NYHETER: Ex-player/-manager news, Part IV

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Walsall manager Richard Money wants to turn Michael Ricketts' loan deal into a permanent move. (Mirror)

Oldham have cancelled the contract of Michael Ricketts, who has been on loan at Walsall. (PA Sport)

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Leicester have signed Wolves defender Jamie Clapham on a short-term contract until the end of the season. The 32-year-old becomes the seventh new arrival at the Walkers Stadium this month, subject to approval by the Football League. (PA Sport)

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Tottenham striker Aaron Lennon is officially the shortest player on the books of any Premiership club at 5ft 5in. (Guardian)

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Oppsummering: JANUARY TRANSFERS FOR PREM CLUBS

1 - Gary Speed (Bolton to Sheffield United, loan)
4 - Danny Mills (Manchester City to Derby, loan)
7 - Neil Kilkenny (Birmingham to Leeds, £150,000)
25 - Marlon King (Watford to Wigan, £5million)
28 - Jonathan Woodgate (Middlesbrough to Tottenham, £7million)
31 - Lubomir Michalik (Bolton to Leeds, undisclosed)
31 - Tony Warner (Fulham to Barnsley, one-month loan)

Samt:
18 - Brede Hangeland (Copenhagen to Fulham, undisclosed)
28 - Erik Nevland (FC Groningen to Fulham, £1.85million)
31 - Erik Hagen (Zenit St Petersburg to Wigan, loan)

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/transfer_centre/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/08/02/01/SOCCER_Transfers_Premier_League.html

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Brown joy at teaming up with boyhood hero


David Brown has scored three goals in two friendlies playing for the reserves

David Brown used to cheer David Wetherall from the Elland Road stands.
Now ten years on, the young striker is sharing the City dressing room with his former hero after signing a deal until the end of the season.
"It feels a bit surreal," admitted the pint-sized predator. "I remember he was playing in the Leeds first team when I was nine or ten and I can still see him scoring the winner against Manchester United at home."
Leeds-born Brown, 18, spent a decade with his home-town club before getting released at the end of last season. He joined Nottingham Forest, appearing in a couple of pre-season friendlies, but it did not work out.
"I signed for Leeds when I was only eight so I was probably one of the longest-serving players there. I never got anywhere near the first team, although I saw all the highs and lows there.
"It was unfortunate when I left and then going to Forest didn't really work out. I was involved with the first team in pre-season but there was no chance as soon as the league started.
"So when the offer came from Bradford I jumped at the chance. It was great to come back home and play for a club who are still massive."
Stuart McCall initially handed Brown a trial to press his claims - and he certainly did that by scoring twice for the reserves in a friendly at Sunderland and again at Hull on Wednesday.
McCall reckons the teenager has got the knack of scoring goals and Brown is hoping that can continue.
He added: "It's a good time to get goals when people are looking and making decisions.It's been a good start for me in the trial games and hopefully I can carry on.
"The contract gives me a chance to get used to it and the club long enough to look at me and hopefully take it further for next season.
"We've got a great manager who always has good ideas and I think it helps me with him not being the tallest either!
"I like to think that most big defenders don't like us little ones running around them. Don't expect me to be banging in ten headers a season but maybe playing off the targetman."
Brown will travel with the squad to Macclesfield tomorrow and is keen to make an impression.
"It might not be the biggest squad but there is some good quality here and it's just great to be involved. I have never travelled with the first team before so that is something new and I'll give it my best shot."

thetelegraphandargus.co.uk

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I farta 2/2

16:36 Goal - Carlisle 2 (Danny Graham 75) Walsall 1
16:28 Goal - Leeds 0 Tranmere 2 (Ian Moore 69)
16:23 Goal - Hartlepool 2 (Alan Thompson 61) Luton 0
13:51 Goal - Stoke 2 Cardiff 1 (Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink 63)

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Carver - new Toronto coach.

