Football News from Footie Online

Bristol City’s stadium battle continues

DanB — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 21:23:03 +0000

Bristol City’s bid to relocate to a new 30,000 seater stadium has taken more twists and turns this week. Bankrolled by the successfull Stephen Lansdown, Bristol City had hoped to move to the Ashton Vale area of the city (a short walk from their current ground, Ashton Gate) and Lansdown had already purchased land on [...]

Smith turns down Wolves call

DanB — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 20:40:09 +0000

Earlier today Footie Online brought you the news that Wolverhampton Wanderers were hoping to appoint Walter Smith as their manager on an interim basis after the Scot had already ruled himself out of the running for the job on a permanent basis. Unfortunately for fans of Wolves we must now report that Walter Smith has [...]

Portsmouth may not survive this season

DanB — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 20:39:22 +0000

Yesterday Footie Online reported that Portsmouth had made 30 staff redundant. Today it has emerged that that number grew to 33. Furthermore, in a frank discussion organised with concerned supporters earlier today, Administrator Trevor Birch admitted that the club may be unable to see out the end of this season. Portsmouth are in a dire [...]

Ancelotti lays into Torres

DanB — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 20:38:40 +0000

Former Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has said that he thinks time should be called on Fernando Torres’ Stamford Bridge career. Brought in during his tenure, Torres arrived at Chelsea from Liverpool in a transfer deadline swoop costing £50million. In an equal move of madness, Liverpool spent £35million of that money on an unproven, untested young [...]

Wenger to have £100million transfer budget

DanB — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 20:36:59 +0000

Reports are circulating that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is set to be handed a £100million war chest when the transfer window reopens at the end of the season. Wenger has already admitted to having money to spend in January, and even though throughout the preceeding four months it was blindingly obvious that reinforcements were needed, [...]

Arsenal plan summer bids for Gotze and Podolski

MarkG — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 15:54:56 +0000

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has once again been linked with summer moves for Cologne forward Lukas Podolski and Borussia Dortmund midfielder Mario Gotze as he comes under increasing pressure to end the Gunners seven years without silverware. German newspaper Bild suggested on Thursday that the combined offer will total £55 million and Wenger is not [...]

Campbell and Cleverley get England call-ups

MarkG — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 15:53:52 +0000

Fraizer Campbell and Tom Cleverley are line to win their first caps after being called up for England’s re-arranged friendly with Holland next week. Campbell’s call-up is the major surprise, with the Sunderland striker having only recently recovered from 18 months out of action after two knee ligament operations. Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley was [...]

Wolves turn to Smith

DanB — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 11:45:51 +0000

Wolves look set to appoint Walter Smith as their new manager on a temporary basis. Wolves had hoped to install Alan Curbishley as manager, but he rejected thise calls and they were also rebuffed in attempts to recruit Brian McDermott and Gus Poyet. It is understood that Walter Smith was asked if he would like [...]

Ferguson hoping for all-Manchester final

DanB — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 11:45:05 +0000

Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted that he is hoping that his Manchester United meet local ‘noisy neighbours’ Manchester City in the final of the Europa League. Manchester City have already progressed from the round of 32 having stormed to victory in their second leg test against FC Porto. Manchester United meanwhile have one foot in [...]

Arsenal hope to make a point in North London Derby

DaveS — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 08:43:29 +0000

Arsenal are hoping to keep a grip on fourth place on Sunday in the Premier League when they host their bitter rivals Tottenham at the Emirates on Sunday. Arsenal who have lost the last two games on the bounce, including a crushing 4 – 0 reverse in Italy at the hands of AC Milan, will [...]

Mackay pens new deal at Cardiff

MarkG — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:40:27 +0000

Cardiff City have agreed a new three and a half year contract with manager Malky Mackay following the clubs success this season. The former Watford boss took over the reins from former incumbent Dave Jones in June last year and with 12 players moving on following the clubs Championship play-off semi-final defeat to Reading last [...]

Arshavin nears loan exit

DanB — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:39:51 +0000

Andrei Arshavin looks set to get his wish of moving back to Russia as Arsenal enter negotiations with his former side, Zenit St Petersburg over a potential loan move. Arshavin is desperate to secure his place in the Russian national side and, despite being captain of the national team, if he continues to get overlooked [...]

Rooney to sit out Ajax encounter

DanB — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:05:53 +0000

Wayne Rooney will not feature for Manchester United as they take on Ajax at Old Trafford in the Europa League. Manchester United drew Ajax in the round of 32 and they hold a very strong two goal lead from last week’s encounter. One goal for United tomorrow night would probably suffice to see them through, [...]

