Gary Neville admits 'hatred' for Liverpool and derides Manchester City
Neville says he respects Liverpool despite despising them. Mocks clubs trying to succeed by 'throwing money at it'
Gary Neville's public dislike of Manchester City has resurfaced as he made a candid admission of his "hatred" for Liverpool but also acknowledged that he has more respect for them than the club Sir Alex Ferguson derided as Manchester United's "noisy neighbours".
Neville was prominently involved in the hostilities between the two Manchester clubs last season, caught making a one-fingered sign towards Carlos Tevez as the City striker celebrated scoring against his former club in the Carling Cup semi-final. The former England defender was also given an official warning by the Football Association for the way he celebrated Michael Owen's stoppage-time winner in the league meeting at Old Trafford, running along the touchline to goad City's supporters.
His latest remarks are likely to go down badly at both Anfield and Eastlands, with Chelsea possibly implicated as well, but Neville has never hidden his feelings for United's rivals and did not shy away when asked whether it was true he hated Liverpool. "When I was younger there was no doubt about it," he said. "I was a United fan, they [Liverpool] were winning everything and it was a horrible time for my club, to be honest, through the 70s and 80s.
"I suppose it came from jealousy through my childhood – jealousy, hatred, passion for your own club. You don't want them [Liverpool] to win anything, and you don't like the people who are winning, just like I've seen in the last 15 or 16 years, from a good side, everybody is now 'we all hate Man United' – and they hate Man United because we are winning."
It was here that Neville made what can be taken only as a thinly-veiled reference to City, the biggest spenders in English football for the past two years.
"I have more respect for Liverpool, in a sense of their tradition and their history, than I do some of the other clubs that have come on the scene in the last few years, throwing a load of money at it." He then added pointedly: "They [Liverpool] have got a good history – you have to hand it to them – and they have been successful."
Neville's comments fall into line with a career in which he has frequently courted controversy but, by his own admission, is probably now in its final season. "Two years ago I thought it would be my last season. Last year I felt the same. I recognise this one could be as well. I am on a one-year contract. If I don't perform or the club don't want me anymore, I will be gone. That is life. In the 19 years I have been here, it has happened to better players." . . . Guardian
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However Manchester City have shown themselves to be capable of a barb of their own - chief executive Garry Cook admitting that a banner at Manchester United's Old Trafford ground highlighting the Blues' 34-year wait for a trophy "drives us nuts". Also in Blue Moon Rising, a film based on City and set for general release, striker Carlos Tevez claims he has "nothing to prove" to United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, supporter Steve admits to finding the colour red "disgusting" while a fellow fan "votes Tory only because they're blue". Daily Telegraph
Mancini has tougher task controlling City egos than he would at Real Madrid, says Michel Salgado
Blackburn's Michel Salgado knows how hard it is to manage big stars from his 10 years playing with the Galacticos at Real Madrid.
The policy worked at first at the Bernabeu as Luis Figo and Zidane Zidane arrived to help Real win the Champions League in 2002 and dominate La Liga.
But it then failed as Barcelona, with their team of home-grown talent, overtook them as Europe's new powerhouse, despite Real splashing out tens of millions on Ronaldo and David Beckham.
Mancini has already been rocked by Emmanuel Adebayor and Shay Given's threats to leave after he dropped them this season and Salgado claims keeping everyone happy at City will be almost impossible.
"The most important thing I think for the manager is to try and control the changing room," he said.
"Sometimes it's more important what goes on off the pitch than what happens on the pitch.
"You have to control the group. You have to keep everyone happy. I think that is very difficult when you are dealing with big players. That is a big problem."
Mancini has splashed out over £120million on players to turn Manchester City into contenders and Salgado claims it will not guarantee them automatic success.
The full-back, who will face City at Eastlands tomorrow with Rovers, claims the Blues boss will need time to make a team out of all these highly-paid players.
"The problem is, he has to settle all these new players into his team and when you sign eight new players every year, that is a problem," he said.
"Manchester City are under construction and they have had to start from the base.
