Frank Lampard was shocked to see Harry Redknapp sacked after Chelsea’s European glory meant Tottenham missed out on a place in the Champions League.
Despite finishing fourth, Tottenham got rid of manager Redknapp, Lampard’s uncle.
“I feel really bad for Harry, especially as my biggest success in football turned out so unlucky for him,” Lampard said.
“He deserved Champions League football. That’s why I’m still shell-shocked by what’s happened. I have some mates who are Spurs fans and they are desperately disappointed... he’s done an amazing job.”
Bernstein plans a longer stay
FA chairman David Bernstein has confirmed he would like to remain in the job beyond next year. Bernstein celebrates his 70th birthday next May, after which he is due to stand down in line with FA statutes.
Yet there is a widespread feeling he should be allowed to continue, having brought much-needed stability to the football organisation.
Bernstein refused to go along with popular opinion by naming Harry Redknapp as Fabio Ca-pello’s successor, instead ap-pointing Roy Hodgson, which has been a major positive so far.
“I am enjoying it very much and the honest answer is yes (I would like to stay on),” he said.
Mourinho: Spain are not Barcelona
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has reacted angrily to comparisons between Spain’s playing style and that of Barcelona.
Spain broke several passing records in their 4-0 win over Ireland, including the highest number of passes in the Euros with 859 and an individual record for Xavi with 136.
However, despite there being seven Barcelona players in the Spanish squad, Mourinho has defended the representation of players from his own club in the national team.
He said: “They talk about the national team and Barcelona but there are also five from Real.
“Spain isn’t Barca... they were the champions but not now.”
I’m happy at Everton – Moyes
Everton manager David Moyes insisted that he was happy at Goodison Park despite speculation linking him with a switch to Tottenham.
Moyes, who has spent 10 years at Everton, said: “All I can say is that I have had no contact and if I had any I would have told my chairman (Bill Kenwright).
“I hope to meet all my ambitions at Everton but you never know in this game.”
Moyes has battled against a tight budget at Everton but last season took the club to seventh in the Premier League, one place above city rivals Liverpool.
Sheva unmoved by Rooney return
Andriy Shevchenko does not believe Ukraine should focus too much on the return of Wayne Rooney in tomorrow’s game against England.
Co-hosts Ukraine need to beat the Three Lions, who themselves know a point will be enough, to progress to the knockout stages.
Shevchenko said: “We will see what happens with Rooney.
“But this is a player who hasn’t played for a month now.
“I know he’s a very good player and someone who can change the team, but we’ll see what happens if he plays.
“But the whole England team is very good, not just Rooney. They are most dangerous from set-pieces... we will have to watch that.”
Ibra pledges his future to Sweden
Swedish captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic boosted his side’s morale in timely fashion yesterday by declaring he had no intention of retiring from international football.
The 30-year-old striker was adamant when asked about his future that he saw himself continuing after their final Group D game against France on Tuesday.
“Absolutely. My future is with the national side,” said Ibrahimovic.
“I will continue to play for them.”
Ibrahimovic will be looked at to lead a younger generation of players as several other veterans are likely to retire.
Valladolid back in Primera Liga
Real Valladolid have been promoted to the Primera Liga after a 2-1 aggregate win in their promotion play-off with Alcorcon late Saturday.
Leading 1-0 from the first leg, Valladolid were pegged back just before half-time when Fernando Sales headed the visitors level on aggregate.
However, Javi Guerra, who scored the winner at Santo Domingo in last week’s first leg, was on target again after the break to ensure a return to the top-flight after a two-year absence.
Miroslav Djukic’s men missed out on automatic promotion by three points as they finished third behind Celta Vigo in the regular season.