Barca confirm Guardiola as Rijkaard axed

Less than 24 hours after their humiliating 4-1 defeat to Real Madrid in El Clasico Barcelona have announced that the club´s reserve team coach Pep Guardiola, a former player, will take over from Frank Rijkaard at the end of the season.

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Barcelona´s injured Sylvinho out for rest of season

Barcelona´s Brazilian international defender Sylvinho will miss the rest of the season after he injured his right knee during the club´s 4-1 loss to Real Madrid, the Spanish club said Thursday.

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Liverpool want 15 million pounds for Crouch

Liverpool have slapped a 15-million-pound (30-million-dollar) price tag on unsettled England striker Peter Crouch while Tottenham have indicated that they are resigned to losing Dimitar Berbatov at the end of this season.

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Poland coach announces 26-man list for Euro 2008

Poland´s Dutch coach Leo Beenhakker on Thursday released a 26-player list from which he plans to draw his final 23-member squad for Euro 2008, the country´s first ever European championships appearance.

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Frenchman Renard to coach Zambia

Frenchman Herve Renard will sign a two-year contract next week to coach Zambia, the national football association said Thursday.

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Roma join Inter in Cup final

AS Roma and Inter Milan will battle each other for silverware on two fronts after the capital-based club reached the Coppa Italia final on Thursday.

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Atletico one win away from Champions League

Atletico Madrid´s formidable South American strike pair of Kun Aguero and Diego Forlan fired them one win away from the Champions League with a 2-0 victory over Espanyol on Thursday.

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Club Brugge's Sterchele dies in car crash

Club Brugge player François Sterchele has died at the age of 26 in a car crash earlier today.

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Belgian star Sterchele killed in car accident

FC Bruges´ Belgian international Francois Sterchele was killed in a car accident on Wednesday night, Belgian media report Thursday.

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Keegan set for showdown talks with Newcastle chairman

Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan has confirmed that he has been summoned to talks with Mike Ashley, the club owner who has reportedly been infuriated by the manager´s comments that his current squad are a "million miles" away from the top four in English football.

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Kewell´s Liverpool days at an end

Harry Kewell´s time as a Liverpool player will come to an end at the end of this season, manager Rafael Benitez confirmed on Thursday.

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Viduka facing lay-off of up to six months

Mark Viduka´s Achilles injury is more serious than had been thought and the Australian forward is facing a lay-off of up to six months, Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan revealed on Thursday.

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Britain allows Russians free visas for UEFA Cup final

Russians wanting to attend the May 14 UEFA Cup final between Zenit St Petersburg and Glasgow Rangers in Manchester will be able to receive visas for free, Britain´s embassy in Moscow said on Thursday.

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Reality show to find next Beckham or Ronaldo

A new reality television show along the lines of hit singing series American Idol is to be launched to find the next global football superstar.

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Barcelona had a ´mediocre´ season, says Toure

Barcelona´s Ivorian midfielder Yaya Toure said Thursday his side have had a "mediocre" season after the Spanish giants failed to win a trophy for the second straight year.

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Man City set to benefit from extra UEFA Cup berth

The Football Association (FA) have been awarded an extra place in the first qualifying round of next season´s UEFA Cup after finishing first in UEFA´s Fair Play competition, European football´s governing body announced on Friday.

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