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Ryan Giggs has revealed that Louis van Gaal has been key to his managerial career after the Welshman learnt vital lessons while assisting the former Manchester United boss.

Giggs spent his whole playing career at Old Trafford under the leadership of Sir Alex Ferguson, winning 13 Premier League titles in the process.

He had 23 years to pick up tips from the legendary United manager before making the step up himself after he hung up his boots in 2014.

The Wales manager took interim charge of Man Utd after David Moyes was sacked before becoming assistant to Van Gaal when he arrived in the summer of 2014.

The Dutchman was widely criticised for his tactics and management style at Old Trafford but Giggs, who is now manager of the Welsh national side, credits his former colleague for shaping his managerial career.

“Obviously I had different international managers, but that's only obviously a short space of time. That's why I talk about Louis (van Gaal), regarding my coaching, because I'm actually two years in the meetings, [taking] responsibility, and I talk so fondly of him because that was really my first coaching role. Whereas when you're playing, you don't know the preparation,” Giggs told The Official Manchester United Podcast.

“You don't know what the manager's seen on the videos. Players get seven or eight minutes of watching the opposition, but the coaching staff watch hours and hours.

“So that is completely different, it's completely different, even though you've worked under a manager for so long. It was more sort of the man-management and the different things that Sir Alex would do that I've picked up on, whereas with Louis obviously I've seen first-hand different systems, why you play the different systems, the reasons for this and the reasons for that, It was a really good experience.”

Giggs enjoyed two years alongside Van Gaal before leaving United in 2016 following the arrival of Jose Mourinho and he secured his first full-time management job in 2018 as head of the Welsh national team. And the 46-year-old said it was his four games in interim charge at Man Utd that convinced him to pursue a career in management.

“Amazing experience, amazing, and one, really, that made my mind up that I wanted to become a manager,” Giggs said about his time in charge at Old Trafford. “I would say up until then that I was still unsure.

"I just felt comfortable. I felt comfortable decision-making. I felt comfortable in that position. It was a brilliant experience. I was still doing my pro licence, but actually being in the job, having to make the decisions, all the pressure that you put yourself under, you can't prepare yourself for that.”

Joseph Yobo, Didier Drogba, Anthony Baffoe and a host of other football figures have paid tribute to late Stephen Keshi.

Keshi - the only man after Mahmoud El-Gohary to win the Africa Cup of Nations as a player and coach - passed away after suffering a heart attack at the age of 54 on June 7, 2016.

He led Clemens Westerhof’s Eagles to a triumphant Afcon 1994 outing as well as their maiden Fifa World Cup appearance in the United States of America in the same year.

After his playing career which saw him represent ACB Lagos, Africa Sports, Lokeren, Anderlecht, RC Strasbourg and Sacramento Scorpions, he went into administration and helped Togo qualify for the 2006 World Cup, before leading Mali and Nigeria national teams.

With the footballing world marking his fourth-year remembrance, the trio alongside others, has taken to social media to pay respect.

Paulo Dybala has revealed he is still not 100 per cent fit after overcoming coronavirus - but he is relishing the return of Serie A all the same.

The Juventus forward confirmed in March that he and girlfriend Oriana Sabatini had tested positive for Covid-19, by which time football in Italy had been suspended due to the pandemic.

Dybala had to isolate for over a month before Juve announced he had returned two negative tests on May 6, though he is still not yet in peak condition following his illness.

Having gone up against Tottenham's Dele Alli in FIFA 20 as part of a charity event organised by Gamers Without Borders, the Argentina international declared his delight at the upcoming resumption to the 2019-20 campaign.

"I had coronavirus, but I feel much better now," Dybala said during the Instagram Live transmission.

"I am still not quite at 100 per cent, but I'm pretty good. We've started training again and football is coming back, so soon we will be able to do what we love the most.

"I hope we can have fun and entertain.

"I think it will be useful because we will have many consecutive football matches, and people like us who love this wonderful sport will have the opportunity to watch a different game every day."

Argentinian Dybala defeated Alli while playing as Liverpool, even singing the Anfield club's anthem 'You'll Never Walk Alone' midway through the online game with the England midfielder.

As for the real action, the Old Lady have been linked with a move for Manchester United star Paul Pogba, who took his career to another level in Turin between 2012-16.

Dybala revealed he would love to play with the France World Cup winner again after revealing the duo exchanged shirts during a Champions League match two years ago.

"I couldn't overlook a shirt like this, of course," Dybala said during an interview with UEFA.com, referring to a United shirt from Juve's 1-0 Champions League win in Manchester in 2018. "It's from Manchester, from my friend Paul, whom I admire as a person even more than as a football player.

"I had the chance to share great things with him and hopefully I can repeat that someday."

Serie A leaders Juve - who sit one point clear of nearest rivals Lazio - restart their league campaign with a trip to Bologna on June 22.

