Real Madrid sack director general Jorge Valdano

Mourinho and Valdano together in happier times in May 2010

Real Madrid director general Jorge Valdano has been sacked after a board meeting at the Bernabeu stadium.

"We have decided to end the contractual relationship with Jorge Valdano," said Real president Florentino Perez.
Valdano's removal is part of a Real reorganisation that strengthens Jose Mourinho's position at the Madrid club.
The pair fell out after Valdano queried Mourinho's request for another striker as cover for the injured Gonzalo Higuain earlier in the season.
"The experience of this just completed season demonstrated a need for more autonomy, including within the coaching unit," said Perez.
"Mourinho demanded an autonomy on the sporting side like that which works with English clubs. I think for the sake of the institution that this is a reorganisation that has to be done.
"We signed the best coach in the world, so we want to be sure that even when he leaves one day and we sign another of the world's best, the structure is there."
At a later media conference, Valdano revealed that he and Mourinho had not spoken "for a long time".
"I am not the one who turned Real Madrid into a battlefield," said the Argentine. "All my efforts this season were directed toward restraint.
"It has been a long time since I have spoken personally to Mourinho. We greet each other politely, but he sought to deal with people other than me.
"My responsibilities with the first team were reduced. I did not feel comfortable in that situation."
Real won its first Copa del Rey trophy in 18 years in Mourinho's first season in charge after an 1-0 extra-time win over rivals Barcelona.
But Barca claimed a third successive La Liga title and also knocked Real out of the Champions League in the semi-finals.
"I believe Jose Mourinho staying on is good for a club that's been unstable in the past," added Valdano.
"It needs to settle for a reasonable period of time. He's done a good job, I believe he is a good coach and I find it normal that he stays on."
Valdano, who played with Diego Maradona in Argentina's 1986 World Cup-winning team, coached Madrid to the Spanish league title in 1995 and played for several seasons at the club.
The 55-year-old had two years on his current deal to run.

Burnley appoint Brian Laws as new manager

Laws is an ex-Clarets defender and takes over at Turf Moor

Burnley have appointed Brian Laws as their new manager on a two-and-a-half-year contract.

The former Clarets player, 48, is a surprise appointment to succeed Owen Coyle, who joined Bolton last week.

Laws, sacked last month by Championship strugglers Sheffield Wednesday, had two interviews at Burnley to beat Doncaster's Sean O'Driscoll to the job.

A press conference from Turf Moor is due to take place at 1530 GMT on Wednesday afternoon.

Burnley are lying 14th in the Premier League with 20 points from 20 games.

Chelsea transfer ban is suspended

Kakuta, 18, joined Chelsea from French side Lens in 2007

Chelsea's transfer ban has been temporarily suspended by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) pending a final decision on the matter.

Fifa had ruled the club could not sign players until 2011 after inducing Gael Kakuta to break his Lens contract.

But Chelsea appealed to Cas, which said on Friday: "Such sanctions are now stayed until the Cas renders its final decision in this matter."

The decision means Chelsea will be able to sign players in January.

No date has been given for a final decision from Cas but the case is not expected to be concluded until spring of next year.

Fifa had banned the Premier League leaders in September from any activity during the next two transfer windows after they were found guilty of inducing Kakuta, now aged 18, to breach his contract with French club Lens in 2007.

Under the terms of the original Fifa punishment, French teenager Kakuta was ordered to pay compensation of 780,000 euros (£710,000), for which Chelsea were "jointly and severally liable".

Chelsea were also told to pay Lens "training compensation" of 130,000 euros (£118,000).

Ferdinand injury 'not improving'

Defender Ferdinand could be out for longer than expected

Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand faces a prolonged injury absence as the club try to find the cause of his problems.

The defender is out of Sunday's match at Chelsea with a calf injury, which manager Sir Alex Ferguson fears is related to a lower back problem.

"There has been no improvement," said Ferguson. "We are having to look at something different.

The injury is likely to rule Ferdinand out of England's friendly against Brazil in Qatar next week.

"Usually you are back from a calf injury within two or three weeks," added Ferguson.

"But there is no sign of recovery from this injury so we are looking at whether it is to do with his lower back."

