Gerrard should work as youth coach – Thompson

Liverpool legend Phil Thompson has warned Steven Gerrard against taking a management job until he builds up his coaching experience.
Gerrard, who announced on Thursday that he was retiring as a player after leaving LA Galaxy, has already confirmed that he turned down the chance to take charge of League One strugglers MK Dons.
While Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp appears open to Gerrard joining his coaching staff, Thompson suggested the 36-year-old should start by working with current England under-21 boss Aidy Boothroyd.
Thompson, who worked with Gerrard during his time as Liverpool’s assistant manager, told Sky Sports: “There will be a lot of opportunities but I’d rather see him with England U21s, which would probably be my preference, then come back to Liverpool in some capacity, maybe with the U23s or as first-team coach.
“Aidy Boothroyd is down there in an interim role with the England U21s with a wealth of experience. He’s gone into the under-21 setup [and] is the sort of figure to learn from.
“It’s one thing cutting your teeth with the younger players at a football club but going into a League One or League Two side is a difficult scenario unless you’ve got a senior coach with you.”

Mourinho sets Rooney Europa League goal

Manchester United's Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho arrives for the UEFA Europa League group A football match between Manchester United and Feyenoord at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, north-west England, on November 24, 2016.AFP/Oli Scarff

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho challenged Wayne Rooney to lead the club to Europa League glory after the England captain broke United’s European scoring record against Feyenoord.
Rooney, 31, scored his 39th European goal as United crushed Feyenoord 4-0 on Thursday, thereby closing to within just one goal of Bobby Charlton’s all-time club scoring record of 249 goals.
United need just a draw away to Ukrainians Zorya Luhansk in their final Group A game to progress and Mourinho says Rooney can be the inspiration behind the club’s first success in the competition.
“It’s an amazing achievement, obviously,” Mourinho told reporters when asked to sum up Rooney’s feat in surpassing Ruud van Nistelrooy as United’s outright leading scorer in UEFA competitions.
“It will be even better if he can help to bring to the club the only competition that the club never won in its history, which is the Europa League.
“It’s not the biggest competition, obviously, but it’s a competition that Man United’s history doesn’t have. So let’s try, let’s push.

I’ve no Rio regrets, I’m part of Chelsea history – Mikel

Nigeria captain Mikel Obi has insisted that he stands by his decision to represent his country at the Rio 2016 Olympics instead of parcitipating in Chelsea’s pre-season with new manager .
The 29-year-old also asserts that his place in Chelsea’s history is assured after his long, trophy-laden service to the English club.
“I’m not a guy who makes excuses in life,” Mikel, who is yet to feature for Chelsea under Conte, said in a BBC World Football interview on Friday.
“I never make excuses. I never shy away from my responsibilities. Yes, maybe people would say maybe I lost my place at Chelsea because I went to the Olympics, I didn’t have pre-season with the team, a new manager was coming in and was probably upset that I left for the Olympics, and probably thinks I don’t care about the team.
But I don’t want to use those excuses, I want to keep training hard and make sure I change the manager’s mind. But if it doesn’t happen, then it doesn’t happen.
“I’ll keep doing my best and be ready for whenever I’m called upon. Let’s see what happens in January. I

Ex-Eaglets star Dami Paul joins Katsina United

Former Nigeria U17 and U20 goalkeeper Dami Paul has joined newly promoted NPFL side Katsina United.
The club’s coach Bala Nikyu said: “We have brought in a new goalkeeper Dami Paul from Nasarawa