Royal farewell for Roberto Carlos

Roberto Carlos wearing tradition Caucasian men’s cloths – papaha and burka

Brazilian football legend, Roberto Carlos, has shared plans for his farewell match, in which his current side Anzhi Makhachkala will face Spanish giants, Real Madrid.

“I imagine how such a game may look,” Roberto Carlos told Sport-Express newspaper. “I'm going to talk this through with [Anzhi owner] Suleyman Kerimov. There are some ideas. But I’m sure it’ll be Anzhi and Real.”

According to the 39-year-old, there’s also a possibility the clubs will play two matches – one in Makhachkala and the other in the Spanish capital.

“We’ll try to hold the farewell game this year,” he added. “If not – then a year later.”

Roberto Carlos became a worldwide star while playing for Real Madrid, with whom he spent 11 seasons and won the UEFA Champions League three times.

He joined Anzhi in 2011, scoring five goals in 50 appearances for the club where he was soon made captain.

This March the 2002 FIFA World Cup winner played his last competitive football match and turned to coaching as he’s now helping manager, Guus Hiddink.

@RT

Sol Campbell announces retirement

Sol Campbell: Has brought the curtain down on his illustrious playing career

Now 37 years of age, the ex-England international has taken the decision to hang up his boots.Former Arsenal, Tottenham and Portsmouth defender Sol Campbell has announced his retirement from professional football.

Campbell last turned out for Newcastle during the 2010/11 campaign, before being released by the Magpies after just one season on Tyneside.

He was unable to find a new club for 2011/12 and feels the time is right to take his career in a different direction.

A product of the White Hart Lane academy system, Campbell made his Spurs debut against Chelsea in December 1992.

Controversy

He captained Tottenham to League Cup glory in 1999, but caused controversy two years later when he left the club as a free agent and crossed the North London divide to sign for Arsenal.

Campbell spent five years with the Gunners, during which time he won two Premier League titles, two FA Cups and netted in the 2006 UEFA Champions League final.

After admitting that he was looking for a 'new challenge' in the summer of 2006, he agreed to join Harry Redknapp's revolution at Portsmouth.

More FA Cup success followed in 2008, but 12 months on he left Fratton Park at the end of his contract.

In a shock move he signed a five-year contract with Notts County in August 2009, with the Magpies' new owners outlining ambitious plans, but all was not as it seemed at Meadow Lane and he made just one appearance before walking away on 22nd September.

Campbell returned to Arsenal in an effort to maintain his fitness and was handed a short-term deal by Arsene Wenger in January 2010.

Emotional

An emotional return to Emirates Stadium saw him become a regular starter towards the end of the 2009/10 campaign and he passed the 200 appearance mark for the Gunners in all competitions.

There was to be no summer extension, though, and he moved on to Newcastle, penning a one-year contract at St James' Park.

Campbell struggled to make an impression in the North East and made just eight appearances for the Magpies.

In all, a career which spanned almost 20 years saw him make 646 appearances at club level.

On the international stage, Campbell graced three World Cups, made three European Championship squads and won 73 caps for his country.

@SkySports

Roy Hodgson expected to be unveiled as new England manager

Roy Hodgson: The only man to have been interviewed for the England job

The FA made its move for the West Brom boss on Sunday evening, announcing that he was the only candidate under consideration.The Football Association has called a press conference for 4pm on Tuesday, at which it is expected to unveil Roy Hodgson as the new England manager.

Initial shock at the decision to overlook the man considered to be the leading candidate for the role, Tottenham's Harry Redknapp, quickly subsided and Hodgson arrived at Wembley for talks on Monday.

Further discussions have been held on Tuesday, with the FA's four-man selection panel doing their utmost to ensure that they get the right man for the job.

England have been without a full-time coach since Fabio Capello handed in his resignation in February, with U21 coach Stuart Pearce having filled in on an interim basis.

It has always been the FA's intention to have a new man in place in time for Euro 2012, and it would appear that Hodgson will be charged with the task of leading the Three Lions' glory quest in Ukraine and Poland.

@SkySports

Marko Marin to sign for Chelsea FC

Chelsea Football Club have today (Saturday) agreed to sign Marko Marin from Werder Bremen.
Both clubs have agreed a fee and the 23-year-old midfielder has agreed personal terms.
Marin, a German international, will join Chelsea in the summer.

@ChelseaFC.com

What next for Guardiola?

Pep Guardiola: Leaving Barcelona after four trophy-laded years in charge at Camp Nou

It was on Friday announced Pep Guardiola is to leave Barcelona at the end of the season after deciding he does not want to renew his rolling one-year contract. The classy Catalan, at an emotional press conference, has explained his reasons for deciding the time is right to quit Camp Nou. But what now for Guardiola? Here Sky Sports considers the options.

It is the most likely scenario given the weight of pressure Guardiola has been under since taking over at Barcelona in 2008. A year on the beach and travelling the world would be the perfect way to rest a body that, over the space of four years, has appeared to take the strain. It has been questioned whether Guardiola would be able to completely free himself of the drug of football for 12 months. But for a man of such steely determination, focus and belief in his own methods, it is unlikely he would change any plans for rest and recuperation. A sabbatical seems a certainty. Guardiola always said his time in charge of Barcelona would prove a short-term period. The term 'burnout' has often been used to refer to the pressures which have been placed on Guardiola and his Barcelona squad after a phase of intense and trophy-laden success. The philosophical concentration on tactics, team spirit, style and principles took its toll. Guardiola is said to be exhausted.

Sky Bet Odds

Guardiola's next club: Arsenal 9/4, Chelsea 11/4, England 4/1, Manchester Utd 6/1, Manchester City 8/1, Liverpool 10/1.

Club management

Understandably for a manager with a curriculum vitae that includes three Primera Liga titles, one Copa del Rey - which could become two come the end of the season - three Spanish Super Cups, two UEFA Champions Leagues, two European Super Cups and two Club World Cups, Guardiola will be in high demand. The 41-year-old's style of play, widely nicknamed Tiki-taka, and his commitment to youth development also mean he will be the most in-demand manager in world football when he decides to return to work. There are said to have already been offers and contact from some unnamed clubs. Among the potential approaches could be Manchester City and Chelsea. Both have the wealth to offer a lucrative contract and the latter, particularly, would likely be prepared to pay whatever it takes to get their man. Chelsea are without a permanent manager and, despite the success of Roberto Di Matteo as interim first-team coach, Roman Abramovich would most likely love to recruit Guardiola. He perfectly fits the vision of style combined with success that Abramovich is still seeking. But the recruitment policy and day-to-day business which exists at both City and Chelsea would represent completely different challenges and mentalities for Guardiola. He is not one to simply throw money at signings. Manchester United have also been connected and will eventually need a successor to Sir Alex Ferguson, whose own success and 26-year longevity in the face of such pressure now appears all the more incredible when compared to Guardiola's decision to leave Barcelona. It seems unlikely any club will be able to immediately recruit Guardiola, who is wary of any act that could be perceived as betrayal to Barcelona.

International job

Perhaps in an indication of English arrogance, Guardiola has immediately been linked with the job as England manager. The English Football Association would most likely relish the thought of Guardiola. But why a Spaniard of morals and exacting standards would want to take such a poisoned chalice of a job as the role of England manager is difficult to understand. Whether Guardiola thinks England's players have the ability to play in his vision is another issue which would need to be considered. It has been suggested Guardiola, during his time out of the game, would be welcomed at the FA's new National Football Centre at St George's Park when it opens. It is pitched that Guardiola would spend a day giving talks on coaching style and methods and could lift the lid on the secrets of Barcelona's famous La Masia school. Again, why Guardiola would feel any wish to do so is open to debate.

@SkySports

Kevin Davies gives the example on how to be a Man and an example

Recently, as everyone knows, Fabrice Muamba, 24 years old, collapsed during the Tottenham - Bolton match. He was dead for more than an hour and "came back to life" as what the doctors describe, a miracle. Evidently, we wish Fabrice Muamba a great recovery to his life, but, until we get more news... his team-mate and captain of Bolton sets the example by this emotive declarations that can be only said by a great man.

Get well soon Muamba!

Robbie Fowler has change of heart

Robbie Fowler announced that he is still available for India's Premier League Soccer (PLS), a day after having said otherwise.

Robbie Fowler announced that he is still available for India's Premier League Soccer (PLS), a day after having said otherwise.

The Liverpool legend confirmed that the PLS is still on his agenda in spite of the tournament being deferred indefinitely until a few issues surrounding the stadia and registration are taken care of.

"Breaking news.. India not cancelled, just postponed, still on the cards.. We'll see," he wrote on Twitter.

This was after he made headlines after announcing his unavailability for the PLS through his social media page on Wednesday which increased the confusion for the organisers.

"Ah well.. India looks like it's cancelled, boots are clean and looking for a new place to play. #professionalnotamateur," he had tweeted earlier.

Fowler was sold to the Kolkata franchisee, namely the Camellia group, for $530,000, from a base price of $450,000, in the auctions held in the capital city of West Bengal in the last week of January.

Bhaswar Goswami, director of Celebrity Management Group - who have conceptualised the event - stated that all the ICON players are very much committed to the project.

"I got in touch with his agent ... although he expressed his disappointment over the delay, he assured that the player (Fowler) is still associated with the meet," Goswami was quoted as saying.

@Soccerway

Alex Ferguson wish he had signed Joe Hart

Fergie: I wish I had a Hart

ALEX FERGUSON says turning down the opportunity to sign Joe Hart for £100,000 was one of his biggest mistakes.

The Manchester City goalkeeper — who has starred in their title challenge this season — was signed as a teenager from Shrewsbury Town for £600,000 in 2006.

And Manchester United boss Ferguson admits he could have got him even cheaper before then.

He said: "I could have bought Joe Hart for £100,000 so we all make mistakes.

"If you look at the England goalkeeper situation for the last 20 years, I would think he's easily the best."

Ferguson has also admitted he could move upstairs at Old Trafford when he eventually retires as manager.

But the wily Scot, 70, was keen to stress it was not in his thinking currently.

He said: "I think you always want to go out on a winning note.

"Hopefully we can do that. I don't know how long I can last now but if my health stays up I don't think another two or three years would harm me any.

"I would definitely finish — but I would remain active. I think there would be a role at United after I finish."

@The Sun

Ronaldinho Is Back!

Ronaldinho moved to Flamengo to increase his chances of international football - Action Images

Brazil national team coach Mano Menezes is happy with Ronaldinho's performance during the win against Ghana.

The Flamengo winger played his first match for the international team in ten months and he was able to show glimpses of his class during the match.

Although it wasn't his best performance, Menezes confirmed after the game, we could see more of Ronaldinho playing for the Selecao.

Menezes told reporters: "He (Ronaldinho) played very well and he is a player we need to bring back into the team.

"He got into his rhythm and showed what he is all about in the second half. He played really well and the Ghana keeper (Adam Kwarasey) made a few wonderful saves from him.

"We need to bring him back into the international team."

Brazil won the game through Leandro Damiao's first international goal on the stroke of half-time and Menezes was grateful for the win in what was a test for his side.

Menezes continued: "I am very satisfied as we were playing a very good team. We didn't concede any chances to our opponents and it's very importnat we could get back to winning games after losing our last games.

"We didn't start very well but once we got into our rhythm we played very well, but we could have scored more goals.

Daniel Opare was harshly sent off for Ghana with two bookable offences by referee Mike Dean and Menezes believes it could have been a much closer game, if it wasn't for the sending off. 

"This Ghana team was more or less the team that played in the World Cup. They are a bit ahead of us but we are still rebuilding our team.

"We are bringing through a whole new generation of players. What makes it difficult to judge is that it wasn't 11v 11. If it was 11 v 11, it would have been much closer."

 source: Sambafoot