Taye Taiwo is not happy with his present club side

 

AC Milan Defender TAYE TAIWO is frustrated with the lack of a regular appeareance in the first-team of the Seria-A champions. Taye Taiwo joined Milan from Marseille on  on a free transfer during the summer, but has not been able to feature well in his club. There is huge speculation that he could be traded in  winter market which opens in just two weeks time.

The Nigeria star said ‘I am suffering everyday because I don’t get to play football. I joined this club in order to play, but I have made only six appearances so far,” Taiwo was quoted  by L’Equipe.

“It looks like Allegri has lost faith in me. I can’t just sit down and do nothing in a situation like this.The coach is too fast when he speaks Italian and I don’t understand.
Taiwo  says he’s ready for talks with the Milan management to ascertain his future. “Yes I will ask the top  ( managing director and  vice president of AC Milan, Adriano Galliano). I need to play,  I will not stay like that all year, playing five, six games, it is not passible.”

(Balon d' or) Award.... Ronaldo, Messi, Xavi?

 

Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Xavi are the list of nominees selected after a long list of players battling to win the prestigious 2011 Ballon d’Or. It comes as little surprise as two of the stars play for European champions Barcelona while Real Madrid ace Ronaldo has enjoyed a stand-out year.

Messi won the inaugural award last year after FIFA’s World Player of the Year crown and France Football’s Ballon d’Or prize merged.The Barcelona forward is the favourite once again following another stunning season at Camp Nou in which he scored 53 goals in all competitions. Should Messi triumph he will join former France midfielder Michel Platini, and Holland greats Johan Cruyff and Marco van Basten as the only three-time winners.




The Argentina international was Barca’s top scorer as Pep Guardiola’s men retained the Primera Liga title and reclaimed the UEFA Champions League trophy by defeating Manchester United at Wembley. Xavi was the architect of many of Messi’s goals, the Barca veteran maintaining his position as arguably the premier midfielder in world football.

Ronaldo also scored 53 times for Real Madrid as they finished runners-up in Spain and lost out to Barca in the Champions League semi-finals. The former Manchester United winger has carried his form into this season with Jose Mourinho’s men three points clear of Barcelona at the top of Spain’s top flight.

Red Devils striker Wayne Rooney was the only Englishman to make the 23-man list of nominees, however, he is no longer in contention to win the coveted award.


Coach of the Year
Meanwhile, Guardiola, Jose Mourinho and  Sir Alex Ferguson were shortlisted for the 2011 FIFA Coach of the Year award.
Guardiola’s men were again mesmeric in 2011, sweeping all before them with an attractive style of football.
Real were their closest challengers, narrowly losing out in the domestic league and in Europe. They did, however, gain a degree of revenge by lifting the Copa del Rey with a 1-0 defeat of the Catalans in Valencia.In addition to guiding United to the Champions League final, Ferguson also led the Red Devils to a record 19th English championship – the 12th under the Scot’s stewardship.

United were also represented in the category for the 2011 goal of the year – the FIFA Puskas award – with Rooney nominated for his stunning overhead kick against Manchester City last season.The winners will be announced on 9th January in Zurich with 1987 Ballon d’Or winner Ruud Gullit presiding over the ceremony.

The Boys really Failed us in Morocco says Iroha

 

Assistant Coach of Dream Team V, Benedict Iroha, is still thinking the wounds caused by the team’s failure to pick a ticket to the football event of next year’s Olympics in London.
The former Super Eagles’ left wing-back, in a telephone chat with Saturday Sunsports, said the players showed a lot of promise in the build up to the competition, only to put up a disgraceful outing at the Olympic qualifying tournament in Morocco.


Iroha insisted that the home-based players in the team were the best anyone could select from the domestic league within the age category and wondered why they could not rise to the occasion when it mattered most.
“The boys failed us,” he submitted while lamenting over the team’s failure in Morocco. “We selected the best players from the domestic league and I’ve yet to understand what went wrong with them at the qualifiers in Morocco after they showed so much promise in camp, particularly in Ghana, when we went on training tour.






“In fact, I was beginning to liken the boys to my set of Eagles. I had thought I saw another USA ’94 set of Super Eagles in the making, but I never knew a big shock was waiting for me in Morocco.
“We worked so hard ahead of the tournament in Morocco. Could you imagine the combined coaching experience of Austin Eguavoen, Stanley Eguma, my humble self and Alloy Agu? We all put our heads together and came up with the tactics and strategies that ought to have given us a ticket to the Olympics, but the boys messed us up,” Iroha lamented.


