Talk Football Here... - Part 3
 

How much is Moyes war chest?

£500,000,000 Strong Gillians

Both them words made me laugh.

Does this word make you laugh

" Flopandaronda "

BARNES IN LINE FOR TRANMERE JOB

John Barnes has left his post as Jamaica coach and is expected to take over at Tranmere Rovers

Barnes has been replaced at the Jamaica helm by Theodore Whitmore after being told his contract would not be renewed.

The 45-year-old former England international was appointed on a seven-month deal in November and led the team to five wins and four draws during his tenure.

However, Barnes has been told he will not be offered a new contract by the Jamaican Football Federation at the end of June, and is now expected to take the reins at Coca-Cola League One side Tranmere.

"Yes, I am disappointed that I would not be going to the Gold Cup (in July) because I could have started the contract (with Tranmere) after the Gold Cup," Barnes said.

"But I fully accept and understand the JFF decision that they will appoint Theodore, as of now, to give him a chance to experience football at the highest level.

"I have to thank the JFF for giving me an opportunity in doing something I love. It is something I wanted to get involved with for a long time and they gave me that opportunity."

Jamaica beat Panama 3-2 in a friendly on Sunday night.

VASQUEZ PLAYS DOWN STOKE LINK

Sweden Under-21 midfielder Andres Vasquez has played down talk of a move to Stoke.

The free agent was quoted in Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet as saying that he had been offered a contract with Tony Pulis' side.

But the 21-year-old has distanced himself from such a move, saying he is in talks with FC Zurich about playing for the side next season.

He told Fotbollskanalen.se: "I read in a Peruvian newspaper that I was on my way there (Stoke) and that I said to Aftonbladet that they were interested.

"But I have never said such a thing."

Asked what he would think if Stoke were interested, he replied: "It is of course flattering if a club in the Premier League would want you."

But he added: "I have a dialogue with Zurich. They say that they want me for next season.

"I am ready to stay. I am motivated. I want to play in Europe and it feels stimulating to maybe play in the Champions League.

"But the transfer window opens, so we will see what happens."

LAVEZZI AGENT CLAIMS LIVERPOOL BID

Ezequiel Lavezzi's advisors have urged Napoli not to deny the player a move to Liverpool.

The Merseysiders have reportedly enquired about the Argentina striker only to see their advances rebuffed as Napoli look to cling on to the 24-year-old, who is under contract until June 2013.

"Liverpool's proposal is true," said Lavezzi's advisor Eduardo Rossetto.

"(Napoli general director Pierpaolo) Marino has met twice with FIFA agent Pablo Cosentino, who has invited him to set up a meeting in Liverpool or in Naples with the English outfit.

"Ezequiel has tried several times to speak to Marino but he has received no response.

"If Napoli have decided to take this extreme position, so will we.

"We don't want to force Napoli to sell the player but I think it is correct for the club just to consider the offer, to judge it whether it's sufficient or not."

Lavezzi, who joined Napoli in the summer of 2007, scored seven goals for the Serie A club in the recently-completed season.

Kinda. It needs to sound more like a nickname for a dick though

Because off the flop bit :spin2:

Hope Barnes takes the Tranmere job, want them promote next season.

Yes. Thats exactly what made me laugh :cheer2:

Tranmere are a vile team

WOLVES BIDE THEIR TIME IN WINDOW

Wolves chairman Jez Moxey is remaining calm despite the Premier League new boys' failure to add to their ranks so far this summer.

Despite reports claiming the club have withdrawn their interest in signing Oguchi Onyewu from Standard Liege, Moxey insists they are pleased with the progress that is being made in the transfer market.

He told the Express and Star: "We are where we expected to be and, as things stand, we are quite optimistic about the outlook.

"I said at the outset that we would have to stay smart and calm."

RODA WANT IMPROVED BIDS FOR CISSE

Feyenoord and FC Twente have both failed with bids for striker Sekou Cisse, according to Roda JC.

Roda technical director Martin van Geel revealed he has been in talks with both clubs, but neither of them met Roda's valuation of the 24-year-old who scored nine goals in 31 appearances last season.

"The difference between what we want and what they offered was too big," Van Geel told AD Sportwereld. "For now any transfer of Cisse to those clubs is off. I don't know if they will come back to us."

Van Geel added that PSV had enquired about the Ivorian three weeks ago, but had not followed up.

He noted reports of interest from the Premier League, but said "not a single club from England has officially contacted us".

