Tuesday's B*l**x (updated)
Posted: Tue May 21, 2013 7:21 amTHE BOLLOX
Manchester City begin to rebuild and rebrand for future
Deposed champions arrive in US to unveil kit deal, talk players and announce a sister club
Manchester City touched down in New York intent on building on their status as Abu Dhabi’s prime football franchise, in the week that Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan is expected to announce he has secured a deal to establish a Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise.
As The Independent reported last month, City’s arrival is timed to coincide with the expected announcement of a $100m (£65m) Abu Dhabi deal to establish the 20th MLS team, to be called New York City FC. There has been some resistance from locals opposed to the idea of a 13-acre plot of the Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, in Queens, being given to Sheikh Mansour for a nominal sum in return for the construction of a $340m (£220m) stadium.
But that is seen as no more than par for the course in this city. “You try and set up a lemonade stand here and some people will organise against it,” one observer said last night. New York’s outgoing mayor, Michael Bloomberg, appears to have won through in his attempts to ensure that the Abu Dhabi money is secured for the city.
The trip is about City, too. The club’s need for new revenues has never been greater and against the New York skyline today they are expected to announce a new, six-year kit deal with Nike, worth £12m a year. That represents a considerable increase on the previous deal, at a time that Manchester United are negotiating their own kit sponsorship tie-up, possibly worth up to £58m a year.
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City are also understood to be making progress in their pursuit of the Napoli striker Edinson Cavani, as they seek to make their squad capable of winning back the title they relinquished to Manchester United. But no breakthrough is imminent with Napoli and uncertainty also surrounds the future of Sergio Aguero, which is hampering attempts to settle on a strike force for the 2013-14 season. Aguero’s split from his wife, Giannina, who is installed with their four-year-old son, Ben, in Madrid, has created the threat of Aguero leaving City for the Bernabeu after two seasons in England.
The concerns about Aguero’s intentions have put Carlos Tevez in limbo, with the Argentine one year away from the expiry of his City contract. The sale of Tevez would release £250,000 a week from the wage bill and help City to pay the wages required to make them the most attractive proposition to Cavani. But if City were to lose Aguero and Tevez they would be left virtually to rebuild their strike force.
City are not seeking to buy Radamel Falcao, despite Atletico Madrid’s declaration yesterday that they are selling. Monaco is almost certainly Falcao’s destination. The wait for Manuel Pellegrini’s appointment as first-team coach is also contributing to uncertainty for Tevez, though the creation of a squad for next season is progressing without the 59-year-old.
City have had an active interest in Cavani for several years, though his cost has always been a problem. The representative of the club who first met his agent was quoted €50m, at a time when City were telling agents that the days of them paying overinflated transfer fees to accelerate their progress were now over. He has a £52m buyout clause at the Italian club.
City play Chelsea twice in the next few days – in Saint Louis on Thursday and in New York next Saturday. The squad arrived to a noisy welcome from local schoolchildren – but also to a cover story about Wigan Athletic in the sports section of the New York Times, reflecting on a team “Lingering at the Exit”.
There was no mention of the profile City are expected to command here this week – or their presence. All that may change when they have a sister club playing in the MLS franchise from the 2014-15 season. When Sheikh Mansour embarks on a project, he does not do it by halves.
All sewn up: Top kit deals
1. Real Madrid Adidas (until 2020) £28.5m per year
2. Barcelona Nike (until 2018) £26.3m
3. Liverpool Warrior (until 2015) £25m
4. Bayern Munich Adidas (until 2020) £23.6m
5. Manchester United Nike (until 2015) £23.5m
6. Chelsea Adidas (until 2018) £20m
7. Manchester City Nike (until 2019) £12m
International
1. France Nike (until 2018) £36m per year
2. England Nike (until 2018) £25m
3. Germany Adidas (until 2018) £22m
4. Brazil Nike (until 2018) £21m
City's late bloomer Rodwell wants to make most of late England call and make a fresh start next season
Manchester City midfielder Jack Rodwell is determined to make the most of his late England call-up as he looks to hit the ground running and make a 'fresh start' next season.
Rodwell is perhaps one City player who did not want last season to end after finally starting to shine late in an injury-ravaged first year at the club.
The 22-year-old has spent more than four months on the sidelines since his £12million move from Everton but he underlined his talent with a late burst of form that has now been recognised by England manager Roy Hodgson.
Rodwell scored both goals in City's otherwise disappointing 3-2 final day Barclays Premier League loss to Norwich and will link up with England for the upcoming friendlies against the Republic of Ireland and Brazil, with Manchester United's Tom Cleverley struggling for fitness.
Rodwell, who is now with the City squad in the United States ahead of post-season friendlies against Chelsea in St Louis and New York, now wants to carry momentum into next term.
City will also be returning to competition in August hoping to reassert themselves under a new manager after surrendering the Barclays Premier League crown in 2012-13.
Rodwell, who has two previous caps, said: 'It's all about the future now.
'Obviously a new manager will come in and everyone is intrigued to see who that is going to be.
'It's a fresh start for everyone and we will all be on it.
'First game of next season everyone will be flying, and we will do our best to prove ourselves to the manager.'
While the rest of the team looked drained against the Canaries, Rodwell relished the encounter as he again looked to put hamstring trouble behind him.
His second goal was particularly eye-catching, his vulnerable muscles holding up well as he raced on to a long ball from Yaya Toure and finished clinically.
He said: 'I am a great believer in my ability but I've not had the chance to prove it.
'I am back for one game after 10 games out and it's always hard.
'You are never match-fit and it's hard to produce. You need a good run of games.
'Once I am fit, I can do what I did for that second goal, and I can do it for 90 minutes. I have proved that.
'It's just getting games under my belt, getting match fitness and hopefully next season I can do it a bit more.
'When I made the run all I was thinking was that I could score. I saw a big gap and knew Yaya had the pass in him.
'It was one-on-one, and I knew that as long as the pass was right I could score, so that was all I was focused on.
'I have ended on a good note personally, now I can put my mind to rest and have a fresh start.'
Rodwell will hope to retain his sharpness on City's short but lucrative trip to the US.
He said: 'It will be good. There will some team bonding and a lot of commercial stuff - who wouldn't want to go to New York? It should be a good end to the season.
'The season has just started for me. I have been back playing for the last few weeks and I just want more.'
City are likely to play at significantly less than full intensity in the lucrative games against Chelsea in the United States, with a number of players heading off on international duty after returning home.
Rodwell will be travelling more long distances himself with his wedding down under this summer.
He said: 'I am getting married in Australia, where my fiance is from.
'It's great for me, and I'm happy and looking forward to a good, long marriage.'
Cleverley is yet to officially withdraw from Hodgson's squad but he was substituted during Manchester United's 5-5 draw away at West Brom and is unlikely to be fit to face either Brazil or Ireland.
The midfielder has featured regularly since Hodgson's appointment and his versatility can offer several options that will be missed with several other important players already unavailable.
Liverpool close to signing Manchester City defender Kolo Toure
Liverpool are close to securing the signature of Manchester City defender Kolo Touré as they look to fill the void left by Jamie Carragher’s retirement.
Brendan Rodgers has identified numerous targets to reinforce his central-defensive options, and Touré - available on a free transfer - is poised to have a medical at Liverpool after Manchester City’s tour of the United States after next weekend.
The 32-year-old Ivory Coast international has seen his contract run out at the Etihad Stadium having rarely featured since being suspended for six months after admitting accidentally taking a banned substance in 2011.
Toure was once one of the most highly regarded centre-halves in the country, moving to Manchester City for £16 million in 2009, and Rodgers will feel that if he can regain full fitness with regular football he will be a useful asset.
The Liverpool manager is anxious for a proven Premier League defender to join his squad alongside a developing star.
In recent weeks, the Merseyside club have also assessed Schalke’s Greek defender Kyriakos Papadopoulos and Sporting Lisbon’s Tiago Llori.
GOLDEN BOLLOX 21-5-2010
Legend Mike Summerbee launches Manchester City cab fleet
The fleet of five cabs will give fans a taster of the huge overhaul underway at the City of Manchester Stadium.
The fleet of five cabs will give fans a taster of the huge overhaul underway at the City of Manchester Stadium.
They will publicise a £1m investment in hospitality at the stadium which bosses claim will make it the best in the Premier League.
City favourite Summerbee took to the wheel of one of the hackney cabs before they hit the streets of Manchester this week.
He said: “Just like the stadium, the taxis have been given a true blue overhaul which we hope passengers will enjoy. City offers an unrivalled hospitality experience and the work completed over the summer will ensure it remains top of the Premier League.”
Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure will not be arriving at the Emirates stadium after refusing to consider the move, leaving Manchester City favourites to sign him.footylatest.com
Manchester City's Kompany is £20million summer target for Barcelona
Nou Camp chiefs step up pursuit of Blues' centre-half after enquiry for PSG's Thiago Silva provokes French laughter
Barcelona are ready to make a £20million move for Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany.
The Spanish giants will step up their attempts to sign a player they have been linked with for months, after identifying Kompany as their No1 summer target to strengthen their defence.
Barca have been alerted by Kompany growing unhappy at City under now-sacked manager Roberto Mancini and will now test the deposed Premier League champions' resolve to keep the Belgian defender.
It leaves City's boss-in-waiting Manuel Pellegrini facing a major battle to hang on to Kompany, when arguably the world's most famous club is desperate to sign him.
Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta has received a strong rebuff from Paris Saint-Germain after enquiring about Thiago Silva.
That snub has made them even more determined to land Kompany this summer.
Pellgrini has already been linked with infamous Real Madrid centre-half Pepe, but City will be reluctant to let Kompany go without a major fight.
Napoli deny Benitez offer but Dzeko is on radar
Napoli chief Aurelio De Laurentiis has denied that he flew to London for talks with Rafa Benitez, but admitted he sent his sporting director to talk with Manchester City about a possible swap deal involving Edin Dzeko and Edinson Cavani.
De Laurentiis, a film producer, flew into England on Monday with the club's sporting director Riccardo Bigon and administrator Andrea Chiavelli.
But De Laurentiis insists he was in London to talk about the release of an upcoming film, and not to offer Benitez the chance to take over from Walter Mazzarri.
However he did admit that he instructed Bigon to talk with City about Dzeko and whether they wanted to do a deal for Cavani.
"I did not go to London for Benitez, you would have me take 15 coaches: it's true, I heard about them all in the last six months," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"Yesterday [Monday] I was in London with Chiavelli and Bigon and for a simple reason: I have to prepare for the release of the film on Steve Jobs.
"Though, I told Bigon: 'Go to City and have a moment to negotiate Dzeko and what they are willing to do for Cavani'.
"Everyone is talking about who will be the new coach? But I do not do things in a hurry. I'm trying to understand who are the people who will accompany me in the next part of the journey."
Benitez, who is set to leave Chelsea after his spell as interim manager, has already admitted he would be attracted by the prospect of taking charge of the Serie A outfit.
Fernandinho still wants Manchester City switch
Fernandinho claims Shakhtar Donetsk’s price tag on his head is too high but he still would like a summer move to Manchester City.
The 28-year-old Brazilian, who has five caps for his country, had been heavily linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium at the start of the month when reports emerged claiming that City had agreed a £23million deal for his signature.
However, the Ukrainian outfit rejected the speculation and warned City they would have to match the 50million euros [£42.3million] release clause in Fernandinho’s contract in order to capture the midfield playmaker.
Roberto Mancini has since been axed as City boss following the side’s shock FA Cup final defeat at the hands of Wigan, but that has not dampened Fernandinho’s hopes of joining the club this summer.
When asked, “do you want to join City?” by a fan on Twitter, the Brazilian replied: “Yes my friend.”
However Fernandinho went on to hit out at Shakhtar’s demands for his signature by suggesting he is over-priced.
He added: “My dream is being threatened by my valuation.”
Manchester City star discusses summer move
Interesting is a word that can be taken in many different ways, so quite what Carlos Tevez means when he used the expression the describe Ligue 1 is up for debate. ESPN are reporting that this was Tevez's response when questioned about a move to France and more importantly a move to Monaco.
Tevez has never quite settled at Manchester City with his future never far from debate and it seems we could yet be in for another summer saga regarding the Argentine. Initially it was his fraught relationship with Roberto Mancini that was behind his past motives to leave, however despite the Italians exit there appears to be no let up in regards to a possibly move away. Therefore if the new man wants to keep Tevez he might well need to convince the player he is wanted more than the bit part role he played under Mancini.
Of course interesting does not mean he has his heart set on a move, for we have probably all used the word when replying to a suggestion and not wanting to offend those making such a suggestion. That said Monaco could make him their vocal point whilst they could also more than match City in the cash stakes given the tax loop hole that they enjoy. Having already partaken in one clubs journey of evolution into a super power it seems Tevez is set to go through the same experience with Monaco if these reports are to be believed.
Samir Nasri Hopes For Man City Stay
Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri has rubbished reports of a move away from the club this summer and has insisted that he wants to stay and help the club wrestle the title back from the hands of Manchester United, according to Sky Sports.
