Wales manager Chris Coleman is set to open contract talks early in the new year.
The 45-year-old successfully guided Wales to Euro 2016 earlier this year, the first time they have qualified for a major tournament since 1958.
And he has made no secret of the fact that he is keen to extend his current deal, which will expire after the finals in June, to cover the 2018 World Cup qualification campaign.
Having seen him orchestrate a dramatic improvement in the country s footballing fortunes since taking the reins in 2012, Football Association of Wales chief executive Jonathan Ford is keen to extend the former centre-back s tenure.
We re relaxed and we ve been clear about where we stand, he told WalesOnline. Chris has done a fantastic job and I want him…
Fernando Torres believes Atletico Madrid have taken a step towards one day winning the Champions League, despite losing to Real Madrid in the semi-finals.
After finding themselves 3-0 down following the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu last week, Atletico threatened to pull off an improbable comeback but could only manage a 2-1 win as they were eliminated 4-2 on aggregate.
Wednesday s clash was a chance for revenge against the defending champions, having twice suffered losses to Madrid in the final of the competition in 2014 and 2016.
However, veteran forward Torres is adamant Atleti are on the right track for European glory following their spirited display.
Orgulloso de este escudo, de este equipo y de esta afición. Ahora y siempre
— Ferna…
This week’s Obi-Wan Kenobi series finale featured a surprise cameo, and now the actor who showed up has discussed coming back in this unexpected way in the newest Disney+ series. Spoilers for Obi-Wan Kenboi follow below.
Liam Neeson returned to the Star Wars universe in the final episode of Obi-Wan, reprising his prequel series character, the Jedi Knight Qui-Gon. Earlier episodes hinted that Qui-Gon might reappear in some fashion, but it finally happened in the series finale.
Neeson spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about why he wanted to wear his robes again, 25 years after The Phantom Menace.
“I certainly didn’t want anyone else playing Qui-Gon Jinn, and I wanted to show my respect for George [Lucas] and that mythical world that he created,” Neeson sai…
Barcelona s youngsters can help the club emerge from their transitional period as a stronger side, according to former full-back Juliano Belletti.
The Catalan giants have endured a difficult time of things on and off the field of late, with a solitary Copa del Rey triumph all they have to show for the last two seasons.
Barca finished outside the top two in LaLiga last term for the first time in 13 seasons and are down in seventh place eight games into the 2021-22 campaign.
Due to the club s well-documented financial problems, with their debts amounting to €1.35billion, they were unable to keep hold of legendary forward Lionel Messi during the close season.
As well as being off the pace in LaLiga, Ronald Koeman s men have also kicked off their Champions …
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Mixu Paatelainen has left his post as Kilmarnock manager to coach the Finland national team.
Paatelainen was the target of recent interest from Championship side Scunthorpe United and Kilmarnock were also eager to retain his services, but the lure of coaching his national side, for which he made 70 appearances as a player, was too strong.
Kilmarnock assistant coach Kenny Shiels will take the reins for the side s Scottish Premier League game at St Johnstone on Saturday.
Following careful consideration Mixu has decided that the honour of managing his national team is one which he cannot refuse, a Kilmarnock statement read.
He will take up his duties with the Finnish FA immediately.
Paatelainen was a fan favourite at Rugby Park, and has drastical…
Roma coach Vincenzo Montella is very optimistic his side can defeat Shakhtar Donetsk and progress to the Champions League quarter-finals.
Roma face the likely threat of elimination from European competition when they travel to Donetsk for the second leg of their last-16 tie on Tuesday.
The Ukrainian champions accounted for their Italian opponents 3-2 in the opening leg at the Stadio Olimpico, and have not lost a game at home in any competition since October 2008.
Roma s shock loss in the first leg came in the middle of a run of four straight defeats for the Serie A outfit, prompting the resignation of manager Claudio Ranieri.
Former Roma striker Montella was appointed in a caretaker capacity and has yet to taste defeat with the club in three league games…
Philippe Coutinho, Kaka and Alex Sandro are in Brazi s squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Paraguay.
Liverpool playmaker Coutinho is yet to make an appearance in the qualifying campaign, but has been brought back into the fold by head coach Dunga.
Orlando City veteran Kaka has also been called-up despite only playing 15 minutes so far in qualification, while Juventus Alex Sandro who last played international football in August 2012 is also selected in the 23-man squad.
Valencia goalkeeper Diego Alves replaces Jefferson, while defender Gil and midfielder Renato Augusto are picked despite making recent moves to China.
There is still no place for former captain Thiago Silva, while Coutinho s club-mate Roberto Firmino and Benfica f…
Chelsea are among clubs showing interest in Lorient striker Vincent Aboubakar, .
The 22-year-old has been in stunning form since joining les Merlus from Valenciennes a year ago, notching 16 goals in 35 league appearances.
His impressive displays did not go unnoticed as a number of English Premier League sides, including Chelsea, have taken notice.
L Equipe understands that Aboubakar plans to leave Lorient after the 2014 World Cup, where he is set to star for Cameroon. The Indomitable Lions are .
The talented striker has two years left on his deal at Stade le Moustoir, meaning Lorient are likely to cash in on their prized asset this summer.
Vincent Aboubakar joined Valenciennes from Cotonsport Garoua in 2010 and went on to score 9 goals in 72 leag…
Moussa Sissoko is desperate to leave Newcastle United ahead of next season and has set his sights on a move to Arsenal.
Despite avoiding defeat in their final six matches of the 2015-16 campaign, Newcastle were unable to escape the bottom three and will play in England s second tier from August.
But Sissoko, 26, does not intend to be there as he targets an immediate return to the Premier League away from St James Park.
It s flattering that a coach like [Rafa] Benitez wants to keep me, but I think he knows what I want. I want to leave, Sissoko told Foot Mercato.
It would be difficult for me to play in the Championship. I have to keep on developing. I have the ambition to play for one of Europe s finest and keep playing for the national team.
I…