Week 1

Fletch · Cult Status

Week 1

Stu · Cult Status

Price Quits

Congratulations on a treble winning season you must be delighted!
"Results on the pitch have been great. To beat Chelsea on three fronts is a dream come true and more than I ever thought we could do this season. I lost my final match with Sevilla to him in the European Cup final and he deprived me of a treble with them so I had big worries yes but I always hoped we could do it with the players we had"

Off the pitch must be a different emotion?
"Disappointed and let down. A lot of hard work and time has been spent grouping these players together and bringing on young talents. It feels a waste but other managers have faced crippling debts before so I have to take it on the chin and look forwards. I feel like the promises I was made when I joined were not followed all the way and thats sad. The team I had could have been a force to match the stranglehold Chelsea have had on football before this season but now it will be broken up and spread all round the teams"

What challenge is left for you here?
"The treble can't be beat so I have won every thing possible here. If I stay I would have to rebuild them but I think there will not be much left after administration. A new chairman and the fans will expect a lot still I guess and the reality will be a fight just to stay in the league"

You don't sound attracted by that?
"I relegation fight is fine if that is what my team has to do but through no fault of my own the team is going to be pulled apart and expectations will still be up there. The players left will not be my team any more there will have to be a lot of cheap or free or loan players filling the gaps. The news about the finances was bad and I only kept going knowing I had one big cup final to come at the end of the season. How I feel now makes me want a new challenge"

Is this the end for you at Man City?
"Yes. I have contacted the board and told them I want to terminate my contract because I feel they failed to live up to their promises and they broke the contract I agreed to"

Where next?
"It will depend who wants me. I want to wish John and Chelsea well because it has been an excellent battle and I hope to take him on again in the future and hope to get one over on him again to show it wasn't a fluke this season"

Thanks

Spartikus47 · Cult Status

BREAKING NEWS -

A Press Conference has been called for 15:15PM on Merseyside, at the home of Everton boss Mark Rollings where he is expected to announce his departure from the promoted side.

-- Edited by Spartikus47 on Tuesday 12th of October 2010 02:08:29 PM

Spartikus47 · Cult Status

Inter Milan appoint Rollings as new boss

Inter Milan have announced the appointment of manager Mark Rollings, who joins on a two year contract after his new club reached a compensation agreement with current employers Everton.

Of the appointment Rollings stated:

"It's a great opportunity for me to once again test my skills in the top level of Italian football. I have spoken at length with the board on current and future ambitions and we share the same objectives."

more reaction to follow...

Football Academy · Cult Status

English Championship Team of the year....

GK: Simon Aresti (Sunderland)

DF - Christian Chivu (Bolton)

DF - Julio Arca (Middlesborough)

DF - Lubomir Michalik (Bolton)

DF - Kevin McNaughton (Derby)

MF - Gary McSheffrey (Birmingham)

MF - Mark Bresciano (Coventry)

MF - Joey Barton (Coventry)

MF - Chriatian Wilhelmson (Sunderland)

ST - Iain Hume (Sunderland)

ST - Callum McManaman (Wigan)

Most Goals

1 - Iain Hume (Sunderland) 16 in 24 Games

2 - Callum McManaman (Wigan) 15 in 24 Games

3 - Marco Borriello (Bolton) 14 in 20 Games

Most Assists

1 - Fabrizio Brezzi (Newcastle) 13 in 24 Games

2 - Roberto Platero (Newcastle) 12 in 19 Games

3 - Jeremy Aliadier (Derby) 11 in 24 Games

Most Yellows

1 - Nial McArdle (Sunderland) 13 in 18 Games

2 - David Wheater (Middelsborough) 11 in 23 Games

3 - Cole Skuse (Birstol City) 8 in 15 Games

Most Reds

1 - Kyle Walker (Middelsborough) 4 in 16 Games

2 - Marco Faraoni (Sunderland) 3 in 11 Games

3 - Fraser Foster (Sheff Utd) 3 in 17 Games

Top player 22+

Iain Hume (Sunderland)

Top Youth Player

Vincenzo Fiorillo (Middelsborough)

Thanks to Steve Davies-Evans for this league. If you want to pick for another league (based on stats, no bias will be put up!!) email me with your selections in same format.

-- Edited by Football Academy on Tuesday 12th of October 2010 07:04:27 PM

Bluebird99 · Cult Status

Sheff Wed v Southampton

Pre-Match press conference with Southampton manager Steve Davies-Evans

Press: Steve, how ironic is it that you've taken Southampton up and the first game is against Sheffield Wednesday, a team that you controversially left 3 seasons ago?

