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| 31 MAY
2000 Warning To Football Wives - Get The Divorce Papers Ready or Get a Marriage Guidance Councillor! As well as matches throughout the day British Eurosport (a free digital satellite channel) will broadcast through the night from 00.00 CET showing highlights, previews, goals, news and chat via live Internet. The 'Euro 2000 nightclub' as it will be called will be hosted by computer generated DJ. Zeman is being tipped to coach Napoli who are set to return to Serie A. 30 MAY 2000 Who Ate all the Pies? Fatih Terim, who coached Galatasaray to a treble (League, Cup and UEFA Cup) will succeed Giovanni Trapattoni as coach of Fiorentina. O'Neill To Celtic Martin O'Neill is the new coach of Celtic. Peter Taylor is the favourite to succeed him at Filbert Street a move which would see a huge change in Leicester's playing style. Atletico Want More Middlesbrough initial bid for Juninho has been rejected by Atletico Madrid. Atletico are believed to want £5.9 million for the Brazilian playmaker. Roberto Carlos Signs Five Year Deal Roberto Carlos, who shocked the World this season with some World Class defending, has extended his contract with Real Madrid for a further five years. ROUND-UP by Tim Leidecker Comeback kid... The good business relations between Juventus and Borussia Dortmund could see Sunday "better than Conte and Tacchinardi combined but unfortunately not Italian" Oliseh move from the "Bianconeri" to the "Schwarz-Gelben" next season. The Nigerian international midfielder already played in the Bundesliga for Cologne from 1995-1997. Swiss precision... Hamburg are said to be interested in Switzerland's national team keeper Pascal Zuberbühler of FC Basel as replacement for parting Hans-Jörg Butt. Zuberbühler caught their attention with a good performance in Switzerland's draw with Germany four weeks ago and is valued at £1.5M. Italian rumor mill... French U-21 national team keeper Sebastien Frey does not want to return to Inter - he was on loan to Verona - because he legitimately thinks of himself as too good to warm the bench behind Angelo Peruzzi. Lazio wants to swap the in the past not 100% convincing Salas for Parma's topscorer Crespo. Frustrated Nerazzurri boss wants to copy Rossoneri philosophy... "We have to get over buying super expensive stars and foreigners. In the future I intensely want to work with young talents, especially from our own country which you can still motivate and mould." - Marcello Lippi The "Battlepig" squeaks... "What do they want with Möller and me ? His strenghts are in offense - that means they're not satisfied with me anymore. But I won't play in a more defensive role that's no fun. I'm gonna fight - it's either Möller or me !" - Schalke 04 playmaker Marc "Battlepig" Wilmots on the signing of Andy Möller for his position Ironically Wilmots, who could use Euro 2000 as springboard to another club, has been linked to Möller's former employer Borussia Dortmund... King Of The Kings... In the traditional survey of Spanish newspaper "El Pais" Raúl has been voted "best player of the Spanish Liga" by the Liga coaches. It was already the 4th time in his young career he won the award. The award for "best foreigner" received Barça's Portuguese ace Luis Figo, "best non-Liga player" became Man United's captain Roy Keane. Sniffing up and down the sidelines... "It is my greatest wish to coach Barcelona. Even more now that president Nunez has stepped down. I know that my chances are only around 1% but I don't give up hope." - Diego Armando Maradona in "Marca" RANDOM THOUGHTS by Irineu de Carvalho Franca and Dida were Brazil's best players against England. Both left Wembley directly to the airport and flew to Sao Paulo for the Corinthians-Sao Paulo derby - whhich I watched LIVE here in Boston!!! Dida was too tired to play. Franca came in the 55th minute and destroyed Corinthians. The final score was SAO PAULO 2-1 CORINTHIANS (it could have been 5-1), two assists by FRANCA, two goals by MARCELINHO-DONKEY. It looks like Corinthians' dominance is fading away. This Tuesday they will play Palmeiras for the Libertadores semifinals and they are very likely to lose. VAMPETA and MARCELINHO CARIOCA have been horrible recently, they have not solved their defensive problems, both full-backs are weak and in the end all they have is ever-dangerous EDILSON and ever-brilliant RICARDINHO-ZIDANE. SAO PAULO now has the most beautiful midfield in town with AXEL-VAGNER-RAI, all of them playing close to their career best. Barthez to Man United Man United are currently holding talks with Monaco's goalkeeper Fabian Barthez. Tight arses. Should have went