Rio Ferdinand will definitely join up with England for this month’s World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Montenegro, Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson said.
Ferguson expressed his surprise when the veteran defender was named in Roy Hodgson’s squad this week, saying Ferdinand had not made up his mind about joining up.
However, the United boss changed his tune after the centre back laid on the winning goal for Wayne Rooney in the 1-0 Premier League victory over Reading at Old Trafford.
“Rio will be joining up and (England team-mate) Ashley Young should be okay,” Ferguson said.
Lewandowski ponders future
Bayer Leverkusen joint coach Sascha Lewandowski is considering his future after coaching partner Sami Hyypia was quoted as saying he would prefer to go it alone at times.
Hyypia has strongly denied the comments, claiming his words were twisted, but Lewandowski admits the affair has left him pondering his next step.
“It’s a decision which only I can take,” he said to Sky television.
“It makes you think, though, because the last few days really have seen an extraordinary turn of events.”
Karanka backs striker Higuain
Real Madrid assistant coach Aitor Karanka believes striker Gonzalo Higuain will draw confidence from his two-goal starring role in Saturday’s win over Real Mallorca.
The Argentinian shrugged off his recent struggles in front of goal with two close-range finishes before setting up Karim Benzema for a simple late effort in a 5-2 win.
Karanka said: “The other day (against Celta) Vigo he (Higuain) was off target in front of goal and (yesterday) he has scored.
“We don’t need to worry about the chances that are missed, the important thing is to create them in the first place. He has scored and that is important for him.”
Life-time ban for Nazi salute
AEK Athens midfielder Giorgos Katidis was handed a life ban from all national teams by Greece’s soccer federation EPO yesterday after he appeared to give a Nazi salute to fans during a match.
Katidis, 20, a former captain of Greece’s under-19 team, made the alleged salute in celebrating his winning goal in a 2-1 Super League victory over lowly Veria late on Saturday.
“The player’s action to salute to spectators in a Nazi manner is a severe provocation, insults all the victims of Nazi bestiality and injures the deeply pacifist and human character of the game,” EPO said in statement.
Conte joy sparks controversy
Juventus coach Antonio Conte caused controversy after the Serie A leaders’ 2-0 win at Bologna on Saturday by waving his arms and shouting “come on” to the crowd after having insults hurled at him during the game.
As the teams walked off the pitch, Bologna coach Stefano Pioli called to the Juve staff to be respectful.
“I thought Conti’s celebrations were a bit exaggerated because they weren’t aimed only at his own fans but also ours,” said Pioli.
Conte responded: “If I can’t celebrate with my fans after a win that is a fundamental stepping stone towards our objective (of lifting the title), then tell me what I can do?” he said.
Flamengo dismiss coach on salary
Flamengo, one of Brazil’s biggest and most popular clubs, have sacked coach Dorival Junior after he refused to accept a cut in his wages.
“After two months of negotiations aimed at reforming the terms of the contract signed last year, Flamengo and coach Dorival Junior did not reach an agreement which was satisfactory to both parties, despite progressing in the talks,” the club said in a statement.
The 50-year-old, who has coached at more than a dozen Brazilian clubs, had been at the helm for nine months.
Sahin delighted to contribute
Borussia Dortmund midfielder Nuri Sahin was delighted to have delivered the goods in his side’s 5-1 win over Freiburg on Saturday after some recent criticism of his performances.
Prior to Saturday’s match, Sahin had started only one game but he made up for lost time with two goals and an assist, almost single-handedly downing Freiburg and making the critics eat their words.
“I owed this to the club,” he said. “It was important for me for the penny to drop sooner or later and the coach always said it was just a matter of time.
“I had a good feeling. I knew I had to play well today because my son was at the stadium.”