Redundancies at Pompey

DanB — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:45:28 +0000

Cash-strapped Portsmouth have made 30 members of staff redundant as the club seeks to balance its books. Pompey entered administration for the second time in three years earlier this month as a result of having ‘Premier League expenditure, on a Championship income’. In order to curb that expenditure, 30 members of staff, including three directors, [...]

Tevez back in the Man City fold

DanB — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:43:12 +0000

Carlos Tevez has been welcomed back into the Manchester City fold and is now being taken care of by specialist sports scientists in a bid to bring him to match fitness, ready to feature in the Premier League, as soon as possible. Tevez returned to Manchester last Tuesday and, despite previously accusing Mancini of treating [...]

Curbishley rejects Wolves… Again

DanB — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:32:31 +0000

Wolverhampton Wanderers have failed in a second attempt to convince former Charlton manager Alan Curbishley to return to management at the relegation threatened club. Curbishley already held talks with the board at Wolves and, following prolonged discussions, decided to pull out of the race to replace Mick McCarthy as he did not share the same [...]

Manchester City target Real deal for Higuain

MarkG — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:01:50 +0000

Manchester City are targeting a move for Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain in the summer according to the Daily Mail. Not content with the 64 goals already scored this term, the Premier League’s top scorers are keen to bring the 24 year old to the Etihad and a swap deal with Carlos Tevez has already [...]

Liverpool and Arsenal to battle it out for Bremen star

DaveS — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 07:46:09 +0000

Liverpool and Arsenal are set to battle it out to sign Werder Bremen midfield star Marko Marin in the summer, with the 22 year old attacking midfielder identified by both clubs as one of their top transfer targets in the summer. Marin has been receiving rave reviews in the Bundesliga which has seen his stock [...]

Arsenal to start contract talks with key players

DaveS — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 07:28:35 +0000

Arsenal are keen to start opening negotiations with key players, Theo Walcott, Robin Van Persie and Tomas Rosicky, with manager Arsene Wenger anxious to tie down all three players to long term deals. Van Persie aside, whose contract situation has been widely reported on over the past few months, there have been doubts over the [...]

Pressure grows on AVB as Chelsea suffer defeat in Italy

DaveS — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 07:21:59 +0000

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas’s tenure as manager of the Stamford Bridge club is coming under increasing pressure this morning, after last night’s capitulation against the Napoli in the Champions League. Chelsea lost the 2nd round first leg 3 – 1 and have an uphill battle to qualify to the quarter finals as a result. Already [...]

Tevez offers up olive branch to Manchester City

MarkG — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 05:53:59 +0000

Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez has apologised ‘unreservedly’ for his conduct following September’s touchline debacle. The olive branch comes following his return to England last week after a self-imposed, three-month exile in Argentina which effectively cost him £9.3m in wages, fines and lost bonuses. Tevez has also withdrawn his appeal to the Premier League over [...]

Burnley eye Heaton

NeilP — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:29:20 +0000

Championship club Burnley are preparing a bid for Cardiff City number 2 keeper Tom Heaton this summer. Heaton who’s heroics in the League cup Semi Final 2nd leg against Crystal Palace sent the Bluebirds to Wembley to face Liverpool this Sunday, has been pursued by the clarets all season and the Burnley boss has made no [...]

Wolves want McDermott

DanB — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:43:26 +0000

Reading manager Brian McDermott has emerged as a leading contender for the Wolverhampton Wanderers managerial vacancy. Wolves have already spoken to Alan Curbishley and Steve Bruce about taking over the reins at Molineux and, whilst Bruce is still thought to be a strong contender for the role, it is understood that Wolves are very keen [...]

Sullivan tells Newcastle to tie Demba down

MarkG — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:42:30 +0000

West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has claimed that Newcastle striker Demba Ba could leave for a fraction of his current valuation in the summer if the Magpies don’t tie him to a new deal. Sullivan knows from bitter experience just how frustrating that could prove after seeing the Senegal international leave Upton Park as a [...]

PSG on Song

DanB — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:41:34 +0000

Paris Saint Germain are set to raid Arsenal for Cameroon international Alex Song. Song, 24, joined Arsenal from Bastia back initially on loan, although a permanent move was agreed in June 2006 for £1million. Song’s Arsenal career started slowly as the backroom staff seemed somewhat confused about what was his natural position. He was allowed [...]

