Bartomeu hopeful of Guardiola’s return, Messi contract extension

Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola addresses the media during a press conference at the City Football Academy in Manchester, northern England, on October 31, 2016, ahead of their UEFA Champions League group C football match against Barcelona on November 1. AFP/Oli Scarff

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu is confident of keeping hold of Lionel Messi, with the LaLiga champions set to open negations over a new contract in the “next couple of months”.
Messi’s current deal is set to expire in June 2018 and Bartomeu has already said the Barca star has a contract forever at Camp Nou. Bartomeu, though, is confident of warding off interest from the lucrative Premier League.
“This is a decision for Leo Messi or for any player to change club,” Bartomeu told the Telegraph. “Right now Leo Messi has a contract to the end of the Russian World Cup [in 2018] and we are very happy with him. Very happy. He’s the best player in the world, by far.
“I don’t know what will happen in the future but of course we will always try to explain to him that he is at the best club in the world and this is the best place for him to live and he is living the best experience of his life with us.

Phelps trying to be Michael Jordan of ex-swimmers

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 05: Madame Tussaud's, Washington DC, in partnership with the DC Department of Parks and Recreation unveils Michael Phelps' wax double at Banneker Pool on August 5, 2016 in Washington, DC.Larry French/Getty

Michael Phelps has been dismissed before. Despite retiring as the most decorated Olympian of all time, the 31-year-old swimmer had to overcome the stigma of a DUI before earning his final round of medals.
His biggest challenge, however, still potentially lies ahead. Can Phelps, the supremely talented swimmer, remake himself into Phelps, the savvy businessman?
Many have attempted the transition, yet few have succeeded. Indeed, for every Michael Jordan or Tony Hawk, who build billion-dollar empires with their namesakes, many more make poor investments or simply blow through their fortunes post-retirement. (Think Antoine Walker or Derrick Coleman, to name a few.)
“For me this is my first time really out of the pool and in business world,” Phelps told Yahoo Finance prior to an appearance at Intuit’s QuickBooks Connect 2016 conference in San Jose, Calif., last week.
“It’s a fun, challenging road being able to switch from competitive swimming to now on land and trying to do that. It’s a new chapter, but it’s something I’m looking forward to. Hopefully, I’ll be

Mark Clattenburg to referee Arsenal against Tottenham despite recent criticism

Mark Clattenburg controversially sent off Ander Herrera during Manchester United's draw with Burnley.Mark Clattenburg controversially sent off Ander Herrera during Manchester United's draw with Burnley.

Mark Clattenburg will referee Sunday’s North London derby despite criticism of his performance in last weekend’s 0-0 draw between Manchester United and Burnley.
Clattenburg has been put in charge of the meeting between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium for his first Premier League appointment since sending off Jose Mourinho and Ander Herrera at Old Trafford.

Ogenyi Onazi pays tribute to ‘legendary’ Miroslav Klose

Super Eagles’ midfielder Ogenyi Onazi has paid his respect to Miroslav Klose who hangs his boots as Germany’s all-time topscorer after he announcing his retirement from football to end his 29-year old career.
Klose who recorded 71 goals in 137 appearnces for the ‎Die Mannschaft and also owns the record