Pellegrini denies Dzeko exit rumours

The Bosnia international scored the winner against Crystal Palace and has played more minutes than any other Manchester City player in December

Happy New Year from Dailyspotsnews!

It's the end of the calendar year and spirits are in the sky... footballers and managers across the world have much to reflect on - and look forward to - as we head into 2014.

Paulinho suffers 'significant' ankle ligament damage

The Brazilian took a heavy blow to his right ankle in Tottenham's 3-0 win over Stoke at White Hart Lane on Sunday and is expected to be sidelined for around a month

Rodgers: No looming arrivals at Liverpool

The Northern Irishman rejected suggestions that Barcelona winger Cristian Tello will arrive at Anfield, adding that he did not expect any imminent arrivals in January

Wenger would consider 'special' Arsenal signing

The Frenchman is open to the idea of reinforcing his squad but will only do so if it is someone he feels would dramatically improve the Gunners' chances of winning silverware

NBA star apologises for 'quenelle' gesture

Basketball icon Tony Parker says he regrets his actions after becoming the latest sportsman to get embroiled in the quenelle controversy

I should have seen red, admits Eto'o

The Chelsea forward escaped a booking for an ugly challenge in the opening stages of the Blues' 2-1 victory over Liverpool on Sunday, going on to score the winner

Anelka vows not to repeat 'quenelle' celebration

The Baggies confirm that they have spoken to their forward about his controversial gesture after netting against West Ham but will continue to use him while under investigation

Lokomotiv Sofia's Dimitrov alleges sack over mud-bathing accusation

The 26-year-old says that he was let go without any prior warning and then told that he had come up with a bizarre excuse to sit out a match against Bulgarian champions Ludogorets

Rodgers hits back at Mourinho over Suarez jibe

The striker was accused by performing an "acrobatic swimming pool jump" by Jose Mourinho following Chelsea's win on Sunday, but his manager has dismissed the jibe

Watzke warns Klopp over fourth spot

The 54-year-old says the season would be deemed a failure if the club finished in the spot they currently occupy in the Bundesliga

From Pirlo to Klose - the Serie A stars whose contracts expire in 2014

A host of big-name stars could leave their clubs for nothing come the end of the season, so Dailyspotsnews gives you the full list of players who can talk to other clubs from January 1

From Lewandowski to Pizarro - the Bundesliga stars whose contracts expire in 2014

A host of big-name stars could leave their clubs for nothing come the end of the season, so Dailyspotsnews gives you the full list of players who can talk to other clubs from January 1

'Keep fighting, Michael' - Football sends its support to stricken Schumacher

The Formula One icon is in a critical condition in hospital after a skiing accident, prompting stars from across the globe to wish the German well

Heynckes: Bayern Munich can rule Europe for the next decade

The 68-year-old, who led the Bavarians to a historic treble last season, feels that the mentality and average age of the players bodes well for an era of domination

Ibrahimovic: Santa Claus should win the Ballon d'Or

The striker shared his unique thoughts on the prestigious award ahead of his side’s friendly with Real Madrid in Doha on Thursday

It would be an 'honour' to coach Inter, says Simeone

The Argentine enjoyed a successful period at San Siro as a player and has refused to rule out returning to the club in the future

Allegri acknowledges 'last Christmas' at Milan

The Italian has admitted he will leave the club at the end of the season and highlighted injuries as a big reason behind the Rossoneri's failings this term

'I don't need the Ballon d'Or to know I'm the best' – the most memorable quotes of 2013

The past 12 months have been packed with controversy - here, we take a look back at the proclamations that made headlines across the footballing world

Aguero’s father rules out Manchester City forward leaving for Barcelona

The Argentina international, who is currently recovering from injury, has been linked with a move to Spain but his father says there is "nothing at all" in the rumours

From Xabi Alonso to Victor Valdes - the Liga stars whose contracts expire in 2014

A host of big-name stars could leave their clubs for nothing come the end of the season, so Dailyspotsnews gives you the full list of players who can talk to other teams from January 1

Buffon calls for 'severe' punishment for racism

The Juventus keeper insists most supporters are not motivated by racial aggression when they chant during matches and feels many players are too young to be seen as role models

Kevin-Prince Boateng hospitalised after attack

The Ghana international was set upon in the street and has been treated for a number of different injuries

'I'll be happy whether or not I win Ballon d'Or' - Ribery

The Bayern Munich star admits he is proud simply to have been shortlisted alongside Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo and claims German football is "like a train that won't stop"

Xavi: Barcelona miss Guardiola at times

The midfielder admits he was lucky to have been part of the current Bayern Munich boss' "extraordinary project" at Camp Nou

Giroud: Arsenal don't need a new striker in January

The France international, who scored the winner at Newcastle on Sunday, believes he, Theo Walcott and Lukas Podolski have what it takes to lead the Gunners' title challenge

Watzke slams Gundogan to Real Madrid rumours

The Borussia Dortmund chief says Jurgen Klopp would have problems putting out a starting XI if every transfer rumour turned out to be true

Ribery & Ronaldo deserve Ballon d'Or - Xavi

The Barcelona star feels that Lionel Messi remains the best player in the world but has acknowledged that his rivals have had excellent years

Ibrahimovic: Why wouldn't I want to play for Celtic?