His last appearance was in the 2-0 defeat by Liverpool at Anfield, Ferdinand who turns 31 on Saturday, has missed Manchester United's last three games.Ferdinand, who missed the first month of the season after tearing a thigh muscle in training, has struggled with form this season, not helped by a nagging calf injury.

Fellow centre-back Nemanja Vidic has a niggling calf injury but is expected to face Chelsea in the top-of-the-table clash at Stamford Bridge.

Moyes defends Everton after rout

Everton remain second in Group I despite their hammering in Portugal

Everton manager David Moyes had nothing but praise for his young team after they were humbled 5-0 at Benfica.

Moyes was missing 11 players for their Uefa Europa League game in Lisbon and said: "It was the best team we had and the players did everything they could.

"Only one of the defence played in their normal position and Seamus Coleman made his debut, but that's what we had, we didn't have any options.

"There were some mistakes for goals, but I've only got praise for them."

The Toffees' injury problems are mounting ahead of Sunday's Premier League match against Bolton, with Leighton Baines suffering a calf problem before the Benfica tie and winger Diniyar Bilyaletdinov finishing the game with a strapping on his thigh.

Moyes added: "We will need to assess Diniyar when we get back as well. I am not sure yet who might be fit for the weekend.

"Maybe if I could have told the fans what sort of team I'd have to put out a couple of days ago some of them wouldn't have travelled, but I couldn't do that.

"The boys came up against some serious players tonight. They are professionals and when you are out there you do your best, so I've praised them, but also they've seen the level they need to get to.

"I'm not sure it was a five-goal game, the scoreline hurts, of course it does."

Everton had won their first two Group I games in the Europa League and sit second in the table behind the Portuguese giants, who they meet again at Goodison Park on 5 November.

"I'm looking forward to playing Benfica again when we've got a couple of players back from injury," stated Moyes.

"It would have been nice to be able to put out my first team and see what might have happened.

"Benfica have a good attitude and showed their attacking qualities in the second half. They capitalised on several mistakes we made in that spell and took their opportunities very well."

Boro delay Strachan announcement

Strachan has previously managed Coventry, Southampton and Celtic

Championship side Middlesbrough have delayed appointing former Celtic boss Gordon Strachan as their new manager.

Chairman Steve Gibson told BBC Tees on Wednesday that he hoped to name Gareth Southgate's replacement before Saturday's trip to Preston.

But it is now believed that there will be no announcement for at least the next 48 hours.

Boro confirmed on Thursday that first team coach Colin Cooper would take charge at Deepdale.

He will be assisted by fellow coach Steve Agnew and goalkeeping coach Stephen Pears.

Strachan, 52, left Celtic in May and has also managed Coventry and Southampton.

Promotion is the only objective for the season Boro chairman Steve Gibson

Former England defender Southgate was dismissed on Tuesday, just hours after his team defeated Derby 2-0.

The victory took Boro to fourth in the Championship, one point adrift of top spot, following relegation from the Premier League last season.

Gibson appointed rookie managers Bryan Robson, Steve McClaren and Southgate during his reign as chairman at the Riverside Stadium, but indicated he wanted a more experienced name in charge - with Strachan fitting the bill.

BBC 5 live's chief football reporter Ian Dennis said: "Strachan will be charged with realising Gibson's objective of winning promotion at the first attempt.

"Middlesbrough are just one point from the top - and Strachan will inherit a splendid opportunity."

Boro had suffered three defeats at home already this season, the latest of which came against Watford on Saturday.

"When I sat down and considered our start to the season, I felt that the league table was actually more favourable than some of our performances," Gibson's statement on the club website read.

"Then I looked at the important games against the teams immediately around us, and took those results into account.

"In general the results and the performances have not been to the level I would have hoped for.

"Before last night, our five home games had brought in seven points. That will not get us promoted - and promotion is the only objective for the season."

Middlesbrough 2-0 Derby (UK only)

Strachan is a former Scotland international midfielder who played for Dundee, Aberdeen, Manchester United, Leeds and Coventry during a successful career.

He became player-manager of Coventry in 1996 and remained at the club until his dismissal at the end of the 2000-01 season.

Strachan took over at Saints in October 2001 and took the club to the 2003 FA Cup Final before resigning in February 2004.

The Scot succeeded Martin O'Neill as Celtic boss and won the SPL title in three consecutive seasons. He left the club after failing to retain the title last season.