CARVER HANDED TORONTO JOB
Englishman John Carver has been appointed as head coach of Major League Soccer team Toronto FC.
Former Rangers and Celtic striker Mo Johnston, who had been the Canadian side's coach, has now been named director of soccer.
"Mo will continue to be responsible for all aspects of soccer operations and we are providing him with more resources to support his objectives," said Tom Anselmi of club owners Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment.
"John Carver has been added to serve as head coach of Toronto FC, which will enable Mo to devote more time to manage the assessment and procurement of talent which is even more important now with the expanded international player mix available for MLS teams."
Johnston guided Toronto through their first season in MLS in 2007, but his team finished with the worst record in the league of six wins, nine draws and 15 defeats.
The team set two unwanted records, needing 558 minutes of action to score their first goal of the season, and later going 824 minutes without a goal.
Carver arrives in Canada three weeks after leaving financially-stricken League One club Luton in England.
There, Carver worked alongside Kevin Blackwell, but was sacked after joining his boss in serving notice of his resignation due to the problems at the club.
This will be Carver's first spell as a head coach in his own right.
"I am delighted to have John Carver alongside me as we start to prepare for the 2008 season," said Johnston.
"He brings a lot of experience with him in all aspects of the game and I'm looking forward to working together. We are committed to making this team better in every way, and John will be a big part of that."
Carver, 43, began his coaching career with home town club Newcastle, stepping in as caretaker manager after Sir Bobby Robson was sacked in 2004.
He then moved to Leeds to work with Blackwell, turning down the chance to be a manager himself when Carlisle offered him a job. He would also manage Leeds in a caretaker role before following Blackwell to Luton.

PA Sports

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Norwich forward Darren Huckerby could be on his way to the USA to play for MLS side Toronto FC. (FansFC.com)

HUCKERBY TO LEAVE CANARIES
Darren Huckerby's agent has confirmed the winger will leave Norwich when his contract expires in the summer.
The 31-year-old has scored 46 goals in 191 appearances since signing from Manchester City on Boxing Day 2003 and played a major part in helping the Canaries gain promotion to the Barclays Premier League in 2003/04.
But Phil Smith has revealed Huckerby will end his five-year association with the Carrow Road club.
He told the Evening News: "He's out of contract at the end of the season and he won't be staying at Norwich. There have been no discussions over a new contract."

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/transfer_centre/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/08/02/01/SOCCER_Norwich.html

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Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez will allow £15m-rated midfielder Xabi Alonso to return to Spain in the summer, while John Arne Riise, Peter Crouch, Harry Kewell and Andriy Voronin will also leave Anfield. (News of the World)

Dennis Wise is to offer former Chelsea team-mate Gianfranco Zola a job as part of Newcastle's scouting team. (The People)

Terry Venables has been shortlisted to replace Steve Staunton as Republic of Ireland manager. (Various)

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Preliminary squad: John Aloisi (Central Coast Mariners), Michael Beauchamp (Nurnberg), Mark Bresciano (Palermo), Mark Bridge (Newcastle Jets), Alex Brosque (Sydney FC), Jacob Burns (Wisla Krakow), Tim Cahill (Everton), Nick Carle (Bristol City), David Carney (Sheffield United), Simon Colosimo (Perth Glory), Ante Covic (Newcastle Jets), Jason Culina (PSV Eindhoven), Bruce Djite (Adelaide United), Travis Dodd (Adelaide United), Brett Emerton (Blackburn Rovers), Vince Grella (Torino), Adam Griffiths (Newcastle Jets), Joel Griffiths (Newcastle Jets), James Holland (Newcastle Jets), Brett Holman (NEC Nijmegen), Josh Kennedy (Karlsruhe), Harry Kewell (Liverpool), Scott McDonald (Celtic), Mark Milligan (Sydney FC), Craig Moore (Queensland Roar), Kevin Muscat (Melbourne Victory), Stuart Musialik (Newcastle Jets), Lucas Neill (West Ham United), Jade North (Newcastle Jets), Tom Pondeljak (Central Coast Mariners), Mark Schwarzer (Middlesbrough), Archie Thompson (Melbourne Victory), Michael Thwaite (Wisla Krakow), Nikolai Topor-Stanley (Perth Glory), James Troisi (Newcastle United), Carl Valeri (Grosseto), Rodrigo Vargas (Melbourne Victory), Danny Vukovic (Central Coast Mariners), Luke Wilkshire (FC Twente).