The Swede is full of admiration for the atmosphere at Celtic Park and has hinted that he could move to Glasgow before he retires

Anelka defends controversial 'quenelle' celebration

The Frenchman has sparked outrage in his homeland after making the gesture but insists it was a tribute to comedian friend Dieudonne and not a right-wing endorsement

Tribute to a comedian? Why it is hard for France to see the funny side of Anelka's salute

The striker is at the centre of a storm over his goal celebration at West Ham with high-profile figures in his homeland bitterly divided over the controversy

Buffon tips Ribery to edge out Ronaldo but says Messi remains world's best

The Juventus captain feels that while both the Frenchman and the Portuguese have had better years, the Argentine is still the greatest talent on the planet

'Calhanoglu is the new Ozil' - Schafer

The Jamaica boss is in no doubt that the Turkey teenager can go on to emulate the Arsenal playmaker - provided he gets the right support from Bert van Marwijk at the Imtech Arena

Anelka gesture condemned by European Jewish leader

The controversial striker has provoked an angry response in France and faces a lengthy ban in England if found guilty an alleged anti-Semitic goal celebration

Manchester United have rediscovered winning mentality, says Evra

The French left-back believes his team-mates now have the hunger to mount a title challenge and maintains that David Moyes possesses the best squad in the Premier League

Valero: Serie A more even than La Liga

The Spanish midfielder is enjoying the fact that there is a greater "balance" in Italy in terms of quality, while he is also full of praise for Viola boss Vincenzo Montella

Niang vows to help Montpellier beat the drop after completing loan move

The young forward is determined to recapture some of his best form after joining from the Rossoneri until the end of the season

Arsenal star Ozil to miss 'two-to-three' games, reveals Wenger

A shoulder injury picked up on Boxing Day against West Ham rules the German out of Sunday's game against Newcastle and potentially their FA Cup clash with Tottenham

Inside Manchester City: Zouma & Matic top humble January wishlist

Manuel Pellegrini wants to bolster his defence in January but is also hoping that a deal can be done for the Serbian midfielder that would see Javi Garcia return to Benfica

Conte: Juventus can still achieve an historic season

While the coach admits his side's elimination in the Champions League still hurts, the prospect of a unique treble is providing motivation for the second half of the campaign

Manchester City go top & Huddlestone gets a haircut: The Premier League in pics

Manuel Pellegrini's side sit on top of the pile despite Crystal Palace's best efforts while the scissors were out at the KC Stadium as Hull's birthday boy finally ended his drought

Hughton bemoans lack of creativity in loss to Manchester United

Norwich City enjoyed the majority of possession in the first half, but fell to a sole Danny Welbeck goal as their winless run in the Premier League was extended to four games

Koke targets World Cup spot with Spain

The Atletico Madrid starlet is hopeful of travelling to Brazil next year but is fully focused on adding further glory to his club's "magnificent" Copa del Rey triumph last season

'He got me to the level I'm at now' - Iniesta lauds 'incomparable' Guardiola

The Spain international claims his former coach was his idol as a youngster and described the 42-year-old's stint in charge of Barcelona as a dream

Humble Guardiola hails 'Messi era'

The 42-year-old former Spain international says that the Blaugrana's sustained spell of success between 2008 and 2012 had more to do with the Argentine than him

Wenger deserves to win the Champions League, says Pardew

The 52-year-old says the Frenchman deserves to win the trophy for his impressive career in north London, and insists every club can learn from the Gunners' approach

Platini vows to redefine football

The Frenchman defended his policy of Financial Fair Play and condemned match-fixing, before congratulating Bayern Munich for a momentous 2013 in his end-of-year message

Anelka faces 'race-hate' probe

The WBA striker has sparked outrage in France with a celebration gesture in tribute to a comedian friend denounced for anti-Semitism

'Everybody makes mistakes' – Mourinho defends Suarez

The Portuguese says he would have had no qualms about welcoming the 26-year-old back into his squad and argues the forward's “magnificent” form proves he is committed to the Reds

'It is important to know how to win 1-0' - Pellegrini proud of Manchester City after narrow victory

The Chilean underlined the importance of winning at all costs after Tony Pulis' Crystal Palace frustrated the hosts at the Etihad with a disciplined and defensive performance