Before then, Juventus have the second leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final against Milan, which takes place in Turin on June 12. The first meeting between the teams finished in a 1-1 draw.

Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc has insisted the club is not raising expectations on wonderkid Youssoufa Moukoko neither is he being pressured.

The striker who holds both a Cameroonian and German passport has been a sensation for BVB at youth level scoring more than 150 goals across the various age grades including 34 strikes in 20 outings in this season's Under-19 Bundesliga.

This led to increased calls for Moukoko to be drafted into the Dortmund senior team, but due to DFB restrictions that do not permit players to debut until they turn 17, it became impossible.

Dortmund, however, challenged the rule to reduce the age down to 16 which was eventually granted.

Moukoko will turn 16 on November 20 and could, therefore, make his senior bow, but Zorc is in no rush.

"The framework conditions for professional appearances by absolute exceptional players of this age have been created, but we are therefore not putting any pressure on him at all," Zorc told Bild am Sonntag .

"We do well not to raise expectations of Youssoufa too high."

Former player and now head of Dortmund's licensing player department, Sebastian Kehl also asserted that any chance of Moukoko making his debut this year will have to be handled "responsibly".

"There will always be a decision on a case-by-case basis, which will not only be made on the basis of sporting skills," Kehl said.

"Here physical and mental aspects, but also the personality of the player plays a major role. We will all handle it very responsibly."

Dortmund occupy second spot on the Bundesliga log, seven points behind leaders Bayern Munich with four rounds left to wrap up the season that was halted in March because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Moukoko is hailed as the 'New Eto'o' in reference to the prowess of Cameroon great Samuel Eto'o who played for the likes of Real Madrid, Mallorca, Barcelona, Inter Milan and Chelsea, winning the Champions League three times and multiple domestic titles.

Eto'o also won the Africa Cup of Nations twice and an Olympic medal.

He is Cameroon's all-time top scorer with 56 goals and is a four-time recipient of the African Footballer of the Year.

Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli concedes his side were not playing well enough earlier this season but says the unexpected break caused by the coronavirus pandemic has given the team a chance  to “dig in” and end the campaign on a high.

Spurs’ last match before the COVID-19 shutdown was a disappointing 3-0 last-16 second leg loss at RB Leipzig in the Champions League in March, completing 4-0 aggregate defeat by the German side.

The previous week the north London club were beaten at home by Norwich on penalties in the FA Cup fifth round, meaning they are guaranteed to end the 2019-20 without a trophy.

In the Premier League, Tottenham face a real fight to qualify for the Champions League next season. They are currently eighth in the table, seven points behind fourth-placed Chelsea with 11 games remaining.

To add to their troubles, captain Harry Kane suffered a hamstring injury in January while Son Hueng-Min broke his arm the following month, with both expected to be sidelined for the majority of the campaign at the time of their injuries.

However, the three-month Premier League shutdown has given Kane, Son and the rest of the squad time to rest and recuperate.

Manager Jose Mourinho revealed last month the duo had now recovered from their injuries, while Alli, Moussa Sissoko, Erik Lamela and January signing Steven Bergwijn were also fit again after minor knocks. It leaves the former Chelsea and Manchester boss with a near fully-fit squad to choose from for their first game back against Manchester United on June 19.

England forward Alli believes Tottenham have used the break to their advantage and is hopeful the team can right some of the wrongs of earlier this year.

“We are excited as it was an unexpected break having the season cut midway through,” Alli said on a live stream after competing in a charity FIFA20 match organised by Gamers Without Borders.

“From a Tottenham point of view we were not doing well enough before the break and we know that but we've all come back to training hungry and we want to improve.

“Everyone is excited so we just need to dig in.”

Ilkay Gundogan has hailed Leicester City defender Caglar Soyuncu as one of the Premier League’s top performers and suggested Manchester City should sign him.

Turkish centre-back Soyunci, 24, joined the Foxes from Freiburg in 2018 and has excelled for the Foxes, who are third in the Premier League after 29 matches.

Soyuncu is being linked with a move to other teams in the English top-flight and Gundogan believes City should be in contention to land him, while he has also been impressed by Everton attacker Cenk Tosun.

“I agree with the general opinion of football fans. Caglar Soyuncu had the best performance in the Premier League this season after Van Dijk,” the Germany international told Fanatik.

“I didn't know him before. We met when we played against each other. In addition to the Premier League matches, we faced Leicester City in a cup game two years ago.

“We became opponents in many matches. We always saw and talked to each other and started getting to know each other.

“He's a very good boy. I love him. His understanding of football and character are also very good.

“His performances for both Leicester and Turkey are good. I hope we see him in better places.

“The first one that comes to my mind about the Turkish player I want to see at Manchester City is Caglar.

