Manchester City forward Carlos Tevez has hit out at England coach Gary Neville, suggesting his extra-curricular activities do not benefit England.
The former Manchester United defender is a member of Roy Hodgson’s coaching staff, but is also a television pundit and is currently planning to open a hotel near Old Trafford.
Tevez said: “Can you imagine Spain, Italy, Brazil or Argentina employing a manager’s right-hand man whose day job is a television pundit? I can’t ever see it happening.
“Last week, I saw that Gary Neville is part of a venture to build a new hotel in Manchester. How does that benefit England and Roy Hodgson?”
Real Madrid buy a stake in Oviedo
Real Madrid have invested €100,000 in a capital increase launched by Real Oviedo as the struggling former top-flight club tries to raise cash to stay afloat.
Real director general Jose Angel Sanchez had informed Oviedo president Toni Fidalgo that the world’s richest club by income, with annual earnings of more than €500 million, had decided to help out their Asturian rivals, Oviedo said.
Oviedo were relegated from the first division in 2001 after 13 seasons in the top flight and dropped down to the Segunda B, or third tier, two years later.
Sydney FC coach Ian Crook quits
Embattled Sydney FC head coach Ian Crook quit yesterday citing the pressure of the job after just two wins in six A-League games this season.
His departure follows a second defeat in as many weeks and heckling by fans after the substitution of Alessandro Del Piero in the latest loss on Saturday.
Sydney relinquished a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 to rivals Melbourne Victory at home.
The former Norwich City player was already under pressure following a 7-2 humiliation by the Central Coast Mariners the previous week.
Six arrested over abusive banner
Six people were arrested during Millwall’s win over Derby on Saturday after a banner attacking Bolton striker Marvin Sordell, who was racially abused by a Millwall fan earlier this season, was unveiled at The Den.
The banner was displayed in the home section of the club’s stadium in south-east London and six men were subsequently arrested after the offensive slogan was hauled down.
Millwall supporters were unhappy that England U-21 Sordell had gone public with claims he and several team-mates were abused while warming up during Bolton’s defeat at The Den on October 6.
Holtby to decide Schalke future
Schalke midfielder Lewis Holtby has said he will decide his future during the Bundesliga’s winter break after admitting he has received offers to play in England.
The Germany U-21 captain, who has an English father, is out of contract at the end of the season, but having admitted his agent has received offers from English clubs, Holtby says he will decide soon.
“It will be a decision of the heart, I won’t play around with the club,” the 22-year-old said after Schalke’s 2-1 home victory over Werder Bremen on Saturday which keeps them second in the Bundesliga.
Stroppa’s job at Pescara safe
Serie A strugglers Pescara were thrashed 6-1 by Juventus at home on Saturday but the club again confirmed their support for beleaguered coach Gio-vanni Stroppa despite the heavy defeat.
Pescara were coming from a 2-0 win over Parma the week before but on Saturday were no match to the league leaders as the scoreline clearly shows.
“Giovanni Stroppa is and remains the coach of Pescara,” club president Daniele Sebas-tiani told reporters.
“How many more times do I have to say this? I prefer to lose like this than to watch a team that doesn’t create any scoring opportunities at all.
“Stroppa is not at risk.”
Hearts offer
Ally McCoist says he would back an agreement between Rangers and Hearts over the payment for Lee Wallace that could help the Edinburgh club’s battle for survival.
Last week, Hearts were issued with a winding up order over a tax bill of almost £450,000.
Rangers reportedly offered to renegotiate the terms of the Wallace deal, with £800,000 still owed to Hearts following the defender’s switch to Ibrox for £1.5 million in July 2011.
The bulk of that payment is due next summer but reports suggest the Gers have offered to pay a reduced figure of £500,000 now to close the deal.
McCoist said: “I don’t know anything about it to be honest.
“But anything that would help Hearts would be a great thing.”