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Weekly News 16 5 11
Weekly Soccer News, May 16, 2011
European title round-up
European giants Manchester United, Ajax and Rangers all clinched their respective league championships over the weekend.
United secured their 19th top flight league title to pass Liverpool and become the outright most successful side in England.
The draw at Blackburn Rovers handed Sir Alex Ferguson's side the point they needed to regain the Premier League trophy, Wayne Rooney equalising Brett Emerton's opener from the penalty spot in the second half.
Ajax lifted the Eredivisie trophy for the first time since 2004 after a 3-1 victory in their title decider against FC Twente. Meanwhile, a Kyle Lafferty treble helped Rangers beat Kilmarnock 5-1 to seal a 54th national championship and send manager Walter Smith into retirement with his 10th Scottish league title.
Heartbreak for West Ham and Sampdoria
By contrast, West Ham United and Sampdoria, two of the traditional mainstays of the top flights in England and Italy, suffered heartbreaking relegation.
West Ham wasted little time in confirming that coach Avram Grant would not remain the club, making public his departure less than an hour after the Hammers fell to a 3-2 defeat to second bottom Wigan Athletic.
Grant was also relegated with Portsmouth last season albeit under contrasting financial circumstances.
Samp, who finished fourth to qualify for the UEFA Champions League last season, were relegated from Serie A with a game to spare after they suffered a 2-1 defeat at home to Palermo.
Tevez could stay at City
Manchester City captain Carlos Tevez has rubbished reports than he is certain to leave Eastlands at the end of the season.
City completed a spectacular double on Saturday by securing the FA Cup – earning the Blues a first trophy of any description for 35 years – to add to the Champions League spot they booked during the week following the EPL win over Spurs.
Those successes have made Tevez contemplate a dramatic u-turn on his future, especially after having demanded a transfer during the January transfer window.
My family are my priority, I don't have a problem with anyone at the club. Everyone treats me right. "But there is an issue we need to sort out and that's the long distance between me and my family," said Tevez.
"I have a great relationship with [manager] Roberto Mancini. We are both winners."
Villas-Boas completes perfect season
The stock of Andre Villas-Boas, the in-demand manager of Portuguese champions Porto, could not have risen any higher this season after he watched his side finish the perfect season with a 2-0 win at Maritimo.
Villas-Boas' rampant Porto side had already clinched the league title with five matches to spare, his side's 25th league title success. But this final round victory ensured they finished the season unbeaten in 30 league games.
Although Villas-Boas has constantly reiterated his desire to remain in his dream job at Porto, the former chief scout under Jose Mourinho at Chelsea has been mooted as a possible replacement for Carlo Ancelotti at Stamford Bridge.
Porto face Braga in the UEFA Europa League final in Dublin on Wednesday.
Sepahan champions of Iran
Iran's most successful team Sepahan have been crowned champions of the Iranian Pro League with a match to spare following a goalless with fourth placed Perspolis.
This was the third Iran League crown for Sepahan after winning it in 2002-03 and 2009-10 seasons.
Compiled by Marc Fox
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