..::Football II::..

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Banks PLK

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    Pep Guardiola is ready to snub the Manchester City job in favour of succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager, reports the Daily Star on Sunday.

    The former Barcelona boss, who is currently enjoying a year-long sabbatical after leaving the Camp Nou in May, had been lined up by the reigning Premier League champions as a replacement for Roberto Mancini.

    Manchester City's new sporting director, Txiki Begiristain - formerly of Barcelona - recently met with the Spaniard to discuss the position at the Etihad Stadium, but the 41-year-old is believed to have told friends it's the Manchester United job that he wants.

    Rumors are gathering pace that Ferguson will retire and leave Old Trafford next summer, but even if he changes his mind, Guardiola is prepared to wait, and could even extend his sabbatical should the Red Devils chief decide to stay.

    Guardiola could earn double the money at Manchester City, however, he's been won over by the Manchester United project after meeting Ferguson a number of times in New York over the past few months, to discuss plans for the future.

    A three-year deal is on the table for Guardiola at Old Trafford, with the option to bring in the two assistants and three new coaches that he requires to help further develop the clubs's youth programme.










    Wot if Guardiola comes to United and Mourhinio come to City :shocked:
    the 2 top teams in epl will be crazy and it would be more exciting both battling for success like back in spain
     

    Banks PLK

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    Wolverine GTR

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    Ramalho: Neymar suited better for Barcelona over Real Madrid

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    Santos head coach Muricy Ramalho is of the opinion that Neymar would be most suited moving to Barcelona, and he believes Lionel Messi and the 20-year-old would be spectacular together.



    The Brazil international was on the long list for the Ballon d’Or, while the Blaugrana attacker is one of the final three nominees and is the favorite to win it for a fourth straight year. Ramalho hailed his star player as a rare talent and believes that he is destined to become a world-beating player in the not-too-distant future.

    "He is a great player, and he will become a genius," the coach told Sport.es. "He's on the road to becoming as good as Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo - that type of player who only appears on the world stage very occasionally."

    The Santos boss is adamant that Neymar would fit better at Camp Nou than Real Madrid due to the style of soccer that the Catalan club plays.

    "Barca are the team that best fit the characteristics of Neymar," Ramalho said. "Everyone likes watching their football. They are a team that plays free-flowing football. Today, Madrid have a great coach, but they are very tactical. [Jose] Mourinho plays rigid tactics and they must be obeyed.

    "From my point of view it is difficult to do that with Neymar. Neymar cannot put in a fixed position and left there. That would be killing the boy. So, today, the ideal team for him is Barcelona. Great players understand each other. [Barca] have many great players and have been playing well together for a long time. Neymar would grow so much there.

    "One day I'd like to see it. I'd love to see together the 'pair' [Messi & Neymar] to see what would happen. And I am sure it would be something really spectacular."
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Monterrey agrees new deal with Humberto Suazo

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    Monterrey and Humberto Suazo have arrived at a multi-million dollar deal that would keep the star forward in Mexico and make him the highest paid player in the Mexican league, according to news sources in Suazo’s native Chile.

    The contract would keep Suazo in Monterrey until June 2015, and pay him $3 million per year, edging out Paraguayan Edgar Benitez as the best compensated player in the Liga MX.

    The forward has held himself out of Monterrey camps on several occasions over his salary situation, but looks to have arrived at a long term settlement with Rayados. When the deal expires, Suazo will be 34.

    The Chilean has been with Monterrey since 2007, with the exception of a short 2010 loan spell to Zaragoza in Spain.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Moses has no regrets after rejecting England for Nigeria

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    Chelsea winger Victor Moses has said that he does not have any regrets after choosing to play for Nigeria over England.

    The attacker, who joined the west London side from Wigan in the summer, believes that he made the right choice to play for the country of his birth despite representing England at youth level.

    Moses has become an integral part of the Super Eagles side currently preparing for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, and he revealed that he has enjoyed every moment of his stay with the Nigerian team.

