Italian legend is delighted to be working alongside his former team-mate but also had kind words for the departing Del Neri, who he believes deserves recognition
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Juventus' Alessandro Del Piero welcomes back Antonio Conte
Italian legend is delighted to be working alongside his former team-mate but also had kind words for the departing Del Neri, who he believes deserves recognition
Man City to price Barcelona out of battle for Arsenal midfielder Cesc
Arsenal
Barcelona
Manchester City
Roberto Mancini
Manchester City could price Barcelona out of the running for Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas.
The Mirror says Barcelona do face a financial struggle to get Fabregas, especially as, even though the Spanish midfielder has made it clear that if he leaves Arsenal then it would only be for the Nou Camp, there is also strong interest from Manchester City.
Arsenal will do everything to rebuff Barcelona?s interest, which is likely to start around the �30m mark, but there is a feeling that if a huge offer, of around �50m, came in then they might be tempted to do business.
City boss Roberto Mancini?s admiration of Fabregas has already been documented, and their wealth could force the player's value up - and leave Barcelona struggling to compete.
Manchester United: Sadly Carrick Expected to Start over Fletcher Against Barca
Manchester United fans will have to endure another Michael Carrick performance against Barcelona if their side are to emerge Saturday with the European Cup in tow.
Reports out of the Red Devil's camp indicate the influential Scotsman will cruelly miss out on another Champions League final after being unused against Chelsea in 2008 and suspended for Barcelona in 2009.
It's a tragic stroke of luck for Fletcher, arguably United's best player last season, who was beset by a pestilent virus for seven weeks before only just beginning to return to fitness lately.
He had a conciliatory air in making vague comments today to ESPN, stating, "It's not for me to decide. All you can do is your best.
"The lads who have got us there have done really well, so the manager has a lot of decisions to make."
Assistant coach Mike Phelan further lubricated the masses for Fletcher's exclusion, saying "Darren Fletcher, up and running and firing on all cylinders, gives us a hard job of picking the team.
"But it's never easy to come back when you've been out for so long. Darren has had a difficult time."
It's too bad for United. In the 2009 final, Carrick had arguably the worst display of any Red, prancing around midfield vacantly while opposing players expressed themselves freely around him.
Former and future Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas offered his opinion on the significance of having Carrick instead of Fletcher against the Catalan club Saturday.
"Manchester United will play against Barca as they did against Arsenal, with three men in midfield that guarantee soundness," the Gunner told El Mundo Deportivo.
"Fletcher joins the team when Ferguson has opted for a midfield three. There's also Anderson but I do not think he will play at Wembley.
"Fletcher is the only player in the United team who can do a man-marking job on Iniesta and Xavi."
Carrick, though, is taking exception to the view that he's not rated to wear a red shirt, highlighting the club's success since his arrival.
"When people have said I've not been good enough for United's midfield, sometimes I do wonder what is good enough for them," he told the Daily Mirror.
"I've had a fantastic time here after winning four titles in five years and three Champions League finals, and of course I'm maybe frustrated at times, because it's winning trophies that sets teams and players apart, and we've done that."
It's easy to rationalize how good you are when your team is successful, but it'd be easy to argue Untied won in spite of Carrick, not because of him. Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra's arrival in 2006 was what really glue together United's surge in the latter half of the decade.
Obviously much of that success can still be attributed to Cristiano Ronaldo being better than anyone else in the league.
Add in Berbatov, Tevez, and Ronaldo's contributions, with some Park, Giggs, and Scholes sprayed around, and there are at least nine other Manchester United players who would claim to be far more influential over United's reign than the lanky England international.
"But then I can catch myself and say, 'Why the hell are you worrying about it?' It's there for people to see, and if they can't, so what?," Carrick rationalized.
"You hope that people realise you must be doing something right to achieve what we have competing against the best teams in the world, but if not, then does that matter? The only thing that matters in the next trophy."
The next trophy is what matters, to be sure, but whether he is the right man for the job, instead of even a semi-fit Fletcher, is debatable.
Carrick spent most of this season looking quite poorly until a decent run in the last six weeks removed any mid-term memory of the contrary from most fan's minds. Just as people might say Wayne Rooney had a good season at United despite being so bad for six months.
The recency principle plays a great role here, relegating both player's season-long performance in the backseat as more recent successes gloss over past failings.
Carrick showed in 2009 that he didn't have the bottle for the occasion, nor did he match-up well against a side who dominate midfield with quick, small passing.
Fletcher's engine in the middle fits the occasion perfectly, though sadly United may have to be behind at half-time before his name makes any match reports.
If Carrick is characteristically woeful on Saturday—as he was been so many times already this season and during others to earn his reputation as a timid, second-rate midfielder - he should find the exit door this summer, though he might anyway.
Hopefully the new contract he signed last month was more an admission from the Reds' brass that they only hope to get something for a player who wouldn't look out of place idly passing sideways in a Championship side.
However, Carrick could do his tenure at United a lot of good by getting stuck in. and most importantly, displaying a passion and a drive Saturday usually far removed from his performances in red.
Read more Manchester United news on BleacherReport.com
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Ernie Walker 1928-2011
When Ernie Walker was in charge of the SFA everything in the world was perfect.
Obviously it wasn't.
But when I were a lad and Ernie ruled the roost Scotland qualified for World Cups. All the time. Five qualifications in a row he presided over.
Ah, to be back in the day for just one shining moment of optimism.
Was Ernie, who died at the weekend, perfect? Who is?
But he was a visible character who gave the SFA a public face that garnered respect. How we long for that now.
I hadn't realised he had a role in appointing Matt Busby as Scotland coach. That means he was instrumental in securing the services of Busby, Jock Stein and Alex Ferguson. Not bad going.
His relationship with Stein probably defined his reign. His relationship with Ferguson was perhaps less affectionate.
"I warned you about that shit, Johnston," Walker told Fergie following some MoJo high jinx during Scotland's 1986 World Cup play off trip to Australia.
He was a Scotland fan too. It was as a fan that he met Graeme Souness in the depths of the stand the night Jock Stein died. Unable to watch the tense end to the game they found each other and repaired to a hospitality bar. The news that eventually reached them was worse than any result.
He was also a fan when he summed up the 1986 game against Uruguay:
?There was no game of football here today. We found ourselves on the field with cheats and cowards and we were associated with the scum of world football.?
He got a bit of a carpeting for that. Survived it though. And he was obviously a bit of player to survive the intricacies of international football governance for so long.
Walker's death drew this reaction from Lennart Johansson, former president of UEFA:
"Some days the sun is shining bright, but then all of a sudden clouds and rain disturb us. This is what happened when I discovered that my old friend, Ernie Walker, has passed away."
Younger readers might also be surprised to learn that before the McLeish Report, Scottish football had other blueprints for revolution that it chose to ignore.
That was the fate of Ernie's much lauded think tank - an initiative that also involved Rinus Michels - on Scottish football.
Some of what Walker recommended back in 1995 is now being implemented. The slow turning world of Scottish football is no place for visionaries.
Ernie was also instrumental in formalising the training of coaches in Scotland. That we have spent too long at the mercy of the Largs Mafia is not to underestimate the positives that the coaching scheme has delivered or the graduates that have gone on to greatness.
In truth Ernie's SFA reign should have been treated in much the same way as "post-Queen" republicans would treat the monarchy.
