I Will Be At Manchester United Next Season-Van Gaal

Louis van Gaal is adamant he will still be Manchester United manager next season, no matter what happens at the end of the season.

The Red Devils remain in contention for a top-four finish and are in the FA Cup final but speculation over the Dutchman’s future at the club persists.

Jose Mourinho has been heavily linked with replacing Van Gaal at Old Trafford but the 64-year-old is relaxed about his future and says he always felt it would take time to bring success to the club.

“I knew it would be like this. That’s why they hired me and we spoke about it,” he told reporters.

“We always knew that the process would take three years. I wanted to sign only for two years.

“The club wanted me to sign for three years, not me. I signed for three years – so next year you will see me again.

“Every week for six months I have been sacked – and yet I am still here. But this has happened to me at every club I have been at.

“I am doing the same job at United that I was hired to do at every club.

“People should assess the squad that I took over and make a comparison to the players we have now in terms of age.

“There is a big difference between what the people in the street think and the media. A big difference. I can only tell you my experiences and I don’t have to defend myself. I am a realistic man and so I only speak about facts.”

Van Gaal was also quick to defend his record since taking over in 2014 as he prepares to take on Leicester at Old Trafford on Sunday.

“The fact is that we finished fourth last year. At the moment we are fifth, but we are still able to finish third. On May 15 we will know for sure,” he added.

“The fact is that we are in the FA Cup Final. The fact is that we were in the Champions League. We didn’t do that last year.

“The fact is that we went further in the Capital One Cup. So there are a lot of pluses. Yes, we are in fifth and we are fighting for the one position that is the most important.

“We also have the best home record in the league, but we are one of the lousiest away teams of the top clubs and that is something we need to improve.”

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I Will Be At Manchester United Next Season-Van Gaal

PSG Back Blanc For Next Season

Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi reassured coach Laurent Blanc that will remain in charge of the French champions next season.

PSG remain on track for another domestic treble after triumphing in Saturday’s Coupe de la Ligue final but Blanc’s future still remains uncertain, despite another Ligue 1 title and a new contract only signed in February.

Jose Mourinho has been linked with a move to the French capital after Blanc was unable to prevent a fourth consecutive quarter-final exit in the Champions League.

However, Al-Khelaifi insisted Blanc, 50, is going nowhere.

“The contract was extended for two years, he will stay with us next year,” he said following the 2-1 win over Lille in Paris.

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PSG Back Blanc For Next Season

Parma Promoted To Serie C In First Season After Bankruptcy

Parma have returned to Italy’s professional ranks after the reborn club clinched promotion in their first season following bankruptcy.

The new club secured promotion to the third tier with a 2-1 victory over Delta Calcio Rovigo on Sunday.

The two-time Uefa Cup winners were wound up last summer after racking up debt of more than 200m euros (£143m).

“The message that comes from Parma is that we’re back,” said captain Alessandro Lucarelli.

Parma have eased through Serie D, the highest level of amateur football in Italy, setting a league record of 85 points from 35 matches.

The new club, formed in July, is backed by pasta maker Guido Barilla with former coach Nevio Scala as president.

Scala, 67, guided Parma to three of their four European successes in the 1990s.

In addition to two Uefa Cups, between 1992 and 2002 Parma also won the European Super Cup, European Cup Winners’ Cup, three Coppa Italias and an Italian Super Cup.

“We are enjoying the rewards of an extraordinary ride,” said Scala.

“Let’s enjoy the victory, as it’s the first of a process that we hope will see us as contenders again next year.”

Coach Luigi Apolloni, the former Italy defender who played for Parma between 1987 and 2000, added: “This was a victory for the whole city.”

Credit: BBC

Parma Promoted To Serie C In First Season After Bankruptcy

Liberty Professionals’ Season Well On Course - George Lamptey

Liberty Professionals coach, George Lamptey says their season is on course as they seek to fulfill their ambition of finishing in the top four at the end of this season.

The ‘Scientific Soccer’ lads are fourth on the Ghana Premier League (GPL) log with 10 points from the six games they have played, and, are looking good on their promise.

Last Sunday, they thumped defending champions, AshantiGold SC 5-1 at their Dansoman base to record their third home win of the campaign.

