Week 20

Tezza · Cult Status

Week 20

Football Academy · Cult Status

FA consider Europa Cup competition

A spokeswoman for the FA governing body released a statement this afternoon that discussions were taking place behind closed doors as to whether a second European competition would be beneficial for the sport. Currently four teams from each of the three participating countries qualify for the European Cup, a group stage of three groups of four followed by a straight one leg knock out tournament.

"The FA are considering a secondary competition which will allow an alternative level of football. At this stage nothing has been decided but there are obvious factors that need to be considered. It could mean that the qualification for the European Cup is changed, and possibly with number reduced in the elite competition. A secondary competition would likely be a simpler, straight knock out competition although this may include two legs to add a different challenge to managers and players."

In addition FA refused to deny they would consider dropping a club out of the bottom competition in one country to replace them with a new team, if financial problems continued in some of the leagues.

Steve · Cult Status

I think it's a good idea to throw out some debt ridden clubs as the current system means that financially secure clubs such as Leicester who have kept to the rules have to compete against clubs who are basically cheating in an attempt to buy success, such as:

Cadiz
Charlton
Fulham

Close all three of them down! (plus Portsmouth in real life)
Any transfer funds they currently have should be seized by their creditors.
Plus their chairmen and current managers should be investigated by the tax office
Plus check to see if they got ownership of a racehorse as part of a transfer deal ......Harry Redknapp)
Finally any of the managers who have a son who is also a football agent should immediatley be locked up!

Ashley-ccfc16' · Cult Status

Davies comments on possibility of second European league.

' I think its a fantastic idea to possibly introduce, Their will be a lot more to fight for within the leagues and it can come as great experience to managers, It can also help out with clubs in financial difficulties which we seem to see a lot of these past months'

Cult Status

Cadiz first team coach comments on the Italian money laundering

I saw Mr Jenkins saying footballs clubs should be closed down. I think football fans of the clubs he named will want to show him how passionate they are about their team if they ever bump in to him. I was given the job here with one target to raise money to go on the debt. I could raise 5M and put it to the debt or I could invest that in players and sell them for 8M to go to the debt. Mr Jenkins might have forgotten how to deal with little money in his luxury Italian apartment and fast cars. Cadiz need to play football well to earn money and become sustainable again so I will not forget about the team on the pitch.

Not every football club has the advantage of playing in a corrupt league where all the decisions go for you and the mafia are on hand to launder money through your bank!!!!!!! biggrin

Steve · Cult Status

As Steve Jenkins left his luxury apartment in one of his fast cars he paused long enough to answer questions on the recent media rant by the Cadiz manager.

"I don't usually read Spanish newspapers, they only seem to carry stories about whether the orange crop is ripening or about Ronaldo slagging off his team mates. However the Cadiz coach and his recent rant was brought to my attention. With regard to big investments in Italian football I think he is confusing me with Genoa, Fiorentina and Inter Milan. However, if his club is closed down we would be happy to offer him a job as coach (driver) at Juventus".

With that Mr Jenkins accelerated into the distance, showering the unhappy journalists with a hail of dust and gravel.

Tezza · Cult Status

Atalanta Team News.

As Atalanta prepare for their top of the table class with Palermo this week end I managed to get a word with manager, Terry Manifold.

Press.

Are you looking forward to the big game this week?

TM.

I am not as exited as I ought to be. I have a problem, do I still go for automatic promotion or concentrate on the play offs. If I accept that automatic promotion is just out of reach then I have to think ahead a little more. I could for instance, do a Mick McCarthy this weekend and rest a few first team players, bring in some of my second eleven in order to give them match experience in case they are needed in the play offs. We had a good win against Roma last week and I could have a go at Palermo, but the match is not as important as it would have been a few weeks ago.

Press.

Are you sure that you will return to Serie A?

TM.

As sure as you can be in football. I may not be the manager here in a few weeks time, but, gaining promotion will not do my career any harm at all. The whole season may be down to whether to rest players or not.

Press.

Are you saying that your relationship with the Chairman hasnt improved?

TM.

No I am not saying that, and I am not going to be drawn on it, the next three matches are what I need to concentrate on. Thank you.

Liam · Cult Status

Sky Sports News has caught up with Aston Villa manager Liam Riste with a mere three games remaining of the current season...

SSN: It's been a while since we last grabbed a word, what is your opinion on the season so far?

LR: Well here we are again! Another season drawing to a close and Aston Villa & I find ourselves in a relegation dogfight & inside the drop-zone...

SSN: You managed to survive last season, but this escape is much more tricky than the last... Do you believe you can do it as many have wrote you off long ago?

LR: Our poor start has cost us, but do the maths!!! Numbers still say that it is possible & I will always fight until I and ironically, the team, possibly drop. That is just me as a person!