Walker, as the incumbent, linked the age of Busby with the age of Andy Roxburgh. He held back the tide of TV football for as long as he could.
By the time he retired in 1990 the world had changed and football had changed with it. The moment should have been seized for revolution. Maybe he realised that himself when using that think tank to recommend changes that the SFA had no stomach to implement.
Five World Cups though. And a certain bonhomie that seemed to win him friends across the game.
Maybe we could do with a dose of the Ayatollah right now.
Obviously it wasn't.
But when I were a lad and Ernie ruled the roost Scotland qualified for World Cups. All the time. Five qualifications in a row he presided over.
Ah, to be back in the day for just one shining moment of optimism.
Was Ernie, who died at the weekend, perfect? Who is?
But he was a visible character who gave the SFA a public face that garnered respect. How we long for that now.
I hadn't realised he had a role in appointing Matt Busby as Scotland coach. That means he was instrumental in securing the services of Busby, Jock Stein and Alex Ferguson. Not bad going.
His relationship with Stein probably defined his reign. His relationship with Ferguson was perhaps less affectionate.
"I warned you about that shit, Johnston," Walker told Fergie following some MoJo high jinx during Scotland's 1986 World Cup play off trip to Australia.
He was a Scotland fan too. It was as a fan that he met Graeme Souness in the depths of the stand the night Jock Stein died. Unable to watch the tense end to the game they found each other and repaired to a hospitality bar. The news that eventually reached them was worse than any result.
He was also a fan when he summed up the 1986 game against Uruguay:
?There was no game of football here today. We found ourselves on the field with cheats and cowards and we were associated with the scum of world football.?
He got a bit of a carpeting for that. Survived it though. And he was obviously a bit of player to survive the intricacies of international football governance for so long.
Walker's death drew this reaction from Lennart Johansson, former president of UEFA:
"Some days the sun is shining bright, but then all of a sudden clouds and rain disturb us. This is what happened when I discovered that my old friend, Ernie Walker, has passed away."
Younger readers might also be surprised to learn that before the McLeish Report, Scottish football had other blueprints for revolution that it chose to ignore.
That was the fate of Ernie's much lauded think tank - an initiative that also involved Rinus Michels - on Scottish football.
Some of what Walker recommended back in 1995 is now being implemented. The slow turning world of Scottish football is no place for visionaries.
Ernie was also instrumental in formalising the training of coaches in Scotland. That we have spent too long at the mercy of the Largs Mafia is not to underestimate the positives that the coaching scheme has delivered or the graduates that have gone on to greatness.
In truth Ernie's SFA reign should have been treated in much the same way as "post-Queen" republicans would treat the monarchy.
Walker, as the incumbent, linked the age of Busby with the age of Andy Roxburgh. He held back the tide of TV football for as long as he could.
By the time he retired in 1990 the world had changed and football had changed with it. The moment should have been seized for revolution. Maybe he realised that himself when using that think tank to recommend changes that the SFA had no stomach to implement.
Five World Cups though. And a certain bonhomie that seemed to win him friends across the game.
Maybe we could do with a dose of the Ayatollah right now.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Craig Bellamy emerges as shock front-runner to replace Dave Jones as Cardiff City manager - report
Striker, who was on loan at his home town club from Manchester City last season, is unlikely to throw his hat into the ring, preferring to concentrate on his playing career
Sports News: Four share lead at Wentworth
Luke Donald and Matteo Manassero both dropped shots in the opening two holes to leave a four-way tie for the lead in the final round of the BMW PGA Championship
Barcelona Are The Best Team We Have Ever Faced - Sir Alex Ferguson
In the aftermath of his team's destruction by Barcelona in the 2011 Champions League Final, Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has declared in a post-match interview for UEFA that Pep Guardiola's team are "the best team I have ever faced."
La Blaugrana beat the Red Devils in a one-sided affair in 2009. Last night was more of the same as, bar an opening 10-minute salvo, Barca dominated the game from start to finish with a sublime showing of their footballing philosophy.
"Nobody's given us a hiding like that but they deserve it," Ferguson said in reference to the difference between the two teams.
Despite Wayne Rooney equalising almost immediately from Pedro's deft opening strike, the gulf in class between the two teams was apparent to all involved. Barcelona passed the ball around the pitch with laser like precision as United chased shadows, and it only seemed a matter of time before they scored a second.
Fittingly, that goal came from Man of the Match Lionel Messi before David Villa scored a wonderful curling effort to put the game beyond doubt.
"They play the right way, and they enjoy their football. They do mesmerize you with their passing and we never really did control Messi. But many people have said that," added Ferguson.
Initially, United dominated the first 10 minutes of the game as they literally burst out of the trap, but Barcelona finally found their feet and from being under severe pressure they turned the game on its head and forced the Premier League champions to play on the back foot for the rest of the game.
Barcelona were simply a joy to watch. Every time one of their players picked the ball up in midfield he was given a multitude of options as his teammates superior running off the ball made them almost impossible for Manchester United's shell-shocked team to pick up.
Despite being crowned Premier League champions for the 12th time since 1992, many questions will now be asked of Sir Alex Ferguson and his much heralded club. Without doubt, Barcelona have now set a very high standard that every team and manager will want and need to match if they are to be considered potential Champions League challengers in the years to come.
Ferguson added,"In my time as manager, it's the best team I've faced. I think everyone acknowledges that, and I accept it."
"It's not going to be easy, but that's the challenge," Ferguson said."You shouldn't be afraid of a challenge. The one thing we have shown is that we are consistent in Europe.
"This may be the kind of stepping stone that we had some years ago when we got beaten 4-0. [Barcelona beat United 4-0 in 1994 before losing to AC Milan in the final] We improved after that, and we want to improve after tonight."
"We now have a challenge, we all do. It's no consolation to say that you're the second best team. Teams like AC Milan and Real Madrid would say the exact same thing."
After claiming their third Champions League title in six years, there is no argument that this current Barcelona team are one of the greatest teams of all time. They will rightly go down in history and be talked about in the same breath as the Real Madrid team of the late '50s, the Ajax and Bayern Munich teams of the '70s, Liverpool of the '80s and AC Milan of the early 1990s.
It is hard to remember, but this is only Pep Guardiola's third year in charge of La Blaugrana since taking over from Frank Rijkaard, and although La Masia, Barcelona's youth academy, deserves huge credit—seven of their starting XI is home grown—it should not be underestimated just how much influence the manager has on his team.
He has instilled a certain steely edge to their philosophy and has improved the psychology of the club as they now possess a drive and ambition that has only been seen a few times before, such as in the teams mentioned earlier.
"I think that great teams do go in cycles, and I think the cycle they're in at the moment makes them the best in Europe, there's no question of that," said the Ferguson.
"How long it lasts, whether they can replace that team at a certain point, who knows? But they certainly have the philosophy.
"It's always difficult to say whether you'll be able to replace players like Xavi and Iniesta at a certain point. Probably not. But they are enjoying the moment and they deserve to [be champions] because they play football the right way."
It is fair to say that Sir Alex Ferguson has been more than magnanimous in defeat, and that now that he has been given the chance to observe Barcelona up close and personal, he will know exactly what must be done to his team to raise them up to the standard he desires.