MANDARIC: REDKNAPP THE RIGHT MAN

Former Portsmouth owner Milan Mandaric has recommended Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp to Sulaiman Al Fahim.

Al Fahim, who fronts the proposed takeover of Pompey, will have to appoint a new manager if he takes control of the club as Paul Hart was appointed until the end of the season.

Redknapp only left Fratton Park last October to join Spurs, before guiding them from the bottom of the Barclays Premier League to a top-half finish.

Mandaric told The News: "Harry Redknapp is a fantastic manager. He knows and understands the game far better than most.

"He's a top manager and the right manager for Portsmouth. I rate him so highly.

"Managing people is his best quality. He's not perfect and sometimes he would drive me crazy, but that quality always prevails."

He added: "You've got to do the right thing and if bringing Harry to the club is what he needs to do, that is what he has to do."

TOON FOR SALE AT £100 MILLION

Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has confirmed he's put the club up for sale for £100million.

More than a week after it emerged that Ashley was looking to get out for the second time since he took control, the Magpies issued an official statement setting a price as Keith Harris, chairman of investment bankers Seymour Pierce, continued his search for buyers.

The statement read: "The board of Newcastle United can today confirm that the club is for sale at the price of £100million.

"Interested parties should contact Newcastle United at admin@nufc.co.uk (or Keith Harris at Seymour Pierce) for further details.

"The club will not be making any further comment at the present time."

The announcement came as no surprise, with Ashley's desperation to offload the club he bought for £134.4million in May 2007 growing by the day.

However, the continuing uncertainty is proving hugely disruptive to the club's preparation for the new season and the challenge of returning to the Barclays Premier League at the first attempt.

Alan Shearer, who has indicated a willingness to take on the role of manager on a permanent basis, is due to return from a short break later today and will be looking for an early answer over whether or not he is wanted after several rounds of talks.

However, there is little prospect of Ashley and managing director Derek Llambias making hard and fast decisions while the ownership issue remains unresolved.

There are understood to be several interested parties, with Harris having travelled to the Middle East last week to once again court offers from potential purchasers in Dubai and Oman.

However, there is interest closer to home and former chairman Freddy Shepherd, who has been linked with a bid to regain control, has steadfastly refused to rule himself in or out.

But as each day passes, the time any manager would have to reshape the squad for a very different challenge decreases.

Most of the club's high earners are sure to be offloaded, with Michael Owen out of contract and Mark Viduka's stay unlikely to be extended, while the likes of Joey Barton, Alan Smith and Obafemi Martins seem certain to go with the club needing to drastically reduce an annual wage bill of around £74million.

But that process, and the recruitment of replacements, cannot begin in earnest until there is a new manager in place, and that appointment cannot be made until the new owners pick up the reins and start to make the big decisions.

GENTENAAR SET TO JOIN VVV-VENLO

VVV-Venlo are set to sign goalkeeper Dennis Gentenaar from Ajax on a free transfer after he completed a medical at the club.

Gentenaar and the club are now working out the details of what is expected to be a three-year deal.

"I expect we will have an agreement later this week," Gentenaar told Omroep Venlo.

"VVV is a nice and ambitious club. I haven't played regularly for a few seasons, and at VVV I want to play again. If all goes well I will sign this week."

The former NEC Nijmegen and Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper also attracted interest from Feyenoord and Cambuur Leeuwarden, but chose VVV for the opportunity to play regularly in the Eredivisie.

ROBINS STRUGGLING TO RECRUIT

Bristol City are finding it difficult to sign their summer transfer targets.

The Robins have yet to seal a deal for any new players, but goalkeeper Chris Weale is set to join Championship rivals Leicester at the end of the month and strikers Dele Adebola and Peter Styvar also look likely to follow him out of Ashton Gate.

Chief executive Colin Sexstone confirmed the club are looking to sign another keeper. City have Adriano Basso and Stephen Henderson on their books, but manager Gary Johnson has always preferred to have three keepers.

"It is like trying to nail jelly to the wall. Some targets are moving on quite well, some are moving and some aren't moving at all," Sexstone told the Evening Post.

"We have got two keepers and I am sure Gary will bring in a third young keeper. It wasn't a question of losing Chris Weale.

"He clearly wanted to be a number one and he has taken the opportunity to do that because he probably saw himself as number two to Adriano Basso. I don't think we were too surprised to see him go."

