Topics

1

Football / CONCACAF changes Champions League format

« on: January 12, 2012, 03:14:27 PM »

CONCACAF changes Champions League format
12 minutes ago
 taken from yahoo.com

tweet5EmailPrintNEW YORK (AP)—The preliminary round of the CONCACAF Champions League will be eliminated for the 2012-13 season, and the group phase will expand from 16 teams to 24.

Soccer’s governing body for North and Central America and the Caribbean said Thursday the first round will be extended from six weeks to eight and will start July 31 and end by Oct. 25. A team from the U.S. or Mexico will be in each of the eight first-round groups.

The winners of the three-team groups make the quarterfinals. In the past, 16 teams met in the preliminary round—eight advanced to the group phase and eight had byes.

Teams from the same nation can’t be in the same group unless one is a wild card replacing a team from a country without a suitable stadium.

2

Football / Sheffield FC auctions rules document from 1858A handwritten pamphlet from 1858

« on: April 30, 2011, 09:22:27 AM »

Sheffield FC auctions rules document from 1858A handwritten pamphlet from 1858 on the rules of club football is to be put up for sale by Sheffield FC.
 Taken form BBC.com

The document is believed to be one of the earliest instructions on the sport, and will be auctioned as part of an archive belonging to the club.

The archive is expected to fetch up to £1.2m when auctioned in July, and was called an important historical document by auctioneers Sotheby's, the FT said.

Sheffield FC is the world's oldest football club, formed in 1857.

The archive is being taken to Paris, New York and Doha before auction.

"It reflects the fact that football is now truly a global game," said Gabriel Heaton, senior specialist in Sotheby's books department, the FT reported.

'No hacking or tripping'
 
The pamphlet introduces laws of the game that still exist, such as the indirect free kick, the corner kick and the use of a crossbar.

Another rule states: "Pushing with the hands is allowed but no hacking or tripping is fair under any circumstances whatsoever."

Dr Heaton said although the game was already being played in private schools and Cambridge university, under a variety of different rules, the Sheffield document introduced innovations and removed the game from the elite educational establishment for the first time.

Sheffield FC chairman Richard Tims said the decision to sell the archive was a "tough" one, but had been taken to secure the club's future, the FT reported.

Mr Tims said the decision to sell the archive was sparked by the sale at Sotheby's New York last December of an 1891 document spelling out the rules of basketball for $4.3m, more than double its pre-sale estimate.

"If you are looking for a piece of footballing history, this is the ultimate prize," he said.

3

Football / CONCACAF likely to vote as bloc for FIFA president

« on: March 08, 2011, 04:05:47 PM »

CONCACAF likely to vote as bloc for FIFA presidentBy RONALD BLUM, AP Sports Writer
1 hour, 15 minutes ago
 

tweet0EmailPrintNEW YORK (AP)—The 35 CONCACAF members are likely to vote as a bloc at the June 1 election for FIFA president, according to the secretary general for the North and Central America and Caribbean region.

Chuck Blazer said discussion on the issue will intensify during the CONCACAF Congress in Miami on May 3.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter is seeking a fourth term and may be opposed by Mohamed bin Hammam in the vote by the FIFA Congress. Pele has suggested UEFA President Michel Platini might also run.

CONCACAF has 35 votes, while Europe, Africa and Asia have about 50 apiece. South America and Asia have about 10 each.

“We have by and large had a history of voting collectively, so each national association places its own vote but does it I think in what will be the best interest collectively (of) the confederation, depending on the discussions that we would have at that time,” Blazer said Tuesday during a conference call.

The only American on FIFA’s ruling 24-man executive committee, Blazer is still upset the group didn’t increase CONCACAF’s berths for the 2014 World Cup to four. The committee voted last week that CONCACAF will remain at three automatic berths, with the chance for a fourth in a playoff.

“They knew I was angry when I sat in the room with them,” he said. “It was a situation where they were each maintaining their own interests.”

Because of the decision, CONCACAF will spend the next 10 days working on a revised World Cup qualifying format. The initial proposal would have required 24 games and eliminated the chance for the U.S. and Mexico to play each other.

Blazer also said CONCACAF may not send a representative to the 2015 Copa America, South America’s quadrennial championship. The U.S. went to the 2007 tournament and Mexico is going this year.

“Don’t put any bet on it happening the next time,” he said.

Updated 1 hour, 15 minutes ago
Email Print         Buzz up! 0 digg add to facebook del.icio.us Twitter World Soccer CONCACAF likely to vote as bloc for FIFA president
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4

Football / Study: Clubs neglecting homegrown players

« on: January 18, 2011, 11:34:59 AM »

Study: Clubs neglecting homegrown players
 
PRINT RSS 1 comments »Updated Jan 18, 2011 10:19 AM ET
GENEVA (AP)
A study of 534 top-tier European football clubs says more foreign players are being used, causing homegrown youngsters to be neglected.

A typical club now averages more than eight expatriates, including one Brazilian each, among 24.5 contracted first-team players, according to Swiss University of Neuchatel research collected in October.

Squads averaged fewer players aged 21 or under and fewer players trained by the club than last year, the annual census says.

Nearly half of top-tier players across 36 countries have transferred internationally at least once.

The 20 Premier League clubs had 320 non-English first-team players.

European champion Inter Milan gave 99.8 percent of playing time to non-Italians during the survey period.

5

Football / FIFA gives Ghana deadline to end govt interference

« on: December 09, 2010, 07:08:33 PM »

FIFA gives Ghana deadline to end govt interference
By FRANCIS KOKUTSE, Associated Press
YAHOO.COM
 

ShareretweetEmailPrintACCRA, Ghana (AP)—FIFA gave Ghana three days to end government interference in soccer or its national federation will be referred to its emergency committee and possibly banned from international competition.

FIFA said Thursday in a statement to The Associated Press that it was informed by the Ghana Football Association of a raid on the GFA headquarters by the country’s economic and organized crime agency.

According to FIFA, the raid Tuesday forced the GFA “to stop all its activities, including the running of the league and other football developments.”

Ghana’s domestic soccer league was suspended on Wednesday.

FIFA said it sent a letter to the GFA on Thursday, stating “if the Ghanaian authorities did not stop their direct intervention and allow the GFA to work again before Sunday, the case would be referred to the FIFA emergency committee.”

Ghana’s government has denied involvement in the raid by the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO), which resulted in removal of eight computers. GFA officials were prevented from entering the building.

Youth and sports minister Akua Sena Dansua called EOCO “an independent organization.”

“For FIFA it is not acceptable if the GFA is not in a position anymore to exercise the core of its mandate, which is to run football in the country, because of government intervention,” the statement read.

GFA spokesman Randy Abbey said the association received the letter, and was “waiting on reaction from the government.”

In its own statement, EOCO said the GFA failed to provide requested documents—a charge denied by GFA president Kwesi Nyantakyi. EOCO said its officials raided the GFA offices and took away computers and documents to help it investigate allegations of tax evasion, fraud and other offenses.

“FIFA hopes that the Ghanaian authorities will reconsider their actions and thus avoid the deepening of a crisis which will only bring adverse consequences for the football lovers in Ghana,” FIFA’s statement concluded.

Ghana was Africa’s most successful team at the World Cup in South Africa, reaching the quarterfinals. It was the only team from the continent that made the knockout stages before eventually losing to Uruguay on a penalty shootout.

It also reached the final of the African Cup of Nations. Ghana is the under-20 world champ

6

Football / Paraguayan striker Salvador Cabanas shot in Mexico

« on: January 25, 2010, 11:25:25 AM »

Paraguayan striker Salvador Cabanas shot in Mexico
Taken from Yahoo.com
 
        Buzz up! 5 PrintMEXICO CITY (AP)—A star player for Paraguay’s World Cup team was shot in the head Monday in the bathroom of a Mexico City bar.

Salvador Cabanas, a forward for the Mexican team Club America, was in critical condition. He was conscious when he arrived at a hospital where he was being operated on to remove the bullet, team president Michel Bauer told Televisa network.

 
In this Sept. 5, 2009 photo, P…

AP - Jan 25, 10:06 am EST World Soccer Gallery “He was a bit confused and didn’t know what had happened and he was asking where they were taking him and why they were taking him there,” Bauer said.

Two suspects were detained and details surrounding the shooting are unclear, Mexico City Attorney General Miguel Angel Mancera told Televisa. Mancera said Cabanas had gone to the bar with his wife and was shot before dawn.

Juan Angel Napout, president of Paraguay’s soccer federation, said a doctor would travel to Mexico to accompany Cabanas.

“We are praying for him,” Napout said.

The 29-year-old player is a striker for the Paraguayan team that is grouped with defending champion Italy, New Zealand and Slovakia in the first round of the World Cup.

Cabanas has been playing in Mexico since 2003, when he was with the Jaguars. In 2006 he was sold to Club America. He has 125 goals in 218 games in Mexico and is one of the best strikers in the Mexican soccer league.

Steve Bruce, manager of the English club Sunderland, this month expressed interest in signing Cabanas.

Cabanas was honored as South America’s soccer player of the year for 2007 by Uruguay’s El Pais newspaper, the only time a player in Mexico has won the award. He is a former scoring champion in the Mexican and Chilean leagues.

7

Football / Jamaican police: National team player killed

« on: October 14, 2009, 11:09:11 AM »

Jamaican police: National team player killed
Associated Press
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Updated: October 14, 2009, 12:15 PM EDT 0 comments
KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) - Jamaica defender Orane Simpson was fatally stabbed in the violence-wracked Kingston slum where he was raised, police said Wednesday.

A brief police statement said the 26-year-old player, a Jamaica international since 2005, was killed in Tivoli Gardens, a sprawling neighborhood that was the country's first government housing project.

Simpson was attacked late Tuesday. There have been no arrests, and police did not disclose specifics of the stabbing.

Howard Bell, an administrator with the Jamaican Football Federation, said the right back had recently been sidelined with an injury. He did not provide more details.

Team officials did not immediately return calls Wednesday.

Simpson also played with the Tivoli Gardens team in the Caribbean island's National Premier League. He was first called up to the Reggae Boyz in 2005 for a match against Australia.

Drug and extortion gangs are blamed for 90 percent of the homicides in Jamaica - 1,611 last year, about 10 times the rate in the United States, relative to population.

taken from foxsports

8

Football / ESPN to show MLS, European soccer in Britain

« on: July 28, 2009, 11:22:40 AM »

ESPN to show MLS, European soccer in Britain
13 minutes ago
 YAH00 SPORTS
       Buzz up!5 votes PrintLONDON (AP)—ESPN has bought the rights to broadcast Major League Soccer live in Britain and Ireland as well as games from some European leagues.

The Disney-owned network is building up its live soccer content in Britain after already securing rights to show some Premier League matches.

The first live MLS match will be on Aug. 8 when England midfielder David Beckham’s Los Angeles Galaxy plays New England.

ESPN also announced Tuesday it has won the rights to show German, Portuguese, Russian and Dutch league soccer. ESPN has been picking up rights previously held by Setanta after the network collapsed in Britain due to financial problems.

Next season, ESPN will show 46 live top-flight English matches in Britain and 30 Scottish fixtures.

9

Football / If kenwayne Jones was English

« on: June 14, 2009, 08:42:12 AM »

I have a question for you guys, after analyzing the current corp. of English strikers {men like Heskey} I was thinking if Kenwayne Jones was English could he make this England team?

10

Football / Dale Mitchell fired as Canada’s soccer coach

« on: March 28, 2009, 08:00:58 AM »

 
Dale Mitchell fired as Canada’s soccer coach
Mar 27, 5:38 pm EDT
 
       Buzz up!0 votes PrintTORONTO (AP)—Dale Mitchell was fired Friday as the national soccer coach of Canada, which has not played in the World Cup since 1986.

Mitchell was hired in May 2007 and his team failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Canada finished last in its regional semifinal group, with four losses and two ties.

Mitchell’s contract runs through 2010. The decision to dismiss was made last weekend by the association’s board of directors.

“We have made this decision to move the program in a new direction,” Canadian Soccer Association president Dominic Maestracci said in a statement.

CSA general secretary Peter Montopoli said an interim coach could be appointed, perhaps leaving the door open for assistant Stephen Hart to lead the team at this summer’s Gold Cup. That happened two years ago when Mitchell was committed to the under-20 team at the world championships.

Mitchell, a member of Canada’s Soccer Hall of Fame, first played for his country at 18 and helped take it to the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. He took his under-20 team to three world championships.

“This is a results-oriented business,” he said upon getting hired as national coach. “And certainly when it comes to qualifying games it’s all about finding a way to get results.”

Asked why Mitchell had not been fired immediately after the failed World Cup campaign, Montopoli said the association wanted to review “the whole scenario.”

Montopoli said there had been discussions with the Canadian players on the decision to dismiss Mitchell. Several players like Jim Brennan and Dwayne De Rosario had publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the team under Mitchell.

Canada’s next game is a May 30 exhibition in Cyprus, followed by the Gold Cup in the summer.

