Ernesto Valverde has the experience and mentality to forge a successful career as Barcelona head coach, according to Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Kepa.

The former Barca forward has returned to Camp Nou to succeed Luis Enrique as coach after four years in charge at San Mames.

Athletic beat Barca 5-1 on aggregate in the 2015 Supercopa de Espana to claim their first trophy since 1984, while they finished in the top seven in each of Valverde s four seasons at the helm.

And Kepa, who firmly established his place in the first-team set-up in 2016-17, believes Valverde boasts the right qualities to thrive in Catalonia.

He s a coach who is well prepared, as is his coaching staff, who has experience in major dugouts and in different leagues where he has won trophies…

Everton have confirmed that former players David Unsworth and Joe Royle will take over the managerial duties for the final game of the season following the departure of Roberto Martinez.

The Spaniard, who took the helm at Goodison Park in June 2013, was relieved of his duties on Thursday following another disappointing season for the Merseysiders after they were beaten 3-0 by Sunderland on Wednesday.

Frank de Boer has been installed as the bookmaker s favourite to take the job after the Dutchman left his managerial post at Ajax.

Wednesday s result confirmed the relegation of both Newcastle United and Norwich City, with Alex Neil’s men the opponents for Everton in the final round of Premier League fixtures.

And Everton have now revealed that Unsworth, w…

The new 2020-21 season is really kicking into gear as Premier League matchweek two approaches.

After prior European commitments delayed Manchester City and Manchester United starting their respective campaigns, there is a full slate of matches this weekend.

That means there is plenty of opportunity for fantasy managers to make up for missing out on Mohamed Salah, Jamie Vardy or even Jeff Hendrick last week.

Need to get back on track or build on a strong start? This Opta-powered selection provides some must-haves for the coming round of matches.

EMILIANO MARTINEZ

Picking an Arsenal goalkeeper heading into the campaign was slightly risky business with two vying for the first-choice spot. Fortunately, with Emiliano Martinez leaving for Ast…

Chelsea assistant Gianfranco Zola insisted Maurizio Sarri needed more time to make changes at the club, comparing his situation to when Pep Guardiola arrived at Manchester City.

Sarri s side have fallen to sixth in the Premier League and the Italian is under growing pressure at Stamford Bridge.

Speaking ahead of Chelsea s fifth-round FA Cup clash against Manchester United, Zola said there were also initial questions over Guardiola, who went trophy-less in his first season at City in 2016-17.

How do you know that we are not making changes? Zola told UK media.

We are adjusting a few things but without changing where we want to go. The direction is always the same.

Two years ago you were probably asking the same questions to Pep Guardiola. I do re…

Monterrey claimed a fifth CONCACAF Champions League title after edging Mexican rivals Club America 1-0 in the final.

Rogelio Funes Mori was the hero, with the Mexico international s ninth-minute goal proving the difference at Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe on Thursday.

America defender Sebastian Caceres failed to deal with a ball into the penalty area, his whiffled clearance gifting Mori and Monterrey the early opener.

Former Tottenham striker Victor Janssen went close to doubling Monterrey s lead with 10 minutes of regulation remaining after rounding goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, but his effort was cleared off the line.

 ¡GOL de ! 
¡Rogelio Funes Mori anota el primer gol del partido! ¡1-0 favor Monterrey! |

— Scotiabank Concacaf Champions Leag…

Defending champions Brazil secured top spot in Group B in dramatic fashion, claiming a last-gasp 2-1 win over Colombia as controversy marred the Copa America showdown.

Colombia were left seething when Brazil substitute Roberto Firmino s 78th-minute equaliser came after the ball deflected off referee Nestor Pitana in the build-up – the official allowing play to continue rather than call for a drop-ball, leading to lengthy protests from Colombia.

Brazil compounded Colombia s frustrations after Casemiro struck in the 10th minute of stoppage time as the Selecao extended their winning streak to 10 games on Wednesday.

Colombia had been holding on to a 1-0 lead after Luis Diaz s spectacular 10th-minute volley, ending Brazil s six-game run without conceding a goal.

…

Portugal, Croatia, Republic of Ireland and Czech Republic are the four seeded teams in Thursday s Euro 2012 play-off draw in Krakow.

Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Estonia and Montenegro are the four unseeded teams.

Portugal, captained by Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo, missed out on automatic qualification after losing 2-1 to Denmark in their final match of Group H on Tuesday.

The Republic of Ireland secured a play-off berth courtesy of a 2-1 home win over Armenia.

Both teams could be drawn against 2008 semi-finalists Turkey.

Of the other unseeded teams, Bosnia and Herzegovina are not to be taken lightly after finishing a point behind France in Group D.

Prior to that, they were second only to eventual winners Spain in qualifying fo…

John O’Shea insists he is “more than ready” for management despite his spell as interim Republic of Ireland boss ending in disappointment.

The former Manchester United and Ireland defender, placed in charge for this month’s friendly double-header against Belgium and Switzerland, saw his side go down 1-0 to the Swiss on Tuesday evening after Saturday’s 0-0 draw against the Belgians.

Football Association of Ireland chiefs have indicated they will name Stephen Kenny’s successor early next month with O’Shea having attracted popular support over the last week or so.

Asked what his instinct is on his own future, he said: “My instinct would be that I’m more than ready and capable to be a manager.”

O’Shea has vast experience of international…

Former Australia international and Hull City winger Richard Garcia was confirmed as a Perth Glory player on Tuesday.

Garcia, who was born in Perth, has never previously played for his home-town club, having left Australia at the age of 15 to join West Ham, but will finally pull on the club s purple shirt in the upcoming A-League season.

The Glory confirmed on Tuesday that Garcia has signed a two-year deal with the club, having spent the past two seasons at fellow A-League outfits Melbourne Heart and Sydney FC, scoring 12 goals in 47 matches.

Richard has shown he is the ultimate professional throughout his career, Perth coach Kenny Lowe said.

To have played at the highest level for so long takes hard work and dedication and I m sure he will be a strong i…

Liverpool are hoping to win the race to sign of out-of-favour Manchester City defender Micah Richards, the Express understands.

Arsenal and Newcastle United have also been linked with the England international though both club’s interest has waned recently, leaving the Reds as the front runners to secure his services.

The 26 year old has been with City his entire career so far notching up one hundred and seventy-nine top flight appearances since breaking into the first team in 2005.

However, he has featured just nine times in the league over the past two seasons with Argentina’s Pablo Zabaletta ahead of him in the pecking order.

Internationally, he has played at senior level just once since October 2010 – a 3-2 friendly defeat to the Netherlan…