And this Coach Lamptey believes is a good sign of the efforts they have put into the team as they brace up for the reminder of the campaign.

“The win over AshantiGold was a good one for us as we prepared very well for this one knowing the caliber of opposition we were going to face ahead of the game,” Coach Lamptey said.

The former Ghana international adds that they should not be taken for a ride in this season’s competition as they have what it takes to go all the way and win it.

“We prepared very well for this competition and I believe our efforts will yield positive results as the season wore on,” Coach Lamptey said.

He takes his side to Kumasi to confront embattled Asante Kotoko at the Baba Yara Stadium in their next GPL game, and, is confident of producing a good result.

“The next game is equally important for us, and, we are not treating it lightly, we will prepare adequately well for it knowing we can get a good result with our efforts,’ he concluded.

Liberty Professionals’ Season Well On Course - George Lamptey

Akuoko Predicts Fruitful Season For Aduana Stars Despite Poor Start

Aduana Stars defender Emmanuel Akuoko has predicted a very productive season for his side despite making a dreadful start to the campaign.

The experienced player called for patience from fans of the Dormaa based side as they look to build on their new found form.

Aduana Stars are unbeaten in their last two games, after losing their opening three games of the season and are confident of building on this.

The energetic defender envisaged a very close title run at the end of the season and remains optimistic that his side will come to the party at the appropriate time.

The former captain of the 2009/2010 league champions played down the gravity of their disastrous start and calling on fans to exercise patience as there is a long season ahead.

Aduana Stars parted ways with their then head coach Amadu Nuru after two successive defeats this season and have reappointed Romanian Cioba Aristica as head coach.

“Aduana Stars can still win the league at the end of the season; our target is still the league title and we will keep working on this,” Akuoko said.

“We have just played five matches and with 25 still to play, anything is still possible at the end of the campaign,” he exclusively told sportcrusader.com.

The stoutly built defender passed on a flurry of offers to switch camp to rival clubs in the last local transfer window, hoping to help the Brong Ahafo based side’s six year wait for another league trophy.

Aduana Stars invested heavily into the playing squad and were tipped by many to hijack the league but has so far recorded one win in five matches.

Akuoko Predicts Fruitful Season For Aduana Stars Despite Poor Start

Coach Yatsuhashi Likes Hearts’ Sprint Start To Marathon Season

Accra Hearts of Oak coach Kenichi Yatsuhashi has said he is enjoying the start his side has made to the 2015/16 Ghanaian football season and hopes to finish tops at the end of the campaign.

The Phobians have opened a two point’s gap at the summit of the Ghana Premier League (GPL) competition and remain unbeaten after four games.

And their Japanese-American trainer is excited about this development, saying it was a well thought off idea prior to the start of the season.

“I told the club’s Board and Management what I really wanted to do before the start of the GPL, and, I am not surprised about this development at all,” he told the gathering when Board Chairman Togbe Afede XIV hosted the team to a dinner on Monday.

“I was given a clear cut objective for the season, and, in fact this is mandated in my contract, Coach Yatsuhashi said, adding that “Accra Hearts of Oak is well prepared for the rest of the competition”.

He praised his players for showing a lot of commitment and faith to his ideas and hoped that their efforts would be rewarded with some silverware at the end of the campaign.

“We are taking the games as they come, and, our sole focus is on Sunday’s game against Inter Allies who will be another difficult opponent,” he added.

Chieftains of the club are hoping that Coach Yatsuhashi can guide them to a first championship win in six seasons and put to rest the ghost of their relegation struggle last season.

Coach Yatsuhashi Likes Hearts’ Sprint Start To Marathon Season

Inter Allies Has Talents To Challenge For Everything This Season - Delali Senaye

Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Premier League (GPL) outfit, Inter Allies has said his side has enough talent in their squad to challenge on all fronts this season.

Senaya said, he is not surprised by their good start to the season after they defeated Aduana Stars 2-0 at the Tema Spot Stadium last Sunday.

Goals by Ropapa Mensah and Isaac Twum in the first half helped his side to victory to open their account on a flying note and they look to challenge for the title.

“The objective this season is to finish as high as possible in the league and we are doing everything possible to reach our target at the end of the season.” He said after last Sunday’s victory.

“Some of the players you see have been here with us for eight to 10 years, and, this is the result of the hard work you are seeing.” He said.