The former Iwuanyanwu Nationale (now Heartland FC) of Owerri defence ace had looked forward to repeating the feat he achieved in 2007 when, alongside the late coach Yemi Tella, he guided Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets to win the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Korea.
“I had looked forward to another glorious outing at the Olympics next year like the experience I had in 2007 in Korea when we won the FIFA Under-17 World Cup.
“My regret is that I will not be at the Olympics in London next year. I’ve never been so disappointed in my life; the boys really failed us,” he maintained.

Keshi Gives Room for any Player that is Ready

Stephen Keshi Super Eagle's Coach, has said that it would be difficult for him to put together a team that will parade only the home based players.
He said the senior national team needs quality players irrespective of where the players play their professional career.

•Keshi, Eagles coach

Keshi, who just returned from Morocco where he played an advisory role in the U-23 Eagles that crashed out of the Olympic qualifiers, said he plans to give every Nigerian player the opportunity to prove himself in his new team.
“We need to get better hands to play for the Super Eagles. It has to do with quality of players whether it is from the local league or foreign leagues. I want to assure you that any player that proves himself would be given the chance to play in the team.

The issue is not where you play but the value and quality you can add to the team,” he said.
The ‘Big Boss” as he is fondly called by his admirers, however, called on Nigerians to support him and give him constructive criticism where necessary, adding that he would like positive contribution for his team to grow.


“All hands must be on deck to ensure that the Eagles regain their lost glory.
Stakeholders must contribute meaningfully to the rebuilding process of the team. I’m impressed with the spirit of my players during our last two friendly matches against Botswana and Zambia,” he said.

Premier League Thirteen day

 

Premier league (13th day): Gervinho decisive

Arsenal wrestled Fulham Saturday last in the framework of the 13th day of English Premier League.

After a series of five victories, the match was tougher for the Gunners deprived at the start of Gervais Yao Kouassi, Gervinho.

 

Arsenal was led to the score at the 65th minute. Fearing defeat, Arsene Wenger decides to call on Gervinho 4 minutes later at the place of Aaron Ramsey.

 

Just at his entrance, he shined and performed a great job on the left wing. He mystifies two opponents before making a wonderful cross over deviated by the bar.

 

Van Persie for the cross, controlled the ball but had it difficult to find the goal.

 Gunners much more impressive in attack finally made it at the 82th minute and made a draw.

 

A result enough for Gervinho and his mates to place sixth with 23 points.

Chinedu obasi drop from club side cos of lateness

Chinedu Obasi Not Included In List

Nigeria striker (Chinedu Obasi) and his Brazilian team mate (Firmino) has been dropped from the squad of German side Hoffenheim for showing up late for training,  BBC Sports reports.

The Bundesliga club’s general manager Ernst Tanner said the two are “employees who are not badly paid but come late to work.”

Firmino scored in the 1-1 home draw against Freiburg on Saturday.

Neither is expected to play in Friday’s game against Bayer Leverkusen.
Tanner says he and coach Holger Stanislawski agreed on suspending the two because they are repeated offenders.

Didier Drogba refuse 1year contract Extension

Drogba Turns Down Extension Offer

 

The 33 years old Didier Drogba (Chelsea striker) refuse a one-year contract extension with the Premier League side and is looking for a bigger club for a big-money move to finish his career, his agent said on Tuesday.

His contract expires next summer and he is looking forward  to walk away from Stamford Bridge for nothing, with his agent Thierno Seydi claiming he has been looking for an alternative in the United States, Russia or Asia.

“Drogba has had the offer of a one-year extension from Chelsea. That does not suit us,” Seydi is quoted as saying by The Sun.





“We know what we want, where we want to go and what offers we have said the professional player.
“AC Milan came in for Didier on loan with an option to buy but I said ‘No’ straight away. Their offer did not interest us.
“At Didier’s age, he has nothing left to prove as a player. He will go where he is offered the most money.
“It could be the United States, Russia, Qatar or somewhere else in Asia.
Once you are well into your thirties you have to go to a club where you can be certain you’ll be able to pay your bills.


“LA Galaxy are a possibility among many others. He has been linked with Anzhi Makhachkala in Russia, as they pay well. But neither Didier nor I have had an offer from them.”


