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Manchester United


Dimitar Berbatov says he would rather retire than leave Manchester United

Dimitar Berbatov has ruled out a move from Manchester United by claiming he would rather retire than leave.


dimitar-berbatov_1790638c.jpg
Staying put? Dimitar Berbatov says he would rather retire than leave Manchester United Photo: REUTERS







By Mark Ogden 8:46PM GMT 21 Dec 2010

Berbatov continues to divide opinion as a United player having struggled to justify his £30.75 million transfer fee since arriving from Tottenham Hotspur in September 2008.

The Bulgarian, who scored five goals in a 7-1 win against Blackburn last month, tops the Premier League scoring charts with 11 goals this season, but United have yet to agree a new deal to replace the final 18 months of his contract.

But speaking after being named Bulgaria's Footballer of the Year for the seventh time, Berbatov said: "I fought to have a chance to play for United and now I can only go down if I leave," he said. "Why I should do this? It would be better to retire."

Juventus, Bayern Munich and Fenerbahce have all expressed an interest in Berbatov in recent months, but United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has insisted that the 29 year-old will not leave next month.
 
Manchester United


Dimitar Berbatov says he would rather retire than leave Manchester United

Dimitar Berbatov has ruled out a move from Manchester United by claiming he would rather retire than leave.


dimitar-berbatov_1790638c.jpg
Staying put? Dimitar Berbatov says he would rather retire than leave Manchester United Photo: REUTERS







By Mark Ogden 8:46PM GMT 21 Dec 2010 Mark's Twitter


Berbatov continues to divide opinion as a United player having struggled to justify his £30.75 million transfer fee since arriving from Tottenham Hotspur in September 2008.

The Bulgarian, who scored five goals in a 7-1 win against Blackburn last month, tops the Premier League scoring charts with 11 goals this season, but United have yet to agree a new deal to replace the final 18 months of his contract.

But speaking after being named Bulgaria’s Footballer of the Year for the seventh time, Berbatov said: “I fought to have a chance to play for United and now I can only go down if I leave,” he said. “Why I should do this? It would be better to retire.”

Juventus, Bayern Munich and Fenerbahce have all expressed an interest in Berbatov in recent months, but United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has insisted that the 29 year-old will not leave next month.
 
By ADBDALLAH MSUYA, 21st December 2010 @ 12:00, Total Comments: 0, Hits: 189

WHILE Simba on Tuesday claimed to relish the chance to test themselves against reigning African Champions TP Mazembe, Young Africans wary of their potential first round opponents, Haras El Hodoud in next year's continental clubs championship.

The local giants face potential difficult ties against heavyweights DR Congo's TP Mazembe and Egyptians Haras El Hodoud in the first round of the African Champions League and Confederation Cup respectively, following the draw for the 2011 CAF Interclubs competitions held on Monday in Cairo, Egypt.

Both, Simba and Yanga are expected to get past their preliminary round opponents, Elan Club de Mitsoudje of Comoro and Dedebit from Ethiopia, but that will only lead them towards gruelling first round hurdles against Mazembe and Hodoud.

"It is a big test, but it is a challenge we really relish and we are excited about that," said Simba General Secretary Evodius Mtawala on the prospects of locking horns once more with the African champions.

"We're craving to be the best and if you want to be the best you have to play and win against best teams. TP Mazembe are the best team in Africa at the moment and this will be our chance to test ourselves," added Mtawala.

Even if Simba would repeat the 2003 miracle when they saw off the then defending champions, Zamalek of Egypt, by knocking out TP Mazembe, the road to group stages is still bumpy, as they face potential second round ties against one of four giants, Kano Pillars (Nigeria), Mighty Barolle of Liberia, Widad de Casablanca (Morocco) or Aduana Stars FC (Ghana).

Mtawala promised that Patrick Phiri's men will be given good preparation for the task ahead. "With adequate preparation we can do well and on that note we'll take preparations seriously; the management will make sure the technical bench and the players are given everything to smooth their preparations, including good camp, allowances and friendly matches plus any other important facilities."

While many Simba faithful are already looking to first round tie with TP Mazembe, Phiri has warned taking lightly, their opponents in the preliminary round, Elan Club de Mitsoudje of Comoro.

He said all clubs in the tournament are champions of their respective countries and should be taken with due consideration.

The Zambian is in doubt that his side will be facing a test of character should they make into first round clash with TP Mazembe, who lost 3-0 to Inter Milan in Sunday's Club World Cup final.

However, Phiri, who has renewed his contract with the Premier League champions, remained positive over their chances of excelling past Mazembe, arguing that even the Congolese will be worrying of his team's threat.

Also reacting to the Confederation Cup draw, Yanga head coach, Kostadin Papic said for his team to perform creditably well at the continental premium championship, early and intensive training is key.

He, therefore, urged the club leadership to arrange enough friendly matches before they start their campaign.

On his side, Yanga spokesperson, Louis Sendeu, predicted an easy ride against Dedebit when the two teams clash in the preliminary round of the Confederation Cup, but was worried by their prospect opponents, should they cruise into the next round.

"Haras El Hodoud are strong team and it will be a great challenge for us, still the memory of their 5-1 victory against Simba 5-1 rings in our heads, the results speaks volume about their myth, we must prepare well to face them, it will be a great game," Sendeu told reporters yesterday.

Meanwhile, Simba and Yanga are set to play against AFC Leopards on Saturday and Sunday respectively, before both head to Zanzibar for the Mapinduzi Cup tournament.
 

Wednesday December 22, 2010 Sports
Poulsen recalled from holiday
By ABDALLAH MSUYA, 21st December 2010 @ 12:00, Total Comments: 1, Hits: 208

THE national soccer team, Taifa Stars Coach Jan Poulsen, who is on Christmas holiday back home in Denmark, has been recalled to take charge of the team ahead of the inaugural Nile Basin tournament set for Cairo, Egypt next month.

Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) Acting General Secretary, Sunday Kayuni, confirmed to journalists in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday that Tanzania will take part in the event, which is organised and sponsored by the Egyptian Football Association.

He said Taifa Stars will exploit the tournament in Egypt to prepare for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

"The teams will play in a league format whereby the winner will be the one with maximum points, we believe it will help our team prepare better for the African Cup of Nations qualifiers," Kayuni said.

Tanzania's next AFCON match is at home against the Central Africa Republic, in a Group D of the 2012 qualifiers, which comprises North African giants, Morocco and Algeria.

After the opening two rounds, Central African Republic are on top with four points, same as Morocco but the former boast superior goal difference. Tanzania and Algeria are on a single point, with the latter on bottom of the group based on goal difference.

Kayuni said Poulsen has already been informed that the team will be taking part in the first edition of the Nile Basin tournament and that he is supposed to return from holiday to start preparations. Other nations that are lined up to compete in the championships are Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sudan and hosts Egypt.

According to draw conducted in Cairo on Saturday, Taifa Stars will open their campaign against the hosts ‘Pharaohs' on January 5th, the match that will kick off at 7pm.

It will be preceded by a match to pit Kenya and Sudan at 4:30pm. Stars next game will be against Sudan on January 11, before facing Kenya on January 14 and they will conclude their campaign on January 17 against Uganda Cranes.

