Aston Villa confirm Houllier appointment

Source : football.co.uk

Aston Villa have confirmed the appointment of Gerard Houllier as their new manager.

Houllier will succeed Martin O'Neill and has returned to the Barclays Premier League after a six-year absence since ending his reign at Liverpool.

He had been working as technical director for the French Football Federation.

The 63-year-old is relishing the challenge of helping Villa to build on the success achieved under O'Neill, who resigned five days before the start of the campaign.

But there was no indication of who will be Houllier's number two after Phil Thompson declined the opportunity to reunite the partnership which had been successful at Anfield.

Houllier, in a media statement, said: "I am very happy and proud to join this great and historic club.

"It was a very difficult decision for me to leave the FFF [French Football Federation]. But I could not turn down the opportunity to manage a club whose approach, both on and off the pitch, I have long admired.

"Aston Villa is one of England's biggest clubs and has an amazing set of fans. This is a tremendous challenge and one I am very much looking forward to taking on."

Villa chief executive Paul Faulkner said: "Two of the key qualities we identified as being of crucial importance were experience of managing in the Premier League and a strategy for building on the existing strengths in our current squad.

"Gerard Houllier comfortably satisfies these criteria. In fact, he stands out as a football man who understands the ethos of our club and shares our core values. We look forward to working with Gerard and supporting him."

CARR : Houllier is good in tactical and strategy. Will Aston Villa be in 4 tops spot?

Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun joins Chelsea on three-year deal

Source : Goal.com


Chelsea have announced the capture of Liverpoolmidfielder Yossi Benayoun on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee, believed to be between £5 million and £6 million.

The 30-year-old has been linked with a switch to the Premier League champions all summer as a replacement for the out-of-contract Joe Cole and will join his new team-mates for pre-season training on July 5. 

The move brings to an end the Israel international's three-year stay on Merseyside, where he grabbed 18 goals in 92 appearances.

Speaking to the Blues' official website, Benayoun said: "I am very excited to come to a club like Chelsea, it is a big club and I think it is a dream for every player. Hopefully we will be successful."
Manager Carlo Ancelotti added: "We are happy to have this new player. Yossi has a lot of quality in midfield and can play in lots of positions. I like his behaviour on the pitch and he will do a great job for us next season."

His former club wished Benayoun, who played for West Ham United before moving to Anfield, will. A statement on the club's official website read: "Yossi's departure was agreed between the player and Rafael Benitez a number of weeks ago. Everybody at Liverpool FC wishes him well for the future."


Carr : I hope he'll be shine in chelsea eventhough he's Israelian and old

Wesley Sneijder's goal and assist took the Oranje to the last four in a real game of two halves.

Brazil 1 - Holland 2

The Netherlands sprung the first attack of the afternoon as Dirk Kuyt floated in a ball from the left in search of Robin Van Persie but there was no problem for the Brazil defence to smother this threat. Brazil then appeared to open the score after only eight minutes of play when Luis Fabiano set up Robinho, who calmly slotted home. However, the linesman had his flag up and the goal was deservedly disallowed. The Selecao then did pick up the lead in the 10th minute. Felipe Melo found Robinho with a superb pass through the centre of the pitch and the Santos star calmly placed the ball past Maarten Stekelenburg to make it 1-0 for Brazil. Oranje immediately tried to level the score and came close via Dirk Kuyt. The Liverpool attacker cut inside from the right before unleashing a low shot, but Julio Cesar deflected it wide for a corner kick.

The South Americans

continued to dominate play and could have doubled their lead halfway the first half. Dani Alves found Juan

with a good cross from the right and the centre back didn't hesitate to unleash a powerful shot, which went only just over the bar. Kaka then opted to test the Dutch goalie at the half hour mark with a placed shot from 20 yards out. Stekelenburg pulled off an excellent save to deny the Real Madrid star though. The referee awarded Oranje a free kick in a dangerous position

about ten minutes before the half-time whistle. Wesley Sneijder stepped up to take it, but his shot was too weak to trouble Julio Cesar. Netherlands then did seem to trouble the Brazilian defence minutes before the interval after a good attack down the right via Wesley Sneijder and Gregory van der Wiel. However, the latter's cross as eventually cleared by the South Americans'

defence. Maicon then nearly made it two for Brazil in the dying seconds of the first half. However, his powerful shot after an impressive run down the right ended up in the side-netting. Netherlands started the second half with attacking intentions and the Europeans levelled the score in the 50th minute. Wesley Sneijder sent in a dangerous cross from the right and midfielder Felipe Melo headed the ball in his own net after shot stopper Julio Cesar missed his clearance.

