Soccer Digest

A round-up of other soccer news in brief

Sunderland defuse Bruce rumour as club is sold

SUNDERLAND’S interest in appointing Steve Bruce as their new manager receded yesterday as Ellis Short’s buy-out was confirmed. On the day it was officially announced that the Irish-American businessman is to take complete control of the club in which he bought a 30 per cent stake last year, Sunderland took a step back in their efforts to find a replacement for Ricky Sbragia.

Wearside woke to claims that a compensation package, amounting to anywhere between €3 million and €5 million, which would allow Bruce to leave current club, Wigan, had already been agreed.

Sunderland were not commenting publicly on the suggestions, but privately insisted they were nowhere near that stage, and their stance hardened as sources in the north-west prematurely claimed the club had been given permission to talk to the former Manchester United defender. However, chairman Niall Quinn has repeated his insistence that the club will take its time in appointing a new manager.

Burnley deny Celtic move for Coyle

BURNLEY insisted last night that Celtic had made no approach for their manager as speculation grew that Owen Coyle would be unveiled at Parkhead by the end of the week.

Coyle is reported to have held talks with Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell shortly after leading Burnley into the Premier League.

The former St Johnstone manager had been instantly installed as one of the favourites to succeed Gordon Strachan, whose resignation was announced during Burnley’s play-off victory over Sheffield United on Monday.

Coyle (42) is favourite amid reports that he has been offered the job. However, Burnley said: “Contrary to widespread speculation, Burnley Football Club has not received any official approach from Celtic for the services of manager Owen Coyle.”

Hat-trick for Everton's Moyes

DAVID MOYES has won the League Managers Association’s manager of the year award. He was honoured at a ceremony in Nottingham on Tuesday night after guiding Everton to fifth in the Premier League and the FA Cup final. Moyes, who won the award in 2003 and 2005, is the first manager to win it three times.

Portsmouth say club is sold

THE MAN at the centre of the Manchester City takeover, Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim, has had an offer to buy Portsmouth accepted.

Al Fahim was the initial figurehead of the Abu Dhabi United Group when they took control of the Eastlands club last summer, but is no longer involved and has instead moved to make his own Premier League investment.

Reports from the United Arab Emirates suggest that Al Fahim has been in Rome with current Portsmouth owner Alexandre Gaydamak, discussing the deal.

The south coast club have confirmed that initial due diligence has been completed on the deal and are hopeful legal formalities can be finalised shortly.

An official statement on the club’s website, said: “Portsmouth FC can confirm that it has accepted an offer from Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim to buy the club.”

Gaydamak has been looking for a buyer since December.