Tuesday, 21 June 2011

O'Hara makes £5m move to Wolves

Wolves have signed Tottenham midfielder Jamie O'Hara in a £5m deal.


The 24-year-old has agreed a five-year contract after enjoying a successful loan spell at Molineux during the second half of last season.


O'Hara scored three goals in 13 games, including one against Blackburn on the final day of the campaign that helped keep Wolves in the Premier League.


Manager Mick McCarthy said: "There was a dip in form at one juncture but he came strong again at the end."


An agreement had already been put in place for O'Hara to make his stay at Molineux permanent should the player and McCarthy wish to make that happen.


The former Portsmouth midfielder joined Wolves on loan in January and has played just behind the main striker in a 4-5-1 formation.


"I am delighted the deal has been done which will see Jamie become a permanent Wolves player," added McCarthy.


"It may have taken a bit of time to finalise all the details but it was always going to happen because we wanted to sign him and he wanted to come.


"He showed some real quality when he was on loan with us last season, and that was having come back from not playing for eight months after a back operation.


"Despite that absence, he made a key contribution over the second half of the campaign, and with a full pre-season behind him he has the potential to get even better next season.


"He is a midfielder who is good on the ball, not afraid to put his foot in and also has an eye for goal.


"On top of that he is also a good character around the place who has a positive influence in the dressing room."


Wolves are also interested in Reading defender Matt Mills and Liverpool left-back Paul Konchesky, who spent the second half of last season on loan to Nottingham Forest.


View the original article here

Thursday, 9 June 2011

Man Utd target Jones 'is bargain'

By Phil McNulty
Chief football writer Phil Jones Phil Jones will be competing in the U21 Championships for England in Denmark Manchester United are set to land a bargain as they near a £16m deal for Blackburn's Phil Jones, according to former Rovers star Kevin Gallacher.

Jones joined England's Under-21 squad for the European Championship after a medical at United, having rejected moves to Arsenal and Liverpool.

And Gallacher believes Sir Alex Ferguson has landed the 19-year-old defender at a knock-down price.

"I think he's underpriced to be honest," Gallacher told BBC Sport.

"He is already top quality and will only get better with the players that will be around him at Manchester United."

Continue reading the main story

Wayne Rooney, Jones's new team-mate, is the world's most expensive teenager after his £27m move from Everton in 2004 aged 18.

There has been talk of a so-called "English premium" on transfers with Liverpool set to splash out a similar sum on Sunderland youngster Jordan Henderson.

And Gallacher added: "My own view is that Blackburn would have been looking for £20m minimum for Phil.

"But there was a clause in his contract that enabled him to go for less and United have got a very good deal in my opinion."

Gallacher, who made 146 appearances for Rovers and won 53 Scotland caps, is also convinced United have captured a future England regular - and potential international captain - in the shape of the powerful Jones, who can also play in midfield.

He said: "Manchester United have got themselves an outstanding young player.

"He has been talked about as a future England captain and he has so much potential as well as character and leadership qualities that I can certainly see that.

"If he carries on as he has been doing I don't think it will be long before he is a regular in Fabio Capello's squad.

"And when you look at leaders he has got all the attributes to be a captain at the highest level.

"For one so young, he leads by example and he is not scared of handing out a rollocking to the older players around him as well when the need arises."


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Warner will not attend Fifa probe

Suspended Fifa vice-president Jack Warner is refusing to meet with the organisations investigators tasked with probing bribery allegations.


Warner and fellow Fifa member Mohamed Bin Hammam are alleged to have paid bribes totalling $1m (£600,000) to Caribbean associations.


Warner said: "I have not received any summons asking me to speak with them [the investigators] nor do I plan to."


Both Warner and Bin Hammam have denied any wrongdoing.


A total of 25 Caribbean Football Union (CFU) associations are alleged to have been paid or offered bribes of $40,000 (£25,000) each - and up to 18 of these have refused Fifa's call to go to Miami to provide evidence.


Fifa agreed to move the venue for the interviews with those CFU members who refused to travel to Miami, but Warner will not be among those due to be quizzed.


However, a CFU source said that its associations were prepared to co-operate with any "independent and unbiased" investigation.


The CFU suggested Barbados and Trinidad as options for a different venue to Miami but it is believed Fifa will choose an island elsewhere in the Caribbean.


