Manchester City consider Liverpool manager to displace Roberto Mancini - GiveMeFootball.com

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has appeared as a surprise choice to restore Roberto Mancini at the Etihad Stadium, should Manchester City choose to remove the Italian during the summer. Based on the People, Rodgers is in the frame to become the next director of Manchester City having originally been defined as a possible future employer of the FA Cup finalists during his time at Swansea. Rodgers was outlined as successor to Mancini last season before Manchester City's spectacular late season turnaround secured the Premier League title in the dying moments of the closing time of the campaign. Manchester City's name victory gained Mancini a brand new five-year contract from the club's hierarchy but, having failed in both the Premier League and Champions League this period, the 48-year-old could be sliced in the summer - even when the Blues get the FA Cup. Rodgers is claimed to have been recognized as City's top target, regardless of the Northern Irishman being only one-year into his contract with Liverpool, and last year's champions could have no problem in paying a sizeable compensation fee to secure his signature. Town, it is stated, believe Rodgers fulfils the requirements they are searching for in their next director, and have been impressed with the 40-year-old's efforts to body younger participants, his negotiations with the press, and performances with Liverpool in Europe. The face area that Rodgers is fluent in both English and Spanish is also reported to become a significant interest for Manchester City, though Liverpool are unlikely to take into account dropping a boss they rate very highly. Rodgers has won 23 of his 51 games in control of Liverpool and, although the Reds may just be sixth in the Premier League, are well-placed to build on the foundations laid during his maiden period at Anfield.

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Stoke City: You'll have a at Pulis, but he's a tough nut to crack - This really is Staffordshire

NOT all the media made Stoke's press conference with time, indicating that by the end of the night one reporter asked: "So, inform me again, what did Dave Kemp say about Kid Creole and the Coconuts?" Erm, nothing. Nevertheless, Stoke's associate boss did compare Tony Pulis to a coconut, in the sense that managers are always in the firing line, much like on a fairground afraid. Willing TO HOLD ON: Stoke director Tony Pulis gives his hand to Norwich employer Chris Hughton after the match on Saturday. Inset: More tributes were paid to Stoke hero Paul Ware, both ahead of the game and in the 42nd second. Pictures: Phil Radcliffe It had been a fair position. In my experience though, these tough almonds certainly are a lot harder to get rid of than you believe. Based on some in the press, Tony Pulis's P45 is already from the cabinet. But, it is very possible that the people who will actually make your decision, the Coates family, do not know very well what they will do yet. Just Gates Printing voucher Provided & completely equipped with either A24.99 handles, polished chrome, silk chrome, polished steel. New knobs & latches... A79.50 per door..Also obtainable in product plastic-coated end. Contact: 01782 940970 Good until: Friday, Might 31 2013 After the game, Pulis couldn't confirm whether he'd still be in place next year though, let us be fair, which director aside from Sir Alex Ferguson may say with any confidence when they can still maintain a job? Pulis did confirm he wants to stay at Stoke, and has strengthened his hand with a on Saturday which almost certainly obtains Premier League soccer for City for a sixth consecutive year. A week or two ago, when Stoke were given the run around at the Britannia Stadium by Aston Villa, Premier League security looked a long way away indeed. However they deserved their win at QPR last week and certainly deserved to win on Saturday against a Norwich part who have been fortunate to not lose by more targets than Charlie Adam's 46th-minute reach. Norwich director Chris Hughton explained Stoke as "at their most direct" and did not seem to mean this as an insult. That too appeared obvious as they were an even more physical, decided, and he also said Stoke have been eager to have back to basics and, to be good, confident, area than when they were outfought and outplayed by Villa. Norwich always looked miserable against Cameron Jerome's speed, while Peter Crouch was exemplary. However, Adam was the deserving man of the match after an all-action performance, crowned by his third goal of the season. It's not always been clear where Adam could easily fit into at Stoke, having been utilized in 'the gap' behind the striker to limited effect. He is back the area on the right side, but did not let that reduce him as he revealed occasions after the break when he burst through the middle of the area to pounce on Peter Crouch's header and punch the ball past Mark Bunn. Adam's feelings following the purpose were with his father, who died in December. In fact, it was an emotional time because the team compensated a tribute to City hero Paul Ware by playing highlights of his time at Stoke on the big screen before the game over-all. Norwich fans joined in the applause, while they did in the 42nd second when fans again recommended the midfielder who has died, aged just 42. A chorus of "There is one Paul Ware" followed, with many supporters doing their best to become listed on in while still wiping away the tears. Recently was two decades since Ware and promotion was won by the rest of the Lou Macari class of 1992/93 from the 3rd level with a brand of engaging, attacking football. These types of thrills have not frequently been obvious through the current plan as just fewer goals have been scored by doomed QPR. But Pulis has again steered City to criticism and safety should really be tempered by the fact this is one relatively weak time out of seven since he came back to the club. Okay, Stoke were the cheapest scorers in the team last time, but Newcastle United's present complications claim that Stoke's success in competing in the Europa League, while quickly preventing relegation last year has been underestimated. Some changes to the team is likely to be required in the summer, whoever the director. In the end, the back-to-back wins against QPR and Norwich still make it only three wins from City's last 16 league games. But, it is still very possible that those summer plans is going to be schemed from underneath a baseball cap. That's maybe not the only real question which remains unanswered. For starters, which good fresh fruit, or indeed lover, will TP be compared to next?

