Juve must have no fear to progress: Zaccheroni

January 30, 2010


Juventus must crush the fear that has dogged them of late if they are to progress, new boss Alberto Zaccheroni said ahead of his first match in charge against his former club Lazio on Sunday.

The Turin giants sacked Ciro Ferrara and hired Zaccheroni on Friday, a day after they lost 2-1 at Inter Milan to exit the Italian Cup at the quarter-final stage.

Ferrara’s dismissal had been expected as Juventus have dropped to sixth in Serie A, 16 points behind leaders Inter, having already been knocked out of the Champions League in December.

“We have the duty to take the match to the opposition, always and everywhere,” the former AC Milan and Inter coach told a press conference on Saturday.

“Tomorrow night I expect the players to get rid of the fear that has conditioned them in many recent games.”

Zaccheroni is confident he knows how to turn the side’s fortunes around to achieve his “minimum target” of qualifying for next season’s Champions League, although he will be careful not to rush things.

“I have an idea about how to win, I have to convince the players to share it,” he said. “A collective way of thinking is important – it’s what will enable us to do well.

“I’ve thrown myself immediately into working on the team and the opposition. I want to put things back in order, not create confusion.”

Zaccheroni will be without a host of injured players on Sunday, as well as keeper Gianluigi Buffon and full back Fabio Grosso, who are suspended.

ROME (AFP)

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O’Hara rejoins Pompey

January 29, 2010


Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara has rejoined Portsmouth on loan until the end of the season. Spurs have let O’Hara go to Pompey, who have struggled financially recently, have re-signed O’Hara.

The 23-year-old former Arsenal trainee made 14 appearances for Pompey during the first half of the campaign, scoring one goal against Blackburn.

O’Hara had returned to White Hart Lane due to the transfer embargo placed on the South Coast side.

An agreement had been reached between Spurs and Pompey for the player to extend his stay at the club, but he was forced to move back to north London and bide his time.

O’Hara had spoken of his desire to return to Fratton Park, and Portsmouth fans will be glad of some good news in what is a turbulent time for the club.

With the financial situation seeming to get worse by the day, it remains to be seen whether O’Hara will be able to improve the fortunes of the cash-strapped outift.

He is expected to be part of Avram Grant’s side for the Premier League game against Manchester City on Sunday.

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Wenger wants Arsenal to seize golden opportunity

January 20, 2010


Arsene Wenger admits Arsenal have a golden opportunity to underline their title credentials as they bid to go top of the Premier League with a two-goal victory over Bolton on Wednesday.

Wenger’s side defeated Bolton 2-0 at the Reebok Stadium on Sunday and a repeat of that result in north London would be enough to send the Gunners above Chelsea and Manchester United into first place.

After being widely written off as also-rans in November when Chelsea’s 3-0 win at the Emirates Stadium left Arsenal 11 points behind the leaders, there has been a significant change in fortunes for Wenger’s men.

While Chelsea and United have squandered points in matches they were expected to win, Arsenal have been able to put together an impressive run and Wenger knows it is essential not to waste the chance to grab that coveted first place.

“It is important psychologically, not mathematically so much,” Wenger said. “We have a good opportunity to do it so we have to focus.

“When the season started, we were not all convinced in our squad maybe that we could be where we are now. Now that we are there, we want to have a go.”

Even if Arsenal do go top of the table, Chelsea will have a game in hand on their London rivals, so there is no chance of Wenger getting carried away.

But the French coach is convinced his young team are capable of lasting the distance in the title race as long as captain Cesc Fabregas remains fit and in form.

Fabregas has been arguably the Premier League’s best midfielder this season and produced a majestic display against Bolton capped by his 10th league goal of the season and a major role in Arsenal’s second goal.

Games against title rivals Chelsea and United are looming on the horizon for Arsenal, so Wenger is well aware of the importance of keeping Fabregas on his game.

“He looks like a real general in midfield now and, of course, that helps as we go into a period of important games,” Wenger said.

“It was a test of character (at the Reebok Stadium) and they have shown plenty, which is very good news for us.

“Over the years our strength has increased and we showed we have matured, we know when to go for the fights and we know when to put the ball down.

“Without a doubt there is still more to come because we are a young team. We have a very tough run of games coming up but let’s be focused on the next one and keep it simple.”

With French winger Samir Nasri and young midfielders Aaron Ramsey and Fran Merida – who scored Arsenal’s second against Bolton – ruled out through injury, Wenger is relieved to welcome back Theo Walcott and Denilson.

England forward Walcott has struggled to shake off a host of different injuries this season, but his return will add a much-needed injection of energy to an attack already missing Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner.

“They are available for Wednesday. It is a big boost to have them back of course because they were out for a while and it gives us some fresh players as well,” Wenger said.

Bolton’s new boss Owen Coyle would love to have players of Walcott’s calibre to bolster his squad as he tries to drag them away from the relegation zone.

Coyle has had just 10 days to work with his players since arriving from Burnley as the replacement for Gary Megson, but he has already impressed the likes of captain Kevin Davies.

“I have seen a big change in some of the players, from the lads who have been starting to those on the fringes and those training with the reserves,” Davies said.

“I have been really impressed with the way the players have responded to him and I think that is a credit to him.

“Speaking to players individually they have been impressed with his man-management skills.”

LONDON (AFP)

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Author argues money, size give USA World Cup potential

December 16, 2009

The World Cup champion United States? It at least is one of three nations that has the greatest potential to catch and surpass the traditional soccer powers of Western Europe, according to the author of a new book.

Simon Kuper, co-author of Soccernomics, tabs the Americans along with Japan and China among the nations with the best chance of claiming soccer’s biggest prize.

“The U.S. is almost there and will only get better,” Kuper said.

Kuper, a Paris-based British sports writer, who wrote Soccernomics with Stefan Szymanski, an economics professor at Cass Business School in London, says three key factors are essential for future soccer supremacy – wealth, a large population and Western European soccer “know-how.”

While the U.S. has money and the greatest number of young soccer players of any country, he says the 14th-ranked nation lacks soccer know-how because it lets nationalism get in the way.

“I suspect the U.S. will get only stronger when it drops its isolationist idea that it has to have a U.S. coach and starts importing Western European coaches,” Kuper said.

Kuper contends his and Szymanski’s book, released originally in Britain in August and last month in the United States, quantifies soccer through statistics and other measureable means.

He claims the United States, Canada, Mexico and other “marginal” soccer countries have suffered from their distance from the soccer know-how networks in Western Europe.

He calls this knowledge “collective soccer” — which quickly diffused throughout Western Europe following World War II due to the large population and close proximity.

Kuper asserts that countries outside the core European Union region – due to distance, poverty or closed borders – typically struggle because they’re isolated from the exchange of ideas. Since they’re out of touch with the “best soccer,” they’ve responded by creating their own dysfunctional styles.

But, their fortunes can change quickly.

“Culture doesn’t mean much. Any country with a good Western European coach and time to prepare can learn Western European football quickly,” Kuper said.

However, the Americans’ recent performance may dispel the notion that they lack soccer know-how. The squad, with mostly Western European-based players, beat Spain to reach the Confederations Cup final, led by American Bob Bradley, who came through the U.S. college and pro ranks of Major League Soccer.

Kuper explains the success of Brazil and Argentina by attributing it to the best individual players and an ingrained culture of excellence.

He likens Canada to the United States saying it too suffers from a lack of soccer knowledge.

“Canada is very attached to the economic knowledge network of the U.S. and since the U.S. doesn’t have great soccer know-how, Canada is extremely far removed from the soccer networks of the world and this is the reason why it has underperformed,” he argues.

In Soccernomics, both countries made the list of the world’s top 10 most underperforming nations.

Despite this, Kuper believes Canada has hope thanks to its passion for the game and growing business interest.

Paul James, soccer analyst for The Globe and Mail and former Canadian U-20 manager feels increasing ties to Western Europe are not necessarily a panacea for future success.

“Kuper’s analysis, when applied to CONCACAF, is oversimplistic, because some countries lack professional infrastructure, while others don’t have a true soccer identity, James said. “No amount of Western European soccer knowledge will correct those two important factors.”

When asked about the future of the rest of CONCACAF, Kuper isn’t optimistic.

