Lavagne handed Cameroon role World Soccer Shop

Cameroon have appointed Denis Lavagne as their permanent manager, handing him a one-year deal.

Lavagne: New Cameroon boss

The Frenchman has been doing the job since October and his agreement has been backdated to then.

"Your main task is to qualify for the 2013 African Nations Cup and the World Cup in Brazil in 2014," the country's sports minister, Adoum Garoua, told him.

Lavagne was given the role after Javier Clemente was sacked for failing to take the side to the African Nations Cup.

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17773/lavagne_handed_cameroon_role

Report: Hughton out of WBA race World Soccer Shop

Chris Hughton is reportedly no longer in the running for the vacant manager's position at West Brom, according to reports.

Hughton: Reportedly out of the running

The Birmingham boss was thought to be on the shortlist of candidates to replace Roy Hodgson, but the Baggies have decided not to follow up their interest in the former Newcastle manager.

It is unclear why West Brom have decided against a move for Hughton, although the fact that the Blues were looking for £2million in compensation for the 53-year-old may have been a factor.

The bookmakers' favourite for the vacancy is former Schalke and Stuttgart boss Ralf Rangnick, but the club's decision not to appoint Hughton does not mean the German is a certainty for the position and other candidates may be pursued.

Rangnick first met with Albion officials when a guest of the club for the final game of Hodgson's reign on May 13, when the midlands club lost 3-2 to Arsenal.

It is clear to see why the 53-year-old is a potential option for the club.

Compensation would not be an issue as Rangnick has been without a club since leaving Schalke eight months ago because of exhaustion, and he previously led the Bundesliga club to the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2010-11.

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17760/report__hughton_out_of_wba_race

Trapattoni salutes Hungarian greats

Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has expressed his admiration for Hungarian football culture and history.

Speaking to the Irish Times ahead of his side’s friendly international with Hungary in Budapest on Monday, Trapattoni compared Hungary’s former football prowess to Europe’s modern elite.

“Honved and Hungary were great teams with so many great players,” Trapattoni said. “They were a fantastic side, like Barcelona now.”

“I played against them, also Florian Albert, who was a member of the second great Hungary team. I knew them later too because many defected to Spain after the Russians invaded.”

The 73-year-old also warned that the current Hungarian side should not be underestimated in the slightest bit.

“The Hungarians still have that great tradition and the current team is part of that,” said Trapattoni.

“Their football school is very beautiful; very technical and creative.”

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/trapattoni-salutes-hungarian-greats/95842/

Pulis eager to keep Huth

Stoke City manager Tony Pulis insists the club will not sell Robert Huth in the off-season.

The 27-year old German signed for Stoke from Middlesbrough in August 2009 and has been a fixture in the club’s back-line, making 101 appearances.

Uncertainty now surrounds Huth’s future with just a year remaining on his four-year contract.

The former Chelsea man is yet to sign a new deal and Pulis is desperate for Huth to stay, ruling out any potential sale.

Pulis told the Daily Mail: “We are desperately keen to sort out Robert’s future.”

“We have been talking to him for some time but whatever happens, he won’t be sold.”

Pulis has turned Stoke into an established Premier League outfit and will prepare them for their fifth straight top-flight campaign.

The Britannia boss hopes to resolve Huth’s future before the start of the season and believes that he is a favourite among the clubs fans.

“I’m hopeful something will be sorted by the time we come back for pre-season training in July,” Pulis said.

“He’s obviously a player who is valued and the supporters have taken to him because of the way he approaches the game.”

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/pulis-eager-to-keep-huth/95623/

Bierhoff pleased with Germany progress

German team manager Oliver Bierhoff was happy with his side’s final preparations for Euro 2012 after a 2-0 win over Israel on Thursday.

Mindful of sides that may set up with a similar defensive approach at the tournament, a full-strength Germany showed patience to break through with goals from Mario Gomez and Andre Schurrle.