    "Yes the opportunity beckoned me to play for England, but I chose Nigeria because it has always been my ambition to play for the Super Eagles," Moses told Goal.com. "I don't regret turning out in the colors of Super Eagles. I love Nigeria and I was prepared to come and play for the nation.

    He added, "I have enjoyed every minute of my stay with the team. Coaches in England should not blame themselves that they could not convince me to wear the jersey of the [Three Lions] after playing for the junior side

    "I waited for the opportunity to be invited to play for the national team of Nigeria and immediately they found me worthy, I did not waste time to honor the call," he said. Nigeria has always been my choice if called up and when they did I was happy.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Sandro: Why can't Tottenham win the Premier League?

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    Tottenham midfielder Sandro has insisted his side should aim beyond securing a top-four finish and challenge for the Premier League title.

    Spurs continued their recent good run of form with a 2-1 win over Sunderland on Saturday, a victory which keeps them ahead in the race for Champions League qualification.

    But the Brazil international believes the north London side's aspirations should be higher than that and has called for his teammates to surprise their top-flight rivals.

    "Everybody talks about Manchester United and City and even Chelsea for the title but never Spurs. Why not Spurs?" he toldreporters. "We have a good coach, a good squad and everything is working well. This is a fast, dangerous team built to attack and we are not content to just be a top-four side.

    "No one is talking about Spurs as champions but then, bang, we will win it and they will be talking about Tottenham then."
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Benitez: Club World Cup trip was important to Chelsea

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    Chelsea boss Rafa Benitez has expressed his belief that the Blues' trip to compete in the Club World Cup has aided the club's recent run of good form.

    The west London club lost the final of the competition against Corinthians 1-0 but has won all four of its matches since returning from Japan, including Sunday's 2-1 victory over Everton at Goodison Park.

    The Spaniard believes the trip offered him more time to get his methods across to his players.

    "The trip to Japan was important for us because we were together for a long time," he told reporters. "We had at least two or three training sessions where we could work on new things and you can see it working out. We are still making some mistakes that we have to manage, but the team is much better.

    "What impresses me is the attitude of the players. They are keen to learn and train. I had a discussion with the staff today and we are really pleased with the way they work and train and behave each day - and that is important for the future."

    Chelsea was forced to come from behind to beat the Toffees following Steven Pienaar's first-minute goal but the 52-year-old insists he never doubted his side's chances.

    "This was a great win for us," he continued. "I didn’t fear the worst when they took the lead. We knew Everton would be tough but I had confidence in my players. The team showed the commitment, passion and quality against a good team. We made mistakes at the beginning but the reaction was really good. We put Ramires on the right side against Leighton Baines and he gave us a great game, too."

    The former Liverpool boss refused, however, to be drawn on his side's chances of mounting a late challenge for the Premier League title.

    “We are not watching the table too much. We have a game in hand but we still have to win it," he said. "Our idea is to approach the competition thinking about one game at a time. We will see where we are after some more games."
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Agent: De Bruyne sees his future at Chelsea

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    Chelsea's on-loan winger Kevin De Bruyne is not thinking about a permanent move to Werder Bremen, according to the player's representative.


    The 21-year-old Belgian international moved to Stamford Bridge during the January transfer window last season and was immediately sent back to former club Genk until the end of the season.

    However, despite taking part in Chelsea's preseason tour this term, he was loaned out to Bundesliga outfit Werder Bremen. De Bruyne has gone on to establish himself as a key member of the squad, but his agent Patrick De Koster has moved to deny any suggestion that the player is contemplating a switch at the end of the campaign.

    "Kevin De Bruyne is on loan at Werder Bremen. The fact is that he will return to Chelsea at the end of the campaign," De Koster told Wolfsburger Nachrichten. "He has a contract going on at Stamford Bridge."


    He added, "It's great to know that Kevin De Bruyne is of interest to many clubs in the top leagues and I know that Klaus Allofs is a fan of him."We are definitely aware of that. But up to now we have not been discussing a transfer."
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Mancini rules out Lescott exit in January

    Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has denied reports linking Joleon Lescott with a move away from the club in the January transfer window.

