Terry tips Rooney to top 150 caps for England

England captain John Terry reckons "frightening'' Wayne Rooney can only get better.

JamieMcDonald/GettyImages

Wayne Rooney fires in his second goal

The Manchester United striker took his tally to seven in his last four appearances for England with a double in the 4-0 friendly win over Slovakia at Wembley to show the fallout from his red card at Fulham last week had little impact on his game.

Rooney, 23, will win his 50th cap if selected against Ukraine in Wednesday night's World Cup qualifier.

Chelsea defender Terry, 28, reached that personal landmark of a half-century of England games yesterday, on an evening when David Beckham set a new appearance record of 109 for an outfield player.

Terry feels Rooney has the potential to achieve so much more with the national team.

"He potential is frightening. We were speaking about Becks and my 50th cap on the way here and I was saying to Wayne he could possibly get to 150,'' said Terry.

"It is a reachable target - and certainly 100.

"Wayne has probably missed 20 games through injuries and suspensions, but he is very young, very talented and one of the best in the world that is for sure.''

Terry believes Rooney thrives in a free attacking role.

"I have said before to let Wayne play, because that is what he is best at doing,'' the Chelsea defender observed. "Wayne is growing into a very mature man both on and off the field.

"We love seeing him play with freedom and he plays very well like it.''

Steven Gerrard was given a roaming role from the left of midfield yesterday by head coach Fabio Capello, with Frank Lampard playing somewhat more defensive - but still managing to arrive on queue to net a third goal for England after 82 minutes.

Terry said: "It is great to see the variety in the players, that they are able to change the formations and still do brilliantly well.

"Even when Frank was holding, he managed to finish off a great ball into the penalty area.''

On his own achievements in reaching 50 caps, Terry reflected: "When you first come in the squad you aim to get to 50, and now I am there I can hopefully kick on and get many more.

"Now I really want to push on for 100 and that means staying fit for Chelsea and playing as many games as possible for my country.''

Terry feels yesterday's victory against a side who so far had been impressive in their own campaign to reach South Africa will have set England up well for the visit of Ukraine in Wednesday night's World Cup qualifier.

"We had everything,'' the England captain declared. "The fans were great right from the start and stayed with us, which is what we need.

"We started very well and were unlucky not to be two or three up. After that the goals came, the performance was there, but it is important we get the same again Wednesday.''

Terry added: "We feel it is slowly progressing under this manager. ''We tested ourselves against Spain last month and were disappointed.

"We looked at them and said 'that's where we want to be', especially looking at their movement - which I think we had here.''

England have some fitness concerns for the clash with Ukraine.

Tottenham forward Darren Bent has been called into the squad after Carlton Cole, who had come on to replace injured goalscorer Emile Heskey, was ruled out with a thigh problem.

Heskey is also a major doubt, with the Aston Villa striker set to undergo a scan today after lasting just 14 minutes before limping off with what the England coach described as cramp.

However, Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand should be available for Wednesday's game after scans on a groin injury which caused him to miss out against Slovakia revealed no damage.

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Ferguson to quit next year?

Sir Alex Ferguson will retire as Manchester United manager at the end of next season, according to his son Darren.

Speculation about when Ferguson will end his long reign at Old Trafford has been ongoing since he changed his mind about quitting when he turned 60 seven years ago.

Now Darren Ferguson, manager of League One side Peterborough, has hinted it could be the summer of 2010 when his father finally walks away from the game.

''His health is fine and he's building a new team,'' said Darren. ''If they win (the Premier League) this year then they catch Liverpool in terms of titles won.

''I can see him doing this year and next - and then that might be it for him.''

Ferguson senior has already cancelled one retirement date, which was originally scheduled for the end of the 2001-02 season, and passed the retirement age of 65 two years ago.

Since then he has stubbornly refused to clarify his intentions and has fluctuated from saying he has "many years" left to insisting that he will not work beyond the advanced age of 70.

Meanwhile, Liverpool's Xabi Alonso claims that Fergie's men are still favourites for the title this season.

"It's going to be difficult because we can't afford to drop many points and we know that United have a very good team," he told Sky Sports News. "They are the main favourites, of course, but we are going to be doing our best to be challenging until the final weeks of the season."

When questioned whether the pressure is on United, he responded: "Yes, I think so. They are the champions.

"They are in the best position and they have that advantage. We have to do our job and try to make things difficult for them."

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Ferguson may retire next year

The football focus is switched this weekend to another set of World Cup qualifiers, including Holland v Scotland and Portugal v Sweden.

Sir Alex Ferguson will retire as Manchester United manager at the end of next season, according to his son Darren.

Speculation about how long Ferguson will continue at Old Trafford has been ongoing since he changed his mind about quitting when he turned 60 seven years ago.

