Football news

West Ham manager Sam Allar-dyce has ended speculation about his future by signing a new two-year contract.

Hammers co-owner David Gold announced the 58-year-old would stay on at Upton Park on his personal Twitter account.

“I am delighted to announce that our manager Sam Allardyce has signed a new two-year contract,” Gold said yesterday.

Allardyce revealed last week he was set to put pen to paper on a new contract, having guided the Hammers to guaranteed Premier League safety in their first season back in the top flight.

Pardew ready to talk to owner Ashley

Alan Pardew knows he has an awkward conversation with club owner Mike Ashley to come, but hopes he will remain in the Newcastle manager’s job after that.

The Magpies have failed to back-up last season’s top-five finish and are in the midst of a relegation battle heading into today’s game at QPR.

Pardew said: “Mike and I will sit down as soon as we know what division we’re in. We know we’ve got an uncomfortable conversation regarding the form this year.

“We need to find out what the reasons were and then it’s for Mike, and hopefully with me, to decide how to go forward.”

Petrov gratitude

Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov has thanked the club’s fans for their support during his battle with acute leukemia. The Bulgarian has not played since March 2012, when he was diagnosed with the disease and announced his retirement last week.

Petrov, 33, yesterday made an emotional tribute to the fans – who have risen in applause in the 19th minute of each match, in reference to Petrov’s shirt number.

He wrote: “Aston Villa will always remain in my heart.

“I am so grateful for the way the fans have supported me over the years, especially during the past 14 months when they stood with me and everything I have gone through, during the 19th minute... that has touched me profoundly.”

Rooney hits out over United quit claims

Wayne Rooney has hit back over claims he removed the name Manchester United from his Twitter homepage.

On Thursday it was noted the 27-year-old did not have the words Manchester United on his Twitter page, and instead referred to himself as an “athlete”.

Following confirmation that he submitted a transfer request a fortnight ago, the lack of United’s name was taken as a sign Rooney sees his future away from the club.

Yet, on his Twitter page, Rooney stated the stories were “rubbish”.

“I have never deleted Manchester United from my Twitter bio no matter what the papers are saying because it was never on there,” he said.

Montella says he’s not leaving Florence

Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Montella was often linked with a move elsewhere these past few weeks but yesterday he told reporters he will not change clubs in summer.

Among the teams mentioned to be in the hunt for Montella are Napoli but it seems he is not interested in managing his home team for the moment.

“There is zero chance I’ll leave Fiorentina,” Montella said.

“We will continue our rapport, that is certain. Every element of the team deserves only applause for what they have done so far this season.”

Fiorentina are currently engaged in a tussle to hold on to fourth place and a slot in the Europa League next season.

Cavani and wife go their separate ways

After months of speculation it was confirmed yesterday that Napoli striker Edinson Cavani has split from his wife and legal proceed-ings for divoce in Uruguay are underway.

Cavani, who was hounded by the media about an alleged affair, said: “I started legal proceedings for divorce in Uruguay in February and then continued them in April.

“At the end of last year, we decided our son Lucas would be born in Uruguay, where his mother lives. After months of deep crisis in our marriage, we broke up. Maria Soledad returned to South America to give birth and I stayed in Naples.”

Cavani only met his son when returning to Uruguay on international duty last month.

Vojvodina issue an apology to their fans

Vojvodina Novi Sad have called the Serbian Cup final defeat to unfancied Jagodina an “embarrassment for the club and an insult to the army of its faithful fans.”

They issued an apology to supporters following the midweek 1-0 defeat, Vojvodina’s sixth cup final loss in as many attempts.

“Disgrace is an understatement for our failure and there is no excuse, having been provided the facilities no other Serbian club has and support by 11,000 fans at the final,” the club said.

Angry Vojvodina supporters burned several seats in Partizan Belgrade’s stadium after the final whistle and jeered the team off the pitch.