Football news

Lionel Messi and Jose Mourinho are the highest-paid player and manager in football, according to France Football magazine.

Messi’s income from his Barcelona salary and publicity deals in 2011 amounted to €31m while Real Madrid boss Mourinho topped the managers’ rich list with an income of €13.5m.

Messi’s income falls a long way short of golfer Tiger Woods, who with a revenue of €53 million, is the highest-paid sportsman of them all.

Messi’s nearest rival in the footballer’s income stakes is Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo with €27.5m with Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney third with €20m.

UEFA to control England TV rights

The English FA have agreed to sign over their TV rights for international qualifiers for UEFA to sell. UEFA have now agreed with all 53 member associations to collectively sell the TV rights for qualifying matches for Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup.

FA general secretary Alex Horne said the deal with UEFA guaranteed television income that was more than they had expected.

Horne said: “We have gone into this with our eyes wide open. It is a creative idea and we believe it will work.”

The deal was only struck over the weekend and according to reports will guarantee the FA around £100 million over four years.

German assignment for United’s Steele

Manchester United’s hunt for Edwin van der Sar’s replacement took another step forward when goalkeeping coach Eric Steele went on a scouting mission to Germany.

Steele was present to watch Bayer Leverkusen’s clash with Schalke on Sunday to witness two potential candidates for a summer move to Old Trafford.

Schalke’s Manuel Neuer has long been touted as a prospective United goalkeeper. He is known to be unhappy with life at Schalke, who have slumped into mid-table this season despite reaching the Champions League quarter-finals.

Neuer is certainly on Alex Ferguson’s radar, whilst it appears Leverkusen’s Rene Adler could also join a list that includes Holland no.1 Maarten Stekelenburg.

Fowler doubt after Glory sign Smeltz

Perth Glory’s decision to sign New Zealand international Shane Smeltz could spell the end of English star Robbie Fowler’s career in Australia.

Striker Smeltz, who played in the World Cup last year, will become the club’s marquee player on a three-year contract reportedly worth Aus$1.2 million (US$1.2 million).

Australian Associated Press said former Liverpool legend Fowler will likely have to take a hefty pay cut if he wants to stay in Perth. Fowler, 35, reportedly earned $Aus600,000 last year after moving from North Queensland Fury.

He was linked last year to a coaching role at English third-tier side MK Dons.

Eintracht Frankfurt turn to Daum

Eintracht Frankfurt yesterday announced the sacking of coach Michael Skibbe and the appointment of Christoph Daum as his replacement.

Skibbe was relieved of his duties despite his side winning Saturday’s crucial relegation battle against St Pauli. Taking his place is former Bayer Leverkusen and Cologne coach Daum, who returns to Germany after a second spell with Fenerbahce ended last June.

Skibbe becomes the 10th Bundesliga coach to lose his job this season while both Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich have already announced their current bosses will be leaving in the summer.

Real eye Roma midfielder De Rossi

Real Madrid are eyeing up Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi to reinforce the Spanish team’s midfield next season, sports daily Marca reported.

The nine-time European champions are already planning for the 2011-12 season and their priority is to sign a midfielder who is similar to Xabi Alonso with De Rossi topping the list of candidates.

“He has the profile that coach Jose Mourinho wants,” said the paper.

Real and Roma could close the deal for 25 million euros, Marca added.

De Rossi, 27, is one of the brightest stars in Serie A and has also reportedly sparked interest from Manchester United as a possi-ble replacement for veteran Paul Scholes.

Barca’s Abidal in ‘high spirits’

Barcelona defender Eric Abidal is “in high spirits” following surgery to remove a liver tumour last week, the club’s sporting director, Andoni Zubizarreta, said.

The 31-year-old French inter-national underwent the three-hour operation on Thursday at a Barcelona hospital.

“He is fine, in good shape and in high spirits,” Zubizarreta said after visiting the player at the hospital.

“I passed on all the signs of affection that many clubs have sent him.”

Abidal, signed from Lyon in 2007, is expected to be discharged from hospital at the end of the week but Zubizarreta has said the player will probably only return to the pitch in August.