Now Darren Ferguson, manager of League One side Peterborough, has hinted it could be the summer of 2010 when his father decides to call it a day.

Ferguson has stated that he wants to help United equal Liverpool's record of 18 English league titles, with the Red Devils just one adrift.

The North West rivals are battling for Premier League supremacy this term, with the Anfield outfit having cut United's lead at the summit to just one point, although the reigning champions still have a game in hand.

''His health is fine and he's building a new team,'' said Darren. ''If they win (the Premier League) this year then they catch Liverpool in terms of titles won.

''I can see him doing this year and next - and then that might be it for him.''

Ferguson underwent a u-turn on his retirement date, which was originally scheduled for the end of the 2001-02 season, and passed the retirement age of 65 two years ago.

Since then he has refused to give any indication as to when he anticipates stepping down from a position he has held since 1986.

A year ago, Ferguson dismissed the prospect of retirement, joking that his wife would not be happy to spend more with him.

Ferguson said: "Retire? That wife of mine just bullies me, so she'd throw me out of the door at seven o'clock in the morning! So that's a definite no. Oh no, I dare not risk the wrath of that lass from the Gorbals.

"She's quite a formidable person! I am proud to have survived for so long, but it is easier for me than the rest because I am at such a great club. How would I be without this? Please tell me.

"This team is a good young one and has plenty of years left, so the 18th title will come. It has a lot of experience in Edwin van der Sar, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes. That kind of experience allows young players to develop."

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DON`T REFORM ROONEY, URGES BECKS

England midfielder David Beckham has pointed to the example of Zinedine Zidane to explain why there should be no attempts to curb Wayne Rooney's aggression.

Beckham has been criticised for his temperament himself throughout his career and admits he is still guilty of ill discipline at times - but he insists reigning in Rooney will create a "different animal".

The 33-year-old played with Zidane at Real Madrid and believes that taking away his passion would have affected his game, with no better example than when the France legend carried his country to the last World Cup final and then was sent off for his infamous headbutt.

Beckham could see when Zidane was going to explode, and it is the same with Manchester United forward Rooney.

"When you are a bit older, you see players' reactions and see what can happen next," Beckham said. "I've seen it with some of the best players in the world.

"Look at ZZ, you can see it in his eyes sometimes in games. You know what's going to happen.

"It's all about the passion, which is the biggest thing. You don't want to take that out of him. You can try to get to him in time as a team-mate, but some things are uncontrollable.

"You can have some of the most experienced players in the game telling you to calm down, but sometimes you can't be controlled."

Rooney has been in the spotlight since his red card at Fulham last weekend.

Ahead of the England matches against Slovakia and Ukraine, England boss Fabio Capello made a light-hearted reference during training to the Craven Cottage dismissal.

Beckham will now give Rooney advice if the United youngster needs it.

"Obviously, if Wayne wanted to talk to me about that, he would," he said. "We're good enough friends and team-mates. But he has Sir Alex Ferguson, a man who he'll be talking to and will respect, to speak about these things.

"And Fabio Capello, who is one of the most successful managers in football."

Beckham described a first-hand insight into the passion that Rooney feels towards winning.

He added: "With Wayne Rooney, you don't get the exceptional talent and player you have without that side of his game. If you take that side out of his game, he becomes a different player, a different animal. You don't want to take that out of him.

"Sometimes it flows over. He's done it a few times with myself. It happens. He knows it's not right, I know it's not right, but it happens. You don't want to take that out of him."

Luckily for Beckham, no manager told him to stop being passionate about winning.

"There's not been a single manager who's done that, and I've been lucky to have played under some of the best managers in football, and obviously the best manager in football," Beckham said. "He spoke with me when certain situations happened.

"I probably still haven't been able to control it fully. When things go badly, the team's losing and it's not going well, that frustration comes out.

"It's not right. It's bad. I was frustrated in the Spain game and got a yellow card for talking back to the ref. You try to control it, but sometimes you can't."

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Mears heads Marseille into quarter-finals

Tyrone Mears' extra-time header sent Marseille into the UEFA Cup quarter-finals at the expense of Ajax at the Amsterdam ArenA as they won 4-3 on aggregate following a 2-2 draw.

Defending a 2-1 lead from the first leg, OM went behind in the Dutch capital when Eyong Enoh scored just after the half-hour mark - but Mamadou Niang put the visitors back in front in the tie two minutes later.

Miralem Sulejmani, with a close-range second-half header, took the last-16 game into extra-time. But English right-back Mears was the match-winner in the 108th minute.

Ajax coach Marco van Basten, who saw right-back Bruno Silva red-carded in the dying seconds, claimed his side were underdogs heading into the second leg.

