Football news

Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan exited the Africa Cup as public enemy number one among some Black Stars’ fans after missing a penalty in Wednesday’s quarter-final loss to Zambia.

The Al-Ain forward was on the receiving end of vitriolic abuse on twitter from Ghana fans who held him solely responsible for their team’s shock 1-0 demise.

Among the milder messages posted by disgruntled fans were: “Please I beg! Don’t take any more penalty shootings. Thank you @ASAMOAH­GYAN” and “I tried to defend @ASAMOAH_GYAN from the time he missed in the WC but this is too much you should retire from the team.”

Bayern Munich snap up Shaqiri

Bayern Munich have completed the signing of Xherdan Shaqiri from Basel with the Swiss midfielder to join the club from the start of next season.

The 20-year-old passed a medical in Munich earlier this week and the Bavarian club yesterday announced that a formal agreement has been reached with Basel and the player, who has signed a four-year contract.

“Xherdan will strengthen our team next season with his intelligence and his dribbling skills,” coach Jupp Heynckes said.

“I have been watching him for a while now and am convinced that he can become an important player for FC Bayern.”

Sneijder hints at Inter exit

Dutch playmaker Wesley Sneijder has admitted that he could leave Inter in the close season.

The former Real Madrid midfielder has denied sugg-estions that he has already agreed a deal with a new club but has not ruled out the possibility of parting ways with the Nerazzurri.

“I see everything, I am not blind, but there is nothing concrete right now,” Sneijder said. “Man. United? There has never been any concrete contact.

“I’m not in contact with any other club and I am living day by day. I am happy at Inter, but we will see…

“The truth is that I feel at home at Inter, but I do not know where I will be playing next season.”

Capello exit a grave loss – Conte

Juventus coach Antonio Conte believes Fabio Capello’s resig-nation as manager will prove to be a “grave loss” for England.

Over the weekend, Capello voiced his displeasure at the Football Association’s decision to strip John Terry of the England captaincy and on Wednesday the veteran coach quit his post just four months before Euro 2012.

“I am saddened,” Conte said.

“I have great respect for Capello, a coach that has achieved important things. It’s a grave loss for England.”

Rodgers signs new Swansea deal

Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers has signed a new three-and-a-half-year deal and set his objective as keeping the Welsh club in the Premier League for its duration.

Rodgers put the finishing touches to the deal, having previously agreed in principle to stay on.

“I’m delighted to sign the new deal. I hope the club and supporters feel it is still a good fit for everyone,” he said.

“I’ve been very pleased with my work over the last 19 months.

“I can only promise that over the next three-and-a-half years I will continue to fight for the club and its people to help us become a sustainable Premier League club.”

Hoffenheim sack Stanislawski

Hoffenheim have sacked coach Holger Stanislawski in the wake of their elimination from the German Cup on Wednesday.

A 1-0 defeat at home to Greuther Furth ended the club’s best hopes of qualifying for Europe next season after a dip in form in the Bundesliga saw them drift away from the top six in 2012.

“We respect Holger Stanis-lawski as a person and as an expert coach, but after a long, constructive discussion with him, we have reached the conclusion that it is better to end our co-operation in everybody’s interests,” general manager Ernst Tanner said.

Smith to sell Liverpool medals

Former Liverpool captain Tommy Smith is selling all the medals and memorabilia from his highly-decorated career at Anfield.

The defender made 638 appearances between 1963 and 1978, winning four league titles, two FA Cups, two UEFA Cups and the European Cup.

Smith’s collection amounts to 75 lots and is expected to sell for an estimated £120,000 when it goes under the hammer in Chester on February 22.

“I had a wonderful career but the memories I’ve got are more important to me than the medals and the shirts,” the 66-year-old told the Liverpool Echo.

“I’m not skint, I don’t have to do this, but I’m getting old and the money is of more use to me now than the medals.”