Jose Mourinho Becomes Manchester United Manager

Jose Mourinho has been confirmed as Manchester United manager. He
replaces Louis van Gaal who was dimissed on Monday, two days after
winning the FA Cup.

Manchester United Executive Vice Chairman Ed Woodward praised the
appointment as he described the Portuguese "as simply the best manager
in the game today."

The former Porto, Chelsea, Inter and Real Madrid manager was more
measured in his statement after his confirmation by saying it was a
special honour in the game to be Manchester United manager.

The eccentric Portuguese has been linked to the manager's position at
Old Trafford since last December, and he was widely reported to have
been appointed as the club's manager after Saturday's FA Cup final.

With his confirmation, he is now expected to set about rebuilding a
squad that struggled for most of last season.
With his reputation in tatters after he was sacked as Chelsea manager
following their bad start to the season, he would be keen to regain
his position in the game by moving the Red Devils to a height never
before seen since the Alex Ferguson era.

However, despite the disappointing end to his second spell at Chelsea,
his record as a Premier League manager remains up there with the best.
With three Premier League titles, three League Cups and two FA Cup.
This is before factoring in his record at Porto, Inter Milan and Real
Madrid where he won a combined five league titles, two Champions
League crown, a Uefa cup, and three domestic cups.

That he is a manager that guarantees trophies is not in doubt, but
dealing with the baggages he comes with is another issue entirely. And
talking about his other sides would inevitably bring about talk of his
time at Real Madrid where he had a heated rivalry with Barcelona whose
manager at the time was a certain Pep Guardiola. Who incidentally is
now Manchester City's manager.

The presence of this two personalities should bring added spice to the
Manchester derby next season.

Jose Mourinho will have no Champions League to feature in next season.
He would have to make do with the Europa League, a competition he has
often derided in the past. However, the last time he managed a team in
the equivalent Uefa Cup which gave way to the Europa League, his Porto
side went on to win it.

It remains to be seen what he brings to Old Trafford.

Official: Arsenal Signs Granit Xhaka

Arsenal have announced the signing of 23 year old Swiss international,
Granit Xhaka on a long term contract for an undisclosed fee.

The 6ft 1in midfielder told the official Arsenal website that

"I am very proud of joining Arsenal. I cannot wait to move to London
and represent this special club and play in the Premier League.

"I will give everything to help Arsenal win trophies and to make the
fans happy." he said

On his part, Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger said this about his new
signing "he is an exciting young player, already with good Champions
League and Bundesliga experience.

"We have been watching him for a long time now and he is a player who
would add quality to our squad."

His arrival come on the heels of the departures of Mikel Arteta, Tomas
Rosicky and Mathieu Flamini after their contract expired.

He is the first central midfielder for the first team squad that
Arsene Wenger has signed that is over six foot for a number of
seasons.

In his four years with Borussia Monchengladbach, he made 108
Bundesliga appearances.

He was part of the Swiss squad that was eliminated in the second round
of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. And he is expected to play a key role
for the Swiss team at the European Championships in France which
starts on June 10.

He joins a central midfield that already have Santi Cazorla, Mohammed
Elneny, Jack Wilshere, Francis Coquelin and Aaron Ramsey.

Louis van Gaal Was A Dead Man Walking Before He Was Sacked

Manchester United announced the sacking of their manager on Monday.
The news of Louis van Gaal's departure had leaked minutes after the
club won their 12th FA Cup on Saturday. The media was awashed with
reports of Jose Mourinho's appointment as the club's replacement to
the Dutchman.

The former Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager has been under
the spotlight all season going by various media reports. Leaving aside
the FA Cup triumph, he presided over a poor season by the club's high
standard.

Different words have been used to describe the Old Trafford club this
season, from boring to functional, the list is endless.

The club descended from their ethos of attacking football to a side
that was afraid to play anything resembling football.

That Manchester United only scored 49 goals in 38 league matches was a
reflection of the poor tactics deployed by the Dutchman.

He arrived Old Trafford with a reputation after he guided the
Netherlands to fourth place in the 2014 World Cup. However, after a
difficult start to his first season in charge, the club rallied round
to finish in the top four with key wins over Liverpool at Anfield and
a swashbuckling 4-1 win over city rivals Manchester City at Old
Trafford.
However, that is as good as it got for the club in his first season,
but finishing in the top four after the disaster of the David Moyes
era was regarded as a step forward for the club.

Yet, he was expected to have kicked on in his second season by making
the club title contenders, but instead they went backward after
topping the league in November. It was the high point of the first
half of the season as the team exited the Champions League at the
group stage after an error strewn 3-2 defeat to Wolfsburg in Germany.
There was little joy in the Europa League as they were eliminated by Liverpool.

