Rangers now mired in their own mediocrity

Exit from Europe has exposed the Ibrox club's shortcomings this season and put questionmarks over Walter Smith's future

Muslim women seek even playing field

Growing popularity of football stifled by some attitudes within Islamic families and less liberal nations such as Turkey

Macari tackles the stigma of mental illness

Former United striker has first-hand experience of depression

Olympic stadium may not be part of 2018 bid

The decision by the Olympic Park Legacy Company whether capacity will be kept at 80,000 or shrunk to 25,000 will be crucial

Olic intercedes to give Van Gaal a lifeline

Croatia striker may have saved the job of Louis van Gaal, the Bayern Munich coach, by scoring in 1-0 win over Maccabi Haifa

Foster suffers another uncomfortable night

England goalkeeper is under pressure, especially when he knows club and national managers watch his rare displays like a hawk

United suffer shock home defeat to Besiktas

Sir Alex Ferguson's side beaten for first time at home in 23 games while Nicolas Anelka's goal gives Chelsea 1-0 win over Porto

Grant 'offered Portsmouth manager's job'

The club's director of football is expected to move to the Fratton Park dug-out as a replacement for Paul Hart, reports suggest

Benitez determined to finish in top four

Liverpool manager prioritises Premier League campaign ahead of Europa League and FA Cup competitions

Bruce denies making 'dodgy signings'

Sunderland manager is surprised by Wigan owner's claim that he was partly to blame for club's 9-1 defeat by Tottenham

Hart considering new role at Portsmouth

After being sacked by yesterday the 56-year-old is now considering an offer to become technical director at Fratton Park

Benitez must look at himself in post-mortem

Times expert Tony Barrett delivers his verdict on the key issues facing the Liverpool manager after Champions League exit

Frey and Fiorentina slam the door shut

It took a stoppage-time save from Sébastien Frey, the Fiorentina goalkeeper, to consign Liverpool to the Europa League

Portsmouth sack Hart in survival quest

South Coast club have parted company with their manager after he failed to lift them from the foot of the Premier League

Beckham: asthma will not hinder my football

England midfielder has moved to play down fears that suffering from asthma could hinder the remainder of his playing career

Wiley will not sue Ferguson over attack

Referee will not seek damages from Manchester United manager for ‘unfit’ remarks after being told it might end his career

Referee almost quit over ‘Hand of Henry’

Swedish official was ready to resign over mistake in World Cup qualifier until a graphic in The Times helped clear his name

Leading contenders for Portsmouth manager’s job

Darren Ferguson is the bookmakers’ favourite to fill vacancy at Fratton Park, but Avram Grant is in the frame as well

Gibbs qualities are clear before setback

Arsenal manager was furious when asked about Theo Walcott’s World Cup chances, so mention full back’s England potential quietly

Divine Henry leads Barcelona past Mourinho

Barcelona 2 Inter Milan 0: France striker has a major hand in ensuring Spaniards get better of former Chelsea manager’s high-flyers

Rangers woes exposed as old fortress falls

Fourth successive Champions League defeat at home condemns Rangers to bottom place in their group and eliminates them from Europe

Smith: ‘We have not been good enough’

The Rangers manager is forced to concede that his tactics came up short against a Stuttgart side struggling in the Bundesliga

Liverpool stand by Benitez despite Champions League despair

Spaniard assured his job is safe as Fiorentina's victory over Lyons means no European miracle for Liverpool