Roberto Di Matteo has insisted that he is not thinking about landing the Chelsea job on a full-time basis and is solely concentrating on securing a victory in the Champions League final.

Since taking over from Andre Villas-Boas on a temporary basis in March, the Italian has led Chelsea to FA Cup glory and into the Champions League final against Bayern Munich.

But despite being tipped to land the role permanently, Di Matteo remains adamant that he has not held discussions regarding the job with the club's owner Roman Abramovich.

"We haven't had time, or it wasn't relevant, to have that conversation," he told reporters. "We're all focusing on being successful.

"I don't know what the future will hold. I'm entirely focused on this game."

Di Matteo enjoyed six successful years at Stamford Bridge during his playing days, and hinted that the presence of an authority with roots at the club is a major positive.

"I'm not thinking me personally. I try to think about the team, the group. I feel responsible about the club as well,” he continued. "Maybe it's a bit unselfish, but that's the way I think.

"What happened to me was unexpected. I do believe that, to have a history and a legacy at a club, it's important to connect everyone to the supporters and people working in the club.

"You never know, but another ex-player could be in charge of Chelsea in the future."

Follow GOAL.COM USA on

… [more]

Source: www.goal.com/en-us

Former Atletico Madrid coach Gregorio Manzano believes that Radamel Falcao would be a big hit at Real Madrid or Barcelona.

"Whoever bets on Falcao will not be disappointed, it is a safe bet even for Real Madrid and Barcelona," Manzano told COMRadio.

The Colombian striker's future at Atletico has been a hot topic of debate in recent weeks after scoring 36 goals in his debut season for the club following his 40 million euros transfer from Porto last summer.

A host of European sides are understood to be monitoring Falcao, and Manzano, who coached the player during the first half of the season, believes that the 26-year-old would be a quality addition to either La Liga giant.

"Falcao will succeed at any club, as long as he is part of a good team. He really knows how to score goals."

Atletico president Enrique Cerezo has admitted that the club may listen to offers for Falcao, and Manzano thinks that the Rojiblancos may be forced to sell the Colombian to balance their books.

"Considering that Atletico are going through a difficult moment and if they really need the money, then it is logical that they will have to sell their biggest asset to raise funds.

"But I do not know what the board members are thinking." … [more]

Source: www.goal.com/en-us

Avram Grant has left Partizan Belgrade a mere five months after being appointed as coach.

The Israeli boss led the Serbian giants to a fifth consecutive domestic title, but he came under heavy criticism from many fans for losing all three derby games against archrival Red Star Belgrade and failing to secure the title at an earlier in the season despite benefiting from a 10-point cushion atop the rankings back in January when he took over from Aleksandar Stanojevic.

In a press conference held at the Partizan training ground, Grant claimed he was leaving the club for "personal reasons".

"My plan was to stay longer, but in life some unplanned things always occur. I will always be there to assist Partizan," Grant said before confirming he would attend the Champions' League final at the Allianz Arena this weekend where his former Chelsea players face Bayern Munich.

The Partizan board was quick to appoint former Kaizer Chiefs coach Vladimir Vermezovic as his replacement, while Grant took his players to a farewell dinner.

Recent speculation of Grant taking over at Bolton were quelled by the Wanderers relegation from the Premier League, leaving his future destination unknown.

… [more]

Source: www.goal.com/en-us

Porto striker Hulk has suggested that he is in the dark about where he will play next season.'

"I do not talk about transfers," he told Globoesporte. "That is something that I leave for my agent. All I know is that I will stay in Europe."

The Brazil international's future at the Estadio do Dragao has been a fervent source of conjecture since his agent declared last week that this was the right time for the striker to leave.

Hulk has done little to quell talk of a summer transfer and admitted earlier in the week that he was aware of the interest of clubs in his services, though he remains uncertain about where he will ply his trade next season.

"Europe is where I want to continue to play, also because my family likes to be there and is settled there," Hulk said.

The 25-year-old striker then revealed that Porto was not the only club vying for his services when he left Tokyo Verdy in 2008.

"I received offers from several clubs, one of them being from Atletico Madrid," he said. "But Porto also wanted me, and that played a role. I remembered a match I saw in Oporto when I was 15 years and I realized it was the right moment to fulfill my dream of playing there."

"I do not regret anything. It is incredible to play at this club." … [more]

Source: www.goal.com/en-us

Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre has defended the club’s owners in the aftermath of Kenny Dalglish's sacking, insisting his removal was done help the team return to greatness.

“I don't think in any way would they alienate themselves. This was such a difficult decision because it was Kenny,” Ayre told reporters.

