Ray Houghton, TalkSport pundit, apologises for a late arrival.Hijo de puta. David Beckham to a Spanish linesman – translation: “son of a whore” – for which he was sent off for Real Madrid against Real Murcia.He’s obviously picked up a few words of Spanish after all. I don’t remember anyone making such an impact on a tournament since Pele in the 1958 World Cup. Sven Goran Eriksson, England manager, on Wayne Rooney.One is black, the other is white Rooney is an excellent player but Pele is unique. There will never be another Pele – not for a thousand years, and not even in a computer game. Luis Felipe Scolari, Portugal’s Brazilian coach.I don’t think he’s podgy at all He’s only 18 That’s a horribly mean thing to say The kid is 18. Robert Pires.I sometimes try not to say things but he is absolutely incredible.

Steve Bruce, Birmingham manager, after he was attacked outside his home by two men.I tried to talk to the ref but it is easier to get to see the Pope. If I’m in London next time and I get mugged I hope the same amount of people turn up. There were six police officers, four stewards and a United Nations peace-keeping observer. Gordon Strachan, then Southampton manager, after being shepherded away from the referee Neale Barry after defeat to Arsenal.I don’t think I’m big-mouthed enough to be a coach. I feel as if the knives are being aimed in our direction while the flowers are in another Mourinho.Ferguson is right Money does not guarantee success.

I showed that last season when my Porto team beat Manchester United. Mourinho.They didn’t play football, they just defended, defended, defended. They may as well have parked the team bus in front of their goal. Mourinho, after his side’s goalless draw at home to Tottenham.If a Russian billionaire came in I would not only roll out the red carpet but I would hoist up a red flag Bob Murray, Sunderland chairman. Can you imagine how the players would react? ‘Hello lads, I’d like you to meet Cock and Dick.’ Martin Jol, Tottenham manager, on why he doesn’t employ his brothers.I don’t have much pace these days and they got away.

Jose and his world: Let’s have some fun

Jose and his world
Let’s have some fun. Jose Mourinho, in his first programme notes as Chelsea manager.I am not arrogant but I am special I am a European champion, not in the bottle with the rest Chelsea now have a top manager. Mourinho, at his first press conference.I chose between England, Italy and Spain and think I made the right choice as I enjoy it here so much The thing I don’t enjoy is the way the media talk about us. “I thought he ran a terrific race, bearing in mind he made the running.”Rooster Booster, winner of the Champion Hurdle last year, is the best-placed of the home side in the ante-post betting for the next renewal, but only behind six Irish-trained horses: Harchibald, Back In Front, Accordion Etoile, Macs Joy, reigning champion Hardy Eustace and Brave Inca. The next clash of the titans should be in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown next month.. “The Irish horses keep beating each other,” added Hobbs, “so maybe that gives us a chance.”The latest shuffle of the aces in the Hibernian pack came in the December Hurdle at Leopardstown on Wednesday when the Jessica Harrington-trained Macs Joy bounced back from a defeat by Harchibald and Back In Front in November to confirm his superiority over Brave Inca, with Hardy Eustace a rather disappointing third. “We were delighted with him,” said trainer Philip Hobbs yesterday.

The grey, who will celebrate his official 11th birthday tomorrow, though his actual one is not until 1 April, was beaten by Champion Hurdle favourite Harchibald at Kempton on Boxing Day, an effort that earned him loads of pats back home at Sandhill. He’ll have it easy for a couple of days and then we’ll start to get him ready for Leopardstown.”One of Britain’s favourites, Rooster Booster, is another who will next be out in February, either the Agfa Hurdle at Sandown the day before the Hennessy or the Tote Gold Trophy at Newbury a week later. He is a bit stiff on one shoulder from where he did the splits at the first fence, but overall is fine and we still have him to go to war with in March. We will see a different horse then.”Beef Or Salmon, however, will be back after the weekend, with the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup back at the scene of Tuesday’s triumph on 6 February as his next mission. He was obviously incubating some kind of bug.”Unlike humans, horses cannot reason their way to being able to do their job even if they feel lousy and Best Mate’s uncharacteristically dull behaviour at home the morning after the race, standing in his stable with his head drooping, was one indication that something might have been brewing.