Kewell left out by Australia
Liverpool midfielder not needed for qualifier with Qatar
Harry Kewell has been omitted from Australia's squad for Wednesday's 2010 World Cup qualifier with Qatar.
The Liverpool midfielder was included in Pim Verbeek's original party for the game in Melbourne, but will not have to fly down under.
Bristol City's Nick Carle and Nurnberg defender Michael Beauchamp have also been told they are not required for the game.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12010_3106962,00.html

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Aaron is streets ahead now
AARON LENNON has revealed how football saved him from a life of crime and drugs.
The Tottenham winger, 20, is from the notorious Chapeltown area of Leeds and admits some of his closest friends have not been so lucky.
It took iron will and determination for him to stay on the straight and narrow.
And he intends to use the same qualities to prove he should have been in Fabio Capello’s first England squad.
Lennon said: “The area was rough and there was some bad stuff going on.
“It’s easy to go down the wrong path in that type of environment because you don’t have too many options and nobody is out there trying to help.
"You go either two ways: Knuckle down, get an education and hopefully a career will follow, or you end up doing crime, drugs and that kind of thing.
“You see friends caught up with the wrong crowd so when I look back I’m lucky I had football to fall back on.”
Lennon told Spurs’ club magazine ‘hotspur’ he is enjoying life under boss Juande Ramos.
He added: “He has given everyone a fresh opportunity to impress.”

The Sun

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KEVIN BLACKWELL is in the frame to become the new boss of Southampton.
Saints were impressed with the way Blackwell led crisis club Luton before the administrators sacked him.  MK Dons boss Paul Ince is also a contender to succeed George Burley.  (The Sun)

Former Saint eyes managerial return. Micky Adams has admitted he would be interested in the vacant manager's job at Southampton. (Sky)

Steve Cotterill, Kevin Blackwell and John Gregory have all been interviewed for the managerial vacancy at Southampton. (Mirror)

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New Tottenham signing Jonathan Woodgate has taken a swipe at Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate by insisting he is now playing for "a proper manager".  (The Sun)

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KEVIN BLACKWELL is in the frame to become the new boss of Southampton.
Saints were impressed with the way Blackwell led crisis club Luton before the administrators sacked him.  MK Dons boss Paul Ince is also a contender to succeed George Burley.  (The Sun)
Former Saint eyes managerial return. Micky Adams has admitted he would be interested in the vacant manager's job at Southampton. (Sky)

Steve Cotterill, Kevin Blackwell and John Gregory have all been interviewed for the managerial vacancy at Southampton. (Mirror)

Portsmouth coach Joe Jordan is a shock contender for the Southampton job. (Daily Mirror)

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Bridges comes to crossroads in career after latest setback
As Michael Bridges returns to Hull City after a loan spell at Sydney FC in Australia, Ian Appleyard looks back at the injury-plagued career of a striker who, at one point, was tipped to be among the very best.
MICHAEL Bridges should have been one of the greatest strikers in English football.
Unfortunately, his potential was shattered on a night in Istanbul eight years ago.
No one else was involved in the incident that proved to be the turning point in his career, the former Leeds United striker simply caught his studs in the turf during a Champions League tie against Besiktas.
But the fall shattered his ankle and heel, damaged his calf muscle, and set the ball rolling on a conveyor belt of setbacks that hampered his progress from there on.
Now 29, Bridges is due to meet Hull City manager Phil Brown for talks over his future after spending the last three months on loan with Australian club Sydney FC.

