Martinez on Wigan radar as Bruce weighs up Sunderland June 1, 2009 WIGAN boss Steve Bruce is on the verge of being appointed Sunderland manager after the two clubs agreed a compensation package. A deal could be completed as early as today after Sunderland officials flew to Portugal, where Bruce is on holiday, to open talks. Wigan chairman Dave Whelan had demanded £3m to release Bruce from [...]
ITV is offered Setanta stake June 1, 2009 ITV HAS been offered a 30 per cent stake in Setanta, the struggling pay-TV sports channel, CityAM has learnt. The offer came amid recent talks between the two channels, with Setanta desperate to raise cash to help it fund forthcoming rights payments to the Football Association, the Premier League and other sporting bodies. ITV is [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING May 31, 2009 THE SUNDAYSTHE SUNDAY TIMES SKY SAYS NO TO SETANTASports organisations including the Scottish Premier League may be forced to stomach deeper-than-expected cuts to their TV income after shareholders in Setanta failed to stump up enough cash to keep the broadcaster alive. Setanta’s financial position was so parlous this weekend that it asked arch-rival BSkyB for [...]
Ashley enlists Harris for his Geordie exit May 31, 2009 SEYMOUR Pierce yesterday confirmed it had been appointed to achieve a rapid sale of Mike Ashley’s football club Newcastle United. Keith Harris, chairman of the City broker has advised on a number of football deals, including playing a pivotal role in selling Chelsea to the Russian tycoon Roman Abramovich in 2003. If the sale of [...]
FA Cup final looks set to be low-scoring affair May 28, 2009 CHELSEA vs. EVERTON SATURDAY 3PM, ITV1 & SETANTA SPORTS 1 Goals have been in short supply in recent FA Cup finals and there is no reason to think that tomorrow’s clash between Chelsea and Everton will be any different. In fact, half of the last 14 finals have seen no more than one goal scored [...]
Lampard: FA Cup would be ideal boost May 28, 2009 CHELSEA vs. EVERTON CHELSEA’S Frank Lampard insists FA Cup glory is the least they deserve for their rapid improvement under Guus Hiddink.Dutchman Hiddink’s tenure as temporary manager will come to an end after tomorrow’s season-ending Wembley showpiece against Everton. The erstwhile Russia coach has transformed the Blues from no-hopers to challengers for three trophies since [...]
Rio: ‘We’ll be back stronger’ May 28, 2009 RIO FERDINAND insists his Manchester United team-mates are man enough to handle Wednesday night’s crushing Champions League final defeat to Barcelona – and has backed them to come back stronger. Dejected Ferdinand flew back to England with the rest of the United squad yesterday after failing in their bid to become the first side to [...]
Al Fahim eyes Sven for Pompey May 28, 2009 PROSPECTIVE Portsmouth owner Sulaiman Al Fahim is looking to bring former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson back to the Premier League. Al Fahim had an official offer for the south coast club accepted on Wednesday and is expected to complete the takeover from current owner Alexandre Gaydamak in the next few weeks. The Arab property magnate [...]
Coyle close to agreeing new deal May 28, 2009 BURNLEY boss Owen Coyle is “very close” to agreeing a two-year extension to his contract, thus turning his back on Celtic. Coyle was linked with the Scottish giants after steering the Clarets into the Premier League via the play-offs. But chairman Barry Kilby said: “I fully expect it to be signed in the very near [...]
Brilliant Barca ruin United’s Euro dream May 27, 2009 BARCELONA (2) vs MANCHESTER UTD (0) MANCHESTER UNITED’S dream of becoming the first team to retain the Champions League fell apart last night in Rome, unpicked by masterful Barcelona and their Argentine inspiration Lionel Messi. United swaggered into the Stadio Olimpico as slight favourites but shuffled out having been soundly beaten, Samuel Eto’o’s early strike [...]