Warner and Bin Hammam are currently suspended pending the investigation into allegations they offered cash in exchange for votes for the latter in the Fifa presidential elections at a meeting on 10-11 May.


Bin Hammam later withdraw his candidacy ahead of the contest but has maintained his innocence.


"If there is even the slightest justice in the world, these allegations will vanish in the wind," said Bin Hamman when the allegations were made against him.


The president of the Barbados Football Association, Ronald Jones, has insisted that neither he nor his officials were offered any bribes by Bin Hamman or Warner.


"None of our delegates were offered any inducements or gifts to support any of the candidates during the meeting on 10 May," said Jones in a statement.


"The Barbados Football Association was made aware that the trip and accommodation were sponsored by Mohamed Bin Hamman under the auspices of the CFU.


"The BFA did not and does not see this as akin to bribery or any inducements as in the past trips by Caribbean delegates to meetings have been sponsored by the organisation and agency that wanted to put on the programme."


View the original article here

Redknapp keen for Crouch to stay

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp insists he wants to keep striker Peter Crouch at White Hart Lane.


Redknapp is hoping to sign a new striker, but the 30-year-old Crouch remains part of his plans.


When asked whether Crouch would leave Tottenham this summer, Redknapp told the BBC: "I doubt it - Crouchy is a good player. I like him.


"We are looking to bring a striker in but he is not one of those that we are looking to sell if we can help it."


Tottenham's strikers Crouch, Roman Pavlyuchenko and Jermain Defoe all had inconsistent campaigns during the past season, scoring a combined total of 32 goals.


Fellow forward Robbie Keane, who struck just once in Spurs colours in the 2010-11 season, went out on loan to West Ham in search of more first-team football.


Crouch scored 11 goals for Spurs last season, a total only surpassed by Pavlyuchenko.


Sunderland have been linked with Crouch, with Black Cats manager Steve Bruce having tried to sign the England international from Portsmouth before Spurs won the race for the towering striker's signature two years ago.


Redknapp said: "He is a great lad and I love him as a fella. He is not one I'm looking to shift."


Crouch has scored 24 goals for Spurs in 92 appearances since joining from Porsmouth in 2009.


View the original article here

Martinez set for Villa decision

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan expects manager Roberto Martinez to make a swift decision on his future after an approach by Aston Villa.


Martinez, 37, is favourite to succeed Gerard Houllier, who left Villa this month following heart problems.


Whelan told BBC 5 live: "It's in Roberto's hands and I will support him whatever way he wants to go.


"I think he will make a decision in the next 24 hours, and my gut feeling is that he will stay at Wigan."


Whelan praised the way in which Villa have conducted themselves after giving his permission for talks, and insisted Martinez is destined to manage at the highest level.


"I would say to Aston Villa fans that your club have been superb and so honest," said the 74-year-old.


"Roberto has done a superb job at Wigan. He's a fine manager and will [eventually] go to one of the top six clubs in Europe.


"I've offered him an extension and a better contract as he only has 12 months left on his current one.


"Together, we're a great partnership. My advice to him is that he should stay at least another season, but I've got to be realistic about it."


Meanwhile, Villa chief executive Paul Faulkner released a statement on the club's website on Thursday in which he said the selection process was still ongoing.


It read: "The club is conscious of the keen interest in developments over the appointment of our new manager.


"When the process has reached an appropriate point we can assure our fans that we will be clear and forthright.


"We are focused right now on trying to secure the best candidate who will complement the club's commitment to being true to our heritage, competitiveness and passionate fan base. We will update fans again when the process is more advanced."


With former England boss Steve McClaren, ex-Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez and Mark Hughes, who resigned as Fulham manager last week, all seemingly out of the running, Martinez now seems to be Villa's preferred choice.


The Wigan manager has been targeted by Villa after Houllier left in early June. The 63-year-old Frenchman, who was in charge for only nine months, had missed the final month of the season because of heart problems.


Martinez, 37, joined Wigan from Swansea in 2009 - his first competitive game in charge being a 2-0 away victory over Aston Villa.


He has managed to keep Wigan in the Premier League in his two seasons in charge, with the club surviving in 2010/11 thanks to a four-game unbeaten run at the end of the campaign.


Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins, who brought Martinez to the Welsh club in 2007, believes the Spaniard would be a good appointment for Villa.

Martinez proud of Wigan achievement


"Roberto was a fantastic player and manager for our club and I have got no doubts that whatever club he may move to, he is a great manager and a great choice for anybody," Jenkins told BBC Radio 5 live.


Welshman Hughes resigned after less than a year at Craven Cottage and has subsequently been linked with the vacant positions at Villa and Chelsea.


Benitez has been out of work since he was dismissed by Italian side Inter Milan in December after six months in charge.


McClaren, 50, was sacked by German side Wolfsburg in February and is thought to be keen on a return to managing in England.


BBC Radio 5 live's Pat Murphy added: "I understand that it was the hostility of some Villa supporters against Steve McClaren that turned [Villa owner] Randy Lerner off the prospect of even giving an interview to an experienced manager with a fine club track record, excellent contacts and a commitment to bringing on young players.


"So McClaren's failings with England four years ago are deemed decisive when assessing his pedigree at club level.


"I understand Rafa Benitez wanted £30m minimum to spend on new players, Lerner knocked that one back."


View the original article here

Wednesday, 8 June 2011

Newcastle want �6m price for West Ham target Kevin Nolan

West Ham have had a £3million offer for Newcastle midfielder Kevin Nolan rejected. 


Manager Sam Allardyce is eager to be re-united with his former Bolton captain, who has turned down the offer of a new contract at St James' Park.



Newcastle want £6m for the 28-year-old, who scored 12 League goals last season - one more than Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney.


View the original article here

Tuesday, 7 June 2011

Alan Smith can leave Newcastle on free

Newcastle are ready to offload Alan Smith for nothing but manager Alan Pardew faces a fight to keep hold of captain Kevin Nolan after the midfielder rejected the club's latest contract offer.


Pardew had hoped to tie up the futures of skipper Kevin Nolan, fellow midfielder Joey Barton and left-back Jose Enrique this summer ahead of a foray into the transfer market.


However, 28-year-old Nolan is understood to have rejected the contract offer currently on the table just weeks after Barton was told he will not be offered a new deal.



Former Bolton player Nolan, who scored 12 Barclays Premier League goals last season, has two years remaining on his current contract, but the breakdown of talks will cause further concern amongst fans still coming to terms with Barton's situation.


Like Nolan, Barton was one of the club's most consistent performers last season as he enjoyed his best campaign to date in a Newcastle shirt, and his retention beyond the final year of his current deal was one of Pardew's priorities.


But agent Willie McKay has revealed that the offer on which the two parties failed to agree in January is no longer on the table, and that unless something changes radically in the next 12 months, Barton will leave St James' Park on a free transfer next summer.


With Spanish full-back Enrique looking the least likely of the trio to remain on Tyneside amid repeated speculation that Liverpool are ready to tempt him away, the first few weeks of Pardew's summer have unfolded in far from encouraging fashion.


The club finished in a creditable 12th place in their first season back in the top flight, and the manager has had his scouting team cast far and wide in the search for reinforcements.



After submitting an undisclosed bid for Swansea's Neil Taylor, at least one striker and a wide midfielder are at the top of Pardew's list with Lorient's Kevin Gameiro, Lille's Gervinho, Reading's Shane Long and former Magpie Charles N'Zogbia, currently at Wigan, among his targets.


However, his shopping list could yet increase in length if the club decides to cash in on the men they are struggling to retain.


Injury-plagued midfielder Smith, meanwhile, has been told he can leave the club as he enters the final year of his contract.


Smith was signed for £6million from Manchester United by then manager Sam Allardyce during the summer of 2007, and although he was a key figure as the Magpies fought their way back into the Premier League, his chances last season were severely limited by a nasty ankle injury.


Allarydce could attempt to bring the former Leeds star to Upton Park in his bid to help guide relegated West ham back into the Premier League next year.


Smith is among the biggest earners at St James' and with owner Mike Ashley seeking to control expenditure on wages, his departure has become almost inevitable.



View the original article here

Monday, 6 June 2011

Spurs target Scott Parker wants holiday before West Ham talks


England midfielder Scott Parker will not sort out his future at relegated West Ham until returning from a family holiday later this month.


Tottenham target Parker is poised to leave West Ham following their relegation from the Barclays Premier League.


He is expected to hold talks with new Hammers manager Sam Allardyce, but is likely to leave Upton Park and remain in the top flight.



Parker, who has also attracted interest from Arsenal and Liverpool, said: 'I've not really any idea where I might be playing next season.


'My main focus now is going away with my family on holiday and just relaxing.


'It's been a tough season and my main focus is getting away and just relaxing.


'I haven't set myself a deadline. Whether you believe it or not, my main focus is just going away and relaxing and what's to be is going to be.


'It's out of my hands, out of my control, really, isn't it? We will see what happens.'


When asked about talks with Allardyce, Parker added: 'I would have thought maybe after my break that might be the case. We will see what happens.'



Parker was part of the England side held to a disappointing 2-2 home draw by Switzerland in Saturday's Euro 2012 qualifier at Wembley.


But he is confident Fabio Capello's men can still top their qualifying group.


He said: 'We are a nation who expect to top the group and we have the players and the quality to top the group.The last thing you want is a play-off.


'It was a disappointing result against Switzerland but, as quick as this result passes, we look forward to the next.


'Everyone could see the last 15 minutes was a bit tiring. It was a bit flat and a bit leggy for all of us.


'But that is no excuse. We have had a hard season but our job is to go out there and produce a performance.'




View the original article here

Friday, 3 June 2011

Hiddink rules out dual role

Guus Hiddink has admitted that it would be 'impossible' to combine his role as Turkey manager with working as Chelsea boss.


The Dutchman remains the favourite to succeed Carlo Ancelotti at Stamford Bridge after the Italian was axed just 12 months after securing a first-ever double for the Blues.


Hiddink enjoyed a previous three-month spell as interim manager for the West London outfit in 2009, guiding the club to FA Cup glory, when he was also at the helm of Russia.


And having undertaken a similar dual role with Australia and PSV Eindhoven, there have been suggestions the 64-year-old could begin working as Chelsea manager this summer while still guiding Turkey towards Euro 2012.


But the experienced manager, who maintains he has not been approached by the Blues and is keen to focus on his current post, insists that would not be possible.

"What I did in the past was a double function, but that was exceptional. It is impossible. I need to focus on one job."
Guus Hiddink Quotes of the week


Hiddink said: "I talk with the president a lot about our futures and when I give an answer about this, then I'm answering already as if something is going on. But it's not going on.


"What I did in the past was a double function, but that was exceptional. It is impossible. I need to focus on one job.


"I made a contract with the federation president. There are no conditions that someone could do two jobs. I did it in the past because there was, let's say, a strong connection between myself and my employers at the time.


"It's not useful to talk about my future, because this team are in transition. They must go on. My future is more in the past.


"There is no single other approach. I can spend one or two hours reacting to the speculation, but that's not worth it. If you ask the Turkey players, we don't talk about it."


View the original article here

Aquilani decision close

Alberto Aquilani's agent believes the Liverpool midfielder's future could be decided in the next 24 hours.


The Italian midfielder has spent this season on loan at Juventus, but the Turin giants failed to exercise their first buy-out option to sign the player on a permanent basis, which expired last month.


Juventus have been looking to reduce the fee agreed between the clubs at the beginning of the loan deal, putting into doubt a permanent switch to Turin.


Aquilani's representative, Franco Zavaglia, expects Juventus to make a decision on the former Roma man in the next 24 hours with AC Milan waiting in the wings for the 26-year-old.

"If Juventus can't do a deal for Alberto and he has to return to Liverpool, then Milan would certainly be a destination that he would accept."
Alberto Aquilani's agent on his future Quotes of the week


"All season Juventus have always given me the necessary guarantees that they want to keep Alberto," Zavaglia told Tutto Juve.


"The next 24 hours will be decisive. Any eventual economic agreements will follow after Juventus make their decision."


Zavaglia admits Aquilani would be interested in a possible move to Serie A champions Milan if the Juve deals falls through.


"Who wouldn't like to play for Milan? Milan are a model club," added Zavaglia.


"If Juventus can't do a deal for Alberto and he has to return to Liverpool, then Milan would certainly be a destination that he would accept."


View the original article here

King to sign new Sky Blues deal

Coventry City striker Marlon King has verbally agreed to sign a new two-year deal with the club.

King joined City last September following his release from prison, and finished the campaign as top scorer with 13 goals in 29 appearances.


The 31-year-old will sign the contract when he returns from a break.


Chief executive Paul Clouting told BBC Coventry and Warwickshire: "We are delighted that Marlon has shown loyalty to the club."


He added: "Scoring goals is the way to get out of the Championship and it's great news for the club that a player of Marlon's calibre has committed to the club.


"He is the player that the supporters have wanted to hear about.


"It shows the ambition that we have."


King, who won the supporters' player of the season award, had been linked with a move to Championship rivals Leicester City.


Sky Blues chairman Ken Dulieu believes the news is a great start to the close season.


He said: "We promised supporters that we would do everything we could to keep the best players here at Coventry City and this is great step towards that.


"Marlon proved in the second half of the season that he is a fantastic striker and that he is capable of scoring goals.


"We had always hoped that we could convince Marlon to stay and have worked tirelessly with Andy Thorn to make this happen.


"We regard Marlon as pivotal to our objective of building a team capable of competing effectively in the Championship and hope this also sends a strong signal to the other players that we are talking to about our ambition for the club."


View the original article here

Friedel agrees to join Tottenham

United States goalkeeper Brad Friedel has agreed to join Tottenham.


It is understood that the 40-year-old, whose contract with Aston Villa was due to expire at the end of this month, has signed a two-year contract.


Spurs boss Harry Redknapp said: "It is good to have three such experienced top goalkeepers at the club in [Heurelho] Gomes, Carlo [Cudicini] and now Brad.


"It means we have competition for places, particularly with the number of games we'll hopefully face next year."


View the original article here

Hughes resigns as Fulham manager

Mark Hughes has resigned after less than a year in charge at Craven Cottage.


Hughes has been linked with the vacant job at Aston Villa, but it looks increasingly unlikely the Midlands club will move to appoint the Welshman.


The 47-year-old Hughes also denied that he had been approached by another club before he chose to quit at Fulham.


"As a young, ambitious manager I wish to move on to further my experiences," he said.


"I believe my management team and I have done a good job and the club has a strong foundation from which they can go forward.


"I would also like to take this opportunity to clarify that neither myself nor my representative have approached or have been approached by another club.


"This decision to leave Fulham has not been influenced by any outside party."


Hughes was strongly linked with Villa once they confirmed the departure of former manager Gerard Houllier on Wednesday.


But Friday's newspapers suggest Villa will not be making contact with Hughes, while BBC Radio 5 live's Midlands football reporter Pat Murphy says Villa have been put off by the manner of Hughes' exit from Fulham.


"I don't believe Mark Hughes will be the new Villa manager, no," said Murphy. "The events of the last couple of days haven't done much for Hughes and Villa chairman Randy Lerner likes things to be done a certain way.


"Chief executives talk to chief executives in this game and it's possible Fulham have marked Aston Villa's card.


"Hughes clearly feels he has bigger fish to fry, he's used to dealing on the big stage and his exit at Man City still rankles, but I don't believe he is eyeing up Villa as his next job.


"Villa have got a number one target, but they won't tell me who that is. I think Steve McClaren would be a good shout and Carlo Ancelotti would be a very good signing."


Fulham had been in talks with Hughes to extend the two-year deal he signed in July, but the club admitted defeat in their attempts to prevent him walking away after he offered his resignation.


The Cottagers hope to have a manager in place in the next three weeks, in time for the start of their Europa League campaign, with the likes of former Spurs boss Martin Jol, ex-Charlton and West Ham manager Alan Curbishley and former Villa boss Martin O'Neill linked with the vacancy.


Hughes will serve a month's notice and be available to another club from the end of June - but BBC Sport understands that Premier League rules mean neither he nor his agent can be contacted by other clubs until after 30 June.


The former Manchester City manager, whose final game in charge of the club was a 2-2 draw with Arsenal, had brought stability to Fulham in the wake of predecessor Roy Hodgson's departure to Liverpool last summer.


Deprived of the services of striker Bobby Zamora for much of the season, Hughes steered the club to an eighth-place finish with 49 points - four places and three points better than they achieved in their previous campaign.


Fulham also qualified for Europe after topping the Premier League's fairplay standings.


Hughes' first foray into management was with Wales who he took to within one game of qualifying for Euro 2004.


He subsequently took over at Blackburn and, after avoiding relegation in his first season, managed three successive top-10 finishes to attract the attention of Manchester City in June 2008.


After the Abu Dhabi Group's takeover of the Eastlands club three months later, Hughes oversaw a spending spree that included the recruitment of Brazilian playmaker Robinho for £32.4m, a British record at the time.


The likes of Emmanuel Adebayor, Joleon Lescott and Carlos Tevez followed, but Hughes' results failed to match the owners' expectations and he was fired in December 2009 with City sixth in the Premier League.


He had been out of work until being appointed at Fulham, but has since been linked with Bayern Munich, a club he played for in 1987-88 when on loan from Barcelona.


Reports that the German side were interested in him replacing Louis van Gaal emerged in March.


At the time Hughes denied he was interested in moving on, describing Fulham as "a great club... going in the right direction".


View the original article here

Wednesday, 1 June 2011

Gold baffled by West Ham 'bid'

 West Ham co-owner David Gold says he is baffled by reports F1 Team Lotus boss Tony Fernandes wants to buy the club - but is interested in talking to him.


Fernandes, a rival bidder when Gold and David Sullivan bought the club, used his Twitter feed to reveal his offer.


"For all you West Ham fans an offer has gone to the present owners of West Ham. Let's see if they accept," he tweeted.


"It's absolute news to me, I certainly haven't heard any information regarding this - it's interesting," said Gold.


Co-owner David Sullivan was, however, more dismissive, telling Sky Sports News: "We've received no offer from Tony Fernandes. We think any serious bidder would make it in private."


Gold said that he echoed Sullivan's comments and that it was "inconceivable someone would start negotiations this way", but he was open to the idea of the Malaysian airline millionaire joining the club as an investor.


Meanwhile, newly appointed West Ham manager, Sam Allardyce, hopes that any change of ownership does not impact on him, as it has done in the past.


"My information, having spoken to David Sullivan, was that he did not want to sell West Ham football club, because it is his club," Allardyce told Sky Sports News. "It is the club he has always supported.


"That was one of the reasons why I took the job, because I didn't want any fractions in terms of change of ownership.


"My reputation has already suffered wrongly by new ownerships at Newcastle and Blackburn dispensing of my services when there was no real credibility in that other than the fact that they were new owners and didn't want me.


"It wasn't down to results, it wasn't down to the way I have performed as a manager, so, if that's the case and that materialises then obviously I am surprised at that."


View the original article here

Sam Allardyce confirmed as West Ham boss

Sam Allardyce has set his sights on a quick return to the Premier League after being confirmed as the new manager of West Ham.
The former Bolton, Newcastle and Blackburn boss has agreed a two-year contract at Upton Park.
Allardyce said: 'It is an honour to be the new manager of West Ham United. It is a fantastic club with a great tradition and loyal supporters who deserve to be in the Premier League.

'I can't wait to begin pre-season training as I am determined to get this club back where it belongs.
'I wouldn't have taken this job if I didn't think we could bounce straight back into the Premier League. More than that, I wouldn't have contemplated the job if I didn't think there was the opportunity to build something substantial at West Ham.'
Sportsmail exclusively revealed Hammers co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan's move for Allardyce on Saturday morning.
His advisors spent Tuesday thrashing out terms over the move to Upton Park, which includes a substantial bonus for promotion.
Allardyce added: ''There is a core of very talented young players at the club who've come up through the youth system, have West Ham in their blood and who I know I can build a successful team around.
'That's what I'm looking forward to, managing a club that wins more games than it loses and competing at the top of the table. We need to create a winning mentality and give the fans a team they can be proud to watch.
'I know there will be West Ham fans asking whether I'm going to abandon the style of play that's been the club's heritage over the years. All I'll say is it will be a tale of home and away.

'At Upton Park we'll attempt to play the kind of passing game the fans want. We will aim to continue in the same way on our travels but we'll also be tough, hard to beat and utterly resilient.'
Allardyce's appointment brings to an end the club's two-week search for a new manager after Avram Grant was sacked following relegation to the Championship.

Martin O'Neill, Alex McLeish, Neil Warnock and Dave Jones were all serious contenders for the role.
Allardyce has been out of work since his shock sacking by Blackburn last December.

