Packie Bonner, goalkeeping coach in Mick McCarthy's Republic of Ireland international set-up, has lost his assistant manager's job at Reading. Bonner and manager Tommy Burns were sacked yesterday after the club's poor start to the season. Reading are next to bottom in Division Two.
Former England manager Glenn Hoddle is favourite to take over as new manager. A news conference has been preliminary called for 2.0 p.m. today, and with Hoddle having been spotted having dinner with Reading's multimillionaire chairman John Madejski earlier this week, he is expected to be confirmed as the new manager.
Alan Pardew, who was reserve team manager until Reading disbanded their second team at the end of last season, will act as caretaker manager. Ex-England number two John Gorman will be his right-hand man after West Brom gave him permission to quit a similar post at The Hawthorns.
Juninho flew into Teesside last night and claimed he was looking forward to having a second crack at the Premiership with Middlesbrough. The 26-year-old could make his second `debut' for Boro at Leeds on Sunday if he passes a medical and completes his loan move from Atletico Madrid in time.
If he impresses on his return, Robson could turn the move into a £5 million permanent deal at the end of the season. "We brought Juninho back because it was a good deal for the club," said the Boro manager. "Atletico paid a fortune for Juninho two years ago, so this is a great move by Middlesbrough."
Juninho cost Atletico £12 million after Middlesbrough were relegated to the first division two years ago but he has not played this season for the Spanish club.
Leeds have announced a new four-year kit sponsorship deal with Nike Europe believed to be one of the most lucrative in British soccer history. United's current £700,000-a-year agreement with Puma expires at the end of the season, with Nike replacing them with a contract which is described as "in excess of three times the level of the outgoing deal". It means Nike are likely to have signed a contract of around £2.5 million per year and £10 million in total.
Ruud Gullit has been fined £5,000 for his comments to referee Uriah Rennie during Newcastle's home defeat against Aston Villa on the first day of the season. The former Newcastle manager was furious with the Sheffield official for sending off England captain Alan Shearer during the 1-0 defeat. Gullit had to be restrained by officials and Aston Villa manager John Gregory as he tried to remonstrate with Rennie after the final whistle at St James' Park.
Gregory has also been fined £2,000 for comments made to Rennie after the Premiership clash on August 7th.
Leicester have solved their goalkeeping crisis by signing Alan Fettis from Blackburn on a month's loan. Manager Martin O'Neill moved swiftly following injuries to both Tim Flowers and Pegguy Arphexad at Crystal Palace in the League Cup in midweek. O'Neill opened talks with Rovers manager Brian Kidd yesterday and Fettis is expected at Filbert Street today.
Ian Wright has pledged his short-term future to Nottingham Forest. The West Ham striker has agreed to stay with David Platt's first division outfit for another month. Wright has scored twice in four appearances.
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