But Luis Suarez's goal from the penalty spot in last Thursday's first leg gave the Amsterdammers something to cling to - and they stormed out of the blocks tonight.

Captain Suarez was at the heart of all of Ajax's best moves. He wasted a great chance in the fourth minute when, completely free eight yards out, he headed straight at OM goalkeeper Steve Mandanda.

The Uruguayan nodded wide soon afterwards and then squandered his third opportunity of the match when he screwed a volley off target after running on to Silva's cross.

The striker did, though, set up Enoh's opener - slipping a short ball through the heart of Marseille's defence for the young Cameroonian, who beat the offside trap and shot low past Mandanda.

Ajax's lead lasted barely two minutes, Niang - who earlier had a goal scrubbed out for offside - latching onto Kone's pass and sliding a finish between the legs of Ajax goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer.

Suarez continued to be dangerous after the break and was foiled by Mandanda in the 53rd minute as he tried to round the France goalkeeper.

Although OM were failing to hold on to the ball in midfield, they were defending like lions - centre-back Vitorino Hilton especially impressive.

It took an excellent goal in the 74th minute to end their defiance. A free-flowing move ended with Suarez swivelling around Hilton and crossing for Sulejmani, who headed home into an empty net from four yards out.

The game went to extra-time, and Mears emerged the hero - nodding home from six yards out to send OM through.

To add insult to injury for Ajax, Silva was sent off in injury time of extra-time for elbowing Hatem Ben Arfa.

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Benitez signs new Liverpool deal

Rafael Benitez has signed a new five-year contract at Liverpool, ending a 17-month power struggle with the club's board.

The future of the former Valencia boss, who led Liverpool to Champions League glory in 2005, had been in doubt since he revealed in January that he had rejected the club's first offer of a new contract.

Reports suggested that control over the Reds' transfer activity proved to be the sticking point for Benitez but the Merseyside club announced on Thursday evening that a new deal had been agreed that should keep him at Anfield until June 2014.

"My heart is with Liverpool Football Club, so I'm delighted to sign this new deal," Benitez said. "I love the club, the fans and the city and with a club like this and supporters like this, I could never say no to staying.

"I always made clear I wanted to be here for a long time and when I complete my new contract it will mean I have spent over a decade in Liverpool."

Benitez took over in 2004 and despite failing to end their wait for the top-flight title stretching back to 1990 he has re-established Liverpool as a European powerhouse, adding a final appearance in 2007 to the triumph two years earlier.

The 48-year-old said: "The club is greatly respected around the world due to its incredible history and tremendous heritage. It is my aim to uphold those values and help create a new chapter in our history.

"Throughout this process, I would like to thank the owners for their hard work in finalising the deal. All of us at the club want the same thing, which is to be successful by winning major trophies."

Last week Liverpool reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League with a 5-0 aggregate rout of Real Madrid and on Saturday, Benitez's men thrashed Premier League leaders Manchester United 4-1 at Old Trafford.

"It is wonderful news Rafa has made a long-term commitment to the club," American co-owner Tom Hicks said. "Since he became manager he has been responsible for the great progress we have made.

"I know he will continue to build on his achievements as he has a tremendous hunger and desire to bring more success to the club, success our fans and everyone connected with the club deserves."

As well as winning the Champions League, Benitez also lifted the FA Cup with Liverpool in 2006.

Co-Chairman George Gillett added: "With Rafa continuing to manage the team, we can look forward to more great football and success on the pitch. He has special abilities and qualities which are admired here at the club and around the world.

"Coming after our excellent wins over Real Madrid and Manchester United, this gives us great momentum going into the final stages of the season."

It is no surprise that Benitez agreed his new contract within a couple of weeks of chief executive Rick Parry's announcement that he would be leaving the club in the summer.

The two have had a sometimes strained relationship, with Benitez angry that many of his transfer negotiations seemed subject to the chief executive's opinion.

He had criticised the slowness of some deals, in which players he wanted were lost, with the key issue being the failure to sign Gareth Barry last summer, when the club refused to match Aston Villa's reported £18million asking price.

At first Hicks and Gillett rejected Benitez's demands to have control over transfers, and it is believed they even asked Villa's American owner Randy Learner for advice and confirmation that the sort of deal Benitez wanted was similar to Martin O'Neill's.

Benitez has continually been linked with Real Madrid, who will probably have a vacancy in the summer when Juande Ramos' short-term contract ends, but those rumours can now be put to bed.

