Photo by ISIPhotos.com
By DAN KARELL
Luiz Felipe Scolari’s time as Brazil coach is over.
Following a second embarrassing defeat in a span of four days, Scolari handed in his resignation to the Brazilian FA (CBF), according to a report in the Brazilian newspaper Globo. The CBF is expected to accept the resignation on Monday, in addition with sacking the rest of the World Cup coaching staff.
Everything seemed to be going relatively well for Brazil until they arrived in the World Cup semifinals without Neymar, Thiago Silva, and seemingly a plan to stop Germany. Germany routed Brazil, 7-1, on their way to winning the World Cup and Brazil couldn’t even win the third-place match last Saturday, being defeated by the Netherlands, 3-0.
In Scolari’s second reign as Brazil head coach, he won 19 games, drew six, and lost four. The search for a new coach to take the Selecao to the 2015 Copa America in Chile and the 2018 World Cup in Russia will begin immediately.
Here are some more stories to get your Monday started:
RODRIGUEZ INCHING CLOSER TO REAL MADRID
James Rodriguez could very well make his dream move to Real Madrid in the next few weeks.
According to reports in France and Spain, Real Madrid is moving ever closer to signing the Colombian star, as negotiations between Real Madrid and AS Monaco are ongoing. Reports in Spain state that Madrid have negotiated the transfer fee down to around 85 million euros ($116 million) from the starting point of 115 million euros, while reports in France state that Real Madrid have offered Rodriguez a six-year contract worth nearly 7 million euros per season.
In the meantime, Rodriguez has joined up with Monaco’s preseason preparations in advance of Monaco’s matches against Junior in Barranquilla on July 20 and Atletico Nacional in Miami on July 23.
MAN UNITED ANNOUNCE DEAL WITH ADIDAS
Manchester United will have a new kit supplier next season, and Adidas is paying top dollar for it.
Proving that a season outside of European competitions hasn’t harmed the Man United brand, the club announced that they’ve signed a record-breaking 10-year deal with Adidas worth a minimum of £750 million (nearly $1.3 billion, $128 million per season), beginning in the 2015-2016 season. The deal was for the club’s global technical sponsorship and dual branded licensing.
Man United has been with Nike since 2002 but had Adidas as their kit supplier from 1980 through 1992. Man United’s contract with Nike runs through the end of this season and Nike was unwilling to meet Adidas’ price.
BARCELONA UNABLE TO INTRODUCE SUAREZ
Luis Suarez is expected to arrive in Spain this week to complete his reported £75 million transfer FC Barcelona, but the club won’t be able to show off its prized signing once Suarez passes his medical.
FIFA announced on Sunday that as part of the four-month ban from soccer-related activities, Barcelona is blocked from publicly unveiling Suarez at any kind of event, even if it’s not taking place at the Camp Nou.
“The ban relates to all football-related activity. He cannot be in a football-related public event irrespective of the venue,” FIFA’s head of media Delia Fischer told Press Association Sport. “He cannot even be involved in a football-related charity event.”
QUICK KICKS
Brazilian forward Fred has decided to retire from international soccer after a disastrous tournament, where he scored just once. (REPORT)
England will face Scotland in an international friendly on Nov. 18 at Celtic Park. (REPORT)
Newcastle have completed the signing of Montpellier midfielder Remy Cabella on a six-year contract. (REPORT)
Tottenham have been given the go-ahead to start construction on a new 58,000 seat stadium. (REPORT)
Ronald Koeman has brought over 50-goal scorer Graziano Pelle from Feyenoord to Southampton. (REPORT)
————
What do you think of these reports? Did you expect to see Scolari resign? Do you see James moving to Real Madrid this summer? What do you think of Man United’s new sponsorship deal?
Share your thoughts below.