Former Arsenal striker Tony Woodcock has urged Robin van Persie to resist Manchester City’s advances and remain loyal to the Gunners. Woodcock called on the prolific Dutch striker to stay put after his future was left in doubt following a round of talks with the Arsenal hierarchy over a new £130,000-per-week three-year deal. Italian giants Juventus have ruled out a move for Van Pers...Full Story »

Liverpool have been given permission by Wigan Athletic to talk to coach Roberto Martinez about becoming the next manager at Anfield, a day after Kenny Dalglish was sacked. "He's going there with an open mind," Wigan chairman Dave Whelan told Sky Sports News on Thursday. "We would love to keep Roberto, he's a great manager. But there are two or three clubs looking for a new manager and Robert...Full Story »

There is, at this early stage, absolutely no reason to panic. Roy Hodgson has everything under control and he could yet prove a genius when it comes to knowing what is best for England’s international footballers. But it is a bit of a concern when we see Nigel de Jong arriving in Lausanne to join the Holland squad preparing for Euro 2012 on the day Wayne Rooney touches down in Las Vegas...Full Story »

MANCHESTER, England (AP) Manchester United has released forward Michael Owen, who will try to sign with another Premier league club or return overseas after three injury-blighted seasons. ''At 32, I definitely owe it to myself to have two or three years and play a bit more - but for somebody else,'' Owen told Sky Sports. The former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Newcastle forward made just four ap...Full Story »

Hertha Berlin have appointed Holland's Jos Luhukay as their new coach after the 48-year-old ex-Augsburg boss signed a two-year deal on Thursday as they prepare for life in the second division. "We are very pleased that we could take Jos Luhukay for the next two years," said Hertha manager Michael Preetz. Luhukay replaces ex-Greece coach Otto Rehhagel who took over in February but was unable to...Full Story »

LONDON (AP) Manchester United revealed the financial impact on Thursday of its early exit from the Champions League, with earnings dropping and cash reserves being halved in the first three months of the year. United was deposed as Premier League champions by Manchester City on Sunday and eliminated from the lucrative Champions League at the group stage in December. The quarterly accounts show...Full Story »

Bayern Munich's Dutch winger Arjen Robben says he is ready to face Chelsea in Saturday's Champions League final despite sitting out training earlier in the week with a cold. With Bayern to host Chelsea at Munich's Allianz Arena on Saturday, the 28-year-old was back in training on Thursday after missing two days earlier in the week. "I just had a bit of a cold, but I just wanted to make sure I ...Full Story »

LONDON (AP) Wigan manager Roberto Martinez was given permission by his club on Thursday to speak to Liverpool about filling the job vacated by Kenny Dalglish's dismissal. The approach came while Wigan chairman Dave Whelan was with Martinez, a day after Dalglish was fired following Liverpool's eighth-place finish in the Premier League. The 38-year-old Martinez has impressed during three years a...Full Story »

Kenny Dalglish called on Liverpool's supporters to rally behind the club on Thursday following his shock sacking as manager of the Premier League giants. Liverpool legend Dalglish was fired as manager on Wednesday after a disappointing campaign that saw the club post their worst league finish for 18 years and their lowest points tally since 1953/54. However despite anger in some quarters about...Full Story »

Michael Owen will be released by Manchester Unitedafter the club decided against offering him a new contract. The former England international has spent three years at the club and will be fondly remembered by United fans for his injury time winner in the 4-3 derby win over Manchester City in his first season. "The manager informed me after our testimonial match on Tuesday that the club would n...Full Story »