Football news

Yokohama playmaker Shunsuke Nakamura could miss Japan's World Cup warm-up match against Serbia in Osaka on Wednesday after suffering an ankle injury.

The 31-year-old, who is central to Japan's plans at this year's World Cup in South Africa, limped out of a J-League game at the weekend.

"Right now I can't put my boots on because of the swelling," Nakamura told yesterday's Sankei Sports newspaper after turning his ankle in a 2-1 home defeat by Shimizu S-Pulse.

"I'm hoping it doesn't swell up too much. It was a scary moment. I will do whatever I can to be involved (against Serbia) as there's not much time left (before the World Cup)."

San Lorenzo coach Simeone quits

Diego Simeone has quit as coach of San Lorenzo after his team lost 1-0 at home to Gimnasia-La Plata, their seventh defeat in 12 matches, the club said.

Simeone and San Lorenzo's board of directors had come to a mutual agreement for the former Argentina captain to leave the club he took charge of a year ago, they said on their website.

"The decision was Simeone's, although it's by mutual accord with the directors," club vice-president Guillermo Zoppi was quoted as saying.

"It's the best thing for the club," Simeone told daily Ole.

Former Mexico coach Ricardo La Volpe has emerged as a strong candidate to take over.

Ibrahimovic out of Arsenal game

Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been ruled out for the visit of Arsenal in the Champions League tomorrow after picking up a calf injury on Saturday, the club said in a statement.

The Swede, who scored both goals in Barca's 2-2 Champions League quarter-final first leg draw at The Emirates stadium on Wednesday, pulled out of the starting XI during the warm-up for the La Liga match against Athletic Bilbao at the Nou Camp.

An initial examination revealed Ibrahimovic had a small tear in his right calf.

Ibrahimovic was replaced by Bojan Krkic before kick-off against Bilbao and the youngster scored twice in a 4-1 victory.

Bayern far and away the best - Hoeness

Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness could not resist rubbing salt into Schalke's wounds after his side's 2-1 away win in Gelsenkirchen took them above their rivals to the top of the Bundesliga on Sautrday.

"What really makes you a good team is when you show in the battle of the giants what you are capable of," Hoeness said.

"We are by far and away the best team in Germany and when it comes down to it, we are simply better than the others.

"I am sorry for them. Schalke saw here that they are not allowed to become German champions."

Wenger set for new contract talks - report

Arsene Wenger will discuss a new contract with Arsenal in the summer or autumn, it has been reported.

The Frenchman's current deal at the club expires in the summer of 2011.

The Gunners are still in the running for the Premier League crown this season and have reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League, though they face a tough trip to Barcelona to stay in Europe beyond this week.

Wenger told the Mail On Sunday: "This summer or in the autumn we will talk. My personal future will depend on the capacity to win trophies but also on whether this team is improving year after year, because we are still very, very young.

"Ideally I would not want to leave without this generation winning a trophy."

Mancini pledges future to City

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini insists he will be at Eastlands next season when the club could be hosting Champions League football for the first time.

The Italian boss was quick to distance himself from reports linking him with a move to Juventus following the 6-1 victory against Burnley which took City back into fourth place in the Premier League.

Mancini said he is enjoying life in England and contrary to reports appears in no hurry to return home. Told he had said 'Juventus was a special club', he responded: "Manchester City is a special club.

"I never said those things. I am manager of Manchester City and I am happy to stay here."

Juve linked with Drenthe bid

Real Madrid outcast Royston Drenthe is set for a summer move to Juventus, according to reports in Italy.

The former Feyenoord man has been a bit-part player ever since he signed for the Spanish giants, and is hardly a favourite with the Bernabeu faithful.

And with Real's phenomenal outlay last summer likely to continue in the coming months, Drenthe is likely to be offloaded by the Spanish giants in the next transfer window.

The versatile Dutchman should have no shortage of offers, with the Bianconeri, Milan and Fiorentina all reportedly keen on his signature.

Drenthe's contract runs out in June 2012 and his transfer fee is likely to be in the region of €7m.