Tony Pulis has described it as an “honour” to be inducted into the League Managers Association Hall of Fame in recognition of 1,000 games as a manager.
The West Brom head coach, 58, will reach the milestone tomorrow when his Albion side travel to his former club Stoke in the Premier League.
He will become only the 25th manager in English football to achieve the feat in the modern era.
Pulis said: “It is such a privilege to be able to work throughout your career in a sport that you absolutely love.
“I am extremely proud and honoured to be joining an elite group of managers who have already reached the milestone.”
Man. City reported
Argentine club Velez Sarsfield has lodged a formal complaint with FIFA over Manchester City’s signing of teenaged midfielder Benjamin Garre.
Velez said City tried to sign Garre from them when he was still a 15-year-old, which they allege breached FIFA’s rules on the transfer of minors.
City denied any wrongdoing in their recruitment of Argentine Garre, who the English club says holds an Italian passport.
SFA hopes for UEFA clemency
UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against the Scottish FA after Scotland women’s Under-19s team pulled out of a European Championship qualifier against Serbia.
The Scots postponed the game on Monday after a sickness bug hit nine players.
UEFA has charged the SFA with “refusal to play”, which is standard procedure when games do not go ahead. But the SFA is hoping for understanding when its case is heard next Wednesday.
Coach Gareth Evans, whose team beat hosts Albania 11-0 and thrashed Cyprus 8-0, said some of the players’ families had also been taken ill last week.
Barton is eager for Rangers return
Joey Barton insists he has unfinished business with Rangers after claiming he cannot wait to rejoin Mark Warburton’s squad.
The controversial midfielder is currently serving a three-week club suspension following a blazing row with boss Warburton and team-mate Andy Halliday in the wake of this month’s humiliating 5-1 defeat to rivals Celtic.
Yesterday he told his 3.25 million Twitter followers he is determined to return to Ibrox.
“People far too quick to write [the team] off. Celtic game was 1st competitive loss since 28th Dec 2015. 30+ games,” he wrote.
“[I’m] not going anywhere, happy to be judged after the season. Played 8 games. Can’t wait to get back and show what [I] am about. Came to be successful. Nothing’s changed.”
Grealish must grow up says Di Matteo
Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish has been told to “grow up” by manager Roberto Di Matteo after media reports that police were called to a Birmingham hotel where he was partying with friends on Sunday.
Villa have launched an internal investigation regarding the 21-year-old, with media reports saying fellow party-goers were inhaling nitrous oxide, which provides a legal high.
Last year, Grealish was cautioned about his conduct after photographs emerged of him allegedly inhaling the laughing gas in a hotel room.
“We instantly started an internal investigation about it, which is still ongoing,” Di Matteo said.
“It’s important Grealish understands what he has and that he needs to grow up very quickly. It’s not the first time and he needs to understand if he wants a good career he has to stop.”
La Liga president Tebas resigns
La Liga president Javier Tebas has stood down but will seek re-election, he has announced.
The 54-year-old has been head of the Spanish league for three-and-a-half-years and his resignation will spark an election for a new four-year term.
“I have formally presented my resignation,” Tebas said.
“A new electoral process will be opened and I will again seek the trust of the clubs.”
To be re-elected, Tebas will need the support of 32 of the 42 clubs in Spain’s top two divisions.
Should he be successful, it would allow him to serve another term before stepping down in 2020.
Balotelli backing
Lucien Favre hopes Nice can help Mario Balotelli get back to the top of world football.
The troubled striker has made a flying start to life in Ligue 1, scoring four goals in his first two games including two in Wednesday’s 4-0 victory over Monaco.
Nice boss Favre said: “With Mario we know that there is still a lot of work to do but he must continue like this.
“He knows that he will return to the top level if he is professional.”
The win over their neighbours saw Nice leapfrog Monaco at the top of the standings.