“I thought that the second half was good, we held the pace high, had good plays and found better ways to attack,” Bierhoff said.

“For example the second goal by Andre Schrrle, I thought Thomas Muller did wonderfully there. We showed at the end how to get through a solid defence like that.

“The Isrealis didn’t make it easy for us, they positioned themselves deep in their own half and we know that at the Euros you may have to play against a team which plays like that.”

Bierhoff could not resist taking a shot at Chelsea after their Champions League triumph over Bayern Munich.

“It was good preparation, maybe the school of Chelsea becomes more popular because of their success,” the ex-German international said, referring to the west London side’s defence-minded approach.

“So we have to expect that many teams will play defensively-minded against us.”

Attacking midfielder Toni Kroos, almost a certainty to line up against Germany’s first Group B opponents, Portugal, was pleased with the amount of chances his side created.

“In the second half we should have scored a few more goals, which also means that we created a lot of good chances,” Kroos said.

“We have to work on that. We have to use the chances and when we do that, I think we are in with a really good chance of winning.”

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/bierhoff-pleased-with-germany-progress/95618/

Villa set for Lambert approach World Soccer Shop

Aston Villa have made Norwich manager Paul Lambert their number one target and are set to make an official approach in the next 24 hours.

Lambert: Villa's number one target

Lambert has emerged as favourite for the Villa Park post in recent days, despite his denial earlier this month that he had been contacted about any job.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Roberto Martinez have been amongst the names ruled out, but Lambert now looks to be the man that Villa chiefs have highlighted as their number one target.

Lambert has produced wonders at Carrow Road since taking charge in 2009, guiding them to successive promotions up to the Premier League.

And in their first season back in the top-flight, Norwich finished 12th - earning Lambert a huge amount of plaudits.

His progress with Norwich has not gone unnoticed and now Villa are ready to make their move.

More to follow...

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17476/villa_set_for_lambert_approach

Mancini rules out Ibra bid

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has ruled out a move for AC Milan forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic this summer.

The Italian led his side to a maiden Premier League title this term with a last-gasp victory over QPR on the final day of the season.

And City have since been strongly linked with a move for the Sweden international as they look to retain their crown next term.

However, the 47-year-old boss insists a forward line of Carlos Tevez, Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli is strong enough.

“Ibrahimovic is a champion,” Mancini told Gazzetta dello Sport.

“But I already have four very strong strikers. I just need them to compete in the Champions League. We are okay up front.”

The 30-year-old striker scored 35 goals in 44 appearances for the Milan outfit last term, as they finished second in Serie A and reached the last eight of the Champions League.

He is set to captain Sweden at Euro 2012 this summer, who have been drawn in Group D alongside France, Ukraine and England.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/mancini-rules-out-ibra-bid/95531/

Coyle keen to keep Jussi World Soccer Shop

Bolton manager Owen Coyle is eager to retain the services of Jussi Jaaskelainen but accepts the second-choice goalkeeper may wish to move on.

Jaaskelainen: Offered a new deal

Jaaskelainen, who has been at the club for 15 years, fell behind Adam Bogdan in the pecking order last season and seems set to be behind him when the club kick-off in the Championship in August.

However, Wanderers have offered the 37-year-old Finn a new two-year contract.

"I want to make it clear that I want him to stay," Coyle told the Bolton News.

"I had a very good chat with him last week and he knows my feelings on the matter.

"We know we have Adam, and that would give us two top keepers, but we want that strength in depth.

"We know how good a goalkeeper Jussi is, the fantastic service he's put in for Bolton over a number of years, and we have put an offer to him that we think is a good one.

"Jussi was disappointed when he lost his spot, and he was unlucky that it happened because of an injury but he knows how far Adam has come along.

"It's up to him now whether he wants to stay and challenge him, or move on."

