McFawn says goodbye to Huelva

Rob McFawn sat down for the after-match press conference that concluded his three year affiliation with Recreativo Huelva.

Rob, were you happy with the way your players performed in your last game as manager?

Yes I thought it was a good performance from the lads today. After some very poor results recently, the players each pushed up their own performances a few gears which was nice to see. We have had better results against Valencia during my stay but it was very important for me that we took something from the game today, so I am happy with the result.

It was also a farewell for young Carlos Acuna today. How do you see his future panning out?

Carlos has been just fantastic for us over the past two years. He is an absolute quality player - 23 goals for us this season proves that. I'm just so happy that I have had the opportunity to work with him and that Recreativo Huelva has helped to develop one of world football's most exciting young talents. I'm sure that when he returns to Sevilla their other strikers will know they've got a battle on their hands to keep their places!

After three seasons, what was your best moment in charge?

Well its hard to look beyond our survival season, i think the way we played in the second half of that season had all of Spain shaking. But overall I think my most proud moment was reaching the Cup Final last year. We were written off to be steamrolled against Atletico in the semi but what a fantastic game that was, and we pulled it out of the hat. That was the peak of my time here.

How do you see the club performing in the next season or two?

I believe there is a solid base here and some fantastic youth, so how Recreativo perform will depend on the little changes that are made. I admit this season we did not keep up any momentum from the previous two years, but hopefully my replacement will be right and this club can continue to improve and develop.

So where next for you?

That it still undecided. I received an offer a few weeks back but it was not the right time to move - now its time to consider any offers I might get.

So is a new job in Spain a possibility?

I wouldn't want to rule anything out. I don't really see myself managing in a country unknown to me. I'd love to manage in England again, but I have loved my time in Spain and as I say nothing can be ruled out.

Thanks Rob.

Thanks.

Ascoli Come Through Penalty Marathon to reach Play-Off Final!

Jonny Sinclair and the Ascoli faithful were in rapture after beating Cagliari in penalties 6-5 to give themselves a Play-off final with managerless Genoa after a 2-1 win over Napoli.

This was after a tight 2-2 draw in the normal 90 minutes and no one could break through in extra time so it came to a penalty shoot out which was just as tight with the first ten penalty takers all scoring before three Cagliari players missed penalties amazingly though Ascoli missed the next three as well Mancienne then missed his penalty thanks to a great save from Kaspar Schmeichel and it came to Riccardo Corallo to score and get us through and he tucked away in the bottom corner giving Wayne Henessey no chance and giving Ascoli a dream win and this gives Jonny Sinclair a second bite of the cherry after managing to get Cagliari in the same spot last season but sadly lost to Empoli 2-0.

Sinclair will now hope he can emulate that and get Ascoli promoted to Serie A

This is what Sinclair had to say after the game

'It's brilliant absolutely fantastic we got off to the best start going to 2-0 in ten minutes but i was furious at halff time as they had mangered to claw it back it was disgraceful but we pushed on and held in there then the penalties came and it was unbelievable every kept scoring them and then all of a sudden everyone kept missing them and then finally Riccardo whos been great for us this season whacked it in i couldnt believe its great but we have to dust ourselves off now for the Genoa game we have to be up for fight and get promoted which i think we deserve also i have to heap a lot of praise on Steve because he's carried on where i left Cagliari and he made this game so tough it was fitting it would be decided by penalties the luck of the draw because the two teams had been neck and neck throughout this year we had the same points at the endof the season and im sad to see my ex team lose because Cagliari are a part of me as well now but business is business and im chuffed because we can now dare to dream but we wont lose our heads i'll make sure of that i wish Steve all the best in his new job at Sheffield Wednesday hopefully i'll be even more elated after saturday's game thanks'

Sunderland and Manchester United have both confirmed that there will be a press conference held in the next 24 hours. Manchester United lost in the English Cup Final to Liverpool to deny them a trophy this season, which only added more pressure on the already tenuous position of manager Iain Kochanowksi. Meanwhile, Sunderland failed yet again to gain promotion out of League One under Jonathan Petty, adding another season to their extended exile out of the top two flights.

Bookmakers have already stopped taking bets on the sacking of Petty following last nights display against Preston, and have announced the same for Kochanowski after this announcement.

