Week 12

Football Academy · Cult Status

Week 12

Football Academy · Cult Status

Mid-Season Investments

A number of clubs have decided to back managers with mid-season investment to help clubs push on and achieve targets. However a number of them will be concerned that with further investment will come added pressures and expected success on the pitch from boardroom level. The clubs recieving a more notable level of investment were Charlton, Liverpool, Portsmouth, Spurs, Roma, Levante, and Real Mallorca.

The stand out move was at Sheffield Wednesday who sacked manager Callum Jefferies and promptly invested £40 million to turn the squad around and avoid a shock relegation to League One which is currently on the cards.

mg1 · Cult Status

Liverpool to link up with Racing Santander

Sky Sports News today caught up with Liverpool manager Mark Galeozzie to discuss the clubs new link up with Racing Santander, the recent game at the Emirates and future player investment.

SSN: A 2-1 loss at the weekend to high flying Arsenal. Your obviously disappointed by the result but how do you think the game went?

MG: Well I was expecting a very tough game, Jamie has Arsenal firing on all cylinders this season as shown by the manner in which they had brushed aside Man Utd.

It was a very close game and it was a shame that after taking the lead we could not hold on to at least get a draw.

I was pleased with how we played and the stats will show that we created more chances than the home side, however Arsenal are a very clinical side and like most sides this season we were victim of a bit of magic by Aguero. I have worked Sergio before and I am not surprised by the season he is having, he is truly world class.

SSN: Alexis Sanchez joined Santander on loan for the remainder of the season and the club announced an agreement to link up with the club for players to be exchanged between the clubs. How did this come about?

MG: Well it actually came about a week ago due to Steven Gerrard. Steven recently decided that this would be his last season in football. He has spent the last couple of seasons in Spain and he felt that the time was right to return home and finish his career with the club he supports.

During our talks about trying to bring Steven home we were extremely impressed with the Adam's plans for Santander and as a result the possibility of a link up came about.

As a result we will this week be loaning Steven for the rest of the season and their young LM Mensah will also be joining later this season.

In return Alexis Sanchez has this week traveled to Spain to get some pitch time for the rest of season.

He will be joined in a few weeks by our new signing Akinfeev and also another player who is yet to be confirmed.

SSN: So Akinfeev will be joining you this week as previously announced only to return to Spain on loan.

MG: Yes, this was agreed with Igor at the time we were discussing his contract. He will spend a couple of weeks back here in Britain to find a home before returning to Spain for the rest of the season. He will then move permanently to England with his young family in readiness for next season.

Igor is one of the best goalkeepers in the world already at the young age of 24. We are sure he will do an outstanding job for Santander for the remainder of the season as well as for many years to come here at Liverpool.

SSN: This week saw Agbonlahor join the club you must be please to add such an experienced striker to your squad.

MG: Yes Gabby is a top class striker with bags of pace. He has been playing well for Roma this season and we are pleased to have captured his signature

SSN:Can we expect any further signings?

MG: Well we are still in three competitions this season so I would like to bring in a couple of players. I have today been speaking to the chairman about this and he has indicated to me that if I can identify a player or two who I would like to bring in then funds would be made available.

SSN: So it is Chelsea next who have yet to drop a point. Can we expect changes for this match.

MG: I will be making changes for this game, some of the players have played a lot of football lately and as such I will give a number of these a rest. This is why we have a squad, I will watching the players closely in training and anyone who I fell will benefit from a rest will be given one.

SSN: Thanks for you time.

MG: Cheers

-- Edited by mg1 on Saturday 1st of January 2011 10:32:53 PM

Ash · Cult Status

Espanyol 3-2 Athletic Bilbao

Espanyol manager Ashley Harris spoke to the Spanish media following his side's 3-2 win over Bilbao.

SM: Ashley, you left it late as you scored an 89th minute winner, surely you must be delighted?

AH: Absolutely, it's always a great feeling when you win in the last couple of minutes of a match. It was a vital win for us considering our target of finishing in 6th and Bilbao currently being one of the sides above us in La Liga. If we want to finish above them then we had to win to close the gap, it will be tough to finsh above them though as Jonnie is working miracles over there. I was delighted to get the 3 points and i feel we just about deserved to win an entertaining game of football. Hopefully we can build on this victory and really push on in the second half of the season. It was also nice not to fall victim to another Bilbao upset.