SDE: Well I was always going to come up against them at some point wasn't I so it's was bound to happen. It's just another game for me to be honest. If I worried about playing every "former" team then I'd be worried every week [laughs].

Press: What are you aspirations for this season?

SDE: We'll just have to see for the time being. We have a few targets and but we won't be discussing them in public. My players know what I want for them.

Press: You're well renound for being a "wheeler and dealer" in the market. Will there be much movement in the transfer market?

SDE: Yeah I think we'll be looking to bring in one or two new faces. We have to move on as a club. It's no good just going up and staying static, we have to make sure that as a club, we become bigger and better every season.

Press: How do you rate the job that Callum Jefferies is doing at Sheff Wed?

SDE: Yeah I think he's doing ok. I'm sure he will be looking to challenge for automatic promotion this season so in that respect, we've obviously got a tough game up first. They ceratinly are a top team so it will give us a chance to see how far we away from being a top team in this league too.

Press: Finally Steve, Would you take a point now?

SDE: No I don't think I would. I know it's going to be a tough game but we have to start getting into the mentality of winning games and trying to go out to win games. We will lose a few doing it that way but we will hopefully win alot too so we need to keep the faith.

Football Academy · Cult Status

Wolves have stated the application from Benjy Gregory was "well received" but that they board had felt it would be the wrong decision to appoint him as manager. "Benjy Gregory has the experience we would be looking for however we're concerned with the length of time he's spent in his most recent position. Managers constantly on the move are unattractive to clubs in need of building and long term plans.People might see it as a sideways step for him but we look at the facts and are't sure someone willing to let their team freefall into administration is right to appoint off no success last season.

The Everton board have tonight rejected the application by Dave Davies-Evans. The Everton fan had applied for the position following play-off heartbreak at the end of last season with his Ascoli team, yet the failure to deliver promotion seems to have gone against him in this case. "Everton are a team on the up and obviously we're aware to become the best we will need to appoint a manager. We feel Mark Rollings left us too soon and the team was positive of achieving their target and getting in the hunt for promotion. We have faith in the caretaker manager for now in carrying on Mark's hard work. After careful consideration we feel Dave's application doesn't best suit the plan for the future the board had outlined under the previous management, and at this time such a drastic change could undo a lot of the good work over the previous season."

Tezza · Cult Status

Siena News

With the first match of the season under his belt Terry Manifold was ecstatic with the result. "Jonny Sinclair must have thought this one would be an easy first match in Serie B," Terry said, "I thought we had the majority of the play and we were unlucky not to take all three points." "Im happy with a 1-1 draw at this stage of the season."

Siena new manager Terry Manifold has been very busy in the transfer market since he took over. The next few weeks will see many changes.

Terry tells me he is bringing in Kevin Smith from Atletico Madrid "Kevin came on loan to Atalanta and I know what he is capable of in this division," Terry said, "He will shake things up a little." "We will be transforming this Club over the next three weeks and today kicks it off."

Three strikers arrive at the club this week and It is common knowledge that Natale may be leaving. "The lad wants to move on and I am not going to stand in his way," Terry said, "An offer came in for him and I think both the club and Antonio will benefit." "This season is about pulling together some solid players in preparation for a title challenge possibly next season."

-- Edited by Tezza on Friday 15th of October 2010 10:48:21 PM

-- Edited by Tezza on Friday 15th of October 2010 10:49:49 PM

bigwave1927 · Cult Status

Ascoli manager stands Down.

It has been released tonight that Ascoli manager has resigned from his post at Ascoli and is taking some time out of football to look after his new born daughter and family.

DDE" It is with great shame that i must tender this resignation, as you have been aware i recently applied for the Everton job and was turned down in hours" i have been slowly losing touch with this game and my play off defeat did not help my mood much. I have a young daughter just been born and a 4 year old also to look after and they are my life.
I would like to wish everyone well in the future and hopefully soon i will return. I just need to get out of the world of FA for a while and take a back seat veiw."

Good luck one and all.

Many Thanks.

David Davies-Evans

-- Edited by bigwave1927 on Friday 15th of October 2010 11:27:03 PM

Sinky2707 · Cult Status

Parma 1-1 Siena

Jonny Sinclair was not a happy man after their team drew with Siena and were lucky to take a point in the end.

'We were poor the first half I think we edged and we got in front but then concede striaght afterwards and we never really coped afterwards and if it weren't for my defence and Ioime Raffaelle we would have probably lost. That is not on when we are at home against a team who really we should be beating no disrespect to Terry and his team who I think played well Terry got his tactics spot on today he packed the midfield and made it difficult to keep control of the ball for too long.