PREETZ NAMED AS HOENESS SUCCESSOR

Michael Preetz is to be installed as Hertha Berlin's new general manager after Dieter Hoeness left the club on Sunday.

Preetz will be given a slightly reduced role, with his assistant Ingo Schiller taking on some of the responsibilities formerly undertaken by Hoeness.

"Michael Preetz is now going to be called up to become director of sport," Hertha's president Werner Gegenbauer told local television station RBB.

Gegenbauer believes the dual role, with Preetz taking care of the sports side of things and Schiller looking after the club's finances, is the best solution after the departure of Hoeness, who spent 12 years at the club.

"I have no fear at all about this change," added Gegenbauer.

"Hertha Berlin is set up well enough to have a team capable of being competitive next season."

Berlin finished fourth in the Bundesliga this season and were still in the race for the title with three games of the season remaining. They will play in the Europa League next season.

The 41-year-old Preetz ended his playing career while at Hertha in 2003 after seven years with the club for whom he made 227 appearances.

Since hanging up his boots, he had assisted Hoeness in running the club.

Hoeness stood down yesterday, one year before the end of his contract.

DONS 'ENCOURAGED' BY McGHEE TALKS

Willie Miller has revealed talks to bring Mark McGhee to Aberdeen have been "extremely encouraging."

The Dons director of football has confirmed the club has made an approach to Motherwell and received permission to hold talks with the Fir Park boss.

Reports claim McGhee was told he was no longer being considered for the vacant Celtic job at the weekend, paving the way for Aberdeen to make their move.

However, Miller cautioned that there was still work to be done before the appointment is a done deal.

"We have made contact with the Fir Park club and were given permission to approach Mark," he said.

"While subsequent discussions have been extremely encouraging, I've been involved in the game far too long not to realise there are many pitfalls that can affect things at this crucial stage, not least of which is the agreement of compensation between Motherwell and ourselves."

Dons fans will be keen to see Jimmy Calderwood's replacement in place as soon as possible but Miller refused to put a timescale on any announcement.

Speaking on the club's official website, www.afc.co.uk, Miller added: "Obviously we are currently attempting to reach an agreement on all fronts as soon as possible.

"But, until everything is finalised, and despite some media reports to the contrary, it would be premature to confirm that Mark will be the new Aberdeen manager or place a definitive timescale on when we might be in a position to do so."

McGhee, 52, played for Aberdeen between 1978 and 1984 and told the Sunday Herald at the weekend: "For me, there is an element of sentimentality attached to the Aberdeen job.

"This is an opportunity to manage a club where I had fantastic success and memories as a player.

"The same would have applied at Celtic. So there is an element of going home about the Aberdeen job for me and I quite like that."

Motherwell have confirmed an approach from Aberdeen owner Stewart Milne was received on Saturday and, following a period of consultation, permission was reluctantly granted for McGhee to hold talks with the Pittodrie club.

However, Well chairman John Boyle has not given up hope of persuading his manager to remain at Fir Park.

He told the club's official website, www.motherwellfc.co.uk: "Aberdeen made contact with us at the start of the weekend seeking permission to discuss the vacant managerial position at Pittodrie with Mark.

"The board have reluctantly agreed to this request and Mark will spend some time talking that over with them.

"Contrary to media reports, nothing has been finalised as yet and we obviously hope we can persuade Mark to stay.

"However, we will be proactive in preparing for all eventualities to ensure that the best interests of Motherwell Football Club are upheld."

Real Madrid's doctors are going to check Kaka..


Liverpool and Everton could share the same ground if new stadium is built..

Liverton/everpool.

CAREW COMMITTED TO VILLA

Aston Villa striker John Carew has played down speculation linking him with a move to Manchester City and insisted: "I will be here next season."

Carew is reported to also be on Mark Hughes's radar following his £12 million capture of Villa midfielder Gareth Barry.

The Norway international was in outstanding form after returning from a back problem in February and finished as Villa's leading scorer for the second season running with 15 goals.

Carew said: "There are always rumours when the window opens. One week it could be me, one week it could be Ashley Young or whoever.

"But I am so happy here. I love everyone here. I don't see any reason for anything else to happen.

"I know I am part of the manager's plans. Rumours that come up, we can't do anything about that. I am happy here. I can't see why I should move.

"I am used to speculation. I have been in the game so many years. I take it as a compliment if clubs are looking at you but I don't relate to it at all. I am happy here.

