Ivica Olic,
the powerful Croatian forward, has signed a three year contract
for Bayern, whom he will join from Hamburger SV next July.
The scorer on one of the goals against England in the Croatian 3-2
win 14 months ago will thus part company with his fellow countryman
Mladen Petric.
"This has not been an easy decision, as I discussed the transfer
with my family and friends over a long period," said the 29-year-old,
who will earn 4.5 million Euros per season at his next club.
"This was to be my last big contract and the crown of my career.
It will be a challenge for me to play in the Champions
League, and Bayern offered me everything I wanted."
The unsettled Bayern player Lukas Podolski might just go in the
opposite direction, because Hamburger claim they would be ready
to release Olic immediately if Bayern were ready to send the Polish-born
striker to Northern Germany.
The first match after the winter break will see Hamburger receive
Bayern, but Olic says loyalty is not an issue.
"Whoever knows me is aware that I'll do my best to help Hamburger
win," said the speedy and muscular Croat.
Gazza's son believes dad close to death
Paul Gascoigne's estranged son claims his father is about to lose
his battle against alcoholism and other mental disorders that have
been wrecking his life for the past ten years.
"He is probably going do die soon," 12-year-old Regan
said to the Channel Four channel in a documentary.
"I don't think there is any point in trying to help him –
we are wasting our time. I wish he would go away from us,"
continued the sad teenager.
"Everyone thinks he's Gazza but because he's the top player
doesn't mean he's a good dad or a good person to be with."
Gazza himself was contacted by Channel Four admitting to having
thought of dying.
"I've got food disorder, bipolar disorder, mood swings, anxiety.
I drank when I was sad. And yes, I must admit I thought of dying,"
said the 41-year-old former midfielder, who impressed on the field
on many occasions and made afool of himself just as often.
Sadly, now it seems that the final act of his troubled life may
be well underway.
Mark Hughes happy with "pocket money" from Abu Dhabi
The new Manchester
City owners gave coach Mark Hughes a nice New Year's present:
one hundred million pounds for reinforcements to be made in the
January transfer
window.
The Abu Dhabi United Group did not purchase Manchester City last
September in order to make more money but to promote their emirate
against neighboring Dubai.
Since City are not far away from the drop zone in the Premiership,
the new owners have nothing yet to show for their money, but when
the new signings arrive the things could change. For now, defender
Wayne Bridge has been brought in from Chelsea, and negotiations
are in progress over Kolo Toure (Arsenal), Craig Bellamy (West Ham),
Scott Parker (West Ham), Shay Given (Newcastle) and Roque Santa
Cruz (Blackburn).
Hughes claims it will be hard to attract top players due to CIty's
poor position, but the Arab oil money could help bridge (pun intended)
the gap.
Bayern protest over Allianz Arena "destruction"
It is clear that the Allianz Arena was only destroyed on film,
as part of the script for the SF blockbuster "The Day The Earth
Stood Still", but Bayern are still far from happy.
Who knows why, the authors of the movie starring Keanu Reeves picked
the new Munich soccer stadium for one of the destruction scenes.
This detail angered Bayern's directors, who now consider the possibility
of suing the producers for damages.
"Nobody advised the club nor asked for permission for showing
the stadium", which in the film first melts, then collapses.
It is understandable that we are opposed to seeing Arena shown in
this way. Now we are studying our legal options and analizing whether
we should react and how."
Hugo S^nches takes over at AlmerĶa
The greatest Mexican and Central American player in history, Hugo
Sánchez, has replaced Gonzalo Arconada at Almeria.
Hugo (50) signed a six-month contract with an option for a one-year
extension.
The Mexican is a celebrity in Spain, having spent there eleven seasons
as a player during the eighties and the nineties. Playing for three
Madrid clubs, Atlético, Real and Rayo Vallecano, Sánchez
won five top-scoring titles, five league championships, two cups
and the 1986 UEFA Cup. As a
coach, he worked for five years at his former club UNAM Pumas before
coaching Necaxa and the Mexican national team.
Naldo tattooed crucified Jesus on his back
Werder's Brazilian defender Naldo had a crucified Jesus Christ
tattooed on his back, hoping it would protect him from evil. Jesus'
tattoo is considerable in size, stretching from shoulder to shoulder,
with an angel on each side.
"I am very religious and I believe in God. He will protect
me and my family," explained Naldo (26) in an interview with
Bild.
The "operation" lasted for three hours and cost 2,700
euros, but Naldo would like a slight modification of the image.
"I might ask the artist to tattoo a couple more clouds,"
said the Brazilian, who claims not to have felt any pain during
the procedure, just "a little tingling."
Understandably, since the cause was so noble.
