Thierry Henry will be an assistant to new Belgium coach Roberto Martinez as they start their bid to qualify for the next World Cup finals in Russia.
The former France striker joins Martinez’s former Everton assistant Graeme Jones on the team’s coaching staff after the Spaniard replaced Marc Wilmots.
“Thierry brings something completely different,” Martinez added.
“He is someone who can develop our chances of winning something special. It was not difficult to persuade him to join this project. Belgium is a unique case and he was keen straight away to get on board.”
Schweini unlikely to play for United – Mou
German midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger is unlikely to play for Manchester United this season, manager Jose Mourinho said yesterday.
Mourinho has used Belgium midfielder Marouane Fellaini and Spaniard Ander Herrera this season and the signings of Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan have pushed Schweinsteiger further down the pecking order.
The 32-year-old Schweinsteiger is yet to make a first team appearance this season and has been training with the club’s reserves.
“It is very difficult to happen. I’m not saying it’s impossible, I’m saying that it’s very difficult. We have five players for two position,” Mourinho told reporters.
Casillas left out of Spain squad
Spain coach Julen Lopetegui has left former captain and all-time record appearance maker Iker Casillas out of his first squad since taking charge of the national team.
Lopetegui also omitted Pedro and Cesc Fabregas from the squad for Spain’s friendly against Belgium on Sept. 1 and their first World Cup qualifier against Liechtenstein four days later.
“I have spoken to Iker, he is a huge player for the national team, he is a current Spain icon but in this case we’ve decided that from now on David de Gea will be our No. 1 goalkeeper,” Lopetegui said.
Real’s Zidane hints at Rodriguez exit
Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has opened the door to out-of-favour midfielder James Rodriguez leaving the club by admitting the player’s lack of appearances could become a problem.
Spanish sports newspaper AS reported yesterday that Rodriguez will seek a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu if he does not start against Celta Vigo today.
“James is a Real Madrid player and he has a contract with us but it’s true that he has played less than others and that could prove a problem,” Zidane told a news conference yesterday.
“I always try to make my players feel important and James is no different than the rest.”
Cillessen targets Barca’s no.1 shirt
New Barcelona goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen has pledged to fight fellow goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen for his place in the team after joining the La Liga champions from Ajax.
The Netherlands international was presented at the Nou Camp yesterday after sealing his move on a five-year deal for €13 million.
“The coach will decide but I’m going to make things tough for him,” Cillessen told a news conference.
“Together me and Marc have to try and keep the coach guessing. It will be different to at Ajax but I’m sure that Barcelona will gain a lot.”
Netherlands leave out Depay, Huntelaar
Forwards Memphis Depay and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar have been dropped by the Netherlands as they begin their bid to qualify for the World Cup in Russia after missing out on this year’s European Championship.
Midfielder Jorrit Hendrix of PSV Eindhoven was the only newcomer named in a 24-man squad for a friendly against Greece next Thursday and a World Cup qualifier in Sweden six days later.
“I have spoken to Memphis and while he feels fit, I’ve told him I think that it is important that he first concentrates on getting back a spot in the 18-man squad at Manchester United,” coach Danny Blind said.
Loew rewards three Olympic medallists
Germany coach Joachim Loew has named three of the country’s Olympic silver medal-winning team in his squad for games against Finland and Norway.
Schalke’s Max Meyer was included after captaining the Germany side defeated by Brazil in a penalty shoot-out in the final of the men’s football event at the Maracana on Aug. 20.
Hoffenheim’s Niklas Suele received his first international call-up and Julian Brandt of Bayer Leverkusen also made the cut.
Germany meet Finland in a friendly in Moenchengladbach on Aug. 31 before facing Norway in Oslo on Sep. 4 as they begin their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign.