Pirlo’s absence could become permanent: conte
Florence: Andrea Pirlo may have played his last match for Italy. Coach Antonio Conte did not call up the midfield maestro for upcoming friendlies against Belgium and Romania and indicated Monday that the absence could become permanent. Conte says “if by March Pirlo doesn’t give me the responses that I’m hoping for, I’ll make my evaluations and consider that he might not be part of the national team anymore.” The 36-year-old Pirlo recently finished his first MlS season at New York City FC and there has been speculation that he could join Inter Milan during City’s offseason. Conte adds “if Pirlo returns to Italy I would be very pleased. He could train properly and would still make an impact. My fear is that by staying away he could lose all that.”
viera appointed nycfc boss
New York: Former French star Patrick Vieira was hired on Monday to coach New York City FC, one week after the Major league Soccer club fired Jason Kreis. He takes over a club that went 10-17-7 for 37 points in its debut season. NYCFC finished eighth in the Eastern Conference. It was in a three-way tie for the second-fewest points, above only Chicago. Vieira signed a three-year contract and will begin work New Year’s Day. “I cannot wait to get started,” he said.
sociedad fire moyes
madrid: Real Sociedad has fired coach David Moyes exactly a year after the Scotsman was hired to help lift it from the tail-end of the Spanish league. The club said in a statement Monday that it has decided “to terminate the contract of first team coach David Moyes.” The statement added that Moyes’ assistant Billy McKinlay was also leaving the club. A run of bad results has left Sociedad in 16th place after 11 matches, just above the relegation zone. The former Everton and Manchester United manager’s last game was Friday’s 2-0 loss to recently-promoted las Palmas, a result that left the team with just nine points this season. The club did not immediately announce a replacement.
tevez doubtful to face brazil
Buenos aires: Argentina forward Carlos Tevez is a doubt for Thursday’s key World Cup qualifier against Brazil in Buenos Aires with an injured left knee. The possible absence of Tevez, confirmed Monday by the Argentine Football Association, adds to concerns for Argentina coach Gerardo Martino, who will also be without Barcelona star lionel Messi and Manchester City striker Sergio Ageuro. Messi also has a left knee injury, while Aguero a torn hamstring in his left leg.