Players will come and go at Old Trafford over the next couple of months as the Scot looks to rebuild his team as they sit on the pinnacle of English football for what could be the last task he has before retirement; overtaking Barcelona.
This article was previously published on Premier League Report.
You can follow me on Twitter @WillieGannon
Read more Manchester United news on BleacherReport.com
Villa hero Morley questions Young: Will you get game at Man Utd?
Aston Villa
Liverpool
Manchester City
Manchester United
Valencia
Aston Villa hero Tony Morley has questioned the wisdom of Ashley Young chasing a move to Manchester United.
United are favourites ahead of Liverpool for the England winger.
But Morley told the Sunday Mercury: ?I can understand him wanting to play in the Champions League, but is he going to be a regular player at Manchester United?
?Would he rather go there and be a squad player in a big squad or be at Villa and be one of the top men?
?You?ve only got to look at James Milner haven?t you? It?s exactly the same situation. Milner might say: ?Oh yes, but we won the FA Cup?. But he was on the bench for Manchester City and he didn?t get on.
?Young?s got all the ability in the world but there?s no way he?s going to be a regular player at Man United.
?Don?t forget you?ve got Valencia and Nani there so he?s competing against those two and it?s not as if he?s a young kid on the block anymore.?
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Lille : Cabaye confirme son d�part
Yoann Cabaye a confirm� dimanche soir son d�part de Lille : il rejoindra prochainement Newcastle
TFC : Fenerbah�e veut s?offrir Capoue
Toulouse devra sans doute se montrer convaincant pour retenir Etienne Capoue (22 ans, 36 matchs et 2 buts en L1 cette saison) cet �t�. Selon la presse
Patrice Evra / Man Utd defender Evra pays tribute to Barcelona
Defeated Manchester defender Patrice Evra has paid homage to Champions League winners Barcelona.
The Frenchman and his United teammates were brushed aside 3-1 by the Catalan giants at Wembley Stadium last night and Evra has paid his respects to a brilliant football team who he feels know each other so well.
"You have to give credit to Barcelona," Evra told Uefa's official website.
"Even though I play for Manchester United and we always want to be the best in the world, this time Barcelona were the best.
"For the moment we have to accept that for the last four years Barcelona have been the best team in the world, and United the second
Read more Patrice Evra news
The Frenchman and his United teammates were brushed aside 3-1 by the Catalan giants at Wembley Stadium last night and Evra has paid his respects to a brilliant football team who he feels know each other so well.
"You have to give credit to Barcelona," Evra told Uefa's official website.
"Even though I play for Manchester United and we always want to be the best in the world, this time Barcelona were the best.
"For the moment we have to accept that for the last four years Barcelona have been the best team in the world, and United the second
Read more Patrice Evra news
Jonathan / Tottenham weigh up keeping hold of Woodgate
Tottenham are weighing up keeping hold of defender Jonathan Woodgate.
The Sunday Mirror says Tottenham are considering a pay-as-you-play deal for central defender Woodgate.
The 31-year-old has endured a season wrecked by injury – and made only one first team appearance when he played against AC Milan as a replacement for Vedran Corluka.
But Woodgate insists he is now fit and wants to re-ignite his career.
It's kicking off again! Click here for your No1 source for Tottenham transfer market news and gossip.
Read more Jonathan news
The Sunday Mirror says Tottenham are considering a pay-as-you-play deal for central defender Woodgate.
The 31-year-old has endured a season wrecked by injury – and made only one first team appearance when he played against AC Milan as a replacement for Vedran Corluka.
But Woodgate insists he is now fit and wants to re-ignite his career.
It's kicking off again! Click here for your No1 source for Tottenham transfer market news and gossip.
Read more Jonathan news
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Man Utd defender Ferdinand: We will be stronger next season
Barcelona
Manchester United
Rio Ferdinand
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has vowed they will come back stronger next season.
The English champs were outclassed by Barcelona in last night's Champions League final.
Ferdinand tweeted this morning: "Thanks to all of you who support us, gutted to lose + not bring the trophy to Manchester, sorry. We will come back stronger next season.
"Disappointed as you can imagine....champions of England but runners up in europe...we'll be back.
"Congratulations to Barcelona, the better team on the day."
Barcelona’s Lionel Messi equals Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record of 12 goals in a single Champions League season
Argentine star continues to break and create records in Europe as he has brought himself on par with one set by the Netherlands veteran.
Liverpool skipper Gerrard: Dalglish proved squad better than pundits were claiming
Kenny Dalglish
Liverpool
Steven Gerrard
Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard says the squad under Kenny Dalglish has proven itself stronger than previously believed.
Gerrard pinpoints Dalglish's man management skills as a key factor in his turnaround of the Reds' form.
"It's his qualities as a human being that make him a special manager," he told LFC Weekly. "Every player knows that his door is always open whatever problem you have. But that doesn't mean he's too soft - the opposite infact. If he's unhappy he'll let you know about it.
"His management skills are second to none because he knows when someone needs an arm around them and understands when someone needs a rollicking as well."
He added: "What is definitely evident now is that with a bit of maturity and extra time on the pitch we have better players than some thought we had."
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Sports News: Tough battle ahead for England
Prasanna Jayawardene's composed century and a late wicket for Suranga Lakmal damaged England's hopes of starting the international summer with victory in the first npower Test in Cardiff.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Alan Smith / Champions League final: the key tactical issues
Alan Smith: United need to press high, disrupt Barceona's passing and get Little Pea into the action.
Read more Alan Smith news
Read more Alan Smith news
Ronaldo Given Fish In A Barrel For His Selecao Sendoff
Ask and you shall receive.
Well, so long as you’re one of the greatest players to have ever graced a football pitch with your otherworldly abilities.
Ronaldo asked the Brazilian federation for a sendoff friendly with the Selecao, and they have obliged with one of the most lopsided games in football history: the 2002 World Cup-winning [...]
Well, so long as you’re one of the greatest players to have ever graced a football pitch with your otherworldly abilities.
Ronaldo asked the Brazilian federation for a sendoff friendly with the Selecao, and they have obliged with one of the most lopsided games in football history: the 2002 World Cup-winning [...]
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Roma join Arsenal in race for Velez Sarsfield's Ricky Alvarez - report
The Argentine playmaker has been attracting the interest of several European sides, and the Serie A club have now reportedly joined the race for his signature this summer
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Sports News: Van der Sar desperate for final win
Edwin van der Sar is determined not to end his career with a never-ending sense of 'what if'.
Karl Lagerfeld Does Les Bleus
France released their first away shirt in this Nike era via photo done by fashion maestro Karl Lagerfeld.
And it is a painfully, painfully good looking shirt – it’s a wonder they didn’t drop adidas decades ago.
[So Foot]
And it is a painfully, painfully good looking shirt – it’s a wonder they didn’t drop adidas decades ago.
[So Foot]
Montpellier : Joudren a prolong�
Le gardien montpelli�rain Geoffrey Jourdren a prolong� son contrat jusqu�en juin
US Gold Cup and Spain Friendly Roster (Finally) Unveiled
Wow, just wow. Most expected a pretty straight forward roster announcement today by Bob Bradley but what came out was anything but expected. Goalkeepers (3): Marcus Hahnemann Tim Howard Nick Rimando Defenders (8): Carlos Bocanegra Jonathan Bornstein Steve Cherundolo Eric Lichaj Clarence Goodson Oguchi Onyewu Tim Ream Jonathan Spector Midfielders (9): Freddy Adu Michael Bradley Clint Dempsey Landon Donovan Maurice [...]
