Football news

Bastian Schweinsteiger said Bayern Munich are better than Bundesliga leaders Dortmund, despite the defending champions lagging 17 points behind in the league.

“I’m still of the opinion that Bayern are better than Dortmund,” Schweinsteiger told Eurosport.

“I am convinced that no other team is better than us.”

Munich’s 2-0 defeat at Schalke on Saturday leaves them seventh in the table, but Schweinsteiger, 26, admitted Dortmund are playing some impressive football.

“They have their qualities, particularly in terms of their attacking play,” he said.

De Boer ready for action

Ajax interim boss Frank de Boer is relishing the chance to take over at such an important stage of the season. De Boer will oversee first-team affairs until the winter break and possibly longer while the club seek a permanent successor to Martin Jol, who resigned on Monday.

Speaking at Schipol Airport, former Holland defender De Boer said: “I am tense as it is an important period for Ajax. Up to Christmas, we need to make sure we stay in Europe.

“And obviously we can’t allow the gap in the Eredivisie to get any larger.”

Ajax are five points adrift of leaders PSV and FC Twente.

Been dismisses Bellamy speculation

Feyenoord boss Mario Been has dismissed speculation linking the struggling Eredivisie club with a move for Craig Bellamy.

Wales international Bellamy, currently on loan at Cardiff from Manchester City, is reported to have a soft spot for the Rotterdammers and even suggested to a club fanzine that he would relish a move to De Kuip in the summer.

But Been said: “The likelihood of us signing Bellamy is very small.

“With his experience and track record, he would be very useful to us. But he is currently on loan at Cardiff and has two years left on his Manchester City contract.

“City would not let him go for nothing.”

Desailly loses interest in Ghana

France’s World Cup winning defender Marcel Desailly said he was no longer interested in taking over as coach of Ghana.

The 42-year-old had been interested in filling the post vacated by Milan Rajevac. However, Desailly, who has no coaching experience, admitted he was disappointed he had not had news from the national federation for three months.

“The administration takes a long time (to make a decision), it is more complicated than elsewhere,” said Desailly.

“I had put both my private and professional life on stand-by: but who can wait three months without any guarantee, without receiving a decision?” added Desailly, who spends most of his time as a television expert.

Kahn tells Neuer to leave Schalke

Oliver Kahn believes Manuel Neuer needs to leave Schalke to further his career. Royal Blues boss Felix Magath this week hailed the 24-year-old as “the best goalkeeper in the world” and insisted he was under no pressure to sell.

But Kahn is adamant Neuer would benefit from a move away from Gelsenkirchen.

“I think he will become world class,” Kahn said.

“But he has to take the next step and join one of the great clubs. Then he can play in the Champions League regularly, with Schalke that is certainly possible sporadically but not every year.”

Asked to list his top keepers currently, he said: “Casillas, Cech and Buffon are world class. Julio Cesar is also good. And Neuer can get into that category,” Kahn said.

Juventus can win title – Spalletti

According to Zenit SP coach Luciano Spalletti, Juventus can go all the way and win the Serie A title this season. Juve are unbeaten in their last 15 matches in all competitions.

“Juve are growing game by game. They are becoming aware of their own strength. This team can win the league title,” Spalletti was quoted as saying.

Spalletti, meanwhile, tried to distance himself from reports linking him with the Inter job.

“I am staying in St Petersburg. In Italy the number of injuries is a record because the players have their heads and muscle burnt by tension... I don’t understand all these attacks on Rafa Benitez.

“The competence of the Inter coach aren’t up for debate.”

McCarthy still has Wolves backing

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy insists he retains the support of club owner Steve Morgan and chief executive Jez Moxey. Wolves are currently lying second from bottom of the Premier League after Saturday’s 3-0 reverse at Blackburn.

McCarthy, who kept Wolves in the top flight last season, has been hit by a string of injuries including those suffered by skipper Karl Henry and key defender Jody Craddock.

The former Ireland boss said: “The support has been brilliant from Steve and Jez. That has always been the same and it will never change. The support is there.

“In terms of signings, it has always been the same here. If we can do it, if the right players are available, we will try and do something.”