The objective of the Nile Basin soccer tournament was to create awareness among all countries sharing the Nile Basin, to safeguard the water resource for the benefit of future generations.

The Egyptians will cater for the air tickets and full board accommodation for all the visiting teams according to the invitation letter from the Egyptian FA president Samir Hazel.

Poulsen recently guided Mainland's Kilimanjaro Stars to the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup trophy and is expected to select most of the players from the squad plus few others from Zanzibar Heroes.

The Danish tactician could also recall some of the players he overlooked for the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup, notably strikers Jerry Tegete and Musa Hassan.
 
England


Football Association appoints David Bernstein as new chairman

David Bernstein, the former Manchester City chairman, is the surprise choice as new Football Association chairman after winning the unanimous support of the 11-man board.

bernsteinact_1790824b.jpg
Surprise choice: David Bernstein has been named FA chairman Photo: ACTION IMAGES







http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...ppoints-David-Bernstein-as-new-chairman.html#




By Jeremy Wilson 12:13PM GMT 22 Dec 2010

Bernstein had been recommended by the nominations committee, chaired by Bolton chairman Phil Gartside and consisting of Michael Game, Tony Kleanthous and John Ward. This nomination was then approved unanimously this morning by the FA Board, leaving only the FA Council to ratify the appointment at its meeting on Jan 25 next year.

David Dein, the former Arsenal vice-chairman, had been widely regarded as the front-runner for the job, but the speed at which the decision was made this morning suggests that Bernstein was the only candidate to be put forward.

Bernstein was on the board of Manchester City for nine years, five of them as chairman. During this time, City returned to the Premier League and Bernstein led the negotiations which delivered a new stadium.

He is a chartered accountant with a long career in business, sitting on the boards of several public companies including the French Connection Group Plc, Ted Baker Plc and Blacks Leisure Plc, where he has been chairman since 1996.

Since 2003, he has been a director of Wembley Stadium, becoming its chairman in 2008.



Bernstein described the job as a "tremendous challenge". He said: "I am honoured to be asked to take on the role as chairman of the FA. It is a tremendous challenge but I look forward to working with the Board, the staff at The FA and everyone in football from local playing fields to Wembley and the international stage. "
Bernstein, who admitted it is ''not the easiest time'' to take on the position, sees his role as involving close dealings with Capello and the England team.
''I've agreed, certainly with the people who interviewed me, that the chairman of the FA needs to be involved in major decisions concerning the England set-up,'' he said.
The 67-year-old declined to comment on the FA's frosty relationship with Fifa following the 2018 World Cup vote and will spend the next few weeks settling into his new role.
''I'll be working very hard. I'll speak to a lot of people over the next four or five weeks, within football and outside football, to understand the issues and get a consensus on a list of priority issues. I intend to be very open.''
Under current rules, Bernstein would only be able to stay as chairman until he turns 70, but he is hoping that restriction might be lifted if his tenure proves successful.
Although he has experience in football, he considers the FA to be a very different challenge to his period at Manchester City.
''There's a lot to do. In terms of the changes that may be necessary and the general progress and taking things on, there's some similarity but no direct comparison with Manchester City,'' he said.
His nomination has been widely welcomed at the top of the FA.
Acting FA chairman Roger Burden, who withdrew his candidature in protest at Fifa, said: "The board was united in its view that David would make an excellent choice as chairman of the organisation. I have worked with David for some years and have always been impressed by his professionalism and integrity. We look forward to working with David to take The FA forward in the best interests of football at all levels across the country."
Alex Horne, the FA general secretary, added: "I very much look forward to working with David and together focusing on the priorities for the development of English football. We have a busy year ahead with work starting on St George's Park, the launch of the Women's Super League, England men's and women's teams competing in major competitions at a variety of age groups and a drive to implement the recommendations of our review into international player development."
 
England


Football Association appoints David Bernstein as new chairman

David Bernstein, the former Manchester City chairman, is the surprise choice as new Football Association chairman after winning the unanimous support of the 11-man board.

bernsteinact_1790824b.jpg
Surprise choice: David Bernstein has been named FA chairman Photo: ACTION IMAGES












By Jeremy Wilson 12:13PM GMT 22 Dec 2010

Bernstein had been recommended by the nominations committee, chaired by Bolton chairman Phil Gartside and consisting of Michael Game, Tony Kleanthous and John Ward. This nomination was then approved unanimously this morning by the FA Board, leaving only the FA Council to ratify the appointment at its meeting on Jan 25 next year.

David Dein, the former Arsenal vice-chairman, had been widely regarded as the front-runner for the job, but the speed at which the decision was made this morning suggests that Bernstein was the only candidate to be put forward.

Bernstein was on the board of Manchester City for nine years, five of them as chairman. During this time, City returned to the Premier League and Bernstein led the negotiations which delivered a new stadium.

He is a chartered accountant with a long career in business, sitting on the boards of several public companies including the French Connection Group Plc, Ted Baker Plc and Blacks Leisure Plc, where he has been chairman since 1996.

Since 2003, he has been a director of Wembley Stadium, becoming its chairman in 2008.



Bernstein described the job as a “tremendous challenge”. He said: “I am honoured to be asked to take on the role as chairman of the FA. It is a tremendous challenge but I look forward to working with the Board, the staff at The FA and everyone in football from local playing fields to Wembley and the international stage. ”
Bernstein, who admitted it is ''not the easiest time'' to take on the position, sees his role as involving close dealings with Capello and the England team.
''I've agreed, certainly with the people who interviewed me, that the chairman of the FA needs to be involved in major decisions concerning the England set-up,'' he said.
The 67-year-old declined to comment on the FA's frosty relationship with Fifa following the 2018 World Cup vote and will spend the next few weeks settling into his new role.
''I'll be working very hard. I'll speak to a lot of people over the next four or five weeks, within football and outside football, to understand the issues and get a consensus on a list of priority issues. I intend to be very open.''
Under current rules, Bernstein would only be able to stay as chairman until he turns 70, but he is hoping that restriction might be lifted if his tenure proves successful.
Although he has experience in football, he considers the FA to be a very different challenge to his period at Manchester City.
''There's a lot to do. In terms of the changes that may be necessary and the general progress and taking things on, there's some similarity but no direct comparison with Manchester City,'' he said.
His nomination has been widely welcomed at the top of the FA.
Acting FA chairman Roger Burden, who withdrew his candidature in protest at Fifa, said: “The board was united in its view that David would make an excellent choice as chairman of the organisation. I have worked with David for some years and have always been impressed by his professionalism and integrity. We look forward to working with David to take The FA forward in the best interests of football at all levels across the country.”
Alex Horne, the FA general secretary, added: “I very much look forward to working with David and together focusing on the priorities for the development of English football. We have a busy year ahead with work starting on St George’s Park, the launch of the Women’s Super League, England men’s and women’s teams competing in major competitions at a variety of age groups and a drive to implement the recommendations of our review into international player development.”
 
Italian job for Bendtner?

Published 23:00 21/12/10 By Neil McLeman

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Nicklas Bendtner is a January transfer target for Italian side Lazio.
The Arsenal and Denmark striker has played only 41 minutes in the Premier League this season after the summer arrival of Marouane Chamakh.
The Serie A side would like the 22-year-old on loan until the end of the season with an option to buy.






