Football news

Former Chelsea goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini believes Luiz Felipe Scolari was not the right man to lead the team following the sacking of Avram Grant last summer.

"It just didn't work out," Cudicini, who left Chelsea for Tottenham Hotspur last month, was quoted as saying.

"I didn't say he was the wrong man the day he was appointed because I didn't know him then but now I know he was a mistake. He had been an international coach, not a club manager, for far too long.

"It was a different culture for him too. English football is totally different to what he knew and he found it difficult to adapt to the style and speed of the game."

Gullit backs Beckham to stay with Milan

Los Angeles Galaxy risk having an unsettled player in their dressing room if they refuse to let David Beckham join Milan on a permanent basis, Ruud Gullit, their former manager, said.

"From a player's point of view, everyone can understand why he wants to stay at Milan," Gullit said.

"Every player wants to stay at the highest level, every player wants that.

"But knowing that you (Galaxy) as a club would have a player who would be very disappointed that he was not allowed to stay at Milan, how do they think he will react?

"How would his colleagues react to him if he did come back?"

Neill happy with life at West Ham

West Ham skipper Lucas Neill wants to stay at the club beyond the expiry of his current contract at the end of the season.

Reports suggested that Newcastle had enquired about signing Neil in the January transfer window, prompting speculation that he may look to quit West Ham in the summer. However, the former Blackburn defender insists he is happy with life in East London.

"I've never had any intention of leaving," Neill said.

"I love everything about the club. I have a great relationship with the manager. Why would I want to leave after the run we've been on?"

Rossi not looking to quit Villarreal

Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi has distanced himself from talk linking him with a return to Manchester United.

United included a clause in Rossi's transfer to Villarreal allowing them first refusal to sign the Italian if they decided to sell him.

However, Rossi, who has impressed since his move to Spain, has no intention of rejoining United, insisting he is happy with life at Villarreal.

"There is no position between myself and Manchester United," Rossi said.

"I am with Villarreal and that's it.

"I didn't get a chance to play in England. That was the main reason I wanted to get some experience and that's what I have been doing with Villarreal."

Grant hints at Pompey return

Former Chelsea manager Avram Grant has indicated his willingness to take charge of Portsmouth.

Grant, who had been director of football at Portsmouth before going to Chelsea, has been repeatedly linked with a return to Fratton Park following the dismissal of manager Tony Adams last month.

Asked whether he thought he could return to manage in the Premier League, the 53-year-old told Sky Sports 1's Goals yesterday: "It is my first priority, but in life you don't know what will happen tomorrow.

"Portsmouth was my first club when I came here to England. It is a fantastic club, I enjoyed being there and I have a lot of friends there still, but I don't know what will happen tomorrow."

Borriello undergoes thigh surgery

Milan striker Marco Borriello has undergone surgery to remove a cyst in his thigh.

Borriello had been hopeful of making his comeback for Milan after several months out with a thigh strain but the new setback has left him contemplating another lengthy lay-off.

"We will set the recovery time after the check-up in 20-30 days," Milan said in a statement about Borriello's surgery.

Defender Alessandro Nesta may also require another operation after a recurrence of the back problem which has disrupted his career in the last two seasons.

Milan have only said Nesta will undergo "more consultations" over the next few days.

No Juve approach for Silva - Valencia

Valencia president Vicente Soriano has rejected rumours linking Juventus with a big-money move for David Silva.

According to some reports, Juventus contacted Valencia over the possibility of making a €30 million bid for the Spain international but Soriano insisted the Serie A giants have not made an approach for Silva.

"Honestly, I was surprised when they told me this. There is nothing to say about Silva," he said in AS.

"Juventus have not approached us, I have no news on this matter. I cannot be any more blunt in saying we have no intention of selling Silva."