Thursday, 16 March 2017

Aitor Karanka leaves relegation-battling Middlesbrough


Middlesbrough have sacked manager Aitor Karanka following a run of 10 Premier League games without a win.
Karanka leaves with the club 19th in the table with 11 games to play, having scored only two goals in eight league games in 2017.
"Middlesbrough Football Club can today confirm the departure of Head Coach Aitor Karanka," a statement on the club's official website confirmed. "Following discussions, both parties have agreed that it is in the best interests of the club to make this change.
"The club would like to thank Aitor for all his hard work over the past three-and-a-half years and for the success we've had during that time. We wish him all the best for the future."
Karanka said: "I'd like to thank Middlesbrough for a wonderful opportunity and the players, staff and all the people at the club who I have worked with.
"I'd also like to thank the fans for their support. This club will always hold a special place for me and I wish everyone connected with Middlesbrough Football Club the very best for the future."
Middlesbrough confirmed Steve Agnew will step up from his role as assistant head coach to take control of first team affairs with immediate effect.
Boro host Manchester United on Sunday before trips to Swansea and Hull
After leaving Patrick Bamford and Stewart Downing out of the squad for the FA Cup quarterfinal defeat against Manchester City on Saturday, Karanka said: "Where the players show me that they are ready to play and they are fighting and they are going to fight for the club is on the training ground every day.
"I am with them every day and on Friday, I will always choose at least 18 fighters."
Karanka, previously an assistant to Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid, was appointed in 2013 and led the club to promotion in 2016.

UCL: Play like a man!' - Nasri slams 'cheat' Vardy after red card

The ex-Arsenal man was left fuming by the apparent play acting of the England striker as Leicester City progressed to the Champions League last eight
Samir Nasri has labelled Jamie Vardy a "cheat" following the Leicester City striker's role in the Sevilla star's red card in Tuesday's Champions League last 16 second leg.

Goals from Wes Morgan and Marc Albrighton saw the Foxes into the quarter-finals for the first time in the club's history, with Nasri receiving his marching orders in the second half following a clash with Vardy.

England international Vardy seemed to push Nasri off the ball, leading to the former Arsenal man reacting and moving his head towards Vardy's and receiving his marching orders.
Nasri, though, felt Vardy had acted in a cowardly manner, claiming the forward dived to get him in trouble.

"He didn’t say anything but he played it well. We went face to face and then he fell on the floor," he told reporters.


"I thought the English player was tougher than that. He was the one who came to my face, and then went on the floor. He played it well.

"I didn’t touch him, I didn’t do anything with my head. He went on the floor and then the referee gave us both a yellow card.

"For me, he is a cheat. Because if he was a foreign player, you the English press would say he is a cheat.

Nasri needed to be restrained following his dismissal, and seemed to gesture towards Vardy that he would speak to him after the game.

But the former France international was reluctant to reveal exactly what he would have told the Leicester man so as to avoid any further punishment.
"I would love to speak to him but you know too many cameras, too many security, and I have to think about next year and not getting a big suspension.
"We are not playing in the same league so it would be hard for me to get back at him. It doesn’t matter any more."

"They were winning 2-0, play the game like a man. Win it. You are not better than us but you are winning 2-0, you will qualify, just play the game. You have quality, you are an international player, you don’t need to do that."

goal.com

UCL : LEICESTER layak ke suku akhir | MC gagal sekat kemaraan Monaco