Football news

Arsene Wenger will choose the candidate who will help him with player acquisitions following vice-chairman David Dein's departure.

Dein had played a key role in Arsenal's transfers and his duties will now be taken on by a new director of football - the first in the club's history.

"There will definitely be a director of football coming and it will definitely be my choice," Wenger said. "At present I'm doing both jobs."

Over the last 11 years Wenger and Dein established a formidable record in the transfer market, not only in terms of acquisitions and sales, but also in the worldwide scouting network the club set up.

Watford will be back - Boothroyd

Aidy Boothroyd, the Watford manager, said his side can bounce straight back into the Premiership following their relegation from the top flight.

"Our fans have been good enough," he said, "but maybe this time round we are not. The table does not lie.

"We now know what is required for this division and we did not have enough of it. It will be tough to come straight back up but I think we can."

Watford have spent just one season in the Premiership following their victory in the Championship play-off final last May. They had to wait until November to record their first league win, and have won just three more league matches since.

Owen feels better after operation

Michael Owen thinks his cruciate ligament injury has helped him to prolong his career. The striker has not played a competitive game since his injury in England's World Cup group fixture with Sweden last June.

He is close to a comeback for Newcastle but when he is back Owen is confident that he will be faster and stronger than in the past.

"When I was 17 or 18 there wasn't anybody quicker than me in the league," Owen said. "I know I'm not as quick as I was then, but I'm quicker than I have been for the last two years and I can do more.

"This break will prolong my career and allow me to play into my mid-30s rather than my early 30s."

Redknapp wants Tevez

Harry Redknapp says he will be interested to bring Carlos Tevez to Portsmouth in the summer. Tevez, 23, is expected to leave West Ham at the end of the season, if the club are relegated from the Premiership.

"Of course, I like the boy, he is an absolutely outstanding player," Redknapp said. "The truth is, though, I don't think we would be able to reach the asking price for a player of his standing in the game."

Euro worry for Coppell

Steve Coppell has again reiterated his belief that qualifying for Europe could hinder Reading after their impressive win at Bolton. The Royals climbed off to seventh spot with a dramatic 3-1 win over Bolton at the Reebok Stadium to move within three points of Sam Allardyce's side.

Seventh place would be good enough for a UEFA Cup spot next term, but Coppell insists qualifying for Europe is not a priority for him.

"I have always said we are not ready. It could be not good for us," said Coppell. "We would have to have a bigger squad which we could not afford."

Ronaldo having fun

Ronaldo has scored seven goals in 12 games for Milan and reveals the secret of his new-found form. "We're having fun!" he said. His brace on Saturday sent the Rossoneri on their way to a 3-1 victory over Cagliari - their seventh in eight rounds.

"I have been in good physical shape for a month now and have always scored goals in my career," explained the striker. "I am very happy with how I'm doing here... we are having fun."

The only negative aspect is the fact he is cup-tied in Europe.

"I am happy when I play, but I can't do anything about this, so I have to sit back and bear it," he said.

Ferguson warns Milan

Alex Ferguson has warned Milan that they will face a team of men rather than boys tomorrow. Two years ago Milan knocked United out of the Champions League but as the two prepare to face each other again tomorrow, Ferguson feels the Italians could get a shock.

"Players such as Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo were not ready for those kind of nights and found it difficult against experienced and accomplished opponents," Ferguson said.

"But, how different they looked in the 7-1 win over Roma - boys had become men. It was a maturity that has developed through the squad."

Bayern were dreadful - Hitzfeld

Coach Ottmar Hitzfeld lashed out at Bayern Munich after their 2-0 Bundesliga defeat at VfB Stuttgart on Saturday.

"Our performance was simply dreadful," Hitzfeld said. "We had problems getting into the match and I didn't like the way our heads dropped. It was a massive disappointment."

Fourth-placed Bayern now have 53 points from 30 games, five behind Stuttgart who are third. Bayern have a fight on their hands to claim one of three spots available in next season's Champions League, a competition for which they have qualified every year since 1997.

Maradona has alcohol problem

Diego Maradona is in a private psychiatric clinic in Buenos Aires for treatment for alcoholism. Alfredo Cahe, Maradona's personal doctor, said the 46-year-old had chosen to go to the specialist clinic.

Maradona has spent much of the past month in hospital with acute toxic hepatitis related to alcohol abuse.

Maradona, who led Argentina to victory in the 1986 World Cup, has previously battled cocaine addiction and obesity. Fans have been watching Maradona's health with growing concern since he was admitted to hospital on March 28, spending two weeks undergoing treatment.