11

Football / Late developers

« on: March 04, 2009, 03:11:01 PM »

I have a topic that me and FF talk about in the pass,   its players from Trinidad are late developers our players tend to peck at 30 when the rest of the world peck at 21  look Carlos Edwards  it took him some years to develop into the player he is right now. I would go as far to say Yorke only developed into a national team player in his 30s yes he played in England from the age of 16 but he never really did much for the national team. Look Carrington he was late developer we can go on and on Cyd Gray, whitley, Lawrence.  please don’t get me wrong with Yorke he was a very good player for his club but he never made the effort until the last WC campaign another example to look at is the Strike Squad if you look at the U.S team that beat us and you look the SQ player SQ still fit and will out play them by miles now. Why is that I really can’t pin point it maybe we age different.  The only one I could honestly say came from the youth level to senior international is Latapy the KING 

12

Football / Gone are the days of de allrounder

« on: December 22, 2008, 11:22:32 AM »

Gone are the days of the allrounder I remember my grandfather telling me he played football and cricket for Trinidad I believe he was on the bench for the national football team but never played but he also played cricket my question to you guys is  why we had so much sportsmen back in the day that played two and three different sports for the national.  is it a good thing for our sportsmen and women to stick to one sport. and how many of you the forumies played more that one sport .

13

Football / Blues mark return

« on: December 11, 2008, 02:13:42 PM »

Blues mark return
 
Taken for ttproleague.com
 
Police FC are confident of a comeback within the TT Pro Legue in 2009 according to Muhammad Isa on Wednesday night.
 
Isa, a spectator at wendesday night's FA Trophy quarterfinals contest between St Ann's Rangers and Neal and Massy Caledonia AIA gave 'ttproleague.com' the insights.
 
"We are very confident that we will be back in the Pro League next season," said 2007 Police FC Technical Director.
 
"Everyone is anxious to know if we are coming back." he continued. "We believe its a yes and we are looking towards January to get things back on track."

According to Isa, the Police Cricket Club is already back on the pitch training for competition in January and this is a good sign for the Police Sports Club in general.
 
"We are confident in this commissioner (Acting Police Commissioner James Philbert)," added Isa.
 
"The (TT) Pro League has promised our place in the League when we are ready and its a place we are hoping to fill next season."
 
Police FC, the Police Sports Club in general was pulled from sporting disciplines and ordered back to fulltime duty by then Commissioner Trevor Paul prior to the 2008 season, just one year after the lawmen joined the Pro League ranks.
 
The Blues finished 9th in the League in 2007, their only season at the TT Pro League level and Isa is confident that a good bunch of players will be gathered for 2009.
 
"We are hoping to have a couple screening sessions in January. Our guys have been scattered across the country playing football so i'm hoping that they have been keeping sharp. We will be looking to select the best of the Policemen and have a good team ready."
 
As for the Technical Staff, Isa confirmed that he will carry on as Technical Director, however couldn't confirm for the rest of the technical staff until a general meeting also scheduled for January.
 
In 2007, Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper coach Michael Maurice, a former T&T international goalie held the rank as head coach of the Blues.
 
Maurice a former coach with Starworld Strikers has been active with the National team throughout the 2008 and could possibly be back with the Lawmen.

Written By: Randy Bando
 
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14

Football / Youth academies bearing fruit

« on: November 14, 2008, 05:12:08 PM »

Youth academies bearing fruit(FIFA.com) Friday 14 November 2008
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The 2008/09 season began with the usual supply of transfer headlines, with the likes of Ronaldinho, Dimitar Berbatov and Robinho making big-money moves to some of the globe's wealthiest clubs. Yet, as the opening months of the new term have revealed, sound investment in young talent closer to home can prove just as rewarding a policy as drafting in established stars.

By banking on their youth academies, clubs can build a solid foundation for the future and, in time, harvest success out on the pitch. This unsung work behind the scenes is now paying off for several teams on both sides of the Atlantic, who are feeling the benefit of investing in their youngest assets.

La Masia central to Barça success
Having worked his way up through the ranks at Barcelona to form part of Johan Cruyff's fabled 'Dream Team' of the early 1990s, current Barça coach Josep Guardiola is a perfect example of how carefully nurtured local talent can bed in seamlessly with big-name imports. The pupil has now turned master, of course, and Guardiola has followed that tried-and-tested formula to create a thrilling team that is turning heads across the continent.

The Catalans stand top of La Liga, having scored more league goals than any other side in Europe this season, and are already through to the knockout rounds of the UEFA Champions League. Such success is due in no small part to a nucleus of graduates of La Masia, the club's renowned academy.

Captain Carles Puyol, midfielders Xavi and Andres Iniesta, and goalkeeper Victor Valdes are all established members of the first team. And this season they have been joined by lifelong season-ticket holder Gerard Pique, who has returned to the club at which he learnt his trade, and burgeoning talents Sergi Busquets and Bojan.

Two other former prodigies making their mark with the Culés are Lionel Messi, who arrived from Argentina as a 13-year-old and is now the heartbeat of the side, and free-scoring striker Samuel Eto'o, who nurtured his skills at the youth academy of eternal rivals Real Madrid.

If you're old enough, you're good enough
The Spanish pacesetters are not the only club with an unshakeable belief in their teenagers. Manchester United youth products Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville and Darren Fletcher all played their part in the Red Devils claiming a Premier League and UEFA Champions League double last season.

Another English club with a reputation for unearthing promising youngsters from the local area are Middlesbrough, whose academy is one of the most respected in the country. German outfits Stuttgart, Bayer Leverkusen and Hertha Berlin are all noted for their youth programmes, while Bastian Schweinsteiger and Philipp Lahm repaid Bayern Munich for years of patient schooling by helping them to the 2007/08 league and cup double.

Over in Argentina, Lanus and Velez Sarsfield have remained faithful to their tradition of bringing youngsters through and now regularly compete for domestic silverware. And in their efforts to remain one of the world's top clubs, Boca Juniors are engaged in a constant process of renewal, one that has involved goalkeeper Javier Garcia, defenders Facundo Roncaglia and Juan Forlin, midfielder Osvaldo Gaitan, and strikers Ricardo Noir and Lucas Viatri breaking into their first team in recent times.

The French formula
The academies of France have long been honing the skills of young players of African origin, and in the last few years sides such as Toulouse and Lille have exposed several of their graduates to top-flight football - and with excellent results. Few youth products have achieved quite as much success as Lyon's Karim Benzema, however. The 20-year-old, a striker of Algerian descent, is the top scorer in Ligue 1 this term and a key component of a revamped France side.

