Football Dispatch

Monday Football
10 December2007
by Jerrad Peters

JOSE Mourinho has rejected the England manager's job. The ex-Chelsea boss was flown into London on Friday for discussions with FA chief Brian Barwick and Director of Football Development Sir Trevor Brooking. While at Soho Square, the 44-year-old revealed his vision for the England squad and provided an outline as to how he would go about overhauling the current setup. Barwick, in particular, was impressed; and reports of an initial contract offer worth approximately 24M-pounds over four years was quick to surface. Nevertheless, Mourinho officially turned-down the position, today. And while his motives in doing so remain somewhat unclear, he released the following statement: "After deep and serious thinking, I decided to exclude myself from behing England manager, despite it being a fantastic position for me." He continued, "I had useful discussions with Brian Barwick and Trevor where we exchanged ideas to evaluate the entire situation about the England squad and set the goals in case of real invitation being addressed to me." The FA, for its part, refuses to acknowledge that Mourinho is out of the running. However, their shortlist of five candidates has been reduced to four. Remaining in contention are Martin O'Neill, Fabio Capello, Marcello Lippi, and Jurgen Klinsmann. O'Neill, who participated in the previous round of interviews, has already pulled his name from the reckoning.

Klinsmann, meanwhile, is being linked to the Liverpool job. Current manager Rafael Benitez does not see eye-to-eye with the club's American owners and currently finds himself in the midst of a crucial series of matches. After losing 3-1 at Reading on Saturday, his side is desperately short on confidence as they prepare for tomorrow's crucial Champions' League encounter at Marseille. With just seven points from five matches in the competition's Group A, the Reds must win at the intimidating Stade Veledrome in order to advance into the Round of 16. Complicating matters is the status of defensive midfielder Javier Mascherano. Since arriving at Anfield from West Ham last winter, the Argentina international has played exceptionally well alongside Steven Gerrard. Still, Liverpool do not own his playing rights. As per the agreement reached with West Ham earlier this year, they must pay Kia Joorabchian's Media Sports International (MSI) company 17M-pounds in order to secure the 23-year-old's services on a permanent basis. But with Liverpool co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks unwilling to replenish Benitez' transfer kitty, Mascherano may be permitted to walk. Mindful of this, Manchester City are already on the prowl. Sven-Goran Eriksson is also thought to be targeting striker Peter Crouch.

Three senior employees of Red Star Belgrade will be held in custody for up to a month as investigations continue into last week's riots in the Serbian capital. A plainclothes police officer was attacked by a gang of Red Star fans on Sunday, 02 December in the run-up to Red Star's match at home to Hajduk Kula. Four days later, over 100 Bolton Wanderers supporters were detained inside Belgrade's Hotel Nacional in the hours before the English club's UEFA Cup fixture against Red Star the the Stadion Crvena Zvezda. Authorities were worried that local mobs of home supporters would clash with the visitors. As a result of the unrest, General Secretary Zoran Damjanovic, Stadium Manager Miodrag Corovic, and Security Chief Novica
Mijuskovic have been kept under arrest and the club levied financial penalties totalling 500,000-dinars ($9,193). Additionally, Red Star will be required to play its next three home dates behind closed doors -- including the local derby against league-leaders Partizan.

Paris Saint-Germain is likely to incur similar punnishment in France's Ligue-1. The struggling side won 1-0 away to Auxerre at the weekend; although the result was tainted by hooliganism and violence. At least 150 PSG fans skirmished with local police ahead of the match in Bourgogne and midfielder Jerome Rothen was the subject of various threats. With the win, however, PSG pulled themselves out of the relegation zone. With a dismal 19-points from 17-rounds, they remain just a single point ahead of 18th-place Lille.

Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas was struck by an object as his side defeated host Atletic Bilbao 1-0, Saturday. The 26-year-old Spanish number-one commented that "the atmosphere at San Mames is always very powerful." As it happened, missiles and various objects such as knives and can openers were hurled from the stands for quite a spell in the second-half. "That zone is always like that," remarked Casillas. He continued, "It is a strange way to support your team." Ruud Van Nistelrooy's goal in the 55th-minute ensured a league-leading 11th-win for the visiting Meringues.

Juan Laporta is adamant that Barcelona will not be selling Ronaldinho in January. A series of curious injuries and a noted drop in form looked to have the 27-year-old Brazilian leaving the Nou Camp next month; and Chelsea's interest and the presence of former Barcelona assistant Henk ten Cate at Stamford Bridge only reinforced the perception. Still, Laporta seems keen on keeping the two-time FIFA World Footballer of the Year. "We are not going to sell Ronaldinho," he stated after Barcelona's 2-1 win over Deportivo la Coruna, yesterday. "We are not in contact with any other team." Given the mind-games of Spanish football, it remains in the realm of possibility that Laporta is holding firm on the player in order to attract higher offers when the transfer window opens in the new year.

Harry Redknapp has lashed out at his critics. The Portsmouth manager, arrested last week in connection with perceived corruption in football, voiced his outrage after Pompey's impressive 3-1 win over Aston Villa, Saturday. "I'm still uptight about what's gone on," said the 60-year-old. "I'm disgusted the way I've been treated. I'm taking it all the way." He continued, "No way I'm going to stand back and let what's happened to me happen. Not a chance." At the time of his arrest, Redknapp had been a frontrunner for the vacant England job. He was questioned, last week, by authorities in regards to allegations that he had taken bungs, or illegal pay-offs, in order to secure the transfers of players. Villa manager Martin O'Neill voiced his solidarity with his colleague. "All managers support Harry," stated the Northern Irishman, "what with everything that's happened."