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Fixtures & Latest Scores

Monday 16th March 2009

Barclays Premier League

Home team	Score	Away team	Venue	Time	More information
West Ham	vs	West Brom	Upton Park	20:00	Preview Not Started

Tuesday 17th March 2009

Coupe de France

Home team	Score	Away team	Venue	Time	More information
Sedan	vs	Guingamp	Louis-Duguaguez	17:00	Not Started
Toulouse	vs	Lille	Stadium Municipal	19:45	Not Started

The Coca-Cola Football League Championship

Home team	Score	Away team	Venue	Time	More information
Barnsley	vs	Crystal Palace	Oakwell Stadium	19:45	Not Started
Doncaster	vs	Reading	Keepmoat Stadium	19:45	Not Started
Ipswich	vs	Burnley	Portman Road	19:45	Preview Not Started
QPR	vs	Swansea	Loftus Road Stadium	20:00	Not Started

The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON

Home team	Score	Away team	Venue	Time	More information
Arsenal	vs	Hull	Emirates Stadium	19:45	Not Started

Wednesday 18th March 2009

Scottish Cup

Home team	Score	Away team	Venue	Time	More information
Aberdeen	vs	Dunfermline	Pittodrie Stadium	19:45	Not Started

UEFA Cup

Home team	Score	Away team	Venue	Time	More information
St Etienne	vs	Werder Bremen	Geoffroy-Guichard	19:30	Not Started
Ajax	vs	Marseille	Amsterdam Arena	19:45	Not Started

The Coca-Cola Football League Championship

Home team	Score	Away team	Venue	Time	More information
Cardiff	vs	Watford	Ninian Park	19:45	Not Started

Coupe de France

Home team	Score	Away team	Venue	Time	More information
Grenoble	vs	Monaco	Stade des Alpes	16:00	Not Started
Rennes	vs	Rodez Aveyron	Route de Lorient	18:00	Not Started

Thursday 19th March 2009

UEFA Cup

Home team	Score	Away team	Venue	Time	More information
FC Metalist Kharkiv	vs	Dynamo Kiev	Metalist Stadium	17:00	Not Started
Shakhtar Donetsk	vs	CSKA Moscow	RSK Olympyiskyi	17:30	Not Started
Zenit St Petersburg	vs	Udinese	Petrovski Stadium	17:30	Not Started
Galatasaray	vs	Hamburg	Ali Sami Yen Stadium	19:30	Not Started
AaB	vs	Man City	Aalborg Stadion	20:00	Not Started
Braga	vs	PSG	Estadio Municipal de Braga	20:30	Not Started

Friday 20th March 2009

American MLS League

Home team	Score	Away team	Venue	Time	More information
Seattle Sounders FC	vs	Red Bull New York	Qwest Field	01:00	Not Started

Dutch Eredivisie

Home team	Score	Away team	Venue	Time	More information
De Graafschap	vs	Heerenveen	De Vijverberg	19:45	Not started

German Bundesliga

Home team	Score	Away team	Venue	Time	More information
Borussia M'gladbach	vs	VfL Bochum	Stadion im Borussia Park	19:30	Not Started

Saturday 21st March 2009

The Coca-Cola Football League Championship

Home team	Score	Away team	Venue	Time	More information
Birmingham	vs	Norwich	St Andrews Stadium	15:00	Not started
Blackpool	vs	Southampton	Bloomfield Road	15:00	Not started
Ipswich	vs	Watford	Portman Road	15:00	Not started
Charlton	vs	Preston	The Valley	15:00	Not started
Derby	vs	Barnsley	Pride Park Stadium	15:00	Not started
QPR	vs	Bristol City	Loftus Road Stadium	15:00	Not started
Nottm Forest	vs	Wolverhampton	City Ground	15:00	Not started
Sheff Wed	vs	Swansea	Hillsborough	15:00	Not started
Coventry	vs	Doncaster	Ricoh Arena	15:00	Not started
Plymouth	vs	Burnley	Home Park	15:00	Not started
Crystal Palace	vs	Reading	Selhurst Park	17:20	Not Started

Clydesdale Bank Premier League

Home team	Score	Away team	Venue	Time	More information
Kilmarnock	vs	Motherwell	Rugby Park	12:30	Not Started
Hamilton	vs	St Mirren	New Douglas Park	15:00	Not started
Rangers	vs	Hearts	Ibrox Stadium	15:00	Not started
Hibernian	vs	Aberdeen	Easter Road Stadium	15:00	Not started
Falkirk	vs	Inverness CT	Falkirk Stadium	15:00	Not started

Japanese J League

Home team	Score	Away team	Venue	Time	More information
Omiya Ardija	vs	Vissel Kobe	Omiya Park Soccer Stadium	04:00	Not Started
Jubilo Iwata	vs	Urawa Red Diamonds	Yamaha Stadium	05:00	Not Started
FC Tokyo	vs	Montedio Yamagata	Anjinimoto Stadium	05:00	Not Started
Yokohama F. Marinos	vs	Kashiwa Reysol	Nissan Stadium	06:00	Not Started
Oita Trinita	vs	Albirex Niigata	Oita Sports Park	07:00	Not Started

