Former Germany international and Manchester City goalkeeper Bernd Trautmann dies
He played more than 500 times for the Citizens between 1949 and 1964
Former Germany international goalkeeper Bernd Trautmann has died at the age of 89, the German Football Association announced.
Trautmann, known more commonly as Bert, made a name for himself in England with Manchester City after originally arriving as a prisoner of war.
He played more than 500 times for the Citizens between 1949 and 1964 while he was bestowed with an honorary OBE for his work in promoting Anglo-German post-war relations.
Trautmann was an FA Cup winner with City in 1956, playing the final 17 minutes of that game with a broken neck.
After his playing days, he moved into management with Stockport before returning to his native Germany in 1967 to coach Preussen Munster.
He passed away at his home in Spain this morning.
German FA (DFB) president Wolfgang Niersbach said: "Bert Trautmann was an amazing sportsman and a true gentleman.
"He went to England as a soldier, and thus a war enemy, and he became a celebrated hero there. He was a legend.
"His extraordinary career will remain forever in the history books."
Trautmann survived two heart attacks this year, but passed away unexpectedly in La Llosa, near Valencia, this morning.
"We were in very close contact since 1996, when he was part of our official delegation when we won the European Championships in England," continued Niersbach.
"The DFB had invited him to Nuremberg in October, but he turned down the invitation because it was the same time he wanted to celebrate his 90th birthday.
"That makes this news even more surprising."
MCF.net THREAD: viewtopic.php?f=119&t=46323&start=25
ROUND-UP
After a few weeks of inactivity in the transfer market, the Press are suggesting City are about to go into overdrive as Manuel Pellegrini’s rebuilding plans shift into top gear.
Of course, at this stage, it’s merely rumour and supposition, but with Alvaro Negredo’s deal reportedly as good as done, the Press speculate that the Blues’ business is far from over.
Case in point is Ian Herbert in The Independent, a paper hardly renowned for filling their pages with sensationalistic folly.
Herbert reports a new name on City’s radar – a welcome relief after a summer of continually recurring names.
He writes: “Manchester City appeared to be continuing their ambitious summer acquisition programme last night, with Benfica's Argentinian right winger Eduardo Salvio the subject of a €30m (£25.8) bid from the club, according to several respected sources in Portugal.
“City have not yet responded to inquiries about the bid but Benfica are already understood to have begun the task of replacing the 23-year-old. The Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira Ferreira is understood to be asking €40m (£34.4m) though a compromise would appear likely.”
So add that name to the list!
If Salvio is new to City-related speculation, Stevan Jovetic is, by comparison, an old campaigner. If reports are to believed, he is also on the verge of becoming the second Montenegrin to play for City.
The Daily Express’ Ben Jefferson believes the Blues have won the race for a player who has been linked with a move to the Etihad for perhaps two years as he writes: “Fiorentina were reportedly insisting that any for the Montenegro forward Jovetic needed to be completed by Friday and City have now moved to beat out Chelsea to the player's signing.
“A statement published on Fiorentina's official Twitter account confirmed that a deal has been agreed. It said: ‘An agreement has been reached with Manchester City Football Club for the permanent sale of the player Stevan Jovetic."
Manchester City among four clubs monitoring Leo Messi at Barcelona
Manchester City are among four clubs keeping an eye on the Leo Messi tax fraud allegations, according to reports in Portugal.
Portuguese newspaper A Bola claims Messi is unhappy with a perceived lack of support from Barcelona as he's come under investigation by Spanish authorities for tax fraud.
And Manchester City are one of four teams monitoring developments, well aware of the player's gigantic €250m release clause.
Anzhi Makhachkala, Paris St Germain and Monaco are the three other teams credited with an interest.
Financial concerns would not be an issue for any of the four clubs, and the report claims an offer of €120m would test Barcelona's resolve this summer.
The four-time Ballon d'Or winner has publicly played down the tax fraud allegations but behind the scenes the report suggests he's displeased with Barca officials. He and his father have been accused of defrauding Spanish tax authorities of more than €4m by filing false returns.
The alleged hidden funds concern payments regarding Messi's image rights, which the authorities claim have been sheltered via of series of shell companies scattered around the world.
The 'lack of support' angle brings to mind concerns reportedly shared by Cristiano Ronaldo regarding his Ballon d'Or candidacy last year.
It's difficult to believe Messi - who has spent his entire career at Barcelona and is the club's record goalscorer - would be unhappy at the Nou Camp.
But while the allegations continue to linger over the Argentine, the report claims the four teams will keep an eye on developments.