Just across the English Channel, Arsenal are reaping the rewards of Arsene Wenger's far-sightedness in youth development. A firm believer in blooding fledgling talent, the Frenchman has picked up some star recruits from other academies to assemble one of the youngest teams in the Premier League. Despite their tender years, Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas, Mexico's Carlos Vela, Alexandre Song of Cameroon, and the English duo of Jack Wilshere and Jay Simpson have already served notice of their prodigious gifts.

As well as being the future of the world game, these young stars are proof that clubs can often find the resources they need for success right on their doorstep.
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Rating: 4.4

15

Football / American buys stake in Sunderland

« on: September 26, 2008, 02:59:40 PM »

American buys stake in Sunderland
Updated: September 26, 2008, 3:31 PM EST 1 comment add this RSS blog email Print LONDON (AP) - Texas businessman Ellis Short bought a significant stake in Sunderland, the English Premier League told The Associated Press on Friday.

Short is co-founder of Dallas-based private equity group Lone Star Funds. In August, he acquired more than 30 percent of the consortium that owns the club in northeast England.

Premier League clubs Manchester United, Liverpool, Aston Villa are also owned by Americans.

League spokesman Dan Johnson said Short has bought a stake above 30 percent. If he is deemed not suitable as an owner, he will have to take his investment below 30 percent. Britain's Daily Telegraph said Short is now the biggest shareholder.

"Sunderland AFC is unable to comment on any matters relating to the Drumaville Consortium or investment in the club except to thank them for their continued support," the club said.

The eight-person Drumaville company, chaired by former Sunderland striker Niall Quinn, bought Sunderland in 2006 for $18.4 million.

Members of the mainly Irish consortium contacted by the AP refused to comment, as did people connected with Short in the United States. Short has had no previous involvement in the sports industry.

Prosecutors in South Korea last year issued arrest warrants for Short on allegations of stock manipulation and tax evasion over the sale of Korea Exchange Bank to Lone Star Funds, of which he was vice chairman. No charges were brought.

16

Football / Youth soccer? AC Milan reportedly signs 9-year-old

« on: September 26, 2008, 02:34:10 PM »

Youth soccer? AC Milan reportedly signs 9-year-old
By Salvatore Landolina, Goal.com
Sep 25, 5:38 pm EDT
 
      Buzz Up Print
Ancelotti plans for future?

Reuters - Sep 24, 3:58 pm EDT World Soccer Gallery Related CoverageAC Milan's Pato relishing upcoming derby Reports: Mafia involved in Amauri deal AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti is following in the footsteps of Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger as he shows his penchant for youngsters and signs a 9-year-old, according to reports.

A report by Lesdessousdusport.fr claims that the Italian giants have already snapped up 9-year-old Edgardo Obregon.

Born in Mexico, “el Gato” (the cat) has already suited up for Chivas de Guadalajara and Barcelona. The youngster had trials at Milanello, and the Rossoneri are looking to invest in him as one for the future.

It is suggested that the Rossoneri have heaped high praise on Obregon and that he will be offered a place at the Milan academy to grow and develop his football, receiving the best coaching and support in the process.

Obregon is outstanding for his age group and he plays as a “trequartista,” or attacking midfielder. He has impressed the scouts with his skills, dribbling and vision, and he has an eye for goal.

However, Milan will need to be careful as putting too much pressure on the elementary school boy may backfire badly. Many will remember the story of Sonny Pike who signed for Ajax as a 7-year-old in the mid-1990s, only for his dream to end up in smoke.

Go to Goal.com for the world’s most comprehensive soccer coverage.

17

Football / Marvin Andrews Thread.

« on: September 23, 2008, 03:07:28 PM »

What happen to Marvin Andrews haven’t heard any word from him

18

Football / Fox Soccer Channel gets rated in US

« on: September 14, 2008, 07:38:01 PM »

Fox Soccer Channel gets rated in US
By RONALD BLUM, AP Sports Writer
7 hours, 46 minutes ago
 
      Buzz Up PrintNEW YORK (AP)—The fiercest soccer competition in the United States might be played out in television network conference rooms.

The Fox Soccer Channel will be rated by Nielsen starting next month, measuring how many people tune in across the United States to games of the English Premier League and Italy’s Serie A.

At the same time, ESPN is considering a challenge Fox and its News Corp. cousin, British Sky Broadcasting, for Premier League rights starting with the 2010-11 season. If ESPN succeeds, it could be the spark to increasing ESPN’s presence in England and perhaps beyond on the European continent.

“They’re definitely focused on getting some package of rights in the U.K. because they see that as a key to establishing a base in that country,” said David Sternberg, executive vice president and general manager of Fox Soccer Channel.

ADVERTISEMENT
 
FSC, currently available in more than 33 million homes, began as Fox Sports World in 1998 and was rebranded as an all-soccer channel in 2005. Rights to the Premier League, which are shared with Setanta Sports, are the network’s key properties, with live broadcasts on Saturdays and Sunday from mid-August through mid-May.

“We already know that English Premier League is a premier global sports property much like FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League and Euro 2008 which have all been strong performers on our networks and platforms,” said Scott Guglielmino, ESPN’s vice president of programming. “I would expect strong numbers for the EPL in the homes that receive FSC.”

English soccer has boomed in recent years, with the big four clubs— Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea—expanding their audiences in the United States and Asia. The EPL’s increased revenue has been used to acquire and retain top foreign talent such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Fernando Torres, Emmanuel Adebayor and Didier Drogba, boosting the English clubs past their European counterparts in the Champions League, the world’s top club competition.

“The celebrity of the players in England is huge,” Sternberg said.

ESPN’s 27 Champions League telecasts last season were watched by an average of 255,000 households—even with matches starting at 2:45 p.m. Eastern time on Tuesdays and Wednesday. Manchester United’s victory over Chelsea in the final last May was ESPN’s most-watched Champions League match, drawing 798,000 homes and 1,097,000 viewers, according to Nielsen. And starting in 2010, the Champions League final will be shifted to Saturday.

ESPN and ABC, units of The Walt Disney Co., own rights to the 2010 and 2014 World Cups along with U.S. World Cup qualifiers through 2014 and the Champions League though this season. ESPN and ABC televised every game of the European Championship in June—soccer’s No. 2 event after the World Cup—and Spain’s win over Germany in the final was watched by 3.76 million viewers on ABC. Another 657,000 tuned in to the Spanish-language broadcast on ESPN Deportes.

ESPN and Fox have started to stream soccer telecasts on the Internet, especially key for midweek afternoon games that attract viewers in offices. And a version of ESPN Classic launched two years ago in Britain, where ESPN’s North American Sports Network is based.