SM: Rumours are circulating about your contract situation at Espanyol, any news?

AH: Yes i do actually, i can confirm that i have agreed a 4 year contract extension here at Espanyol and i coudn't be happier. The contract shows the commitment i have for this club and the faith the board have in me to succeed and really push this club forward. The contract gives me time to try and build a really successful foundation here and i believe the club will go from strength to strength and anything is possible over the next few seasons. I really believe i can repay the faith the board have in me and hopefully this will be a very successful period for this great football club.

SM: Any other news?

AH: Yes, i am delighted to announce that construction has been completed on the clubs new youth academy, which i think represents a great step forward for this club. Finances are tight here so it was paramount that we invest in youth as we have a number of older players who will need replacing in the coming seasons. I'm looking forward to us bringing through some great players who can take this club on to the next level and challenge right at the very top of La Liga.

SM: Excting times then, thank you for your time.
AH: Always a pleasure.

-- Edited by Ash on Sunday 2nd of January 2011 01:14:21 AM

-- Edited by Ash on Sunday 2nd of January 2011 01:14:58 AM

Football Academy · Cult Status

Atletico Madrid manager Paul Harrington has turned down a deal that would have seen him take over at Genoa.

Football Academy · Cult Status

Issue 4: Release-- Sunday 2nd January 11pm.

If you haven't signed up to the list yet, apply for yours here now.

Issue 4 will include news on a youth tournament.

-- Edited by Football Academy on Sunday 2nd of January 2011 10:06:31 PM

Ashley-ccfc16' · Cult Status

(Q) How confident were you feeling going into the game on Friday?

Ill be honest with you, I thought we could pull of a draw. I set the team up very defensively but Messina were to powerful

(Q) Were you pleased with the performance of your team?

Yeah, it wasnt a bad performance. The game lacked excitement for us but it was more damage limitation than going for the win.

(Q) Are there any players who have guaranteed their position in your first team with their performances this season?

Alex Cisak at the moment is keeping himself fit and looks set to stay on. I do though try to shuffle the players to keep them all happy and fit at the same time.

(Q) Any transfer news you can confirm for the fans?

Yes, Jordan Henderson is leaving us for a short period of time. It was a tough decision as my strikers are old and the one I'm bringing in is old but hopefully his abilities will mean I can swap him around with Palermo each game and both play up front alone, scoring goals! The move for Henderson will allow himself plenty of experience in the top flight of England!

(Q) How do you assess the young players in your club in a week many have built new academies?

I assess then by their performances on the pitch! You do rubbish, your going to feel it.

(Q) Are you satisfied with your teams goal tally this season and what is your view on your top scorer so far?

I'm disappointed with the goals we have scored. Martin Palermo has scored 7 in 5 matches and without him we wont be scoring any goals! I love the guy to pieces, hes a great sport on and off the pitch.

(Q) How is your relationship with the board at this moment in time?

Quite rocky at the moment. I'm yet to receive a contract which I'm anxious to look at, I don't like leaving some big decision to the last minute. I'm really hoping that they will keep me on and invest in the team to take the club further!

-- Edited by Ashley-ccfc16' on Monday 3rd of January 2011 12:38:44 AM

Liam · Cult Status

Sevilla manager Liam Riste gave an interview as the season reached the half-way stage on how he feels things are going for him and the team so far!

SFCTV: The Weekender commented on your "Inconsistency" as you dropped more points with a 1-1 draw at the weekend against Real Mallorca. What do you make of that?
LR: How can I argue? We beat Valladolid in a thriller then in a complete reversal of performance, lose to Bilbao. Followed again by a thriller at Barcelona snatching a draw at the end to drop two more points against Mallorca this week! We need to turn these poor games into narrow wins if we want to put a more serious title threat together.

SFCTV: So are you suggesting that you are out of the race for the La Liga crown?
LR: Not at all. We are 4 points off top spot, leaving it all in Simon (Jenkins)'s hands. Having been the only team to have taken any points off Valladolid, it does look like Mission Impossible but we won't stop fighting for as high a finish as we can!

