The big news: Southgate to be given four-year contract?

If reports in The Guardian to be believed, Gareth Southgate will be England’s next permanent manager before the end of the month on a four-year contract. However, a formal discussions over his appointment expected to start next week.

Southgate completed his four-match stint in interim charge with a draw against Spain at Wembley on Tuesday, after victories against Malta and Scotland and a stalemate in Slovenia that secured England’s position at the top of their World Cup qualifying group.

Other top stories:

  1. With India steadily rising in the FIFA rankings, it was only ideal to let coach Stephen Constantine be given a contract extension by the All India Football Federation. Kushal Das, the AIFF general secretary met the English coach and offered him a performance-based one year contract, “We have shared the terms with the coach and now he has to get back to us. It’s a one year contract which will be performance-based. There will be a review meeting held after six months though,” Das was quoted as saying in a Times of India report.
  2. Lionel Messi led the Argentina squad in a media boycott following negative reports regarding the team and their recent form. A radio report also said that Argentina forward Ezequiel Lavezzi had smoked marijuana after a training session, which he denied. Messi and the 25-man squad walked out of the news conference following the Colombia game.      
  3. Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu is “convinced” that Lionel Messi will end his career at the club, BBC reported. Messi, whose current deal expires in the summer of 2018, is yet to sign a new contract with the club. Bartomeu said, “All of Barca believe this is how it has to be, because he is the player that in the last few years has brought us sporting success.”
  4. FC Goa held Mumbai City FC to a goalless draw at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Wednesday. Mumbai City FC missed their chance of going to the top of the Indian Premier League table and close in on a qualification spot. In Thursday’s clash, NorthEast United FC will face Atletico de Kolkata Rabindra Sarobar Stadium.