    Lescott has lost his place in the heart of the Manchester City defense, despite being an England regular, with Mancini often preferring to select Serbia youngster Matija Nastasic as Vincent Kompany's partner at center back.

    Kolo Toure was called upon ahead of Lescott to replace the injured captain earlier in December but with the Ivorian due to leave for the Africa Cup of Nations next weekend, Mancini is adamant that Lescott is not for sale.

    "We can't sell players," Mancini told reporters when asked about the former Everton man's future. "We won't have enough to play if we sell."

    The Italian has also suggested that out of favor striker Mario Balotelli will remain at the Etihad Stadium despite reports linking the 22-year-old with a January departure.

    Lescott has been linked with a return to Goodison Park having made only seven league starts this season.

    That tally is in stark contrast to City's last campaign, when he established himself at the heart of back four by making 33 appearances in the top flight.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Deportivo sacks head coach Oltra with side sitting bottom of La Liga

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    Deportivo La Coruna’s president has confirmed that the club has sacked coach Jose Luis Oltra over an “irreversible” run of form.



    The Spanish side sits rock bottom of La Liga with 12 points from 17 matches, though just three points off the tip of the relegation zone.

    The former Tenerife boss guided Deportivo back to the top flight in the 2011-12 season but has struggled to string victories together this campaign, and Augusto Cesar Lendoiro insisted that change is necessary.

    "It's a decision that didn't come today, it was taken before the assembly following the defeat against Espanyol [on December 20]," the president told reporters at a press conference on Sunday.

    "The situation became irreversible. We're not fans of changing the coach, but a shake up was needed that had to come from this, because you don't have other options to make changes in the team."
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Chelsea talks with Ba stall

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    Chelsea have suffered an early blow in their hopes of signing Newcastle United striker Demba Ba in January after unproductive discussions over his future.
    Ba, 27, has a £7.5 million clause in the deal he signed when he moved to the north east from West Ham in 2011 which means he could be sold in January if a club meets the fee. And, according to the Daily Mail, the Blues were ready to offer a £2 million loyalty payment in order to seal his move to Stamford Bridge.



    However, it is now understood that club officials met Ba’s representatives on Sunday night but that the personal terms on the table did not come close to what he expects to earn for leaving St James’s Park.



    The Senegal international’s brace in the 7-3 defeat at Arsenal on Saturday took his goal total for the season up to 13, more than the rest of the Newcastle squad put together and one behind the Premier League's leading marksman Robin van Persie, and a host of clubs including Arsenal, Chelsea and PSG have been linked with moves for him.



    Roman Abramovich is thought to have made Atletico Madrid forward Radamel Falcao his number one target but, with the Colombia international insisting he will see out the season at the Vicente Calderon, the Chelsea owner has been forced to look elsewhere.



    Chelsea boss Rafa Benitez, however, refused to be drawn on questions over reports he was set to sign Ba this weekend."We don’t talk about our business in public," he said after his side beat Everton 2-1 at Goodison Park. "My job is to prepare the games. This is a player that is playing for another team so I don’t want to talk about him."



    Newcastle boss Alan Pardew admitted that he was growing increasingly weary of the situation and hit out at Ba's advisors.



    He said: "In some respects, I feel a little bit sorry for Demba as well because I think people who are representing him are not actually representing him. There are people out there who are saying this who are not actually involved or want to be involved, and that's the sort of world we are in."The contract is what it is, we are all aware of that, and for me as the manager I need it resolved as quickly as possible. That's the best situation for our fans and for the club.''



    Newcastle have spent recent months attempting to negotiate a new contract with Ba which would remove the clause and that remains on the table. But Pardew insisted they would not wait forever.



    He added: "The situation with that is that it's getting close to the point where we say 'no more', but the offer is still there.''
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Lippi: El Shaarawy reminds me of Del Piero

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    Veteran coach Marcello Lippi has stated that Stephan El Shaarawy reminds him of legendary striker Alessandro Del Piero.

