Robben and Van der Vaart hint at Dutch squad divisions, labelling Euro 2012 campaign 'rubbish'

 

 

 

Arjen Robben and Rafael van der Vaart laid the blame of Holland's disastrous Euro 2012 campaign firmly at the door of the players - and not under-fire boss Bert van Marwijk.

The Dutch, who reached the World Cup final two years ago, lost to Denmark, Germany and Portugal to finish bottom of Group B.

With allegations of divisions swirling through the Dutch camp, a furious 28-year-old Robben would only say: 'Those problems inside the camp have to stay in the dressing room. I don’t want to really talk about it.

'I would prefer to get on a bus right now but I am here in front of a camera because it is part of the job.’

'We have failed with the entire squad. It is time to look in the mirror with all the players. We must all do that. Individually we should look in the mirror and as a team. We have been knocked out in a major tournament with three defeats and that is the stone hard truth. It was a disastrous campaign.'

And Van der Vaart, who hit the stunning opener in the 2-1 defeat to Portugal added: 'Holland was poor. The conclusion of this tournament has to be hard and we were bad.

'The players all have to take the blame. We have all been below par. None of us have delivered. But what is the whole point of concluding that, actually.

'I feel most sorry for the Dutch fans. They turned up in thousands to watch this rubbish.'

Meanwhile, Van Marwijk responded shirtily to questions surrounding his future.

'I'm still not concerned with my future,' he said when asked if he would resign. 'It is too soon after the match.'

 

Mark van Bommel, who was left out of the starting line-up by father-in-law Van Marwijk in preference of the more attacking Van der Vaart, told De Telegraaf: 'After the last two years things have changed and the atmosphere was different this time. I'm talking only for myself.'

Exclusive: Modric on the verge of Spain move as Madrid lead race for Spurs star

 

 

 

 

Luka Modric is close to moving to Spain, with Real Madrid desperate to sign the Tottenham midfielder.

That is the view of Modric’s friend and former Croatia team-mate Mate Bilic, who has claimed Manchester United and Chelsea have competition for the 26-year-old.

‘I’m very good friends with Modric,’ said the Sporting Gijon striker. ‘He wants to play in the Spanish league. He loves the Premier League but he wants to play in Spain. He’s very close to agreeing a move.’

That revelation comes with Real Madrid preparing a bid for Modric and former Croatia and Real star Davor Suker claiming the Tottenham man is good enough to be a galactico and also claims Manchester City are interested in him.

United and Chelsea are also keen to sign Modric, who wants to leave White Hart Lane for Champions League football. Managerless Spurs don’t want to lose the linchpin of the midfield but might not be able to resist a second summer of bids, even if clubs might not want to meet Daniel Levy’s £35million valuation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jose Mourinho is a long-term admirer of Modric and sees him as an integral part of his plan to win the Champions League with a third club. He wants Modric to play alongside Xabi Alonso in central midfield.

Suker said: ‘Luka Modric is a player who could play for Real Madrid. He needs to be playing for a team that will win trophies. He’d be perfect for them.

‘I would recommend that Florentino Perez signs him. If he doesn’t sign for Real Madrid, he’ll end up at Manchester City or Chelsea. He has to leave Tottenham to win trophies.’

When told about Suker’s praise, Modric said: ‘I am proud he thinks I could be a Real Madrid player. It’s good. I thank him a lot for his words.’

 

Former Chelsea ace is said to be devastated after Estelle, 33, told him she wanted a divorce

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In happier times: Ruud Gullit and wife Estelle Cruijff

 

 

 

Football legend Ruud ­Gullit’s wife has left him for a younger man... because she says she’s sick of his cheating.

The former Chelsea ace was said to be devastated this week when Estelle, 33, told him she wanted a divorce.

She said she had fallen in love with Moroccan-born Badr Hari, 28, who is 21 years younger than Ruud... and the world champion heavyweight kickboxer.

In a scathing assessment of the Dutch couple’s relationship Estelle, niece of football star Johan Cruyff, blamed Sky TV pundit Ruud’s infidelity for the end of their 12-year marriage.

She said: “There is one thing Ruud needs to know. Badr has not stolen me from Ruud... Ruud gave me away.”

Despite his many affairs Ruud, 49, was stunned when Estelle said she wanted a divorce, she claims. “Ruud is angry and confused,” she revealed. “He can’t believe what is happening. He was ­really angry when I told him I was leaving him.

“I wanted us both to tell the children. We have a daughter Joelle and a son Maxim together. But I did not get the chance to discuss that.

“Ruud is so annoyed. He really did not see this coming. But that is what happens when you are so busy with your own things.”

