..::Football II::..

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Bayern dismisses Guardiola rumors

Bayern Munich has denied rumors that they have reached an agreement with Pep Guardiola to replace Jupp Heynckes as the club's head coach at the end of this season.

Guardiola has been out of work ever since leaving Barcelona in the summer of 2012, but he recently stated that he will return to coaching ahead of the 2013-14 campaign.

Reports from Italy suggested that the former Barca trainer has already agreed terms with the Bundesliga leaders, but Bayern have made it clear that there is no truth in the rumors.

"These reports are utter nonsense," Bayern spokesperson Markus Horwick told dpa.

"We will hold talks with Jupp Heynckes first. He's the first guy we will speak with and the only one as well for now."

Heynckes' contract with the Allianz Arena side is due to expire in June, and the veteran coach has yet to make a decision on whether he will extend his coaching career or say farewell to the footballing world.

 

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Barclays Premier League 2013.01.16 Fixtures

Barclays Premier League 2013.01.16 Fixtures

Chelsea Vs Southampton

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FA Cup 2013.01.16 Fixtures

FA Cup 2013.01.16 Fixtures

Arsenal Vs Swansea

Manchester United Vs West Ham United

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Copa del Rey 2013.01.16 Fixtures

Copa del Rey 2013.01.16 Fixtures


Real Zaragoza Vs Sevilla

Barcelona Vs Malaga​

 

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Coppa Italia 2013.01.16 Fixtures

Coppa Italia 2013.01.16 Fixtures


Fiorentina Vs Roma​

 

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Sneijder 'in no hurry' to decide future

Inter Milan playmaker Wesley Sneijder has said he will not be pressured into making a decision over his future.

Sneijder, 28, is expected to leave Inter during the winter transfer window, with the Dutchman having not played for his current club since September.Turkish side Galatasaray have had a bid accepted for Sneijder, although the midfielder has yet to decide whether to accept the contract on offer.


"All players on the move in this transfer window must decide what to do and where to go by the end of January. I'll do the same," Sneijder told Gazzetta dello Sport.


"I am in no hurry and I don't want to rush this decision."Sneijder, who helped Inter claim a memorable treble in 2010, stressed the destination of his next move will not be determined by money.


"After what has happened in the last few months, in the context of having made football history with my team-mates, well, I don't want to feel pressured," he added.


"After what I did, I don't want to feel this way - practically obliged to make such an important step in my life in a short space of time. It's not a money matter."

 

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Apoooooo meh Boring rumor 1ka transfer window 1ka iwarawena dawasa wenakamma yaida manda

 

[මුගටියා]

Apoooooo meh Boring rumor 1ka transfer window 1ka iwarawena dawasa wenakamma yaida manda

ane manda. muge dan echcharama plying hodath na ne?

 

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Bayern land Guardiola

Bayern Munich have confirmed Pep Guardiola will become the club's new manager in the summer.

Guardiola, 41, has been without a club since leaving Barcelona at the end of the 2011-12 season as he sought time away from football.During his sabbatical in America, the Spanish coach has been linked with several clubs, including Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and AC Milan.


However, Bayern have moved to secure his services for the 2013-14 campaign after they announced on Wednesday he has agreed a three-year deal at the Allianz Arena.
Guardiola, who won three Liga titles and two Champions League trophies during his time at Barca, will succeed Jupp Heynckes as Bayern boss.Bayern confirmed the news on their official Twitter account: "Jupp #Heynckes will finish his successful career by the end of this season. Pep #Guardiola will take over as FC Bayern head coach in July."


"We are delighted that we were able to secure Pep Guardiola, who had been courted and contacted by many prestigious clubs," Bayern chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said.
"Pep Guardiola is one of the most successful coaches worldwide and we are convinced he will not only light up FC Bayern but also German football. We are looking forward to working with him from July 2013 onwards."


Bayern president Uli Hoeness added: "We are extremely thankful for the work Jupp Heynckes has done. After his decision to leave we would be delighted if the team ensured of him an illustrious farewell. Only a big gun like Pep Guardiola came into question as an appropriate successor for him."


Heynckes, 67, is currently enjoying his third stint as Bayern boss, with the club in command of the Bundesliga, as they lead the table by nine points with 17 matches played. It is thought the German was privy to the club's plans to acquire Guardiola's services.

 

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ane manda. muge dan echcharama plying hodath na ne?

