Sports

Arjen Robben, Bayern Munich Legend Retires From Football

Published

5 years ago

July 5, 2019

Eric

The Netherlands play maker, Arjen Robben announced on Thursday he is ending his playing career at the age of 35 after a 10-year spell with German giants Bayern Munich.

His contract at Bayern had expired on June 30.

Robben played 96 international matches for the Netherlands, scoring 37 goals, and starred in the team which reached the 2010 World Cup final and finished third four years later

He won two Premier League titles under Jose Mourinho at Chelsea in 2005 and 2006, before claiming a La Liga winner’s medal with Real Madrid.

But Robben, a Groningen youth product, will be best remembered for his time at Bayern. He helped the Bavarians to eight Bundesliga crowns, five German Cups and the 2013 Champions League title, scoring 144 goals in 309 appearances for the club.

There had been speculation Robben would continue playing, with a possible return to England mooted, but instead, he has decided to hang up his boots after a career which was often blighted by injuries.

“At the moment I’m fit and healthy and as a fan of many other sports, I want to keep it that way in the future,” Robben added.

At Bayern, he combined with fellow winger Franck Ribery to great effect as the pair earned the nickname ‘Robbery’.

“Thank you, Danke, merci, dankjewel @arjenrobben,” wrote the 36-year-old Ribery, whose Bayern contract also expired last month, on Twitter.

“Best @FCBayern counterpart I could imagine, #Robbery will never be forgotten! What a career my friend, now enjoy your time off the pitch.”

Robben had already retired from international football after the Netherlands failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

He missed the majority of Bayern’s tight title contest against Borussia Dortmund in the second half of the last term but returned late in the season.

Robben and Ribery both scored in their farewell appearance as Bayern secured a seventh straight German league title on the final day of the season with a 5-1 thrashing of Eintracht Frankfurt.

Sports

Spain Berth in Euro 2024 Final, Beat France in Dramatic Comeback

Published

3 weeks ago

July 9, 2024

Eric

Spain have book a place in the final of the Euro 2024 championship after a 2-1 win against France on Tuesday night.

Dani Olmo’s 25th-minute right-footed strike sealed the Spanish side’s victory at the Allianz Arena, Germany.

Spain will face either the Netherlands or England in the competition’s final on July 14.

France opened scoring in the eighth minute through R. Kolo Muani before two quick goals from Spain’s L. Yamal in the 21st minute, and D. Olmo in the 25th sealed victory for the Spaniards.

Sports

Finidi George Quits As Super Eagles Coach

Published

1 month ago

June 15, 2024

Eric

Newly appointed Super Eagles coach, Finidi George, has resigned his appointment, according to a post by ex-Super Eagles media officer, Toyin Ibitoye on X.com on Saturday.

He wrote, “News just in. Finidi George #FinidiGeorge_FG has resigned from his #NGSuperEagles manager position.”

The resignation follows the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) decision to appoint a foreign coach to oversee him, despite his recent appointment in May.

Sports

Finidi Flop: NFF Mulls Employment of Expatriate Technical Adviser

Published

1 month ago

June 13, 2024

Eric

The Nigeria Football Federation has decided to appoint an expatriate Technical Adviser to oversee the Super Eagles.

This move comes ahead of the upcoming African Cup of Nations qualifiers and the remaining 2026 World Cup qualifying matches, and is expected to be finalised in the coming weeks.

The decision was contained in a communiqué made available to newsmen on Thursday.

According to the communiqué, the Executive Committee of NFF held a meeting on Wednesday, to deliberate on important issues.

“The Executive Committee wholeheartedly apologised to Nigerians for the dismal output and subsequent very poor returns of the Senior Men National Team, Super Eagles, in four out of 10 matches in the ongoing qualification series for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals,” the communiqué partly read.

They assured Nigerians that they will put necessary measures in place to ensure a better-prepared squad ahead of the AFCON 2025 qualifiers in September and the resumption of the World Cup qualifiers.

“The Executive Committee resolved to employ an expatriate Technical Adviser for the Super Eagles in the coming weeks, ahead of the AFCON qualifiers and the remaining FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.

“The committee resolved to beef up the NFF Technical Department with more qualitative hands. Equally, the Technical and Development Sub-Committee will be re-jigged with immediate effect,” the communique added.

The Board also expressed displeasure with the poor attitude of some of the players “notwithstanding the challenges that attended the team’s preparations for the Day 3 and Day 4 games of the FIFA World Cup qualifying matches, owing to a 38-hour nationwide industrial action.”

The board decided in favour of a more robust scouting programme of outstanding Nigeria-eligible players from across the globe, “who can add tremendous value to the nation’s flagship team.”

Super Eagles head coach, Finidi George, came under criticisms after the Eagles suffered a 2-1 loss to Benin Republic on Monday on match-day 4 of the CAF 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

The defeat leaves the Super Eagles with a disappointing three points out of a potential 12, following a string of draws in their opening three matches.

The former international was appointed new head coach of the Nigerian men national team on April 29, 2024.