The outspoken Portuguese, whose side are favourites for a fifth straight scudetto this term, has far from mellowed while lying on the beach.

Here’s his latest amusing rant from the Gazzetta dello Sport about the discipline of different nationalities in soccer.

“The Brazilians are the most difficult and ill-disciplined. If you organise a meeting for 10, they don’t care if you let them enter or not. The English arrive at 9.55, the Italian, even if he comes at 10.01, arrives in a hurry and is fed up.

The Portuguese are there at 10 or 9.59. A Frenchman, who is always right, comes at 10 but thinks there was no actual reason to be punctual. Russians arrive at 10, not a minute before and not a minute after. They need to be guided.”

Looking at who he worked with at Chelsea and Inter, can you guess who he is referring to?

Roll on the new season…

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Could it be someone else’s time?

Mexico comes in with another new coach, Javier Aguirre, and sitting uncomfortably fourth in the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying. The United States arrives as the two-time defending champion but having played two World Cup qualifiers and five games in the Confederations Cup over the past month.

U.S. manager Bob Bradley comes into the Gold Cup with a hybrid roster, a core of experimental players from Major League Soccer supplemented on Thursday by several from his Confederations Cup team.

“It’s a great opportunity for guys,” Bradley said. “Part of the planning of the summer was trying to bring a strong group [to South Africa], but understand to use the second tournament for a way to look at certain guys, to give them an opportunity. That’s important.”

Javier Aguirre of Mexico similarly will be relying on lesser-established regulars like Giovani Dos Santos and Carlos Vela as well as Gerardo Torrado, Omar Bravo and Memo Ochoa.

“The Mexican national team does not depend on anybody,” Aguirre said. “There are no starters. We are all Mexican. There are some people who may not agree with me. They may have favorite players. But that’s the right I have been given, to choose who I want.”

The most obvious choice to issue a challenge to the traditional powers is Costa Rica. Although the Ticos have reached the final only once, in 2002 – when it lost to the United States in the title match, it is riding high in CONCACAF, atop the final round of World Cup qualifying standings.

Much of the credit has been bestowed on manager Rodrigo Kenton, who after a year on the job has elevated Costa Rica from 79th to 47th in the FIFA Rankings.

“Right now, we are really motivated as we begin our Gold Cup campaign because coach Kenton has brought back the trust of the fans and media, and brought a lot of motivation to the players,” Costa Rica defender Gonzalo Segares said.

The tournament will open Friday with Canada facing Jamaica at The Home Depot Center, the home of the Los Angeles Galaxy and Chivas USA.  Costa Rica will then take on El Salvador in the nightcap.

The Gold Cup will move to Seattle on Tuesday with Honduras facing Haiti and United States opening against Caribbean runner-up Grenada. The first series of group matches will conclude on Sunday in Oakland with Panama taking on the surprise of 2007, Guadeloupe, and finishing with Mexico against Gold Cup debutante Nicaragua.

The tournament will be unprecedented in that games will be played in a record 13 venues across the United States, starting on the West Coast and moving eastward to the final in Giants Stadium outside New York on July 26.

The United States will be trying to tie Mexico with a third straight title and win an unprecedented fifth. The Mexicans will be looking to reclaim the crown it last won in 2003.

But other teams also have claims to make. Nicaragua will be playing in its first major event, an achievement it likens to going to the World Cup.

Guadeloupe wants to repeat its 2007 run, when it reached the semifinals before finally succumbing to Mexico. Like Nicaragua, Grenada is making its debut as the smallest nation (population about 90,000) ever to qualify for the regional championship.

Canada and Jamaica are both coming off semifinal round eliminations in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying and have new, interim coaches as they look to start the rebuilding process for 2014.

Panama, which reached the final in 2005, arrives with its first Central American title, having knocked off Costa Rica in the UNCAF final in February.

And there is Central American rivals Honduras and El Salvador, still in the heat of World Cup qualifying and hoping to solidify for the stretch run.

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The 34-year-old former Brazil international signed for Hamburg on Thursday, the club said. Ze Roberto was a free agent after turning down Bayern Munich’s offer of a one-year extension to his contract there.

Ze Roberto played for Bayern between 2002-06 and again between 2007-09, winning four Bundesliga titles and four German Cups.

“He is a technically outstanding player and brings incredible experience with him,” Hamburg coach Bruno Labbadia said.

He also played four seasons at Bayer Leverkusen, had a season at Real Madrid, and spells with Santos, Flamengo and Portuguesa in his homeland

By: Abhimanyu Rajput

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The move could be tied up later in the day if Owen passes a medical.

Owen’s contract with Newcastle, relegated from the English top-flight last season, lapsed on July 1.

It seemed the only clubs interested in signing the 29-year-old former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker were Stoke and Hull - both Premier League sides but teams for whom staying up was an achievement in itself.

However, they now appear to have been joined by United, who have seen forwards Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez both leave Old Trafford since the end of last season.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is reportedly planning to sign Owen, whose time at Newcastle was blighted by a succession of injury problems, on a pay-as-you-play deal.