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
I want to play in Premier League, but my focus is on Scotland ? Charlie Adam refuses to dwell on Blackpool?s decision to invoke contract extension
Seasiders' captain is more concerned with claiming the Home Nations Cup rather than his club future after Ian Holloways' side deploy 12 month deal booster
English Premier League Power Rankings: Week 35
This week in the Premier League, Manchester United took home their 19th top flight title, West Ham were relegated and the fiercest relegation battle in years intensified.
Manchester United drew with Blackburn 1-1 to give United the title ahead of the final home game against Blackpool.
West Ham were the first team relegated this season after they lost a key relegation bout with Wigan.
Wigan, along with Blackpool, Blackburn, Wolves and Birmingham are in the battle to stay up with Survival Sunday on the horizon.
Manchester City also made headlines as they defeated fellow EPL club, Stoke to win the FA Cup.
Ernie Walker 1928-2011
When Ernie Walker was in charge of the SFA everything in the world was perfect.
Obviously it wasn't.
But when I were a lad and Ernie ruled the roost Scotland qualified for World Cups. All the time. Five qualifications in a row he presided over.
Ah, to be back in the day for just one shining moment of optimism.
Was Ernie, who died at the weekend, perfect? Who is?
But he was a visible character who gave the SFA a public face that garnered respect. How we long for that now.
I hadn't realised he had a role in appointing Matt Busby as Scotland coach. That means he was instrumental in securing the services of Busby, Jock Stein and Alex Ferguson. Not bad going.
His relationship with Stein probably defined his reign. His relationship with Ferguson was perhaps less affectionate.
"I warned you about that shit, Johnston," Walker told Fergie following some MoJo high jinx during Scotland's 1986 World Cup play off trip to Australia.
He was a Scotland fan too. It was as a fan that he met Graeme Souness in the depths of the stand the night Jock Stein died. Unable to watch the tense end to the game they found each other and repaired to a hospitality bar. The news that eventually reached them was worse than any result.
He was also a fan when he summed up the 1986 game against Uruguay:
?There was no game of football here today. We found ourselves on the field with cheats and cowards and we were associated with the scum of world football.?
He got a bit of a carpeting for that. Survived it though. And he was obviously a bit of player to survive the intricacies of international football governance for so long.
Walker's death drew this reaction from Lennart Johansson, former president of UEFA:
"Some days the sun is shining bright, but then all of a sudden clouds and rain disturb us. This is what happened when I discovered that my old friend, Ernie Walker, has passed away."
Younger readers might also be surprised to learn that before the McLeish Report, Scottish football had other blueprints for revolution that it chose to ignore.
That was the fate of Ernie's much lauded think tank - an initiative that also involved Rinus Michels - on Scottish football.
Some of what Walker recommended back in 1995 is now being implemented. The slow turning world of Scottish football is no place for visionaries.
Ernie was also instrumental in formalising the training of coaches in Scotland. That we have spent too long at the mercy of the Largs Mafia is not to underestimate the positives that the coaching scheme has delivered or the graduates that have gone on to greatness.
In truth Ernie's SFA reign should have been treated in much the same way as "post-Queen" republicans would treat the monarchy.
Walker, as the incumbent, linked the age of Busby with the age of Andy Roxburgh. He held back the tide of TV football for as long as he could.
By the time he retired in 1990 the world had changed and football had changed with it. The moment should have been seized for revolution. Maybe he realised that himself when using that think tank to recommend changes that the SFA had no stomach to implement.
Five World Cups though. And a certain bonhomie that seemed to win him friends across the game.
Maybe we could do with a dose of the Ayatollah right now.
Obviously it wasn't.
But when I were a lad and Ernie ruled the roost Scotland qualified for World Cups. All the time. Five qualifications in a row he presided over.
Ah, to be back in the day for just one shining moment of optimism.
Was Ernie, who died at the weekend, perfect? Who is?
But he was a visible character who gave the SFA a public face that garnered respect. How we long for that now.
I hadn't realised he had a role in appointing Matt Busby as Scotland coach. That means he was instrumental in securing the services of Busby, Jock Stein and Alex Ferguson. Not bad going.
His relationship with Stein probably defined his reign. His relationship with Ferguson was perhaps less affectionate.
"I warned you about that shit, Johnston," Walker told Fergie following some MoJo high jinx during Scotland's 1986 World Cup play off trip to Australia.
He was a Scotland fan too. It was as a fan that he met Graeme Souness in the depths of the stand the night Jock Stein died. Unable to watch the tense end to the game they found each other and repaired to a hospitality bar. The news that eventually reached them was worse than any result.
He was also a fan when he summed up the 1986 game against Uruguay:
?There was no game of football here today. We found ourselves on the field with cheats and cowards and we were associated with the scum of world football.?
He got a bit of a carpeting for that. Survived it though. And he was obviously a bit of player to survive the intricacies of international football governance for so long.
Walker's death drew this reaction from Lennart Johansson, former president of UEFA:
"Some days the sun is shining bright, but then all of a sudden clouds and rain disturb us. This is what happened when I discovered that my old friend, Ernie Walker, has passed away."
Younger readers might also be surprised to learn that before the McLeish Report, Scottish football had other blueprints for revolution that it chose to ignore.
That was the fate of Ernie's much lauded think tank - an initiative that also involved Rinus Michels - on Scottish football.
Some of what Walker recommended back in 1995 is now being implemented. The slow turning world of Scottish football is no place for visionaries.
Ernie was also instrumental in formalising the training of coaches in Scotland. That we have spent too long at the mercy of the Largs Mafia is not to underestimate the positives that the coaching scheme has delivered or the graduates that have gone on to greatness.
In truth Ernie's SFA reign should have been treated in much the same way as "post-Queen" republicans would treat the monarchy.
Walker, as the incumbent, linked the age of Busby with the age of Andy Roxburgh. He held back the tide of TV football for as long as he could.
By the time he retired in 1990 the world had changed and football had changed with it. The moment should have been seized for revolution. Maybe he realised that himself when using that think tank to recommend changes that the SFA had no stomach to implement.
Five World Cups though. And a certain bonhomie that seemed to win him friends across the game.
Maybe we could do with a dose of the Ayatollah right now.
football history facts football penalties football positions
English FA will abstain from FIFA president vote
English FA will abstain from FIFA president vote
LONDON, May 19 (Reuters) - The English FA will abstain in the vote on June 1 between Sepp Blatter and Mohamed Bin Hammam to be FIFA president.
"The FA Board has today agreed to abstain in the vote for the Presidency of FIFA," it said in a statement on Thursday.
"There are a well-reported range of issues both recent and current which, in the view of The FA board, make it difficult to support either candidate."
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Ex-Auburn S McNeil facing eviction before arrest
Former Auburn safety Mike McNeil was facing eviction and a lawsuit related to a former residence when he and three teammates were arrested on robbery charges.
Diego / Maradona teammates deny taking drugs in 1993
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) -- Former Argentina teammates of Diego Maradona back his claims that there were no drug tests before a World Cup playoff with Australia in 1993. They also say they have no knowledge of receiving performance-enhancing drugs.
