Villarreal sack Valverde after Osasuna defeat

February 1, 2010

Villarreal have parted ways with manager Ernesto Valverde following the club’s 2-0 home loss to Osasuna on Sunday.

The club spent much of the opening part of the season at or near the bottom of the table but experienced a resurgence prior to the new year.

Since entering 2010, however, Villarreal have won just once in all competitions and currently sit ninth place in the La Liga table, eight points behind the European places. The loss to Osasuna was the final straw for Villarreal’s management.

The club’s Web site issued the following statement: “Villarreal CF has rescinded its contract with manager Ernesto Valverde after the defeat in El Madrigal against Osasuna.”

The statement went on to thank Valverde for his services to the club and wished him well in his future endeavors in football.

The 45-year-old Valverde, who previously managed Athletic Bilbao, Espanyol and Olympiakos, took over the reigns of the club this past summer after long-time manager Manuel Pellegrini departed for Real Madrid.

Villarreal B manager Juan Carlos Garrido will take control of the senior team for the remainder of the season.

Tags: athletic bilbao, Bilbao, carlos garrido, competitions, el madrigal, ernesto valverde, Espanyol, final straw, future endeavors, Juan Carlos, la liga table, long time, manuel pellegrini, new year, Olympiakos, osasuna, real madrid, remainder, resurgence, table eight, time manager

Bolton sack boss Megson

December 30, 2009

Bolton manager Gary Megson has been relieved of his duties with immediate effect, the struggling Premier League club confirmed on Wednesday.

Megson, 50, was axed after his side squandered a two-goal lead in Tuesday’s 2-2 draw with Hull at the Reebok Stadium.

That result left Bolton languishing in the relegation zone, although the third bottom team do have two games in hand on the sides directly above them.

The final straw for Bolton chairman Phil Gartside came during the Hull match when the club’s fans turned on Megson after he substituted striker Ivan Klasnic with Wanderers leading 2-1.

Hull went on to equalise and Bolton fans unveiled banners proclaiming “Megson out” at full-time.

A club statement read: “The decision has been taken in the light of the position the club finds itself in the Premier League at the halfway point of the season.

“Assistant manager Chris Evans and first-team coach Steve Wigley will take charge of first-team matters for the interim period.”

Although Megson saved Bolton from relegation when he took over from Sammy Lee in October 2007, the club’s supporters have never warmed to him because of his negative tactics.

Megson even admitted after the Hull match that he knew he would never be loved by Bolton fans.

“There are probably 10 other clubs around the relegation zone this year and I’ll bet there’s no other team who have to play in similar circumstances,” he said.

“Do I think I’ll ever be given a fair crack of the whip here? No.”

Megson leaves the Reebok after losing 45 of his 99 games in charge of Wanderers and becomes the third Premier League boss to be dismissed this season following Mark Hughes’ exit from Manchester City and Paul Hart’s departure from Portsmouth.

Hughes has been installed as the bookmakers’ favourite to replace Megson, but Gartside will also look at the likes of former West Ham boss Alan Curbishley, ex-Wigan chief Paul Jewell and Darren Ferguson, who recently left Peterborough, as he seeks to ensure Bolton avoid relegation.

But with an FA Cup third round tie against League Two Lincoln on Saturday, followed by a Premier League trip to Arsenal next Wednesday, Wigley and Evans have to steady the ship quickly.

BOLTON, England (AFP)

Tags: Alan Curbishley, bolton england, chris evans, coach steve, Darren Ferguson, England, final straw, gartside, gary megson, halfway point, HULL, interim period, ivan klasnic, Lincoln, manchester city, Mark Hughes, negative tactics, paul hart, Paul Jewell, Phil Gartside, Portsmouth, premier league, reebok stadium, relegation zone, sammy lee, steve wigley, team coach, team matters

Nürnberg sack coach Oenning

December 22, 2009

After entering the winter break second from bottom in the Bundesliga, Nürnberg have parted ways with manager Michael Oenning.

Oenning, 44, guided Nürnberg to promotion last season with a second place finish in the German second division, but they have lost four straight games to leave them on just 12 points from 17 games this season.

The final straw for club management was Sunday’s 3-0 defeat at the hands of Köln, a team that had managed to score just seven goals in 16 matches prior to Sunday’s game.

