Claudio Ranieri, then the Chelsea manager.It is like dismissing Renoir and bringing in Rolf Harris. Coventry City fan website after Peter Reid replaced Eric Black as manager.If we’d stayed up I’d rather have cut off both my legs than have left here. Alan Smith, after leaving Leeds United for Manchester United.I told them they could shove it. Ken Bates, after his programme notes were scrapped after 22 years by Chelsea’s new owners.You simply do not sack Bobby Robson. Freddie Shepherd, Newcastle chairman.In situations like this there is no room for sentiment Shepherd, after sacking Sir Bobby.. The remarkable year of Kelly Holmes, the double Olympic champion, was capped yesterday when she was made a dame in the New Year Honours List. She was born with spina bifida and has been confined to a wheelchair since the age of seven.The Olympic oarsman, Matthew Pinsent, became a knight, after winning his fourth consecutive gold in the coxless fours at Athens.
His fellow rowers, James Cracknell (OBE), Stephen Williams (MBE) and Ed Coode (MBE) were also honoured.Pinsent, who announced his retirement earlier this month, said: “I am delighted that so many rowers are yet again amongst the recipients in the New Year Honours List, but, of course, personally I am overjoyed that I have been knighted.”He is expected to embark on a career in sports politics with his first job being as an ambassador for London’s 2012 Olympic bid. His past team-mate, Steve Redgrave, was created a knight in 2001 after winning five gold medals in separate games.The winners of Britain’s first gold medal at Athens, dubbed “three blondes in a boat”, were also recognised for their success. Shirley Robertson (OBE), Sarah Webb (MBE) and Sarah Ayton (MBE) triumphed in sailing’s Yngling class.Another Athens gold medallist, the yachtsman Ben Ainslie, was rewarded with the OBE. The profile he gets in normal life is unusual for a 19-year-old, so therefore we have got to get him to act like a 30-year-old even though he is still 19.”Young boys do have an adventure to them that older players don’t have.
Today, his teenage striker will be given a three-match ban by the Football Association for violent conduct but the governing body will do so with Ferguson’s devastating critique of their disciplinary system ringing in their ears.”We know he [Rooney] shouldn’t raise his hand and I’ve spoken to him about that,” Ferguson said “But he doesn’t need that. Experience teaches them many things and unfortunately you can’t put the clock forward for a boy of 19. Sir Alex Ferguson admitted yesterday that Wayne Rooney had made a mistake in slapping Bolton’s Tal Ben Haim but, although the Manchester United manager has warned his striker about his conduct, he said he had no intention of taking “the devil” out of the 19-year-old’s game.
After Monday’s rage against all those who sought to criticise Rooney, yesterday saw Ferguson, who is 63 today, back to his truculent, competitive best. He is Spanish and knows me perfectly, which is worth a lot for a professional.”We have asked Real Madrid to make a fast solution and I don’t want to expand any further, except to say I am already looking through the English dictionary.”Meanwhile, Liverpool have been hit by an injury to Harry Kewell, who has already missed two matches with a groin problem and will be out for between four and five weeks..
I will go to Liverpool and for many reasons; the main one is the coach Rafa Benitez. Liverpool also refuse to allow a first-option clause on Steven Gerrard to be part of any negotiations for Morientes.Morientes is becoming increasingly frustrated with the situation, and said yesterday: “I am going to England, I have decided. But that still appears to be not enough for Real, who want £7m.The deadlock has raised the prospect of Manchester City’s Nicolas Anelka being an unexpected Anfield target. Sources in France yesterday claimed that there has been an approach from Liverpool and that discussions on a three-year contract have taken place.Lyon have also entered the race for Morientes and the situation has become increasingly complicated by the departure of the Real coach, Mariano Garcia Remon. His successor, Wanderley Luxemburgo seems likely to want to sign the young Brazilian striker Robinho.That would push Morientes further down the pecking order, and the appointment of a new manager could delay a decision on the Spanish international.Liverpool will not pay £7m for Morientes, but may be prepared to give Manchester City £6m for Anelka, who had a short spell at Anfield under G?rd Houllier. Anelka is 25 and would be of more immediate benefit to Liverpool because he could play in the Champions’ League. Liverpool are locked in an increasingly bitter battle over the future of the Real Madrid striker Fernando Morientes, despite the player’s demands to be allowed to move to Anfield.
The Liverpool manager, Rafael Benitez, is believed to have increased his bid for the 28- year-old striker to £5m.