Barclays Premier League

Home team	Score	Away team	Venue	Time	More information
Portsmouth	vs	Everton	Fratton Park	12:45	Not Started
Blackburn	vs	West Ham	Ewood Park	15:00	Not started
Fulham	vs	Man Utd	Craven Cottage	15:00	Not started
West Brom	vs	Bolton	The Hawthorns	15:00	Not started
Stoke	vs	Middlesbrough	Britannia Stadium	15:00	Not started
Tottenham	vs	Chelsea	White Hart Lane	15:00	Not started
Newcastle	vs	Arsenal	St James' Park	17:30	Not Started

German Bundesliga

Home team	Score	Away team	Venue	Time	More information
VfB Stuttgart	vs	Hertha Berlin	Gottlieb-Daimler Stadion	14:30	Not started
Cottbus	vs	Cologne	Stadion der Freundschaft	14:30	Not started
Bayer Leverkusen	vs	Eintracht Frankfurt	BayArena	14:30	Not started
Bayern Munich	vs	Karlsruhe	Allianz Arena	14:30	Not started
TSG Hoffenheim	vs	Hannover 96	Rhein-Neckar Arena	14:30	Not started

Dutch Eredivisie

Home team	Score	Away team	Venue	Time	More information
NEC	vs	Willem II	De Goffert	17:45	Not started
PSV	vs	Vitesse	Philipsstadion	18:45	Not started
Sparta	vs	Heracles	ENECO	19:45	Not started

French Ligue 1

Home team	Score	Away team	Venue	Time	More information
Nice	vs	Caen	Municipal du Ray	18:00	Not Started
Lille	vs	Grenoble	Lille Metropole	18:00	Not Started
AS Nancy	vs	Monaco	Marcel-Picot	18:00	Not Started
Le Havre	vs	Bordeaux	Jules-Dechasseaux	18:00	Not Started
Rennes	vs	Valenciennes	Route de Lorient	18:00	Not Started
Auxerre	vs	Le Mans	Abbe-Deschamps	18:00	Not Started
Marseille	vs	Nantes	Stade Velodrome	20:00	Not Started

Italy Serie A

Home team	Score	Away team	Venue	Time	More information
Catania	vs	Lazio	Angelo Massimino	17:00	Not Started
Roma	vs	Juventus	Stadio Olimpico	19:30	Not Started

Sunday 22nd March 2009

Italy Serie A

Home team	Score	Away team	Venue	Time	More information
Torino	vs	Sampdoria	Delle Alpi	14:00	Not started
Genoa	vs	Udinese	Luigi Ferraris	14:00	Not started
Lecce	vs	Atalanta	Stadio Via del Mare	14:00	Not started
Chievo	vs	Palermo	Bentegodi	14:00	Not started
Bologna	vs	Cagliari	Renato Dall'Ara	14:00	Not started
Fiorentina	vs	Siena	Artemio Franchi	14:00	Not started
Inter Milan	vs	Reggina	Stadio Giuseppe Meazza	14:00	Not started
Napoli	vs	AC Milan	San Paolo	19:30	Not Started

Spanish Primera Liga

Home team	Score	Away team	Venue	Time	More information
Getafe	vs	Recreativo Huelva	Coliseum Alfonso Perez	16:00	Not started
Mallorca	vs	Atletico Madrid	ONO Estadi	16:00	Not Started
Real Madrid	vs	Almeria	Santiago Bernabeu	16:00	Not started
Deportivo La Coruna	vs	Real Betis	Riazor	16:00	Not started
Numancia	vs	Sporting Gijon	Nuevo Los Pajaritos	16:00	Not started
Racing Santander	vs	Valencia	El Sardinero	16:00	Not started
Osasuna	vs	Espanyol	Reyno de Navarra	16:00	Not started
Barcelona	vs	Malaga	Camp Nou	16:00	Not Started

Dutch Eredivisie

Home team	Score	Away team	Venue	Time	More information
Roda JC	vs	ADO Den Haag	Parkstad Limburg Stadion	11:30	Not started
AZ	vs	Feyenoord	DSB Stadion	13:30	Not Started
FC Twente	vs	FC Groningen	Arke Stadion	13:30	Not started
NAC	vs	Ajax	Fujifilm	13:30	Not started
FC Volendam	vs	FC Utrecht	Veronica Stadion	13:30	Not started

German Bundesliga

Home team	Score	Away team	Venue	Time	More information
Schalke 04	vs	Hamburg	Veltins Arena	16:00	Not Started