SFCTV: As you've said that your sides' inconsistency has been an issue, do you have any plans to tackle this issue?
LR: I keep saying that our squad is small so I'm bringing in two squad players on loan just to give extra support and cover where I feel it needed. As the size of my squad is at it's maximum now after the arrival of Dani Salas from the youth academy, I can announce that 3 players will be having their contracts terminated over the next 3 weeks. These players have been informed and it is with my deepest regret to have to do so.

I also want to be less predictable, push harder and stronger in the second half of the season. I believe that I can get more out of David Villa and grind results out like I used to at Aston Villa if I revert to some older methods which will be tested in the next few weeks!

SFCTV: Well I'm sure that's something the fans will be looking at. How do you feel the team are doing compared to this point a season ago?
LR: We are in a similar league position, however, this time we are throwing points away. A win against a strong Valladolid side shows we are improving. I am very pleased to have made it out of the group stages of Europe which is something I felt we should have done last year. We are out of the cup again but that was never something I had set my sights on anyway. I believe we are improving slowly which is good.

SFCTV: A lot of managers have signed new contracts at the moment, have you any news for us on your contract?
LR: My contract runs out at the end of this season and I have had no offer of a renewal yet. However, as far as I am aware, the Chairman is happy with me and the targets he has set have been reached and are looking good at the moment. I'm just getting on with my job and he can take as long as he likes to ponder a deal. My rapore with the fans sees me a favourite and that's why I love this club.

SFCTV: You haven't been offered a contract, yet you invest £10m out of your own pocket in a Youth Academy for the club?
LR: I plan to sign on the dotted line and even if not, this shows my thanks and commitment to the club, along with giving young Spanish talent an improved chance to enjoy the game as much as I do...

SFCTV: So are you not interested in the Genoa job as several top managers seem to be turning their noses at the post?
LR: I have a job at Sevilla who are a top club. As you kindly pointed out, I haven't had a renewal contract offer here so it may be something I have to look to in the future, but I am not in contention I don't believe as the bookies haven't even priced me up. There is only one club I would consider leaving Sevilla for at the moment, and that is Manchester United. Being a boyhood fan, they are a club close to my heart, however, they have a great manager in Craig Radford who is also a fellow supporter and top manager!

SFCTV: Well thanks for your time and we shall look forward to Recreativo this weekend.
LR: Cheers, and so do I.

Tezza · Cult Status

Siena News

Last weeks game against Chievo didnt go the way the Siena manager Terry Manifold wanted it to go. "On reflection I thought we did very well," said Terry, "we held them for an awful long time and only eventually lost by the odd goal."

PRESS,

Its another title contender this week, any observations?

TM,

Yes this week we are entertaining Parma, here, and we have to do well or the season will start to slip away from us. Jonny has put a good side together and Arnulfo and Uliano will need to be watched. They will be missing Pambianchi and I think they will really miss him. Their star man is Raffaele the goalkeeper. He will take a lot of beating.

PRESS,

Krkic has returned to Chelsea now, where will that leave you?

TM,

Krkic did not really settle in this league. He is obviously a very talented player and he may not have been given the support he needed. But he has gone now and it will be up to Kevin Smith, Forestieri and Travera to compete to play along side Alverez.

I don't see a problem with that they are all capable.
PRESS,

Hows the hunt for wingers going?

TM,

Its going very well. I am hoping to bring in a very promising young right winger this week. And I dont mean his politics I mean someone who will give us width. The search for a left winger is proving a little more difficult. We will find one and then we will be a little better off tactically with more options. The plan this season is to hang on either close or in the play off zone, and win through in the final matches.

The Chairman hasnt given up on me yet either, and a little money is being made available for my search for the left winger.

I should reach his target for this season of the top six, but I am still optimistic about reaching my own, which is of course, promotion.

-- Edited by Tezza on Monday 3rd of January 2011 10:32:34 PM

Football Academy · Cult Status

Genoa are in talks with Athletic Bilbao manager Jonnie Adams over filling the vacant managers position at the Serie A club.

pricey · Cult Status

(Q) How confident were you feeling going into the game on Friday?

(A) Not confident at all just glad to keep the score down to 2.

(Q) Were you pleased with the performance of your team?

(A) Yes we knew it was going to be a very hrd game but think we did well not to let in to many.