The Dutchman's reputation was not enhanced by the way he prevented his
team to play exciting football with his obdurate tactics. That
Manchester United went eleven games at Old Trafford without scoring a
first half goal was as strange as it was a odd statistics in many
ways.

Indeed the way this season has gone for the club, Van Gaal was walking
a tight rope and his sacking has not come as a surprise, if anything
many within the Manchester United circle are glad to see the back of
the Dutchman.

However, despite the fact that he failed to deliver a top four finish
in his last season at the club, if winning a trophy is used to judge
his time at Old Trafford, he can point to the FA cup he delivered.
A win that was significant in many ways as it was the first trophy
since Alex Ferguson left the club, and the first FA cup the club has
won since 2004.

For all the high that greeted his arrival at the club two years ago,
Louis van Gaal leaves the club without a tear from anybody associated
with the club. A cruel way to leave an organisation, but to many a
necessary cutting of ties in order for Ed Woodward and co to usher in
a new era which will start with a certain Portuguese.

Leaked Photos Shows Granit Xhaka's Move To Arsenal Already Done

Arsenal are a club known for its secrecy when it comes to transfers. However, in what should come as a surprise to the club's transfer fixers, the photos of Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka, who reports circulating around is in London for his medicals was leaked by unknown persons to social media earlier today.
The leaked photos all but confirms the reports doing the rounds in the media that the player is close to completing his transfer to Arsenal.

Below are the leaked photos of the 23 year old

FA Cup Preview: Can Manchester United Savage A Poor Season?

Manchester United face Crystal Palace as overwhelming favourites for Saturday's FA Cup final at Wembley stadium. Louis van Gaal's side have endured a disappointing season that saw them finish in fifth place in the P league in what was a see-saw season for the Red Devils. It means Manchester United would have to do without Champions League football for the second time in three seasons.

However, despite what has been a season of upheaval at Old Trafford, Van Gaal can still end the season on a high with triumph at Wembley. Yet, few would put a full proof bet on Manchester United carrying the day if their inconsistent performances is anything to go by. Judging by the contrasting displays against West Ham United and Bournemouth in their last two Premier League matches of the season.
The significance of a win if it comes at Wembley would translate to the club's first major trophy post the Alex Ferguson era. And it would equal Arsenal's record of a 12th FA cup win.

For Crystal Palace, Alan Pardew once had a close shot at the FA cup when he was a player at Selhurts Park in the 1990s. He was in the Crystal Palace team that lost the FA cup to Manchester United in 1990. He has tried to replicate that story by fielding strong teams in the competition since he became manager of the club, and a triumph at Wembley would be a fitting finish for the Englishman.

For either side, there are players that could be instrumental to how the match would go on the day, 
Marcus Rashford who was on target against Bournemouth on Tuesday should be a key player upfront for Manchester United if he starts. The 18 year old has been a revelation since he made his senior debut in February. While Anthony Martial is another player that could turn a match on it head. The 20 year old is the club's highest goal scorer with 17 goals in his first season.
It is hard to look beyond these two players as the key to Manchester United's play on the day. Although Wayne Rooney could have a thing or two to say about that.

On the other hand, Crystal Palace have Yannick Bolasie, Connor Wickham, Bakary Kone, and Wilfred Zaha to call on. With their speed on the wings, Van Gaal's full backs would have to be on their toes on Saturday. Although, Crystal Palace would be without Welsh midfielder Joe Ledley who suffered a broken leg last weekend.

Kick off for the match is 5:30pm UK Time 

Reports: Arsenal Close In On Swiss Midfielder Granit Xhaka

Granit Xhaka

Arsenal are reportedly close to signing Borussia Monchengladbach and Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka. The 22 year old has arrived London for his medicals after both clubs agreed a fee of around £30 million.

The 6ft 1in midfielder who is adept in tackling, with a wide range of
passing said earlier in the week that he could see himself as 'absolutely' playing for the North London club when asked whether he could imagine himself playing for Arsenal.

He had earlier hinted that any deal that would bring him to London
would have to be completed before the start of Euro 2016 which starts
on June 11th.

The midfielder comes highly recommended going by the comments of past
managers that have coached him over the years. Former Basel manager
Paulo Soussa once described him as an exceptional player, while former
Swiss national team coach as well as Bayern Munich also described him
as a young Bastian Schweinsteiger.

He was part of the Swiss squad to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, and he
is expected to play a key role for Switzerland at this summer's
European Championships in France.

With the departures of Mikel Arteta, Tomas Rosicky and Mathieu Flamini
after their contract expired, Arsenal would be reinforcing a part of
the squad that has lacked any physical presence for a couple of
seasons.

Its early signing when completed is expected to kick start what should
be busy summer at the Emirates after what was a disappointing season
for the North London club as the wheels came off another title
challenge.

