TheGame - Times Online - WBLG

Ahead of the Game: Hicks To Miss Arsenal Tie

HICKS TO MISS ARSENAL TIE
The Liverpool co-owner will be in America to watch his Texas Rangers side compete in the first match of the baseball season while Liverpool play Arsenal in the Champions League. “Opening day in baseball is like a national holiday,” Hicks said. “But I will have the Liverpool game on my TV.”
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/european_football/article3705705.ece

Ahead of the game: Capello Warns Inter

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CAPELLO WARNS INTER
Fabio Capello has told the Italian club to beware Liverpool’s ability on the counterattack when they meet in the Champions League tonight. “When Liverpool are given space, they are lethal,” the England manager said.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/european_football/article3530762.ece

Ahead of the game: Wembley Beckons For Robinson

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WEMBLEY BECKONS FOR ROBINSON
The Spurs goalkeeper looks set to keep his place in the side to play Chelsea in the Carling Cup final on Sunday. His performance in the Uefa Cup last night suggested his lard-fingered days are behind him. We’ve got all the other team news on the big match and the weekend’s Premier League fixtures. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article3414324.ece

Ahead of the Game: Gazza Sectioned And Arrested

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GAZZA SECTIONED AND ARRESTED
Paul Gascoigne has been sectioned under the Mental Health Act. The former England midfielder was arrested after police were called to a hotel in Gateshead.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article3409776.ece

Ahead of the game: Live Champions League

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LIVE: CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Humiliated in the FA Cup and the Carling Cup, Arsenal have an opportunity to repair their reputation tonight against AC Milan, the Champions League holders. We're covering the action live with rolling commentary from 7.45pm, including updates on Lyons v Manchester United and Celtic v Barcelona.
http://timesonline.typepad.com/sports_commentary/football/index.html

Ahead of the Game: Live Champions League

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LIVE: CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Liverpool play Inter Milan in the Champions League tonight with the Anfield club in turmoil. But, as Fabio Capello said, Rafael Benitez's team save their best for this competition and it should be a fascinating first leg against the Serie A leaders. Follow it live with our rolling commentary, which will include updates from Chelsea's tie against Olympiacos. http://timesonline.typepad.com/sports_commentary/football/index.html

Ahead of the game: Barnsley face Chelsea in FA Cup

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FA CUP: BARNSLEY FACE CHELSEA
Barnsley's reward for beating Liverpool in the FA Cup is a home quarter-final against the holders, while Manchester United will play Portsmouth at Old Trafford. In the other ties, Bristol Rovers face West Bromwich Albion and Cardiff City travel to Sheffield United or Middlesbrough. We've got all the news and reaction.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article3390634.ece

Ahead of the game: Wenger - 39th Step Worth Studying

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WENGER: 39th STEP WORTH STUDYING
The Arsenal manager thinks the Premier League’s global plan is worth investigating and can’t understand the intensity of the opposition to it. He has also denied reports that the club have started talks with Cesc Fabregas over a new contract. 
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/arsenal/article3376869.ece

Ahead of the Game: Blades 'Sack' Robson

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BLADES 'SACK' ROBSON
Sheffield United manager Bryan Robson has been relieved of his first-team duties, according to reports. Apparently, the club plan to change their "football infrastructure". Quite what that means is anybody's guess, but suffice to say it's not looking good for the dour-faced former England hero. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/football_league/article3369015.ece

Ahead of the game: Ireland Appoint Trapattoni

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IRELAND APPOINT TRAPATTONI
Giovanni Trapattoni has been confirmed as the new manager of the Republic of Ireland, ending a 113-day search to find a successor to Steve Staunton. You can hardly blame the FAI, though. After getting it so wrong with Staunton, they couldn't afford to mess up again.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article3363185.ece

Ahead of the game: Senderos Hails Ugly Arsenal

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SENDEROS HAILS UGLY ARSENAL
Philippe Senderos says Arsenal have prospered this season by adding an ugly edge to their beautiful game. And we thought it was because they played consistently spellbinding football.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/arsenal/article3358284.ece

BARTON AND BOWYER NOT GUILTY
Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton will face no action from the FA over his clash with Aston Villa's Shaun Maloney. Lee Bowyer, meanwhile, has escaped a three-match ban after having the red card he received during West Ham United's 1-1 draw with Birmingham rescinded on appeal. Couldn’t happen to nicer guys.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/newcastle/article3358245.ece

