After a clean sweep of all domestic trophies by PSG in the just concluded 2015/2016 season in France, one would have thought Laurent Blanc would at least be allowed to have another crack at the Champions League next season. Sadly, that is looking unlikely as reports have it that Blanc will be stepping down as PSG manager after only just extending his contract last February by 2 years.
Since Blanc replaced Carlo Ancelloti as manager of PSG in 2013, it's been total domination of Ligue 1 all the way as well as winning 2 French Cups, 3 League Cups and 2 French Super Cups. It's in the Champions League they have fallen short often getting knocked out in the quarter finals.
With such achievement by Blanc's team albeit in a league were traditional rivals Monaco, Marseille, and Lyon are currently unable to compete at PSG's level of financial power, he deserves to leave when he feels he needs a fresh challenge. This mutual consensus between Blanc and the PSG management to part ways just goes to show that success is no longer a guarantee for a manager to keep his job if the 'success' is not in line with the ambitions of the club's directors.
Unai Emery has been touted as the favourite to replace him. If this turns out to be the case, he might end up an astute signing by PSG but he doesn't look the type of manager that would upstage Barcelona, Bayern Munich or even Real Madrid if PSG was to cross paths with these teams in the Champions League. Remember, Sevilla actually failed to make it past the group stage of the champions league last season that's why they found themselves in a competition they have sort of emerged as specialists in winning after retaining the Europa League for a second year running. How ironic that Blanc's possible replacement is one who thrives in Europe's second tier competition.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic Retires From The National Team
Meanwhile, Laurent Blanc's top dog at PSG, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, has called it quits with Sweden. Zlatan announced during the ongoing European Championships in France before Sweden got eliminated that he would no longer play for the national team after the Euros and thus ended speculation about his intentions to play for Sweden at the Rio Olympics.
Zlatan is retiring after making 116 caps for Sweden and scoring 62 goals. He is Sweden's record goal scorer. If the transfer rumour mill is to be believed, then Zlatan should end up at Manchester United after deciding not to extend his stay at PSG. Zlatan has not had an illustrious career only for Sweden but at club level as well. He has turned out for the likes of Juventus, Inter Milan and Barcelona with trophies and accolades wherever he has been. Although the Champions League trophy remains elusive for him, a move to Old Trafford will not see him achieve this dream any time soon.
Ronaldo: The Good, The Bad, and The Outright Ugly
Real Madrid and Portugal forward, Cristiano Ronaldo's Euro 2016 adventure has gotten a lot of coverage since his criticism of Iceland's tactics against Portugal in their Euro 2016 opener which ended in a draw as he has been singled out by the media for what can be regarded as undue scrutiny.
It appears Ronaldo has become a victim of his own high standards. And when the media apply pressure, he has demonstrated a low tolerance for their intrusiveness and criticism. Every act of frustration or disappointment by Ronaldo is highlighted.
Ronaldo has struggled in the Euros and Portugal lacking quality strikers have suffered as a result. He struggled in Portugal's first two games not out for a lack of trying though but because he didn't get the rub of the green.
But when push came to shove, when his country needed him the most during adversity, he reminded his critics what he was capable of by scoring a brace against Hungary.
Ronaldo may have a big ego, he may be petty and a sore loser as the game against Iceland revealed, he may have shown terrible disdain for the media by throwing a journalist's microphone into a nearby lake but he will continue to divide opinion as long as he continues to break and set new records like he has done during Euro 2016.
Leicester And Tottenham Make Statement Of Intent
Premier League Champions, Leicester City have shown that they mean business next season as they have been able to persuade top striker, Jamie Vardy to extend his contract at Leicester and turn down any offers from Arsenal.
Arsenal, according to reports, were said to have triggered a buy out clause said to be in the region of £20 million in Vardy's contract but Vardy has decided that his future lies with Leicester City and not in Arsene Wenger's squad.
Vardy is currently having a mixed bag at the European Championships with England. He scored against Wales but struggled to make an impact against Slovakia.
Would he have been a success at Arsenal? Leicester City is largely a counter attacking side and thus is set up to play to his strengths but with Arsenal, there is that odd chance that he may struggle to make an impact with their style as he is currently experiencing with England at the Euros as they labour to break down teams who defend deep which Arsenal often encounter in the premiership.
In other news, Spurs have announced the signing of Kenyan defensive midfielder Victor Wanyama from Southampton on a 5 year deal. As Spurs prepare for Champions League football next season, It appears Mauricio Pochettino has decided one area of priority is cover for Eric Dier. Make no mistake, Wanyama joining Spurs will strengthen Spurs' midfield immensely especially in potentially difficult away games against the big boys in Europe or England.
One can only wonder if this is the season Southampton finally get sucked into the relegation battle or even go down. With Ronald Koeman joining Everton, surely it's a matter of time before a big club snaps up Sadio Mane. It might yet prove one exit too many.
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