In recent years, the moments at which successive Ireland managers have reached the point of no return have usually been accompanied by howls of rage and frustration from the stands.

John O’Shea reckons it could have been even worse in the Aviva last Friday night — and he’s not just talking about the scoreline against Germany.

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Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo yesterday admitted John Terry had tarnished the image of the club but refused to confirm whether he remains captain.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes Jack Wilshere will have no psychological barriers to overcome when he finally throws himself back into action.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers admits he expects his side to “fly” once they have overcome the hurdle of securing their first home win of the season.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has defended goalkeeper Joe Hart from Roy Keane’s claims that he is “too cocky”.

Alex Ferguson is preparing to roll the welcome mat out for Stoke’s “jolly green giants”, insisting they hold no fears for Manchester United.

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Manchester United have rejected several enquiries from Championship clubs to take Ireland’s Robbie Brady on loan.

Welford Road, the home of Leicester Tigers and the biggest club rugby ground in England, has been axed as a potential venue for the 2015 World Cup.

Rio Ferdinand may be surplus to requirements for Roy Hodgson, but his Manchester United team-mates are thankful to have him around.

Manchester United forward Robin van Persie will not face retrospective action from the FA over an apparent elbow to the face of Newcastle midfielder Yohan Cabaye in Sunday’s Barclays Premier League match at the Sports Direct Arena.

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Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson was impressed by David de Gea’s midweek performance but will continue rotating his goalkeepers for the immediate future.

Rio Ferdinand has accepted Roy Hodgson’s apology for the botched handling of the Manchester United defender’s omission from the latest England squad.

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Nine people including Ipswich striker Michael Chopra and jockey Andrew Heffernan have been charged in connection with race-fixing by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA).

Even if Andre Villas-Boas never finds the success he hopes for in English football, after Saturday’s victory over Manchester United he can rest assured of one thing at least.

While the vice-president of Istanbul club Kasimpasa has named Roy Keane as their new manager, other sources are saying there is still some way to go before any deal is done.