Niall Quinn spoke frankly in front of a large gathering of local and national press this afternoon in what can at best be described a warning, at worst an ultimatum. Sunderland have failed to live up to their tag as favourites for consecutive seasons and sections of the Black Cats faithful have been calling for the managers head since last nights result.

Quinn, who has always backed his manager, gave an honest assessment of the situation. "The fans aren't happy, and neither is the board. I'm the man that has to make sure everyone at this club goes home happy. I need the right wheels in place to make that work. Jonathan Petty has done a lot at this club and we appreciate that but at some point you have to look and say 'if we can't go forwards on those wheels, lets change them'. I will be speaking with him about next season, but this club can't spend any longer at this level before it affects our playing staff. I saw his statement to the press earlier in the papers and I have to agree. He has my support but unless he can deliver the league as he's promised to, the board will over rule my vote next season."

Petty now faces a pressure situation, with a poor start to next season potentially going to cost him his job. While some fans won't be happy with Quinn's decision, it does appear this is the final vote of confidence for the under fire manager.



A brief statement from the Ricoh Arena has given the reason for the delay to Ranson's announcement over the sale of the club. The chairman had claimed he would be out of the club by the new season and last week it was revealed a bid had been received from an unknown party.

"Coventry City football club can confirm we have received a second offer to purchase the club. Ranson is reviewing them at this moment but both are extremely similar sums of money and both are from similar backgrounds."

When pushed further, the spokeswoman said that Ranson was expected to make a personal statement later today regarding the bids, which as of yet, have had nothing revealed about either of them.

AC Milan manager today come out to back his chairman while other managers around him are praying for the Abu Dhabi group to come and invest.   It is believe the Abu Dhabi group have been traveling around Europe looking to invest in a football club.  One manager who has warned caution is former Manchester City and current AC Milan manager Luke Coakley.  "A lot of managers are very keen to see the club they manage taken over by multi billionaires and its obvious to everyone why, but I think some caution needs to be added to some peoples thoughts.  Everyone wants investment to improve the team and squad but men like Sulaiman Al-Fahim will want instant results and unless the foundations are set in the first place then the mix can be disastrous for the club long term and in some cases long term.  A lot of these chairmen have little loyalty to the manager and the club so it puts managers in a difficult position when trying to sign players."

The Milan manager took out special time to praise his current chairman Silvio Berlusconi "Milan as a club sold itself to me but Silvio (Berlusconi) was a key factor in me joining. He has money, he has ambition but he is a realist and has a footballing mind as well as a business mind and the mix allows me to do what I think is best for the club both short and long term.  I think Milan are in for exciting times over the next few years."

-- Edited by Milan at 16:02, 2008-11-25

Ex-Recreativo Huelva manager Rob McFawn today announced his interest in the vacant Reading position, and it appears the club is prepared to move swiftly on the interest. Reports leaked from inside the English club suggest the board members are putting together a package to approach the manager with in the next 24 hours.

McFawn is one of the more high profile managers being linked in newspapers across Europe for various vacant positions. Other names being mentioned include under fire managers Petty (Sunderland) and Kochanowksi (Manchester United), and Spanish duo Marsh (Cadiz) and Gillion (Almeria) who face each other in the play-off final on Friday.

Real Valladolid chairman Carlos Sureda has put his full support behind manager Simon Jenkins in a public interview this morning. Speculation was that Valladolid had been on a shortlist for the Abu Dhabi investment group to purchase, but Sureda admits it's unlikely to happen.

"I had a meeting with the manager to discuss things. We wanted to talk about the finances and up coming transfers but the possibility of this buy out was mentioned. I love this club but I won't kid myself that I can say no to everyone. I'm no billionaire. Jenkins said he had no interest in a change of chairman and his support for our working relationship is very pleasing. I can assure fans the club is not for sale and the successful regime currently in place will continue."

With Valladolid out of the running, wild speculation has increased regarding the location of the football club to be bought up, with reports coming from the Midlands of a bid being readied.



Sheffield Wednesday have announced the introduction of their transfer budget for the new season. Chairman Bernie Ecclestone had promised a large investment when a new manager was appointed and this week saw the awaited arrival of Steve Davies-Evans from Cagliari. Ecclestone commented briefly "Although Steve is disappointed at how things ended losing the play-off game for Cagliari, everyone at the club is looking forward to the beginning of a new era, and this investment marks that.

