- ProSoccerTalk
Coach Valverde leaves Athletic, will reportedly join Barca
MADRID (AP) Athletic Bilbao says Ernesto Valverde will not remain as the team’s coach next season, clearing the way for his expected move to Barcelona. Athletic said Tuesday that the coach will give more details about his departure in a news conference on Wednesday. The Mundo Deportivo newspaper reported that Valverde has already reached a deal with Barcelona to replace Luis Enrique, who announced earlier this year that he would not continue with the Catalan club. Barcelona ends its season after the Copa del Rey final against Alaves on Saturday. The 53-year-old Valverde reportedly will sign a two-year contract with Barcelona, with an option for a third season. The announcement is expected next
- ProSoccerTalk
Palace and West Brom: Knowing when to cut ties
This one’s for two chairmen, Steve Parish of Crystal Palace and John Williams of West Bromwich Albion, if anyone’s passing along advice from a writer with exactly zero Premier League experience. There’s a temptation to leave well enough alone with managers, an allure made only more seductive by the fact that coaching stability is almost contrarian in the high-turnover world of the Premier League. And if you’re goal is to just survive every year, then by all means, read no further. You have your men in Tony Pulis and Sam Allardyce. Before we go any further, let’s admit to some prejudices. Pulis’ management preference to often bunker down and strip attacking talents of freedom, at least on the
- ProSoccerTalk
Real Madrid signs most expensive Brazilian since Neymar
Real Madrid didn’t wait long after learning Vinicius Junior was healthy. The 16-year-old Flamengo star is committed to the Bernabeu after passing a physical, and Real Madrid announced Tuesday that they’ll have their new player no later than July 2019. The reported fee is $50 million, which would be the most money spent on a Brazilian player since Barcelona landed Neymar for about $64 million in 2013. The forward has made two appearances for Flamengo, and turns 17 on July 12. He has 19 goals in 22 appearances for Brazil’s U-17 side. Here’s Real’s announcement: Real Madrid C. F. and Clube de Regatas do Flamengo have reached an agreement regarding the transfer of the federative rights of the player Vinicius
Premier League Standings
| Rank | P | GD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 38 | 52 | 93 | |
| 2 | 38 | 60 | 86 | |
| 3 | 38 | 41 | 78 | |
| 4 | 38 | 36 | 76 | |
| 5 | 38 | 33 | 75 | |
| 6 | 38 | 25 | 69 | |
| 7 | 38 | 18 | 61 | |
| 8 | 38 | -7 | 46 | |
| 9 | 38 | -12 | 46 | |
| 10 | 38 | -8 | 45 | |
| 11 | 38 | -17 | 45 | |
| 12 | 38 | -15 | 44 | |
| 13 | 38 | -15 | 44 | |
| 14 | 38 | -13 | 41 | |
| 15 | 38 | -25 | 41 | |
| 16 | 38 | -16 | 40 | |
| 17 | 38 | -28 | 40 | |
| 18 | 38 | -43 | 34 | |
| 19 | 38 | -26 | 28 | |
| 20 | 38 | -40 | 24 |