Relegation-threatened Borussia Moenchengladbach conceded a late goal in their 1-0 loss to Mainz in the Bundesliga on Friday.Lucien Favre’s men are two points from the relegation play-off spot, conceding an 87th minute goal at Mainz to deepen their troubles.
Andre Schuerrle struck from 25 yards past an outstretched Marc Andre ter Stegen to extend Mainz’s lead on fifth spot to five points.
It was the 20-year-old’s 13th goal of the season, equalling the best return for the club, which was set by Mohamed Zidan during the 2006/07 season.
The visitors’ task of getting anything out of the game was made difficult when striker Mike Hanke was sent off after picking up a second yellow card in the 53rd minute.
It was a disappointing result for Moenchengladbach after their 5-1 thrashing of Cologne last weekend.
The win ended a four-game winless run for Mainz and put them within five points of the Champions League qualification spot, although Hannover will have the chance to restore the buffer with a trip to Hamburg on Saturday.
England’s number two goalkeeper Ben Foster has announced he is taking an indefinite break from internationals to focus on his club career.The Birmingham City shot-stopper has represented his nation in goal on just five occasions – debuting in 2007 – and his most recent appearance was in England’s 2-1 friendly loss to France in November.
Foster has been injury-prone in recent times, and the 28-year-old said he will make himself unavailable for national selection to focus on maintaining his spot at Birmingham, who are beginning to prepare for a Europa League campaign next term after their League Cup triumph.
“Performing at the highest level game in, game out and particularly when there’s been as many matches as there have been this season really takes it out of your body,” Foster told Birmingham’s official website.
“It’s no secret that I’ve had a few niggling injuries and that I’ve had to pull out of the past few England squads because of that.”
“I’ve spoken to the management team and coaches here at Blues and told them what I want to do but it’s also very important that I say just how much I have loved playing for England and being part of the set-up.”
Foster did not rule out a return to the international scene, but said he was not leaving the proud football nation in the lurch, stating that Manchester City custodian Joe Hart was more than capable of holding the reins in goal for England.
“I’ve enjoyed my time with England and am certainly not closing a door on the international side of things forever but this is the right thing for me to do right now in terms of club football,” Foster said.
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“Inevitably every time I’ve had the opportunity to give my body a rest there has been an international fixture and the demands that come with that.”
“In Joe, England have a goalkeeper who is extremely talented and a top guy and he is an excellent custodian for the national side to have. I have no doubt he is going to go on to be one of the greatest.”
Blackpool manager Ian Holloway has come out criticising the Premier League and the men running it in the build up to Saturday’s crucial match against Manchester United at Old Trafford. In what could prove to be one of the toughest days in his managerial career, Holloway is furious that United could be fined for fielding a weakened team and feels this undermines his battling Blackpool side. But does Holloway speak for most football supporters when he claims the men running the Premier League are ‘not in the right World’?
Holloway has already felt the wrath of the Premier League for fielding a weakened side having been fined £25,000 in November of last year after the club’s defeat by Aston Villa. With the Champions League final scheduled for next weekend and with the title already won, there has been speculation that Sir Alex Ferguson might put out a weakened side in order to protect his key players. But, Blackpool are involved in a bitterly close relegation battle and their rivals will hope United field a strong side. A similar scenario led to Sheffield United’s relegation in 2007 after West Ham won at Old Trafford.
But surely it is up to managers to pick the team and field whichever side he feels appropriate? In the current age of fifty-plus games a season more and more clubs have adopted systems of squad rotation to deal with the increasingly busy fixture schedules. Yes, the men running football do have a rules and conventions to stick to, but surely they must understand the challenges faced by managers. If, for example, Ferguson was to lose certain key players to injury during a seemingly meaningless game against Blackpool he could jeopardise the club’s chances of Champions League success and face criticism for both the club’s owners and fans.
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The sad reality is that the men running the Premier League and in control of much of the money in football these days are increasingly detached from the reality of the game. The governing bodies seem to be increasingly compelled to run it as a business rather than a sport. For example, take Premier League Chief Executive Richard Scudamore’s insistence that the calendar requires a 39th game. The majority of managers were opposed to the idea and it would cause havoc with an already overcrowded fixture schedule. Yet, due to the undoubted value it would bring to the marketing potential of the game, he continues to campaign for it.
