• Nein’ and ‘Non’
Germany’s embarrassing search for a new manager continues after latest candidate Arsene Wenger committed himself to Arsenal. Glenn Hoddle has had his application for the French vacancy turned down. The former Spurs and England manager’s financial demands were deemed unacceptable.
• Quids in
Following the publication of Euro 2004 managers’ salaries, England’s Sven Goran Eriksson will come under increasing pressure from the FA to achieve results ahead of the 2006 World Cup. Eriksson is on 4 million pounds sterling a year, dwarfing not only the victorious Otto Rehhagel’s Greek paycheque of 490,000 pounds sterling, but the rest to boot. High profile coaches such as Voller, Trapattoni and Scolari were on between 1 and 2 million with the rest nowhere.
• Golden oldie
South African sprinter Philip Rabinowitz has entered the Guinness Book of Records after winning a 100m race in Cape Town’s Mandela Park Stadium in 28.7 seconds. Rabinowitz is 100 years old.
• The one that got away
The tug-of-war between Chelsea and Bayern Munich for the services of Porto and Portugal playmaker Deco has ended with the Champions League winner signing for Barcelona. The Catalan club paid 15million euros in a deal that saw Quaresma move back to Porto as part of the package.
• Cradle snatchers
Following the signing of youngsters from China, America and Belgium over the last year, Manchester United have once more shown a clean pair of heels to their rivals by securing the services of 16-year-old Italian striker Giuseppe Rossi and 17-year-old Spanish defender Gerard Pique. FIFA will have to determine how much compensation Parma and Barcelona are due from the Reds.
• Madrid calling
Both Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen are on Real Madrid’s hitlist. With British clubs backing off the 50 million pounds sterling price tag on Everton’s precocious talent, the Spanish club is believed to be willing to pay. Morientes plus cash could also bring 20 million pound-rated Owen to the Nou Camp.