for Toldo, in my opinion he's been the best 'keeper in Europe this season. Raul & Keane - The Coaches Choice Spanish coaches have voted Raul best forward and Roy Keane best foreign league player. Cruijff No To Barca Johan Cruijff has ruled out a return to Barcelona as President or coach. Maybe Cruijff will finally manage the Dutch national team if Frank Rijkaard screws up. Tragedy For England Lard-arse David Seamen plans on being England's goalkeeper into the 2002 World Cup. Seamen has played like a twat for England and Arsenal over the past two seasons but is one of the untouchables i.e. above criticism like Albertini, Shearer and king of the frauds Mr 'one assist a season' Zidane to name but three. 29 MAY 2000 For those of you keeping count we have added well over 50 transfers this month. Panucci back to Milan? Noooooooooooo! There's a worrying rumour (worrying if you're a Milan supporter) linking Christian 'can't mark a desk' Panucci with a move back to his old club. O'Neill to Celtic? Leicester manager Martin O'Neill is currently negotiating with Celtic over the vacant coaches job. ROUND-UP by Tim Leidecker Only minutes after Schalke 04 had announced the signing of playmaker Andy Möller from arch-arch-arch rivals Dortmund the first protest faxes from fans announcing they would leave the club and give back their season tickets arrived at the S04 office. That's real rivalry ! Schalke will pay Möller up to £2.3 million making him once again the best paid player in the league. Schalke II: According to German top politician and S04 board member Jürgen Möllemann the "miners" do also have plans to bring back Jens Lehmann who already played for Schalke from 1991-1998 from Dortmund. Lehmann who is Germany's "1B" national team goalkeeper behind Oliver Kahn left Schalke for Milan after winning the UEFA Cup with S04 but returned to the Bundesliga only 3 months later. According to Spanish press reports Bayern Munich has shown interest in Champion Deportivo's Brazilian playmaker Djalminha who is valued at around £5 million. Bayern vice-president Rummenigge has as always denied all rumors. E VIVA ESPAÑA... Despite being plagued by debts as high as £130 million the "royal club" has rewarded each player with £300,000 for winning the Champions League this year. 35-year-old captain Manuel Sanchís who basically planned to retire after the season has extended his contract until 2001. Fernando Morientes who was sought after by Serie A's Milan and Roma has announced that he will definitely stay at the club. Despite all contrary lip services from president Sanz watch out for Anelka to leave the club during the summer -- a swap for 1999 World Footballer of the Year Zinedine Zidane of Juventus has been rumored. According to German sports magazine "Kicker" none other than Johan Cruijff will candidate as president of FC Barcelona after current boss Josep Lluis Nuñez had recently announced his retirement. A possible replacement for the parting unpopular coach Louis van Gaal could be found right in Barça's neighbourhood in form of Valencia's Hector Cuper. Spanish Liga legend Luis Aragones (over 1,000 matches as player and coach) will take charge of 1999 CWC Finalist RCD Mallorca next season. MILANO - CITY OF FASHION, MILAN AND INTER... Milan has recalled Brazil's national team keeper Dida from Corinthians since the team's first choice, Christian Abbiati, will miss several weeks in September because of the Olympic Football Tournament he will take part in with the Italian Under-21 national side. "I would very much like to return to Inter because Massimo Moratti is the best president I have ever met." -- Real Madrid wingback Roberto Carlos who has a fixed buyout clause of £60 million in his contract 26 MAY 2000 Real Madrid Print Money Real Madrid president Lorenzo Sanz has admitted that the club have debts of over £73 million. Sanz claims that in 2003 the club will make over £140 million. Man United eat your heart out. Man United Win Prestigious (?) Award Man United have been named team of the year in the first Laureus Sports Awards in Monaco. Partizan Belgarde, Stade de France Permanent Home of European Cup? Ljubisa Tumbakovic is the new coach of Partizan Belgrade. According to Uk channel Ondigital on Wednesday, UEFA were so impressed by the Stade de France that they are considering making it the permanent home of the Champions League final starting from the 2002-2003 season. ROUND-UP by Tim Leidecker Juventus has made a £10 million offer for Leverkusen's Brazilian international winger Zé Roberto. Hamburg are interested in ex-Milan defender Dario Smoje, currently with Monza Calcio in Serie B. In the passing of the Champions League Final theUEFA executive committee will decide on a license procedure which would prevent clubs like Real Madrid which have debts of over £125 million but still sign expensive players like Real did with Anelka this season from participating. The procedure should be effective starting in 2002/2003. They also decided on an agreement which permits clubs to sign players under 18 years. More UEFA news: In 2001/2002 the 2nd group stage of the Champions League will be abolished. The name "Champions League" might also be changed as for the 2nd season in a row no "real" Champions of their respective leagues have made the Final. World Champion France has extended their sponsorship deal with Adidas until 2006. The French Football Association (FFF) will earn £5 million per year. Lorenzo Serra Ferrer has been appointed as new coach of FC Barcelona. Serrer had previously coached "Barça B" who play in the Segunda B Division (3rd division) of the Spanish Liga. The new Barça coach Ferrer has decided to sell the De Boer twins. According to the Catalan TV channel TV3 Juventus has offered Barcelona 5000 million pesetas (£18 million) plus Zinedine Zidane in exchange for Figo. FRANCA by Irineu de Carvalho Last weekend in the Sao Paulo (Paulista) championship: SAO PAULO 3-0 GUARANI (Franca, Alvaro, Franca) SANTOS 3-0 PORTUGUESA PALMEIRAS 2-4 CORINTHIANS In the semifinals (* means the team advances with two ties) SAO PAULO - CORINTHIANS (*) SANTOS - PALMEIRAS (*) A very interesting report in a Brazilian newspaper may help us assess how good Sao Paulo's striker FRANCA is. In three years as a starting striker for Sao Paulo, FRANCA has managed to have a goalscoring ratio of 0.77 goals per game. Two comparisons may be useful: FABIO JUNIOR in his wonderful 1998 season for Cruzeiro ended up with an average of 0.48/game; RONALDO (do you remember this lad?) in his 1993-94 season with Cruzeiro managed slightly below 1. But notice that: FRANCA's numbers regard a three-year period! Another impressive stat: FRANCA scors 1 goal for each 2.8 shots he takes!!! Other top Brazilian goalscorers such as MARCELINHO CARIOCA of Corinthians and LEANDRO of Portuguesa average more than 5 shots in goal for each goal scored. 25 MAY 2000 LECHNER DIES IN MOTORBIKE CRASH Kaiserslautern's 21 year old Thomas Lechner died today when he crashed his motorcycle into a tree after overtaking a car. MATTHAUS WILL QUIT AT LAST! Lothar Matthaus has confirmed that he will retire from international football following Euro 2000. LIPPI GETS THE DREADED VOTE OF CONFIDENCE Inter President Massimo Moratti insists coach Marcelo Lippi will stay at the club despite a threat by Uruguayan playmaker Alvaro Recoba to leave if Lippi stay. VIERI OUT OF EURO 2000 Christian Vieri is out of Italy's Euro 2000 squad due to a hamstring injury. ROUND-UP by Tim Leidecker Udo Lattek has quit as coach of Borussia Dortmund. The 66-year-old explained: "The stress was too much. Sometimes I thought I would pass out and fall off the bench." Berti Vogts (ex-German national team coach), Giovanni Trapattoni (Fiorentina), Christoph Daum (Leverkusen), Arsene Wenger (Arsenal) and current assistant coach and former Libero ace Matthias Sammer have been rumored as possible successors. Christoph Daum will see out his contract at Bayer Leverkusen which still runs another year. The "motivator" has been linked with a move to struggling Borussia Dortmund. "I fell such satisfaction nobody can imagine. When I look back after this season I have to say: That felt good. In Dortmund I was marked as somebody who is already past it. They have football "experts" who know football as well as I do breakdance." - 1860 Munich playmaker Thomas "Icke" Häßler after leading his team into the Champions League qualification stage Hertha BSC Berlin has signed a sponsorship deal with telecommunication company o.tel.o. worth around £2 million a season plus several bonuses. o.tel.o. had sponsored Werder Bremen from 1997-1999. Kurt Vossen, member of the Bayer Leverkusen board, has said in an interview with German news magazine "Focus" that Emerson will earn £6.25 million in wages alone at Roma starting next season which makes him one of the (THE ?) best paid footballers in the world today. "Emma" has signed a 5-year-deal which equals £31.25 million of guaranteed salary. "La Gazzetta dello Sport" reported on Saturday that Roma have offered "Batigol" Batistuta a whopping yearly salary of £3.5 million and Fiorentina a transfer fee of £22 million. After the Argentine star announced his plans to leave the "Viola" riots broke out in Florence and molotov cocktails were thrown into an office building of Fiorentina president Cecchi Gori's TV