Sport

Phillip Cocu has been appointed as the new head coach at Derby, taking over following Frank Lampard’s departure for Chelsea. Here, PA gives the lowdown on the 48-year-old former Barcelona midfielder, Holland international and PSV Eindhoven boss. From humble beginnings Cocu played for and coached PSV (Peter Byrne/PA) Born in Eindhoven, but brought up in Zevenaar, Cocu started his career at AZ Alkmaar, moving to Vitesse Arnhem in 1990, only to suffer a broken leg during his first season. A...

Rodri claimed Manchester is “becoming more blue” as he was officially unveiled as Manchester City’s record signing on Thursday. The Spain international made the remark when explaining why City had become a bigger draw than Manchester United for top players. The Premier League champions paid a £62.8million release clause to buy the Spain international from Atletico Madrid. In previous years, Manchester United were the area’s biggest attraction for top players, but Rodri feels that is changing with City now a...

Ross County have signed Norwich midfielder Simon Power on a season-long loan. The 21-year-old Irishman has joined up with his new team-mates at their training camp in Holland. Power joined Norwich from UCD in January 2018 and spent the second half of last season on loan at Dordrecht, netting once in 10 games in the Dutch second tier. Co-manager Stuart Kettlewell said: “We are delighted to get Simon in. He is a young player that we see as having great...

Ander Herrera has signed a five-year contract with Paris St Germain following his departure from Manchester United. The Spanish midfielder, 29, was a free agent after calling time on his five-year spell with United. Herrera told psg.fr: “Paris St Germain are the greatest club in France. They keep on improving and compete to win every possible title. I was looking forward to coming to Paris and wearing the colours. “I hope to continue making history with the club – joining...

Phil Jagielka has returned to Sheffield United after a 12-year spell with Everton. The 36-year-old defender has signed a one-year deal at Bramall Lane ahead of the Blades’ return to Premier League football in August. Jagielka was United’s vice-captain during their last top-flight campaign in 2006-07 and following relegation he left Sheffield to join Everton, for whom he made almost 400 appearances. https://twitter.com/SUFC_tweets/status/1146856204234305541 United boss Chris Wilder told the club’s official website: “I don’t have to sign players for the...

Marko Arnautovic is edging closer to the West Ham exit door as his protracted move to China pulls closer. The Austria forward endured a tricky 2018-19 season, failing in a mid-season attempt to move to the Chinese Super League. He was booed by his own fans in the wake of that, before returning to form at the end of the season and speaking of a positive 2019-20. However, his future at the London Stadium now looks bleak, with PA understanding...

Liverpool have secured additional tickets for their UEFA Super Cup meeting with Chelsea in Istanbul next month. They, like their opponents, were initially given 5,257 tickets for the game at the 38,000-capacity Vodafone Park, home of Besiktas, on August 14. However, following talks with UEFA, who pledged 78 per cent of tickets would be available to the general public, they have managed to increase that number. “Liverpool have been working closely with UEFA and have been able to secure a...

The former Holland international replaces Frank Lampard, who became Chelsea manager on Thursday.

Former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba said he was delighted Frank Lampard was “coming back home” after he was confirmed as the new manager at Stamford Bridge. Lampard, who won three Premier League titles and one Champions League alongside Drogba at Chelsea, was finally unveiled as Maurizio Sarri’s successor by the London club on Thursday morning, joining from Derby on a three-year contract. Writing on Instagram, Drogba said: “Good luck, proud to see you coming back home @franklampard” View this post...