​
 
Football Transfers


January transfer window: what each Premier League club needs, who they want and who they will end up with

With the January transfer window creaking open, Telegraph Sport looks at what every Premier League club needs, who they want and what they will probably end up with.


parkerap_1790717c.jpg
In demand: Scott Parker looks set to leave West Ham but where will he end up? Photo: AP






By Rob Kelly 7:30AM GMT 22 Dec 2010

Arsenal
What they need: It's getting boring saying it, but they still need a dominant centre-half who can organise the defence, despite the expected return of Thomas Vermaelen from injury. And now that Alex Song fancies himself as an attacking midfielder, they could also use an anchor man to sit in front of the back four.
Linked with: Gary Cahill, Per Mertesacker, Joleon Lescott, Sime Vrsaljko, Kevin Gameiro.
What they will end up with: Arsene Wenger has already said he does not intend to spend in January, but has reached a deal to sign 18 year-old Japanese midfielder Ryo Miyaichi.

Aston Villa
What they need: Gérard Houllier is looking for an attacking midfielder who will "go to war" with him. Stephen Ireland and Steve Sidwell both look set to go so a replacement is a must. In an ideal world he would also bring in a new striker, as John Carew is also likely to leave. Defence is the only area Houllier has said he is happy with.
Linked with: Joey Barton, Alan Gatagov, Robbie Keane, Mike Frantz.
What they will end up with: At least two new faces, most likely from abroad. Houllier is keen to strengthen in January, having not had the chance to take on reinforcements after joining at Villa Park in September, and owner Randy Lerner is expected to provide some funds.

Birmingham City
What they need: Cameron Jerome, Nikola Zigic and Matt Derbyshire are all struggling to produce at the business end of the pitch (Birmingham's highest scorer is a midfielder with four goals), so it would seem clear that Alex McLeish needs a more clinical forward. The defence and goalkeeper are sorted. A natural left winger would be a useful addition.
Linked with: David Bentley, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Robbie Keane.
What they will end up with: Alex McLeish has indicated that he wants to use the loan market to improve his squad. The board are prepared to spend within reason, but will be frightened off if Spurs price Bentley and Keane too high.

Blackpool
What they need: Despite their superb start to the season, Ian Holloway's squad needs more depth and some experienced defenders would help in that regard.
Linked with: Alex Smithies, Luke Varney (permanent deal).
What they will end up with: The permanent signing of Varney looks likely, and retaining the services of Charlie Adam would be a big boost. Holloway is expected to scour the lower leagues again as he continues to work miracles at Bloomfield Road.

Blackburn
What they need: Given that Sam Allardyce was sacked for failing to produce sexy football, it would seem Rovers' owners Venky's will seek to sign one or two more creative players in January, although their expectations seems wildly unrealistic.
Linked with: Robbie Keane, Roque Santa Cruz, Geovani.
What they will end up with: Chris Samba has already signalled his intention to leave, but one or two new faces can be expected. Geovani, the choice of player agency Kentaro, would seem to fit the bill.

Related Articles



Bolton
What they need: Owen Coyle's overachieving side have been a breath of fresh air this season, but they would benefit from the addition of a creative central midfielder and a pacy striker as an alternative to Johan Elmander and Kevin Davies.
Linked with: Jaime Ayovi, Bradley Johnson, Gary O'Neil.
What they will end up with: Bolton would get a major boost if Elmander signs a new deal to stay at the Reebok, and while money is likely to be tight, expect Coyle to work the transfer market to bring in a couple of new faces.
Chelsea
What they need: Another striker to deputise for malaria-stricken Didier Drogba and the out-of-form Nicolas Anelka, and a centre-back to reinforce a defence that struggled in the absence of John Terry and Alex.
Linked with: David Luiz, Victor Ruiz, Edin Dzeko, Carlos Tevez, Fabio Coentrao, Romelu Lukaku.
What they will end up with: Luiz is available but at a price - Benfica have quoted £34m and it remains to be seen whether Roman Abramovich will part with that kind of money. Dzeko appears set to join Chelsea.
Everton
What they need: A striker that scores goals. Yakubu, Jermain Beckford and Louis Saha have struggled in front of goal, leaving Everton impotent and in desperate need of someone to add a cutting edge.
Linked with: Landon Donovan, Nicklas Bendtner, Emmanuel Adebayor, Roque Santa Cruz.
What they will end up with: David Moyes says he wants to sign up to three players in January, but with little money available, the Everton manager will use the loan market in a bid to bolster his squad. Getting Steven Pienaar to sign a new deal would be a real positive, too.
Fulham
What they need: With Bobby Zamora out until February at the earlier, Andy Johnson a pale imitation of his former self and Moussa Dembele picking up a string of injuries, Fulham urgently need a reliable striker who can turn their draws into victories.
Linked with: Roque Santa Cruz, Guillermo Ochoa, Landon Donovan, David Bentley.
What they will end up with: Mark Hughes has a good relationship with Santa Cruz and Bentley and could use that to his advantage to bring in some much-needed quality during the January window.
Liverpool
What they need: The club's supporters may not be happy with entrusting Roy Hodgson with a transfer budget, but Liverpool desperately need a striker to provide back-up to Fernando Torres, a right-back to replace the unhappy Glen Johnson, a left-back, a centre-back and some genuine wingers.
Linked with: Matt Jarvis, Peter Crouch, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Emmanuel Adebayor, Ashley Young, Charles N'Zogbia.
What they will end up with: Young only has a year left on his contract and could be persuaded to swap Villa Park for Anfield, while any move for Adebayor is likely to hinge on his wage demands.
Manchester City
What they need: Despite the embarrassment of riches at Eastlands, City will feel they need another striker to lift the burden from Carlos Tevez and a dominant centre-back. But with money no object, they can afford to replace the entire team if they felt the urge.
Linked with: Edin Dzeko, David Luiz, Pepe, Andres Iniesta.
What they will end up with: Such is the financial backing City have, they are likely to land top targets Dzeko and Luiz. But why stop there? It seems entirely feasible City will keep on spending with the title in sight.
Manchester United
What they need: With United sitting at the summit of the Premier League, Sir Alex Ferguson will not feel under any undue pressure to add to his squad. But with Jonny Evans struggling this term, the United manager may look to add a centre-back and an attacking midfielder if he can strike the right deals.
Linked with: Lassana Diarra, Pepe, Danny, Neven Subotic.
What they will end up with: Ferguson tends not to do any major business in January, preferring instead to add players for the future and there is nothing to suggest he plans to break from tradition this year.
Newcastle United
What they need: A new owner, many Newcastle fans would suggest. But failing that, new manager Alan Pardew will look to strengthen his side's defence and try to find a top-class partner for Andy Carroll.
Linked with: Jose Fonte, Rickie Lambert, Charlie Adam, Luke Varney.
What they will end up with: Mike Ashley is unlikely to underwrite a major spending spree, so Pardew will have to wheel and deal. If Joey Barton leaves, Pardew will be forced into the market for a ready-made replacement.
Stoke City
What they need: Now an established Premier League outfit, Stoke could do with more creativity in their midfield, where too much rests on the shoulders of Matthew Etherington.
Linked with: Bradley Johnson, Charlie Adam, Wayne Bridge, Sebastien Larsson.
What they will end up with: What they will end up with: Not much, by the sounds of it. Chairman Peter Coates says January "is not a great time to buy" due to inflated prices, and Stoke manager Tony Pulis is satisfied with the strength of his squad. Some cut-price deals cannot be ruled out, though.
Sunderland
What they need: Steve Bruce will be keen to hang on to the impressive Craig Gordon, who is said to be attracting interest from other top-flight clubs. With three centre-backs injured or returning from injury, a defender would come in very handy too.
Linked with: Onuoha (permanent), Charles N'Zogbia.
What they will end up with: Sunderland would also love to seal a permanent deal for Nedum Onuoha, and with the club in contention to qualify for the Europa League, Bruce will hope to convince owner Ellis Short to provide the funds to add to his squad. Manchester United's Jonny Evans is a loan target.
Tottenham Hotspur
What they need: Spurs may be playing some of the best attacking football in the league, but they are leaking goals. With Ledley King injured, and William Gallas getting no younger, a centre back is a priority. And if Robbie Keane departs, Harry Redknapp will hope to sign a striker, too.
Linked with: Andy Carroll, Gary Cahill, Joleon Lescott, Scott Parker.
What they will end up with: Newcastle insist they are not prepared to sell Carroll, while Bolton have taken a similar stance over Cahill. But Lescott is understood to be available, and would be able to cover at left-back, too, though whether City would sell to a title rival is questionable.
West Bromwich Albion
What they need: Roberto Di Matteo could do with a striker to cover for Peter Odemwingie, who keeps getting injured and is at risk of burnout having played at the World Cup for Nigeria. A creative midfielder to share the burden with Chris Brunt would also help the Baggies in their battle to beat the drop.
Linked with: Dale Jennings, Luke Varney, Georgios Samaras.
What they will end up with: Varney says he is not interested in a move away from Blackpool, while Di Matteo says he is happy with the club's season so far and does not plan to strengthen in January.
West Ham United
What they need: To keep hold of Scott Parker must be a priority, although whether the club's board will trust Avram Grant with the funds to add to his squad must be in question. West Ham need a striker, wingers, full-backs, defender: you name it, they need it.
Linked with: Steve Sidwell, Dieumerci Mbokani, Robbie Keane, Joey Barton, Chrstian Poulsen.
What they will end up with: If they can resist any offers for Parker, and add Barton, Sidwell and Keane they could consider it an excellent transfer window. Whatever happens, West Ham need new faces to help them beat the drop.
Wigan Athletic
What they need: With Chris Kirkland out on loan at Leicester, Roberto Martinez will look for a goalkeeper to strenghen his squad. The Spaniard would also welcome the addition of a new forward, having scored just 13 goals in 17 league matches this term.
Linked with: Tuncay Sanli, Tomasz Kuszczak, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas.
What they will end up with: With injuries to his strikers, Martinez should be able to persuade Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger to part with the exciting Emmanuel-Thomas on loan, while Tuncay is also a realistic option. And with Manchester United having signed Anders Lindgaard, Kuszczak is likely to be available.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
What they need: What they need: Mick McCarthy must add some steel to his back line, and find a striker that can score the goals to get them out of the relegation zone. Could former player Robbie Keane be tempted back to Molineux? Meanwhile Stephen Fletcher, their record signing, could try and leave.
Linked with: Keane, Robbie Findley, David Wheater.
What they will end up with: Keane is unlikely, but Wheater is a realistic target available at a reasonable price. Keeping hold of Matt Jarvis could be problematic, though.
 