The 25-year-old had reportedly been close to joining French big spenders PSG this summer after seeing his output at City limited to just two goals in 27 games this term.
His overall form had also been criticised as he has failed to scale the heights he reached last season, and from his time at Arsenal, who he joined City from in 2011.
Concerns over his performances has led to heavy speculation linking him with a move away with the side from the French capital reportedly leading the chase to secure his signature. However, he has denied the reports claiming he will leave for another big money move by stating that he is happy as the Etihad and hopes to help the side recover from a difficult campaign next season.
“Next year I’m staying in Manchester. PSG is just a rumour. Nobody contacted me,” he told French newspaper Telefoot.
Nasri’s current deal with City sees him at the club until 2015.
Falcao set for Atletico exit
MANCHESTER CITY are on alert after Falcao was given the green light to quit Atletico Madrid.
Atletico are ready to let their star striker leave as a reward for delivering Champions League football to the club.
City have been heavily linked with a big-money move for the Colombian goal-machine.
But they could face competition from Monaco, who are thought to be tabling a £50million offer.
Atletico’s general manager Miguel Angel Gil Marin said: “Before the start of the season we talked with Falcao and we promised him ‘if you help us to reach the Champions League next season, Atletico will help you’.
“Every decision he will take, Atletico will be with him.”
Manchester City chase £20m man
There are interesting looks on Manchester City fans faces in the Football Transfer Tavern today after Mail Online suggested that new City boss Manuel Pellegrini wants to bring Real Madrid defender Pepe to the Etihad Stadium this summer.
The 30-year-old Portuguese defender has recently expressed his displeasure at losing his place in Jose Mourinho’s side to starlet Raphael Varane, who has been impressive alongside Sergio Ramos at the heart of the Madrid defence and that could see the former Porto centre half departing the Bernabeu during the off season.
The Portugal international is believed to be valued at around £20 million and Pellegrini now wants to bring him to the club to challenge skipper Vincent Kompany and Matija Nastastic for a starting position in the City first team.
After a poor last summer of activity in the transfer market for former manager Roberto Mancini, the Chilean manager must avoid the same mistakes and ensure to land his transfer targets early to avoid paying over-inflated fees.
Landing a player in the calibre of Pepe would be an excellent beginning for Pellegrini at City.
Internazionale and Manchester City prove Roberto Mancini’s domestic brilliance just isn’t good enough
When Roberto Mancini took over the reigns of Internazionale Milano in 2004, the Italian tactician returned the Nerazzurri to the forefront of calcio.
In his first season Mancini led the club to the Coppa Italia trophy, Inter’s first domestic piece of silverware since 1989, after years of coaching instability. The club did win three UEFA Cups during their barren domestic run, but Mancini’s seven trophies in four seasons made most Inter fans forget about the dry spell that was the 1990s and early 2000s.
When Mancini took over Manchester City in 2009, the coach led the English side to a domestic cup triumph in his second season, becoming one of only five coaches to obtain silverware with the club.
Mancini’s FA Cup triumph in 2010, the first trophy in 35-years to reside in the blue half of Manchester, transformed City almost over night into one of the big four in English football; and becoming hated and loved by all that the English Premier League reaches after once being a mere footnote to those outside of Lancashire.
In all, Mancini collected 10 trophies with both Inter and Manchester City, but more important than trophies, Mancini returned both clubs to the top of their respective leagues. In this day and age, however, football coaches and managers are graded on how well they do in Europe; and Mancini’s teams’ repeated failures in Europe have been part of his downfall despite all the domestic glory.
That failure to bring European success to Inter was the reason president Massimo Moratti dismissed Mancini from the San Siro club and signed Jose Mourinho. A coach that had his own European difficulties at Chelsea pre-Inter and most recently at Real Madrid post-Inter. Meanwhile, the differences between English and Italian football partially helped lead to Mancini’s dismissal from City with two games left in this season.
The pressures of coaching in the English Premier League showed on Mancini’s face from time to time.
The English media had repeatedly given a subversive message in regards to Mancini’s future at the club, something that had been written and spoken about since his arrival back in 2009.
The over exaggeration of Mancini’s tactics, man management and training regimes have been preached about by many in only a way that English football and football media can be so damning.
Added were the expectations of the owner not being met, something similar to being sacked on FIFA or Football Manager, and Mancini found himself out of work following the club’s FA Cup loss to Wigan.
The Italian should be the hottest coaching property in football this summer and the job offers should begin rolling in for him in no time. One newspaper has shortlisted three possible destinations, though question marks are around all three at the moment. The three thought up by one writer, are French sides AS Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain, and Italy’s Napoli.
But with Monaco winning promotion from Ligue 2 under Claudio Ranieri, Mancini would probably opt for a higher profile team playing in Europe next season, an despite flirtting with Mancini previously, there’s no definitive link between the two now.
Meanhile, PSG won their first French title in 19 years on Saturday, and have already told other clubs – including Real Madrid – coach Carlo Ancelotti is unavailable at this time. Things can change and rumours abound Ancelotti is already being approached by Los Blancos.
This leaves Napoli as the likeliest of destination of the three for Mancini, and it just so happens the job opened up on Sunday night when Walter Mazzarri resigned from the club – and presumably signed a contract with Mancini’s old team Inter. However, reports indicate former Liverpool and Chelsea coach Rafa Benitez is on his way to Naples, which leaves Mancini with one less option. If Mancini does agree to coach a club similar to Napoli, or almost any other team outside Paris, Barcelona or Madrid, the coach will have to return to coaching on a budget. Something he didn’t have to do much of at Manchester City, but something he can do.
Mancini’s first coaching job at Fiorentina proved this, as the Viola fought financial problems throughout the season. Despite financial peril Mancini still led the club to a Coppa Italia final win amongst the backdrop of the sales of key players. Though he left the club and Fiorentina were eventually relegated, the Italian proved his capabilities amid destructive outside forces.
In 2002, Mancini again took over a team in financial woe. This time it was Lazio and like Fiorentina, Mancini brought domestic glory to the capital club in the form of the Coppa Italia. What seems to be forgotten is the UEFA Cup semifinal and top six finishes Mancini brought the club amid, like Fiorentina, the sale of key members from the squad during his tenure.
What is clear is Mancini doesn’t get the plaudits he truly deserves as a coach, though he has in the last four years gotten plenty of criticism.
Inter’s dismissal of him was proved correct when Mourinho’s tenure yielded domestic and European glory; though Mourinho left Inter in a state of disarray that the club still haven’t rebounded from. The man that picks up the pieces at City will, like Mourninho, have plenty of parts in place to win trophies. Although, City may not be as strong as the Nerazzurri were following Mancini’s departure in 2008.
