SOCCER SHORTS: English League ChampionshipMick McCarthy is set to become the new Ipswich Town manager.
The Tractor Boys, who parted company with Paul Jewell last week, interviewed several candidates on Tuesday, but are reported to have more talks lined up with the former Wolves and Sunderland boss this morning.
While reports of a three-year deal already being agreed may be premature, it looks likely former Republic of Ireland manager McCarthy will be handed the task of steering Town away from relegation trouble in the Championship, with an announcement expected before Saturday's trip to Birmingham City.
The 53-year-old, who has also attracted interest from Crystal Palace, has been out of work since being sacked by Wolves in February and looks set to beat off competition from Owen Coyle and Alan Shearer for the role.
Town find themselves cut adrift at the foot of the table following a 12-match winless sequence and a club-record run of 10 league games without a home victory which stretches back to March.
Coe book reveals Blatter’s feelings
World Cup 2018Fifa president Sepp Blatter thought English soccer "was run by idiots" which was a reason England failed to win the right to stage the 2018 World Cup finals, according to a new book by Sebastian Coe.
Twice Olympic 1,500 metres champion Coe became involved in England’s bid after leading London’s successful bid in 2005 to hosts this year’s Olympic Games. He was later appointed by Blatter to chair Fifa’s Ethics Committee but stepped down to work unpaid to help bring the World Cup back to England for the first time since 1966.
But, he says, almost from the start of his involvement he felt the bid was doomed to fail. “I am less willing to lay the blame at the media’s door,” Coe says. “Ultimately the fault, I believe, lies with the awful dysfunctionality of the English game, its personalities and politics. Blatter once said to me ‘Your game is run by idiots, its not run by bright people’ . . . I was obviously disappointed, very disappointed.”
Coe’s book, Running My Life – The Autobiography, is being serialised in the Times before it is published next month.
FA await further Serbian moves
Under-21The English FA and the British government will await further developments from Serbian authorities before deciding how to respond to charges against two England under-21 players and a coach.
Serbian police have submitted charges against two unnamed members of the side and one of the backroom team following their stormy Euro 2013 qualifier in Krusevac earlier this month.
The match against Serbia on October 16th was marred by allegations of racist chanting towards England players and by violent scuffles after the final whistle.
The police charges are now being considered by authorities in Serbia.
A government spokesman said: “Serbian police have announced that they have submitted charges against two England players and an assistant coach to the public prosecutor following an incident at the England-Serbia under-21 football match in Serbia this month.
“We are investigating the full details of these charges before considering our response.”
Gerrard backtracks on claims that Everton play like Stoke
English Premier LeagueLiverpool captain Steven Gerrard has backtracked on his claims that Everton play like Stoke, admitting he went too far with his comments.
The England midfielder spoke immediately after Sunday’s controversial 2-2 draw at Goodison Park, where Luis Suarez had an added-time goal wrongly ruled out for offside.
Emotions were running high in the aftermath and Gerrard accepts he overstepped the mark with his opinion. “Just to clarify I’ve watched the game again, and I’ve seen some of Everton’s matches this season, and what I said in relation to their style of play went too far,” he told the Liverpool Echo.
“I was frustrated by the disallowed goal from Luis when I spoke and also some of the things (diving allegations) that have been said about Luis in recent weeks which haven’t been fair in my opinion. But it wasn’t my intention to disrespect Everton or Stoke for that matter and I certainly didn’t intend any disrespect to their manager or players. I have the utmost respect for David Moyes and Tony Pulis and the job they have done at their respective clubs.”
Rangers exit as Inverness book semi-final place
Scottish League CupIn front of a crowd of 28,033 Rangers crashed out of the Scottish League Cup last night as Inverness booked their place in the semi-finals with a 3-0 win.
For all the home side’s pressure, it was Inverness who surged into the lead after 27 minutes through Andrew Shinnie.
Hopes of a Rangers comeback were dealt a blow when the Highlanders doubled their lead after 59 minutes. Graeme Shinnie floated a corner into the box and the Gers defence failed to react as Warren was allowed a free header.
There was no way back for Rangers when the referee pointed to the penalty spot, ruling Argyriou had fouled Andrew Shinnie. Graeme Shinnie stepped up to score from the spot after 78 minutes.
