Football news

Despite narrowly avoiding relegation from the Premier League, Hull City manager Phil Brown has big plans for the small club with a place in Europe his ultimate aim.

Despite losing 1-0 to an under-strength Manchester United on Sunday, Newcastle's defeat kept the Tigers out of the bottom three and Brown is ready to bring in a host of new players to beef up their attack next season.

"A European place would be the ultimate aim, either through winning a trophy or by way of standing in the Premier League," he said.

"How long that would take, I've got my personal ambitions. All I can say is that it will be in the near future."

Owen Coyle cools Celtic speculation

Owen Coyle sought to calm down speculation that he would leave newly-promoted Premier League side Burnley and take over at Scottish giants Celtic.

The 42-year-old Scottish-born former Ireland international striker has become one of the hottest properties in management with his stewardship of Burnley.

He appears to have leapfrogged former Celtic star and now West Brom handler Tony Mowbray as the Scottish side's first choice to replace Gordon Strachan.

"It is people putting two and two together and making five," said Coyle.

"I am going on holiday this weekend and I can assure you I will be doing so as Burnley manager."

Sahara close to United shirt deal

India's Sahara Group is in advanced talks with Manchester United to become the new shirt sponsors of the English Premiership champions.

"The chairman (Subrata Roy) is going to London on June 5 to finalise the deal," an unnamed official of the multi-business conglomerate said.

"We think that if we can sponsor such a huge club it will give an opportunity for Indian footballers to play as well," the official added.

United are seeking a new sponsor after troubled American insurance giant AIG announced in January it would not renew its four-year $100 million deal which runs until 2010.

The Sahara Group, also the sponsors of the Indian cricket team, are hopeful the deal would go through as United can expand its fanbase in the region.

Torres signs new Liverpool contract

Spain striker Fernando Torres has signed a new contract that could keep him at Liverpool until 2014, the Premier League runners-up said yesterday.

The 25-year-old Torres, who had four years remaining on a six-year deal he signed in 2007, has been handed an improved package that includes the option of a further season.

"Fernando is one of the best strikers in the game today and, at his age, can only get better," Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said.

"Every major side would want him in their team, but he has shown how much he wants to achieve success at Liverpool by committing his future to the club. He's a special talent, but still has the hunger to improve his game."

Blackwell at helm for next season

Kevin Blackwell will be at the helm to lead Sheffield United's fight to return to the Premier League next season. That was the clear and unequivocal message from chairman Kevin McCabe after discussions with his manager following the play-off final defeat against Burnley at Wembley.

"The club, player and the fans all took a blow after the Burnley game. Defeat in the play-offs is cruel. But I want all Blades to know that the fight goes on and, like me, Kevin is up for the challenge.

"We have had frank and open discussions. Kevin is motivated and, like all at Bramall Lane, is up for the task of getting the Blades promoted next season."

Santa Cruz happy at Blackburn

Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz denied wanting to leave Blackburn Rovers and said his reported comments had got lost in translation.

"Blackburn is like a family to me and I've always tried to give my best for the club," he told reporters.

"I've got a lot of friends there and there's a good atmosphere for me to continue."

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce said earlier this month that Santa Cruz had been giving interviews to Paraguayan media in which he expressed a wish to play for a bigger club.

But the former Bayern Munich striker said he had spoken to the coach and explained the situation.

United fan kills 4 Barca fans with bus

A Manchester United fan in Nigeria killed four people when he drove his minibus into a crowd of Barcelona supporters after his team lost the Champions League final, police said yesterday.

The crowd in the town of Ogbo were celebrating Barcelona's victory after Wednesday night's match when the bus drove into them. A police spokeswoman said 10 people were injured and the driver was arrested.

"The driver had passed the crowd then made a U-turn and ran into them," she said.

Both teams have large fan bases in Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation.