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Dutch coach Frank de Boer quits after Euro 2020 exit The Hague (AFP) – Dutch coach Frank de Boer stepped down on Tuesday after the Netherlands’ dismal Euro 2020 last-16 elimination by the Czech Republic. De Boer’s decision comes as speculation mounted over his future as manager of the Oranje following the team’s 2-0 loss in Budapest on Sunday evening. “I have decided not to continue as national coach. The target has not been achieved, that is clear,” De Boer, 51, said in a statement released by the Dutch football federation KNVB. De Boer said when he was appointed in 2020 it was an “honour” but he was also “aware of the pressure that would come upon me from the moment I was appointed”. “That pressure is only increasing now, and that is not a healthy situation for me, nor for the squad in the run-up to such an important game for Dutch football on its way to World Cup qualification.” The KNVB said in any case, De Boer’s contract stipulated that the team should reach at least the quarter-finals, adding “the contract will not be renewed”. “It has been decided that both parties will separate,” the KNVB added, speaking from its headquarters in Zeist near the central city of Utrecht. De Boer’s short tenure at the helm of the once mighty Dutch football team, which won the European Championship in 1988 but has struggled in recent years, also means that he will not be in charge for the World Cup qualifier against Norway on September 1. “Despite Frank’s hard work the team did not reach the quarter-finals. We hoped for a better Euro and the choice of Frank turned out differently than we hoped,” KNVB director Nico-Jan Hoogma said.

The Hague (AFP) – Dutch coach Frank de Boer stepped down on Tuesday after the Netherlands’ dismal Euro 2020 last-16 elimination by the Czech Republic. De Boer’s decision comes as speculation mounted over his future as manager of the Oranje following the team’s 2-0 loss in Budapest on Sunday evening. “I have decided not to continue as national coach. The target has not been achieved, that is clear,” De Boer, 51, said in a statement released by the Dutch football federation KNVB. De Boer said when he was appointed in 2020 it was an “honour” but he was also “aware of the pressure that would come upon me from the moment I was appointed”. “That pressure is only increasing now, and that is not a healthy situation for me, nor for the squad in the run-up to such an important game for Dutch football on its way to World Cup qualification.” The KNVB said in any case, De Boer’s contract stipulated that the team should reach at least the quarter-finals, adding “the contract will not be renewe...

Southgate gambles on back three for England’s Euro 2020 showdown with Germany London (AFP) – England manager Gareth Southgate made a tactical gamble as he changed to a three-man defence for Tuesday’s Euro 2020 last 16 clash against Germany at Wembley. Southgate had played with a back four in England’s three group matches, but he opted to switch his system to match up with the German formation. Manchester City right-back Kyle Walker lined up alongside John Stones and Harry Maguire in an England back three that also started their World Cup semi-final defeat against Croatia three years ago. Kieran Trippier came into the side at right wing-back, replacing Jack Grealish, while Luke Shaw started at left wing-back. Bukayo Saka was part of England’s three-man attack with Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling. Chelsea duo Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell had been self-isolating for the last 10 days. Mount was named among the substitutes but Chilwell was absent from the matchday squad. Germany boss Joachim Low made three changes from the 2-2 draw with Hungary in their last group game. Ilkay Gundogan was only fit enough for a place among the substitutes after suffering a head injury. Timo Werner, Leon Goretzka and Thomas Mueller came into the side, with Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry left out. Starting line-ups: England (3-4-3) Jordan Pickford; Kyle Walker, John Stones, Harry Maguire; Kieran Trippier, Declan Rice, Kalvin Phillips, Luke Shaw; Bukayo Saka, Harry Kane (capt), Raheem Sterling Coach: Gareth Southgate (ENG) Germany (3-4-3) Manuel Neuer (capt); Antonio Rudiger, Matthias Ginter, Mats Hummels; Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Toni Kroos, Robin Gosens; Kai Havertz, Thomas Mueller, Timo Werner Coach: Joachim Loew (GER) Referee: Danny Makkelie (NED)

London (AFP) – England manager Gareth Southgate made a tactical gamble as he changed to a three-man defence for Tuesday’s Euro 2020 last 16 clash against Germany at Wembley. Southgate had played with a back four in England’s three group matches, but he opted to switch his system to match up with the German formation. Manchester City right-back Kyle Walker lined up alongside John Stones and Harry Maguire in an England back three that also started their World Cup semi-final defeat against Croatia three years ago. Kieran Trippier came into the side at right wing-back, replacing Jack Grealish, while Luke Shaw started at left wing-back. Bukayo Saka was part of England’s three-man attack with Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling. Chelsea duo Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell had been self-isolating for the last 10 days. Mount was named among the substitutes but Chilwell was absent from the matchday squad. Germany boss Joachim Low made three changes from the 2-2 draw with Hungary in their last g...

