Other soccer news in brief
Sunderland may foot bill to bring Bruce to Wearside
IT WOULD cost Sunderland around €5.7 million to prise Steve Bruce away from Wigan Athletic. Niall Quinn, the Wearside club’s chairman, is impressed by Bruce’s credentials but Dave Whelan, Wigan’s owner, will fight hard to retain his manager.
Quinn says it will take time for Sunderland to assess their options as they search for Ricky Sbragia’s successor but they at least know what it would cost should they make an official approach for the lifelong Newcastle United fan.
While Bruce is believed to be tempted by the fact that the billionaire Ellis Short is about to take total control of Sunderland, his allegiance to Newcastle complicates matters.
Bruce, though, is disillusioned at Wigan where, if he stays, he will be effectively forced to rebuild the team this summer. After being forced to sell Emile Heskey and Wilson Palacios in January, the manager is now contemplating the inevitable departure of Antonio Valencia and possibly also that of Paul Scharner.
Meanwhile, he is likely to allow the fast fading Amr Zaki to leave this summer and is unsure about the wisdom of signing the striker’s fellow Egyptian Mido, who spent the second part of the season on loan at the JJB Stadium.
Quinn is also an admirer of Bruce’s former Manchester United team-mate Mark Hughes but accepts that the former Wales coach will be staying at Manchester City. Guardian Service
Mowbray tops Celtic's wanted list
CELTIC’S ATTEMPT to secure a new manager will gather pace in the next 48 hours, with the club aiming to appoint Gordon Strachan’s successor within a fortnight.
Tony Mowbray remains prominent in the thoughts of the Celtic directors and their majority shareholder, Dermot Desmond, but his present club, West Bromwich, will look for €1.1 million compensation for the remaining two years of his contract.
Despite issuing a statement last night claiming they “fully expect” Mowbray to remain in place for the start of next season, West Brom will be acutely aware the former Celtic player would find a return to Glasgow alluring.
The same is thought to apply to Owen Coyle, despite his earlier assertions that he is content at the newly promoted Burnley.
What remains to be seen is whether Celtic are prepared to gamble on Coyle’s lack of top-flight experience despite him being a lifelong supporter of the club. - Guardian Service
Hall brands Newcastle as 'rubbish'
FORMER NEWCASTLE owner Sir John Hall has branded the club’s relegated squad “rubbish” and “useless”. Hall oversaw United’s rise before selling his shares in the club to Mike Ashley in 2007.
And, following Sunday’s defeat by Aston Villa, and hence relegation, he admits he is devastated at how United’s fortunes have flagged since. “The table doesn’t lie,” Hall said. “It’s been desperately poor all season and the worst thing is they didn’t even appear to try on Sunday.
“I’m not going to pull any punches. This current side is rubbish. Useless.”
Meanwhile, Alan Shearer remained locked in talks with Ashley, at the club’s training ground last night. Discussions dragged on for several hours after both parties opened negotiations hoping they would conclude with Shearer agreeing to sign a four-year contract as the club’s manager.
Mourinho signs Inter contract
JOSE MOURINHO has signed a contract extension with Inter Milan to keep him at the club until June 2012. The former Chelsea boss, who brought the Serie A title to the Nerazurri in his first season in charge, had earlier said there was a “0.01 per cent” chance he could leave the club.
INTER’S RICARDO Quaresma is set for a summer move to Genoa following his loan spell at Chelsea.
The 25-year-old joined Inter from Porto last year but struggled and was loaned to the Stamford Bridge club in the winter transfer window.
Genoa president Enrico Preziosi confirmed the Portugal winger will be their player next term.
ASTON VILLA owner Randy Lerner has pledged to back manager Martin O’Neill in the transfer market again this summer. Lerner believes the credit crunch will not have a significant impact on the funds that will be made available.
Lerner said: “Will there be funds for players this summer? Yes. Like any club we are conscious of having money available for the summer.”
Bayern splash out on striker Gomez
VfB STUTTGART striker Mario Gomez has agreed to join Bayern Munich, the club said yesterday.
The deal is worth an estimated €30 million. If confirmed, that would make Gomez the most expensive Bundesliga player in history. “I am looking forward to Bayern,” Gomez said at the start of an Asian tour with the German national team.
JUVENTUS have completed the signing of Brazil playmaker Diego from Werder Bremen in a €24 million deal. The 24-year-old has penned a five-year contract with the Turin giants and will officially move to the Bianconeri at the end of the 2008/’09 season.
“I am enthusiastic and delighted to be a part of such a prestigious club,” said Diego,
Ajax appoint Jol as head coach
AJAX AMSTERDAM have appointed former Tottenham manager Martin Jol (above) as their head coach on a three-year contract, the Dutch club said yesterday.
Jol, who was under contract at Germany’s SV Hamburg until 2010, will succeed Marco van Basten who resigned a week before the end of the season.
The 53-year-old Jol was not the first choice for Ajax who had also held talks with Co Adriaanse, Frank Rijkaard and Morten Olsen.
