Football news

Former Liverpool and Inter manager Rafael Benitez has been lined up as a replacement for PSG coach Antoine Kombouare, according to Al-Jazeera.

The Qatari news channel claimed the Ligue 1 side have sacked Kombouare and have approached Benitez, who is available after being dismissed by Inter last December.

Benitez enjoyed success at Premier League club Liverpool between 2004 and 2010, winning a Champions League in 2005 and an FA Cup in 2006.

Qatar Investment Authority took over the Paris club in May and have invested heavily, bringing in big-name signings such as Javier Pastore and Jeremy Menez.

McCarthy makes O’Neill job harder

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy admits he was delighted to have piled the pressure on new Sunderland boss Martin O’Neill after his side came from behind to beat the Black Cats 2-1 at Molineux.

When McCarthy was asked if he had any advice for O’Neill, the former Sunderland boss said: “No, I’m just glad I’ve made his job harder on Monday morning.

“I’m thrilled that’s he’s got a harder job than it looked like for however many minutes here. Martin is a pal of mine but I didn’t want to do him any favours.

“I don’t do advice; I’d take some off him if he wants to give it!”

Beckham bides time on next move

David Beckham said yesterday he was no closer to deciding his football future.

Beckham, 36, is about to come out of contract with LA Galaxy and is believed to be weighing up a huge offer to play for French club Paris SG, or stay in the US.

“I wanted to end this season with a championship and we did that, then I wanted some time on this tour to be able to celebrate it,” Beckham said.

“I haven’t actually started thinking about it yet. Once I get some down time, then I’ll start thinking what’s going to be best.

“I’m going to spend some time with the family, have a good Christmas.”

Olic wants out

Bayern Munich striker Ivica Olic has reiterated his desire to leave the Bundesliga club.

Olic has been a bit-part player since returning from injury and is concerned his lack of playing time will hamper his chances of playing for Croatia at Euro 2012.

“The chances (of leaving now) are 50/50, but I will definitely have gone by the summer,” he told Bild. “I have no problem fulfilling my contract, it is not as if I desperately need to leave.

“We will just have to see what happens this winter and then decide together.

“Maybe it is even better to stay until the summer, particularly for my family.”

Marotta rejects Marchisio reports

Juventus have dismissed speculation that they were prepared to sell Claudio Marchisio during the summer transfer window.

The Italian international has been one of the club’s most influential players so far this season, his fine performances a key reason behind Juve’s climb to the top of the Serie A.

“We never thought about selling Marchisio,” director general Beppe Marotta said during Sunday’s La Domenica Sportiva programme on Rai.

“He is eclectic, a player who can combine quantity with quality. He’s one of the top players in Europe right now.”

Marchisio scored Juve’s opening goal in Sunday’s 2-0 victory over Cesena.

Zico leads tributes to Socrates

Zico led the tributes to Socrates after the former Brazil captain died at the age of 57.

The midfield great was being treated for food poisoning at the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo but, owing to his already ill-health, he was unable to recover.

Zico, who played with Socrates for Brazil over many years and briefly for Flamengo, said of his friend: “He was an amazing guy. As a player what is there to say, he was one of the best who ever played.

“A high quality he possessed was loyalty. I had the privilege of being his friend. Our children are friends. He’s going very early.

“He had unusual intelligence. You always expected something good from him.”

Best to come from Aguero – Kompany

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany has warned opponents that Argentine Sergio Aguero has yet to hit his best form.

The Belgian said: “If you look at what has happened naturally for all the strikers here, we have only seen the best of Mario (Balotelli) this year, and only seen the best of Edin (Dzeko) this year.

“It’s the same with David Silva, so it might be next year that we see the real Sergio. Maybe he has got another level on him.

“That’s a great prospect for us, that players like Nasri, Sergio and Clichy, who are in their first year at this club and even though they have been performing except-ionally well, all still have another level to go to.”