Football Transfers


January transfer window: what each Premier League club needs, who they want and who they will end up with

With the January transfer window creaking open, Telegraph Sport looks at what every Premier League club needs, who they want and what they will probably end up with.


parkerap_1790717c.jpg
In demand: Scott Parker looks set to leave West Ham but where will he end up? Photo: AP






By Rob Kelly 7:30AM GMT 22 Dec 2010

Arsenal
What they need: It's getting boring saying it, but they still need a dominant centre-half who can organise the defence, despite the expected return of Thomas Vermaelen from injury. And now that Alex Song fancies himself as an attacking midfielder, they could also use an anchor man to sit in front of the back four.
Linked with: Gary Cahill, Per Mertesacker, Joleon Lescott, Sime Vrsaljko, Kevin Gameiro.
What they will end up with: Arsene Wenger has already said he does not intend to spend in January, but has reached a deal to sign 18 year-old Japanese midfielder Ryo Miyaichi.

Aston Villa
What they need: Gérard Houllier is looking for an attacking midfielder who will “go to war” with him. Stephen Ireland and Steve Sidwell both look set to go so a replacement is a must. In an ideal world he would also bring in a new striker, as John Carew is also likely to leave. Defence is the only area Houllier has said he is happy with.
Linked with: Joey Barton, Alan Gatagov, Robbie Keane, Mike Frantz.
What they will end up with: At least two new faces, most likely from abroad. Houllier is keen to strengthen in January, having not had the chance to take on reinforcements after joining at Villa Park in September, and owner Randy Lerner is expected to provide some funds.

Birmingham City
What they need: Cameron Jerome, Nikola Zigic and Matt Derbyshire are all struggling to produce at the business end of the pitch (Birmingham's highest scorer is a midfielder with four goals), so it would seem clear that Alex McLeish needs a more clinical forward. The defence and goalkeeper are sorted. A natural left winger would be a useful addition.
Linked with: David Bentley, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Robbie Keane.
What they will end up with: Alex McLeish has indicated that he wants to use the loan market to improve his squad. The board are prepared to spend within reason, but will be frightened off if Spurs price Bentley and Keane too high.

Blackpool
What they need: Despite their superb start to the season, Ian Holloway's squad needs more depth and some experienced defenders would help in that regard.
Linked with: Alex Smithies, Luke Varney (permanent deal).
What they will end up with: The permanent signing of Varney looks likely, and retaining the services of Charlie Adam would be a big boost. Holloway is expected to scour the lower leagues again as he continues to work miracles at Bloomfield Road.

Blackburn
What they need: Given that Sam Allardyce was sacked for failing to produce sexy football, it would seem Rovers' owners Venky's will seek to sign one or two more creative players in January, although their expectations seems wildly unrealistic.
Linked with: Robbie Keane, Roque Santa Cruz, Geovani.
What they will end up with: Chris Samba has already signalled his intention to leave, but one or two new faces can be expected. Geovani, the choice of player agency Kentaro, would seem to fit the bill.