"That is what is important for me. I have got the current games with the national team and then we are back in early July for pre-season training."

Villa boss Martin O'Neill is being linked with a summer move for out-of-contract Newcastle striker Michael Owen.

But it would mean taking their wage structure to a new level to match Owen's current six-figure salary - or for the one-time England striker to take a pay cut.

Villa showed their intentions when they offered Barry £80,000 a week to sign a new deal before he opted to make the switch to Eastlands.

No!!!

Will not share with vile scum

SUPPORTERS DEMAND SHEARER APPOINTMENT

Newcastle fans have urged Mike Ashley to appoint Alan Shearer as manager as he attempts to offload the club for £100millon.

The sportswear magnate has confirmed that is the knock-down price at which he is trying to sell the Magpies in a statement which left long-suffering supporters furious once again.

Issued via the club's website, it invited interested parties to e-mail the club or contact Keith Harris, chairman of the investment bank Seymour Pierce, who has been engaged again to try to find a buyer.

It read: "The Board of Newcastle United can today confirm that the club is for sale at the price of £100m.

"Interested parties should contact Newcastle United at admin@nufc.co.uk (or Keith Harris at Seymour Pierce) for further details.

"The club will not be making any further comment at the present time."

Just how many interested parties will e-mail the club remains to be seen, although they seem likely to receive far more messages from their own disgruntled supporters and their Sunderland rivals, which may make for less pleasant reading.

Mark Jensen, editor of fanzine The Mag, was dismissive in his assessment of the move, and called on Ashley to install Shearer as manager and allow him to set about the process of rebuilding the squad before it is too late.

He said: "They would have been better off putting on something saying, 'We are clueless', that's literally what it amounts to.

"It just reflects the urgent need for leadership at the club both on and off the pitch.

"It's clear that on the pitch, the leadership can be given by Alan Shearer in terms of sorting out the football side of things.

"With Alan Shearer in charge, it would not be just about wh

TRIO CHASING SCHARNER

Wigan midfielder Paul Scharner says Tottenham, Everton and Fulham are all interested in signing him.

The versatile Austrian has two years left on his contract at the JJB Stadium but recently expressed his desire to leave to take the 'next step' in his career.

The 29-year-old told BZ am Sonntag that there is also interest from Bundesliga sides, but he would like to stay in the Premier League.

He said: "Tottenham, Everton and Fulham are interested in me, just like Hertha and Hamburg.

"I would prefer to stay in England."

OWEN WOULD COMMAND STELLAR SALARY

Aston Villa would have to make Michael Owen their highest paid player to have a chance of signing the striker, who is out of contract at Newcastle.

Villa manager Martin O'Neill refused to rule out the possibility of signing Owen this summer when asked about the England international during the January transfer window.

And he is expected to step up his bid to sign the injury-hit player, who was understood to be on a six-figure weekly wage at St James' Park.

Villa would be reluctant to pay that sort of figure for a player whose appearances for the Magpies have been severely restricted.

But they are understood to be willing to make him their top wage earner, ahead of the likes of Ashley Young.

O'Neill has lost the services of Gareth Barry to Manchester City and former captain Martin Laursen through his enforced retirement with a knee problem.

But a signing of the quality of Owen - for all his fitness doubts - would lift some of the doom and gloom amongst sections of Villa fans after Barry's departure.

The likes of Tottenham, Everton and Roma are also being linked with Owen.

O'Neill, when asked in January if he would be interested in signing Owen this summer, said: "We would see. Like everything else, football is evolving all the time.

"That's not to say Michael Owen is not a terrific footballer. What happens in the future, I don't know."

One big carrot for Owen, should Villa firm up their interest, would be being reunited with Emile Heskey, with whom he formed a prolific partnership for Liverpool and England.

Villa striker Emile Heskey admits he would welcome the chance to team up with Owen again.

"I would welcome the opportunity to play with him again," Heskey told BBC Radio Five Live.

"He is a great player and a great asset to have. He has shown that on many occasions."

Meanwhile, John Carew has insisted he is happy to remain at Villa after also being linked with a move to Manchester City.

Carew was Villa's top scorer for the second successive season with 15 goals despite being sidelined for three months with a back problem.

EHRET AGREES NEW COLOGNE DEAL

Cologne midfielder Fabrice Ehret has extended his contract with the Bundesliga club until 2011.

