Football news

Catania have appointed Silvio Baldini as their new coach, the Serie A club said yesterday.

The former Empoli and Lecce manager replaces Pasquale Marino, who resigned last week after Catania stayed in the top flight with a win over relegated Chievo on the season's final day.

In February, Catania were ordered to play their home matches away from Sicily after a policeman was killed during riots outside a home game with Palermo.

Marino has been linked with other Serie A jobs after masterminding Catania's escape despite their difficulties.

Anelka asks for clarification

Nicolas Anelka is asking Bolton to clarify his position after admitting a move to one of the Premiership's 'big four' clubs would be tempting.

"First of all I have to find out if Bolton want to sell me or not," Anelka, 28, said. "I don't want to leave. Yes, I want to play for one of the big four but I also want to help Bolton become a big Premiership club.

"I have to sit down to talk with Bolton to find out what they have planned."

In March, Anelka insisted he was happy to stay at the Reebok Stadium but since then Sam Allardyce has resigned as manager.

Loew behind misfiring Klose

Germany coach Joachim Loew will keep faith with Miroslav Klose for Wednesday's Euro 2008 Group D qualifier against Slovakia, despite the striker's glaring lack of form.

Klose's usual sharpness deserted him over the closing weeks of the Bundesliga season with Werder Bremen. Saturday's clash with San Marino looked a perfect chance to get back among the goals but he missed several easy chances in Germany's 6-0 win.

"He's obviously not in the same form as last year but all strikers go through phases like this," Loew said. "His quality is beyond question and he has our absolute confidence."

Sheffield Utd still hopeful

Kevin McCabe, the Sheffield United chairman, is still hopeful his club will play in the Premier League next season despite finishing third from bottom in the final standings.

An arbitration panel on June 18 will hear Sheffield United's claim against the Premier League's failure to dock West Ham points over the Carlos Tevez saga.

"I firmly believe we will win and the previous decision will be overturned," McCabe said.

Recoba wants Torino move

Unsettled Inter forward Alvaro Recoba wants to join ranks with Walter Novellino again and play for Torino next season.

The Uruguayan has become notorious for his inconsistency in a decade-long spell with Inter but much of his reputation as a great talent was built at Novellino's Venezia in 1999.

"Massimo Moratti confessed to me it would be awful to see me play in Italy with another jersey," Recoba said.

"He deserves all my respect, but the fact Novellino is now coach at Torino changes things... everyone knows I'd love to be part of his squad."

Spurs to keep Chimbonda

Tottenham boss Martin Jol is believed to have turned down a £10 million bid from Chelsea for right-back Pascal Chimbonda. Jose Mourinho has already been busy in the market since the end of the season, snapping up Steve Sidwell and Claudio Pizarro on free transfers.

And he is now trying to bolster his right-back options, as neither Geremi nor Paulo Ferreira impressed in the role last season.

Reports said Mourinho approached Spurs in a bid to sign Chimbonda, but was swiftly knocked back. Jol only recruited Chimbonda from Wigan for £5 million last summer.

Benitez has Eto'o in his plans

UK newspapers yesterday reported that Rafael Benitez wants to sell Momo Sissoko and Craig Bellamy to raise cash for Samuel Eto'o's transfer to Anfield.

Benitez is ready to offload Bellamy, who is being chased by West Ham and Aston Villa, for around £6 million. Sissoko is also surplus following the successful impact of Javier Mascherano.

The Mali midfielder has fallen behind Mascherano, Xabi Alonso and Steven Gerrard in the pecking order and would command a fee of £7 million, with both Barcelona and Juventus said to be monitoring him.

Zeman for Serie A comeback?

Zdenek Zeman is mentioned as the likely replacement of Walter Mazzarri on the Reggina bench next season. Reggina avoided relegation despite an 11-point penalty and are looking for a new coach.

Zeman has not had a Serie A position for several years and was fired by both Brescia and Lecce in Serie B.

"I feel ready to return to the Serie A," said the Czech tactician, formerly of Foggia, Napoli, Roma and Lazio.

His all-attack style of play has made him popular with fans, even if not particularly successful with clubs.

Saviola prefers Man. United

Manchester United are reportedly on the trail of Barcelona striker Javier Saviola. Saviola, 25, has already confirmed he will leave the Spanish champions when his contract expires this summer, meaning he can move for no transfer fee.

The Argentine has made it clear Old Trafford is his preferred destination after three years at Barca, despite interest from Arsenal, Liverpool, Bolton, Valencia and Real Madrid.

He said: "I consider my career at Barcelona as finished. There are several offers on the table."