O'Neill unmoved on Heskey future

Former Villa team-mate Gareth Barry said he 'understood' Heskey's feelings

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill says Emile Heskey should not yet worry about his England spot at the 2010 World Cup, after claims he could leave Villa Park.

The striker admitted his lack of starts for Villa was a concern after Saturday's World Cup defeat in Ukraine

O'Neill has preferred to play Gabriel Agbonlahor as a lone striker but said the World Cup was "a long way away".

"There are players at this club with England ambitions. I wouldn't be overly concerned about all that yet," he said.

Heskey, 31, has started only one Premier League match this season but has begun six out of England's nine World Cup qualifiers in the current campaign.

The former Liverpool striker said after the 1-0 defeat in Ukraine that he was happy playing for England and "obviously, not playing at club level is difficult".

"It's something I will have to look at when I get back and try to address it," he added.

England and Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry said that he "understood the feelings" of his former Villa Park team-mate, while the Villa manager appeared to be less perturbed.

"There are players at this football club with proper ambitions to be in the England reckoning next summer - and so they should - like Ashley Young, James Milner, Stewart Downing, Gabby Agbonlahor and Emile Heskey.Regarding Heskey's comments, O'Neill added: "I've been away from my desk for a couple of days, so I will genuinely have to sit down and have a think about it before I make any comment on that.

"But players need to remember themselves here. The World Cup is not next week, not before Christmas and not even before Easter. It's a long, long way away.

"The side picked, if the World Cup was just round the corner, might be a lot different to the one picked for next summer. There could be five changes or more with things like injuries or loss of form."

Heskey joined Villa from Wigan for £3.5m in January, linking up again with O'Neill after a previous spell together at Leicester City.

He has also won 57 England caps since making his debut against Hungary in 1999.

Beckham deal probable, say Milan

Beckham is keen to play in the 2010 World Cup

AC Milan claim it is "very probable" that David Beckham will rejoin the Italian side on loan from Los Angeles Galaxy in the January transfer window.

The England midfielder had a successful loan spell at Milan last season during the Major League Soccer off-season.

Milan vice president Adriano Galliani said: "It's very probable that Beckham will come on loan until 30 June."

Galaxy said last week they knew a move would improve the 34-year-old's chances of playing in next summer's World Cup.

"We appreciate what he's doing here with England," Tim Leiweke, chief of Galaxy's owners AEG, said in London.

"We want to get a deal done for him and for us."

The midfielder, who joined Milan on an initial three-month deal in January that was extended to the end of the season, revealed last week that a deal was close to being finalised.

"He's a class act, a great player and I'm proud of what he's doing with the national team."David was probably saying a little bit more than he should but he is right, we're going to get something done and we're going to take care of him," said Leiweke.

"If David's not playing over here [in Europe] in January, he's not going to be on the national team during the World Cup.

"So we would be honoured to do that again if it helps David because we want to make sure he fulfils that dream."

Leiweke added that the former England skipper would not be required to return from Milan to Los Angeles before the World Cup in South Africa.

Beckham, who has won 114 caps for his country, returned to the England squad during a successful loan period at Milan last season.

Notts County sack boss McParland

McParland spent eight years as a player at Notts

Notts County have sacked manager Ian McParland after almost two years in charge of the League Two club.

McParland, who took over as boss in October 2007, has guided the Magpies to fifth in the table this season.

But speculation about his future has been rife since the summer takeover by Middle East consortium Munto Finance.

Former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson was named director of football and the club's backers have revealed ambitious plans to reach the Premier League.

McParland spent eight years as a player at Meadow Lane, scoring 90 goals in 267 appearances.

More to follow.

Rooney pulls out of England squad

Rooney has shone during England's World Cup qualifying campaign

Striker Wayne Rooney has withdrawn from the England squad for Wednesday's final World Cup qualifier against Belarus because of a calf injury.

The 23-year-old Manchester United striker picked up the muscle strain during Saturday's 1-0 loss to Ukraine.

Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard will remain with the squad after having his groin injury assessed.

Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster was called up by England following the suspension of Robert Green.

Foster, 26, was omitted from the initial squad because of bruising to his ribs but has now been passed fit and was drafted in for the Belarus clash following Green's sending-off against Ukraine.

Portsmouth's David James is likely to start in goal having come on as Green's replacement on Saturday, with Tottenham's Aaron Lennon making way.