Ow tikak out of form bro

 

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Remy signs for QPR

Queens Park Rangers have confirmed the signing of Loic Remy from Marseille for an undisclosed fee.

Remy, 26, has signed a four-and-a-half year contract at Loftus Road and is the west London club’s new record signing.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/blog/_/name/espnfcunited/id/2756?cc=5739
The France international looked to be heading to Newcastle until QPR stepped in, luring the striker with wages believed to be in the region of £80,000 to £110,000 a week. It has also been reported that the contract contains a number of clauses which would allow Remy an exit from the club should they get relegated this season.


QPR manager Harry Redknapp, who has been a long-time admirer of the player since his Tottenham days, is delighted to have finally got his man.
“I didn’t think we’d get him to be honest but Tony Fernandes worked ever so hard on this. He wouldn’t give up on it, and it’s great that we now have him here with us,” Redknapp told the club’s official website.


“He’s always been a player I’ve admired. I’ve watched him on so many occasions throughout the last few years. I actually spent three or four hours with him last year so he knew what I thought of him, and I think that was important.


“He’s quick, can score goals and makes great runs. His movement is excellent. He’s got the potential to be a really outstanding striker.”


Remy, who is eligible to make his QPR debut against West Ham on Saturday subject to international clearance being received, is also pleased to have completed the move and to be playing in England.“Harry played a big part in me coming here,” he told the club’s official website. ”I spoke to him and Tony Fernandes at length and they made it clear they wanted me here. They gave me the right motivation to join QPR.



“I want to develop my game here. This season the objective is to stay up but beyond that we have greater objectives. After seven years in France, this is the right time for me to pursue a new challenge in the Premier League – the best league in the world. I am confident I can adapt to the Premier League. My main characteristics have taken me to the level I am at today but I am keen to keep improving in the Premier League.”


Fellow France international Yann M'Vila looks set to follow his compatriot to Loftus Road next and is reportedly on the brink of completing a move as Harry Redknapp looks to bring in a number of signings to boost his side’s chances of fighting relegation.

 

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QPR thawath squad 1ka strong karagannawa wageM'villa th join wei

 

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Manchester United return on Ronaldo's agenda

For the first time since arriving in 2009, a dissatisfied Cristiano Ronaldo no longer sees his long-term future at Real Madrid and has made it known to Manchester United that he favours an eventual return to Old Trafford.

The development, which has been revealed to ESPN by well-placed figures close to both clubs as well as the player, tallies with Ronaldo's recent public comments regarding his next move.In the last week, although initially unwilling to discuss his future, the forward has admitted that "anything is possible" and that, after his current contract runs out in 2015, "I don't know what will happen in the future".

Tellingly, those comments themselves mirror Ronaldo's statements when he was trying to engineer a move to Real Madrid back in 2008 and 2009. Although that eventual world-record transfer was the fulfilment of a lifelong dream for the Portuguese, he has become concerned about the Spanish champions' capability of regularly matching his current ambitions.


Ronaldo is said to be dismayed at the state the team are currently in as well as the rapid regression following last season's record-breaking title win. Exacerbating that are issues like a perceived failure to back the player in his Ballon d'Or campaign, the state of siege in which his manager Jose Mourinho now finds himself and the apparent infighting as a result of the unrest. With the Real boss almost certain to depart the club in the summer, Ronaldo is concerned about where the club go next.

The situation is a far cry from the stability and regular trophies he experienced during his last three years at Old Trafford under Sir Alex Ferguson - with whom he has maintained contact.Those at United were surprised but encouraged by the developments, although they understand that the situation is far from straightforward and any transfer would only come in the long term.

For a start, a major trophy like the Champions League - which would ironically have involve a victory over United this season - could help to ease the situation at the Bernabeu. That was what happened with Mourinho's own uncertain situation last season after the league title win.

Secondly, if that does not happen, Ronaldo's emotional connection to Old Trafford and his strong willingness to work with Ferguson again must still be balanced against his long-held ambition to become the best-paid and most prestigious player in the world.Although the Glazers have been occasionally willing to deviate from transfer policy to keep United competitive at the top level - as with the Robin van Persie signing - they still generally operate within the financial constraints they have themselves imposed.

An example came following the capture of Van Persie. Although Ferguson was still insistent on capturing Leighton Baines, Everton's greatly increased asking price of £18 million for the left-back meant the Glazers were unwilling to sanction another high fee so soon after Van Persie.

Meeting Ronaldo's market value - of which the player is understandably aware, despite any emotion about his old club - would involve a few big decisions. The club's hierarchy, however, would also look at his commercial potential, which has grown dramatically since he left in 2009.

However, if Ronaldo chooses to leave Real at the end of his current deal in the summer of 2015 that would negate the need for any transfer fee and create much greater flexibility on the value of his playing contract.

Ronaldo may still look to Paris Saint-Germain. The forward is understood to be too loyal to his past to consider a move to either Manchester City or Chelsea, leaving the French side as one of the few elite clubs that could afford him in the event he leaves Madrid.One Old Trafford source said that "the situation can change but it's one to keep an eye on".

 

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Manchester United confirm interest in Wilfried Zaha but David Gill warns: 'It's not done yet'

Gill would not confirm that, but the Old Trafford chief executive told Sky Sports News: "He is one of the players that we are looking at.The forward has been linked with all the Premier League's top clubs since emerging from the Crystal Palace academy to become a full England international this season.

According to recent reports, United have stolen a march on the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham by offering a lucrative deal which involves loaning Zaha back to Palace for the rest of the Championship campaign.

"That is all I will say at the moment. I've been in football long enough to say that is not done until it's done. He's one of the players we are looking at, but it is far from done."

Palace boss Ian Holloway is adamant any deal for Zaha this month must include provision for the 20-year-old to finish the season at Selhurst Park.

And Gill made it clear he would accommodate that demand, saying: "Even if we did do something with Wilfried, that would be for the summer."

 

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Arsenal 1-0 Swansea: Late Wilshere winner sends Gunners through

Jack Wilshere ensured that Arsenal’s sustained second-half pressure finally reaped its rewards as his side narrowly defeated Swansea 1-0 to progress to the FA Cup fourth round in Wednesday’s clash in north London.


Michael Laudrup’s visitors were forced to withstand wave after wave of red and white attacks, especially throughout the second half, but managed to keep themselves level until the game's closing stages.Arsene Wenger's side, despite much profligate finishing, was well worth the final result, while the Swan were consigned to their first defeat in eight matches.

As the game kicked off, the current dissatisfaction amongst sections of the Arsenal support with their club’s current trajectory was reflected in the litterings of empty seats around the Emirates, though the home fans will have come away from Wednesday's fixture with their sense of frustration at least partly alleviated.

Wenger made a trio of changes to the side that lost to Manchester City last weekend, with Per Mertesacker coming in for the suspended Laurent Koscielny, while French pair Francois Coquelin and Olivier Giroud were also awarded starts.
Michael Laudrup, meanwhile, rotated his squad extensively, making six alterations to his last starting XI. Leon Britton and Danny Graham were among those introduced, and, as was the case for the initial tie, top-scorer Michu began proceedings on the bench.

The opening quarter of the game saw minimal openings for either side despite no shortage of attacking intent from both, with Giroud, Nathan Dyer and Abou Diaby all unable to find a killer pass when the situation demanded.Eventually, it fell to the unlikely figure of Coquelin to inspire the game’s first meaningful attempt, seizing upon a half-cleared corner to sting the palms of Michel Vorm with a well struck left-footed drive.

Shortly afterwards, Arsenal old boy Kyle Bartley came within inches of putting the visitors ahead, nodding a teasing, inswinging cross from Wayne Routledge against the angle of post and bar.

As the half reached its latter stages, the hosts’ attack began to ease onto a common wavelength. A desperate, lunging block from Dwight Tiendalli averted Theo Walcott putting his side into the lead from close range, while Thomas Vermaelen’s snapshot was blocked by Vorm’s shins after a corner broke to the Belgian inside the six-yard box.

Halftime came and went, and having thus far engaged in much tidy build-up play but too little penetrative end product, the home side returned from the interval with its attacks taking a far more direct style. Almost immediately, Diaby played Walcott clean through and watched the forward hold off the advances of Chico Flores before clipping his effort past Vorm but also the far post.By the hour mark, a pair of nerve-racking goal-line clearances from Danny Graham and Leon Britton, had prevented Arsenal from turning their seemingly irreversible momentum into a tangible lead, while Giroud and Santi Cazorla had flashed efforts wide and high respectively.

