skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Fa Barclaycard Premiership News
( 19 March 2009 )
English Premier League football News
Benitez signs long-term Reds deal
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has ended speculation over his future at Anfield by signing a new deal that will keep him at the club until 2014.
The 48-year-old put pen to paper after protracted negotiations which put a doubt over his tenure at the club.
But Benitez said: "My heart is with Liverpool, so I'm delighted to sign this new deal.
"I love the club, the fans and the city and with a club and supporters like this, I could never say no to staying."
Benitez has signed a five-year contract after a week in which he has led his team to two of his most impressive wins since taking over in 2004.
The Reds beat Real Madrid 4-0 in the second leg of their last-16 Champions League tie to earn a 5-0 on aggregate victory which put them into the quarter-finals of the competition.
They then went to Old Trafford and came back from a goal down to win 4-1 against arch-rivals Manchester United in the Premier League, reigniting hopes of a first league title for Liverpool since 1990.
Benitez added: "I always made clear I wanted to be here for a long time and when I complete my new contract it will mean I have spent over a decade in Liverpool.
"The club is greatly respected around the world due to its incredible history and tremendous heritage.
"It is my aim to uphold those values and help create a new chapter in our history.
"Throughout this process, I would like to thank the owners for their hard work in finalising the deal.
"All of us at the club want the same thing, which is to be successful by winning major trophies."
The rumours over Benitez's future reached a climax before the first leg of the tie against Real Madrid when some bookmakers stopped taking bets on him being at the club beyond the end of the week.
But the Spaniard insisted he was surprised by the speculation and that he was confident of staying as talks continued.
He is believed to have turned down a number of drafts of the deal in order to get his way on certain issues, with one understood to be the club's transfer policy, before reaching agreement.
Benitez has now signed against the continued backdrop of a strained relationship between co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, while the club also recently announced chief executive Rick Parry was to leave the club at the end of the season.
That move increased the likelihood Benitez would commit his future to the club as the Spaniard was unhappy at Parry's slowness in completing transfer deals.
Hicks, who admitted to talks with Jurgen Klinsmann in November 2007 about taking over as Liverpool manager if Benitez left, said: "It is wonderful news that Rafa has made a long-term commitment to the football club.
"Since he became manager in 2004, he has been responsible for the great progress we have made.
"I know he will continue to build on his achievements as he has a tremendous hunger and desire to bring more success to the club - success our fans and everyone connected with the club deserves."
And Gillett added: "With Rafa continuing to manage the team, we can look forward to more great football and success on the pitch.
"He has special abilities and qualities which are admired here at the club and around the world.
"Coming after our excellent wins over Real Madrid and Manchester United, this gives us great momentum going into the final stages of the season."
Benitez has guided the Reds to victory in the Champions League final against AC Milan in 2005 and led Liverpool to victory over West Ham in the FA Cup final in 2006.
They again reached the Champions League final in 2007 but lost out 2-1 to AC Milan.
The Reds also recently came out as the number one team in European competition based on Uefa's co-efficient rankings system, which takes results over the past five years into account.
by bbcnews.
Fa Barclaycard Premiership News
( 19 March 2009 )
English Premier League football News
Sales give Spurs record profits
The sale of Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane by Tottenham has helped the club post record pre-tax profits of £39.8m for the last six months of 2008.
Last summer Spurs made over £51m from the sale of Berbatov to Manchester United and Keane to Liverpool.
Spurs also sold six other players for significant fees during that period.
"During the 2008 summer transfer window gains were made on the sales of a number of registrations," said chairman Daniel Levy in a statement.
In what appears to be a reference to the sale of the strike duo Levy added: "It needs to be noted that the club did not make the player trading profits in a manner that was planned or welcomed as they arose, in the main, from the regrettable sale of certain key players."
The other players to leave the club were Pascal Chimbonda, Steed Malbranque, Teemu Tainio, Paul Robinson, Younes Kaboul and Anthony Gardner.
Keane and Chimbonda have both since rejoined the club and the next financial figures are expected to be balanced out by these deals and the additional signings of Jermain Defoe and Wilson Palacios.