Ahead of the game: Dowie Sacked

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DOWIE SACKED
Iain Dowie has been sacked as manager of Coventry City after only a year in the job. The club press office sifted its cliché collection and said he was "relieved of his duties". We've read between the lines for you.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/football_league/article3348539.ece

GIGGS WARNING
Ryan Giggs says United cannot afford to drop any more league points if they're to win the title. Which is about as big a compliment as a United player will ever pay Arsenal.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_united/article3351468.ece

Ahead of the Game: Benjani deal could happen

BENJANI DEAL COULD HAPPEN
Portsmouth hope to resurrect Benjani Mwaruwari's bungled sale to Manchester City. Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie hopes to meet the Premier League today, so the authorities can expect a visit shortly after midnight.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/portsmouth/article3288132.ece

Ahead of the Game: Capello drops Beckham

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CAPELLO DROPS BECKHAM
The England manager says he will only pick players turning out regularly for their clubs. So, no Becks and no Paul Robinson. Gabriel Agbonlahor, Curtis Davies and Emile Heskey have made the cut.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article3284151.ece

Ahead of the game: Pearce gets England role

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Wednesday, January 30
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PEARCE GETS ENGLAND ROLE
Stuart Pearce has been given a coaching role with the England senior team. Psycho will continue to look after the Under-21s. Fabio Capello said, "He will sit next to me on the bench.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article3277955.ece

Ahead of TheGame: From playmaker to pen pusher

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FROM PLAYMAKER TO PEN PUSHER
Newcastle United have confirmed Dennis Wise will be executive director of the club. That's right, the former midfield agitator and forthright manager gets an office job. At this rate, Alan Shearer's proposed role will be running the club shop.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/newcastle/article3270907.ece

Ahead of the Game: Shearer Won't Be Keegan's No 2

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SHEARER WON’T BE KEEGAN’S NO 2
Why bother with football matches – let’s just skip straight to the press conferences. King Kev is keeping us on the edge of our seats again after it was revealed that Alan Shearer’s chances of becoming the Newcastle No 2 have receded faster than the BBC pundit’s hairline. “That’s the conclusion we both came to,” Keegan said (about the decision). “But it will be, if he decides to come in, a very worthwhile role.” 
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/newcastle/article3252132.ece

Ahead of the Game: Baros Poised For Pompey Switch

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BAROS POISED FOR POMPEY SWITCH
’Arry Redknapp, who has even turned Benjani into a goalscorer, will be testing his famed skills of man-management after he confirmed the club want to sign Milan Baros, the former Liverpool forward, on loan from Lyons. “He will make a terrific loan because he knows the English game,” Redknapp said. No mention of what he learnt at Aston Villa, mind.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/portsmouth/article3246292.ece

Ahead of the Game: Adebayor Apologises

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ADEBAYOR APOLOGISES AFTER RUCK…
Emmanuel Adebayor has apologised for his handbags with Nicklas Bendtner during last night’s humiliating 5-1 Snarling Cup semi-final thrashing by Tottenham. “I am sorry for the disagreement with my team-mate Nicklas,” Adebayor said without actually telling us what caused him to give the Dane a bloody nose. “We are both passionate about this club and sometimes that can be projected in the wrong way.”
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article3239121.ece

Ahead of the Game: United Want Minute's Silence

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UNITED WANT MINUTE’S SILENCE
Manchester United will press on with plans to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Munich air crash with a minute’s silence before their match against Manchester City on February 10, despite fears it could be ruined by a couple of idiots. “We do not feel that applause is appropriate given that 23 people died,” Phil Townsend, the club’s communications director, said.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_united/article3231710.ece

Ahead of the Game: Keegan Out To Finish Job

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KEEGAN OUT TO FINISH JOB
Of all the days to send the pesky e-mail on time, AOTG chose yesterday. We won’t be doing that again, trust us. Still, the return of King Kev at 4.17pm yesterday may have taken us by surprise, but there’s nothing shocking about what Keegan has said today: he’s pledged to bring back the glory days. Admittedly, you wouldn’t believe it if it was a plotline in Echo Beach, but we’re all for it … and it’ll be a damn sight more entertaining than anything Jason Donovan and Martine McCutcheon can manage.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/newcastle/article3203399.ece

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CAPELLO ASSURES FA OVER TAX CLAIM
Controversy continues to stalk England managers with the kind of relentless dedication the paparazzi normally reserves for Britney. Fewer than ten days since starting his new job, Fabio Capello has become the latest in a long line of England bosses to have his name put through the ringer. His tax affairs are being investigated, although he’s reassured the FA that it’s nothing to worry about.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article3196373.ece