He added that their “youth system is a strong and established one and will continue to produce players into the main stream team”.

Inter Allies will be away to Liberty Professionals at the Dansoman Park on Sunday in their next GPL game as the competition hits match-day two this weekend.

Inter Allies Has Talents To Challenge For Everything This Season - Delali Senaye

WAFA dares Asante Kotoko in season opener

WAFA dares Asante Kotoko in season opener

Isaac Oduro confident ahead of new season

Accra Hearts of Oak right back Isaac Oduro is relishing the chance to end their eight year wait for domestic league glory when the 2016 season officially kicks off next month.

The flying full back is poised to storm the upcoming season despite their indifferent form in the preseason.

Hearts of Oak endured a torrid 2014/15 season that glued to the top flight just by a solitary point.

Oduro, who can equally feature in attacking wide position assured fans of the oak tree an improved performance when the much awaited season unravels next month.

The marauding full back expressed the trophy hunger nature of the side as they look to lay their hands on the elusive league title for the past eight season.

He told sports crusader, “We are fully prepared for the season. We are ready to make serious title chase in the league and it will be seen very soon. All we need for now is prayers from our fans ahead of the new season.

“Our new players will add quality to the side and we are sure of fighting for the league title. I am so far impressed with our head coach and he will see us through”.

The Phobians last won the league title eight years ago and will be hoping to end their domestic hoodoo when the 2016 edition kicks off in February 20.

Isaac Oduro confident ahead of new season

Aduana Stars captain fires warning ahead of new season

Aduana Stars captain Emmanuel Akuoko has fired a verbal title warning threat from his side ahead of the 2016 season kick off.

The experience midfielder expressed the readiness of the Dormaa based side to compete for honours after a busy transfer window.

The Dormaa based added 12 new players to the playing staff led by the much sort after Zakaria Mumuni and the returnee Yahaya Mohammed.

The experience defender for the 2009 Ghana Premier League Champion dubbed said his side are title contenders and boasted of the quality additions made to the squad.

He tasked the new arrivals to guide the side to their first title since 2009 when the leagu starts in a month’s time.

The experience captain then laid the gauntlet for the incoming players to announce their arrival at Dormaa with a league trophy at the end of the season.

“Aduana Stars will be ready for the title challenge when the new season kicks off. Our new players will help us win the upcoming league if we can player as a unit.

We need to be like a family as a gruop of players to end our title drought. The team is ready for another charge boosted by the new arrivals at the Dormaa park.” Akuoko told sports crusader.

Aduana Stars showed glimpses of the team’s quality with an impressive display at the just ended GHALCA G6 tournament having missed out on the league by just six points.

Aduana Stars captain fires warning ahead of new season

Saddick Adams Calls for team work ahead of season openers

Berekum Chelsea striker Saddick Adams has called on his colleagues to ruled out the search for individual glory ahead of the season, saying the club must perform collectively in 2016 season.

The Ghana Youth international revealed his readiness to sacrifice individual accolades for team glory if they are to storm the domestic league as competitive side.

The former Ashgold forward returned to the local scene after almost a decade of his nomadic career.

The Berekum Chelsea attacker redirected the traffic away from himself despite impressive cameos in the pre-season GHALCA G6 tournament.

The former Ashgold forward warned followers and players alike not to expect individualism from his camp when the media engulfed 2016 top flight season finally kicks off.

The forward however accepted the responsibility of shouldering his side’s attacking threat as he makes a return to the domestic football.

He told sports crusader, “I am just a player in the team and not an individual player. It is not Saddick Adam football club but Berekum Chelsea football club. It is not about me but the club’s performance collectively”.

The former Athletico Madrid attacker further added, “When the team wins, every player counts. People can go ahead and judge me but I am here to show my worth and prove people wrong. It is my job as a player but I still insist on the team performance first”.

Saddick Adams Calls for team work ahead of season openers

Medeama will improve in the season after poor show in G6- Enoch Atta Agyei

Medeama SC attacking midfielder Enoch Atta Agyei has said his side’s dreadful pre-season form will not affect them when the league itself kicks off.

The former Windy Professionals winger admitted to the indifferent form of his side but promised to build on the flaws of the team ahead of their continental and domestic calender.

