Football news

Fabio Cannavaro has turned down an offer to join Manchester City next season as his main intention if he leaves Real Madrid in summer is to return to Italy and play for his former club Juventus.

Cannavaro, 35, is eager to be in peak form for next year's World Cup and that has prompted his decision to join an Italian club.

"There will be the World Cup next year and I want to stay relaxed," Cannavaro said.

"Real told me I would have to wait until after the presidential election and advised me to look around.

"I didn't want to have to start from scratch with the World Cup around the corner and that's why I have turned down Manchester City."

Lyon are mentally weak - Bodmer

Olympique Lyon are not mentally strong enough to win an eighth consecutive league title, said their midfielder Mathieu Bodmer.

"It would be a miracle (to win the league). We need the two teams ahead of us to falter. Lately we have not been that good so let's just focus on ourselves," he told reporters.

"Mentally, we are not as strong as them. We can't find the resources to win matches as they do."

Lyon are third in the standings, six points adrift of leaders Olympique Marseille and four behind Bordeaux, with five matches remaining.

Galliani writes off Milan title hopes

Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani wrote off his club's chances of claiming a first scudetto title since 2004. If Inter win three of their remaining five matches they will be guaranteed the title and Galliani says Milan will not be able to repeat their surprise title victory in 1999.

Back then they trailed Lazio by seven points in early April but came back to snatch the title as Lazio stumbled in the home straight.

"Regardless of how many points we win, Inter will certainly get more than eight points," said Galliani.

"You can't compare with the 1999 comeback because that began earlier. If we had drawn the derby we would have been four points behind, if we'd won, just one point back.

"However we lost to a handball goal and the difference is seven."

Zola says no get-out clause

There is no get-out clause in Gianfranco Zola's new four-year contract signed recently with West Ham.

Reports have claimed that the Italian coach is among the candidates to take over from Guus Hiddink at Chelsea at the end of the season but Zola has moved in to quash the speculation and stressed he has no plans to cut short his stay at Upton Park.

"There is no get-out clause in my contract," Zola said.

"I have a contract and I want to respect it and work for this club and finish the project I have started. My only aim just now is to make this club as successful as possible."

The Hammers are pushing for qualification for the Europa League.

Carew sees Villa as future home

Norway striker John Carew has played down speculation linking him with a summer move to Werder Bremen or Galatasaray and insisted he is happy to stay at Aston Villa.

The giant forward has been a frequent mover in his career but, after just over two years at Villa, he insists he is settled in Birmingham.

"I am very happy here," Carew said. "I don't want to leave this club. I love being here and everything about it."

Villa are the seventh professional club Carew has represented in a career that has featured spells at Valencia, Roma and Lyon, but the 29-year-old says his wandering days are over.

"I see no reason why I should leave," he said.

Mourinho dismisses May 5 ghost

Inter coach Jose Mourinho has dismissed the significance of the club's clash against Lazio tonight, just short of seven years to the day since the Romans denied the Nerazzurri the Serie A title.

In 2001-02, Inter arrived at the final day of the season on May 5 with a one-point advantage over Juventus. They needed to beat Lazio away, but despite leading 1-0 and 2-1 they lost 4-2 and finished the season in third as both Juve and Roma overtook them with final day victories.

Mourinho insists that nothing should be read into that fateful day seven years ago.

"This May 5 doesn't mean anything to me, what is this May 5?

"I will remember the day that we win the scudetto. Inter should remember the 16 titles they've won," Mourinho said.

Buffon waits on Juve future

Juventus and Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon will wait until the summer transfer market to see what his club's additions would be before deciding on his future.

Media reports in Italy said there is growing disillusion at the Juve dressing-room as Claudio Ranieri's team have now slipped to third place, nine points off the pace.

"I have a contract until 2013," Buffon told L'Equipe.

"But, we will also look at the team we have next season. I hope that it is even more competitive. I want to understand with peace of mind what happens inside the club so I can make the best decision."

Buffon has already been linked with a move to Manchester City this year.