Klinsmann sets outs his American vision
Jurgen Klinsmann has been unveiled as the new national coach of the United States.
Klinsmann, who has lived in California since stepping down as Bayern Munich coach in April 2009, was realistic about his ambitions for his new role.
“I can’t promise anything,” he told a packed press conference. “There are a lot of difficult challenges ahead.
“I believe that soccer has to reflect the culture of the country,” Klinsmann said.
“I’ve studied the U.S. the last 13 years, and it’s going to be quite a challenge. There are a lot of opinions, a lot of ideas from youth soccer to college, which is a model different from anywhere in the world.”
Klinsmann has yet to name his backroom staff. At Bayern and with the German national team, he employed a large staff that reflected his interest in new age therapies.
Spain win clean sweep of Euro titles with Under-19 triumph
Spain have a complete set of European titles after their Under-19 side beat the Czech Republic in the Final of the Under-19 championships.
The Under-19 title can now be added to the Under-17 and Under-21 championships won earlier this summer, as well as the senior title won in 2008.
To add to the success of the men’s teams, Spain also won the Under-17 European women’s championship.
Jefferies is eighth manager to be sacked by Hearts owner Romanov
Jim Jefferies became the latest casualty of eccentric Hearts owner Vladmir Romanov after he and his assistant Billy Brown were sacked just two games into the new Scottish season.
Jefferies is the eighth manager to be sacked by Romanov, who has appointed former Sporting Lisbon coach Paulo Sergio as his new boss.
Paulo Sergio left Sporting in February after his side were beaten by Rangers in the Europa League and by Benfica in the Portuguese league.
Paulo Sergio’s agent Paulo Barbosa is reported to be close to Romanov and has been influential in several transfers in and out of the Scottish club.
Banik beat Ivanov to earliest sacking
Hearts boss Ivanov may have been quick off the mark in sacking Jefferies, but the Jesus Gil award for the earliest sacking of the 2011-12 season goes to Czech club Banik Ostrava, who fired coach Karol Marko on Monday, just one game into the new league season.
Four-times champions Ostrava, who last lifted the title in 2004, lost 4-3 at home to Teplice on Saturday and the club said they had fired Marko because of poor form in pre-season.
Barton shows his philosophical side
Joey Barton’s departure from Newcastle has given Sky Sports News just the excuse they needed to re-run the clip of the midfielder looking faintly ridiculous in his top hat and tails at the races earlier this year.
His tweets have also provided excellent entertainment, with Barton quoting George Orwell – “In times of universal deceit, telling the truth will be a revolutionary act.” – and Nietzsche – “The desire to annoy no one, to harm no one, can equally well be the sign of a just as of an anxious disposition.”
Juventus swoop for Vucinic
Juventus have continued their big-spending summer with the 15 million euro capture of Montenegrin striker Mirko Vucinec from Roma.
Roma have spent some of that cash on a new keeper, signing Dutch international Maarten Stekelenberg from Ajax in deal reported to be worth 6.3million euros.
Goal of the day
How’s this from American Brad Rusin, playing for HB Koge against Lyngby in the Norwegian league. Not quite in the Messi and Maradona mould but a mighty fine solo effort.
Cup shock exit for Werder Bremen
While most of Europe are still limbering up with friendly matches, the German Bundesliga is already up and running and playing competitive matches in the form of the German Cup.
Werder Breman were the big casualties in the first round, losing to third-tier side Heidenheim. The defeat promoted Bremen coach Klaus Allofs to admit in a TV interview: ““We know we face another difficult season.”
Bremen competed in last season’s Champions League group stages but finished the Bundesliga campaign in 13th place.
Former Japan international in serious condition after collapsing in training
Former Japan defender Naoki Matsuda is in a serious condition after collapsing during training
The 34-year-old Matsuda was reported to have suffered a cardiopulmonary arrest and was unconscious when he arrived at hospital, officials from his club, Matsumoto Yamaga, said.
His condition was “extremely severe,” club president Hiroshi Otsuki said, according to doctors.
Matsuda collapsed after finishing a 15-minute warmup run during training, coach Yoshiyuki Kato said.
Valcke hits back at British MPs on FIFA corruption
FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke has hit back at British MPs for the way in which a Parliamentary committee heard claims about corruption at the world governing body
In a letter sent to John Whittingdale MP, the Chairman of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, Valke complains that MPs “should act and speak on facts, and not on unsubstantiated headlines.”
Valcke was referring to allegations of corruption surrounding Qatar’s 2022 bid that were presented to the committee earlier this year. The allegations have since been withdrawn by a whistleblower.
Purely in the interests of good governance, you understand.
