Bohemians have terminated the contract of manager Seán Connor with immediate effect, writes Gavin Cummiskey.
The 40-year-old was in charge for one season having joined the club after a successful stint with Sligo Rovers. Pat Fenlon and Alan Mathews are the initial front-runners for the position that the Bohemians board hope to "fill as soon as possible."
Damien Richardson and Stephen Kenny are other candidates, although the former is attempting to save his job at Cork City in the High Court today, while Kenny is expected to be unveiled as Derry City coach before Christmas.
Carragher adamant
Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has insisted he "cannot see" himself being talked out of his self-imposed international retirement. The 29-year-old centre-back told former England manager Steve McClaren not to select him after becoming disillusioned with a lack of opportunity in his favoured position, even when the squad was beset by injuries at the end of last season.
Following the appointment of Fabio Capello it was thought the Italian would attempt to persuade Carragher to change his mind. But the Liverpudlian has reiterated his desire to concentrate on club duty. Asked if he might make an international comeback, Carragher told Liverpool TV: "I don't think so."
Euro referees chosen
Premier League referee Howard Webb will provide some English representation at Euro 2008. The Sheffield official has been chosen by Uefa as one of 12 referees for the finals in Austria and Switzerland, and will be assisted by Darren Cann and Mike Mullarkey. Provided Webb does well in his early games he may have a chance of refereeing the final, with England not present, although the same could also apply to Belgian Frank de Bleeckere, Norway's Tom Henning Ovrebo and Slovakian Lubos Michel.
The other officials chosen are Konrad Plautz (Austria), Herbert Fandel (Germany), Kyros Vassaras (Greece), Roberto Rosetti (Italy), Pieter Vink (Netherlands), Manuel Mejuto Gonzalez (Spain), Peter Frojdfelt (Sweden) and Massimo Busacca (Switzerland).
Djourou unsure
Birmingham defender Johan Djourou admits he is unsure where he will be playing in the new year, with his loan deal from Arsenal due to expire in January. The 20-year-old Switzerland international has been at St Andrews since the summer and manager Alex McLeish is thought to be keen to retain his services for the rest of the season.
But Djourou said: "Obviously I love my club Arsenal and if they want me back, hopefully it will be for a good reason. I want to play there as well. It is a difficult choice but I have to accept what the manager (Arsene Wenger) is going to do.
Ince rules out England
Paul Ince has insisted there is "absolutely no chance" of him working under new England manager Fabio Capello. Capello and the English FA are on the lookout for an English coach to join the Italian's backroom staff and former England captain Ince has been heavily tipped to be included.
But MK Dons boss Ince - whose side are five points clear of the League Two table - insists he has no desire to step away from a club role and only intends to be a manager for 10 years. He said: "There's absolutely no chance of me working with England, it doesn't interest me in the slightest. I enjoy being a manager and I'm not one to play second fiddle to anyone."
Mowbray ban deferred
West Brom manager Tony Mowbray has been handed a suspended three-match touchline ban and fined €4,000 fine by the English FA.
Mowbray admitted a charge of improper conduct and using abusive and insulting words towards referee Nigel Miller at the end of the 1-1 draw against Sheffield Wednesday at The Hawthorns on November 6th. However, his exemplary record has played a big part in the punishment being suspended until the end of the 2008/09 season.
It means Mowbray will only have to serve the ban and pay the fine if he is charged with a similar offence in the next 17 months.
FAI promote clubs
Four clubs have been formally welcomed into the League of Ireland in order to compete in the new 'A Championship' division, which will start during 2008. The four clubs accepted into the A Championship are Mervue United, Tullamore Town, Salthill Devon and Sporting Fingal.
The A Championship will be the third layer of the League of Ireland and competing in it will give Mervue United, Tullamore Town, Salthill Devon and Sporting Fingal the opportunity to win promotion to the First Division. The prize-money for winning the A Championship will be €20,000.
Striker on trial at City
Manchester City have taken the Asian Player of the Year, the Saudi Arabia captain Yasser Al Qahtani, on trial. The 25-year-old striker arrived in Manchester with Al Hilal president Prince Mohammed Bin Faisal, with Sven-Goran Eriksson and his City coaching staff preparing to take a closer look at the player.
"I'm now in England after I got an invitation letter from Manchester City," said Al Qahtani. "I'm here with Al Hilal president Prince Mohammed bin Faisal and my agent Turki Al Mukairin. "I'm glad to train with such a good club in England and I will try my best to prove that Saudi players are good players."
