Football news

Nine-time Russian champions Spartak Moscow have sacked their Danish manager Michael Laudrup after Wednesday's 3-0 defeat against city rivals Dynamo in the Russian cup quarter-finals, the club announced yesterday.

Laudrup, 44, who took over Spartak in September 2008, became the sixth manager sacked by the club in six years.

Last year Spartak finished eighth in the domestic league under Laudrup's coaching. This year they have already suffered two defeats and collected only four points in four matches in the Russian Premiership.

Paris SG keeping costs down

Paris St Germain landed in Ukraine for yesterday's UEFA Cup quarter-final return leg against Dynamo Kiev on Wednesday, just one day before the match, partly to keep costs down, coach Paul Le Guen said.

"First, there are sports reasons. I don't like to arrive three or four days before the game. But there are also economic considerations, a full board accommodation costs €450 per player.

"We also think about that, it's obvious," Le Guen was quoted as saying by French sports daily L'Equipe yesterday.

Haan steps down as Albania coach

Dutchman Arie Haan has stepped down as Albania coach due to the team's poor results, the national football federation announced.

"The decision came as a result of the weak games of the Albanian team in the last matches and its failure to reach its objective of a better position in the 2010 World Cup qualifying Group One," the federation said in a statement.

Former Netherlands midfielder Haan, 60, replaced Croatian Otto Baric in December 2007.

Albania suffered back-to-back defeats to Hungary (0-1) and Denmark (0-3) in their last two World Cup qualifiers. In February, they were held to a goalless draw by Malta. Albania are fifth in Group One with six points, level with Portugal and Sweden but with an inferior goal difference. Denmark and Hungary are on 13 points.

Viduka edges closer to comeback

Newcastle striker Mark Viduka could make his comeback from injury in Sunday's Premier League clash with Tottenham.

The 33-year-old Australia international is back in full training after a long-standing Achilles problem and will travel with the rest of the party when they head south from Tyneside.

"Mark Viduka has trained for the majority of the week and will travel with us. He has trained well," Newcastle manager Alan Shearer said.

Striker Obafemi Martins is still doubtful with a groin problem, while full-back Jose Enrique is struggling to shake off the knee injury which kept him out of last Saturday's 1-1 draw at Stoke City.

Bayern job suits Mancini - Toni

Bayern Munich forward Luca Toni believes his compatriot Roberto Mancini would be the ideal man to take over from Juergen Klinsmann should the current coach get the sack at the end of the season.

Klinsmann is under increasing pressure following his side's elimination from the Champions League.

"I don't know what is going to happen. We will have to see if Bayern continue with Klinsmann," Toni said on Italian television.

"I think a lot will depend on how the season ends but if an Italian coach were to come, somebody as good as Mancini, then I think it would do everybody good, including Bayern."

Mancini is widely expected to return to coaching this summer after a year off following his dismissal as coach of Inter at the end of last season.

Host of clubs chasing Silva

Atletico Madrid are set to join the race for highly-rated Valencia winger David Silva, according to reports in the Spanish media.

Juventus are also interested in Silva as they continue their search for a replacement for Czech midfielder Pavel Nedved who will retire at the end of the season.

Juventus director of sport Alessio Secco has made it known that Silva is a top target for the Serie A giants. Real Madrid, who passed up the chance to sign Silva as a teenager, are also courting him.

AS, the Spanish daily newspaper, reported that Juventus have had a bid of £13m plus Christian Poulsen rejected by Valencia who are holding out for a bigger offer, thought to be in the region of £25m.

Vucinic to pledge future to Roma

Striker Mirko Vucinic is expected to sign a new four-year deal with Roma in the next few days, according to Il Corriere dello Sport.

The 25-year-old Montenegrin has been in excellent form this season, hitting 12 goals in 30 games. Reports suggest that some of Europe's biggest clubs, including Real Madrid and Manchester United, are keen to sign him.

Roma are apparently ready to offer him a deal worth £2.5m a year that will last until the end of the 2012-13 season. The former Lecce forward had been asking for a contract in excess of £2m.