US businessman preferred bidder:
The American businessman Bill Miller has been named by Rangers' administrators as the preferred bidder for the club.
Miller has already gone public with his controversial €13.7 million plan under which Rangers would have to seek dispensation to continue in the Scottish Premier League. Miller stated last month he would seek written guarantees from Scotland’s football authorities of no further on-field punishments for Rangers before proceeding with his deal.
Miller wants to form a new company to run Rangers while the old business goes through what he regards as the lengthy process of exiting administration. He would then merge the businesses at a later date.
Crucially, the offer does not require the immediate transfer of Craig Whyte’s 85 per cent shareholding in Rangers.
Celtic manager Neil Lennon has been handed a six-match touchline ban – half of which is suspended – over his conduct following the Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Hearts, the Scottish Football Association announced yesterday.
Defender Walker signs new deal
Tottenham right-back Kyle Walker has signed a new contract to keep him at White Hart Lane until 2017. The England international, who was last month voted PFA Young Player of the Year, has been one of the north London club’s most impressive performers this season.
The 21-year-old, who spent last season on loan at QPR and Aston Villa, has started 25 of Spurs’ 36 games in the Premier League this term. A statement on the Tottenham’s official website read: “The club is delighted to announce that Kyle Walker has signed a new contract which runs until 2017.”
Meanwhile, Harry Redknapp will go to Euro 2012 this summer after all – as a television pundit. The Tottenham manager, who was overlooked for the England job has accepted a role with the BBC.
* Arjen Robben has extended his contract with Bayern Munich for another two years until 2015, ending months of speculation about the Dutch winger’s future. “I have always said I feel very good here. From a sporting perspective it is also the right decision,” Robben said.
Loss of almost €61 million for last financial year at Anfield
Liverpool have reported a loss of almost €61 million for the last financial year as a result of failed new stadium costs and pay-offs to former manager Roy Hodgson and other staff.
Despite owners Fenway Sports Group wiping out debts of €246 million with their October 2010 purchase of the club, they had to write off a further €43 million associated with the doomed HKS-designed Stanley Park project of predecessors Tom Hicks and George Gillett.
And Hodgson’s exit in January 2011, after just 191 days in charge, and the departure of former managing director Christian Purslow, contributed to a further €10 million relating to contract terminations, accounts filed to Companies House show. Current managing director Ian Ayre insists the accounts, without that “extraordinary” expenditure, are in good shape. “I guess people will focus on the loss of £49.4m and there’s no business – or people running any business – who are going to be pleased with any loss,” he said.
The figures do not include the kit deal signed with US company Warrior Sports, which is worth at least €30 million a year.
Rooney's overhead kick voted greatest Premier goal
Wayne Rooney’s spectacular overhead kick in the Manchester derby in February 2011 has been voted as the greatest goal in the 20 seasons of the Premier League.
The England forward acrobatically volleyed home Nani’s 77th-minute cross to take United eight points clear of City in the league standings en route to a record 19th English league title, and the award is the first in a series to commemorate 20 seasons of the Premier League.
Hundreds of thousands of supporters across the globe voted in the poll, with Rooney’s strike gaining 26 per cent of the total votes cast. Dennis Bergkamp’s sublime turn and finish against Newcastle for Arsenal in March 2002 was the second most popular with 19 per cent.
Fiorentina replace Rossi with Guerini after fight with player
Fiorentina promoted team manager Vincenzo Guerini to the role of head coach yesterday after sacking Delio Rossi for punching his own player during a match. Rossi, usually one of the calmest coaches in the histrionic Italian league, lost his cool when substituting Serbian midfielder Adem Ljajic in the first half of the 2-2 home draw with relegated Novara on Wednesday.
The player ironically applauded the coach as he entered the dugout and Rossi grabbed Ljajic before landing two blows while scrabbling around on the ground. “The first-team squad for the last two games of the season has been entrusted to Vincenzo Guerini,” the not yet safe Serie A club said in a statement, referring to Rossi’s actions as a “very serious episode. Fiorentina also announce we have started disciplinary proceedings against Adem Ljajic.”
Serie A also said in a statement that Rossi had received a three-month ban from the game and that Fiorentina had been fined €15,000 because fans “ethnically insulted” Ljajic as he came off.
