It’s the most open race for many a year August 4, 2010 MANAGERS will have one just word embedded in their minds when they open their Championship campaigns this weekend: Blackpool. Ian Holloway’s achievement in taking the Seasiders to the promised land on a shoestring budget and a team of grafters will certainly not have gone unnoticed among bosses of the so-called smaller sides in the second [...]
Brum boss McLeish lines up swoop for Italian duo August 4, 2010 BIRMINGHAM City boss Alex McLeish is lining up an audacious swoop to land experienced Italian duo Mauro Camoranesi and Fabio Grosso. Camoranesi, 33, has been linked with a move away from Italy after eight years at Juventus and the midfielder’s agent has confirmed the Blues have made an approach. “There was an official contact with [...]
Torres vows to stay loyal in Kop pledge August 3, 2010 FERNANDO TORRES yesterday ended months of speculation about his future by pledging to stay with Liverpool. The £60m-rated striker had been linked with moves to Manchester City and Chelsea but has now reassured Reds fans that his commitment to Liverpool is as strong as ever. “My commitment and loyalty to the club and to the [...]
Blues edge closer to £17m Ramires deal August 3, 2010 CHELSEA are set to unveil Brazilian star Ramires as their new £17m signing today. The 23-year-old midfield ace will undergo a medical at Stamford Bridge this morning after the Premier League champions agreed a deal with Portuguese club Benfica. Right-sided Ramires, who has 16 caps for Brazil, is expected to put pen-to-paper on a four-year [...]
Hughes hails perfect fit as Al Fayed slams Hodgson August 3, 2010 MARK HUGHES believes his appointment as Fulham boss as a “good fit” and has targeted a top-10 finish. Hughes, 46, was last week confirmed as Roy Hodgson’s successor after the Cottagers’ move for Ajax boss Martin Jol fell through. And in an unexpected twist at yesterday’s press conference, Cottagers owner Mohamed Al Fayed accused former [...]
We’re not ready yet, warns Wenger August 1, 2010 ARSENE WENGER last night told of his “positive weekend” after his Arsenal side began their season with a trophy after retaining the Emirates Cup. The Gunners sealed their home pre-season tournament victory with a 3-2 win over Celtic yesterday thanks to goals from Carlos Vela, Bacary Sagna and Samir Nasri, while AC Milan and Lyon [...]
HUGHES MOVES INTO THE COTTAGE July 29, 2010 MARK HUGHES has pledged to “move Fulham forward in the right direction” after being confirmed as the Premier League club’s new manager last night. The former Manchester City boss has signed a two-year contract at Craven Cottage and has already been linked with Aston Villa defender Luke Young.
BT profit climbs by 17pc despite tough trading July 29, 2010 BT shrugged off difficult trading conditions in the wake of government cuts to match expectations in its first quarter. The telecoms giant, which last month declared war on Sky with its entry into the lucrative Premier League subscription market, reported first quarter revenue of £5bn, down four per cent on the year before. However, rigorous [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING July 28, 2010 FINANCIAL TIMES ICBC SAYS IT WILL RAISE £4.26BN Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, the world’s largest lender by market value, said yesterday it planned to raise up to £4.26bn in a rights issue in Hong Kong and Shanghai to shore up its capital base. The rights issue is the latest in a string of [...]
Drogba’s staying and we are ready to spend, say Chelsea July 28, 2010 CHELSEA have attempted to nail speculation linking Didier Drogba with a move away by categorically declaring the striker will remain at Stamford Bridge next season. Drogba’s agent revealed earlier this month that Manchester City had made contact over a transfer, and hinted that the Ivory Coast star could be tempted by a move to Eastlands. [...]