Related Articles



Bolton
What they need: Owen Coyle's overachieving side have been a breath of fresh air this season, but they would benefit from the addition of a creative central midfielder and a pacy striker as an alternative to Johan Elmander and Kevin Davies.
Linked with: Jaime Ayovi, Bradley Johnson, Gary O'Neil.
What they will end up with: Bolton would get a major boost if Elmander signs a new deal to stay at the Reebok, and while money is likely to be tight, expect Coyle to work the transfer market to bring in a couple of new faces.
Chelsea
What they need: Another striker to deputise for malaria-stricken Didier Drogba and the out-of-form Nicolas Anelka, and a centre-back to reinforce a defence that struggled in the absence of John Terry and Alex.
Linked with: David Luiz, Victor Ruiz, Edin Dzeko, Carlos Tevez, Fabio Coentrao, Romelu Lukaku.
What they will end up with: Luiz is available but at a price - Benfica have quoted £34m and it remains to be seen whether Roman Abramovich will part with that kind of money. Dzeko appears set to join Chelsea.
Everton
What they need: A striker that scores goals. Yakubu, Jermain Beckford and Louis Saha have struggled in front of goal, leaving Everton impotent and in desperate need of someone to add a cutting edge.
Linked with: Landon Donovan, Nicklas Bendtner, Emmanuel Adebayor, Roque Santa Cruz.
What they will end up with: David Moyes says he wants to sign up to three players in January, but with little money available, the Everton manager will use the loan market in a bid to bolster his squad. Getting Steven Pienaar to sign a new deal would be a real positive, too.
Fulham
What they need: With Bobby Zamora out until February at the earlier, Andy Johnson a pale imitation of his former self and Moussa Dembele picking up a string of injuries, Fulham urgently need a reliable striker who can turn their draws into victories.
Linked with: Roque Santa Cruz, Guillermo Ochoa, Landon Donovan, David Bentley.
What they will end up with: Mark Hughes has a good relationship with Santa Cruz and Bentley and could use that to his advantage to bring in some much-needed quality during the January window.
Liverpool
What they need: The club's supporters may not be happy with entrusting Roy Hodgson with a transfer budget, but Liverpool desperately need a striker to provide back-up to Fernando Torres, a right-back to replace the unhappy Glen Johnson, a left-back, a centre-back and some genuine wingers.
Linked with: Matt Jarvis, Peter Crouch, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Emmanuel Adebayor, Ashley Young, Charles N'Zogbia.
What they will end up with: Young only has a year left on his contract and could be persuaded to swap Villa Park for Anfield, while any move for Adebayor is likely to hinge on his wage demands.
Manchester City
What they need: Despite the embarrassment of riches at Eastlands, City will feel they need another striker to lift the burden from Carlos Tevez and a dominant centre-back. But with money no object, they can afford to replace the entire team if they felt the urge.
Linked with: Edin Dzeko, David Luiz, Pepe, Andres Iniesta.
What they will end up with: Such is the financial backing City have, they are likely to land top targets Dzeko and Luiz. But why stop there? It seems entirely feasible City will keep on spending with the title in sight.
Manchester United
What they need: With United sitting at the summit of the Premier League, Sir Alex Ferguson will not feel under any undue pressure to add to his squad. But with Jonny Evans struggling this term, the United manager may look to add a centre-back and an attacking midfielder if he can strike the right deals.
Linked with: Lassana Diarra, Pepe, Danny, Neven Subotic.
What they will end up with: Ferguson tends not to do any major business in January, preferring instead to add players for the future and there is nothing to suggest he plans to break from tradition this year.
Newcastle United
What they need: A new owner, many Newcastle fans would suggest. But failing that, new manager Alan Pardew will look to strengthen his side's defence and try to find a top-class partner for Andy Carroll.
Linked with: Jose Fonte, Rickie Lambert, Charlie Adam, Luke Varney.
What they will end up with: Mike Ashley is unlikely to underwrite a major spending spree, so Pardew will have to wheel and deal. If Joey Barton leaves, Pardew will be forced into the market for a ready-made replacement.
Stoke City
What they need: Now an established Premier League outfit, Stoke could do with more creativity in their midfield, where too much rests on the shoulders of Matthew Etherington.
Linked with: Bradley Johnson, Charlie Adam, Wayne Bridge, Sebastien Larsson.
What they will end up with: What they will end up with: Not much, by the sounds of it. Chairman Peter Coates says January "is not a great time to buy" due to inflated prices, and Stoke manager Tony Pulis is satisfied with the strength of his squad. Some cut-price deals cannot be ruled out, though.
Sunderland
What they need: Steve Bruce will be keen to hang on to the impressive Craig Gordon, who is said to be attracting interest from other top-flight clubs. With three centre-backs injured or returning from injury, a defender would come in very handy too.
Linked with: Onuoha (permanent), Charles N'Zogbia.
What they will end up with: Sunderland would also love to seal a permanent deal for Nedum Onuoha, and with the club in contention to qualify for the Europa League, Bruce will hope to convince owner Ellis Short to provide the funds to add to his squad. Manchester United's Jonny Evans is a loan target.
Tottenham Hotspur
What they need: Spurs may be playing some of the best attacking football in the league, but they are leaking goals. With Ledley King injured, and William Gallas getting no younger, a centre back is a priority. And if Robbie Keane departs, Harry Redknapp will hope to sign a striker, too.
Linked with: Andy Carroll, Gary Cahill, Joleon Lescott, Scott Parker.
What they will end up with: Newcastle insist they are not prepared to sell Carroll, while Bolton have taken a similar stance over Cahill. But Lescott is understood to be available, and would be able to cover at left-back, too, though whether City would sell to a title rival is questionable.
West Bromwich Albion
What they need: Roberto Di Matteo could do with a striker to cover for Peter Odemwingie, who keeps getting injured and is at risk of burnout having played at the World Cup for Nigeria. A creative midfielder to share the burden with Chris Brunt would also help the Baggies in their battle to beat the drop.
Linked with: Dale Jennings, Luke Varney, Georgios Samaras.
What they will end up with: Varney says he is not interested in a move away from Blackpool, while Di Matteo says he is happy with the club's season so far and does not plan to strengthen in January.
West Ham United
What they need: To keep hold of Scott Parker must be a priority, although whether the club's board will trust Avram Grant with the funds to add to his squad must be in question. West Ham need a striker, wingers, full-backs, defender: you name it, they need it.
Linked with: Steve Sidwell, Dieumerci Mbokani, Robbie Keane, Joey Barton, Chrstian Poulsen.
What they will end up with: If they can resist any offers for Parker, and add Barton, Sidwell and Keane they could consider it an excellent transfer window. Whatever happens, West Ham need new faces to help them beat the drop.
Wigan Athletic
What they need: With Chris Kirkland out on loan at Leicester, Roberto Martinez will look for a goalkeeper to strenghen his squad. The Spaniard would also welcome the addition of a new forward, having scored just 13 goals in 17 league matches this term.
Linked with: Tuncay Sanli, Tomasz Kuszczak, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas.
What they will end up with: With injuries to his strikers, Martinez should be able to persuade Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger to part with the exciting Emmanuel-Thomas on loan, while Tuncay is also a realistic option. And with Manchester United having signed Anders Lindgaard, Kuszczak is likely to be available.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
What they need: What they need: Mick McCarthy must add some steel to his back line, and find a striker that can score the goals to get them out of the relegation zone. Could former player Robbie Keane be tempted back to Molineux? Meanwhile Stephen Fletcher, their record signing, could try and leave.
Linked with: Keane, Robbie Findley, David Wheater.
What they will end up with: Keane is unlikely, but Wheater is a realistic target available at a reasonable price. Keeping hold of Matt Jarvis could be problematic, though.
 
