Lucas Neill’s decision to sign with Emirati champions Al Jazira was part of a long-term plan to lead Australia at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, he said.
“I have a three-year plan and in order to play out that plan I needed to pick an offer that was good for my family, good for my body while also competitive so that I could give my best for Australia in the coming years as captain,” Neill, 33, said.
“So we can qualify for the World Cup and I can lead (the Socceroos) in 2014.”
The former Blackburn Rovers and West Ham defender joined Al Jazira after his contract at Turkish club Galatasaray expired.
Oenning reassured over future
Hamburg coach Michael Oenning should not fear for his personal future despite the 5-0 defeat at Bayern Munich, a result that left the club inside the bottom two.
However, Oenning will be given the time he needs to turn things around, according to the club’s director of sport Frank Arnesen.
“We are backing the coach. I have faith in the entire coaching team,” he said.
“The team needs time and Oenning also needs time, and we will give him that time.”
Oenning’s predecessor Armin Veh was fired immediately after a 6-0 humbling at the hands of Bayern last season.
McLeish enjoys Villa reception
Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish has admitted to feeling pride in taking his first walk down the Villa Park touchline ahead of a home win for his side against Blackburn.
The animosity that had greeted McLeish’s appointment as Villa manager two months ago, in light of his past allegiance to rivals Birmingham, was a thing of the past as the fans gave the Scot a reception to remember.
“I was really looking forward to walking down the track, and it was a proud moment for myself and my family when I did,” McLeish said.
“Of course, everybody likes to be loved! But we know what football is like, it is a game that can be fickle, and like any manager on the planet you have to get results.”
Banned Doni gets Atalanta backing
Atalanta insisted that Cristiano Doni had nothing to do with the betting scandal that rocked Italian football this summer and that he was ‘totally extraneous’ to the case.
Thomas Manfredini was cleared on appeal last week, having originally been banned for three years, but Doni’s suspension and the six points docked from the club were confirmed.
“Atalanta cannot help but again manifest the profound disappointment with the decision that seriously damages people based only on gossip,” Atalanta said in a statement.
“Atalanta and Doni are totally extraneous to the accusations and will take all legal action to make that clear.”
Keane scores in Galaxy debut
Ireland striker Robbie Keane made a sparkling Major League Soccer debut on Saturday, scoring in the 21st minute of the Los Angeles Galaxy’s 2-0 victory over San Jose.
Keane treated his newest fans to his trademark cartwheel and somersault goal celebration after a pass from David Beckham into a goal that gave LA a 1-0 lead.
“It couldn’t have gone, obviously, better for me,” Keane said.
“It’s great to score a goal, but the most important thing is the three points.
“When you come to a new team, it’s always good to get the first goal. When you go a few games without a goal, it starts to play on your mind.”
Ballack has future at Bayer – Voeller
Bayer Leverkusen’s director of sport Rudi Voeller insists Michael Ballack still has a future at the club, even if he was left out of the starting XI again on Saturday.
The former Germany captain spent the entire 90 minutes of Bayer’s 1-0 win over Stuttgart on the bench and left the stadium afterwards without talking to journalists.
However, Voeller says his time will also come and, with Lever-kusen playing in the Champions League this season, they need a large squad with lots of rotation for every match.
“There are other players who are not playing at the moment too,” Voeller said.
“We definitely need everybody. There will be times when other players will be glad of a break because they are worn out.”
Cologne eager to keep Podolski
Cologne’s director of sport Volker Finke yesterday denied reports striker Lukas Podolski is set to quit the Bundesliga’s bottom club to join Galatasaray.
The 26-year-old is under contract with Cologne until June 2013 and with the transfer window set to close on September 1, Turkish news channel NTV’s website has reported the German is on the verge of signing for Galatasaray.
“We want to keep Lukas, no ifs, no buts,” Finke said.
“There is neither the interest (to let him go), nor an opportunity for talks. Three or four days I had a call from an alleged negotiator... the conversation was very short.”