Sunday's B*ll*x
Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2012 8:30 amManchester City tell Roberto Mancini he must change before they offer him a new deal
Manchester City are expected to offer Roberto Mancini a new contract at the end of the season but they are seeking assurances from him that he has taken on some of the club’s concern about his management style.
The Italian’s current deal has a year to run and the City hierarchy are expected to review the situation at their quarterly board meeting at the end of the campaign.
The club are happy that the first team have shown clear signs of progress and want to give him a new deal irrespective of whether they win the title but they feel there is a need for the manager to refine his abrasive man management approach, to be more discreet about any issues he has with the club and to work with the club on ensuring transfer policy falls into line with the demands of Financial Fair Play.
There has been speculation that City would look to a new manager such as Jose Mourinho this summer but there is no appetite in the hierarchy to create an unstable situation at the club at a time when progress is clearly being made.
Mancini, whose side are two points behind Manchester United in the title race with four games to go, has given every indication that he is prepared to sign a new deal.
“I am confident that I will continue to do this job next year,” he said. “I don’t think we have any problems because I think we have done a good job.”
City are at Wolves today while Manchester United face Everton at Old Trafford before the Manchester derby on Monday next week.
Mancini loses the argument – official
City manager's comments on British referees show title race is United's to lose
Although neither of Manchester's Premier League title contenders play until this afternoon, it is tempting to say that the key weekend result is already in: Italian paranoia 0 Scottish sang-froid 1. Manchester City's Roberto Mancini has not only prematurely surrendered the championship, a week ahead of the derby against United, but he has done so by blaming the men he once regarded as the best referees in the world. Meanwhile Sir Alex Ferguson, more experienced than anyone in these matters, has taken advantage of a favourable run of decisions to relax and roll out the hoary old line that things even out over the course of a season.
When it suits him, of course, United's manager is perfectly capable of raging against what are perceived as bad decisions, in the hope of receiving more favourable ones in future. This time, however, it is a case of City claiming the sort of conspiracy theory that is commonplace in Italian football but sits less comfortably in the context of essentially honest British officials whose unconscious bias, if they have any at all, is towards all the bigger clubs.
MORE: http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/foot ... 68323.html
OTHER BOLLOX
Everton left-back Leighton Baines is a £5m summer target for Manchester United.
Manchester United are targeting Everton left-back Leighton Baines, 27, as a summer replacement for ageing full-back Patrice Evra, 31. The Reds may offer just £5m for the England international. Sunday Mirror
Nineteen-year-old Athletic Bilbao winger-striker Iker Muniain, who received his first cap for Spain earlier in the year, has caught the eye of Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. But the Old Trafford club will have to shell out £29.5m for his services, according to the player's agent. Metro
Newcastle are already in the hunt for bargain signings to improve their squad for next season, says manager Alan Pardew. "We're looking at one or two players that we think might help us," he revealed. talkSHIT
Serbia international Adem Ljajic, 20, is a summer target for Arsenal. The Fiorentina midfield man's age and technical ability appeal to Arsene Wenger. Metro
Valencia and Spain left-back Jordi Alba is wanted at Old Trafford, though Manchester United will have to fork out £15m for the 23-year-old's services. Goal.com
Tottenham are yet to offer experienced central defender Ledley King a contract to play at White Hart Lane next season. The 31-year-old has a chronic knee injury that limits his training and playing time, though he has managed 20 Premier League appearances this term. Sunday Mirror
Tottenham are set to sign French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris for £10 million. Sunday Mirror
Everton are considering a move for Fulham's top-scorer Clint Dempsey. Daily Star
Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney, 26, is on the 80-strong list of players who could be called up to play for Team GB at the Olympics, despite temporary England coach Stuart Pearce saying no players who take part in Euro 2012 will appear at London 2012. Mail on Sunday
Former Dutch masters Edwin van der Sar and Ronald Koeman have both criticised Chelsea for their style of play against Barcelona in the Champions League. "For the sake of the game and for football in general, I hope Barcelona win in the Nou Camp," said former Manchester United goalkeeper Van der Sar, 41. Sunday Mirror
Meanwhile, Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, 35, is injured and may miss the Blues' Champions League semi-final second leg tie at Barcelona on Tuesday, according to boss Roberto di Matteo. "He's got a problem with his knee," revealed the Chelsea manager. talkSHIT
Sir Alex Ferguson says Northern Ireland centre back Jonny Evans, 24, has developed into "arguably the best defender in the country" while playing alongside the experienced Rio Ferdinand for Manchester United this season. Observer
Aston Villa are monitoring the availability of the top scorer in the Dutch premier division, Bas Dost of Heerenveen. Dost, 22, has netted 28 goals in the Eredivisie. Birmingham Mail
Tottenham's recent poor run of Premier League form - only one win in their last nine matches - is the fault of their paper-thin squad, says boss Harry Redknapp. "We had what we had today and that was all," Redknapp said after losing 1-0 at QPR on Saturday. talkSHIT
Chelsea must make Roberto di Matteo the club's permanent manager, according to Ruud Gullit. The former boss at Stamford Bridge, who signed Di Matteo as a player, said: "He has done a terrific job." Sunday Mirror
Aberdeen boss Craig Brown handed a debut to 16-year-old Cammy Smith in the Dons' 2-0 defeat of Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Saturday, and said of the young substitute: "He is really outstanding and is the Dennis Bergkamp of Aberdeen." Daily Record
A Copa Argentina clash between hosts Racing Club and Sarmiento was halted temporarily as officials had to remove a dozen walking sticks and crutches from the playing surface. The sarcastic protest by home supporters spurred on Racing, who went on to claim a 2-0 victory. Metro
more bollox later
Manchester City are expected to offer Roberto Mancini a new contract at the end of the season but they are seeking assurances from him that he has taken on some of the club’s concern about his management style.
