Football news

FIFA is considering picking the 2018 and 2022 World Cup hosts by the end of 2010 to allow more time for major infrastructure work.

FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke said South Africa's rush to complete the construction work needed to host the 2010 World Cup was proof more time was needed by future hosts.

"We have already had a discussion within FIFA around the possibility of designating both the 2018 and 2022 hosts at the same time. We will start the 2018 bidding process early next year and expect to make a decision by Dec. 2010," he said.

Bidding for the 2018 finals has begun in earnest, with Australia, Belgium and the Netherlands, China, England, Mexico, Russia, Spain and Portugal and the US already indicating their interest.

Vialli urges Buffon to consider move

Gianluca Vialli is urging Gigi Buffon not to discard a move to Manchester City. Last week, there were reports that City's wealthy owners were preparing a £65m move for Juve and Italy keeper Buffon.

Juve insist Buffon is not for sale but the rumours continue to circulate.

"Buffon is 5/1 to join Manchester City? I'm not surprised by those odds," Vialli, a former Juventus striker, told reporters.

"The Arab owners of the club have plenty of money and I think they want to build a very strong team. If I were Buffon I would certainly consider the deal because a £13m contract is a lot of money.

"Gigi is a fundamental player and I think Juve would find it very hard to replace him."

Zola hails defender Upson

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola reckons defender Matthew Upson played a blinder for the Hammers in the 1-0 away win at Sunderland on Sunday.

The 29-year-old turned in a superb individual display as he and James Collins withstood the threat of Sunderland strikers Kenwyne Jones and Djibril Cisse at the Stadium of Light.

Zola said: "I told him if I had to give him a vote one to 10, I couldn't because I would have given him 11.

"He didn't lose one challenge. He was also aware, talking, commanding the defence. He was perfect. Matthew Upson deserves to play in the national team."

Rodgers new Watford manager

Chelsea reserve-team coach Brendan Rodgers, 35, is the new manager at Watford, replacing Aidy Boothroyd. Former West Ham player and assistant manager Frank Lampard Snr joins the Hornets as a football consultant.

"Frank is someone I have known for a little while now, he has some great experience," Rodgers said.

"He is a football man, an honest man and a loyal man. When you are a young manager, those are the key qualities you want in someone who is your mentor."

Podolski wants to leave Bayern

Germany striker Lukas Podolski has told Bayern Munich he wants to leave the club during the January transfer window but coach Juergen Klinsmann said he had no intention of letting him go.

"I've decided I'd like to leave Bayern in the winter," Podolski told Bild newspaper. "I've told the club management I want to go."

Despite a poor scoring record at club level, Bayern have repeatedly said they would like Podolski to stay and fight for his place.

"We want to go into the second half of the season with a minimum of four strikers, and one of those four is Podolski," Klinsmann said.

The 23-year-old Podolski has not been able to hold down a place in the team since joining from Cologne for 10 million euros.

Olympiakos join hunt for Vieira

Renowned Greek club Olympiakos are the latest in a series of clubs to show interest in Patrick Vieira, the France and Inter midfielder.

Vieira is struggling to find first-team football at Inter after struggling to recover from various injuries these past 12 months or so. Vieira did not start for Inter in last weekend's clash against Juve. He is said to be frustrated and considering his future.

According to some reports, a number of suitors are keeping an eye on Vieira. Premiership clubs Manchester City, Sunderland and Portsmouth are said to be in the hunt and have reportedly been joined by Olympiakos.

Allardyce itching to get back

Sam Allardyce is itching to get back into football management after leaving Newcastle in January after just half a season in charge. He has been linked with several positions over the last few months and has now reiterated his desire to return to the game.

Allardyce, who also spent eight years at Bolton, said: "It's not my choice. If somebody is sat there looking for somebody to direct a club to some success, perhaps that they have never achieved before.

"I have had my time off, my batteries are charged up and I am absolutely raring to go. But I just have to be given the chance."

Asked if it mattered where he would go, Allardyce replied: "Only that it is a club that has some ambition."