 

 

Younger man: World champion kickboxer Badr Hari  

 

 

She went on: “Of course Ruud had affairs. He always did during our marriage. And of course I knew about them. And of course he would deny them all the time. My trust in him decreased over the years. In the end I didn’t trust him one bit.

“That was the moment I started to ask myself, what is this whole marriage ­actually based on?

“I put on a brave smile for a long time when I was with friends. It was a smile to hide my disappointment and hurt. As a woman you feel so much more than a man. I just knew his things weren’t incidents, but pure lust. The first time I confronted him with one of his affairs, we weren’t even ­ ­married.”

The couple married in 2000 after four years together. Their relationship started when Estelle was just 17.

Although she says Ruud is a good father and has supported her as a mother, Estelle says she realised she needed to get away from the constant pain of his affairs.

“Ruud does not realise that he has hurt me so much over the years,” she said. “I wonder now if he was aware of how much pain he caused me.

“I wanted that pain to end. I hope he finds somebody who can make him happy. It has become clear over the years that I could not make him happy. Well, not just me on my own.

“Ruud knows I know everything. He really is not a bad man, but he has one particularly bad habit.

“I was looking forward to a lovely, romantic life with Ruud. I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him. He was sweet, happy. I could not wait to start a family with him. I don’t want to forget the great ­moments, which we did have, otherwise this would not have lasted 16 years.”

Estelle, who was speaking to Dutch paper De Telegraaf, said: “He is an ­adorable father for the kids – absolutely great. As a woman, that makes you melt at times too.

“But being a good father for the kids, I know now, is not enough.”

Ruud was married twice before and has four children with his ex-wives.

One of the finest players of his generation, he played at AC Milan, Sampdoria and Chelsea as well as starring for his national team. He was named European Footballer of the Year in 1987. Gullit went on to manage Chelsea and Newcastle United.

He confirmed to Dutch media this week that he was getting divorced, “because of recent ­developments in his marriage”.

 

Theo Walcott could follow him out the door as contract negotiations stall

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Robin van Persie: are Arsenal fans about to see the back of him?

 

Martinez tops Tottenham's shortlist but transfers will be decided by committee

 

 

 

 

 

Roberto Martinez will have to work with a transfer committee who decide on player recruitment if he takes over as Tottenham boss, with former star Tim Sherwood about to be made director of football as part of the new set up.

Transfers will be decided by a committee headed by chairman Daniel Levy and would include Sherwood, the new manager and another executive, who Spurs are still trying to recruit and whose expertise would be identifying new talent.

But Spurs were thinking of Martinez last month when they began recruiting for the transfer committee and the Spaniard is expected to be approached. Ralf Rangnick, the former Schalke coach, is also being promoted as a candidate, along with former Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas.

All should be comfortable with such a system though Martinez was understood to have been reluctant to work with Louis van Gaal as sporting director when he discussed joining Liverpool.

However, he may think Sherwood is a more favourable partner.

Rangnick has not coached since quitting Schalke last September due to exhaustion.

He is ready to return and was interviewed for the West Brom job. Villas-Boas has impressed Levy but it would be a risk to appoint a man who lost the Chelsea dressing room.

The defender’s agent, Cassiano Pereira, indicated that Rafael, who featured in Brazil’s friendlies against Argentina and Denmark, was delighted to remain at the club and play on the European stage.

Pereira told Globoesporte: "Rafael is very happy to be able to stay at Manchester United, who are one of the biggest clubs in football and are always playing in Europe's biggest competitions.

"Besides, they opened Rafael the doors to Europe, where his qualities are appreciated and where he has earned respect and prestige. Everyone is happy with this renewal."

Unlike Rafael, his brother Fabio is not currently in Sir Alex Ferguson's first-team plans.

 

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It’s spygate

ENGLAND were the victims of a sensational spying row last night.

JAPAN DO MANCHESTER UNITED A FAVOUR BY LEAVING OUT SHINJI KAGAWA

Not going to the games: Shinji Kagawa will not be part of Japan's Olympic squad

Sir Alex Ferguson has been handed some good news after it was confirmed new signing Shinji Kagawa would not be called up for Olympic duty by Japan.

The Manchester United boss has already put his foot down over the London 2012 tournament, even though Great Britain will play their first match against Senegal, at Old Trafford on July 25.

Ferguson has barred any over-age player, with the exception of Ryan Giggs, from being called up by GB boss Stuart Pearce, and persuaded Mexico to give Javier Hernandez a rest.

Twenty-three-year-old Kagawa is eligible to compete but it has been confirmed the midfielder, who will join United from German champions Borussia Dortmund once he has passed a medical and gained a work permit, will not be selected.