My players have to start playing and starting showing their talents by winning games we have got to start scoring our chances I'm getting sick of having to repeat it over and over again Peter Crouch scored a great goal today but again we had chance to score more. Plus I think we should of had penalty I think when Leon Osman was bought down in the box but we have to pick ourselves up and we have got to get the right result at Livorno we can't afford to let last season affect us into this season because we won't get anywhere.

Do you agree with Terry's comment's and you thought this was an easy match?

I disagree I never think any game is easy that is why we fielded our strongest team bar injuries to Francesco Pambianchi and Alessandro De Vitis I think I have got to sign a couple of players that can give my players an extra boost in confidence and competition because we weren't at the races if we play to our potential we can beat any team in this division so I'm incredibly frustrated with this draw we have got start showing on pitch when it matters not just the training field.

Any Transfers to comment on?

Yes I think we have missed having wide players and that's why I'm bringing Left sided youngster Francesco Uliano from Ascoli who is behind Riccardo Vaz Te there at the moment however I believe he more than capable at this level and I'm willing to give him a shot.

We're also trying to sign a right sided midfield who is a free agent but again I believe he is more than capable at this level and I hope to be getting him this week finger crossed.

Then we have a two loans coming this week and in a couple of weeks Goran Maric from Barcelona should be joinging this week and Right Midfielder Salvio from Athletico Madrid should be joining in week 4 these two players will be great additions and I can't Adam Goble and Paul Harrington enough for lending me these players I just hope I can help them become stronger and better players for when they have to go back to their parent clubs.

Finally Leicester will be taking Alessandro De Vitis on loan for half a seaosn whilst he is a quality player we have Gorka Elustondo and Denilson who are more experienced and slightly stronger players however I fully expect him to flourish when goes there.

Football Academy · Cult Status

Espanyol have called a press conference for 6PM this evening.

Football Academy · Cult Status

Espanyol have tonight confirmed they have accepted the application from manager Ashley Harris. The Zaragoza manager had got his team promoted from the Segunda Division and despite not winning the league held the top spot for much of the season. A spokesman for Espanyol confirmed "Ashley Harris is the sort of promising young manager we're looking for. We hope he can take us on to the next level and really develop on the best squad this club has ever had."

Football Academy · Cult Status

Aaron Ramsey has flown out to Spain ahead of a medical before completing a £20 million move from debt ridden Manchester City.

Bluebird99 · Cult Status

Sheff Wednesday 1-3 Southampton

Saints in heaven after dream start!

Southampton started life in the Championship with an impressive 3-1 away win at promotion favourites Sheffield Wednesday. The Saints rarely looked troubled as they dominated from start to finish but manager Steve Davies-Evans insists that nobody will be getting carried away just yet. Speaking at the post match press conference, the Southampton manager was in boyant mood.

Press:Steve, welcome to the championship....it's all easy stuff isn't it?

SDE: [Laughs] haha, I don't think it's quite like that no.

Press: But you must be delighted with 3 points today?

SDE: Yeah of course. All I ever ask kof the boys is to go out, enjoy themselves and stick to the game plan. They did that today and I thought they were fantastic. It's important that we continue this momentum that we built up towards the backend of last season.

Press: Were you surprised that Wednesday weren't quite at it today?

SDE: Uhhhh, well I have to be careful what I say. I have alot of respect for Callum [Jeffries] and what he's doing at Wednesday but just like we have to keep up the positive momentum, Callum needs to break the negative run that they have been on. They are a very good team and I know that they will be making a few signings over the next few weeks that will improve them.

Press: How's the mood in the dressing room?

SDE: Excellent as you may expect. I want the boys to enjoy three points. It's what we work hard for all week so if they do what they are told during training and get all three points, they deserve to have a smile on their face. Lets make something clear though, this is just one of 22 games this season so we won't be getting too carried away. I've told the boys to enjoy this but we will be back on Monday getting ready for Wigan next weekend.

Press: Steve we can't sit here and not ask you about your brothers decision to quit football management with immediate affect. How is he?

SDE: Yeah he's ok. Listen, Dave is a big boy so I'm not going to sit here and make excuses for him. He understands that there will be alot of angry Ascoli fans out there but he clearly felt that they were better off with a manager that could be fully commited rather than someone that may be thinking of other things. Dave will just take some time out and hopefully we will see him back in the game before too long.

Press: Many will say that he's throwing his toys out the pram bcause he wasn't successful with his Everton application, what do you say to that?

SDE: I think people will always talk and will make their own opinions despite what I say. Dave clearly needed to take some time out and clear his mind. I think that with the birth of his little girl and my neice, it's going to have some sort of effect so lets hope that he sorts everything out as soon as possible.