He contends that Mexico’s national team would be stronger if the clubs in the Primera Division were poorer. This would force top Mexican players to play in Spain and give them a chance to acquire Western European soccer experience.

Ivan Orozco, a freelance reporter who has covered Mexico since 2001, isn’t convinced, suggesting Mexico has the talent and skill, but needs to improve its athleticism.

“Mexican players lack size, strength and agility to compete against most Western Europeans nations, so the Mexican federation should focus on developing the players’ athletic ability, not only their soccer skills,” he said.

And the Caribbean and Central American nations?

Kuper says they lack all three factors – wealth, a large population and experience playing top Western European countries, leaving them with little hope.

“What these countries need to do is import Western European football know-how and export their best players,” he says, “so that they gain Western European know-how in Western Europe.”

By Vijay Setlur

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Ancelotti will extend hand of friendship to Hughes

December 4, 2009


Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti insists he will have no problem shaking hands with Manchester City boss Mark Hughes whatever the result at Eastlands on Saturday.

Hughes found himself at the centre of a storm on Wednesday when Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger refused to shake the Welshman’s hand in the aftermath of City’s 3-0 League Cup victory over the Gunners.

The City manager, who responded to Wenger’s snub with a mocking wave as he disappeared down the tunnel, accused the French coach of showing a lack of respect and there seems little hope of a thawing in relations between the two long-time rivals.

But there is no chance of a repeat of those unpleasant scenes on the Eastlands touchline this weekend because Ancelotti has the utmost respect for Hughes.

“Hughes is a very good coach, I know him. For me it is not a problem to shake hands. It is a thing you do to show respect to the other coaches. It is normal,” Ancelotti said.

“I don’t know if it was right or wrong (for Wenger not to shake hands). Every person can do what he wants. I don’t know why Wenger didn’t shake hands with Hughes.

“In Italy it is not usual to do it immediately after the game. In England we have to do it. It is a good thing to maintain calm and the good atmosphere.”

While Ancelotti will extend the hand of friendship off the pitch, the Italian knows his team cannot afford to be so generous on it.

The Blues are five point clear at the top of the Premier League following Sunday’s impressive 3-0 win at Arsenal, while City have drawn their last seven league games.

Despite those contrasting fortunes, former AC Milan coach Ancelotti has no intention of underestimating City because he is well aware how desperate they will be to claim a famous scalp.

Hughes’s side looked in better form as they disposed of an under-strength Arsenal in midweek, while Chelsea lost on penalties to Blackburn, and Ancelotti said: “We have to pay attention because every game is difficult. There are many teams in England with very good quality.

“On Saturday we play against a dangerous team because Manchester City have a lot of quality players.

“They didn’t win for seven games and will want to beat Chelsea because we are top of the table. They will have very good motivation. We have to pay attention to this.

“I think they have a possibility to finish in the top four because they have a very good squad.

“The problem is when you change the squad in the season it is not easy. It is necessary to have time. The work for Mark Hughes has not been easy in the last few months.

“If you take a good player, a top player, it is the faster way to arrive in the top.”

Although Chelsea hold a commanding lead over Manchester United and have already beaten all their ‘big four’ rivals this season, Ancelotti only has to think back to his time at Juventus to realise that the race is far from over.

In 2000, Ancelotti’s Juventus squandered a nine-point lead at the top of Serie A and lost the title to Sven Goran Eriksson’s Lazio on the final day of the season.

“We have to do the race for us, not for the other teams. If we continue to play like we did against Arsenal we have a very good possibility to finish in first place,” he said.

“But I know football well. I lost one championship when we were nine points ahead.”

Ancelotti, who will be without defenders Jose Bosingwa and Alex as well as Ivory Coast striker Salomon Kalou at Eastlands, also dropped a hint that his future may lie in the international arena.

With Friday’s draw for the group stages of the World Cup attracting the attention of the football world, Ancelotti said: “I experienced the World Cup as a player in 1986 and in 1994 as an assistant coach.

“It was a fantastic experience. I would like to repeat this in the future as coach of a national team.”

COBHAM, England (AFP)

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Smith rules out second stint with Scotland

November 20, 2009


Walter Smith, the Rangers boss who had been regarded as one of the favourites to become Scotland’s next manager, on Friday ruled himself out of a return to the helm of the national squad.

