Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman (l) alongside his captain Virgil van Dijk

Koeman: 'Netherlands are contenders to win Euro 2024'

Ronald Koeman will send the Netherlands into their opening Euro 2024 battle with Poland confident they will be in the mix for the title.

Soccer • 15 Jun 24

Evan Ferguson will be looking to make an impression in Amsterdam

'He's a good one' - Koeman lavishes praise on Ferguson

Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman has revealed he has inside knowledge Ireland striker Evan Ferguson heading into Saturday's Euro 2024 qualifier in Amsterdam.

Soccer • 17 Nov 23

Koeman hopes injury depleted Dutch can upset France

Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman hopes his side can pull off victory over France in Friday's European Championship qualifier even if they have been hard hit by injuries.

Soccer • 09 Oct 23

Ronald Koeman's side face two crucial games in three days as they look to seal automatic qualification

Koeman goes with new keeper for injury-hit Dutch squad

Netherlands named a new goalkeeping option for their upcoming European 2024 qualifiers against France and Greece but must do without key injured players as they battle for a place at next year's finals in Germany.

Soccer • 06 Oct 23

Mark Flekken has not played for his country since June of last year

Flekken gets the call as Dutch change goalkeeper again

New Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken will take over as the Netherlands' first choice for their Euro 2024 qualifier on Thursday, coach Ronald Koeman said on the eve of the match against Greece in Eindhoven.

Soccer • 06 Sep 23

Ronald Koeman was frustrated by his team's performance

Koeman 'shocked' by below-par Dutch performances

Irritated Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman said he was shocked by his team's performance in his first week back in charge of the national side and drastic improvement is needed.

Soccer • 28 Mar 23

Ronald Koeman will return to the Netherlands as manager

Koeman to return as Netherlands manager

Ronald Koeman is to return as Netherlands coach when Louis van Gaal leaves the role after the World Cup in Qatar.

Soccer • 06 Apr 22

Xavi has been contacted by Barcelona president Joan Laporta about the vacancy

Al Sadd insist Xavi 'fully focused' amid Barca links

Qatari club Al Sadd insist manager Xavi is "fully focused" on the team's upcoming matches amid speculation over the vacant position at Barcelona.

Soccer • 30 Oct 21

Pep backs Xavi as Barca confirm they've made contact

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says he has no doubt that Xavi will be a fine manager if given the job at his former club Barcelona following the departure of Dutchman Ronald Koeman earlier this week.

Soccer • 29 Oct 21

Barca name Barjuan interim coach as Xavi waits in wings

Barcelona have named their 'B' side coach Sergi Barjuan as interim manager following the departure of Ronald Koeman, the LaLiga club said in a statement.

Soccer • 28 Oct 21

Ronald Koeman took the reins back in August 2020

Barcelona sack Koeman after defeat to Rayo Vallecano

Barcelona sacked coach Ronald Koeman late on Wednesday night after their 1-0 La Liga defeat at Rayo Vallecano.

Soccer • 28 Oct 21

Ronald Koeman's Barcelona side have won just once in their last five games

Koeman gets backing from Barcelona president

Barcelona president Joan Laporta gave coach Ronald Koeman his backing on Saturday, saying the Dutchman deserves time to turn the club's fortunes around.

Soccer • 02 Oct 21

Barcelona have laboured this season under Ronald Koeman

Koeman refuses to field questions in Barcelona presser

Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman used his press conference on Wednesday to read out a pre-prepared personal statement regarding the club's situation, before leaving without answering any questions.

Soccer • 22 Sep 21

Ronald Koeman is struggling at Barcelona

'I don't have the players', bemoans Barca boss Koeman

Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman defended his team's style of play in Monday's 1-1 La Liga draw with Granada, saying his depleted side did not have the players who could execute their trademark tiki-taka passing game.

Soccer • 21 Sep 21

Barcelona players dejected after they losing to the German champions

Barca chief Laporta urges patience after Bayern loss

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has asked fans to show patience with the team in the aftermath of Tuesday's 3-0 defeat by Bayern Munich in the Champions League, adding he had foreseen the club's difficult start to the season.

Soccer • 15 Sep 21

Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman took to Twitter to share his thoughts on Lionel Messi's exit

Koeman: Messi exit 'hard to understand'

Ronald Koeman has described Lionel Messi's Barcelona departure as "still hard to understand" as the Nou Camp club prepare to officially bid farewell to the superstar on Sunday.

Soccer • 07 Aug 21

Koeman admits title 'very difficult' after draw

Ronald Koeman admitted it will be "very difficult" for Barcelona to win LaLiga after they twice squandered the lead to draw with Levante.

Soccer • 12 May 21

Messi the most 'important man in the history of Barca'

Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman hailed Lionel Messi as the most important player in the club's illustrious history after he struck twice on his record-equalling 767th club appearance.

Soccer • 16 Mar 21

Enrique 'Kike' Garcia of SD Eibar is mobbed after his goal against Barcelona

Koeman admits title hopes fading fast for Barca

Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman said his side would find it difficult to win the La Liga title after they ended a traumatic 2020 with a 1-1 draw at home to minnows Eibar on Tuesday.

Soccer • 30 Dec 20

Leo Messi and Ronald Koeman during the Joan Gamper Trophy match between FC Barcelona and Elche CF on 19 September

Upset Messi still motivated for La Liga opener - Koeman

Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman says he understood why Lionel Messi was upset about the departure of his long-time strike partner and friend Luis Suarez to Atletico Madrid but did not believe it would affect him on the pitch ahead of the club's first La Liga fixture of the new season.

Soccer • 26 Sep 20

De Boer's last managerial role was in the MLS

De Boer succeeds Koeman as Netherlands manager

Frank De Boer has been appointed Netherlands head coach on a two-year deal which will run until the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Soccer • 23 Sep 20

Henrik Larsson won the Champions League with Barcelona in 2006

Koeman brings Larsson into Barcelona fold

Barcelona have appointed Celtic legend Henrik Larsson to Ronald Koeman's backroom staff.

Soccer • 21 Aug 20

Koeman had led the Netherlands to qualification for the now delayed Euro 2020

'Barcelona my dream club' - Koeman appointed manager

Barcelona have confirmed the appointment of Ronald Koeman as the La Liga club's next manager.

Soccer • 19 Aug 20

Koeman keen on Barca job as Abidal leaves director role

Ronald Koeman has admitted he would like to return to Barcelona but has insisted he is yet to sign a contract with the club.

Soccer • 18 Aug 20

Barcelona sack Quique Setien

Barcelona have sacked coach Quique Setien, three days after the Catalan giants were hammered 8-2 by Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

Soccer • 17 Aug 20