For the Italian, the sweetest revenge will be to show his detractors that he can win trophies wherever he lands. With trophies at all four of his coaching stops, it’s likely Mancini will lift silverware in one of his first two seasons at his next club – he won trophies in his first seasons with both Fiorentina and Inter, and his second seasons with both Lazio and City. Despite clearly being a winner, it will be sometime before Roberto Mancini is given the respect he truly deserves as a coach.
The good, the bad and the ugly of the 2012-2013 Premier League season: Goals, great games and gaffes galore
Unsung hero of the season
Gareth Barry. There is something about his presence amid a galaxy of more ostentatious stars which causes him to be overlooked. Many Manchester City players have gone backwards since the title-winning campaign. Few have improved in the way Barry has. Without him, a difficult season would have been worse.
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GOLDEN BOLLOX 21-5-2011
Tevez-less City could challenge
Mancini believes title would still be within reach even without striker
Roberto Mancini believes that Manchester City could still win the Premier League next season even if Carlos Tevez leaves this summer.
The Argentina forward is understood to want to return to South America in order to be closer to his family, although his club manager hopes he will stay.
Mancini has already reaffirmed his hope that Tevez will remain at City but the Italian does not think that the potential loss of his captain would have catastrophic consequences.
Having qualified for next season's UEFA Champions League and lifted the FA Cup this season, City are setting their sights on the 2011/12 Premier League title, with or without their star striker.
"In football anything can happen, even selling Carlos Tevez and winning the title," said Mancini, who takes his team to Bolton on Sunday for their final match of the current campaign.
"It's strange but you need to improve and buy other good players. If we did this then I think we can do even better than this season."
Mancini thinks Tevez wants to stay at City due to the Argentine's anger at a story from his boss which had suggested the player wants to move to Italy.
"First of all, I spoke with some Italian journalists who asked me whether it was possible Carlos could one day go to Inter or Juventus," recounted Mancini.
"I said 'I don't know. Maybe. Carlos is in Italy for treatment'.
"In the newspapers it came out that I said Carlos wants to go to Italy. I didn't say this.
"Carlos came to me and asked why I had said this. I said I hadn't. I said I didn't know whether he wants to stay or go to Italy.
"Carlos said he wants to stay. Finished. This is history."
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has denied any reports of a rift with Italian striker Mario Balotelli, saying "it's not true that I tell him off". (Press Association)
Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham are all chasing 19-year-old Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
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David Moyes is minded to keep Wayne Rooney at Manchester United and the new manager is hopeful he can convince the 27-year-old striker to remain at the club. Guardian
Gareth Bale, 23, is set to sign a new contract with Tottenham worth £130,000 a week. It is believed the Welshman is likely to be allowed to leave in 12 months' time should a bid in excess of £50m come in for him. Evening Standard
Spurs are planning a clear-out as they plan to build a team around Gareth Bale. Striker Emmanuel Adebayor and forward Clint Dempsey are likely to make way, with the Londoners hoping to bring in Aston Villa's Christian Benteke, 22, and Barcelona's David Villa, 31. Daily Mirror
Christian Benteke's Aston Villa future could be decided in the coming days after boss Paul Lambert admitted talks with the Belgium international have been ongoing for several weeks. Metro
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, 63, will be able to spend £70m in the summer as a clear-out could knock more than £350,000 a week off the wage bill. Daily Mirror
Fulham are showing interest in Nancy's winger Yohan Mollo and the French club are willing to sell the 23-year-old for £4m. DSSC
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 31, and Thiago Silva, 28, will remain at Paris St-Germain, even if coach Carlo Ancelotti leaves for Real Madrid, according to the French club's sporting director Leonardo. L'Equipe
Rafael Benitez met officials from Napoli in London on Monday to discuss replacing Walter Mazzarri at the Italian club. Tuttosport
Outgoing Montpellier coach Rene Girard has reaffirmed his hope of managing in England. Sport 24
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez, 39, will make a decision about his future after holding talks with chairman Dave Whelan next week. Sky Sports
Former Brazil full-back Roberto Carlos is on the brink of becoming coach of Turkish side Sivasspor. The 40-year-old is currently a director at Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala. Goal.com
One fan saw fit to buy 700 copies of West Brom's programme of their match with Manchester United, which included a 40-page tribute to the retiring Alex Ferguson. 606 newsletter
GOLDEN BOLLOX 21-5-2012
MARIO HAIRCUT BOLLOX
Mario Balotelli’s hair-raising antics on and off the pitch have kept fans talking about him all season and the attention will continue this summer when the Manchester City striker travels to Euro 2012.
The 21-year-old is in the Italy squad for their assault at the European Championships in Poland/Ukraine, and to prepare for the tournament, Balotelli appears to be on a mission to create an iconic haircut
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GOLDEN WAG 21-5-2012
[spoiler]Maria Mazza
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Forgotten man Gerry Gow’s back in the limelight
Former Manchester City star Gerry Gow and inset in his City pomp
Gerry Gow isn’t like City’s other former players. He isn’t an ambassador for the club or employed as a television pundit.
He doesn’t write a column in the programme or make appearances at supporters clubs.
Instead Gow, who made more than 500 league appearances and played in the 1981 FA Cup final against Tottenham, stacks shelves at his local Tesco in Dorset to make ends meet.
He has, however, some wonderful memories.
“My time at Manchester City remains a highlight of my career,” said Gow, 59.
“To play in the centre of midfield at one of the leading clubs in English football was such an honour. I immediately felt at home with both the lads in the team and especially the fans.
“To have played in the 100th cup final was a dream come true, albeit we did not come home to Manchester with the trophy, which remains a regret.
“I will never forget the time I spent there and will always feel part of the cub. I am, of course, delighted with the recent success of winning the league and long may the success continue.”
Gow joined City from Bristol City in 1981 before going on to play for Rotherham and Burnley and managing Yeovil.
It was a playing career that made an impression on nearly everyone who came across the Scottish midfielder – including Sir Alex Ferguson.
“I remember Gerry when I was manager of St Mirren and we played in the Anglo Scottish Cup final against Bristol City,” said Ferguson.
“We lost that game, but Gerry was always a tenacious tackler, a determined little lad who did not have a physique that would frighten you but he was a terrier, a real terrier.”
More than 30 years after he left Bristol City, the club have granted Gow a testimonial. A team of Bristol City legends will play the City legends team at Ashton Gate on July 28 and Gow is hopeful City supporters will turn out in numbers.
He added: “It would be fantastic if any City fans can make it down and I am extremely grateful to Paul Lake for arranging through Derrick Partridge to assemble the City legends team to come and play at Ashton Gate.”
Manchester City begin to rebuild and rebrand for future
Deposed champions arrive in US to unveil kit deal, talk players and announce a sister club
Manchester City touched down in New York intent on building on their status as Abu Dhabi’s prime football franchise, in the week that Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan is expected to announce he has secured a deal to establish a Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise.
As The Independent reported last month, City’s arrival is timed to coincide with the expected announcement of a $100m (£65m) Abu Dhabi deal to establish the 20th MLS team, to be called New York City FC. There has been some resistance from locals opposed to the idea of a 13-acre plot of the Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, in Queens, being given to Sheikh Mansour for a nominal sum in return for the construction of a $340m (£220m) stadium.
But that is seen as no more than par for the course in this city. “You try and set up a lemonade stand here and some people will organise against it,” one observer said last night. New York’s outgoing mayor, Michael Bloomberg, appears to have won through in his attempts to ensure that the Abu Dhabi money is secured for the city.
The trip is about City, too. The club’s need for new revenues has never been greater and against the New York skyline today they are expected to announce a new, six-year kit deal with Nike, worth £12m a year. That represents a considerable increase on the previous deal, at a time that Manchester United are negotiating their own kit sponsorship tie-up, possibly worth up to £58m a year.
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City are also understood to be making progress in their pursuit of the Napoli striker Edinson Cavani, as they seek to make their squad capable of winning back the title they relinquished to Manchester United. But no breakthrough is imminent with Napoli and uncertainty also surrounds the future of Sergio Aguero, which is hampering attempts to settle on a strike force for the 2013-14 season. Aguero’s split from his wife, Giannina, who is installed with their four-year-old son, Ben, in Madrid, has created the threat of Aguero leaving City for the Bernabeu after two seasons in England.
The concerns about Aguero’s intentions have put Carlos Tevez in limbo, with the Argentine one year away from the expiry of his City contract. The sale of Tevez would release £250,000 a week from the wage bill and help City to pay the wages required to make them the most attractive proposition to Cavani. But if City were to lose Aguero and Tevez they would be left virtually to rebuild their strike force.
City are not seeking to buy Radamel Falcao, despite Atletico Madrid’s declaration yesterday that they are selling. Monaco is almost certainly Falcao’s destination. The wait for Manuel Pellegrini’s appointment as first-team coach is also contributing to uncertainty for Tevez, though the creation of a squad for next season is progressing without the 59-year-old.
City have had an active interest in Cavani for several years, though his cost has always been a problem. The representative of the club who first met his agent was quoted €50m, at a time when City were telling agents that the days of them paying overinflated transfer fees to accelerate their progress were now over. He has a £52m buyout clause at the Italian club.
City play Chelsea twice in the next few days – in Saint Louis on Thursday and in New York next Saturday. The squad arrived to a noisy welcome from local schoolchildren – but also to a cover story about Wigan Athletic in the sports section of the New York Times, reflecting on a team “Lingering at the Exit”.
There was no mention of the profile City are expected to command here this week – or their presence. All that may change when they have a sister club playing in the MLS franchise from the 2014-15 season. When Sheikh Mansour embarks on a project, he does not do it by halves.
All sewn up: Top kit deals
1. Real Madrid Adidas (until 2020) £28.5m per year
2. Barcelona Nike (until 2018) £26.3m
3. Liverpool Warrior (until 2015) £25m
4. Bayern Munich Adidas (until 2020) £23.6m
5. Manchester United Nike (until 2015) £23.5m
6. Chelsea Adidas (until 2018) £20m
7. Manchester City Nike (until 2019) £12m
International
1. France Nike (until 2018) £36m per year
2. England Nike (until 2018) £25m
3. Germany Adidas (until 2018) £22m
4. Brazil Nike (until 2018) £21m
City's late bloomer Rodwell wants to make most of late England call and make a fresh start next season
Manchester City midfielder Jack Rodwell is determined to make the most of his late England call-up as he looks to hit the ground running and make a 'fresh start' next season.
Rodwell is perhaps one City player who did not want last season to end after finally starting to shine late in an injury-ravaged first year at the club.
The 22-year-old has spent more than four months on the sidelines since his £12million move from Everton but he underlined his talent with a late burst of form that has now been recognised by England manager Roy Hodgson.
Rodwell scored both goals in City's otherwise disappointing 3-2 final day Barclays Premier League loss to Norwich and will link up with England for the upcoming friendlies against the Republic of Ireland and Brazil, with Manchester United's Tom Cleverley struggling for fitness.
Rodwell, who is now with the City squad in the United States ahead of post-season friendlies against Chelsea in St Louis and New York, now wants to carry momentum into next term.
City will also be returning to competition in August hoping to reassert themselves under a new manager after surrendering the Barclays Premier League crown in 2012-13.
Rodwell, who has two previous caps, said: 'It's all about the future now.
'Obviously a new manager will come in and everyone is intrigued to see who that is going to be.
'It's a fresh start for everyone and we will all be on it.
'First game of next season everyone will be flying, and we will do our best to prove ourselves to the manager.'
While the rest of the team looked drained against the Canaries, Rodwell relished the encounter as he again looked to put hamstring trouble behind him.
His second goal was particularly eye-catching, his vulnerable muscles holding up well as he raced on to a long ball from Yaya Toure and finished clinically.
He said: 'I am a great believer in my ability but I've not had the chance to prove it.
'I am back for one game after 10 games out and it's always hard.
'You are never match-fit and it's hard to produce. You need a good run of games.
'Once I am fit, I can do what I did for that second goal, and I can do it for 90 minutes. I have proved that.
'It's just getting games under my belt, getting match fitness and hopefully next season I can do it a bit more.
'When I made the run all I was thinking was that I could score. I saw a big gap and knew Yaya had the pass in him.
'It was one-on-one, and I knew that as long as the pass was right I could score, so that was all I was focused on.
'I have ended on a good note personally, now I can put my mind to rest and have a fresh start.'
Rodwell will hope to retain his sharpness on City's short but lucrative trip to the US.
He said: 'It will be good. There will some team bonding and a lot of commercial stuff - who wouldn't want to go to New York? It should be a good end to the season.
'The season has just started for me. I have been back playing for the last few weeks and I just want more.'
City are likely to play at significantly less than full intensity in the lucrative games against Chelsea in the United States, with a number of players heading off on international duty after returning home.
Rodwell will be travelling more long distances himself with his wedding down under this summer.
He said: 'I am getting married in Australia, where my fiance is from.
'It's great for me, and I'm happy and looking forward to a good, long marriage.'
Cleverley is yet to officially withdraw from Hodgson's squad but he was substituted during Manchester United's 5-5 draw away at West Brom and is unlikely to be fit to face either Brazil or Ireland.
The midfielder has featured regularly since Hodgson's appointment and his versatility can offer several options that will be missed with several other important players already unavailable.
Liverpool close to signing Manchester City defender Kolo Toure
Liverpool are close to securing the signature of Manchester City defender Kolo Touré as they look to fill the void left by Jamie Carragher’s retirement.
Brendan Rodgers has identified numerous targets to reinforce his central-defensive options, and Touré - available on a free transfer - is poised to have a medical at Liverpool after Manchester City’s tour of the United States after next weekend.
The 32-year-old Ivory Coast international has seen his contract run out at the Etihad Stadium having rarely featured since being suspended for six months after admitting accidentally taking a banned substance in 2011.
Toure was once one of the most highly regarded centre-halves in the country, moving to Manchester City for £16 million in 2009, and Rodgers will feel that if he can regain full fitness with regular football he will be a useful asset.
The Liverpool manager is anxious for a proven Premier League defender to join his squad alongside a developing star.
In recent weeks, the Merseyside club have also assessed Schalke’s Greek defender Kyriakos Papadopoulos and Sporting Lisbon’s Tiago Llori.
GOLDEN BOLLOX 21-5-2010
Legend Mike Summerbee launches Manchester City cab fleet
The fleet of five cabs will give fans a taster of the huge overhaul underway at the City of Manchester Stadium.
The fleet of five cabs will give fans a taster of the huge overhaul underway at the City of Manchester Stadium.
They will publicise a £1m investment in hospitality at the stadium which bosses claim will make it the best in the Premier League.
City favourite Summerbee took to the wheel of one of the hackney cabs before they hit the streets of Manchester this week.
He said: “Just like the stadium, the taxis have been given a true blue overhaul which we hope passengers will enjoy. City offers an unrivalled hospitality experience and the work completed over the summer will ensure it remains top of the Premier League.”
Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure will not be arriving at the Emirates stadium after refusing to consider the move, leaving Manchester City favourites to sign him.footylatest.com
Manchester City's Kompany is £20million summer target for Barcelona
Nou Camp chiefs step up pursuit of Blues' centre-half after enquiry for PSG's Thiago Silva provokes French laughter
Barcelona are ready to make a £20million move for Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany.
The Spanish giants will step up their attempts to sign a player they have been linked with for months, after identifying Kompany as their No1 summer target to strengthen their defence.
Barca have been alerted by Kompany growing unhappy at City under now-sacked manager Roberto Mancini and will now test the deposed Premier League champions' resolve to keep the Belgian defender.
It leaves City's boss-in-waiting Manuel Pellegrini facing a major battle to hang on to Kompany, when arguably the world's most famous club is desperate to sign him.
Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta has received a strong rebuff from Paris Saint-Germain after enquiring about Thiago Silva.
That snub has made them even more determined to land Kompany this summer.
Pellgrini has already been linked with infamous Real Madrid centre-half Pepe, but City will be reluctant to let Kompany go without a major fight.
Napoli deny Benitez offer but Dzeko is on radar
Napoli chief Aurelio De Laurentiis has denied that he flew to London for talks with Rafa Benitez, but admitted he sent his sporting director to talk with Manchester City about a possible swap deal involving Edin Dzeko and Edinson Cavani.
De Laurentiis, a film producer, flew into England on Monday with the club's sporting director Riccardo Bigon and administrator Andrea Chiavelli.
But De Laurentiis insists he was in London to talk about the release of an upcoming film, and not to offer Benitez the chance to take over from Walter Mazzarri.
However he did admit that he instructed Bigon to talk with City about Dzeko and whether they wanted to do a deal for Cavani.
"I did not go to London for Benitez, you would have me take 15 coaches: it's true, I heard about them all in the last six months," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"Yesterday [Monday] I was in London with Chiavelli and Bigon and for a simple reason: I have to prepare for the release of the film on Steve Jobs.
"Though, I told Bigon: 'Go to City and have a moment to negotiate Dzeko and what they are willing to do for Cavani'.
"Everyone is talking about who will be the new coach? But I do not do things in a hurry. I'm trying to understand who are the people who will accompany me in the next part of the journey."
Benitez, who is set to leave Chelsea after his spell as interim manager, has already admitted he would be attracted by the prospect of taking charge of the Serie A outfit.
Fernandinho still wants Manchester City switch
Fernandinho claims Shakhtar Donetsk’s price tag on his head is too high but he still would like a summer move to Manchester City.
The 28-year-old Brazilian, who has five caps for his country, had been heavily linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium at the start of the month when reports emerged claiming that City had agreed a £23million deal for his signature.
However, the Ukrainian outfit rejected the speculation and warned City they would have to match the 50million euros [£42.3million] release clause in Fernandinho’s contract in order to capture the midfield playmaker.
Roberto Mancini has since been axed as City boss following the side’s shock FA Cup final defeat at the hands of Wigan, but that has not dampened Fernandinho’s hopes of joining the club this summer.
When asked, “do you want to join City?” by a fan on Twitter, the Brazilian replied: “Yes my friend.”
However Fernandinho went on to hit out at Shakhtar’s demands for his signature by suggesting he is over-priced.
He added: “My dream is being threatened by my valuation.”
Manchester City star discusses summer move
Interesting is a word that can be taken in many different ways, so quite what Carlos Tevez means when he used the expression the describe Ligue 1 is up for debate. ESPN are reporting that this was Tevez's response when questioned about a move to France and more importantly a move to Monaco.
Tevez has never quite settled at Manchester City with his future never far from debate and it seems we could yet be in for another summer saga regarding the Argentine. Initially it was his fraught relationship with Roberto Mancini that was behind his past motives to leave, however despite the Italians exit there appears to be no let up in regards to a possibly move away. Therefore if the new man wants to keep Tevez he might well need to convince the player he is wanted more than the bit part role he played under Mancini.
Of course interesting does not mean he has his heart set on a move, for we have probably all used the word when replying to a suggestion and not wanting to offend those making such a suggestion. That said Monaco could make him their vocal point whilst they could also more than match City in the cash stakes given the tax loop hole that they enjoy. Having already partaken in one clubs journey of evolution into a super power it seems Tevez is set to go through the same experience with Monaco if these reports are to be believed.
Samir Nasri Hopes For Man City Stay
Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri has rubbished reports of a move away from the club this summer and has insisted that he wants to stay and help the club wrestle the title back from the hands of Manchester United, according to Sky Sports.
The 25-year-old had reportedly been close to joining French big spenders PSG this summer after seeing his output at City limited to just two goals in 27 games this term.
His overall form had also been criticised as he has failed to scale the heights he reached last season, and from his time at Arsenal, who he joined City from in 2011.
Concerns over his performances has led to heavy speculation linking him with a move away with the side from the French capital reportedly leading the chase to secure his signature. However, he has denied the reports claiming he will leave for another big money move by stating that he is happy as the Etihad and hopes to help the side recover from a difficult campaign next season.
“Next year I’m staying in Manchester. PSG is just a rumour. Nobody contacted me,” he told French newspaper Telefoot.
Nasri’s current deal with City sees him at the club until 2015.
Falcao set for Atletico exit
MANCHESTER CITY are on alert after Falcao was given the green light to quit Atletico Madrid.
Atletico are ready to let their star striker leave as a reward for delivering Champions League football to the club.
City have been heavily linked with a big-money move for the Colombian goal-machine.
But they could face competition from Monaco, who are thought to be tabling a £50million offer.
Atletico’s general manager Miguel Angel Gil Marin said: “Before the start of the season we talked with Falcao and we promised him ‘if you help us to reach the Champions League next season, Atletico will help you’.
“Every decision he will take, Atletico will be with him.”
Manchester City chase £20m man
There are interesting looks on Manchester City fans faces in the Football Transfer Tavern today after Mail Online suggested that new City boss Manuel Pellegrini wants to bring Real Madrid defender Pepe to the Etihad Stadium this summer.
The 30-year-old Portuguese defender has recently expressed his displeasure at losing his place in Jose Mourinho’s side to starlet Raphael Varane, who has been impressive alongside Sergio Ramos at the heart of the Madrid defence and that could see the former Porto centre half departing the Bernabeu during the off season.
The Portugal international is believed to be valued at around £20 million and Pellegrini now wants to bring him to the club to challenge skipper Vincent Kompany and Matija Nastastic for a starting position in the City first team.
After a poor last summer of activity in the transfer market for former manager Roberto Mancini, the Chilean manager must avoid the same mistakes and ensure to land his transfer targets early to avoid paying over-inflated fees.
Landing a player in the calibre of Pepe would be an excellent beginning for Pellegrini at City.
Internazionale and Manchester City prove Roberto Mancini’s domestic brilliance just isn’t good enough
When Roberto Mancini took over the reigns of Internazionale Milano in 2004, the Italian tactician returned the Nerazzurri to the forefront of calcio.
In his first season Mancini led the club to the Coppa Italia trophy, Inter’s first domestic piece of silverware since 1989, after years of coaching instability. The club did win three UEFA Cups during their barren domestic run, but Mancini’s seven trophies in four seasons made most Inter fans forget about the dry spell that was the 1990s and early 2000s.
When Mancini took over Manchester City in 2009, the coach led the English side to a domestic cup triumph in his second season, becoming one of only five coaches to obtain silverware with the club.
Mancini’s FA Cup triumph in 2010, the first trophy in 35-years to reside in the blue half of Manchester, transformed City almost over night into one of the big four in English football; and becoming hated and loved by all that the English Premier League reaches after once being a mere footnote to those outside of Lancashire.
In all, Mancini collected 10 trophies with both Inter and Manchester City, but more important than trophies, Mancini returned both clubs to the top of their respective leagues. In this day and age, however, football coaches and managers are graded on how well they do in Europe; and Mancini’s teams’ repeated failures in Europe have been part of his downfall despite all the domestic glory.
That failure to bring European success to Inter was the reason president Massimo Moratti dismissed Mancini from the San Siro club and signed Jose Mourinho. A coach that had his own European difficulties at Chelsea pre-Inter and most recently at Real Madrid post-Inter. Meanwhile, the differences between English and Italian football partially helped lead to Mancini’s dismissal from City with two games left in this season.
The pressures of coaching in the English Premier League showed on Mancini’s face from time to time.
The English media had repeatedly given a subversive message in regards to Mancini’s future at the club, something that had been written and spoken about since his arrival back in 2009.
The over exaggeration of Mancini’s tactics, man management and training regimes have been preached about by many in only a way that English football and football media can be so damning.
Added were the expectations of the owner not being met, something similar to being sacked on FIFA or Football Manager, and Mancini found himself out of work following the club’s FA Cup loss to Wigan.
The Italian should be the hottest coaching property in football this summer and the job offers should begin rolling in for him in no time. One newspaper has shortlisted three possible destinations, though question marks are around all three at the moment. The three thought up by one writer, are French sides AS Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain, and Italy’s Napoli.
But with Monaco winning promotion from Ligue 2 under Claudio Ranieri, Mancini would probably opt for a higher profile team playing in Europe next season, an despite flirtting with Mancini previously, there’s no definitive link between the two now.
Meanhile, PSG won their first French title in 19 years on Saturday, and have already told other clubs – including Real Madrid – coach Carlo Ancelotti is unavailable at this time. Things can change and rumours abound Ancelotti is already being approached by Los Blancos.
This leaves Napoli as the likeliest of destination of the three for Mancini, and it just so happens the job opened up on Sunday night when Walter Mazzarri resigned from the club – and presumably signed a contract with Mancini’s old team Inter. However, reports indicate former Liverpool and Chelsea coach Rafa Benitez is on his way to Naples, which leaves Mancini with one less option. If Mancini does agree to coach a club similar to Napoli, or almost any other team outside Paris, Barcelona or Madrid, the coach will have to return to coaching on a budget. Something he didn’t have to do much of at Manchester City, but something he can do.
Mancini’s first coaching job at Fiorentina proved this, as the Viola fought financial problems throughout the season. Despite financial peril Mancini still led the club to a Coppa Italia final win amongst the backdrop of the sales of key players. Though he left the club and Fiorentina were eventually relegated, the Italian proved his capabilities amid destructive outside forces.
In 2002, Mancini again took over a team in financial woe. This time it was Lazio and like Fiorentina, Mancini brought domestic glory to the capital club in the form of the Coppa Italia. What seems to be forgotten is the UEFA Cup semifinal and top six finishes Mancini brought the club amid, like Fiorentina, the sale of key members from the squad during his tenure.
What is clear is Mancini doesn’t get the plaudits he truly deserves as a coach, though he has in the last four years gotten plenty of criticism.
Inter’s dismissal of him was proved correct when Mourinho’s tenure yielded domestic and European glory; though Mourinho left Inter in a state of disarray that the club still haven’t rebounded from. The man that picks up the pieces at City will, like Mourninho, have plenty of parts in place to win trophies. Although, City may not be as strong as the Nerazzurri were following Mancini’s departure in 2008.
