| Liverpool future unclear amid court case, new bids A British judge will rule Wednesday on a key issue in the battle for ownership of Liverpool. rssfeeds.usatoday.com |
Goal: Violent Fans Force Italy-Serbia Match to Be Suspended Violent visiting fans forced the match officials to abandon the Italy-Serbia qualifier in Genoa. feeds.nytimes.com |
Gérard Houllier implores Aston Villa players to avoid alcohol and nightclubs Gérard Houllier has warned his Aston Villa players there is no place for nightclubs and alcohol in a modern footballer's life. telegraph.co.uk |
Juve winger banned for diving Juventus winger Milos Krasic has been given a two-match ban after diving to win a penalty against Bologna at the weekend. foxsports.com.au |
Ancelotti assured over Arnesen successor • Dane to follow Ray Wilkins through exit door• No excuses for Chelsea form, says Didier DrogbaChelsea may yet opt to scrap the position of sporting director as they consider how best to restructure the club in the wake of Frank Arnesen's resignation.Abandoning the role remains one option under consideration by the owner, Roman Abramovich, with Arnesen due to leave his post when his contract expires at the end of the season. The Dane informed each board member individually last week of his intention to leave after what will be six years at Stamford Bridge. The matter is yet to be discussed formally at a board meeting, though the chairman, Bruce Buck, is on record as indicating the six months' notice period will provide "time to consider whether and how we restructure the football department".Chelsea have trimmed their scouting department in recent seasons but retain an impressive recruitment staff and the academy, which Arnesen helped to build, is now well-established and flourishing: the club won the FA Youth Cup for the first time in 49 years last season and there are graduates in the first-team squad. Consideration will, therefore, be given as to whether the role of sporting director – which effectively combined the positions of head of recruitment and youth development – still has a function to play.The board is acutely aware that Arnesen's announcement was untimely given that it came so soon after Ray Wilkins's surprise dismissal from his role as assistant first-team coach. The loss of his No2, with Michael Emenalo subsequently imposed upon him as a replacement, had served to unsettle Carlo Ancelotti who, from the outside at least, appeared further isolated by the Dane's apparently unconnected decision to leave the club he joined from Tottenham Hotspur in a deal that cost Chelsea £5m in compensation.However, should they choose to seek a successor, the Chelsea hierarchy have assured the Italian that no decision over a replacement would be made without his sanctioning the appointment, suggesting the Italian still has a significant and long‑term role to play at Stamford Bridge. In the meantime, Arnesen's duties – most immediately the addition of potential new signings in the transfer window – technically remain unaffected. Indeed, should the club choose to pursue their long-standing interest in players such as Blackburn Rovers' Phil Jones in January, Arnesen would play a key role in negotiations.Ancelotti has more pressing concerns after his side's stuttering form led to their surrendering the leadership of the Premier League at Newcastle United on Sunday. John Terry and, possibly, Frank Lampard may be available after injury for Saturday's visit of Everton to Stamford Bridge, though the senior players in a squad clearly lacking depth will attempt to rally the club this week. Ancelotti's pleas for the team to start games more quickly appear to continue to fall on deaf ears, prompting Didier Drogba to admit: "We're going to speak this week and try to change this, because it's not normal."The champions have taken only four points from the past 15 available, to fall behind Manchester United in the title race, with injuries to key players and a three-match ban for Michael Essien – that suspension is now served – limiting the manager's options. "It is maybe the worst run of form I've known since I came to the club," Drogba said. "It is not a good moment. It is very frustrating, very frustrating. I know that in the season you can have moments like this and try your best to change it. We have to stay together and make things change. We can't use the absence of key players as an excuse. When you sign for Chelsea you know that you've signed for the best team and so, when players like John, Frank and Essien are not there, you have to stand up and show you are able to take responsibility."ChelseaCarlo AncelottiDidier DrogbaDominic Fifieldguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |