Football news

Diego Forlan scored his 32nd Primera Liga goal of the season to help Atletico Madrid secure a place in Champions League qualifying with a 3-0 win over visiting Almeria on Saturday.

Champions Barcelona, runners-up Real Madrid and third-placed Sevilla had already secured the three automatic places in Europe's elite club competition.

Forlan's goal sealed a sixth consecutive win for Atletico and the Uruguayan striker is now sure of winning a second European Golden Shoe award.

It was his 12th goal in Atletico's final eight matches of the season and he wins Spain's "Pichichi" award as top scorer.

Espanyol in race to sign Nakamura

Espanyol have joined the race to sign Japan and Celtic midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura.

There will be no transfer fee required to get Nakamura, who turns 31 in late June, when his contract with Celtic expires next month.

"It is true they (Espanyol) have approached us," Nakamura's agent Roberto Tsukuda told the Daily Sports newspaper, which also reported that Celtic have formally offered to extend their deal with the left-footed playmaker.

However, Nakamura is widely reported to be on the verge of signing for his old J-League home club Yokohama Marinos.

Conte mulling options

Antonio Conte has not extended his contract at newly-promoted club Bari nor signed an agreement to join Juventus for next season.

Conte is being linked with the Juve job following the sacking of Claudio Ranieri last month. Other candidates for the job include current interim coach Ciro Ferrara and Laurent Blanc, of Bordeaux.

"I have not signed an agreement with any club. I say that in a perfectly honest and fair way, I have not promised myself to anyone," Conte said.

"I hear so much talk in the media about me going to various sides, but I haven't signed for anyone."

Cahill pride despite final misery

Australia midfielder Tim Cahill insisted Everton had no reason to be ashamed after losing the FA Cup final to Chelsea.

Cahill choked back tears on the Wembley pitch after Saturday's 2-1 defeat but the Socceroos star had no intention of feeling sorry for himself for long.

Defeat was especially hard for Cahill to take as he had already lost one FA Cup final with Millwall against Manchester United in 2004.

"The best thing about this team is we stuck together, no matter what," Cahill said.

"We've come so far with such a small squad and I'm just proud to be part of this team and wear this shirt.

"I'm just gutted because this was a chance to win some silverware. I just hope everything stays the same for next season."

Ashley ready to sell Newcastle

Newcastle owner Mike Ashley said he had made "terrible decisions" in the running of the club, who were relegated from the Premier League last week, and wants to sell the club as soon as he can.

"It has been catastrophic for everybody. I've lost my money and I've made terrible decisions. Now I want to sell it as soon as I can... advisers will be appointed shortly," he said.

Ashley became a near-billionaire when he floated his sports equipment retail business on the stock market in 2007. He bought Newcastle for £134 million, ploughing in more than another 100 million since then.

Asked if he regretted buying the club he said: "Of course I regret it.

"I never said I was an expert in football clubs."

Sunderland make offer to Mancini

Roberto Mancini looks set for a return to coaching next season and confirmed to reporters that Premier League club Sunderland have made an offer to become their manager.

"I am very happy and at the same time honoured to have received an offer from Sunderland," he said.

"It would be wonderful to lead such a prestigious club in England. After a year on the sidelines, I feel ready to start again with immense enthusiasm."

Mancini, still on the Inter payroll, has often said he wants to work overseas and was previously linked with the benches at Newcastle, Chelsea and West Ham.

With Inter Mancini won three successive titles before receiving the sack for the team's poor showing in Europe.

Ramos unsure about Real Madrid future

Real Madrid coach Juande Ramos has received several offers of work elsewhere but still does not know whether he will stay on at the Primera Liga club when his contract expires at the end of June.

"I don't know if I am leaving. Until now nobody has told me I am leaving. I am coach of Real Madrid until June 30," Ramos said in an interview with sports daily Marca ahead of the likely appointment of Florentino Perez as president tomorrow.

"The feeling is that the new management team are coming, logically, with their people and their team, it's understandable," Ramos added.

"I have already received several offers of work even though I prefer to wait until my contract with Real is up before I choose where I am going to work, if indeed I am going to work."