Jim McInally has been confirmed as the new player-manager at Sligo Rovers after agreeing to a one-year contract at the weekend. The former Scottish international ended his current run at Dundee last month.
Sligo had made him their first choice to replace their previous player-manager, Nicky Reid. Glenn Hoddle yesterday became the latest big-name target to turn down the chance to manage Nottingham Forest.
Hoddle followed Martin O'Neill in deciding not to go to the City Ground, leaving Forest - whose players began pre-season training today - still searching for a new boss.
Jordi Cruyff is set to return to Manchester United after ending a six-month loan spell in his adopted homeland of Spain.
The Dutch star thought his days at Old Trafford had ended when Sir Alex Ferguson allowed him to go to Celta Vigo in January, but Sir Alex wants him back for the challenge facing United next season, with a multitude of fixtures on the cards. Serie A giants Lazio are on the verge of clinching a deal for Arsenal's French international striker Nicolas Anelka, according to the Italian press yesterday. The Corriere dello Sport claims Anelka met Arsene Wenger in a Paris restaurant Sunday evening and insisted he wanted to leave Arsenal.
The paper also claims that the player's agents then contacted Lazio director Vincenzo Morabito. Anelka and Morabito next agreed the terms of the contract and, according to the paper, the club is now awaiting a fax from Arsenal to confirm that the deal is done with the player expected to arrive in Rome on Friday.
West Ham have confirmed that Eyal Berkovic has handed in a transfer request. The Israeli international has been pursued by Celtic since the arrival of Kenny Dalglish and is rated in the £6 million bracket.
Sky Sports have announced that they will be showing 34 Premier League fixtures before the New Year and have designed their new schedule to show every Premier League club by the third week in November.
Kick-off times are 4.00 p.m. for Sunday matches and 8.00 p.m. for midweek games unless stated.
