LOUIS VAN GAAL is one of the great men of Dutch football, but he has never quite earned the recognition that his success deserved.

The pressure on Ajax coach Marco van Basten moved up a notch this afternoon after his side were thrashed 4-1 at Vitesse Arnhem.

Ajax closed the gap on league leaders AZ Alkmaar to three points with a 6-0 thrashing of 10-man De Graafschap today.

Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia has agreed a deal to stay at Anfield until the summer of 2009.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has confirmed he will decide on the future of defender Sami Hyypia later in the season.

JUST when Real Madrid seemed to be building an unassailable lead, with an unbeaten run stretching back three months, the champions have lost two away matches in a row, and suddenly the gap at the top has closed.

Feyenoord were effectively eliminated from the Eredivisie title race today after a 3-0 defeat at bitter rivals Ajax.

PSV Eindhoven capitalised on Feyenoord’s slip-up at Heerenveen to claim top spot heading into the Eredivisie’s winter break.

Former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam has announced his retirement from football with immediate effect.

LIVERPOOL legend Tommy Smith has blasted AC Milan ahead of tonight’s Champions League final and insists the Italian giants should not even be in the competition.

Ajax sparked fresh life into the Eredivisie title race today by thrashing leaders PSV Eindhoven 5-1 at the Philips Stadion.

Heracles Almelo striker Everton has been hit by another injury which could keep him out until the end of the month.

AZ Alkmaar and Ajax both posted convincing wins today to stay in touch with Dutch League leaders PSV Eindhoven.

RUUD VAN NISTELROOY grabbed a sensational hat-trick as Real Madrid won 4-1 at newly-promoted Levante yesterday.

PSV Eindhoven thrashed hosts Willem II 3-0 to move within touching distance of a third Eredivisie title in four seasons.

Chelsea midfielder Joe Keenan has moved on loan to Willem II for the rest of the season.

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech is set to sign a two-year contract extension in the next few days.

Southampton chairman Rupert Lowe is continuing to interview candidates to replace Harry Redknapp, with little-known Dutchman Mark Wotte leaping to the top of his reported wish-list.

Feyenoord claimed a valuable 3-1 win over struggling Willem II to close within a point of Eredivisie leaders and champions PSV Eindhoven.

Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce was at Charlton to watch one-time transfer target Steed Malbranque turn out for Fulham last night – but the odds remain against the Frenchman moving north.

LIVERPOOL defender Sami Hyypia has agreed a new deal which will keep him at Anfield in 2008.

Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia has agreed a new contract which will keep him at Anfield in 2008.

LIVERPOOL have denied reports suggesting defender Sami Hyypia is set to join Italian club Roma at the end of the season.

Manchester City goalkeeper Geert De Vlieger has been ruled out for the rest of the season after picking up a foot injury in training.

A Mark van Bommel hat-trick helped PSV Eindhoven thrash champions Ajax 4-0 and maintain their march towards the Eredivisie title.

Lawrie Sanchez’s decision to invoke the four-day rule has prompted an angry reaction on the club circuit.

PSV Eindhoven continue to blaze a trail in the Eredivisie after a 3-0 defeat of Groningen.

Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez looks certain to ring the changes tomorrow for the World Cup qualifier against Wales in Cardiff.

GREECE’S Euro 2004 triumph has given a lift to all soccer’s smaller nations, Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez said yesterday before his team’s World Cup 2006 qualifying campaign.

Motherwell defender Stephen Craigan is expected to link up at the back with Mark Williams when Northern Ireland face Poland at Windsor Park in a World Cup qualifier.

NORTHERN IRELAND striker James Quinn believes Windsor Park could be the launching pad for a successful World Cup qualifying campaign.

LEICESTER winger Keith Gillespie has been recalled to the Northern Ireland squad for tomorrow’s friendly against Serbia and Montenegro at Windsor Park.

The wind of change is sweeping through Northern Ireland now Lawrie Sanchez is in charge.

Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia has declared his intent to remain at Anfield, despite the club’s miserable season.

Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez is taking a tough stance already when it comes to club-versus-country issues.

LAWRIE MCMENEMY has launched a staunch defence of Sammy McIlroy, the man who replaced him as Northern Ireland manager.

Sammy McIlroy was left dejected tonight as Northern Ireland slumped to defeat after being reduced to nine men.

Newcastle defender Aaron Hughes believes playing in the Champions League leaves him well prepared for the challenge he faces tonight.

Gerry Taggart has been named in the Northern Ireland squad for next week’s friendly against Cyprus after coming through his latest injury nightmare.

Former European Cup winners Aston Villa face a tough task to qualify for this season’s UEFA Cup following today’s Intertoto Cup semi-final and final draw.