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Yes, modern-day football businessmen have done wonders to bring huge wealth into the game. But, they must remember that football is, first and foremost, a sport which, in the case of the Premiership, is contested on the pitch over the course of 38 90-minute matches. Most of the players, managers and coaches are people who have devoted their lives to nothing but football. And, to them, perhaps many of these football businessmen are aliens.
Uruguay and Botafogo striker Sebastian Abreu has his sights set on representing his country at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.The 34-year-old striker scored the penalty that put Uruguay into the semi-finals in South Africa in 2010, and he’s looking forward to appearing on the world stage again one last time.
Abreu, who is Uruguay’s second-highest scorer ever with 30 goals, is aiming to finish his career in the South American showcase before moving into management.
“My dream is to be able to play the World Cup here in Brazil and then get prepared mentally to retire and begin my career as a coach,” Abreu said.
But there is still a lot of football to be played before the finals kick-off in 2014, and the Uruguayan insists he has plenty of goals left in him for his club Botafogo in the Brazilian Serie A, where they finished sixth last term.
“My idea is for our team to be competitive, to fight, to get a spot in the Copa Libertadores and stay at the top of the table,” he said. “And if by the second half of the season you are near the top it is easier to go for the title.”
“In the world Brazilian football is the fourth power. After Italy, Spain and England comes Brazil.”
“That shows the country is among the best and anybody who has the possibility of playing here has to be proud to compete, play and be at the same level as the other players.”
The UEFA Cup has generally lacked excitement and controversy, or at least it did until the 25th October 2007, the date when Tottenham Hotspur turned the sacking of Martin Jol into a Hollyoaks episode during the game against Getafe. The Dutchman found out before the game, the whole world and his dog knew by half time and come full time a red faced Daniel Levy had some explaining to do.
The Lilywhites faithful have maintained their ‘love’ for their former manager since his sacking and I think even Arsenal fans would find it hard to argue that Jol was a decent guy who was unfairly treated and embarrassed by the Tottenham hierarchy. Which is why it was a pleasure to hear this week that Jol will be returning to Premier League management with Tottenham’s London rivals Fulham. Does the former Ajax man return to the Queen’s homeland with a desire or even a need to prove himself?
The former West Brom player led Tottenham to consecutive fifth place finishes before being sacked after one win in the opening ten games of the next Premier League season. His replacement, Juande Ramos, did lead the Lilywhites to a League Cup success, but the former Sevilla manager’s start to the next season sealed his fate and left many Spurs’ fans wondering why Jol went in the first place (perhaps it was Jol openly stating he would be open to the Newcastle job in 2006).
Since his bitter departure from White Hart Lane, the Dutchman has had a fairly indifferent few seasons, but managed to achieve moderate success, first leading Hamburg to the semi-finals in both the German Cup and the UEFA Cup, then winning the Dutch Cup with Ajax and coming runners up in the league to Steve McClaren’s FC Twente, earning an incredible goal difference of +86 in the process.
Jol obviously feels extremely bitter in the manner of his departure, but by joining Fulham, a club very much on the up, the former Ajax man could have the last laugh. Fulham are a ‘sound’ club with solid foundations and a supportive chairman. With Europa League football guaranteed next season, Jol may have the platform to establish himself as a top quality manager and subsequently prove a few people wrong in N17.
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Following a slow start to his Tottenham career, Brazilian midfielder Sandro has finally begun to adjust to English football and finished the end of his first season in fine form. The 22-year old is the first product of Tottenham’s affiliation with Brazilian side Internacional but was slow to adjust to England both on and off the field and was not included in Spurs’ initial Champions League squad.
Since, however, Sandro has put in some fantastic performances in Tottenham’s superb run to the Quarter Finals of the Champions League. Having dominated the midfield over both legs against AC Milan and overshadowed Champions League great Clarence Seedorf, the Brazilian has finally begun to receive the praise he deserves with his season surely being capped with his fantastic strike in the unfortunate defeat against Chelsea.
Whilst originally used to the flamboyant Brazilian style of football, manager Harry Redknapp obviously saw something in his 6 foot 2 frame that he felt could be useful in England. So, now we see a player who is not only capable of dealing with the fast-paced and physical nature of the English game but who also retains a wonderful touch and great technique.
