Defender Jonas Olsson has left West Brom for Sweden’s Djurgarden IF.
The 34-year-old, who has spent nine years at West Brom, reached an agreement with the club to terminate his contract so he could join the Stockholm-based side in time for the start of the Swedish top-flight season in 10 days.
“It’s all happened so quickly I’ve not had chance to say a proper farewell,” Olsson said.
“I still feel I have a few good years in me but such is the quality of the competition at Albion for places in my position, it was getting harder and harder to see a first team opportunity.”
Lemonis returns to Olympiakos
Experienced Greek coach Takis Lemonis has been appointed for a third time as head coach of Olympiakos.
The 57-year-old, who coached the Piraeus club from 2000-2002 and again from 2006-2008, replaces the sacked Paulo Bento, who departed earlier this month after a poor string of results.
Interim coach Vasilis Vouzas, who has been handling senior team affairs since Bento’s departure, will return to his role as Under-20 coach.
“Lemonis is part of the history of our club, he has served as a player and a coach winning titles and trophies along the way,” the club said.
Defiant Butland
Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland knows he has a fight on his hands to displace Lee Grant as the team’s first choice keeper when he returns from injury.
Butland sustained an ankle injury on international duty with England in March 2016 and is yet to regain match fitness. In his absence, former Derby goalkeeper Lee Grant has excelled with nine clean sheets.
“He (Grant) knows I want the shirt, I know he wants to keep it and that’s the way it is,” the 24-year-old Butland told reporters.
“I’ll have a good week of training and hopefully that’ll get me up to speed and then I can join up fully with the rest of the squad next week.”
Recovery key for Liverpool’s Origi
Liverpool striker Divock Origi is taking the hectic life of an international footballer in his stride as he looks to impress manager Juergen Klopp ahead of next week’s Merseyside derby.
Origi is likely to feature when Belgium host Greece in World Cup qualifier tomorrow and again in a friendly against Russia in Sochi on Tuesday, only four days before Liverpool host Everton in the Premier League.
“As a footballer you need to adapt. It will be a long trip, then all the focus will be on recovery,” the 21-year-old told Sky Sports.
“It’s a big game. Everton are in a good way at the moment so it will be an important game for both teams.”
Wilmots wants Toure back in squad
Ivory Coast boss Marc Wilmots has made trying to persuade Yaya Toure out of international retirement one of his top priorities after taking over as coach of the former African champions this week.
“I’ve seen the last two games that he played for Manchester City in a defensive midfield position. He’s always great, he’s so good physically,” Wilmots said.
“I’ll go see him, I’ll talk with him.”
Toure has not played for his country since leading them to the Nations Cup title in 2015. In his absence this year, the Ivory Coast crashed out in the first round as they defended their title in Gabon in January.
Managers need more planning – Fergie
Alex Ferguson believes players today are not sufficiently prepared to become managers.
The former Man. United manager thinks players must start planning earlier for their career off the field, although he acknowledged owners have become more demanding.
He told ESPN FC: “Today I think a lot of players don’t make their mind up that they want to stay in the game until it’s too late. In other words, they don’t have a rounded preparation like I did.
“They maybe take their badges at 32, 33 and then they expect to be managers two or three years later.
“It’s a serious result industry.
You have to win games. And if you don’t have the proper preparation like I did, and a lot of coaches did, you’re going to suffer.”
Gundogan eyes pre-season return
Ilkay Gundogan hopes to be back in training with Manchester City at the start of pre-season.
The German midfielder’s impressive first campaign at City ended prematurely when he underwent surgery to repair cruciate ligament damage last December.
Gundogan was one of manager Pep Guardiola’s first signings when he joined the club in a £20 million deal from Borussia Dortmund last summer.
The 26-year-old told ESPN FC: “It is getting better. It is a little bit frustrating but injuries are part of football.
“I just try to do the best every day and try to come back as soon as possible on the field. Hopefully I can start pre-season.”