Despite the run of play, the introduction of Michu with 20 minutes remaining will surely have kindled visiting fans’ hopes of an implausible result, though yet more Arsenal pressure and a close-range Walcott header that rebounded off the very inside of Vorm’s post will have kept such thoughts to a minimum.

Chances continued to abound for the home side, though, and Swansea's fate was finally sealed five minutes from time, though, as the ever-probing Wilshere latched onto Giroud’s lay-off to drive home a low strike from the edge of the penalty box.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratulations Manchester United!!!

Manchester United 1-0 West Ham: Rooney marks return with goal to dump Hammers out

Manchester United stumbled into the fourth round of the FA Cup after a narrow victory over West Ham at Old Trafford, courtesy of an early goal from Wayne Rooney.

Sir Alex Ferguson made 10 changes for the game, with Rafael the sole man retained from the weekend win over Liverpool, and with Wayne Rooney and Nani making their returns from injury.West Ham, meanwhile, made six changes with Joe Cole, Kevin Nolan, Matt Jarvis and James Collins, the man who got both goals at Upton Park in the original tie, all missing out.

The hosts began quickly and took just nine minutes to open the scoring, with Rooney the man to break the deadlock with his ninth goal of the season.The goal came from a quick break, Anderson’s superb through ball releasing Chicharito down the left. The Mexican scampered into the area before unselfishly squaring the ball to Rooney to tap home from close range.

United might have doubled its lead just before the half-hour mark when it twice went close. A short corner saw Ryan Giggs and Antonio Valencia work an opening for Nani who smashed the ball across goal, beating Jussi Jaaskelainen, but not Daniel Potts who hacked the ball to safety just inches from his own goalline.Moments later and Chris Smalling almost grabbed a second but the defender could only plant his header straight at Jaaskelainen when well placed.

A more threatening Hammers side emerged for the second half, dominating the play yet it was the hosts who again had the best chance of the opening exchanges.
Rafael, survived a handball appeal in his own area, to bring the ball out of defence before trying to pick out Chicharito. His pass should have been dealt with by Alou Diarra but a mistake by the West Ham man left the striker through on goal, yet he could only blaze wildly over the bar.

West Ham started to pile the pressure on and came within inches of grabbing an equalizer on the 60 minute mark. A long ball from Jordan Spence found Matt Taylor in space, he rolled the ball across goal trying to find Ricardo Vaz Te at the far post, with United needing Rafael to smash it clear inches from his own goal.

Back came United then, with Rafael pouncing on a loose ball before poking it towards Chicharito, but Diarra just got enough off a touch on the pass to allow Jaaskelainen to claim before the striker.

The chances continued to come in a tense finale with Smalling denying substitute Kevin Nolan before Giggs' cross was handled by Spence in the area only for Rooney to blaze the spot kick high over the bar.

Ultimately, however, Rooney's early effort was enough for United which continues to fight on three fronts and head into the fourth round and a visit from Fulham.

 

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Barcelona 2-2 Malaga: Ten-man visitors snatch dramatic leveler to stun Camp Nou

Barcelona was pegged back late on by Malaga, and was forced to settle for a 2-2 draw in the first leg of their Copa Del Rey quarterfinal clash at Camp Nou.

The Blaugrana were unable to add to their 3-1 Liga victory over the Andalusians at the weekend, and were handed a shock after 26 minutes when a defensive mistake gifted Manuel Iturra the opener.

However, Malaga did not hold onto the lead for long, and a pair of quickfire goals from Lionel Messi and Carles Puyol either side of the half-hour mark put Barca back in front.

Substitute Nacho Monreal was sent off with a quarter of an hour remaining, but on the brink of injury time, Ignacio Camacho struck to stun Camp Nou and leave the visitors with the advantage for the second leg at La Rosaleda in eight days.

Both managers opted to rotate their lineups, with 15 changes made from the 22 players that started the Liga clash on Sunday. Cristian Tello and Martin Montoya were among those given a chance to impress for Barca, while Malaga dropped Isco and Martin Demichelis to the bench.

The Blaugrana started brightly, and could have taken the lead as early as the sixth minute, but Sanchez fired over from yards out after some great build-up play from Messi and Tello.Barca’s early dominance was such that it seemed only a matter of time before it made the breakthrough, but instead, a lapse at the back saw Malaga take the lead.Thiago Alcantara was the culprit, as his hesitancy in possession on the edge of his own area allowed Iturra to rob the ball and slot into the bottom corner.