The 29-year-old became a first-team regular under former coach Christoph Daum last season and, regardless of who is eventually appointed as the club's new boss, Ehret knows that Cologne is the only place for him.

"I am delighted that I will continue playing for Cologne," he said.

"I am very happy in Cologne and want to make my contribution to ensuring the club continues to be successful in the coming years.

"I was glad to win a regular starting berth last season and would like to continue impressing with my performances."

Ehret's contract was due to expire at the end of the month, but general manager Michael Meier claims it was never their intention to let him leave on a free transfer.

"We are very happy to have been able to extend Fabrice Ehret's contract by a further two years," he said on the club's website.

"Fabrice Ehret has shown, particularly last season, that, with his qualities, he is an important component within the team."

Ehret played every game for Cologne last season from December onwards and scored three goals.

SURMAN 'IN LIMBO' OVER SAINTS STAY

Southampton midfielder Andrew Surman has admitted his future remains far from certain, with Sheffield United reportedly on his trail.

The Blades are believed to have made an undisclosed bid for the 22-year-old and he is unsure of where he will be next season, with Southampton the subject of a takeover bid from the Pinnacle Group.

He told BBC Radio Solent: "I haven't thought about it too much until it actually moves forward. Until the takeover at Saints goes through, then we're in a bit of limbo.

"At this stage I haven't thought any further than going back to Southampton for pre-season on 22 June.

"When a serious bid comes in then that's when you have to review your situation, but we're not at that stage yet."

FERNANDEZ SET FOR FEYENOORD

Feyenoord are set to seal the signing of right back Dani Fernandez from Arsenal Kiev this week.

Fernandez, who has spent the last 18 months on loan at NEC Nijmegen, has agreed a three-year contract and will undergo a medical in Rotterdam on Wednesday.

"I am happy that we can finally complete this after three months," the player's agent Dmitri Selyuk told De Telegraaf. "This transfer has taken longer than any other in my life."

Fernandez, 26, will be Feyenoord's first new signing of the summer.

McAVENNIE RELATES TO COYLE

Frank McAvennie can fully appreciate why Owen Coyle would snub Celtic to stay at Burnley.

Coyle was reportedly the Hoops' number one target to succeed Gordon Strachan in the managerial hotseat at Parkhead but left for his summer holiday more than a week ago poised to sign a new two-year contract at Turf Moor.

Despite being a boyhood Celtic fan, it appears the prospect of leading Burnley in their first top-flight season for 33 years has proven greater a lure for Coyle than managing one of the biggest clubs in Europe.

It was ever thus, according to former Parkhead striker McAvennie, who left the club in 1989 to rejoin West Ham.

"Everyone gets so one-sided up here and so blinkered," he said.

"It's a big world out there and the Premier League's the best league in the world.

"Owen's now got into the Premier League. Why would he want to come up here?"

McAvennie spent four years in England - one of them in the Premier League - before returning to Celtic in 1993.

He can see Coyle eventually wanting to take charge of the club but not before he has tested himself against the cream of the English game.

"I played for a year in the Premier League before I came back to Celtic so I'd done what I wanted to do and proved that I was good enough," McAvennie said.

"Owen has beaten Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the Carling Cup, he beat Tottenham, he's beaten Arsenal.

"There's no reason why he doesn't want to pit his wits against them every week.

"Celtic's a massive club, one of the biggest in the world. But they're not in the biggest league in the world and that's the problem."

West Brom's Tony Mowbray is now the overwhelming favourite to be named Hoops boss, with reports claiming compensation is now the only stumbling block to his appointment.

Celtic have so far refused to confirm whether Mowbray is their number one target, while West Brom have repeatedly insisted no official approach has been made for their manager, who has two years remaining on his Hawthorns contract.

But that has not quelled speculation over the amount of compensation it would take to land the former Hoops defender, with figures ranging from £850,000 to £2million.

McAvennie, who was a team-mate of Mowbray's at the club in the mid-1990s, backed him to get them playing the kind of football that will have fans' mouths watering again.

McAvennie believes the Baggies were only a regular goalscorer away from staying up and does not see Mowbray having the same problem at Celtic.

He said: "I think Tony will get the ball down. The fans love to see fast-flowing football and I'm looking forward to it.

"But wait until he signs first. Knowing Celtic, it could change by the hour."

NEW OWNERS WOULD SELL HAMMERS

West Ham's new owners have admitted they will consider offers for the club despite having only just secured a takeover.