Smith was in charge of Scotland between 2004 and 2007 and was credited with engineering a turnaround in the fortunes of a squad that had fallen to its lowest ever point in the world rankings under his predecessor Berti Vogts.

Smith left during the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign to return to Rangers on a three-year contract which is due to expire in January.

That has created uncertainty over his future but speculation that he might be tempted by a return to international football was quashed on Friday.

“When I left Scotland, we were in the middle of a qualifying campaign,” he said. “After making the decision to leave Scotland at that time, I don’t feel it would be right to go back and that is the situation.

“The matter is now closed as far as I am concerned.”

Smith was at pains to point out that he had not been approached by the Scottish Football Association about the vacancy created by the sacking of George Burley earlier this week.

“What I am doing is responding to press speculation in a bid to end it as I don’t think it is fair on anyone,” he added.

“The fact is, I left the Scotland job of my own volition. Sometimes when you get the sack, it is actually easier to go back. But when you make your own decision to leave then it isn’t that easy.”

Smith’s statement leaves Dundee United manager Craig Levein as the clear favourite to replace Burley, who was dismissed after 22 months in charge in which Scotland won just three of their 14 matches and failed to reach the World Cup qualifying play-offs.

GLASGOW (AFP)

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Serie A set for American revolution

September 25, 2009


Ageing stadiums, declining fortunes and a troubled recent past. These are the notions applied to Italian football, if it attracts attention.

But soon-to-be Bari owner Timothy Barton spots something much more appealing concerning the Italian football, untapped potential.

The American property magnate is set to make the promoted side Serie A’s only foreign-controlled club next month after signing a preliminary deal in August to buy Bari for around €25 million.

“It’s very exciting and we hope it’s the beginning of a lot of changes in Serie A,” Barton told Reuters in an interview.

“This is an opportunity we found interesting and somewhere we know we can apply our ability and relationships and create a change.”

After ruling the roost in the 1990s, Italy’s top flight has been overtaken by Spain’s La Liga and England’s Premier League in terms of prestige and results in European competition.

That means Italian soccer has bigger margins for improvement than its rivals, according to Barton, especially given the great passion there is for the game.

“If you get into some of the other more glamorous leagues, the ability to enhance or influence it takes much greater time and different circumstances are involved,” said the 46-year-old, who made his millions in luxury real estate around the world.

“Combining American business acumen and Italian passion is certainly a big part and I think it’s a good marriage.”

Italian football’s lack of foreign investment is one of the reasons it has suffered a dip in fortunes, when considering many Premier League clubs now have foreign owners, with giants Manchester United and Liverpool in American hands along with Sunderland and former European champions Aston Villa.

Barton believes the game in Italy is mending its ways, after poor financial management meant big clubs such as Napoli and Fiorentina had to fight back to the top flight after going bankrupt this decade.

Serie A is due to imitate the Premier League by breaking away from the second tier next year to maximise revenues.

For the first time the league is also being run by a business expert from outside football, Maurizio Beretta, the former director general of Italy’s employers’ association.

“Hopefully the sport and Serie A are in a position to move forward and we want to be part of that,” said Barton, a Texas-based businessman with Irish roots.

“All the owners and teams are looking into that and seeing how it’s time for things to evolve for the best for everyone.”

Among the challenges are controlling the hooliganism that has dogged Italian football in recent years and the problem of stadium ownership, with most clubs unable to use their grounds to generate income as they rent them from local authorities.

Beretta is working with the government on both issues and a new law is in the pipeline to help clubs buy their grounds.

Barton has not ruled out making a bid for Bari’s San Nicola stadium, which was designed by world-famous Italian architect Renzo Piano for the 1990 World Cup, after the council said it intended to sell the ground.

While, Serie A has recovered from the match-fixing scandal of 2006, the American has said he would be watchful.

“We are absolutely concerned about this,” said Barton, whose strong Catholic faith is reflected in his company’s name, JMJ Holdings, which stands for Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

“But we are hopeful that when you look at a five- or 10-year plan that those things are going to change. It evolves like everything else and eventually everybody gets back on a level playing field when there’s a lot more professionalism overall.”

