A roundup of today's other soccer news in brief
Top clubs owe over €3.5 billion
England’s 20 Premier League clubs owe a total of €3.59 billion in bank overdrafts, loans and other borrowings, according to the latest published financial information. The accounts for the clubs, mostly documenting the year to May, June or July 2008, show that the Football Association chairman, Lord Triesman, significantly underestimated football’s financial problems when he cautioned last October that debts in the sport as a whole, including the Football League and the FA itself, were at €3.47 billion.
Manchester United and Chelsea were by far the most indebted, owing €810m and €823m respectively, Arsenal were third, with €482m debts and Liverpool were understood to owe around €325m; their accounts, due to be filed at Companies House last week, are overdue.United, Premier and European Champions League winners in that 2007-08 season, still made a loss of €51.9 million because of the swinging interest the club pays on its debts.
Adams makes Celtic claim
Former Portsmouth manager Tony Adams has claimed he will become Celtic boss if Wim Jansen is appointed technical director.
The former England defender has been out of the game since leaving the Pompey manager’s chair in February. But he now claims he could be heading for Parkhead – if his “good friend” Jansen, a former Celtic boss, returns to the Bhoys as technical director.
“Wim Jansen is probably in at Celtic. It would be him as technical director and me as manager.
“By saying manager, it is kind of a head coach’s position really because once you have a technical director like you have in Europe, they help you with recruitment.
“As long as you have the final say of who comes in and out, these people are your help in the boardroom. I never had that at Portsmouth.
He added: Ive not applied for the role. I know Wim Jansen, who has put me in there. I think they approached him and I know Wim from my Feyenoord days and hes actually said that he would only do the role if I were to be made manager. Thats Wim's opinion, not Celtics.
Questions over Kenyon’s future
ANCELOTTI’S negotiations to join Chelsea apparently took place without the involvement of Peter Kenyon, casting further doubt on the part being played at the club by the chief executive.
After meetings with the club owner, Roman Abramovich, last year Ancelotti negotiated his move from Milan with the Chelsea sporting director, Frank Arnesen, sources in Italy have revealed. Kenyon was on holiday when Chelsea sacked Luiz Felipe Scolari as their coach last February but, despite persistent rumours that he was on the verge of leaving, the club has always said he was there to stay. Ancelotti is set to fly to London tomorrow for further talks with the Chelsea management.
Barry makes City swap
Manchester City have completed a surprise €13.9 million transfer swoop for Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry.
The 28-year-old midfielder has signed a five-year contract at Eastlands having completed a medical earlier on Tuesday. Barry, who was a target for Liverpool last summer, leaves Villa after 12 years and more than 400 matches.
City manager Mark Hughes is banking on the midfielder’s experience to take the club to the next level.
Blues confirm contract extension for Ballack
CHELSEA have confirmed Michael Ballack has agreed a contract extension tying him to the club until June 2010.
The Germany midfielder moved to Stamford Bridge from Bayern Munich in 2006 and has won two FA Cups and a Carling Cup in his time with the Blues.
Ballack, 32, told the club’s official website, www.chelseafc.com: “I am very happy to be staying at Chelsea for one more year as it was always my intention to play in London at least until the World Cup in 2010.
“We had a fantastic end to the season, winning the FA Cup, and we are all looking forward to taking this success into the new season under Carlo Ancelotti, our new manager.”
A Chelsea statement added: “Michael has been a key member of our team for three years so we are naturally very happy that we have agreed the extension.”