EPL Review: Strange Season Ends Strangely

The English Premier League ended on Sunday with few things still left to be resolved going into the last day. Second place was up for brags for Arsenal if Spurs slipped up, while Manchester United had an outside chance of finishing fourth place if result went their way.
Leicester City had been crowned champions in what was a strange season. And happenings on the final day of the season meant the season did not just end without some strange things happening.

The Old Trafford Fathom Incendiary Device

In what was a first in the Premier League era, a league match on the last day of the season was postponed because of the discovery of a device that looked like a improvised explosive. Fans were already in the stadium when stewards discovered the device. This led to the ground be emptied before kick-off, after which the match was postponed. The device that led to the postponement of the match turned out to be a fathom device left behind by a security firm who had a drill a day earlier at the stadium. But the embarassment, logistical problem and tension it brought on the day caused alot of distress for not just the fans, but the players.
As it turned out, it was nothing serious on the day. The match has now been rescheduled for this Tuesday.

The highest place Manchester United can now finish is fifth place. This is after city rivals Manchester City secured the draw they needed against Swansea to finish in fourth place. Although, Louis van Gaal's side would have to secure victory against Bournemouth to display Southampton from fifth place. A Europa League is place is where both sides will end up.

Arsenal Celebrate Unlikely Second Place

Arsenal went into the last round of matches needing result at St James Park to go their way for them to finish second for the first time since 2005. Few expected that Newcastle United would beat Tottenham Hotspur. Arsene Wenger's side did their bit by beating relegated Aston Villa 4-0 with Oliver Giroud getting a hat-trick. But then came the surprise result over from St. James Park where the Mapgies defeated Spurs 5-1 with three of the goals coming after they had gone down to 10 players following a sending off.

That result meant Arsenal have finished over their North London rivals for 21st straight season, and since Arsene Wenger became manager of Arsenal in 1996. Tottenham Hotspur have not finished above the red side of North London.

Claudio Ranieri Returned To Stamford Bridge As A King

Claudio Ranieri was sacked in 2004 a year after Roman Abramovich became the owner of Chelsea. The Italian led Chelsea to second place behind Arsenal that season, but was replaced by Jose Mourinho. The very likeable Ranieri left Stamford Bridge twelve years ago with his head down. But it was the man that sacked him more than a decade ago that personally welcomed him back to the Bridge with an handshake in recognition of what he has achieved this season with Leicester City.

The accolade did not end there, Leicester City were given a guard of honour by the Chelsea players. And the crowd chanted the name of the Italian.
It was fitting that Chelsea's draw against Tottenham handed the title to Leicester City, and there was mutual respect for what both Claudio Ranieri and his players had achieved this season at Stamford Bridge.

Key stats from the season

Leicester City--------81
Arsenal---------------71
Spurs-----------------70
Man City------------66

Highest Goal Scorers

Harry Kane (Spurs)--25 goals
Jamie Vardy (Leicester)--24goals
Sergio Aguero (Man City)--24goals

Most Clean sheets

Petr Cech--16 clean sheets
David de Gea--15 clean sheets*

*Still have a match to play.

Most Assist

Mesut Ozil--19 assists

Relegated

Newcastle United
Norwich City
Aston Villa

Major Revamp For CAF Champions League & Confederation Cup

The Confederation of Africa Football CAF, have announced that the number of clubs participating in the group stages of the Champions League and Confederation Cup will increase from the present eight teams to sixteen teams from 2017.

 The present format of eight teams in the group stages have been in place since 1997 when the group stage format was introduced into the continent's premier club competition.

Already, clubs from Nigeria, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Angola have two representatives in the two club competitions. It is not clear whether the number would go up.

This new development which was announced by the CAF president Issa Haytou in the just concluded CAF congress which told place on the sidelines of the FIFA congress in Mexico will no doubt bring a new impetus into the club competitions in Africa. The eight team group stage was seen as too restrictive, and it prevented clubs from certain parts of the continent especially East Africa from qualifying for the group stages.
For instance, if the sixteen teams group stage format were to start this year, TP Mazembe of DR Congo, who are the Champions League holders would have been able to defend their trophy, as they were knocked out at the round of 16 stage.

With the opening of the competition to accommodate more clubs, it will also have a domino effect on the financial benfits that would accure from featuring in the later stages of the competition.

Arsenal's Thirties Trio Face Last Day At The Club

Arsenal's trio of Mikel Arteta, Tomas Rosicky and Mathieu Flamini are expected to leave the club after tomorrow's last Premier League match of the season at the Emirates. They have barely featured in what has been a disappointing season for Arsene Wenger's side. With a combined age of 101 years, their time at the club has come to an end as their contract expires this summer.

Mikel Arteta was an influential figure when he was signed from Everton five years ago, at a turbulent time for the club, he was a key midfield player alongside Alex Song, and later Aaron Ramsey for two consecutive seasons, and his absence from the side when he was first choice made it difficult for Arsenal to win matches.

