A round-up of today's other soccer stories in brief...
Gattuso will stay at AC Milan
GENNARO GATTUSO will stay at AC Milan following talks with chief executive Adriano Galliani, the Italy midfielder said yesterday.
The 30-year-old had been considering his future and was strongly linked with Bayern Munich. The arrival of midfielder Mathieu Flamini at Milan had also increased speculation that Gattuso was on his way. However, he has decided to remain at the San Siro despite Milan finishing fifth in Serie A and missing out on the Champions League next term.
"I am not going away because all my doubts have been cleared up. I will finish my career at Milan, I will definitely stay until 2011," he said.
Coach sent off
SAN LORENZO coach Ramon Diaz was sent off for throwing an object back into the crowd during his team's 0-0 draw at Huracan in the Argentine championship on Sunday.
The object narrowly missed Diaz when it was thrown at him by a supporter and he picked it up and threw it back.
"They threw things at me for the whole game," he said after the game. "It was a reaction, and I apologise." San Lorenzo's players were also pelted with objects when they went to take corners.
A stormy match produced red cards for San Lorenzo's Andres D'Alessandro and Huracan's Hugo Barrientos for fighting in the 85th minute.
San Lorenzo, fourth in the Clausura championship, fell five points behind leaders Estudiantes with four matches each to play.
Kerr resignation confirmed
ST PATRICK'S Athletic confirmed reports yesterday that Brian Kerr has resigned as Director of Football although the former Republic of Ireland manager intends to remain at the club in an advisory capacity for the remainder of the current season, writes Gavin Cummiskey.
Kerr was brought in to work alongside team manager Johnny McDonnell soon after Garret Kelleher bought the club 18 months ago.
"Brian's contribution has been great," said Kelleher in last night's statement. "I knew that it was always possible that he would want to leave and to that end we have been looking at how best to oversee the next phase in the development of the football side of the club and will make an announcement on this shortly. There remain important additional steps that we have to consider. Achieving the right balance between the necessary success at first team level and the longer term development needs of the football club is difficult. And those of us who are committed to building a brighter future within the game need to be creative and determined in order to do so. "
Kerr added in the same release: "My affinity with and affection for this club is well known. St Patrick's will always be special to me and I believe that Johnny McDonnell has now got a squad that can achieve great success over the coming seasons. I believe the club will go one better this season. I want to thank Garrett Kelleher and the board of the club, the staff, the players and the fans for their support of me over the past 15 months and I wish them continued success."
Tugay to stay
Blackburn midfielder Tugay is set to sign a new one-year contract. Rovers chief executive John Williams has revealed a verbal understanding has been reached. The 37-year-old, who has played over 200 times since joining from Rangers in 2001, is the oldest outfield player in the Premier League.
Carsley makes Birmingham move
LEE CARSLEY has revealed there was "a lot of interest" from clubs looking to secure his services before he opted to join Birmingham from Everton.
City, relegated to the Championship earlier this month, have signed Carsley subject to the midfielder completing a medical.
The 34-year-old Sheldon-born player was a free agent after turning down the offer of a new contract at Everton. And he has signed a two-year deal with the relegated club as they look to rebuild ahead of next year's Championship campaign.
"My contract ran out at Everton and I was offered a new deal there but I felt it was time to move on," Carsley said.
"I wanted a new challenge and I didn't necessarily want to go to another Premier League club."