CB Holding, an Icelandic holding company made up of banks owed money by the Hammers' previous owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, have a two-year plan for the club as they do not believe current market conditions are favourable for a sale.

However, should any potential buyer come forward - and an American investor who has already had one £70million offer turned down is still interested - then they would be prepared to sell.

Georg Andersen, head of corporate communications at the investment bank Straumur which owns 70% of CB Holdings, said: "Every club is for sale at the right price but we honestly believe that with the market as it is right now it will be extremely difficult to find the right value.

"I'm not going to pretend we are going to own the club forever.

"Our plan is to hold onto the club for a couple of years, or maybe four or five years, until we believe we can get an appropriate price."

It is understood the value of CB Holdings takeover is £110million, or the amount of money Gudmundsson used to buy the club.

A new chairman, Andrew Bernhardt who is a senior director of Straumur, has been appointed and he has promised security for the club and manager Gianfranco Zola.

Despite the takeover, a degree of uncertainty still surrounds the ownership of the club and Straumur themselves have suffered major problems in the credit crunch and are basically controlled by the Icelandic government. Other Icelandic banks Byr Bank and MP Bank are also shareholders in CB Holding.

Andersen said Straumur were confident of agreeing a compensation deal with creditors and insisted that even if any of CB Holding's shareholders went into liquidation it would not affect West Ham.

"CB Holdings are owned by a number of banks. Hansa [Gudmundsson's company] was owned by one person - there's a huge difference," said Andersen.

"If one of the shareholders of CP Holding went under then the their creditors would simply acquire their shares. The company was created to ring-fence the club."

The Premier League have announced they will study the new ownership structure in detail to ensure all board members pass their fit and proper person's test.

A league spokesman said: "We have asked West Ham United to produce details of their change of ownership. Once we have that information we shall assess it and, if needs be, act accordingly."

The new regime have assured Zola and his assistant Steve Clarke that their jobs are safe and that some funds will be made available for transfers. Chief executive Scott Duxbury will also remain at the club.

Bernhardt said in a statement: "We have one of the best young management partnerships in Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke and the team has evolved with a great mix of experience and young players coming through from the academy.

"I can assure fans we will sanction investment in new players, but all within the parameters of sensible budgeting based on revenues generated by West Ham United.

"We have an initial two-year plan which includes improving the infrastructure at the club and we will be getting to work on this as soon as the new board is appointed."

Hammers defender Matthew Upson, one player of whom it had been suggested the club would have to sell, welcomed the news.

Upson said: "The club is in a really crucial position because we had a positive season and it would be really nice to build on that.

"We have got the right man in charge, the manager has done an excellent job and it would be nice to see him given a bit of spending money, the ability to strengthen the squad and to take the team on."

HUGHES APPOINTED HIBS BOSS

Hibernian have confirmed John Hughes as their new manager.

Hughes has signed a three-year contract after quitting fellow Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League side Falkirk.

His assistant Brian Rice is expected to join him at Easter Road when he returns from holiday.

Hibs launched their search for a new manager following Mixu Paatelainen's surprise decision to resign at the end of last month.

"The search for a new manager is always a difficult task and after a very thorough process we were fortunate to have a number of exceptional candidates," Hibs chairman Rod Petrie told www.hibernianfc.co.uk.

"John Hughes was the unanimous choice of the board not for his exploits as a former player, but for his credentials as a manager, his style of football and his potential to bring success to the club on the field of play.

"I am sure too that John will galvanise everyone connected with Hibernian and drive the club forward.

"The board will never lose sight of the requirement for Hibernian FC to be competing for honours and we see John as the ideal candidate to achieve this."

Hughes, 44, spent four years as a player at Hibs but believes it was his management credentials - and not his history with the club - which earned him the job.

"This is a very proud day for me," he told www.hibernianfc.co.uk.

"I am delighted to be the manager of Hibernian. Everyone knows what Hibernian means to me.

"I have so much respect for the club and its supporters that I would not have accepted the job if I did not think that I could make a real difference and be successful.

"It is important to me that the board have identified that it is my managerial ability, and not my history as a Hibernian player, as the reason I have been appointed."

Hughes spent six years at Falkirk, with last season probably the most dramatic of his tenure, securing their SPL survival, runners-up spot in the Scottish Cup and European football for the first time in the club's history.

He added: "I also have great affection for Falkirk FC and would like to thank everyone connected with that club for the fantastic opportunity they gave me to cut my teeth as a manager.

