Football news

Bolo Zenden has committed himself to another year at Sunderland by signing a new contract.

The 33-year-old Dutchman, who joined the club on a free transfer from Marseille last summer, has put pen to paper on a 12-month deal.

Manager Steve Bruce said: "I'm delighted Bolo has agreed to stay with us.

"He has played at the top level for a long time and has a wealth of experience which is so valuable both on and off the pitch.

"He has a great influence on his team-mates, and that is vital when you are bringing through the young players that we are."

Ancelotti laughs off Lampard reports

Carlo Ancelotti has branded speculation that Frank Lampard is set to become Jose Mourinho's number one summer transfer target "a joke".

It is widely anticipated Mourinho will quit Inter after Saturday's Champions League final to take charge of Real Madrid.

"This story is a joke," said Ancelotti. "Lampard will stay here.

"When I started last season there was a problem with John Terry and Manchester City. Every time I said 'no, John Terry will stay here because he is important'.

"I don't want to do the same with Frank Lampard. He will stay here."

Del Neri leaves Samp, Juve job looms

Luigi Del Neri parted company with Sampdoria just 24 hours after guiding the Genoa outfit to a fourth-place finish in Serie A.

The 59-year-old is now expected to replace Alberto Zaccheroni at the helm of Juventus.

A statement from Sampdoria read: "Sampdoria announces that in the 2010-11 campaign, they will not continue with the services of first team coach Luigi Del Neri."

Del Neri joined Samp last summer after two seasons in charge of Atalanta.

Although staying with Samp would have allowed him to take part in the Champions League next season, Del Neri now looks to be heading for Juve who have qualified for the Europa League after a disastrous season.

Zarate keen on Lazio stay

Mauro Zarate is keen to stay at Lazio after a troubled season in the capital. The Argentine striker has struggled for form since Lazio paid €18m to make his move from Al-Saad permanent last summer.

Lazio coach Edy Reja said: "You can tell someone is a champion by his attitude. Whoever is close to Mauro needs to educate him not to make many more mistakes. He has the means and important qualities, but he mustn't play for himself, he must play for the team."

Asked for his reaction to Reja's comments, Zarate said: "I want to stay at Lazio."

The 23-year-old attracted interest from Arsenal and Manchester City in January but it's unlikely they would meet Lazio president Claudio Lotito's €30m asking price.

Advocaat named new Russia coach

Russia yesterday named Dutchman Dick Advocaat as their new coach, handing him the mission of overcoming the bitter disappointment of failing to reach the World Cup finals.

"Dick Advocaat will be appointed as the head coach of the Russian national side," Russian news agencies quoted the federation head Sergei Fursenko as saying.

"He is flying to Moscow and on Tuesday (today) will present his proposals for working with the Russian football team."

Advocaat, who replaces fellow Dutchman Guus Hiddink, is already well known to Russia's football public, having coached Zenit St Petersburg for four years and to a famous victory in the UEFA Cup.

Grant sees positives in Pompey saga

Portsmouth coach Avram Grant is richer for going through this season's travails - but he does not want to experience them a second time.

But Grant also feels it has made him a better boss.

"From the education side it has been good for me to experience both," Grant, who is regarded as the top candidate for the vacant managerial job at West Ham, said.

"Of course at Chelsea things are much easier. You can buy any player you want. You have the facilities.

"When you see the training ground at Portsmouth, you understand you need more than this. Now I know what to do if the situation is really bad. But I prefer it to be for just one year. Not more."

Ronaldinho set for crunch talks

Ronaldinho is expected to seek reassurances about his future at Milan after Leonardo quit as coach on Saturday.

La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that apart from losing an ally in Leonardo, Ronaldinho is concerned about Milan's cost-cutting exercises.

Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani is reportedly looking to reduce Ronaldinho's wages by up to 25 per cent.

Reports suggest that the former Barcelona playmaker has no intention of taking a pay cut and would now consider a lucrative move to Manchester City.

Galliani met with Ronaldinho's brother who also acts as his agent last week, but insisted that they only spoke about other players.