Disney chief executive officer Robert Iger said last week that ESPN might bid for Premier League rights either by itself or with partners. As in the United States, News Corp. and Setanta share rights in Britain.

“The global appeal of soccer is unique and we will continue to expand key relationships with key soccer properties to meet the substantial and growing appetite for soccer across all media platforms,” Guglielmino said.

GolTV, the third major soccer broadcaster in the United States, has rights to Germany’s Bundesliga and Spain’s La Liga through the current season, FSC and ESPN both televise Major League Soccer, and FSC has the second-tier UEFA Cup.

But after the World Cup and the European Championship, the Champions League and Premier League are the biggest properties. FSC hopes being rated will lead to increased revenue.

“We will be able to open up a lot of advertising business,” Sternberg said.

19

Football / Rangers hold Jabloteh

« on: August 28, 2008, 05:39:08 PM »

Rangers hold Jabloteh

Thursday, August 28th 2008
 
 
 St Ann's Rangers, the hottest team in the country at the moment, got another good result when they held leaders CLICO San Juan Jabloteh 1-1 in a TT Pro League match on Tuesday.

Jabloteh took the lead through Jason Marcano in the 26th minute before Devon Modeste pulled Rangers level in the 73rd. However, the biggest winners of the round were W Connection, who hammered previous leaders United Petrotrin 5-0. W Connection got a fast start and were leading 3-0 at the half time break through goals by Clyde Leon, Teba McKnight, and the Dominican Republic's Jonathan Frias. Nickcolson Thomas got his team's fourth goal, while Frias had his second goal five minutes from the end.


TUESDAY'S TT PRO LEAGUE RESULTS:

W Connection 5 (Clyde Leon, 8th; Teba McKnight, 33rd; Jonathan Frias, 37th & 85th; Nickcolson Thomas, 80th) United Petrotrin 0; Caledonia AIA 2 (Kendall Velox, 30th; Akil Armstrong, 88th) Defence Force 2 (Devon Jorslyn, 10th & 22nd); St Ann's Rangers 1 (Jason Marcano, 26th; Devon Jorslyn, 73rd)
 

20

Football / Rangers whip Tobago for Pro Bowl quarterfinal spot

« on: May 08, 2008, 06:08:16 AM »

Rangers whip Tobago for Pro Bowl quarterfinal spot       
Written by Randy Bando     
St Ann’s Rangers booked their Courts Pro Bowl quarterfinal clash against Caledonia AIA after hurting Tobago United with a 3-1 win at the Larry Gomes Stadium in their playoff clash.

Tobago United still fresh from their 5-1 trashing by Rangers in their League clash on Saturday suffered their second consecutive defeat to the Anthony Streete coached side.

St Ann’s Rangers compelled to another riveting performance came close in just the second minute when Josimar Belgrave pulled an effort just wide of goalkeeper Richard Reynolds far post.

But 8 minutes into the match Corneal Thomas punished some poor defending slotting the ball past Reynolds from a corner to put Rangers 1-0 up.

Tobago United forward Collie Hurcules equalized for the Tobagonians in the 35th minute on a second bite effort after his initial effort was well blocked out by goalkeeper Shane Mattis—however Granger had the ball stopped by his groin area and by the second effort he was crippled momentarily.

But 2minutes from the half time whistle Rangers skipper Josimar Belgrave restored his team advantage 2-1 when he comfortably netted low past Reynolds after receiving a pass unmarked inside the area.

Tobago United returned with a sting in the 46th minute when Carey Harris pulled his trigger from above the area to shoot just wide forcing Mattis to make a dive.

But 47th minute Rangers’ Abiola Clarence stretched their lead to 3-1 after blasting past a full stretched Reynolds from 23 yards out after a wonderful build-up from the right side.

In the 57th minute winger Devon Modeste had the opportunity to put the match out of Tobago’s reach before the hour mark but after being set free inside the area he was dispossessed by Reynolds.

Rangers had a number of other chances which they failed to convert, settling for their 3-1 win and their place in the Courts Pro Bowl quarterfinal against Caledonia AIA next Tuesday at the same Larry Gomes Stadium.
 

21

Football / Akeem Adams

« on: March 27, 2008, 10:56:51 AM »

 this player has a bright future and I’m happy he’s getting his baptism by fire now and like Palos, I’ve been dieing to hear we have a young defender  on the rise he’s 16 so you could image the future this kid could have, I have one piece of advise to him please do not go to a collage team in the US or a A League team even an MLS team these are not the league you need to develop stay at home for the next two years get all the caps you can get then move to a good European team playing in the PFL is your best chance at getting a good contract 

22

Football / Warriors to battle on without Sunderland duo.

« on: March 24, 2008, 06:40:13 PM »

Warriors to battle on without Sunderland duo.
By: Shaun Fuentes (TTFF Media).

Trinidad and Tobago’s Senior Footballers arrived in Kingston just around 2pm on Monday for their upcoming friendly international against Jamaica at the National Stadium here on Wednesday night. Head coach Francisco Maturana and captain Aurtis Whitley led the rest of the team in an evening training session at Tivoli Gardens and will have a final rehearsal at the match venue on Tuesday evening for the game which is being highly anticipated in reggae land.

Head coach of the Jamaican team Rene Simoes told the Jamaican media that he was going all out in the encounter which over the years has been billed as one where bragging rights is a major priority. The Jamaicans qualified for the 1998 World Cup and T&T performed a similar feat in 2006. The last time these two teams met, Jamaica came away 2-1 winners in a Digicel Cup encounter in 2004. Jamaica also won the two previous World Cup qualifying meetings 1-0 and 2-1. Simoes was at the helm of the T&T team in the second encounter played at the Queen’s Park Oval.

With Jamaica having the majority of its heavyweights for Wednesday’s game, T&T suffered a double blow with the news that both Kenwyne Jones and Carlos Edwards would not be joining the squad for the match. The Sunderland medical staff, in communication with T&T team Doctor Terrence Babwah and team administrator David Muhammad explained Jones as still recovering from a virus and was unfit to travel. However Sunderland physiotherapist Peter Friar, in a letter to the T&T team management, stated that Edwards suffered a groin problem in training on Friday. However he was declared fit and the club felt he was too much of a key player to leave out. He managed to play 67 minutes for Sunderland in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Aston Villa.

Friar said Edwards was still experiencing tightness in the groin and his hip was impinging in its adducted/medial rotation quadrant. Babwah, as was customary in such matters, requested an MRI of the injury as well as an independent examination. As has occurred in the past, a medical doctor in Birmingham has been used by the TTFF for similar cases with players during the 2006 World Cup qualification. However Sunderland stated that it was unnecessary for Edwards to undergo the MRI as well as get an independent assessment.

According to Muhammad, Friad relayed that the MRI scan possibly would not show any relevant hip pathology which he (Friar) was referring to in his letter, but rather pick up only a minor soft tissue lesion. Babwah recalled Jones himself undergoing an independent assessment by the same Birmingham-based doctor prior to the match in 2005 before returning to Port of Spain to represent T&T.

A FIFA ruling states that in such instances, the country’s governing body can enforce action whereby the player does not take part in training or in a match over a five-day period following the date of the match he was requested to be released for. The TTFF has gone ahead with that request through FIFA and both players will not be eligible to play for Sunderland in Saturday’s game against West Ham United. T&T head coach Francisco Maturana did admit his disappointment on not having Jones and Edwards available.

“It is sad that they will not be here because they are a very big part of the plans for the country just as they are for their club. We don’t get to have players every week like the clubs which is why it was important for them to be available for this game. Player selection is all part of planning for international games,” Maturana told TTFF Media on Monday.

“But we hope they recover well and we will not let that hold us down. We have other players here and they will have to play their game and we will prepare for Wednesday’s game.”

Whitley said his troops will soldier on. “It’s disappointing that both Carlos and Jonesy will not be here but we are here to play Jamaica and we will go play them and try our best to get a good result. We will not let that hold us back,” he added.

“The game will be a tough one. We know Jamaica always wants to beat Trinidad especially in football and the public will come out for this one but it will be a good test for us and I think we will be able to pull out the stops and go for something good."

Charleston Battery striker Randi Patterson, fresh from scoring a double over Toronto FC on the weekend, joined the team on Monday in Kingston and Jan Michael Williams and striker Darryl Roberts were scheduled to arrive later that day. Defender Osei Telesford and Collin Samuel will join the team at the Pegasus Hotel on Tuesday. Kick off at is 7pm (8pm T&T Time).

Video with team training in Jamaica.

23

Football / Stern John and Jason Scotland got drop

« on: March 17, 2008, 01:48:29 PM »

Fellas I  didn’t  like to start rumors but I believe Stern John  and Jason Scotland got drop from the team because they where the two players that didn’t take the money from last game remember TTFF never said who the players was if this is true we have long battle for world cup qualifiers.   

24

Football / Executives of former FIFA partner to stand trial

« on: March 10, 2008, 12:28:12 PM »

Executives of former FIFA partner to stand trialAssociated Press
Updated: March 10, 2008, 9:56 AM EST Comment add this RSS blog email print GENEVA (AP) - Six executives of FIFA's former marketing partner will go on trial Tuesday, charged with embezzlement, fraud, fraudulent bankruptcy, damaging creditors and falsification of documents.ISL/ISMM, FIFA's marketing partner for almost two decades, left an estimated debt of US$300 million (€196 million) when it collapsed in 2001.
The bankruptcy led to bitter clashes between FIFA and UEFA, which questioned FIFA president Sepp Blatter's handling of marketing deals.

Prosecutors say the criminal mishandling at ISL/ISMM amounted to more than 100 million Swiss francs (US$98 million; €64 million), but have so far declined to comment on reports in German and British media that the company paid out millions in bribes to sell lucrative contracts for sponsorship and broadcast rights to major sports events.

If convicted, the defendants could face up to 4 1/2 years in prison.

The six executives, who have not been named because of Switzerland's strict privacy rules, deny all charges.

The case centers on employees of ISL and its parent group ISMM, which owned the television and marketing rights to the 2002 and 2006 World Cups.

The company's collapse tore a hole in FIFA's finances, prompting the Zurich-based body to lodge a criminal complaint over irregularities in ISL/ISMM's accounts.

It also led to bitter clashes between Blatter and his former No. 2, Michel Zen-Ruffinen, and former UEFA president Lennart Johannson. Zen-Ruffinen accused Blatter of engaging in irregular payments in connection with marketing deals. Blatter denied any wrongdoing and was re-elected in 2002 for a second term as president of one of the world's most powerful sports bodies.

"It was a major crisis for FIFA," said Andreas Herren, a FIFA spokesman.

"Ninety-two percent of all revenue that FIFA generates comes from the television rights and the marketing rights for the World Cup," Herren added. "Anything affecting those rights is a major issue for us."

In 2004, FIFA said it would try to recover 125 million francs (US$122 million; €80 million) it was owed by ISL/ISMM through civil proceedings, and dropped its criminal complaint.

But Thomas Hildbrand, an investigating magistrate in the Swiss canton (state) of Zug, continued the criminal probe and compiled a 228-page indictment of ISL/ISMM group last year. That report will be released at the start of the trial.

According to German magazine Der Spiegel, the indictment contains allegations that more than 18 million francs (US$17.6 million; €11.5 million) were transferred to persons directly or indirectly connected to contracts negotiated by ISMM.

Herren said FIFA was in no position to comment on bribery allegations, but noted that FIFA was only one of ISMM's many clients.

British daily The Guardian has reported that at least one FIFA official was among those to receive payments. Zug prosecutors declined to comment on the reports ahead of the trial, but lead prosecutor Marc von Dach said last year that no current or former FIFA officials were under investigation.

Blatter said FIFA was affected by the case against its former marketing agent, but added that the organization was not worried about the trial.

"Why should we fear something we have started," Blatter said at a meeting in Gleneagles, Scotland. "This will not disturb the work and responsibilities of the world of football, and FIFA and the president."

A verdict in the trial is expected later this year.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Associated Press writers Christine Wanner in Bern, Switzerland, and Rob Harris in Gleneagles, Scotland, contributed to this report.

25

Football / TTFF: No backing down.

« on: March 08, 2008, 03:18:06 PM »

No backing down.
By: Shaun Fuentes (TTFF).

The Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation will not stand down as it pertains to statements by Sunderland manager Roy Keane in reference to an international call up for midfielder Carlos Edwards for this country’s upcoming friendly international against Jamaica.

Keane, in statements to the UK Press on Friday, indicated that he was not in favour of the TTFF’s invitation for the player for what is its highest profile international warm up for 2008 so far as it prepares for the 2010 World Cup qualification bid.

Edwards is currently back in full training and played a practice game on Friday and is likely to feature for the Sunderland Reserves against Manchester United next week.

"I'm surprised Carlos has been called up," said Keane. "He's played one, two games in the last seven, eight, nine months. Maybe I need to make a call to their manager. Maybe they're not aware of that.”

Keane also hinted that he may be reluctant to release Kenwyne Jones for the Jamaica game as Sunderland clashes with West Ham United two days later.