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Tebow Time in New York over after Jets cut QB

Here he was, perhaps the most popular player in the NFL, in New York as a member of the Jets and maybe the biggest thing to hit Broadway since Joe Namath himself.

There were billboards outside the Lincoln Tunnel in New Jersey welcoming Tebow, and sandwiches named after him at Manhattan delis. He also had a legion of fans who followed him because of his strong Christian beliefs, and in New York, he would be able to take advantage of countless media and marketing opportunities.

Tebow was waived Monday morning, the end of an embarrassingly unsuccessful one-season experiment in New York that produced more hype and headlines than production on the field. And it all ended quietly, with a three-paragraph news release.

A year after he threw a TD pass to win a playoff game in overtime for Denver, the Heisman Trophy winner with two college national titles at Florida and a nationwide following may have suited up for the last time.

Tebow took to Twitter a few hours after being waived, citing a bible verse: "Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding," Tebow wrote, "in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."

No NFL team has made a pitch to get him. The only nibble so far came from the Montreal Alouettes. They hold his rights in the Canadian Football League and said he could come compete for a job — as a backup.

"Had this happened back in February, he might have had a chance to at least participate in free agency," said 2002 NFL MVP quarterback Rich Gannon, now an analyst for CBS Sports and SiriusXM NFL Radio. "I don't think there would have been a strong market for him, but at least he would've had that opportunity."

Gannon added that it's an even tougher situation for Tebow now because more than 20 quarterbacks were either drafted or signed as undrafted free agents in the last few days.

"Look, it's a two-way street, though," Gannon said. "It's a business. The Jets were trying to find somebody, a dance partner. Sometimes that goes into the draft and teams are calling around. I'm sure the Jets were trying to shop Tebow, and I'm sure they kept getting denied."

This is the same guy who led the Broncos to the postseason in 2011, but became expendable when Denver signed Peyton Manning as a free agent. The popular backup quarterback was acquired by the Jets in March 2012 for a fourth-round draft pick and $1.5 million in salary. He was introduced at the Jets' facility to plenty of fanfare at a lavish news conference, with Tebow repeatedly saying he was "excited" to be in New York.

It turned out to be one of the few high points in Tebow's stay with the Jets. Along with his shirtless jog from the practice field in the rain during training camp, of course.

The Jets never figured out a way to use Tebow effectively, and he never forced the issue by being a good enough player in practice to make Ryan and his coaches put him on the field more in games.

"If he were to happen to call me, I would say, 'Look, you're starting over,'" former NFL GM Ted Sundquist said. "Tim Tebow needs to redefine who Tim Tebow is, in my opinion. He's no longer a first-round quarterback."

Even recently retired Jets special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff labeled the way the team used Tebow an "absolute mess."

It all cost Tebow his job, along with former general manager Mike Tannenbaum and former offensive coordinator Tony Sparano — both fired in part because of their roles in what was one of the NFL's messiest quarterback situations in recent memory. It also seriously clouds Tebow's NFL future, which might be extended only, in some people's opinion, if he considers a position change.

"I don't see any team giving him a chance because teams don't want to deal with the following that comes with Tebow," ESPN analyst and former NFL offensive lineman Damien Woody said. "Maybe Canada."

Tebow was brought to New York to be a dynamic addition to the offense, a complement to Mark Sanchez and a merchandising touchdown for the Jets. Instead, he attempted just eight passes for 39 yards and rushed 32 times for 102 yards — and stunningly had no touchdowns.

Through it all, Tebow tried to hide his frustration, but acknowledged late in the season that things didn't turn out quite how he expected in New York.

It's an amazing fall for a player whose No. 15 Broncos jersey ranked second in national sales to Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers in 2011.

"He seems like a great kid," Sundquist said, "and it seems like he could bring some positives to a club if he can just bury this whole thing about him being in your quarterback mix and just let him be No. 39 on your roster, one of your back-end guys who can go somewhere and help you win."

The Jets and new general manager John Idzik drafted former West Virginia star Geno Smith in the second round of the NFL draft Friday, giving New York six quarterbacks on its roster — and creating uncertainty about Sanchez's future as well.

Tebow, who dropped about 15 pounds in the last few months, arrived at the team's facility in Florham Park, N.J., early Monday and was told he had been cut.

"Tim is an extremely hard worker, evident by the shape he came back in this offseason," Ryan said. "We wish him the best moving forward."

The Jacksonville Jaguars have already ruled themselves out of giving Tebow a happy homecoming. But maybe the Chicago Bears, whose new head coach Marc Trestman tutored Tebow before the NFL draft in 2010, could give him a look as their backup.

Perhaps the San Diego Chargers would take a chance on him, adding to the circus-like atmosphere they'll likely have because they drafted Manti Te'o. New coach Mike McCoy was Tebow's offensive coordinator in Denver during the 2011 season, when the quarterback took over the offense and led the Broncos to comeback after comeback.

What about Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots? They're no strangers to turning discarded players — Wes Welker, Danny Woodhead, even Randy Moss — into big-time playmakers, and it would give Belichick another chance to tweak the Jets.

Then, there's always the Canadian Football League, but whether Tebow would even be open to a move north of the U.S. border is uncertain.

"If you can find a club that's mature enough to handle it as an organization, then you're going to find the right spot for him," Sundquist said. "What I mean by that is all the media mania and that sort of thing. The club says, 'Look, this is the reason we're bringing him on. We feel he can bring X, Y, Z and A, B, C to the table.' Explain it to Tim, explain it to the media, explain it to your fan base and explain it to your organization."

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Arsène Wenger: we have no room for error after Manchester United draw - The Guardian

Arsène Wenger remains "convinced" that Arsenal will qualify for the Champions League but he warned that there was no longer any margin for error after a Bacary Sagna blunder allowed Robin van Persie to mark his Emirates Stadium return with Manchester United's equaliser in Sunday's 1-1 draw.

Wenger spoke of the "disappointed love" that the home crowd had felt with regard to Van Persie, who received a pre-match guard of honour with his United team-mates from the Arsenal players to mark his club's 20th league title. His 43rd-minute goal, scored from the penalty spot after Sagna's poor pass and misjudged recovery tackle, was his 29th of the season. Van Persie later visited the Arsenal dressing room to see his old friends but Wenger's upset was located in him being "treated well by our defenders" on the field.

"I think that equaliser played a big part in this game because it put us in a difficult position," he said. "We had to open ourselves completely up and put everything forward and sometimes a little bit more with energy than with technique. We opened ourselves up for counterattack where we could have lost the game.

"Sagna is very disappointed. He is a player who gives absolutely everything in every game and I think he made a bad pass that can happen and maybe after, he panicked a bit because he maybe wanted to repair too quickly what he did. He had time to tackle but he has saved us so many times. It was unfortunate that it happened today."

Arsenal slipped to fourth place and, if Tottenham Hotspur were to beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on 8 May, Wenger's team could find they do not have control of their Champions League destiny. Before that, though, Chelsea must visit United. It is fiendishly tight.

"If we win our games, it will be enough," Wenger argued, "and I'm convinced we will be there. There is no room for dropping points but the other teams are in the same position. We know we cannot drop points."

