After reports linking the Spanish head coach with a move to Manchester City surfaced this weekend, Pep Guardiola has stepped up to deny them.
Guardiola dismissed rumors linking him with a move to Manchester City, insisting that he will remain with Bayern Munich for the foreseeable future. The former Barcelona head coach has a little over a year remaining on his current contract.
“I have said it 200 million times that my future lies at Sabener Strasse [the club’s training facilities],” Guardiola said.”I have one more year left on my contract. I will be here next season.”
Bayern will take on Barcelona on Tuesday for the second leg of the Champions League semifinal, with the German giants suffering a 3-0 defeat in the opening leg.
Here are some more news and notes to kick off your Monday morning:
LIGA MX PLAYOFF FIELD SET
The Liga MX regular season ended Sunday and eight teams remain as the league enters the Clausura Liguilla.
The tournament’s top seed will got to Tigres, whice earned the No. 1 spot and a matchup with Santos Laguna with a draw on Sunday. CONCACAF Champions League winners Club America snagged the second seed and will take on Pachuca.
In the playoffs’ other matchups, Veracruz will take on Queretaro, while Chivas de Guadalajara faces off with Atlas.
The first legs of the tournament will be played on May 13 and 14, with the return legs scheduled for May 16 and 17.
Here’s a closer look at the Clausura Liguilla field:
Liga MX Clausura Liguilla
(1) Tigres v. (8) Santos Laguna
(2) America v. (7) Pachuca
(3) Veracruz v. (6) Queretaro
(4) Atlas v. (5) Chivas
SCHALKE RELEASE BOATENG, SAM WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT
Following the club’s 2-0 loss to Cologne that threatens to derail the team’s European hopes, Schalke have sent a message by dismissing two of the club’s players.
Kevin-Prince Boateng and Sidney Sam have been released by Schalke, while Marco Höger has been suspended from the team until the end of next week.
“Schalke sporting director Horst Heldt announced there would be consequences after Sunday’s defeat away to Cologne and the first action has been taken: Kevin-Prince Boateng and Sidney Sam have been released with immediate effect,” the club said in a statement. “Marco Höger is suspended from training and first-team action up to and including Saturday, 16th May.”
Boateng is no stranger to controversy, as the Ghana midfielder was sent home by his national team during last summer’s World Cup.
Schalke currently sits sixth in the Bundesliga, just two points ahead of seventh-place Borussia Dortmund.
QUICK KICKS
Manchester United signing Memphis Depay admits he nearly joined Paris Saint-Germain. (REPORT)
Inter Milan and Roma will face fines and see their European squads reduced for violating Financial Fair Play rules. (REPORT)
Wolfsburg has agreed to a deal for Borussia Moncehngladbach forward Max Kruse. (REPORT)
Tim Nicot, a player in the lower leagues of Belgium, died of cardiac arrest on Monday, marking the country’s second soccer-related death in the past two weeks. (REPORT)
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What do you expect from Guardiola in the future? Who do you expect to stand out in the Liga MX playoffs? What do you expect from Boateng and Sam going forward?
Share your thoughts below.
Happy that Puebla managed to survive relegation. In addition to being a frequent home for many Americans Abroad, I lived there for a year. At halftime of their game they were in relegation position, but managed to squeak out a tie and save themselves. Mexico has a terrible relegation system, averages the last 6 leagues over the last 3 years.
Yea, I’ve never understood the system or made any real attempt to learn it. Didn’t they modify the system a few years back due to one of the bigger clubs being at risk of relegation?
Wasn’t there a rumor floating around just 2-3 days ago about Boateng to NYRB? Now he’s been released, it seems like a move would be possible now…. hell, might as well try to get Sidney Sam as well.
Boateng’s game is nice, but his attitude leaves a lot to be desired. If he were to come to MLS with the right attitude, he’d flourish but I question his professionalism and state of mind.