    The AC Milan attacker has been in incredible form this season, notching up 14 goals in Serie A before the winter break, and currently leads the race to become this season's Capocannoniere.



    The World Cup-winning coach, who is currently in charge of Chinese side Guangzhou Evergrande, hailed the Rossoneri starlet and says that while he's not on the legend's level yet, he's headed in the right direction.

    "El Shaarawy reminds me of Alessandro Del Piero," Lippi told Tuttosport. "They both love to start from the left and cut in to seek goals with curling shots. He hasn’t got Del Piero’s quality yet, but is growing and could be even more explosive in attack."
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Del Bosque: I hope Iniesta wins the Ballon d'Or

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    Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque wants Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta to win the 2012 FIFA Ballon d'Or.



    The Spaniard played a major role as la Roja swept all before them to win Euro 2012, and has also earned plaudits for his continued good performances with the Blaugrana.

    Although many have suggested that the three-man race for the individual award will be dominated by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the 62-year trainer believes Iniesta has a good chance of coming out on top."I hope that Iniesta wins the Ballon d’Or, and I think that he will have a lot of votes," he told AS.

    Del Bosque also defended his recent squad selections, stating that he is spoiled for choice and often finds it difficult to accommodate all of the talented players that Spain is currently producing.

    "We try to be fair, but you can never please everybody," he continued. "The complicated thing with Spain is not calling up new players, but finding space for them. For some to come in, others have to go out. Those that are in have shown that they are capable. It's not easy.

    "But I know exactly what we have coming, the Michus, Aspases and Thiagos, all of those footballers that have shown on the pitch that I should be taking notice of them. They all have merits, whether they have followed the logical path with the Under-21s, like Thiago, Iker Muniain, Ander Herrera and the others, or those that have blossomed later, like Michu or Benat."The former Real Madrid coach is confident that the competition for places is playing a major part in keeping the current squad hungry for success.

    "We have a stable block of players. I believe that this group still has legs," he said. "The most important thing is that these players maintain the desire to win and do not settle for what they have already done.

    "But they are showing that they are capable. They showed it this summer, when they won the Euros after winning the World Cup. And they have also shown it in keeping Spain at the top of the FIFA rankings over the past five years. If winning the World Cup, or the Euros, proves a good month of competition, then being No.1 for five years proves more."Reflecting on 2012, Del Bosque was grateful for the attitude of his players, not least because he believes they can inspire others to overcome problems in their own lives.

    "I am happy that the Spanish players want to make the national team, that they want to help, improve and make their mark with Spain," he concluded. "I am also very satisfied with the reception that we have had wherever we have gone, especially in the countries of the Americas that we have visited [for friendlies].
    "The image of Spain that the national team projects is a good one. Football is inspirational, it is proof that young people can do well and overcome adversity. There is no need to be pessimistic, the opposite, in fact."
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    PSG not in talks to sign Chelsea's Cole, insists Leonardo

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    Paris Saint-Germain has not held talks with Chelsea defender Ashley Cole over a possible move, the club's sporting director Leonardo insists.

    Cole's current contract at Stamford Bridge expires in the summer, and Blues interim boss Rafa Benitez hinted in an early press conference that Cole and fellow veteran Frank Lampard are unlikely to be offered new deals. This has fuelled speculation of Cole being reunited with former manager Carlo Ancelotti in the French capital, but Leonardo is adamant there has been no contact with the player.

    "We have never spoken with Ashley Cole, there has never been any contact," Leonardo told reporters. "Carlo was his coach at Chelsea, that's why that story is doing the rounds." The Brazilian also dismissed talk of a move for Inter playmaker Wesley Sneijder, who has been exiled from Andrea Stramaccioni's squad for refusing to agree a new deal at a lower wage.

    "Sincerely, we have never contacted Wesley Sneijder to come to PSG. We have five players in his position already," Leonardo said.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    With contract talks in balance, Walcott eager for Southampton return

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    Arsenal forward Theo Walcott has expressed his delight at his recent run of form in front of goal, and admits he is relishing the chance to play against former club Southampton on New Year's Day.

