Goodbye Avram, Hello Sven at Chelsea?
May 9, 2008
No, it’s not just idle speculation in a rag you might also double up as toilet paper, eg Daily Star, The Sun. It has been reported in The Guardian that Sven-Goran Eriksson appears to be stalling over the vacant manager’s position at Benfica due to the uncertainty of Avram Grant’s position at Chelsea. COS reported earlier in the week that the Chelsea manager might stand aside if Roman Abramovich decided to bring in a replacement, although it was Frank Rijkaard being mentioned and not the Manchester City gaffer.
Eriksson has been led to believe that he stands a good chance of getting the job at Stamford Bridge if Roman Abramovich decides to pay off Grant after the Champions League final later this month. Eriksson would prefer, if possible, to stay in England and his elaborate network of contacts, including some of the more powerful agents in the business, are working on his behalf. The Swede is fully aware about Grant’s precarious position.
Chelsea fans, how would you feel about the Swede becoming manager of Chelsea? Or are you quite happy with what you’ve got at the moment? As the article points out, Sven has had discussions with the west London club before and clearly appears to seek the biggest and best-paid ‘projects’ available, something he would certainly find at Stamford Bridge. All of a sudden, he’d also be managing in the Champions League again, rather than contemplating the Intertoto Cup!
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Sven takes a step nearer the Manchester City exit door
May 8, 2008
You can bet that when Sven-Goran Eriksson hooked up with Benfica representatives this week, they didn’t just chew the fat about the good old days when the Swede led them to three league titles and the 1990 European Cup final. The BBC reports that the soon-to-be-ex Manchester City manager appears to be on the brink of leaving the north-west of England and instead head to sunnier climes to take charge of the Portuguese club for the third time in his career.
A Benfica statement confirmed talks had taken place, but said: “No details of the contract, namely salaries and timing, have been discussed.”
Eriksson said: “I’m considering the offer and it could be a step forward in my career - let’s see what happens.”
The haste in which Sven has courted this potential suitor effectively brings an end to his one-season reign at Manchester City. He certainly had an impact on the club right away, with the ‘Ol’ Blue Eyes is Back’ posters being plastered all over the city. The former England manager has brought in some quality talent this season and laid some decent foundations for whoever comes in as his replacement. It just seems odd that Shinawatra has agreed a three-year deal with Sven and decided to renege after one year.
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Goodbye Sven, Hello Big Phil at Manchester City?
May 7, 2008
Goodness, that has a familar ring to it. Perhaps it’s because Luiz Felipe Scolari was in line to replace Sven-Goran Eriksson as England manager two years ago, before the Brazilian decided he could do without the hassle of being hounded by the press on a 24 / 7 basis. Nevertheless, Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra is dangling a rather large carrot in the direction of the Portugal coach, and The Times reports that he’s rather determined to land his man.
Clearly, the reported £3.2million a year is not going to be a sticking point for ‘Big Phil’, although the upping of sticks to Manchester is obviously a rather large consideration, as too is the task in hand of trying to assemble a team worthy of playing in the Champions League. ‘Frank’ has also made it clear that he wants an answer pretty soon, although Scolari is concentrating on Euro 2008 right now and is likely to stall.
Scolari, 59, is expected to pursue a new challenge once his contract with the Portuguese federation expires in July, but he said last week that he would not make a decision until after the tournament. That leaves City with the prospect of being without a manager for the whole of June - as they were last summer after the dismissal of Stuart Pearce - although it has emerged that Eriksson may be given an unwelcome stay of execution to take his squad on an end-of-season trip to Thailand and Hong Kong.
Whatever you think of Eriksson, it must be said that he’s handled the matter with complete dignity, refusing to be drawn on his future with the club. Indeed, if Scolari decides that the gig isn’t for him (can’t think why he’d wanted to work with a deluded megalomaniac - there’s no pleasing some people!), the Swede could end up seeing out his three-year contract after all.
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Manchester City owner makes apology
May 6, 2008
But not to manager Sven-Goran Eriksson as he prepares to wield the axe in the Swede’s direction at the end of the season. Thaksin Shinawatra has instead apologised to the Thai government for a flag which was apparently unfurled at the Manchester City v Fulham game ten days ago.
The Daily Telegraph report that the Thai national flag was embazoned with the words ‘Thank you Thaksin’, something which caused consternation in Thailand where it’s forbidden to deface the flag in any way, shape or form. It’s not exactly clear whether City fans were involved in this act at all, or whether this was a publicity stunt by the City owner. However, ‘Frank’ has apologised on behalf of the people that did it.
“I saw it, but was occupied with the game,” Thaksin said. “The fans are now well aware that the actions caused unhappiness in Thailand and they asked me to convey their regrets.”
Given the current ill feeling towards Shinawatra, it’s hard to imagine City fans brandishing this flag, especially as their owner is so fond of self-promotion. It’s even harder to imagine that they had the opportunity to convey their regrets for an apparent wrongdoing. Once again, is this the action of a madman?
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Manchester City owner moves quickly to replace Sven
May 2, 2008
According to the Daily Mirror, Luiz Felipe Scolari is set to become the next manager of Manchester City. It became clear on Tuesday that Sven-Goran Eriksson’s future at the club was likely to amount to just a handful of weeks, with owner Thaksin Shinawatra seemingly unimpressed by City’s ninth-placed finish this term. The megalomaniac has moved quickly to appoint the Brazilian and will hope that the current Portugal coach can match his ambitions for the club by bringing Champions League football in two seasons time.
Brazilian Scolari, 59, who had said he will quit as Portugal boss after Euro 2008, will then take charge at Eastlands after flying to England for talks with Shinawatra on Wednesday.
Due to the above movements, there’s been talk of a player’s revolt taking place at Eastlands, although didn’t we hear the same thing when Jose Mourinho left as manager of Chelsea and now the team are on the verge of landing the Champions League thanks to their decision to get shot of the overrated Portuguese loudmouth. Still, in this instance, it seems weird that Shinawatra has not shown any patience with Sven, especially when you consider the vast improvement made season-on-season when you consider where City were this time last year.
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Just what is going on at Manchester City?
May 1, 2008
Out of all the Premier League football managers that should lose their jobs in the summer, would Sven-Goran Eriksson have been on anyone’s top three list? You could argue that Paul Jewell has done nothing to halt Derby’s depressing run of form (if anything, he’s made it worse), you might even say that Alan Curbishley has done little more than keep West Ham ticking over and may have taken the club as far as he can go.
However, the Swede wouldn’t have featured too strongly, especially with Manchester City achieving a creditable top-half finish, which included home and away wins against Manchester United. It’s with an air of disbelief that one picks up a copy of today’s Daily Telegraph to read that agent Athole Still has made his top client available for work to the highest bidder. Form an orderly queue gentlemen…
“He is unlikely to continue but it is still not 100 percent sure that he will leave Manchester City,” Still said.
“After the last game of the Premier League, in two weeks, it will be definitively determined if he stays or not. But If any club wants to talk with Eriksson, call me. All the people have my number.”
When the story broke two days ago that Sven was likely to leave Eastlands in the summer, it was met with almost universal incredulity by supporters of Manchester City. After all, the former England manager has been a vast improvement on Stuart Pearce, making City of Manchester Stadium something of a fortress and bringing in some top talent, such as Elano, Petrov, Corluka and Benjani. There’s only so much that can be achieved in a season - it takes time to build an impressive squad, even with a stack of dirty money.
The events of the next two weeks will be interesting for us neutrals but are likely to be deeply disappointing from a City perspective. Do Manchester City fans wish that Shinawatra had never bothered buying the club in the first place?
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Wenger lines up £14m Flamini replacement who would fit Arsenal perfectly!
May 1, 2008
It is seeming more and more likely that Frenchman Mathieu Flamini will leave for Serie A, which is not good news for Wenger and Gunners fans as the midfielder has been incredibly consistent this term but now it appears that an English youngster may be about to fill his boots.
Wenger will move for £14m rated Manchester City midfielder Michael Johnson if Mathieu Flamini leaves the club. (The Times)
20 year old Johnson is also a big target for Liverpool who have been chasing the former Everton schoolboy for some time. Now that Sven appears to be leaving Eastlands there could be a mass exodus of players who are not happy with Thaksin’s decision. Do Arsenal fans rate Johnson? And what do you feel about Flamini’s actions?
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Liverpool after FIVE brits for £65m: Rafa finds two good homegrown talents worth bidding for!
April 30, 2008
Rafa Benitez has been linked with a raft of British talents, from current internationals to up and coming hot prospects.
Gareth Barry (Aston Villa) £15 rated - The Mirror says there is increasing optimism at Anfield that the chance of playing Champions League football next season will be the key to luring Barry to Merseyside from Aston Villa in the summer.
Aaron Ramsey (Cardiff City) £4m rated - Ramsey is lighting up the Bluebirds side and has already been linked with big money moves to Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United. (various)
David Bentley (Blackburn Rovers) £20 rated - According to reports in the The Express, Liverpool want to sign Blackburn Rovers midfielder David Bentley.
Aaron Lennon (Tottenham) £12 rated - The Daily Mail reports today that Liverpool will compete with Newcastle for the signing of Aaron Lennon.
Michael Johnson (Manchester City) £14 rated - Liverpool are a step closer to landing Manchester City midfielder Michael Johnson.
The Sun says Johnson is considering his future at Eastlands over the way manager Sven Goran Eriksson has been treated.
Of these five I think that realistically Rafa would only really be interested in Michael Johnson, a great prospect, and Gareth Barry, at his peak. The others are either not needed because Liverpool has plenty of talent in their given position or is just not really worth considering as a potential Liverpool player. Who out of these five would Anfield fans really like to see in a Liverpool shirt?
Liverpool to cash in on sacking by bidding for £12m man: Would be a great signing!
April 29, 2008
Manchester City it seems have somewhat unwisely sacked their manager, obviously their fans didn’t want this to happen but for some reason Thaksin felt that what could still be City’s best season since 1992 is somehow not good enough, now it has possibly left the door open for their top talent to exit from.
Manchester City are determined not to be held to ransom in contract talks with Michael Johnson, who is a 12m target for Liverpool. (Daily Mail)
You have got to feel sorry for Man City fans, Sven started the season with a bang and even though recent months have been lean they still stand in ninth place and mathematically they could even finish as high as sixth. However for some reason their Thai chairman decided enough was enough, and surely this must worry Blues fans in terms of where it leaves there top players who will surely now be angered by the decision to sack the Swede as they wait nervously to see who replaces him. Liverpool could be the big winners here because Michael Johnson is an England star of the future who may well feel that this could be his cue to leave. How do City fans feel about Thaksin’s decision to swing the axe? And do Liverpool fans rate Johnson highly?
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Manchester City fans reaction to Sven’s sacking in SIX WORDS!
April 29, 2008
Long winded people are boring, and writing full sentences is for chumps. So instead you have just SIX words to sum up this decision. Sound easy? Good for you.
Anger, disbelief, stupid, just some words you might choose to use if your a City fan who has heard that Sven does indeed appear to be heading for a swift exit at Eastlands.
You could probably right an essay about this issue. Well tough, you only have SIX WORDS! Concise and creative, or just plain hilarious, it’s up to you now so leave your masterpiece in the comments.
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Liverpool keen on £10m Premier League defender: He’s been fantastic this season
April 28, 2008
It appears that many Man City players are potentially on their way out of Eastlands with the latest target being their outstanding centre back.
£10m rated Manchester City defender Richard Dunne has emerged as a summer transfer target for Newcastle as Kevin Keegan seeks to strengthen his backline. (The Sun) Rafa Benitez is also said to be a fan of the Irishman and could bid for the 28 year old (various)
Do Liverpool any more additions in the defensive area? After the capture of the excellent Martin Skrtel in January maybe it is not necessary to add more centre backs to the club, especially with Sami Hyypia getting a new contract. Do City fear that their manager may get sacked by Thaksin?
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Do you agree with PFA Team of the Season?
April 28, 2008
Especially the decision to not include a single Chelsea player in the line-up? After all, this is a team which could still quite feasibly win the Premier League title, while they are favourites to beat Liverpool and make it to the Champions League final.
Team: James (Portsmouth); Sagna (Arsenal), Ferdinand, Vidic (Man U), Clichy (Arsenal); Ronaldo (Man U), Gerrard (Liverpool), Fabregas (Arsenal), Young (Villa); Adebayor (Arsenal), Torres (Liverpool).
Are there any glaring omissions from the XI selected? Naturally, these things are always subjective, although it’s difficult to argue that any of the above haven’t stood out for their teams this season. Chelsea’s Frank Lampard and John Terry might have had more of a look-in if they hadn’t been injured for chunks of the season, while the likes of Joleon Lescott, Gareth Barry and Glen Johnson have all performed extremely well for their respective clubs.
Who would feature in your team of the season?
Newcastle, Man City and West Ham battle for £10m top-quality finisher: Well worth chasing!
April 27, 2008
Andy Johnson appears to be on his way out at Everton and there is a big queue forming for his services.
£10m rated Everton striker Andy Johnson is set to leave Goodison Park and West Ham, Manchester City and Newcastle could be interested. (News of the World)
The 27-year-old England international hasn’t exactly been prolific on Merseyside but he has shown in the past that he can score goals for fun. The question is where will he be doing the goal-scoring next season?
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Spurs close in on mega £30m star, surely not!
April 25, 2008
Juande Ramos is the latest manager said to be interested in Barcelona’s superstar Ronaldinho who appears destined to leave the Camp Nou and is somewhat unexpectedly being chased by many clubs!
Tottenham and Manchester City have been sounded out about signing Brazil superstar Ronaldinho after his move to AC Milan collapsed. (Daily Mirror)
£30m rated Ronaldinho is a football genius this is true, but could it be that he will prove a costly mistake to whoever clinches his signature? The 28 year old would surely demand astronomical wages and indeed the constant clamour may in itself be an attempt to secure an even more lucrative contract from his current employers. Will Ronnie end up at White Hart Lane, I wouldn’t have thought so, but I doubt he will come to England at all. Would Spurs fans deem his signing as worthy of the millions it would cost?
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Arsenal join race for £14m Brit kid: This guy is top class!
April 23, 2008
Sven faces one hell of a task keeping hold of his young talents at Manchester City. Michael Johnson is one of his best prospects but now it appears that Arsene Wenger has joined all and sundry in the race for his long-term future
Manchester City are battling to hold on to £14m rated youngster Michael Johnson as Arsenal have now entered the race for the talented midfielder, who has already attracted the interest of Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle (The Mirror).
I would still rate Liverpool as favourites for the 20-year-old should he indeed leave Eastlands. Rafa has been after the former Everton schoolboy for most of the season apparently. Clearly Arsenal are a breeding ground for bringing on talented kids so maybe Johnson will opt for a move to London, who knows? He could stay at Man City and in a way I think that would be the best move as he would be showing his loyalty to the club that gave him his big break and with Eriksson at the helm they are moving in the right direction.
Would Arsenal fans like to see him in a Gunners shirt? Are City fans worried about losing their future stars?
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