Weekly Dose: Hoffenheim Special Edition

September 3, 2008

Goto SourceNewly promoted 1899 Hoffenheim have made quite a few headlines in the first few weeks of the new season. More than enough headlines actually for a Weekly Dose edition entirely dedicated to them.

A BILD reporter sets out on a journey to Hoffenheim and discovers that Dietmar Hopp’s (Hoffenheim’s billionaire sugar daddy) birthplace is now home to a kebab shop, which the Hoffenheim players frequently visit for, I guess, pilgrimage reasons to honor their rich benefactor. (BILD.de)
Gabriele Marcotti thinks Dietmar Hopp is the desirable type of billionaire, when it comes to bankrolling clubs. (Times Online)
Soccerlens looks at the fairytale and cynical aspects of the Hoffenheim story. (Soccerlens)
If you are not into reading, you might want to listen to this story about Hoffenheim from the Marketplace program on NPR (public radio) instead; kudos to our reader Alex for the link! (publicradio.org)
Ian Peterson gives a quick overview of the Hoffenheim story for the bleacher report. (Bleacher Report)
Deutsche Welle’s Ballspiel blog get a mention from me for their headline alone: Don’t Hassle the Hoff-enheim. (DW Ballspiel)
Bloomberg report about Hoffenheim and, somewhat unsurprisingly, their article contains a lot of 100 million euros, 28 million SAP shares, 80 million euro annual budgets and 60 million-euro stadiums. (Bloomberg)
Hoffenheim also made it all the way across the pond into the LA Times. (Los Angeles Times)
Raphael Honigstein takes a look at Hoffenheim’s coach Ralf “The Professor” Rangnick and his love for modern football. (Guardian sportblog)

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Week 23 Recap – Better late than never

September 3, 2008

Ok, so I want to try and write these recaps on Monday. I didn’t get around to it this time, but I promise that it’ll be better next week. Or not, as I think I have jury duty. Yuck. There wasn’t as much Eastern dominance though, as only Columbus managed a win against a non-Conference opponent. The Revs and their injuries seem to be catching up with them, while DC and New York continue their battle for the final playoff spot.

Real Salt Lake 2-0 Rapids
The Rapids continue to sink, while RSL’s home surge continues. Colorado can’t seem to muster anything positive these days, and it’s not going to be long before you can stick a fork in their season – their done. Meanwhile, Real must not want to move into their new stadium anytime soon, as they continue to be dominant at home. A brace from Fabian Espindola, along with a couple of Javier Morales assist meant this game was over. Preston Burpo, what were you thinking on that second goal?

New England 2-2 Los Angeles
As I previously mentioned, the Revs seem handicapped right now by injuries. This was the surprise of the week for me, but when Landon Donovan decides to switch it on – and with Gullit gone, expect it to continue – the Galaxy can go toe to toe with anyone. New England must be more embarrassed about losing to Joe Public 6-1 on aggregate. Yikes.

DC United 0-0 New York
This was a close one, with either side staking a claim at dropping two points. I guess the stronger argument can go on the half of DC, as Jaime Moreno absolutely blew a PK. I haven’t seen a worse taken kick in awhile – that’s for sure. Louis Crayton then had to bail them out, as Juan Pablo Angel remains the only sort of consistent attack up front for the ~~Thai~~ Austrian energy drink conglomerate. Although Osorio’s new signings are really starting to continue the improvement. Might this be the year for the Red Bull? We’ll see.

FC Dallas 1-2 Columbus
The old adage proves true as Guillermo Barros Schelotto goes, so goes the Crew offense. With two assists this week, the Argentinian midfielder continues to leave his mark week in and week out on the MLS. Somehow, Dallas still holds the fourth and final playoff spot in the west, but anymore goalless games from Kenny Cooper and they’ll be toast.

San Jose 2-1 Kansas City
Give Frank Yallop credit where credit is due. I remember the beginning of the season when San Jose equaled the Derby County of the MLS and was practically a 3 point ATM. He’s turned them into a squad with some real bite, thanks to additions like Darren Huckerby, who scored the game winner this week. While they may not make the playoffs, I can’t help but feel happy for the Bay Arena folk. At least they’ve put up a fight, and if this continues, make the playoffs. The Wizards, on the other hand, are stuck in the wrong conference, and Curt Onalfo could be feeling the pressure out in KC.

