Managers

Retired France defender Pascal Chimbonda has registered as a player for Skelmersdale United, the struggling ninth-tier English side the 44-year-old now manages, after collecting a touchline ban.

Chimbonda, who made one appearance for France in 2006 and played in the Premier League with Wigan Athletic, Tottenham Hotspur, Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers, retired in 2019.

He took over as manager of Skelmersdale last October, with the club now bottom of the North West Counties Football League Premier Division.

Wayne Rooney has been dismissed as the manager of Birmingham City after less than three months in the role, the second-tier Championship club said on Wednesday, after a winless run left them hovering above the relegation zone.

Rooney was appointed Birmingham manager in October when the club were sixth in the table, but they have since fallen to 20th place, six points above the relegation zone.

Rooney took over from John Eustace after resigning as coach of Major League Soccer (MLS) club D.C. United, signing a three-and-a-half-year contract.

MANCHESTER — Manchester United's slim chance of a Champions League last-16 spot ended with a 1-0 defeat by group winners Bayern Munich at Old Trafford on Tuesday, piling more misery on Erik ten Hag's beleaguered team in an already rocky season.

The three-time European champions needed to beat Bayern in their group stage finale on Tuesday and hope Copenhagen's game against visiting Galatasaray ended in a draw.

MANCHESTER — Miserable Manchester United were humiliated 3-0 at home by Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday as the pressure ratcheted up once again on manager Erik ten Hag.

A midweek victory over Chelsea had offered cause for optimism but in-form Bournemouth exposed just how far Ten Hag's United have fallen behind this season.

The Dutchman looked forlorn as he watched on in the teaming Old Trafford rain as his shambolic side were comprehensively outplayed and fortunate not to lose by more.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou spoke out bluntly against soccer sin bins on Friday and said the idea itself should be binned.

"Yeah, bin it mate. Just bin the whole idea, just forget about it," the Australian told reporters ahead of his side's weekend Premier League game at champions Manchester City.

"I don't know why they keep interjecting themselves into the game. There’s not that much wrong with the game... I don't think there's a need for it."

United States forward Trinity Rodman said their early exit at the World Cup was a turning point for the squad and the arrival of Emma Hayes as their new manager comes at the perfect time with the Paris Olympics just around the corner.

The U.S. had been going for a third straight World Cup title in Australia and New Zealand but were eliminated by Sweden in the Round of 16.

The latest USWNT roster for two December friendlies vs. China had several big players not receive call ups including the likes of Alex Morgan, Crystal Dunn, Alyssa Naeher and Becky Sauerbrunn.

Instead, interim head coach Twila Kilgore has chosen a litany of fresh faces with a mix of familiar names. The move from U.S. Soccer was done to give newer players a chance to enter the player pool.

Star United States men’s national team midfielder Weston McKennie won’t be available for Monday’s return leg Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal game in Trinidad and Tobago, announced the team. The McKennie injury is due to a knee issue.

Weston McKennie injury

Weston McKennie has departed camp to
recover from an aggravated left knee tendinopothy » https://t.co/dpUoJMgnLy