Drama, drama, drama. This is always the case in the high profile world of football and even more so in the world of the galacticos. There has been a lot of talk about the fate of Manuel Pelligrini in the last few months considering a few high profile losses and the exit from Champions League football. Now they have been unable to claim the La Liga title and that just isn’t going to fly in Madrid. You always knew that he was going to be under pressure with all of the spending they did this summer, but even more than the spending was the unbearable sight of their arch rivals winning everything.

Now Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini is set to be handed a €4 million walkaway payment and replaced by Inter Milan’s Jose Mourinho for next season, press reports in Spain claimed.

“Bye bye Pellegrini, ‘Mou’ is on his way,” said the headline in Spanish daily El Mundo, one of several claiming that the exit of Chilean Pellegrini from the Santiago Bernabeu after just one season in charge is only days away.
“Pellegrini is counting down the hours,” added El Pais.

After a record spending spree in the close-season, notably with the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United and Kaka from AC Milan, Real Madrid are set to finish the season trophyless.

Barcelona beat Real to the Spanish league title last weekend, while Ronaldo and company failed to get past the Champions League’s round of 16, in which arch-rivals and defending champions Barca lasted until the semifinals stage.

According to the reports, Real president Florentino Perez is set to sack the 56-year-old Pellegrini, who has a year left on his contract and plenty of support from the dressing room.

Ironically, Mourinho will get a chance to see Real Madrid’s facilities up close when he leads his Inter Milan side to the Champions League final against Bayern Munich on Saturday.

Despite declaring he is “unhappy” with life in Italy, Mourinho — who has two years left on his Inter contract — has recently played down speculation linking him to the Spanish giants.

“After (the final in) Madrid there will be time to be selfish for one, two or three days and to think about what will make me happiest from a professional point of view,” said the 47-year-old Portuguese coach last weekend.

“Right now I can tell you 100 per cent that it’s not true that I have one-and-a-half feet at Real. Quite the contrary, I’m very far from becoming the Real coach.”

Inter president Massimo Moratti said on Monday that he was unsure of Mourinho’s intentions after the final, and for the Spanish press that is synonymous with his arrival at Real.

According to both AS and El Mundo, talks between Mourinho’s and Real’s representatives have already been held, resulting in a verbal agreement.

Reports also said Pellegrini would be handed a €4 million “walkaway” payment, while Real would have to pay Inter €8 million to end Mourinho’s contract at Inter.

Whatever goes down is going to end up being quite an expensive proposition.

I can’t help but chuckle that Blackburn striker El-Hadji Diouf has been banned from driving for six months after he admitted a number of offenses. I thought the offenses would have been turning a beautiful Mercedes SLR McLlaren into a chrome bling machine, or turning his Cadillac Escalade into a Persians dream gold car… but no, apparently he has actually committed traffic crimes!

The Senegal international was sentenced by Tameside magistrates for three separate matters in July, September and November of last year. He did not attend the hearing.

In the first incident he was clocked speeding at 38mph on a 30mph road in Chorley New Road, Bolton, for which he pleaded guilty by letter earlier this year.

Two months later, Diouf, 29, was stopped by police in a white Porsche Cayenne in Altrincham Road, Wythenshawe. He failed to produce documents seven days later following the routine check and was charged with having no licence, failing to provide his licence and failing to produce his insurance certificate.

Diouf’s solicitor said his client also admitted separate charges of speeding and failing to give the information of a driver in November 2009, as well driving without a valid licence and failing to produce an insurance certificate. He incurred the driving ban on the penalty points totting up procedure.

The former Liverpool, Bolton and Sunderland player was also fined a total of £810 and ordered to pay £105 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

He was due to face trial on the September matter at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Monday but the case was joined up with proceedings at Tameside Magistrates’ Court.

Seriously… what is wrong with some footballers? Above the law you are not!

WAYNE Rooney is heading to the World Cup leaving a fearsome GURKHA guarding his £4½million mansion.

The ex-soldier – from a long line of Nepalese warriors famed for slaughtering the enemy with their kukri knives – is on red alert for gangs of robbers. He was hired by Manchester United team-mate Wes Brown, 30, who lives next door and is also tipped to join the England squad jetting to South Africa next month.

