Soccer Shorts

Benitez relentsRafael Benitez let it be known through "close sources" yesterday that he is prepared to offer an olive branch to George Gillett and Tom Hicks, having recently risked his future at Liverpool by raging against their transfer restrictions.

The Liverpool Echoquoted a "source close to" the manager as saying: "Rafa loves it at Liverpool. He loves the people of the city, he loves the fans and he loves the club. All he wants is what's best for the fans - he gets frustrated when he feels he's not able to do that.

"But he is happy with Tom and George owning the club and he has enjoyed working with them since he came and he has no problem working with Rick (Parry, Liverpool chief executive)."

Derby shortlist

Derby chairman Adam Pearson has revealed the club have drawn up a shortlist of three candidates for the managerial post vacated by Billy Davies yesterday morning.

Davies parted company with the club after enduring a difficult start to life in the Premier League and Pearson is moving swiftly to replace the Scot.

MK Dons manager Paul Ince is the bookies' favourite to get the post with former Derby coach Steve McClaren, who was sacked as England manager last week, also reportedly in the frame.

While Pearson refused to be drawn on the three candidates, he said: "We're talking about names that we think are exciting and will take the club forward."

McLeish sought

The Scottish FA was last night poised to accept a formal approach from Birmingham City for Alex McLeish, with St Andrew's officials tempting the international manager with a salary offer of £2.2 million.

Compensation of around £1.2 million would be payable by Birmingham to the SFA if McLeish's move goes through; such a figure would prove no problem given that the club recouped a reported £4.1 million from Steve Bruce's departure to Wigan Athletic.

St Andrew's officials, who have been rebuffed in attempts to lure Martin Jol and Marcello Lippi as a replacement for Bruce, believe McLeish will be tempted by an annual salary four times his current package from the SFA.