The Hammers' new boss is expected to bring his former Ewood Park No 2 Neil McDonald with him to East London.
View the original article here

Reina - I've never wanted to go

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina insists he has never contemplated leaving the club.
Reina's future at Liverpool was the subject of speculation earlier in the season following their poor form under Roy Hodgson.
The likes of Arsenal and Manchester United have been credited with an interest in the talented shot-stopper.
However, the 28-year-old has been encouraged by the progress made under Kenny Dalglish and he has committed his future to the Merseyside outfit.
"I am happy at Liverpool," Reina told Marca. "It is true we have had a great end to the year, but we have to keep growing.
"I am very happy and so is my family. I've never wanted to go."
View the original article here

Knee injury sidelines Balotelli

Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has suffered a recurrence of his right-knee problem during a practice match at the Italy training camp.
The 20-year-old had to be helped off the pitch after feeling discomfort in a match against Italy's under-18s.
He is set to miss Friday's Euro 2012 qualifier with Estonia and Tuesday's friendly with the Republic of Ireland.
"I'm worried and will get in contact with the medical staff at City," said Italy team doctor Enrico Castellacci.
Balotelli, who joined City from Inter Milan for £24m in the summer of 2010, had surgery on his right knee last September after being injured in a Europa League match and suffered a similar injury in January.
The striker scored 10 goals in his first season at Eastlands.
Castellacci, the doctor who assessed him in Italy, said that Balotelli "would not recover in time" for Friday's game against Estonia and to play against Ireland would be "an unnecessary risk".
View the original article here

Carrick out of England qualifier

Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick has pulled out of the England squad to face Switzerland in a Euro 2012 qualifier on Saturday.
The 29-year-old suffered a knock during his club's Champions League final defeat by Barcelona at Wembley.
Carrick reported to the England squad with what is believed to be a hip injury but was unable to train and has now been sent back to United.
David Stockdale and Jermain Defoe had already been ruled out.
The news will come as a blow to Carrick, who was recalled to the squad for the first time since the 2010 World Cup by manager Fabio Capello.
Carrick was in fine form in the Premier League as United earned their 19th English league title, although he was overshadowed on Saturday as his side were comfortably beaten by a superb Barca.
Carrick's withdrawal leaves Capello with 24 players at his disposal for the game against Ottmar Hitzfeld's Swiss outfit.
England are top of Group G, with 10 points from four games, while Switzerland lie a distant third, having gained only four points from the same number of matches.
View the original article here

