Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp has ruled out any interest in taking over English second-tier side Blackburn Rovers.
Reports had said the 65-year-old, sacked by Spurs in the close season despite a fourth place Premier League finish last term, was holding talks with Indian-owned Rovers as they look to bounce back to the top flight at the first attempt.
“It’s not something I would look to do or look to do in the future.
“It’s not for me,” he said while admitting he had received offers from other clubs.
Laudrup recalls Nou Camp hostility
Michael Laudrup has told Brendan Rodgers no matter how many jeers he receives from the Swansea support at Anfield, it will pale into insignificance comp-ared to his own experience of facing former club Barcelona as a Real Madrid player.
Much of the focus ahead of today’s League Cup last-16 tie has been on Liverpool boss Rodgers facing his former charges for the first time since leaving the Liberty Stadium.
“I don’t know how much stick Brendan will take, but I can tell you it won’t be as much as I did when, after five years playing for Barcelona, I went back there with Real Madrid,” he said.
“You could say the fans weren’t that happy to see me – there were 100,000 whistling at me every time I touched the ball.”
Cattermole boost
Sunderland manager Martin O’Neill has backed captain Lee Cattermole to flourish after he signed a new deal that will keep him on Wearside until 2016.
The 24-year-old was due to be out of contract at the end of the season but secured his long-term future with the Black Cats.
“I think he has excellent potential,” O’Neill said of midfielder Cattermole.
“I have only got to know him in the last nine or 10 months and during his time on the field he was looking to improve his own game.
“As a consequence of our battles last season he was trying to help everyone around him but maybe he needs to concentrate on his own particular game.”
Everton similar to Stoke – Gerrard
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard emerged from another Mersey-side derby dismissing Everton as “similar to Stoke”.
Gerrard claimed Brendan Rodgers’ side were the only ones who played football in the 2-2 draw at Goodison Park and praised his team-mates for standing up to their neighbours.
“I thought we were fantastic and stood up to a team that are very similar to Stoke,” he said.
“Every time they get the ball to the goalkeeper it comes in long. Everton are effective because they have some big lads in the team. But they are not better than us.”
Inter is family for Stankovic
Inter midfielder Dejan Stankovic is keen to stay at the Nerazzurri after his playing career is over.
The Serbia international has hinted that he would be interested in taking up a coaching role at Inter once he hangs up his boot but stressed that his priority is to recover from his Achilles injury.
“I have said a thousand times that I feel like part of a family here,” Stankovic, 34, said.
“Staying here is something that I would more than willingly do, in fact I’d love to.
“But even if I do not stay, I would always make myself available to Inter.
“Anyway, for now I just want to get back on the field. I do not know when I’ll be back. I just want to make sure that when I do come back, I’ll stay fit for a long time.”
Norwegian FA floats novel idea
The Norwegian FA (NFF) has a novel idea to even out one-sided matches – if a team go four goals down they can bring on another player, a proposal backed by former international Henning Berg.
“It’s a good rule that will lead to more even matches,” said Berg, who was capped 100 times by Norway. “It’s no fun to lose 17-0. It’s no fun to win 17-0 either.”
Aalesund coach Kjetil Rekdal, who often partnered Berg in defence for the national side, was less enthusiastic.
“It can be positive to get more (people) active, but it can be negative if you destroy or punish those who are better,” he told Verdens Gang.
Prandelli praise
Cesare Prandelli has welcomed the news that three Italy players are among the candidates for the 2012 FIFA Ballon d’Or.
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, Mario Balotelli and Andrea Pirlo have been nominated in a 23-man list for the governing body’s annual award.
And Prandelli is delighted that his players, who helped Italy reach the Euro 2012 final, have earned recognition of their contribution.
“It is great news for the whole of Italian football,” the Italy coach told reporters.
“It is recognition that gives us great optimism for the future. It is brilliant to have three candidates for the Ballon d’Or.”