Terzic named as technical director at Dortmund Berlin (AFP) – Edin Terzic, the caretaker coach who steered Borussia Dortmund to Champions League qualification and lifted the German Cup last season, has been appointed technical director at the Bundesliga club for 2021/22. The 38-year-old took over when Lucien Favre was sacked last December and guided Dortmund to finish third in the Bundesliga last season. He had been expected to be assistant coach of Marco Rose, who takes charge at Dortmund after two years at Moenchengladbach. Instead, Terzic has opted to take up the new role, signing a deal until 2025, which includes squad planning. As technical director, he will work alongside sports director Michael Zorc and former captain Sebastian Kehl, who will replace Zorc for the start of the 2022/23 season.

Berlin (AFP) – Edin Terzic, the caretaker coach who steered Borussia Dortmund to Champions League qualification and lifted the German Cup last season, has been appointed technical director at the Bundesliga club for 2021/22. The 38-year-old took over when Lucien Favre was sacked last December and guided Dortmund to finish third in the Bundesliga last season. He had been expected to be assistant coach of Marco Rose, who takes charge at Dortmund after two years at Moenchengladbach. Instead, Terzic has opted to take up the new role, signing a deal until 2025, which includes squad planning. As technical director, he will work alongside sports director Michael Zorc and former captain Sebastian Kehl, who will replace Zorc for the start of the 2022/23 season. from World Soccer Talk https://ift.tt/3hf2bgR

Clock ticks down to England v Germany after France Euro 2020 exit London (AFP) – England can avenge decades of hurt at the hands of Germany when they face their old rivals in a blockbuster Euro 2020 last-16 clash on Tuesday as France came to terms with their shock exit. Gareth Southgate’s side host Germany at Wembley at 1600 GMT in England’s biggest match on home turf for 25 years. Around 40,000 fans will be in the stadium after coronavirus restrictions were eased and the atmosphere was electric in the hours before kick-off, with thousands of fans streaming towards the ground clad in replica shirts. England beat the Germans to win the 1966 World Cup final but their major tournament history has been littered with painful exits against them since then. The 1990 World Cup semi-final defeat on penalties is still etched in the nation’s psyche and Southgate was the Euro 96 fall guy as he missed a crucial spot kick in the semi-final shoot-out defeat. But the England boss believes it is a chance for his players to add a memorable new chapter to their careers. “This team, I’ve said for a long time, have had so many unique achievements and my focus is on this team and helping them to succeed,” Southgate said. “This is about our players. This is their moment and it’s their opportunity.” – ‘Make history’ – Former England captain Alan Shearer said England’s young team had a chance to “make their own history”. “We go on about this fixture because it means so much to two great footballing countries,” he told the BBC. “There’s a little more to come from this England team hopefully, they haven’t really got going yet.” England have never won the European Championship and a victory against Germany would be only their second knockout stage win in the history of the competition. In sharp contrast, Germany have been crowned kings of Europe three times, with the most recent success coming in 1996. But Germany travelled to London in the unusual position of fearing defeat against England, who have been solid if spectacular so far and are yet to concede a goal. Joachim Loew’s team stumbled into the last 16 after rescuing a 2-2 draw against Hungary in their final group game. Germany are not the intimidating force of old and, with Loew stepping down at the end of the tournament, a defeat would signal the end of an era. Despite winning the World Cup in 2014, Loew has been criticised for his role in a humiliating group-stage exit from the 2018 World Cup and a series of poor results before the Euros. England will have the vast majority of the crowd on their side at Wembley and Loew expects a spine-tingling encounter. “This is a match which electrifies everybody. For both teams, it’s in or out, it’s now or never, the loser goes home,” he said. Under grey north London skies, throngs of supporters heading to the match congregated to belt out “Football’s Coming Home” and kick footballs around. Germany fan Saskia Beyer, 34, who lives in Britain, said she felt outnumbered by the England fans. “It’s definitely been a special rivalry, historically, even though the Germans have mostly won for the past 50 years,” she said. “I know the English people are keen to win.” Nervous England fan Sam Stevenson, 27, predicted a tight 1-0 win for the home side. “We have unfortunate memories when we play the Germans,” he said. “We need to put those negative thoughts to rest.” The winner of the match will face a quarter-final in Rome against the winner of Tuesday’s 1900 GMT kickoff in Glasgow between Sweden and Ukraine — the last tie in the round of 16. – France drama – Whatever happens on Tuesday it will struggle to live up to the drama of Monday, when world champions France suffered a stunning defeat against Switzerland, losing 5-4 on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw in Bucharest as Kylian Mbappe missed the vital kick. “I’m sorry for the penalty. I wanted to help the team but I failed,” Mbappe said on social media. French football federation president Noel Le Graet said Tuesday he “doesn’t think” that France’s early exit from Euro 2020 will affect manager Didier Deschamps’ future, but that he would talk with the coach. In the quarter-finals, Switzerland will face Spain, who hit back for an epic 5-3 extra-time win against Croatia after blowing a lead in Copenhagen.

