Tuesday Football

16 December 2008

by Jerrad Peters

 

Rovers sack Ince

 

Blackburn Rovers parted ways with manager Paul Ince on Tuesday morning, sacking the 41-year-old after just five months. The decision to relieve Ince of his duties was made on Monday when chairman John Williams and his board met for crisis talks in the wake of Blackburn's 3-0 dismantling at Wigan.

"It is with great sadness the Board announce that Paul Ince is to leave the club," read a statement on Rovers' official website. "After a Board meeting yesterday it was decided to relieve Paul of his duties."

In 17 league matches at Blackburn, Ince led his side to just three wins and leaves the club second from bottom in the standings. The defeat at JJB Stadium on Saturday was their 11^th match in a row without a win.

"Three wins in 17 games has seen a squad, which finished seventh last season, fall to 19^th position," remarked Williams. "We are currently in real danger of becoming detached from the pack." He continued, "The survival of the club in the Premier League is paramount, and our focus now is on finding a replacement who will be able to maintain our top-division status."

Already, former manager Graeme Souness is believed to be favored for the post. The 55-year-old has been out of management since 2006 and is currently a television analyst for Setanta Sports. Also linked with the club are Alan Curbishley and Sam Allardyce. Turkish midfielder Tugay is expected to fill a coaching role under the new regime.

As for Ince, he will likely take some time away from football before returning to management. Early successes with Macclesfield and MK Dons vaulted him to the top division in just two years, and he will probably take a step back and await an opening in The Championship.

"Paul will bounce back," affirmed Williams. "He is a fighter and we wish him well.

 

Reggina replace Orlandi with Pillon

 

Blackburn weren't the only 19^th-place side to make a managerial change on Tuesday. Reggina, on the back end of Sunday's 2-0 loss to Sampdoria, dismissed Nevio Orlandi after nine months at the club. Former Chievo Verona and Treviso boss Giuseppe Pillon has been named to the post and will oversee his first match away to Cagliari on Sunday.

With 12 points from 16 rounds and a league-worst goal-differential of -18, Reggina opted to make the move in order to save their season and preserve their place in Serie A. Ironically, Orlandi arrived at the club for the same purpose last season and saved the Amaranto from relegation.

It should also be noted that Pillon, over the course of a 16-year career in club management, has held the top job at 13 outfits. His longest stint was from 1994 to 1997 with Treviso.

 

Parreira a candidate for Black Cats

 

Still on the managerial front, World Cup winner Carlos Alberto Parreira has thrown his hat into the ring at the Stadium of Light.

The 65-year-old took Brazil to glory at USA '94 and coached the national team again in Germany in 2006. He has also managed at Valencia, Fenerbahce, Internacional and Corinthians and resigned from his recent job in charge of South Africa in April.

Parreira joins a list of approximately 30 candidates to replace Roy Keane at Sunderland. Among them are Sam Allardyce, Alan Curbishley, Gordon Strachan, Gerard Houllier, Sven-Goran Eriksson and Peter Reid.

 

Bayern to swoop for McGeady

 

Out of favor at Celtic, Aiden McGeady is a transfer target of Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich. The 22-year-old winger has repeatedly clashed with Hoops manager Gordon Strachan, despite retaining top-level form over five seasons at the club.

The two are rumored to have engaged in a verbal exchange following last weekend's disappointing draw with Hearts. McGeady was also left out of a team meeting after Celtic's devastating 4-2 loss at home to Rangers on August 31.

Bayern manager Jurgen Klinsmann is keen to bring the Ireland international to Bavaria and would be willing to pay the Scottish champions' 8M-pound asking price.

 

Benzema: Playing for Madrid "is my hidden dream."

 

Olympique Lyonnais forward Karim Benzema has admitted that joining Real Madrid would be a dream come true.

"As far as sport is concerned," he remarked, "playing for Real Madrid is my hidden dream. And I think this dream is about to become a reality."

Despite consistent interest from Manchester United, the France international, who turns 21 on Wednesday, appears intent on joining the Merengues in the summertime.

"I like the white shirt, the stadium and the atmosphere surrounding the Bernabeu," he added. "I promised my mother that one day I will play for Real Madrid. I want this to come true."

Benzema has scored 14 goals in 21 matches this season and notched 26 in 47 outings last term. He has also scored five goals in 19 outings for France.