Goal rush: City seal £25m Jovetic deal just a day after £20m Negredo swoop
The Blues’ two new strikers are now expected to fly out to Hong Kong to join their pre-season tour in Hong Kong
Alvaro Negredo leaves the Bridgewater Hospital after completing his medical prior to sealing his £20m move to City who also agreed a £25m deal to sign Fiorentina’s Montenegrin hitman Stevan Jovetic (inset)
City last night reached agreement with Fiorentina for the £25million transfer of Montenegro star Stevan Jovetic, just as £20m Spanish ace Alvaro Negredo was in Manchester having his medical.
And the Blues’ two new strikers are now expected to fly out to Hong Kong to join their pre-season tour in Hong Kong.
Jovetic said he was ‘thrilled’ to be joining City and to be linking up again with his old Fiorentina pal Matija Nastasic .
“City are a very important side, playing in the Premier League,” he said. “I really want to win something and I am thrilled to go there, believe me.”
Jovetic has been criticised for leaving by the Fiorentina fans, but his message to them was: “I gave everything, but I want a change of scenery.”
The two deals will take the Blues’ spending for the summer to the £90m mark following the earlier arrivals of £30m Fernandinho and £15m Jesus Navas .
Jovetic flew to England last night and is expected to have his medical today, after agreeing personal terms.
[youtube]izNPSQeWGao[/youtube]
Manchester City set to continue spending spree after €30m bid for Benfica star Eduardo Salvio
Manchester City appeared to be continuing their ambitious summer acquisition programme last night, with Benfica's Argentinian right winger Eduardo Salvio the subject of a €30m (£25.8m) bid from the club, according to several respected sources in Portugal.
City have not yet responded to inquiries about the bid but Benfica are already understood to have begun the task of replacing the 23-year-old. The Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira Ferreira is understood to be asking €40m (£34.4m) though a compromise would appear likely.
City, who this week secured the signature of Alvaro Negredo from Sevilla for around £16m, with £4m add-ons, are also close to securing Stevan Jovetic for £22.4m plus add-ons.
Salvio is a similar player to Jesús Navas, the winger, who completed a £17m move, rising to £21.5m in add-ons, from Sevilla to City last month. A pure right winger, he is known for mixing defensive duties with an ability to score 15 goals a season. He played every game last season for Benfica.
New manager Manuel Pellegrini left City’s South African training camp to spend a few days back home in Chile yesterday. The 59-year-old unexpectedly took a flight out of Durban early this morning, with a personal issue to attend to in Santiago. It meant assistant boss Brian Kidd will be in charge when City took on Amazulu in Durban last night.
Jovetic 'thrilled' at securing Man City switch
The striker, who is set to join the Blues in a deal worth €30 million, has heaped praise on the Viola and wished them Scudetto success this campaign
Stevan Jovetic has revealed that he is "thrilled" to have secured a move to Manchester City, after Fiorentina accepted a deal worth up to €30 million for his services.
The striker, 23, is yet to complete the move to the Premier League giants but is expected to leave his current Serie A imminently.
Ahead of his departure from Florence, he heaped praise on the Italian club where he has made his name and wished them all the best in their Scudetto charge while he pursues silverware in England.
"I'm thrilled about the move to City, believe you me," he told Firenzeviola.it. "There's no point in saying anything more.
"City are a great club and they play in the Premier League. I really want to win something. As well as that, I'll link up with my good friend Matija Nastasic.
"I'm leaving a stupendous team. I'll always have a place in my heart for Fiorentina and I'll always support them, naturally. Winning the Scudetto? I hope so."
Jovetic accepts that some supporters will be disappointed in his impending departure but has defended his decision to leave for the Etihad Stadium, suggesting a change in scenery was needed in his career.
"Florence will always be in my heart; it's not as if I just spent a day here in the city and that's why I'll miss it so much. It's a beautiful place and I got on well with everyone, especially the people here," he added.
"Now the fans are a bit cheesed off with me and that's only right, but I never had a bad word to say about them, or about Fiorentina. That'll be the day! But please try and understand me. I'm still young and I did all I could wearing this jersey, but now I need a change. Is that so wrong?"
The Montenegro international hinted at regrets at not being able to play alongside new Viola signing Mario Gomez in attack but did not want to dwell on the negatives of his transfer away from Fiorentina.
"I haven't met Gomez, but I know he's really good," Jovetic continued. "It would have been great to play alongside him, however… I had some really great years playing for Fiorentina.
"I arrived as a boy and now I'm leaving as a man and a footballer. Thank you all. I'll always have a place in my heart for Florence, and especially for the Fiorentina fans who really took to me."
No Pellegrini as Manchester City slump again in pre-season friendly
City midfielder Gareth Barry felt that the team's fitness had let them down against Supersport United in Pretoria on Sunday.
Durban: Manchester City suffered another setback on their pre-season tour as Carlington Nyadombo's late penalty earned AmaZulu a 2-1 victory in Durban on Thursday.
With manager Manuel Pellegrini absent after returning to Chile due to a family issue, City, beaten 2-0 by Supersport United in their opening friendly, fell behind when Bongani Ndulula made the most of Aleksandar Kolarov's mistake to put the home side ahead.
England midfielder James Milner pulled the visitors level with a fine cross-shot, only for Nyadombo to score from the spot in the final seconds.
There was better news for City off the pitch as Italian club Fiorentina confirmed that Montenegro striker Stevan Jovetic is set to join the Premier League club.
City are also close to the signing of Sevilla striker Alvaro Negredo and their need for new attackers was once again demonstrated in Durban, with Samir Nasri and Edin Dzeko failing to form a dangerous partnership.
City midfielder Gareth Barry felt that the team's fitness had let them down against Supersport United in Pretoria on Sunday.
The English outfit began with far greater intensity this time and were unlucky not to take the lead when a dipping free-kick from Nasri was pushed just past the post by AmaZulu goalkeeper Kapini Tapuwa.
But in the 20th minute at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, City gifted the home side the lead with some poor defending.
Kolarov's poorly struck pass gave Matija Nastasic no chance and after Ndulula beat goalkeeper Joe Hart to the ball he was left with an easy finish into an empty net.
City replied five minutes later with an impressive finish from Milner.
Scott Sinclair found space down the left flank and sent over a cross that was met with a weak connection by Yaya Toure but Milner made sure with a firm drive across goal.
Milner was involved again just before the hour when his low cross was missed by Dzeko.
Micah Richards also went close with a header from a deep corner from Nasri shortly before half-time.
City employed different teams in each half of the Supersport match but just three changes were made at the interval this time, with Argentina defender Pablo Zabaleta, allowed to return to training late after international commitments, given his first taste of action.
The visitors almost pulled ahead when Dzeko's cross-shot was pushed away by goalkeeper Aubrey Mathib.
Sinclair also dragged a shot wide and Denis Suarez missed with a header from Joleon Lescott's cross as City pressed for a second goal.
But Abdul Razak was penalised for pulling Marc van Heerden over in the area and Nyadomo scored from the spot.
WAGES BOLLOX
Tevez, Kolo, Maicon, Santa Cruz, Balotelli and Bridge = £45 mil a year
Negredo, Fernandinho, Jovetic and Navas = £10 mil a year #MCFC
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[/spoiler]Manchester United say they will not sell striker Wayne Rooney, 27, even if the England international and Chelsea target hands in an official transfer request. Daily Mirror
The Premier League champions want to hold talks with Rooney and his agent Paul Stretford to clear the air after confusion regarding recent comments from manager David Moyes. Independent
Chelsea are prepared to make Rooney their highest-paid player despite the risk that it may unsettle other top players at StamfordBridge. London Evening Standard
Tottenham are set to ignore any bids from Manchester United for 24-year-old forward Gareth Bale. London Evening Standard
However the prospect of playing Champions League football for the Old Trafford club is now thought to be tempting the Welsh star. Daily Star
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been told he can spend £40m on Liverpool's 26-year-old striker Luis Suarez. DSSC
The Anfield club now say that they want £55m for the controversial Uruguayan. Sun
Wenger's pursuit of Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain, 25, has been hindered by Chelsea's interest in the striker.
talkSHIT
West Brom have rejected a bid of £850,000 for unsettled striker Peter Odemwingie, 32, from Dubai club Al Nasr. Daily Express
Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina, 30, has been targeted by former boss Rafa Benitez, now in charge at Napoli. Daily Express
Sunderland are set to sign Velez Sarsfield full-back Gino Peruzzi, 21, for £5m as the Argentina defender arrives for a medical. DSSC
AC Milan are prepared to make a move for Ajax midfielder Christian Eriksen, 21, who is also a target for Liverpool. talkSHIT
Spurs have made an improved offer of £20m for Valencia striker Roberto Soldado after the Spanish club turned down an initial bid of £17m for the 28-year-old. Daily Star
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho claims there is not enough loyalty in football. Daily Mirror
Officials from the club tried to prevent questions on Wayne Rooney at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur, but that did not stop Mourinho sending a clear message to the unsettled Manchester United striker in the answer to one particular question. Sun
Michael Essien is excited about the start of the Premier League season as the 30-year-old Chelsea midfielder prepares to work with Mourinho again. DSSC
Brazilian striker Robinho, 29, has extended his contract with AC Milan until 2016. Gazzetta dello Sport
Oscar Trejo, 25, is close to joining Toulouse from second-tier Spanish side Sporting Gijon for about £1.8m. The Argentine striker is also being targeted by West Ham. L'Equipe
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti is not interested in taking Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 31, to the Spanish capital from his former club Paris St-Germain. Marca
Atalanta midfielder Giulio Migliaccio, 32, could be punished by the Italian football federation after he was involved in a prank when a tank crushed two cars decorated in the colours of Serie A sides Brescia and Roma. Metro
MORE BOLLOX SOON
