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Football News: Inter Dismiss Jose Link, Brizzle Get Middle East Takeover, Dortmund Dispute Gundogan Deals And More

Inter Dismiss Jose Link, Brizzle Get Middle East Takeover, Dortmund Dispute Gundogan Deals And More
Image from: zimbio.com

1. FC Midtjylland players celebrate in style after win over Manchester United



2. Inter dismiss Mourinho link
With Inter Milan slipping down the table under Roberto Mancini, after being top at Christmas, there were reports that Mancini would be replaced by former Inter manager Jose Mourinho, who had been in charge with much success in his previous spell. Mourinho led the Italians to the Champions League in 2010, but despite that, Inter president Erick Thohir has denied that he will be returning. "I met Mourinho in Jakarta a few years ago before I was Inter President," Thohir told Sky Italia. "He's a great coach, he made history with Inter, but we have Mancini now who also wrote history with this club, achieving excellent results. I firmly believe he can revive the team. Look what's already changed compared to Inter last year, though of course we need more time."

 

3. Brizzle Rovers announce Middle East takeover
Bristol Rovers have announced that they have been taken over by the Al-Qadi family from Jordan. The family now own a 92% stake in the League Two club, who are currently one point short of the play off places. Wael Al-Qadi has taken the club president role, while Steve Hamer has taken over as chairman, a position he held at Swansea City in the past. The new owners are keen to build a new stadium, which has been a problem for the club for over a decade. A proposed move to a 21,700 seater stadium has been held up due to a lack of funds, which is not an issue for the new ownership. "There is an element of sadness to be leaving the club but this is an opportunity we couldn't lose for the club," said outgoing chairman Nick Higgs at Friday afternoon's press conference. "At the end of the day, we have found the right people to take the club forward and we cannot wait to see what happens from here on. This is a very exciting time to be involved with Bristol Rovers. This is a momentous day in the history of Bristol Rovers Football Club." Wael Al-Qadi said: "We really see the potential of this great club, we want to improve in all areas, not just on the field. Bristol Rovers has always been known as a family club and it is my family's wish to maintain that tradition. This deal is all about my passion for football. This club has some fantastic supporters. When we purchased the club we knew about the stadium issue but we know that a new stadium is a requirement. This club needs a new stadium. [The legal case] has to be sorted and finished before thinking of a new stadium, but once everything is in order and ready, the stadium has to be done for this club."

4. Dortmund dispute claims Gundogan is signing for Man City
Spanish newspaper Sport had claimed that Borussia Dortmund's German international midfielder Ilkay Gundogan had decided against joining Barcelona in order to join Manchester City in the summer. Dortmund insist they know nothing about the story and took to Twitter to dispute the claims:

 

5. Graham wants permanent move from Mackems
Sunderland striker Danny Graham has admitted he wants to make his loan move to Championship club Blackburn Rovers a permanent one. The 30 year old forward has struggled since moving to the Mackems from Swansea City and, with his contract expiring in the summer, he is hopeful of leaving his struggles behind. Graham said: "Since the moment I've walked through the door the staff and the players have been superb with me. It does feel like I've been here longer than three weeks or so. I feel as though I'm playing well. Everyone knows it was a tough time for me at Sunderland but I'll never hide from that. I think it'll make me a stronger person going forward. It's nice to be back up front, it's nice to be getting a run of games. 100 per cent [I would be interested in staying]. My Sunderland contract is up in the summer and that won't be getting renewed. Hopefully it all goes well and we can sort something out in the summer."

6. Shearer says Man United just are not very good
Following successive 2-1 defeats, Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is under even more pressure than ever. Former England striker Alan Shearer has said that the team is just not very good and they should look to entertain the fans. "They're not very good, that's the problem. I know they have injuries at the moment, but they didn't have injuries three or four months ago and they weren't playing particularly well then," Shearer told BBC Radio 5 Live. "They haven't entertained their fans, which of course at that football club you have to do, you have to play a certain way and Louis van Gaal hasn't. His remit when he took over was to get them back into the Champions League, where David Moyes failed. He did that but this season has been pretty awful to watch. The leadership in that team is alarming, there's no screaming and shouting at other teammates to tell them what to do. It just looks as it the players are not enjoying their football."

 

7. Former Stoke defender retires due to concussion
Premier League side Stoke City defender Andy Wilkinson has been forced to retire from football after suffering concussion just over a year ago. The now 31 year old was struck in the head by the ball during an FA Cup tie with Blackburn Rovers on 14th February 2015. The hit to the head was hard enough to cause brain damage, affecting his vision and making him feel sick after training sessions. Wilkinson has travelled to the USA three times in the last year to receive specialist treatment in the hopes of reviving his career but has had to accept it is over. "It was just volleyed straight in my temple and it shook me," Wilkinson told Sky Sports News HQ. "I sprinted back and completely lost my right peripheral vision. I'd just got back in the team so I just played on and didn't let anyone know. I played most of the game without being able to see on my right side. As time went on I developed more things - vertigo, nausea, balance problems. Then I had problems mentally, anger and feeling a bit depressed. Over a year on from the injury there are still a lot of things going on with my brain, my vision, my neck - all sorts of different symptoms," he added. "Even if tomorrow I woke up fine and the specialists did say it was fine to play, the risk is far too high. They say that my depth perception, where I think I am in relation to objects, is different than it actually is. I've got the retrain my ocular motor system to get back to normal."

8. De Rossi ruled out for a month
AS Roma star Daniele De Rossi has been ruled out for a month with calf problems just 13 minutes into his return from calf problems. The 32 year old Italian international had sat out two matches after picking up his first calf injury, only to make his return against Real Madrid in the Champions League as a substitute. The midfielder, who has been used recently has a central defender in a 3 man backline, will now miss the second leg against Madrid. "Daniele De Rossi underwent tests that showed the presence of a lesion in the soleus of his left leg. For the Giallorossi midfielder, who has played 25 games and scored three goals, the prognosis is that he will miss around four weeks," the club confirmed via a statement.

 

9. Enrique not sure Neymar should be in the Olympics
With this summer's Olympics taking place in Rio De Janeiro, Luis Enrique admits his Brazilian superstar Neymar wants to take part with it being in his home country. Neymar has publicly confirmed his interest in taking part, having been a member of the 2012 squad that lost the final in London. With this summer also featuring a special centennial edition of the Copa America, Enrique is worried his player could be burnt out. "The Olympic Games in your own country is something special for any sportsperson, no matter what the sport," said Luis Enrique, who won a gold medal with Spain at the 1992 Barcelona Games. "[Neymar] already has a prior commitment [with the Copa America]. We'll have to see how we manage the situation so the demands on him are not excessive, always putting [the wellbeing of] the player first. And not just Neymar, but Rafinha too could be in both squads."

10. City midfielder says Pellegrini deserves title send-off
Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho has said departing manager Manuel Pellegrini deserves to leave the club as a Premier League champion. Current Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola is replacing Pellegrini in the summer, and Brazilian Fernandinho believes the Chilean manager deserves a title to take with him. Fernandinho was Pellegrini's first signing from Shakhtar Donetsk back in 2013, and the pair won a League Cup and Premier League title in their first season together. "The first season we won two titles together," Fernandinho told Football Focus. "I learnt a lot of things with him so he was like a father for me. He introduced me into the team and to play alongside a lot of good players. I think he [Pellegrini] did a great job and we've got a great chance to finish with a gold key. We have a chance to win the title again and I hope we can do that."

Written by Tris Burke February 20 2016 05:28:06