At a press conference today, West Brom manager Paul Harrington announced his shock at the recent revelation that the Abu Dhabi group were days away from sealing the deal for the midlands club.

"obviously, if its true its great news for this club, its hard to make that step up to the premiership without some kind of investment, and with the kind of financial backing that these guys bring, they can help put the club and the area on the footballing map. It could be exciting times for the fans of this club, and hopefully we can give them some early cheer on friday in the playoff final."

Harrington went on to say that he thought the gap between the Prem and the Championship.

"If we are to gain promotion on friday, it would be a year ahead of schedule and we would be on the back foot straight away, nobody will expect us to stay up and its up to everyone at the club to work hard next season, whatever division we are in. but if we do go up, i have a shortlist of players that can keep us there, of course we may have to put that on hold untill we know the situation in terms of money available. however i think everyone assosicated with the club can look forward to some exciting times!"

-- Edited by paulh_85 at 13:34, 2008-11-26

Rollings issues investment warning

After hearing him want-away chairman, Ray Ranson, suggest a deal to sell the club was possibly hours away Sky Blues boss Mark Rollings issued clear prompt to get the deal done. Rollings has remained complimentary of his chairman, even under a barrage of press reports claiming their relationship was strained but is now obviously keen to get the deal finalised.

"It is getting to the stage where we are falling behind our rivals. I have my hands tied behind my back and have not been able to move on players, while watching many of my targets agree to move to other clubs, and in some cases to direct rivals. I do not question that Ray has the best interests of Coventry City at heart, but we need a resolution to this."

And Rollings also spent time discussing the rumours that the two bids on the table were both from Coventry City fans.

"I think it is great that we have the passion amongst the fans for them to want to make a difference at the club. We have a tremendous fan base, and that is obviously shining through here. However, I have heard rumours that Sulaiman Al-Fahim is due to take over at West Brom and obviously this highlights the task we may have next season. It was already going to be difficult to make the step up to the greatest league in the world without our probable rivals receiving tens of millions of pounds. The fact is that if that deal gets brokered we will need significant investment one way or another. We cannot, and will not, be able to compete if whoever invests doesnt have the capital to front operations. Realistically we are currently looking to compete with Watford, West Brom and probably Newcastle to stay in the league. Three go down and taking West Brom out of that equation it doesnt take a genius to work out the probable outcome."

Finally Rollings utilised the press conference to fire one last come and get us plee to possible West Brom bound Fahim.

"I urge him to consider Coventry City as a possible investment opportunity. We have limitless potential and have a recent record of escalating growth. Given the capital and opportunity we could become a top 4 English Premier League team! I am an ambitious manager, and I truly believe I can fulfil my ambitions here at Coventry City. Rumours are he is readying a bid for our midlands rivals West Brom, I urge him to come and talk to us first."

Rollings clearly believe his side are the better investment opportunity and a quick look at the statistics seem to back up his point. Coventry has a population in excess of 300,000 - more than double that of West Bromwich - while the Baggies have three significant rivals (Aston Villa, Birmingham and Wolves) all within a 20mile radius. Coventry meanwhile resides 22miles away from nearest rivals Birmingham and has a significantly increased catchment area to the South in Daventry.

-- Edited by Spartikus47 at 10:08, 2008-11-27

Sometimes Nemeses set for Bernabau clash

The focus of Spanish Football will be over Madrid today, but for once it wont be the Galactico Giants creating the news stories. For the small towns of Cadiz and Almeria todays play-off clash represents the final passage of a remarkable journey which has seen both clubs defy pre season predictions of a lowly finish. For one the journey will end in glory, and a flirtatious sojourn into the Spanish Primera! The match at the Spains premier footballing venue takes on particular significance for those in charge, with Arthur Gillion and Richard Marsh known to share a friendship outside football. This was encapsulated with Cadiz boss Marsh describing his play-off foe as a Sometimes nemesis in a cult saying which seems all the more applicable with todays match in charge. Neither manager will be pulling any punches, and there will be no favours given.

Both managers have remained coy on their team selection. Although speculation is mounting that Marsh may look to spring a tactical surprise, possibly plotting to crowd the midfield in a compact 3-5-2 formation which he will hope will nullify the ever-impressive Elipe Garcia. Marsh will be relying on star striker Daniel Sturridge to continue his goal scoring exploits possibly in partnership with fellow loanee Ishmael Miller who has been impressing in training.

