Serie A side Udinese have confirmed they are in talks with former Inter coach Andrea Stramaccioni to become their new manager.
The Italian tactician has been out of a job since being dismissed by the Nerazzurri outfit in May 2013, while Udinese have moved quickly in their search for Fran-cesco Guidolin’s successor.
Guidolin resigned as coach last month after four years in charge to take up a supervisory role at the Friuli club.
“Andrea Stramaccioni is our main candidate,” sporting director Cristiano Giaretta said.
“He is well ahead of the rest (of candidates). But we still have to reach an agreement.”
Wigan sign Taylor
Wigan have made Cardiff left-back Andrew Taylor their first signing of the summer.
The 27-year-old, who has signed a three-year deal with the Latics, spent three years in the Welsh capital and made 18 appearances last season as the Bluebirds suffered relegation from the Premier League.
Wigan boss Uwe Rosler said: “I’m very, very happy to get a player of Andrew’s stature and experience to our football club.
“He was the captain of Malky Mackay’s promotion-winning team, he is a very experienced and reliable player who is at the best stage of his career.”
Defender Demichelis in as trio miss out
Nicolas Otamendi, Ever Banega and Jose Sosa were the three players to miss out as Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella cut his World Cup squad to the final 23 names.
Martin Demichelis joined fellow Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta and striker Sergio Aguero in the squad as Atletico Mineiro’s Otamendi was the defender to make way.
Boca Juniors’ Fernando Gago was selected despite fitness concerns as Banega, of Newell’s Old Boys, and Atletico Madrid’s Sosa were left out.
Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Rodrigo Palacio join Aguero in a fearsome strikeforce.
Berizzo to follow Luis Enrique model
New Celta Vigo coach Eduardo Berizzo says he will look to keep up the attacking brand of football that brought success under Luis Enrique last season.
The Argentine had a four-year spell as a player at Celta until 2005 and returns as a replacement for Luis Enrique, who led the club to an impressive ninth place La Liga finish this season before being appointed coach of Barcelona last month.
“I like attacking football. In order to win you have to attack and to be able to attack you have to defend well,” Berizzo said.
“Behind my idea of football you have to drive forward and work hard as a team.”
Astounding Vidal recovery
The recovery of Chile World Cup midfielder Arturo Vidal (picture) from a knee cartilage operation less than a month ago has been remarkable, coach Jorge Sampaoli said.
The Juventus player, included at the weekend in Chile’s squad for the Brazil finals, had meniscus surgery on his right knee on May 7.
“Arturo’s recovery is astounding,” Argentine Sampaoli said.
“He’s already kicking a ball, he’s running at high intensity.
“You’re looking at a player with a higher than average physical and mental potential, that’s why he is regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world.”
Bale absence galling to Dutch boss
Holland boss Louis van Gaal is frustrated his players cannot test themselves against Gareth Bale tonight as the Dutch take on Wales in Amsterdam in a friendly before the World Cup.
Van Gaal had hoped Wales would provide a good test with the likes of Real Madrid star Bale and influential Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey in their ranks.
But Bale withdrew citing a leg injury while Wales boss Chris Coleman opted to rest Ramsey.
Van Gaal said: “I have said to my board that they had to insist on playing against Bale and Ramsey, but this can happen in football.
“It is better that we have the best team of Wales because we need resistance. I think Wales without these players are weaker.”
Australia chance for striker Ameobi
Shola Ameobi could be handed a chance to resume his career in Australia after the World Cup.
The 32-year-old striker was confirmed in Nigeria’s final 23-man squad for Brazil this week but will join up with his future uncertain after being released by Newcastle, the club at which he emerged from the ranks.
However, reports said A-League side Sydney have opened talks with Ameobi’s representatives as they look to replace veteran former Italian international Alessandro Del Piero.
Ameobi, born in Nigeria but raised on Tyneside, made 402 appearances for Newcastle and scored 79 goals, and while he was not always a favourite with fans, his efforts were appreciated by successive managers.