Oldham boss John Sheridan hopes to sign Hull striker Michael Bridges on loan. (Daily Mirror)

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KEVIN BLACKWELL is in the frame to become the new boss of Southampton.
Saints were impressed with the way Blackwell led crisis club Luton before the administrators sacked him.  MK Dons boss Paul Ince is also a contender to succeed George Burley.  (The Sun)

Steve Cotterill, Kevin Blackwell and John Gregory have all been interviewed for the managerial vacancy at Southampton. (Mirror)

Former Luton and Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell has landed a consultancy role with French giants Paris Saint-Germain.  (Daily Mail)

[pedro]

http://www.bournemouth.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=99611

Krasner fortsetter med og berge fotballklubber fra konkurs, denne gang Bournemouth

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Owls linked with Prem swoop

Fulham striker David Healy is a reported loan target for relegation-haunted Championship outfit Sheffield Wednesday.
Healy has failed to hold down a regular first-team place since his summer switch from Leeds United with just 12 starts to his name so far.
And with captain Brian McBride back from a knee injury, boss Roy Hodgson has options up front as he bids to guide the Cottagers to Premier League safety.
The Owls are struggling to stay out of the bottom three in the Championship and boss Brian Laws is desperate to add a goalscorer to his ranks at Hillsborough.

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Ex-Leeds keeper faces drug charges

Eddie Van Boxtel, the former Leeds United trainee goalkeeper who returned to Ireland to win a League medal with Dundalk in 1995, was one of four men to appear at Naas District Court on Thursday following a major Garda investigation into an €11m drugs haul.
The haul, consisting of cannabis resin, was seized by Gardai in County Kildare on Wednesday.
And Van Boxtel, from Ballymun, is one of four men charged with possession of drugs and possession with intent to supply.
The 34-year-old started out at Leeds United before joining Dermot Keelyââ,¬â,,¢s Dundalk on his return to his homeland.
He won a League of Ireland medal with the Lilywhites in the 1994/95 season before going on to play for Drogheda United, Galway United, Monaghan United, Home Farm and Bray Wanderers.

eleven-a-side.com

http://www.eddievanboxtel.bravehost.com/

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Bridges comes to crossroads in career after latest setback
As Michael Bridges returns to Hull City after a loan spell at Sydney FC in Australia, Ian Appleyard looks back at the injury-plagued career of a striker who, at one point, was tipped to be among the very best.
MICHAEL Bridges should have been one of the greatest strikers in English football.
Unfortunately, his potential was shattered on a night in Istanbul eight years ago.

Oldham boss John Sheridan hopes to sign Hull striker Michael Bridges on loan. (Daily Mirror)

Hull striker Michael Bridges has rejected a loan move to Crewe to fight for his place. (Daily Mirror)


HOLLAND REVEALS BRIDGES ATTEMPT
Michael Bridges did not join Crewe on loan because he did not want to drop a division, according to Alex boss Steve Holland.
Crewe had agreed on the striker's wages, but the former Leeds striker decided against leaving Hull on Thursday night.
Holland said: "Of course we are disappointed. We agreed a short-term deal with Hull to take Michael on loan, but he does not wish to drop out of the Championship at the moment.
"He is certainly not a player we could afford on a permanent basis but the board were willing to pay his wages in full on a temporary basis."
Bridges, 29, has been plagued with injuries since being tipped as a future England player while at Leeds.
He left Elland Road in 2004 and has since had spells at Bolton, Sunderland, Bristol City and Carlisle before arriving at the KC Stadium in summer 2006.

PA Sport

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VENABLES REMAINS IN REPUBLIC RACE
Terry Venables insists he is still interested in coaching the Republic of Ireland.
Venables told the Sunday Independent: "I'm still in the race and I still want the job and the FAI know that.

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/08/02/10/SOCCER_Republic.html



RUSH CONFIRMS MALAYSIA APPROACH
Former Liverpool striker Ian Rush has confirmed the Football Association of Malaysia have contacted him about a possible role with the national team.
Rush, who is currently the elite performance director of the Welsh Football Trust, has been earmarked as part of the restructuring of the national team in the wake of a string of poor performances.

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/08/02/09/SOCCER_Rush.html


Aston Villa will try again to sign James Milner from Newcastle this summer.  (The People)

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Keegan seeks Viduka boost
Kevin Keegan expects Mark Viduka to be a 'massive asset' for Newcastle United during the closing weeks of the season.
The Australian striker has made just one substitute appearance for the Magpies since Keegan returned for a second stint in charge at St James' Park.
Viduka has struggled for sharpness in recent weeks, but Keegan believes Newcastle will benefit from having the forward firing on all cylinders.
"He'll be a massive asset," Keegan told the Evening Chronicle. "He's very focused, and we're working on his sharpness.
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_3135277,00.html

Bowyer cleared by FA
West Ham United midfielder Lee Bowyer has won his appeal against a three-match suspension.
Bowyer was sent off during Saturday's 1-1 draw with Birmingham City at Upton Park following a challenge on Damien Johnson.
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11685_3135321,00.html

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ROBSON REPLACED BY BLACKWELL

Kevin Blackwell has been appointed as manager of Sheffield United after Bryan Robson turned down the opportunity to become the club's director of football.
The Championship club have confirmed the departure of both Robson and coach Brian Kidd after an unsuccessful nine months with Robson at the helm.
Robson's side won just one league match in seven attempts since the return of Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock to Bramall Lane and and club plc Kevin McCabe has decided to act.

PA Sport

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....Blackwell, who was Blades assistant boss from 2000-2004, will have Sam Ellis as his number two.... (SKY)

Linker:
* http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/sheff_utd/7238885.stm
* http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11688_3147224,00.html
* http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/football.html?in_article_id=514419&in_page_id=1779&ct=5
* http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/02/14/ufnrob214.xml
* http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2256792,00.html
* http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/football_league/article3369015.ece

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What now for worthy Venables after Ireland snub?

Wanted: a coach of experience seeking one final swansong and more than â,¬1million-a-year to top up his pension.
When the FAI started their search for Steve Staunton's successor, Terry Venables seemed the ideal man for the job. They believed it. Terry Venables believed it.
But what now for El Tel? Snubbed again by Ireland, the former England, Barcelona and Tottenham manager seems unlikely to enjoy one last hurrah before calling time on his colourful and controversial career.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/football.html?in_article_id=514343&in_page_id=1779

[berlin]

Hmmm, tviler på om Sheff U får opp dampen igjen.

50/50 sjanse for om Blackwell/Ellis starter neste sesong som sjefer i Blades, tipper jeg.

[fmtj]

Jeg ønsker ikke Blackwell no vondt, men problemet er at jeg ikke ønsker Sheff. Utd no godt.... ! Pokker ta, da ofrer jeg KB og dømmer dem nord og ned!

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Livermore - now at Oldham.

LIVERMORE SET FOR TIGRES EXIT
David Livermore looks as though he has played his last game for Hull due to an appearance clause in his contract.
The 28-year-old midfielder moved to Oldham on deadline-day despite appearing regularly for Phil Brown's play-off-chasing side prior to his switch.
Livermore, whose contract is due to expire in the summer, would have been automatically eligible for a further year on his contract providing he reached 25 appearances for the Tigers - he left for Oldham having made 23.
"I have a contract at Hull where if I play 25 games for them this season I will get another year," Livermore explained to the Yorkshire Post.
"I have played 23, and a couple of days before the transfer deadline, I was told I wouldn't be playing any more.
"I was very surprised because we were pushing for a play-off position and things seemed to be going okay, but obviously that was that. It was disappointing, but they made a decision about it (not reaching 25 appearances) and I have to move on."

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I farta 16/2



16:42 Goal - Lincoln City 2 (Jamie Forrester 81) Macclesfield 1


15:48 Goal - Tranmere 2 (Ian Moore 45) Millwall 0


15:40 Goal - Farsley Celtic 2 (Damien Reeves 38) Woking 0


15:13 Goal - Cardiff 2 (Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink 11) Wolverhampton 0

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Watford are to offer Middlesbrough £1million for left-winger Adam Johnson.  (The People)

[Sleivind]

Til alle dere Derrylovers, Bristol City - Crystal Palace vises på viasat sport 2, i dette øyeblikk!