The teen sensation stormed the second tier league with 17 odd goals for Windy Professionals to earn a dream move to the FA Cup holders.

Medeama SC crushed out of the six club tournament without a win but their new arrival calmed down nerves ahead of the CAF Confederation cup preliminary round of fixtures.

The Division One league MVP assured fans of improved performance when the league and the CAF matches kicks off.

“Our Performance in the G6 tournament cannot reflect on our CAF campaign because we were not bent on winning the cup but to play and know our standard. It also helped the coach to do some signings as well”, Enoch Attah told sports crusader.

On his performance with the club so far, the former Windy Professionals wing wizard was very much satisfied with his progress so far.

“I am very happy with my performance in the team so far especially after scoring a brace in the friendly match. I will continue to work hard and add goals to my games.” The midfielder added.

Medeama will improve in the season after poor show in G6- Enoch Atta Agyei

Wa All stars captain itching for new season.

Captain of Wa All Stars, Hafiz Adams is anxiously waiting for the 2016 season top flight season with his eyes firmly set on a top four slot.

The ambidextrous full back is buzzing with confidence and has predicted a top four slot for his side ahead of the much awaited domestic football calendar.

Adams tasked his colleagues to build on their record breaking 2014/16 season as consolation to the unlimited support from the club’s fun base at home.

The hard tackling wing back openly admitted his preparedness for the new season after coming out unscathed in the hectic off season preparation.

The former Wa Anokye Stars winger starred prominently for Jimmy Corbblahs youthful side in the first half of the 2014/15 FCPPL before losing his slot to Francis Nicholas Mensah due to injury set back.

He has however promised to storm the top flight in the coming season with top four slot top of the agenda.

“Last season was very competitive for all the clubs in the league but I think we played much better than the previous season.

“We matched every single club boot for boot and if we can repeat that on regular basis, our top four chances will be boosted when the 2016 season kicks off.” The 22 year old told sports crusader.

On his personal preparation after a long preseason programme, the club captain expressed his readiness to hijack nationwide headlines when the season kick off.

Wa All stars captain itching for new season.

Bashiru Hayford bemoans player exodus ahead of new season

Head coach of reigning premier league champions Bashiru Hayford, has lamented on the mass player exodus ahead of the new domestic season.

The experienced trainer attributed the premature departure from the top flight to the possibility of eventual national call ups as more continue to leave each day.

The Ashgold coach saw three of his top performing players joined the exodus train as they prepare to embark on their continental assignment.

The former Kumasi Asante Kotoko trainer cited the financial motives and the likelihood of getting an eventual national team cap as the main reason players leave the country for greener pastures.

He lamented on the premature departure as the bane for the short lifespan of the Ghanaian players.

“The players you think may be bright in the near future will leave prematurely not to countries revered for their football but to countries like Guinea, Sudan, South Africa and Congo. It is worrying as a coach because not long ago Ghana will take countries like Guinea and Sudan and beat them like 13:0. Why is it that our players are now returning to these countries that wanted to learn from us?. The disappointed trainer noted.

“It is up to us to question ourselves why our players are leaving for such countries that couldn’t match us. When players feature in such countries we still go and call them to play for the Black Stars while those here are not getting the chance.

“The players have decided that whenever they get the little chance they will move because if they don’t go, their chances of getting a call up is low”. Coach Hayford lamented.

Bashiru Hayford bemoans player exodus ahead of new season

Alan Curtis set to extend his Swansea job till of season.

Interim manager for Swansea City is set to land the vacant managerial seat at the Liberty till the end of the season.

The 61 year old former striker at the Liberty Stadium has been at the helms of affairs since the departure of Gary Monk and now look set to extend his stay on the touchline until a new manager is appointed in the summer.

Curtis has over 40 years of service at the Welsh outfit and has since steered the whites away from the drop zone.

The Liberty outfit mutually parted ways with Garry Monk on December 9 after a run of one win in 11 matches.

Then Technical Director at the junior side, Allan Curtis, was asked to fill in for the vaccant hot seat at the Wales based premiership campaigners.

A run of one defeat in four matches including three straight clean sheets has convinced the top ranking officials to extend his tenure at the rejuvenated Premier league side.

