Real Madrid, one of the biggest spending clubs on new recruits in recent years, have decided to freeze their bonus structure for this season, Spanish media reported.
Each player will collect €1.135 million if they win a treble this season, the league, Spanish Cup and Champions League, the same as was offered to them last season, sports daily AS and Marca said.
For the individual trophies they will earn €575,000 for Champions League success, €360,000 for victory in the Spanish league, and €200,000 if they take the Spanish Cup.
Real have not won a major trophy since their league win in the 2007-08 season.
Keller to retire after 2011 MLS run
Kasey Keller, whose 22-season career including stints with several top European sides, said he will retire after playing in 2011 for Major League Soccer’s Seattle Sounders.
The 41-year-old former US World Cup goalkeeper agreed to terms on Friday for a one-year deal with the Sounders, his third campaign with the club.
“I don’t want to be that guy where everyone says, ‘you should have retired last year’,” Keller said.
Keller was part of US squads at the 1996 Olympics and the 1998 and 2006 World Cups.
His career included stops at Millwall, Leicester, Rayo Vallecano, Tottenham, Borussia M’gladbach and Fulham in 2007 and 2008.
Dutch clubs lose €71 million
Eredivisie clubs lost a combined €71.8m during the 2009/10 season, according to figures released by the KNVB.
The numbers were announced at a press conference on Friday which the KNVB boasted made Dutch football “uniquely transparent”.
“There have been many figures mentioned in the media, but these are the only correct figures,” Frank Rutten, director of the umbrella organisation of Eredivisie clubs, said.
The losses were blamed on a decline in revenue made from player sales overseas.
During the 2009/10 season, Eredivisie clubs earned €66m on transfers, compared to €142m two years previously.
Hodgson hopeful over reinforcements
Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has expressed his hope that he will be able to strengthen his squad next month. The Reds boss had discussions with principal owner John Henry and Tom Werner about the squad and what transfer activity is required when the Americans were on Merseyside last week.
“We’ll possibly get one or two of the injured players back,” said Hodgson.
“With injuries to Carragher (shoulder), Agger (calf), Spearing (ankle) and Gerrard (hamstring) we have been hit hard in certain areas.
“I can only hope if there is any possibility of transfers in the January window, that will help us and make us a better team, I will be given the opportunity to take those players.”
Ranieri relishing Shakhtar tie
Roma coach Claudio Ranieri expects his team’s tie with Shakhtar Donetsk to be a true spectacle in the Champions League last 16.
“I know other clubs would have been happy to have been drawn against Shakhtar,” Ranieri said.
“But I had no preference. The important thing for me is that my team goes into those games in the best possible condition.”
Shakhtar claimed 15 points of a possible 18 to finish ahead of Arsenal in the group stages and Ranieri knows his team will be tested by the Ukrainians.
“They have won five games and are a team that has great individual talent,” he said.
Wenger: Barca did not want to face us
Arsene Wenger promised that Arsenal can prove against Barcelona that they are a better side than the one destroyed by Lionel Messi in the Nou Camp last season.
The Gunners had spoken of their desire for a rematch with the much-admired Catalans, and their wish was granted in the draw for the last 16 of the Champions League.
Wenger said it would be “difficult but possible” for the Gunners.
“Revenge is not on my mind. We want to qualify and we want to knock them out. So is it difficult? Yes. Is it possible? Yes,” he said.
“Barcelona are the favourites but, on their side, they did not want us either because they know they will get a game.”
Fergie’s the best says Capello
Fabio Capello has labelled Alex Ferguson the best manager of all time. Ferguson will overtake Matt Busby as the longest-serving boss in Manchester United history in his next match.
Approaching his 69th birthday, Ferguson has received deserved plaudits from across the game for his phenomenal 24 years in the Old Trafford hot seat.
With 11 Premier League titles and two European Cups among a glittering array of trophies, Ferguson’s place in the pantheon of great managers has already been assured.
Capello claimed Ferguson deserves to be recognised as number one.
“In the history of football, the best manager is Alex Ferguson,” said Capello.
“He changed the team, he changed the players, he has been really, really good for the club.”