England had won their previous eight matches and were targeting a 100% record in Group Six but Sergiy Nazarenko's first-half deflected shot handed Ukraine victory after Green had seen red for fouling Artem Milevskiy.

Rooney worked tirelessly on Saturday when the side were reduced to 10 men in the Dnipro Arena and will now have his calf injury assessed at England's training base in Hertfordshire, before being released back to the Old Trafford club.Gerrard continues his battle to overcome a groin problem - he was a substituted at half-time on Saturday - but remains in the England camp for further treatment.

Europe's joint-highest goalscorer in World Cup qualifying with nine goals will be hoping to be fit for United's Premier League encounter with Bolton on Saturday.

Unless injury hits one of his other four strikers, England coach Fabio Capello is unlikely to call in a replacement.

Heskey will consider Villa future

Heskey was given a start for England in Saturday's defeat by Ukraine

Emile Heskey will consider leaving Aston Villa in the January transfer window as he looks to secure a place in England's 2010 World Cup finals squad.

The 31-year-old has started only one Premier League match this season.

England coach Fabio Capello appears to favour Heskey but the striker still fears for his place in South Africa.

"I will have to sit down and think about my next move," he said. "I don't know whether I can get a World Cup place if I'm not playing for Villa."

Heskey played in the 1-0 defeat in Ukraine on Saturday and has started six of England's nine World Cup qualifiers in the current campaign.

"It's something I will have to look at when I get back and try to address it.""I'm happy to be playing for England and, obviously, not playing at club level is difficult," he stated.

The former Liverpool striker joined Aston Villa from Wigan for £3.5m in January, linking up again with manager Martin O'Neill after a previous spell together at Leicester City.

Heskey has won 57 England caps since making his debut against Hungary in 1999.

Agbonlahor has three goals in his last three games against Birmingham

Agbonlahor has three goals in his last three games against Birmingham

Gabriel Agbonlahor struck a late winner as Aston Villa beat derby rivals Birmingham in a tight game.

The England striker nodded in after John Carew had headed an Ashley Young free-kick towards him.

The goal settled a match of limited chances and quality, although it did belatedly set up an exciting finish.

Birmingham pushed for a leveller, but Agbonlahor should have added a second when he was clean through only to put his shot high.

The brief late drama was not in keeping with a game in which both defences had the upper hand for the most part.

And Birmingham fans will feel their side could have done more earlier as they adopted a similarly cautious approach to the game as Villa.

McLeish feels Blues deserved more

The St Andrew's faithful certainly provided a vociferous atmosphere for their side as they tried to encourage them to avenge the 5-1 thrashing dished out by Villa the last time these two met.

And, although Birmingham showed plenty of intensity, Villa had a more controlled approach as they tried to keep the home side at arm's length - hoping their extra quality would provide the breakthrough.

The strategy almost paid off during the first half but James Milner and Agbonlahor failed to take the chances which came Villa's way.

Milner shot wide and sliced an effort horribly off target after a driven cross from Agbonlahor, who had a near post header diverted just wide by defender Roger Johnson.

Villa were playing with a new-look defence as central defenders Richard Dunne and James Collins made their debuts along with left-back Stephen Warnock.

Their first real test came when Garry O'Connor chested down a ball and had a shot blocked by Warnock, who quickly got himself up to get in front of Sebastian Larsson's follow-up strike.

Lee Bowyer had a 20-yard shot saved and ex-Villa trainee Keith Fahey steered a shot just wide for the home side who suffered the loss of James McFadden because of a thigh injury.

O'Neill relieved after derby win

Birmingham closed into their shell more the longer the game went on as Villa started to increase their threat on goal after big striker Carew entered the fray.

Steve Sidwell headed straight at Blues keeper Joe Hart before Milner again shot wide.

But any hopes Birmingham had of a battling point were quashed when Agbonlahor struck for Villa's third league win on the bounce and saw them continue the away form which served them so well last season.

---

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish:
"The defeat was very harsh. I thought we played really well. I'm sorry we couldn't get something more from it as I think we deserved more.

"I can't fault the players but the only criticism is that we allowed two headers from an Ashley Young free-kick (for their goal).

"I didn't think there was a huge gulf between the teams in terms of quality."

