Didier Deschamps has won the FIFA Best Men s Coach award after leading France to World Cup glory.

Deschamps was included on a three-man shortlist and saw off competition from former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane and the coach of beaten World Cup finalists Croatia, Zlatko Dalic.

Deschamps was criticised in the build-up to Russia 2018 for his perceived negative tactics, but after a sluggish group stage he guided his team to victories over Argentina, Uruguay and Belgium in the knockout stages before beating Croatia 4-2 in a dramatic final.

He inherits the award from 2017 winner Zidane, who left Madrid after guiding them to a third consecutive Champions League in May.

Congratulations, Didier Deschamps
Winner of FIFA Men s Coach 2018

— #Th…

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Two sides who are seeking some much-needed stability, Seattle will welcome Portland to Lumen Field for what could be a cagey affair on Saturday night.

Seattle Sounders

Starting with the hosts, making an immediate return to losing ways thanks to another toothless display, Seattle have come crashing back down to earth after a bright start to the 2023 campaign. Last seen in midweek getting hit with a 1-0 loss at home against San Jose, Brian Schmetzer’s side are desperately seeking a Western Conference boost. Losing three of their last four MLS appearances, fans around Lumen Field will have a growing headache over their side’s recent issues in the final third. Drawing a blank against the Earthquakes a few days ago, Seattle have bagged …

Jude Bellingham is an exceptional talent , says Borussia Dortmund team-mate Niklas Sule, who suggested the midfielder projects a sense he is wise beyond his years.

The England international has continued to flourish at the Bundesliga outfit this season, with an increased leadership role under Edin Terzic s watch.

Bellingham was handed the captain s armband for the first time earlier this month for their top-flight clash with Cologne, and retained it for last week s Champions League rout against Sevilla.

The 19-year-old s maturity has not gone unnoticed by the rest of Dortmund s squad, and speaking ahead of Tuesday s return clash with the LaLiga team, Sule had fulsome praise for the playmaker.

I think that Jude is an exceptional talent, he stated. I have …

Brazilian imports Douglas Costa and Luiz Adriano teamed up to steer Shakhtar Donetsk to a 3-0 win at Braga on Tuesday as the Ukrainians stayed on course for the Champions League last 16.

After seeing off Partizan Belgrade 1-0 in their Group H opener, Shakhtar made it two wins in two matches as Braga, routed 6-0 at Arsenal in their first outing, were outplayed on home turf.

The Brazilian duo combined for the opening goal, which arrived in the 56th minute.

Costa, one of Europe s most sought-after young talents, took on the Braga defence before slipping the ball into the path of his compatriot on the right.

Adriano, who scored in Shakhtar s 2009 UEFA Cup final win over Werder Bremen, unleashed a drive that Braga goalkeeper Felipe managed to let slip through…

Bayer Leverkusen extended their lead at the top of the Bundesliga to 10 points with a 2-0 derby win at Cologne.

A bad-tempered first half between the local rivals saw Jan Thielmann sent off just 14 minutes into the game and a flurry of yellow cards were shown before Jeremie Frimpong put Leverkusen ahead.

Cologne put up a good fight but any chance of an unlikely comeback was ended when Alejandro Grimaldo doubled the lead in the second half.

With only 10 games remaining, Leverkusen are closing in on ending Bayern Munich’s 11 straight title wins after Thomas Tuchel’s side dropped more points in a 2-2 draw against Freiburg on Friday, while third-bottom Cologne remain in relegation danger.

The opening 10 minutes saw both teams have chances with Jonas Hofma…

Premier League strugglers Newcastle United have appointed former Real Madrid boss Rafael Benitez as their new manager on a three-year deal.

Benitez, who has also previously managed Napoli, replaces Steve McClaren, who was sacked earlier on Friday after nine months in the job, and is tasked with preserving his new club s top-flight status with them sitting 19th, one point adrift of safety.

Benitez, who was sacked at Madrid in January, has been itching to return to the Premier League after a six-year spell at Liverpool, with whom he won the Champions League in 2005 and the FA Cup a year later, and a six-month interim role at Chelsea, which resulted in him landing the 2013 Europa League title.

Here, we look at how the football world and other famous figures have …

Sevilla striker Kevin Gameiro has welcomed rumours linking him with a possible move to Barcelona.

Reports in Spain this week have claimed that technical director Ariedo Braida has placed the 28-year-old on a transfer wish list after Luis Enrique made it clear he wants to reinforce forward options before next season.

Gameiro says the speculation underlines his good form for the Europa League holders, but insists his sole focus is on a strong end to the campaign at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, as Sevilla pursue two trophies and a top-four finish.

It s good for me. But I have two years left on my contract and I m happy at Sevilla, he told Mundo Deportivo.

At the moment I m only thinking about Sevilla, where I m very comfortable. I only think about the te…

Toby Alderweireld says reports that he will leave Tottenham during the close season are mere speculation and expects to still be with the Premier League runners-up next term.

The Belgium international has been linked with Manchester City and Inter after excelling under the guidance of Mauricio Pochettino since arriving at the club in 2015.

Alderweireld is reportedly at loggerheads with Tottenham s hierarchy over an extension to his current deal which expires in 2020 but he insists no talks have taken place and he has no intention of leaving Spurs.

I m still waiting for a contract proposal, but in my mind I m playing for Spurs next season, the 28-year-old is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News.

There is no talk now, so it s all rumours, because if there …

Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud is determined to win a place in Maurizio Sarri s starting line-up despite finding himself behind Alvaro Morata in the Stamford Bridge pecking order.

Giroud was an unused substitute as the Blues were held to a goalless draw by Everton in their last Premier League fixture, despite having scored in their 1-0 Europa League win at BATE in the previous game.

The World Cup-winning forward played 65 minutes of France s 2-0 Nations League defeat to the Netherlands before being replaced by Ousmane Dembele, but he claimed a domestic transfer to ensure his international future was not on the agenda.

I came back late from the World Cup and Morata played, Giroud told Telefoot.

With the national team in September, a goal against the Neth…