September 3rd 2008
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Curbishley quits as West Ham boss
Alan Curbishley has resigned as manager of Premier League club West Ham United.
Curbishley tendered his resignation on Wednesday and it was accepted by West Ham owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson.
The 50-year-old had grown disillusioned at the club's transfer policy, which had led to the summer sales of Anton Ferdinand and George McCartney.
A statement on the club's website read: "We can confirm we have accepted Alan's resignation as it is in the best interests of both parties."
The statement added: "We wish Alan all the success in the future. A shortlist of candidates is being drawn up and an announcement will be made in due course about the new manager."
West Ham also moved to justify the summer departures of Ferdinand and McCartney, stating that the sales were "right for the club" and "based on our best long-term interests".
"In the past week, agreement could not be reached with Ferdinand on a new contract to replace his original deal that had just two years left to run," the club added.
"(And) McCartney handed in a formal written transfer request after failing to resolve his personal reasons for wanting a move away."
Curbishley took over from Alan Pardew as West Ham manager in December 2006 and was promised significant transfer funds to help achieve the objective of qualifying for the Champions League within five years.
He signed the likes of Kieron Dyer, Lucas Neill and Freddie Ljungberg during a summer of lavish spending in 2007, but his terms of reference changed this summer.
Gudmundsson told Curbishley he had to reduce the club's wage bill and that money was to be focused on training and medical facilities rather than signings.
Full-back Valon Behrami, who joined from Lazio for £5m, was West Ham's only significant signing of the summer.
Yet first-team squad members John Pantsil, Bobby Zamora, Richard Wright, Ferdinand and McCartney all departed.
Technical director Gianluca Nani has been responsible for the club's transfer policy since being appointed to his role in March.
Thomas Injury Leaves Pompey Depleted http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=847544
Portsmouth face having a dearth of personnel available to fill their left-flank following an injury to new signing Jerome Thomas, which is expected to keep him sidelined for up to three months.
The 25-year-old wide-man has suffered a stress-fracture in base of his spine, ruling him out of action for the foreseeable future.
The former Charlton star had been filling-in on the left-wing for Pompey, with Harry Redknapp already having Niko Kranjcar ruled out with an ankle knock.
The Croatian is due an operation on his ankle ligaments, and he is not expected to return until late November.
Although Thomas appeared against Manchester United last Monday, it has emerged that the winger sustained the injury prior to the encounter.
Portsmouth have had to readjust their formation of late, having a spate of injuries with which to contend. They have Armand Traore and Nadir Belhadj as their only recognisable left-siders, although both favour the defensive berth.
Harry Redknapp told the News: "Jerome is out for 12 weeks, which is another big blow for us. We're not quite sure when it happened, probably the day before the Manchester United game in training.
"At the time, he complained a bit but wanted to play so much and passed a fitness test. He did well in that game, too. Now it looks as though he could need an operation to get it sorted, which is really disappointing for all of us.
"The lad gives you something different – he's got pace, can run at players and cause defences all sorts of problems. With Niko also out for quite a long time, it leaves us a bit short on the left there."
Peter Staunton
Downing agent arrested for fraud http://www.skysports.com/story/0,195...089965,00.html
A man and woman have been arrested following a complaint to Police by England winger Stewart Downing, Middlesbrough have confirmed.
Downing approached his club Middlesbrough about concerns over the way his 'company's affairs' were being handled.
Now Downing has made a complaint and the Football Association are now liaising between Cleveland Police and the club.
Police have confirmed an arrest has been made.
"Cleveland Police can confirm that officers from their economic crime unit (fraud section) have arrested a 50-year-old man and a 43-year-old woman from the Newcastle-upon-Tyne area on suspicion of offences of conspiracy to defraud and money laundering," said a Police spokesman.
"They are currently being questioned by police at a police station in the Northumbria area."
Boro confirmation
A club spokesman said: "Middlesbrough Football Club can confirm that it was approached some time ago by Stewart Downing with concerns he had regarding the way his and his company's affairs have been handled.
"The club advised him to involve lawyers and accountants to investigate these concerns.
"Having established his position, Stewart made a formal complaint to Cleveland Police who have since been investigating matters.
"This led to the arrest today of a man and a woman relating to the investigation.
"The Football Association are aware of the position and are continuing to monitor its progress."
An FA spokesman added: "The FA can confirm that it was made aware by Middlesbrough FC of concerns relating to the actions of a licensed football agent in connection to their player Stewart Downing's financial affairs.
"The FA then acted as liaison between the club and Cleveland Police. We will continue to liaise with both parties to ensure that any potential breaches of football regulations are dealt with at the appropriate time."
Al Ciddeh Line Up Mega-Kaka Bid http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=847470
Manchester City’s new Arab owner Dr Sulaiman Al-Fahim is planning a mega-money bid for Milan superstar Kaka next summer, according to the Daily Telegraph.
Al-Fahim has revealed that his Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG) company, who are set to take full control of City in the coming weeks, are serious about bringing the best players in the world to the City of Manchester Stadium.
Having already helped snap up Real Madrid star Robinho in a sensational deadline day deal on Monday, it was also revealed yesterday that ADUG were looking to make a £135m bid for Man Utd hero Cristiano Ronaldo.
Now the Daily Telegraph claims that ADUG have their eyes on Milan superstar Kaka too, and could launch a similar bid to bring the Brazilian to Eastlands next summer.
Kaka has been constantly linked with a move to Chelsea over the summer, and has been tipped to join them next year.
However, Man City may look to repeat their Robinho heroics, and once again outbid their rivals for the Brazilian, who may be attracted to a move by the presence in Manchester of national team colleagues Robinho, Elano and Jo.
Roberto Rossi
- Chelsea fans will defect to City...............
Sevilla chief slams Levy http://www.skysports.com/story/0,195...090243,00.html
Del Nido accuses Spurs chairman of hypocrisy
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has been accused of hypocrisy over his reaction to the Dimitar Berbatov transfer.
The Bulgarian striker sealed a £30.75million move to Manchester United on deadline day after being picked up by Sir Alex Ferguson at the airport.
Levy was unhappy with the manner of United's pursuit all summer and also reported Liverpool to the Premier League over their approach for Robbie Keane.
Spurs eventually dropped their complaints as both players moved on, but Levy voiced his feelings again on Tuesday as he called for a review of the transfer system.
However, Sevilla president Jose Maria del Nido has now criticised Levy for his conduct.
Disrupted
Del Nido is still angry about the way Tottenham landed coach Juande Ramos last October and believes justice has been done.
"The way that Ramos flew the coop and abandoned his team en route to London last year totally disrupted our season and now I'm pleased that Spurs are being paid back in kind over the Berbatov transfer. Their complaints are hypocrisy personified," Del Nido said in the Evening Standard.
Del Nido also hit out at Levy over his attempts to sign Spain international Diego Capel from Sevilla.
"For months now they've [Spurs] been trying to sign Capel and sending emissaries to try and persuade us to sell," explained Del Nido.
"We told them what our understanding of the player's worth was and therefore what the minimum we would demand in order to let Capel go.
"But it appears they couldn't pay that price so they didn't get him. I must admit that if it had been any other team (than Spurs) the price I'd have quoted to sign Capel would have been lower.
"In fact there is no point in telling a lie the price would have been considerably lower. Now they've missed out on him and we won't sell Capel to Spurs."
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