Football news

Fabio Cannavaro intends to honour his contract with Al-Ahli but told reporters that he has an agreement with Juventus to become a club director and intends to seriously think about a return to Turin in the near future.

The former Italy captain had two stints with Juve but is now likely to end his playing career in Dubai.

“The quality of life is great here,” the 37-year-old said.

“I have a contract for this season and the next, then we’ll see what happens. After all, I also still have a contract to be a Juventus director. I don’t know what role I could hold there, but we signed the deal last year and it’s still valid. For the moment I’ll enjoy where I am.”

Bowyer could face FA ban

Birmingham midfielder Lee Bowyer is facing the prospect of a possible ban over incidents during Saturday’s home clash with Arsenal. Television replays showed Bowyer, 34 today, appearing to stamp on the knee of Gunners defender Bacary Sagna as he lay on the ground.

In a separate incident Bowyer was shown to apparently catch Sagna down the back of his Achilles near the touchline.

Referee Peter Walton took no action at the time and Bowyer was eventually substituted by Birmingham manager Alex McLeish.

The FA will now contact Walton to find out whether or not he saw the incidents involving Bowyer during Arsenal’s 3-0 win.

Luiz Gustavo heads for Bayern Munich

Hoffenheim’s Brazilian midfielder Luiz Gustavo has agreed a move to Bayern Munich, the Bundesliga champions confirmed. The 23-year-old, who had been under contract with Hoffenheim until 2014, will remain with Bayern until 2015.

The transfer figure, which was reported to be in the region of 15 million euros, was not revealed.

Bayern boss Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said that the contract should be signed this week after the player undergoes a medical.

Gustavo arrived in Hoffenheim two years ago from Brazilian second division side Corinthians Alagoano and scored two goals for the German club this season.

Hernia injury worries Boateng

Milan midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng had his training in the Dubai camp interrupted during the weekend when he left with probable hernia trouble.

“I am worried at this injury, as I feel pain and want to resolve the problem as soon as possible,” Boateng, who is receiving treatment by the Rossoneri specialists, said.

“I hope it’s nothing serious, although I fear it may well be. The doctors think it’s a sports hernia, but I hope not.

“In any case, I’ve been told that you can recover fairly quickly from this condition and I hope that will be the case for me.”

Allardyce mulling management return

Sam Allardyce would return to management in England if the right offer came along.

Allardyce, who has also managed Bolton and Newcastle, is taking stock after being removed from boss at Blackburn by the club’s owners, Venky’s.

Asked if he would return to management, Allardyce said: “It depends on the job that is offered.

“I can only wait and see who makes me an offer. If they have the same ambition to me then I will take up that position,” Allardyce told BBC Radio Five Live.

Allardyce also revealed he had not been in contact with Championship side Burnley despite being linked with the post following the departure of Brian Laws.

Beckham on Pardew’s wish list

Newcastle are set to discuss a loan move for David Beckham, 35, when they open transfer talks this week. Alan Pardew is scheduled to meet with club chiefs to mull over potential targets for the transfer window and Beckham has come into his thinking.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has claimed Beckham is keen to join Spurs while Everton are also thought to be interested, but Pardew has refused to rule out an attempt to lure the former England captain to Tyneside.

“David Beckham is an asset to a team on a number of levels,” he said.

“We’re just looking at the market and making calls to see who is and isn’t available. Then we’ll have to nail it down. I will put David on the list.”

Hoffenheim promote Pezzaiuoli

Hoffenheim, having parted company with coach Ralf Rangnick, have appointed his deputy Marco Pezzaiuoli, who takes over with immediate effect.

The 52-year-old Rangnick left despite having a contract until June 30, 2012 having only extended his deal last May. But he was incensed after Hoffenheim agreed to sell midfielder Luiz Gustavo to Bayern Munich over his head.

Rangnick took over in June 2006 and under his guidance the small outfit from southern Germany reached third in the Bundesliga.

Pezzaiuoli, 42, played for Mannheim before going into coaching with Karlsruhe.