“If Liverpool fans feel the owners have alienated themselves because they make tough decisions for Liverpool to restore it to greatness then that is for people to decide.

The Scot had led the Reds to two domestic cup finals in a season without European football but, after finishing eighth in the league and with summer signings predominantly failing to impress, the coach was shown the door on Wednesday.

Ayre does not believe the owners have alienated themselves with the decision to remove the club legend, saying that sometimes difficult decisions have to be made.

“They have an absolute commitment to the club and the fans and when they are here they make themselves completely accessible," Ayre said.  “I think what you need in football is a strong will to win and a commitment to making some difficult decisions.”

League Cup victory in February secured Europa League football for next season, but Ayre is adamant that the club still aim for a return to Champions League football as soon as possible.

“We will find out [the effect of not being in the Champions League] during the [hiring] process I guess,” he admitted.

He added, “The reason I don't think it will have an effect is if you lined up most managers in football and asked them if Liverpool would be a great club to manage and most people would aspire to do so I think they would say yes.

“The history of this club, the reach of this club around the world, its fanbase and everything we have achieved and want to achieve is more than enough to keep any manager we would want to go after hungry for the opportunity.”

With John W. Henry based abroad for the majority, Ayre also dismissed the notion that an American-based owner that has a negative impact on the Reds’ form.

“We speak almost daily. They are very aware of pretty much all of what is going on but they are able to have a more dispassionate view sometimes," Ayre explained. 

“I don't see distance as an issue.”

… [more]

Source: www.goal.com/en-us

Canadian midfielder Jonathan De Guzman has admitted he is looking for a way out of relegated Villarreal, with his sights set on a possible comeback to the Eredivisie.

The former Netherlands U21 international – who was born in Canada – joined the Yellow Submarine in 2011 from Mallorca with high hopes, but the club that played Champions' League football unexpectedly encountered relegation to the Segunda Division this season, prompting most of its talents to seek an exit.

"Playing in the Segunda Division is not an option for me. This I think is true for most of my teammates who played Champions League football. Relegation is the last thing I expected when I signed from Mallorca," De Guzman told Voetbal International.

The midfielder moved to Europe in 1999 as a 12-year-old to play for Feyenoord and is reported to be monitored by Twente.

"I read about the Twente rumors on the internet but neither me nor my agent are in talks with them. We will wait and see, but what is sure is that a return to the Netherlands is only possible insofar as a club guarantees me regular playing time and an important role," De Guzman concluded. … [more]

Source: www.goal.com/en-us

Former England manager Fabio Capello has not had any contact with Chelsea, his son has revealed.

"Up to this point, there is no chance of that happening," Pierfilippo Capello told Sky Sport Italia. "There has been no contact with Chelsea, I was astounded to read the news, but there is nothing going on."

Italian sources claimed on Thursday that the Blues owner, Roman Abramovich, had met with Capello with a view of convincing the 65-year-old to take over at Stamford Bridge at the end of the season.

The Italian coach son's has now quashed such reports, but revealed that his father has had talks with a number of other clubs.

"Other clubs have come forward, but there have not been any actual offers. This is the month for transfer games, a lot is said but contracts are not signed," he said.

Earlier in the week, Capello senior confirmed that he was close to being appointed as Inter coach before Andrea Stramaccioni was given the job, but hinted that talks broke down because of Nerazzurri president Massimo Moratti. … [more]

Source: www.goal.com/en-us

Giuseppe Rossi's agent insists that the crocked Villarreal forward is now an even more "appetizing prospect" for Europe's top clubs because his injury problems have significantly lowered his value.

“Clearly paying wages for someone who cannot play before March 2013 represents an investment for the future," his representative, Federico Pastorello told Radio Kiss Kiss.

The Italy international tore his anterior cruciate ligament last October and suffered the exact same injury just before he was set to return to action in April.

The setback, which will result in the forward spending at least another 10 months on the sidelines, appears to have scuppered Rossi's hopes of securing a return to Serie A this summer, but his representative, Federico Pastorello, has not given up hope on a club making what he feels would be a low-risk move for the player.

“Anyone who buys him today will obviously have the opportunity to deal with Villarreal at very different price-tags to the ones bandied about in the past," he stated. "It’s only natural this player can be an appetizing prospect."

“I am convinced if someone approaches the matter this way, then we can work out the timing and methodology. I am in continual contact with Villarreal, so if there were to be any proposals then we’d talk them over."

Because of his injury layoff, Rossi was powerless to prevent Villarreal being relegated from the Primera Division last season.
… [more]

Source: www.goal.com/en-us