Read more Diego news
Read more Diego news
Sunderland, Everton planning to bid for West Brom striker Odemwingie
Juventus
Roy Hodgson
Sunderland
West Bromwich Albion
Everton
West Bromwich Albion boss Roy Hodgson faces a battle to keep hold of Peter Odemwingie.
The People says the Nigerian international, 29, has blasted 15 goals in his first Premier League campaign, following a bargain �2.5million summer move from Lokomotiv Moscow.
Sunderland, as well as Everton and Juventus, are believed to be circling round the hitman.
Hodgson said: ?Peter?s happy here and we don?t want to lose him."
interesting soccer facts mexican soccer pictures origin of soccer
Grant leaves as West Ham relegated, Chelsea draw
Grant leaves as West Ham relegated, Chelsea draw
LONDON, May 15 (Reuters) - West Ham United parted company with manager Avram Grant after they were relegated from the Premier League on Sunday while Chelsea gained a sliver of compensation for a trophyless season by effectively securing the runners-up spot.
West Ham's fate was sealed on the penultimate weekend of the season after a 3-2 defeat at fellow strugglers Wigan Athletic left the Londoners marooned at the foot of the table.
"The club can confirm that Avram Grant is no longer the manager of West Ham United," West Ham said in a brief statement on their website (www.whufc.com).
Chelsea, whose hopes of retaining their title ended when Manchester United were crowned champions on Saturday, were held to a 2-2 draw by Newcastle United but inconsistent Arsenal lost 2-1 to Aston Villa and cannot now catch their London rivals.
FA Cup winners Manchester City could still finish runners-up but it is an unlikely scenario given their very inferior goal difference. City, though, could still pip Arsenal for the third automatic Champions League place.
Liverpool missed the chance to secure fifth spot and a Europa League place at the expense of Tottenham Hotspur after a 2-0 home defeat to the London side who leapfrogged them into the European position.
Wigan's dramatic victory over West Ham, secured by Charles N'Zogbia's stoppage time winner after the hosts had battled back from two goals down, gave them a lifeline going into the finale of the season next weekend.
Just one point separates second bottom Wigan (39 points), Blackpool (39), Birmingham City (39), who lost 2-0 at home to Fulham, Wolverhampton Wanderers (40) and Blackburn Rovers (40).
"Everyone at Wigan can be very proud... I hope everyone can be proud of these players next week," Wigan manager Roberto Martinez said looking ahead to next week's clash at Stoke City.
West Ham will start next season in the Championship (second division) after their already slim hopes of staying up were quashed by the Wigan revival.
Two goals from Demba Ba had West Ham 2-0 up in the first 26 minutes but N'Zogbia started the comeback with a ferocious free kick 12 minutes after the restart.
Substitute Conor Sammon made it 2-2 on 68 before N'Zogbia sent the Wigan fans into a frenzy when he won it at the death.
Shortly afterwards West Ham announced Israeli Grant's departure, ending his one season in charge at Upton Park having also been relegated with Portsmouth last term.
Chelsea twice threw away the lead against Newcastle at Stamford Bridge.
Branislav Ivanovic fired Chelsea into a second-minute lead but his strike was quickly cancelled out when Ryan Taylor blasted in a free kick that ricocheted off the shoulder of Jonas Gutierrez and wrongfooted Petr Cech.
Brazilian defender Alex headed home to put Chelsea 2-1 up but Steven Taylor earned Newcastle a point in stoppage time.
ANCELOTTI FUTURE
Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti, who steered the Blues to the title in his first season in charge last term, again faced questions over his Stamford Bridge future.
"I don't know what happens, we have to wait and after that I can explain," the Italian told Chelsea's website (www.chelseafac.com).
"Everyone can give their opinion about my job here but it is the club that has to take a decision and judge my job.
"If my job is good I will stay. If they think my job was not good I have to go. In my opinion sometimes I did a good job, sometimes I could do better."
Two goals from Darren Bent inflicted a fourth home league defeat of the season on Arsenal, who could only reply a minute from time through Robin van Persie.
Liverpool's first game since Kenny Dalglish was appointed permanent manager on Thursday ended in bitter disappointment at Anfield.
Dalglish has dragged Liverpool from the threat of relegation to contention for European qualification but a superb strike from Rafael van der Vaart and a Luca Modric penalty put Spurs in pole position for Europa League football next season.
Monday, May 23, 2011
No final farewell from Villa's Young
Aston Villa
Liverpool
Assistant manager Gary McAllister insists Aston Villa want to keep
hold of Ashley Young, and the England international was not "waving
goodbye" to the fans during the final Premier League game of the
season.
Young was replaced towards the end of Sunday's 1-0 win over Liverpool
and waved to all four sides of Villa Park on leaving the pitch.
"I think people thought that was staged but his calf was screaming,"
said McAllister regarding Young's substitution.
"He wasn't coming off waving goodbye because we want to keep him.
"We have to keep trying and a couple of signings here or there might help.
"I am sure there is interest because there has been a lot of
speculation around Ashley for a long time now.
"Until such a time that someone comes in with a bid which is
acceptable to Aston Villa then he is still a Villa player because he
has a year left on his contract.
"But there is no way of me predicting how clubs will do their business."
Everton?s Cahill will not be selected for Australian squad
Blackpool
David Carney
Fulham
Galatasaray
Tim Cahill
Everton
Tim Cahill will not be included in Holger Osieck?s Australian squad when he names it on Tuesday.
The Everton star will not travel back to his homeland for international friendlies against New Zealand on June 5 and Serbia on the 7th as he focuses on rest before getting back to full fitness following a foot injury which messed with his availability for the Toffees in the Premier League season run-in.
Cahill and Blackpool left-back David Carney, who recently had shoulder surgery, will not be picked but away from that, Osieck is expected to select a relatively strong list for the double header on home soil.
Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer will be available as will Galatasaray winger Harry Kewell but the jury is still out on skipper Lucas Neill who has a groin injury.
SIGNED: West Brom boss Hodgson welcomes deal for Ipswich defender McAuley
Roy Hodgson
West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion have completed the signing of former Ipswich Town defender Gareth McAuley.
McAuley will meet his new team-mates for the first time when he reports for pre-season training in early July and head coach Roy Hodgson is delighted to have strengthened his defensive options.
"I would like to welcome Gareth to the club and I am very pleased we have added a player of his quality and experience to our team," Hodgson told the WBA website.
"We believe it is the right moment for Gareth to embark on a Barclays Premier League career after doing so well for so long in the Championship and for his national team.
"We are also very happy that amid lots of competition for his services, we have managed to persuade him to join us."
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Blackpool, Birmingham relegated, Man City third
Blackpool, Birmingham relegated, Man City third
LONDON, May 22 (Reuters) - Blackpool and Birmingham City were relegated and Manchester City took third place on a dramatic final day of the Premier League season on Sunday.
Blackpool briefly led 2-1 at Manchester United but lost 4-2 to the champions to go down after one season.
Birmingham were beaten 2-1 at Tottenham Hotspur to complete a bitter end to a season that had looked so good when they shocked Arsenal to win the League Cup.
Wolverhampton Wanderers survived by coming from 3-0 down to lose 3-2 to Blackburn Rovers, a defeat that was celebrated as if they had won the league and also secured Blackburn's safety.
