Interim Real Madrid manager Santiago Solari was appointed permanent coach on Monday after overseeing a startling upturn in the European champions’ fortunes since he stepped in to replace Julen Lopetegui. “Everything is in order. Real Madrid have worked out his contract and there are no problems,” the Spanish football federation stated. Solari has led Real to four wins out of four since being installed on a caretaker basis following Lopetegui’s abrupt sacking last month. And with 15 goals scored and only two conceded he has established the best ever start for a Real manager. After thrashing Melilla in the Copa del Rey, they won 5-0 away to Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League, between victories over Real Valladolid and Celta Vigo in La Liga. The upturn has left Madrid only four points adrift of league leaders Barcelona and on the brink of qualification for the last 16 in Europe. Solari, who spent five years playing for Real, was promoted from his role in charge of

Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri was on Monday presented with the Panchina d’Oro (Golden Bench) award for the best coach in Serie A in 2017/2018 season. The 51-year-old beat Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri, who coached Napoli to second last season, and Lazio’s Simone Inzaghi, following a vote by his fellow coaches. Allegri received 17 votes with Sarri and Inzaghi both getting eight. Allegri also won the award last season too while Sarri was named as the best Serie A manager for the 2016/17 campaign. “I thank everyone but above all the team and the players, they are the ones who go on the pitch and win the games,” said Allegri. “The goal is to try to win the eighth championship title in a row and this blessed Champions League, let’s see if we have a bit of luck on our side.” It is the fourth time he has won the award, having also won with Juventus in 2015 and 2017, and Cagliari in 2009. (AFP)

Boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather on Wednesday scrapped a planned fight with a Japanese kickboxer, claiming he had been duped into agreeing to the contest. In a lengthy statement posted on social media, Mayweather said he had been “blindsided” by organisers of the proposed bout against Tenshin Nasukawa, set for New Year’s Eve in Saitama. “I want it to be clear that I, Floyd Mayweather, never agreed to an official bout with Tenshin Nasukawa,” Mayweather wrote on Instagram.

He’s better known for speaking the Queen’s English but the Prince of Wales on Wednesday turned to pidgin as he visited Nigeria’s commercial capital. “How you dey? (How are you?)” he asked assembled dignitaries, including former heads of state, presidential candidates, leading politicians, and stars from the world of fashion, music and the arts. Queen Elizabeth II’s eldest son and heir, who turns 70 this month and winds up a tour of The Gambia, Ghana and Nigeria on Thursday, said he was pleased to be back in “Lasgidi” (Lagos). “I find it hard to believe that nearly 30 years have passed since I first came to this city,” he added in a speech at the British Deputy High Commissioner’s residence. “As they say, ‘God don butta my bread’ (God has blessed me),” he said, praising the city for its dynamism and energy. Lagos — home to more than 20 million people and driver of the economy of Africa’s most populous nation — is a hub of innovation and industry. Charles, whose Princ