Today's other soccer stories
Curbishley favourite
Alan Curbishley last night emerged as the principal candidate to become West Ham United's next manager after Alan Pardew was sacked. Pardew paid the price for a fifth defeat in six matches that left last season's FA Cup finalists entrenched in the Premiership relegation positions.
The 4-0 reverse at Bolton contributed heavily to a negative goal difference of 14 that is almost as alarming as the two points that separate the Hammers from 17th place. New chairman, Eggert Magnusson, informed Pardew of his fate yesterday morning, when he agreed to a seven-figure compensation package equivalent to approximately 12 months' salary.
Curbishley's suitability is enhanced by his track record as a manager capable of almost guaranteeing Premiership survival. Born locally in Canning Town he is also a former West Ham player.
Guardian Service
Setback for Cole
Joe Cole will miss Chelsea's Christmas fixtures after a scan revealed a minor stress fracture of the foot. The England midfielder has been dogged by injury this season, with a knee problem keeping him out of regular action for two months. The 25-year-old's comeback was curtailed after he suffered pain in his foot. The problem persisted and a scan revealed a stress fracture, which is likely to keep him out until well into January.
Everton eye move
Everton's plans to leave Goodison Park are gathering pace after the Premiership club signed an agreement with Tesco and Knowsley council confirming a move to nearby Kirkby is their preferred option as the site for their new arena. The ultimate intention is to construct a 50,000-seat stadium with the three-way partnership alongside the council and supermarket chain an attempt to keep costs down. Terry Leahy, chief executive of Tesco, was raised in Liverpool and supports Everton.
Boost for Setanta
Sports channel Setanta yesterday secured a major funding boost ahead of its Premiership ratings battle with BSkyB next season. Setanta said it had signed agreements worth €315 million with a number of private equity firms including Goldman Sachs and Doughty Hanson. Last week BT announced it would be streaming Setanta's live Premiership coverage on its new next generation television service, BT Vision. Setanta said it will use the money to pay for the rights, as well as market the service and bring in presenters and producers to front the coverage.
Charlton remembers
Bobby Charlton, breaking almost half-a-century of silence about the 1958 Munich air crash, says the disaster still haunts him every day of his life.
Charlton, now 69, was 20 at the time of the disaster on February 6th, 1958, that cost the lives of 23 people including eight of his Manchester United team-mates.
He told the Times that memories of the crash, which he survived "with just a bang on the head" always haunt him. "You know, you feel a bit guilty. I do feel guilty even now. I think about it every day of my life."
In brief . . ..
Germany will take up an invitation to play England in the first international match at the rebuilt Wembley Stadium on August 22nd next year, the German coach Joachim Loew said yesterday . . . Blackburn have appealed against the red card shown to Stephane Henchoz in Saturday's Premiership defeat at home to Newcastle. Their case will be heard by a FA disciplinary committee today.
The Scottish FA yesterday fined the Hearts owner, Vladimir Romanov, £10,000 for comments he made which the association deemed to have brought the game into disrepute. Romanov claimed via the club's official website in September that the game's governing bodies "didn't manage to protect the Scottish Cup and gave it to Hearts, despite all the referees' efforts and intrigues." . . . Reading defender Ibrahima Sonko has signed a new three-and-a-half year contract . . . Bolton striker Kevin Davies has pledged his future to the club.
