Soccer

The Real Madrid president has confirmed the club approached Paris Saint-Germain to poach Carlo Ancelotti and says that no compensation will be given to the outgoing Portuguese boss Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has revealed that the club are targeting Paris Saint-Germain boss Carlo Ancelotti as one of “several candidates” to replace the outgoing Jose Mourinho. The club revealed on Monday that the Portuguese trainer will leave the Santiago Bernabeu this summer and the search for his successor has already begun. Perez confirmed that an approach had been made for Ancelotti – who has expressed his desire to leave Parc des Princes for the Liga giants – but that les Parisiens are keen to hold on to the Italian. “I want to express my utmost respect for the PSG and their owner,” he said in a press conference on Monday, after revealing that Mourinho was set to leave. “A few days ago, the club’s director general spoke to PSG to see whether it was possible that he could come and they told us no. “That is an issue that we will address tomorrow, we have a few days to think about it. There are several candidates [not just Ancelotti].” PSG sporting director Leonardo resisted any temptation to attack the Blancos for their pursuit of the former AC Milan coach, who led the French club to their first Ligue 1 title in 19 years this season. “We do want to condemn anyone,” he told French radio station RTL, when asked about Madrid’s approach for Ancelotti. “The best way forwards is always to speak [to each other].” Madrid president Perez also confirmed that no pay-off will be given to Mourinho upon his exit, with the club and the coach – whom it is believed will return to Chelsea – having agreed to part ways amicably. “No compensation will be given [to Mourinho] upon his departure from the club,” he added. The mutual agreement between the club and Mourinho suggests he likely has another job lined up, as there was a clause in the former Inter boss’ contract which stated that whoever broke the agreement would have to pay €10 million to the other party.

Vergara watches young Goats sweep SuperClasico

Maccabi Tel Aviv ( 0 – 3 ) Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv , Israel on The 20th of May, 2013 at twenty to nine Podcast:

Brooks tug of war ends in draw

The Gunners forward has responded to recent rumours linking him with switch to the Serie A giants, saying that they make him feel “honoured” Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski has stated that a transfer to Juventus would be “conceivable”, although making it clear that he still has a contract with Arsene Wenger’s side. The German, who was recently referred to by the London outfit’s boss as the team’s best finisher, feels complimented with attracting the interest of European heavyweights like the Bianconeri but insists he still has a deal with the Gunners. “There are always offers, I don’t have any influence on that,” the 27-year-old told Bild. “Of course I feel honoured. “But, the fact is, I have a contract with Arsenal. There’s no reason to leave the club. However, in the football-business a lot of things are conceivable.” Podolski provided the assist for Laurent Koscielny’s winner against Newcastle on Sunday, which sealed Arsene Wenger’s troup’s entry to the Champions League play-offs next term by finishing in fourth place in the Premier League. The 27-year-old has a contract until June 2016 with Arsenal having joined last summer.

WhoScored has calculated the best Premier League XI from the 2012-13 season based on their average ratings through the course of the nine month campaign. Surprisingly, title winning side Manchester United only have two players in the best team, while fourth place Arsenal had the same number. Compare this to the best team as selected as BBC’s Match Of The Day, and you’ll see that they picked four Manchester United players, possibly showing a case of top six favoritism and lack of good insight? What do you think about the best starting XI and the exclusion of players such as Petr Cech, Juan Mata, Pablo Zabaleta, Rio Ferdinand and Michael Carrick? Are there players in the above graphic that should not be included. Have your say in the comments section below. Best Starting XI of the Premier League 2012-13 Season [INFOGRAPHIC] is a post from EPL Talk - Independent voice of EPL soccer fans since 2005.

MLS Power Rankings: Red Bulls rise to No. 2 by downing Galaxy

New faces on U.S. under-20 national team roster

Viktoria Zizkov ( 2 – 0 ) Bohemians 1905 , Czech Republic on The 20th of May, 2013 at five past eight Podcast:

Football Match just over at Olympia – Allsvenskan Home Team – Helsingborg   Goals & Scorers – 39′: David Accam;6′: David Accam;  Keeper – Pär Hansson  Midfield – David Accam; Mattias Lindström; Ardian Gashi; May Mahlangu;  Forwards – Alejandro Bedoya; Robin Simovic;  Defense – Loret Sadiku; Erland Hanstveit; Emil Krafth; Peter Larsson;  Subs – 88′: [...]