His ability to both recent possession, and his calming influence on the team made him a key player on and off the pitch. However, his influence on the side subsequently reduced after he suffered series of calf and ankle injuries that restricted him to a handful of appearances in the last two seasons. As the curtain comes down on his Arsenal career, he would be remembered for the influence he exerted at a time the ship at the club was about to sink after the 8-2 trashing at Old Trafford in 2011. To many Arsenal fans, he should have been bought earlier.

Thirty five years old Tomas Rosicky, is however a different kettle of fish. He arrived at the club the year its switched from the ancestry home of Highbury to the Emirates in the summer of 2006. He was a key player with the Czech national team and Borussia Dortmund when he arrived, But, his ten year stay at Arsenal was plagued by injuries. He formed a midfield quartet with  Alex Hleb, Cesc Fabregas and Mathieu Flamini in the 2007/2008 season. That squad almost went on to win the league, and the injury he suffered in January 2008 contributed to Arsenal's later struggles that season. That he returned almost two years after that injury showed the time he missed playing for the club.

He arrived at 25, admittedly the start of the peak years for a football player, but injuries meant that for the ten years he spent at the club, he only really played three years of regular football. One of his best displays in an Arsenal shirt was the FA cup match against Brighton last season, when he scored a memorable goal with the outside of his boot. His swashbuckling performance made Arsene Wenger to remark that, "if you love football, you love Tomas Rosicky"

In the case of Mathieu Flamini, the end of his second spell at the club is a case of mixed bag. He arrived with a point to prove, and he showed that with his first match back in an Arsenal shirt when he was instrumental to Arsenal winning 1-0 against Tottenham Hotspur in August 2013. However, besides other fleetingly good performance, any standout display were few and far between. But he would always be remembered for the brace he scored against North London rivals Tottenham in the League Cup in September.

It is the end of an era for these players. They have made Arsene Wenger's job easier as the Frenchman would rather watch a player that he fancies contract to run down instead being ruthless to sell such a player to allow for a more better player in their place instead.
Although, the trio were not first choice, they were part of the reasons Arsene Wenger declined to sign additional central midfielders that would have added depth to the team.

They leave with two FA cups and Community Shield to show for their time at the club. In the case of Flamini, it is three FA cups, as he won his first cup with the club back in 2005 in his first spell.

Manchester United On The Precipices

Marcus Rashford

The crowd at Old Trafford on Sunday found themselves in a reverse situation in which they were the underdogs facing a Leicester City side that is close to being crowned champions for the first time. During the Alex Ferguson era, it was Manchester United in the enviable position of looking to wrap up the title with few matches left of the season. But times have changed at Old Trafford, the relics of the past still stares at those that are affiliated to the club, because of the lack of success that has plagued the club since the famous Scot retired as manager in 2013.

The 1-1 draw against Leicester City on Sunday means with three matches left, Manchester United are in serious danger of missing out of the Champions League for the second time in three seasons. They only returned this season, although it was short lived by a group stage exit. The Red Devils lie four points behind Manchester City who are fourth on 64points, and a further seven points behind third placed Arsenal on 67points. While Manchester United are fifth, it is not a comfortable position as West Ham are just a point back in sixth place on 59points. Slaven Bilic's side have been hovering round that position all season as they push for a place in Europe. Both West Ham and Manchester United will play each other in one of the outstanding matches. Its a tie that will go a long way in deciding who finishes in a higher position.

Louis van Gaal's Manchester United are in the FA cup final, where they will play Crystal Palace later this month. However, a first major trophy for the club in three seasons without a top four finish might not be enough to save Van Gaal his job in what would be the final year of his contract.
The Dutchman said on the eve of the match against Leicester City that he expects to remain manager next season. It was the first time he has publicly claim he would be around next season. According to him, if the media is to be believed this season, he has already being sacked six times. Yet, he is still Manchester United's manager. Yet that decision on whether he would stay lies with Ed Woodward, the club's Executive Vice Chairman.

The former manager of Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich has been under serious pressure all season with reports linking the Dutchman away from Old Trafford with Jose Mourinho tipped as his replacement.

One of the things, the Dutchman was brought in to do was to make Manchester United a regular top four side. He got this in his first season in charge.But, failure to finish in the top four top this season might be the final nail on his coffin. And as it stands, a top four finish looks unlikely with three matches left to play.

Ultimately, if this season ends up as the last for the Dutchman, his legacy will be judged by what has been his trademark in most of the club he has managed which is his propensity to give youth a chance. Through him a new star at Old Trafford was born this season in the person of Marcus Rashford. He has used a plethora of young players this season from the club's academy. Whether this would be part of the next manager's plans remains to be seen.

For now, Manchester United lies on a precipice, yet, a disappointing season could still end up with a 12th FA cup win.