Football news

Ajax are hoping to lure Denmark coach Morten Olsen back to the club following the resignation last week of Marco van Basten, according to reports yesterday.

De Telegraaf newspaper said the Amsterdam club have decided to sound out Olsen following successive refusals from Co Adriaanse, Frank Rijkaard and Michael Laudrup.

The 59-year-old Olsen, a former coach of Ajax from 1997 to 1999, confirmed in the report he had been contacted "by a club" but refused to say which "out of respect for the Danish federation".

The Dane then raised the possibility of combining his job with the national team with that of a club-level coach but admitted such a deal would "need the agreement of all three parties concerned".

Aussie door still open for Viduka

Australia coach Pim Verbeek said yesterday he would wait until Mark Viduka decides his future with Newcastle United before deciding whether to include him in the squad for next month's World Cup qualifiers.

"We've spoken with him. He's focusing entirely on his Newcastle job, he wants to keep them in the Premiership," Verbeek said. "We won't make any decision, he doesn't want to make any decision.

"He has to find out if he wants to play another year. That's one of the last decisions we are going to take."

United's offer claim denied by Tevez agent

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has revealed an offer has been made to keep Carlos Tevez at Old Trafford but the player's agent rejected the claim.

The Argentine striker scored the all-important equaliser on Wednesday night as United secured a 2-1 win at Wigan to move within a point of another league title.

After the match, Ferguson claimed an offer had been lodged in discussion with the South American that he hoped would be accepted but a spokesman for Tevez's advisor said: "It is true (chief executive) David Gill came to see Mr Joorabchian and they had a cordial meeting.

"It is untrue that Man. United made an offer to try to persuade Carlos Tevez to stay at the club."

Gerrard has been superb - Reina

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina believes Steven Gerrard has been the best player in the world this season.

Gerrard was named the Football Writers' Association Player of the Year on Wednesday and Reina said the Liverpool captain fully deserved the award.

"I am happy with it. It's fully deserved - and not just in terms of England, but for the whole world," he said.

"This season he has been superb - our best player, the best player in England and the best player in the world.

"Liverpool are a different team without him. We have to play and compete as a whole squad but he is key for us."

Real's Perez in comeback bid

Former Real Madrid president Florentino Perez yesterday announced he will be a candidate to return to the post in elections next month.

The hugely successful businessman, once pivotal in bringing a host of top footballers to the club, said he had made the decision following the "serious events" at Real Madrid in recent months.

Former president Ramon Calderon stepped down in January following allegations that he rigged voting at a general assembly a month earlier.

Perez promised "a spectacular sports plan" for the club.

"We have to compete with Chelsea, with Manchester United, with Barcelona, we want to lead European football again," he said.

Kolarov is not for sale - Lotito

Lazio president Claudio Lotito is determined to hang on to Aleksandr Kolarov whom he regards as his team's equivalent of Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo.

The 23-year-old full-back, who can also play on the wing, has had a brilliant season, scoring two fine goals in the Serie A. Juventus have expressed an interest in the former OFK Belgrade youngster who captained the Serbia U-21 side.

"It's as if I wanted to buy Cristiano Ronaldo," Lotito told Radio Radio, referring to Juventus' desire to sign Kolarov.

Ibrahimovic rejects Chelsea approach

Inter striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has rejected an approach from Chelsea, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The 27-year-old Swedish forward is unhappy at Inter after concluding that the Serie A champions can't match his ambitions of European success.

Ibrahimovic's agent, Mino Raiola, is said to have quickly put an end to the speculation by telling Chelsea that his client is not interested in joining them.

Raiola reportedly has an agreement with Inter president Massimo Moratti not to make any deals until the end of the season. Ibrahimovic is believed to be keen on a move to Spanish giants Barcelona.

According to some reports, Ibrahimovic has already had talks with Barcelona and is willing to take a pay cut to join them.