Chivas 2-1 Toronto
The Canadians just can’t get points on the road. An ugly goal from Atiba Harris off an even uglier corner kick trickled past Greg Sutton for the winner. Hardly deserving, although Chivas had a number of other chances go astray. Rohan Ricketts had a lovely chip to set up Toronto’s lone goal, although Ante Razov – USMNT anyone? – set up journeyman Alecko Eskandarian’s goal soon thereafter. Chivas is still in a good place to get to the postseason, although Toronto must start winning on the road. 2-9 away from BMO field will get you nowhere.

Houston 2-1 Chicago
Brian McBride’s first goal for the Fire wasn’t enough to grab an away victory, as they were overcome by the Dynamo’s Dewayne De Rosario and Brian Mullen. I just hope that the Dynamo don’t win the MLS Cup. Again.

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Keegan has talks with Newcastle United

September 3, 2008

LONDON (SW) – Newcastle United manager Kevin Keegan was having talks with the club today about his future.

Keegan had not attended any of today’s practices amid reports that he had been involved in arguments with club officials. This was the second consecutive day on which he hadn’t attended any practices.

In a statement issued by the club today it was reiterated that he was still the club’s manager and that both club and he were involved in talks in an attempt to iron out the differences.

Written by: Dave Cohen

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Milan and Fiorentina fans to be kept out

September 3, 2008

ROME (AFP) – Following the violence and destruction caused by Napoli fans in Rome on the opening Serie A weekend of the season, AC Milan and Fiorentina supporters will be banned from travelling to their club’s next away matches.

The decision has been taken by the Committee for the analysis of security at sporting events (Casms), the body charged with disicipline in the country’s football leagues.

Napoli fans were on Monday night barred from all away matches this season by Italian Interior Minister Roberto Maroni.

And now Casms has said that in next weekend’s championship matches Milan fans will be excluded from their match in Genoa while Fiorentina’s fans will not be allowed to attend their game in Napoli, in both cases due to concerns over potential crowd trouble.

The game in Napoli may even be played behind closed doors.

But Italy captain and Real Madrid centre-back Fabio Cannavro, who is from Napoli, said it is not just his home-town fans who are a problem.

“It’s not just a problem with Napoli but with the whole country,” said Cannavaro. “Right now I wouldn’t take my kids to an Italian stadium.

“I’m proud of being Neapolitan but sadly problems happen everywhere. Shamefully there is a movement that is not turning away from violence. They need to start respecting the rules.”

Casms also decided to elevate security measures for Italy’s World Cup qualifier against Georgia in Udine on September 10 and will look into the possibility of banning away fans from other Serie A matches throughout the season.

But despite the trouble on Sunday, where a train from Napoli to Rome was vandalised and 20 buses in the capital destroyed by Napoli fans, Palermo’s chief of Police Antonio Manganelli believes violence is subsiding in the country.

Last February Italian police officer Filippo Raciti was killed during football violence surrounding the Sicilian derby between Catania and Palermo and Lazio fan Gabriele Sandri was shot dead by a policeman in November after clashes between Lazio and Juventus fans broke out at a service station.

“Despite Raciti’s murder incidents in stadiums have diminished and so too even injuries sustained by forces of order and spectators,” said Maganelli.

“Now incidents are being controlled which is encouraging decent fans and families to return to stadiums.”

Written by: AFP
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Chelsea´s Drogba won´t risk an early return

September 3, 2008

LONDON (AFP) – Chelsea striker Didier Drogba insists he won’t rush back from the knee injury which has forced him to miss the start of the season.

The 30-year-old has been sidelined with the problem since the club’s pre-season tour to Asia and Russia.

The Ivory Coast star continued his rehabilitation as he played in a reserve match against Arsenal on Tuesday, but he has no intention of risking his long-term fitness by playing before he is completely fit.

“I had good feelings, but it is a bit early to say I am in good shape,” Drogba told Chelsea TV.

“It is really hard because this is the first time for many years I have been out for three months and it is really difficult to come back.

