Football news

Italy's 1982 World Cup-winning full-back Antonio Cabrini was appointed coach of the Italian women’s team yesterday.

The 54-year-old, who had a stellar playing career with Juventus, winning six Serie A titles as well as the 1985 European Cup, replaces Pietro Ghedin, who ended a seven-year spell in charge to go off and become the coach of the Malta national team.

Cabrini will take charge of the team for the first time for their Euro 2013 qualifier against Macedonia in Turin.

Van Nistelrooy retires from game

Malaga striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy retired from professional football yesterday, ending a stellar career that included stints with Manchester United and Real Madrid.

“On Sunday, I played my last match as a professional,” Van Nistelrooy, 35, said.

“I think the moment has come for me to stop playing football – I have reached my physical limit,” he added.

“But there could be no better way to say goodbye than this, in a good moment for the club.”

On Sunday, Malaga won a place in next season’s Champion’s League with a fourth-place finish in Spain’s La Liga.

Cassano back in Azzurri fold

Antonio Cassano has capped his comeback from a heart problem with a recall to the provisional Italy squad for Euro 2012.

The Milan forward, who underwent minor heart surgery last year and missed six months before recently returning to action, was included in Cesare Prandelli’s preliminary 32-man group late Sunday.

Udinese forward Antonio Di Natale was selected for the first time by Prandelli after a superb campaign which saw him finish as the leading Italian scorer in Serie A.

Di Natale had not featured for the Azzurri since the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Liverpool’s Kuyt snubs Feyenoord

Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt has ruled out a return to Feyenoord in the immediate future because he feels it would be a step back in his career.

Although the Dutchman ad-mits he considered a move back to his ex-club, he believes he still has much to offer a top side.

“The fact I held talks with Feyenoord indicates I wanted to give it a serious chance,” he said.

“But if I returned to Holland, I would have to take an 80% cut in my Liverpool wages.

“If you are 35 or 36, you know your career is almost done. But I’m only 31 and in the prime of my life. I still have two or three years left at the top.”

Reja to discuss Lazio future

Lazio are set to announce this week whether veteran coach Edy Reja will continue in charge of the team next season.

Reports claimed Sunday’s 3-1 win over Inter could have been Reja’s last game in charge, with the 66-year-old yet to sign a new deal with his current contract ending this summer.

“We will have a meeting with Reja in the next few days and make a decision,” Lazio sporting director Igli Tare said.

“We must thank Reja for all the work he has done.”

Reja replaced Davide Ballar-dini at the helm of Lazio in 2009 and guided the team out of the relegation zone and into a mid-table finish.

Arshavin captain

Russia striker Andrei Arshavin will captain his country’s cam-paign at the Euro 2012 in Ukraine and Poland, coach Dick Advocaat said.

“Arshavin is going to be the captain,” the Dutchman, who is stepping down from his post after the Euros to return to PSV Eindhoven, told reporters.

Arshavin has appeared rejuvenated in the last months after rejoining his old club Zenit on a loan deal from Arsenal in February, helping the Saint Petersburg side to a league victory with a string of crucial goals.

His return to Zenit after a sometimes lacklustre three years at Arsenal was seen as ensuring his place in the national side.

Guidolin considers quitting Udinese

Despite having guided Udinese to a historic second successive Champions League qualification, Francesco Guidolin admitted he is considering turning his back on the club.

Guidolin’s two-year reign at the northeasterners has been an unbridled success but the 56-year-old says he is too tired to go on.

“I’m very tired and I need to rest, I need a long rest. We’ll see what happens, I’ll speak with the directors,” he said.

“I don’t know if I can allow myself another year like this with 50 matches, I need to step back a bit. I haven’t taken any decision yet but I need to step back, we’ll see.”