Brian Little has resigned as manager of Second Division Stoke City. Little succeeded Chris Kamara in May 1998 and Stoke had a flying start to last season, winning their opening eight games. But Stoke's form nosedived before Christmas and they eventually finished eighth in the table, missing the play-offs by seven points.
Little, who quit Aston Villa in February 1998, has been linked with the vacant manager's post at Nottingham Forest.
Marcel Desailly has eased Chelsea's fears he may leave Stamford Bridge by insisting he will be part of a successful team next season. Desailly, a £5 million signing from AC Milan a year ago, had been linked with a move to Marseille, Real Madrid or a return to the San Siro. But the French international centre-back said: "I want to make it very clear that I am happy at Chelsea. The club are thriving and growing all the time."
Huddersfield boss Steve Bruce yesterday completed his second signing within a week with the £750,000 capture of central defender Chris Lucketti from Bury. Lucketti has signed a four-year contract and joins Greek international midfielder George Donis at the McAlpine Stadium following a free transfer Bosman-ruling move from AEK Athens last week.
Bruce is refusing to give up the chase for Leeds defender David Wetherall despite being unable to match his wages at Elland Road. Wetherall is now set for talks with a further two clubs, believed to be Blackburn and Bradford.
Martin O'Neill yesterday ended months of speculation when he committed himself to Leicester until 2002. He had been stalling on the contract offer since last October but he finally agreed terms with City chairman John Elsom.
O'Neill, who had been linked with his former club Nottingham Forest, said: "I'm glad to say it has all been done. My whole attention is now being given over to improving our squad. I will be going into the campaign full of optimism."
O'Neill now has to try and keep his star players at Filbert Street, although he seems resigned to losing defender Robert Ullathorne.
Norwegian international Gunnar Halle has become Bradford boss Paul Jewell's first signing of the summer in a £200,000 deal from west Yorkshire Premiership rivals Leeds. The 33-year-old utility player, who has spent the last three seasons at Elland Road, has signed a three-year contract with the newly-promoted side.
Birmingham boss Trevor Fran- cis has agreed to sign a new three-year contract which will tie him to the club until 2002, ending speculation over his future. Following City's play-off semi-final defeat to Watford, Francis had been linked with the vacant manager's post at another of his former clubs, Nottingham Forest. The new contract replaces the one-year roll-on deal Francis has been working with since taking charge at Birmingham in May 1996.
Leeds, Tottenham and Newcastle have all agreed deals for their UEFA Cup matches next season to be screened exclusively by Sky Television. The move represents the latest major coup for the satellite giants, with Leeds having finished fourth in the Premiership, Spurs winning the Worthington Cup, while Newcastle were runners-up in the FA Cup.