The Dutch only just escaped falling behind again after 65 minutes of play. Ooijer failed to clear a cross from the right, deflecting the ball into the path of Kaka. The attacking midfielder aimed his placed shot just wide of the Dutch goal though.

Oranje then somewhat surprisingly took the lead in the 67th minute. Robben sent in a great corner kick for Kuyt, who flicked the ball on for Sneijder and the unmarked Inter star headed home from close range.

Things went from bad to worse for the Selecao only minutes after the 2-1. Robben went past Felipe Melo and the Juventus midfielder cynically fouled the winger before kicking out at him again after the referee's whistle, leaving the ref no other option but to show Melo the red card.

Holland launched a breakaway about ten minutes before the final whistle after some good work from Sneijder. However, the final pass for Kuyt was just too hard and Julio Cesar picked up the loose ball.

Brazil then looked dangerous after a series of corner kicks with five more minutes to go, but an excellent goalline clearance from Kuyt prevented the equalizer.

Sneijder should have put the match to bed in the 84th minute after a quick counter attack. However, the tricky midfielder failed to beat the Brazilian goalie after being set up by Robin van Persie.

Manchester United Ready To Move For Real Madrid Hitman Karim Benzema

Manchester United are desperate to land a new attacker in the summer transfer window and manager Sir Alex Ferguson has supposedly made the capture of Benzema one of his primary objectives ahead of the 2010-11 campaign. Benzema joined the Blancos from Olympique Lyon in the summer of 2009, but the 22-year-old has failed to live up to expectations in Madrid so far. With Real pondering a swoop for Arsenal attacker Robin van Persie, Benzema could decide to leave the Spanish titans again after just one season in order to get regular first team football elsewhere.

The report claims that United are preparing a €30 million offer for the former Lyon star and Madrid are likely to cash in on Benzema if an offer in that region comes in. They paid €35m to Lyon last term to add Benzema to their ranks.

OFFICIAL: Genoa Confirm Luca Toni Will Join Them After Bayern Munich Release

Source: Goal.com

"Luca Toni is... almost a Genoa player. As announced by president Enrico Preziosi, his presentation will be held on Thursday.

"It will be reserved for the media, and it takes place at the Museum of Genoa's history.

"Toni's presentation will be followed by the launch of the official Asics team kits for the 2010-11 season.

"The procedures for the arrival of Toni will be activated tomorrow. Both parties are satisfied and we are waiting for Toni's first words as a Genoa player. Welcome Luca."

Toni arrives on a free deal after he was released by Bayern Munich two weeks ago following a three-year spell in Germany.

He scored 38 goals in 60 league appearances in his first two and a half seasons, but was deemed surplus to requirements by coach Louis van Gaal.

Toni spent the second half of last season on loan at Roma.

Mr H: Worrying your future ea? :P

Report: Inter Give Real Madrid €30Million Ultimatum Over Maicon

Source: Goal.com
La Gazzetta dello Sport claims Inter chief Massimo Moratti has given Florentina Perez his final chance to sign Maicon after technical director Marco Branca spoke to Real director Jorge Valdano.

The call centred around Maicon's price - a question neither club has been able to resolve. Real Madrid will not increase their €25m offer, but Inter expect at least €35m.

On Wednesday Morrati warned there was not rush to sell Maicon in an attempt to provoke a reaction from the Spanish club who are desperate to sign him.

Branca is set to meet with coach Rafael Benitez to discuss transfer plans this summer and Maicon is likely to be part of the conversation. If Real don't offer the cash, he will remain in Milan.

But if they table the right offer, the deal could be reinvigorated.