Wigan Athletic spent most of the afternoon in the drop zone before a late goal secured a 1-0 win at Stoke City and dragged them to safety.
Manchester City beat Bolton Wanderers 2-0 away to clinch third place and go straight into the group stage of the Champions League. Arsenal drew 2-2 at Fulham to finish fourth and face a potentially awkward playoff round in Europe's premier competition.
Spurs took fifth spot and a place in the Europa League after Liverpool lost 1-0 at Aston Villa.
United's victory made it 18 wins and a draw from 19 home games and they finished the season that brought their record 19th title on 80 points.
SUPERB GOAL
Chelsea were second on 71 after losing to 10-man Everton, for whom Jermaine Beckford scored a superb goal after a length of the pitch run.
Man City were third, also on 71, and after winning the FA Cup last week they can now look forward to a first taste of Champions League football.
Arsenal finished fourth on 68 after a poor end to the season that brought only two wins from 11 matches.
Tottenham's victory kept them safely in fifth on 62 points, four ahead of Liverpool.
West Ham, beaten 3-0 at home by Sunderland, finished bottom on 33. Blackpool were second-last on 39 with Birmingham also on 39. Wolves escaped on 40 points, with Wigan on 42 and Blackburn on 43.
The day's tally of 32 goals set a record for the number scored in a season since the league became a 20-team competition, the total of 1,063 topping the 1999-2000 tally by three.
Scottish Cup Final: Motherwell v Celtic
Scottish Cup final day. Nothing beats it.
It takes a bit of a battering, the old trophy. Sponsorless and struggling in a footballing world where other competitions hold sway.
Tell you what though, still means a hell of a lot to any side lucky enough to win it.
Today Hampden hosts the Scottish Cup's most successful team, Celtic, and Motherwell.
Now Motherwell are far from our least successful exponents of cup football. But today they chase their third win in their eighth final.
Celtic are on the hunt for win number 35 in their 54th final.
In a one off game that lack of parity in historic achievement means very little. Well, actually that isn't quite true. Since Jock Stein's Dunfermline shocked them in a 1961 replay Aberdeen are the only team apart from Rangers to beat Celtic on Scottish football's grand day out.
So Stuart McCall's side must wear their knowledge of our footballing history lightly today. Fear it and they'll be cowed underdogs without a chance.
Of course success like Celtic's brings its own obstacles. A lost League Cup final and being pipped to the SPL title mean has allowed Rangers to take the baubles and bragging rights in a long, emotional season.
The 2008/09 League Cup was Celtic's last trophy. In this Scottish footballing landscape when the Old Firm duopoly has rarely been so pronounced that must be both a frustration and a concern.
Today offers the chance to avoid a second straight trophyless season.
And a first managerial trophy for Neil Lennon. It takes very little understanding of human emotions to know how much that will mean to Lennon, perhaps more than a lot of the other honours he collected in a well garlanded playing career.
This might not be the trophy they desperately want at the start of each season, but today still carries a weighty significance for Celtic.
Motherwell? Well, can the cynic in me suggest that they are likely to be the more refreshed team having essentially gone awol for the last five games of the season?
Can they shut out that bad run of results, convince themselves that their focus has always been on 3pm at Hampden this afternoon? And how will their defeat at an emotional Celtic Park last Sunday affect them?
Will they see it as an opportunity, a chance to raise their game and surprise a complacent opposition? Or will it convince them they are playing against a team that can pummel them at will?
Stuart McCall, no stranger to trophies in his own playing career, will have had a strange week with his players, building them into giants when their most recent experience is of being blown away by today's opponents.
Celtic will have been disappointed last week but not shocked. Rangers won the league on the last day but it was the expected outcome. The damage was done in Celtic's defeat to Inverness. It's that game that Lennon will be using to guard against the crime of complacency today.
As Inverness proved - and as Motherwell proved earlier in the season - Celtic are from invincible. At their exhilarating best they can put to the sword any team in the country. Get them on an off day and they can be beaten.
Surely though the Scottish Cup final is no place for an off day. You would think not. But footballing fate tends not to respect such things.
League form, squad quality and history. Everything points to this being Celtic's cup for the taking.
And I expect that to be outcome.
In football you never know what will happen? Well, in Scottish football you often do have a fair idea of what's going to happen.
Motherwell can win today. They have impressive performers who can cause Celtic problems and take advantage of any weaknesses Celtic show.
Realistically though Celtic are big favourites for a reason and I don't expect to shatter the earth by predicting a Celtic win.
Who'll win the Scottish Cup - leave your vote here
It takes a bit of a battering, the old trophy. Sponsorless and struggling in a footballing world where other competitions hold sway.
Tell you what though, still means a hell of a lot to any side lucky enough to win it.
Today Hampden hosts the Scottish Cup's most successful team, Celtic, and Motherwell.
Now Motherwell are far from our least successful exponents of cup football. But today they chase their third win in their eighth final.
Celtic are on the hunt for win number 35 in their 54th final.
In a one off game that lack of parity in historic achievement means very little. Well, actually that isn't quite true. Since Jock Stein's Dunfermline shocked them in a 1961 replay Aberdeen are the only team apart from Rangers to beat Celtic on Scottish football's grand day out.
So Stuart McCall's side must wear their knowledge of our footballing history lightly today. Fear it and they'll be cowed underdogs without a chance.
Of course success like Celtic's brings its own obstacles. A lost League Cup final and being pipped to the SPL title mean has allowed Rangers to take the baubles and bragging rights in a long, emotional season.
The 2008/09 League Cup was Celtic's last trophy. In this Scottish footballing landscape when the Old Firm duopoly has rarely been so pronounced that must be both a frustration and a concern.
Today offers the chance to avoid a second straight trophyless season.
And a first managerial trophy for Neil Lennon. It takes very little understanding of human emotions to know how much that will mean to Lennon, perhaps more than a lot of the other honours he collected in a well garlanded playing career.
This might not be the trophy they desperately want at the start of each season, but today still carries a weighty significance for Celtic.
Motherwell? Well, can the cynic in me suggest that they are likely to be the more refreshed team having essentially gone awol for the last five games of the season?
Can they shut out that bad run of results, convince themselves that their focus has always been on 3pm at Hampden this afternoon? And how will their defeat at an emotional Celtic Park last Sunday affect them?
Will they see it as an opportunity, a chance to raise their game and surprise a complacent opposition? Or will it convince them they are playing against a team that can pummel them at will?
Stuart McCall, no stranger to trophies in his own playing career, will have had a strange week with his players, building them into giants when their most recent experience is of being blown away by today's opponents.
Celtic will have been disappointed last week but not shocked. Rangers won the league on the last day but it was the expected outcome. The damage was done in Celtic's defeat to Inverness. It's that game that Lennon will be using to guard against the crime of complacency today.
As Inverness proved - and as Motherwell proved earlier in the season - Celtic are from invincible. At their exhilarating best they can put to the sword any team in the country. Get them on an off day and they can be beaten.
Surely though the Scottish Cup final is no place for an off day. You would think not. But footballing fate tends not to respect such things.
League form, squad quality and history. Everything points to this being Celtic's cup for the taking.
And I expect that to be outcome.
In football you never know what will happen? Well, in Scottish football you often do have a fair idea of what's going to happen.
