Ibrahimovic: Mourinho is the mastermind, every player would want him as manager?

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has credited Jose Mourinho as the decisive factor in persuading him to bring his stellar career to the Premier League, claiming he previously rejected moves to England's top flight on two occasions.
Ibrahimovic headed the winner in Manchester United's Community Shield victory over Leicester City and has scored three times in as many Premier League matches to prove an instant hit with the Old Trafford faithful.
The 34-year-old was only compelled to move to England following a decorated stint at Paris Saint-Germain – where he became the club's all-time record goalscorer amid an unprecedented period of success for the Ligue 1 champions – when his former Inter boss Mourinho succeeded Louis van Gaal at United.
"I was close to moving to the Premier League twice - once with Arsenal and then Manchester City," he told reporters.
"But it never happened and I don't need to play in the Premier League.
"Mourinho is the mastermind, the masterbrain.
"He knows what he needs to do to win. I learned a lot from him at Inter. Who wouldn't want to have Mourinho as manager?"
Ibrahimovic is set to lead the line in his first Manchester derby when United host City at Old Trafford next Saturday.

Champions League draw: Premier League champions get Porto

Barcelona are the first team out. Teams from Pot 1 will be drawn first. Leicester out second and go into Group G. Real are the third team drawn. Bayern Munich go into Group D. Portuguese champions Benfica go into Group B. Russia's CSKA Moscow are put into Group E. Paris Saint-Germain go into Group A. Finally Juventus go into Group H.

Okay here is where it gets interesting. Here comes Pot 2. Thierry Henry replaces Clarence Seedorf to help Ian Rush draw the teams.

FC Porto are the first team out in Pot 2. They go into Group G alongside Leicester. Sevilla are next and they go into Group H along with Juventus. Third comes Borussia Dortmund and they are drawn with Real Madrid in Group F. Here comes Arsenal and they get put into Group A along with PSG. Next Napoli get put into Group B with Benfica. The sixth team out are Bayer Leverkusen and they go into Group E with CSKA. That means Atletico Madrid get Bayern Munich and Man City get Barcelona.

Two pots down, two to go. Ruud van Nistelrooy replaces Thierry Henry to assist Ian Rush with the draw for Pot 3. 

The first team out in Pot 3 are Lyon and they go into Pot H. Sporting Lisbon are out next and they go into Group F. Here come Spurs and they are put into Group E. Next Dynamo Kiev are put into Group B. PSV Eindhoven go into Group D. Club Brugge are drawn into Group G alongside Leicester. FC Basel go into Group A. Finally Borussia Monchengladbach go into Group C.

Roberto Carlos is Ian Rush's final helper of the evening to draw Pot 4. First team out are Ludogorets and they go into Group A. Second team out is FC Copenhagen and they go into Group G along with Leicester. Legia Warsaw are next and they go into Group F. Fourth come Monaco and they are drawn into Group E beside Spurs. Dinamo Zagreb go into Group H. FC Rostov are drawn in Group D. Besiktas go into Group B. Finally Celtic get put into Group C along with Man City and Barcelona.

Leicester and Arsenal off the mark with draw

Champions held to a goalless draw by Gunners as both teams earn first point of league season 

Leicester City 0-0 Arsenal

Leicester City and Arsenal are still both looking for their first wins of the season after the two sides shared a goalless draw at the King Power Stadium.

On route to the Premier League trophy last season Claudio Ranieri’s Leicester only failed to score in three matches but were held as both defences stood out, with the Arsenal back line strengthened by the return of Laurent Koscielny. Robert Huth also started for the first time for the defending champions.

Jamie Vardy raced into Arsenal’s penalty box within the first minute and forced a last-ditch clearance from the Arsenal back line. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain provided Arsenal’s first real opportunity, cutting in from the left and whipping a long range strike narrowly wide of the far post.

Petr Cech raced off his line to block Riyad Mahrez’s sublime through-ball and Leicester’s claims for a penalty when Danny Drinkwater fell under the challenge of Laurent Koscielny were waved away by referee Mark Clattenburg.

Leicester’s hopes were hit when new signing Nampalys Mendy was forced off during the first half after twisting an ankle.

As the match opened up in the second half, Mahrez curled a ferocious free-kick just over the bar before Vardy latched on to Marc Albrighton’s delivery but his shot cannoned well wide.

Arsene Wenger’s men responded with Theo Walcott firing straight at Schmeichel. Their play improved with the arrival as a substitute of Mesut Ozil, who sparked a new attacking intensity.

As the final whistle loomed the home side came closer to scoring. Ahmed Musa collided with Hector Bellerin in the box but his claims for a penalty were turned down.

Cech was called upon once again in the closing stages, smothering a close-range Mahrez effort from the right, as Arsenal, a week after conceding four goals to Liverpool, gained a vital point.

Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri signs new four-year contract

Claudio Ranieri

 

Claudio Ranieri has signed a new contract with Leicester City until 2020.

Ranieri, who penned a three-year deal when he replaced Nigel Pearson as manager last summer, led Leicester to the Premier League title in his first season in charge.

The former Chelsea, Juventus and Monaco boss told the club’s official website: “From the moment I talked to the owners about their vision for Leicester City, I knew it was something I wanted to be part of for a long time.

“The energy that exists at this club — from the owners and the staff, to the players and supporters — is something very special. I am very happy and proud that I will be part of it for years to come.

“Last season, that spirit and our hard work helped us to achieve something magical. If we can continue to work hard, maintain our passion and continue to fight with all our hearts, I am sure we can continue to be successful together.”

Ranieri was appointed after a disastrous spell in charge of Greece and few pundits had tipped the Italian for success at the King Power Stadium, but he exceeded all expectations on his return to the Premier League.

Leicester vice-chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said: “Twelve months ago, we brought to Leicester City a man whose knowledge and experience, we felt, could lead us into the next phase of our long-term plan.

“What he would go on to help us achieve, in the time we have achieved it, has been beyond anything we could have anticipated.

“Claudio’s qualities, both as a man and as a coach, have been very clear since the moment he arrived — qualities that have helped Leicester City to progress on every level. We have strong foundations from which to keep moving our club forward and I’m delighted that Claudio will continue to be part of that journey.”

Leicester CEO Susan Whelan told Sky Sports News: “I think it’s very important in terms of stability.

“He’s had an immense effect in every element in the club. His character, his personality has been very important.”