“I would also count Cenk Tosun. He may be at this level in the near future. I think he has also played well, but he suffered an unlucky injury.

“He also scored a goal in the match we played at home against Crystal Palace. I think he's settled in the Premier League. He deserves it.”

The 29-year-old midfielder would also like to line up alongside Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, admitting that he thinks the Barcelona hero is the best in the game.

“Messi is a footballer whose talent will not be seen again,” he added.

“For me, Messi is a little higher. Messi and Ronaldo are very important players. I would like to play with both of them on the same team one day.”

Eleven Wonders chief executive officer Albert Commey is the latest to express concern about safety amid considerations for a prompt return of the Ghana Premier League (GPL).

There have been recent calls for resumption of the championship which has been on hold since March as part of measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Commey's comments follow similar remarks by Aduana Stars coach Samuel Paa Kwasi Fabin.

"We shouldn’t joke with the situation now because we cannot afford to lose a soul in the industry to the virus," the CEO told Onua FM.

"We have a responsibility, we need to make sure that measures are put in place to curb the spread of the virus.

"The [Ghana] Football Association (GFA) is consulting stakeholders and if they agree for it to be cancelled, then we do that."

The Premier League was at the matchweek 15 stage, with Aduana atop the standings, when it ground to a halt.

At the time, a total of six coronavirus cases had been recorded in Ghana.

As at Sunday June 7, the West African nation has so far registered 9,638 cases involving 44 deaths, 3,636 recoveries and 5,958 active cases.

"The corporate world is monitoring and watching our reaction on how we will deal with the situation so we have to show resilience," Commey added.

"We have to show that we will be able to stand by them in times of difficulties when they sponsor the league and there is a problem.”

Commey also shared his thoughts on the sideline of football by the government of Ghana in a stimulus package for businesses in the wake of the Covid-19 disruptions.

"We pay tax so the country really gains from football," he said.

"Seventeen point five (17.5) per cent of the money gained from gate proceeds by clubs goes to the state as tax, so calculate the number of games played every week and even [tax from] hoteliers - [not forgetting] those who sell at the stadium also benefit from football - [to get an idea about our contribution to the economy]."

The Premier League, together with all other domestic competitions, has been on hold since March 15 following a ban on all public gatherings, including sporting and religious events.

The GFA has said it will wait until at least June 30 to make a decision on the future of football.

The ban on football, however, continues until at least July 31.

Former Liverpool defender Jon Otsemobor claims that he felt "used" after his then-senior teammate El Hadji Diouf once woke him up at 02:00 to party with a group of people dominated by women, on a day they were supposed to report for training later on.

Diouf is said to have arrived at Otsemobor's place unannounced and in the company of about 10 party-goers, most of which were women.

Otsemobor, then a first-team player fresh from Liverpool's youth system, says he could not turn down Diouf's sudden approach as he felt "obliged" to play to his senior's demands after he was awoken by a ringing bell.

"Sem, open the door!" Otsemobor told Liverpool Echo claiming Diouf as having said.

"When an older pro like that approaches you, you feel obliged. I was still a young lad, and I was just disappointed thinking he took my friendship and used it. I felt at the time, when I went into the dressing room, you can't just use me like that, I'm your friend.

"If he needed a place to stay and all that, fine, but I'm not hosting parties for all different people who were flying into the country every weekend!"

Diouf's three-season spell at Liverpool, punctuated by a loan spell at Bolton Wanderers, proved to be eventful as much as it was unsuccessful.

During his tenure on Merseyside, Diouf made a total of 55 appearances for the Reds, scoring a mere three goals, including a period of roughly 13 months without a goal to his name.

A spitting incident and a verbal altercation with Steven Gerrard are some of Diouf's infamous episodes during his Liverpool days, as Otsemobor reiterated the well-publicised reports that the former Senegal international earned himself some enemies in the Reds dressing room were true.

Otsemobor asserted that Diouf was awakened to the reality that there were a lot of other players who were "better" than him, having arrived at Anfield from Ligue 1 side Racing Lens after an impressive outing at the 2002 Fifa World Cup.

"I know a few other lads in the dressing room didn't like him, but I never had a problem with him," said Otsemobor.

"He did, at times, come across arrogant but don't get me wrong, he was a good footballer.

"I think from where he was in Senegal, and the upbringing he came through, he was looked upon as a God over there.

"He was doing well, outstanding at the World Cup before he came to Liverpool, and Liverpool paid £10m for him.

"I think he still had that persona about him, that God-like persona. When he came into the dressing room it wasn't long before he found out there were a lot of other lads there either as good as him or better than him.

"Maybe he didn't get the respect off some of them that he would have thought but I never seen him have bust-ups or arguments with anyone. I don't recall any, anyway."

After leaving Liverpool, Diouf went on to play for five other Premier League sides, Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers as well as Doncaster Rovers and Leed United in the Championship.