Ramires set to sign new Chelsea deal

MarkG — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:39:54 +0000

Chelsea midfielder Ramires is set to sign a contract extension that would tie him to the West London outfit until at least 2017. The Brazil international was signed by former boss Carlo Ancelotti in August 2010 for an alleged £18million and after a stuttering start to his Chelsea career has been one of their standout [...]

Benitez mooted as shock replacement for AVB at Chelsea

DaveS — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:30:19 +0000

Reports this morning suggest that former Liverpool supremo Rafael Benitez is being lined up to replace under fire Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas at Stamford Bridge. Benitez who led Liverpool to Champions League success back in 2005 has been out of work since parting company with Italian side Inter Milan in December 2010. Reports this morning [...]

Benfica star keeping his own counsel over United interest

DaveS — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:22:39 +0000

Benfica midfielder Javi Garcia is keeping his own counsel over reports that Manchester United are considering making a £20 million move for the player in the summer. According to reports, United have already touched base with the player’s agent over a possible move at the end of the season, but Garcia who used to be [...]

Premier League sides eye Italian stars

DaveS — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 08:31:59 +0000

Leading Premier League sides, Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea have all been put on the alert after Napoli have indicated they are willing to sell star players Marek Hamsik and Edinson Cavani in the summer. Both players have courted interest with England’s leading clubs and the news from Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis [...]

Olivier Giroud is on Arsenal’s radar to increase firepower

DaveS — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 08:02:45 +0000

Arsenal have identified Olivier Giroud as the man to bolster their attack next summer, but face stiff competition from both Bayern Munich and Italian side Napoli for his signature in the summer. According to Metro, Arsene Wenger is set to return to France in the summer as he looks to improve his squad, with the [...]

Former Arsenal star Petit speaks on Arsenal transfer policy

DaveS — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 07:07:12 +0000

Former Arsenal midfield star, Frenchman Emmanuel Petit has spoken about the transfer policy currently employed by his former club, stating that Arsenal need to buy experience. In a criticism of the Gunner’s current incoming transfer policy, which has seen the North London club favour upcoming youth talent over experience, Petit said what a lot of [...]

Arsenal keen on Standard Leige full back

DaveS — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 07:03:11 +0000

Arsenal have set their sights on Standard Liege’s full back Daniel Opare, with reports suggesting that Arsene Wenger is keen on bringing the former Real Madrid man to the Emirates. The 21 year was part of Ghana’s Africa Cup of Nations squad but did not receive any game time. However, his performances for Standard Liege [...]

Keane thrown to the Wolves as Curbishley pulls out

MarkG — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 06:52:46 +0000

Roy Keane has emerged as a surprise candidate for the vacant manager’s post at Wolverhampton Wanderers. Wolves called time on Mick McCarthy’s five and a half year rein as manager following the clubs 5-1 home drubbing at the hands of Black Country rivals West Brom last week. Second interviews are scheduled to take place this [...]

Villas-Boas wants vote of confidence

MarkG — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 06:52:07 +0000

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has suggested that the club’s hierarchy should make it clear that they back his long term vision for the club. According to the Daily Mail. Villas-Boas has repeatedly fended off dispersions on his long term future at Stamford Bridge and maintains that he has the full backing of owner Roman Abramovich. [...]

Arsenal board to give full backing to Wenger

MarkG — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:04:21 +0000

Arsenal’s hierarchy are prepared to give their full backing to manager Arsene Wenger when the board meet on Thursday according to the Daily Mail. Majority shareholder Stan Kroenke will fly in from America this week to oversee the meeting where the under fire Frenchman will receive the boards full backing along with the promise of [...]

Ibrahimovic’s message to Van Persie: “Leave Arsenal”

AdamB — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 06:05:06 +0000

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has urged Robin Van Persie to move out of his ‘comfort zone’ and leave Arsenal. Ibrahimovic told The Sun: “When you don’t win anything for years, people understand why you leave like Cesc Fabregas” Ibrahimovic’s words will have particular resonance to Van Persie in the week that the Swedish striker scored twice in [...]

Portsmouth teen set for Liverpool trial

AdamB — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 06:04:21 +0000

Portsmouth prodigy Sam Magri is to join Liverpool on trial, with a view to joining the Anfield club permanently. Talented centre-back Magri, 17, is the jewel in Portsmouth’s academy crown, but with the south coast side in administration once again and their assets frozen – the club famously couldn’t afford a scan on Liam Lawrence’s [...]

Warnock appointed Leeds Utd manager

MarkG — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 06:03:21 +0000

Leeds United have appointed Neil Warnock as manager until the end of the 2012/13 campaign. Warnock, who was sacked as Queens Park Rangers manager in January following a run of eight Premier League games without a win, takes over from previous incumbent Simon Grayson who was sacked on 1 February. The former QPR, Sheffield Utd [...]