Players' union backs winter World Cup in Qatar

Published 11:17 22/12/10 By MirrorFootball

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The clamour for the 2022 World Cup to be played in January has grown with the international players' union the latest to call for a change from the usual June/July tournament.
The move would mean the Premier League and other domestic football tournaments having to have a long winter break.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter and general secretary Jerome Valcke have both thrown their weight behind moves to stage the tournament in January to avoid the heat problems.
Summer temperatures in Qatar can top 50 degrees C and players' union FIFPro are pleased with FIFA's willingness to consider changing the timing to winter.

 Tijs Tummers, secretary of FIFPro's technical committee, said: "We will have to take a careful look at the international match calendar, but FIFPro does not foresee any insurmountable problems in this regard.
"Space will have to be made for the tournament, even though many countries already have a winter break.
"In Europe, competitive matches will have to be played in August and the second half of May and the first half of June. If you look at what happened last weekend with weather problems in Europe because of heavy snowfall, you could see this as an advantage rather than as a problem.
"And it might perhaps turn out that the players will be fitter at the start of a winter World Cup than was the case last summer at the World Cup in South Africa."
Tummers questioned the decision by FIFA to have awarded Qatar the tournament based on playing in the summer.
He added: "It is not sensible to award a World Cup in the summer to a country with an average temperature of 41 degrees C in June and July, a midday temperature of 50 degrees C and above all, extremely high humidity.
"Tourists are advised not to travel to Qatar in the summer months. Inhabitants of Qatar leave the country en masse during this period. The summer months in Qatar also do not provide suitable conditions for a festival of football such as the World Cup should be, including for the supporters.
"The organisers have guaranteed that the temperature inside the stadiums and at the training centres will be reduced to 27 degrees C by means of air-conditioning.
"That is all well and good, but it obviously does not fit in with ecological thinking, which we expect to be even more widespread by 2022."
Qatar bid chiefs have insisted their air conditioning of stadiums and training grounds would be 'carbon neutral' as it would be based on solar energy.






​
 
Why Fergie will be enjoying his Christmas turkey more than Wenger and Ancelotti this year

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By Martin Lipton in Laptop with Martin Lipton
Published 11:51 22/12/10




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The more things change, sometimes, the more they remain the same.
And for all the excitement, the uncertainty, the results that have defied expectation, the shape of the Premier League table at Christmas will leave furrowed brows at the Emirates and Stamford Bridge.
Nobody at Old Trafford would try to claim Manchester United have played particularly well this season.
If your best player is miles off the pace, as Wayne Rooney was even before his dance of the seven veils over his future, then you are not going to be firing.

Drawing all but one of your away matches in the league is a sign that something is missing, that a team is far from what it wants to be.
But despite all that, United remain unbeaten and top of the pile. Before they start to play properly.
That is the thought that will cause the most concern for Carlo Ancelotti and Arsene Wenger, even, now the targets have been recalibrated for him by the Abu Dhabi money men, Roberto Mancini.
As past precedent shows, United are more adept and equipped to go on a relentless, remorseless, trophy-delivering winning run than anybody and when their rivals fail to put them under any real pressure, that is even more the case.
Manchester City's stumble on Monday, when victory over Everton would have taken them top, was a case in point.
Indeed, the mistakes and slips of United's title rivals in recent weeks have been reminiscent of what happened in January 2000, when Sir Alex Ferguson and his men ducked out of the FA Cup - the first sign of the FA doing everything to please FIFA for no reward - to play in the Club World Cup in Brazil.
United were a mess in Rio, falling out with the locals and eliminated after two games with a red card for David Beckham to boot. But when they arrived back on home soil they had lost no ground at all in the title race and romped to the easiest win of the Ferguson era, a staggering 18 points clear of second-placed Arsenal by the end of May.
The gap will not - we must all hope - be that vast this time round yet United's place at the summit when they have barely got out of second gear looks like a precursor for glories to come.
If there is to be a challenge, indeed, it may come from Eastlands rather than London.
Those "noisy neighbours" can go out and spend any sum they like next month without even thinking about it, with Wolfsburg's Edin Dzeko, Porto's less than incredible Hulk and Barcelona wing-back - he doesn't really do defending - Dani Alves already targeted.
City have also looked at Benfica's David Luiz - on Ancelotti's wish-list too - and have the financial muscle to blow the Stamford Bridge outfit out of the water, a sweet irony to those who were outraged by the advent of the Roman Abramovich era.
Mancini does have problems, mainly in controlling the egos inside his dressing room.
Carlos Tevez' latest vows of commitment to the club appear more like putting a sticking plaster over a gaping wound, while "Super" Mario Balotelli is in danger of alienating the world with his behaviour - maybe, just maybe, Jose Mourinho called that one right.
Yet Mancini also has greater wealth of resources than any of his managerial rivals, with owners who appear to be backing his judgement.
By contrast, Ancelotti has the best team in the league, when he can put them all on the pitch, yet has not been able to do that since August.
Therein lies the problem. Chelsea's team is deep but the squad is shallow and asking so many 30-somethings to play every game adds to the injury burdens on their bodies.
It doesn't help when the strikers are not doing their jobs either. Nicolas Anelka has scored one league goal since August 21, Didier Drogba's equaliser at Spurs was his first in open play since October 3 while Florent Malouda has gone eight games without scoring in the top flight.
Frank Lampard's return to the starting line-up at Arsenal on Monday could not have been more warmly received but after so long out it would be unfair to expect miracles from the England midfielder - and that is what Chelsea want from him.
Anything other than a victory at the Emirates and Chelsea risk seeing United start to vanish into the distance, especially with that game at Blackpool to come before the end of next month.
Arsenal, similarly, surely cannot afford a sixth defeat of the season before reaching the half-way point, while even a draw would not do them much good.
United, you feel, are exactly where they want to be. And precisely where their rivals do not want to see them. You suspect Fergie will enjoy his Christmas turkey more than most.






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Roy Hodgson unconcerned by rumours of Rafa Benítez return

The Liverpool manager was unperturbed when asked about possible rumours of Rafa Benítez returning to his former club.



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4:15PM GMT 22 Dec 2010

Benítez left Liverpool at the end of the season to take over at Inter Milan, but has been dismissed from the Italian club following a disappointing run in the domestic league and in Europe.

Roy Hodgson, however, suggested that logic would dictate that Liverpool would never have let Benítez go only to re-employ the Spaniard six months later.

Liverpool recorded a poor first half to the season, going into the Christmas period in ninth place, well behind their rivals of recent seasons Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United.

However, Hodgson said there was no reason why his side could not push to break into the coveted top four, which would ensure Champions League football next season.

He said: "Everything's possible, and while things are possible we'll play for them. But we are realistic, and we certainly aren't making any vain boasts or promises."
 
What the appointment of David Bernstein means for English football

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By Martin Lipton in Laptop with Martin Lipton
Published 13:40 22/12/10



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Right then. Let's go through the list.
Football man. Check.
Aged 67. Check.
Jewish, just like the last bloke. Check.