While Italian Football Federation chief Giancarlo Abete said he would like the Bari case to remain an exception, some industry experts hope Barton will have a positive impact.

“Bari’s example can now show that football has become global and Italian football needs to be ready to welcome investors from abroad,” Giorgio Brambilla of sports marketing consultancy firm SPORT+MARKT told Reuters.

“In Italy we need a new vision and organisation of clubs. Italians see foreign investors as an enemy. We need a successful case study to prove foreign investors are a benefit, not a problem.”

Barton said his decision to buy Bari underlined a long-term commitment to doing business in southern Italy, with a major renewable energy project among his plans.

While his big aim is to make Bari competitive in Europe, he intends to take things one step at a time in the club’s return to the top flight after eight years in the second tier.

“Our first goal is to stay in Serie A and build a strong team and a strong foundation so we don’t have any steps back that can be avoided as we seek to get better,” he said.

“The big teams don’t have to fear for their places at the top of the table; not this year anyway.”

Abhimanyu Rajput

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Bilic claims England have weak link

September 7, 2009


Slaven Bilic has backed his Croatia side to burst England’s World Cup bubble by exploiting what he has identified as a missing link in the make-up of Fabio Capello’s squad.

England’s fortunes have been transformed under Capello and, after seven straight wins in their qualifying campaign, can clinch top spot in group six and a place in next year’s finals by beating Bilic’s men at Wembley on Wednesday.

Croatia, in contrast, are struggling to claim a play-off spot and it all seems a very far cry from November 2007, when Bilic’s men claimed a famous 3-2 at Wembley to deny England, then managed by Steve McClaren, a place at Euro 2008.

The Croatian coach however is far from ready to accept that Capello has made England unbeatable.

“They have some advantages but they are also missing something from their game,” he said.

“They are missing some Englishness, some of the things that have always made England teams difficult to defend against and play against.

“All I will say is that they are definitely missing something and we know what it is. But of course I am not going to tell you now what it is. It is our secret.”

Bilic also believes that memories of the way Croatia played on their last visit to Wembley will boost his side’s chances, despite the absence of injured playmaker Luka Modric.

“We did not beat them 10 times in a row but, having said that, we are the only team in the world to have done it twice,” Bilic told The Guardian. “We did it one after the other and that’s important.”

England claimed revenge for the Euro 2008 qualifying defeats by beating Croatia 4-1 in Zagreb at the start of the current campaign and Bilic’s squad’s recent tendency to fail to perform to its potential was again in evidence as they made hard work of securing a 1-0 home win over Belarus on Saturday.

Croatia go into Wednesday’s match in second place in the group with a three-point advantage over Ukraine but their rivals for the play-off spot have a game in hand.

LONDON (AFP)

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Stakes high for old foes Brazil and Argentina

September 5, 2009


With World Cup-winning coaches in both dugouts, some of the world’s finest players on show and South Africa 2010 in sight, Argentina’s match with Brazil on Saturday is as big as they get.

Encounters between the South American giants are always passionate affairs but the weekend’s World Cup qualifier in the Argentine city of Rosario has been given further spice by Argentina’s desperate need for points.

Brazil top the regional qualifying standings ahead of Chile and Paraguay and could conceivably book their place in next summer’s tournament if results go their way this weekend, but Argentina are struggling.

The appointment of the legendary Diego Maradona as coach has failed to inspire an upturn in Argentine fortunes after a below-par start to the campaign and they go into the game in the fourth and final automatic qualifying berth.

By contrast his opposite number Dunga, captain when Brazil won the 1994 World Cup in America, has turned the Selecao into a well-drilled, counter-attacking unit.

Under his guidance Brazil have won the 2007 Copa America – beating Argentina 3-0 in the final – as well as winning the Confederations Cup in June, but centre-back Juan says the focus should be on the players, rather than their illustrious coaches.

“Maradona was a tremendous player, who shares a beautiful history with the Argentinian national team,” said the Roma defender.

“On the same note, Dunga and Brazil have a history of their own. Neither will be on the pitch this time, however.

“We respect Maradona for everything he stands for in the world game but we’ve also got a great coach, which puts us on an equal footing once the game begins.”