Chairman of the Liberty side, Huw Jenkins, who has been frustrated at sealing a deal with Frank De Boer, Unai Emmery or Jorge Sao Paolo entrusted the managerial duties of the 61 year old interim manager.

The Swans hierarchy will now have eyes set on a summer arrival as they try to extend their premier league status.

The 61 year old forward joined the Liberty side at the age of 20 and has since held every single portfolio with the× Whites.

Black Star forward Andre Ayew will now have to bra ce himself up after missing out on a reunion with Marcelo Bielsa.

Alan Curtis set to extend his Swansea job till of season.

Bechem United coach bemoans delay in season Kick-Off

Head coach of Bechem United Osei Wire has lamented on the prolonged delay in the commencement of the 2016 domestic football season in Ghana.

The soberly speaking trainer tasked the administrators to sort out the differences hijacking the new season if the domestic league is to build on last season’s competitivenes.

The experienced trainer cited the suspense inflicted on the home based fans and the possibility of player performance dropping, hence the need to fast tract the kick off of the 2016 football calendar.

Court cases and board room points have since kept the incoming season in limbo amidst protracted legal tussles.

Coach Osei Wire pleaded with the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and its associate members to come to a consensus and fix a date for the new season to usher after a long and never ending legal tussle.

The Bechem United trainer lamented on the inability of the officials to capitalise on the competitive nature of the 2014/15 season to project the image of the league to the outside world.

He told sports crusader,”It is very sad because we still don’t know when the league will kick off. The long delay will soon affect the players when the league finally starts.

“This is because we don’t know what type of training to give to the boys ahead of the opening matches. It will in the long run affect the players and keep the fans in suspension.”

He added “the FA and its members should should try to put things in place and let the league starts as soon as possible”.

Bechem United coach bemoans delay in season Kick-Off

Pure Joy right back bemoans delay in start of season

Pure Joy right back Khrass Arthur has expressed his disappointment in the delay of the 2016 domestic season amidst an uncertain date for the opening fixtures in the country.

The Prampram based full back pleaded with the authorities involve to sort out the hidden factors holding the domestic football calender in disarray.

Pure Joy missed out on qualification to the top flight after a highly impressive performance in zone III.

The 17 year old full back set his sight on a premier league qualification and believes any further delay for the season will be detrimental to the playing staff.

Arthur cited the lack of competitive matches as a demotivation to the domestic players ahead of the much anticipated 2016 football season across all tiers in the football ladder.

“We are fully prepared for the league but the delay in the start is making us slow. We are always training and will may become weak when the league commences. We are to play 30 matches in the league too”. Khrass told www.sportscrusader.com .

On the expectations ahead of the much awaited 2016 domestic season, Khrass raised the bar higher as he dreams of Premiership ticket.

He said, “our target is to qualify to the Premiership and as team and taste the Premier league action. We played very well last season and will do our maximum best next season as well”.

Khrass Aurthur featured prominently for Coach Allotey’s charges in a hugely successful season despite missing out on the solitary ticket to the top flight.

Pure Joy right back bemoans delay in start of season

Inter Allies seals deal with two foreign strikers

Inter Allies has secured the services of two foreign strikers ahead of the 2016 season.

The Tema based Premier League added Micheal Turray abd Prince Barrie from Gambia and Sierra Leone respectively. The “Eleven is to One” already beefed up the playing squad with Heart Of lion’s duo of Isaac Twum and Kwame Baah ahead of the upcoming domestic season.

The Harbour boys announced the arrival of the attacking duo ahead of the official unveiling to the teaming fans of the club. Sierra Leone international Prince Barrie joined from Kallon FC in a loan spell. Barrie comes with reputation as a fox in the box with the Leone stars and his FC Kallon side in the Sierra Leone domestic league.

Gambia forward Micheal Turray landed himself a possible three year deal at Tema after an impressive season with Real Du Banjul. The attacker has been revered domestically for his pace and tricks in the attacking third of the feild. The duo add up to the four players already captured by Inter Allies ahead of the new season.

The Eleven is to One parted ways with 12 players in a massive player exodus at the end of the a trying 2014/15 FCPPL season. The attacking duo will be battling Mohammed Sherif Deo for the number one forward ahead of the 2016 domestic football season.

Inter Allies seals deal with two foreign strikers