Football news

Former Inter coach Roberto Mancini has claimed he will be back at work in July.

Mancini was sacked from his post at the San Siro based club at the end of last season, despite leading the Nerazzurri to a third straight Serie A title.

But he paid for his failure to take Inter into the latter stages of the Champions League and has been out of work ever since.

Asked on Sky Sport24 if he would be back on the bench in August, when next season recommences, he replied: "No, in July."

"After many years on the bench I have a bit of nostalgia now," he added. "This has been a longer holiday than normal but now I'm ready to return."

Hiddink considers Chelsea future

Guus Hiddink suggested yesterday he may stay on and act in a consultancy role at Chelsea after his stint as interim manager runs out at the end of the season.

Hiddink has denied that he might stay on at Stamford Bridge beyond the end of the season, but he now appears open to maintaining some sort of link with the club.

"There had to be a contract or my work in Chelsea would be impossible from a legal point of view," Hiddink told The Daily Mail.

"Yes, there is such a contract. It expires on May 31. They offered me to continue working for them after that date as a consultant.

"I'll need to have a look at how the situation is going to develop. Maybe I can be useful to Chelsea."

Juninho mulling return to Brazil

Olympique Lyon midfielder Juninho Pernambucano said he would wait until the end of the season to see what the future holds but admitted he might well choose to finish off his career with Brazilian second-tier outfit Vasco da Gama.

Juninho is out of contract in June but Lyon say they will abide by his decision as to whether he wishes to prolong his stay or return home.

"There are nine matches left to play to help the club to an eighth title and I am concentrating on that. Today, I will not allow myself to think about me," Juninho said.

"If I can continue to play at this level I may well carry on but returning home to Vasco da Gama is also on the cards," said Juninho.

Ancelotti eyes two new signings

Milan only need two good close-season signings to be back at their best, coach Carlo Ancelotti said.

Ancelotti is under pressure with his side trailing Serie A leaders Inter by 14 points in third place and effectively out of the title race.

The Milan coach whose contract runs until 2010, is confident it will not take much to turn things around.

"With two well-chosen buys we'll be competitive again," he told the club website (www.acmilan.com), "...a central defender and a striker because those departments should be reinforced."

Doni to reject City interest

Roma goalkeeper Alexander Doni has no intention of joining Manchester City in the summer.

The Brazil international is reported to be a big-money target for the Blues as they look to put the Abu Dhabi United Group's considerable wealth to use. However, the 29-year-old has reiterated his desire to remain in Italy.

"I don't want to leave Roma, as my family is happy here and I am settled into the squad. It never passed my mind to request a transfer," Doni told Il Corriere dello Sport.

"Last year I signed a contract that expires in 2012, so why would I want to leave? Besides, this story of an offer from Manchester City is entirely untrue."

Neville still uncertain on future

Gary Neville has yet to decide what he will do once he calls time on his playing career.

The 34-year-old admitted that after spending the last 17 years pushing himself to the limit with both United and England, Neville has revealed he may walk away from football when he hangs up his boots.

"Part of me says I'd like to stay involved in the game, but another says I should do something else," Neville said.

"I am doing my coaching badges, but whether anyone will want me as a coach or a manager I don't know.

"I just hope there's something that I find exciting and can enjoy, and in which I retain the ambition to achieve something."

Benitez will not bid for Silva

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has no interest in signing Valencia's David Silva.

Talking to the media yesterday, the Spanish coach admitted that he did contact cash-strapped Valencia regarding Silva, but his tentative approach for the attack-minded midfielder will not be continued.

"It is true that we were asking about the situation with Silva," Benitez said.

"But we are not happy with what Valencia are asking for the player and therefore he is not a target for us anymore."