Blatter set for Fifa re-election

Sepp Blatter is on the brink of a fourth term in charge of Fifa after attempts to delay Wednesday's presidential election failed.
The English and Scottish Football Associations wanted the election postponed amid allegations of corruption within Fifa.
English FA chairman David Bernstein put the proposal to Fifa's congress but 172 of 206 voters opted against a delay.
The vote to formally re-elect Blatter will take place later on Wednesday.
The English and Scottish FAs needed three-quarters of Fifa's congress to support their proposal but received little support. Only 17 votes were registered in their favour, with 17 abstentions.
Wales and Northern Ireland both chose not to support the proposal, with only the Scots going public with their support.
In his address, Bernstein said: "It gives me no pleasure to make this speech. A lot of people have warned me I shouldn't be making this speech but Fifa is a democratic organisation.
"We are faced with an unsatisfactory situation. We are subject to universal criticism from governments, sponsors, media and the wider world. With this background the election has turned into one-horse race.
"In the view of the Football Association this should be avoided both for the sake of Fifa and the president itself. A coronation without an opponent provides a flawed mandate.
"I ask for a postponement to allow time for an additional candidate or candidates to stand and compete in an open and fair election.
"Only by so doing will the winner have proper credibility over the next four years."
The conclusion to his speech received a noticeably cool reception from the Fifa members in Zurich, with one or two applauding but the rest sitting in silence.
The lack of support became even clearer when several Fifa members who followed Bernstein to the podium voiced strong criticism of the FA's stance.
"We are ill at ease with people who wield unfounded accusations - he who accuses must provide evidence," said Selemani Omari, president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo's football federation.
"Fifa belongs to 208 national associations and not to one association, we must not seek solutions through the media or a Parliament in any third country."
Representatives of Haiti, Benin, Fiji and Cyprus also expressed their disapproval to more enthusiastic applause.
Fifa senior vice-president Julio Grondona also delivered a stinging riposte to the English FA.
"We always have attacks from England which are mostly lies with the support of journalism which is more busy lying than telling the truth," said the Argentine. "This upsets and disturbs the Fifa family.
"It looks like England is always complaining so please I say will you leave the Fifa family alone, and when you speak, speak with truth."
But Bernstein later released a statement which defended the FA's stance and said they were encouraged by the support they received from other member associations as well as Blatter's speech in which he promised to implement changes if re-elected.
"After hearing the speech from Sepp Blatter, we believe the calls we have made for greater transparency and better governance have been worthwhile," said Bernstein.
"While we did not succeed in deferring the presidential election, it was positive to be joined by 16 other nations in supporting our democratic request for the vote to be delayed, while a further 17 nations abstaining clearly shows that we are not alone or isolated in our views in relation to the current situation Fifa finds itself in. "
The FA had announced before the congress that it would be abstaining from the presidential vote and, even though their actions unsettled many Fifa members, they did receive the backing of the UK government.
"We agree with the FA that FIFA should have suspended the presidential election until the investigations had been completed," said a spokesman for Downing Street.
"The most important thing is for the public to have confidence in Fifa and for that to happen we need to have Fifa reform."
Blatter, who has held his post since 1998, has promised, if re-elected, to implement changes at Fifa in the wake of the allegations of corruption as he told the congress he was the determined to guide the organisation out of its current troubles.
"We have been hit and I personally have been slapped," said the 75-year-old Swiss, who continues to receive plenty of support despite the controversy which has surrounded Fifa.
"We have made mistakes and we will learn from this. I can say to a certain extent that this is a good warning, not just to look into our problems and I am willing to face the public anger in order to serve football.
"I am the captain weathering the storm, this is a difficult period for Fifa and I admit that readily. Not only is the pyramid shaking but our ship has drawn some water.
"We need someone who will accept this responsibility. I'm willing to do this. And reforms will be made not just touch-ups but radical decisions, the necessary reforms.
"We must do something because I do not want ever again that we face this undignified situation."
Blatter emerged as the only candidate for the Fifa presidency after his rival Mohamed Bin Hammam, president of the Asian Football Federation, pulled out.
Bin Hammam, along with Concacaf president Jack Warner, were provisionally suspended by Fifa's ethics committee over allegations that financial incentives were offered to Caribbean Football Union (CFU) members. Both have denied any wrongdoing.
Bin Hammam has appealed against his ban but was denied entry into the Fifa congress meeting on Wednesday.
The controversy over his withdrawal resulted in the English and Scottish FA's action, with allegations of bribery concerning the World Cup bidding process also undermining Fifa.
Major sponsors expressed their concern over the damage being done by these allegations, while the president of the German Football Federation, Theo Zwanziger, has called upon the organisation to re-examine the award of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar.
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Owen signs new Man Utd contract

Michael Owen has signed a new one-year contract to stay at Manchester United.
The 31-year-old striker, whose deal was set to expire, had expressed his desire to prolong his career at Old Trafford.
"Delighted to be staying for another year. Thanks for all your messages," said the former Liverpool star on social networking site Twitter.
Owen spent much of the season on the sidelines at United, behind Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez and Dimitar Berbatov in the pecking order.
He was given a place on the bench for Saturday's Champions League final defeat against Barcelona at Wembley but only made 17 appearances during the 2010/2011 campaign, scoring five goals.
Owen, who has made 89 appearances for England, joined United on a free transfer after spells at Real Madrid and Newcastle following his exit from Anfield in 2004.
"Michael has proved to be a top footballer," stated United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. "It is unfortunate that he did not get more opportunities but the form of Hernandez put everyone in the shade and his partnership with Rooney proved invaluable.
"I am delighted Michael is staying for a further year and we will look to give him more opportunities in the new season."
The news casts doubt over the future of Bulgarian Berbatov, who, despite scoring 20 goals in the league this season, was not even on the bench against Barca.
But Owen added: "I am delighted to have agreed a one-year extension and I cannot wait for next season to start.
"To play alongside so many great players, under an exceptional manager and in front of so many passionate supporters is a real inspiration."
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