Soccer Shorts

A roundup of today's other soccer news in brief

Inter confirm Benitez as new coach

INTER MILAN president Massimo Moratti has confirmed Rafael Benitez will be presented as the club’s new coach today.

Benitez has been in talks with the European champions since his six-year spell as Liverpool manager was ended by mutual consent last week. “We have agreed the final details, which were not important things. Tomorrow we shall present Rafa Benitez,” Moratti said.

The Inter president went on to say that “all that is needed now is a countersignature”. Moratti added that negotiations with Benitez had not taken place in person but revealed the Spaniard would fly to Milan in time for today’s presentation.

“I think Benitez is not in Italy and will arrive for the presentation,” he said.

Benitez may wish to take his Anfield assistant Mauricio Pellegrino, goalkeeping coach Xavi Valero and fitness coach Paco de Miguel with him to the San Siro.

Celtic set to announce Lennon as new manager

CELTIC ARE poised to present former captain Neil Lennon (38) as their new manager this morning.

The club have called a press conference for 11am at Parkhead where they will introduce Tony Mowbray’s successor.

The appointment looks set to go down well with the club’s fans who have seen rivals Rangers win back-to-back Premier League titles.

Reports suggest Stuart Baxter will also come on board in an advisory capacity, although Celtic last night declined to comment on the Finland coach’s potential role within the new management team.

Former captain Lennon took over the helm in a caretaker capacity when Mowbray parted company with Celtic after just nine months in charge.

Hopes of landing the post on a long-term basis were initially dealt a blow following a shock Scottish Cup defeat to First Division side Ross County. But an impressive recovery saw Celtic claim eight wins from eight in the league to place Lennon firmly in the frame for the job.

O’Neill puts Cork through

Bluebell United0

Cork City Foras Co-op1

CORK CITY overcame Bluebell United courtesy of a 57th-minute strike from Davin O’Neill in last night’s FAI Ford Cup third round replay at the Carlisle Grounds, Bray.

A long clearance from Cork’s goalkeeper Mark McNulty found Paul Deasy and the first-half substitute turned his marker before picking out O’Neill on the edge of the box. The Cork player’s low drive beat Mark Clohessy in the Bluebell goal in the 57th minute.

The Dublin club had three great chances to equalise but Ciaran Quinn saw his efforts go inches wide while Ian Cherry’s fine strike was cleared off the line.

BLUEBELL UNITED:Clohessy, Cherry, Kenny, Donnelly, Sherlock, Keddy, Hollingsworth, Doyle, Crowley; Meade, Quinn. Subs: Dunning for Crowley (80 min) Behan for Quinn (82 min)

CORK CITY:McNulty; Turner, O'Halloran, Mulcahy, Dinneen, Morrissey, O'Neill, Lordan, Heffernan, Duggan, Cummins. Subs: Deasy for Cummins (35 min) Warren for Heffernan (61 min) R Morrissey for Dinneen (74 min)

Referee:T Tomney (Dublin)

Attendance:150

Senderos signs for Fulham

FULHAM HAVE announced the signing of central defender Philippe Senderos from Arsenal on a three-year contract.

The Switzerland international (25) joined the Gunners from Servette in 2003 but has had loan spells at AC Milan and then Everton in the last two seasons.

The imposing Senderos will add another option for Cottagers boss Roy Hodgson at the heart of a defence already shorn of Chris Smalling this summer, while there is also speculation surrounding Brede Hangeland – who has been linked with a move in the opposite direction, to the Gunners.

Hodgson said: “Philippe is a player that I have admired for a very long time. He is a strong defender. I am very much looking forward to working with Philippe next season.”

Ferguson happy with his squad

MANCHESTER UNITED manager Alex Ferguson has indicated there will be few changes to his playing staff as they seek to regain the title.

United chairman David Gill has insisted the €80million transfer fee from the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo is still available for Ferguson to spend on top players – despite the club’s financial situation.

United’s debt is around the €520million mark but the Glazers say they are comfortable with the situation and point out that their assets total €2billion.

However, on possible transfer activity, Ferguson stated: “We’ll look at the structure of this club. It’s a good structure. I think we’ve worked hard over the years at bringing in young players and developing them very well. In the market today it’s very difficult and the structure of our squad is good in terms of ages, the balance, the numbers and there’s a lot of good young players.”