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17437/coyle_keen_to_keep_jussi

Rodgers favourite for Reds job World Soccer Shop

Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers has emerged as the new favourite to succeed Kenny Dalglish in the Liverpool hot-seat.

Rodgers: Hotly tipped to replace Dalglish

Wigan's Roberto Martinez was being strongly tipped to take over at Liverpool after talks with the club's American owners Fenway Sports Group in Miami last week.

But there was still no word from Martinez as he arrived back in Manchester today following a family holiday in Barbados and Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has issued a deadline of Thursday for an agreement to be reached.

The story took a new twist today with Rodgers, who originally turned down the chance to speak to FSG, appearing firmly back in frame with online bookies Sky Bet. He is now 1/5 to be appointed Reds' manager with Martinez out to 3/1.

It now appears to be definitely a two-horse race with Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp out to 12/1 after being as short as 2/1 early on Monday.

Football trader Joe Petyt explained: "When Martinez was photographed with FSG's John Henry in America he became the strong favourite but even during that time we saw sustained money for Rodgers.

"In the last 24 hours the amount of money we've seen on Rodgers has increased substantially which indicates to us that some people have heard that he's going to take the job."

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17374/rodgers_favourite_for_reds_job

Hodgson wants honesty from Barry

England manager Roy Hodgson will demand honesty from Gareth Barry over his groin injury before naming his Euro 2012 squad on Tuesday.

The midfielder was forced off less than 30 minutes into a substitute appearance during Saturday’s 1-0 friendly win over Norway, and requires a scan to determine the extent of the blow.

The scan could, however, be inconclusive, resulting in a dilemma ahead of the May 29 squad submission deadline over whether or not to select a player whose fitness is not assured.

“We only have a couple of days to sort it out and we can’t take any risks,” Hodgson told reporters.

“He is a very honest individual and whilst the scan will tell us a lot, if it doesn’t give us the answer we want I shall be having a very serious discussion with him. He will have to be honest with me and let me know exactly how it is.”

Should the Manchester City midfielder prove too much of a risk ahead of the tournament, the manager hinted that defender Phil Jagielka could be the chosen replacement from the standby list.

With only seven recognised defenders in the squad, the Everton centre-back could get the opportunity to build on his display in the November win against Spain and make up for missing the 2010 World Cup through injury.

“I am prepared to reconfigure,” Hodgson said.

“I am not necessarily looking to replace man-for-man in the midfield area because we have a lot of players in that area.”

Hodgson has received no further bad injury news, however, with Scott Parker suffering no ill effects from his recent Achilles problem and both Danny Welbeck and Glen Johnson improving.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/hodgson-wants-honesty-from-barry/95386/

Solskjaer out of Villa running World Soccer Shop

Aston Villa have confirmed that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will not become the club's new manager following further talks with the Molde coach.

Solskjaer: No longer in contention to become Villa manager

The former Manchester United striker was interviewed by Villa owner Randy Lerner over the weekend.

But Solskjaer has opted not to be considered as Alex McLeish's successor for personal reasons.

Solskjaer was the favourite with the bookmakers to take charge of Villa who only just avoided relegation from the Premier League.

But sources close to the club are keen to stress Solskjaer was never offered the job by Lerner.

Lerner and chief executive Paul Faulkner will now step up their bid in other directions to replace McLeish who was sacked nine days ago.

Brendan Rodgers (Swansea), Paul Lambert (Norwich) and Roberto Martinez (Wigan) are potential candidates.

Rodgers and Lambert impressed with their respective clubs during their first season in the Premier League although it is understood Villa have yet to approach either club.

Martinez turned down the chance to take charge at Villa last summer after Gerard Houllier was forced to quit on health grounds.

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/16956/solskjaer_out_of_villa_running

Bhoys open talks with Hooper World Soccer Shop

Celtic have opened talks over an improved contract for Gary Hooper, amid reports that Southampton are keen to bring him to the Premier League.