London (AFP) – England can avenge decades of hurt at the hands of Germany when they face their old rivals in a blockbuster Euro 2020 last-16 clash on Tuesday as France came to terms with their shock exit. Gareth Southgate’s side host Germany at Wembley at 1600 GMT in England’s biggest match on home turf for 25 years. Around 40,000 fans will be in the stadium after coronavirus restrictions were eased and the atmosphere was electric in the hours before kick-off, with thousands of fans streaming towards the ground clad in replica shirts. England beat the Germans to win the 1966 World Cup final but their major tournament history has been littered with painful exits against them since then. The 1990 World Cup semi-final defeat on penalties is still etched in the nation’s psyche and Southgate was the Euro 96 fall guy as he missed a crucial spot kick in the semi-final shoot-out defeat. But the England boss believes it is a chance for his players to add a memorable new chapter to their c...

French football chief ‘doesn’t think’ Deschamps’ job under threat Paris (AFP) – French football federation president Noel Le Graet said Tuesday he “doesn’t think” that France’s early exit from Euro 2020 will affect Didier Deschamps’ future, but that he would talk with the coach. Le Graet was asked at the general assembly of the French Olympic committee if France’s shock last-16 loss on penalties to Switzerland would put Deschamps’ job under threat. “No, I don’t think so,” he said. “We mustn’t muddle things. We’ll need to talk.” Deschamps’ contract runs until the end of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where France will defend their title. “I have a lot of affection for him,” Le Graet added. “I know the difficulties of football. It comes down to so few things.” France’s bid to add the European crown to their 2018 World Cup triumph was ended after a dramatic 3-3 draw on Monday in which the Swiss fought back from 3-1 down with less than 10 minutes remaining. “At 3-1 I thought it was won,” said Le Graet. “I’m obviously very disappointed. “Not to reach the quarters is a disappointment. That said, it’s the vagaries of football, everyone will tell you that.”

Paris (AFP) – French football federation president Noel Le Graet said Tuesday he “doesn’t think” that France’s early exit from Euro 2020 will affect Didier Deschamps’ future, but that he would talk with the coach. Le Graet was asked at the general assembly of the French Olympic committee if France’s shock last-16 loss on penalties to Switzerland would put Deschamps’ job under threat. “No, I don’t think so,” he said. “We mustn’t muddle things. We’ll need to talk.” Deschamps’ contract runs until the end of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where France will defend their title. “I have a lot of affection for him,” Le Graet added. “I know the difficulties of football. It comes down to so few things.” France’s bid to add the European crown to their 2018 World Cup triumph was ended after a dramatic 3-3 draw on Monday in which the Swiss fought back from 3-1 down with less than 10 minutes remaining. “At 3-1 I thought it was won,” said Le Graet. “I’m obviously very disappointed. “Not to reac...

