Football in Portugal

Football: Mourinho reappointed as Chelsea manager

Agence France-PresseJune 3, 2013 12:21

Chelsea confirmed one of the worst-kept secrets in European football on Monday when they revealed that charismatic and controversial former manager Jose Mourinho has returned to the club on a four-year contract. The 50-year-old Portuguese, who led Chelsea to unprecedented success between 2004 and 2007, succeeds interim coach Rafael Benitez. His Stamford Bridge comeback had been widely anticipated, with weeks of media speculation culminating in his admission on Spanish television late on Sunday that he had agreed to move back to west London.

Mourinho signs up for 2nd stint as Chelsea manager

Agencia EFEJune 3, 2013 11:37

London, Jun 3 (EFE).- Chelsea FC announced Monday that Jose Mourinho is returning to manage the side he left in 2007 after leading the Blues to two successive Premier League titles. The 50-year-old Portuguese coach signed a four-year contract, the London club said. Confirmation of Mourinho's long-heralded return to Stamford Bridge came a day after his final match as coach of Real Madrid.

Football: Mourinho expects Chelsea return this week

Agence France-PresseJune 3, 2013 06:45

Jose Mourinho has said he expects his return to Chelsea as manager to be confirmed later this week. The Portuguese took charge of Real Madrid for the final time on Saturday after a three-year spell in charge and arrived in London on Sunday to finalise the deal. "I cannot speak as manager of Chelsea because I am not. I am going to London and I think that between Monday and the end of the week I will be the coach of Chelsea," he told Spanish television programme Punto Pelota in an interview released on Monday.

Football: Higuain wants out of Madrid

Agence France-PresseJune 1, 2013 16:17

Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain has said he wants to leave the club after seven years in the Spanish capital. The Argentine was captain and scored his 121st goal for Madrid in their 4-2 victory over Osasuna in Jose Mourinho's final game in charge on Saturday. However, he told reporters afterwards that he has already told the club of his desire to leave. "I feel that my time has ended, I want a change of scene," he said.

Football: Mourinho booed on Bernabeu farewell

Agence France-PresseJune 1, 2013 11:54

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho was booed by the majority of a sparse home crowd before the Portuguese's final match in charge against Osasuna on Saturday. Mourinho leaves the Spanish capital after three years in charge of Real in which he won the league title last season and the Copa del Rey in 2011. However, after a disappointing campaign in which Real have failed to win a major trophy, he was left in little doubt as to what the fans thought as the announcement of his name just before kick-off was met a chorus of boos.

Football: Mendes the deal-maker in Monaco charge

Agence France-PresseMay 31, 2013 21:00

French second division champions Monaco's recent multi-million euro splurge on a host of Europe's top footballing talent continues a recent trend of billionaire owners attempting to spend their way to success. However, in the case of Monaco and their Russian owner Dmitry Rybolovlev, they have also used another common method of top clubs in recent years by recruiting a number of Portuguese super-agent Jorge Mendes' clients.

French club Monaco confirms five-year deal for Falcao

Agencia EFEMay 31, 2013 17:30

Madrid, May 31 (EFE).- French club AS Monaco FC has officially confirmed the signing of a five-year deal with Colombian star striker Radamel Falcao, saying Friday that an agreement was struck with the player and Spanish side Atletico Madrid. Falcao becomes the latest player to be wooed by the club headed by Chairman Dmitry Rybolovlev, who already landed Colombian James Rodriguez and Portugal's Joao Moutinho from F.C. Porto for a combined 70 million euros and also signed center back Ricardo Carvalho from Real Madrid

Falcao back on practice field after reaching deal with Monaco

Agencia EFEMay 30, 2013 11:15

Majadahonda, Spain, May 30 (EFE).- Radamel Falcao was back on the field for Atletico Madrid Thursday after spending the past two days putting the final touches on the deal that will send him to French club AS Monaco FC, a transfer that is to be made official in the coming hours and bring an end to the Colombian striker's tenure in Spain. Falcao returned to work Thursday morning at Sports City in this Madrid suburb, where he endured some ribbing from teammates while practicing for his team's last match of the Spanish league season on Saturday at Zaragoza.

Football: Monaco close in on record Falcao deal

Agence France-PresseMay 28, 2013 13:45

Atletico Madrid's Colombian striker Radamel Falcao and Real Madrid's Portuguese defender Ricardo Carvalho were in Monaco on Tuesday negotiating transfers to the principality club. Sources close to Monaco said the duo were set to undergo their medicals later, but added that Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes was not present despite reports claiming he was also on the verge of moving to the Stade Louis II. Monaco are believed to have agreed a fee of some 60 million euros (£51.3m, $77.2m) for Falcao, which would make him the most expensive player in French football history.

Football: Nani back in Portugal squad for Russia qualifier

Agence France-PresseMay 27, 2013 11:00

Manchester United winger Nani is back in the Portugal squad for next month's crucial World Cup qualifier against Russia in Lisbon. The 26-year-old has suffered a frustrating injury-plagued season and was not part of the squad for the last Group F matches against Israel and Azerbaijan. The one new face in coach Paulo Bento's group is Sporting Lisbon midfielder Andre Martins. Portugal, who lost 1-0 in Moscow in a previous qualifier, are desperate for a win on June 7 to keep their direct qualification hopes alive.