"At Real it was different. We had won the Champions League in 1998 and 2000 and were the best team in La Liga. So when we bought Luis Figo in 2000 and Zidane in 2001, we already had a good team.
"We just needed to buy one great player every year and bed him into what was already a good team.
"That was much easier than trying to buy eight players every year and making a winning team out of them."
Salgado, 34, hopes for Mancini's sake that Sheikh Mansour, who has already shown his ruthless streak by axing Mark Hughes, understands this.
The Spaniard claims the club's hierarchy should not expect too much too soon from Mancini as he tries to build a successful side.
"They should not be under as much pressure as Real Madrid are," he said.
"Real Madrid are a big club in Spain and in Europe and every year they are expected to win a trophy.
"Manchester City finished fifth last year. Now they are talking about finishing between the top four teams.
"I think each year the pressure on them is going to increase so in future, they are going to be asked to win the Premier League.
"That's normal when you spend money, but they must be given time."
Having played for a team which could buy any player in the world, Salgado will find the roles reversed tomorrow at Eastlands.
Sam Allardyce's last transfer budget would be classed as loose change by Mancini and Salgado admits getting a result at Eastlands will be extremely difficult.
Yet the former Spanish international does see a glimmer of hope for Rovers.
"We have to think we have a chance to beat them, especially with this game coming after the international break," he said. "We must get the benefit of that break and if we do, who knows?"
Year of drama culminates in Manchester City: The Movie
MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - For most clubs an end-of-season DVD charting the highs and lows would be enough. Manchester City are not most clubs, though, and have splashed out on the full cinema release with gala premiere.
Coach Roberto Mancini, in a suit rather than the blue and white striped scarf that became his trademark last season, was among the City staff and celebrities walking along the 'blue carpet' on Thursday for the opening of Blue Moon Rising.
The documentary-style film follows five obsessive fans during last season, City's first full season after the takeover that made it the world's richest club. It also features interviews with players, Mancini and City-mad musician Noel Gallagher.
Echoing their lavish transfer and salary policy, City did not fancy saving cash with a straight-to-DVD production.
"City's ambitions are huge," Nick London, one of the producers, told Reuters while a couple of big screens showed trailers of the film to the fans waiting outside the central Manchester cinema.
"The club has been transformed over the last few years and they thought they wanted to make a movie to begin with. And, as a producer, I can only applaud that.
"Eventually it will end up on DVD but the intention is initially that it gets a theatrical release in Manchester and elsewhere, goes on to DVD and maybe goes on to TV later on."
The hope after Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al-Nahyan took over in September 2008 turns into pain at missing out on a Champions League spot by finishing fifth in the Premier League in 2009/10.
There is also the bitter disappointment of the last-gasp goal that sent City out of the League Cup semi-finals at the hands of local rivals Manchester United.
Some players think the film may be just the start of the excitement for the club which is looking for a first English league title since 1968 and which has spent around 300 million pounds on new players since the takeover.
"Hopefully it'll be more drama, maybe with winning a competition or getting even higher in the league," said winger Adam Johnson.
"I haven't got a clue what I'd call the sequel."
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Micah eyes joining City set. Richards is determined to make it a magnificent seven for Manchester City by forcing his way back into Fabio Capello’s England squad.
Six City players featured in Tuesday’s win over Switzerland and Under-21 skipper Richards - who won 11 senior caps under former boss Steve McClaren - is desperate to join them.
City manager Roberto Mancini feels he can develop into one of England’s finest defenders if he continues to work on his game, and Richards said: “I want to push on and get in the senior team now.
“There is no reason why I can’t if I’m starting in City’s team. When the boss has confidence in you that definitely helps your game. For him to say I can become one of the best defenders in England is quite a compliment.
“I wouldn’t say I’ve got the hunger back because I never lost it. But the competition in our squad has made me play a little bit better. I want that to continue for the season.
“If we can win something for the fans and I’m playing well, there’s no reason why I can’t get back in the England squad.”
