A financial dispute is preventing Steve Bruce from becoming the new Wigan manager. On Wednesday, Wigan were forced to postpone plans to unveil Bruce, who has left his post at Birmingham, as their new boss.
The delay has been caused by a row over £225,000 that Birmingham say they are owed by Bruce over image rights.
Birmingham are now refusing to approve Bruce's move and are prepared to take legal action to stop it going through.
Wigan chief executive Brenda Spencer confirmed Bruce had been scheduled to sign his contract in Wigan on Wednesday morning and that the 46-year-old was "very upset" not to be able to do so.
Juve ready to stick with Tiago
Juventus president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli is ready to give unsettled midfielder Tiago Mendes another chance.
The Portuguese has failed to settle in Turin since arriving from Lyon in a £9 million summer move.
Despite the player's insistence that he wants to stay, there have been persistent rumours that Tiago will leave in January, with Barcelona a possible destination.
"I'm happy with what Tiago has said," Cobolli Gigli commented. "He has had a tough start, but I have complete faith in him.
"I think he will become a fixture in our midfield in the future. As for Sergio Almiron, I don't agree that either him or Tiago must leave."
Ultras to hold silent protest
Serie A's Ultras are planning to watch this weekend's games in silence as a mark of respect for Lazio fan Gabriele Sandri.
The nation's Ultras have endorsed Sandri as a martyr after he was accidentally killed by a police officer on November 11.
While games in Italy will resume this weekend and fans will be able to attend, some groups are planning to protest by singing only songs for Sandri rather than their teams.
As the Ultras are the most vocal fans who are known for their rousing chants, many games will be played in eerie silence.
At Lazio's game against Parma - the only clash where away fans will be allowed into the stadium - the home team's Ultras are planning to enter the ground 20 minutes after kick-off.
Zampagna rues Atalanta exit
Riccardo Zampagna is disappointed at his imminent departure from Atalanta. The striker has been axed from the club's squad after showing "offensive attitude" towards boss Luigi Del Neri.
The 33-year-old exchanged heated words with Del Neri after the ex-Chievo coach reprimanded him for criticising his training schedule.
"I'm very sad about what happened," Zampagna said. "But it's better that I don't explain things now.
"I only wanted to make my contribution at such a good time for the team, but I will continue to train calmly and with dedication."
Totti injury problems persist
Francesco Totti's chances of making a first-team return for Roma against Genoa at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris this weekend look slim.
The Roma skipper has been out with an ankle injury since last month, missing his team's matches against Lazio, Milan and Sporting Lisbon.
Yesterday, Totti hit the surface while taking set-pieces and reported a pain in his heel.
Following this latest setback, he is unlikely to declare himself fit but a final decision is expected to be made today.
Jol eyeing December comeback
Martin Jol has revealed his desire to secure his next managerial job in England. Jol's time in charge of Tottenham Hotspur came to an end in October, and he has since been linked with a number of clubs including PSV Eindhoven and Birmingham City.
Jol has reaffirmed his wish to coach in England, while reports suggest he would prefer employment at a club in the south of the country.
"I shall be back in England around the second week in December," he said. "Then I'll be looking for a new job - preferably in England."
Allardyce not keen on England job
Newcastle United's Sam Allardyce has ruled himself out of the running to replace sacked Steve McClaren as England manager.
"I'm contracted to Newcastle and from my point of view that contract needs to be honoured," he told Sky Sports News.
"I'm not in a position like I was at my old club where the chairman openly extended the invitation for me to go for the position."
Allardyce, a contender for the England job after the departure of Sven-Goran Eriksson last year, took over at Newcastle in May after being in charge at Bolton Wanderers since October 1999.
No bids for Baptista, say Real
Real Madrid have not received any offers for Julio Baptista, according to a club spokesman.
Baptista, who spent a season on loan with Arsenal last year, has consistently been linked with a move away from the Spanish champions and Manchester City, Villarreal and Milan were rumoured to be considering bids.
However, a Real spokesman said the club have not received any formal offers for the Brazilian forward.
"This is just speculation as so far we have receive no offers for Julio Baptista," a spokesman for the Spanish champions told Skysports.com.
Milan deny Zambrotta reports
Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has denied reports Barcelona left-back Gianluca Zambrotta will join the European champions in January, but has left the door open for a switch at the end of the season.
"In January we will not be doing anything, the only movement will be registering Pato. July is still a long time away. Zambrotta is a good player but I don't know if Barcelona intend to let him go," he told reporters.