'We came to the conclusion that not giving him enough rest is not good for his future nor our final World Cup qualifiers.

 

 

'I talked to Kagawa directly and told him he would not be chosen.'

Ferguson already knows goalkeeper David de Gea will be part of the Spain squad, whilst Pearce is due to unveil his 18-man GB party at the beginning of next month, with Tom Cleverley and Chris Smalling amongst those young enough to play in the Under-23 competition.

However, Smalling's participation would depend upon his recovery from the groin injury that ruled him out of Euro 2012.

Spurs can talk to Rob

WIGAN chief Dave Whelan insists he will not stop Tottenham talking to Roberto Martinez.

Sacked Villas-Boas makes Spurs shortlist to replace Redknapp

 

 

Andre Villas-Boas and Ralf Rangnick are two of the names on the shortlist to replace Harry Redknapp.

The sacked Chelsea boss and former Schalke chief are among those under consideration as the north London club begins the search for a successor to the sacked 65-year-old.

Chairman Daniel Levy will discuss his options at a hastily-convened meeting with Spurs' top brass with several current Premier League managers also under consideration.

As revealed by Sportsmail, David Moyes and Roberto Martinez are both strong candidates to replace Redknapp.

However, there is a reluctance to pay out a hefty compensation figure to any club on top of that which Spurs will have to shell out to their former boss in lieu of his £3m annual salary.

That has led to unemployed bosses Villas- Boas and Rangnick entering the frame.

 

 

While Villas-Boas's credentials will be known to Spurs' fans, those of career-coach Rangnick will be more of a mystery.

The German was in line for the post at West Bromwich Albion earlier this month before the Black Country club decided to give Steve Clarke his chance in front-line management.

There are others who are also certain to attract the attention of Spurs' chairman.

Marseille manager Didier Deschamps and Ajax coach Frank de Boer will be on the radar if the club decides to approach a foreign coach in employment, while erstwhile Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is certain to be interested in the post.

Meanwhile, England manager Roy Hodgson expressed his surprise at Redknapp's departure.

Redknapp was the favourite with bookmakers to replace Fabio Capello before Hodgson was appointed.

Hodgson said: 'I was very sad to hear the news. It came as a major surprise to me and I'm disappointed for him.

'I wish him all the best and hope the next job he wants comes along very soon.'

Liverpool chief Henry claims building new stadium will not transform club finances

 

 

 

 

Liverpool's principal owner John Henry insists it is a myth that a new stadium will transform the club's financial fortunes.

The lead figure in Fenway Sports Group has suggested a new-build in Stanley Park would most likely lead to increased ticket prices, quoting recent examples taken from the United States.

Henry believes the best way of improving the Reds' ability to compete financially is through worldwide commercial revenue streams and their long-term future is not dependent on the stadium issue, which casts doubt over whether the long-mooted Stanley Park project will ever come to fruition.

'A long-term myth has existed about the financial impact of a new stadium for Liverpool," the American wrote in an email to The Anfield Wrap website.

'A belief has grown that Liverpool FC must have a new stadium to compete with (Manchester) United, Arsenal and others.

'No-one has ever addressed whether or not a new stadium is rational.

'New stadiums that are publicly-financed make sense for clubs - I've never heard of a club turning down a publicly-financed stadium.

'New stadiums increase revenues primarily by raising ticket prices - especially premium seating.'

Henry accepts there is a balancing act to be done when considering the worth of a new stadium against a redevelopment of Anfield, which presents numerous logistical problems.

'We've been exploring a new stadium for the past 18 months. At one point we made it clear that if a naming rights deal could be secured of sufficient size, we would make every effort to build a new facility,' he added.

 

'Liverpool FC has an advantage in being a global club and a naming rights deal could make a new stadium a reality.

'It is something we are working on. There has been interest.

'Going in the other direction, many football clubs have successfully enlarged their seating capacity.

'LFC has had plans to expand the main stand at Anfield but this avenue has been very difficult for the club over the past couple of decades.

'There are homes behind the main stand. Expansion of the main stand would have to be a priority for the city, community and immediate neighbourhood in order for that to occur.

'This issue is vital to the neighbourhood's future but we cannot and will not act unilaterally.

'While a new stadium or an expansion of Anfield is beneficial over the long-term for the club, the financial impact of adding seats and amenities should be put into perspective.

'That's why I say that it is a myth that stadium issues are going to magically transform LFC's fortunes.

'Building new or refurbishing Anfield is going to lead to an increase from £40million of match-day revenue to perhaps £60-70m if you don't factor in debt service.

'That would certainly help but it's just one component of LFC long-term fortunes.

'Our future is based not on a stadium issue but on building a strong football club that can compete with anyone in Europe.