Ahead of the game: Houllier latest Toon target

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HOULLIER LATEST TOON TARGET
The former Liverpool manager is the newest name to be touted for the vacant post at Newcastle United. Local sources claim the Frenchman will form a dream team with Alan Shearer at St James' Park. Somewhere on Merseyside, Roy Evans spits out his tea.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/newcastle/article3191476.ece

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LIVERPOOL ‘SOUNDED OUT’ KLINSMANN
Rafael Benitez is on the brink (again) after Tom Hicks, the Liverpool co-owner, admitted that he asked Jurgen Klinsmann about taking over at Anfield. He claims he only did it as a “precaution” - more of which later - but the revelation further undermines the precarious position of The Bearded One, whose team are 12 points off the top.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/liverpool/article3184873.ece

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BIG SAM WILL PLAY IT AGAIN
It turns out it was more like mutual discontent than mutual consent. Speaking for the first time since joining the dole queue, Sam Allardyce has said he was surprised to lose his job, despite yesterday’s claim that he left by mutual consent. Maybe he shouldn’t have been so shocked, though. A close friend of Mike Ashley says that the club’s owner wants to install “his own man”.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/newcastle/article3165858.ece

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CARRAGHER ‘PROVOKED’
Eye witnesses have supported Liverpool’s claim that Jamie Carragher was provoked after the defender was pictured in a newspaper clambering up to confront fans after the FA Cup draw with Luton Town (see Tabloid Scandal). “What happened to him was completely out of order,” one witness said. “I don't think players should have to put up with that sort of thing, especially when they have come across to kindly sign autographs and talk to the youngsters.”
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/liverpool/article3153723.ece

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BIG DRAWS FOR BIG CLUBS
“It's going to be tough but there are no easy ones at this stage.” On any other day, Rick Parry’s bland statement would be dismissed as another cup platitude, but Liverpool have been drawn with Inter Milan, Arsenal play AC Milan, Manchester United take on Lyons, Chelsea face Olympiacos and Celtic square up to Barcelona. More tricky than Samurai Su doku after a bottle of super-strength sake.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/european_football/article3082579.ece

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FA COMPLEX APPROVED
The FA has just approved plans for a multimillion-pound National Football Academy at Burton-on-Trent. “Everyone involved in the FA’s coaching and player development structures believes that a national football centre is vital to the long-term health of English football,” Sir Brooking said.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article3079305.ece

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EVANS QUESTIONED
Jonny Evans, the 19-year-old Manchester United defender, has been released on bail after he was questioned by police today over allegations that a woman was raped at the club's Christmas party. Evans volunteered for questioning after a 26-year-old woman claimed she had been the victim of a sex attack. United have declined to comment.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_united/article3073171.ece

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POLICE INVESTIGATE UNITED ‘RAPE’
Police are investigating allegations that a woman was raped at the hotel where Manchester United were celebrating their Christmas party. Police have confirmed that a 26-year-old called 999 last night claiming she had been sexually assaulted at a luxury hotel that the squad had hired out for their celebrations. There has been no immediate comment from United.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article3069345.ece

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CAPELLO’S ENGLAND VOWS
Fabio Capello’s translator has promised to return England to the top of the game. “It’s a job that everybody wants and everybody knows there are great expectations with the job and I will work to achieve these with the FA,” the translator told a packed press conference.  http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article3063054.ece

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GRAND-SLAM SUNDAY
It tells you how much Grand-Slam Sunday is being hyped that The Bearded One has had to deny that Liverpool’s match with Manchester United is a title decider – even though his team are fourth, seven points off the top. “Playing for the title in April would be more important than this match,” the Liverpool manager said. Which is true.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article3052760.ece

Ahead of the game: Eriksson's Capello insight

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ERIKSSON'S CAPELLO INSIGHT
Sven-Goran Eriksson says Fabio Capello would make an excellent England manager and that the language barrier wasn't a problem when they spoke - but then they did converse in Italian. Thanks Sven, as helpful as ever.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article3046233.ece

BARWICK GETS HIS MAN
The board of the Football Association was due to give the green light to Capello's appointment today after Brian Barwick's negotiations with the Italian went smoothly yesterday. Capello left his legal team in London to conclude the deal.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article3042881.ece

