Golden Soccer 360

Gareth Bale scored twice to give Zinedine Zidane plenty to ponder ahead of the Champions League final as Real Madrid thrashed Celta Vigo 6-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu. Bale began the rout with the first two strikes - the second a brilliant finish into the top corner - before Isco added a third before half-time. Achraf Hakimi demonstrated his huge potential by blasting in Real's fourth having taken Karim Benzema's pass before Sergi Gomez put through his own net as Celta crumbled. Toni Kroos completed the scoring after unselfish play from Borja Mayoral as Zidane's depleted side sent out a warning to Liverpool ahead of their meeting in Kiev. via Sky Sports

Jupp Heynckes' Bundesliga managerial career ended with defeat as champions Bayern Munich suffered a first home league defeat in over two years. Stuttgart won 4-1 on the final day to end Bayern's 37-game unbeaten home run in the Bundesliga. Bayern were presented with the Bundesliga trophy for the sixth season in a row - but lost to two goals from Daniel Ginczek and strikes from Anastasios Donis and Chadrac Akolo. Corentin Tolisso had made it 1-1. Heynckes will retire after next Saturday's German Cup final against Eintracht Frankfurt, whose manager Niko Kovac is replacing him. via BBC Sports

Wayne Rooney has played his last game for Everton after saying his goodbyes on Saturday, according to Sky Sources. Rooney arrived at Everton's training ground, Finch Farm, on Saturday morning but did not take part in training which was scheduled for 10am. The club announced on Friday Rooney was receiving treatment for a slight knee injury which will keep him out of the game against West Ham at the London Stadium on Sunday. The 33-year-old left at 12:40pm after reportedly saying goodbye to a number of staff and players. It is understood he has played his last game in the Premier League before he is due to sign for MLS side DC United. On Friday, Everton boss Sam Allardyce said Rooney has not asked to leave. Sky Sports News  reported this week Rooney had agreed a £12m move in principle to join DC United before the MLS club's boss Ben Olson confirmed on Friday there is an interest but the deal is not done. via Sky Sports

Jose Mourinho's assistant manager Rui Faria will leave Manchester United at the end of the season. Mourinho says Faria, who he has worked with for over 17 years, is now ready to manage a club himself. "17 years and the kid is now a man," Mourinho told United's official website. "17 years in Leiria, Porto, London, Milan, Madrid, London again and Manchester. "Training, playing, travelling, studying, laughing and also a few tears of happiness. The intelligent student is now a football expert, ready for a successful career as a manager." Faria has worked alongside Mourinho at Old Trafford since 2016, having also been on his coaching staff during both of his two spells at Chelsea, as well as at Porto, Inter Milan and Real Madrid. The Portuguese has been mentioned in some reports as a possible contender to succeed Arsene Wenger as Arsenal manager. Faria said: "After a lot of consideration, and with a very heavy heart, I have decided the ti...

Borussia Dortmund head coach Peter Stoger will leave the club after just 19 games in charge, the 52-year-old announced on Saturday. Stoger confirmed the news after Saturday's 3-1 loss to Hoffenheim on the last day of the Bundesliga campaign. Despite the defeat, Dortmund finished fourth on goal difference and have therefore qualified for the Champions League. Sky Sources  believe current Nice boss Lucien Favre will be the new man in charge of Dortmund. Stoger said on Saturday: "This was my last competitive match for BVB today. We had already made that joint decision some time ago. "We decided after a short time that a new impulse is necessary and will help the club. And the easiest way to set a new impulse is with a new coach. "I'm happy that we achieved our most important goal. I'm glad that I was handed the opportunity. "I hope my successor will manage to bring more stability and serenity to this team. It's my wish they can make the...

Everton striker Theo Walcott wants team-mate Wayne Rooney to stay at the club amid speculation he is set to leave the club for a move to the states. Sky Sports News  reported this week Rooney had agreed a £12m move in principle to join DC United before the MLS club's boss Ben Olson confirmed on Friday there is an interest but the deal is not done. But Walcott hopes Rooney will stay at Everton and told Sky Sports: "The legacy he has brought to the Premier League, the goals, the trophies, everything he has done at Manchester United, England and here, he is an incredible player. "Obviously I'd love him to stay, I remember having a conversation with him on the phone, he was one of the main players who got me here, so I am grateful for that, definitely. "But if he does choose to go on I just need to wish him all the best really, him and his family. He doesn't need to prove anything to anyone anymore. "However, let's wait and see. Like I sa...

Chelsea midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko would be “disappointed” to see head coach Antonio Conte leave the club this summer. The Italian looks set to depart Stamford Bridge at the end of the season having seen his side's hopes of Champions League qualification fade with a draw against Huddersfield on Wednesday night. Despite potential FA Cup glory this month and leading Chelsea to the Premier League title last year, Conte's future has been in doubt this season with reports suggesting the Blues have already lined up possible replacements for Conte. But Bakayoko, a £40m signing from Monaco last summer, has backed the 48-year-old and admits Conte "has not said anything" to the squad over his Chelsea future. Asked about speculation over Conte's job, he told  Sky Sports News : "I don't really pay attention to that. "He's never said that he might leave and he's always extremely focused on winning, on doing well in the season. "As a p...

