Marseille coach Didier Deschamps says he wants to coach the Ligue 1 outfit next season but concedes the decision does not rest with him.
The former France midfielder has been in charge of the French giants since 2009, when he lifted the Ligue 1 title in his maiden season as coach of the club.
But 2011/12 proved disappointing for the team, despite a Coupe de la Ligue title, with Deschamps side set to finish mid-table in the league.
The lacklustre results have fuelled speculation about a possible exit for Deschamps, but the former Juventus coach said his future will be decided by the club s powerbrokers.
I am employed here. It will be left in the hands of the president (Vincent Labrune) and (owner) Margarita Louis-Dreyfus, Deschamps said.
They w…
Bayern Munich won all of their home games in the Champions League group stage for the second straight season as they saw off Lokomotiv Moscow 2-0 on Wednesday.
With top spot in Group A already ensured for the holders heading into the encounter in Munich, Hansi Flick s side had little pressure on their shoulders.
A toothless first-half display paved the way for a much-improved performance after the break as Niklas Sule s towering header and an excellent finish from Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting saw Bayern return to winning ways after drawing with Atletico Madrid last week.
Flick has now won 13 of his 14 Champions League matches in charge of Bayern, who have shown little let up following their triumphant campaign last term.
SÜLE SMASH 1-0
— FC B…
Germany head coach Joachim Low warned his players that they must not underestimate their World Cup opponents to avoid being their own biggest enemy at Russia 2018.
The world champions were drawn against Mexico, Sweden and South Korea in what Low described as an exciting group before giving his assessment of Germany s opponents.
Low, who will aim to bring a fifth World Cup trophy back to Germany in 2018 to match Brazil s record haul, highlighted the strength of all three Group F opponents.
Mexico play at an incredibly high level, he told DFB.de. We know them from the Confederations Cup where we beat them [4-1 in the semi-final].
Technically and tactically, they are a very good team, a tough opponent to open against. We definitely won t be taking things l…
Mauro Icardi s late penalty earned Inter a 2-2 draw at 10-man Napoli, as Rafael Benitez s men spurned a two-goal lead and the chance to close the gap on second-placed Roma.
Roma s draw with Chievo earlier on Sunday paved the way for Napoli to move within two points of the automatic UEFA Champions League places in the clash at Stadio San Paolo.
It appeared as though that would be the case as Marek Hamsik s 51st-minute header and a superb long-range strike from Gonzalo Higuain put Napoli deservedly in control.
However, the visitors hit back via Rodrigo Palacio with 18 minutes remaining and the turnaround was completed in the 87th minute courtesy of Icardi s chipped penalty after Henrique received his second yellow card for a tug on Fredy Guarin.
Ultima…
Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso says the whole squad is eager to get the defence of their European crown underway.
Spain edged Germany 1-0 in the final of the Euro 2009 courtesy of a 33rd-minute goal from Fernando Torres, and Alonso says the holders are ready to defend their title.
The mood is good, everyone is looking forward to start, to make their debuts, we have been ready for a few weeks in training and we want to start kicking the ball, the Real Madrid midfielder said.
When the first game starts we will be watching it on TV, but as soon as we start playing the real work will start and that is what we want.
Spain kick-off their campaign against Italy and the 30-year-old Alonso is anticipating a difficult match, claiming Italy, despite their disappoi…
France head coach Didier Deschamps has no concerns over Paul Pogba s form despite the world s most expensive player making an underwhelming start to his second spell at Manchester United.
The Premier League club shattered the global transfer record by agreeing a deal worth an initial £89m with Juventus for Pogba but he has so far failed to find his best form at Old Trafford, where he progressed through the youth ranks before joining the Italian champions in 2012.
The 23-year-old missed a pair of gilt-edged opportunities and hit the crossbar during stoppage time in United s frustrating 1-1 Premier League draw against Stoke City on Sunday and is struggling to enjoy a consistent influence over games.
Deschamps now has Pogba back under his charge for France s World …
Carlo Ancelotti has dismissed reports linking Paris Saint-Germain with moves for Andrea Pirlo and Robin van Persie.
The French club have been touted as a potential destination for striker Van Persie, who revealed last week he will not renew his contract with Arsenal.
Juventus midfielder Pirlo, who played under Ancelotti at AC Milan between 2001 and 2009, has also been mooted as a potential target for PSG.
But the Italian coach, who arrived at PSG in December 2011, played down the speculation.
Van Persie is not a target of ours, but I think he is for other clubs, Ancelotti said.
Pirlo is an interesting player for any club, but I have had the chance to coach him for eight years and that is enough.
Ancelotti welcomed the prospect of Marco…
Napoli s Raul Albiol and Jose Callejon know Real Madrid better than most and will do all they can to avoid a loss when they return to their old club in the last 16 of the Champions League on Wednesday.
The pair left Madrid for Napoli in 2013 after four and two years of respective service to the European champions.
They have sounded a warning to their current team-mates that their old friends will not be going easy on them and Callejion claimed it is vital to return to Italy with a goal.
Not losing here is a good result. We want to score; that would be important for the second leg, he said in Tuesday s media conference.
We want to play as we have done for the last year and a half, feeling comfortable in ourselves.
Raul and I have friends here: …
Chelsea eyeing Koke
Catalan daily newspaper Sport has suggested that Chelsea are hot on the trail of Atletico Madrid hotshot Koke.
The Blues recently signed Filipe Luis from the Spanish giants, but the Brazilian has already returned to Vicente Calderon following a disappointing start to his career in England.
Nevertheless, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is now eyeing another Atletico Madrid star as the latest reports suggest he is keen on luring Koke to Stamford Bridge.
The Blues want the Spain international to try and help them get their season back on track and are readying a January bid for his services.
But, with Barcelona showing interest as well, Chelsea could face stiff competition for the midfielder s signature.
Koke quickly develo…
Two more sides will book their places in the Champions League last eight on Wednesday as Juventus visit Tottenham and Manchester City host Basel.
The clash at Wembley is finely poised after Tottenham fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 in Turin three weeks ago, and promises to be a pulsating affair.
Events at the Etihad Stadium threaten to be a little more sedate after Pep Guardiola s side all-but booked their spot in the quarter-finals with an emphatic 4-0 win in the first leg in Switzerland.
Here are some of the best Opta numbers ahead of another exciting night of Champions League action.
The Chaaaaaaampions!
We re back with a bang
Best match this week is ___________
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeagu…