Manuel Pellegrinni has officially been announced as the coach of Manchester City on Friday, signing a three-year contract a month after City sacked Roberto Mancini.
The former Malaga boss praised Mancini for winning the Premier League and FA Cup during his three and a half years at the club but made it clear that he will do things his way as he looks to win the league title back from rivals Manchester United.
Pellegrini said: ‘I’m sure we have the best squad in the Premier League. We have wonderful players and we can reach important titles in the next three or four seasons here.
‘Manchester City also has great fans. We have everything we need to be successful next year.
‘I think that Roberto did a great job for Manchester, winning the title after 44 years but I think now we start a new cycle and style of club, adding to what Roberto has done in the last few years but I hope that we’re starting another way of playing.
‘I like attractive football, attacking football, so that all the people who come to the stadium will enjoy the way we play.
‘We are not going to be a team who will score a goal and then go back waiting for a counter-attack. We will always try to play at the opposite end of the pitch, and play attractive football.
‘I’m sure 100 per cent that I won’t have any problem being in the Premier League.
‘I worked in four or five countries in my career — Chile, Argentina, Ecuador and Spain for about nine years — and now England. I know a lot about the Premier League. So I have no problem in that sense. I will adapt without problems.’
Owen Coyle yesterday was given the task of taking Wigan Athletic back into the Premier League at the first go by owner Dave Whelan.
The Scot beat more than 40 others, among them former England coach Steve McClaren, to become Roberto Martinez’s successor.
Whelan said the ex-Burnley and Bolton boss was a stand-out: ‘Owen’s done it all before by taking Burnley into the Premier League. He didn’t have the same success at Bolton, but sometimes these things go against you. Of all the candidates to apply, he was the best.’
Liverpool are adamant their deal to sign Celta Vigo forward Iago Aspas will go through, despite claims it has been blocked by the Spanish Football Federation because of a paperwork wrangle.
Liverpool are adamant their deal to sign Celta Vigo forward Iago Aspas will go through, despite claims it has been blocked by the Spanish Football Federation because of a paperwork wrangle.
The Reds last night announced a £7.7million transfer had been agreed in principle, subject to the necessary documentation. A report has claimed the Spanish federation (RFEF) has put a hold on the deal because Liverpool negotiated with an agent who was not the player's official FIFA-licensed representatives.
However, Liverpool have been diligently working on the deal for several weeks and it is understood they are not concerned by claims it will be halted by the authorities.
The Reds' hierarchy are 'perfectly relaxed' about their role in the transfer as they believe it is an issue for the player and his various representatives to sort out and insist there is no suggestion of impropriety on their part.
Suggestions Celta are furious about the way the deal has been handled are not supported by their announcement of the deal.
'The club would like to express their sincere thanks to the player for his unparalleled commitment and dedication and courage with which he defended the blue shirt from his childhood as Iago joined Celta when he was eight years old,' said a statement on celtavigo.net.
'His performance and contributions have been extraordinary and Iago is already part of the history of this club, an entity he carries in his heart from a very young age.
'The club wishes him great success in his new career in the Premier League.'
The Reds' hierarchy are 'perfectly relaxed' about their role in the transfer as they believe it is an issue for the player and his various representatives to sort out and insist there is no suggestion of impropriety on their part.
Suggestions Celta are furious about the way the deal has been handled are not supported by their announcement of the deal.
'The club would like to express their sincere thanks to the player for his unparalleled commitment and dedication and courage with which he defended the blue shirt from his childhood as Iago joined Celta when he was eight years old,' said a statement on celtavigo.net.
'His performance and contributions have been extraordinary and Iago is already part of the history of this club, an entity he carries in his heart from a very young age.
'The club wishes him great success in his new career in the Premier League.'
Liverpool are closing on a deal for Shakhtar Donetsk's £17m-rated midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan. The 24-year-old excelled in Armenia's World Cup qualifying win over Denmark on Tuesday.
However, Liverpool are ready to look elsewhere for a centre-back after refusing to meet Schalke's £19m demands for Kyriakos Papadopoulos.
Andy Carroll is close to finalising his £15m move from Liverpool to West Ham providing he passes his medical. The Liverpool striker has spent the season on-loan in East London and wants to make his move permanent.
Southampton have signed Lyon and Croatia defender Dejan Lovren on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee. Lovren makes the hop across the English channel having spent three seasons with Lyon, winning the Coupe de France with last year.
Having started out with Dinamo Zagreb he won the first of his 17 international caps during his four-year spell with them, although he did spend time out on loan with Inter Zapresic.
Southampton have signed Lyon and Croatia defender Dejan Lovren on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee. Lovren makes the hop across the English channel having spent three seasons with Lyon, winning the Coupe de France with last year.
Having started out with Dinamo Zagreb he won the first of his 17 international caps during his four-year spell with them, although he did spend time out on loan with Inter Zapresic.
'I've spoken a lot with the Chairman and the coach, and this is a great project,' Lovren said on the club's official website after completing his move for an undisclosed fee.
'They told me a lot of positive things, and I know the history of the club. It's a big club and I'm very happy that I can be a part of it.'
Lovren, who was courted by a number of other European sides, admitted the lure of the Premier League had proved too strong.
'After three and a half years in France, it was a dream to play in the Premier League. Now the dream has come true,' he said.
'I have it in my mind to do something big, and I see the same thing in the club.
'We are a young team, and I am a young player also so I hope I will stay here for a long time.'
Chelsea target Hulk wants a move to Stamford Bridge but has asked for negotiations to be postponed until after after the Confederations Cup.
The 26-year-old striker is on international duty with Brazil. He is also wanted by Monaco but wants his club Zenit St Petersburg to accept Chelsea's £34.9million offer.
Hulk moved from Porto to the Russian side in September 2012 for a reported £51million after helping the Portuguese giants win the league title three times and the Europa League crown.
Chelsea have turned their attention to Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski as Jose Mourinho looks for a man to lead the line.
Mourinho is unconvinced by Fernando Torres and Demba Ba and wants another front man to compete with youngster Romelu Lukaku and new £18million signing Andre Schurrle - who will mainly be used out wide.
Lewandowski is looking to engineer a move away from the Champions League finalists but Dortmund are determined not to sell to Bayern Munich, who remain the Pole’s preferred choice.
The 24-year-old’s representatives have contacted Chelsea, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Barcelona as well as Bayern over a potential £25m move.
Dortmund would be loath to sell to Bayern after the German champions activated wonderkid Mario Gotze’s £32m release clause last month.
Last week the club’s chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke told Bild: ‘Robert Lewandowski will definitely not make the switch to FC Bayern in 2013. That’s final. We have informed Robert and his agents now.’
Victor Valdes has quashed reports linking him with a move to Arsenal this summer, revealing that he intends to see out his contract at Barcelona which expires next year.
The Spanish goalkeeper has been with the Catalan club his entire career but put clubs around Europe on alert when he revealed he wanted to experience something new in club football.
Arsenal are on the lookout for a new keeper and were considering a move for the 31-year-old, but will now pursue other targets such as Sunderland’s Simon Mignolet.
Barca were keen to retain Valdes’s services despite the possibility of him leaving for nothing next summer, and club president Sandro Rosell has confirmed the Spaniard’s stance.
‘Valdes’s agent has officially informed our director of football, Andoni Zubizarreta, that Victor intends to see out his current contract, which we are pleased to hear,' Rosell said in Marca.
Tottenham Hotspur have made a move for Brazilian ace Paulinho.
The club switched their attentions to the 24-year-old Corinthians midfielder after being frustrated in their bid to sign Fredy Guarin from Inter, according to reports in Italy.
Inter are one of the clubs also interested in Paulinho, who was previously been linked with a move to Chelsea.
Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk were also linked with the player, but are now not expected to be in the race after they completed the signing of Gremio's Fernando.
In the past Corinthians have said Paulinho, who scored the equalising goal in the friendly against England earlier this month, would only be available if his £17million buy-out clause was met.
Spurs could see the defensive midfielder as a replacement for Scott Parker, who has been linked with a move to Sunderland and Fiorentina. But as Paulinho is at the Confederations Cup any move would have to wait until the finish of that tournament at the end of June.
Paulinho was started the Club World Cup final in December when Corintihans beat Chelsea 1-0.
Michael Laudrup's agent Bayram Tutumlu has stressed there is no problem between the Dane and Swansea. It emerged this week that the Welsh outfit had severed ties with Tutumlu following a dispute over transfer policy and there has been doubt over whether or not Laudrup will remain as manager.
Laudrup says his intention is to stay, though, and Tutumlu has also now emphasised that the 48-year-old will not be leaving.
Tutumlu claims there is only an issue between himself and Swans chairman Huw Jenkins.
'There is no problem with Michael Laudrup and Swansea City,' said Tutumlu, quoted by the BBC.
'He is staying. It is my problem, my problem with Huw Jenkins.'
Hulk moved from Porto to the Russian side in September 2012 for a reported £51million after helping the Portuguese giants win the league title three times and the Europa League crown.
Chelsea have turned their attention to Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski as Jose Mourinho looks for a man to lead the line.
Mourinho is unconvinced by Fernando Torres and Demba Ba and wants another front man to compete with youngster Romelu Lukaku and new £18million signing Andre Schurrle - who will mainly be used out wide.
Lewandowski is looking to engineer a move away from the Champions League finalists but Dortmund are determined not to sell to Bayern Munich, who remain the Pole’s preferred choice.
The 24-year-old’s representatives have contacted Chelsea, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Barcelona as well as Bayern over a potential £25m move.
Dortmund would be loath to sell to Bayern after the German champions activated wonderkid Mario Gotze’s £32m release clause last month.
Last week the club’s chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke told Bild: ‘Robert Lewandowski will definitely not make the switch to FC Bayern in 2013. That’s final. We have informed Robert and his agents now.’
Victor Valdes has quashed reports linking him with a move to Arsenal this summer, revealing that he intends to see out his contract at Barcelona which expires next year.
The Spanish goalkeeper has been with the Catalan club his entire career but put clubs around Europe on alert when he revealed he wanted to experience something new in club football.
Arsenal are on the lookout for a new keeper and were considering a move for the 31-year-old, but will now pursue other targets such as Sunderland’s Simon Mignolet.
Barca were keen to retain Valdes’s services despite the possibility of him leaving for nothing next summer, and club president Sandro Rosell has confirmed the Spaniard’s stance.
‘Valdes’s agent has officially informed our director of football, Andoni Zubizarreta, that Victor intends to see out his current contract, which we are pleased to hear,' Rosell said in Marca.
Tottenham Hotspur have made a move for Brazilian ace Paulinho.
The club switched their attentions to the 24-year-old Corinthians midfielder after being frustrated in their bid to sign Fredy Guarin from Inter, according to reports in Italy.
Inter are one of the clubs also interested in Paulinho, who was previously been linked with a move to Chelsea.
Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk were also linked with the player, but are now not expected to be in the race after they completed the signing of Gremio's Fernando.
In the past Corinthians have said Paulinho, who scored the equalising goal in the friendly against England earlier this month, would only be available if his £17million buy-out clause was met.
Spurs could see the defensive midfielder as a replacement for Scott Parker, who has been linked with a move to Sunderland and Fiorentina. But as Paulinho is at the Confederations Cup any move would have to wait until the finish of that tournament at the end of June.
Paulinho was started the Club World Cup final in December when Corintihans beat Chelsea 1-0.
Michael Laudrup's agent Bayram Tutumlu has stressed there is no problem between the Dane and Swansea. It emerged this week that the Welsh outfit had severed ties with Tutumlu following a dispute over transfer policy and there has been doubt over whether or not Laudrup will remain as manager.
Laudrup says his intention is to stay, though, and Tutumlu has also now emphasised that the 48-year-old will not be leaving.
Tutumlu claims there is only an issue between himself and Swans chairman Huw Jenkins.
'There is no problem with Michael Laudrup and Swansea City,' said Tutumlu, quoted by the BBC.
'He is staying. It is my problem, my problem with Huw Jenkins.'
dnt knw much abt the Lovren dude.. buh he seemed a decent player when i was using him in master league
ReplyDeleteLiverpool can knw ow 2 waste money.. whats Mikitharyan?
ReplyDeleteWhy will Wenger wanna buy Wenger.. Does he av aerial n box presence?
ReplyDelete