Bayern Munich s 100 per cent start under Niko Kovac continued as goals in either half from James Rodriguez and Robert Lewandowski earned them a 2-0 win over struggling Schalke.

The reigning Bundesliga champions have won each of their first four league games under Kovac, who has also presided over victories in the DFL-Supercup, DFB-Pokal and Champions League.

James put them ahead at the Veltins-Arena by nodding in from a corner and when he was tripped by Alessandro Schopf inside the box, Lewandowski converted the spot-kick to wrap up the three points.

Schalke, who finished as runners-up last year, have now lost each of their first four Bundesliga games.

There would have been huge frustration in the Schalke ranks over how they conceded the eighth-minute ope…

Roy Keane denied Alex Ferguson had Manchester United s best interests at heart as he reignited his feud with the former Red Devils manager.

Keane is one of United s most decorated former captains with seven Premier League titles and a Champions League crown among other honours, but a falling out with Ferguson saw him leave Manchester in 2005.

Ferguson was also critical of Keane in his autobiography released in 2013, and the latter has often been critical of the legendary manager.

Irishman Keane took aim at Ferguson again on Wednesday as he discussed his final days at United 14 years ago.

I wouldn t forgive Ferguson. The media spin, how I apparently upset everybody, it was all nonsense, Keane told Off The Ball.

I don t care if it s Alex Ferguson …

Former Chelsea and England star Joe Cole has announced his retirement at the age of 37.

Cole came through the ranks at West Ham and made his debut aged 17, before joining Roman Abramovich s revolution at Chelsea five years later in 2003 in a deal reported to be worth £6.6million.

It was at Stamford Bridge the versatile attacking midfielder enjoyed the best years of his career, spending seven seasons with the Blues and winning a host of honours.

Although the Champions League eluded him, going closest in 2007-08 when Chelsea lost to Manchester United in the final, he did win the Premier League and FA Cup on three occasions each and claimed a pair of EFL Cup titles.

Cole also featured 56 times for England, including appearances at the World Cups of 2002, 2…

Jesse Marsch lamented the way the absence of a Premier League salary cap limits Leeds United s ambitions ahead of their trip to top-four contenders Newcastle United.

Leeds sit just two points clear of the relegation zone after Wednesday s 3-1 defeat to Manchester City, while their next opponents are third after enjoying an 11-match unbeaten run (W8 D3).

Newcastle have been rejuvenated since a 2021 takeover led by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, staving off the threat of relegation last season following the January arrivals of Bruno Guimaraes, Kieran Tripper and others.

The Magpies then broke their transfer record with a £60million (€71.1m) move for Alexander Isak in August, while Leeds turned a profit in the last transfer window after selling Raphinh…

Leeds United have the signing of Kiko Casilla from Real Madrid.

The 32-year old goalkeeper has signed a contract which will make Elland Road his new workplace for the next four and a half years until the summer of 2023.

Casilla started his career with Real Madrid Castilla in 2005/06, and moved to Espanyol in 2007. After a season with their B side, he went out on loan first to Cadiz, and then to Cartagena, before returning to the parent club for the 2011/12 season. Four years and 126 appearances later, Real brought him back to Madrid to act as backup to Keylor Navas, and with the arrival of Thibaut Courtois from Chelsea last summer he fell further down the pecking order.

He had been linked with a move to Leeds for a while, and now, having completed the medical, …

Serge Gnabry gave Bayern Munich a glimpse of the skills they will enjoy next season before the Bundesliga champions stormed back to seal a stunning 5-2 victory over Hoffenheim.

Germany forward Gnabry joined Bayern from Werder Bremen last June before being sent on loan to Hoffenheim and he won and missed a penalty – with Mark Uth netting from Sven Ulrich s save – before spectacularly giving the visitors a two-goal lead after just 12 minutes at the Allianz Arena.

Robert Lewandowski s 18th Bundesliga goal of the season reduced the arrears and Jerome Boateng ensured it was all square inside a breathless opening half hour.

Bayern took a firm grip on the contest from that point and quickfire second-half goals from Kingsley Coman and Arturo Vidal sealed the points b…

Rangers survived an early setback to beat Dundee 3-1 in an eventful cinch Premiership encounter at Ibrox.

Striker Amadou Bakayoko stunned the home fans in the fifth minute but the Light Blues responded with goals from forward Cyriel Dessers, skipper James Tavernier – with a penalty awarded by VAR – and attacker Abdallah Sima.

Gers midfielder Jose Cifuentes was sent off at the end of the first half after another VAR intervention saw a yellow card upgraded to red.

Rangers played the second half with 10 men but could have increased their lead despite a valiant effort from the visitors. They move five points behind leaders Celtic, who play Kilmarnock on Sunday.

Gers had lost midfielder Tom Lawrence and striker Danilo to injury against Hearts in midweek an…

Marcus Rashford has revealed his admiration for Sergio Aguero and named the Manchester City star the Premier League s most complete striker.

Argentina international Aguero wrote one of the most famous chapters in the two clubs storied rivalry when he scored the goal that snatched the title from Manchester United in 2011-12.

But United and England forward Rashford is a firm fan of the 30-year-old s ability to deliver in all conditions.

Aguero has netted 18 times in the top flight this term and is the most prolific player in City s history.

I think probably the most all-round centre-forward is Sergio Aguero, Rashford said in an interview with GQ.

Even on an off day, he can score you three or four goals. That, for me, is one trait of a centre-…

Gianluigi Buffon will likely retire after the 2018 World Cup. That is not a secret.

The 39-year-old goalkeeper will be 40 once the season ends, and all signs indicate he will end his playing days sooner than later. His departure will likely leave a void on both Juventus and the Italy national team, as Buffon is one of the biggest leaders on both teams.

Italy might have an easier time replacing him since they have always had talented goalkeepers. But Juventus will need to find a replacement in the transfer market. Wojciech Szczęsny is not the long-term or even short-term answer for the club, and The Old Lady need to replace Buffon with a world-class shot-stopper that can become a key presence for both the Serie A and the UEFA Champions League.

There aren t many…

Xabi Alonso asked for more character and aggression from his Bayer Leverkusen side after their last-gasp 3-2 win over Borussia Monchengladbach in the Bundesliga opener.

Leverkusen were awarded a penalty deep into added time on Friday, with Florian Wirtz converting on the rebound to earn the visitors the three points.

Granit Xhaka lashed Leverkusen into the lead with a stunning strike in the 12th minute.

Wirtz extended Leverkusen s lead but Gladbach hit back through Nico Elvedi and Tim Kleindienst before the late drama.

It was an intense first Bundesliga game for us. A lot of things happened in the second half, it was full of emotion right to the end. We did well in many phases, Alonso said.

But we weren t always so compact today, we were also a …