The gurkha, who has his own quarters at the defender’s £4million house, keeps an eagle-eye on BOTH pads in Prestbury, Cheshire – PLUS that of Manchester City’s Stephen Ireland. He clinched the security job after striker Rooney, 24, and his fellow soccer aces were spooked by a string of robberies at the homes of absent Premier League stars – in which their loved ones were terrorized. Victims include United’s Darren Fletcher, 26, whose fiancee had a knife held to her throat.

An Old Trafford source said: “The Gurkhas have a formidable reputation.

“We’ve been told this guy was military decorated. You wouldn’t want to cross him.”

Maybe, with that face, Wayne should look into getting a Burkha to compliment his Gurkha?

Jay Z at his epic Super Bowl performance

I spotted this interview at Arsenal.com. Check it out

Grammy Gunner

By Andy Exley

Within four months in 1996, two events that could hardly be more disparate occurred, yet both paved the way for the making of an icon.

So we’ve established the credentials of Mr. Wenger and Mr., urm, Z but why the comparison? Well after rumors have done the rounds over recent weeks about the 40 year-old Hip-Hop star having a liking for Arsène Wenger’s Gunners, the Official Magazine managed to receive cast-iron confirmation of the Brooklyn born superstar’s support by nabbing ‘Mr. Beyonce’ for an exclusive interview about his beloved Arsenal.

First things first, and why does a man from Brooklyn who is part-owner of the New Jersey Nets basketball team in the NBA, have an emotional stake in a football team across the Atlantic?

“It was about five years ago now,” explains the ten-time Grammy Award winner. “When Thierry Henry was at the club I saw him play and I just thought he was an amazing player, ever since then I have been a big fan of the club, following you guys and still today you play the beautiful football that Thierry did, I think he had a real long term effect on the team.

“I love all sports, but what I really love is when people play sport in a beautiful way, and that’s one thing Arsenal do for sure.

“I don’t get chance to watch the team in London,” he continues, “it’s difficult to find time with all the travelling I do, plus I live so far away. But we get all the EPL games over in the States, you can watch any games you like, so it’s pretty easy to keep up to date with how Arsenal are doing.”

Despite not getting to Emirates Stadium yet, Jay-Z did make his Premier League debut at Eastlands earlier this season, when he saw Manchester City’s controversial 4-2 victory over the Gunners. His high-profile presence as a guest of the City hierarchy ¬ he was in Manchester for a concert in the city – led to speculation that the New Yorker harbored loyalties for the Premier League’s nouveau riche, a fact he is quick to dispel. “The result wasn’t great [at City], but I was glad to see Arsenal play,” he says. “After that game the press started reporting that I was a Manchester City fan, I am really glad all that has been cleared up and that everybody in the UK knows that I am an Arsenal fan.

“I will come to Emirates soon that’s for sure. I love London as a city, it’s just finding time when I am over here for a few days to come and watch a game. I will find time soon, I will make sure of it.”

So who would Jay-Z particularly like to see in action when he finally gets to watch a match at Emirates? Not surprisingly, the peerless skipper gets a special mention, whilst the man who originally pricked his interest would also be on the menu, if at all possible.

“I think Cesc Fabregas is a great player,” says the rapper who recently topped the singles charts with ‘Empire State of Mind’. “It doesn’t matter what sport it is the greatest sportsmen in the world do the difficult things and make it look easy. That’s what Cesc does, he is so graceful in everything he does, and it looks effortless, the boy was born to play soccer you can see that.

“And Thierry Henry – that is a guy I would like to meet. I know he is a big NBA fan, so I might meet him courtside one day, or maybe when I come to the Emirates. He still comes to watch you guys right? He must do he is a legend there.

“I don’t know if there are any fans in the current team,” he says modestly, “but if there are they would be more than welcome to come to my next concert when I am over in London. They can come and see me do my work, and then I will come and see them do their work.”

Basketball references are frequent with Jay-Z and his love for the sport is matched by so many in the ‘Big Apple’ but is football finally taking a foothold there?