'This will be principally driven financially by our commercial strengths globally.'

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Powell has been closely monitored by a number of Premier League suitors throughout the year, and his move to Old Trafford was confirmed earlier in the week, with the two clubs agreeing an initial £3 million fee.

Gradi - who has spent almost 30 years at Grestly Road - has overseen the development of a number of talented players in his time at the club, but believes Powell is among the best to have graduated from Crewe's widely heralded academy.

He told MUTV: "Nick Powell is a match winner. He doesn't rely on other people to make the goals for him. He's not a six-yard box player. In fact, we've been trying to encourage him to get in that six-yard box more. But he picks the ball up, runs at people and finishes with a goal. He wins matches on his own."

Crewe's youth system has produced a number of top-level players over the years, such as David Platt and former West Ham striker Dean Ashton, however Gradi believes Powell is a different type of player to those who have rolled off the club's conveyor belt in the past.

He added: "We've had some terrific players at Crewe who went on to play for England, but Nick's not the same as any of them. He does a similar job to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain."

Gradi also revealed that while a number of clubs were interested in acquiring Powell's services, Sir Alex Ferguson's personal approach to the matter helped the Red Devils secure his signature.

"There were [other clubs interested] but I have to say Sir Alex wanted Nick more than anybody else did and worked harder at it," Gradi said.

"I was very impressed with the way Sir Alex went about it and what he said.

"If he was trying to sign me, I'd have signed!

 

 

"What Sir Alex has done is challenge the boy to do what Ronaldo did. Young players worry about their chances of playing when they go to United.

"But Sir Alex told Nick, 'If you do well enough, you'll get a chance. Ronaldo went on as sub [on his debut against Bolton] and was outstanding so I picked him.' Nick has got to be good enough, first of all, in training to be named as a sub but that's the challenge Sir Alex has given him."

Dutch on the brink as they crash

BERT VAN MARWIJK tore into his Dutch flops after they were left on the brink of a humiliating Euro 2012 exit.

 

'Interim' is finally removed from job title of ex-Blues midfielder who stepped in after AVB sacking and won the FA Cup and European Cup

 

 

Italian job: Di Matteo has been handed a two-year contract as Blues boss

 

 

 

Chelsea have appointed Roberto Di Matteo as their full-time coach on a two-year contract.

The Blues have moved to confirm the Italian as their permanent boss just three weeks after he led them to their first Champions League title while in interim charge.

Di Matteo replaced Andre Villas-Boas for the final 11 weeks of the season and inspired a stunning rejuvenation of a side that had been deemed too old, as they won the FA Cup before their famous penalty shoot-out win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League final.

Di Matteo, who turned 42 last month, was ecstatic to take on the role permanently.

"I'm obviously delighted to have been appointed as manager and first-team coach," Di Matteo said. "We all achieved incredible success last season that made history for this great club.

"Our aim is to continue building on that and I'm already planning and looking forward to the squad's return for pre-season."

Despite Di Matteo's success there was speculation Chelsea would look elsewhere for a full-time boss, with Pep Guardiola apparently atop their wish-list following his departure from Barcelona.

Owner Roman Abramovich was said to be keen to bring in Guardiola, despite the Spaniard showing little interest in revoking his decision to take a year's sabbatical from the game.

Rumours Guardiola could be swayed grew stronger as the weeks passed since Chelsea's Munich triumph, but in confirming Di Matteo's appointment today chief executive Ron Gourlay labelled the former Blues midfielder the "right man to lead Chelsea onto further success".

 

 

 

 

Give me a break: Chelsea wanted Guardiola but he will go on sabbatical instead

 

 

 

 

Gourlay also revealed Di Matteo had been involved in the decision to make recent signings with the club having already made the big-money capture of Eden Hazard following the end of last season.

"Roberto's quality was clear for all to see when he galvanised the squad last season and helped the club make history, and the owner and board are very pleased he will be continuing his good work," he said.

"We all believed he was a young coach with much to offer when we first asked him to take charge of team affairs in March and the manner in which he worked with us, the players and all the staff, and the success that followed, made him the clear choice when it came to selecting the person to take us forward in the seasons to come.

"We will be working closely with Roberto in the weeks ahead, some exciting signings have already been made and Roberto has had input into those.

"Although he has set the bar very high in the short time he has been in charge, we know that Roberto is the right man to lead Chelsea onto further success.

"We are already looking forward to the 2012-13 season which kicks off when Roberto, his staff and players return for pre-season."

Dutch in disarray

THE troubled Dutch are in chaos as a series of explosive rows tears their camp apart.

 

 

 

 

Manchester United have confirmed the signing of