International Football
WORLD CUP STAR, GARY LINEKER AND SPORTS JOURNALIST, MARIA KOMANDNAYA CONDUCT WORLD CUP FINAL DRAW
Persistent critic of FIFA and former England striker Gary Lineker also winner of the adidas Golden Boot at Mexico 1986 World Cup is the main star of the Final Draw of the 2018 World Cup on Friday December 1 at Moscow’s State Kremlin.
According to information from FIFA, the scorer of 10 goals that ranks him among the top eight scorers at the World Cup will be joined on the stage by Russian sports journalist, Maria Komannava.
Information from FIFA has it that seven more draw assistants and presenters will be announced soon.
Lineker who has responded to social media attack on his aligning with FIFA is quoted as saying: “As a player, I was fortunate enough to take part in the World Cup finals on two occasions. It is quite special to be involved in yet another tournament — now on the stage, unveiling the results of the draw.
“I have been on the other side, waiting to find out my opponents, and I know how exciting this occasion is.”.
Lineker enjoyed a stellar international career, helping England to the Italy 1990 semi-finals as well as finishing top scorer in 1986. Since retiring from a successful career that included spells at Barcelona, Everton, Tottenham Hotspur, Nagoya Grampus Eight and his hometown club Leicester City, Lineker has become one of the most recognisable sports broadcasters in the United Kingdom.
He presents the BBC’s Match of the Day Premier League highlights programme as well as BT Sport’s UEFA Champions League coverage, the BBC’s UEFA EURO and World Cup coverage and was formerly the anchor of NBC and ESPN’s Premier League programming.
FIFA is equally delighted that one of its persistent critics accepted to be part of its programme. “We at FIFA are really pleased that Gary has accepted our invitation and that he will be with us for such an important occasion for the world of football.
“Following a football career as a legendary goal scorer, which was marked with a burning passion for the game, Gary continued in the same light as a football expert. His honest and open views together with his in-depth knowledge of the game greatly enrich the world of football journalism. It is therefore an honour that Gary will conduct the Final Draw for the World Cup in Russia,” said FIFA Deputy Secretary General Zvonimir Boban.
The Russian journalist, Komandnaya is one of the most well-known in Russia, with over a decade of experience across a range of media outlets on radio and television, including FOX Sports, Match TV and Moscow FM.
“The draw is an extraordinary time,” Komandnaya said. “Millions of fans are holding their breath, hoping their dreams will come true. It’s the time when the World Cup officially begins.
“I believe that football is a universal language, capable of bringing people together from all around the world. And it’s the time when all of us can speak football. I’m so thrilled to have the chance to help conduct one of the greatest sports events. I want to show fans how beautiful my country is and how excited we are to host the World Cup. We are so passionate about what we do, and about football. Believe me, it will be a truly extraordinary event.”
Well-travelled Portuguese coach Paulo Duarte has been named as Guinea’s new coach, less than a month before their next round of World Cup qualifiers.
Duarte, 56, has twice previously coached Burkina Faso and taken charge of Gabon and Togo, while also coaching at clubs in Portugal, France, Tunisia, Angola and Saudi Arabia.
Guinea’s football federation gave no contract details when they made the announcement on Monday, but said they would be looking for Duarte to “restructure their national team”.
Guinea trail leaders Algeria by eight points in their World Cup qualifying group with four games remaining, leaving them with only a slim chance of qualification.
They play Somalia away on September 5 and then Algeria at home on September 8 in their next two qualifiers although a stadium ban means Guinea have moved their home game to Casablanca, Morocco.
-Reuters
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Veteran coach Louis van Gaal says he has been cured of cancer and is keen for a return to the higher levels of the game.
The 73-year-old announced three years ago that he was suffering from prostate cancer, but told a Dutch television talk show, “I’m no longer bothered by cancer.”
When he announced his illness, Van Gaal was the coach of the Dutch national team, but he has not worked since the last World Cup in Qatar in 2022.
“Two years ago, I had a few operations. It was all bad then. But it all worked out in the end. I have check-ups every few months, and that’s going well. I’m getting fitter and fitter,” he said.
Van Gaal, whose career has included stints at Ajax Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester United, reiterated a lack of interest in returning to club management but said becoming the national coach of a top-tier country could tempt him back.
He now serves as a special advisor to Ajax.
-Reuters
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In a compelling twist of football destiny, Davide Ancelotti is stepping into his own spotlight as he begins his first head coaching role at Brazilian club Botafogo—just months after parting ways with his legendary father, Carlo Ancelotti, at Real Madrid.
The 35-year-old has been appointed as Botafogo’s new manager, the club announced on Tuesday, following the sacking of Renato Paiva. Davide, who has spent the last decade working alongside his father at some of Europe’s top clubs—including Bayern Munich, Napoli, Everton, and Real Madrid—has signed a one-year deal with the Rio-based team.
This marks a significant milestone for the younger Ancelotti, whose career has long been shaped by his father’s influence, but who now faces the challenge of carving his own identity on the touchline.
The move comes shortly after both father and son departed Real Madrid at the end of last season, with Carlo taking over the Brazilian national team. Now, in a poetic alignment, father and son find themselves on different paths within Brazilian football—one leading the Seleção, the other steering the fortunes of a storied domestic club.
Botafogo’s decision to appoint Davide follows a controversial parting with Paiva, who was dismissed just days after their exit from the Club World Cup. Though he oversaw a stunning win over Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain, a 1-0 extra-time loss to Palmeiras in the round of 16 proved to be his final act after just four months in charge.
As Davide Ancelotti begins this new chapter, all eyes will be on whether the son of one of football’s most decorated managers can step out from his father’s shadow—and perhaps, in time, build a legacy of his own.
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