Today's other soccer news in brief
Jiminez would 'love' Celtic job
FORMER Sevilla boss Manolo Jimenez has revealed he would “love” to manage Celtic.
The 46-year-old, who masterminded two Champions League victories over Rangers this season, has been out of work since being sacked last month.
He said: “I’d love to coach Celtic because they are the Real Madrid or Barcelona of Scotland with the biggest support.
“I was manager of the Sevilla B team when Celtic fans invaded Seville for the Uefa Cup final against Porto. Seville welcomed the Celtic fans and they will always be remembered.
“Jock Wallace was my manager at Sevilla when I played there alongside Ted McMinn. And, of course, I was manager of Sevilla when we beat Rangers in the Champions League.
“I’ve also been learning English for the last three months.
Totti gets off with fine, no suspension
AS ROMA striker Francesco Totti has avoided a ban in the Serie A title run-in after being let off with a fine for goading fans of relegation-threatened Lazio.
Totti, whose side lead Serie A by one point with four games left, made a thumbs-down gesture to Lazio supporters after Roma’s 2-1 comeback win in a heated city derby on Sunday.
The Italian league said in a statement yesterday that captain Totti had been fined €20,000 for the gesture, which provoked an angry response from the already combustible Lazio contingent on and off the field.
The clubs were both fined €40,000 for trouble in the stands where a steward was hit by a coin, police officers were slightly injured and one man seriously hurt in scuffles.
Confirmation of Pompey debt delayed
PORTSMOUTH’S debt is thought to be far higher than previously reported – but confirmation will have to wait as the club’s annual accounts were not, as anticipated, released yesterday.
The figures are expected to reveal that the south coast club owes as much as €136 million, and were due to be made public yesterday after administrator Andrew Andronikou worked through the night to finalise them.
But the stock market’s end-of-day announcement arrived with no news forthcoming from Fratton Park.
It has been reported the results will show that, as well as Portsmouth owing €120 million to numerous creditors, both secured and unsecured including some outstanding payments to agents, there is also some €16 million still due on transfers.
More than €10.3 million of the debt is owed to 15 agents, reflecting the revolving door policy and excessive fees. In one deal alone, an agent is believed to be owed €2.6 million.
Gerrard calls for quality signings
LIVERPOOL captain Steven Gerrard has called for his club to make four or five top-quality signings to make them more competitive next season.
The 29-year-old England midfielder accepts this term has been a major disappointment for the club and their fans, having come so close to an elusive Premier League title last season.
Gerrard said: “There are teams that have grown significantly in recent times, like Chelsea. In addition, Manchester United have been too strong for us for many years.
“Last year we came close to beating them, but it is very difficult to overcome such a powerful team. Everyone knows that we must learn from this season. Some players have said we need a stronger squad and the key is to have better players and improve.
“Three or four quality players should be enough, but more quality than quantity.”
Dindane set to play in cup final
ARUNA Dindane looks set to be able to play for Portsmouth in the FA Cup final after an agreement was reached with French club Lens over the on-loan striker.
Should Dindane play another match, it will trigger a clause in his loan contract which will require Pompey to pay €4.6 million to his parent club.
But administrator Andrew Andronikou believes assurances are now in place to allow Dindane to feature in the final.
Fabregas senior rejects reports
CESC Fabregas’s father has dismissed reports he met with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez at the weekend to discuss a possible deal for the Arsenal midfielder.
Speculation in Spain has claimed Francesc Fabregas attended Real’s Primera Liga game with Valencia on Sunday before holding talks with Perez.
However, Fabregas snr is adamant he was not at the Santiago Bernabeu as rumours surrounding his son’s future continue to circulate.
“I was not at the Santiago Bernabeu last Sunday to speak with Florentino Perez,” Fabregas snr told the Catalan media. “I have spent the weekend at home.”
He also denied claims he met Real’s sporting director Jorge Valdano, adding: “A meeting with Valdano? It is totally false.
“This morning (Monday), I have been walking around Barcelona with my daughter, this is the only truth.”
The midfielder is currently recovering from a cracked fibula sustained against Barca.
Agent says Berbatov happy to stay and fight for place
DIMITAR Berbatov’s agent insists the Bulgarian striker is happy at Manchester United.
Reports are rife that Alex Ferguson is looking to sell the striker, he paid over €34 million for less than two-years ago.
Bayern Munich and more recently AC Milan have been linked with bids.
But Emil Dantchev insists he has not even talked with Ferguson about his client’s future.
“The situation is clear, the future of Dimitar would still be at Manchester, he is happy there,” he told Italian football site Calciomercato.
A difficult relationship with Ferguson? I cannot and don’t want to comment on these speculations from the press.
“I can only say that I have not scheduled any meeting with Ferguson, because there is no need.
“I have read the article on Milan, I can just say that it is a market rumour and it is not real.
Over the weekend, Berbatov insisted he wanted to stay at Old Trafford and fight for his place.
