Bayern Munich captain Stefan Effenberg has reaffirmed that he will be leaving the club when his contract comes to an end next year and said that London is his dream destination. "It's a great city," the 32-year-old said. "It doesn't matter which of the three clubs you play for."
Ronnie Whelan was sacked as manager of Cypriot club Olympiakos Nicosia yesterday. The former Republic of Ireland international and Liverpool player can feel somewhat unlucky given that his side currently lie fourth in the Cypriot first division and are three points off qualification for a European spot.
Steve Bruce has been announced as the new boss of second division promotionchasers Wigan. Former Norwich and Manchester United centrehalf Bruce has been out of work since being sacked by First Division Huddersfield in October. The 40-year-old has been linked with several managerial jobs since, including the vacancy at Carrow Road when Bryan Hamilton quit as manager in December last year.
A leading financial analyst has warned Tottenham that they will never again be classed as a really big club. He also claims it would be a major risk to give Glenn Hoddle £50 million to spend on new players. William Davies, a financial analyst with Gerrard, believes Spurs will struggle to shake-off their status as a midtable club, no matter how successful they become. "If a club like Leicester were to win the League, they still would not generate the same revenue as a club like Liverpool finishing in third, for example," said Davies. "That is a fact of life for the middle-table clubs, and I am afraid that Tottenham - despite their history, which is increasingly disappearing into the past - are one of those clubs."
Newcastle midfielder Gary Speed has dealt a blow to ambitious Fulham by revealing that he has no intention of leaving St James' Park. The first division leaders are understood to be ready to launch a £5 million summer bid for the 31-year-old Welshman after failing with an earlier attempt to lure him to Craven Cottage.
Speed, who has also been linked with Manchester City in recent weeks, said: "I know nothing at all about Fulham or Manchester City, but it would not matter because I want to stay with Newcastle."
The disciplinary commission of the National League yesterday released a list of suspensions which will take effect in competitive fixtures to be played on or after Tuesday, April 17th; Willie Byrne (Cobh Ramblers), suspended for one game and fined £20; James O'Callaghan (Monaghan United), suspended for one game and fined £20; Robert Brunton (Kilkenny City), suspended for one game and fined £20; Derek McGrath (Kilkenny City), suspended for one game and fined £20.
Following the referee's report on the St Patrick's Athletic v Shelbourne game in February, St Patrick's manager Pat Dolan was fined £200.
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