Fab set to snub Utd for Real move

MANCHESTER UNITED look set to miss out to Real Madrid in the race to sign £26million-rated Benfica star Fabio Coentrao.

The left-sided Portugal international has been linked with the Red Devils, Real and Barcelona but admits his preferred destination would be the Bernabeu.

Messi plays down final heroics

Lionel Messi played down his magical Champions League final performance after helping Barcelona cement their status as the greatest team of their era against Manchester United at Wembley.

Messi continued his march towards the pantheon of all-time greats with a mesmeric display on the biggest club stage of them all as Barca romped to a 3-1 victory that gave them their fourth European Cup and third in six years. The Argentina star scored a stunning solo goal and was named man of the match.

Former Bolton striker Johan Elmander joins Galatasaray

Johan Elmander has signed a three-year deal with Turkish side Galatasaray after his release by Bolton.

The 29-year-old Sweden striker's contract at the Reebok Stadium expired at the end of the 2010-11 season and so the Trotters will not receive a fee.

Galatasaray endured a disappointing campaign as they finished eighth in their domestic league.

Ferdinand: We can deal with Messi

Former England captain hails the departing Van der Sar but insists he is not thinking about his own future just yet, and also reveals he would have Ronaldo in his team before Messi

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand is confident that his side can handle the threat of Barcelona star Lionel Messi in Saturday's Champions League final at Wembley.

Carlo Ancelotti: I'm staying in England

The Italian was sacked as Chelsea boss on the final day of the season after two years in charge at Stamford Bridge.

He has since been linked with Roma, but cooled talk of a return to Italy. The 51-year-old said: "I have not had contact with the club, I still have to resolve my contract with Chelsea.

Manchester United will sign Atletico Madrid's David De Gea

Spanish goalkeeper set to arrive at Old Trafford to replace Edwin van der Sar, who will retire after Saturday's Champions League final against Barcelona.

Edwin van der Sar will retire after his side’s Champions League final against Barcelona on Saturday and Ferguson, who was speaking after Gary Neville’s testimonial, revealed the 20-year-old is on his way to replace the Dutchman.

Aquilani future to be sorted soon

The agent of Alberto Aquilani believes his client's future will be decided next week.

The Italian midfielder has spent this season on loan at Juventus from Liverpool, but the Turin giants failed to exercise their first buy-out option to sign the 26-year-old on a permanent basis, which expired last weekend.

"The percentage that Aquilani will remain at Juve is above 50%," said Aquilani's agent Franco Zavaglia to Gazzetta dello Sport.

Official: Domingos Paciencia appointed new Sporting Lisbon coach

Sporting Clube de Portugal have appointed Domingos Paciencia as coach for next season, the club confirmed on Monday.

Paciencia leaves Braga after leading the club to the Europa League final which they lost to Portuguese champions Porto 1-0 last week.

A statement on Sporting's official website reads:

Ferguson wins League Manager's award

Sir Alex Ferguson was on Monday night named Manager of the Year by his fellow league managers.

Ferguson was also named the Barclays Premier League manager of the year following Manchester United's title triumph, and picked up a special merit award for having passed 2,000 matches as manager.

Star Blues won't leave on cheap

Chairman Peter Pannu insists Birmingham will not sell any of their leading players on the cheap following relegation from the Premier League.

Blues are facing a £25million downturn in revenue for next season after their two-year spell in the top flight came to an end on Sunday following a 2-1 defeat at Tottenham.

Ever-present Skrtel proud of progress

It may be of meagre consolation to the Premier League forwards who have been left bearing the bumps and bruises of a brush with Martin Skrtel this season, but the Liverpool defender isn't half as menacing off the pitch as he is on it.

The centre-back and a neighbour from across Stanley Park, Everton's Leighton Baines, are the only two outfield players not to have missed a single minute of the Premier League season with Roy Hodgson's replacement by Kenny Dalglish doing nothing to alter Skrtel's stature as a first-team regular at Anfield. Despite that, his imposing shaven head has not swollen an inch.

Friday Transfer - The Truth, The Rumour and The Downright Improbable

Ronaldo to leave Real for £150 million

Following a reported fallout with The Special One, Real are supposedly ready to listen to offers of around £150 million for their world record signing and club season record goalscorer. When you throw in a wage demand of anything north of £250,000 per week, then there is only one, even remotely, possibly destination. New FA Cup holders, Manchester City, have dismissed any and all speculation that discussions between the two clubs has taken place. However with Carlos Tevez again expressing a desire to leave maybe a player plus cash deal could be on the cards. In the crazy worlds of City, Ronaldo and Real anything is possible!

Empresa portuguesa desenvolve software para o “Special One”

A empresa portuguesa Forward Green, desenvolveu um sofware “à medida” de José Mourinho, o “Mourinho Tactical Board”, uma vez que foi projectado especificamente para o treinador do Real Madrid.

No entanto, o software tem sido cobiçado por treinadores, técnicos e agentes desportivos de todo o mundo.

O software, que foi dado a conhecer em Abril, permite gerir e planear a estrutura táctica da equipa que se treina e das equipas rivais, durante toda a época.

Mourinho Tactical Board a la venta

La obsesión táctica de Mourinho así lo exigía. El técnico portugués solicitó a Forward Green, empresa de su país natal, que le desarrollara un software para gestionar y almancer todas las estadísticas de sus equipos y de los adversarios en turno.

