Eriksson in hatGerard Houllier and Sven-Goran Eriksson have emerged as potential candidates for the vacant job at Newcastle even though the club have set their sights on Sam Allardyce, who recently resigned as manager of Bolton Wanderers.
The Lyon boss and the former England manager, both 59, have been heavily linked with the post vacated by Glenn Roeder on Sunday evening, despite the fact that Allardyce is an overwhelming favourite to be appointed at the second time of asking. No talks have taken place between the Tyneside club and either the French man or the Swede and their representatives.
However, it is understood the Houllier camp have made their interest known, while Eriksson's agent, Athole Still, has admitted his client would talk to Newcastle should they consider him an option, although he later played down a strong link between Eriksson and the club. "I am not trying to create pressure on the Newcastle board," said Still.
"I merely fielded the question would he be interested? Of course he would."
Houllier has just led Lyon to their sixth successive French title, and his second in the two years since he took charge.
High five for SpursThe Premiership's so-called "big four" will arguably become an "elite five" by the end of this season if Tottenham win their remaining two games. Martin Jol's team face Blackburn tonight (Sky Sports 1, kick-off 8pm) and Manchester City on Sunday in home games which could guarantee them a second successive fifth-place finish in the league. "It's an unbelievably good position and nobody realised over the last two months that we had a game in hand," said the head coach.
In defence, Spurs tonight will be without Ricardo Rocha, who sprained an ankle in Monday's game against Charlton.
Blackburn are contemplating contrasting possibilities. The trip to Spurs and Sunday's home date with Reading will help determine whether Mark Hughes's side finish seventh, eighth, ninth, 10th or 11th and if they are destined for a Uefa Cup place, Intertoto Cup qualification or no European involvement at all.
Rangers strike dealRangers have struck a deal to bring former Nottingham Forest striker Jean-Claude Darcheville to Ibrox. The Frenchman will join on a two-year contract when his current deal at Bordeaux expires in the summer. The 31-year-old has been a regular scorer in French football for Lorient and Bordeaux.
Galliani opens doorAC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani insists the door remains open for Andriy Shevchenko to return to the San Siro. The 30-year-old Ukraine captain and Chelsea player remains on friendly terms with Galliani and has been invited to watch the team play Liverpool in the Champions League final.
Sheffield play deafThe Premier League's attempts to resolve the bitter dispute over West Ham have fallen on deaf ears with Sheffield United promising to sue if they are relegated and claiming the ruling threatens "anarchy" in the game.
Sheffield United are among four clubs considering legal action against the decision by an independent commission to fine West Ham £5.5 million for contract irregularities over the signing of Argentina internationals Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano, rather than deduct points.
The Premier League have written to all 20 member clubs claiming a legal challenge to the ruling being considered by Wigan, Sheffield United, Fulham and Charlton is "bound to fail".
Bid to buy LeedsFormer Leeds director Simon Morris has launched a £10 million bid to buy the club and build a new 50,000-seater stadium as part of a £400 million "world-class leisure venue".
The 29-year-old property entrepreneur was recently named among the top-10 richest people under 30 in Britain with a fortune estimated at £69 million.
Leeds went into administration with debts of £35 million last Friday following a winding-up order issued by the inland revenue, who are owed £5 million in unpaid taxes.
The business was, with the administrators' approval, almost immediately bought by a new company, Leeds United Football Club Limited, of which Ken Bates is a listed director.
But the sale is subject to approval by the club's creditors at a meeting later this month and also by the Football League, while SR Morris and other consortia are aiming to ambush Bates' plans to resume control.
Boruc denies claimsCeltic goalkeeper Artur Boruc insists he was not attempting to wind up Rangers supporters when he raised a flag bearing the tag "champions" at Ibrox. The 27-year-old Poland international prompted protests from home fans after Saturday's Old Firm meeting, which Rangers won 2-0, when he took the flag from a Celtic supporter and waved it on the pitch.
Boruc's actions prompted Strathclyde Police to announce they would talk with Celtic and the Scottish Premier League about the incident.
Manager Gordon Strachan's appeal against his touchline ban will not be heard by the Scottish Football Association until July "at the earliest". This means he can sit in the dugout for the Scottish Cup final against Dunfermline.
In brief . . .South African World Cup chiefs insist preparations for the 2010 finals are on course and that there will be no need for England to step in as contingency hosts . . . Middlesbrough captain George Boatenghas committed his future to the club amid speculation linking him with Birmingham . . . Manchester City defender Michael Ballwill miss the last game of his side's season after accepting a charge of violent conduct levelled against him by the English FA. He is likely to be banned for three matches for his stamp on Cristiano Ronaldo in the first minute of the Manchester derby last Saturday, for which Ball professed "deep regret".
