Hull City boss Steve Bruce says he probably would have lost his job if his side had squandered a huge lead and been defeated in their Championship play-off semi-final against Derby County.
Hull barely managed to protect a three-goal advantage from the first leg after they survived a huge scare in the 2-0 home loss.
“If I had lost, I could have been sacked,” Bruce, who signed a three-year contract with the club last season, told British media after Tuesday’s match.
“With our profession at the moment, you ask the question constantly. I’ve been here now four years. I’ll sit down with the owners and when the final game is gone I’ll see what happens.”
Chile kick-off ‘crazy’ record attempt
Chile internationals Christopher Toselli and Bryan Carrasco joined forces with amateurs in a “crazy” attempt to set a new world record for playing the longest football match.
The five-day fixture at the Bicentenary Stadium in Santiago will feature more than 3,000 players, reports said, as they aim to eclipse the current record of 105 hours set last year in Scotland.
“To me it’s a beautiful challenge. It’s crazy, but let’s hope this insanity can be accomplished,” keeper Toselli said.
Hammers bid leaves Howe fuming
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has expressed disappointment over the timing of a transfer bid for two of his players prior to Tuesday’s 3-1 Premier League defeat by Manchester United.
The Cherries rejected an offer of around £25 million for striker Callum Wilson and midfielder Matt Ritchie made by West Ham, according to reports.
“We had a bid on Monday evening. The disappointing thing is why the bid has come in a day before our last game of the season – two players who were due to play and a lot of speculation about their future,” Howe told reporters.
“Bizarre. The bid was rejected and we don’t need to sell.”
Chinese businessman agrees to buy Villa
Chinese businessman Tony Xia has agreed to buy Aston Villa, the club said yesterday.
Villa’s American owner Randy Lerner, who put the club on the market in 2014, struck a deal, which is reported to be worth £60 million, following their relegation from the Premier League.
Xia’s purchase ends an unhappy tenure for Lerner, who bought the midlands club for £62.2 million in 2006.
Fans demonstrated against his continued involvement with Villa who were European champions in 1982 and have won the English top-flight title seven times.
A statement said Lerner had been keen to sell, adding he believed Xia was “an excellent choice” who had become a fan of the club many years ago.
Terry signs one-year deal with Chelsea
Captain John Terry has signed a new one-year contract with Chelsea, the Premier League club confirmed yesterday.
The 35-year-old defender has made 703 appearances since his debut in October 1998.
Terry’s current contract was set to expire on June 30, but an agreement has now been reached for him to stay on at Stamford Bridge under new manager Antonio Conte next season.
“I am delighted to sign a new contract with the club. Everyone knows I’m Chelsea through and through,” Terry said.
“I am looking forward to next season under the new manager and hopefully we can make it a successful one.”
Coveted Ben Arfa picks out ‘three offers’
Hatem Ben Arfa has narrowed his choice of next season’s employers down to three.
Ben Arfa, who is out of contract, has been linked with clubs of the stature of Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
His first club Lyon last week revealed they have made him an offer and Paris St Germain are also reportedly trying to keep him in France, while Nice have not given up hope of persuading him to stay with them.
Speaking to Canal Plus, Ben Arfa said: “There are 18 very interesting clubs who have put themselves forward. I have picked out three.
“It’s a very important decision for me to take this year.”
Bayern best option for Lukaku – father
Romelu Lukaku will leave Everton this summer, with Bayern Munich or Manchester United the preferred destinations, ac-cording to the striker’s father.
Roger Lukaku said in Het Nieuwsblad that he expected a transfer to have been completed before the start of the European Championship next month.
“At the moment, I think Manchester United or Bayern Munich are the most suitable clubs for him, especially Bayern,” Lukaku Sr said.
“Every year they play at least in the semi-finals of the Champions League and the Bundesliga will suit him tremendously.”