Frenkie de Jong has revealed he is taking tactical advice from Lionel Messi as he continues to settle into life at Barcelona.

The Netherlands international is in his first season at Camp Nou having joined from Ajax in a €75 million (£65m/$85m) deal last summer.

He arrived with a reputation as one of Europe’s brightest young prospects after starring for Ajax in their memorable run to the Champions League semi-finals in 2019.

Things haven’t always gone to plan for the 23-year-old, though, as he adjusts to life in a new country with new team-mates and in a new position.

A deep-lying playmaker for Ajax, De Jong was deployed in a wider midfield role by Ernesto Valverde in the early weeks of his Barca career to accommodate the return of Sergio Busquets. New boss Quique Setien, who replaced Valverde in January, then played De Jong further forward in a more attacking role.

Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman questioned Barcelona’s use of De Jong earlier this season, though the player himself says it is just part of a learning process.

"In Ajax and the Dutch squad I've had a different role but we're playing with a double six [two defensive midfielders]," he told BBC Sport.

"I have to adapt and it's going OK, but I can improve. I'm at my best when I'm not the most defensive but also not the most attacking [midfielder].

"If Lionel Messi is talking and giving you advice you take it as he is by far the best player in the world. If he gives advice, you listen. Sometimes he says you have to be deeper or to the side, small things but it makes the difference.”

De Jong also revealed how a visit by Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu convinced him to join the club instead of Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus and Manchester City.

"It was my dream to play for Barcelona,” he added.  "They were my favourite club outside of the Netherlands. When they came and showed they were really interested they made the choice easier.

"At the beginning I didn't have the feeling Barcelona really wanted me. But they said you have a good chance of being a starter and it was really easy for me.

"[Bartomeu] talked about the other clubs and Pep Guardiola and said when he was at Barcelona he was amazing. He said Guardiola was the greatest manager but told me: 'If you want to enjoy your life, you want to play in Barcelona'.

"Sometimes when I'm driving to the training ground you see the weather and there are these moments when you think: 'I always wanted this as a kid'. It's a dream, I'm really happy.”

De Jong and Barcelona are scheduled to return to action against Real Mallorca on June 13 after a three-month shutdown because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The midfielder admits life is different post-lockdown but believes Barca have benefited from the break and can achieve something “special” as they look to pip Real Madrid to the title.

"I didn't have the virus but life isn't how it used to be," he said. "I don't think it's changed me as a person. I've spent a lot of time with my girlfriend, we were in Holland and we could go out - the situation was a bit more comfortable than in Spain.

"When we were training in separate groups we had to wait before the others left, I couldn't say 'hi' to them, that was really strange.

"Training is intense and maybe we're better than when we stopped. I'm feeling there is something special coming."

Young Africans (Yanga SC) suffered a humiliating 3-0 defeat against KMC in a friendly played at Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Sunday.

Both teams were using the build-up to gauge their players ahead of the Mainland Premier League resumption on June 13 after it was given the green light by President John Pombe Magufuli.

KMC were the better side from the onset as they troubled Yanga, who looked out of place, but it took the former until the 45th minute to take a deserved lead when Sadala Lipangile slotted home using his right foot.

KMC then doubled their lead in the added minutes of the first half when Charles Ilanfya latched onto a through-ball to sneak it past Yanga keeper Metacha Mnata for a 2-0 lead at the half-time break.

After the resumption, Yanga’s assistant coach Boniface Mkwasa opted to ring a few changes to help reduce the deficit but KMC remained the dominant side and they wrapped up the win with a well taken free-kick courtesy of Hassan Kabunda in the 65th minute.

Before the game, Mkwasa had told reporters his target was to triumph in the friendly so as to help bring back a winning mentality ahead of their first match on June 14.

“I know it will be a tough match since [KMC] are among the good sides in the league but we are well prepared to win and bring back winning mentality to players,” Mkwasa told reporters earlier.

“It will give us an opportunity to see the balance of the team and where we should fix the problems before heading to the battlefield next week.”

Mkwasa further revealed his side was ready to navigate the congested fixtures when the season resumes, saying they have a huge squad to pick from and hence can rotate.

“As you know, we gave individual training sessions to be accomplished by players at their own homes when the league was suspended but that is not enough to make them fit for competitive games that is why we thought of playing friendly encounters to assess the players,” Mkwasa continued.

“We also need to get prepared with the many fixtures coming up and know how to rotate the squad, and this friendly will help us a lot.”

Yanga will face Mwadui FC in their first match on June 14.

Leganes centre-back Kenneth Omeruo has paid a tribute to former Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi, who passed away four years ago on Sunday.

The former Super Eagles captain died on June 7, 2016, after suffering a heart attack at the age of 54, a few months after losing his wife to cancer.

