The long running saga over Carlos Queiroz’s future with Iran finally ended yesterday with the former Real Madrid and Portugal manager agreeing a four-year extension to stick with the Asian side.
Queiroz had said he would step down from the position upon their World Cup exit in June only to have a change of heart last month.
The protracted talks have delayed preparations for January’s Asian Cup but Queiroz was confident the team could at least finish in the top three in Australia.
“First, we are going to win a medal in the 2015 AFC Asian Cup in Australia. Because of that, we need to work hard,” he said.
“Our second goal is to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.”
FA wants to cut FL imports
The Football Association has announced proposals to cut the number of players from outside the EU coming into the English game by up to 50 per cent.
Some 122 overseas players were granted visas between 2009 and 2013, 23 of them in the Football League.
The FA is proposing only Premier League clubs be allowed to sign non-EU players, and also be prevented from sending them out on loan, as part of a number of changes recommended by FA chairman Greg Dyke.
Furthermore, only players from the top 50-ranked countries in the world could be signed unless the transfer fee is more than a fixed figure, either £10m or £15m.
We are under pressure – Simeone
Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has admitted defeat in their Champions League opener at Olympiakos has piled the pressure on his side ahead of their next fixture against Juventus.
Last season’s beaten finalists began their campaign with a 3-2 loss at Karaiskakis Stadium and Simeone knows they cannot afford another setback when they host Juventus next month.
Simeone said: “Olympiakos start from a very strong position to qualify and it makes us more uncomfortable to play at home against Juventus, who also started from a good position.”
Gerrard relieved with CLeague win
Steven Gerrard insists Liverpool’s new-look side must learn to crawl before they can walk after scraping past Bulgaria’s Ludogorets in their Champions League opener.
Gerrard scored an added-time penalty after Mario Balotelli’s first goal for the club in the 82nd minute was cancelled out by substitute Dani Abalo eight minutes later.
“We are relieved. It was very important to start the competition with maximum points,” he said.
“I don’t think it was a very good performance from ourselves but we have managed to take the three points, which is vital.
“I think we will get better as the season progresses.”
Gutierrez flying home for cancer treatment
Newcastle midfielder Jonas Gutierrez yesterday thanked fans for their support after flying home to Argentina for testicular cancer treatment.
“Thanks for all the messages. Always looking forward,” the 31-year-old said on Twitter after revealing his illness in a TV interview in Argentina.
“I detected a tumour in a testicle. When I confirmed the cancer, I went home crying,” he said.
“I came here and I assumed the costs, despite having a contract with Newcastle.
“Money is not important. What is important is health. I had to start chemotherapy.”
Zinnbauer takes over at Hamburg
Josef Zinnbauer has been named as the new head coach at Hamburg. The decision by one of Germany’s oldest clubs to opt for the Bundesliga debutant comes as somewhat of a surprise.
Hamburg chairman Dietmar Beiersdorfer made the an-nouncement during a press conference yesterday.
Although the new coach is a relatively unknown entity in the Bundesliga, Beiersdorfer said his appointment was more than an interim solution.
“Joe should create new energy and motivate the team,” said Beiersdorfer.
“We are convinced that the team will show new form under his leadership in the next weeks,” he added.
Chelsea expect Hazard to stay
Chelsea are confident that Belgium midfielder Eden Hazard will commit his long-term future to the Premier League club by signing a new contract, manager Jose Mourinho said.
Hazard, who was Chelsea’s top scorer with 14 league goals last season, has established himself as a talismanic playmaker since his arrival from Lille in 2012.
The 23-year-old has three years remaining on his current deal at Stamford Bridge, but the Chelsea boss said the club and player were keen to extend his stay.
“We have big hopes that he will go from a top player to reach higher levels,” Mourinho said.
“He’s a player we want to keep. It’s true Chelsea is trying to have an agreement for a new contract. It will be a question of time. It will end with a new contract.
“He wants to commit to us and we want to commit to him for the future.”