Press: Alot of rumours this week of possible deals being done at St Marys, can you confirm any at the moment?

SDE: I won't confirm anything just yet becasue nobody has officialy signed but as soon as they do, the club will release some sort of statement.

With that, Davies-Evans wished eveyone well and left to join what will be a very happy coach on their long trip back to the South coast.

Spartikus47 · Cult Status

Inter launch Nike "heritage" kit to contrast new dawn

Inter Milan have teamed up with Nike to launch a new "heritage" kit deal, which celebrates the history and passion of the famous club. Integrated into the new style is the famous "House of Sforza" coat of arms, the family who ruled over Italy from Milan in the Renaissance period. The kit also pays homage to the Milanese icon, the biscione serpent, which can be seen climbing up the retro away shirt.

Speaking at the launch Rollings heralded the new "retro" kit look, and hoped it sparked the start of returning glories.

"It represents the proud history of the city, and the football club. It very much symbolises a Inter we want to get back too. It is my job to deliver a team worthy of the Inter dynasty and I am working hard, towards a plan, to fulfill that obligation."

Rollings was bombarded with questions about his transfer policy, after sensationally making over 80% of his squad available last week.

"We are open to offers on most! It's not that we are forcing them out, but we need to give ourselves something to work with. We will be adding players where some leave and I can guarantee fans that come the end of the season they will be watching a stronger Inter team!"

Goblets · Cult Status

Barcelona Manager, Adam Goble, hastily arranged an Urgent Press Conference this morning at the Camp Nou.

Rumours had been circulating with regards his future......

Press - Morning Adam

AG - Morning Gents, thanks for joining me so early today

Press - Welcome, so....whats the rush?

AG - Well, the board have been asking me to bring a trophy signing in for some time now. It hasent been easy, we've had to let some players go to release some funds....but, I'm pleased to say that tonight we've got that Trophy Signing and I'd like for you to join me in welcoming him to this great club......

Aaron Ramsey walks out from behind the advertising hordings to join Goble at the table -

Press - (gasps) Good Morning Aaron.....welcome to Barcelona!

AR - Welcome indeed! I'd like to say what an honour it is to be bought to the magnificent club & stadium. The Gaffer has shown alot of faith and money brining me over the water, so I'm delighted to be here.

AG - Aaron joins just from Man City in a deal worth £20 million. He EXACTLY the kind of player we've been after to bolster our already excellent midfield and drive us forward.

Press - Its a bold move Adam, is Aaron developed enough to push Steve Sidwell or Michael Essien out of the team?

AG - Both those players are excellent and will continue to be, Aaron gives us options when their legs arent so useful and needing a rest! We needed a player of quality to help us fill the position, I cant think of too many players with such talent at such an age, who are available. When we heard he could be available, we moved quickly with our best offer.

AR - Can I just say that I'm very much looking forward to working with Steve & Michael....along with MacDonald and Igor....I think the 5 of us are a real unit so could be difficult to get through.

Press - Interesting stuff Adam, are there likely to be further transfers in the next few weeks?

AG - I wouldn't have thought there will be any to this magnitude but there will be movement. We have a couple of offers around and one that I'm looking at very closely. I have changes planned, it just depends if I have the funds, and backing to make them!

With that, the Barcelona Manager and New Signing, Aaron Ramsey exited the press room for the confines of the boardroom to sign the contract deal which will see Aaron Ramsey collect more than £160,000 a week after Tax.

-- Edited by Goblets on Sunday 17th of October 2010 02:09:28 PM

Rhino · Cult Status

Hanton Considering Future

Real Madrid manager Chris Hanton is considering his future at the club after just beating Getafe this weekend, the manager has already turned down a return to Italy with Inter Milan and with the his board at Madrid demanding a top 2 finish it likely Hanton will want to move.

mg1 · Cult Status

Cadiz free of debt

News breaking from Spain claim that Cadiz are shortly to announce the clubs debts have now been cleared.

Chairman Mark Galeozzie bought the financially crippled club for £5 million at the start of last season with the threat of liquidation hanging over Cadiz if the banks strict targets for the repayments of the loans were not met.

A few months ago the club announced that Cadiz had met the first target of clearing half of the reported 50m debt ahead of schedule. A source at the club are now suggesting that the remaining bank loans have been cleared meaning that Cadiz's future in football is now assured.

Our source revealed:

'Everyone here at the club is extremely pleased that the club have managed to cleared the debts and is now on a sound financial footing. The last few years have been a terrible time for Cadiz but we can now look forward to new season concentrating more on footballing matters and on field performances. There is still a long way to go and a lot of hard work is needed if we are to move this club forward. We must continue to be prudent to ensure that we never find ourselves with the financial the problems of the past. A lot of the credit for this turn around of fortunes must go to manager JD who has worked tirelessly both on the training pitch with the players and in the transfer market helping to ensure that the clubs targets were met. We also have to mention the fans who have never stopped supporting the club even when seeing a number of the star players leave to service the debt. Hopefully we can now look forward to keeping our better players whilst looking to strengthen areas when needed'

Neither the chairman Mark Galeozzie or manager Johndaniel Jacques were available for comment.

-- Edited by mg1 on Sunday 17th of October 2010 08:19:43 PM

-- Edited by mg1 on Monday 18th of October 2010 10:44:21 AM

guigsy1251 · Newbie

McGuigan finds positives in defeat!

Despite starting the new season with defeat, Fulham manager Brian McGuigan remained upbeat. McGuigan, who took over at the Cottage towards the end of last season, inheriting a squad low on confidence and lacking any real direction. Despite four consectuive 0-0 draws towards the end of the last campagin, McGuigan's boys finished at the foot of League One.

"It was great to have a full pre season with the lads and the chairman has been excellent. He's put funds in place so we can really have a crack at promotion this season".

To the outsider, McGuigan's talks of promotion with a squad that remains largely the same as last year may seem ludicrous, but he has proven to be quite shrewd in the transfer market. Fan's will no doubt have been disappointed to see the back of young starlet Chris Smalling, but this has paved the way to bringing more strength to what was a thread bare squad. Double capture of Masamitsu Kim & Chin-Min Woo from Inter Milan, as well as the return of fan favourite Danny Hoesen from Middlesboro, have really got the fans talking on what could prove to be a dream year.

"This is too big a club to be sitting bottom of this division. I've been given the task of getting these boys out of this league and that is what I intend to do. I'm still busy in the transfer market and can promise further signings before the window closes. I would like to thank Mark Rollings and Gareth Gardener for their help so far, other managers have not proven to be as helpful".

McGuigan wished to add that despite his 6 new children, he is looking to spend as little time with them as possible and is in fact overly committed to the Craven Cottage cause. Alliteration - 20

Ash · Cult Status

Espanyol unveil Harris.

New Espanyol manager Ashley Harris took his first press conference in the Espanyol hotseat.

Press: Ashley, congratulations, welcome to Espanyol, how do you feel?

AH: I feel great! It's a great club with alot of potential which is why i applied for the job. I feel that i can achieve great things here and it really is a dream come true to be managing this great football club. I know Spanish football very well, so it isn't a difficult transition and i already feel very settled in Barcelona, i'm really just looking forward to getting stuck in now.

Press: So what are your plans for the club?

AH: Well, there won't be major changes as we have an excellent group of players here who have proved themselves in the last couple of seasons. I've taken my first training session today and i was very happy with what i saw, every player will get the chance to prove themselves worthy of the shirt. I'm just looking to build on the solid La Liga finish that we achieved last season and the target is to start to push towards the top 3 and European Cup football as well as having a good run in the cups. The squad will need to be managed as we have one or two players the wrong side of 30 plus the extra demands of Uefa Cup football that wasn't the case last year, so i'm expecting it to be a squad game this year. Luckily i have experience of this in my previous management positition, so i'm confident i can maintain our competitiveness on 3 fronts.

Press: Was it hard to leave Real Zaragoza?

AH: I really enjoyed my time at Real Zaragoza, i had fantastic support there from the fans and the chairman, i just felt that it was time for a new challenge as i had taken them as far as i could. I wish them well in the future and i believe i have left them wth a stronger squad than when i joined 2 seasons ago. I hope they can make a real fight of trying to stay in La Liga and hopefully they can get the right manager in to do that.

Press: Any particular games your looking forward to?

AH: Yes. there are 2 games that i'm looking forward to. Obviously the big game for this club is the Barcelona derby, and i'm gutted that turned out to be the first game of the season, combined with the fact that we lost, so i can't wait to experience the derby atmosphere for the first time. On a personal level my good friend Liam is the Sevilla manager, and whenever i have played him previously the odds have always been slightly stacked in his favour, so i'm really looking forward to playing his Sevilla side and giving him a run for his money!

Press: It's Real Mallorca first up, are you confident?

AH: There's no easy games at this level, but yes i'm very confident that we can get my tenure of to a winning start. I still need another couple of days looking at the players before deciding who will get the nod, but to be honest i just can't wait to manage my first game at this club and hopefully we can have a great season.

Press: Thanks for your time.

AH: No problem.