TOP 100 SOCCER SITES
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| Ferguson criticises City over 'unacceptable' Hughes sacking • 'For some reason Christmas brings out the worst in directors'• Manchester United manager critical of Mark Hughes's oustingSir Alex Ferguson has branded Manchester City's handling of Mark Hughes's dismissal as "unacceptable". City have come under fire this week for the whole way they have gone about installing Roberto Mancini as Hughes's successor after he was sacked immediately after last Saturday's victory over Sunderland.The City chief executive Garry Cook has attempted to defend his position, although that has managed only to draw more ire from Ferguson."It was unacceptable behaviour," said Ferguson. "It doesn't matter whether you have lost 20 games or two, there is a way to treat people. For some reason Christmas seems to bring out the worst in directors. I do not know how you can do something like that."From Saturday morning the rumour mill was working and Mark must have realised it was his last game. It was a terrible position to be in."The Bolton Wanderers manager, Gary Megson, has also added to the criticism of City, suggesting that the sacking of Hughes underlines the impatience of modern-day football. Megson feels that rich owners have no understanding of the game and are to quick to get rid of managers unable to live up to their impossible standards set."It [Hughes' sacking] didn't surprise me because nothing ever does surprise you in football," remarked Megson. "It was really sad because you had a manager losing his job, and yet they've only lost two games all season."They were doing okay, people were talking about it taking a while for everything to bed down, and then he was not given a while. I think it's just purely and simply the nature of football in general, and the Premier League in particular."These people, when they put their money in, a draw away from home at Bolton or Birmingham, isn't an acceptable thing any more. It's as if the opposition doesn't exist, and just because you've spent a huge amount of money, you can plough on regardless and you are going to beat everybody. It doesn't work like that."Sir Alex FergusonMark HughesManchester CityManchester UnitedPremier Leagueguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Darren Ferguson focused on taking Preston into the Premier League Darren Ferguson has set his sights on the Premier League after taking over as manager of Preston North End. telegraph.co.uk |
Andriy Voronin completes switch from Liverpool to Dinamo Moscow • Striker signs three-year deal at Russian club • Voronin scored five goals in 27 appearances for LiverpoolAndriy Voronin has joined Dinamo Moscow on a three-year contract from Liverpool, the Russian club have confirmed. The 30-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Hertha Berlin, met his new coach Andrey Kobelev yesterday and put pen to paper on a reported £1.8m deal.Dinamo's sporting director Konstantin Sarsania said: "The transfer of Andriy Voronin can be considered accomplished. The clubs reached an agreement and the player signed a contract for three years. We are delighted that such a strong player has joined Dinamo and we hope he can help solve the team's problems."Voronin moved to Anfield in 2007 from Bayer Leverkusen after 12 years in Germany but scored only five goals in 27 league appearances for the Reds."I had options for continuing a career in Germany, and several in Russia, but eventually opted for Dinamo," he said. "I liked the professional approach of the leaders of the Moscow club during the negotiations, and I also liked the conversation with the head coach Andrey Kobelev."Our views came together. Dinamo have set high goals. I'm interested. I believe the Russian league is of a very good level."LiverpoolPremier Leagueguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Mali lodge official protest Mali have lodged an official protest over what they describe as 'the complete non-match' between Angola and Algeria which knocked them out of the Africa Cup of Nations. foxsports.com.au |
Kim Jong-hun on his way out? Coach Kim Jong-hun led North Korea to the World Cup, but there's no denying he lacks the experience of the wider international scene and that could well hamper the team. cbc.ca |