RAUL'S A FABIO FAN
Is there nobody with a bad word to say about FA's new man? Now Raul has added his voice to the chorus of approval and promised England fans that the former Real Madrid head coach will turn the national team into a winning force.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article3042877.ece

Ahead of the game: Lampard likes Capello

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LAMPARD LIKES CAPELLO
Frank Lampard reckons that Fabio Capello would make an excellent head coach of the England team. So does the unemployed Gianfranco Zola. There’s a surprise.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article3039736.ece

BLUES BEHAVING BADLY
Chelsea have admitted a charge of failing to control their players against Derby County. John Terry and his men confronted the referee after he sent off Michael Essien for a shove. “He does that every day in training,” Ashley Cole says.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/chelsea/article3041177.ece

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ABSOLUTELY FABIO
Instead of the designer Armani overcoat, the designer glasses. Fabio Capello - who is famed for his cool specs - is expected to be announced as the next England head coach within days after The Special One ruled himself out. Preliminary contact has been made with the Italian and Brian Barwick is expected to meet him this week. Expect sales in Zerorh [his glass manufacturer, apparently] to rocket.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article3031373.ece

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CURBISHLEY A ‘HERO’
His words, not ours. Alan Curbishley thinks that fans view him in the same light as Bobby Moore, Trevor Brooking, Billy Bonds and Paolo Di Canio after steering West Ham United to the dizzying heights of tenth. So not at all like a latter day Glenn Roeder, then. “I did say a year ago there was a short term brief to try to stay up, and a long-term brief to build the club, and that's what I'm trying to do,” he said.   
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/west_ham/article3029840.ece

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WENGER’S PATRIOT GAMES
Arsene Wenger turned up at last night’s press conference wearing a Union Jack, humming the national anthem and with a bulldog under his arm. “You know what makes me sad?” he said about the England job. “I am more nationalistic than you because you want to go for [Jose] Mourinho, for [Fabio] Capello - I am the only one who goes for an Englishman.” He didn’t give us any names though. Big Sam? Big Al? ’Arry? No, didn’t think so.   
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/arsenal/article3010755.ece

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NO UEFA INQUIRY
Uefa has denied that it is investigating Liverpool’s 8-0 thrashing of Besiktas, possibly the most suspicious late collapse since some third-rate tennis tournament in a remote outpost of the world tour. A German newspaper said there were lots of dodgy bets on a high-score Liverpool victory. But maybe that’s just because the Turkish team aren’t very good.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/liverpool/article3004026.ece

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VOTE OF CONFIDENCE FOR BIG SAM
You know you’re in trouble when it’s the players who are giving you a vote of confidence. Shay Given and Steve Harper, the Newcastle United goalkeepers, have released a statement denying that senior players want rid of Big Sam. “Sam Allardyce has the full backing and support of every Newcastle United player and we are all working together as one to bring success.” Working together? They should trying telling their defence.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/newcastle/article2997400.ece

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MOURINHO STILL TEASING
AOTG suggested last week that Jose Mourinho appeared to be playing an elaborate game of kiss chase with the FA. Now it looks like he’s moved from the playground to the school disco. The Portuguese has got his adviser to say that he quite fancies the England job – but only if the FA asks him to dance first. “He’s not waving his hand in the air trying to get [the FA’s] attention,” Eladio Parames said, as Mourinho stood in the shadows tapping his foot and trying to look cool. “If he’s approached, he’ll reply.”
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/euro_2008/article2992517.ece

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RONALDO SHORTLISTED
Cristiano Ronaldo has made it through to the “final” of the Fifa player of the year award, along with Lionel Messi and Kaka. Everyone already knows that the Brazil playmaker has beaten Ronaldo to the European gong (which will be officially announced on Sunday) and Kaka is also favourite to scoop the world category.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_united/article2978132.ece

What questions would you ask potential England managers?

The FA held a board meeting today. Although it claims the gathering was merely a routine rendez-vous, there is little doubt that the first item on the agenda will have been the appointment of the next England manager.