Keshi guided Nigeria to win their third Africa Cup of Nations trophy in 2013, becoming the second man to clinch the continental title as player and coach.

The former Togo manager gave Omeruo his first international cap at the age of 19, against Cape Verde, and the defender was part of the Super Eagles' winning team in South Africa.

The centre-back has recalled the advice he received from the ‘Big Boss’ and how he desired success with Chelsea, although he ended up leaving Stamford Bridge permanently last summer and has continued to blossom in the Spanish top-flight.

Omeruo took time to post an emotional tribute to Keshi and wished he was alive to witness the progress the defender has made in his professional career and family life.

“It’s been four years already and I am still hoping I would one day pick up the phone and call you like I use to,” Omeruo posted on Instagram.

“I miss you but I am sad I am very sad that I am beginning to get used to your absence but one thing I will never forget, is your advice and your encouragements.

“You gave me more than one chances and you told me several times, until it stuck to my head, that everyone cannot love me. You told me to work hard always and not expect to be favoured because hard work always wins.

“You gave me an opportunity at a very young age even when I wasn’t expecting it. I was content with just making the squad and you never asked for anything in return.

“I remember against Ivory Coast, with the likes of Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure I didn’t know how to prepare for that game because I was a bit panicked.

“I remember you telling us we will get to the final even when we haven’t played Ivory Coast yet. I went into that game with so much passion. We used to talk about Chelsea and every time my contract is extended, you will congratulate me and tell me it’s like they don’t want to let me go but guess what Boss, I finally left Chelsea, and I am even happier than I used to be.

"I got married and we have a beautiful daughter Chairein and she is adorable and looks like me. Okay maybe not, you would have loved her. I had to write all this now because I just realized you weren’t here to see it all.

“Thank you for everything daddy and keep resting in peace coach Keshi. Forever in my heart.”

Keshi, who had 60 caps for the Super Eagles, served as manager of the side between 2011-2015, having previously managed Togo and Mali.

Midfielder Clatous Chama has returned to Tanzania ready for the resumption of the Mainland Premier League.

Chama is among the players Simba SC were waiting for as they had left the country when football activities were suspended in April.

Meddie Kagere and Francis Kahata are the other players who have already touched base in Dra es Salaam.

Kagere, the Golden Boot race leader with 19 goals, was the first one to join his teammates in Tanzania after the government had allowed the resumption of joint training sessions ahead of June 13's league resumption.

The Kenya attacking midfielder was the second to arrive and now the Wekundu wa Msimbazi are waiting to see whether South Sudanese midfielder Sharaf Shiboub will arrive before they restart their title defence.

Initially, Simba were expecting Chama to join the rest on June 8 but his timely arrival, a day earlier, should be a boost for Sven Vandenbroeck who has been overseeing training sessions at the Mo Simba Arena at Bunju since May 26.

The struggle Simba are witnessing in helping their players return has also been faced by their rivals. 

Azam's Ghanaian trio of Razak Abalora, Daniel Amoa, and Yakubu Mohamed, Ugandan Nicholas Wadada, and Never Tigere, Bruce Kangwa, and Donald Ngoma of Zimbabwe had left Tanzania in April.

Yanga SC are struggling to help head coach Luc Eymael arrive from Belgium as well as goalkeeper Farouk Shikalo, who is in Kenya.

Vandenbroeck had revealed that when Chama arrives, he will have to train alone to try and catch up with the other players.

“We are confident he [Chama] is keeping fit because we have been monitoring his progress and situation. Just like other players who rejoined us late, he has to undergo some sessions individually before he is integrated into the team fully,” the Belgian coach said.

Simba will face Ruvu Shooting in their first match on June 14 as they enjoy a healthy 17-point lead at the top of table.

Before the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) suspended the activities in April, the Wekundu wa Msimbazi had harvested 71 points from 28 matches. Second-placed Azam had 54 points from the same number of matches.

Chama's arrival will also be a big boost for the 20-time league champions when they take on Azam during the quarter-finals of the FA Cup tournament.

Barcelona coach Quique Setien has challenged his team to win all of their remaining La Liga games to ensure they are crowned champions this season.

The reigning Spanish title holders are top of the table with a two-point lead over fierce rivals Real Madrid with 11 games left to go.

La Liga has been suspended for three months because of the coronavirus pandemic, but will return next week with Barca kicking off against Mallorca on June 13.

While the coach admits his players may not be in top form after such a long hiatus, he says they cannot afford to slip up if they want to win the title again.    

“Normally you play games in preseason and measure the minutes played, and now that will be different," Setien told the club's website.

"We will see how the games go and what the situation is for each player. Everybody is different.

“We think that we have to win every game if we want to be champions.

“We're doing well and we know that we have to be in top form to compete and win every game. We are in a good place mentally.

"We will see how the games go and the difficulties posed by our opponents.

