Bruce leaves Hull City by mutual consent

Steve Bruce has left his position as Hull City manager by mutual consent amid claims he became frustrated by a lack of transfer activity at the club.

Reports on Friday suggested Bruce a candidate for the England job that eventually went to Sam Allardyce had walked out following a failure to strengthen his squad, which has been hit by numerous injuries during pre-season.

And the club later announced the departure of their most successful manager, who oversaw a return to the Premier League via the play-offs last season.

Following four incredible seasons with the Tigers including two promotions and our first ever FA Cup final, we can confirm that manager Steve Bruce has left the club by mutual consent, read a club statement.

The Board of Directors would …

Today at the World Cup: Brazil crash to early exit after draw with Jamaica

Brazil crashed out of the World Cup after Jamaica battled to a goalless draw in Melbourne to reach the last 16 for the first time.

South Africa came from behind to beat Italy 3-2 and finish runners-up in Group G, with Sweden seeing off Argentina 2-0 while a hat-trick from Kadidiatou Diani helped France beat Panama 6-3 to top Group F.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at all of Wednesday’s action.

Reggae Girlz march on

An historic day for ! |

— FIFA Women s World Cup (@FIFAWWC)

Jamaica produced a huge World Cup upset in Melbourne by holding Brazil to a goalless draw to reach the last 16 for the first time.

Brazil, who needed victory to progress, dominated their final Group F encounter at AAMI Park but could not find a breakthrou…

Kovac confirms Neuer has suffered another calf injury

Niko Kovac has confirmed Manuel Neuer suffered an injury to the same calf that kept him out of action earlier this month in Bayern Munich s 4-1 win over Fortuna Dusseldorf on Sunday.

The Germany international pulled up early in the second half after slipping while attempting to make a pass and was replaced by Sven Ulreich.

Neuer missed Bayern s DFB-Pokal quarter-final win against Heidenheim on April 3 but was fit enough to feature in his side s 5-0 thumping of title rivals Borussia Dortmund last weekend.

Speaking after the game, though, Kovac says the 33-year-old – who missed almost the entirety of the 2017-18 season with a broken foot – has damaged the same calf that previously troubled him.

It s the same calf that he had problems with last time, h…

Owen to leave Man Utd

Michael Owen will be released by Manchester United after the club decided against offering him a new contract.

The former England international, 32, has spent three years at the club and will be fondly remembered by United fans for his injury time winner in the 4-3 derby win over Manchester City in September 2009.

The manager informed me after our testimonial match on Tuesday that the club would not be offering me a new contract, Owen revealed on his Twitter account on Thursday.

I have loved every minute of the 3 years I have spent at such a fantastic club. I would like to thank the players, staff and fans for their support and wish them well for the future.

I now plan to have a short holiday during which I will contemplate my next move.

Unit…

Milner backs fearless England to perform

James Milner believes that Roy Hodgson s young England side will benefit from a lack of fear at Euro 2012.

Milner, 26, believes Hodgson has struck a fine balance between experience and youth in his 23-man squad for Euro 2012, including 11 players making their debut at a major international tournament with the national side.

There is a different feel around the squad than before, Milner said.

The squad in South Africa (for the 2010 World Cup) had a lot of players who had been to a lot of major tournaments and had the expectations and the disappointments.

This time, we have a good mix of experienced players but also the younger players who haven t been to a major tournament.

The mix of youth and experience will help us do well.

Youngs…

Silva glad to be staying at Milan

Thiago Silva says he never seriously thought about leaving AC Milan for Paris Saint-Germain.

The Brazil international appeared set to join the Ligue 1 outfit, after Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi admitted the cash-strapped Italian club were simply not in a position to turn down the French side s offer of 46 million euros for the player.

However, the former Italian Prime Minister ultimately had a change of heart and Silva, who has subsequently signed a new contract with Milan, is delighted his proposed move to the Parc des Princes collapsed.

To be honest, I never thought about leaving Milan, he told reporters at a press conference in Rio de Janeiro on Friday.

In all the interviews I gave I said I wanted to stay and continue my career at Milan. But becaus…

Juventus v Udinese: Allegri urges patience with new-look champions

Massimiliano Allegri says it make take time for Juventus to find their rhythm as the Serie A champions prepare to start the new season against Udinese on Sunday.

Allegri s men are seeking a fifth successive Scudetto following a superb 2014-15 campaign in which they also won the Coppa Italia and reached the UEFA Champions League final.

And Juve have been extremely busy in the transfer market during the close-season.

Pablo Dybala, Mario Mandzukic, Roberto Pereyra and Sami Khedira are among those to join the Turin club in the transfer window, with Alex Sandro becoming their latest recruit on Friday.

But the title holders have also seen a number of players leave for pastures new, such as Arturo Vidal, Carlos Tevez and Andrea Pirlo.

All that activity…

Salzburg set sights on Ya Konan, report says

Austrian champions Red Bull Salzburg have expressed an interest in signing Hannover striker Didier Ya Konan, according to a report.

The Ivory Coast international has developed into an important first-team player at the AWD Arena since joining the Bundesliga club from Rosenborg in 2009.

Hannover president Martin Kind does not want to part company with any of his players, but he admitted that Ya Konan may be an exception.

Bild have reported that a fee of eight million euros will be enough to secure the services of the 28-year-old, who is a product of the famous ASEC Mimosas youth academy that has also produced international talents like Didier Zokora and Kolo Toure.

Red Bull Salzburg finished at the top of the Austrian top-flight in 2011-12, and recently m…

Hamburg 2 Borussia Dortmund 5: Aubameyang marks return with brilliant four-goal haul

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang marked his return to the Borussia Dortmund line-up in emphatic fashion by scoring four goals in an impressive 5-2 victory over Bundesliga strugglers Hamburg at the Volksparkstadion.

It was a fine response from Aubameyang, who was left out of the 1-0 Champions League win against Sporting CP on Wednesday due to internal reasons  having reportedly attended a party in Italy without permission.

Concerns over any lingering discord were dispelled when the striker ran to the dugout and embraced coach Thomas Tuchel after opening the scoring with his quickest Bundesliga goal in the fourth minute.

The imperious Aubameyang was unrelenting and made the most of shoddy Hamburg defending to complete his third hat-trick in the German top flight by the …

Raul announces retirement from football

Spain and Real Madrid great Raul will retire from football after completing his current season with New York Cosmos next month, the North American Soccer League team has confirmed.

Raul made his debut for Real Madrid in 1994, embarking on a trophy laden 16-year spell with the club that included six La Liga titles and three Champions League crowns.

He became the club s all-time record goalscorer with 323 during his time at the Santiago Bernabeu – a mark that Cristiano Ronaldo drew level with when he netted a double in last month s Champions League game against Malmo.

The 38-year-old s 44 goals in 102 appearances for the Spanish national team was also a record until it was surpassed by David Villa in 2011.

After leaving Madrid, Raul spent two years apiece…