Latest Transfer Update at 06-03-2012

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Moyes: A decade at Goodison

MOYES CLOSES ON 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Everton manager David Moyes approaches his 10-year anniversary at Goodison Park next week admitting it is a "big achievement" to spend a decade at one club.
When he moved from Championship side Preston he was given a four-year contract but the Scot did not know whether he would see that out or not.
And, in a situation similar to that faced by Andre Villas-Boas at Chelsea before he was sacked at the weekend, Moyes said he had to win over the players who were only a few years younger than him.


"When I came to Everton did I think I'd be here 10 years? I don't think you ever think that," he said.
"You sign a four-year contract but it's difficult to know how long you're going to get.
"This job, because of the demands put on you, the public scrutiny and the results world that means there's a demand to win regularly, makes it hard to stay at any one club for 10 years.
"So, yes, 10 years is a big achievement - but the club deserves a lot of credit as well.
"Bill Kenwright (chairman) had the foresight to look for someone he felt could help Everton and they've not been in a business where they've been unstable."


Moyes took over at Everton a month before his 39th birthday and felt he had to win over the squad.
"I took the Everton job when I was 38 years old, so it was relatively young," he told the Liverpool Echo.
"Some of the players weren't that much younger than me, and you have to earn respect.
"The players want to see how you work but I think I've been lucky because I've had good players around me and things have gone well - from the very first game."

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Emiliano Mondonico: Sacked after 37 days in charge

NOVARA SACK MONDONICO

Relegation-threatened Novara have sacked manager Emiliano Mondonico after just 37 days in charge.
The north-west club have re-appointed Attilio Tesser who was axed in January despite leading the club to the top flight for the first time in 55 years.
Mondonico led Novara to a 1-0 win at Inter Milan during his brief time in charge, but the club have opted to return to Tesser after slipping 12 points from safety.


"Novara officially announce the end of the professional relationship with coach Emiliano Mondonico," a statement on the club's website read.
"The decision was taken in the morning following an open dialogue between the parties.
"Novara would like to sincerely thank Emiliano Mondonico for working hard.
"At the same time, the club can confirm the return of first-team coach Attilio Tesser to the Novara bench."

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Carragher: Eyeing more silverware

CARRAGHER NOT READY TO RETIRE

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher admits losing his place in the starting line-up this season has given him a new appreciation of his career.
However, the 34-year-old is not ready to give up on his playing days just yet as he is keen to add more winners' medals to the Carling Cup the club lifted last month.
Carragher lost his place due to the excellence of Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger in central defence but injury to the latter has provided an opening for the vice-captain.
Last weekend's defeat to Arsenal was only his second Premier League start of 2012, having previously been restricted largely to cup competitions.


"I can't lie, it has been difficult at times," said Carragher.
"But I've said it loads of times in interviews: you have to be respectful to the manager and the other players.
"Privately at times I'm frustrated but that's because I'm a footballer, I want to play and I'm passionate - I wouldn't be here in the first place otherwise.
"But I realise this happens to everyone at a certain age. It also reminds me what I've done.
"I've played for Liverpool's first-team pretty much every week for 16 years.
"When you do it every week, it slips your mind a little but when you play the odd game against Oldham or Brighton at Anfield in the cups and you leave the pitch knowing you've won well and done all right yourself, it's a great feeling.
"So it sinks in more when you're not playing."


Carragher may have only a few years left at the top but he is keen to add to the tally of 11 trophies he has won at Anfield, especially after having to wait six years for the latest one.
"There was a time when I thought we weren't going to get to another final," he told LFC magazine.
"I want to win more before the end of my career. That's why I'm desperate for the FA Cup and to play in Europe again.
"At the moment we're definitely in the Europa League and I know people knock it but I'd love to reach the final of that competition.
"I've been to three in Europe so far. To have four in your career would be a fantastic achievement.
"At the end of a career you're desperate more than ever for medals, grabbing as much as you can as you go."