“Basketball is the sport of New York, and you are never going to change that,” he stresses. “Then New Yorkers love their [American] football and baseball, but I think soccer’s popularity is growing in the US. It’s never going to be the number one sport, but more people are playing it and watching it than ever have before.

“I just love watching people at the top of their game,” he continues, “plus when I was growing up basketball was a big part of our life and I used to spend a lot of time playing. It doesn’t matter what level it is, when people are on the field or on the court they just want to win, and that can bring the best out in people.

“Soccer is a beautiful game to watch, and people want to see it. It’s something different as well, if Americans want to see soccer played at the highest level they need to watch a European team. American soccer is getting better, but it’s still a long way off you guys.”

Back on the basketball trip, was Jay-Z aware that Chicago Bulls stars Luol Deng and Joakim Noah were big Gooners and have visited Emirates? “No I didn’t know that, that’s pretty cool. Maybe we could all watch a game together when the NBA season is over, I am sure they would love to come.”

And maybe extend an invite last month’s magazine feature Idris Elba – Stringer Bell from hit US drama The Wire…

“Sure, why not that sounds pretty cool. With all these people you are inviting over you are going to need a pretty big box if we all come on the same week!”

As well as a globally successful recording artist, Jay-Z is also an entrepreneur with his business portfolio including record companies and clothing lines as well as the stake in the New Jersey Nets. And four years ago, he was even rumored to be interested in purchasing a significant amount of shares in Arsenal Football Club, so could fellow American Stan Kroenke one day be joined on the Arsenal Board’s headed paper by Mr. Shawn Corey Carter?

“I am a businessman, and I will always look at an opportunity, and if it feels right great,” says Jay-Z, keeping his options open, “I don’t know a lot about the business of soccer, but in the future if the right opportunity presented itself then who knows?”

As for the immediate Gunners concerns, it’s all about a two-pronged attack on domestic and European fronts, and Jay-Z has his fingers crossed.

“You have always got to hope for the best, and in life you are never out of it until you are out of it,” he muses, “It’s still a very young team, but youth counts for a lot, and I am confident this can still be a very successful season. If we win the title, then I will make sure I give Arsenal a shout out on stage for sure.”

And with that the Official Magazine concludes its interview with perhaps our first non-footballing megastar since Demi Moore back in Highbury’s final season. All that’s left to do is extend an invitation to a game of his convenience in the future, to which he responds, “thanks for inviting me, that’s very cool of you.” Any time, Jay-Z, any time.

With thanks to Tom Bennett

So it looks like somebody has leaked the new Manchester United home shirt for next season:

It  looks like Nike have gone all retro, with the kit looking like a carbon copy of the Adidas 1980 shirt:

I quite like the kit… now will someone hurry up and leak the new Arsenal shirt please?

Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney won the Professional Footballers’ Association player of the year award at a ceremony on Sunday and then declared his readiness for the 2010 Fifa World Cup South Africa™.

Rooney, currently out of action with a groin injury, is widely regarded as being central to England’s chances of winning the 2010 Fifa World Cup later this year.

“I’m good,” the 24-year-old Rooney told guests at the PFA dinner at the Grosvenor House Hotel in central London. “I’m disappointed to miss a couple of games. Hopefully I will play before the season finishes.”

Asked if he’d be fit in time for South Africa, Rooney replied: “No problems for the World Cup.” Rooney dismissed suggestions England could not win the Fifa World Cup, which starts in June, without him: “We’ve got a lot of great players. If I get injured, so be it.” He added: “Watching games is very frustrating.”

Rooney, asked what would constitute a successful Fifa World Cup for England, said: “Success would be to win the trophy.

We prepared well and hopefully we can bring the trophy back home.” England have won the Fifa World Cup just once, in 1966 when they triumphed on home soil.

Reigning champions United trail Chelsea by one point in the English Premier League title race with two games remaining and may need a favour from arch rivals Liverpool if they are to overtake the London club.

“I’m sure Liverpool will want to beat Chelsea,” Rooney said. “They are a proud club and they are still aiming to qualify for Europe.”

Asked what had made the difference to a season where he has already scored 34 goals, Rooney replied: “The manager (Sir Alex Ferguson) is playing me in a more central position up front which I’ve been asking him to do for a few years now and the service has got better.

