Maradona interest in Aston Villa job August 15, 2010 DIEGO Maradona’s agent insists the former Argentina captain and coach would love to succeed Martin O’Neill as Aston Villa manager. Caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald is currently in charge at the Midlands club after O’Neill walked out last week following a breakdown in relations with owner Randy Lerner. MacDonald enjoyed the perfect start to his reign [...]
World Cup star Ramires itching to begin career as Chelsea kick off in style August 15, 2010 CHELSEA’S latest signing, Brazil midfielder Ramires, admits he is raring to get stuck into the Premier League after completing his protracted move from Benfica. Ramires did not sign in time to feature on Saturday as the champions began their defence in style with a 6-0 thumping of top-flight newcomers West Brom. And the 23-year-old admits [...]
SPORT | IN BRIEF August 15, 2010 Johnson mulling Stevens recall RUGBY UNION: Martin Johnson has left the door open for Matt Stevens to make a controversial return to the England squad. Johnson insists Stevens will be considered for next year’s World Cup if he proves his form and fitness after his two-year drugs ban expires in January. “He has got to [...]
Carrick warns United as Toon opener looms August 15, 2010 MANCHESTER United midfielder Michael Carrick has warned his team-mates they cannot afford to make as many mistakes as last season. United host Premier League newcomers Newcastle tonight in their opening match as they begin their campaign to retrieve the title from Chelsea. And Carrick, who was born on Tyneside, said: “Last season was a bit [...]
WINNERS & LOSERS August 15, 2010 A WEEKEND is a long time in sport, as this lot will attest. But while for some it was a few days to remember, others may wish they had never set foot out of the house. WINNER IAN HOLLOWAY Few begrudged Olly a crack at the top flight after a career managing in the lower leagues, [...]
London clubs set for boom season August 12, 2010 LAST year was a boom year for Premier League fortunes in the capital – and I expect this season to be even more successful in some ways. It may be unlikely that we get more than three London clubs finishing in the top four, as we did in May with Chelsea joined by Arsenal and [...]
Uncompromising Poulsen joins Reds in £4.5m transfer August 12, 2010 LIVERPOOL manager Roy Hodgson has paved the way for Javier Mascherano to leave Anfield by signing experienced midfielder Christian Poulsen. Poulsen completed a £4.5m switch from Juventus yesterday, penning a three-year contract to become Hodgson’s fourth acquisition of the summer. The Denmark international, 30, has played in the other three top European leagues and was [...]
Watson shines amid dense fog at USPGA August 12, 2010 SCOTLAND’S Martin Laird enjoyed an encouraging start to the USPGA Championship last night after thick fog played havoc with tee times. American Bubba Watson and Italian Francesco Molinari shared the early clubhouse lead at Whistling Straits with four-under-par opening rounds of 68. That was one better than Australian Jason Day and US hope Ryan Moore, [...]
Coppell retires after two games in Bristol City job August 12, 2010 MANAGER Steve Coppell yesterday stunned Bristol City by resigning after just two games in charge – and announcing the end of his 26-year managerial career. Coppell’s spell in charge at Ashton Gate lasted less than four months and his tenure got off to a bad start after his side lost 3-0 at home to Millwall [...]
Cook will get form back, insists Bopara August 12, 2010 ENGLAND batsman Ravi Bopara is backing team-mate Alastair Cook to recover from his slump in form and return to the top of his game in next week’s third Test with Pakistan. Vice-captain Cook has only managed 100 runs in seven Test innings this summer with a highest score of just 29. The 25-year-old’s dip in [...]