Encouraged by James Milner and Gareth Barry’s progress from Under-21 to seniors, he added: “That shows you can use it as a stepping-stone.” Express
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MORE ROBINHO BOLLOX
Robinho ready to dazzle with AC Milan as Manchester City flop blames Premier League for holding him back Robinho has hit out at English football for crushing his style as he promised to show his true talents at AC Milan.
The 26-year-old quit Manchester City on transfer deadline day almost two years after arriving from Real Madrid for a British record £32.5million.
Despite considering himself among the best in the world, he left the Barclays Premier League with his reputation in tatters and a return of just 16 goals.
'Of course, I didn't do my best (at City),' he said. 'It doesn't only depend on me, but on the whole group.
'I had no problem with (manager Roberto) Mancini. I always had a good relationship with him, but the problem is that English football is not so good for Brazilians, it's not my style.
'I wish success to Mancini, but life goes on. I want to make my name here.
'I am confident of succeeding with Milan because they have very good Brazilians. It's a club that always wants to play, has welcomed us very well and where many have made history. I hope the same happens to me.'
TRANSFER BOLLOX
Roy Hodgson believes he inherited a squad that was big on numbers, but lacking quality in depth when he succeeded Rafael Benitez as Liverpool manager. Hodgson has already shipped out a number of squad players including Alberto Aquilani, Philipp Degen, Nabil El Zhar and Emiliano Insua. Daily Mirror
But Hodgson could augment his squad by signing Artem Milevskiy in January - the 25-year-old Ukrainian striker recently extended his contract with Dinamo Kiev but has a release clause of about £10m written in. talkSHIT
Neven Subotic - wanted by both Manchester United and Manchester City as well as Chelsea and Real Madrid will stay put at least until next season. The 21-year-old Serbian centre-back is valued at £20m by Borussia Dortmund where he has a contract until 2014. talkSHIT
Wigan midfielder Charles N'Zogbia could be on his way to Marseille, with Birmingham out of the race to sign the 24-year-old Frenchman. talkSHIT
Leicester have turned down Derby's attempt to sign Matty Fryatt on loan and instead told the 24-year-old striker to fight for his place in the Foxes team. Daily Mirror
On-loan Everton striker James Vaughan will be offered a permanent deal with Crystal Palace if he impresses over the next three months. The 22-year-old is set to make his debut against Reading on Saturday.talkSHIT
OTHER BOLLOX
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has been warned by Everton defender Phil Jagielka that he will face a hostile reception at Goodison Park on Saturday. A former Evertonian, Rooney will be making his first Premier League appearance since allegations concerning his private life surfaced. Daily Telegraph
One man set to watch Rooney from the stands is former team-mate Francis Jeffers. Jeffers made his England debut at the same time as Rooney - scoring in a 2-1 defeat by Australia in February 2003 - but the former Everton and Arsenal striker is now without a club and considering a move to the Australian A League. Daily Express
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce believes the race to replace Fabio Capello as England manager in 2012 is between him, Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, Roy Hodgson of Liverpool and Blackburn's Sam Allardyce. Daily Mirror
Meanwhile, Queens Park Rangers boss Neil Warnock reckons England should appoint a "Redknapp-type" manager to succeed Capello because he would have better communication skills than the Italian. talkSHIT
Tom Hicks and George Gillett's reign as Liverpool owners could have less than a month to run. Royal Bank of Scotland has moved its loans with the American pair into its toxic-assets division - a sign that they will not be extended. the Guardian
Everton have suffered a blow with the news that midfielder Jack Rodwell faces a three-month spell of the sidelines after the 19-year-old damaged his ankle against Aston Villa two weeks ago. Liverpool Echo
Tottenham's new £8m midfielder Rafael van der Vaart believes he can inspire the club to finish higher than rivals Arsenal in the Premier League this season. Daily Mirror
West Ham manager Avram Grant has been given permission to miss the Premier League game at Stoke on 18 September as it clashes with Yom Kippur - the holiest day on the Jewish calendar. Daily Mirror
Nigel Adkins could still be named as Southampton's new manager. The Scunthorpe boss had been top of the Saints' shortlist, but his appointment had seemed to have been scuppered by Southampton's apparent reluctance to pay compensation. Daily Express
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