“I need time, but the good thing is the club understand I need time to be fit because they know when I am fit, I will give everything for the team.”

Luiz Felipe Scolari would love to have Drogba back now after Manchester City hijacked his bid for Brazil forward Robinho. Instead the Chelsea coach is already looking ahead to the January transfer window.

“Now I know the balance of the team, what I need if I have injuries here or there. Before I didn’t know very well what was happening with the players,” he said.

“In January, maybe, I’ll have one more player in, or one or two leaving.”

Written by: AFP
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We´ll win without Frings and Ballack: Schweinsteiger

September 3, 2008

OBERHACHING, Germany (AFP) – Midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger insists Germany will win both their forthcoming World Cup 2010 qualifying matches without key injured veterans Torsten Frings and Michael Ballack.

“It is important to win these two matches,” said Bayern Munich’s Schweinsteiger with Germany set to face minnows Liechtenstein in Vaduz on Saturday and Finland in Helsinki next Wednesday.

“We know that we have a lot of potential and quality in the side.

“We are young and we are hungry.

“Of course, Ballack and Frings are two important players, but we are owed a victory.”

Defensive midfielder Frings, with 77 caps for his country, was forced to pull out of both games after breaking his nose playing in an exhibition game of basketball for his club Werder Bremen at the weekend.

And attacking midfielder Germany captain Ballack, who has 87 caps, has had to withdraw after injuring his foot playing for Premier League side Chelsea.

Germany coach Joachim Loew says Ballack will need another “eight or nine days rest” before he will be fit and in his absence Bayern Munich striker Miroslav Klose is expected to captain Germany.

Die Mannschaft have been drawn with Russia, Finland, Azerbaijan, Wales and Liechtenstein in Group 4 for the 2010 World Cup qualifiers and manager Oliver Bierhoff insists it will not be an easy group.

“Our objective is to finish first, but the Russians showed what they are worth during Euro 2008 and Finland only just missed out on qualifying,” said Bierhoff.

In their only game since losing the Euro 2008 final against Spain 1-0 in Vienna, Germany beat Belgium 2-0 on August 20 without both Ballack and Frings.

Written by: AFP
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Curbishley quits West Ham

September 3, 2008

LONDON (AFP) – Alan Curbishley has resigned as West Ham manager, the Premier League club confirmed on Wednesday.

Curbishley’s decision to quit was apparently triggered by the departures of Anton Ferdinand and George McCartney to Sunderland just before the transfer deadline.

He had wanted to keep both defenders but the club’s board allowed the sales to go through. Curbishley responded by tendering his resignation on Wednesday and it was immediately accepted by West Ham owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson.

A club statement said: “We can confirm that we have accepted Alan Curbishley’s resignation as we feel it is in the best interests of both parties.

“We wish Alan all the success in the future. A shortlist of candidates is being drawn up and an announcement will be made in due course about the new West Ham United manager.”

Despite being under heavy pressure from fans unhappy with the club’s mediocre performances last season, Curbishley, who took charge at Upton Park in December 2006, led West Ham to two wins from their first three matches, including a 4-1 success against Blackburn on Saturday, but his lack of control over transfers appears to have proved the final straw.

Curbishley had initially been allowed to go on a lavish spending spree when he took charge at the east London club. But West Ham’s Icelandic owners had hired Italian technical director Gianluca Nani to oversee the club’s transfers in March.

Since then a host of first teamers including Ferdinand, McCartney, Freddie Ljungberg, Nolberto Solano and Bobby Zamora have all left, while Swiss international Valon Behrami was the only high-profile arrival, as the Hammers tried to slash their wage bill.

Just hours before Curbishley’s departure was announced, the Hammers board had released a statement justifying their position with regards to their transfer policy.

“As stated before and during the close season, our intention was always to hone the size of the playing staff with several key performers returning to fitness and the emergence of homegrown talent,” the statement read.

“Along with the importance of adding quality new signings with bright futures, a key aim has been to secure important players on long-term contracts.

“However, in particular, the transfers of Anton Ferdinand and George McCartney along with the release of Freddie Ljungberg were right for the club and decisions had to be taken based on our best long-term interests.