Captain Jamaal Lascelles says Newcastle must do all they can to keep manager Rafa Benitez at the club and happy. Newcastle could finish in the top half in the Premier League after Benitez led them back to the top flight at the first attempt last season, though the Spaniard has not hidden his dissatisfaction at the funds available at the club in the past year. Benitez's contract has a year to run, but he has offered no update on his future, and Lascelles says the manager has done so much for the club and the city. Lascelles, whose side take on Chelsea in their final league game on Sunday on  Sky Sports Premier League , told  Sports Saturday : "I can't emphasise how important it is. Since he's been here, the club has been on the rise. He's got the club together, the city together, and everything has been positive. "The players love him, a manager of that level who's been at big clubs and won trophies, you've got to do all you can to hold onto ...

Brazil defender Dani Alves has been ruled out of the upcoming World Cup in Russia, the Brazilian Football Confederation have confirmed. Alves injured his anterior cruciate ligament while playing for Paris Saint-Germain in the final of the Coupe de France on Tuesday night. The 35-year-old, who has won 107 caps for his country, will need surgery on the injury and has now been ruled out of this summer's tournament in Russia after being assessed by the Brazilian medical team. A statement released on Friday read: "The patient underwent close examination and confirmed the initial diagnosis of anterior cruciate ligament injury, which will require surgical treatment. "The technical team of the Brazilian National Team wishes Daniel Alves a prompt recovery so that his technique and leadership is back for the Amarelinha as soon as possible." The 2018 Russia World Cup kicks off on June 15, with Brazil's first group game two days later against Switzerland. Braz...

Carlos Carvalhal says he will discuss his future as Swansea manager with the chairman after the club's game against Stoke on Sunday. Sky Sports News  understands Carvalhal is almost certain to leave Swansea at the end of the season due to doubts over whether he can lead a promotion charge, with the club's relegation to the Sky Bet Championship almost certain. Swansea's only hope of survival is to beat Stoke and hope Southampton lose to Manchester City - with a 10-goal swing. But Carvalhal launched a staunch defence of his Premier League record before answering any questions at his pre-match press conference on Friday. He insisted the 13 points from 17 games the club achieved before he joined in December is the reason behind their struggles, revealing "nobody wanted to come" in the January transfer window due to their ominous position. Swansea have an option to extend Carvalhal's contract for a further 12 months, but he said he has not been in the r...

Mauricio Pochettino has indicated he will hold talks with Toby Alderweireld about the defender's future at Tottenham next week. The Belgium international has just over a year left on his current contract, which includes a one-year extension option, and more than a year of talks over a new deal have not resulted in agreement. Sky Sports News understands Chelsea, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain are all interested in signing the 29-year-old, who has struggled to break back into the first-team following a serious injury. Ahead of the final game of the season against Leicester at Wembley on Sunday, and after his side sealed a place in the Champions League by beating Newcastle on Wednesday, Pochettino said: "I think now we need to focus on finishing in the best way. "Finishing third is the most important thing now. Then from Monday we will talk about all that is going to happen next season. That is the moment. Now is not a moment to talk about individual si...

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has urged his side to remain "completely focused" on their final league game against Brighton, and not be distracted by the upcoming Champions League final against Real Madrid. Liverpool head into the final day still needing a win to guarantee Champions League football for next season, following a run of three games without a win in the Premier League. Brighton travel to Anfield on Sunday, having already secured their top-flight status for another season, but Klopp insists his side can take nothing for granted against the Seagulls as Liverpool look to seal a top-four spot for the second consecutive season. "We need to be completely focused on that game, we will be," said Klopp. "Yesterday I was at our LFC awards - good timing - and a lot of people wished me luck for the [final on the] 26th. Two or three people wished me luck for Sunday. "It's all about the next challenge. It is the last game of the Premier Leagu...

Pep Guardiola has played down reports linking Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero with a return to Atletico Madrid. With Atleti striker Antoine Griezmann expected to join Barcelona this summer, they have been linked with a move for Aguero. The Argentina international joined City from Atletico in 2011 but Guardiola doesn't see him returning to the Spanish capital. "Sergio is going to stay until he decides 'my time here is over'," said Guardiola. "I said it many times last season, this season, and today. I think it is not going to happen but in football you never know." Guardiola also hopes to keep Raheem Sterling at the Etihad Stadium after reports the England forward is stalling over signing a new deal, saying: "The club, the chairman and myself want him to stay for a long time and sign a new contract." When asked about if there will be any potential summer signings, the Spaniard added: "Not too much but it depends on th...

