Managers

With its spot in the World Cup already clinched, the Netherlands is using the March international window for a pair of friendlies against Denmark and Germany in Amsterdam. 

While Virgil van Dijk, Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay were arriving at the KNVB Campus in Zeist on Monday, 70-year-old manager Louis van Gaal was giving a customarily unfiltered press conference on player selection, his choice for national team successor and the prospect of a World Cup in Qatar. 

Van Gaal didn't hold back when asked to discuss the host nation.

It was one of the longest halves in Jesse Marsch’s career, both literally and figuratively. The new Leeds United coach had to replace three of his starters with first-half injuries and in the 11th minute of added time Wolverhampton scored a second goal that seemingly consigned the American to a third defeat in four matches since taking the job. 

Christian Pulisic made it two goals in two games against Lille as Chelsea defated the defending Ligue 1 champion 2-1 on Wednesday to win 4-1 on aggregate and advance to the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. The Pulisic goal vs Lille came at a perfect time for the Blues, who had struggled to create any chances in the first half.

LEEDS, England - Joe Gelhardt came off the bench to score a stoppage-time winner for Leeds United as they snatched a thrilling 2-1 home victory over fellow strugglers Norwich City in a pulsating Premier League clash on Sunday.

Leeds looked to have thrown away three vital points in the battle for relegation when Kenny McLean fired home Teemu Pukki's pass in the 91st minute, but Gelhardt spared their blushes in a game the hosts should have won comfortably.

No matter the sport, pregame press conferences are pretty much all the same. How has training gone this week, what about that result last week, who do you have to watch for on the other team, will that injured player be healthy, blah blah blah ad nauseum. Most of the time, it’s banal shit, only put up with by journalists who require it for their jobs and superfans who devour every bit of information about their team.