United role for SolskjaerOle Gunnar Solskjaer is being lined up to take over Bobby Charlton's ambassadorial duties for Manchester United after confirming his retirement from the game yesterday, writes Daniel Taylor.
Solskjaer, who has suffered a recurrence of his knee injury, will remain at Old Trafford in a coaching capacity but the long-term strategy is that he should use his popularity to help to promote the club worldwide. While Solskjaer will begin by taking his coaching qualifications and working with the young players, the Norwegian will eventually take over from Charlton. Guardian Service
Barcelona adamant
Barcelona continue to say that they would not countenance Ronaldinho's sale before Friday's closure of the transfer window despite reports that the Chelsea owner, Roman Abramovich, met the 27-year-old's brother and agent, Roberto de Assis Moreira, at the Lanesborough Hotel in Mayfair over the weekend. The Catalans' director of sport, Txiki Beguiristain, has dismissed suggestions that the meeting might prove the prelude to a €73 million British record move to the Premiership.
West Ham eye Adriano
West Ham have opened talks with Internazionale in the hope of tempting Adriano, the Brazil striker, to Upton Park. Officials from the east London club were in Milan last night to discuss with their counterparts the possibility of a loan deal, which Inter are known to favour. Adriano is under contract to the Serie A club until 2010 and they are not yet ready to give up on their investment. The player has struggled for the past two seasons, partly because of injuries, and Inter believe that regular football elsewhere would be beneficial in returning him to top form. The sticking point for Inter and any interested party concerns the player's reluctance to go on a temporary transfer. "When I could have left the club, I didn't do it," said the 25-year-old, referring to the moves he turned down to Chelsea, Real Madrid and Barcelona, when he was in top form three years ago. "Now, if I have to leave, I would only do it on a permanent transfer." Guardian Service
RTÉ get all Euro games
RTÉ has won the rights from Uefa to screen all games in the Euro 2008 Championships next summer, the station announced yesterday. Live coverage of the 31 matches from the tournament in Austria and Switzerland will be spread across television, radio and the www.rte.ie website.
RTÉ said it was one of the few public service broadcasters in Europe to have such a strong sports rights portfolio. The broadcaster has already won live broadcast rights for the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, twice-weekly Champions League coverage, League of Ireland live matches as well as both of the FAI Cup semi-finals and the Final.
Hughes apologises
Lee Hughes claimed the shame of causing death by dangerous driving will stay with him for the rest of his life after being unveiled yesterday as an Oldham player. The former Coventry and West Brom striker (31) apologised publicly for the first time after serving three years of a six-year sentence.
Hughes killed father-of-two Douglas Graham in a car accident near Coventry in November 2003 while driving home from a post-match drink and was jailed the following August. He also caused serious injuries to another man, Albert Frisby, and fled the scene of the accident on foot to avoid a breath test. "I made dreadful mistakes and decisions that will live with me for the rest of my life."
In brief . . .
Middlesbroughare hoping to seal the signing of Egyptian international midfielder Mohamed Shawkybefore the transfer window closes . . . Scotland manager Alex McLeishinsists the door is open for Steven Pressleyto return to the national team despite his absence from the squad to face Lithuania and France next month . . . Northern Ireland boss Nigel Worthingtonwill give injured captain Aaron Hughesas much time as possible to recover ahead of next month's European Championship qualifiers . . . Heartswere hit with a record €29,000 fine by the Scottish FA yesterday for their poor disciplinary record last season . . . Fulham's Zat Knightlooks set to complete a move to Aston Villa. . . Manchester City'sEngland Under-21 midfielder Michael Johnsonhas signed a new four-year contract . . . Readingare attempting to swap the Korean midfielder Seol Ki-hyeonfor the Fulhamdefender Liam Rosenior. . . West Hamhave seen an initial bid of €7 million for Nicky Shorey rejected by Reading, though Reading have indicated that they would consider selling the left-back should the Londoners increase their offer by a further €1½ million. Shorey has under two years to run on his contract and has informed Reading that he will not sign a new deal.
