ON THIS DAY: 2001

Sven Goran Eriksson (above) resigned as Lazio manager earlier than expected to assume his coaching role with England, a month ahead of a friendly against Spain.

2008: Newcastle parted company with manager Sam Allardyce after just eight months in charge.

2009: Andrew Strauss was appointed England captain for the tour of the West Indies.

2012: Lionel Messi won the FIFA Ballon d’Or award for the third year in a row.

2014: Pepe Mel was appointed head coach of West Brom on an 18-month contract, but he lasted a little over four months and left by mutual consent a day after the 2013-14 season finished.