station. Fiorentina II: According to several Italian newspapers Inter boss Massimo Moratti wants Giovanni Trapattoni to replace Marcello Lippi as coach of chronic underachievers Internazionale. As possible successors of "Trap" at the Viola the names Zeman, Sacchi (!) and Passarella are floating around. "I will retire at the end of next season but I want to end my career with another Champions League title. I hope that I will be remembered by football fans for my way of playing, and not only by Milan fans." Milan's n°10 and Croatian legend Zvonimir "Zorro" Boban Olympiakos Piraeus have offered Lothar Matthäus a yearly salary of £2 million - as coach! The record international's response: "My contract in New York expires in October. I am open to all sides and I'm going to talk to the Greeks." Frank Rijkaard has appointed his buddy Ruud Krol as 2nd assistant coach for the "Oranjes" at Euro 2000. The other assistant is fellow former international and hard-hitting penalty taker Johan Neeskens. Hickery, Dickery Dock, Hoogma's got a sore cock! You have surely heard a lot of bizarre injuries like players who fall off ladders or drop tables on their feet but Hamburg's defender Nico-Jan Hoogma picked up something even I hadn't heard before: In Hamburg's final season game against Duisburg he collided with an MSV player and picked up two tears in his penis! OUCH! OUCH! His "best piece" had to be clipped at halftime... 24 May 2000 ROUND-UP by Tim Leidecker "I don't think Bayer will let me leave after this season already. It is 99% clear that I'm gonna stay another year. But in 2001 I'm done with Leverkusen and will finish my career in MLS." The best Bundesliga striker of the 90's, Ulf Kirsten Roma is going to float on the stock market in the near future, following the path of crosstown rivals Lazio. 28.75% of the club are for sale which equals 13 million shares Turning Roma into a stock corporation will free up £35 million which will immediately be reinvested into new player 'material'. After the recent success of the Lazio shares now even Juventus and Milan, who had been sceptical before, consider to "hit the stock market". "Alberto Zaccheroni has said Bierhoff should rather leave? That was only a provocation. I have just recently spoken with Oliver and told him face to face that we don't consider selling him." Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani Against contrary reports Milan will finalize the transfer of Valencia midfield ace Gerard after the Champions League Final. The Rossoneri have recently also been linked with Monaco's David Trézéguet who is valued at £15 million. BAGGIO GETS INTER INTO CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Inter beat Parma 3-1 to secure a place in next season's Champions League. Baggio (2) and Zamorano scored for Inter, Stanic for Parma. LAZIO & INTER IN THREE WAY SHOCK! Not that type of three way you perverts! According to a wild rumour in Italy, Vieri, Peruzzi and Jugovic could be on their way to Lazio with Veron, Salas and Almeyda heading to Inter in exchange. NATIONAL EXPRESS No one outside of England will get that headline but I've decided to use it anyway. Real Valladolid have sacked coach Gregorio Manzano. Lens coach Rancois Brisson has stepped down. Dominique Cuperly will be Lyon's coach next season. Real Madrid have given coach Vicente Del Bosque a one year contract. CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2001-2002 UEFA plan to reduce the number of games in the Champions League starting from the 2001-2002 season. 23 May 2000 RIQUELME TO MILAN IN 2001 "I can confirm that I have been in talks with Milan and Galliani. It's probable that Riquelme will join Milan in 2001." Boca Junior's President Mauricio Macri LA LIGA ROUND UP by Manuel Benet Hi! Due to the fact that I had a project due today, I was unable to finish the Spanish Liga review, mostly because I pretend to change the match-per-match format for last week report, as it was the last week, and, as everybody should know now, Deportivo is the new champion of the Spanish Liga. In advance, some news from Spain. I'll start with Barca. Van Gaal leaves, definitively, and some of the dutchmen will leave with him. Right now the only news are from Bogarde, who has been reported to have Man Utd and Parma interested in signing him. On the board side, all the candidates are trying to establish a common candidate, because the elections are next 22 july and the team should be formed at that moment. Next one, Lauren, ex-Mallorca player. Television Espanyola reported after the match Deportivo vs Espanyol that Lauren has signed for Arsenal for the price of approx. 