Argentina, world champions in 1978 and 1986, have not missed football’s showpiece occasion since 1970, but defeat against their fierce rivals would bring that seemingly unthinkable scenario even closer.

They travel to third-placed Paraguay on Wednesday next week, with games against Peru and traditional rivals Uruguay to follow in October.

The stakes could not be higher for the home team and they have reacted by switching the match from their usual El Monumental home in Buenos Aires to the intimidating surroundings of the 42,000-seater Estadio Gigante de Arroyito in the eastern port city of Rosario.

“I’m only thinking about winning, I refuse to countenance defeat. We’re hungrier for victory than Brazil,” said Maradona, who took over the reins in November 2008.

The clash between Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi and Real Madrid’s 65 million-euro signing Kaka provides one of many intriguing sub-plots, but Messi’s strike partner Carlos Tevez says his side will show no mercy when they confront the five-time world champions.

“I think they’re going to come with a bit of fear and we’re going to eat them on the pitch,” said the Manchester City new boy. “But we have to respect them, because it’s Brazil.”

Dunga has handed a first call-up to Internacional’s 20-year-old defensive midfielder Sandro in place of injured Wolfsburg captain Josue, while Maradona sprang a major surprise by recalling 35-year-old Boca Juniors striker Martin Palermo after a nine-year absence from the national side.

Elsewhere, Chile can take a big step towards their first World Cup since 1998 with victory at home to Venezuela in Santiago, while Paraguay warm up for next week’s visit of the Albicelesti with a home match against Bolivia.

Ecuador, Argentina’s biggest rivals for fourth place, visit Colombia, with rock-bottom Peru hosting Uruguay.

The top four teams qualify automatically for the World Cup, with the team finishing fifth facing a play-off match against the fourth-placed team in North, Central America and Caribbean qualifying.

MONTEVIDEO (AFP)

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Ancelotti shrugs off Hiddink legacy

August 8, 2009


Carlo Ancelotti is adamant he feels no pressure to match the success Guus Hiddink enjoyed during his fourth-month stay at Chelsea and insists the Dutchman is welcome to return to his former club.

Hiddink transformed the club’s fortunes after being drafted in on a temporary basis following the January dismissal of Luiz Felipe Scolari, culminating in May’s FA Cup final triumph over Everton.

The Dutchman has now returned to his full-time job with the Russia national team with Ancelotti formally taking charge on July 1 after ending his eight-year spell with AC Milan.

The new manager has been given an immediate chance to stamp his own imprint on the club with Chelsea set to face Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United in the Community Shield at Wembley on Sunday.

Ancelotti is aware that many senior Chelsea players pleaded with Hiddink to stay, but he claims he does not see his predecessor as a threat.

And he admitted he would like to compare notes with Hiddink, going so far as to invite the former coach to return to club whenever he likes.

“For me, Guus was a good coach,” said Ancelotti.

“He has worked very well wherever he has been. Now I want to do my best for Chelsea. I wanted to speak with Guus but I haven’t had the chance, we haven’t found the right time to meet.

“But maybe sometime in the future and if he wants to come I will be happy.”

Ancelotti has declared himself pleased with the progress his squad has made during his first month in charge.

“Everybody at the club has started very well,” he added. “I’ve been impressed with the organisation, mental attitude and good quality of the players.

“One month ago I started this adventure with Chelsea and after one month I can say that I’m still very well here because I have a good feeling. I feel a sense of something special.”

Victory over Premier League champions United will compound that feeling of well-being as well as striking a crucial early psychological blow against Ferguson and his team.

The Italian said: “I hope that at Wembley all the fans will see a good team that plays well because my objective is that Chelsea have to play very good football.

“This is my first objective. And I think on Sunday we will play against a team who can also play very well.”

Ancelotti has spoken of his desire to recreate the bond he built up at AC Milan which he has described as a family-type atmosphere.

And the upbeat mood of his first weeks in charge has even extended to the manager expressing his unlikely admiration of the London’s typically grey skies.

“After one month I feel at home,” he said. “I like the weather. I don’t like the sun. Every day, rain, rain very good.”

LONDON (AFP)

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