Inter president Erick Thohir is happy to resist calls to sack head coach Roberto Mancini.
Despite investing heavily in the San Siro outfit’s squad, Mancini could only secure a fourth-place finish in Serie A, with champions Juventus 24 points better off in the final league table.
Thohir said: “Many people are complaining and asking me to replace Mancini, but if we spend our lives complaining we’ll never solve any of our problems.
“We have to have faith in Mancini next season and in any case, he has another year left on his contract.”
Rayo president slams Villarreal
Rayo Vallecano president Raul Martin Presa accused Villarreal of not trying hard enough in their final game of the season against Sporting Gijon, who avoided relegation from La Liga at Rayo’s expense on Sunday.
Rayo beat Levante 3-1 but their five-year stay in the top flight came to an end as Sporting beat Villarreal 2-0 at home. Rayo finished a point behind Sporting.
Villarreal had already sealed fourth place and fielded a weakened team on Sunday.
“Villarreal did not even compete with their starting line-up,” an angry Presa said.
“From the first minute you could see that this was no normal game. In previous years we have always played to the death in our last game, Villarreal did not prepare anything.”
Flores keen to remain in England
Manager Quique Sanchez Flores said he was keen to continue pursuing his managerial career in England after his final game in charge of Watford ended in a 2-2 draw against Sunderland at Vicarage Road on Sunday.
Flores said recently he would be leaving the Hornets at the end of the campaign after Watford decided against renewing his contract.
“It is important because now everyone knows how I can manage. Spain is Spain but England is different,” Flores said.
“It was important to adapt and now I know I am ready to come here someday. I hope to be here again.”
United’s Rojo a doubt
Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo suffered an injury in training last weekend and is doubtful for Saturday’s FA Cup final, the club said.
Rojo and midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, who was ill, were not named in United’s matchday squad for the cancelled league match against Bournemouth.
Argentina international Rojo, who had undergone surgery after dislocating a shoulder in training in December, faces a race against time to get fit for United’s FA Cup final against Crystal Palace at Wembley.
Stellone leaves relegated Frosinone
Coach Roberto Stellone parted ways with Frosinone, a week after the club were relegated from Serie A.
The 38-year-old guided Frosinone to the top flight for the first time in their history last season but their stay in Serie A was shortlived as they were relegated last weekend.
“With the 2015-16 season officially ended, Frosinone Calcio would like to thank Roberto Stellone for the excellent work done over the last few years,” read a statement on the club’s website.
“We can confirm that the decision not to continue the partnership has been taken mutually.”
Stellone was appointed Frosinone coach in 2012.
Arteta set to hang up his boots
Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta said his substitute appearance in Sunday’s 4-0 victory over Aston Villa was likely to be his last game as a professional footballer.
The 34-year-old, who is out of contract at the end of the season, brought down the curtain on his five-year stint with the club when his shot came back off Villa goalkeeper Mark Bunn in the 92nd minute to hand Arsenal their final goal of the night.
“I was very scared about this day because 99 per cent, that was my last game as a professional footballer,” Arteta said.
“I have different options now to continue in relation to this magnificent sport.”
Nordtveit joins West Ham United
Defensive midfielder Havard Nordtveit has joined West Ham United from German side Borussia Moenchengladbach on a free transfer.
The Norwegian international, who has signed a five-year contract with the Hammers, made 41 appearances for Gladbach this season, helping them to a fourth-place finish in the Bundesliga.
“It has always been a dream for me to play in the Premier League and now I have a big opportunity to do that for West Ham,” the 25-year-old Nordtveit, who was an academy graduate at London rivals Arsenal, told the club’s website.