 Given name David. Check.
Surname ends "ein". Check.
And so I present the next chairman of the Football Association, Mr David D......whoops!
That the FA board managed to keep David Bernstein's nomination as the successor to David Triesman (Jewish, given name David, Spurs supporter, aged 67) was almost as big a shock as the appointment itself.
All the expectation was that David Dein, who threw himself body and soul into the 2018 World Cup bid, would get the nod at Wembley on Wednesday morning.
Dein had allowed his name to go forward, too, a sign that he had been given a steer that he was the man in the frame, despite his long-standing problems and grievances with Premier League chairman Sir Dave Richards.
Instead, after a discussion that lasted barely 15 minutes after Bernstein's name was proposed by nominations committee head and Bolton chairman Phil Gartside, the former Manchester City chairman was effectively handed the job.
On the plus side, it means one less office is needed - Bernstein is already chairman of the board of Wembley Stadium, with fellow board members including Gartside and FA general secretary Alex Horne, and already has his suite at the stadium - but also did cause some consternation.
Bernstein's tenure at City is generally considered a success, as he played a key role in the initial discussion over the move from Maine Road to Eastlands, before quitting the club in 2003 after a boardroom row concerning the attempted signing of Robbie Fowler by then City boss Kevin Keegan.
For the next five years, Bernstein concentrated on his other business interests.
Prior to his involvement at City he had strongly backed the - at the time - highly controversial re-branding of the fashion chain French Connection as FCUK while he also had boardroom roles with Blacks Leisure Group, parent company of Millets, nd restaurant chain Carluccios as well as a non-executive role on the Wembley board before becoming chairman in 2008.
It was that business background that was being cited today as the reason behind his FA appointment, with the FA needing Wembley to break even by 2013 and Bernstein seen as a proven strategic business thinker.
His appointment, which will be ratified and confirmed by the full FA Council on January 25, is likely to head off calls for a full Government inquiry into the running of football.
By taking on a FTSE chairman, who meets the recently-scrapped "Independent" label and will bring his accountancy background to the table, the FA has probably done enough to ensure it is left to run its own affairs, even if Dein had also impressed Ministers with his skills and acumen.
But the big question is whether Bernstein can genuinely show real independence from the Premier League when the big issues arise - as they surely will.
What does not help is that, under FA rules requiring retirement at 70, his initial three-year term of office will be his last. It hardly enables him to plan for the medium-term, let alone the long-term, if any opponents can simply wait for the calendar to force him out.
Bernstein must demonstrate an ability to tip-toe through the morass of conflicting interests, aware that his first priority is the stewardship of English football but that unless the senior team is healthy, the entire game looks increasingly sick.
That will not be easy. But while Bernstein is, by all accounts, thoroughly decent and plausible, it is hard not to feel the FA has missed a trick by leaving Dein out in the cold again. Somehow he must be invited back into the tent, and quickly. Otherwise we are wasting a real talent.
​
 
Liverpool


Steven Gerrard set for Boxing Day return to the Liverpool side

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is due to return to action against Blackpool on Boxing Day after manager Roy Hodgson confirmed he is now fit.


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Warming up: Steven Gerrard is nearing a return to the Liverpool side Photo: GETTY IMAGES






By Telegraph Staff and agencies 4:05PM GMT 22 Dec 2010

The 30-year-old midfielder has been out since tearing a hamstring in England's friendly against France on November 17. He would have played against Fulham at the weekend had the fixture not been postponed because of heavy snow on Merseyside.

Hodgson has received a second boost after defender Daniel Agger was deemed to have recovered from a complex calf problem which has sidelined him for Liverpool since September.

"It is a big boost to have Gerrard back going into five games in 15 days," said the manager. "It is a season-changing period for every team in the Premier League.

"He would have been fit to play against Fulham as well. It doesn't hurt to have an extra week to get some training in but what he needs now is matches. Unfortunately the chance to play a match was missed when our game against Fulham fell victim to the weather.

"Daniel Agger is also fit so there are only two players unavailable to me, one of whom is Jay Spearing who suffered a break to his ankle and is a month away.





"Jamie Carragher is still nine weeks away from coming back, if we are to believe the doctors, but knowing Jamie it would not surprise me if those nine weeks became less than that."
Hodgson also played down speculation he was looking to offload forward Milan Jovanovic, who only joined the club on a free transfer from Standard Liege in the summer.
"Jovanovic, as far as I am concerned, is a Liverpool player and will be until such time as he decides to leave or someone comes in and makes us an offer we can't refuse," added the 63-year-old.
 
Liverpool


Pepe Reina tips Liverpool to win Premier League next season and is committed to Anfield cause

Pepe Reina is confident Liverpool will be challenging for the Premier League title next season.


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Full steam ahead: Pepe Reina believes Liverpool are good enough to challenge for honours in next year or so Photo: REUTERS






9:28AM GMT 22 Dec 2010

Despite a turbulent 12 months which has seen Rafael Benitez leave the club, new owners replace George Gillett and Tom Hicks and a poor start to the current campaign, the Liverpool goalkeeper feels the club should be challenging for honours again soon.

"I hope within a year, or a couple of years, we can be up there again." Reina said.

"We want to be back competing with the top clubs again. That is how it should be."

Reina, who tasted success with Spain at the World Cup in South Africa, has warned Liverpool fans not to expect too much from the current campaign.

Liverpool sit ninth in the table with question marks already hanging over the future of manager Roy Hodgson.





Despite the turmoil and speculation that Reina wants to leave Anfield, the Spaniard has insisted he is committed to the cause.
"I have a contract for another five-and-a-half years," he told the Daily Mail.
"I am committed here and I want us to win titles. What else can I say or do? It is something the press talks about.
"All I want to talk about is Liverpool and hopefully finishing as high as we can. That is where Liverpool should be year in, year out.
"That is what we want and that is what we are all looking for. We will hope it can be that way again but, at the moment, it is not like that.
"We have to be realistic and at the minute we are fighting for different targets."
Under new owners, NESV, who took control in October, Reina feels the club is moving in the right direction.
"Now the owners are bringing back the positivity. Hopefully we can develop something good.
"I haven't spoken to them much but you can see they are doing everything with a lot of thought.
"It is encouraging that they are thinking about what to do and when to do it. We have to give them time."
He also targetted Liverpool's FA Cup third-round contest with Manchester United as a potential turning point to their season.
"It could transform things if we win there (Old Trafford). Our aim is to win every title we are involved in but we have to recognise it is not the best draw.
"But it is not the best draw for them. It is going to be a tough game. All we can do is aim to finish as high as we can. Maybe 2011 will be like a fresh start."
 
Liverpool takeover: John W Henry and NESV must now win battle for hearts and minds

Liverpool have waited restlessly for the day on which the ruinous regime of Tom Hicks and George Gillett fell, but there was no outpouring of joy from the club's players, fans and alumni alike as New England Sports Ventures' takeover was announced. Once bitten, twice shy.


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Goodbye and hello: Liverpool fans enjoy the end of the Hicks/Gillett era but have yet to be convinced by the new owners Photo: AFP







By Rory Smith 11:46PM BST 15 Oct 2010 Rory's Twitter


Liverpool's supporters, after all, remember the jubilation when Liverpool's first American landlords arrived more than three years ago, promising that work on a new stadium would begin in 60 days, that they would build the best team in the world, that they would be suitable custodians for the club.

All the promises proved empty.

Liverpool have, instead, spent the intervening years growing increasingly burdened with the purchase debt which Hicks and Gillett said would not be transferred on to the club, watching successive managers forced to sell players in order to buy and seeing their place among Europe's elite gradually ebb.

They will prove harder to convince second time around.