"The team are in pretty good condition for the work that we have done. We're going to need one more week to really be in shape.

“All of the players are very keen and very motivated to play. It's been good for us, because the players have been resting.

“The team look to have special motivation. I suppose that's the same for every squad."

Barca striker Luis Suarez has been out of action with an injury since January and was expected to miss most of the remainder of the season after having surgery.

However, the suspension of the league has given him time to get back in shape and Setien is happy to have the Uruguay star available again. 

“Luis Suarez has had extra time to recover and to be able to compete again," he added.

"He's practically at full fitness; we'll see how he goes when the competition gets underway, but in two or three games I'm sure he'll be at his top level."

Frenkie de Jong has revealed it was Ernesto Valverde's sacking in January that drilled home to him how high the standards are set at Barcelona.

The Dutch midfielder arrived from Ajax last July, but he spent just six months working with head coach Valverde.

A dismal performance by Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana against Atletico Madrid was the final straw for the club's board, after a string of jarring displays.

Yet at the time of Valverde's dismissal, Barcelona sat top of La Liga's table, ahead of Real Madrid on goal difference, and they had safely secured a place in the Champions League knockout rounds.

Valverde's exit and Quique Setien's swift arrival to take the reins showed De Jong that demands on coaches at top clubs in Spain are particularly high.

"Especially at Barcelona," De Jong said. "It's a bit of the same as in Ajax: you have to play good and you have to win everything.

"When one of the two is not there, it's already difficult for the team and the coach, so the pressure is really high here. They are demanding the best football in the world and they want to win every prize, but I like this idea a lot."

Although De Jong appreciates such lofty expectations and has come to understand the ruthless ways of life at Camp Nou, there was a sense of guilt at Valverde being the fall guy.

"Yes, of course, because when a coach is sacked that's always about the way the team is playing and they are holding the coach responsible for it," De Jong told BBC Radio Five Live.

"But of course you're feeling guilty because the players have to show it on the field.

"We were not doing terrible because we were first in the table when he left."

Barcelona's players agreed a 70 per cent pay cut in March to help the club through the coronavirus period.

De Jong suspects further talks are happening in regard to what happens next over salaries.

"I think we already made an agreement for some months with the club, as everybody knows, and I think - I don't know - the club and some players are negotiating now," De Jong said.

"I'm not one of them. I'm not the talker from the group or something, or I'm not one of the captains, so I think they are speaking and we will see how it turns out."

Barcelona are days away from returning to action, with a trip to face Mallorca next Saturday their first match since the COVID-19 crisis caused football to be closed down in Spain.

De Jong is relieved the waiting is almost over.

"From the moment we could start training again, everyone was desperate to compete again and be with each other again," he said. "It's really good at the moment."

The African pair were part of Shanghai's preseason tour in Lisbon, Portugal where they spend almost a month before departing back to their various bases during the coronavirus break in March.

Ordega joined the CWSL outfit in 2019, and was in superb form, scoring seven goals to help Shanghai to finish as runners-up last season.

The 2018 African Women’s Player of the Year nominee has been at her home country in Benue state since the Covid-19 outbreak.

On Banda's part, the Zambia international sealed her move to the Chinese outfit from Logrono last February after scoring 15 goals in 28 games during her 20-month spell with the Spanish club.

The 20-year-old, who inspired Zambia to a historic Olympic Games qualification in March after a triumph over Cameroon, has been in Lusaka, the Zambia capital, since she left camp in Portugal.

Chinese authorities permitted clubs to resume training for the first time after the restrictions were eased mid-May but the ban on foreigners’ entry into China halts Ordega and Banda’s travel hopes.

As teams resume full training activities, Shanghai becomes the latest club to hit the pitch without Africans after Guangdong, Changchun, Jiangsu Suning, Henan and Wuhan.

In a recent Instagram interview, the Super Falcons star had expressed her frustration over her inability to return to her club as a result of the global health crisis. 

“I was on duty with my teammate outside Shanghai, the team manager told us [foreigners] not to go back to China with the team because of the coronavirus outbreak,” Ordega told the NFF.

“He said to go back home until everything dies down. We never thought things will get out of hands. I headed back home to Nigeria but always get updated with the situation of things in China.

“I was in America to renew my passport when I got the call from my team that things are getting better and we are to report back to China. I planned to fly from America to China but the authority banned movement to China.

“The only option is to enter through other countries that are yet to restrict movement to China. I booked a flight for Ethiopia and planned to go through Ethiopia.

“Surprisingly, the day I landed was the day their government laid an embargo on flights to China. I headed back to Nigeria, called my club to let them know what’s going on.”

Ordega and Banda are part of the Africans yet to return to China after Ghana's Elizabeth Addo, Nigeria's duo of Onome Ebi and Chiwendu Ihezuo.

