Kyran Bracken has paid tribute to the professionalism and longevity of fellow World Cup winner Mike Tindall after he announced his retirement on Tuesday.
Wednesday, 16 July 2014
Serie A: Antonio Conte leaves Juventus by mutual consent
Juventus coach Antonio Conte has had his contract terminated by mutual consent.
Transfer news: West Ham sign Enner Valencia from Pachuca
West Ham have signed Ecuador striker Enner Valencia from Mexican club Pachuca for a fee in the region of £15million, according to Sky sources.
Transfer News: Queens Park Rangers hope to sign Rio Ferdinand and Steven Caulker
Harry Redknapp is planning to hold more talks with Steven Caulker later this week and is hoping a deal for Rio Ferdinand will persuade the Cardiff City defender to join Queens Park Rangers.
World Cup: Champions Germany welcomed home in Berlin
Thousands of fans greeted the Germany players in Berlin after their World Cup-winning exploits in Brazil.
Champions League: Celtic defeat KR Reykjavik thanks to late Callum McGregor goal
Celtic took a step closer to the UEFA Champions League group stages as they claimed a late 1-0 victory over KR Reykjavik in the first leg of their second qualifying round clash in Iceland.
Louis van Gaal begins work as new manager of Manchester United
Louis van Gaal will start his reign as the new manager of Manchester United today.
The Dutchman begins his club career in England after steering the Netherlands to the semi-finals of the World Cup and will arrive at Carrington to oversee pre-season preparations.
He has already spoken about building a strong bond within the squad, with reports suggesting the players will be told to eat together every day after training.
United fans will be hoping for improvement after last season's disappointing Premier League finish and lack of major silverware, but Rene Meulensteen, a former Old Trafford coach, insists van Gaal will relish this challenge.
"I don't think it will faze Louis van Gaal at all in that respect, there are no worries there," he told Sky Sports News. "He will only thrive on it to some extent.
"But you really notice it when you're really getting into the routine, especially when you're going into pre-season and you see the massive popularity of the club and brand, that's what it is.
"To maintain that they have to get back up very, very quickly."
Van Gaal has acquired a fiery reputation during his hugely successful managerial career and Meulensteen believes the players must accept it or face a swift exit from the club.
"He's got his own management style, which has thrown up a few difficulties along the way wherever he's been, Barcelona or Bayern Munich because of the way that he is, the way he puts himself in front of players," he said.
"Players accept it or players sometimes don't. If they don't accept it, then yeah you probably have a problem."
A seventh-place finish in the top tier underlined how far the club have slipped behind their main rivals and there is only a month before the opening home fixture against Swansea.
Meulensteen, who worked alongside Sir Alex Ferguson, admits van Gaal will need time to build the club back into one of the major forces in English football.
"They've had Sir Alex Ferguson and they've had a disastrous season with David Moyes, now another one comes in, so that will take time," he said.
"United at this moment in time, (will be) seen by the opposition still a team that can be beaten unless proven otherwise."
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