TOP 100 SOCCER SITES
| |||
|
| |||
| |||
|
| |||
| Molinaro blog: Manchester City trades up from Hughes to Mancini It's regrettable that Mark Hughes was let go, but Manchester City made the right move because the Welshman was not the man to lead them to glory. cbc.cacbc.ca |
United ready for Birmingham test • Ferguson says standard of Premier League has improved• Alex McLeish lauded for doing a 'fantastic job'Sir Alex Ferguson will be on his guard against Birmingham City, saying manager Alex McLeish is doing a "fantastic job".A measure of Birmingham's progress will come on Saturday when they host Manchester United in the Premier League. After losing to Ferguson's side on the opening day of the season they have now gone unbeaten in 11 top-flight games. It is a remarkable run considering it is their first season back in the top flight after finishing runners-up to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Championship last season.McLeish, who played under Ferguson at Aberdeen nearly 30 years ago, has turned things around after arriving as manager in November 2007. The Scot overcame relegation in his first season to steer the club straight back up again. Now Birmingham are eighth in the table and are only five points off a Champions League place."There is an improvement in the league. You have to assess it that way, " said Ferguson. "Look at Birmingham and the fantastic job Alex McLeish has done. He only had a small amount of money to budget with when they came into the Premier League."He brought Barry Ferguson down from Rangers and brought in the centre-half from Cardiff [Roger Johnson]. He has used players who have been there for a long time now. What he has done has been marvellous."Ferguson added: "They are now eighth in the league and have gone 11 games without defeat. It tells you that Birmingham had to improve as a team from last season. They have done that remarkably well."The general standard of the league has improved. That is why you are getting so many different results."Sir Alex FergusonManchester UnitedBirmingham CityPremier Leagueguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Burnley coaching pair leave to join Coyle at Bolton • Steve Davis and Phil Hughes on the move• Coaches on their way to ReebokThe first-team coach Steve Davis and the goalkeeping coach Phil Hughes have left Burnley, the Turf Moor club have confirmed. The pair, who have been overseeing first-team affairs since the departure of Owen Coyle to Bolton, now look set to rejoin the manager the Reebok Stadium."Burnley Football Club can today confirm that first-team coach Steve Davis and goalkeeping coach Phil Hughes have left Turf Moor," read a Burnley statement. "Both coaches are understood to be joining Owen Coyle's new management team at Bolton Wanderers."The officials of Burnley Football Club would like to place on record their thanks to Steve and Phil for their services to the club and contribution to our success."The former Wanderers striker Coyle was confirmed as Gary Megson's successor at the Bolton helm on Friday evening.With yesterday's Premier League game against Sunderland one of many to have fallen victim to the weather, Coyle's first match in charge will be the match with Arsenal next Sunday.Meanwhile, Bolton have confirmed that their head coach Steve Wigley has now left the club. Wigley took temporary charge of the side following the departure of Gary Megson.Burnley have given their director of youth development Martin Dobson and the youth-team coach Terry Pashley responsibility for first-team affairs following the departure of Davis.Dobson and Pashley will be assisted by the club captain Steven Caldwell and the acting captain Graham Alexander, with their first game set to be a trip to Old Trafford next Saturday.BurnleyBolton WanderersPremier Leagueguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Dempsey's World Cup dream alive American striker Clint Dempsey's chances of playing at the World Cup received a boost Tuesday when it was revealed he likely won't need surgery on his injured knee. cbc.ca |
Alan Hansen: Fabio Capello must fear Wayne Rooney's World Cup burnout for England Wayne Rooney's form is great news for Manchester United but it increases the danger he will go to World Cup at risk of burnout. telegraph.co.uk |