Villarreal Tuesday named Spain s Ernesto Valverde as coach in place of Manuel Pellegrini, who is taking over at Real Madrid.

Valverde coached Olympiakos last season, but his contract was not renewed with the Greek club despite leading it to the domestic double this year.

Valverde, 45, has previously coached two Primera Liga clubs, Athletic Bilbao and Espanyol Barcelona.

Villarreal, fifth in the championship last season, are to play in the Europa League, formerly the UEFA Cup, in 2009-2010.

Chilean Pellegrini was named on Monday as the coach of Real Madrid, under the club s new president Florentino Perez.

…

Bayern Munich front man Luca Toni could be on his way back to Italy, after comments by club president Uli Hoeness.

We still do not have any specific offer but we are prepared to loan him or sell him, Hoeness told German TV station, DSF. Toni s contract runs until 2011.

The 32-year-old Italian international, who has missed much of this season due to a heel injury, has been openly discontented about his position on the sub s bench which led to a fall out with coach Louis van Gaal.

Toni, who netted 24 league goals in Bayern s 2008 Bundesliga title win, has repeatedly expressed a desire to move back to his native Italy in order to get more match practice in preparation of next year s World Cup.

[Source: Reuters]

…

Goalkeeper Adrian has signed a new two-year contract at West Ham United, with an option for a further two years.

The 28-year-old has emerged as a key component of the West Ham side since making his debut against Manchester United in 2013 and has enjoyed superb form so far this season, most notably in the 2-1 win away to Manchester City on September 19.

Upon penning the extension, the former Real Betis announced his determination to forge a long career with Slaven Bilic s side after pledging his future to the club.

This is a proud moment for myself, my family and friends and I am really happy to have signed my second contract with the club. I feel really happy for the club and the fans, he told West Ham s official website.

I never imagined this kind of r…

Dutch winger Memphis Depay is out-of-favour at Manchester United and could move on in January

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has been very clear in the fact Dutch international winger Memphis Depay can leave the club in January if he so wishes.

However, the Portuguese boss has also stated that the Dutchman will not be leaving on loan.

He will only leave the Manchester club if somebody meets the Red Devils valuation. Unfortunately for the Dutchman, it seems that could be slightly tricky. Everton have been heavily linked with a move for the winger.

It seems that Toffees want a try before you buy deal and have Depay on loan until the end of the season. Italian giants AC Milan are also believed to be interested in signing Depay.

However, they a…

Arsenal are interested in signing Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa in the summer transfer window, according to . The report has claimed that the Gunners are looking to secure the services of the England international striker at the end of the season.

Watkins is having a wonderful season for Villa at the moment and has looked a revitalised figure under manager Unai Emery. The 27-year-old striker has made 32 starts and one substitute appearance in the Premier League for the Villans this season, scoring 14 goals and providing six assists in the process.

Villa are seventh in the Premier League table at the moment with 54 points from 34 matches. Meanwhile, Arsenal currently find themselves at the top of the standings with 78 points from 34 matches, two points clear of second-p…

Best Odds: 2/3

Bookmaker:

With all eyes falling on the Spanish capital this weekend, Real Madrid will welcome their bitter local rivals to the Bernabeu on Sunday night.

Real Madrid

Starting with the hosts, while Real Madrid might still have Girona breathing down their neck, Los Blancos find themselves tipped as a standout contender to reclaim their La Liga crown in 2024. Last seen earlier in the week putting in another professional display as they secured a routine 2-0 victory away at local rivals Getafe, Carlo Ancleotti’s side are riding an extended wave of momentum. Finding a route back to the top of the table, the one-time Everton boss has seen his superstar squad win 10 of their previous 11 appearances across all competitions a run that stems all the way …

Zenit sealed a 2-1 victory over title rivals CSKA Moscow on Sunday to move eight points clear at the top of the Russian Premier League.

The table-topping clash marked the start of the final third of the season and it was Hulk who proved the hero, scoring twice to ensure a win that sets Zenit on course for a first domestic title since 2012.

The holders trail by eight points going into the final nine games after Hulk scored twice in 11 minutes.

Carlos Strandberg pulled one back for the defending champions but CSKA s six-match winning run in the top flight was ended.

We cannot relax. Everything is very open and I don t believe that CSKA has stopped dreaming about the championship, Villas-Boas told reporters.

If we rotate we do that for injuries or …

Jose Mourinho will again put his friendship with Louis van Gaal to one side on Saturday when Chelsea attempt to take another giant stride towards lifting the Premier League title.

Van Gaal takes his in-form Manchester United side to Stamford Bridge aiming to secure their first victory over the London club in eight matches.

Chelsea manager Mourinho worked under United boss Van Gaal at Barcelona and the duo remain good friends, as they demonstrated with embraces during and after a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford in October.

That will go out of the window when they pit their wits against each other this weekend, with Chelsea knowing a victory will see them move 10 points clear at the top of the table with six games remaining.

Cesc Fabregas scored the only goal…

Market: Managua win

Odds: 

Once again turning our attention to the midweek Nicaraguan Premier League fixtures, league leaders and defending champions Managua will be looking to extend their buffer at the top of the table when they host Jalapa in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Starting with the hosts, picking up a 1-0 win away at strugglers Las Sabanas over the weekend and capitalizing on Real Estelí s recent slip-ups, Managua certainly find the mood in their camp at a continued high. Now holding a five-point buffer at the top of the Premier League and in pole position to lift back-to-back titles, Los Leones Azules also find themselves in the midst of what has been an eye-catching 11-match unbeaten run across all competitions. Unbeaten in the Nicaraguan to…

Lyon have stated they reserve the right to appeal against the decision to bring the Ligue 1 season to a premature end because it could cost the club several tens of millions of euros .

The Ligue de Football Professionel (LFP) announced on Thursday the final standings would be decided on a points-per-game basis after French prime minister Edouard Philippe said the 2019-20 campaign could not restart due to all sporting events being banned until September amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Paris Saint-Germain were declared Ligue 1 champions, while Toulouse and Amiens were demoted to the second tier. Lorient were promoted as winners of Ligue 2, with Lens following them for the 2020-21 campaign.

Lyon finished seventh in Ligue 1 and consequently face missing out on a p…