“In the past week, agreement could not be reached with Ferdinand on a new contract to replace his original deal that had just two years left to run while McCartney handed in a formal written transfer request after failing to resolve his personal reasons for wanting a move away.”

Gudmundsson added: “In my first full season as chairman I can assure supporters we are working hard to bring sustained success to West Ham United.

“We have a long-term strategy that takes into account all aspects of West Ham United’s past, present and future and we will not be deterred.”

Croatia coach Slaven Bilic, a former West Ham player, is the early favourite to replace Curbishley.

Written by: AFP
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Have Real Madrid lost their transfer market mojo?

September 3, 2008

Have the nine-times European champions Real Madrid lost their pulling power, or did they just play the market badly this time?

They put all their eggs (well, most of them) in one basket to land Cristiano Ronaldo but only succeeded in upsetting Robinho when he found out they might sell him to help finance the deal.

They then failed to convince Robinho to sign an improved contract and with time running out they couldn’t persuade David Villa to move from Valencia or Santi Cazorla to leave Villarreal.

Now they start the new Primera Liga season low on resources, at least in attack. Midfielder Rafael van der Vaart is their one major signing and if he stays fit for any length of time he could be a very useful one. But will it be enough win the trophy all Real fans want and expect – their tenth European Cup?

Raul, 31, and Ruud van Nistelrooy, 32, are getting long in the tooth and as back-up they only have Gonzalo Higuain, who shows potential but not a killer instinct, and Javier Saviola, who hardly played at all last year.

They have one proven winger Arjen Robben, who is injury prone, while Royston Drenthe has yet to set the flanks alight.

Bernd Schuster, who doesn’t look very happy at the best of times, said grumpily after Sunday’s opening day defeat to Deportivo Coruna, ”l looked to the left of me on the bench and didn’t see any strikers.”

The player who could have made a difference coming off the bench was Robinho, and he had been left out of the squad in a sign of things to come.

PHOTO: Real coach Bernd Schuster with new signing Rafael van der Vaart during their friendly away to Eintracht Frankfurt, August 12, 2008. REUTERS/Alex Grimm

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Ferguson appoints Phelan as assistant manager

September 3, 2008

MANCHESTER, England (AFP) – Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson appointed Mike Phelan as his assistant manager on Wednesday.

Ferguson needed a new number two after Carlos Queiroz left Old Trafford to become Portugal coach in July.

Phelan, a former United player who has worked his way up through the ranks of the backroom staff, has been working as a first team coach since 2001 when Steve McClaren left for Middlesbrough.

Dutchman Rene Meulensteen has also been promoted from technical skills development officer to take on Phelan’s former role.

United chief executive David Gill also confirmed Angolo striker Manucho has finally been given the green light to link up with the first-team squad.

Manucho signed a three-year deal with United last year after impressing during a trial spell. But his work permit application was initially rejected and he was sent on loan to Greek side Panathinaikos.

Now, after looking through government regulations, Gill has revealed the player has automatically qualified for the work permit.

“We couldn’t get a work permit for him straight away, but when we looked at the rules and regulations we found that he actually qualified for one automatically. We’re delighted to have him,” Gill told MUTV.

“He’s 25 and has got a lot of great attributes. You only need to look at the goals he scored at the African Nations Cup to see that and I think he brings something different to the team.

“He’s got a little injury at the moment, but we’re looking forward to him getting fit and showing us what he can do. He’s a great prospect.”

Written by: AFP
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Leeds plead guilty to FA charge over unlicensed agent

September 3, 2008

LEEDS, England (AFP) – Fallen giants Leeds United pleaded guilty to a Football Association charge of using an unlicensed agent on Wednesday.

The charge relates to the signing of Anthony Elding from Stockport in January 2008. Elding has since left the former English champions to join League One rivals Crewe.

A statement on the club’s confirmed: “Leeds United can confirm that the club has pleaded guilty to the Football Association charge for using an unlicensed agent in respect of the transfer of Anthony Elding from Stockport County in January 2008.

“The club has requested for a personal hearing and no further comment will be made, other than we would like to re-iterate the fact that no payment has been made or is alleged to have been made to the agent involved in respect of the transfer.”

Written by: AFP
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