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REDKNAPP RILED BY ARREST
’Arry Redknapp has denied any wrongdoing after he was arrested in connection with an investigation into false accounting. The Portsmouth manager, speaking at a press conference today, is upset about the way the arrest was carried out and wants to know why the police turned up at his house with photographers from a well-known newspaper. Valid question.   
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/portsmouth/article2967936.ece

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Mc£EISH QUIDS IN
Alex Mc£eish, who is rumoured to have signed a contract worth three times what he was on as Scotland manager, has said that he took the Birmingham City job because he missed the everyday thrill of working with players. “I really enjoyed my time in the Scotland job, it was a good period for me which was not day to day but allowed me to rekindle my appetite for the club scene again,” Mc£eish said.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/birmingham/article2959596.ece

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McLEISH QUITS
Alex McLeish has resigned as Scotland manager and Birmingham City have announced a press conference for 10.30am tomorrow, so no prizes for guessing where he’s going. Let’s hope Carson Yeung doesn’t push through with that takeover and decide he wants a new man at the helm…
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/scotland/article2953917.ece

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ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST
Let that be a lesson to Billy Davies. The Derby County manager has left the club by mutual consent after he paid the price for overachieving last season. He will be unemployed when he picks up the coach of the year prize at the East Midlands Sports Awards tonight, which is ironic, but not as amusing as the fact Steve McClaren is a front-runner to replace him. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/derby/article2946767.ece

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England In 30 Seconds

O’NEILL RULES HIMSELF OUT
Martin O’Neill has proved that he has exactly the right kind of credentials to be the next England manager. Unfortunately, he’s demonstrated his impeccable judgment, loyalty and integrity by turning his nose up at the job. “I am committed here to this job ... I actually love the job,” the Aston Villa manager said. 
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/euro_2008/article2931168.ece

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ENGLAND: THE OBITUARY
Ahead of the Game is picking over the bones of England’s latest ignominy like a hyena at feeding time. After we were knocked out of Euro 2008, the facts are as bald as Alan Shearer (or Steve McClaren, without the hairspray). The former England head coach, as he is now known, has admitted it’s all his fault after facing the media today, Brian Barwick has promised to do a better job finding a manager this time – and our writers have been running the rule over last night’s fiasco / shambles / farce / humiliation / horror show. 
We’ve also got a competition for the more imaginative among you and some suggestions for your summer holidays.

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DON’T LOSE IT NOW!
AOTG is trembling like an HM Revenue and Customs official in front of a select committee. England’s Must Not Lose qualifier against Croatia gets underway in four hours’ time and our Euro 2008 chances are as precarious as Alistair Darling’s job prospects. If you can’t face watching the match, if you’re stuck at work or you’ve followed Steve McClaren’s example and hidden in the toilet, Tim Meston will keep you up to speed with every goal-line clearance, nervous pass and anxious touch in his live commentary.
http://timesonline.typepad.com/sports_commentary/football/index.html

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CAPTAIN COURAGEOUS RULED OUT
Steve McClaren is building up the tension before tomorrow’s Must-Not-Lose qualifier against Croatia by refusing to reveal the team. The England head coach did admit that Captain Courageous would definitely miss out, despite training today, but then we all knew that anyway. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/euro_2008/article2907205.ece

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BRUCE GETS WIGAN GIG
Steve Bruce will be sticking his big broken nose into affairs at the JJB Stadium after he was named the new Wigan Athletic manager. Dave Whelan has described Bruce as “one of the best young managers in the land”, which is probably the most comprehensive vote of confidence Steve McClaren has ever had. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article2900722.ece

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FRANK CARSON
Scott Carson is breathing down the neck of Paul Robinson harder than a braying shire horse. “To be the England No 1, that is the target,” Carson, who is expected to start in the friendly against Austria on Friday, said. “There is no point in me sitting around settling for what I’ve got.”
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/aston_villa/article2877432.ece

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MINISTER FOR PR
Gerry Sutcliffe, the new rent-a-quote Minister for Sport, has discovered the best way to get headlines is by talking about football, even if you know nothing about it. He says EU employment laws make it difficult to limit foreign players (really?), that we need a debate about foreign players (we’ve had one – see previous point) and that he’s worried about the impact on the national team (more vacuous than a hoover).  And we thought Steve McClaren had nothing new to say ...
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article2869628.ece

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SHOREY HIGH AND DRY
Nicky Shorey has admitted that he was “gutted” that Joleon Lescott was preferred to him at left back for England’s qualifier against Russia. He says he doesn’t understand why he was left out, but unlike AOTG, he’s not bitter about it. “It is just one of those things,” the Reading player said unconvincingly.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/euro_2008/article2864372.ece

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LEHMANN LEAVING?
Calamity Jens has admitted he may have to leave Arsenal. The goalkeeper was 38 on Saturday but Arsene Wenger has refused to play goalkeeping pass-the-parcel. He’s sticking with Manuel Almunia against Reading tonight and Lehmann admits he may leave in January.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/arsenal/article2857048.ece