Owen’s weekly wage at Newcastle, for whom he scored 10 goals last season, was believed to be around 120,000 pounds (197,000 dollars) but reports said he would take a substantial paycut to sign for a leading Premier League club.

The forward, who has scored 40 goals in 89 England appearances, has yet to persuade England coach Fabio Capello he has a future at international level.

But Owen’s career could be rejuvenated by playing alongside the likes of England striker Wayne Rooney at Old Trafford.

United have yet to make a public comment about the proposed deal.

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‘Actually, Owen could be offered a basic wage of a paltry £20,000-a-week, with performance-related bonuses taking him close to the £110,000-a-week he earned at Newcastle.’ - Daily Mail

‘Chelsea are the only club to have submitted a formal bid, of about £40m, for Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribery - but the French international wants to join Real Madrid.’ - Daily Telegraph

‘Real Madrid have put their bid for Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso on hold, until mid-July when his former club Real Sociedad will no longer be entitled to a percentage of the fee.’ - The Sun

‘Liverpool are steeling themselves for two bids worth nearly a combined £60m from Real Madrid and Barcelona for Alonso and his fellow midfielder Javier Mascherano.’ - Daily Telegraph

‘Manchester United will make a £16m move for Sevilla’s 28-year-old Brazilian striker Luis Fabiano, but face competition from AC Milan.’ -: Daily Mirror

‘Barcelona have risked the wrath of Arsenal by making an approach for midfielder Cesc Fabregas.’ - The Sun

‘Portsmouth defender Sol Campbell is considering a shock move to Championship club Newcastle United.’ - Daily Star

‘Chelsea are close to signing Man City youngster Daniel Sturridge and and CSKA Moscow left-back Yuri Zhirkov.’ - Daily Telegraph

‘AC Milan could make a remarkable £12m bid for Portsmouth striker Peter Crouch if they fail to sign Arsenal’s Emmanuel Adebayor.’ - The Sun

‘Fulham are also keen on Pompey’s giant hitman, preparing a £10m bid.’ - Daily Mail

‘Aston Villa are weighing up a potential £8m bid for 22-year-old Swedish striker Marcus Berg, who impressed at the recent Euro Under-21 Championship.’ - Daily Star

‘Tottenham will have to pay £12m to sign Lille’s 25-year-old Brazilian midfielder Michel Bastos.’ - Daily Mail

‘Goalkeeper Kelvin Davis, 32, will seal his move from Southampton to West Ham on Monday.’ - The Sun

‘Hull boss Phil Brown could be set to offer veteran midfielder Dietmar Hamann a 12-month contract after he was released by Manchester City.’ - Daily Mirror

‘West Brom have rejected a £2m bid from Fulham for captain Jonathan Greening.’ - Daily Star

‘Everton are set to raid Leeds to sign highly-rated defender Luke Garbutt in a £1m deal.’ - Daily Star

‘Wolves will complete the £2m signing of Sunderland defender Greg Halford, 24, on Friday.’ - The Sun

‘Stoke are set to make a £5m bid for Manchester City’s Zimbabwean striker Benjani.’ - Daily Star

‘Watford have accepted a £1.8m bid from Sheffield United for their player of the year Tommy Smith, 28.’ - The Sun

‘Nottingham Forest are set to sign Preston’s Paul McKenna and QPR’s Lee Camp in the next 48 hours.’ - Daily Star

‘Norwich are close to signing Crystal Palace striker Alan Lee, 30, in a deal which could take goalkeeper Stuart Nelson, 27, the other way. - Daily Star

By: Abhimanyu Rajput

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The former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker, who is out of contract after his deal with Newcastle United expired in June, did not return for pre-season training with Newcastle.

The 29 year-old forward scored 10 goals in all competitions last season, although an ankle injury and groin operation severely disrupted his season.

Any deal for Owen would be subject to the striker passing a stringent medical, which could take place as early as Friday, given his frequent injury problems over the last few years.

“We don’t comment on transfer rumours,” a Red Devils spokesman told BBC Sport.

United are in need of strikers with the departures of Carlos Tevez, Cristiano Ronaldo and a possible move for Frazier Campbell as well.

The departure of those two players has left United manager Sir Alex Ferguson with a shortage of strikers, with Frazier Campbell also likely to be sold.

But on the other side Injury still remains an issue with the striker, with Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce ruling out a move for the striker earlier this week regarding his history with injuries.

“I just question the injury scenario,” said Allardyce.

“I need a striker that’s going to be available for 30 games next season. That’s not happened for Michael over the last four years.”

After Newcastle were relegated to the Championship, Owen expressed his desire to remain in the Premier League.

Owen was widely reported to be earning more than £100,000-a-week at Newcastle after signing a four-year deal when he moved from Real Madrid in August 2005 for a club record fee of £16m, though his wages are unlikely to be a problem for the Old Trafford club.

However, his time on Tyneside was marred by injury problems, as he suffered a broken metatarsal bone, knee ligament damage sustained at the 2006 World Cup, as well as a double hernia operation and a thigh problem.

