Inter boss Simone Inzaghi was not pleased with his side s performance in their 2-1 win away from home against Lecce, saying a team with title aspirations can not be relying on a 94th-minute winner.

The Italian giants – who had the best goal difference in Serie A last season (plus 52) – opened the scoring just 81 seconds in, when loan signing Romelu Lukaku headed home Matteo Darmian s cross from point-blank range.

Inter controlled 70 per cent of the possession in the first half and appeared good value for their lead, but the entire complexion of the contest changed two minutes into the second half when Assan Ceesay tucked home his left-foot finish low and hard across Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic after a slick counter-attack.

The 1-1 score would hold until…

Sepp Blatter denies giving Argentina an easy draw at the 2014 World Cup, but claims he has witnessed fixes at UEFA level through the use of cold and hot balls .

Argentina were pitted against Nigeria, Iran and Bosnia-Herzegovina in Brazil two years ago, but the disgraced former FIFA president denied there was an intention to give the two-time world champions a favourable group.

However, Blatter alleges to have witnessed premeditated draws by Europe s governing body, with refrigerated balls used to rig the outcome.

The [2014 World Cup] draw was clean until the last detail, the 80-year-old said in an interview with Argentine publication La Nacion.

I never touched the balls, which was something that others had to do. Of course, it can be signalled, by heati…

Manchester United have terminated Zlatan Ibrahimovic s contract with immediate effect amid mounting speculation the veteran striker is on the verge of joining Major League Soccer franchise LA Galaxy.

Ibrahimovic joined United from Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer in 2016 and his debut season yielded 28 goals in 46 games as Jose Mourinho s side won the EFL Cup and Europa League.

However, a cruciate knee ligament injury sustained against Anderlecht during the latter competition left him sidelined for eight months and, although the 36-year-old s rate of rehabilitation earned a contract extension under Jose Mourinho, he has largely appeared off the pace in seven appearances this term – five of which have come from the bench.

A brief statement issued on United…

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has underlined his commitment to the club, insisting he will stay as long as he is wanted.

The 26-year-old is currently sidelined for up to four weeks after sustaining a deep gash in his leg while appearing as a substitute during their 3-2 win over Fulham in the English Premier League on August 25.

Rooney had been dropped to the bench for that game after questions were raised over his fitness, and the England striker later admitted he had returned to pre-season training seven pounds overweight.

However, Rooney insists he remains intent on remaining at Old Trafford for the length of his career.

When asked where he would like to be in 10 years time, Rooney told talkSPORT: Hopefully still here at Man Utd.

Tha…

Spain continued their preparations for the Confederations Cup with a straightforward 2-1 victory over Haiti in Miami on Saturday.

The team ranked number one in the world were far from at their best, but first-half goals from Santi Cazorla and Cesc Fabregas were enough to extend their unbeaten streak to 21 matches a run which stretches back to a 1-0 defeat to England in November 2011.
Wildedonald Guerrier replied for Haiti in the second half, but his side have now lost five games in a row as preparations for their CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign continue to stutter.

Spain were without Barcelona regulars Xavi and Andres Iniesta, but still fielded a side brimming with experienced stars such as Juan Mata, Fabregas and Cazorla.

Haiti, meanwhile, included Jean-Jacques Pierre of Caen…

Tottenham Hotspur are ready to offload Joe Rodon on a permanent basis in the summer of 2024, according to . Rodon is on loan at Championship club Leeds at the moment, and Premier League outfit Tottenham are willing to cash in on him at the end of the season.

Spurs are reportedly looking for £20 million in transfer fees to sell Rodon. The Wales international central defender has failed to make a massive impact at Spurs and does not appear to be in the plans of current Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou.

Rodon has made 12 starts and one substitute appearance in the Championship for Leeds so far this season. Leeds are third in the Championship table at the moment with 31 points from 16 matches, eight points behind Leicester City and Ipswich Town, who are first and seco…

Republic of Ireland boss Stephen Kenny has told Evan Ferguson to play without pressure as he attempts to enhance his blossoming reputation on the international stage.

The 19-year-old striker has shaken off a back injury to make himself available for Saturday evening’s final Euro 2024 qualifier against the Netherlands in Amsterdam and the chance to add to his tally of three goals in eight senior appearances for his country.

Ferguson’s presence at the Johan Cruyff Arena, where he played in Brighton’s 2-0 Europa League win over Ajax last week, will excite the travelling support, although Kenny is keen not to place too much weight on his young shoulders.

He said: “It’s important not to expect too much. We’ve to be cognisant of his age. He’s made the bre…

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has suggested interim head coach Hansi Flick is likely to remain in charge for the rest of the 2019-20 season, stating: There s nothing to be said against it.

Flick has overseen eight wins from 10 games in all competitions, having been placed in charge when Niko Kovac was sacked at the start of November.

After Bayern beat Wolfsburg 2-0 on Saturday, thanks to late goals from substitute Joshua Zirkzee and Serge Gnabry, Rummenigge outlined his happiness with the club s progress.

I make no secret of the fact that we are satisfied with the development of the team and the quality of play, Rummenigge told Sky.

The results are also very good. There s nothing to be said against it.

Both parties are satisfied…

Getafe are poised to move for Barcelona midfielder Carles Alena and Real Madrid winger Takefusa Kubo when LaLiga s January transfer window opens.

Alena, 22, has been unable to establish himself as a regular starter under Ronald Koeman and has made just four appearances for the Blaugrana this season.

Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane allowed 19-year-old Kubo to join Villarreal on a season-long loan, during which he has made 19 appearances, but it is expected that deal will be cut short.

Getafe president Angel Torres revealed the club s interest in the pair as head coach Jose Bordalas seeks to strengthen his squad next month.

Kubo wants to come, Torres told Onda Cero program El Transistor. Yes, the other reinforcement may be Alena. But we are not going to…

It seems my favourite holiday destination has a production line of highly-rated bosses, no, not Blackpool, Portugal. Jose Mourinho has been a modern-day frontrunner for bosses from his homeland.

He has won everything you possibly can in the club game. However, it now seems there is a new breed of his compatriots following his example. According to reports, Everton are looking at several of Mourinho’s compatriots as potential replacements for current boss Sam Allardyce.

Here are some of those highly-rated young bosses:

Paulo Fonseca (Shakhtar Donetsk)

Though technically not Portuguese, Fonseca has spent the majority of his life in Portugal and Portuguese football.

The 45-year-old has established an exciting managerial reputation for himself at Shakhtar…