Gerardo Martino believes fellow Argentinian Lionel Messi had a say in his appointment as the new Barcelona coach.

Bayern Munich boss Jupp Heynckes has indicated he will retire from coaching at the end of the season.

Chris Coleman earned his first win as Wales manager as a double from Gareth Bale secured all three points in a 2-1 win over Scotland.

Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers insists his side will return refreshed and raring to go from their upcoming break in Tenerife as they look to put their disappointing 3-2 home defeat at Norwich behind them.

Barcelona forward Pedro will be out for around two weeks with an ankle injury.

Barcelona 1 Real Madrid 1

Barcelona 4 Valladolid 0

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola felt his side were back to near their best during their 2-1 home win over Malaga, even though they needed a late strike from Lionel Messi to seal the points.

BARCELONA are sweating on the fitness of playmaker Lionel Messi ahead of their two huge matches this week.

Germany goalkeeper Robert Enke left behind a note before he was hit by a train and killed yesterday evening, police reportedly confirmed today.

German police are today due to reveal more details regarding the death of national team goalkeeper Robert Enke that left European football in shock last night.

Robinho insists he does not have any problems with Manchester City manager Mark Hughes.

The Spanish Football Federation have asked state prosecutors to look into allegations of match-fixing in the Primera Liga at the end of the 2006/07 season.

Javier Irureta has reportedly been lined up to take over as coach of Real Sociedad if Chris Coleman opts not to continue following the club’s presidential elections at the start of next year.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is set not to replace his departing assistant Paco Ayestaran.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez hailed his side and the quality of their performance after hammering hapless Derby 6-0.

Wolves striker Tomasz Frankowski is to spend the season on loan to Spanish club CD Tenerife.

Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez remains calm in spite of the ongoing legal battle with his former club Valencia.

Valencia coach Antonio Lopez believes his former boss Rafael Benitez can outsmart Chelsea when his Liverpool side tackle the Londoners in the Champions League tomorrow.

Liverpool fans are beginning to see why Rafael Benitez considers Luis Garcia pivotal to the club’s short and long-term success.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez claims he is confident Steven Gerrard will still be at Anfield in ten years time.

LIVERPOOL striker Djibril Cisse will not play again this season after breaking his leg against Blackburn in what looked an innocuous tangle with Jay McEveley on Saturday.

Djibril Cisse’s leg-break horror has left Rafael Benitez facing a severe striker crisis ahead of Wednesday night’s crucial Champions League showdown with Deportivo La Coruna.

LUIS GARCIA turned his back on the Mediterranean to follow his mentor to the banks of the Mersey, and Liverpool are reaping the benefit.

Rafael Benitez admitted he can, at last, start the real beginning of his Liverpool revolution now he finally has £16m (€23.8m) of new Spanish talent at his disposal.

RAFAEL BENITEZ insisted he was undaunted by the prospect of restoring Liverpool to the pinnacle of English football after being officially unveiled as the club's new manager yesterday.

Dublin 0-9 Cork 0-9

Newcastle’s move for England Under-21 defender Titus Bramble came a step closer today when the player agreed personal terms.