Firing a coach just days before a crucial cup match seems like poor timing, but Hamburg wasn't about to wait after suffering an embarrassing defeat at the hands of Hoffenheim.
Hamburg fired head coach Bruno Labbadia on Monday, just a day after his team suffered a 5-1 defeat against Hoffenheim, and just three days before Hamburg will travel to London to face Fulham in the second leg of their Europa League semifinal series.
Hamburg will travel to Craven Cottage on Thursday having settled for a 0-0 tie in the first leg in Hamburg.
Here are some other stories to get your Monday going:
ROONEY LEADS PREMIER LEAGUE BEST XI
Manchester United star Wayne Rooney was named the English Premier League Player of the Year by the Professional Football Association, and accepted his award along with a message that he would be fit for the World Cup.
Rooney insisted he will be healthy well ahead of this summer's World Cup, and that he was hoping to be back in time to play in Manchester United's final regular season match.
Rooney led a group of four Red Devils on the PFA Team of the Year.
Manchester United had the most representatives, while Chelsea, Aston Villa and Arsenal had two apiece.
Here is the squad:
Joe Hart (Birmingham), Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea), Richard Dunne (Aston Villa), Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Antonio Valencia (Manchester United), Darren Fletcher (Manchester United), James Milner (Aston Villa), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Didier Drogba (Chelsea)
RAUL SIDELINED FOR SEASON
Real Madrid captain Raul looks set to miss the remainder of the La Liga season with an ankle sprain that could signal the end of his career at the Bernabeu.
Raul has been linked to a move away from Real Madrid, with Major League Soccer one reported potential destination, and now it looks as though he may have played his final game for Real Madrid after a storied career as one of the team's most legendary players.
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What do you think of these developments? Surprised to see Hamburg fire their manager now? See Fulham advancing to the Europa League final? Did Rooney get your vote as Premier League player of the year? Would you like to see Raul in MLS?
Share your thoughts below.
I wondered the same thing. Best young keeper sure but best keeper this season? I really don’t know…
Hamburg deserves better
I heard Mancini is trying to bring Fabien Barthez out of retirement. My, oh my, what will he think of next?!
Hahah good point. They probably want to watch City struggle.
They are complaining that one reserve is hurt and Joe Hart is on loan. That leaves one healthy keeper (i think it’s their 4th on the depth chart). I think that’s their gripe.
Donovan McNabb plays the other kind of football dude. But I agree… he’s a good player.
Why would Aston Villa give up Guzan when they are competing with Man City for the 4th and final champions league spot?
Also, does City not have ANY reserve keepers? They shouldn’t be allowed to sign an emergency, you play with what you’ve got.
Any chance that Man City grabs Guzan for the last 3 games? If their request for a loaned keeper is approved that is.
Where’s Donovan? Way more deserving than Valencia.
A story under the radar is Roy Makaay retiring from football at the end of the season.
I remember the days when Deportivo was running wild in Spain and ESPN would show the games at 2 am. Roy Makaay was my hero back then and then I followed him to Bayern. He was an amazing striker who never got the true credit he deserved.
Roy Makaay – scorer of the fastest ever Champions League goal (at 2:00 mins in against Madrid) good luck!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXnAHI-dUxw
Schwarzer has had a great year and has been a key to Fulham’s success since his arrival. Purely from a stats standpoint, Friedel, Hart and Schwarzer have all been about the same. Bottomline, you could do a lot worse than having one of these three.
I’m just thrilled to see two Villa players (deservedly) in the squad. Milner has been nothing short of a revelation in Gareth Barry’s absence. Last summer, I had no idea who O’Neill could bring in to replace Barry. Little did I know he had the perfect replacement already waiting in the wings.
Now, what to do if we lose Milner and Young this summer is another question, and one I hope we don’t have to answer. The team needs to add depth for a long run, not sell its strongest players.
Given deserves to be in the mix, as well. He’s been vital to Man City this season.
Hart was the best in the league with both Schwarzer and Friedel close 2nd’s.
Fletcher, Milner, Valencia over Lampard is a complete joke
Schwarzer hasn’t had a better year than Friedel.
Pete…you are dead on… great shot stopper, general in the back. Only 1 genuine error in 50+ games… He has been outstanding and deserved the nod.
Raul AND Henry…to New Jersey this summer?
Given I loathe United, I couldn’t tell if I was jaded in thinking ” how is Valencia on that list? “.
Thanks for confirming the confusion from your perspective.
No WAY Schwartzer is not EPL keeper of the year. 58 games, with Fulham’s success? Crazy good.
Finally a real Best XI.
No Malouda, Baines, or Lampard? Wow!
“Pleased” to see.
Please to see so many Mancs on the team, although i’m really not sure I understand Valencia being named.
On another topic, the utterly unthinkable has come to pass for Manchester United Fans, as we will be forced to root for Liverpool this weekend against Chelsea. How awful.
Best X, plus whichever English keeper is on best form.
VDV is out for 3 weeks, as well. Marca seems quite sure that Raul is going to move on.
Ivanovic? Valencia?
Looks more like the ManU?Chelsea best XI
Fulham can reach the finals, but need to beware the away goal. It will be a HUGE night in Liverpool and West London Thursday.
I thought it was interesting Rooney won the player of the year, but not the young player of the year, especially since he’s younger than Milner. Not taking anything away from Milner, who was the most improved in the Premier League. But it’s weird.