French Ligue 1

Home team	Score	Away team	Venue	Time	More information
Lorient	vs	St Etienne	Yves-Allainmat	16:00	Not Started
Lyon	vs	Sochaux	Municipal De Gerland	16:00	Not Started
Toulouse	vs	PSG	Stadium Municipal	20:00	Not Started

Japanese J League

Home team	Score	Away team	Venue	Time	More information
Kyoto Purple Sanga	vs	Gamba Osaka	Kyoto Stadium	04:00	Not Started
Nagoya Grampus Eight	vs	Shimizu S-Pulse	Mizuho Stadium	04:00	Not Started
Kashima Antlers	vs	Sanfrecce Hiroshima	Kashima Soccer Stadium	07:00	Not Started
JEF United Ichihara-Chiba	vs	Kawasaki Frontale	Rinkai Stadium	07:00	Not Started

American MLS League

Home team	Score	Away team	Venue	Time	More information
Houston Dynamo	vs	Columbus Crew	Robertson Stadium	00:00	Not Started
Kansas City Wizards	vs	Toronto FC	Community America Ballpark	00:30	Not Started
FC Dallas	vs	Chicago Fire	Pizza Hut Park	00:30	Not Started
Chivas USA	vs	Colorado Rapids	The Home Depot Center	02:30	Not Started
San Jose Earthquakes	vs	N.E Revolution	Buck Shaw Stadium	02:30	Not Started
L.A Galaxy	vs	DC United	Home Depot Center	19:00	Not Started

Barclays Premier League

Home team	Score	Away team	Venue	Time	More information
Wigan	vs	Hull	The JJB Stadium	13:30	Not Started
Man City	vs	Sunderland	City of Manchester Stadium	15:00	Not Started
Liverpool	vs	Aston Villa	Anfield	16:00	Not Started

The Coca-Cola Football League Championship

Home team	Score	Away team	Venue	Time	More information
Cardiff	vs	Sheff Utd	Ninian Park	15:00	Not started

Clydesdale Bank Premier League

Home team	Score	Away team	Venue	Time	More information
Dundee Utd	vs	Celtic	Tannadice Park	14:00	Not Started

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Soccer Articles

Bayern Munich Bid For Hleb
German powerhouse Bayern Munich have reportedly made a bid for the Belarusian international midfielder Aliaksandr Hleb.

Mourinho Not Interested In Man United Job
Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho has reportedly denied fostering any interest in replacing Sir Alex Ferguson as the manager of the reigning Premier League and European champions Manchester United in the future.

Frank Rijkaard To Coach Milan?
Former FC Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard is reportedly being targeted by Italian club AC Milan to become their coach at the end of the season.

Milan VP: Beckham Deal Not Done Yet
AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has dismissed all reports claiming that they and the LA Galaxy have come to an agreement over star midfielder David Beckham.

Figo: I Never Wanted To Leave Barcelona
Portuguese legend Luis Figo has dug old ghosts out of the grave after he reaffirmed in an interview that he did not want to leave FC Barcelona when he did.

Milan Still Chasing Nemanja Vidic
Italian and European powerhouse AC Milan are still chasing Serbian international Nemanja Vidic from Manchester United and are reported to make a formal bid in the summer of 2009.

Lazio President Sentenced To Jail
The president of the Italian Serie A club Lazio, Claudio Lotito, has been sentenced to two years in prison for two years for irregularities with the Roma club's shares in 2005.

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Lazio President Sentenced To Jail

Tuesday, March 3, 2009 -- The president of the Italian Serie A club Lazio, Claudio Lotito, has been sentenced to two years in prison for two years for irregularities with the Roma club's shares in 2005.


APCOM reports that the tribunal of Milan have pronounced a two year jail sentence for the Lazio president after it was found that he had manipulated shares of the clubs in 2005.

Lotito was also found to have stopped the Consob watchdog agency from carrying out any probe into these clandestine dealings and has now been sentenced to two years in prison.

Read more...

Milan Still Chasing Nemanja Vidic

Tuesday, March 3, 2009 -- Italian and European powerhouse AC Milan are still chasing Serbian international Nemanja Vidic from Manchester United and are reported to make a formal bid in the summer of 2009.

Il Corriere Dello Sports reports that chiefs at Milan have set themselves to sign the highly rated Serbian international centre-back as they think that he would be the solution to their defensive frailties.

Reports suggest that Milan are willing to splash out as much as 20 million euros for the 27-year old but Vidic has a contract with the reigning Premier League and European champions Man United until 2012 and it is not very likely that Vidic would like to barter United for Milan.

The Italian club are in desperate need of summer reinforcements at the back as legendary Paolo Maldini is set to leave at the end of the season while Alessandro Nesta has been struggling with injuries for quite some time.