0.95 million sterling pounds. Anelka. Strange, huh? Unfortunately (I don't really know if that's unfortunate for Valencia or Real Madrid) he will not play the final of the Champions League next wednesday, due to a injury on last match. Txetu Rojo, coach of Zaragoza, goes - almost - officially to Athletic Club de Bilbao, despite the amazing campaign of the manyos (Zaragoza) this season. And finally, about Van Gaal, just two sentences resume the coach attittude towards the club, players, and supporters. From him, "With Ajax I have won more titles that Barca has won in 100 years", and from his wife, "My husband is too good for this team". Go to hell, Mr Van Gaal. You deserve what you got. 22 May 2000 Roma have offered Batistuta wages of £4.2 million a season if he joins which would make him the highest paid player in the World behind Del Piero in terms of total income. 21 May 2000 Andrei Shevchenko has extended his contract with Milan until 2005. Chelsea are interested in Lazio striker Marcelo Salas. 20 May 2000 INJURY WORRIES FOR REAL Hierro, Anelka, Savio and Salgado are struggling to be fit for Wednesday's European Cup final against Valencia. VAN GAAL QUITS Luis Van Gaal has quit as coach of Barcelona. No idea who will take over. Rumours are that Barca are interested in Valencia's Hector Cuper. MAYER TO ARSENAL According to Real Mallorca, Arsenal have signed their star midfielder Lauren Mayer. Lauren was expected to join Parma this summer. THE SINKING SHIP VIOLA, COACH & STRIKER FIRST TO JUMP! As expected Giovanni Trapattoni has stepped down as coach of Fiorentina. With the departure of Batistuta imminent and Rui Costa and Toldo also rumoured to leave this could be the start of a Sampdoria style freefall for the Viola. 19 May 2000 BRAZIL ROUND-UP by Irineu de Carvalho RONALDINHO GAUCHO (Gremio), forward to Barcelona ATHIRSON (Flamengo), left-wing/left-back to Barcelona/Juventus VAMPETA (Corinthians), midfielder to Fiorentina/Roma/ManU RICARDINHO (Corinthians), play-maker to several clubs EDILSON (Corinthians), forward to Real Madrid/ManU FRANCA (Sao Paulo), striker to Milan DIDA (Corinthians), goalie to Milan FELIPE (Vasco), locker-room girl to Fiorentina ROQUE JUNIOR (Palmeiras), defender to Milan/Parma ALEX (Palmeiras), playmaker to Parma/ManU ASPRILLA (Palmeiras), forward to several second class clubs (EPL?) Of the transfers above, the ones involving Palmeiras are the ones most likely to occur (they are downsizing their team big time while they do not sign with a new sponsor). Either Ricardinho or Vampeta are likely to leave Corinthians, given that Corinthians is out in the market for a midfielder. Athirson is making pressure to leave, so he will leave no matter what. If you want an impressive player of the moment: LEANDRO, striker, of Portuguesa. Two years ago, before a leg fracture, he was linked to Arsenal. Very powerful, age 23, and likely to appear at the Selecao at the Olympic level or even at the grown-ups squad. He has been very close to 1 goal per game recently, his style reminds of the likes of Vieri and Batistuta. He is extremely brave becaue he is not as big as those guys, no wonder he broke his leg in a shock against a defender. (There is also LEANDRO MACHADO, of Flamengo, formerly from Sporting Lisbon who is a mediocre and different player). FRANCA B****** president Paulo Amaral already announced that it is very unlikely that Franca stay at Sao Paulo after the EUropean Summer. "Everyday I receive a new offer". Sao Paulo is reportedly waiting for a 20 million dollars offer. Juventus and Milan are the teams rumoured to be interested. LIBERTADORES QFs: ATLAS (MEXICO) 0-2 PALMEIRAS ATLETICO MINEIRO (BRASIL) 1-1 CORINTHIANS It looks very likely that Palmeiras will play Corinthians in the semifinals of the Libertadores. And as long as Sao Paulo lets talent slip away (we should be signing Leonardo - not selling Franca!) we will continue to watch it from the distance without an invitation. NO FOREIGNERS PLEASE, WE'RE BRITISH "We recommend a quota of two permit players (non EU) per Premiership club and one in the first division." The Department of Education and Employment on their plans to make signing South American and African players even more difficult than it is already. 