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Roberto Di Matteo has resigned himself to the probability that he will not be given the Chelsea job on a permanent basis come the end of the season.
Di Matteo was installed as Chelsea’s ‘interim’ manager after the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas in February but despite leading the Blues to FA Cup success as well as the UEFA Champions League final, the Italian coach fears he will not get the job on a permanent basis.
According to The Sun a senior Chelsea source revealed: “Robbie is determined to go for glory against Bayern, even though he’s resigned to leaving regardless of what happens in Munich.
“He has tried to talk to the club’s hierarchy about pre-season training for next season and been given very short shrift.
“That convinced him he really is just an ‘interim’ manager, filling the post until a full-time appointment can be made.
Radamel Falcao was the star of the show bagging two goals as Atletico Madrid smashed Athletic Bilbao 3-0 to win the Europa League.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xqplg3
The Colombian striker neatly curled home the opening goal in the sixth minute before lashing home a second in the 33rd minute.
Brazilian playmaker Diego then shot home the third to kill the final as a contest but it was Falcao’s stirling performance which stole the headlines.
With the summer transfer window soon upon us, will the dazzling Atletico forward be the target of many of Europe (and the Premier League’s) top clubs?
The English sporting press have a remarkable ability to make the public believe nearly anything. Before every major football tournament we are led into a false sense of expectation that this can finally be the occasion that England delivers on the international stage.
More recently we were encouraged to assume that Harry Redknapp was the best man – indeed the only man – capable of making our national side successful again. In the last few weeks we were also told that Roy Hodgson falls short of what is required to manage England; that he is somehow a second-rate choice; that he is merely a Club England ‘yes man’, and that he is doomed to failure.
Why should this be the case? Wouldn’t it be refreshing that for once the English media forcibly get behind the team and manager, and be the driving force behind a true and proper pursuit of a major international trophy. All too often, English managers have been undermined by the callous crusades of a ruthless press, who spring upon any perceived weaknesses with glee. One cannot help but feel that Roy Hodgson is awaiting a similar fate.
Axed Everton midfielder Royston Drenthe has labelled Lionel Messi a racist after a series of racial taunts when the pair faced each other in Spain.
‘I played against him many times and we always have problems with each other,” Drenthe told respected Dutch news website Nu.nl.
‘You know what bothers me so? That tone with which he always says, “negro, negro”. I understand that “negro” in South America is very common, but we cannot stand it.
‘Mahamadou Diarra, my team-mate at Real, could explode if “negro” was aimed at him. The Argentinean Gabriel Heinze and Gonzalo Higuain said it initially on the training ground, but they were stopped.
‘When Hercules (the team Drenthe spent a year on loan with last season) played Barcelona, during the game I had a small altercation with him. He gave me a hand in the match and again said a few times, “hola negro”,’ the Dutchman added.
Blackburn Rovers have been relegated to the Championship after a 1-0 defeat at home to Wigan and former defender Henning Berg has laid the blame firmly at Venky’s.
Antolin Alcaraz headed a late winner as Wigan condemned Blackburn to relegation (and ensured their own Barclays Premier League survival) thus leaving the future of Rovers boss Steve Kean and club owners the Venky’s in doubt.
The Indian-based company took over Blackburn in November 2010 and immediately imposed their blueprint on the club by sacking the then manager Sam Allardyce after a 7-1 defeat away to Manchester United.
First-team coach Steve Kean was then drafted in to replace ‘Big Sam’ and despite keeping the Lancarshire club up that season, Rovers have endured a terrible campaign this season.
After seeing his former club fall into the Championship, former Blackburn defender Henning Berg has laid the blame for Rovers’ relegation squarely at the feet of the Venky’s.
Arjen Robben is ready to announce his retirement from football should he win both the Champions League and Euro 2012!
The outspoken Bayern Munich winger will lineup to face Borussia Dortmund in the DFB-Pokal (German Cup Final), before hosting Chelsea in the Champions League final at the Allianz Arena on May 19.
Then it is off to the Euros where the Netherlands are amongst the bookies favourites to lift the famous Henri Delaunay trophy in Kiev come July 1.
Despite this, the Dutch star has revealed that he has vowed to hang up his boots should he guide his club and nation to the Champions League and Euro 2012 success.
“Two years ago, I promised my wife and mother that if I were to win the Champions League and Euro 2012, I would stop playing football,” he shockingly told German magazine Kicker.