Motherwell can win today. They have impressive performers who can cause Celtic problems and take advantage of any weaknesses Celtic show.
Realistically though Celtic are big favourites for a reason and I don't expect to shatter the earth by predicting a Celtic win.
Who'll win the Scottish Cup - leave your vote here
"Boring Old Italy" Is Fine By Me
It?s hardly a secret that slick, passing football is the big thing in the world?s game right now, dominating football talk like Louis CK and a plate of cookies. After all, what are all the top sides in the world known for? Barcelona, for dominating possession and sexy passing. Spain, for being the national Barcelona. Most other sides are viewed as being inferior to those two, for at least two reasons. One is that those sides have been so utterly dominant in recent years. And two, no one plays sexy football like they do.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Philadelphia Union Wanting To Squeeze In Big Friendly
It is that time of year again, the summer of friendlies here in America. Major League Soccer is doing things bigger and better this year by scrapping the worthless SuperLiga tournament in place of the World Football Challenge. While there hasn’t been much said as of the format of the tournament goes, a couple MLS teams are playing in it [...]
Sir Alex Ferguson wishes he?d taken Man Utd ?19 TIMES? banner to Liverpool
Ferguerilla Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has praised the pranksters who hung an ‘MUFC 19 TIMES’ banner at Anfield and claimed he wished he had done it! Speaking at club’s end-of-season awards gala, Fergie said: “I wish I had taken that banner to Liverpool on Sunday. I bet there were 76,000 fans wishing they [...]
football shoulder pads football visors highest scoring college football game
English FA will abstain from FIFA president vote
English FA will abstain from FIFA president vote
LONDON, May 19 (Reuters) - The English FA will abstain in the vote on June 1 between Sepp Blatter and Mohamed Bin Hammam to be FIFA president.
"The FA Board has today agreed to abstain in the vote for the Presidency of FIFA," it said in a statement on Thursday.
"There are a well-reported range of issues both recent and current which, in the view of The FA board, make it difficult to support either candidate."
Friday, May 20, 2011
Karl Lagerfeld Does Les Bleus
France released their first away shirt in this Nike era via photo done by fashion maestro Karl Lagerfeld.
And it is a painfully, painfully good looking shirt – it’s a wonder they didn’t drop adidas decades ago.
[So Foot]
And it is a painfully, painfully good looking shirt – it’s a wonder they didn’t drop adidas decades ago.
[So Foot]
Middlesbrough toying with McDonald sale idea
Middlesbrough manager Tony Mowbray admits that striker Scott McDonald could be sold this summer for the right price.
The 27-year old Australian topped ?Boro?s scoring list with 14 goals in 36 appearances in all competitions but there is a chance that he could be on his way out of the Riverside Stadium after arriving in February 2010.
?If another club was to ring up with an offer for Scott then it would have to be considered,? Mowbray told the Evening Gazette.
?It?s the same situation for most of our players.
?But we haven?t received any offers for Scott and we have to work on the assumption that what we have got is what we will have.
?If that situation changes, then we will react accordingly.?
But Mowbray said that if McDonald was to remain on Teesside then he certainly would still be one of the club?s key players.
?He is a committed player. There?s no doubt that he will score a lot of goals for us next year,? he added.
?Scott?s goals were important to us last season, but the main thing that impressed me was his work rate.
?We asked him to do a job for us and he gave it everything he had got. He did a good job for the team.?
Mowbray added: ?Scott has gone away for the summer but he is loving his football here and he will be ready for next season.
?He could be playing for the Australian national team next month which will help to keep him sharp. But he?s one of those players who doesn?t like to take any time off.?
football shoulder pads football visors highest scoring college football game
English FA will abstain from FIFA president vote
English FA will abstain from FIFA president vote
LONDON, May 19 (Reuters) - The English FA, bruised by their World Cup bid rejection and wary of stories of corruption within FIFA, said on Thursday it would abstain in the vote between Sepp Blatter and Mohamed Bin Hammam to be FIFA president.
"The FA Board has today agreed to abstain in the vote for the Presidency of FIFA," the FA said in a statement on Thursday ahead of the June 1 vote.
"There are a well-reported range of issues both recent and current which, in the view of The FA board, make it difficult to support either candidate."
The FA were left aghast by FIFA's executive committee after being comprehensively beaten in the race to host the 2018 World Cup.
After attracting only two votes, one of them its own, FA officials and bid representatives said that potential voters had lied to them and that the voting system was flawed. Russia won the bid.
"The FA values its relationships with its international football partners extremely highly. We are determined to play an active and influential role through our representation within both UEFA and FIFA," the statement added.
"We will continue to work hard to bring about any changes we think would benefit all of international football."
Former FA chairman David Triesman told a UK parliamentary inquiry last week that the 2018 bid process was stained by corruption.
The inquiry also heard that Qatar's successful bid to host the 2022 tournament, backed by Asia confederation president Bin Hammam, a Qatari, was also marred by allegations of wrongdoing.
UK member of parliament Damian Collins said there was evidence from the Sunday Times newspaper that executive committee members Issa Hayatou of Cameroon and Jacques Anouma of the Ivory Coast were paid by Qatar.
"BIT STRANGE"
Qatar and the duo have denied the allegations while the FA have appointed a barrister to lead an independent inquiry into Triesman's accusations.
FIFA, who suspended two executive committee members from voting on the 2018 and 2022 World Cups following earlier allegations that they had offered to sell their votes, is also to hold an investigation.
Blatter, before the FA officially announced it would abstain), said it was a "little bit strange when the number one association in the world" cannot decide.
"The FA have two candidates in front of them and cannot make a decision which one to support," he told reporters.
"Of course, you can abstain but I explained to (FA chairman David) Bernstein the part FA has played in the development of football, specifically in the laws of the game, having organised FIFA and modern football.
"He (Bernstein) asked me what FIFA can do for England and I put it the other way -- what can England do for FIFA? With their efficient Premier League, they should ask what can we do for FIFA?"
Blatter earlier announced that FIFA will interview an unidentified whistleblower at the centre of the newspaper allegations concerning Qatar.
What We Learned: MLS Week 9
Talk about an eye-opening weekend in Major League Soccer. With all teams involved for a change, we got to see what everyone had to offer. Some brought their A-game (LA, Dallas), while others slipped behind in surprising manners (New York, Columbus). Week nine is in the books and right now the Western Conference is slowly starting to pull away from [...]
Thursday, May 19, 2011
MLS Power Rankings: Week 9
After the week that saw plenty of draws, week nine brought in a little more bite. With three games on Wednesday and a full slate over the weekend, a few teams saw the chance to move around a good bit in the rankings. The top clubs are still the same but it looks as though FC Dallas is try to [...]
Meet the perfect Premier League manager
Perfection takes on an unusual guise The perfect Premier League football manager is Scottish, an ex-professional footballer and aged 51 and five months, according to new research. The study, carried out by the makers of the Football Manager game, revealed that on average managers have most success at that age and that that the ideal [...]
history of football history of soccer history of soccer timeline
Feyenoord winger Georginio Wijnaldum keeps Liverpool, Real Madrid waiting
Arsenal
Feyenoord
Liverpool
Real Madrid
Feyenoord winger Georginio Wijnaldum admits he's yet to make a decision over whether to stay with the Dutch club.
Wijnaldum is being followed by Europe's biggest clubs, including Real Madrid, Liverpool and Arsenal.