The Nürnberg job was Oenning’s first as a first team manager in Germany, though he had spent spells in the training staffs of Borussia Mönchengladbach, Wolfsburg and Bochum.

Nürnberg president Franz Schäfer wished Oenning well at a press conference on Monday but did not announce if a replacement or caretaker manager had been named.

The Bundesliga is in its winter break until 15 January.

Tags: 15 january, bochum, borussia monchengladbach, Bundesliga, club management, coach, Conference, final straw, Franz Schäfer, Germany, Michael Oenning, monchengladbach, replacement, spells, staffs, straight games, training

End of St James’ Park is ultimate sell-out for Newcastle fans

October 29, 2009

Newcastle United fans have put up with a lot over the years but selling “naming rights” for James’ Park might be the final straw for some fans.

At 10pm on Tuesday the club announced that Chris Hughton would be made full-time manager and that owner Mike Ashley would no longer be selling and instead would inject 20 million pounds this week.

Slipped in among the back-slapping was the news that the club would welcome bids for the naming rights of the ground the club has occupied with pride since 1892.

Newcastle fans have had years of fun abusing Sunderland for what they consider the pretentious “Stadium of Light” which replaced Roker Park 12 years ago and now their fiercest rivals are poised to return the favour when one of the most famous and atmospheric grounds in the country becomes an advert.

Supporters have become less sensitive about names of new or rebuilt stadiums since the days when Millwall’s Den was imaginatively named “The New Den” and selling the naming rights to a new ground, such as the Emirates Stadium, is no longer that controversial.

Slapping a new name on an established ground, however, is another matter entirely.

Manchester United, never slow to miss a commercial opportunity, would surely never consider losing “Old Trafford” even though the sort of fee they could command for such a deal would dwarf anything Newcastle could hope to raise.

Imagine Liverpool’s players trotting down the tunnel and reaching up to pat a sign reading “This is the ACME Co Stadium”, with the world-famous Anfield relegated to the club museum.

Such decisions are exactly why Ashley is so disliked and distrusted by the rank and file Newcastle fans, something that cannot be changed by donning a replica shirt and downing a few pints amongst them.

The forum of the city’s Evening Chronicle newspaper website was overflowing with comments from angry fans on Wednesday.

Though some fans said it was not a major issue and that the money would be welcome, the overall feeling was very opposed. “Magpie5uk” led the way with the following heartfelt pros:

“This completely detached buffoon has to be stopped. He is unscrupulous, and will not stop until he has taken everything that not only fans, but people of Newcastle in general, appreciate. He is systematically destroying everything that means anything to the fans.
For instance:
1…Our Premier League Status.
2…Our top players.
3…Kevin Keegan.
4…Alan Shearer.
5…Our dignity.
6…Our humility.
7…Our enjoyment of Saturday Afternoons.
8…(AND POSSIBLY THE WORST OF ALL!) Our heritage, with this DISGRACEFUL decision to sell the name of the ground!!!
This man MUST be stopped!!”

PHOTO: Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley (C) at St James’ Park, Feb 1, 2009. REUTERS/Nigel Roddis

Source

Tags: acme, advert, alan shearer, anfield, angry fans, commercial opportunity, Emirates Stadium, favour, final straw, james park, kevin keegan, Liverpool, Manchester, manchester united, mike ashley, NEWCASTLE, newcastle fans, newcastle united, Nigel Roddis, old trafford, pints, rivals, roker, Roker Park, St James, stadiums, time manager

Van Basten out as coach at Ajax

May 6, 2009

THE HAGUE (AFP) – Marco van Basten has stood down as coach of Ajax after failing to guide the Dutch giants into next year’s Champions League, the club announced Wednesday on its website.

The former star striker for the Dutch national side “had reached the conclusion that he had failed to achieve the goals he had set at the start of the season and that he would be unable to do any better next season,” a club statement said.

The 44-year-old Van Basten took over at his former club last July after being Dutch national coach for four years, notably at the 2006 World Cup finals and Euro 2008.

The former European club champions are currently lying third in the Dutch first division behind unfashionable AZ Alkmaar and FC Twente and with just one game to go cannot grab one of the two spots available for next season’s Champions League.

The final straw was a 4-0 defeat away at Sparta Rotterdam last weekend.

