Football News: Review Of The Day 10th March 2018
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Review of the Day
Mariners Get Foxy
25 year old left back Andrew Fox has joined struggling Grimsby Town until the end of the season. Fox had previously played under new Grimsby boss Michael Jolley at AFC Eskilstuna in Sweden.
Coventry City's former captain Carl Baker has re-signed for the League Two side after leaving Indian Super League side ATK, managed by Teddy Sheringham. The 35 year old is now awaiting EFL registration and international clearance.
Marcelo (no, not that one) has left Bnei Yehuda in Israel to move to fellow Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv. He was then immediately sent on loan to a club in his home country of Brazil, Botafogo.
Another Brazilian, winger Rossi, has left Shenzhen FC to return home on loan, this time to Internacional.
Turkish side Eskisehirspor have released Erkan Zengin.
In the MLS a couple of free agents have found new homes as DC United have added Jamaican forward Dane Kelly to their roster and Charlotte Independence have picked up Trinidad and Tobago's Cordell Cato to fill out theirs.
Tangerines Lose £1million
Largely due to their relegation to the Championship in Scotland, Dundee United have announced a loss of £1m for the year to June 2017. Revenues fell by 24% due to the drop in division, but the club still managed to reduce losses from the £1.5m suffered in the previous year after making savings of £2.2m as they struggle to survive financially. A club statement said: "Expenses were cut by 30% as the board took decisive action to deal with the change of footballing circumstances. While the club enjoyed trophy success in the Irn-Bru Cup and progressed to the Premiership play-off final, both events had a neutral net financial effect due to the related costs and SPFL levies. The board remains confident that a combination of new revenue streams, including investment in new and improved match day hospitality facilities, balanced with further selective loan finance and carefully targeted cost-cutting will enhance the club's Premiership ambitions while addressing the company's current financial challenges."
MK Dons Confirm Reo-Coker Interest
Free agent former Aston Villa and West Ham United midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker left Norway's IK Start in June and has been unable to find a club since then. Currently the 33 year old is training with MK Dons and their manager Dan Micciche has confirmed he would like the much travelled Reo-Coker to sign. "We've got Nigel in because we want something to happen," Micciche told BBC Three Counties Radio. "His attitude's been excellent, he's got excellent leadership qualities and he's been great around the lads. We're just trying to get him fit at the moment. There's a (reserve) game on Monday which he'll play in against Bristol Rovers and then we'll take it from there. He's been great around the place and a good sounding board for me as well. I'm tapping into any experience I can around the club and from outside."
Belgium Cut Official World Cup Song After Sexism Row
The Belgium FA's official World Cup song has been dropped after it was pointed out to them that their choice of musician, a rapper called Damso, was offensive to women. Damso, whose lyrics details sexual violence against women, has not commented on the matter but the Women's Council of Belgium have described his lyrics as: "expressing loathing, abuse and violence towards women to a degree that is quite frankly astonishing. Damso's promotion to official cheerleader is an endorsement of the sexism he stands for and it's being latched on to a major sporting event broadcast the world over."
J-Rod To Contest Racism Charge
West Bromwich Albion's Jay Rodriguez has decided to contest the charge of racially abusing Brighton defender Gaetan Bong. The incident took place on 13th January and will now await a hearing to decide his innocence or guilt.
Reus Signs New Deal
Borussia Dortmund's German international Marco Reus has signed a long term contract with the club, who have stood by him during a number of injuries in recent seasons. The forward is now contracted until 2023.
