Football News

Manchester City owner and chairman Thaksin Shinawatra has no immediate plans to fire coach Sven-Goran Eriksson but will assess the Swede's performance at the end of the season.

Asked by reporters in Dubai yesterday whether Eriksson's job at the Premier League club was in jeopardy, Thaksin said: "There are no plans at the moment. We will have to evaluate at the end of the season."

British newspapers have reported that Thaksin was unhappy with the former England manager and was in talks to replace him with Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Rijkaard for Chelsea says Nevin

Pat Nevin, the former Chelsea player, believes Frank Rijkaard will leave Barcelona to join the Blues next season. Present manager Avram Grant has come under increasing pressure following the 1-1 draw with Wigan.

Nevin said: "I'm speaking as someone who just wants the best for the club. I would not be surprised if Rijkaard is Chelsea manager next year."

Rijkaard is himself under pressure at Barcelona, despite leading the club to the Champions League semi-finals this season.

Samp keeper out for the season

Sampdoria's drive for a place in European football next season was hit by news that goalkeeper Luca Castellazzi will be out for a long-term period after Sunday's collision with Reggina striker Nicola Amoruso.

Tests have now shown he will require surgery on his right shoulder to resolve the injury and cannot play again this season.

His place will be taken by Antonio Mirante, while youth team goalkeeper Vincenzo Fiorillo is on the bench.

Leeds in anxious wait

An independent tribunal considering Leeds' 15-point deduction started yesterday. Leeds were docked the points by the Football League for allegedly breaking competition rules on insolvency.

A three-man panel reviewing the penalty is expected to make their ruling before Saturday. The outcome is unclear though.

The panel could back the Football League's ruling, reinstate all 15 points to Leeds or return just some of the lost points, with five being the most likely added to Leeds' current tally of 67.

Ronaldo difficult to sign - Real

Predrag Mijatovic, the Real Madrid sporting director, said it would be difficult to sign winger Cristiano Ronaldo, of Man. United, this summer.

Mijatovic said the Spanish giants were looking at Ronaldo to become the new 'face' of the club, in a similar way to Zinedine Zidane during his time at Madrid.

Mijatovic said: "Right now it is impossible to sign Cristiano Ronaldo. Who would not like to have him in their team? But we need to be realistic because his would be a very difficult signing."

Chelsea plotting Balotelli swoop

Chelsea are ready to table a bid for Mario Balotelli even though Inter are set to offer their talented striker a lucrative contract.

The 17-year-old Palermo-born starlet is still on a youth team contract, but he is due to negotiate a new deal at the end of the season.

Inter are believed to be preparing a five-year contract to bind Balotelli until 2013.

However, Chelsea are reportedly trying to sign Balotelli and are ready to offer around £9m for his services. The son of Ghanaian immigrants, Balotelli won't qualify for Italian citizenship until his 18th birthday.

Aldershot back in League Two

English minor league club Aldershot Town were promoted to League Two (fourth division), 16 years after Aldershot FC folded, following a 1-1 draw at Exeter. The Shots claimed the Blue Square Premier title on Tuesday evening after gaining the point they needed.

Torquay, relegated from League Two last season, have all but sealed their place in the play-offs but the remaining three spots could go to any one of four teams with only a point between Burton, Cambridge, Stevenage and Exeter.

Shorey... no decision on future

Nicky Shorey does not intend to discuss a new contract until the summer. The Reading full-back's current deal expires at the end of next season, and he continues to stall on agreeing an extension.

He had been strongly linked with a switch to West Ham in the past, but insists that he has made no decision as yet regarding his future.

"We have just put it to one side and said that we will talk about it in the summer and that's still the case," Shorey said.

The Royals have yet to secure their Premier League status.

Gattuso heading for La Liga?

There are reports in Italy that Gennaro Gattuso, formerly of Rangers, is mulling a move away from Milan to join Real Madrid in Spain.

Press reports have suggested that Milan are ready to ring the changes in pre-season and could replace many of the old guard, including Gattuso.

According to Tuttosport, Real Madrid are watching the situation with interest and could be willing to offer £10m for Gattuso. With Mahamadou Diarra looking to quit Real, the Spanish champions are searching for a new defensive midfielder.