Czechs frustrated by Baku trip for Denmark quarter-final Prague (AFP) – The Czech Republic expect a tough Euro 2020 quarter-final against Denmark this weekend, but they are more concerned about the trip to Baku that will likely discourage many fans from attending the game. The Czechs got a taste of what post-Covid football may be like when they beat the Netherlands 2-0 in Budapest on Sunday in a packed stadium including 7,000 Czech fans. But it will be far more difficult for supporters to travel to the Azerbaijani capital for Saturday’s last-eight tie. “I don’t understand this and I haven’t got over it yet,” midfielder Antonin Barak told reporters on Tuesday. “We won’t be able to get our fans and our families there. If we played in Copenhagen, they (Denmark) would be at home but we could still get lots of Czech fans there.” Their support in the group stage was reduced to just handfuls of fans due to Covid restrictions in Britain where they played all three games. “Concerning Baku, we are terribly sorry because in Budapest we experienced a real Euro atmosphere for the first time,” said assistant coach Jiri Chytry, slamming the “unfortunate decision”. “We think the fans would deserve more than just this one opportunity,” he added. The Czech foreign ministry has slapped the dark red Covid label of a very high-risk country on Azerbaijan. Czechs entering Azerbaijan will need a visa and have to present a negative PCR test together with proof of complete vaccination or immunity upon arrival, the ministry says. The shortest plane trip available between Prague and Baku before the game takes nine hours with a change in Istanbul. Travellers will need another negative PCR test to get back to the Czech Republic. “It must be quite a thinker who came up with this. It’s a tragedy,” Czech forward Patrik Schick said after the Netherlands game. Chytry said there were more complications linked to the Baku trip. “We will fly this distance knowing that there are only three days between this game and the semi-final,” he said, with the winner of the Baku game due to play the semi-final at Wembley on July 7. But Barak, Schick and Chytry have all agreed there is little they can do. “We have to focus on the game, whatever the conditions are,” said Barak. “It will be the same for the Danes, it’s even farther for them, so it doesn’t make sense to clog up your head with this.”

Prague (AFP) – The Czech Republic expect a tough Euro 2020 quarter-final against Denmark this weekend, but they are more concerned about the trip to Baku that will likely discourage many fans from attending the game. The Czechs got a taste of what post-Covid football may be like when they beat the Netherlands 2-0 in Budapest on Sunday in a packed stadium including 7,000 Czech fans. But it will be far more difficult for supporters to travel to the Azerbaijani capital for Saturday’s last-eight tie. “I don’t understand this and I haven’t got over it yet,” midfielder Antonin Barak told reporters on Tuesday. “We won’t be able to get our fans and our families there. If we played in Copenhagen, they (Denmark) would be at home but we could still get lots of Czech fans there.” Their support in the group stage was reduced to just handfuls of fans due to Covid restrictions in Britain where they played all three games. “Concerning Baku, we are terribly sorry because in Budapest we experienc...

Fernandinho signs Man City contract extension London (AFP) – Manchester City captain Fernandinho has signed a one-year contract extension at the Premier League champions, saying he has unfinished business at the club. The deal keeps the 36-year-old Brazilian at the Etihad Stadium until 2022 and he is targeting another shot at the Champions League after City lost to Chelsea in their first final in the competition last month. “In my head and my mind, the job is not done yet and so that’s why I decided to stay here another year and try to help the team and the club to achieve the goals that they’re looking for,” said Fernandinho. “In my point of view, we can do that, there’s still places to improve and to get those targets.” He added: “If I can keep doing the same way, leading them inside the pitch, off the pitch, to help them to improve and get better and to perform better during the games, I would be the most happy person there.” Fernandinho joined City from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2013 and has made 350 appearances and won 12 domestic trophies during that time. “Fernandinho’s contribution to Manchester City cannot be overstated,” said director of football Txiki Begiristain. “He is an outstanding footballer — one of the best in the world in his position — and an exemplary professional. “Since he arrived in 2013, his attitude and consistency have been exceptional, and he has developed into one of our most influential players.”

London (AFP) – Manchester City captain Fernandinho has signed a one-year contract extension at the Premier League champions, saying he has unfinished business at the club. The deal keeps the 36-year-old Brazilian at the Etihad Stadium until 2022 and he is targeting another shot at the Champions League after City lost to Chelsea in their first final in the competition last month. “In my head and my mind, the job is not done yet and so that’s why I decided to stay here another year and try to help the team and the club to achieve the goals that they’re looking for,” said Fernandinho. “In my point of view, we can do that, there’s still places to improve and to get those targets.” He added: “If I can keep doing the same way, leading them inside the pitch, off the pitch, to help them to improve and get better and to perform better during the games, I would be the most happy person there.” Fernandinho joined City from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2013 and has made 350 appearances and won 12 dom...