Their last game of the season on Sunday against FC Twente will see assistant coach John van’t Schip in charge on an interim basis.

Tags: Ajax, alkmaar, assistant coach, az alkmaar, basis van, club champions, coach john, dutch first division, dutch national side, Eredivisie, Euro, euro 2008, fc twente, final straw, hague, interim basis, John van't Schip, last game, marco van basten, national coach, ROTTERDAM, schip, sparta rotterdam, star striker, Van Basten

Police escort for Michel after Sundowns beaten

March 23, 2009

JOHANNESBURG (AFP) – French coach Henri Michel left Super Stadium near Pretoria in a police vehicle Sunday after Mamelodi Sundowns became the latest victims of a shock-riddled South African FA Cup.

The defending champions lost 1-0 after extra time to Platinum Stars in a second round tie settled by a harsh 95th-minute penalty that Colombian Luis Renteria converted.

When the final whistle sounded a mob chanting "Michel must go" tried to jump over a security fence, but police and security officials quickly defused the situation.

Defeat was the final straw for some success-spoilt Sundowns supporters with the Cup exit to unfashionable Platinum ending their last hope of collecting silverware this season.

Mamelodi have traditionally been among the most successful South African football clubs but after a modest start to this season widely-travelled Michel replaced former national coach Trott Moloto.

A run of five consecutive league victories lifted Sundowns into second spot only for a shock loss at bottom club Bay United to trigger a collapse and they trail leaders SuperSport United by 11 points with five rounds left.

The cup tie was a shocker with neither Sundowns nor Platinum, stung by a record 6-0 midweek league loss, displaying any attacking ambition and there were more yellow cards than shots at goal.

It came as no surprise that a penalty decided the outcome, but whether it should have been awarded was arguable as Renteria and Sundowns defender Robyn Johannes tussled for possession inside the area.

Other Sunday matches went with form as Moroka Swallows scored twice late in the first half en route to a 4-0 win over third division Peace Lovers in Polokwane and Ajax Cape Town edged second division Nathi Lions 1-0 in Durban.

There were shocks galore Saturday with the ‘big two’ of South African football, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, among those biting the dust in last-16 clashes.

Even three fortunate goals could not prevent Chiefs falling 4-3 at second division Pretoria University while Premiership strugglers Bloemfontein Celtic came from behind to triumph 2-1 against the ‘Buccaneers.’

Also through to the quarter-finals of a Cup offering a 600,000-dollar first prize are Maritzburg United and lower league clubs Black Leopards and Winners Park.

Wriiten by: AFP

Tags: ajax cape town, Bloemfontein, bottom club, cape town, consecutive league, Durban, FA Cup, final straw, french coach, henri michel, johannesburg, Luis Renteria, mamelodi sundowns, moroka swallows, national coach, Orlando, orlando pirates, peace lovers, Platinum, polokwane, pretoria, pretoria university, Robyn Johannes, security fence, shock loss, south african football, Sundowns, Super Stadium, trott moloto, yellow cards

A Super League is a non-starter

March 18, 2009

Comments by UEFA officials that the body’s president Michel Platini is “dead set” against a European Super League must come as a huge relief to a vast majority of Europe’s clubs.

“People should not mix up philosophy and reality. As far as the president is concerned, such a proposal is a non-starter,” a senior official close to Platini told Reuters.

The statement came several hours after France Football and Gazzetta dello Sport had published, without naming sources, detailed plans for a three-tier continental league to replace the Champions League and UEFA Cup.

For most national leagues in Europe, which would have to be reorganised to allow Super League teams to play in both competitions, that would have been the final straw.

How would anyone benefit from shredding the Premier League, Europe’s wealthiest and most entertaining national championship, into five groups of four teams and a subsequent play-off so that Manchester United and Liverpool could compete?

Would it not turn Europe’s top leagues into a mockery and the Premier League trophy into a piece of worthless scrap metal?

Nevermind that it would also devalue the continent’s other leagues, whose clubs would never stand a chance of reaching the Super League’s elite tier.

Most of them find it difficult enough to qualify for the Champions League in its present format, with the top five nations regularly providing more than half of the competition’s group stage participants.

Denying clubs like Danish champions Aalborg a fair chance to impress if only for a day, like they did in their 2-2 draw at Old Trafford, would in all likelihood drive many fans away from the beautiful game.