18 May 2000 LAUDRUP RETIRES, PIRES SET FOR ARSENAL, ROMA IN POLE POSITION FOR BATISTUTA Brian Laudrup has announced his retirement from football because of a chronic Achilles tendon injury. "But even if Overmars stay I should be leaving to join the London club who have qualified for the Champions League (Arsenal)." Marseille playmaker Robert Pires Roma appear to be in pole position to sign Gabriel Batistuta. Inter and Lazio are also interested in the Argentinean striker. Press reports in Chile claim Tottenham are interested in midfielder Clarence Acuna who plays for Universidad de Chile. TONI, TONI, TONI POLSTER As the song went (sort of) has annoucned his retirement. TIGHT AS ARSEHOLES Teddy Sheringham will remain at Man United for another season after the misers offered him a new contract. No wonder they have such a high turnover. TALKING SMACK Chilean international Clarence Acuna has been suspended indefinitely by FIFA after failing a drugs test. ROUND-UP by Tim Leidecker "I don't think Bayer will let me leave after this season already. It is 99% clear that I'm gonna stay another year. But in 2001 I'm done with Leverkusen and will finish my career in MLS." The best Bundesliga striker of the 90's, Ulf Kirsten Roma is going to float on the stock market in the near future, following the path of crosstown rivals Lazio. 28.75% of the club are for sale which equals 13 million shares each worth around £3-4 (the exact price will be announced on Friday in case you're interested). Turning Roma into a stock corporation will free up £33 million which will immediately be reinvested into new player 'material'. After the recent success of the Lazio shares now even Juventus and Milan, who had been sceptical before, consider to "hit the stock market". Roma has joined the courting for Batistuta's services as well. Favourites remain the 'Nerazzurri' from Milano though. A move to Inter could see fellow star striker Christian Vieri head back South to his former club Lazio. Club president Cragnotti has already announced we would very much like him back... Alberto Zaccheroni has said "Bierhoff should rather leave? That was only a provocation. I have just recently spoken with Oliver and told him face to face that we don't consider selling him." Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani Against contrary reports Milan will finalize the transfer of Valencia midfield ace Gerard after the Champions League Final. The Rossoneri have recently also been linked with Monaco's David Trézéguet who is valued at £13 million. After a heavy dispute with coach Puel who questioned his loyalty to the club French World Cup winning keeper Fabien Barthez is close to sign with Manchester United. The transfer is going to cost more than £15 million (money even the tight-arsed ManU board can afford to spend after the Van Nistelrooij deal fell trough) and should be finalized before the start of the European Championships. 17 May 2000 FOR SALE Denilson, Hasselbaink are among 35 players to be transfer listed by the three clubs relegated from La Liga this season (Atletico Madrid, Real Betis and Sevilla). Hasselbaink has been linked with a move back to the Premiership, Tottenham amongst the clubs chasing his signature and Denilson has been linked with Milan and Parma. DO US A FAVOUR Barcelona have promised Espanyol £1.2 million if they defeat Deportivo on Friday. Barca are currently 2 points behind Deportivo with one game left to play in the Spanish Championship. Deportivo players are said be on a total bonus of £2 million if they win the Championship. REJECTED Atletico Madrid president Jesus Gil has sacked coach Raddy Antic. PERUZZI TELLS ZOFF TO BUGGER OFF Inter goalkeeper, Angelo Peruzzi, has rejected a place in Dino Zoff's Euro 2000 squad. Fiorentina's Francesco Toldo and Parma's Gianluigi Buffon are first and second choices. Milan's Christian Abbiati is likely to take Peruzzi's place as 3rd choice 'keeper. LA LIGA ROUND UP by Manuel Benet Basically, Nunyez announced yesterday officially (through) the Barca channel that he will leave the presidency of FC Barcelona tomorrow wednesday and will summon elections. There are no news about if he will be candidate for another year, but the common feeling is that he will renounce to it. There was the rumour that he would leave Barca but would control it from the shadows, cleaning it economically and making still decisions, thought the president wouldn't be him. However, this seems to have dissapeared and now the different opposition parties have agreed to take out Barca from the actual situation. So, basically, if everything is as clear as it should be, next season will see Barcelona with a new president. There's now the question of the players and Van Gaal. On Van Gaal's side, his contract was renewed last week until 2002, but if Nunyez leaves, he will likely leave as well, and, indeed, Gaspart (Barca vicepresident and almost Barca spokeman) made yesterday some declarations that it would be better if Van Gaal would leave Barca as well. On the player's side, if there's a change, everything can be expected, as a new coach with new preferences