Euro 16 Let Down

After all the expectation and build up - Euro 16 came and went without the expected fireworks and fanfare we all had hoped would eventuate. For FPA fans out there we'll stick to the teams that mattered, and that's the SB and JM managed Portugal and France respectively.

Portugal looked the goods through the group stages. Comfortable without really ever looking threatened. We all just assumed they would come alive in the Finals. How wrong we were.

France on the other hand, started like a shot out of a canon in the groups. Easing to victory in game 1, before slowly losing momentum with a draw and then a loss. But once again we all expected they would breathe new life once in the final stages and to some extent JM's team didn't disappoint.

But it would be going against tradition if there wasn't a 'glitch' to have the fans and pundits complaining. An error in the draw meant the FIFA 16 God's would need to intervene with the dreaded SIM - and who knows what this would mean for our likely heroes.

For Portugal you would say it did very little except give them a dream run through to the final. Conspiracy theorists once again out in force to say SB had somehow conspired with 'the system' to rig another competition in his favour. We will never know.

For France, it gave them a more difficult draw, and a massive disadvantage of losing first Payet to injury, and Giroud to suspension. Neither would get to feature again in the competition.

France however to their credit pushed through in the Quarter Finals - hammering a hapless Austria 4-1 to progress and started to look every bit the favourites.

Portugal however had no answer to a spirited Switzerland who were never going to be beaten on a day SB and his chargers will likely want to forget. Portugal eliminated. The Euro dream over - and SB would lament on where he went wrong after putting so much energy into this Portugal team. Some would say he and Ronaldo never saw eye to eye - considering the Classico rivalries of years gone past. Its hard to argue when Ronaldo looked a shadow of his usual self in this Cup.

Ronaldo grimaces in pain as the ref blows full time against Switzerland

For France, it would also end in shock horror. A difficult game against Italy is all that stood between them and a Finals spot and it would only take one moment, one second of lapsed concentration, for Italy to steal a late goal and take the spoils on France's home turf. Sadness gripped a nation - and JM would be left in tatters.

So much hope ends in sadness for France

For the record Belgium beat Italy to lift the trophy for the first time in their history.

Truly a disappointing cup. See you at the World Cup.

SB linked to Chelsea move

Speculation is rife that former Barcelona manager SB has already signed on to takeover Chelsea for the upcoming season.

A rep for SB declined to confirm the rumours however he did say SB did have unfinished business at the London club and would love to have another go.

Most pundits feel it comes down to Chelsea and Arsenal for SB now with previous front runner Liverpool ruled out as it's thought SB was concerned with their lack of depth. An announcement is expected to be made within hours.

JM agrees to Manchester United deal

After months of speculation Manchester United today announced their new manager to be former Real Madrid boss JM.

"I am so proud to return to this great club who I have supported since I was a little boy".
JM spoke before a packed media conference today.

"I promise to have my team play with the tradition and style of the great Manchester United teams of the past. I can't wait to start working with the team. I am also very happy to be back in the Premier League. I want to also thank Real Madrid for the past few seasons. Although challenging, I look forward to one returning and taking care of unfinished business."

Real Madrid reportedly allowed JM to leave and break his 10 year deal he signed only last season. In return, Manchester United payed an undisclosed fee for their new manager.

JM: I'm coming to the Premier League

JM has confirmed he will be coming to the Premier League in the summer, although the Real Madrid coach says he has not chosen his new club yet.

JM was speaking for the first time since it was announced that he will leave Real  at the end of the season, leaving after only 1 season of a 10 year contract.  

"The reason I have not extended my contract is simple," JM said. "I want to manage in the Premier League.

Manchester City are thought to be the leading contenders to land JM, although Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal have also been mentioned as possible destinations.

Intriguingly, JM says he has had numerous offers from Premier League clubs.

"I have several offers from England," he said, "but I haven't signed anything yet."

League race down to Valencia and Barce

With only a handful of games remaining it appears the La Liga race is now down to two - Valencia and Barcelona. And it's Valencia in the box seat with a handy lead with crucial games ahead.

Barcelona can still unseat the leaders with a good run of wins on the home stretch, remarkable considering the defending champions were well off the pace for most of the season.

Should they do the impossible and win another league title - they would incredibly be the first team ever to win 4 league title in a row. Good luck to SB - he's going to need it.

Barcelona ousted from Champions League

The biggest upset yet in this seasons Champions League saw one of the favorites in Barcelona eliminated from the Competition at the hands of Zlatan's Ibrahimovic and his PSG team.

The damage was all done in a pulsating first game with a 10 man PSG out scoring Barcelona 5 goals to 3, with Ibrahimovic single handedly hammering in 4.

The return leg was lifeless and more defense focused ending in a scoreless draw and thus eliminating the Liga Champions.

Over at Real Madrid we saw them scrap through and get past a very tricky Zenith after going down 2-1 in the opening leg. Garth Bale rescuing the Madristas with a late goal in the return leg.

The dream continues for JM and his Real Madrid.

Barcelona struggle in Champions League

With only two games remaining in the Champions League group stage, Spanish champions Barcelona are under pressure to qualify for the next round. With big games looming against both Roma and group leaders Bayer Leverkusen still to come Barce find themselves in a must win position.

"I think we should be ok" SB said after the surprise draw result against FC Kopenhagen.
No doubt together with the lackluster start to the Liga season, and an unconvincing victory in the Copa Del Rey, the pressure is starting to rise for SB and his team of champions. An early exit from the Champions League could be catastrophic for SB, with insiders predicting the club is already sourcing a number of replacements for the club legend.

It would certainly be a sad end to this particular era for the club - but as they say all good things must come to an end.