Netherlands coach Louis Van Gaal has urged prospective Manchester United managerial candidate Erik Ten Hag to “choose a football club not a commercial club”. The Ajax boss is the main candidate to replace interim boss Ralf Rangnick at Old Trafford.
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A late Alan Browne headed handed Ireland a deserved 2-2 draw in their friendly with Belgium. Chiedozie Ogbene had brought Ireland level after falling behind to a Michy Batshuayi strike before fellow Corkman Browne popped up to cancel out Hans Vanaken’s header to give the Boys in Green something to celebrate on the FAI’s centenary.
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Italy will miss out on successive World Cup tournaments for the first time ever after a 92nd minute goal from Aleksandar Trajkovski stunned the home fans in Palermo sending North Macedonia into a play-off final against Portugal with the winner booking their spot in Qatar.
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Jermain Defoe has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 39. Former West Ham and Tottenham striker Defoe had been playing for Sunderland, after returning to the club where he spent two-and-a-half seasons between 2015 and 2017, in January. His contract there was due to run until the end of the season.
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Stephen Kenny has added QPR first team coach John Eustace to his backroom staff for the Republic of Ireland. Eustace joins as assistant coach and replaces the highly rated Anthony Barry who left his position to join the coaching staff of the Belgian national team.
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