Walter Mazzarri reacted angrily after Inter fans called out Robert Mancini’s name at the end of Saturday’s match against lowly Parma which the Nerazzurri lost 2-0.
After the match Mazzarri was asked for his reaction to a banner at the Tardini stadium calling for Mancini to be brought back.
“If after two victories and a draw with Napoli these things are being discussed, then I really don’t care what they say,” Mazzarri retorted.
“What message do I send to the fans? I say what I think, which is that the club knows our working methods.”
Lippi’s Guangzhou clinch SLeague title
Guangzhou Evergrande secured their fourth successive Chinese Super League title yesterday with a 1-1 draw away to Shandong Luneng.
Elkeson’s equaliser ensured that Guangzhou, coached by World Cup winning Italian Marcello Lippi, finished at the top of the standings with 70 points from 30 matches.
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s Guang-zhou R and F ended the season in third place, with 57 points.
Koeman keen on European push
Ronald Koeman is eyeing European football for Southampton after Victor Wanyama’s stunning strike against Hull kept them flying high in the Premier League.
The buoyant away fans were chanting about a title challenge at the final whistle but while Koeman sees that as a fanciful notion, he does not feel Europe is beyond his side.
Asked if he could deliver the title push the supporters half-jokingly sang about, the Dutchman said: “That’s always positive but that’s not what will happen.
“But to continue winning and being up in the table, why not?
“Maybe to play in Europe, you never know.
“If we keep like this, it can be a fantastic season.”
Stoke boss Hughes critical of ref Foy
Stoke boss Mark Hughes was critical of referee Chris Foy after the official did not punish a challenge from Alex Song in the build-up to West Ham’s first goal in their 2-2 draw at the Britannia Stadium.
Play was allowed to continue in the 60th minute following Song’s rash-looking tackle on Mame Biram Diouf, and the Hammers were able to move the ball upfield with Stewart Downing, from whose cross Enner Valencia headed in to make it 2-1.
Hughes said: “It was a poor challenge – Song dived in two-footed. Thankfully Diouf jumped out of the way, but the ref should have stopped the game there and then.
“He might argue he tried to play advantage – well, we didn’t gain one.”
Pellegrini open to Gerrard move
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has refused to rule out a move for Steven Gerrard if the former England captain fails to agree new terms with Liverpool.
Gerrard’s existing contract with the Reds ends in June.
City have already demonstrated their willingness to put their trust in veteran players this season with the short-term loan signing of another former England midfielder, 36-year-old Frank Lampard, and Pellegrini believes Gerrard still has plenty to offer in the years ahead.
“I don’t ever rate players on their age. It depends on the money they cost and the number of years they have (on their contract),” he said.
“But, like Lampard, Gerrard is a top player and he can continue at a high level for a couple more years.”
Mourinho unhappy with Chelsea crowd
Jose Mourinho launched a scathing attack on Chelsea’s home support after the Premier League leaders’ 2-1 win over QPR on Saturday.
Mourinho said it felt like his side were playing at an “empty stadium”.
“Everyone knows how much I feel connected to this club and the fans,” the Portuguese said.
“At this moment it’s difficult for us to play at home, though, because playing here is like playing in an empty stadium.
“It’s difficult to get that strong start where the players, team and fans at Stamford Bridge (are all together).
“I was today looking around and it was empty, but not in terms of people because it was obviously full. That’s what is frustrating.”
Hefty ban
A Swiss amateur footballer has been handed a 50-year ban from the sport for kicking the ball at a referee and insulting him in a fourth-tier match.
Ricardo Ferreira, of Berne’s Portugal Futebol Clube, received a lifetime ban after he kicked the ball at the official, sprayed him with water and verbally abused him at the end of a game during which he was an unused substitute.
The 28-year-old was banned indefinitely but, as the governing body’s system requires an end-date for a suspension, officials entered 2064.
The reason for his long suspension is the player’s disciplinary past, with several previous substantial bans for misbehaving.