Drogba joined Chelsea in 2004 after previously playing for French clubs Marseille, Guingamp and Le Mans

Nigeria Tackle Morroco today in Olympics Games

Nigeria Tackle Morocco In Olympic Games

 

            Nigeria’s U-23 Eagles begin their chase for the ticket to play in the football event of the 2012 Olympic Games when they take on their Moroccan counterparts in the opening game of the inaugural CAF U-23 Championship today at the Tangiers Stadium, starting from 5.30pm Morocco time (6.30pm Nigeria time).


The Dream Team V as the Nigerian team are fondly called are the hope of the nation to feature in any serious football tournament next year after the Super Eagles failed to secure the Nations Cup ticket under Samson Siasia and the Super Falcons under Coach Uche  Eucharia failed in their bid to secure the ticket to play in the women football event of the 2012 Olympics.





Though coach of the U-23 side, Austin Eguavoen, admitted that he and his team are not under pressure to deliver the ticket, there is no doubt that Nigerians won’t accept any excuse if the team fail in the quest to bring the ticket home.

Eguavoen said that his boys are in high spirits to start the campaign in the qualifying playoffs on a bright note by beating Morocco in today’s encounter.
“We must start well because the opening game in any competition is very important,” Eguavoen charged his team. “The boys are in high spirits and we are building more confidence into them for them to be ready for the battle ahead. The target is a top-three finish to begin with, but we will take it a step at a time.”

Goalkeeper Theophilus Afelokhai said the team have watched the Moroccans on tape and they are not fantastic.
“I have watched the tapes of the Moroccan side and I don’t see anything fantastic about the team. If we can play out our hearts on Saturday, we will come out victorious,” said Afelokhai, whose  ensured that Kano Pillars reached the last four of the CAF Champions League two years ago.

Skipper Obiora Nwankwo has equally expressed confidence of victory on Saturday.
“We will be banking on the prayers of all Nigerians so that we could come out victorious. On our part, we are going to do our best,” promised the Parma of Italy defensive midfielder.

“We just have to keep our heads up, play to the referee’s whistle, and take our minds away from the crowd. We just have to work for the victory”, added defender Terna  Suswan, who was in the team that reached the last eight at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia in July.

Nigeria will also play Senegal and Algeria in their Group A pool.
They take on Senegal also in Tangiers on Tuesday, 29 November 29 before shifting base to Marrakech, where they will take on Algeria on Friday, 2 December.

GHANA STARS CLIMBS UP IN FIFA RANKING

Ghana Climbs Up In FIFA Ranking

 

Ghana Black Stars moved  four places up in the FIFA rankings which was released earlier wednesday morning

 

 

 

 

UP GHANA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

I can't Use a Second Hand Car said KESHI

I Can’t Use A Second Hand Car: Keshi

A new twist is now playing out in the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) after Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi sensationally turned down the official car assigned to the office.
Former gaffer, Samson Siasia, who was dismissed for poor performance in October, Monday, handed back the car brought for him as one of perks of his contract.
Siasia returned car following the payment of outstanding sum of N10 million salaries for two months by NFF, which became a subject of dispute after the termination of his contract for failing to secure an Africa Cup of Nations qualification, prompting Siasia to institute legal action against the federation for breach of contractual agreement.





Even with the car now safely moored in the parking lot of the ‘Glasshouse’, incumbent coach Keshi, stunned the federation after he bluntly said he would not use a car that has been used by his predecessor, though the automobile in question is only 10 months only.

We learnt on authority that apart from the fact that Keshi felt he deserved to be treated by the NFF like Siasia, he has vowed he would not accept the car for fear of spiritual attack, as the car in question was officially in Siasia’s possession for almost a year before his acrimonious sack.

The spiritual imputation to the saga cannot be far from the fact that Keshi secretly held talks with the NFF Technical Committee for the Eagles job even before the board resolved to relieve Siasia of his appointment.
Apart from that, both Keshi and Siasia jostled for the job last year before the board employed Siasia and placed him on a N5 million per month salary.

The latest saga has put now NFF officials in a quandary as they are now pondering the option of putting the car up for sale in order to finance a new purchase.
Even if they find as new buyer for the car it will be dispensed of at a loss, while the federation in addition will have to make up for balance for a new car.

