Football news

Palermo sacked coach Stefano Colantuono after just one game of the new Serie A season yesterday, replacing him with former Cagliari boss Davide Ballardini.

Colantuono, who was also dismissed by Palermo last term only to be reinstated later in the campaign, lost his job after the Sicilians were defeated 3-1 in their league opener at Udinese on Saturday.

The week before, Palermo were knocked out of the Italian Cup by third division Ravenna.

"Palermo have relieved Stefano Colantuono of the post of first team coach," the club said.

"The post has been entrusted to Davide Ballardini, who will lead the squad from this afternoon's (yesterday) training session."

Redknapp rejects West Ham link

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has praised Alan Curbishley for "sticking to his principles" and dismissed speculation linking him with a return to West Ham.

Curbishley stepped down as manager of the Hammers after revealing he did not have control over transfers.

Redknapp had long spells as a player and manager at Upton Park but he has no intention of leaving Fratton Park.

"Alan Curbishley may have gone as West Ham boss but there's no way I'll replace him," he said.

"Curbs quit because he feels he has been shown a lack of trust by the owner. I take my hat off to him for sticking to his principles."

Two-week stop for injured Ballack

Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack will be out for two weeks because of a foot injury he suffered on the first day of the season against Portsmouth.

Ballack faced Wigan on August 24 but had to sit out the Blues' draw with Tottenham on Sunday. He is sidelined for Germany's World Cup qualifiers against Liechtenstein tomorrow and Finland on September 10.

The 31-year-old may miss Chelsea's trip to Manchester City on September 13.

"The original diagnosis of the Chelsea doctor has been confirmed. It means that I will be out for at least two weeks," Ballack said.

Wealthy City a threat, says Tevez

Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez expects neighbours Manchester City to become serious title contenders after they received a major cash injection from prospective new owners The Abu Dhabi United Group.

The Abu Dhabi United Group signalled their ambitions by spending a British record fee of £32.5 million on Robinho and Tevez believes the Brazilian will make City a better side.

"Robinho will greatly improve the quality of Man City. They will be much closer to the top this year," Tevez said.

"City's squad is looking strong now with Robinho, Zabaleta, Petrov and Elano."

Robinho's helicopter journey

Robinho turned up for training with Brazil in a helicopter on Wednesday following his transfer deadline-beating move to Manchester City.

Brazil, away to Chile in a World Cup qualifier on Sunday, began training on Tuesday but Robinho was given permission to join up a day late after sealing a move to the English club just before the close of the transfer window.

"I didn't want to arrive by helicopter because people will say that I'm getting carried away with success, but there was no other way," he told reporters at Brazil's mountain retreat in Teresopolis, some 100km from Rio de Janeiro.

"Otherwise, I would have been late for training."

Saha keen to prove his worth at Everton

New striker Louis Saha offered to give up his wages at Everton until he regained full fitness.

Injury-prone Saha is still recovering from a cartilage problem and was so eager for the move to go through that he told Everton he was prepared not to be paid until he made his debut in a blue shirt.

But David Moyes turned down the gesture and is now hoping the former Manchester United forward can help his side overcome their early-season woes once he is back to full fitness.

Saha said: "It was something I did offer but it didn't happen.

"I'd had a few setbacks and I made the offer because that is my type of mentality.

"I could have been selfish but it wouldn't have been right."

Juve begin Giovinco contract talks

Juventus are putting together a lucrative contract offer to tie gifted young playmaker Sebastian Giovinco to the club until 2013.

The diminutive ace is seen by many as the heir to Alessandro Del Piero and could be a crucial player for the Bianconeri in the future.

Italian media reported that Juventus directors Alessio Secco and Jean-Claude Blanc met with Giovinco's agents Claudio Pasqualin and Andrea D'Amico on Wednesday.

However, the player was away with Italy's Under-21 side preparing for today's qualifier against Greece in Castel Di Sangro.

"We share the same intentions," Pasqualin said. "Generally we are on the same page, but we haven't sorted out the numbers yet.

"Both sides understand that we are dealing with a diamond that will shortly shine with all its splendour."