Spurs possess a wonderful array of midfielders but in Sandro might well have found a player who combines the best of all of them. The Brazilian has the presence of Tom Huddlestone, the energy of Jermaine Jenas and the tackling of Wilson Palacios combined with the touch of Luka Modric and could well prove the complete midfielder at Spurs.
For this reason, it was only natural that the player was going to be linked with the likes of AC Milan and Real Madrid. However, it is important to remember Sandro has only played 24 times for Spurs and it is still very early in his Premier League career. But, he is without doubt finishing his season on a high and it is important that he carries on this form next season.
Both fans and pundits alike have warmed to Sandro and it is a shame we probably won’t get to see him in the Champions League next season. But, given even more time to settle in England, he could well be a force to be reckoned with should Tottenham return to the Champions League the following season and Tottenham could well have found a future star in the young Brazilian.
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Manchester City are set to swoop for Stoke keeper Thomas Sorensen as backup to Joe Hart according to the Mirror.
Danish international Sorensen looks likely to leave the Potters after losing his first team place to Asmir Begovic last season.
City have just sold Shay Given to Aston Villa are in the hunt for an experienced keeper to provide competition for Hart.
With Champions League football coming to Eastlands this season boss Roberto Mancini wants a dependable backup keeper to step in if anything happens to Hart.
Stoke are also entering Europe this season as they prepare to tackle the Europa League and want Sorensen to stay and fight for his place.
The Dane – who played against City in the FA Cup final in May – has been in talks over extending his deal at the Britannia Stadium.
However it is thought that he will leave if he doesn’t feel there will be a fair fight for the number one jersey.
Whilst a move to Manchester would cosign him to the bench for a majority of the season a chance to play in the Champions League and challenge for trophies could be enough to lure Sorensen to City.
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He would be available for a nominal fee and would certainly provide trustworthy competition with over 450 appearances in 12 years playing in the top flight for Sunderland, Villa and Stoke.
Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh has claimed that Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri are certainly leaving the Emirates this summer the Telegraph reports.
The Gunners’ Moroccan striker insisted that the midfield pair would be gone once boss Arsene Wenger has bought replacements for them.
His claims come after Fabregas and Nasri were included in the squad for the Champions League tie with Udinese suggesting Wenger is looking to retain both players.
“I think both are close to leaving.” Chamakh said.
“The manager is looking for replacements, has not found them, and before letting [Fabregas and Nasri] go, he wants to have someone to fill each of their positions.”
He went on to say: “Nasri has just one year left on his contract. If they do not sell him, he will leave for free in the summer”
“Is the club disposed to reject £18 million to keep a player that good for just one year? It is strange that a club like Arsenal has not made him sign a contract earlier.”
Despite Chamakh’s insistence that both are leaving North London it seems that Wenger is prepared to keep both players after picking them to play against the Serie A side.
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His claims may hold strength considering the Arsenal boss has tried to sign Valencia’s Juan Mata and also brought Gervinho and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to the Emirates.
Barcelona remain keen to bring Fabregas to the Nou Camp this summer and end the long running transfer saga whilst Manchester City are said to be weighing up a fresh £22 million bid for Nasri.
Victory in the recent Copa America tournament saw Uruguay return to the stage as a footballing superpower. Their spirited brand of football, characterized by high energy and fearlessness saw them take on the nations of arguably the strongest footballing region in the world and win.
Spirit is riding high in Montevideo, after their impressive fourth place showing at last summers World Cup, the little giants of the footballing world, were even more impressive in the Copa America, thus propelling themselves to fifth in the world rankings and making them the dark horses for the 2014 World Cup in Rio.
Since the good times prior to the 1950‘s, Uruguay have been condemned to mediocrity. It has been a bitter blow to take with their proud sporting history, but hardly surprising for a nation of little over 3.5 million people. You simply cannot expect a nation that small to keep producing quality year after year.