Almeria seem unlikely to change much from their impressive semi final humbling of the improved Bilbao. Arthur Gillion has an exciting array of talent in attack and looks set to continue his three pronged strike force of Uche, Lupoli and Caturano. If Gillion did decide to change he could bring back in Fillippo Savi, who will have felt harshly dealt with missing the semi finals after impressing all season. This could lead to both managers fielding contrasting 3-5-2 formations with Marsh favouring a wider approach to Almerias passing football.

Both managers have been heavily linked to clubs around Europe, and the winning manager seems certain to come into high demand. It is thought Wigan, Reading and Southampton have earmarked Gillion as a possible target, while Marshs defiant and unlikely successes with a team who finished bottom of La Liga by some stretch last term have attracted the interest of under achieving Villarreal, who see the manager as the ideal candidate to turn around their ailing side, possible regardless of tonights outcome.

In the early hours of this morning, reporters outside the Ricoh Arena caught sight of out going chairman Ray Ranson taking his personal belongings out to his car. The man who was considering two rival offers for the club made no comment as he drove through the gathered reporters at the gates but his actions suggest he has left the club for the very last time.

Coventry are expected to hold a press conference later today to announce the new owner.

Bugger...

Massimo Moratti has given his new manager his full support ahead of the new season. Best has built his career on turning around the failing Wolves and taking them into the play-offs this season before sealing a big move abroad to take over an aging Inter Milan team that has been stricken with mass retirements.

"We have to feel positive about the new season. We have a new manager with new ideas and that can only be a good thing. Maybe an Inter Milan team with a mix of title winning flair and English grit and determination is what we need to get back to the top.

I am investing £15 million into the club as of now. We will review the job Jamie manages to do with those funds later in the season but there is further money available if we feel it's needed. We don't want to invest much more at once because it needs to be spent wisely. Similarly if the team is really struggling then maybe more cash would be the wrong thing to change later in the season. We will review everything and see what comes of it all but the board are all enthusiastic."



Roberto Benigni has heaped praise on his manager Jonny Sinclair after the lowly Italian club gained promotion tonight to the big time. In an emotional interview whilst still on the pitch amid the mass celebrations, Benigni was rightly overwhelmed.

"What Jonny has done since joining us has been brilliant. If you look at our transfers we've spent very little and he knew there was little cash on offer when he joined us. We're a family club you could say, we very much look up to teams like Real Valladolid who are small time clubs punching above where the big boys expect them to be.

Some people questioned bringing the Cagliari manager over here but we knew Jonny could do a job, we just didn't expect this at all. The fans will be enjoying this long into the night, no, long into next week!! Who knows what next season will bring, we just have to enjoy times like this."

Wells Speaks Up

Media shy Bristol City manager Stephen Wells has today taken the time to speak to the press about his first season in charge of the club.

"It's been fantastic. When I came here, people were talking about Bristol being a poor League 1 side, and we've really shown them what we can do. The players have worked their socks off."

Wells admits to be being a little bit surprised at the performance of the team, and knows how difficult next season will be.

"We've achieved something we may not really be prepared for. Going up to the Championship is obviously superb, but we'll need to work even harder than we did this season, if we want to stay up. We'll need to bring in a player or two, and hopefully the chairman will agree with that."

Fans will no doubt be glad to hear some comments from the manager, who has tended to keep himself to himself this season.

"People are a bit upset at my lack of media output, but I prefer to concentrate on getting the best out of my players, and making sure they're ready for the game. I'm a new manager, and have had to prove to the players that I know what I'm doing, and that they can trust me. Fair play to them, they've responded well."

Looking ahead to next season, Wells is quietly confident.

"We played Fulham in a friendly, and we managed to get a draw. That bodes well for the coming season. They're coming down into the Championship, and will be amongst the favourites to go up. It's a big result for us, and shows that we're not out of place in that league. The spine of the team is strong; we just need the finishing touches."

Make no mistake, Wells is targeting a mid-table finish next season, and on the evidence so far, he's likely to achieve it.

-- Edited by SteW at 10:15, 2008-11-30

-- Edited by SteW at 18:30, 2008-11-30