Football Dispatch

Weekend Football
25 May 2007
It's deja-vu at Old Trafford. Manchester United owner Malcolm Glazer is mulling offers for the football club after having his latest debt-reduction strategy tossed out by his financiers. The American business tycoon borrowed over 500M-pounds when he bought the club in 2004. He is also recovering from a stroke suffered last year and has handed much of the responsibility at United to his sons. In addition to the mounting interest payments, Glazer is also on the hook for providing manager Sir Alex Ferguson with a 25M-pound transfer kitty each summer. Disillusioned with the club's lower-than-anticipated profits, the Glazer family seems eager to back out of the football business.

Sir Alex Ferguson, meanwhile, is attempting to lure Tottenham's Bulgarian marksman, Dimitar Berbatov, to Old Trafford. The 26-year-old has been a revelation since arriving in the Premiership from Bayer Leverkusen last summer; and Spurs remain hopeful that he will agree a 6-year contract extension in the coming weeks. Ferguson is hoping to change their minds, however, by offering 27.5M-pounds and Louis Saha in exchange for Berbatov. Currently on 22,000-pounds per-week, Berbatov would be likely to see his wages triple upon arrival in Manchester.

Gerard Houllier resigned as Olympique Lyonnais manager, Friday. The 59-year-old arrived at the Gerland in 2005 after a six-year spell with Liverpool. He won back-to-back Ligue-1 titles in his two years at the French giants and will coach his final game this weekend at home to Nantes. His exit will surely alert the brass at Manchester City. Houllier has been shortlisted as a prime candidate to succeed Stuart Pearce at Eastlands this summer. He comes with a respected pedigree in English football. While at Anfield, he lifted two League Cups, an FA Cup, and the UEFA Cup.

Arsene Wenger's recent meeting with Pedja Mijatovic at Real Madrid has reignited speculation over the Arsenal manager's future in English football. Wenger sat down with the Madrid sporting director to sort-out the Julio Baptista and Jose Antonio Reyes loan-swap. At some point in the discussion, however, Mijatovic inquired as to the availability of Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas. Wenger's reply, while surely startling Mijatovic across the table, came as a surprise to countless Arsenal fans as well. The Frenchman remarked, "I want Cesc to be a key part of any project I am in charge of -- Arsenal or elsewhere. For that reason, I do not want him to be sold; but I could convince him to accompany me anywhere." Wenger's comments have led to the belief that he is a frontrunner to succeed Fabio Capello at the Bernabeu ahead of next season.

Sven-Goran Eriksson has done a re-think on the vacant managerial position at Manchester City. The former England boss has been unemployed since walking away from the national side last summer. And while he has wasted no opportunity to tout himself for any job that has become available in the meantime, his only serious response was from Dynamo Kiev several months ago. Eriksson, however, would prefer to remain a part of English football. He had hoped to take the reins of a big, European side; thus, his willingness to assume the job at Eastlands demonstrates a change in his thinking.

Gordon Strachan remains on Manchester City's radar, as well. The Celtic manager renews his contract at Parkhead on one-year intervals and is thought to be keen on a move back south. Already having romped to two Scottish titles with Hoops, the job at Eastlands would represent a far greater challenge to the 50-year-old.

Roy Keane has wasted no time going about his summer tinkering at Sunderland. The Black Cats manager has tabled a 2M-pound bid for Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen. The 32-year-old Fin is seen as a significant step up from incumbents Darren Ward and Martin Fulop. Keane will also attempt to pry Eider Gudjohnsen from Barcelona in the coming weeks. Club owner Nial Quinn is desperate to avoid a repeat of last season when Sunderland were relegated twelve months after winning the League Championship.

VFB Stuttgart will attempt to win a first-ever league and cup double on the weekend when they meet Nurnberg in the German Cup final. However, Stuttgart manager Armin Veh is not leaping to conclusions. His players have been in celebratory spirits since winning the title last Saturday; and Veh is concerned that the festivities may have affected their fitness and concentration. "We haven't slept much since Saturday," reflected Veh.

Places remain up for grabs heading into the final round of matches in Ligue-1 this weekend. Marseille wrapped-up second place and a berth in next season's Champions' League last week, but third and fourth place are still available to five clubs. Lens seem the likeliest to finish third and earn a Champions' League qualification spot. They are away to lowly Troyes and a good bet to claim all three points at Stade de l'Aube. Bordeaux and Toulouse, currently fourth and sixth-place, respectively, will square-off at Stadium Municipal. On 55-points, Toulouse could leap-frog Bordaux into fourth-place with a win. Neither side can afford a draw, however, as Rennes and Sochaux are nipping at their heels. Rennes visit struggling Lille and Sochaux host St. Etienne at Stade Bonal.