The profits, meanwhile, should assist the club's proposed investment in a new training ground and stadium, named the Northumberland Development Project, with a full planning application due in "the next few months".
"We have benefitted from having a robust business that is well financed and has continued to be able to support investment in the first team, whilst progressing two major capital expenditure projects - the new training centre and the Northumberland Development Project."
by bbcnews.
Fa Barclaycard Premiership News
( 19 March 2009 )
English Premier League football News
Forest sign Everton keeper Turner
Nottingham Forest have swooped to sign Everton goalkeeper Iain Turner on loan until the end of the season.
The 24-year-old is set to make his debut for the struggling Championship side when they face Wolves on Saturday.
"I'm looking forward to it," Turner told BBC Radio Nottingham. "I've been hoping to go out on loan all season.
"I'm here for seven games to show what I can do, I've been dying for the chance. Forest are a good team but the Championship is a funny league."
Turner joined Everton from Stirling Albion in 2003 but has made only six appearances for David Moyes' side.
He has had spells on loan with Chester City, Doncaster Rovers, Wycombe Wanderers, Crystal Palace and Sheffield Wednesday, but has not played a competitive match since May 2007.
Turner added: "I had an unbeaten spell at Palace and a good spell at Wednesday too, so I hope I can keep that run going.
"Most teams want an experienced keeper, someone who can talk to the rest of the team, so the more games you play I guess the bigger your influence is."
Forest boss Billy Davies was desperate to bolster his squad after Saturday's 5-0 humbling at Burnley, which left them in the relegation zone ahead of the visit of leaders Wolves.
"It's no secret that we've been looking for a goalkeeper to provide competition," said Davies, who publicly criticised Forest keeper Paul Smith at the weekend.
"Iain Turner fits the bill perfectly. He is a keeper with good pedigree and great potential and this situation helps us and Everton."
by bbcnews.
Fa Barclaycard Premiership News
( 19 March 2009 )
English Premier League football News
Delap looks to play into forties
Stoke City midfielder Rory Delap has said he wants to continue his playing career beyond his 40th birthday.
Potters manager Tony Pulis has previously hailed the 32-year-old as one of the fittest players he has ever worked with.
Delap told BBC Radio Stoke: "I've always said that I'll keep going until I start making a fool of myself.
"Even if it's in the Conference, as long as I'm still enjoying it, I'll play until I'm 40. Why not 41?"
The Republic of Ireland international added: "I've got a little girl now, and my wife's always saying that it would be nice if she could remember me playing. It's just those little things that make you want to carry on."
Delap began his career with Carlisle United, making his senior debut for the Cumbrians in 1996.
He joined Derby County for £200,000 in 1998, but said he would like to return to Brunton Park before he retires.
"Hopefully they'll be up at the top of the leagues by then, but I've got no qualms about dropping into the lower divisions," he added.
After spending three years with Derby, Delap joined Southampton for £4m in July 2001 before joining Sunderland five years later.
Delap left the Black Cats to join Stoke on a free transfer in October 2006 and has shot to prominence this season because of his trademark long throw-ins.
by bbcnews.
English Premier League football News
Ferdinand eyes Sunderland return
Sunderland defender Anton Ferdinand admits that his recent injury problems could not have come at a worse time.
He has missed the last two Premier League games with a hamstring injury but hopes to be fit for Sunday's trip to Eastlands to face Manchester City.
"It's been very frustrating," Ferdinand told BBC Radio Newcastle. "We find ourselves in a sticky situation again.
"But that's what makes the Premier League so good this year. And we've got to make sure that we stay strong."
Sunderland currently sit 14th in the table and, although just three points clear of the relegation zone, Ferdinand is optimistic.
"We have to deal with the situation we're in at the moment," he said.
"Four points from the last two games against Spurs and Wigan would have been a great return, but that wasn't the case.
"Now we've got to look forward at what's next in line and that's two massive away games at Manchester City and West Ham."
If Ferdinand, 24, is fit, the game against West Ham on 4 April will be his first return to Upton Park since signing for Sunderland in August.
He was on the losing side when the Hammers came to the Stadium of Light in November - and won 1-0.
by bbcnews.
Posts