"My future now lies with Hibernian and I believe I will bring innovation and an attractive style of passing football to the club.

"I can't wait to start working with the players and get down to business at the training centre."

Falkirk's board will meet on Tuesday night at the Falkirk Stadium as they begin a search for Hughes' successor.

Chairman Martin Ritchie said: "This will be a very attractive position to many people in football.

"We are now an established SPL side, we have an excellent infrastructure in place to support a new manager, as well as an academy and training facilities which are second to none in Scotland.

"We have our first foray into European competition and our new South Stand to look forward to.

"The new manager will be expected to continue our policies of youth development, the use of the latest sports science techniques and to maintain our attractive style of football.

"This is a great opportunity for both the new manager and for the club as we look forward to the new season."

Speaking on www.falkirkfc.co.uk, managing director George Craig added: "It is imperative that we move quickly to make a new appointment.

"We have several out of contract players and the new manager will want to decide which he wants to keep.

"We need to have the management team in place as soon as possible and the first team squad fully prepared for our first European tie on July 16."

John Hughes Factfile:

1964: Born September 9 in Edinburgh.

1988: Begins professional career as a striker at Berwick Rangers.

1989: November - Joins Swansea.

1990: August - Joins Falkirk, where he converts from a centre-forward to a centre-half. Makes 134 league appearances for the Bairns.

1995: August 7 - Joins Celtic for £38,000. Makes 31 league appearances for the Hoops.

1996: November 1 - Joins Hibernian, making 72 league appearances in four and a half years.

2000: May 31 - Joins Ayr United, making 48 league appearances.

2002: June 4 - Returns to Falkirk in a player-coach role.

2003: January 31 - Appointed joint manager alongside Owen Coyle.

May 20 - Takes sole charge after Coyle joins Dundee United as a player-coach.

2005: April 9 - Hughes makes the last of 19 league appearances in the First Division season as Falkirk beat Ross County to seal promotion to the Scottish Premier League.

October 22 - Makes last of 77 league appearances in second spell as a Falkirk player in 3-1 SPL defeat to Dundee United.

2006: May 6 - Falkirk finish 10th in the SPL.

November 7 - Falkirk record shock League Cup quarter-final win at Celtic.

2007: January 30 - Falkirk lose League Cup semi-final 3-0 to Kilmarnock.

May 19 - Falkirk finish seventh in the SPL.

2008: May 17 - Falkirk finish seventh in the SPL.

2009: January 27 - Falkirk lose League Cup semi-final against Rangers 3-0.

April - With Falkirk four points adrift at the foot of the SPL, fans group the Bairns Trust write a letter to the club's board demanding Hughes' resignation. A furious Hughes dismisses the letter as a "nonsense" and later brands those who wrote it as "faceless wonders", calling for action to be taken against them.

May 23 - Falkirk win 1-0 at Inverness on the final day of the SPL season to avoid relegation and send their opponents down. They finish 10th in the table.

May 30 - Falkirk lose Scottish Cup final 1-0 to Rangers. But they still qualify for Europe for the first time in their history. Hughes and Christie distance themselves from speculation regarding the managerial vacancies at Hibs and Aberdeen.

June 5 - Hughes admits he would be "very interested" in replacing Roberto Martinez as Swansea boss.

June 8 - Hughes is confirmed as Hibs manager.

Everton would stink the place out..

Breaking News!!!

Kaka has had a medical with Real Madrid!

BERBATOV COMMITTED TO UNITED

Dimitar Berbatov's agent has stated that his client will remain playing with Manchester United next season.

There had been some suggestions that the Bulgaria international could leave Old Trafford this summer following an indifferent debut season with The Red Devils.

The £30.75m capture mustered just nine Premier League goals for the champions despite making 29 league starts, prompting talk in some quarters the club may part with the former Spurs ace.

However, Berbatov's agent Emil Dantchev has poured cold water on the speculation, stating the club's management is happy for the experienced hit-man to stay.

"Despite speculation that he may leave, I want to declare that Dimitar will play next season in Manchester United," Dantchev told Dnevnik.

"There is no desire from the management for any separation.

"He will stay and we hope that he will win what he missed out on this year."

We would not we smell off roses

Kaka making a mistake

ROSSI LEAVES LAZIO

Delio Rossi has left Lazio after four years in charge, despite guiding the Biancoceleste to the Coppa Italia this season.

