Hodgson: Finland's football association hopes to have Roy Hodgson in place as national team coach early next year, rather than in August as previously announced. The former Blackburn Rovers, Inter and Switzerland coach "could possibly" start earlier in 2006 after his current employers, Norway's Viking Stavanger, named Swede Tom Prahl as coach from January.
Burley: George Burley says he has no idea what his next career move will be after his shock departure as manager of Scottish league leaders Hearts at the weekend. "I thought I did very well for the club," the 49-year-old Burley said. "But nothing surprises you in football. That's life. Who knows what the future holds for me?"
No Ring: Perth striker Damian Mori will have his wedding ring cut off his finger this week after he was not allowed to take the field in an A-League game at the weekend. In accordance with league rules, Mori was told to remove the ring by referee Mark Shield prior to kick-off for his side's match against Melbourne on Sunday. The 35-year-old was unable to do so, even drawing blood as he attempted to remove it, and Perth began the match with 10 men before Mori was replaced by Brian Deane in the fifth minute. Deane scored his first goal for the club in Perth's 2-1 victory.
Klinsmann: Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann said he is having too much fun to consider quitting despite growing criticism from the media and some Bundesliga coaches. "No, that's not an issue," Klinsmann said when asked whether he had considered quitting. "We're still having far too much fun. We're not going to let anyone take that away from us."
Caught out: Santos launched a swift counter attack to score into an empty net to earn a 2-1 win in the Brazilian championship last weekend after Sao Paulo keeper Rogerio Ceni failed to convert a free-kick at the other end. It was the first time in his career that Rogerio, who has notched 51 goals from penalties and free-kicks, was caught out after going upfield to join the home attack. "It was going to happen one day but we still have confidence in him and he's going to keep taking free-kicks," Sao Paulo coach Paulo Autuori told reporters.
In England: Championship - Sheffield Wednesday vs Brighton 1-1.
In Italy: Serie C1(B) - Grosseto vs Pisa 0-1.
MFA Division Three: Ta' Xbiex vs Pembroke 0-1; Siggiewi vs Sta Venera Lightnings 1-1.