Newcastle: Howe ‘one of very few’ in frame for job as pundit tips shock Magpies exit

Former NFL star JJ Watt has put his old Chelsea allegiances to one side because he believes he can make a big difference at Championship-winning Burnley.

The 34-year-old, who retired from playing last year, has been in Lancashire this week to enjoy Burnley’s final game of the season and take part in Tuesday’s trophy parade after he and his wife Kealia, a former United States international, became investors in the club.

Watt has previously said he was a Chelsea fan but that is in the past for the three-time NFL defensive player of the year.

“I’m a massive football fan and I’ve been looking for the right opportunity for a long time,” Watt told the PA news agency.

“Burnley is a club that has been around since 1882, it’s got incredible support…

Lionel Messi returned to action for Inter Miami as he played the final 30 minutes of a pre-season friendly against Vissel Kobe in Tokyo.

Messi, who has been suffering with a hamstring injury, was an unused substitute as Inter Miami beat a Hong Kong XI 4-1 on Sunday, with local fans voicing their frustrations having turned up in numbers in expectation of seeing the eight-time Ballon D’Or winner in action.

David Beckham’s Major League Soccer side continued their pre-season build up in Japan and Argentina superstar Messi was able to resume training ahead of their latest friendly.

There was another injury worry for Miami, though, as midfielder Sergio Busquets was forced off with an ankle issue midway through the first half after being caught by a late tackle from…

Australia coach Ange Postecoglou said Lucas Neill s lack of top-level football is unlikely to harm his chances of going to the World Cup.

Since leaving Galatasaray in 2011, the Socceroos skipper has struggled to find a permanent home and has only managed short-lived stints at UAE clubs Al Jazira and Al Wasl as well as Sydney FC and J.League outfit Omiya Ardija.

But the 35-year-old is now training with English Championship side Blackburn Rovers, a club he represented with distinction over six seasons in the Premier League.

And while they may not be playing in the country s top flight at the moment, Postecoglou thinks Neill could benefit from playing for Blackburn if the club he used to captain decide to sign him in the current transfer window.

It ll depen…

Didier Drogba has announced he will leave Chelsea following Sunday s season-ending game against Sunderland, in order to play more first-team football.

Drogba who moved back to Stamford Bridge ahead of the current campaign is a Chelsea legend, having helped the club to multiple trophies and scoring the winning penalty in the club s UEFA Champions League final win over Bayern Munich in 2012.

Now 37, the Ivorian has been limited to a bit-part role since his return, largely due to the form of Diego Costa.

And Drogba has revealed he is keen to maximise his playing time in the closing years of his career.

I want to play for at least one more season and in order to play more football I feel I need to go to another club, he told Chelsea s official website on Sun…

Liverpool are preparing to launch an offensive to sign Kai Havertz from Bayer Leverkusen, according to Sport Bild.

The 20-year-old Germany international is apparently wanted by top clubs around Europe, with all the usual suspects named as interested parties; apart from Liverpool, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich are all keeping their eyes on him. Leverkusen tried to ward off the interest by raising his salary from around €2 million to over €5 million and offering him a new contract, one that would last beyond 2022 which is when the current one expires, but apparently, the attacking midfielder isn t inclined to put pen to paper, which increases the likelihood of him being moved on next summer.

Liverpool parted ways with Philippe Coutinho who joined Barcelona…

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FC Barcelona are coming off a commanding away win at Real Mallorca and continue at the top of the Liga standings as the season progresses. They have a golden chance to extend their lead at the top of the table Tuesday, when they host a struggling Leganes side at Camp Nou. Kick-off for this match has been scheduled for Tuesday at 21:00 GMT.

FC Barcelona

Barcelona currently sit at the top of the standings with 61 points and are coming off a commanding 4-0 win at Mallorca. That was their fourth win in their last five games, and that result also allowed them to maintain their two-point edge over Real Madrid in the standings. Los Blaugranas return to the Camp Nou ahead of this match, a venue where hav…

English Premier League side Hull announced on Monday they had relieved manager Phil Brown of his duties with immediate effect and placed him on gardening leave.

Saturday s 2-1 loss at home to Arsenal left Hull second bottom of the table, three points from safety.

A statement on Hull s website said coaches Brian Horton and Steve Parkin would take charge of the first team until further notice, with the duo s first match since succeeding Brown away to tail-enders Portsmouth on Saturday.

Brown still remains under contract with Hull so cannot work for another club.

Hull chairman Adam Pearson, while paying tribute to Brown s role in guiding the Tigers into the top flight for the first time in their history in 2008 and overseeing their Premier League survival o…

(GSM) West Bromwich Albion have confirmed that they have rejected an offer for Borja Valero from Sevilla.

The Spanish club, who have been reportedly interested in signing the midfielder, had tabled an undisclosed bid which was rejected promptly yesterday.

After failing to settle during Albion s ill-fated Barclays Premier League campaign of 2008/09 when they were relegated, Valero enjoyed a hugely successful season-long loan spell at Mallorca last term.

And after Baggies recent return to top flight for the forthcoming season, he is expected to feature for the club.

But the Black Country club have made it clear that Sevilla s offer is nowhere near their valuation of the 25-year-old.

Sporting technical director Dan Ashworth said: There have been lo…

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes complete athlete Mesut Ozil has grown in stature this season.

Ozil has been instrumental in the Gunners rise to the top of the Premier League, claiming his 16th assist and third goal of the campaign in a 2-0 win over AFC Bournemouth on Monday.

And while the Germany playmaker has not always flourished at the Emirates Stadium following his move from Real Madrid in 2013, Wenger is delighted with the form of the ex-Schalke and Werder Bremen man.

I think he plays in a position that suits him well, he told a news conference on Wednesday.

He plays in a style of football that suits him well. He is, today, maybe … in a more comfortable psychological position because he s accepted and not so much questioned than he was in …

Former Italy star Marco Tardelli says Arsenal would suit Massimiliano Allegri should the Juventus boss seek a move to the Premier League.

A Scudetto-winning coach with first AC Milan and then Juve, Allegri had been tipped to join Chelsea prior to Antonio Conte s appointment at Stamford Bridge.

As Arsene Wenger seemingly approaches the twilight of his lengthy reign at the Gunners, Allegri has been touted as a potential successor to the Frenchman in north London.

And speaking to Omnisport, former Juve, Inter and Italy midfielder Tardelli agreed with suggestions the 49-year-old is equipped to thrive at Emirates Stadium. 

Should he win the title again this season he would have done a fantastic job and yes, as reported, then he might join Arsenal, he said.