Steve McClaren insists he will stay on as Nottingham Forest manager after reports claimed he was ready to quit the Championship club.
McClaren was appointed at the City Ground just 11 weeks ago, but reports suggested he was considering his future after becoming frustrated at a lack of investment in his squad.
However, McClaren underlined his determination to overcome the early teething troubles.
“I can’t deny that it has been a frustrating time and some things have not worked out the way I had hoped in the first three months. But it is a building process and still very much early days,” McClaren said.
“My only concern is getting on with the job at Forest of achieving the goal of getting the club back to the Premier League.”
No approach for Kaka – Galliani
Milan did not make an approach to sign Real Madrid midfielder Kaka this summer, according to club vice-president Adriano Galliani.
The Brazil international was consistently linked with a move back to the San Siro in recent months after a troubled spell with the Spanish giants.
“We never made an approach to sign Kaka,” Galliani told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “I’ve said it a million times that it would have been impossible for us to sign him due to his high wages and the difference in tax structure of Spain and Italy.”
The 29-year-old joined Madrid from Milan in 2009 and is under contract with the Primera Division side until June 2015.
Amauri set for Trabzonspor
Italo-Brazilian striker Amauri is on the verge of joining Turkish Champions League representatives Trabzonspor, Italian news agency Ansa reported yesterday.
Although the European transfer window closed on Wednesday night, Turkish sides are allowed to sign players until September 5.
Amauri turned down a deadline day switch to Marseille but is said to be considering the move to the port city of Trabzon.
Amauri is not the only player who may yet leave Juve for Turkey as Swiss full-back Reto Ziegler is apparently close to joining Fenerbahce, who, along with Galatasaray, are also interested in Luca Toni, Ansa claimed.
Roma to open De Rossi talks
Roma sporting director Walter Sabatini is ready to start negotiations with Daniele De Rossi over a contract extension at the club.
With the transfer deadline having passed and Italy international De Rossi not moved, Sabatini can now fully focus on a new deal for the combative midfielder.
“Now we will dedicate ourselves to Daniele’s contract,” the Roma sporting director said. “Our will is to arrive to an agreement.”
De Rossi has a year left to run on his existing deal. The 28-year-old has spent his entire career at Roma.
Pearce ‘to be named GB coach’
Stuart Pearce is expected to be confirmed as Great Britain’s 2012 Olympic coach this month.
Although the Football Association would not comment on the speculation yesterday, it is understood they have decided Pearce is the right man for the job.
He is certainly the most obvious candidate given he has coached the England Under-21 side since 2007, taking them to three major European Championship Finals.
This summer’s disappointing performance in Denmark cast a cloud over Pearce’s stewardship, although he was subsequently awarded a new two-year contract, covering the Olympic period.
No decision has been made on who will coach the women’s side, although Hope Powell has long been viewed as the leading candidate.
Seaborne hurt in nightclub attack
Southampton defender Dan Seaborne has been seriously injured after being assaulted outside a nightclub.
The 24-year-old was found lying on the ground with serious head injuries. He was attacked in the early hours of yesterday outside Junk nightclub in Southampton, Hampshire police said.
It appears the centre-half had been inside the city centre club with friends earlier in the evening and an argument took place.
The row then escalated outside and police were called to the scene at around 2.51 a.m.
Two men, aged 35 and 29, have been arrested in connection with the incident, a police spokesman confirmed.
Jenas relishing Villa challenge
Jermaine Jenas is looking to rediscover his best form at Aston Villa after moving from Tottenham on a season-long loan.
The midfielder has set his sights on obtaining a regular spot after becoming frustrated at his lack of opportunities at White Hart Lane.
Jenas said: “It’s been frustrating for me being in and out, in and out and it’s almost impossible to generate any form.
“Obviously, I’ve still got to get into this team. It’s a very good side with some very good players. That’s one of the reasons why I was chomping at the bit to get up here.
“I looked at what they had within the squad, how I would fit into that and what we could achieve and it excited me.”