"For me it's difficult to announce that I have ended my relationship with Lazio after four years," he said.

"It's not an easy decision but one that I thought long and hard about.

"In recent times I have been aware that I was not at the centre of the tactical project of the club.

"I want to thank everyone at the club, especially the players.

"I think I have worked well in the past few years and I leave full of memories, the last one, the Coppa Italia title with almost 70,000 fans celebrating."

Lazio had high expectations going into the season but finished 10th in Serie A.

Rossi has been linked with a move to relegated side Torino this summer.

"I haven't signed anything with another club," he said. "I don't know what I will do but I don't care in which division I coach."

Rossi enjoyed his finest hour with Lazio in 2007 when he guided the team to third in Serie A.

The club began that campaign with an 11-point deduction for their involvement in a match-fixing scandal that rocked Italian football, a punishment later reduced to three points on appeal.

VERBEEK SET FOR HERACLES RETURN

Heracles Almelo are on the brink of appointing Gertjan Verbeek as their new coach.

Verbeek was in charge between 2001 and 2004 and the club believe "in that time he made an important contribution to the building of the club, both in organisation and on a sporting level".

Gert Heerkes, Heracles' coach last season, had a year left on his contract but was relieved of his post at the end of the season.

"The club offered Heerkes the chance to stay on in another technical role but he turned it down," read a club statement.

"After the settlement of his contract, Heracles Almelo is confident of a swift co-operation with Verbeek.

"With a three-year contract, the club can take a big step forward in the future."

BA IS NOT FOR SALE - HOPP

Hoffenheim owner Dietmar Hopp has told striker Demba Ba to forget about his dream move to Stuttgart and honour the contract he signed two years ago.

The Senegalese forward has been linked with a move to Stuttgart, who he claims have already approached his agent, but Hopp reinforced the stance taken by Hoffenheim's director of sport Jan Schindelmeiser by ruling out a sale.

"We are not selling Ba and let that be the end of it," he said in the Rhein-Neckar Zeitung newspaper.

"Anybody in the world who signs a contract must stick to it and what he is doing now is simply not on."

The 24-year-old's contract with Hoffenheim expires in 2011, but he is one of Stuttgart's targets to replace Mario Gomez, who is moving to Bayern Munich.

As soon as Ba learned of Stuttgart's interest, he claimed his heart was set on a move.

"(Hoffenheim coach) Ralf Rangnick has told me that he will not let me go. I respect the coach, but he is going to be disappointed," he told the Stuttgarter Zeitung newspaper.

"I hope that we can find a compromise and end this issue quickly.

"Hoffenheim no longer figures in my thoughts. I am looking for a new challenge and Stuttgart would give me the chance to prove myself again."

Great posts Andy! I enjoy reading them..

The thread should always have news, info.. And always on topic!!!

ETO'O HAPPY AT BARCA - AGENT

Samuel Eto'o would find it hard to turn down an offer that would see his personal earnings increase dramatically but he is not actively looking to leave Barcelona, his agent has confirmed.

The Cameroon striker has been the subject of intense speculation this summer and on Monday morning his representative, Josep Maria Mestalles, held talks with the Blaugrana technical secretary, Txiki Begiristain.

While Manchester City and Inter Milan, among others, are reported to be awaiting developments, Mestalles explained that Eto'o is happy although any major offer would have to be considered.

"We want to stay with Barca, but if a crazy offer comes in and equals the buy-out clause, then the player would earn a lot," he told Sport.

"If before they were offering €5 million and now they offer €15 million, nobody is stupid.

"The player is not going to look to go. He likes it here and there is no better place to live than in Barcelona, but if someone comes in with an offer that improves his salary..."

In Italy there have been reports that Eto'o could be involved in a swap deal with Inter's Zlatan Ibrahimovic worth around €80 million and Mestalles is ruling nothing out.

"We are happy with the club, the relationship is good, but we cannot rule out any possibility," he continued.

"Just like we know, he has a contract and he is a great player.

"Txiki did not say that Pep (Guardiola) does not want him. He has a contract and he wants to stay, but the difference between this year and last year is that they have not said they do not want him.

"The market is better than last year and there are clubs that are interested in him, but we cannot listen to them because that is prohibited.

"The fact that people want you does not mean that you have to leave where you are.

"With two Champions Leagues, three titles and a Copa del Rey along with his performances and goals he does not need to be revalued."