But the visitors’ lead would barely last three minutes, as Barca drew level thanks to a moment of brilliance from a familiar source. Messi showed great determination to win the ball off Weligton, and wasted little time in running through to bend home the equalizer.

And within seconds of the restart, the Catalans stormed ahead, when Thiago’s corner was headed home into the far corner with great purpose by Puyol.

It could have been 3-1 shortly before halftime, but Sanchez once again failed to find the target from a Tello center, this time spooning embarrassingly wide at the far post.Barca continued to look the better side in the second half, and a stinging drive from Messi forced Carlos Kameni into an unorthodox save with his legs.

But the hosts were indebted to Pinto with just under 20 minutes remaining for a fantastic reflex save on Sebastian Fernandez's expertly struck volley.And with a quarter of an hour to go, Malaga's task was made that much harder after substitute Monreal was given a straight red card for fouling Pedro as the last defender.

It seemed like game over for the visitors, but with one minute remaining in regulation time, Camacho popped up to convert a free kick at the far post to grab a second goal for the Andalusians, and send them into the return leg with the advantage on away goals.

 

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Fiorentina 0-1 Roma: Destro strikes extra-time winner to set up Inter semi-final

An extra-time strike from Mattia Destro helped Roma to secure a narrow 1-0 victory over Fiorentina at the Stadio Artemio Franchi to book a place in the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia.The Giallorossi squandered a host of second-half chances and were reduced to nine men late on when Rodrigo Taddei and Dodo were dismissed as well Fiorentina's Cuadrado, but Vincenzo Montella's side managed to hold on to secure a semi-final clash against Inter.

It was the home side which impressed during the early stages of the match with Borja Valero pulling the strings in midfield and Vincenzo Montella's side nearly took an early lead when former-Roma midfielder Alberto Alquilani forced Mauro Goicoechea into a smart save at his near post.

Roma, which dispatched of Fiorentina 3-0 in last season's Coppa Italia, began to settle into the game having survived an early spell of pressure and Zdenek Zeman's side went within inches of scoring in the seventh minute when Daniele De Rossi rose above Nenad Tomovic to meet Miralem Pjanic's corner but his glancing header flashed narrowly past the post, with Norberto Neto flat-footed in the Viola goal.

With absence of the injured Francesco Totti and the suspended duo of Pablo Daniel Osvaldo and Erik Lamela, Zdenek Zeman raised a few eyebrows by electing for an unconventional 3-4-3 formation and the makeshift attacking trident of Miralem Pjanic, Mattia Destro and Alessandro Florenzi caused the Fiorentina backline problems. Florenzi was the next to test Neto on 14 minutes when his fierce shot was parried into the path of Pjanic but the Bosnian was denied what seemed a certain goal by a wonderful goal-line clearance from Gonzalo.

Both sides pushed forward in search of the all-important opener but Stefan Jovetic's long-range effort and Luca Toni's header were both well saved by Mauro Goicoechea, the Uruguayan goalkeeper producing another solid display to show just why is keeping Maarten Stekelenburg on the sidelines.

Fiorentina was nearly master of its own downfall when Stefan Savic's weak pass was seized upon by Mattia Destro but the Montenegrin defender's blushes were spared as he witnessed the Roma forward drag his shot just wide of Neto's goal.The best chance of the first half came five minutes before the break however when Stefan Jovetic was fouled on the outside of the Roma box. Alberto Alquilani stepped up to execute the set piece only to see his curling effort rattle the crossbar with Goicoechea beaten, ensuring both teams went into the halftime break goalless.

The second half did not continue in the same action-packed manner of the first half however with chances few and far between, although Roma really should have taken the lead on 48 minutes when Destro capitalized on a woeful backpass from Tomovic and he squared the ball unselfishly across goal for Florenzi but the 21-year-old's effort somehow deflected off the midriff of Neto and over the crossbar when the net really should have been bulging.

Both sides have suffered poor starts to 2013 with back-to-back league defeats and there was certainly a lack of creativity and quality in the final third, with neither goalkeeper really troubled as the game bumbled along towards extra time.

The game suddenly sparked into life late on and Roma thought they had nicked the victory on 79 minutes when De Rossi powered a header past Neto from Pjanic's teasing free-kick but the assistant adjudged the Roma midfielder to have strayed marginally offside.The away side continued to press in search of a late winner and it was nearly gifted it when a defensive lapse from Gonzalo allowed Destro an opportunity on goal but he wastefully blasted a left-footed strike over the bar when he ought to have hit the target.