Wenger took issue with the notion that it had been inevitable that Van Persie would score and he suggested that the value of penalties did not weigh as heavily. But he was pleased, in general, with the respect that was shown to his former player.

"I don't think he scored," Wenger said. "He scored a penalty. It counts but it's not completely the same. When you buy a goalscorer, you always look at how many goals he has scored with penalties and how many he scored in open play. But he took his penalty very well. I know when he decided to take the penalty that it was 80% he scores. He was our penalty taker. He does that very well. He does a lot of things very well.

"He was in our dressing room [after the match] because the food is better in our dressing room than their dressing room. We are rivals [with United] but at the end of the day, we decided to sell him. You want us to make a guard of honour and to respect the champions but you have to accept as well that respect exists after the game. You want to give absolutely everything for the 90 minutes and, after the game, you can still talk to each other."

United now know that they cannot reach a record 96-point Premier League finish and Sir Alex Ferguson lamented missed chances and the referee Phil Dowd's decisions to book five of his players. "When we had a foul, he's booked us right away," Ferguson said. "We have one of the best disciplinary records in the country. For Manchester United to have five players booked, I don't think that's right. Arsenal set off at a fantastic pace, very aggressive, with a lot of tackles and the referee just couldn't keep up."

Chelsea FC – Eden Hazard, Juan Mata & Oscar Make Frank Lampard Look Good - Sportige

Scoring goals through penalty kicks doesn't make you a brilliant scorer, but compliments have always been easily showered on Frank Lampard, even when he doesn't deserve them, and most of the credit in his "better" performances this season for Chelsea have come thanks to the creative trio in front of him, consisting of Eden Hazard, Oscar and Juan Mata.

In one of his final appearances for the club he's been playing for since 2001, Lampard came on in the 25th minute for the injured Ramires and got himself an assist and his 13th goal of the season via penalty, although it was mostly thanks to the passing of Hazard and Mata that won him the spot kick, and Oscar's high quality finishing that earned him the assist.

Chelsea are heading away from its old guard, there's no denying it. The only ones left are Lampard, John Terry, Ashley Cole and Petr Cech, with Cole signing an extension for next season, but Lampard still left up in the air. Each manager has his own ideas on how to make the changes – subtle or more drastic (like Villas-Boas), but the future is in its expensive trio of attacking midfielders, no matter the capacity they'll be used in.

And that is what Chelsea have to build around, not Lampard in the middle, who has scored 13 league goals this season, but five of them have come from penalties, and the rest, or most of the rest, are goals that you'd expect any other player to score. He does not command the same attention he did in previous seasons, leaving him quite free to take shots at goal, but worse is his tactical use defensively, never being one to make the most of the central midfielder role without leaving too many defensive holes.

For that, Chelsea will need to find themselves someone better in the transfer market to play alongside John Obi Mikel and give the side a much more confident center instead of the gaping, wide hole that was taken advantage of by the likes of Manchester City or some European rivals like Juventus and Shakhtar during Chelsea's weakest performances this season.

As for what happens up front – Demba Ba seemed like a steal when he came over in January, but with only two goals since his arrival, even Fernando Torres seems like a better option to start with, although the Spaniard brings along his own set of confidence and goalscoring problems.

The important thing is the win, beyond all of the tactical thinking. Chelsea are now firmly set at third place after their two rivals drew over the weekend, giving them three points more than Tottenham and one more than Arsenal, while the Gunners have played one more match than them. It now leads to their toughest two match stretch of the season, playing both Manchester United and Tottenham in the span of four days.

Hopefully, United will continue to look as quite disinterested as they have in recent weeks, while Spurs will choke on another road game. Not coming out with at least four points from these matches and especially beating Spurs, means the Champions League might be impossible to reach next season.