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill:
"I said before I'm not sure there's great enjoyment of or about the game but it's nice to have won.

"It was a game of few chances. We played solidly and nicely without exerting a great deal of pressure.

"Gabriel Agbonlahor was absolutely terrific. His confidence is getting greater and greater with each game and the goals obviously help any centre forward."

FA to look into Adebayor conduct

Van Persie receives treatment after clashing with Adebayor

The Football Association is to "take a close look" at two incidents involving Manchester City's Emmanuel Adebayor from Saturday's game against Arsenal.

The first focuses on his clash with Robin van Persie, who claims Adebayor deliberately stamped on him.

The second concerns Adebayor's baiting of Arsenal fans after scoring the third of his side's four goals at Eastlands.

FA chief Ian Watmore, "unimpressed" with Adebayor's actions, said the FA would examine the incidents on Monday.

"Our governance team will take a good look at both of the incidents that have been highlighted and will come to the media with the answers early next week," he told Radio 5 live's Sportsweek show.

PHIL McNULTY BLOG Adebayor's senseless, provocative 90-yard dash to incite Arsenal's supporters after his goal against his former club provided an unsavoury sub-plot to a 4-2 win that demonstrated Manchester City's revolution is built on substance as well as finance

"The punishments are the decision of the individual commission, if we get that far."

Adebayor, a £25m summer signing from Arsenal, escaped sanction from referee Mark Clattenburg following the Van Persie incident.

After avoiding his opponent's sliding tackle in the middle of the field, the Togo international's right boot caught the Dutchman in the face, leaving him needing treatment for a cut.

"I was trying to kick the ball," Adebayor told Sky Sports after the match. "I see him tackling and I don't have time to take my feet back because I'm trying to kick the ball.

"My feet touch his head. I feel sorry for him and even straight away, and at the end of the game, I said sorry."

However, Van Persie, 26, subsequently claimed Adebayor had deliberately set out to injure him.

In a statement on Arsenal's official website, Van Persie said he was "sad and disappointed" by Adebayor's "mindless and malicious stamp".

Adebayor apologies for goal celebration

He added: "He set out to hurt me today. I do feel lucky that I have not received a greater injury.

"I knew he was aiming for a collision because he changed the angle of his body to allow contact to be made.

"He moved backwards when his natural momentum would have taken him forward. I find that deeply disrespectful.

"The contact was only centimetres from my eye. I have not received an apology from him, there were no words exchanged afterwards. He had his own agenda today and that is bad for football. It's bad for the game we all love."

He continued: "We are both professional footballers and I know that the game is physical. I, too, have made hard and sometimes mis-timed challenges but never with the intention of hurting an opponent.

"He has shown a real lack of class, to me and the fans.

"We do not hide from the disappointment of losing the match but I need to speak out about his behaviour."

Arsenal lacked sharpness - Wenger

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said he wanted to see a replay before deciding whether there was any intent on Adebayor's behalf.

"I didn't really see what happened," said the Frenchman.

"I have to see it again to see if it was on purpose or not. I can't say anything at the moment."

City boss Mark Hughes also said he had not seen the incident but admitted he would be disappointed if it was allowed to overshadow a thrilling victory, in which five goals were scored in an amazing half-hour blitz in the second half.

"We are hopeful that the game itself will be the shining light rather than any one incident," said Hughes.

"We do not want it to cast a shadow on an outstanding game, but we will have to see what happens."

Most of the talk immediately following the game centred on Adebayor's inflammatory goal celebration.

After scoring City's third goal 10 minutes from time, he ran the length of the field and slid on his knees right in front of the stand containing the visiting Arsenal supporters.

"The emotion took over me," admitted Adebayor, 26. "Now I just have to say sorry."

Important win for Man City - Hughes

He added: "When I score a goal, for two or three seconds I can't control myself. To be honest, I'm very sorry for all this.

"Before the game, people have been saying and writing things. The emotions took over. People who love me and know me know how I behave."

It later emerged that a match steward needed hospital treatment after being hit by a flying object in the wake of Adebayor's goal celebration.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: "The steward received a head injury from a flying object which appeared to have been thrown from the direction of the away end.

"We were told the steward was unconscious for a few seconds before being taken to hospital and later discharged."

The spokesman, who could not confirm whether the steward was male or female, said police would investigate the assault.