The brand new Ford Taurus 2010 edition was delivered to Siasia in January with an official driver.
The market value of the car at the time it was acquired was reportedly put at N6.5 million.
Source: thisdayonline

As Viewed By Hotnaijanews: NFF  should treat keshi  like  Siasia too. Moreover, would NFF treat a foreign coach like that? Who no like good thing?

BBC FOOTBALL AWARD FOR AFRICANS

BBC Football Award:No Nigerian Player Again

The Low level of Nigeria’s football continued to show few days after no Nigerian player made the shortlist of nominees for the 2011 African Football of the Year as they have again been left out of this year’s BBC African Footballer of the Year Award.

The five candidates for the 2011 BBC African Footballer of the Year award were revealed yesterday on the BBC’s Sport Today programme with the Ivorian pair of Yaya Toure and Gervinho as well as Andre ‘Dede’ Ayew of Ghana, Cameroonian Samuel Eto’o and Mali’s Seydou Keita making the shortlist while last year’s winner Asamoah Gyan narrowly missed out..

The Award is given after African listeners of the BBC have voted online. They have till December 9, 2011 to vote for their choice while the winner will be announced a week later on December 16, 2011. Presentation of the Award in the year of the Nations Cup is usually done at the venue of the competition.

The last time a Nigerian won the Award was in 2004 when then Super Eagles captain, Austin Jay Jay Okocha beat all including Cameroon’s Samuel Eto to the crown. Okocha, who was then starring for English clubside, Bolton Wanderers, had earlier won the 2003 edition and remains the only player to have won it back to back

While the Super Eagles players have remained without prizes in their various clubs and could not make it to the 2012 Nations Cup, Manchester City striker Toure and Arsenal midfielder Gervinho starred for Ivory Coast as they qualified for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations by winning all their matches.

Toure scored the winner for Manchester City as they won the FA Cup while Gervinho was instrumental in Lille’s double in France before he moved to Arsenal.

Ayew, who is one of Ghana’s key players, helped Marseille to win the French League Cup and Super Cup while Mali’s Seydou Keita was part of Barcelona’s historic Champions League winning team.

Eto’o netted 21 goals for Italian side Inter Milan before leaving for Russian Anzhi Makhachkala in August and has scored seven goals in eight matches so far this season.

The shortlist was determined by a panel of experts across Africa who took into consideration individual skill, technical ability, teamwork, consistency, impact on results and fair play

Keshi Doubts Mikel’s Claims

 

Mikel Obi’s battle with the big hammer of the Super Eagles coaches may not have gone with the exit of Samson Sisia. The Chelsea midfielder has become a special focus for new manager Stephen Keshi also following the injury claim that sidelined him from Nigeria’s games against Botswana and Zambia.
aaKaduna said he would take a second look at Mikel’s continued role with the team if it is confirmed that he preserved himself for better service to his club side this weekend.
Keshi said, “I will be disappointed if he plays for Chelsea this weekend. I will be very, very disappointed. There is no sentiment about this. Whoever will come to this national team will have to do that on merit. Nigeria is too big for this kind of attitude.


“It’s a shame that we are not at the (Africa) Nations Cup but that is in the past. Now we need to start looking forward. Let’s bring those that are available, capable, and in good shape to come and play for us and fight to get a place in the national team. They will have to fight, because when I was playing I was fighting.”

Few days to the first match the Eagles captain Joseph Yobo also called on his teammates to show greater commitment to the national cause rather than relegate Nigeria while making their clubs sacred.

Chelsea will be playing a high profile match against Liverpool on Sunday.
On the team’s performance against Zambia, Keshi rated his team well.

“I really commend the players for their attitude on and off the field. It was really encouraging, disciplined, great attitude in training sessions. They gave me everything a coach wants in a team. I am looking forward to the next call-up against Rwanda. Now I know those I want from this group to come back for that game. Then I will try to pick some players from the local league,” he said.

“It wasn’t really about victory today, but for me to see the quality of most of the players and those I will need next time but the victory came and we thank God for that.”
Even though it is a new team management the former coach of Togo ruled out a complete change of the squad.
He said, “I did not say I would overhaul the team but where changes are needed, we will make them. I had like 10 strikers today and I was looking for midfielders to play but I couldn’t find them. I can’t put a striker on as a midfielder.

