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Flynn favourite for Wales job

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Potential Wales boss Brian FlynnFormer Wrexham and Swansea manager Brian Flynn is in line to be named as caretaker manager of Wales (Wales 20/1 to qualify for Euro 2012).

Flynn is already an employee of the Football Association of Wales and has impressed while in charge of the Wales youth sides.

John Toshack stepped down as boss on Thursday, saying he would have been happy to stay on for the two Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland next month but that the parting had been amicable.

Now Flynn could be handed the job, at least for those two games, as speculation grows that the 54-year-old will be asked by the FAW to take charge.

Flynn’s Under-21s team reached the UEFA Championship play-offs two years ago and narrowly failed to do so again this week.

If he takes charge of the Euro 2012 games next month, he would be in the prime position to keep the Wales job providing results are acceptable (Wales 33/1 to win Euro 2012 qualifying Group G).

But if the FAW are looking for a different long-term candidate, they then have a five-month gap ahead of the next competitive fixture against England.

Flynn was non-committal about the situation when interviewed on Yorkshire Radio on Friday night, saying simply: “Decisions are made and carefully considered and we will see on Monday when the situation is clarified.”

Flynn, who won 66 caps as a player, boasts considerable management experience having had 12 years in charge at Wrexham and another two at Swansea before taking up his current role in 2004.

Since working with Wales youngsters he has helped bring through players such as Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey, Jack Collison, Joe Ledley and Wayne Hennessey.

Stoke City boss Tony Pulis, who has ruled himself out of the running to take charge of his country, believes Flynn is an ideal candidate.

The Stoke boss told BBC Radio Five Live: “I’d give it to Brian Flynn.

“I think Brian has brought a lot of the young players through that John has used.

“As an interim manager, to give the selectors a bit of time to choose someone, then I would let Brian get on with it.”

Former Fulham and Coventry boss Chris Coleman is the other front-runner having indicated he would be interested.

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Ferguson keeps Rooney counsel

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England and Manchester United striker Wayne RooneyManchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has refused to discuss Wayne Rooney’s personal life in the wake of tabloid allegations ahead of Saturday’s trip to Everton, the striker’s former club (Rooney 21/5 – Enhanced First Goalscorer).

The 24-year-old has turned out for England since Sunday’s claims, but attention is now focused on Rooney’s return to Goodison Park and whether or not Ferguson will take him out of the firing line.

But, predictably and understandably, the Scot has played a straight bat to reporters’ questions over the ins and outs of Rooney’s alleged off-field activities.

Ferguson stated: “Let’s put it to bed straightaway. I am not discussing any of my players’ personal lives.”

Rooney is certain of a hot reception if he does turn out for the Red Devils at Everton and Fergie is wily enough to know that ‘resting’ the hitman would be counter-productive in the long run.

United will definitely be without midfielder Michael Carrick for the game after the midfielder’s long-running battle against an Achilles problem flared up again.

The former West Ham and Spurs star has been forced to undergo a painkilling injection and will miss around a month “at most”, according to Ferguson.

“It has been bothering him for a few weeks now, so we sent him to a specialist in London yesterday and he had an injection,” said Ferguson.

“We are hoping that settles it down. We have been considering what we should do about it. The best thing is to get it treated and out of the road now because everyone in the squad is fit.”

However, United are boosted by the return of centre-half Rio Ferdinand who has not been seen in a United first-team shirt since the end of last season (United 11/8 – To Keep A Clean Sheet).

The defender suffered a knee problem in England’s first training session at the World Cup in South Africa in the summer and so played no part in the tournament.

Ferdinand has been back in reserves action to build up his fitness and could have turned out for the second string again on Thursday night, but Ferguson saw no reason to make him available to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

“He wanted to play but his training performances are so good I didn’t see any point,” added the Old Trafford chief.

“He is in the squad. With three games this week, it is good that he is back in the fold.”

United are in Champions League action on Tuesday night when Ferguson’s former club Rangers make the trip to Old Trafford (United 2/7 – Group C Winner).

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Defoe’s Champions League blow

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Unlucky Tottenham ace Jermain Defoe is facing the prospect of missing his club’s entire Champions League group-stage campaign after undergoing ankle surgery (Spurs 10/3 – Group A Winners).

The England international, who fired a hat-trick against Bulgaria at Wembley a week ago, suffered an injury against Switzerland on Tuesday night and will now miss up to three months of action.

A Spurs statement on their website confirmed: “Following a review by an ankle specialist, Jermain Defoe underwent surgery to repair torn ligaments in his right ankle yesterday [Thursday] evening.

“The striker was forced off with the injury during England’s European Championship qualifier in Switzerland on Tuesday and has been ruled out of action for around three months.”

Ironically, Defoe was only playing for his country after managing a groin problem without the need for an operation.
Spurs start their Champions League challenge on Tuesday with a trip to German side Werder Bremen before it concludes early in December with a trip to Dutch outfit FC Twente (Spurs 40/1 – Champions League Outright).

But Redknapp will be without Defoe so must choose between Peter Crouch, Roman Pavlyuchenko and Robbie Keane up front as he looks to negotiate Group A which also contains reigning European champions Inter Milan.

Defoe’s loss is the second blow for Redknapp after defender Michael Dawson was ruled out for eight weeks with a knee and ankle ligament problems, also picked up on international duty with England.

Spurs return to Premier League action on Saturday with a trip to West Brom as they bid to bounce back from the home defeat to Wigan at the end of last month.

Meanwhile, Spurs’ new-boy, Rafael van der Vaart, says he sees no reason why the club cannot overtake Arsenal to become London’s second best club behind reigning Premier League champions.

“Why not?” said the 27-year-old midfielder, “Arsenal have a great team also with a lot of young players but our squad is not worse than Arsenal’s.

“I think we will have a chance to win against them and also, over the season, we can try to beat them.

“I already spoke with Robin [van Persie] and he said it is the greatest derby in the world.

“I’m looking forward to playing in the derby.”

Spurs can be backed at 11/4 to repeat last season’s top-four finish in the Premier League.

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Nasri back but Gunners depleted

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Arsenal stars Samir Nasri and Theo WalcottArsenal will be able to call upon the fit again Samir Nasri when Bolton arrive at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday but boss Arsene Wenger still has an injury headache to deal with (Arsenal 2/9, draw 9/2, Bolton 11/1).

Nasri has made just one appearance for the Gunners this season, in the 1-1 draw against Liverpool in August. However, he has now recovered from knee surgery and the Frenchman is ready to face Bolton.

Wenger will be without key centre-half Thomas Vermaelen, who has an Achilles problem, meaning summer signing Sebastien Squillaci looks set to deputise in the heart of the Arsenal defence alongside fellow new-boy Laurent Koscielny.

Theo Walcott faces up to six weeks on the sidelines after picking up an ankle injury while on international duty in England’s 3-1 victory over Switzerland in midweek, while Robin van Persie is yet to recover from his own ankle complaint and will play no part.

Long-term absentees Nicklas Bendtner (groin) and Aaron Ramsey (leg) are both unavailable, but Jack Wilshere could be in line to face his former club having spent a spell on loan at the Reebok Stadium last season.

Bolton boss Owen Coyle admits he is wary of Wilshere having worked with the midfielder last season (Wilshere 13/2 to score first).

“When he came here, perhaps he was a little bit immature,” Coyle told the Bolton News. “But you had a real man by the end of the season. I think he really blossomed as a player and as a person.

“Because of the way he plays the game, even in training, he took knocks all the time because he brings the ball so close to you, knowing he has the quick feet to get it out again. He probably took more knocks than anybody – and he’s certainly more used now to the rigours and demands of the Premier League.

“Jack can put himself about and take care of himself. It will be good to see him; I just hope he doesn’t play too well.”

Coyle has a virtually fully-fit squad to choose from but the Scottish manager will be without first-choice keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen who is suspended for the next three fixtures, while striker Ivan Klasnic faces a late fitness test as he continues to recover from a thigh problem.

