Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger remains “hungrier than ever” for success after completing a bumper treble-winning campaign with the Bundesliga club.
The 28-year-old Germany international was a key figure in the Bayern squad which claimed the league, DFB-Pokal and Champions League trophies.
Pictured with the 13 trophies he has won in his career, Schweinsteiger told Bild am Sonntag: “To see them all grouped together is really, really nice – it makes me hungrier than ever. My title hunger has increased by winning the championship, not decreased.
“It is certainly very good for the self-confidence.”
Blanc turns down Roma approach
Former France boss Laurent Blanc is still looking for a new job after he turned down an offer from Roma.
Blanc had been linked with the Roma post, with Aurelio Andreazzoli’s position coming under scrutiny following a disappointing Serie A season.
But Blanc revealed he has only been approached by Roma.
“Yes I will be looking for a new job, but at this moment, there is nothing,” he said.
“We can talk about many things, but the one thing I can say is it will not happen with Roma.
“They are the only club I have had real contact with.”
Abidal reveals Barca’s snub
Defender Eric Abidal has revealed he was not offered a new contract by Barcelona because the Primera Division champions considered it to be too risky.
The 33-year-old Frenchman was released by the Catalan club at the end of the season just weeks after he made his comeback from a liver transplant.
“They considered it a risk that something could happen to me and did not want the responsibility,” Abidal said in an interview with El Mundo.
“But I will continue playing while my doctors give me permission. I think it is the right time to leave, I will try to reach 35 before I retire.”
Celta appoint Luis Enrique
Celta Vigo have named Luis Enrique as their new coach after parting company with Abel Resino on Saturday night.
Celta and Resino mutually agreed to go their separate ways a week after the Galician club saved their Primera Liga status on the final day of the season by beating Espanyol 1-0.
The man chosen to replace Resino is 43-year-old former Spain international Luis Enrique, who left his last post as Roma coach at the end of the 2011/12 campaign after the capital club finished seventh in Serie A and outside of the European places.
Jovetic keen on Juventus move
Stevan Jovetic is determined to leave Fiorentina this summer and join Juventus.
Fiorentina are deadset on keeping hold of the Montenegro striker despite receiving a €30 million offer from the Italian champions.
But Jovetic told La Gazzetta dello Sport that he wants a new challenge with the Bianconeri.
“I have been at Fiorentina since 2008 for five very intense seasons,” Jovetic said. “I feel that I gave my all to Fiorentina, so I have nothing more to give here.
“I need new motivation and to make the step-up to the next level at a top club. Fiorentina took me to participate in Europe, but now I want to win in Europe with Juventus.”
Mou damaged our game – Iniesta
Jose Mourinho did more harm than good to Spanish football during his controversial three-year tenure as coach of Real Madrid, Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta was quoted as saying yesterday.
Portuguese Mourinho quit Real three years before the end of his contract after a 2012-13 campaign without major silverware and has returned to former club Chelsea.
“You just have to look at the facts,” Iniesta said when asked if Mourinho had harmed Spanish football. “Yes he damaged Spanish football, in general more harm than good.
“But I don’t like talking about that person at all. So if you don’t mind we’ll leave it at that.”
Pereira to coach Al-Ahli
Porto coach Vitor Pereira has signed a two-year deal to take charge of Al-Ahli.
“Al-Ahli club signed a contract with Vitor Pereira for the next two seasons, and he will come to Jeddah with his assistants on June 27, and he will start his job on June 29,” the club said.
Pereira, who helped Porto retain their Portuguese league crown after beating his arch-rivals Benfica in a riveting title race, will take over from Serbian Aleksandar Ilic.
Al-Ahli reached the Asian Champions League quarter-finals this season but will not participate in next season’s competition after finishing fifth in the Saudi League.