In Pictures: The week’s winners and losers

Michael Schumacher(***)s waved farewell to his fans at the season-ender. (***)I enjoyed most of it,” the 43-year-old German said of his return. (***)It wasn(***)t as successful as we wanted it to be but still I learned a lot for life and I(***)m quite glad for the good emotions again. Now is a good time to go...(***)

Despite FA Cup and European Champions League success last season, Chelsea have parted company with manager Roberto Di Matteo. After a run of just two wins in eight games in all competitions enough was enough for owner Roman Abramovich. Former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez takes over as (***)interim(***) first-team manager.

Ireland were the stand-out performers for the northern hemisphere in the latest round of November internationals with an impressive 46-24 victory over Argentina. Elsewhere world champions New Zealand dominated Grand Slam champions Wales in a 33-10 win, Australia nipped Italy 22-19 and the Springboks edged England 16-15.

Real Madrid suffered a major setback to their Spanish title hopes slumping to a 1-0 defeat at Real Betis.

World number one Rory McIlroy claimed his fifth title of the season with victory at the season-ending championship of the European Tour in Dubai, where he birdied the last five holes to beat Justin Rose by two shots.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson was honoured with a nine-foot statue outside Old Trafford to mark his 25th anniversary at the club: (***)Normally people die before they see their statue, so I(***)m out-living death,(***) remarked the 70-year-old Scotsman.

Olympic luge champion Felix Loch led a German sweep of the top-five positions at the season-opening race, the first time in the men(***)s World Cup that all five lugers from one nation finished ahead of the field.