“I need to have the numbers of players in every department that will allow me change players if one is not doing well. Today (Tuesday) I could not do it. I was trying to joggle with it but I won’t overhaul the team. I will make sure that for every 18 or 25 we get to camp, there are twins in every position.”

Eguaveon name squad for olympic 2012

Eguaveon names squad for Olympic 2012

 

Eguaveon has named his final squad for the London 2012 Olympic qualifying tournament in Morocco.
He stated that he has full confidence in the squad he is taking to Morocco for the tournament, which begins on November 26.


The squad is made up of 11 players from the domestic league, nine foreign-based players and one player who is unattached.
The Nigeria Olympic team is drawn in Group A alongside host country Morocco, Algeria and Senegal.


Final squad:
Goalkeepers: Dele Ajiboye, Olufemi Thomas, Theophilus Afelokhai
Defenders: Kingsley Udoh, Markson Ojobo, Usman Amoda, Emmanuel Anyanwu, Edet Ibok, Suswam Terna
Midfielders: Osas Okoro, Ayo Saka, Odah Onoriode, Obiora Nwankwo, Nosa Igiebor, Lawal Raheem
Forwards: Jude Aneke, Olarenwaju Kayode, Stephen Worgu, Michael Babatunde, Daniel Uchechi, Gbolahan Salami
Standby: Semiu Liadi, Papa Idris, Rasheed Olabiyi, Olaitan Otubanjo, Atu Irumekhai

anelka is fully ready to end his contract with chelsea

Blues striker has indicated he wants to leave at end of contract

Anelka: Chelsea striker has indicated he wants to leave at end of current deal

 

Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Bs believes Nicolas Anelka will be heading out of Stamford Bridge at the end of the season.

The Frenchman is in the final year of his contract and, while Chelsea would like him to renew, Villas-Boas has revealed the striker has indicated he is prepared to run down his current deal.
Anelka turns 33 in March and his future at Chelsea looked under threat when Carlo Ancelotti was sacked as manager during the summer.
But he has since impressed under new boss Villas-Boas, being selected ahead of Fernando Torres for last weekend's Premier League win at Sunderland and shining as a substitute in Tuesday night's UEFA Champions League victory over Bayer Leverkusen.
It would be no surprise to see him recalled for Sunday's crunch Premier League clash at Manchester United, but when asked if Anelka's performances might see him offered a new contract, Villas-Boas said: "It might not be the player's expectancy to renew.
"Nico as a person is very, very happy, he belongs to Chelsea in the last year of his contract, performing.
"We will make our efforts for him to renew but Nico has his own decision to make and I am not sure he will be willing."
Pressed on whether the player had indicated he wanted to leave, Villas-Boas replied: "Yes."
Uncertainty also remains about the future of Didier Drogba, who has been offered a deal to replace the one that expires next summer.
Chelsea have yet to reach an agreement with the Ivory Coast striker and must hope to do so before the end of the year to prevent him having the option of signing a pre-contract with another club in January.
Villas-Boas refused to discuss details of the impasse, saying: "I would not like to share it with you as you would speculate with it for the rest of the season."

chelsea Boss felt chelsea lost great opportunities

 

 

Chelsea boss feels luck was against his side at United

 

 

AVB - Good second half response

Andre Villas-Boas felt Chelsea were on the end of a 'crazy scoreline' after losing 3-1 at Premier League champions Manchester United.

First-half goals from Chris Smalling, Nani and Wayne Rooney on the face of it had United in command, but Chelsea created numerous opportunities throughout the game.
Fernando Torres missed a good chance in the first half before scoring inside the opening minute of the second half, only to then side-foot wide in front of an open goal with seven minutes to go.
Ramires also wasted a golden opportunity for the Blues in the first period and visiting manager Villas-Boas was left puzzled by the final score.

Strange game

"It was a strange game, very, very open and a lot of opportunities for both teams." he told Sky Sports 1.

Sky Bet Odds

Chelsea are 11/2 to win the Barclays Premier League - Bet Here

"If luck could play a better part for our side today, maybe. We had some very good chances to even the score or even to score first.
"The scoreline went crazy in the first half, but we had good opportunities to do something in this game.
"Coming back from 3-0 down is always difficult and we had to take risks without exposing ourselves too much.
"The second-half recovery was very good and we had a couple of chances to even the score. The scoreline is crazy."
He also brushed aside Torres' horror miss, insisting it was a freak occurrence rather than a symptom of his struggles at Stamford Bridge.
"You have an example of Rooney missing a penalty too, which is basically the same," he said.
"The worst things happen to the best strikers in the world and today it happened to both of them."