La idea no paró ahí. Si Mourinho vende con sus buenos resultados y con sus polémicas palabras, ahora también lo hace con el Mourinho Tactical Board, producto que fue puesto a la venta en Abril y que ya puede ser adquirido en Internet.


Fuente

McLeish receives Phillips backing

Kevin Phillips believes it is vital for Birmingham's future that Alex McLeish remains as manager even if they are relegated from the Barclays Premier League.

Blues are only out of the bottom three on goal difference after the weekend 2-0 reversal at home to Fulham and will likely have to take something from their trip to Tottenham. West Ham this week sacked Avram Grant after their demotion from the top flight was confirmed.

Van der Vaart happy to stay at Spurs

Rafael Van der Vaart insists he has no intention of leaving Tottenham this summer, despite the club's failure to qualify for the Champions League.

Spurs reached the Champions League quarter-finals where they eventually fell to Real Madrid, and looked to be on course to secure fourth place again this year, but recent results have seen them slip behind Manchester City.

Foster happy to stay at Birmingham

Goalkeeper Ben Foster has hinted he wants to remain at Birmingham after capping his first season by being voted player of the year by his team-mates and supporters.

The Carling Cup winners could be relegated from the Barclays Premier League this weekend if they are overhauled by either Wigan or Blackpool in the final round of matches. Foster has enjoyed an outstanding campaign and scooped the double award at City's awards ceremony at the NIA last night.

When asked if he would be prepared to play in the npower Championship, Foster said: "I want to stay at Birmingham City. I've loved this season. 

Arsenal Transfer News: Willian Borges da Silva…. The Next Brazilian Superstar?

The latest rumor about the Gunners comes all the way from the Ukraine, the player plays for one of the Champions League’s best surprises in Shakhtar Donetsk. The player is being touted to go to Arsenal is Brazilian attacking midfielder, Willian Borges da Silva or just simply Willian.

Willian is a Brazilian U-20 international who was born on August 9, 1988 and is 5 ft 7 in tall.

Villas-Boas expected to stay at Porto

Porto president Pinto da Costa has all but ruled out any move for his manager, the highly rated Andre Villas-Boas, after a fantastic debut season with the club.

So far this season, Porto have dropped just six points in the league, and they only have one more match to play before the end of the season.

Manchester City seal Campions League place

Manchester City stuttered to a 1-0 victory over Tottenham to finally secure the Champions League football they have made so publicly their desire, at Eastlands next season.

In what proved to be an excellent conservation of energy ahead of this weekend’s FA cup final against Stoke, City managed victory against Spurs despite never climbing out of second gear, in a match which saw the visitors dominate large parts of the game.

Colocan a Tévez como objetivo número uno del Madrid

El nombre de Carlos Tévez vuelve a sonar con fuerza para el Real Madrid. Según publica el Daily Mirror, el delantero del Manchester City sería el objetivo número de José Mourinho para este verano. Según el tabloide inglés, el Madrid ya habría empezado a negociar con el agente del jugador, Kia Joorabchian, y estaría dispuesto a ofrecer unos 35 millones de libras, 40 millones de euros, al Manchester City.

Man City v Tottenham preview

FA Cup final-bound Manchester City will be aiming to wrap up fourth place on Tuesday and prolong Tottenham's recent wobble.

City came agonisingly close to securing UEFA Champions League football last season, only for defeat in a home date with Spurs to leave them on the outside looking in.

Real Madrid confirm Sahin signing

Real Madrid have confirmed the signing of Borussia Dortmund midfielder Nuri Sahin.

The 22-year-old Turkey international has agreed a six-year deal with the Spanish giants after helping Dortmund land this season's Bundesliga title.

Sahin becomes Jose Mourinho's first signing for the 2011/12 campaign as Madrid contemplate missing out on the La Liga crown to Barcelona once again.

Santa Cruz hopes for Ewood return

Roque Santa Cruz hopes to secure a permanent move to Blackburn this summer to end his frustrating time as a Manchester City player.

The 29-year-old was a £17.5million signing for City from Rovers in the summer of 2009 but a combination of injury and poor form has limited him to just six league starts and three goals at Eastlands.

Bringing Jabulani to Life (Vídeo)

Jabulani - meaning 'to Celebrate' in the isiZulu language - is the name of the new ball for the FIFA World Cup 2010™.

Made, as ever, by Adidas - the world's leading Football equipment manufacturer, the Jabulani ball builds on their years of scientific excellence. With their history of official FIFA World Cup balls (from Telstar to Teamgeist™) the balls have improved year on year, though not without attracting some controversy along the way.

Porto to face Braga in Europa League final

Porto and Braga sealed semi-final wins to set up an all-Portuguese Europa League final in Dublin on 18 May.

Braga overcame a 2-1 first-leg deficit with a narrow 1-0 second-leg victory at home to beat Benfica on away goals.

Beckham aiming for 2012 Olympics

David Beckham has reiterated his desire to be part of the Great Britain football team at next year's London Olympics in either a playing or coaching capacity.

The Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder and former England captain has not been part of Fabio Capello's squad since October 2009 and he will be 37 by the time the Games start on July 25.

Beckham, who has been unveiled as Samsung's global brand ambassador for the Games, said: "So far I've heard I'm going to be managing, coaching, playing. We'll see but I would like to be part of it in some way."