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Figo: I Never Wanted To Leave Barcelona

Tuesday, March 3, 2009 -- Portuguese legend Luis Figo has dug old ghosts out of the grave after he reaffirmed in an interview that he did not want to leave FC Barcelona when he did.

The former Portuguese international midfielder played for the Catalan giants Barcelona for five years before he joined archrivals Real Madrid in the summer of 2000 for what was then a world record transfer fee and was the first of the Galatico of the Florentino Perez era at the Bernabeu.

Figo became a massive hate figure in Catalunya and Barcelona. It was thought that he had already signed a pre-contract in the summer of 2000 and has never been forgiven by the Barcelona supporters.

In an interview with Spanish paper El Pais, the current Inter Milan midfielder said that he never wanted to leave Barcelona but had to do so. He said:

"I didn't lie when I said that I wanted to stay with Barcelona. I wanted to remain there and the president also knew that. My only mistake back then was to say in an interview that I would not go.

"I could not change the opinion of the people because I could not compete with the press, the president...Out of 80,000 people, only 5,000 would believe me" he mused.

"I take responsibility for it. It is normal that if I go to Barcelona, people will hate me."

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Milan VP: Beckham Deal Not Done Yet

Tuesday, March 3, 2009 -- AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has dismissed all reports claiming that they and the LA Galaxy have come to an agreement over star midfielder David Beckham.

Beckham is currently on loan from MLS side LA Galaxy to Italian and European giants AC Milan and his loan period is set to expire in the end of March.

But the England international midfielder has maintained that he does not want to return to the USA and wants to carry on playing for Milan.

Earlier on Tuesday, there were reports suggesting that a deal has been reached between the two clubs but Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has now dismissed all such reports and says that things have yet to come to any solution in regards to the Beckham situation.

He told reporters at the Malpensa Airport:

“I have read that [the Beckahm deal] was wrapped up but it’s not true. There is no agreement yet but we are indeed working to secure a loan deal until June 30."

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Frank Rijkaard To Coach Milan?

Tuesday, March 3, 2009 -- Former FC Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard is reportedly being targeted by Italian club AC Milan to become their coach at the end of the season.

Rijkaard was sacked by Barcelona at the end of the 2007-2008 season after spending five years in Catalunya and led the Blaugranas to two liga triumphs and one UEFA Champions League crown.

Milan are going through some tough times this season and were knocked out of the UEFA Cup last week. They are also more or less out of the reckoning for the Italian Serie A title this season and there are consistent reports that Milan supremo Silvio Berlusconi shall sack coach Carlo Ancelotti at the end of the season.

It has now emerged that former Milan player Frank Rijkaard might be approached to coach Milan. Rijkaard's agent Perry Overeem has accepted that they do keep in touch with Milan but have denied any suggestions that the club have officially approached his client but does say that if any offer does come from Milan, then they would certainly analyze it.

Overeeem told Calciomercato.it:

“We speak with Milan very often, but about completely different matters. We have never talked about him becoming the next Milan boss. Of course, he has a Rossoneri past and should they show an interest and make a proposal, we would carefully evaluate it.”

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Mourinho Not Interested In Man United Job

Tuesday, March 10, 2009 -- Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho has reportedly denied fostering any interest in replacing Sir Alex Ferguson as the manager of the reigning Premier League and European champions Manchester United in the future.


Earlier last week the British media were obsessed with the news that the former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho wanted to manage Man United when Sir Alex Ferguson retires.

But Mourinho has now dismissed all such claims made by the Brirtish media. His advisor, Eladio Parames, has told the British tabloid The Sun that all such reports are unfounded and made it clear that Mourinho is staying with Inter Milan.

He said:

"Jose did not give an interview or speak with anyone about Alex Ferguson’s job.

"The contents of the article are ridiculous. First, it shows a lack of respect to Sir Alex, whom Jose is a great admirer of and believes will manage Manchester United for many years to come.

"Jose has a deal with Inter, which he plans to honour, and it shows a lack of respect to Manchester United in a week in which Inter are preparing to face them in an important Champions League match."

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Bayern Munich Bid For Hleb

Tuesday, March 10, 2009 -- German powerhouse Bayern Munich have reportedly made a bid for the Belarusian international midfielder Aliaksandr Hleb.

Catalan-based sports daily El Mundo Deportivo has reported that the Bavarian giants have tabled a 8 million euro bid for the out-of-favour Aliaksandr Hleb. Hleb was signed by Barcelona in the summer of 2008 from Premier League club Arsenal for 15 million euros.

Hleb, though, has failed to settle at Camp Nou and has started only a handful of matches. He is understandably frustrated and it has now been reported that Bayern would like to sign him in the summer of 2009.