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has given no guarantees he will be in charge of the club next season claiming “in football, anything can happen”. Pochettino has three years remaining on his current contract - which he signed in May 2016 - but having been linked with the Real Madrid and PSG jobs and comments he made after the FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester United, questions reamin about the Argentine's future at Spurs. He said: "I have a three-year contract. I think there's no point talking about that. In football, anything can happen. No one is sure in their job. Today it's 100 per cent (I am here). Asked whether he would be at Spurs next season, he said: "I don't know, but today it's 100 per cent because I have a three-year contract here but tomorrow I don't know what is going to happen." Spurs booked a Champions League place for the third successive year on Wednesday and will finish as the top London club for the first time...

Robert Pires has backed Patrick Vieira as his choice to replace Arsene Wenger as manager of Arsenal, saying he has a “small advantage” over Mikel Arteta. Both of the club's former midfielders are being suggested as potential successors to Wenger, who will leave the club after almost 22 years following Sunday's game at Huddersfield. More experienced coaches such as Luis Enrique, Carlo Ancelotti and Juventus manager Max Allegri are also thought to be in the running, but Pires, an Arsenal player from 2000 to 2006, thinks the club could pursue a younger option, with New York City boss Vieira standing out more to him than Manchester City assistant Arteta. He told Sky Sports News: "We have a lot of candidates to replace Arsene Wenger and we can see the same names. "We talk about Allegri, Ancelotti, Luis Enrique… My two friends Patrick Vieira and Mikel Arteta too. I don't know who the next manager is for Arsenal but they need to find the right phil...

Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin says he will remain at Arsenal because London is "what he calls home". Bellerin has become a first-team regular in north London since signing his first professional contract in 2013 and although the 23-year-old has been linked with a move away from the Emirates this summer, he insists he is "definitely happy at the club and will be here next season". Speaking exclusively to  Sky Sports News  he added: "I've got a long contract, I have been in London for a very long time, this is what I call my home right now. "There is nothing else I am thinking of, for the summer. We have the World Cup, I don't know if I will be called up or not [to Spain], that is something we will need to wait and see. "If I get given the chance then I will be really happy for it. Apart from that I am sure I will be coming back here next pre-season." Arsenal will take on Huddersfield in Wenger's final match ...

Mohamed Salah has revealed he was always determined to return to the Premier League to prove Chelsea were wrong to sell him. The Egyptian star has enjoyed a sensational debut season for Liverpool, scoring 42 goals in 48 appearances in all competitions. Salah picked up the Football Writers' player of the year award on Wednesday to add to the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year award he picked up last month. The £39.5m Liverpool paid to sign the 25-year-old from Roma last summer now looks like a bargain and Salah admits he came back to England with a point to prove after being deemed surplus to requirements by Jose Mourinho and Chelsea in 2015. "To be honest, it was always in my mind when I left Chelsea," Salah said. "I said many times, it was always in my mind to come back because a lot of people said 'he cannot succeed here [in England] and he is not good enough for the Premier League'. "So it wa...

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has admitted he is now beginning to worry about speculation over his future at the club. Having managed the Blues to a Premier League title in his first season at Stamford Bridge, Conte has struggled to draw the same level of performance from his players in his second campaign. Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw by Huddersfield on Wednesday evening and as a result, are relying on results elsewhere to have any chance of qualifying next season's Champions League. Despite his contract running until 2019, friction between Conte and the Chelsea board has fuelled speculation over whether he'll remain in west London next season. "I've been living with this speculation since the start of this season," Conte said. "I always say my only thought is to do my job in the best possible way, that I work very hard with my players." "Since the start of the first game, at that time I don't listen to the speculation around ...

Brentford manager Dean Smith and current caretaker manager Darren Moore are the front-runners to take over as West Bromwich Albion boss, Sky Sports News understands. Albion's board are keen to make an appointment as soon as possible after the season finishes on Sunday, and could name the new man towards the end of next week. Sky Sports News  understands if Moore is not given the manager's job, West Brom are determined that he will be kept on as a coach by whoever does take over. Fans and players at the Hawthorns have come out and voiced their support for Moore, who remains unbeaten in his five games in charge and has overseen victories against Manchester United, Tottenham and Newcastle. That run helped him win the Premier League's April Manager of the Month award on Tuesday, only to then be relegated on the same day after Southampton beat Swansea on Tuesday evening. Moore said on Friday he would discuss his future role at The Hawthorns after Sunday's Premie...

Roy Hodgson is confident Crystal Palace can fight off interest in Wilfried Zaha to keep him at the club next season. Zaha has been the driving force behind Palace's recovery from seven straight losses at the start of the season, to a possible top-half finish. The Ivory Coast international's career-best return of eight Premier League goals has caught the attention of the division's elite clubs and offers are expected to come in for the 25-year-old. "He must be very pleased that so many people are mentioning his name," Hodgson said. "You can't do anything about speculation and it always crops up. "I am quite sanguine about it all, and like the fans and the players, want to keep him, and believe that we will have something quite serious to offer ourselves. "I don't blame other clubs for coveting him, but I believe he will still be our player next season." Along with Hodgson's arrival, it was Zaha's return from inju...