"In the next days I'll think about what I want and what I will do," said the youngster.
"I do not know how I feel at that moment. Maybe I need more thinking time ..."
Liverpool chief Damien Comolli has had Wijnaldum scouted several times this season.
Hamill to leave Kilmarnock for Hearts on a free
Aberdeen
Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock are set to lose midfielder Jamie Hamill to Heart of Midlothian on a free transfer.
The 24-year old is now out of contract and after passing a medical with Hearts yesterday, is set to sign a deal with the Edinburgh club.
Hearts boss Jim Jefferies is no stranger to Hamill, working with him for a while when he was at Killie, and it seems as though he has persuaded the former Scotland U21 international back into his arms.
Aberdeen were hoping to swoop for Hamill but it looks as though he will end up at Tynecastle Stadium as the Jambos look for another top-three finish and Europa League action next season.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Ancelotti left in limbo amid Chelsea silence
Ancelotti left in limbo amid Chelsea silence
LONDON, May 16 (Reuters) - Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti still has no idea whether he should be calling a removal van after the club stayed silent amid fervent speculation over his future.
The Italian waved to fans not knowing if it was arrivederci or a final goodbye as the team walked round the pitch on Sunday after their 2-2 draw with Newcastle United, their last appearance at Stamford Bridge this term.
They visit Everton on the final day of the Premier League next Sunday effectively assured of second place behind champions Manchester United, but whether that will be enough for owner Roman Abramovich after a trophyless season remains to be seen.
Last term's double in Ancelotti's first season is a distant memory and a look back at how ruthless Abramovich has dealt with previous managers does not make happy reading for the Italian.
Claudio Ranieri was axed after finishing runner-up in the Premier League and reaching a Champions League semi-final.
Back-to-back league titles did not save fans hero Jose Mourinho when a sticky patch of form arrived and Avram Grant was sacked after being one John Terry slip away from winning the Champions League final. Luiz Felipe Scolari lasted seven months.
"I don't know what happens, we have to wait and after that I can explain. We have to just wait one week, it is not a long period and see what happens," said Ancelotti, whose side also lost to Manchester United in the Champions League last eight.
"If my job is good I will stay. If they think my job was not good I have to go. In my opinion sometimes I did a good job, sometimes I could do better."
ROMA VACANCY?
His future may hinge on who Chelsea could bring in.
Former Russia coach Guus Hiddink, who won the FA Cup as Chelsea caretaker between Scolari's sacking and Ancelotti's arrival and is reported to be a favourite of billionaire Abramovich, is under contact with the Turkey national team.
His agent Cees van Nieuwenhuizen told Reuters last month there was "no chance" of Hiddink leaving Turkey before November and he was set to honour a four-year deal signed in 2010.
Porto's highly-rated boss Andre Villas Boas has said reports linking him with a move were "absurd" and that he plans to stay.
Mourinho has talked of having unfinished business at his beloved Chelsea but is not likely to leave his Real Madrid project after one season and fell out with Abramovich anyway.
Ancelotti may have an exit strategy with former club AS Roma yet to announce what is happening with their coaching situation.
The Serie A side, who missed out on a Champions League place, appointed Vincenzo Montella as interim coach until the end of the season after Ranieri resigned in February.
Recent poor results may mean Montella is not kept on by the club's new American owners.
It's a punishing verdict for Roma," Montella said after Sunday's late 2-1 loss at Catania ruled them out of fourth spot.
NYRB star Henry calls ex-Arsenal mate Pires to come to MLS
Arsenal
Aston Villa
New York Red Bulls striker Thierry Henry has made a call to former Arsenal teammate Robert Pires in a bid to get him to play alongside him in Major League Soccer.
37-year old French midfielder Pires is currently with English Premier League club Aston Villa where he has played a bit-part role during his six-month stay with the Birmingham club.
Pires? future is unknown at this stage but he has admitted that Henry has already tried to persuade him to join forces at the Red Bull Arena.
?Thierry has phoned me. He called me up and said 'come over and play with me' but there are no real offers yet," Pires told the Birmingham Mail.
"For the moment, there is nothing else because the Premier League is not yet finished for the season.
"I will wait until it is finished. I am relaxed about it. I still feel fit enough to play."
Pires added: "I've not yet had talks with Villa about staying here after July (when his contract runs out).
"I should know soon hopefully. I have an appointment with Gerard Houllier soon. I hope so and I also hope that Gerard can stay (after his heart problem).
"But I will still play football even if it is not at Aston Villa. If it is not at Villa, I will look for somewhere different."
Rennes chief: We will fight to keep M?Vila from Man Utd, Chelsea
Chelsea
Manchester United
Rennes are confident of keeping hold of Yann M'Vila next season.
The midfielder is a top target for Manchester United and Chelsea, which have both made tentative offers for the youngster.
But Rennes director Frederic Antonetti insisted: "I do not think M'Vila will leave during the summer: the qualification for the Champions League will inspire him to stay with us in 2011/12.
"I know that the club will work hard to keep him."
high school soccer rules history of football history of soccer
Ben Watson / Wigan midfielder Watson: Martinez never lost cool during West Ham rollercoaster
Wigan Athletic midfielder Ben Watson says manager Roberto Martinez never lost his cool as they fought back to beat West Ham United on the weekend.
A second-half blitz culminating in Charles N’Zogbia’s last-gasp winner saw Latics set up a seismic showdown at Stoke on Sunday.
“I really don’t know who’s writing our scripts,” Watson told the Wigan Evening Post.
“We found ourselves 2-0 down from two set-pieces, and it was frustrating.
“We got in there at half-time and we just said to each other: It’s now or never. It was down to us. We knew that if we didn’t win the game, we were down
Read more Ben Watson news
A second-half blitz culminating in Charles N’Zogbia’s last-gasp winner saw Latics set up a seismic showdown at Stoke on Sunday.
“I really don’t know who’s writing our scripts,” Watson told the Wigan Evening Post.
“We found ourselves 2-0 down from two set-pieces, and it was frustrating.
“We got in there at half-time and we just said to each other: It’s now or never. It was down to us. We knew that if we didn’t win the game, we were down
Read more Ben Watson news
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Man City to be more restrained in the transfer market
Manchester City
Roberto Mancini
Manchester City technical director Mike Rigg admits the club will be more cautious in the transfer market after growing tired of being held to ransom by other club's who feel the richest club in the world will pay what it takes to get their man.
The problem the Blues are facing is that as soon as they make their interest in a player known, his value suddenly increases.
He told the Independent: "I will go into meetings with agents and the opening line is: 'Oh, you can have him for ?40m'.
"I'll say, 'What?! Where did you get that figure from?' Then it's: 'Yeah, but he's a good player and you're Manchester City. Everybody knows about Abu Dhabi'.
"We are trying to make them see that the answer to that has to be 'No' now."
Rigg added: "I'm sure we will do tier one signings when we can, where it works in the financial fair play model.
"But it's got out of control with every player you talk about costing you �40m or �50m. Things have changed. It's a different world we're in now."
City boss Roberto Mancini also appears to have bought into the new recruitment model.
The Italian said: "I don't think we need a lot of new players but it is difficult in the league if you do not have a big squad, so you can change six or seven players every game.
"If not, it is difficult to play in the Champions League."
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