Football news

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has backed Edwin van der Sar’s decision to retire at the end of the season, saying the Dutch veteran had picked the perfect time to hang up his gloves.

“I think to be honest with you if I was giving advice to Edwin right now I would say ‘retire’,” Ferguson told reporters.

“He’s at the absolute pinnacle of his career. And I think sometimes when a player gets to a certain age, all of a sudden age comes on you very suddenly.

“And I wouldn’t want to see Edwin in that situation.

“He deserves to go out at the very, very top.”

Juve can claim fourth – Marchisio

Juventus and Italy midfielder Claudio Marchisio believes his team can still qualify for the Champions League after their crucial 1-0 win away to Lazio.

Juve have looked out of the running for several weeks but their victory at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico on Monday night brought them to within four points of fourth.

“It’s still possible but there’s still many things undecided,” said Marchisio.

“We need to concentrate on ourselves and hope that the other results go our way. We’ll work hard to earn nine points and what’s more we’ve got a better head-to-head record than all the others.”

Coda injury blow for Udinese

Udinese’s fight to finish in the top four in Serie A took a blow with the news that Italian defender Andrea Coda has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a right knee injury.

The 26-year-old centre-back will undergo a reconstruction of his anterior cruciate ligament next week after sustaining the injury during Sunday’s 5-2 defeat at Fiorentina.

Coda is expected to be sidelined for up to five months.

His injury is a further blow for Udinese coach Francesco Guidolin, who will be without suspended Gokhan Inler and Maurizio Domizzi for Sunday’s match against Lazio, while Alexis Sanchez is doubtful with a thigh problem.

Galliani sets sights on Europe

Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani says his club’s priority next season will be the Champions League.

The Rossoneri are one step away from claiming their first scudetto since 2004 while they are also still alive in the Coppa Italia.

“If we win the league, our transfer market will be one of champions,” Galliani said. “The Champions League more than ever will be our main priority.”

Reports in Italy said that Milan are in pole position to sign Brazil international Ganso from Santos.

The 21-year-old playmaker is attracting the interest of a host of clubs throughout Europe and could move to the San Siro outfit this summer.

Zamparini hints at Rossi peace

Controversial Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini has said coach Delio Rossi will stay next season, as long as the pair can iron out their differences.

Zamparini sacked Rossi after 18 successful months in the job at the end of February, only to reinstate him five weeks later.

“It’s obvious that this year we weren’t in harmony but if we find that harmony I want to keep him,” said Zamparini, who has gone through 18 coaching changes in his nine years as the club president.

“Many names are being talked about, journalists are having fun writing many things.

“Rossi is a free coach but I think he’s 90 per cent available to stay at Palermo.

“He’s my coach and I’m not offering him to anyone, and the same goes for my wife.”

Mazzarri staying put – De Laurentiis

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis insists coach Walter Mazzarri is staying with the club.

Speculation has been rife that Mazzarri could replace Luigi Delneri at Juventus next season.

But De Laurentiis said: “Mazzarri has a contract with us and I have a contract with him. I don’t believe there is any friction between us.”

The 49-year-old has yet to confirm whether he intends to honour his contract with Napoli, which expires in June 2014.

Mazzarri said: “I will not talk about my future until the end of the campaign. The club knows that every year I like to sit down and reflect on what has been done and what needs to be done.”

Pearce points finger at Wenger

Stuart Pearce has singled out Arsene Wenger as being the only manager to ever give him grief over his selection policy for the England U-21 team.

Pearce has risked the wrath of Arsenal boss Wenger by picking Jack Wilshere in his provisional squad for this summer’s European U-21 Championship.

Pearce said: “Over a four-year period, I have only ever heard Arsene Wenger’s name mentioned in respect to this.

“Two years ago, I had the same conversation about Theo Walcott and ‘Did he need to go an Under-21 tournament?’ The proviso was then that there was a World Cup coming up in South Africa and he would be burnt out.

“Then Theo didn’t make the squad for South Africa.”