(Q) Are there any players who have guaranteed their position in your first team with their performances this season?

(A) Yes i think the defence has done quite well this season and only 4 teams have let in more than us and i feel that is good as we are down the bottom of the league.

(Q) Any transfer news you can confirm for the fans?

(A) Yes we have a cm comming in on loan this week which will help our rotation of the midfield

(Q) How do you assess the young players in your club in a week many have built new academies?

(A) We don't have that many young players if i am at the club next season i will look into building a youth academy

(Q) Are you satisfied with your teams goal tally this season and what is your view on your top scorer so far?

(A) Its not been good enough to be honest and its something that will have to improve

(Q) How is your relationship with the board at this moment in time?

(A) not verry good i feel i was let down at the start of the season with promises that was made when i took the job. Mr Kellner used to come to training and meet up with the players bu that has stopped. i would be really suprised if i was offered a contract for next season if i am though i will make sure that things are 100% clear as i don't feel the last contract i signed was.

(Q) Is there anything you would like to say to the fans?

(A) Yes i would like to take this time to say sorry for the way this season has gone there are things i wish i had done different and maybe players i wish i had kept at the club but thease are things you learn from. I would like to also thank the fans for comming and supporting us.

Rhino · Cult Status

(Q) How confident were you feeling going into the game on Friday?

" We have been in good form of late and would hope that continues at Brescia, its a must win game really as we must aim to break into the top 3"

(Q) Were you pleased with the performance of your team?

" I thought the lads played really well against a decent team and to get a 3-1 victory over a team above us was vital.

(Q) Are there any players who have guaranteed their position in your first team with their performances this season?

" Nobody is guaranteed there place in the team its all up for grabs there are a couple of players that have been playing every week as they have been consistant and the team has not had enough back up which is something we have been working on.

(Q) Any transfer news you can confirm for the fans?

" We have said goodbye to Maxi Lopez this week who has been massive for this football club, But we have brought in Gomez who is a very good player and has still got a lot to learn so he just freshens things up and will be a top draw player for Milan for years to come, We say goodbye to another one of our older players this week and we have 2 younger lads coming in from Man Utd and Newcastle.We have also agreed to loan out our young player Abate to Newcastle to insure he gets the games he needs to progress"

(Q) How is your relationship with the board at this moment in time?

" We have good relationship im sure the board thought things might of gone a bit better but we are in the later stages of the cup and have quailfied for the knockout stages of europe, I feel we have made massive changes to the squad with more to come in terms of more younger players coming in and older players moving on, the team will be better prepared for the heavy demands of top football next season. We still have to agree a new contract which should not be a problem as it was not about money or targets.
..

Football Academy · Cult Status

Recreativo losing patience

The Receativo Huelva owner Petr Kellner has reacted angrily to comments made in an interview by manager Dale Price and has come out guns blazing heaping yet more pressure onto the shoulders of the already heavily under fire Welshman. Earlier today Dale Price made comments about the board regarding his contract. Now it appears his owner hasn't taken too kindly to such comments on the back of a first half a season that has seen them fall into the relegation zone losing 8 of their first 11 matches.

"I read the comments made in his interview with some disappointment. Dale has been performing well below what is expected of him this season and considering this you would expect him to be keeping his head down rather than making noises chasing investment. No investment was promised at all when he joined us from Sunderland. The club had £13 million in the bank at the time and a huge squad of talented players that could be sold if extra was required. Dale was told his targets would be survival in his first season up then mid table after that and with a team far too good for the Segunda he had plenty of time to build. We even helped negotiate a deal to bring a Sunderland player to Spain with him when he moved. He did enquire about future investment and was told, and I quote 'if you keep them up there could be further funds invested'. Since the squad is still large and with strength in numbers there are plenty of players who could have been sold at the start of this season if further work was needed, so a small investment was made by myself to cover running costs with extra to top up the bank balance.

You only have to look at the financial report to see how badly we're doing this season. We have the 7th most expensive wage over the first 11 weeks, yet we sit 10th in the relegation zone. Espanyol the team in 7th place are on over double the points we are on. Dale has chosen to keep most of the team the same however results have dropped drastically and this failure must be in tactics and has to be put at his door."

Kellner who is known for his short temper had remained fairly hands off despite the poor run of form and mounting media pressure in Spain, but continued to provide his manager with an ultimatum.

"The board have agreed to setting the club a target of 12 points from the next 7 games. We believe Real Sociedad, Real Mallorca, Athletic Bilbao and Real Zaragoza are considerably worse than us and with those points we should put ourselves in safety ready to improve massively for next season still in La Liga. Anything less, especially losses to the poorer resourced teams, would put us in grave danger of relegation and the board feel acting just before the transfer window shut would allow our club one final chance to survive despite that. If our manager can't deliver results on such a run of easier games, we will have to find someone who can pull results out of the remaining tougher matches in the run in.

£45 million has been invested since I bought the club, and although not all of that has been in the period Dale Price has been manager, he has benefited from such a large investment going into the squads quality and depth. Managers should be judged on their last performance and if Dale thinks he can walk out of here into a club with such wide resources as here, he is in for a nasty shock I feel."

Recreativo face a mix between some of the top teams in Spain, and some of the relegation favourites in La Liga, over the next 7 weeks:
Sevilla (A), Real Sociedad (H), Espanyol (A), Barcelona (H), Real Mallorca (A), Athletic Bilbao (A), Real Zaragoza (H)

Rob O'Brien has rejected a move to Everton depite his club Fiorentina allowing him permission to discuss a move.

redrob · Cult Status

Fiorentina Manager
turns down Everton Job

Fiorentina Manager Rob O'Brien today released a statment to the Media regarding his move to turn down the Everton Job

First of all I want to thank the Everton Chairman and Board for offering me the chance to Manager their great club, I have decided to decline the offer though, as I still have unfinished Business with Fiorentina.

I mate a statement.... No, a promise to the Fans of our club that I would bring back Attractive, Attacking football to Fiorentina, to once again intise them back in their droves to our wonderfull stadium which we are continually inproving for them each season and they have not let me down, so I don't think it would be fair for me too let them down.

I have brought the likes of Fernando, Pepe, Dirk, Pirlo, Xabi and more recently Daniel Agger to the club without any real investment to help inprove our chances of Siverware in Europe and at Home and to Bring on our young talent such as Stevan, Renato, Rhoys and the ever improving Juan Antiono.

I believe, If he didnt already know that the chairman can now see my commitment to the cause so will hopefully back me financialy so we can improve our Team without losing our star players, as in the past and then pose a real threat to the likes of Juve who currently dominate our league,

This is the goal for Fiorentina Me and the Fans and i'll be here untill its acheived.

-- Edited by redrob on Friday 7th of January 2011 11:10:19 AM

Fletch · Cult Status

Napoli Regroup

Cult Status

RE: Week 12

Tezza · Cult Status

Siena News

Siena Manager Terry Manifold wasnt available to talk to the press after the match against Parma yesterday instead his assistant read out a statement issued by him.

"I am a little disappointed at the results Siena have been getting recently and I will be working to stem the decline. I still have a couple of weeks in which to mould the team into a more attacking line up and that starts in the morning. Not achieving the chairmans target this season is not an option. Siena must finish in the top 6 and I would still set my target as a play-off spot."

With that the Assistant made his excuses and left the room.

Sinky2707 · Cult Status

Siena 0-1 Parma

Jonathan Sinclair was delighted with his Parma's 3rd win in a row with a spirited 1-0 away win against Siena.

'It was a great performance from the lads we got an early goal and that was crucial because Siena are a very organised team and are incredibly difficult to beat but we have done that and we were unlucky not to get any more goals but I'm pleased that Pietro Arnulfo got another goal and it was great set up by Jonathan Howson it's good to see him settling in and we are now 2nd in the table and only two points behind Chievo we are doing brilliantly at the moment and we really need to keep up this momentum going until the end of the season.'

Sinclair was also happy to annouce a couple of new signings 'We at Parma FC are happy to annouce that we'll be signing Goran Maric permantly from Barcelona in a swap deal that sadly sees Gorka Elustondo going to Barca we wish him well and hope he can do well for the giants. Also we have Bradley Johnson moving to us from Leeds United we have looking for another quality LM for some time and Im delighted we'll be getting him in next week and hoepfully these two players will give us that extra edge in our aim for promotion.'