For the Italian, the sweetest revenge will be to show his detractors that he can win trophies wherever he lands. With trophies at all four of his coaching stops, it’s likely Mancini will lift silverware in one of his first two seasons at his next club – he won trophies in his first seasons with both Fiorentina and Inter, and his second seasons with both Lazio and City. Despite clearly being a winner, it will be sometime before Roberto Mancini is given the respect he truly deserves as a coach.
The good, the bad and the ugly of the 2012-2013 Premier League season: Goals, great games and gaffes galore
Unsung hero of the season
Gareth Barry. There is something about his presence amid a galaxy of more ostentatious stars which causes him to be overlooked. Many Manchester City players have gone backwards since the title-winning campaign. Few have improved in the way Barry has. Without him, a difficult season would have been worse.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/foot ... 24602.html
GOLDEN BOLLOX 21-5-2011
Tevez-less City could challenge
Mancini believes title would still be within reach even without striker
Roberto Mancini believes that Manchester City could still win the Premier League next season even if Carlos Tevez leaves this summer.
The Argentina forward is understood to want to return to South America in order to be closer to his family, although his club manager hopes he will stay.
Mancini has already reaffirmed his hope that Tevez will remain at City but the Italian does not think that the potential loss of his captain would have catastrophic consequences.
Having qualified for next season's UEFA Champions League and lifted the FA Cup this season, City are setting their sights on the 2011/12 Premier League title, with or without their star striker.
"In football anything can happen, even selling Carlos Tevez and winning the title," said Mancini, who takes his team to Bolton on Sunday for their final match of the current campaign.
"It's strange but you need to improve and buy other good players. If we did this then I think we can do even better than this season."
Mancini thinks Tevez wants to stay at City due to the Argentine's anger at a story from his boss which had suggested the player wants to move to Italy.
"First of all, I spoke with some Italian journalists who asked me whether it was possible Carlos could one day go to Inter or Juventus," recounted Mancini.
"I said 'I don't know. Maybe. Carlos is in Italy for treatment'.
"In the newspapers it came out that I said Carlos wants to go to Italy. I didn't say this.
"Carlos came to me and asked why I had said this. I said I hadn't. I said I didn't know whether he wants to stay or go to Italy.
"Carlos said he wants to stay. Finished. This is history."
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has denied any reports of a rift with Italian striker Mario Balotelli, saying "it's not true that I tell him off". (Press Association)
Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham are all chasing 19-year-old Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
talkSHIT
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]David Moyes is minded to keep Wayne Rooney at Manchester United and the new manager is hopeful he can convince the 27-year-old striker to remain at the club. Guardian
Gareth Bale, 23, is set to sign a new contract with Tottenham worth £130,000 a week. It is believed the Welshman is likely to be allowed to leave in 12 months' time should a bid in excess of £50m come in for him. Evening Standard
Spurs are planning a clear-out as they plan to build a team around Gareth Bale. Striker Emmanuel Adebayor and forward Clint Dempsey are likely to make way, with the Londoners hoping to bring in Aston Villa's Christian Benteke, 22, and Barcelona's David Villa, 31. Daily Mirror
Christian Benteke's Aston Villa future could be decided in the coming days after boss Paul Lambert admitted talks with the Belgium international have been ongoing for several weeks. Metro
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, 63, will be able to spend £70m in the summer as a clear-out could knock more than £350,000 a week off the wage bill. Daily Mirror
Fulham are showing interest in Nancy's winger Yohan Mollo and the French club are willing to sell the 23-year-old for £4m. DSSC
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 31, and Thiago Silva, 28, will remain at Paris St-Germain, even if coach Carlo Ancelotti leaves for Real Madrid, according to the French club's sporting director Leonardo. L'Equipe
Rafael Benitez met officials from Napoli in London on Monday to discuss replacing Walter Mazzarri at the Italian club. Tuttosport
Outgoing Montpellier coach Rene Girard has reaffirmed his hope of managing in England. Sport 24
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez, 39, will make a decision about his future after holding talks with chairman Dave Whelan next week. Sky Sports
Former Brazil full-back Roberto Carlos is on the brink of becoming coach of Turkish side Sivasspor. The 40-year-old is currently a director at Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala. Goal.com
One fan saw fit to buy 700 copies of West Brom's programme of their match with Manchester United, which included a 40-page tribute to the retiring Alex Ferguson. 606 newsletter
GOLDEN BOLLOX 21-5-2012
MARIO HAIRCUT BOLLOX
Mario Balotelli’s hair-raising antics on and off the pitch have kept fans talking about him all season and the attention will continue this summer when the Manchester City striker travels to Euro 2012.
The 21-year-old is in the Italy squad for their assault at the European Championships in Poland/Ukraine, and to prepare for the tournament, Balotelli appears to be on a mission to create an iconic haircut
[youtube]W4emZZK1hfk[/youtube]
GOLDEN WAG 21-5-2012
[spoiler]Maria Mazza
[/spoiler]Forgotten man Gerry Gow’s back in the limelight
Former Manchester City star Gerry Gow and inset in his City pomp
Gerry Gow isn’t like City’s other former players. He isn’t an ambassador for the club or employed as a television pundit.
He doesn’t write a column in the programme or make appearances at supporters clubs.
Instead Gow, who made more than 500 league appearances and played in the 1981 FA Cup final against Tottenham, stacks shelves at his local Tesco in Dorset to make ends meet.
He has, however, some wonderful memories.
“My time at Manchester City remains a highlight of my career,” said Gow, 59.
“To play in the centre of midfield at one of the leading clubs in English football was such an honour. I immediately felt at home with both the lads in the team and especially the fans.
“To have played in the 100th cup final was a dream come true, albeit we did not come home to Manchester with the trophy, which remains a regret.
“I will never forget the time I spent there and will always feel part of the cub. I am, of course, delighted with the recent success of winning the league and long may the success continue.”
Gow joined City from Bristol City in 1981 before going on to play for Rotherham and Burnley and managing Yeovil.
It was a playing career that made an impression on nearly everyone who came across the Scottish midfielder – including Sir Alex Ferguson.
“I remember Gerry when I was manager of St Mirren and we played in the Anglo Scottish Cup final against Bristol City,” said Ferguson.
“We lost that game, but Gerry was always a tenacious tackler, a determined little lad who did not have a physique that would frighten you but he was a terrier, a real terrier.”
More than 30 years after he left Bristol City, the club have granted Gow a testimonial. A team of Bristol City legends will play the City legends team at Ashton Gate on July 28 and Gow is hopeful City supporters will turn out in numbers.
He added: “It would be fantastic if any City fans can make it down and I am extremely grateful to Paul Lake for arranging through Derrick Partridge to assemble the City legends team to come and play at Ashton Gate.”