The forward has made 79 appearances for the Magpies and scored 30 goals in four seasons.

If Owen does move to Old Trafford it would revive the former Liverpool striker’s hopes of resurrecting his international hopes and taking part in the 2010 World Cup.

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“Let’s say he does stay here for three more years. I’m not going to spend the next three years of my life doing it this way. This is (expletive) miserable,” Donovan said in passages from a forthcoming book put on Sports Illustrated’s website.

US national team captain Donovan blasted Beckham in the book, entitled “The Beckham Experiment”, questioning the former England captain’s work ethic, leadership and ability to be a good teammate on the Major League Soccer squad.

“Maybe he’s not a leader. Maybe he’s not a captain,” author Grant Wahl quotes Donovan as saying in the book, scheduled to be released later this month.

“But at a minimum you should bust your ass every day. That hasn’t happened.”

Donovan, who led the Americans to a runner-up finish on the weekend at the 2009 Confederation Cup, is one of the most decorated players in Galaxy history.

He leads all active Galaxy players in career goals (58), assists (44), shots (226) and game-winning goals (14). He holds club records for multi-goal games (14) and penalty-kick goals (17).

Donovan believes that Beckham, as the highest-paid player in the US league, has a responsibility to his team and especially to his Galaxy teammates to set an example through hard work.

“If someone is paying you more than anybody in the league, more than double anybody in the league, the least we expect is that you show up to every game, whether you are suspended or not.

“Show up, train hard, show up and play hard.

“As time has gone on, that has not proven to be the case in many ways, on or of the field.”

Beckham is currently on loan from Los Angeles to AC Milan. The 34-year-old Beckham was originally supposed to return for the entire 2009 season but got his stay in Europe extended to halfway through the MLS season.

Beckham is scheduled to return to the Galaxy on July 16, two days after the release of the book.

“I can’t think of another guy where I would say he wasn’t a good teammate,” Donovan said. “He didn’t give everything through all of this. He didn’t still care. But with (Beckham) I would say no, he wasn’t committed.”

Donovan said Beckham’s attitude changed after the team got rid of former coach Ruud Gullit.

Gullit left the team a little over a month after Beckham played his first game in Los Angeles.

“He (Beckham) just flipped a switch and said, ‘Uh-huh, I am not doing it anymore.’

“It coincides with Ruud being let go.”

Donovan said Beckham was sincere when he arrived in North America but became discouraged easily.

“He cared. He wanted to do well. He wanted the team and the league to do well,” Donovan was quoted as saying.

“My sense is David is clearly frustrated that he is unhappy and honestly, that he thinks it is a joke. I don’t see dedication or commitment to this team and that is troubling.”

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In an interview with French sports paper l’Equipe, Platini commented on the series of high-profile transfers to Spanish giants Real Madrid. Cristiano Ronaldo was signed for 94 million Euros, Kaka for 65 million and Benzema is said to cost 35 million. Raul Albion in addition, was purchased for 15 million Euros.

“I think something is not right. I don’t like it. What I don’t like either is that nowadays, contracts only seem to be signed to be broken. On the other hand, if clubs have the money, what can I do about it?

“Personally I can’t understand that you spend 90 million Euros for just one player. But I also remember the transfer of Diego Maradona, who joined Napoli from Barcelona for 6.5 million Euros in 1984. The money for Ronaldo will be the equivalent, more or less, of what was paid at the time. Back then, people thought it was excessive too.

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The 39-year-old former Italy midfielder, who made his name as a manager in the English lower leagues with MK Dons, has arrived at the Hawthorns following the club’s relegation from the English Premier League last season.

Di Matteo, who has replaced Tony Mowbray after he left to take over the reins at Scottish giants Celtic, said: “My philosophy is to play successful and winning football.

“We have our view on how we would like to achieve that success. I think that will turn out to be a positive style of football and we’ll try to apply that to the Baggies this season.”

Di Matteo has brought Eddie Newton and Ade Mafe from MK Dons as assistant head coach and head of sports science respectively.

He added: “All three of us are very hard-working people - and that’s what you’re going to get from us. There is a very good team here and we will try our best to go back up again.

“I’m very grateful to MK Dons and the chairman for letting me go to take up this opportunity. The chairman had to be brave last season to give me a chance and it worked out well for both of us.

“Now, I’m very much looking forward to taking the next step with West Bromwich Albion. I know there was a disappointment last season but I think there is potential to do very well here.”

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The new ‘zero tolerance’ policy consists of several steps, the first being that a referee may stop a game and ask for a public announcement to be made asking the public to stop this racist behaviour.

If the racism continues after the match has restarted, the referee will suspend the match once more for a period of up to ten minutes. At this moment, players will be asked to return to their dressing rooms.

The third and most drastic measure will be that a referee may actually abandon the game, if all other possibilities have been tried and proven insufficient.

UEFA Chairman Michel Platini commented on the new guidelines: “It was necessary to give the pitch people the means to do something, and we have determined the parameters and lines of conduct, whereby in important cases of racist behaviour in a stadium, a referee must stop the match.”

By: Jonathan Roorda

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