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Collection FC target David Villa might force FC Barcelona leave - statement - Crunchsports.com

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson feels the competition to sign Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski remains alive, despite stories the ball player has agreed a summer proceed to Bayern Munich. Lewandowski's agent in midweek said that the forward really wants to keep Dortmund, adding that anA... Santos have established that Neymar, who continues to be linked with the likes of Barcelona, Chelsea and Real Madrid, is ready to move to Europe. Neymar is probably the absolute most sought after player in world football today and has been connected with numerous clubs in recent months, with Bayern Munich, Ju... Sir Alex Ferguson has suggested that Manchester United may bring in two new participants this summer.Reports in midweek had suggested United could be prepared to devote A50million this summer as Sir Alex appears to strengthen his title earning squad.The likes of Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski... Chelsea's possible spending spree in the exchange market this summer has leftAArsenal boss Arsene Wenger admitting he's "afraid",Aafter a report recommended Radamel Falcao and Jose Mourinho were set to join the Blues this summer. Falcao has been linked with numerous top groups from a... Federico Fazio, who has been connected with Arsenal, is really a target for several leading clubs in England and Italy, according to theASevilla defender'sAagent. Stories in midweek recommended Arsenal are considering a summer bid for Fazio, who's out of commitment at the end of next period, while Liv... Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has declined to rule out creating a move for Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski.And despite opposition from Bayern Munich, based on theA, United are confident of winning the competition to signal the Poland international.Lewandowski, who is out of... Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is reportedly a distress goal for Manchester City. Rodgers is coming to the end of his first year in charge at Anfield and it is perhaps not believed his career is in any question. But according toA, the 40-year-old is the surprise name in the figure to displace Roberto Mancini... Saturday's round up of the utmost effective transfer experiences from yesteryear 24 hours... - Robert Lewandowski, who has been associated with Manchester United and Bayern Munich, has "reached a contract with a, the Borussia Dortmund striker's adviser, Maik Barthel, has toldA. - But Bayern Munich have given... Fiorentina are allegedly showing curiosity about Fernando Torres, but reports have been played down by the Serie A side indicating they're getting ready to dining table a for the Chelsea striker. Torres has typically struggled since joining Chelsea from Liverpool over couple of years in accurate documentation A50million deal but has sco...

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Celts top Knicks 97-90 in OT, avoid playoff sweep

BOSTON (AP) a' Jason Terry obtained Boston's last seven points and the Celtics weathered a strong recovery by the Brand New York Knicks, avoiding a mop with a overtime win on Sunday. John Pierce led the Celtics with 29 points as a fifth game was forced by them in the series, but it was Terry who supplied the finishing touches. In Game 3, he had been elbowed by J.R. Jones, and the NBA suspended the Knicks guard for Sunday's game. Ny had tied the overall game 84-84 after walking by 20 points early in the third quarter. It had been 88-all before the Celtics regained get a handle on and took the lead permanently on a 3-pointer by Terry. Carmelo Anthony, who led the Knicks with 36 items, struck a quick jumper, but Terry related on a with 50 seconds remaining for a 93-90 cause. After Anthony missed a with 21 seconds to get, Terry was fouled and sank both free throws. A layup was added by him to close out the overall game. But the Celtics still have a large deficit in wanting to get to be the first team to get after looking a set 3-0. Game 5 is Wednesday evening in Ny, where in actuality the Knicks could win their first playoff series in 13 years. Points were scored 26 by jeff Green for the Celtics and Terry finished with 18. The Celtics revealed restored energy early after being used below 80 items in each one of the first three activities. Before their recent second-half complications delivered they led 54-35 at halftime and 59-39 three full minutes in to the third quarter. In past first halves, they won just 25 factors in 23 and Game 1 in Game 2. On Sunday, they were outscored 30-14 in the third quarter and led just 68-65 heading to the fourth. Boston held a lead when Anthony visited the seat with 3:35 outstanding. The Knicks outscored the Celtics 14-3 the rest of just how behind 11 items from Felton and a from Iman Shumpert. Felton finished with 16 points in the 27 and fraction in the game. The Knicks played the initial half as if they'd taken shooting classes from the Celtics. Nyc struck only 28.9 percent of its pictures (11 for 38) after Boston created only 39.5 percent of its efforts in the very first three activities. The Celtics found their add the start and attached on 51.3 percent (20 for 39). Notes: The Knicks were 19-2 within their past 21 activities. The Celtics were 5-14 in their past 19. ... For the Celtics, Garnett, Green and Brandon Bass each had five minutes to four fouls in to the third quarter. Bass dedicated his fifth with 5:10 left in the period and fouled out with 4:27 to go in the activities. ... Anthony dedicated his next with 4:08 remaining in the 3rd.