Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink wants aspiring black managers to get ‘a fair chance’

Former Chelsea forward Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink believes aspiring black managers are not taking their coaching badges because they do not believe they are given ‘a fair chance’.

The ex-Netherlands international has reunited with former Middlesbrough team-mate Gareth Southgate earlier this year when he joined the England boss’ staff in March ahead of the Euro 2024 qualification campaign.

Burnley’s promotion to the Premier League ensured the top flight would have one black manager this season – Vincent Kompany – but once again highlighted the disparity between the number of black players and bosses, a problem that extends beyond the pitch.

Asked on the latest episode of the Matt Haycox Show podcast, to be released on Wednesday, if football was moving in …

France back ´wise´ UEFA decision to postpone Euro 2020

French Football Federation (FFF) president Noel Le Graet has lauded UEFA s wise and pragmatic decision to postpone Euro 2020 by 12 months amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Following a video conference including all 55 member associations on Tuesday, UEFA confirmed its decision to suspend the upcoming Euros and set a new start date of June 11, 2021.

The postponement allows extra time for Europe s domestic seasons to conclude – if possible – after almost all leagues were put on hiatus to combat the spread of COVID-19.

In an FFF statement, Le Graet said: The French Football Federation fully supports UEFA s decision to postpone Euro 2020 to 11 June 2021 and to adapt the formats for European competitions accordingly.

The international matches planned for Mar…

“It was stupid” – Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola apologizes to Steven Gerrard for “unnecessary” comment (Video)

Defending his club publicly in the face of allegations about irregularity of their finance handling from 2009 to 2018, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola asked if they were to blame for the infamous slip by Steven Gerrard which cost Liverpool the 2013/14 title and handed it to City instead.

It seems the Catalan tactician has realized how unnecessary the comment was.

“I apologise to Steven Gerrard for my unnecessary and stupid comment I said. He knows how I admire him and his career. I am ashamed of myself for what I said.”

Pep Guardiola opens up his presser by apologising to Steven Gerrard for his comments about him.

— Football Daily (@footballdaily)

Pioli calls for more from Milan players as he seeks winning end to 2020

Stefano Pioli insisted there is still more to come from his Milan side as he targeted a winning end to an impressive 2020.

Milan enter their final fixture of the year against Lazio sitting top of the Serie A standings, one point better off than bitter rivals Inter and four in front of reigning champions Juventus.

The Rossoneri are the only unbeaten side in Europe s top five leagues in 2020-21, winning nine and drawing four of their 13 matches.

Going further back, meanwhile, no team in Serie A has accrued more wins (22) or lost fewer games than Milan (two) this calendar year.

Another victory for Milan at home to Lazio on Wednesday will make certain of top spot at Christmas and Pioli is desperate to end 2020 on a high.

Working to end the year on a h…

The Numbers Game: Liverpool out to continue dominance over Spurs and keep slim top-four hopes alive

Liverpool and Tottenham face off on Sunday in a pivotal game for both teams slim Champions League aspirations.

Jurgen Klopp s man have endured a hugely underwhelming campaign after narrowly missing out on the Premier League title last season, and sit seven points adrift of the top four having played a game more than fourth-placed Manchester United.

Tottenham, under the interim charge of Ryan Mason after Cristian Stellini was sacked following the 6-1 humiliation at Newcastle United, responded to that drubbing by recovering from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Erik ten Hag s side.

But Spurs are six adrift of United having played two games more, and defeat at Anfield may well be the final nail in the coffin as far as their top-four hopes are concerned.

And the ome…

Gomez out of Euro 2016

Germany striker Mario Gomez has been ruled out of the rest of Euro 2016 with a torn hamstring.

Gomez scorer of two goals in France was replaced after 72 minutes of Germany s quarter-final victory over Italy on Saturday, with a subsequent MRI scan revealing the extent of the injury.

In addition, Bastian Schweinsteiger (knee) and Sami Khedira (thigh) also picked up injuries, casting doubt over their involvement in Thursday s semi-final against France or Iceland.

It is very disappointing when, at the crucial stage of the tournament, important players are ruled out, said coach Joachim Low.

I m especially sorry for Mario. He has put in some strong performances at the European Championship and has helped the team not only with his goals.

We accept th…

Euro 2012 Betting Preview: Group Qualification

World football s focus will be on Euro 2012 this summer, with Poland and Ukraine set to host the 14th edition of the European Championships.

For those who are not familiar with the competition, sixteen of the best national football teams in Europe will compete for the Henri Delaunay Trophy.

The competition includes four four-team groups, with the top two teams in each group advancing to the knockout stages.

Once you reach the knockout stages, also known as the quarter-finals, it s win or go home.

Draws will no longer get the job done. As a result, nerves will play an even bigger part, and understandably so.

Now then, let s take a look at the four groups for this summer s European Championships.

Euro 2012 Betting Odds: Group Qual…

Can Harry Kane hit the ground running at World Cup 2018?

On Monday night, England kick-off their World Cup campaign against Tunisia in the Volgograd Arena. The Three Lions squad has seemed relaxed and the preparations seem to have been good.

However, all the preparations sometimes go out of the window when it comes to the action on the pitch. Often a team has a player who is a match-winner. In captain Harry Kane, England has such a player, who will be desperate to make an early impact on the tournament.

Prolific in front of goal

At club level, Kane has been a prolific scorer of goals for Tottenham. In fact, the 24-year-old has won the Premier League Golden Boot in two of the last three seasons. Only Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah scored more goals in the English top-flight last season than Kane’s 30.

Quite simply …

Donadoni hands Del Piero Euro 2008 boost

Italy coach Roberto Donadoni said in an interview published in La Repubblica on Tuesday that as things stand he will take Alessandro Del Piero to Euro 2008.

Del Piero, who started the season on the Juventus bench, has been in fine form since the turn of the year and the clamour for his return to the national team set-up has been growing.

The veteran striker has been left out of Donadoni s recent squads but his 18 goals in Serie A this season seem to have forced the coach into a re-think.

Asked if he would call up Del Piero for the tournament in Austria and Switzerland in June, Donadoni said: Ten months ago no but now yes.

The facts speak for themselves but I ll only talk about my squad when the time is right.

It seems that many people want t…

Martin Zubimendi wants to join Liverpool

Real Sociedad defensive midfielder Martin Zubimendi is eager to join Liverpool in the summer transfer window, according to . The report has claimed that Liverpool are confident of getting a deal done for Zubimendi.

“GMS sources have been informed that Liverpool were confident they had made a breakthrough in their pursuit of Zubimendi on Wednesday evening, having initially insisted that they were merely exploring the possibility of a deal rather than actively progressing in their attempts to provide the likes of Wataru Endo with fresh competition,” states the report.

Zubimendi has been on the books of Sociedad since 2011 and has established himself in the first team after coming through the Spanish club’s youth system. The 25-year-old Spain international defensive …