Hooper: In talks over new deal

Manager Neil Lennon revealed Celtic had begun moves to keep hold of the 24-year-old Englishman, who has been linked with a move to the Premier League newcomers after hitting 29 goals last season.

Lennon told STV: "We had a preliminary meeting with his agent last week and it was very cordial.

"It went very well and we made it clear that we want Gary to stay.

"Gary likes it here and he's happy here. He's had such a good season and he's such a good player that no doubt there'll be clubs in for him, but we'll try and resist all offers that come our way."

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/16935/bhoys_open_talks_with_hooper

Forrest out of Olympics contention World Soccer Shop

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has told Team GB coach Stuart Pearce that James Forrest will not be available for the Olympics.

Forrest: Won't play in the Olympics

Scotland winger Forrest, who remained on Pearce's shortened list of contenders, missed the last two months of the season with a calf injury and Lennon says he will not be fit enough to go to the Games.

The 20-year-old has previously said he would rather play for Celtic in the Champions League qualifiers, which clash with the Olympic tournament in late July and early August.

Speaking to STV, Lennon said he did not expect to lose players for the tournament.

"Certainly not the British players, we've spoken with Stuart on that," Lennon said.

"James Forrest will not be going because he's been injured. Stuart's aware of that.

"He was in his thoughts but the fact that he's been out for so long probably rules him out."

South Korea have said they plan to call up Celtic midfielder Ki Sung-yueng but the 23-year-old's birthday falls weeks outside the deadline that would make his attendance compulsory under FIFA rules.

Lennon said: "As regards the rest of the players, we'll speak to the other federations regarding that and hopefully there will be some sort of resolution where they are playing with Celtic when the time comes."

Another Scotland player who looks unlikely to be involved in Team GB is Aston Villa midfielder Barry Bannan.

The 22-year-old initially expressed an interest in playing in the tournament but his attitude has changed after being informed of the opposition of some Scotland fans to Team GB.

The Scottish Football Association, although powerless to prevent players from taking part, do not want Scots involved in case it risks the country's independence within FIFA.

"When I was first approached about the Olympics I wasn't aware how people back home were reacting to it," Bannan told newspapers.

"I'm fiercely proud to be Scottish and want to play for Scotland.

"The last thing I want to happen is for the supporters to turn against me and for me to do something that would damage Scotland.

"I will now speak with the manager (Craig Levein) and then take things from there."

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/16931/forrest_out_of_olympics_contention

Pardew hoping to manage England

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has revealed he would like to coach England once he proves himself in the Premier League.

The 50-year-old helped guide Newcastle to a surprising fifth spot in the English Premier League in 2011/12.

Despite being voted both Barclays and League Managers’ Association Manager of the Season, Pardew said he still had room for improvement.

“To be recognised by people who do the job and understand football is fantastic,” he told the Evening Standard.

“I will not have proven myself good enough until I’ve been in the Premier League for four or five years, won a trophy and competed in Europe.”

The former West Ham said he thought Harry Redknapp could have landed the England role ahead of Roy Hodgson were it not for the role of the media.

“Do I think Harry should have got the job? I thought at the time if the media hadn’t played it so strongly maybe he’d have got it,” Pardew said.

“Because there was such a big push for him, maybe the FA thought they’d do something else. I’ve got no problem with Roy. He deserved it, he had all the right credentials. I’m just glad it’s an Englishman.

“Maybe the initial move for Sven-Goran Eriksson was because they thought another English manager was going to get pilloried by the press.

“It just got all out of hand. Foreign managers have changed nothing.

“The England team has not improved and these foreign managers have done actually no better than the English managers who went before.”

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/pardew-hoping-to-manage-england/95095/

Martinez favourite for Liverpool job

Roberto Martinez continues to lead the race to become Liverpool’s manager ahead of a reported second round of talks with the club.

The Wigan manager has already held preliminary discussions with the club, believed to be in Liverpool, on Sunday.

