Football news

Manchester United goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak has put pen to paper on a two-year contract extension that will keep him at Old Trafford until at least 2012.

The 26-year-old, who moved to Old Trafford from West Brom on a permanent deal last year, still had two years on his contract left to run.

"For the club to offer me an extension when I still have two years left shows the trust and support that I have from the club and Sir Alex Ferguson," Kuszczak said.

"But there is still so much to prove and I want to continue working hard to ensure my position within this great team."

Newcastle reject Shearer's dismissal reports

Newcastle have rejected reports that Alan Shearer was sacked from his role of club ambassador but admitted that their former striker's contract for the role ended last season.

Reports said that Shearer had been told he is no longer allowed to use the title 'club ambassador' following his criticism of Kevin Keegan's departure from Newcastle.

"Alan Shearer had a contract for ambassadorial duties which ran out at the end of last season," the club said in a statement. "As a gesture of goodwill from the club, Alan was given a complimentary corporate box back in June for use at St James' Park and the club continues to have an excellent relationship with its all-time greatest goalscorer.

"Any suggestion that Alan was stripped of this role because of recent events is inaccurate."

Genoa sign Brazilian Motta

Genoa have signed midfielder Thiago Motta after he was released by Atletico Madrid.

The player was seeking a new club after leaving the Spanish outfit in June and had been linked with a number of top teams, including Juventus and Milan.

The former Barcelona player has been plagued by injury over the last four years but had no problems in passing the medical test requested by Genoa before signing a four-year contract.

Bilic to step down in 2010

Slaven Bilic has confirmed he will step down from his post of Croatia coach when his contract expires after the 2010 World Cup.

Bilic, who last week saw his team lose 4-1 to England in a World Cup qualifier, then plans to move into club management.

"Only one thing is certain, after 2010, I will not be (Croatia) coach anymore. Then I will review clubs' offers," he said.

"It is true that I had great offers from Manchester City, when Eriksson left, while everyone knows about West Ham.

"I did not regret staying on as national coach. However, if I feel that the fans do not believe in our project anymore, I will quit immediately."

Injured De Rossi out of Cluj clash

Daniele De Rossi is ruled out of the Champions League opener with Cluj after sustaining a neck injury.

The Roma midfielder went up to head the ball during Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Palermo when he suddenly screamed in pain and clutched his neck. He immediately asked to be substituted and tests yesterday confirmed he has strained a muscle in his neck, ruling him out of tonight's Champions League clash.

It is another bitter blow for the Giallorossi, who also have to do without defensive duo Philippe Mexes and Juan both injured.

Mourinho comments upset Catania

Catania have criticised Inter coach Jose Mourinho for showing a "lack of respect" after comments he made following his side's 2-1 victory in the Serie A on Saturday.

Ricardo Quaresma's first netting for the club and an own goal by Christian Terlizzi were enough to give Inter their first win of the season, but the Portuguese boss was quoted as saying afterwards his side "deserved to win 5-1".

Mourinho also claimed that "had I played in goal in place of (Inter keeper) Julio Cesar, nothing would have changed" - a comment which has provoked an angry reaction from their Sicilian opponents.

"Someone who says something like that has no respect for his opponents, nor for the coaches or the nation that accommodates him," said Catania official Pietro Lo Monaco.

"Mourinho is one that simply should keep his mouth shut."

Moyes seeks contract solution

David Moyes hopes to make a decision on his future in the coming days after he was offered a new contract by Everton.

Negotiations have been dragging on for some time and both sides are now keen to bring the matter to a close.

Moyes has been in charge at Goodison Park since 2002 and has helped establish the Merseyside club as a top Premier League club.

However, he became increasingly frustrated by the club's lack of activity in the transfer market over the summer and has been touted among those in the frame for the vacant managerial post at Newcastle.

"I hope there will be some more news on that in the next few days or so," Moyes said.