NANI says united deserve to win

Winger pleased with United's start to the season

Nani - Hard work pays off

Nani felt Manchester United deserved a 3-1 win over Chelsea which maintained the Premier League champions' 100 per cent start to the season.

In a game overflowing with chances at Old Trafford, first-half goals from Chris Smalling, Nani and Wayne Rooney ensured United picked up the points.
Chelsea had enough obvious opportunities to have got something from the game, but Nani feels the Red Devils merited the victory.
"I think everyone saw a game with a lot of opportunities for both sides," Nani, who fired a thunderbolt past Petr Cech, told Sky Sports 1.
"Chelsea created a lot of chances to score as well, but I think our performance was better than them and that's why we scored three goals.
"We deserved the win."

Fantastic football

United are currently enjoying their best start to a season under Sir Alex Ferguson and Nani praised the attitude of the whole squad following a fifth successive win.

Sky Bet Odds

Man Utd are 8/11 to claim a record 20th league title - Bet Here

The Portuguese winger added: "I think it's big work from all the team, we've been working very hard all together.
"We're a compact team, playing fantastic football, one, two touch and we've been scoring a lot of goals.
"I think it's very important that we're together and have confidence in our games."

Giggs is certain United will beat barca this time

Giggs - Barca can be beaten

United veteran feels they have learnt their lessons from past defeats

Giggs: Is confident United are capable of beating Barcelona if the two teams meet again this season

 

Ryan Giggs insists it is not 'impossible' to beat Barcelona and is confident Manchester United can learn the lessons from recent defeats by the European champions.

United beat Barca over two legs in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League in 2008 before going on to win the final courtesy of a penalty shoot-out success over Chelsea.

However, the Red Devils were soundly beaten by Barca in Rome in the 2009 final before again being outclassed by the Spanish giants in last season's showpiece at Wembley.

Veteran midfielder Giggs acknowledges the difficulty of overcoming Pep Guardiola's side, but feels United are capable of concocting a plan to win if they meet again.

Confidence

"It's difficult, as they're such a good team, but it's not impossible," Giggs told MUTV. "Teams have beaten them, and we beat them three years ago when they were not too different back then.

"What they've got now is more experience and confidence from winning things that they didn't have back then.

"We've got to learn from our mistakes and get better. I'm sure we can, with the players we have here and the hunger to win things."
Ryan Giggs Quotes of the week

"We've got to overcome that if we come up against them again. We'll be confident we can beat them if we do.

"We've got to learn from our mistakes and get better. I'm sure we can, with the players we have here and the hunger to win things."

However, Giggs revealed that the impact of May's mauling by Barca was softened by securing a record-breaking 19th top-flight title last season.

Perspective

The Welshman added: "I think everyone was disappointed about the Champions League final. The manager did a great job putting things into perspective as United fans wanted the 19th title so much.

"There are people who grew up, similar to myself, and who are older, who thought we'd never surpass Liverpool.

"So it was a mixture of the disappointment of the Champions League final but also savouring what was a great achievement in being able to catch Liverpool and overtake them in such a short space of time.

"Everyone was gutted about the Barcelona game, but it is a great achievement to surpass a record that, 20 years ago, no-one would ever have foreseen."

• Name the finalists. Click here to bet.

Ferguso brings up 25yrs in charge of united on Nov 6

No retirement plans for Fergie has no plans for retirement

United manager looks back at time in charge at Old Trafford

• Ferguson: Not sure who will eventually replace him but has no intention of leaving just yet

 

Sir Alex Ferguson has made it clear that he has no intention of leaving Manchester United in the near future as he considers who might one day become his successor.

Ferguson will bring up 25 years in charge of United on 6th November, before celebrating his 70th birthday at the end of December.

He planned to stand down almost a decade ago but changed his mind and has not looked back since, leading the Red Devils to another period of success.

The debate about who should eventually replace Ferguson has raged for years, and the man himself believes it would have to be somebody with great experience.

"I think you would need someone very experienced in the long term. But I have absolutely no idea... first of all, I'm not retiring."

Sir Alex Ferguson on his possible successor Quotes of the week

But the Scot feels it is virtually impossible to predict the identity of the next manager, as a host of names have been linked with the role in the past.