"The reaction is happy, but I'm also cautious," said Phil Thompson, the club's former defender, occasional manager and one of the most outspoken critics of the fallen regime. "I would just like [NESV principal] John W Henry to listen and to learn.



"All the previous owners gave us were lies upon lies. All we heard were broken promises.
"Mr Henry sounded very level-headed and very clever when he first spoke about Liverpool, not being drawn into making promises, but then I thought Hicks and Gillett said the right things at their inauguration.
"The new owners should speak to Spirit of Shankly, to Share Liverpool and to the other fans' groups to see what they have been through under the two previous Americans.
"Maybe a member of one of those groups could have a place on the Liverpool board to convey the fears and aspirations of the supporters. The previous regime did not engage at all. NESV have to learn from their mistakes."
There is much work to be done by Henry. He insisted on Friday that NESV had bought the club to do, rather than to speak, a message that will resonate with Liverpool's players, jaded after three years watching the club slide into mediocrity.
NESV must first convince those players, most crucially Pepe Reina and Fernando Torres, that they can provide the team with the world-class reinforcements the two unsettled Spaniards have made it clear are required.
"It is crucial they invest some money in the team in the short-term," said Seventies star David Fairclough, who is now a pundit and columnist for the Liverpool website.
The club's supporters, too, will make demands of their new owners.
"I would encourage NESV to remember three things," said Les Lawson, secretary of the Merseyside branch of the Liverpool Supporters' Club.
"Remember to tell the truth, that the fans are the lifeblood of the club and that Liverpool exists to win trophies.
"If they remember them and if the lessons have been learned [from Hicks and Gillett] we will have a happy time together."
 
Liverpool takeover: John W Henry and NESV must now win battle for hearts and minds

Liverpool have waited restlessly for the day on which the ruinous regime of Tom Hicks and George Gillett fell, but there was no outpouring of joy from the club’s players, fans and alumni alike as New England Sports Ventures’ takeover was announced. Once bitten, twice shy.


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Goodbye and hello: Liverpool fans enjoy the end of the Hicks/Gillett era but have yet to be convinced by the new owners Photo: AFP







By Rory Smith 11:46PM BST 15 Oct 2010 Rory's Twitter


Liverpool's supporters, after all, remember the jubilation when Liverpool’s first American landlords arrived more than three years ago, promising that work on a new stadium would begin in 60 days, that they would build the best team in the world, that they would be suitable custodians for the club.

All the promises proved empty.

Liverpool have, instead, spent the intervening years growing increasingly burdened with the purchase debt which Hicks and Gillett said would not be transferred on to the club, watching successive managers forced to sell players in order to buy and seeing their place among Europe’s elite gradually ebb.

They will prove harder to convince second time around.

“The reaction is happy, but I’m also cautious,” said Phil Thompson, the club’s former defender, occasional manager and one of the most outspoken critics of the fallen regime. “I would just like [NESV principal] John W Henry to listen and to learn.



“All the previous owners gave us were lies upon lies. All we heard were broken promises.
"Mr Henry sounded very level-headed and very clever when he first spoke about Liverpool, not being drawn into making promises, but then I thought Hicks and Gillett said the right things at their inauguration.
“The new owners should speak to Spirit of Shankly, to Share Liverpool and to the other fans’ groups to see what they have been through under the two previous Americans.
“Maybe a member of one of those groups could have a place on the Liverpool board to convey the fears and aspirations of the supporters. The previous regime did not engage at all. NESV have to learn from their mistakes.”
There is much work to be done by Henry. He insisted on Friday that NESV had bought the club to do, rather than to speak, a message that will resonate with Liverpool’s players, jaded after three years watching the club slide into mediocrity.
NESV must first convince those players, most crucially Pepe Reina and Fernando Torres, that they can provide the team with the world-class reinforcements the two unsettled Spaniards have made it clear are required.
“It is crucial they invest some money in the team in the short-term,” said Seventies star David Fairclough, who is now a pundit and columnist for the Liverpool website.
The club’s supporters, too, will make demands of their new owners.
“I would encourage NESV to remember three things,” said Les Lawson, secretary of the Merseyside branch of the Liverpool Supporters’ Club.
“Remember to tell the truth, that the fans are the lifeblood of the club and that Liverpool exists to win trophies.
“If they remember them and if the lessons have been learned [from Hicks and Gillett] we will have a happy time together.”
 
Furious Blackburn captain threatens to quit club

Published 11:12 22/12/10 By MirrorFootball



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Captain Christopher Samba is intent on leaving Blackburn after being angered by the decision of new owners Venky's to sack manager Sam Allardyce.
The Indian food group axed Allardyce within a month of completing their takeover of the club, with Steve Kean currently in temporary charge as a long-term replacement is sought.
Samba, though, is so infuriated by his former boss' exit that he is determined to secure a move away.
"If this is the way the club's going to be run from now on, I don't want to be part of it and I want to leave," said the 26-year-old.
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"As captain it's very difficult to say this but I've thought long and hard about it. Nobody in football understands the decision to sack Sam.
"We could have been relegated last year and Sam saved the club, so how can he be treated like this now?"
Samba exempted chairman John Williams from blame, though, before pleading for a swift decision over Allardyce's replacement.
"I'm sure Mr Williams would not have made this decision. He's a football man and respects what a great job Sam has done," he said.
He added: "The players and fans need answers about the club's future. Unless we commit to who the manager is, how can we attract big players in January?"







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Blackburn confirm Kean will take charge for rest of season

Published 14:55 22/12/10 By MirrorFootball

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Blackburn have confirmed Steve Kean will remain as manager until the end of the season.
The 43-year-old was promoted from first-team coach to caretaker boss following the surprise sacking of Sam Allardyce and assistant Neil McDonald last week.
New owners Venky's stressed they would not be rushing to appoint a permanent successor to Allardyce, and today they put their trust in Kean despite his lack of managerial experience.
A club statement read: "Following the departure of Mr Sam Allardyce as football manager of Blackburn Rovers Football Club earlier this month, Mr Steve Kean was appointed as manager.

 "Venky's London Limited - Blackburn Rovers - has decided to continue with Mr Steve Kean as manager, until the end of the season, June 2011.
Kean is a well-respected coach and was previously a long-time assistant to Chris Coleman, who he worked with at Fulham, Real Sociedad and Coventry before taking the job at Blackburn last summer.
His first game in charge was a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to West Ham last weekend, after which Kean stressed he did not know how long his tenure would last.
But he was reported to have flown out to India yesterday for a meeting with the hierarchy of poultry giants Venky's, where it appears an agreement was reached about the short-term future of the club.
The new owners have been quoted setting Blackburn a target of a top-seven finish, but Kean's priority will be to ensure Barclays Premier League survival.
Rovers are currently six points above the relegation zone and four points off the top seven but have injury problems to contend with and it is unclear how much money Kean will be given to spend in the January transfer window.
Teenage starlet Phil Jones could miss the rest of the season after undergoing knee surgery on Monday and, with Vince Grella, Steven Nzonzi and Keith Andrews all sidelined, midfield will be a key area for the new boss.
Kean's first priority, though, will be to deal with the dissent among the squad about the treatment of Allardyce.
Ryan Nelsen voiced his dissatisfaction at the weekend and captain Christopher Samba is reportedly so unhappy he wants to leave the club.
 
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