Or, maybe you would rather watch Europe’s elite clubs lock horns several times every season even if it meant condemning the other clubs to complete oblivion?

Go to Source

Tags: Aalborg, beautiful game, champions league, continental league, danish champions, elite clubs, English Premier League, Europe, final straw, France, france football, gazzetta dello sport, group stage, horns, league trophy, Liverpool, Manchester, manchester united, michel platini, mockery, national championship, oblivion, old trafford, premier league, scrap metal, Super League, UEFA Cup, United

Hiddink appointment not a panic move says Wilkins

February 13, 2009

LONDON (AFP) – Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins insists the club’s decision to sack Luiz Felipe Scolari and hire Guus Hiddink as the Brazilian’s replacement was not a panic move.

Wilkins will be in charge on Saturday for Chelsea’s FA Cup fifth-round tie at Watford before Hiddink officially takes over on Monday.

Hiddink, who will watch from the stands at Vicarage Road, has been installed as manager until the end of the season and will combine the role with his other job as coach of the Russian national side.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich axed Scolari after just seven months in charge following reports of dressing room unrest at his tactics and laid-back training regime, as well as a series of increasingly underwhelming performances.

The sight of fans protesting against Scolari after a goalless draw against Hull last Saturday was the final straw for Abramovich, but Wilkins is adamant Hiddink’s impressive CV makes the decision understandable.

"I don’t think it’s a panic measure, he’s a world class coach," Wilkins said.

"Roman knows him from the Russian situation and they’ve gone for the guy they want to get us to the end of the season. And I think that’s as far as Guus will go anyway.

"The mood is very good, very buoyant. It’s football and footballers get over situations very quickly. There’s another guy coming in and we have to make the best of this situation.

"I think we are still in the race for the championship. There is a long way to go and we have every opportunity."

Wilkins only joined the club earlier this season to help Scolari get his message across. Despite the Brazilian’s failure, Wilkins will stay at Stamford Bridge to work with Hiddink.

"I’ll be working alongside Guus for the immediate period," said Wilkins. "He isn’t bringing anyone in for the time being. So it will be Guus and myself and then we’ll see where we go.

"I’ll assist Guus as much as I possibly can. I’m employed by Chelsea and not by the new manager. But if he wants me to disappear I’ll have to disappear."

Watford, who are managed by former Chelsea reserve team coach Brendan Rodgers, are struggling towards the foot of the Championship and Wilkins admits even that a draw would be a disappointing result.

"I’m sure Brendan is looking forward to the game," Wilkins said. "From the outside it looks as though there’s a lot of upheaval but it’s the FA Cup.

"Our players will be striving very hard to make sure we get through. We go into every game to win. A draw would disappoint me."

Written by: AFP

Tags: AFP, Brendan, Brendan Rodgers, charge, CHELSEA, class coach, decision, dressing room, English Premier League, FA Cup, failure, final straw, football, guus, guy, hiddink, HULL, impressive cv, laid back, last saturday, london, luiz felipe scolari, manager, opportunity, owner roman abramovich, ray wilkins, regime, Roman, sack, season, seven months, stamford bridge, tie, unrest, Vicarage Road, watford

Given considers Newcastle exit

January 2, 2009

NEWCASTLE, England (AFP) – Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given is ready to quit the struggling Premier League club, according to his lawyer.

Given has grown increasingly unhappy with Newcastle’s on and off-field problems and last weekend’s 5-1 defeat at home to Liverpool was the final straw.

Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear this week insisted Republic of Ireland star Given would not be allowed to leave in the transfer window.

But Given’s lawyer Michael Kennedy admitted the 32-year-old is considering his future at St James’ Park, with Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester City all potential suitors for his signature.

"Shay is very despondent following the very poor performance of the team against Liverpool last weekend," Kennedy’s statement said.

"It was the lowest point of his football career and a performance that he would not wish to be repeated.

"When he signed a new five-year contract in 2006 it was on the basis that the club would challenge for major honours, but on the present evidence all that he can see ahead with the turmoil on and off the pitch is a battle for survival.

"Having served the club loyally for over 11 years, Shay feels compelled to consider his position in the light of the interest being expressed in him by Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham."

Written by: AFP