Football news

Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua have appointed veteran former Bosnia and Croatia coach Miroslav Blazevic.

The 74-year-old, who led Croatia to third place at the 1998 World Cup, has signed a two-year contract with the 2003 Chinese champions.

Blazevic resigned as Bosnia coach last week following the World Cup play-off defeat by Portugal.

"The job in Shanghai will be my focus and it overrules anything else," said Blazevic. "Believe me, I can bring the city what it wants. We will win the domestic title."

'All Whites' eye luxury hideaway

New Zealand may not win next year's World Cup but they are determined to spend the tournament in style at a luxury resort near Johannesburg.

New Zealand Football (NZF) are set to splash out on a six-star complex with nine houses sleeping up to six - each with its own private swimming pool.

The "All Whites" plan to remain at the gated resort and fly to their Group F matches against Slovakia, Paraguay and World Cup holders Italy, according to the New Zealand Herald.

NZF have yet to finalise details but senior officials, including chairman Frank van Hattum, have flown out to South Africa to check the venue's suitability.

Watford offered way out of crisis

Cash-strapped Watford may not now go into administration after their former chairman, Jimmy Russo, appeared to relent on his demand for immediate repayment of a multi-million pound loan.

The Championship outfit appeared destined for administration after Russo demanded the immediate repayment of a £4.88 million loan in midweek. That was despite the club's majority shareholder, Lord Michael Ashcroft, announcing plans to raise £7.5 million through a rights issue package.

However, Russo told BBC Radio Five on Friday he was ready to talk to Watford officials.

"I'm happy to suspend any legal action providing I have an appointment with them," he said.

Under Football League rules, teams risk a 10-point deduction if they enter administration.

French Federation backs Domenech

The French Football Federation (FFF) yesterday backed coach Raymond Domenech, shoring up the position of a man decried by many fans after the squad only just crept into the World Cup finals.

FFF chairman Jean-Pierre Escalettes insinuated that Domenech had been unfairly targeted after France nudged Ireland out in the play-offs following Thierry Henry's handball exploits in setting up William Gallas's equaliser.

"They slaughtered Thierry Henry and the federation but their target was in fact someone else (Domenech)," asserted Escalettes.

Domenech is regularly booed when he appears at league games and was in the line of fire once again when it was reported he had received an €826,222 bonus for leading the team to South Africa.

Moyes welcomes Donovan deal

Everton boss David Moyes believes the arrival of Landon Donovan in January will give his side a much-needed shot in the arm. Everton have been hampered throughout the first half of the season by a lengthy injury list.

Donovan, like LA Galaxy team-mate David Beckham, has been given permission to prepare for the 2010 MLS season, which begins in March, with a European club.

He may be at Goodison Park for as little as 10 weeks before returning to the US but Moyes feels that could be enough to give his side a lift.

"He will bring me some experience, some pace and he is a good finisher," Moyes said.

"He gives me another body, which we need, and I think we need to add another two or three in January."

Jol relishing tussle of giants

Ajax boss Martin Jol described his side's meeting with Juventus in the last 32 of the Europa League as "a beautiful draw".

The showdown between the two former European champions is the stand-out tie of the round, with the winner facing either Fulham or Shakhtar Donetsk in the last 16.

Ajax won the Champions League in 1995 and were beaten in the final on penalties by Juve the following year.

"(This is) a beautiful draw," Jol said.

"Especially for our young players it will be a good experience. Juventus are a strong team. I think their main focus is up front, with players like Iaquinta, Amauri, Trezeguet and Diego."

Ancelotti accepts Zola error

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti admitted he had been too inflexible in failing to find a place in his Parma side for Gianfranco Zola.

Ancelotti's intransigence led Zola to begin a much-lauded career in English football as a striker with Chelsea.

Now, 13 years later, the two Italians are set to go head-head when Ancelotti's Blues travel across London to play West Ham, managed by Zola, today.

"Probably I made a mistake with him (Zola) because I wanted to play 4-4-2 and I put the players in the right positions but he wanted to stay in the centre like a striker," Ancelotti said.

"In that period, when there was this discussion, Chelsea offered him a good contract and he decided to go."