“We'll cross that bridge when we get to it. We've a tough game on Sunday– just as long as Kenwyne is available for that,” Keane added.

The Jamaica game falls on a FIFA international date and in an immediate response, TTFF Special Advisor Jack Warner said that the local governing body will not back down against Sunderland nor any other club that tries to withhold players from being part of its preparations for the 2010 World Cup qualifiers.

“Maybe Keane needs to be reminded of the FIFA rules on matters like this one. Had it been an African country, of any size, he would not even have contemplated any battle of any kind,” Warner stated from Cairo, Egypt where he is on FIFA business, heading an inspection visit for that country’s hosting of the 2009 FIFA World Youth Championship.

“It tells you of the contempt a few English coaches continue to have for the countries in the Caribbean especially a country like Trinidad & Tobago. Like Keane, Trinidad & Tobago will no doubt cross the Edwards' bridge when it comes to it,” Warner further stated.

Edwards is yet to been seen in T&T colours by head coach Francisco Maturana and the Colombian is keen to have the former Luton Town star as part of his plans with qualifiers quickly approaching. Maturana will continue his policy of rotating players, particularly the overseas-based pros before settling on a stable squad. Late last month Edwards also indicated that he was eyeing the Jamaica game and was anticipating a return to the T&T team once he had recovered from the injury by then.

For the Jamaica encounter, Maturana has called up Dutch-based professional Darryl Roberts and Kenwyne Jones as the overseas-based forwards, preferring to use those two over in form strikers Stern John and Jason Scotland, both currently among the top scorers in the English Championship and League One respectively.

“There are some players we have already seen and we know what they can offer. Now we will continue to look at some of the other players. We will give some a chance as we see necessary before coming up with the best possible team. It is important that we have these players involved in some form (in the preparations) from as early as possible. The game against Jamaica is important which is why we have to also have a player like Kenwyne Jones involved,” Maturana told TTFF Media.

The other overseas-pros selected for the Jamaica encounter in Kingston include Walsall goalkeeper Clayton Ince and Collin Samuel. Following prior discussions, according to coach Anton Corneal, Swansea City defender Dennis Lawrence was also recalled but is unavailable as he is still nursing an injury.

The National Team will resume preparations a week prior to the friendly international against El Salvador carded for the Marvin Lee Stadium, Centre of Excellence on March 19. From the players involved in that encounter, another team, inclusive of the five mentioned overseas pros will then be named to travel to Kingston for the match against the “Reggae Boyz”.

Jamaican Football Federation President Captain Horace Burrell previously hinted that Jamaica will aim to field a strong team inclusive of its overseas pros for the meeting at the “Office”.

26

Football / Premier League tougher than Spain, says ex-Arsenal ace Pires

« on: March 07, 2008, 04:04:54 PM »

Premier League tougher than Spain, says ex-Arsenal ace Pires
2 hours, 41 minutes ago
 

 MADRID (AFP) - Former Arsenal midfielder Robert Pires believes that the English Premier League is far stronger than the Spanish championship where he now plies his trade with Villarreal.

"The English championship is a much stronger than La Liga. They have three teams in the Champions League quarter-finals and could have four," said former French international Pires.

"In Spain, only Barcelona have made it to the last eight so you have to accept that the Premier League is a higher level and is physically stronger."

Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea all reached the Champions League quarter-finals this week while Liverpool will take a 2-0 lead to Inter Milan in their last 16 clash next week.

Spain's contingent was cut by the elimination of both Real Madrid and Sevilla.

27

Football / Rangers put hope in youths

« on: February 29, 2008, 10:31:11 AM »

Rangers put hope in youths        


Friday, 29 February 2008 
 By Randy Bando...
TT PRO LEAGUE ONLINE
St Ann’s Rangers, formally known as Superstar Rangers are leaving it up to their youngsters to do a better job in 2008 following their disappointing seventh position finish in the League and their best on the knockout stage being the Courts Pro Bowl final position last season.

Club Chairman Richard Fakoory in a recent interview with ‘ttproleague.com’ said that his club is committed to younger players to get the job done in 2008.

Rangers are currently equipped with nine players from last season, all serving out one year contracts this season.

These players are Coneal Thomas, Christian Thomas, Shem mc Farlane, Josimar Belgrave, Elijah Belgrave, Abiola Clarence, Marvin James, and Michael Brown.

Following last season’s failure to make the final six ‘Lucozade Sport Big Six’, at the time head coach, Anthony Streete made the statement, “Our senior players didn’t do it for us this season (2007) and its best that we put our faith in the younger players to get results.”

Streete assured that his 2008 squad will be built with a foundation of young players who performed in 2007.

In 2008, Streete is relegated as assistant coach to new head coach Dion La Foucade but the same rules applies. The squad’s backbone will be built on youth.

Rangers are expected to make their final cut early next week following weeks of open sessions.

Expected to make it into the final cut is Leslie Fitzpatrick formally of W Connection. The former A League player has been training with St Ann’s Rangers throughout their pre-season and could be part of the St Ann's based club.

Also expected to make a return in 2008 are Jamaican goalkeeper Shane Mattis and Colombian defender Milton Gomez. Mattis is currently in Jamaica and is expected to return to the club next week, while Gomez has shown interest of returning to the club that suspended his contract last season for breach of contract. Gomez is at home in Colombia. He represented W Connection last while suspended from Rangers.
 
 
 

28

Football / MLS to annouce Philadelphia expansion

« on: February 28, 2008, 01:08:44 PM »

MLS to annouce Philadelphia expansion
Feb 27, 3:59 pm EST
 

 NEW YORK (Ticker) - Major League Soccer will on Thursday award its 16th franchise to the Philadelphia market.

The league has called a press conference for 2 p.m. ET in Chester, Pennsylvania, to make the announcement.

Joining MLS commissioner Don Garber at the event will be the new ownership group of the team, as well as Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, who last month gave the bid a major boost by providing backing for a soccer-specific stadium to be built on the Chester waterfront.

Rendell committed $47 million of state money to a revitalization project worth around $500 million, with the stadium as a centerpiece.

Philadelphia had been battling St. Louis to become the league’s 16th city. Rendell’s announcement on January 31 appears to have been decisive in tipping the balance Philadelphia’s way.

During his State of the League address prior to the MLS Cup in November, Garber had said that, as it stood then, St. Louis was ahead in terms of its stadium proposal, but the league preferred the ownership setup in Chester. With the stadium plan now in place, Philadelphia’s bid has satisfied the league.

An added attraction of choosing Pennsylvania is the rivalries it can create. Both DC United and the New York Red Bulls are a relatively short distance away, which should quickly create additional fan interest.

The new team is likely to begin play in 2010, with the new stadium then ready for its second season.

MLS is expanding to 14 teams this season with the addition of the San Jose Earthquakes, while Seattle will join in 2009.

Garber has stated a desire to have 18 clubs in the league by 2011, with Miami hoping it can join alongside St. Louis in the next round of expansion.

29

Football / Flamengo has the world's biggest club fan baseAssociated Press

« on: February 27, 2008, 01:54:43 PM »

Flamengo has the world's biggest club fan baseAssociated Press
Updated: February 27, 2008, 2:00 AM EST 19 comments RSS digg blog email print SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) - Brazil's Flamengo has the biggest club fan base in the world, ahead of Mexican teams Chivas and America, a Brazilian magazine reported on Tuesday.

The five-time Brazilian champion has 32.6 million fans, according to the Web site of Mundo Estranho magazine.
Chivas has 30.8 million supporters, and America 26.4 million.

The magazine's report was based on individual surveys in Britain and 10 other countries: Brazil, Argentina, Spain, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Portugal, France and the Netherlands.

The surveys were conducted by respected polling institutes in each of the countries and most analyzed figures from the past two years. Only Portugal had older numbers, from 2003.

The surveys did not take into consideration multinational fans, "like Chinese people who support Manchester United," the magazine said.

Brazil's Corinthians was fourth on the list with 23 million fans, followed by Argentina's Boca Juniors (16.4 million), Italy's Juventus (16.3 million), Brazil's Sao Paulo (15.3 million) and Italy's AC Milan (13.4 million).

Spain's Real Madrid and Argentina's River Plate came next with 13.2 million supporters each.

30

Football / A vexing soccer question: Why can’t the English learn to coach?

« on: February 26, 2008, 03:11:20 PM »

A vexing soccer question: Why can’t the English learn to coach?
By ROBERT MILLWARD, AP Soccer Writer
Feb 25, 4:23 pm EST
 

 LONDON (AP)—Another foreign coach wins an English title while homegrown managers struggle in their own country.

Consider what happened this weekend in English soccer:

— Tottenham’s Juande Ramos, a Spaniard only four months into English soccer, captured the League Cup at Wembley.

— Kevin Keegan, a former England coach brought back to revive ailing Newcastle, surveyed the wreckage of a 5-1 home defeat to Manchester United and the increasing fear of relegation.

— Alex Ferguson, a Scot in charge of Man United, moved within three points of Frenchman Arsene Wenger at Arsenal in the Premier League title race.

— At the bottom of the standings, three Englishmen are favorites for relegation with Derby, Fulham and Reading. Four others are in danger at Bolton, Wigan, Newcastle and Middlesbrough.

ADVERTISEMENT
 
While Tottenham fans cheer their team’s first title success in nine years, the fact that Ramos won it for them so soon after arriving in English soccer means more gloom for native talent—or lack of it.

No English manager has won the league title since Howard Wilkinson with Leeds in 1992, and that was before the championship changed its identity to the Premier League. Since then, Ferguson has won the title nine times, Wenger three, Chelsea’s Portuguese former manager Jose Mourinho twice and another Scot, Kenny Dalglish, once with Blackburn.

No Englishman will win it this season, either.

Arsenal and Manchester United are favorites and Chelsea, with Israeli coach Avram Grant now in charge, is the nearest to them. Then comes Liverpool, whose manager Rafa Benitez is a Spaniard, Everton (Scotsman David Moyes) and Aston Villa (Northern Irishman Martin O’Neill).

The nearest Englishman in the standings is Portsmouth’s Harry Redknapp, whose team is seventh and 20 points behind Arsenal.

Taking a look at the list of FA Cup winners, no Englishman has won soccer’s oldest and most famous domestic cup competition since Everton’s Joe Royle in 1995. Although Redknapp and five other Englishmen from the lower leagues have made it to the last eight this season, the odds are the title will go to Manchester United or Chelsea.

Ramos, who guided Spanish club Sevilla to back-to-back UEFA Cup triumphs, took over at Tottenham from a Dutch coach, Martin Jol, who guided the Spurs to two fifth-place finishes before a slump in the early part of this season.

“To come in after a few months and win a trophy is an incredible achievement,” Tottenham striker Robbie Keane said. “He’s also done it at Sevilla in a short space of time also so certainly not a fluke. He’s given us the belief that we can win every game and you can see that in our performances since he took over.”

The backup coaching teams at the most successful clubs aren’t exactly packed with Englishmen, either.

Wenger has had former Northern Ireland defender Pat Rice as his assistant since arriving at Arsenal in 1996. Ferguson has Portugal’s Carlos Queiroz as his No. 2; Grant has a Scot, Steve Clarke; and Liverpool’s Benitez has fellow Spaniard Pako Ayestaran.

Ramos’ assistant is Gus Poyet, a former Uruguayan international who played for Tottenham after leaving Chelsea.

England’s national team now has Fabio Capello in charge and he has four fellow Italians alongside him together with under-21 coach Stuart Pearce. When he goes to Premier League games next season, Capello most likely will be sitting alongside Ireland’s new Italian coach Giovanni Trapattoni, whose top players are based in England.

So what is it that these hugely successful overseas coaches do that the Englishman don’t?

Ramos has been praised for improving his players’ conditioning and diet, but he has also restored confidence. Wenger transformed Arsenal from a dour, pragmatic team into one of the most entertainingly skillful in the game.

Ferguson, who has won 20 trophies in 21 seasons at Old Trafford, instilled a winning mentality into Manchester United as well as blending young, homegrown talent with big overseas stars. While Benitez has struggled to bring league title success to Liverpool, he is a master of achieving triumphs in Europe. He led Valencia to the 2004 UEFA Cup and the Reds to the 2005 Champions League and two finals in three seasons.

During his time at Chelsea, Mourinho led the club to its first league title in 50 years and followed it up with another championship, an FA Cup and two League Cups. Grant has reached a final in his first season and Chelsea is going strong in the FA Cup, Champions League and Premier League.

Compare that with the achievements of the English coaches.

Steve McClaren’s League Cup success with Middlesbrough in 2004 is all they have to offer. He is out of a job after his spell as England coach showed his failings.

The nine currently in charge of English clubs don’t have a single major trophy in England or in European competitions, although Fulham’s Roy Hodgson has won domestic leagues in Sweden and Denmark.

Maybe it’s the language.

Ramos conducts all his media interviews in Spanish because his command of English is not yet good enough. Asked on live TV to express his joy at Tottenham’s League Cup triumph on Sunday, he managed a few words of English for the cameras.

It was faltering. Like the English coaches.