Eastern Sports Club coach Chan Yuen-ting was comforted by her opposite number Luiz Felipe Scolari after her Asian Champions League debut at Chinese powerhouse Guangzhou Evergrande ended in a nightmarish 7-0 defeat.
The 28-year-old Chan, affectionately nicknamed “Aw Yuen”, which translates as beef ball, became the first woman to guide a men’s team in a top-flight continental competition.
Her dreams of giving the 2002 World Cup-winning Brazil coach a run for his money soon turned to dust when Eastern Sports had two players sent off early on.
“I comforted her and told her this match cannot be a real evidence for your ability,” Scolari said.
“This is quite different when within such a short time you have two red cards like this.”
China’s consortium eye bid for Saints
Chinese buyers including materials giant Amer International and CITIC Securities Co Ltd are readying a rival £246 million bid for Southampton.
The bid marks a potential challenge to an earlier planned acquisition by Lander Sports Development, which said in January that it was taking a stake in the club.
The new bid comes as China’s government has ramped up scrutiny of outbound deals and capital outflows, with some dealmakers saying Chinese firms are unable to finalise investment plans because they cannot get Beijing’s sign-off.
Liverpool offer came too soon – De Boer
Frank de Boer said he once rejected the chance to manage Liverpool because it was “too soon” in his career.
The former Ajax and Barcelona was recently sacked by Inter after just 85 days in charge. De Boer insists he would like to manage in England one day and says Liverpool approached him regarding the manager’s position in 2012 when he was in charge at Ajax.
“I would love to manage in the Premier League,” De Boer said.
“But the project has to be right.
“I told Liverpool I was honoured but I was only one year in at Ajax, it was too soon. I needed to achieve more, and I did.”
Cazorla ruled out for rest of season
Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla is not expected to play again this season as he recovers from ankle surgery.
The 32-year-old has not featured since being forced off during the second half of Arsenal’s 6-0 Champions League group win against Ludogorets on October 19.
Following an operation on the tendon in the Spain international’s right foot, the Premier League club expected his rehabilitation to take around three months.
However, reports yesterday said that Cazorla is not set to recovery in time to be involved again this season.
Rooney to stay at Manchester United
Wayne Rooney has announced he is staying at Manchester United in a statement released to Press Association Sport.
Momentum has been building over the 31-year-old’s Old Trafford future, with the riches on offer in the Chinese Super League a tantalising prospect.
It is understood Rooney’s agent Paul Stretford has been in China speaking to interested clubs – but he has confirmed he is staying put.
The statement read: “Despite the interest which has been shown from other clubs, for which I’m grateful, I want to end recent speculation and say that I am staying at Man.United.
“I hope I will play a full part in helping the team in its fight for success on four fronts.
Alba: Isco would be welcome at Barca
Jordi Alba says Isco would be welcome at Barcelona as the Real Madrid player dallies over his future at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Isco is out of contract next summer and has so far refused to commit to Madrid beyond then, saying recently that a decision will be made based on his involvement between now and the end of the season.
It’s fuelled speculation that the Spain international may not only leave the club, but that he could make a sensational move across the Clasico divide to Barca.
“All good players are welcome,” Alba said .
“I have an appreciation for Isco. I know him from when we were at Valencia together and I know that he has a lot of quality. Anything else, time will tell.”
Leipzig relaxed over possible Euro ban
RB Leipzig’s CEO has said “there is no nervousness” about the prospect of a ban from European competition for having the same owner as Austrian side RB Salzburg.
A report in Salzburger Nach-richten suggested that UEFA has indicated that only one Red Bull club will be able to play in Europe if both sides were to qualify.
RB Leipzig and RB Salzburg are both owned by Austrian energy drink company Red Bull.
UEFA rules state that “no individual or legal entity may have control or influence over more than one club participating in a UEFA competition,” and that if two or more clubs fail to meet the criteria “only one of them may be admitted to a UEFA club competition.”