will come. I'd bet that many of the dutchmen will be sold, except probably Kluivert, Cocu and Hesp. Refering to Rivaldo, I am not sure he will leave. Nunyez was widely criticized by leaving Ronaldo go to Italy, and if Nunyez leaves, maybe the new board will arrange a new contract with him. There are a lot of questions that will be answered in the next months, and hopefully Barcelona will see a completely new board that was needed long time ago. That on the Barca side. On the Betis side, there are rumours that Alfonso will sign for a 'big' one, and given the problems that had in the past with Real Madrid, that already has Morientes, Anelka and Raul, only Barcelona comes to mind, if the destination is a Spanish club. This could be also the replacement for Rivaldo, if he leaves. Other players, such as Denilson or Finidi, have been known to decrease their respective clauses (Denilson clause was about 330$ million) so they are good buys for other teams. The same happens with Atletico. Players like Kiko, Molina or Hasselbaink won't remain in Atletico much more time, and indeed Atletico has already started to think in the next season without stars, being aware of their condition of team of 2nd division. 16 May 2000 SERIE A PLAY-OFF, WOERNS OUT OF EURO 2000, NUNEZ WILL SELL RIVALDO, DALMAT TO PSG Inter will meet Parma for the final Champions League place on the 23rd of May in Verona. German defender Christian Woerns is out of their Euro 2000 squad after picking up a knee ligament injury on Saturday. Barca president Josep Luis Nunez has said he will sell Rivaldo before stepping down as President. Marseille's immensely talented midfielder, Stephane Dalmat, has turned down offers from Inter and Real Madrid and signed for PSG. It's the second successive season that Dalmat has turned down offers from abroad and stayed in France. 15 May 2000 BATMAN SET TO LEAVE "I have asked to be sold. I've been massacred this season. The club and I do not think the same way and for me that is terrible." Batistuta after becamoing Fiorentina's all time leading scorer with 152 goals. He is expected to join Inter in the summer. Thanks to Ronan Van for the Dutch and Belgian league transfers. 14 May 2000 NUNEZ TO STEP DOWN Barca fans rejoice, Josep Luis Nunez will step down as President. BAYERN MUNICH Bayern has once again expressed interest in Real Madrid midfielder Christian Karembeu. The French World Cup Winner had already been linked with Munich's Reds last season. Premiership sides Liverpool and Middlesbrough are also after 'CK' who is valued at £M4. Leeds United has made a £M10 bid for Bayern and Germany striker Carsten Jancker. Leeds coach O'Leary is looking for a big&strong strike partner for Michael Bridges after he failed to bring back Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink from Atlético de Madrid. Bayern Munich has been linked with Christian Wörns (DF, Borussia Dortmund), Ciriaco Sforza (MF, Kaiserslautern), Nico Kovac (MF, Hamburger SV) and Jean-Karl Pierre-Fanfan (DF, Lens) for next season. Tim Leidecker COACHES Giovanni Trapattoni has agreed to stay on as coach of Fiorentina after club president Vittorio Cecchi Gori had agreed not to sell stars Gabriel Batistuta and Rui Costa as well as strengthening the current squad. Juan Manuel Liddo will replace Jose Francisco Rojo as coach of Real Zaragoza next season. Rojo will become the new coach of Athletic de Bilbao. According to an interview in German daily newspaper 'Die Welt' Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger has expressed interest in becoming coach of the German national team in the near future. Tim Leidecker NOT HENRY MANCINI "I dream about Juve being denied three crystal clear penalties and us getting two dodgy ones." -- Lazio old hand Roberto Mancini on the topic of Serie A refs which have favoured serial winner Juventus in the past And to end something to smile... Rumanian refs lead a dangerous life: In a game with Rumanian D-League (4th division) club Steagul Rosu Colacu a player equalized in the 86th minute after carrying the ball to the goal with his hands (!) before scoring and fans forced the ref to count a goal using - get this - whiplashes! Ouch... Game officially ended 1-1. Tim Leidecker 13 May 2000 The chances of this happening are slim but Milan have now been linked with a move for Raul. West Ham's gifted midfielder Frank Lampard will miss out on Euro 2000 after being called up to play for England in the U-21 European Championships. Injury 'prone king of the square pass Jamie Redknapp will now stink up England's midfield during Euro 2000. Lyon coach Roger Lacombe has resigned with only a match of the season remaining. Lyon will qualify for the Champions League if they match or better the result of 4th placed Bordeaux. Italy's new shirt is made of skin tight lycra! 