SSN: You have three game remaining and you need to pretty much win all of your games, including a season closure fixture against Man Utd, you still believe you can do it?

LR: We have West Brom which is a must win, or we get relegated! Then Watford, and then Utd... A few weeks ago we picked up a point against Liverpool; anything is possible, and I believe we have a team capable of upsetting top teams, just not consistently!

I can spell it out for you if you'd like, Y.E.S I think we can stay up. It will be tough, but I still believe & the squad aren't dropping their heads in the slightest!!!

SSN: There were rumours that Hulk was unhappy about all the rejected offers for him and that he wants to be sold, what is your view on this?

LR: He is contracted to Aston Villa & his recent form has been awesome so obviously he is going to get alot of interested parties looking to acquire his services.

He hasn't approached me about the issue, nor have I been given a transfer request! As I am a very approachable person, I will assume that Hulk is happy & there is no issue here what-so-ever...

SSN: Some were assuming that as you haven't been as active in the media, you had conceded defeat, what would your response be to this?

LR: I have kept my head down since my unsuccessful job application to Real Madrid, to focus on the job at hand in my current job. Defeat is never conceded & some things just come before interviews. Thanks

SSN: Well thank you, good luck & hope to catch-up soon.

Football Academy · Cult Status

Managerial Merry-Go-Round

As we approach the end of the season the inevitable managerial merry-go-round is sure to start spinning as teams achieve, and equally fail to achieve their respective seasons targets. The English press have produced a list of the top managerial vacancies that might be catching managers eye for next season.

Sevilla - One of the top teams in Spanish football, they have coasted managerless since the departure of Stuart Price. A number of older players have left recently with the chairman removing a large amount of cash from the clubs funds, making him one of the more wealthy owners in the sport, but they have signed a number of high profile youngsters last week to add depth for the future.
Situation - Searching for manager.

Genoa - The current manager is under tremendous pressure in another seemingly trophy-less season and with apparently unlimited funds in the pockets of their billionaire owners they have the potential to achieve anything they want. The owners have stated this season was a season to challenge and instead, Juventus and Fiorentina have run away with the Serie A title race.
Situation - Under pressure manager.

Liverpool - Struggling to cope with the changing tides in England, the new generation of European contenders are now challenging the old guard at the top of the Premiership and it appears Liverpool are the first to suffer. The under fire manager has been heavily linked to a move to Spain in the Spanish press and Liverpool could see that as a way to bring in fresh ideas.
Situation - Under pressure manager.

AC Milan - Struggling to compete for the Serie A title in recent years Milan have undergone an overhaul under the current boss the fans have started to return to the stadium but the owners may be becoming restless. The manager has hinted at a departure in the future if titles don't arrive and this season looks like being without trophy again.
Situation - Manager/Board uncertain.

Newcastle - Faced with relegation from the Premiership they have stabilised an aging squad over the season to create a well balanced well funded team with plenty of promising youth coming through the ranks. The fans believe the time is right to appoint a new manager to help them stay up after their inevitable straight promotion back to the Premiership next season.
Situation - Fans want manager.

Everton - Another club who have remained managerless for a time the club has stabilised its assets and replaced an aging squad of 30+ aged players with a collection of talented and promising youngsters. Now stuck in League One they will be looking for a rise back up the English league system.
Situation - Searching for manager.

Blackburn - Since becoming unmanaged they have shot out of the Championships relegation zone and are looking to be involved in the play-offs come the end of the season. With a number of stars still from their Premiership days and a number of hot academy products coming through they are dreaming of Premiership football again.
Situation - Expected to appoint manager soon.

Lazio - A stable team in Serie A both safe from relegation and missing of top 4 competitiveness, they have been managerless for some time and any dreams of European football now rely on a talented manager coming in and bringing in those couple of elusive star players. With much support at the club the fans are ready to idolise anyone who can provide it.
Situation - Actively seeking manager.

Messina - Another now stable team in Serie A both safe from relegation and missing of top 4 competitiveness, they have been managerless for some time but have grown rapidly since promotion from Serie B a few seasons back. With stars and being able to hang onto top youth players they need a tactician to push them higher now.
Situation - Searching for manager.

Palermo - Lethal up front and storming away to the Serie B title the club is clearly big enough for Serie A but will need a wise head to guide them up the table next season. Yet another large Italian team ideal for a manager to make a name for himself in a clubs esteemed history books.
Situation -Searching for manager.

Barcelona - Having received investment and been told by the owners trophies must be delivered this season, it seemed all was well when they opened up a lead at the top of La Liga. However the second half of the season hasn't been so kind with Real Madrid and Sevilla closing them to just 1 point now between 3 teams, and a chasing pack behind that of hungry up and coming teams and managers waiting to pounce. Should a trophy not appear the pressure on the managers shoulders could prove too much to survive another pre-season break.
Situation - Tenuous.

