Football news

Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani is confident Ronaldinho will remain at the club next season. The former Barcelona star is under contract with the Rossoneri until 2011, but has been linked in recent months with a move away from the San Siro. However, Galliani insists the 30-year-old will stay.

"There is no problem with Ronaldinho," he said.

"There is already an agreement with his brother (who is also his agent) and there are no doubts that he will play at Milan next season."

Ronaldinho's brother Roberto de Assis has revealed Milan are keen to offer the Brazilian a contract extension and that the player's wish is to stay put.

Buffon agent dismisses move

Gianluigi Buffon has no intention of leaving Juventus in the near future, according to his agent.

The Italian goalkeeper was strongly linked with a move away from Turin this summer. Reports in Italy claim Buffon could leave the Italian outfit after the World Cup.

But Buffon's agent Silvano Martina said: "I don't know what else to say with regards to Buffon as it seems that he is the only Juventus player who should leave.

"Considering the ongoing reports, I want to remind everyone that Buffon is under contract with Juve and that next season he will play at Juve. He never said he would leave."

Hleb hits out at Gross mismanagement

Alexander Hleb has vowed to return to Barcelona and prove himself after a sour end to his loan at Stuttgart.

The Belarus international impressed initially after moving to the Bundesliga for a year, but the arrival of Christian Gross as boss was a hindrance to his performances and he is now keen to focus on resurrecting his Barca career.

Hleb said: "I'm going back to Barcelona, where I have a two-year contract. I want to go there and make the breakthrough."

As on his relationship with Gross, Hleb said: "From day one he has criticised me. If I'm dribbling, he has criticised me. If I have not played the ball right back, he has criticised me. I have the feeling that everything I do is wrong."

US bid team get Clinton on board

Former US President Bill Clinton has joined the United States' bid to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup as honorary chairman.

Clinton will play a major role in promoting the American bid during the final countdown to a decision in December.

Clinton, who has dedicated his time to global philanthropy since leaving office in 2000, said he saw parallels between that work and working with the US bid.

"In my travels around the world I've seen the transformative power soccer has to bring people together and transform lives on and off the field," Clinton said.

The United States hosted the World Cup in 1994.

Tim Cahill sticks with Toffees

Everton midfielder Tim Cahill has signed a new contract which will keep him at the club for the next four years.

The Australia international is a key player for Everton and his willingness to sign a new long-term deal is a boost for manager David Moyes's on-going plans.

Cahill, 30, did not have the best of seasons by his own high standards but still scored 10 goals from midfield.

Cahill's signature was the second good piece of news for Everton yesterday after it was revealed Marouane Fellaini's recovery from ankle surgery is ahead of schedule and he could feature in the club's pre-season campaign.

Verbeek optimistic over Kewell

Harry Kewell may not be fit enough to play in Monday's friendly against New Zealand but Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek is confident his talisman will be ready for the opening World Cup game against Germany on June 13.

Kewell has been training three times a day in a bid to overcome the groin injury which has seen him play just a handful of minutes for club side Galatasaray.

"I am 100% confident they (the medical staff) can do the job and Harry will be ready," Verbeek said.

"He left his family in England and came earlier than anybody else and it says enough about what Harry's willing to do."

Wilkinson targets Championship return

Howard Wilkinson is aiming to lift the gloom surrounding Hillsborough by kick-starting a promotion push in his time as interim chairman of Sheffield Wednesday.

Former Owls player and manager Wilkinson, 66, has been appointed as a temporary replacement for Lee Strafford, who resigned his post this week.

A lifelong fan of the club, Wilkinson said: "My focus now is on working with (manager) Alan Irvine to build a strong team and one that is capable of achieving promotion back to the Championship as soon as possible."

Wednesday are still burdened with debts of around £26m and Irvine confirmed this week he needed to draft in at least six new players during the summer.