Adam Bogdan, a 22-year-old Hungarian, will deputise in Jaaskelainen’s absence after making his debut following the Finn’s second half sending off in the 2-2 draw against Birmingham (Bolton 10/1 to keep a clean sheet, Arsenal 8/13).

Arsenal (from): Almunia, Clichy, Squillaci, Koscielny, Sagna, Rosicky, Song, Fabregas, Eboue, Arshavin, Chamakh, Fabianski, Wilshere, Gibbs, Diaby, Vela, Denilson, Nasri, Djourou.

Bolton (from): Bogdan, Steinsson, Knight, Cahill, Robinson, Lee, Holden, Muamba, Petrov, Elmander, K Davies, Klasnic, Lainton, M Davies, Blake, Taylor, Ricketts, Alonso, A O’Brien, Moreno.

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City can buy title says Allardyce

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Blackburn Rovers boss Sam AllardyceBlackburn Rovers boss Sam Allardyce has admitted that Manchester City (8/1 to win the Premier League) could win the title if they can manage themselves in the right way.

Rovers face City on Saturday and they will be up for a tough challenge as they take on the Manchester club’s star studded line-up at Eastlands.

However, the Blues have not had the start to the campaign that many people expected as they have only picked up four points from their opening three games.

City (8/13 to finish in the top four) boss Roberto Mancini is still looking for combinations that work as the highly paid stars battle for first-team places.

Former Blues striker Benjani, who has since joined Rovers, believes that many of the players at his old club are simply there for the high wages they can earn at Eastlands.

However, Allardyce believes that City can achieve great things this season despite having the problem of keeping players happy at the club.

He said: “If he (Mancini) gets it right, as Jose (Mourinho) got it right for Chelsea after the huge amount of spending that Roman (Abramovich) did, and if you look back here with Kenny, he got it right and Blackburn won the Premier League.

“You can buy a league now, obviously Blackburn have proven that, Chelsea have proven that, and you can do it in a short period of time. If you manage the players right and get that team spirit right, then you’ll win anything,” he added.

In financial terms, Rovers and City are polar opposites in the Premier League, with Blackburn struggling to attract big names to Ewood Park. However, one name they did attract is Michel Salgado. The former Real Madrid defender is used to success after spending 10 years at the Santiago Bernabeu and is hoping to help Rovers improve in the Premier League this season.

The 34-year-old has also commented about Manchester City’s hunt for success, which he believes will take some time.

He said: “The difference between Manchester City and Real Madrid is Manchester City so far is a fashion club.

“They have to spend money to battle with the best teams in Europe. Maybe Manchester City in the future can get closer to Real Madrid but now it’s a different story.

“They are signing eight new players every year and that’s a problem. First of all you have to build a team.”

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Houllier targets top four

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Aston Villa boss Gerard HoullierNewly appointed Aston Villa (9/1 to finish in the top four) boss Gerard Houllier believes that the club is set for a new era as they target a top four finish in the Premier League this season.

Villa have been on the hunt for a new manager since Martin O’Neill walked out on the club just five days before the start of the new season.

USA boss Bob Bradley was the favourite to become the next manager at Villa Park but Houllier has been given the challenge of getting the Midlands side into the Champions League qualifying positions.

The Frenchman has been given a three-year-deal as he looks to stabilise the club after the surprise exit of O’Neill.

The club and Houllier’s representatives are still finalising terms but the 63-year-old is expected to be in the role after the match against Stoke City on Monday.

The former Liverpool (6/4 to finish in the top four) boss has stated that he is keen to get on with the job as the club looks to move forward.

He said: “I’m pleased, I’m proud, I’m hungry, I’m healthy and I can’t wait to come.

“I had several offers but it looked as if Aston Villa like to do things as a team. I like to work as a team and I can feel that we are going to be in this together.

“It’s a new era, in terms of training, in terms of habits, in terms of everything,” he added.

Houllier has not managed in the Premier League since he left Anfield back in 2004 but the former Lyon boss believes he can still make an impact in one of the toughest competitions in the world.

When asked if Villa could challenge for a top four finish Houllier stated that given time the club can achieve that target.

He said: “The team will probably improve in the long run and if we are spared by injuries and also manage to get one or two players at the right time, then why not?

“But the aim of course is Europe, places of honours and silverware.

“We know where we want to go, we know it will take time, that’s why I was passionate about getting back into management,” he added.

Houllier looks likely to take charge of the side ahead of their Premier League clash against Bolton Wanderers at Villa Park on September 18.

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Houllier relishing ‘challenge’

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Gerard Houllier is looking forward to the ‘tremendous challenge’ of trying to take Aston Villa to the next level (9/1 Premiership Top 4 Finish) after the club confirmed him as their new manager.

The 63-year-old former Liverpool manager will return to the Premier League following a six-year absence after ending his current position as technical director for the French Football Federation. And Houllier he is now aiming to carry on helping Villa progress from Martin O’Neill’s reign in which time he guided them to a regular top-six finish and Europa League football.

Houllier said in a statement: “I am very happy and proud to join this great and historic club.

“It was a very difficult decision for me to leave the FFF [French Football Federation].

“But I could not turn down the opportunity to manage a club whose approach, both on and off the pitch, I have long admired.

“Aston Villa is one of England’s biggest clubs and has an amazing set of fans.

“This is a tremendous challenge and one I am very much looking forward to taking on.”

It is not known who will become Houllier’s assistant after his former Liverpool number two Phil Thompson ruled himself out of the running in order to stay working as a television pundit.

The future of Kevin MacDonald, who took over as caretaker manager when O’Neill quit Villa a month ago, is also uncertain as Houllier might want to bring his own backroom team in to Villa Park.

However Villa are delighted to have secured Houllier’s services with chief executive Paul Faulkner revealing that the Frenchman met their requirements of managing a Premier League club and having ‘a strategy for building on the existing strengths in our current squad’.

He added: “In fact, he stands out as a football man who understands the ethos of our club and shares our core values.

“We look forward to working with Gerard and supporting him.

“We ask our supporters to get behind the new manager and the team as we look to build on the progress we have made over the past four years in all areas of the club.”

Houllier’s first game at the Villa helm will be on Monday when they travel to face Stoke City (Stoke 7/5, Villa 9/5, Draw 9/4 – 90 Minutes) in the Premier League at the Britannia Stadium.

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Sullivan calls for Hammers calm

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Co-owner David Sullivan has insisted there is no need for any West Ham fans to panic, despite their dreadful start to the new Premier League season (West Ham 7/4 to be relegated).

The east London outfit have lost all three of their Premier League matches thus far and the club’s only victory came thanks to a stoppage-time winner from Scott Parker against League Two side Oxford United in the Carling Cup.

West Ham currently find themselves rooted to the foot of the league having been beaten by Manchester United, Bolton and Aston Villa, conceding nine goals and scoring just one.

The Hammers are likely to remain there for the next week at least as they prepare to welcome league leaders and defending champions Chelsea (1/3 to beat West Ham) to Upton Park on Saturday.

Having replaced Gianfranco Zola with Avram Grant at the back end of last season and brought in six new players during the transfer window the Hammers had been expected to move away from the wrong end of the league.

However, Grant’s new additions have failed to bed in and with constant speculation linking the likes of Scott Parker and Carlton Cole with moves away from London it has been a tough start for the Israeli manager.

West Ham owners Sullivan and David Gold were outspoken in their criticism of former boss Zola when the team were struggling last season.

However, Sullivan has come out in support of Grant and insists there is no truth behind the rumours the new manager is already under pressure to produce results.

“I’d like to put the record straight,” Sullivan told the London Evening Standard.

“Nobody is pressing any panic buttons and reports to the contrary are rubbish. We are building a new team under a new manager and transition is a tough time but game by game, I anticipate an improvement over the coming months.

“We expect the team to come together over the next few games and see some real progress. When we looked at the early fixtures we knew we faced a tough time but we only managed two points from the same fixtures last season.”

