Football news

With Takeshi Okada likely to step down after Japan's last 16 World Cup defeat on penalties to Paraguay, Spain's Vicente Del Bosque is among potential candidates to replace him, a report said yesterday.

Japan's Sports Nippon tabloid revealed that Hiromi Hara, a senior Japan FA official, had said former Real Madrid coach Del Bosque was on a wish-list of candidates to manage the national side when Okada departs.

"Del Bosque demonstrated a stable leadership with Real Madrid," Hara told Sports Nippon. "The issue is his age and whether he will really accept the offer."

Matthaus keen on Cameroon post

Lothar Matthaus revealed yesterday that he is interested in becoming coach of Cameroon.

The 49-year-old, who led West Germany to the 1990 World Cup title, said he had been in touch with the Cameroon Football Federation over the hot seat, left vacant after Frenchman Paul Le Guen stepped down following a disappointing World Cup finals where they lost all three group matches.

"We have been in touch, now we will have to see what comes out of the discussions, but it is a very interesting post,"said Matthaus.

"I know football well and also African football. I have already been to Africa and I watched several matches."

Kingson desperate to stay in England

Ghana goalkeeper Richard Kingson is desperate for a chance to prove himself in the Premier League.

Kingson was released by Wigan last month after two largely unproductive years at the DW Stadium, when he made four first-team appearances.

"I have to prove myself in the Premier League. It is an unfulfilled mission for me," said Kingson

"It was not easy at Wigan but I tried to stay positive. I was waiting for my chance and it did not come. Now I am at the World Cup. I am playing, I am comfortable and I am happy."

Bolton seal double swoop

Bolton manager Owen Coyle expressed his delight after completing his first two summer signings in Martin Petrov and Robbie Blake.

Bulgaria midfielder Petrov, who agreed terms with the club last week after being released by Manchester City at the end of last season, has penned a two-year deal.

"He's someone I've admired for a long time because he's a top-class player and this is a tremendous signing for the club," Coyle said.

"As far as I'm concerned he's probably one of the best Bosman transfers available."

Blake, 34, has signed a one-year contract and will link up again with his former Burnley boss Coyle at the Reebok Stadium following the Clarets' relegation from the Premier League last term.

Real boss Mourinho backs Ronaldo

Jose Mourinho has defended Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo after watching his countrymen exit the World Cup at the hands of Spain on Tuesday.

Ronaldo was isolated for long periods as Portugal played a defensive game and Spain eventually won 1-0 thanks to a second-half David Villa strike.

Mourinho, who will coach the 25-year-old at Real Madrid this season, said criticism of his World Cup performances were misplaced.

"I will not allow all the responsibilities of the team to fall on Ronaldo," Mourinho said.

"In my teams, when we win, we all win, and when we lose, I lose - so Ronaldo can relax and enjoy his holidays."

Barca reveal higher profits

Spanish champions Barcelona defied Spain's economic crisis by posting net profits of €11.1 million for the 2009/10 season on "record" revenues of €445.5 million.

The profits were up from around nine million euros last year and 10.1 million for the 2007/08 season and marked the club's seventh straight year in the black.

The club's treasurer, Xavier Sala i Martin, claimed the revenues of €445.5 million were a record for any football club. He said the figures were even more impressive "given the context of global economic crisis we are experiencing".

The club said the sale of television rights provided the largest amount of its income, 38 per cent, while marketing accounted for 27 per cent, gate receipts 26 per cent and the sale of players just nine per cent.

Baines signs new Everton deal

Leighton Baines has signed a new five-year contract at Everton.

The 25-year-old, who moved to Goodison Park from Wigan in 2007 and still had two years remaining on his deal, was a member of England's provisional 30-man World Cup squad but did not make the final 23 for South Africa.

Baines told www.evertonfc.com: "I'm more than happy to be staying here and committing to the club and it was nice for the club to want me to stay.

"It was simple - it would have been done quicker if I hadn't been away on holiday."

The news came as the Toffees revealed they had also completed a deal to sign France Under-21 striker Magaye Gueye from Strasbourg for an undisclosed fee.