Roma was nearly made to rue its profligacy in front of goal in the last minute of normal time when Borja Valero met Jovetic's knockdown with a stunning left-footed half-volley which thundered against the outside of the upright.

But there was still time for one last chance at the death when Destro raced through on goal but his chipped effort over Neto was prevented by a last-ditch headed clearance from Savic to take the game into extra time.However, Destro was not to be denied his name on the scoresheet as he got ahead of his marker to sweep home Pjanic's low cross from close-range on 96 minutes to keep Roma's hopes of a record tenth Coppa Italia title alive.

Fiorentina refused to give up hope of a comeback however and Alquilani had a free kick palmed over the crossbar by Goicoechea before Juan Cuadrado's sweetly-struck volley crashed against the inside of the post.

There was late drama as Roma was reduced to 10 men when substitute Rodrigo Taddei received a second yellow card for hauling down Borja Valero on 117 minutes before a heated confrontation between Dodo and Cuadrado in the 122nd minute resulted in the referee brandishing two further red cards. Tensions poured over at the final whistle as Roma secured its progress to the semifinals.

 

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Barcelona stars hail Bayern for bringing Guardiola on board

Pep Guardiola’s successor Tito Vilanova is among the Barcelona figures to congratulate the coach on signing a three-year contract with Bayern Munich.

Jupp Heynckes will step down as the Bavarian boss at the end of the season and the former Blaugrana man will take over having been out of football since stepping down at the Camp Nou at the end of the 2011-12 campaign.

Vilanova revealed to reporters after Barcelona’s 2-2 draw with Malaga: "I didn't know which team Pep was going to sign for. He didn't tell me. I've read that he had a confidentiality clause.

"I don't know the possible teams that he had, or the conditions, or the squads, or how to play those teams right now."I'm sure that he chose by thinking a lot and it's clear that he couldn't be wrong because all the teams were great, in England and Germany. Bayern have a very good infrastructure."

Javier Mascherano was signed by Guardiola from Liverpool, and he believes the Spaniard’s choice of club was down to their homegrown selection.He said: "I think Pep chose Bayern because of their football philosophy and because they have many German-born players."

Barca goalkeeper Jose Pinto is another to send his congratulations to Guardiola, and he admitted a European tussle could be on the cards in future seasons.
"If Pep is happy, we are happy too," he said. "If Guardiola has decided go to Bayern, we are happy for him because he wants to come back [to football]. Of course, we may even meet him in Champions League!"

 

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WIlshere is not a world-class talent yet, insists Laudrup

Michael Laudrup sounded a warning to Jack Wilshere after watching the Arsenal playmaker condemn his Swansea team to a 1-0 defeat in the FA Cup third-round replay on Wednesday night.

The youngster stole the headlines with a sublime 20-yard volley in the closing stages of the contest, but Laudrup has urged the media to show patience with the midfielder – suggesting that Wilshere cannot be deemed world class until he plays more games at the top level.

Speaking to reporters after Swansea's defeat, Laudrup said: "We're talking about a young player who had an injury coming back but I think he has a lot of potential.

“You don't want to push your young players too much. Sometimes people are a little too fast, too quick with the big words. We have to let them grow, because young players can always improve, that goes for Jack Wilshere too.

"He has a lot of potential and can be a very, very good player... Don't put that pressure on him.

"To be world class you need more at the highest level. We are talking about a 21-year-old and we're already talking about him being the best."

Wilshere's manager Arsene Wenger took a different approach however, as he analysed the match-winning performance of a player who had recently spent 17 months sidelined with injury.
"He was outstanding tonight," Wenger told reporters as he discussed the possibility of keeping him in the number 10 role. "He played in a different position, higher up. It suits him well, we had a better team balance, he created chance after chance.

"He is a complete midfielder, he can defend and attack. He is a guy who can dribble and give a final ball – the closer he is to the goal, the better it is for him.

"He has quality and enthusiasm, and love for the game – that is the most important thing for me. After that I can continue to keep him reasonably fit and safe."

Wenger also confirmed that Wilshere was 100 percent fit, adding: "He is back, I think so.

"I had no experience of a player who had been out for 17 months in my whole career.

"Honestly if we could get Jack back for January first we had done well – but he was ahead of what I could imagine."