Managers

Sierra Leone are hoping to prove competitive and lay the foundation for future qualification as they compete at this month’s Africa Cup of Nations finals for the first time in a quarter century, coach John Keister said.

Having last qualified for the 1996 edition in South Africa in only their second appearance at the finals, the west African country returns hoping to become a more regular participant, according to their Manchester-born coach.

LONDON - Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku was left out of the squad to face Liverpool at home on Sunday after saying he was dissatisfied with his role at Stamford Bridge.

The 28-year-old, who signed from Inter Milan in the close season for a club-record $132 million, told Sky Italy recently that he was unhappy with manager Thomas Tuchel's system. Lukaku also said he would like to return to Italy at some point in his career.

Asked about the Belgian international's comments ahead of the Liverpool game, Tuchel said they were "not helpful."

Christian Pulisic is in a bit of a form slump heading into the holidays with only one goal in his last 11 appearances. An inconsistent number of starts can be attributed to the poor form with only four of those 11 appearances being starts. Another issue comes in the form of a question. What position does Pulisic play?

Tottenham Hotspur may appeal UEFA's decision to eliminate them from the Europa Conference League and are confident of getting the verdict overturned, manager Antonio Conte said on Tuesday.

BREAKING: #THFC are out of the Europa Conference League after UEFA awarded Rennes a 3-0 victory for the group stage match Spurs were unable to play earlier this month due to a Covid-19 outbreak.

LONDON — Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said the decision to strip Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of the club captaincy following a disciplinary breach was in the best interests of the club.

Arteta said he had broken the news to the Gabon international during a face to face meeting -- conceding it was an unpleasant situation to be dealing with.

Aubameyang will not be considered for selection for Wednesday's Premier League game at home to West Ham United.

LONDON - Conor Gallagher scored twice and James Tomkins was also on target as Crystal Palace arrested a run of three defeats by beating Everton 3-1 at Selhurst Park on Sunday to renew pressure on visiting manager Rafael Benítez.

Gallagher fired home four minutes before halftime as Palace took advantage of a defensive error and Tomkins stabbed home from a corner midway through the second half.

LOS ANGELES — The leadership of U.S. men's national team head coach Gregg Berhalter's has been critical to putting the squad in position to make next year's World Cup after their heartbreaking failure to reach the tournament in 2018, players said on Thursday.

A youthful U.S. side beat Mexico to win the Concacaf Nations League in June and the Gold Cup in August before taking down its rival again in World Cup qualifying last month.

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp said it was a matter of time before former player Steven Gerrard would take charge of the Merseyside club, ahead of his return to Anfield as Aston Villa's head coach.

Liverpool great Gerrard, who replaced Dean Smith at Villa last month, won numerous trophies in 17 years at Anfield and will take on his boyhood club for the first time as a manager on Saturday.