Zambia’s Patson Daka bagged a hat-trick while his compatriot Enock Mwepu and Mali’s Sekou Koita were on the scoresheet as Red Bull Salzburg thrashed Hartberg 6-0 in Sunday's Bundesliga game.

The Red Bull Arena outfit have been in excellent form since the restart of the Austrian top-flight, securing victories against Austria Lustenau and Rapid Wien before the African stars inspired them to their third win on the bounce.

The league was suspended in March due to the coronavirus outbreak in Austria and across the world.

With only four minutes played in the encounter, Daka opened the scoring after he was set up by Switzerland international of Nigerian descent Noah Okafor.

Three minutes later Mwepu doubled the lead before Daka made it three for his side after benefitting from a through-ball from Dominik Szoboszlai.

Five minutes before the half-time break Koita added to the woes of their hosts with a well-taken strike, off Andreas Ulmer’s assist.

In the 46th minute, Daka completed his hat-trick before Okafor sealed the rout moments before the end of the game.

Daka, who was on target in their 2-0 victory against Rapid Wien last week, featured for 61 minutes before making way for Mergim Berisha.

The Zambia international has now scored 21 Bundesliga goals in this campaign in 23 games to help Salzburg maintain their place at the top of the league standings with 30 points from 24 matches.

His compatriot Mwepu, who played throughout the game, has now made 29 appearances for the Red Bull Arena outfit across all competitions this season, scoring two goals.

Mali international Koita, meanwhile, has bagged seven goals for Jesse Marsch’s men since joining the side from Liefering in 2019.

The African stars will hope to continue their fine combinations when Salzburg take on Sturm Graz in their next league game on Wednesday.

Victory in the encounter will stretch Salzburg's unbeaten run to seven games, having last tasted defeat against Rheindorf Altach in March. 

Borussia Dortmund insist they will not rush Youssoufa Moukoko into the first team as they attempt to ease the burden of expectation on the highly-rated teenager.

The 15-year-old is seen one of the most exciting young talents in the game and was included in Goal’s NxGn 2020, which highlights the top 50 wonderkids in football, earlier this season.

He has been a goalscoring sensation at youth level since joining Dortmund from St Pauli at the age of 12, scoring 157 goals in just 97 games across the various age grades.

He smashed six goals on his debut for the U19 side earlier this season, going on on to score 34 goals in just 20 appearances in the Under-19 Bundesliga.

Moukoko is also already a regular for the Germany U16 side, though his Cameroonian heritage has seen him compared to legendary striker and four-time African Footballer of the Year Samuel Eto'o. The player himself meanwhile is keen to emulate former BVB striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who took the youngster under his wing while he was at Westfalenstadion and remains in contact with him.

Those goalscoring exploits have unsurprisingly raised expectations about a possible senior debut in the near future.

Bundesliga regulations would have previously prevented the youngster from featuring for the Dortmund first-team until the 2021-22 season. However, a recent change in those regulations means he is eligible to play from when he turns 16 on November 20, 2020.

Dortmund, though, are looking to calm the hype surrounding their prestigious talent by playing down talk of an immediate debut.

"The framework conditions for professional appearances by absolute exceptional players of this age has been created, but we are not putting any pressure on him at all," Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc told Bild am Sonntag.

"We do well not to raise expectations of Youssoufa too high."

Head of Dortmund's licensing player department Sebastian Kehl is also keen to stress caution with Moukoko’s development.

"There will always be a decision on a case-by-case basis, which will not only be made on the basis of sporting skills," said the former Germany midfielder.

"Here physical and mental aspects, but also the personality of the player play a major role. We will all handle it very responsibly."

Nigeria assistant coach Joseph Yobo has opened up on his relationship with African football great Stephen Keshi.

Since Yobo’s international debut against Zambia in a World Cup qualifier in 2001, the ex-Olympique Marseille man has built a compacted connection with the former Togo and Mali coach.

When Keshi became Super Eagles’ coach in 2011, the bond was impenetrable as the former Everton defensive stalwart captained his team to winning the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations title in South Africa. He also played a key role in the country’s outing at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Sadly, the ‘Big Boss’ passed away suffering a heart attack at the age of 54 on this day four years ago - six months after losing his wife Kate to cancer.

In a no-holds-barred chat with Goal, Yobo opens up on his relationship with his former coach revealing they shared many great ‘memories’ together.

“May his soul rest in peace but it is hard to forget him as long there is football. We also have so many great memories together,” the 39-year-old told Goal.

“Anytime you talk about Afcon 2013, you have to talk about him. And anytime most people talk about me as well, his name comes up. It is very hard to forget especially if I’m getting into the coaching angle as well.

“I always think about what he would have said and how happy he would have been if he was around today, but I know that wherever he is, he is resting in the Lord.