Vidic Rejects Punditry To Become A 'Real Manager'
Man Utd's legendary Serb defender Nemanja Vidic has rejected numerous chances to become a pundit as he works on his coaching badges. The 36 year old, who was forced into early retirement through injury, believes football has changed a lot in recent years but that he wants to become a 'real manager' rather than a coach. "There are no more managers any more, just coaches now," said Vidic. "I would like to be a real manager. Alex Ferguson made it look easy. You watched him and thought: 'I would like to do that.' But then I went to play in Italy. Then it didn't look the same. I think the role of the manager has changed - he is becoming a coach. Players want the money and have more power - more power than the managers. It could frustrate me. When I was a player I don't think I used my power. I didn't think I was above the manager; I respected the manager. For me, it was coach, manager, CEO, owner. I don't have experience to talk about players from a manager's view, but the players definitely have the power now. I understand it is difficult - but I have played football all my life. For 28 years, I had about 15 managers. It's what I know. I am used to the stress. Winning, losing, happy, sad. You want to win again. You want to prove something. You want to make the difficult decisions and test yourself."
Tours Face Up To Death Of 18 Year Old Defender
FC Tours, who play in France's Ligue 2, have announced that their 18 year old defender Thomas Rodriguez has died at the age of just 18. A minute's silence is to be held before all Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 games this weekend. "Tours FC is shattered by this tragedy, which plunges the club into immense sadness," the club said in a statement. "The club extends its deepest condolences to the family, loved ones, all of Thomas's team-mates and friends, and gives them all their support in these difficult times."
Pep Fined
Man City manager Pep Guardiola has been fined £20,000 by the FA for continuing to wear a yellow ribbon on his jacket. The Spaniard was found to be in breach of kit regulations for 'wearing a political message'.
Pellegri Chose Monaco To Avoid Being Loaned Out
Young Italian starlet, Pietro Pellegri, had the world at his feet, despite being just 16, when he was leaving Genoa in the summer, but the choice came down to Monaco or Juventus. In the end, he admits he chose Monaco purely because Juve do not give their young players time in the first team, but instead send them out on loan to play. "Initially I was hesitant about the new experience," Pellegri admitted, speaking to Sky. "Everything came about in the last few days of the transfer window, very quickly. I can say right now that it's proving to be a fantastic experience and my agent, Beppe Riso, made the right choice. We chose the best project for a youngster unlike, for example, Juventus who tend to send their youngsters on loan to play. Monaco offer a lot more space for a young player like me."
Leno Honoured By Napoli Links
Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper has admitted that he is honoured to be linked with Napoli as speculation surrounds his future in Germany. "I think their interest is a consequence of the fact I'm not doing badly this year," Leno told reporters. "It's an honour for me to be linked with big clubs like Napoli. I think though that at this time of year there are so many rumours, everyone wants to know where you're going next year and your name gets linked to so many teams. I don't give much weight to this kind of news, during the season it's just a waste of energy and a distraction."
Heynckes Hints At Extended Bayern Stay
With Bayern Munich once again flying under the management of Jupp Heynckes, 20 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga, in the semi-final of the German Cup and 5-0 up from the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 match, Heynckes has hinted he will stay longer in the role. Heynckes was initially appointed just to rescue the season that was faltering under previous coach Carlo Ancelotti and was expected to return to retirement once the season was over. However Heynckes has now suggested he would be open to extending his stay: "I can only say nothing at all is decided yet, because, until now I have definitely never said I will retire in the summer," Heynckes told reporters on Friday. "I have only ever referred to our agreement from last year which is still valid."
Inter Milan Induct Quartet Into Hall Of Fame
As part of their 110th anniversary gala, Inter have inducted four former players into its Hall of Fame. Goalkeeping legend Walter Zenga, play anywhere Javier Zanetti, driving force Lothar Matthaus and the real Ronaldo (Il Fenomeno) were all unveiled as inductees.
Bellerin Makes A Young Fan Happy
After seeing a picture of the previous night's game where a young fan held aloft a banner saying "Bellerin I [Heart] You XX" Arsenal's Spanish defender Hector Bellerin tweeted a picture asking for help to trace the young girl in question on the 29th December. After months of searching Bellerin has finally tracked down the youngster and took time to spend some hours with her and her family playing games and brought them gifts of shirts which he signed for them.
Written by Tris Burke March 10 2018 06:05:58