    The 23-year-old's future is still hanging in the balance amid ongoing contractual wrangling with the Gunners, with his current deal set to expire at the end of the season. Arsene Wenger's side currently sit in fifth place in the Premier League with a game in hand over local rivals Tottenham in fourth, and with a trip to Walcott and teammate Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's old stomping ground St. Mary's up next, the England international feels the club is starting to turn a corner.

    "Looking at our Premier League form recently, it has been very strong," Walcott told Arsenal's official website. "We are looking to climb the table, take every game as it comes and we have another match on Tuesday.

    "It will be a very tough occasion against Southampton, but it is one I am really looking forward to. I am probably going to wrap myself in bubble wrap for the next few days! It will be a very special moment for me and Alex, and also for some of the fans to see us come back to the club."

    Walcott capped 2012 with an impressive run of form in his preferred central striking position with a brilliant hat trick in his side's 7-3 home victory over Newcastle.

    "It was just end-to-end and that played into our hands," Walcott said. "When we conceded a few sloppy goals you thought we may not be able to do it. If someone said beforehand that it would be 7-3 I would have just laughed, but it was an unbelievable spectacle and for it to be the last game of this year is something special."
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Carlo Cudicini signs with Los Angeles Galaxy from Tottenham

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    The Los Angeles Galaxy have confirmed the long speculated signing of veteran goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini.

    Cudicini joins Los Angeles from Tottenham Hotspur, joining Robbie Keane as the second Spurs player to sign over the past two years. Cudicini brings a wealth of experience to Los Angeles as he has played for big clubs all over Europe including A.C. Milan, Lazio, Chelsea and Tottenham.

    “We are delighted to be able to add Carlo Cudicini to our roster,” Galaxy head coach and general manager Bruce Arena said. “Carlo is an experienced and accomplished goalkeeper who we believe will be a great addition to our team and our defensive unit.”

    Cudicini had become expendable at Tottenham after the club added both goalkeepers Brad Friedel and Hugo Lloris in consecutive years. It is also assumed that the move will likely see fan favorite Josh Saunders leave the club as he is out of contract, according to several media outlets. Saunders had started in both of Los Angeles' back to back MLS Cup wins but his regular season form was very inconsistent, prompting Arena to tell reporters that he regretted trading away Donovan Ricketts.

    The Galaxy will hope that Cudicini can show off the form that led him to being the top goalkeeper in the Premier League and Chelsea's Player of the Year in 2002.
     

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    Cazorla 'very satisfied' with Arsenal experience

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    Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla has declared himself delighted with all he has achieved in the game this year.

    After representing Spain during Euro 2012 and playing a key role in helping Malaga to qualify for the Champions League last season, he moved to the Premier League with the Gunners in the summer.

    Looking back on his success in his homeland both on the domestic stage and in the international arena, Cazorla admits it is difficult even now to take in, having become the first nation ever to win three consecutive major international tournaments.

    "That is something you never forget. It is clear that, as football players always say, we do not realize what we have achieved until many years have passed," the Spaniard told the club's official website. "In football everything moves very fast, you do not have enough time to take stock of what you have achieved, but all in all, it is the highest accolade, to win something for your country, to see everyone on the streets celebrating.

    "That was a reason to be happy, and hopefully we can repeat that success for the Spanish people many times."

    He moved to the Emirates in the summer along with Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud, and Cazorla has stated that the new challenge in England has reinvigorated him on the pitch.

    "It was a very important decision, to change teams," he added. "It is a new challenge, it is a completely new adventure from the start, you have to start from zero, aside from the fact of going into a different culture, a new league, a new language. But I think that with Arsenal, I was offered an opportunity that I could not turn down, being 27 years old [at the time], it was like a train that I had to take, and I am very satisfied.

    "I am learning a lot, I am adapting more and more as days go by, and my aim is to learn the English game, and hopefully I will spend some good years at this club. I really enjoy the league, the atmosphere at the stadiums, the respect of the people, their kindness, it is incredible."
     
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