At various times, Bryan Robson, Steve McClaren, Mark Hughes, Martin O'Neill and a host of top continental bosses have been connected with the post.

Current favourite to replace Ferguson is Jose Mourinho, although a mounting disciplinary crime sheet at Real Madrid is not helping his cause.

Yet, speaking to the Italian media at an awards ceremony at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, Ferguson confirmed he is going nowhere.

He said: "Over the years I've had the question who do I think could replace me? Now in those years, some of the coaches they were talking about to replace me don't have jobs anymore.

"So it becomes very difficult because someone who I think has potential may be sacked by his club and disappear.

"I think you would need someone very experienced in the long term. But I have absolutely no idea... first of all, I'm not retiring."

Greatest challenge

Asked about his own journey to becoming a football legend, Ferguson heaped praise on United for allowing him the time to build something special.

"When I arrived, my greatest challenge was to go back to the successes of the past, the time of Matt Busby," he explained in Corriere dello Sport.

"Obviously it takes time. At first I was not prepared for this change: I had to start from scratch, creating the foundations of a football club.

"I was very conscious of this, but I could not change my philosophy, I could not give up the ideas I believed.

"So I started like I did at Aberdeen, with young players. It gives enormous pleasure to prepare a young man and see him play in the Premier League, then in the national team, following his growth.

"I am fortunate to have worked with Bobby Charlton, he had been before me and knew what really was Manchester United.

"He fully supported my desire to grow young talent from the beginning. His unconditional support was my luck in England where, as elsewhere in the world, if you lose three games you're out.

"I could work on the foundation, then gradually came all the champions who everyone knows. And then came our first trophy."

• Next Permanent Man Utd Manager. Click here to bet.

FergUSON beleives ROONEY is the white PELE

Boss says striker is the 'very best of British' 

 

Ferguson: United boss believes Rooney is the 'white' Pele

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney should be talked about in the same breath as legendary Brazilian forward Pele.

As the Red Devils prepare to take on Benfica in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night, the Portuguese side's coach Jorge Jesus spoke about Rooney being 'more Brazilian or Argentinian' than English.
And now Ferguson has made his own comparisons.
"Look at Pele," he said. "He was a very aggressive attacker as well who could look after himself. So can Rooney. There are similarities that way in strength, speed and determination.
"But he is white, completely white."

Great qualities

Ferguson believes Rooney's desire, work ethic and talent stands him apart from any other player in the Premier League, having scored eight times in four games, which he claims makes him the very best of British.
"Wayne is a typical British player. But there have been British players who have great qualities that made them great players.
"(Paul) Gascoigne, George Best, Bobby Charlton and Denis Law.
"The similarities are that the boy has great courage. He wants to play all the time. He has incredible stamina. These are added extras to the talent he has."

• Benfica v Man. Utd Hat Trick: Wayne Rooney 25/1

Man city kompany takes CAPTAIN as a honour

MAN CITY Vincent Kompany won't change

Skipper stick to his behaviour asusal....

 

 

Kompany: Honoured to be captain but feels he has always been a leading figure at City

 

Vincent Kompany admits it is an 'honour' to be Manchester City captain, but has reiterated he does not expect the role to alter his behaviour with his team-mates.

Belgium international Kompany was handed the armband at the start of the season due to the uncertainty surrounding the future of former skipper Carlos Tevez.
Argentine striker Tevez ultimately failed to secure a move away from City before the transfer window closed, but Roberto Mancini has stuck with Kompany as his captain.
The former Hamburg stopper has always been a strong character and a steadying influence at the centre of defence and he does not expect to change.

Leading figure

"It is an honour for me but it doesn't change my role in the club," said Kompany.
"I have always been a leading figure and wearing the armband shouldn't have any effect on how you behave towards the group."
Meanwhile, fellow defender Pablo Zabaleta admits City need to improve following a 1-1 home draw with Napoli in their opening UEFA Champions League game.
Edinson Cavani gave Napoli the lead before Aleksandar Kolarov levelled with a free-kick, and Zabaleta feels City need to adjust to playing against a higher standard of opponent.
"That is something we need to improve and try to correct. We need to keep strong as a team and try to improve," said Zabaleta.
"In the Premier League it is different to the Champions League, where you have the best teams in Europe.
"We know we have a good team with quality and we have shown we have chances this year to win trophies."