“It is sad that we lost a great man but he’s left his legacy so we can remember him.

"He was a great man and he had a great personality and was charismatic.

“He was a leader and deep down he was humane if you can actually get to that point with him. People that knew this were people who were close to him. He was loveable and I have so many beautiful memories about him.”

“One of the memories that I won’t forget happened during the 2014 World Cup. Despite what was happening, his wife ([Kate] – may her soul rest in peace – came to Brazil,” he narrated.

“Then, the food we were having wasn’t tasty as we would have wanted it – as in having the Nigerian flavour. She had this pepper that she brought from America and said the Big Boss liked.

“He would call me and say ‘Skippo, take and share with your boys’. We shared that solid bond and apart from what people knew, he was more humane than what people saw.

“His legacy is always going to stay forever for what he has done for football. Regardless of how we look at it, Keshi is a symbol of Nigerian football.”

The ex-Fenerbahce defender also explained the former Togo coach built him up to become Nigeria's captain.

Following his impressive outing with Nigeria U20 at the 1999 Fifa U20 World Cup, he caught the attention of Super Eagles selectors.

And in his third cap for the country, then assistant coach Keshi elected him among the established players to lead the country in the 2-0 triumph over Namibia at Windhoek’s Independence Stadium – where Yakubu Ayegbeni and Ishola Shuaibu got the goals.

He became the only man after Mahmoud El-Gohary to win the Africa Cup of Nations as a player and a coach.

“That changed everything because when you look at the Super Eagles, it is the biggest in African football. To look at everybody and pick me who was coming through the ranks meant a lot to me and a great honour for me,” he continued.

“When he handed to me the captain’s armband, he looked at me and said ‘This is the beginning of greater things that will happen in future’. For me, that was an anointing and to show how much he believed in me.

“He would tell me that he sees himself in me and that we had similarities at some point. Being made captain was going to happen but it came sooner than I expected.

“He was fond of me and would call my name in a special way ‘Yobolistic Yobo’ before calling me 'my captain'. Keshi and Amodu [Shuaibu] had a special way they were calling me.”

Yobo is currently Super Eagles’ assistant coach after the Nigeria Football Federation named him as a replacement for axed Imama Amapakabo in February.

After a glittering football career that saw him represent ACB Lagos, Africa Sports, Lokeren, Anderlecht, RC Strasbourg and Sacramento Scorpions and ultimately captained Nigeria to 1994 Afcon triumph, Keshi went into administration.

He helped Togo qualify for the 2006 World Cup, led Mali to the 2010 Afcon in Angola before taking over as Augustine Eguavoen as Eagles’ permanent boss.

His side’s failure to qualify for the 2015 Afcon led to his third and final disengagement by the Nigeria Football Federation after a long and grumpy relationship with Amaju Pinnick's led board.

Liverpool’s potentially title-deciding Merseyside derby clash with Everton should go ahead at Goodison Park as planned, says Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson.

The Reds, 25 points clear at the top of the table, are due to take on their city neighbours in their first game back after the coronavirus shutdown on Sunday, June 21.

If second-placed Manchester City lose to Arsenal the previous Wednesday, then Jurgen Klopp’s side will be able to secure their first title in 30 years with a win against the Toffees.

That prospect led to suggestions the game could be played away from Merseyside at a neutral venue, amid concerns fans could gather in large numbers outside the stadium and break social distancing guidelines.

The fixture is among several deemed ‘high-risk’ by national police, though Merseyside Police have contradicted that stance by saying they would have no issue with the game taking place at Goodison Park as planned. The issue is due to be discussed at a meeting of Liverpool City Council's Safety Advisory Group on Monday.

Mayor Anderson has previously been opposed to the season restarting because of the risk posed by fans congregating outside stadiums but has now had a change of heart and feels the game will be able to take place safely.

“We are in a better place than we were four weeks ago and we've been able to convey why it's so important nobody congregates outside or near grounds,” he told The Athletic.

“We have had the opportunity since then to speak to fans and the clubs have done their part and got the message across that supporters need to stay away. Both clubs have made it clear. Jurgen Klopp has made it clear. So I would have no objection to the games being played at our clubs' home grounds, both the derby at Goodison and Liverpool's games at Anfield.”

Despite growing support for the game to take place at Goodison, the issue will ultimately be dictated by the extent to which the spread of coronavirus is under control. The UK Government has not ruled out reapplying lockdown measures in certain regions should the spread of the virus begin to increase, which could force games to be moved elsewhere.

Last week, one team at Public Health England and the University of Cambridge said the ‘R’ rate of infection in the north west of England is back above one, which indicates the pandemic is increasing. Anderson, though, remains hopeful that the situation is under control.

“Clearly that (the ‘R’ rate) is a big concern,” he added. “But if people abide by what we are asking them to do, the games should be alright.”