Football News » Weekly News » Weekly News 12 4 11
Weekly News 12 4 11
Weekly Soccer News, April 12, 2011
Wenger the man for Kroenke
New Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke has given his backing to manager Arsene Wenger despite the Gunners languishing seven points behind leaders Manchester United in the English Premier League title race.
Wenger has come under fire from some sections of the Arsenal support in recent weeks after losses in the Champions League and FA Cup and faltering championship hopes.
Arsenal have not won silverware since the FA Cup in 2005 despite regularly qualifying for the Champions League through their domestic league finishes.
But it looks highly unlikely that Wenger's duties as manager would be terminated by the American businessman before his contract expires in 2013.
"Arsenal is a fantastic club with a special history and tradition and a wonderful manager in Arsene Wenger," said Kroenke. "We intend to build on this rich heritage and take the club to new success."
Carroll on cloud nine
Liverpool striker Andy Carroll opened his account for his new club in Monday's 3-0 thrashing of Champions League hopefuls Manchester City at Anfield with two classic strikes.
Carroll scored twice before half-time – one a left-footed piledriver from outside the penalty box and his second a classic looping header over Pepe Reina – to provide an example of what Liverpool supporters can expect from their £35 million striker over forthcoming years.
"It’s been a great day for me. Obviously getting my first goal here at Liverpool and a great result all around really," said the former Newcastle United forward. “The reception was great and the fans have been fantastic ever since I’ve been here."
Carlos Tevez, meanwhile, limped off with a torn hamstring moments before Carroll opened the scoring, almost certainly condemning him to miss Saturday's FA Cup semi-final against rivals Manchester United at Wembley.
'Nothing enjoyable with Van Gaal at helm'
Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has launched a withering attack on outgoing coach Louis van Gaal.
Van Gaal, who had been set to leave at the end of the current Bundesliga season, was sacked after Sunday's 1-1 draw against Nurnberg left Bayern fourth in the table with just five games of the season remaining.
"It all started getting messy when he [Van Gaal] dropped Hans-Jorg Butt and replaced him with Thomas Kraft," Hoeness blasted. "That brought insecurity into the defence and we could not hold out for much longer.
"Football should be enjoyable, but there has been nothing enjoyable about football at FC Bayern for a while now. And to say that he had the players behind him was a myth."
Former assistant Andries Jonker will take caretaker charge until Jupp Heynckes returns in the summer.
Porto on track for season to remember
Recently crowned Portuguese champions Porto are still on track to complete the season undefeated after defender Maicon scored a last minute winner in the 3-2 win over relegation threatened Portimonense.
Having already claimed the domestic league title with a 2-1 win over closest rivals Benfica last weekend, Porto are now setting their sights on finishing the 2011/11 season unbeaten.
The victory over Portimonense was their 24th in 26 league games this year, during which time they have allowed just 11 goals – including two against the league's bottom club after Hulk and Falcao had given the visitors leads in the second half.
Four-in-a-row for Brazil's youngsters
Brazil's bid to snare a record sixth World Cup on home soil in three years looks a strong possibility if its dominance of the South American under-17s championship is any guide.
The country's youngsters secured a fourth straight under-17s continental title in Ecuador after winning seven of their nine matches and top-scoring with 22 goals, including three from the player dubbed the new Kaka, forward Lucas Piazon.
Lucas enjoyed a magical tournament to cap a fantastic month for the teenager after he signed for Chelsea on a pre-contract deal from next January.
Compiled by Marc Fox
|
|
|
|