The Italian’s current deal has a year to run and the City hierarchy are expected to review the situation at their quarterly board meeting at the end of the campaign.
The club are happy that the first team have shown clear signs of progress and want to give him a new deal irrespective of whether they win the title but they feel there is a need for the manager to refine his abrasive man management approach, to be more discreet about any issues he has with the club and to work with the club on ensuring transfer policy falls into line with the demands of Financial Fair Play.
There has been speculation that City would look to a new manager such as Jose Mourinho this summer but there is no appetite in the hierarchy to create an unstable situation at the club at a time when progress is clearly being made.
Mancini, whose side are two points behind Manchester United in the title race with four games to go, has given every indication that he is prepared to sign a new deal.
“I am confident that I will continue to do this job next year,” he said. “I don’t think we have any problems because I think we have done a good job.”
City are at Wolves today while Manchester United face Everton at Old Trafford before the Manchester derby on Monday next week.
Mancini loses the argument – official
City manager's comments on British referees show title race is United's to lose
Although neither of Manchester's Premier League title contenders play until this afternoon, it is tempting to say that the key weekend result is already in: Italian paranoia 0 Scottish sang-froid 1. Manchester City's Roberto Mancini has not only prematurely surrendered the championship, a week ahead of the derby against United, but he has done so by blaming the men he once regarded as the best referees in the world. Meanwhile Sir Alex Ferguson, more experienced than anyone in these matters, has taken advantage of a favourable run of decisions to relax and roll out the hoary old line that things even out over the course of a season.
When it suits him, of course, United's manager is perfectly capable of raging against what are perceived as bad decisions, in the hope of receiving more favourable ones in future. This time, however, it is a case of City claiming the sort of conspiracy theory that is commonplace in Italian football but sits less comfortably in the context of essentially honest British officials whose unconscious bias, if they have any at all, is towards all the bigger clubs.
MORE: http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/foot ... 68323.html
OTHER BOLLOX
Everton left-back Leighton Baines is a £5m summer target for Manchester United.
Manchester United are targeting Everton left-back Leighton Baines, 27, as a summer replacement for ageing full-back Patrice Evra, 31. The Reds may offer just £5m for the England international. Sunday Mirror
Nineteen-year-old Athletic Bilbao winger-striker Iker Muniain, who received his first cap for Spain earlier in the year, has caught the eye of Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. But the Old Trafford club will have to shell out £29.5m for his services, according to the player's agent. Metro
Newcastle are already in the hunt for bargain signings to improve their squad for next season, says manager Alan Pardew. "We're looking at one or two players that we think might help us," he revealed. talkSHIT
Serbia international Adem Ljajic, 20, is a summer target for Arsenal. The Fiorentina midfield man's age and technical ability appeal to Arsene Wenger. Metro
Valencia and Spain left-back Jordi Alba is wanted at Old Trafford, though Manchester United will have to fork out £15m for the 23-year-old's services. Goal.com
Tottenham are yet to offer experienced central defender Ledley King a contract to play at White Hart Lane next season. The 31-year-old has a chronic knee injury that limits his training and playing time, though he has managed 20 Premier League appearances this term. Sunday Mirror
Tottenham are set to sign French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris for £10 million. Sunday Mirror
Everton are considering a move for Fulham's top-scorer Clint Dempsey. Daily Star
Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney, 26, is on the 80-strong list of players who could be called up to play for Team GB at the Olympics, despite temporary England coach Stuart Pearce saying no players who take part in Euro 2012 will appear at London 2012. Mail on Sunday
Former Dutch masters Edwin van der Sar and Ronald Koeman have both criticised Chelsea for their style of play against Barcelona in the Champions League. "For the sake of the game and for football in general, I hope Barcelona win in the Nou Camp," said former Manchester United goalkeeper Van der Sar, 41. Sunday Mirror
Meanwhile, Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, 35, is injured and may miss the Blues' Champions League semi-final second leg tie at Barcelona on Tuesday, according to boss Roberto di Matteo. "He's got a problem with his knee," revealed the Chelsea manager. talkSHIT
Sir Alex Ferguson says Northern Ireland centre back Jonny Evans, 24, has developed into "arguably the best defender in the country" while playing alongside the experienced Rio Ferdinand for Manchester United this season. Observer
Aston Villa are monitoring the availability of the top scorer in the Dutch premier division, Bas Dost of Heerenveen. Dost, 22, has netted 28 goals in the Eredivisie. Birmingham Mail
Tottenham's recent poor run of Premier League form - only one win in their last nine matches - is the fault of their paper-thin squad, says boss Harry Redknapp. "We had what we had today and that was all," Redknapp said after losing 1-0 at QPR on Saturday. talkSHIT
Chelsea must make Roberto di Matteo the club's permanent manager, according to Ruud Gullit. The former boss at Stamford Bridge, who signed Di Matteo as a player, said: "He has done a terrific job." Sunday Mirror
Aberdeen boss Craig Brown handed a debut to 16-year-old Cammy Smith in the Dons' 2-0 defeat of Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Saturday, and said of the young substitute: "He is really outstanding and is the Dennis Bergkamp of Aberdeen." Daily Record
A Copa Argentina clash between hosts Racing Club and Sarmiento was halted temporarily as officials had to remove a dozen walking sticks and crutches from the playing surface. The sarcastic protest by home supporters spurred on Racing, who went on to claim a 2-0 victory. Metro
more bollox later