Espanyol - Having been built by the now Manchester United manager to be a strong top 6 squad, Espanyol have thrived under caretaker management finding a number of extra stars who have enabled them to close the gap on the 'big three' in Spain. The only thing now lacking is a tactician to reap the rewards of the previous hard work.
Situation - Searching for manager.

Recreativo Huelva - A powerhouse in the Segunda Division, strolling to the league title they will need a strong leader to keep them up after recent failures but their strength in depth is impressive and the task may not be as imposslbe as it initially seems.
Situation - Actively seeking manager.

Luke_C · Cult Status

Coakley plans trophies at Milan.

Luke Coakley statement via www.lukecoakley-loves.milan.Italy

Also via ICMilan.co.uk

Rumours have surfaced that my positions at Milan is unsettled or under review so from my point of view I have to make things very clear.I am totally committed to Milan and have no intention of leaving the club next season no matter who approaches me and that includes the club I have supported as a child Cardiff City.I can therefore rule out any uncertainly reported from my point of view.

I joined Milan knowing I have a chairman who is loyal and supportive and knowing I have time to rebuild the squad I inherited and after a regime that drove fans away.While I cannot comment for the chairman I believe I have his full backing in bringing a trophy back to Milan next season and even urge him to back me with funds if he believes this squad is not strong enough.

The squad has now been rebuilt with quality throughout and at a much younger age but the time to rebuild has now finished and must bare fruit.Of course we still need to add but so does every club, we keep battling on and trying to play football the way the Milan fans know and deserve.

Next season is a big season and have already told the chairman I will quit next season IF he believes the club is not longer progressing and IF we cannot bring trophies back to Mlian.I appreciate this is all IFs but I have faith in this squad and the club. The fans have shown they are backing this team, me as manager and in turn the chairman for his choices by the attendances in recent weeks and I dont foresee any change at Milan.

When questioned about the rumours he had been approached by Genoa Coakley snapped Id rather manager Barry Town with John Fashanu as chairman

When questioning AC Milan fans 91% of fans expected a statement regarding the future of manager Luke Coakley within days.

madhibee · Cult Status

Chelsea Press Conference

You must be delighted at winning the league again?

"I am pleased to have won the league with a few games to spare. It has been a marvellous season and the players have done a brilliant job."

How are you going to approach the remaining league games?

"Now that there is no more pressure on the team I will be resting a couple of the main players in preparation for the European Cup Semi-final against Juventus. Robben in particular has run himself into the ground and could do with a break. Alves and Forcada may also get a break."

Will that no upset the other teams in the league?

"Quite possibly. Unfortunately I need to do what is best for Chelsea. In any case, I have a number of players out on loan so can't do too much tinkering."

What are your plans for the new season?

"Not sure yet. One of my main aims was to lower the average age of the squad and I have done that. There are only four players in the squad that were here when I first arrived. I will assess the situation in the new season and see how the other teams strenghten their squads."

Who do you think will be the main challengers next season?

"The only one at the moment is Man City if we go on this season's results. They have been the most consistent and given us a hard couple of games. Man Utd have a good team but are struggling to find consistency. If they find that they will be one to watch. Cardiff could also be a surprise package for next season."

Spartikus47 · Cult Status

Rollings apologises to Bilbao faithful

Bilbao boss Mark Rollings today went public with an application for the Everton managerial role, and quickly turned his attention to his current fans and board. Although this season has been frustrating for the Basque club Rollings role has remained pressure free as his youthful outlook won increasing appreciation from his chairman.

Bilbao have one of the youngest squads in Spain, and boast talented youngsters like Julen Goni and Markel Susaeta. Rollings has constantly refused to cash in on his young stars in an effort to gainshort term La Liga survival and has increasingly spoken about a brighter future at the club.

Speaking at a press conference Rollings spoke frankly about his reasons for applying for the Goodison Park job.

"The Everton role has interested me for some time. They are a massive club who should be playing their football in the Premier League. I apologise to all concerned at Athletic Bilbao and should I fail in my application I would still like to be considered for remaining in charge of Bilbao, although I appreciate I would then be at the mercy of the clubs board and fans. I just want to clarify however, this is not a come and get my plea to any clubs!

I believe with my track record in English football, and the crucial skills I have learned here in Spain I could help return Everton to where they belong. Furthermore, with Everton currently occupying a play-off place in League One, and Bilbaos season already decided I would like to make myself immediately available to possibly help Everton win promotion."

-- Edited by Spartikus47 on Friday 19th of March 2010 04:47:04 PM