Weekly Football News, May 13 2013
Mancini on the brink in England
Reports in England and Spain suggest that Roberto Mancini will pay the price for failing to bring any silverware to deposed English champions Manchester City.
City were stunned on Saturday when they lost 1-0 in the FA Cup final to lowly Wigan - on the back of languishing well behind newly crowned champions Manchester United in the Premier League and finishing bottom of their group in the Champions League.
Mancini took over from Mark Hughes in late 2009, leading City to the FA Cup in 2011 and the Premier League title a year later.
However, his side has been lacklustre in their title defence, and Mancini had been under pressure to at least deliver City's ambitious owners a trophy after reaching the FA Cup final.
The club now look certain to bring in Chilean Manuel Pellegrini, 59, who has managed Real Madrid and Villarreal in Spain and who led unfancied Malaga into the last eight of the Champions League this season.
Ferguson: I decided to leave last Christmas
Outgoing Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that he has been keeping tight-lipped about his end-of-season retirement since Christmas.
The 71-year-old Scot enjoyed an emotion-charged farewell in Manchester United’s 2-1 victory over Swansea City at Old Trafford on Sunday, and afterwards stated that he decided to leave the new English champions after more than 26 years in charge almost five months ago.
"It was very difficult to keep it a secret," said Ferguson, who won 38 trophies during his time at Old Trafford. "There were some times when we almost blurted it out to the family.
"We told our sons in March, but my brother didn't know until Tuesday night. I wanted to tell the players first really, the players and the staff.
"But unfortunately, there were rumours going around on Tuesday. So all that started to speed it up a bit."
PSG seal first French title since 1994
PSG have clinched their first French title in 19 years, although coach Carlo Ancelotti's future remains shrouded in doubt over links with a switch to Real Madrid.
Ancelotti added the Ligue 1 title to the league successes he has previously enjoyed in Serie A with AC Milan in 2004 and the English Premier League at Chelsea in 2010 with a 1-0 win at Lyon that put them seven points clear of second-placed Marseille with two matches remaining.
"I'm very pleased because we have worked very hard this season," said the Italian.
"We wrapped it up against a good team. We deserved it and it's time to celebrate."
David Beckham, a late substitute for goalscorer Jeremy Menez, became the first English player to win a championship in four countries (England, Spain, the United States and France).
However, Ancelotti has refused to comment on reports linking him with the managerial post at Madrid, who seem certain to part company with current coach Jose Mourinho at the end of the season.
Roma fans shamed by racist abuse
AC Milan's Serie A fixture with Roma was temporarily halted on Sunday night because of racist abuse directed towards Mario Balotelli and other black players by Roma fans.
Match officials threatened to postpone the game at the San Siro if the visiting supporters did not desist with their monkey chants against black Milan players.
The Italian Football Federation introduced new rules to help officials tackle racist behaviour after Milan midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng walked off the pitch in a friendly against Pro Patria in January.
The game was restarted after a three-minute delay, before ending in a goalless draw that leaves Milan in third place and on course for a UEFA Champions League spot.
Compiled by Marc Fox
2013 Weekly News
Luis Suarez - 22 April Football News - Luis Suarez in the news for all the wrong reasons.
Rafa's Return - 11 April Football News - Rafa wants to return to Liverpool one day.
Manchester City Plan B - 8 April Football News - Manchester City lack a plan B according to Gary Neville.
World Cup Qualifying - 27 March Soccer News - A round up of all the World Cup Qualifying matches in Europe and South America.
Champions League - 4 March Soccer News - Real and Manchester United in Champions League showdown.
FA Cup Shocks - 18 February Soccer News - FA Cup springs more surprises.
Liverpool and Spurs Lose in FA Cup - 28 January Soccer News - Liverpool and Spurs are knocked out of the FA Cup by lower league opposition.
League Cup - 23 January Soccer News - Bradford City are through to the League Cup Final after beating Aston Villa over two legs.
Manchester Title Race - 14 January Soccer News - the Manchester title race and Newcastle's new striker.
Theo Walcott - 10 January Soccer News - Theo Walcott edges closer to new contract at Arsenal.
Kevin-Prince Boateng - 7 January Soccer News - Milan's Kevin-Prince Boateng walks off after racist abuse.
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