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ROONEY RULED OUT
Steve McClaren’s job prospects have taken a dramatic turn for the worst after Wayne Rooney was ruled out for four weeks after injuring his ankle in training. The forward, who had just been named in McClaren’s England squad, will now miss the crucial qualifier against Croatia.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_united/article2841913.ece

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BERBA NOT OFF
Stroppy Spurs striker Dimitar Berbatov has denied reports that he is unhappy at White Hart Lane, despite appearances. "I want to let everyone know that I am a Tottenham Hotspur player, I love the club and everyone at the club,” he told the club’s website. He also went on to explain why he always looks so sad, but more of that later.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article2830760.ece

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FERGUSON’S WARNING
Sir Alex Ferguson has taken a break from blaming Arsenal for singlehandedly causing Britain’s immigration crisis to warn his players that they will be remembered as “nearly men” if they don’t win the Champions League. Manchester United play Dynamo Kiev in about four hours’ time.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_united/article2821048.ece

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FERGUSON’S DODGY DOSSIER
Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed he’s compiling a dossier of the abuse he suffered at the Emirates Stadium last weekend, which proves nothing except the esteem in which he holds the North London club. He says it’s the worst thing that has happened to him since he took the 9.53am to Euston.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_united/article2819023.ece

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HUTCHINGS SACKED
Chris Hutchings still can’t get past November as a Premier League manager. Seven years after he was sacked by Bradford City after only five months in charge, Hutchings has been sacked as Wigan Athletic manager after six months. His team had lost six matches in a row.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/wigan/article2809762.ece

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SUPERTASTIC SATURDAY
Sir Alex Ferguson is in bullish mood before The Biggest Game Of The Season So Far™. He’s been talking up his Manchester United team and saying that Arsenal’s youngsters haven’t proved anything yet. Louis Saha and Michael Carrick are back in contention but Gary Neville won’t be risked. 
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article2794732.ece

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TERRY'S WAGES ‘OBSCENE’
Gerry Sutcliffe, the Sports Minister, has ensured that we all know who he is by branding John Terry’s salary “obscene”. He also goes on to criticise the bonuses awarded to City bankers, corporate fat cats and Government ministers. Or not.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article2786375.ece

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ENGLAND’S 2018 AMBITIONS
The FA has announced that it will bid to host the 2018 World Cup finals (and not just because it’s the only way we will qualify). Geoff Thompson, the FA chairman, said: “It is very clear that the English football public want to see the World Cup back in this country.”
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/world_cup/article2779563.ece

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BRAZIL BEAT, ER, BRAZIL
That’s right. Brazil have beaten off stiff competition from themselves to host the 2014 World Cup finals. Sepp Blatter said that although uncontested the bid was very impressive. Meanwhile, the FA hasn’t decided whether it will bid for the 2018 tournament.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article2772254.ece

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LIVERPOOL FEEL STRAIN
Rafael Benitez won’t be selecting his best team - but for once it won’t be his fault. Xabi Alonso (broken metatarsal) and Fernando Torres (torn adductor) will be out for at least three weeks after scans confirmed their injuries. Javier Mascherano is also injured but an X-ray showed it was only bruising.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/liverpool/article2764392.ece

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JOLLY GOOD JOB
Maybe it was because he looked like the genetically-modified offspring of Shrek and Tony Soprano. Maybe it was the way he referred to Gabby Logan as “darling” or squared up to Arsene Wenger. Maybe it was those honest post-match appraisals. Who knows? But Ahead of the Game has always had an unflinching affection for Martin Jol and that’s why we’ve dedicated this edition to the former Tottenham manager. All the reaction and analysis.

Jol departure - fair means or foul?

Daniel Levy did what he has been threatening to do all season when he sacked Martin Jol last night. After two months of speculation about the Tottenham Hotspur manager’s position, which reached its nadir with the undignified courting of Juande Ramos, the most successful manager in Tottenham’s recent history is out on his ear.

But we want to know what you think. Dearly loved by fans at White Hart Lane for his personal charisma as much as for the entertaining football his team played, will fans rue his shabby treatment after another two decades of underachievement? Did Levy – by approaching the Seville boss and with his obsession with a sporting director - undermine his most important employee?

But for every Spurs fan who thinks his sacking was as unpopular as G