12 May 2000 Karembeu has been linked with a move to Middlesbrough or Liverpool. Lyon are set to sign Marc-Viven Foe from West Ham and Frank Lebouef from Chelsea. Both clubs are interested in signing Lyon striker Frederic Kanoute, currently on loan to the Hammers. Some ridiculous rumours have been floating around in recent days. Milan are apparently interested in signing Figo and Rivaldo. 11 May 2000 Massimo De Sanctis, the dodgy ref that disallowed Fabio Cannavaro's goal against Juventus on Sunday has been ordered by the Italian FA to explain his decision. "I am impressed by Shevchenko, he came to Italy and is after only one year the top scorer of Serie A. He is fast and intelligent, and when you are intelligent you can always learn more. I think Shevchenko is still learning a lot from the best league in the world. I hope he can have the same success I had, because a great Milan needs a great attacker.". Marco Van Basten 9 May 2000 Germany's assistant coach Uli Stielike has been sacked after a serious of rows with coach Erich Ribbeck. Horst Hrubesch (pronounced Rubbish, well ok not really pronounced Rubbish) will take over. Roy Hodgson has quit as coach of Grasshoppers. Standard Liege have given in to the demands of their players and re-appointed Tomislav Ivic as coach. Raddy Antic has said he will coach relegated Atletico Madrid without pay, Club director, Miguel Angel Gil has refused to accept Antic's generous/stupid offer. 7 May 2000 Lazio have signed a three year sponsorship deal with technology company Siemens. The deal will earn Lazio £5 million per season. Earlier in the week Liverpool also signed a three year sponsorship deal, worth £21 million with Reebok. 6 May 2000 Aston Villa coach John Gregory has signed a three year contract that will keep him at Villa park until 2003. Gregory is set to earn £1 million a year, making him one of the highest paid managers in football. Borussia Dortmund will continue with their caretaker coaches, Udo Lattek and Matthias Sammer until the end of next season when Christophe Daum's contract ends with Bayer Leverkusen. Daum has been offered a new contract but hasn't signed it. Hansa Rostock midfielder Yasser Radwan will be out for 6 months with a knee ligament injury. 3 May 2000 Former Parma and Dortmund coach, Nevio Scala, is the new coach of Besiktas. Last week Besiktas sacked Hans Peter Briegel. Verona have been fined £8,500 by the Italian FA for racist abuse by their fans during Sunday's victory over Juventus. Lazio have also been fined for racist abuse, £17,500, during last month's Champions League match against Valencia. Athletic Bilbao midfielder Bitor Alkiza will be out for 3 months following surgery on his left foot. Real Valladolid midfielder Harold Lozano will be out for 5 months following surgery on his right knee. "I am confident that within two weeks the deal should be signed and sealed." Dynamo Kyiv striker Serhiy Rebrov speaks of his move to Tottenham. 2 May 2000 Newspaper reports in England claim Tottenham have signed Dynamo Kyiv striker Serhiy Rebrov for £11 million. Tottenham have confirmed that they have held talks with the striker. Auxerre coach Guy Roux will retire at the end of the season after an incredible 39 years in charge of the club that he lead from the lower divisions to a league and cup double. Andreas Andersson will miss Euro 2000 after damaging cruciate knee ligaments. No great loss. 'Farmer' Gus Hiddink has been sacked as coach of relegation threatened Real Betis. Hiddink is favourite to take over as coach of Celtic. Rugby's 10 yard rule will be introduced in the Premiership next season. Referee's will now be allowed to move the wall from a free kick back 10 yards if they are shown dissent by players. "I am still interested in signing him. It is a big strong possibility. We're only in the market for Ruud (van Nistelrooij) because of his age, development and talent.". Man United manager Alex Ferguson 1 May 2000 Former Wimbledon star turned TV presenter John Fashanu wants the Wimbledon's managers job after Egil 'Drillo' Olsen was sacked. Roy Keane has been named Football Writers player of the year and the Players Player of the year. Leeds Australian playmaker, Harry Kewell was voted young player of the year. The PFA (Players Football Association?) XI : Martyn (GK, Leeds) Kelly (DF, Leeds) Stam (DF, Man United) Hyypia (DF, Liverpool) Harte (DF, Leeds) Keane (MF, Man United) Beckham (MF, Man United) Kewell (MF, Leeds) Viera (MF, Arsenal) Phillips (FW, Sunderland) Cole (FW, Man United) |