Football news

Reports in Italy suggest said that young Parma striker Ishak Belfodil will be leaving the Serie A this summer on his way to the English Premier League.

Liverpool have already made their first move to land the signature of the 20-year-old Algeria international as it was revealed earlier this month that Anfield boss Brendan Rodgers had sent his scouts to Italy to watch Belfodil in action.

However, the Reds are likely to face competition for Belfodil from Merseyside rivals Everton and Tottenham who are also showing keen interest in the Parma youngster.

Belfodil, a regular for Parma this season, has dual citizenship and holds a French passport.

AVB wants Spurs technical director

Andre Villas-Boas hopes Tottenham will finally grant his wish to employ a technical director at the club before the start of next season.

During his time as a manager and coach in Italy and Portugal, Villas-Boas became used to the idea of working under a technical director, who deals with several off-pitch issues, leaving the head coach to concentrate on managing the squad.

Franco Baldini has been linked with the role.

“Hopefully, there will be the arrival of somebody else in the structure for the recruitment side, a technical director,” he said.

“Ideally it is someone that will help us to move forward.”

Hammers rule out fresh Pogatetz deal

West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has confirmed the club will not be extending on-loan defender Emanuel Pogatetz’s stay at the club.

Austria international Pogatetz joined from German side Wolfsburg during January’s transfer window on a loan deal until the end of the season.

Pogatetz has made only a handful of appearances with the Hammers though, mainly as a substitute, and Allardyce has decided he will not be looking to retain the 30-year-old.

Allardyce said: “We’ve already said to Pogatetz thanks very much, he’s been a fantastic professional but it won’t be extended, and we’ll decide on the others after the game.”

Pig’s head in locker

Stoke have launched “a full internal investigation” into reports of an incident at their training ground, the club announced.

It has been reported that a pig’s head was left in Kenwyne Jones’s locker, and that the striker was furious on discovering it.

Reports said Jones smashed the windscreen of team-mate Glenn Whelan’s car in retribution, believing he was responsible.

Stoke said: “A full internal investigation will be carried out and those responsible for any unacceptable behaviour will be dealt with in accordance with the club’s disciplinary procedures.”

Mancini thanks Man City supporters

Former Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has thanked fans for their support during his three-and-a-half year stint at the club.

The Italian, who led Manchester City to their first league title since 1968 last season, was sacked last week following a disappointing campaign where they lost their Premier League crown to Manchester United and got knocked out of the Champions League at the group stage.

Mancini has always has a good relationship with the fans and in a full-page advert in the Manchester Evening News wrote: “Manchester City Supporters 3 unforgettable years, you will always be in my heart, ciao, Roberto Mancini.”

As well as the league, Mancini won the FA Cup and Community Shield with Man. City.

McAuley signs new Baggies deal

West Brom defender Gareth McAuley has extended his contract at The Hawthorns by a year until 2015. The Northern Ireland international, who achieved a clean sweep of the Baggies’ player-of-the-year awards, has put pen to paper on a new two-year deal.

McAuley, 33, joined West Brom in the summer of 2011 and has formed an impressive partnership with Jonas Olsson in the centre of defence.

Manager Steve Clarke said: “I’m absolutely delighted the deal has been done. The fact Gareth has signed it tells you it is a good deal for him – and it is certainly a good deal for the club.

He’s been a standout performer this season and deserves every reward he gets.”

Balotelli happy to be back in Italy

Mario Balotelli has insisted he is happy to have put his time in England behind him.

The Italian striker created numerous headlines during his tempestuous two-and-a-half years at Manchester City but claims he was given a raw deal.

Balotelli, who is now at Milan, said: “I’m really happy now. I have my family near me and my friends. I can relax and find my privacy, more than in England, where I was alone.”

He added that many of the stories in the media bore little relation to the truth and he also defended his lifestyle.

“Women I think is normal. Cars? I like fast cars and I don’t see the problem if I like fast cars,” Balotelli said.