Two troubled Serie B clubs sacked their coaches yesterday as Walter Novellino was shown the backdoor by Modena and Varese fired Stefano Bettinelli.
On Saturday, Modena were beaten at home by Bari 1-0 to remain in the drop zone, two points in front of the bottom three in the standings – Catania, Varese and Crotone.
Mauro Melotti and Simone Pavan were placed in charge of Modena for the rest of the season.
Varese were also beaten at home in their last match as they went down to Brescia 2-1.
Bettinelli was replaced by his no.2 Oliviero di Stefano.
Tough tackle
Stoke City boss Mark Hughes said Stephen Ireland’s career could have been finished by a tackle that left him needing 12 to 15 stitches in his calf on Saturday.
Ireland was substituted at half-time of Stoke’s 1-0 win over Hull following a challenge by Maynor Figueroa who was not punished for the tackle.
“It was shocking,” Hughes said.
“It could have finished Stephen’s career. Why it is not a straight red, I have no idea.”
Ireland, 28, was making only his 13th appearance of the season for Stoke.
Mourinho reveals Spurs approach
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho turned down an approach from Tottenham after leaving Stamford Bridge in September 2007.
Speaking ahead of yesterday’s League Cup final between the sides, the Blues boss admitted that an exit clause forbade him from managing in England for two years and that even Spurs’ attempts to pay compensation to the Blues fell short.
“I couldn’t go,” said Mourinho, after confirming the approach from Spurs.
“I couldn’t train in England for two years.”
Asked if he would have considered Spurs, Mourinho said: “No, because I love Chelsea supporters too much.”
Grave repairs
FIFA is to fund the restoration of the grave of William McCrum, the man who invented the penalty.
McCrum, from Armagh in Northern Ireland, persuaded the Irish FA to propose his idea to the International FA Board (IFAB) and it was adopted in 1890.
Penalties were initially treated with scorn by England, who called them “the Irishman’s motion”, but they soon became adopted across the world.
The decision to restore the grave was taken at the IFAB meeting in Belfast last weekend.
McCrum came from a family of wealthy linen mill owners but failed at business and died “alcoholic, penniless and alone, in a boarding house” in 1932.
He is buried within the grounds of St Mark’s Parish Church in Armagh.
Milan’s Inzaghi looks for positives
Milan’s struggles continued as they were held to a 0-0 draw at lowly Chievo on Saturday, leaving the side coached by Filippo Inzaghi in danger of missing out on a European spot for the second straight season.
After a soporific first half, in which the hosts had the best chance to pull ahead in the 25th minute when goalkeeper Diego Lopez courageously dived at Sergio Pellissier’s feet, Milan quickened the pace but to no avail.
“It’s difficult to play Chievo and dominate,” Inzaghi told Sky Sports Italia.
“I want to look at it from a positive point of view – we haven’t lost in three games and for the second straight match we have a clean sheet.”
FA frustrated by video trial delay
The English FA has been left frustrated after football’s lawmakers delayed live trials of video technology at matches for at least 12 months.
The Dutch FA had wanted to use its system next season, but the IFAB meeting in Belfast wants more information before giving the green light. FA chairman Greg Dyke said he was disappointed at the delay.
“I’m a great fan of video technology. I was a bit disappointed that we hadn’t got it further than we have done,” he said.
“If there are means of helping referees, we should think about them, try them in trials and, if they work, adopt them.”
Aigner apologies with a meatloaf
Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Stefan Aigner has apologised to his team-mates after losing his temper when substituted against Hamburg – and promised to give them a meatloaf to say sorry.
The 27-year-old did not take kindly to being brought off by coach Thomas Schaaf in his side’s 2-1 win on Saturday.
“I’m happy to pay a fine,” he told reporters.
“I’ve apologised and I’m even going to give the team some meatloaf. I’m an emotional person and it was stupid of me, and I regretted it afterwards but then I can’t change what has happened.”
Schaaf did not take issue with Aigner’s reaction, saying: “I have no problems with somebody letting their emotions go.
“I can’t see anything negative about it.”