Robin Van Persie was in London on Thursday to receive his award and had a message to all Arsenal fans sweating on his future with the club.
The 2012 PFA Player of the Year and the current Footballer of the Year has just 12 months left on his contract with the club and is set for crunch talks this summer over a new contract.
However, as of yet, the Arsenal captain remains undecided on his future with the club although he has moved to reassure Gunners fans everywhere that he will always remain a committed to the thirteen-time league champions.
“That is the plan. We haven’t set a date but we will be having a meeting about my future — and other things,” RVP said.
“The player I am today is because of Arsenal. Whatever happens, I will always be a Gunner.”
Fiorentina have sacked coach Delio Rossi with immediate effect after he attacked his own player Adem Ljajic during his teams’ 2-2 draw with Novara.
In extraordinary scenes, Delio Rossi made a controversial decision to substitute Ljajic just 32 minutes into the Viola’s match with Novara at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.
Not best pleased at the decision, 20-year-old striker Ljajic sarcastically applauded Rossi’s decision before the fiery Italian coach lashed out at him.
Fists were thrown, punches traded and necks were throttled before the stunned home bench moved to break up the fight. Unsurprisingly, club President Andrea Della Valle moved quickly to fire the beleaguered coach after the match.
“In a few seconds months of stress came out,” he said. “I am sorry because the coach has never committed acts of this kind.
New England manager Roy Hodgson has confirmed that Wayne Rooney will be selected for Euro 2012 despite being ineligible for the Three Lions’ opening two games.
The England number 10 saw red for kicking out at Montenegro defender Miodrag Dzudovic during England’s final Group G qualifying match in Podgorica back in October.
UEFA took almost a week to deliberate on a decision before finally dishing out a robust three match ban (later reduced to two matches) for the 24-year-old.
But despite ‘Wazza’s’ inability to play the opening two matches, new England boss Roy Hodgson has insisted that he will still include the Manchester United striker in his final Euro 2012 squad.
“I’m looking forward to Wayne Rooney coming to the Euros with us and looking forward to his contribution, even though he can’t play in the first two games,” Hodgson said.
Roy Hodgson has officially been unveiled as the new England boss. Given that there are no more surprises, we at In The Stands now exclusively publish the letter we sent to Hodgson on the day the new Three Lions boss was presented to the press!
Dear Roy,
Before anything we at In The Stands would like to congratulate you on being appointed the new England boss.
Not only did you beat press favourite Harry Redknapp to the role, as well as surprising everybody including Mystic Meg herself, you also cost our Features Editor his life savings.
He had initially put a stake of £3000 with a rather famous bookmakers on Mr Redknapp being the next England boss, but, hey, your ascension into the hotseat saw him lose all that. That is before we even mention his wife who at the moment is rather predictably incandescent with rage.
Rock-star Manchester City fan Liam Gallagher gatecrashed City’s press conference and after City beat Manchester United 1-0 in the derby.
The former Oasis musician emulated the antics of striker Mario Balotelli by walking in unannounced during the post-match press conference to revel in his sides’ triumph.
Vincent Kompany’s first-half header gave hosts Manchester City all three points in the biggest Premier League game this season and means that the Citizens now sit at the summit of the table – albeit on goal difference – with just two games left to play.
A delighted Liam Gallagher watched the match from Vincent Kompany’s press box and was quick to lavish praise on the Belgium ace before taking a well-aimed dig at Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson!
“He (Kompany) invited me to his box,” Gallagher revealed. “He scored a blinder, his family is mega and his sister is really cool. Nice one, bro. Vive le Belgium!”
Vincent Kompany’s first-half header gave Manchester City a priceless 1-0 win over Manchester United in the derby to go top of the Premier League with two games left.
The win puts Roberto Mancini’s men in pole position to land their first Premier League crown since 1968 and after trailing their city rivals by seven points mere weeks ago, the Citizens are set to complete the most sensational Premier League comeback in history.
The crowning moment came at the end of the first half when captain Vincent Kompany lept highest to nod home a corner as the Etihad danced to tunes of delight.
Another cagey 45 minutes ensued with City midfielder Yaya Toure twice going close and both managers being involved in a verbal spat on the touchline.
It was truly gripping stuff albeit without any further goals and by the time Andre Marriner blew his whistle to signify the end of another wonderful Manchester derby, one thing was clear…it was the hosts who now hold the destiny of the Premier League crown in the palm of their hands.
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