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Guardiola: Laughs off speculation

GUARDIOLA LAUGHS OFF CHELSEA LINK

Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola has laughed off speculation linking him with the vacant Chelsea post.
The 41-year-old is considered one of the bookies' favourites for the Stamford Bridge vacancy alongside former Blues boss Jose Mourinho and ex-Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez.
Guardiola has enjoyed incredible success during his time at the Barcelona helm, but has only ever signed one-year contract extensions at the Nou Camp.
Speculation is rife over his future once again as he has yet to put pen to paper on a new deal, but he's laughed off talk that he would replace Andre Villas-Boas, who left the club on Sunday and was replaced by Roberto Di Matteo until the end of the season.
Asked if there had been any contact, he said sarcastically: "I speak every day with Chelsea.


"Villas-Boas seems like a great coach. The time (managers get) depends on the results, not on our abilities. I'm not capable of judging the reasons for his dismissal."
While Guardiola shrugged off speculation, Germany coach Joachim Low refused to comment on reports linking him with the vacancy.
The 52-year-old was reported to have met with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich in a Geneva hotel to discuss the position, but the west London club denied any such meeting took place.
Low is in the Swiss city fulfilling a commercial obligation with German Football Federation sponsors Mercedes-Benz, but declined to discuss the issue.
"I have a contract as national team coach until 2014," he told German tabloid Bild.
"The European Championships start in three months and everyone knows my goal.
"I see no reason for me to comment on media speculation."


Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp and his Swansea counterpart Brendan Rodgers were both far more forthcoming about replacing Villas-Boas, confirming they would not be interested in taking the Chelsea hotseat.
One man that does want the job, though, is former Blues manager Glenn Hoddle.
The 54-year-old spent three years at the Stamford Bridge helm during the mid-1990s, before leaving to take the England national team post.
While he concedes it is likely to be given to another foreign boss, if the west Londoners do plump for a British boss Hoddle would love to be considered for the post.
"I think they will probably keep with the policy of staying foreign, I really do," he said.
"I was the last English manager to be there and that was a long, long time ago - over 15 years ago. That is staggering and I think they will probably go foreign, but it is strange because I loved working for the club.
"It was different then to what it is now and I only left because England came calling.
"If they were prepared to look for an English manager, I would love to go back there. I really must say that.


"I did a good job when I was there and a lot of Chelsea fans actually say when I meet them 'thanks for what you did because we started something there'.
"Chelsea hadn't done much for 27 years and they could start to see the progression that was coming very quickly. It has obviously been taken on since Ken Bates was chairman and [former vice-chairman] Matthew Harding died.
"It has been taken on with new owners and the rest is history, but I think they will go foreign."
Meanwhile, Villas-Boas has been linked with a prompt return to management in Serie A.
Inter Milan has often been mooted as a potential destination and Roma has been mentioned following his departure from Stamford Bridge.
However, Villas-Boas' agent Carlos Goncalves says he is not thinking of any managerial offers at the moment.


"At the moment I'm in London with Andre and we have not had contact with Rome," he told Rete Sport.
"Andre is still sleeping off what happened with Chelsea and definitely does not want to think about anything else. I do not not know where the news is from, even though we have the utmost respect for the Roma."

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Lukaku: Has made just 10 appearances for Chelsea

LUKAKU INTERESTED IN LOAN

Romelu Lukaku remains committed to Chelsea but has hinted he would be interested in a loan move away from Stamford Bridge.
The 18-year-old Belgian striker arrived in England last August billed as the next Didier Drogba in an £18million move from Anderlecht.
But the presence of his hero and the likes of Fernando Torres and Daniel Sturridge means he has made just 10 appearances for Chelsea this season.
Hamburg are reported to want to offer Lukaku a loan escape and their sporting director, former Chelsea man Frank Arnesen, has already taken the likes of Michael Mancienne to Germany.


And Lukaku is interested in playing on a more regular basis, as he is quoted as saying: "I have a contract with Chelsea until 2016 and want to make my name in England.
"I am learning quickly with my hero, Drogba, and I am enjoying it.
"But playing week in, week out can be a positive thing."