Football news

Roma are likely to make a bid to sign Ruud van Nistelrooy on loan in January.

The Real Madrid striker is currently on the sidelines but should recover in time to be available in the winter transfer window.

Roma were in the market for a striker in summer and actually launched a bid for Van Nistelrooy, who, however, wasn't convinced by the offer, believing that he still had a future at Real Madrid.

Roma coach Claudio Ranieri knows Van Nistelrooy very well having prepared Chelsea to play against him during the 33-year-old's time at Manchester United. The Dutchman has found the net 46 times in 68 appearances for Real Madrid since 2006.

Taxing times for Barnes

John Barnes insists his bankruptcy is due to a "tax oversight" which he is now dealing with.

The former England winger was declared bankrupt by an insolvency court last week.

But Barnes told reporters yesterday: "The bankruptcy issue is a tax oversight which is being dealt with."

It is understood that Barnes has been in touch with the Inland Revenue since the hearing to try to come to an agreement over unpaid taxes.

Barnes, who was sacked as boss of Tranmere Rovers earlier this month, was manager of the Jamaica national side last season.

Brazil's Ronaldo sets 2010 targets

Brazil's Ronaldo has set himself the goals for 2010 of helping Corinthians win the Libertadores Cup and making it to his fifth World Cup.

The 33-year-old said this week he was negotiating terms for a new contract with Corinthians where he wants to end his career.

"I've already said I'm staying. Now we're sorting out details of the contract," Ronaldo said.

Ronaldo last played for Brazil at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

"My expectations of returning (to the Brazil team) will depend a lot on the Paulista and Libertadores, on my performances in those two competitions," said Ronaldo, referring also to the Sao Paulo state championship that precedes the Brazilian championship every season.

Bologna fire coach, hire Colomba

Struggling Bologna sacked coach Giuseppe Papadopulo and replaced him with Franco Colomba, bringing the number of managers sacked in Serie A this season to a record five after eight matches.

Papadopulo, appointed just over six months and 15 games ago, has paid the price for just one win so far this term and the northern club have quickly recruited the much-travelled Colomba, who last coached Ascoli to mid-table in Serie B.

Bottom club Livorno brought in Serse Cosmi on Tuesday after dismissing joint-coaches Gennaro Ruotolo and Vittorio Russo while Roma, Atalanta and Napoli have already changed managers.

Club to rename ground after Bielsa

Marcelo Bielsa has acquired such a reputation as a coach that his hometown club Newell's Old Boys in Rosario plan to rename their stadium after him.

Bielsa, who has led Chile to the World Cup finals for the first time in 12 years, is feted across the Andean border by politicians, business leaders and newspaper columnists.

The Newell's Old Boys board will put a motion to its members and if the vote is carried the renaming will take place on the club's 106th anniversary on Nov. 3.

Bielsa impressed the club when, in a recent news conference discussing Chile and Argentina and his links to both national teams, he said: "It's impossible for me to love another shirt more than that of Newell's."

Southgate sacked despite 2-0 victory

Former England international defender Gareth Southgate was sacked as manager of Middlesbrough just hours after they had beaten Derby 2-0 on Wednesday.

Victory had not only ended a run of three successive home defeats but placed them fourth in the table just a point adrift of leaders West Brom.

However, chairman Steve Gibson said he had decided with great regret to sack the 39-year-old, who had been in charge since June 2006.

"This has been the most difficult decision I've had to make in all the time I've been in football.

"Gareth has given us magnificent service as a skipper and, in very difficult circumstances, as manager."

Newcastle to pay Keegan costs

Newcastle have been ordered to pay all of Kevin Keegan's costs in his successful claim against the club for constructive dismissal, a sum which could reach £1.5m.

Keegan left the club in September last year after the club signed Uruguayan midfielder Ignacio Gonzalez against his wishes "to do a favour" for two South American agents.

An arbitration tribunal earlier this month found in Keegan's favour and yesterday ordered Newcastle to pay costs and interest on the £2m compensation award dating back to September last year.

It is another victory for Keegan over Newcastle owner Mike Ashley who had claimed breach of contract against the former England manager.