It came after Andre Villas-Boas, the other main candidate to take the spot left vacant by Kenny Dalglish, had a meeting with Fenway Sports Group (FSG), the club’s owners, in Boston at the end of last week.

Martinez is scheduled to hold a more formal round of discussions with Liverpool in the next few days.

He is expected to meet with chairman Tom Werner and Ed Weiss, FSG’s in-house lawyer.

Martinez, 38, is the favourite for the vacant position, with Villas-Boas his closest rival for the post.

Villas-Boas, who is available after being sacked by Chelsea in March, is believed to have made a favourable impression with FSG when he met them at their Boston base.

Despite his claim he is intent on choosing the ‘right project’ before committing himself, Villas-Boas is said to regard the Liverpool job as one of the most attractive in Europe.

Martinez was granted permission by Wigan to speak to Liverpool last Thursday after being sounded out about his interest in the post through third parties.

Liverpool have been rejected by several managers, including the likes of Brendan Rodgers, Frank de Boer and Juergen Klopp.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/martinez-favourite-for-liverpool-job/95091/

Saha keen to earn his Spurs World Soccer Shop

Louis Saha has made it clear that he is not looking to leave Tottenham after paying tribute to the influence of manager Harry Redknapp.

Saha: Has enjoyed his time at Tottenham

Saha moved to White Hart Lane from Everton in January on a six-month deal until the end of the season, and his future is now uncertain as Spurs assess their squad ahead of the summer transfer window.

But the Frenchman says he has enjoyed his time at the club and has been particularly impressed by the way Redknapp works with his players.

Saha is now keen to sign a new deal with Tottenham even though they have missed out on a place in next season's Champions League.

"I cannot say I want to leave," the striker said in The Sun.

"Harry has been good for me personally. What makes him so good is his personality, tactics and the way that he can work and relate to the players."

Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor has also stated that he is at Tottenham next season after spending the campaign on loan at White Hart Lane.

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/16904/saha_keen_to_earn_his_spurs

International friendlies preview: Euro preparations commence

England will rest Wayne Rooney for their friendly with Norway after it was revealed he carried an injury towards the end of the season.

England manager Roy Hodgson also hinted that Rooney might miss England’s other Euro 2012 warm-up, against Belgium, a week later.

“He won’t be involved in the Norway game and I don’t know whether I will select him for Belgium at this stage,” Hodgson said.

His absence will give Hodgson a chance to decide who he will use up front for England’s first two group matches in next month’s tournament with Manchester United striker Rooney suspended for those games.

Norway turn their attention to their 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign having missed out on a place in Poland and Ukraine, and will be looking to impress at the Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo.

In other action, world and European champions Spain play Serbia in Switzerland, with coach Vicente del Bosque calling up Chelsea pair Fernando Torres and Juan Mata into his Euro 2012 warm-up squad.

The recall boosts Torres’ hopes of being included in Del Bosque’s final 23-man squad, which will be named early next week.

Serbia, who failed to qualify for Euro 2012, will be led by new coach Sinisa Mihajlovic for the first time.

Elsewhere, Switzerland host another tournament favourite, Germany, in Basel, while fellow Group B competitors, the Netherlands and Portugal, go in as favourites against Bulgaria and Macedonia respectively.

Euro 2012 co-hosts Poland take on Slovakia, while fellow Group A rivals, Greece and Russia, play Slovenia and Uruguay respectively.

The current South American champions, Uruguay, are warming up for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers and sit undefeated and equal first on the standings after three matches.

And ahead of CONCACAF’s next qualifying stage, the USA host Scotland in Florida and Honduras play New Zealand.

World Cup preparations will also be in full swing when El Salvador meet Moldova and Costa Rica host Guatemala.

In other friendlies, Czech Republic play Israel, Denmark will face a stern test against Brazil, Ireland meet Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia should have little trouble in overcoming Estonia.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/international-friendlies-preview-euro-preparations-commence/95066/