Meanwhile, Diego Milito's future is secure as he is expected to sign an extension that will tie him to the club until 2014.

Report: Real Madrid Offer €50 Million For Bayern Munich Star Bastian Schweinsteiger

Source: Goal.com

According to a report by ARD, Real Madrid have made a €50 million offer to lure the influential midfielder away from his current club. Bayern Munich have yet to respond to the Spanish offer, but it appears unlikely that they will let go of Schweinsteiger.

The highly rated midfielder's current contract with FC Hollywood runs until the summer of 2012 and Schweinsteiger has developed into one of the absolute star players of Bayern in the past couple of seasons. Schweinsteiger has made well over 200 official appearances for Bayern Munich and has collected 78 caps for Germany's national side. He has been one of the stars of the 2010 World Cup so far.



Mr H : Again, Real Madrid give an extreme price to player. Unreasonable rubish!

Agent: Diego Milito Will Sign Inter Contract Extension On Tuesday

Source : Goal.com



La Gazzetta dello Sport claimed Milito would pen his deal that ties him to the club until 2014 on Thursday, but Hidalgo believes the contract will be finalised on Tuesday.

"I will be meeting Inter to speak about Diego Milito's contract on Tuesday," he told Sky Sport Italia. "That will be the right day to seal the agreement."

Burdisso is also represented by the agent. So far neither Roma nor Inter have been able to find a breakthrough over his transfer fee. Roma want to sign him permanently following his loan spell last season, but the Nerazzurri will not move on their €8.5 million demands.

But Hidalgo offered a source of hopes as further talks are scheduled. "Burdisso? Inter and Roma will meet tonight to speak about his transfer," he concluded. 

Mr H : After scoring in CL, is he a star? :P

Deco close to Chelsea exit

Source : football.co.uk


Chelsea midfielder Deco has revealed he has agreed in principle to join Brazilian club Fluminense.

The Brazil-born Portugal international still has 12 months remaining on his Stamford Bridge contract but is keen to return home to finish his career.

The 32-year-old playmaker has revealed he is keen to join Fluminense after finishing the last campaign well down the pecking order at the London club.

Deco is free to focus on his club future following Portugal's World Cup exit at the hands of Spain on Tuesday evening.

"If Chelsea let me go, I have given Fluminense my word, although I have not signed any pre-contract," he is quoted as saying by the Daily Star.

"If I finish my time in London then I will go to play in Brazil."

Deco joined Chelsea in an £8million deal from Barcelona in 2008 and has made 55 appearances to date for the Blues.

Carr : Finally he leaves Chelsea..haha..poor Deco.

Hodgson confirmed as Liverpool manager

Sources : premierleague.com and liverpoolfc.tv

Roy Hodgson has been appointed the new manager of Liverpool.

The decision was announced by Liverpool after they agreed compensation with Barclays Premier League rivals Fulham.

The 62-year-old takes over at Anfield on a three-year contract, 28 days after the departure of Rafael Benitez, who parted company with the Reds after a disappointing season saw them finish seventh in the table.

first choice

Hodgson, a former Inter Milan and Blackburn Rovers manager, was Liverpool's first choice despite a host of other names being mentioned.

Former player and manager Kenny Dalglish, who was part of the selection process with managing director Christian Purslow and is currently an ambassador for the club's academy, had expressed an interest in returning to a role in which he enjoyed great success in the late 1980s and early 1990s, but was overlooked for the post.

Hodgson's name had been linked with England after their disappointing World Cup campaign under Fabio Capello, but negotiations were already at an advanced stage with the Merseysiders and the deal has now been completed.

He told the club's official webiste: "This is the biggest job in club football and I'm honoured to be taking on the role of manager of Britain's most successful football club. I look forward to meeting the players and the supporters and getting down to work at Melwood."

Hodgson has less than a month to get to know his players and prepare them for a Europa League third qualifying round first-leg tie on 29th July.

He is at least familiar with the prospect, having guided Fulham from that starting point all the way to the final this season, eventually losing to Atletico Madrid.

Carr  : Will Liverpool win the title for next season with this new manager? Let us see what happens....