A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Guardiola's decision should be respected, says Mourinho
Pep Guardiola’s decision to step down as Barcelona coach at the end of the season will change nothing for Real Madrid, Guardiola’s Real counterpart and bitter rival Jose Mourinho said yesterday. In his first public comments since Guardiola announced on Friday he was taking a sabbatical, Mourinho, whose Real side are on the brink of taking Barca’s La Liga crown, said the decision should be respected and even sent his adversary a hug.
“The Guardiola case is a personal decision,” Mourinho said a day before Real play at Athletic Bilbao, when victory would wrap up their first league title in four years with two games to play. “I have been a coach for 12 years and for me I will be annoyed in June when I don’t have any matches as I will miss training and playing, playing and training.
“But everyone is the way they are and you have to respect and accept that and hope that they really do find enjoyment because the most important thing in life is to enjoy it. If for him enjoying life means withdrawing from football for a while then so be it and I send him a hug.”
Given says title for City would be good news for league
Former Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given believes it would be good news for the Premier League if his old club press home their advantage over Manchester United and win the title.
Victory in their final two matches against Newcastle and QPR will almost certainly be enough for City to secure their first championship since 1968.
Given, who is now with Aston Villa, said: “It’s fantastic for the Premier League if, please God, Manchester City do win it, because Man United have won it enough times.
“I’ve got lots of friends at Manchester City and it would be fantastic if they could pick the trophy up, but they have got a tough game at my old club Newcastle at the weekend. I think they’re in the driving seat and hopefully they can get across the line.”
Given expects City manager Roberto Mancini to do a good job of keeping the players grounded.
“I’m sure Mancini is on a high. It’s a great win but I’m sure he’s not getting carried away, there are a few games left to go and he will be keeping the players really focused on the job in hand.”
Welbeck may miss last two matches with ankle injury
Danny Welbeck’s bruised ankle makes him a doubt for Manchester United’s final two matches of their title challenge, though he should be available for the European Championship if the new England manager, Roy Hodgson, selects him.
Welbeck left the Etihad Stadium after United’s 1-0 defeat by Manchester City on Monday evening with a protective boot on his left ankle following Nigel de Jong’s second-half tackle. If he is unavailable for one or both of United’s remaining games – against Swansea City at Old Trafford on Sunday and at Sunderland the following weekend – it will be a blow to Alex Ferguson, who has stated that the 21-year-old’s partnership with Wayne Rooney could be the club’s first choice for many years.
FAI announce new sponsorship deal
The FAI has announced it has signed a sponsorship deal with electronics retailers Currys and PC World. The companies will be sponsoring the association for the duration of Euro 2012 and running a number of promotions as well as a themed advertising campaign in advance of and during the event. Major football tournaments are traditionally associated with significant spikes in sales of television sets.
Meanwhile, Limerick Football Club have announced that the club will be playing a Liverpool XI at Jackman Park on Monday, May 14th at 7.45pm. The Premier league outfit is expected to send a young squad to Ireland for the game with youth internationals from England, Spain, Germany and Portugal set to be included in the travelling party.
The team will be managed by former Barcelona Youth Academy coach Rodolfo Borrell.
Tickets for the game are available from the host club priced €15 and €10 for adults, €8 and €5 for children and OAPs. EMMET MALONE
Muamba to attend Bolton/Spurs game
Fabrice Muamba will attend tonight’s Premier League match between Bolton and Tottenham at the Reebok Stadium (live on Sky Sports 1, 8pm).
It will mark the first time the Wanderers midfielder has attended a game since he suffered a cardiac arrest in an FA Cup tie between Bolton and Spurs at White Hart Lane on March 17th.
Bolton manager Owen Coyle said: “We are absolutely delighted we will be able to welcome Fabrice and his family back to the Reebok, and we are all looking forward to seeing him. It’s fitting that the match is between these two clubs and that Fabrice is able to come along. I know Fabrice is very keen to show his appreciation to both sets of fans for their support.”
The 24-year-old, whose heart stopped beating for 78 minutes following his collapse, spent a month at the London Chest Hospital before being discharged on April 16th.
The speed of Muamba’s recovery amazed medical professionals. Although it is not yet known if he will play professional football again.
