Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has confirmed he's a fan of teenage River Plate midfielder Claudio Echeverri. The youngster caught the eye at the recent Under-17 World Cup in Indonesia and has said he'd like to play for Barcelona. "As well as River, I would like to play for Barça," he said. "I am a big Messi fan and I watched him play there, so they are a team I have followed since I w...Full Story »

Echeverri & Subiabre are both wanted in Europe The three youngsters were all part of the Argentina squad that reached the semi-final of the recent U-17 World Cup, with Ruberto winning the tournament's Golden Boot and Echeverri taking home the Bronze Boot. 17-year-old Echeverri, an attacking midfielder whose nationality has helped bring comparisons to Lionel Messi, already has four senior a...Full Story »

Mexico international Rodolfo Pizarro has a deal in place to join AEK Athens, a move that will allow Inter Miami to use a Designated Player spot for Lionel Messi, sources told ESPN. Pizarro is expected to travel to Europe over the weekend to close on the last details of his contract and to sign with the team led by former Chivas and San Jose Earthquakes coach Matias Almeyda, sources said. Las...Full Story »

Claudio Gomes is doubtful for Barnsley as they prepare to host Blackpool.The midfielder missed the Tykes’ loss to Huddersfield last Friday due to illness and he could be absent again.Academy coach Martin Devaney takes charge for this clash after boss Poya Asbaghi departed the club by mutual consent following Barnsley’s relegation on Friday.Michal Helik is still sidelined with an ankl...Full Story »

A FOOTBALL fan was left stunned after spotting Antonio Conte and Claudio Ranieri while out for Valentine's Day dinner with his girlfriend. The couple could barely believe it when Tottenham boss Conte and former Watford manager Ranieri plonked themselves down at the table next to them. A lucky football fan couldn't believe it when Antonio Conte and Claudio Ranieri sat down in front of him Rani...Full Story »

Former England coach Roy Hodgson has been appointed as Watford manager, the club announced on Tuesday. Hodgson replaces Claudio Ranieri, who was sacked as manager on Monday after just 112 days in charge. The 74-year-old will be the club's third manager of the 2021-22 campaign, after Ranieri replaced Xisco Munoz in October. The Premier League club said in a statement on their website: "Watfor...Full Story »

Watford have sacked manager Claudio Ranieri after just three months in charge at Vicarage Road, the club announced on Monday. The Italian was hired as manager on Oct. 4 following the dismissal of Xisco, who had helped guide Watford to promotion from the Championship. Ranieri was in charge for 13 matches, losing 10 of those and winning just two, both of which were by a three-goal margin. His ...Full Story »

Claudio Ranieri insisted he was not going anywhere after Watford suffered a heavy 3-0 home defeat to Norwich in the Premier League and maintained that he “never gives up”.Josh Sargent struck twice to lift Norwich out of the relegation zone as Watford finished the game with 10 men, piling more pressure on Ranieri.Sargent’s improvised flick broke the deadlock before he headed hom...Full Story »

Claudio Ranieri was left counting the cost of Watford’s mistakes after they crashed to a dramatic 2-1 defeat at Brentford.The Hornets were leading with only six minutes remaining through Emmanuel Dennis and looking good value for a win which would have lifted them six points clear of the relegation zone.But Pontus Jansson headed previously toothless Brentford level and in stoppage time Wat...Full Story »

James Maddison inspired Leicester to a swashbuckling 4-2 win over Watford to ruin Claudio Ranieri’s return.The England international grabbed a goal and two assists for Jamie Vardy as the Foxes closed the gap to the top six.Maddison, fresh from starring in Thursday’s Europa League win over Legia Warsaw, shone again while Ademola Lookman’s strike also helped Leicester claim just ...Full Story »

Mikel Arteta defended his Arsenal players after Watford boss Claudio Ranieri accused them of a lack of respect in the build-up to Emile Smith Rowe’s winning goal.Smith Rowe struck in the second half to secure a 1-0 victory over the 10-man Hornets, who had Juraj Kucka sent off late on.The result leaves Arsenal fifth in the Premier League heading into the international break, with the result...Full Story »

Manager Claudio Ranieri was blown away as his Watford side scored four goals in 12 minutes to come from behind and win 5-2 at Everton.The Hornets’ maiden victory at Goodison Park – and Ranieri’s first in charge of the club – came in stunning fashion as Joshua King scored a hat-trick on his return to Everton, where he played 11 times without a goal last season before leavi...Full Story »

Roberto Firmino struck a hat-trick and Mohamed Salah scored for the eighth consecutive game as Liverpool delivered a masterclass in a 5-0 demolition of Watford on Claudio Ranieri’s Premier League return.Jurgen Klopp’s side dominated from the outset to extend their unbeaten league run to 18 games, with Sadio Mane opening the scoring with his 100th Premier League goal.Firmino doubled L...Full Story »

Watford will assess striker Josh King ahead of Claudio Ranieri’s first game in charge against Liverpool.King is recovering from a knee injury suffered in the defeat against Leeds, where Francisco Sierralta and Christian Kabasele (both hamstring) were also injured and have not yet returned to training.Nicolas Nkoulou is set for another three weeks on the sidelines while Peter Etebo (quad) i...Full Story »