The former Birmingham owner also backtracked on comments he had made about the foreign contingent at Upton Park after he suggested last weekend that some of them ‘couldn’t be bothered’.

Sullivan now insists that it was just one or two players he was talking about when made his controversial outburst and claims the other members of the squad are all working hard to improve the Hammers situation.

Grant has also given his backing to the players and the board, insisting everyone is trying to do their best to rectify the current situation.

However, Grant will do well to start his salvage operation against Chelsea (6/5 Premier League outright) with the Blues having won all three of their opening matches, scoring 14 goals and conceding none thus far.

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Toshack in Wales fond farewell

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John Toshack hopes that his decision to step down as Wales manager might help the side qualify for the Euro 2012 finals (Wales 20/1 To Qualify).

Rumours began to spread that the 61-year-old was set to quit after the Welsh lost their opening Euro 2012 Group G match to Montenegro and now the former Liverpool striker has confirmed that his six-year tenure has come to an end.

Toshack has enjoyed relatively little success while in charge of Wales and failed to guide his side to any major tournament finals during his spell in charge.

He also had a very public spat with Robbie Savage, which resulted in the much-travelled midfield hard man calling time on his international career at the age of just 30, as he refused to conform to Toshack’s methods.

Toshack spent just 41 days in charge of Wales back in 1994 before quitting the job, but his first unsuccessful spell did not put him off having another crack at the seemingly impossible task of guiding a country with such a small pool of players to the heights of a major championship.

The former Real Madrid boss hopes that by leaving at an early stage of the current qualifying campaign, it will give his successor the chance to have a real go at reaching Poland and Ukraine in two years time.

“Wales are still very much in this group, and now the decision has been made hopefully they’ll be able to get some positive results in the next two games,” he said. “If the results do go against us, I think I would have preferred that to happen with me still in charge.”

The Cardiff-born tactician revealed that he has planned to look at the situation after Wales’ first three qualifiers and made it clear that he was initially prepared to carry on for two more games after the opening group defeat (Wales 33/1 to win Group G).

But, after consultation with the FAW, it was felt that the time was right for a change at the top.

“I thought after three matches of this group we would review everything,” he said. “Even after the disappointment of the game in Montenegro that was still the way I felt.

“But we have come to the agreement that this might be better for everyone concerned.”

Wales are already six points behind England and Montenegro in Group G, having played one game less, and face qualifying matches with Switzerland and Bulgaria next month.

The search for Toshack’s successor is now underway and Stoke Boss Tony Pulis has already ruled himself out, saying that it is “too early” for him to consider at present, while Dean Saunders, Chris Coleman and Ian Rush have all been mentioned as possible candidates.

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Capello reveals his pension plan

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Fabio Capello has confirmed he will quit as England coach after Euro 2012 (England 9/1 Outright) because he wants to ‘enjoy my life as a pensioner’.

The 64-year-old Italian tactician narrowly escaped the axe from his £6million-a-year post this summer following the Three Lions’ disastrous World Cup campaign in South Africa in which several lacklustre performances ended with a dismal 4-1 thrashing against Germany in the second round.

However, the Football Association stuck with Capello and his bid to get England to the European Championships in two years’ time (England 1/7 Group G Winner) has started impressively with two opening wins against Bulgaria and Switzerland with seven goals scored and only one conceded.

England’s good start has been all the more admirable given that the experienced and influential Chelsea duo John Terry and Frank Lampard have both been absent due to injuries. And the likes of Adam Johnson and Theo Walcott – who both missed the World Cup – have both shown why they can now be key men for the national side in the Euro 2012 qualification campaign.

A victory against a Montenegro side, which has also started with two wins, at Wembley next month would put England (1/25 Yes – To Qualify) in an excellent position to make the finals in Poland and Ukraine. And, while there have been suggestions that Capello could even be asked to stay on until the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, he has made his mind up to call it a day and put his feet up.

When asked if he would be leaving after 2012, Capello said: “Absolutely. Yes.

“We have to qualify first of course but after that I will be too old.

“I want to enjoy my life as a pensioner.”

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