Redknapp issues wage warning as he sets sights on Cole reunion January 1, 2013 QUEENS Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp admits he is trying to lure former England midfielder Joe Cole to the west London strugglers. Redknapp brought Cole through the ranks while West Ham boss and believes that the 31-year-old, who is out of favour at Liverpool, can help hoist the Hoops off the bottom of the Premier [...]
Bale’s my man of the year in review of 2012 December 20, 2012 IT’S BEEN a hugely eventful year, from the extraordinary climax to the Premier League title race, to a new England manager and some dazzling individual performances. Here are my picks of 2012’s highlights. BEST PLAYER Robin van Persie’s goals kept Arsenal alive and he’s made a good start to life at Manchester United, but I’ve [...]
Manchester’s braced for return of Ronaldo December 20, 2012 FORMER Manchester United favourite Cristiano Ronaldo will return to Old Trafford in February when Real Madrid take on Alex Ferguson’s side in their last 16 Champions League tie. Arsenal, meanwhile, will have to overcome Bayern Munich to keep alive hope of a Wembley final, with the first leg at the Emirates. Celtic have been drawn [...]
Canaries are a big price to continue recent hot streak December 20, 2012 ONLY Premier League leaders Manchester United have taken more points in their last 10 games than Norwich, and the Canaries look over-priced for their trip to West Brom tomorrow. The Baggies’ early form has fizzled out recently and their dull 0-0 draw with an under-strength West Ham on Sunday means they are without a win [...]
Five sign but Arsenal set to miss Huntelaar December 19, 2012 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger has declared his intention to build his team around a core of young British talent, after tying midfielder Jack Wilshere and four other players to new long-term contracts. Full-backs Kieran Gibbs and Carl Jenkinson and midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – all full England internationals – and Wales star Aaron Ramsey have joined [...]
Rangers score debut goal on London listing December 19, 2012 SHARES in Scottish football giant Rangers closed at 76p after their first day of trading on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) yesterday, signalling a dramatic comeback for the club. The previous company that owned Rangers fell into liquidation earlier in 2012, but the club was rescued by a re-birth led by chief exec Charles Green. [...]
Don’t bet on dreams of a Euro League turning into a reality December 19, 2012 SIR Alan Sugar once compared the money in football to “prune juice” – what goes in seems to be nice and healthy, but in fact just goes straight back out again. The figures appear to back up his claim. In 2010-11, Premier League clubs enjoyed an eye-watering £2.3bn in revenue, yet somehow still ended up [...]
Sunset+Vine scores BT contract December 19, 2012 ■ BT yesterday awarded a deal to produce its forthcoming sports channel to broadcaster Sunset+Vine, which produced Channel 4’s Paralympic coverage. Sunset+Vine will handle BT’s sports coverage, including Premier League football, from next season.
Uefa will ban clubs if it has to, says chief December 18, 2012 SPOTLIGHT ON financial fair play in FOOTBALL ONE OF Uefa’s top executives has told City A.M. that European football’s governing body will not shy away from banning clubs if they flout financial fair play (FFP) rules. Karen Espelund, one of president Michael Platini’s 15 executive committee (ExCo) members, said Uefa “cannot say ‘A’ and not [...]
Top flight cap on wage rise next season December 18, 2012 A CAP on Premier League clubs’ wage bill increases could take effect as soon as next season after chairmen agreed to pursue two-pronged cost-cutting plans yesterday. Proposals to introduce a break-even rule similar to European financial fair play requirements remain under discussion ahead of a likely vote in February. But while that could take years [...]