Mertesacker potentially out for the season

DanB — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 11:33:43 +0000

Arsenal have lost Per Mertesacker to injury potentially for the duration of this season. Mertesacker suffered the injury during Arsenal’s 2-1 Premier League victory at the Stadium of Light and he missed Arsenal’s visit to the San Siro on Wednesday. He has undergone surgery on damaged ligaments and Arsene Wenger confirmed that this entailed reconstruction [...]

Drogba scotches Shanghai rumours

MarkG — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 11:32:59 +0000

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has confirmed he wants to stay at Stamford Bridge despite rumours of a move to China. Drogba turns 34 in March and is in the final year of his current Blues deal. The player will be free to leave Stamford Bridge next summer if fresh terms cannot be agreed although Andre [...]

Hiddink joins Anzhi

DanB — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 11:31:00 +0000

Chelsea players who were pushing for Guus Hiddink to return as interim manager will be disappointed today as the Dutchman has agreed to takeover at Russian money-club Anzhi Makhachkala. Hiddink, a close friend of Roman Abramovich, took over the reigns at Chelsea after Luiz Felipe Scolari’s disastrous spell in charge at Stamford Bridge. He miraculously [...]

Portsmouth enter administration again

MarkG — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 11:26:58 +0000

Portsmouth have been deducted 10 points in accordance with Football League rules and regulations after the Championship club went into administration. Pompey’s administration status was confirmed at a High Court hearing on Friday after the stricken club had been issued with a winding-up petition in January by HM Revenue and Customs regarding a tax bill [...]

United’s win over Ajax marred by Valencia injury

MarkG — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 05:00:50 +0000

Manchester United’s 2-0 Europa League win over Ajax has been marred by the news that winger Antonia Valencia is facing four weeks out of action with a hamstring injury. Valencia was introduced as a 76th minute substitute for goal-scorer Ashley Young and after setting up United’s second on 85 minutes was immediately taken off. “He [...]

Birmingham to loan Danny Rose

DanB — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 20:09:11 +0000

Promotion chasing Birmingham City are hoping to tie up a loan deal for Tottenham Hotspurs’ Danny Rose. Rose, 21, joined Tottenham from Leeds United in a £1million deal in spite of the fact at that point he had never before played a competitive match. He cemented a place in the Spurs fans’ hearts when he [...]

Ferguson backs Giggs to become successor

MarkG — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:20:38 +0000

Ryan Giggs has been touted as a potential successor to Sir Alex Ferguson by the Manchester United manager himself. Although the current occupant of the Old Trafford hot-seat has given no suggestion that he is to step down any time soon, the position will ultimately be made available. The 70-year-old Scot has been in charge [...]

Chelsea stars want Hiddink return

DaveS — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 06:50:59 +0000

Senior players amongst the Stamford Bridge playing staff want former caretaker manager Guus Hiddink installed as manager at Chelsea, to halt a decline in form and inconsistency which has been apparent under current manager Andre Villas-Boas. The London Evening Standard is reporting that several Chelsea senior players have lost faith in the current incumbent Villas-Boas and [...]

Wenger describes Arsenal as shocking in Euro thrashing

DaveS — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 06:44:39 +0000

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has described his charges as ‘shocking’ after their capitulation last night in the Champions League 2nd round first leg match, against Italian side AC Milan. A match in which they were soundly beaten 4 – 0 at the San Siro. A brace from former Manchester City and Real Madrid man Robinho, [...]

Pogba content to bide his time at Manchester United

AdamB — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 06:27:14 +0000

Paul Pogba has expressed his frustration at sitting on the sidelines at Manchester United, but insists he is happy to wait for his chance. The 18-year old French midfielder is held in high regard at the club, but has yet to break into the first-team at Old Trafford, with only handful of Carling Cup starts and [...]

Giggs refuses to set retirement date

AdamB — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 06:22:56 +0000

Ryan Giggs has insisted he has yet to set a date on his retirement at Manchester United, believing it would be a mistake to quit the game early, as some of his colleagues have done. Having recently secured a contract extension till the summer of 2013, thirty-eight year old Giggs is set to make his [...]

Huddersfield sack Clark

DanB — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:42:39 +0000

Huddersfield Town have sacked manager Lee Clark and his backroom team for footballing reasons. Clark, is widely regarded as one of the best up and coming managers in England at the moment, and many regarded him as having the potential to one day manage at the very top of the game. However, a poor run [...]