Football in December 1993

• A point adrift of leaders Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt at the winter break, FC Bayern München sack Erich Ribbeck and pave the way for Franz Beckenbauer's triumphant return.

• FC Salzburg mount a memorable comeback to see off Sporting Clube de Portugal in the UEFA Cup. Trailing 2-1 on aggregate and down to ten men, Adi Hütter forces extra time where Martin Amerhauser seals a famous win.

• One of Northern Ireland's greatest players, Danny Blanchflower, dies aged 67. The Ulsterman's innovative captaincy inspired Tottenham Hotspur FC to the double in 1960/61, then the 1963 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup.

• Chelsea FC slip into the Premier League relegation zone as a 3-1 defeat at fellow strugglers Southampton FC leaves them without a win in 11 outings. Glenn Hoddle's side would eventually climb to the safety of 14th.