It’s a great feeling to win the player of the year award because it’s voted for by the players.Manchester United Wayne Rooney.

“It’s a great feeling to win the player of the year award because it’s voted for by the players,” said Rooney. “It’s something I’m really proud of and it’s a great honour.

I remember coming here in 2005 and 2006 to win the young player of the year. I saw the players winning the main one and it’s something I’ve aimed for since.”

Rooney, the first Englishman to win the award since Steven Gerrard in 2006, paid tribute to the influence Ferguson has had on his career. “Sir Alex is a great manager who has really brought me on as a player since I joined United,” he said.

Rooney topped a poll of his fellow professionals in England to ensure the senior award stayed at Old Trafford after Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo’s double in 2007 and 2008 was followed by United and Wales star Ryan Giggs’s success last year. Cesc Fabregas, the Arsenal and Spain midfielder, was third with Chelsea striker Didier Drogba the runner-up.

Aston Villa and England midfielder James Milner won the young player of the year award. “I’ve been moved into the middle and that suits me as it helps me influence the game a bit more,” said Milner, hoping to secure a place in England manager Fabio Capello’s Fifa World Cup squad.

Former South Africa international Lucas Radebe, who played in England’s Leeds United, won the PFA special merit award for his community work in both countries.

“I’m very proud to get such a great award. Sport can change the world – football has played such a big part in lifting my community,” said Radebe.

The PFA’s Premier League team of the year contains four United players with Arsenal (Fabregas and Thomas Vermaelen), Chelsea (Drogba and Branislav Ivanovic) and Aston Villa (Milner and Richard Dunne) supplying two each.

Manchester United 3-1 Tottenham Hotspur – English Premier League

Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur [1St Highlight]
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Manchester United 1 – 0 Tottenham Hotspur
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Manchester United 1 – 1 Tottenham Hotspur
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Manchester United 2 – 1 Tottenham Hotspur
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Manchester United 3 – 1 Tottenham Hotspur
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Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho still found reasons to moan despite being on the verge of yet another extraordinary triumph after his side flattened Barcelona 3-1 in their Champions League semifinal first leg on Tuesday.

Barca’s Spain midfielder Xavi complained about the referee at fulltime and was involved in a San Siro tunnel spat with Mourinho, who inferred the holders were bad losers, and again slammed his own player Mario Balotelli for a lack of dedication.

“It’s always difficult to lose for those who aren’t used to losing. I’m like that too. It’s the characteristic of a team which always wins,” a bristling Mourinho told a news conference when asked what had happened in the tunnel.

“I can never have a problem with Xavi because I adore him. He’s one of best in the world.”

The Portuguese coach, whose side have slipped up domestically as they seek a fifth straight Serie A title, was proud of his players but could not believe 19-year-old substitute Balotelli produced another lacklustre performance.

“We were in the second most important match in club football where everyone goes off (the pitch) dead and one could have done something more to help the team,” Mourinho said after weeks of tension between the pair since Balotelli was pictured in an AC Milan shirt. What is Balotelli thinking?

GREAT TEAM

The highly successful former Porto and Chelsea coach also has a difficult relationship with the Italian game in general and has previously said he was not happy in Serie A, fuelling speculation he may end up at Real Madrid or Manchester United.

Far from a shrinking violet, Mourinho was happy to explain how much Inter had improved under his guidance this season, having struggled on the biggest stage since enjoying back-to-back European Cup triumphs in 1964 and 1965.

“I arrived here and Inter was a little team in the Champions League. They had a fear of playing. At this point we have a chance of winning against the best team. Inter is now a great team in the Champions League,” he said.

“We either go to Madrid and play the final or we go home with our heads held high.”

Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola was gracious in defeat and had only one complaint about the sticky San Siro pitch, saying Nou Camp will be watered for next Wednesday’s second leg.

“The pitch was not the one we wanted. At home we can choose, we have attackers who are very quick,” said the dapper coach, whose side had to spend 14 hours on a bus to reach Milan because of flight restrictions caused by an erupting Icelandic volcano.

“I’m not a doctor so I can’t say how much the journey affected us,” he added.