McLeish confirmedAlex McLeish had to put aside reservations over moving into international management when the Scottish Football Association offered him the national team job. McLeish, who was confirmed yesterday as Walter Smith's replacement, had set his sights on working in the Premiership after leaving Rangers last season. However, he reassessed his plans after no job offer was forthcoming from England and he has pledged to stay with his national team for the duration of his three-and-a-half-year contract.
"I said a few weeks ago my ambition was to stay in club football," McLeish said. "Premiership clubs weren't exactly queuing up for me . . . . But then I started to think, 'Wait a minute, will I ever get back into this game again?' When I was asked the question by Scotland, it became very difficult to say that I had another game plan in my mind because this job has a big pull."
McLeish will be assisted by Andy Watson, his number two at Rangers, Hibernian and Motherwell, while Roy Aitken, the former Aston Villa assistant manager, will continue to keep track of Scottish players based south of the border from his English midlands base.
Keane signs John
Roy Keane's Sunderland have completed the signing of Stern John from Coventry on a two-and-a-half-year deal. "We have agreed a deal for Stern John," said Keane. "We wanted somebody up front with a physical presence."
John scored 29 goals in 74 starts for Coventry but fell out of favour at the Ricoh Arena this season.
FA still want Pearce
The English Football Association is to make one last attempt to persuade Manchester City to allow Stuart Pearce to replace Peter Taylor as the England Under-21 manager before turning its attentions elsewhere.
Further talks are planned today between the FA and City to determine whether Pearce will take over until the end of this summer's European Under-21 Championships in The Netherlands.
The dispute has tested Pearce's relationship with City over the last 48 hours, particularly after his premature announcement on Sunday that he had "accepted" the six-month role. But Pearce was typically forthright last night. "I am not stupid," he said. "I weighed up the situation carefully before I decided that the jobs would not overlap."
Hargreaves 'ready'
Owen Hargreaves could make his long-awaited return from injury tonight as Bayern Munich host Bochum. The England midfielder, who has been linked with a move to Manchester United, has been out of action since breaking his leg in September. "From my point of view he (Hargreaves) could be playing on Tuesday," said Bayern boss Felix Magath.
Foster to return
Alex Ferguson has confirmed goalkeeper Ben Foster will return to Manchester United in the summer after a second year at Watford. Although the 23-year-old signed 18 months ago, he has yet to make a senior appearance for United, having been sent to Vicarage Road to further his experience.
Reading get Bozanic
Reading have signed Australian teenager Oliver Bozanic on a two-and-a-half-year contract. The left-sided midfielder (18) has played for his country's under-20 team and first had a trial with the Royals two years ago. Reading are also interested in Stoke's former Chelsea and Leeds defender Michael Duberry.
Spurs ponder move
Tottenham officials are continuing to look at the possibility of moving from White Hart Lane but are wary of the project having a negative impact on the club's stability. Spurs want to either increase the capacity at their ground or move.
In brief . . .
Newcastle are set to sign US international defender Oguchi Onyewu(24) on loan from Standard Liege . . . Feyenoordhave appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against their exclusion from the Uefa Cup.