The resurgence in the past few years has to be credited to head coach Oscar Tabarez, the veteran who has brought the good times back to Uruguay. The transition began in the 2007 Copa America where they narrowly missed out on the final through a penalty shoot-out. Tabarez pondered how in such a small nation, it was possible for them to keep hold of their talents and their identity on the world stage. His tactic was to change their game plan to match the weaknesses and strengths of their opponents and this adaptability has certainly paid off.
He installed a high team spirit, which is unrivalled by teams littered with star names and individuals. Tabarez used every player in his squad during the Copa America, making every player feel important and part of the cause, and his side responded to this brilliantly. Uruguay play and win as a team. This team spirit is only set to increase as the side will spend a month together at next years Olympics and in the Confederations Cup in 2013.
They are strong throughout the side, with young keeper Fernando Muslera commanding at the back, and players like Diego Lugano and Alvaro Pereira providing experience and quality. Players like Diego Forlan and Lugano aren’t getting any younger though, but that shouldn’t worry Uruguay, as they seem to have a wealth of riches at the present time.
They have Edinson Cavani, who was injured during this tournament, to come into the side and bolster their strong attack. Their under-17 and under-20 squads have also done well at recent tournaments, Uruguay seem to have a conveyor belt of young players moving to the senior side. Sebastian Coates looks like he could ultimately be Lugano’s successor, while playmaker Nicolas Lodeiro, and striker Abel Hernandez would fit comfortably into a Uruguay side in the future. Tabarez again has to be given credit here, as he was the one that came up with the project to identify technically gifted youngsters and develop them through the country’s youth sides. Recent results show that they are heading in the right direction, and if they continue to produce exceptional talent of the class of Luis Suarez then they will continue to punch above their weight on the world stage.
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Tabarez has instilled balance, team spirit and a hard working nature to this Uruguay side and if he can keep the main core of this golden generation together then they will certainly be a side to be feared over the next few years.
Let me know your thoughts on this golden era for Uruguay, comment below or follow me on Twitter @LaurenRutter
The mere mention of the words ‘football agents’ usually makes the blood of most football fans around the country boil. The not universally liked characters are often at the centre of football news, which is especially the case around the recent transfer deadline day.
Last week it was revealed that Football League clubs spent a total of over £16 million on agents’ fees last season, an increase of £4 million on the previous year. This is an incredible stat considering the effect the economic crisis is having on the beautiful game.
With the pressure for teams across the leagues to break even or even survive, the money paid out to agents is often a large expenditure that many fans would like to see change. Whilst it is unrealistic to think that over the foreseeable future no clubs will ever pay out an agent fee again, the fees being shelled out are a major point of concern for many clubs.
But it is not only the money side of agents that is often criticised for having a detrimental effect on the game. How often do we hear ‘reports’ from agents that other teams are interested in their players or their star players are looking to leave? For a short time last season Manchester United faced the incredible prospect of losing star striker Wayne Rooney. Reports surfaced that Rooney wanted to leave Old Trafford but with the help of his agent Paul Stretford he made a shock u-turn and instead signed a lucrative new deal. Questioning the legitimacy of Stretford’s intentions (and Rooney himself, with players not completely blameless in the football agent mess) is not a hard task.
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One answer to the continuing problem of agents and specifically the money involved is caps. The Guardian revealed late last year Fifa’s plans to implement a 3% of the total fee cap for agents, with an overall limit of £1.25 million. This move would present a shift in the pattern for clubs shelling out a lot of money to often greedy agents, with suggestions it could save clubs nearly £60 million. However, it is still unclear whether any such practices will be put into place in the near future.
But do agents just have a part to play in modern football? With the often chaotic nature of the transfer window (and deadline day especially) agents provide the source to bring in that one new player a club has been craving or they present a club’s best chance of getting rid of that overpaid player that they desperately need to shift off their books. Only eight clubs across the Football League didn’t pay agents fees during last season, a stat that shows football’s reliance on the good or bad service agents provide.
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There is a clear need for transparency when it comes to agents, their practices and the fees being played to them. A cap on agents’ fees would be an obvious solution to the growing problem that agents are having in the beautiful game and whilst it may not yet have got as far as them ruining the game, football agents are likely to continue to be a hated but unfortunately commonplace feature of modern football.
Do you think football’s hierarchy should implement agent fee caps? If you want to read more of my bite size, 140 character views and thoughts follow me on Twitter @jennyk5