• Fulham v Man. City Win to Nil: Man. City 13/8

Chelsea new boy mata is in for barca and real madrid

Mata aware of European dream

Chelsea is fully ready for Barcelona and Real Madrid says Winger

 

 

Mata: Aware of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich's dream of winning the Champions League

 

Chelsea new boy Juan Mata says he is 'very much aware' of owner Roman Abramovich's dream to win the UEFA Champions League.

Mata joined Chelsea on a five-year contract from Valencia last month and he has been quick to make an impact at Stamford Bridge.
The winger scored against Norwich City on his debut and was also on target in the 2-0 home win over Bayer Leverkusen in the opening Champions League group game in midweek.
It is Europe's premier club competition that Mata was mainly recruited to help the Blues win, with billionaire owner Abramovich continuing to bankroll the club's attempt to realise his ultimate dream.
"I'm very much aware of this," said Mata.

Very important

"Chelsea is a team that gives their all when it comes to any title and any competition.

Live on Sky Sports

• vs

• Man Utd v Chelsea

• September 18, 2011 3:30pm
• 

• Remote Record

"The Champions League is obviously very important and it's something that's very attractive to us.
"But we're also very interested in the Premier League and any other competitions that we take part in."
Landing the Champions League appears to be more difficult than ever, especially with Barcelona and Real Madrid looking to have improved even further this season.
Mata knows all about trailing in the wake of Spain's big two from his time at Valencia but he insisted they were not invincible.
"Real Madrid and Barcelona have been doing well and growing very, very much in the last few years," Mata said.
"They have been doing very well in the Champions League as well. But I think there are a number of other teams right now that could create some problems for them.
"I would mention Chelsea as one of those teams and this is a very difficult competition that we're in right now, so I think everyone has a chance."
Didier Drogba and Florent Malouda are in the Chelsea TV studio this Friday ahead of the big game against Manchester United on Sunday, for more details click here.

• Chelsea Stage Of Elimination 2011/2012. Click here to bet.

former arsenal febregas still have feelings for his team

24 yrs old fabregas denies Arsenal criticism

Midfielder says he wanted the best for his former club

 

 

Fabregas: Has denied giving an interview in which he criticised Arsenal's trophy prospects

 

Cesc Fabregas has denied criticising Arsenal after he was quoted as saying he doubted his former club's prospects of winning the Premier League or UEFA Champions League in the near future.

The midfielder left the Gunners during the summer to rejoin boyhood club Barcelona after six years without winning a trophy at Emirates Stadium.
Fabregas was joined in leaving Arsenal by Samir Nasri, who moved to Premier League rivals Manchester City in order to win 'big trophies'.
In an interview carried by Sport magazine, Fabregas also questioned Arsenal's chances of enjoying success due to their inability to compete financially with England's other big clubs.
However, the 24-year-old has denied making such comments and has reiterated that he would never say a bad word about his old club.

Not professional

Live on Sky Sports

• vs

• Blackburn v Arsenal

• September 17, 2011 12:30pm
• 

• Remote Record

He posted on his Twitter account: "Id never speak 1 bad word abt AFC, here there's once more prove that so many people put in newspaper wtv they want and its not professional.
"I want Arsenal to be successful as much as every single fan. Thats not why i left, it was never in my mind. AFC made me who i am today.

Live on Sky Sports

• vs

• Blackburn v Arsenal

• September 17, 2011 12:30pm
• 

• Remote Record

"And nobody will ever change that. I never gave any interview away since my press conference at my presentation and there i just said the truth and what came out of my heart. Great words abt this great football club cause that just what they deserve: success and trophies.
"People can hate me 4 leaving or remember that i gave my all for the club. But me talking 1 bad word or saying smthng against AFC will not seen."
Fabregas was quoted by Sport magazine as having said: "I want to be in a club that is able to win the big titles year after year and I don't see that kind of future for Arsenal.
"I still have many feelings for Arsenal, but I fear that they won't be able to push the other big clubs in England away.
"If you look at the team this season I can't see them finishing in front of teams like Manchester United or [Manchester] City, or Chelsea. There's just too big a difference between the squads.
"I respect that Arsenal don't have the same financial opportunities as the others, but it was part of my decision to leave that I find it hard to see Arsenal winning the Premier League or Champions League in the near future."