Bayern are thought to be bracing themselves for the departure of their star player Franck Ribery, who has been linked with a number of top European clubs. Hleb is said to replace the French international midfielder.

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Striker Villa will snub Man City move - agent

Manchester City look set to be thwarted in their bid to sign one of the world's top players yet again with David Villa's agent claiming the forward would turn down a move to Premier League.

Prized asset David Villa is sure to leave this summer as a result of Valencia's finances

The Spanish club face an uncertain financial situation with debts in the region of 450m euros and star players such as Villa and David Silva seem sure to be sold when the transfer window reopens in the summer.

Valencia confirmed on Thursday that they had held initial talks with City over the transfer. However, it now appears the striker, one of the top performers at Euro 2008 with Spain, does not want to leave his homeland.

"He'll not leave Spain, he's very clear about that," newspaper El Mundo Deportivo quoted Villa's agent Jose Luis Tamargo as saying on its website.

The 27-year-old may find his options limited, however. With Valencia in desperate need of funds they will be looking for a good price, even though they may not get his market worth considering their position.

Villa is thought to have a 140m euro release clause in his contract, but City are understood to have been working on a 60m euro bid.

If neither Real Madrid nor Barcelona are able, or prepared, to meet the asking price then Villa could have little choice but to sign for Manchester City.

After missing out on Kaka in January it would come as a further blow to City's ambitious and cash-rich owners considering that Valencia, unlike AC Milan, have to sell.

Villa signed a six-year contract last August, but it now seems inevitable that he will leave Valencia in the close season.

City would be prepared to pay a hefty salary to lure him to Eastlands, but Tamargo insists no amount of money would tempt Villa away from Spain.

He added: "I don't know what type of contact there has been between them, if there has been, nor any agreements that could be made, but his future will not be outside the country.

"It's not a question of money.''

Silva is being linked to Juventus and the Spain midfielder admits he is a big admirer of the Bianconeri.

"Why not?'' he told Gazzetta dello Sport when asked if he could win the Champions League with Juve next season. "Juve have so many great players. They can aim high.

"There are two Italian footballers I admire: (Alessandro) Del Piero and (Andrea) Pirlo. And Del Piero is the Juve captain.

"Juve are a great club. They have international prestige. I saw that they were knocked out of the Champions League by Chelsea. But they went out with their heads held high.

"The Champions League is also my dream. There is something magical about lifting that cup.

"Spanish newspapers are saying that Juventus want to buy me. They've been going on about this story for days.''

Reports suggest Juventus see Silva, who signed a seven-year contract at Valencia last June, as an ideal replacement for Pavel Nedved who is set to retire at the end of the season.

However, the 23-year-old insists he is nowhere near that level yet.

Silva said: "Why does he want to retire? For how he fights on the pitch, Nedved still seems very young.

"He has been one of the great players of European football. I am only Silva. No comparisons.''

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Four bids to host Euro 2016

Man Utd & Inter Milan drew 0-0 in their last 16 first leg but Jose Mourinho has lost just 1 of 5 previous visits to Old Trafford.

UEFA has confirmed that it received four bids to stage the Euro 2016 championships by Monday's deadline. They are France, Italy, Turkey and a joint bid from Sweden and Norway.

According to a press release from European football's governing body, "France, Italy, and Turkey have informed UEFA they wish to submit a single bid, while a joint bid will be presented by Norway/Sweden."

The process now continues, with UEFA looking at the infrastructure and experience of each of the candidates, and presenting them with the requirements expected of them.

"A second phase, starting on or about 3 April 2009 with the distribution of the bid requirements, will allow the candidates to develop their bid dossiers, which they will have to present to UEFA by 15 February 2010."

After that stage, UEFA will visit each candidate, and provide written evaluations of their suitability, with a final decision being made at the end of May 2010.

If Norway and Sweden's bid is successful, it would be the fourth time finals have been jointly hosted. Belgium and Holland first did so in 2000, Austria and Switzerland eight years afterwards and Poland and the Ukraine will do so in three years time.

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Juventus Win Turin Derby

• Milan Announce Beckham Deal

  After weeks of negotiations Milan has officially announced that David Beckham will stay with the club through the end of the Serie A season in June. Beckham will rejoin the Los Angeles Galaxy for he second half of its Major League Soccer campaign, but how well he will be received remains unclear.

  »Counterattack: Biggest Loser If Beckham Deal Is Done?
  »Adriano Galliani Confirms David Beckham Deal
• Juventus Win Turin Derby

  A late goal from Giorgio Chiellini gave Juventus a 1-0 win over Torino in the Turin derby. The defender headed home a Pavel Nedved free kick to give Juve the lead in the 81st minute. Inter also got another win with goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Mario Balotelli sinking Genoa 2-0.

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