.
United do remain in the FA Cup, with a quarter-final against…
Liverpool have made Brazil international Alisson the most expensive goalkeeper of all time after paying Roma up to €72.5million for his services, and statistics suggest he will be a significant upgrade on Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius.
The goalkeeping position has been a problematic area for a while for Liverpool, with neither Mignolet nor Karius convincing in the last few years.
Mignolet, who was signed in 2013, lost his place as first choice to Karius last season after some high-profile errors, but the German was not much of an improvement.
Karius looked similarly susceptible to a costly mistake and produced a howler in the Champions League final, throwing the ball right to Karim Benzema, who got in the way and diverted the ball into the goal as Real Madrid…
Burnley manager Sean Dyche must count the cost of his team s festive heroics before the FA Cup third-round clash with Tottenham.
Despite going 2-0 down at Manchester City last weekend, Burnley pegged back the Premier League champions with a stirring second-half display that earned a share of the spoils.
Another valuable point away from home came on New Year s Day as Burnley battled back from behind three times in a pulsating 3-3 draw at Newcastle United.
The latter result was all the more impressive considering Jason Shackell, fellow defender Kevin Long and midfielder Dean Marney were forced to withdraw from the action before half-time.
A suspected calf problem for captain Shackell and Marney suffering from illness means Dyche is virtually certain to al…