This does not look good for Roberto Di Matteo's chances of staying on at Chelsea, at least as manager. Days after winning the most coveted prize a European club can hope to get and adding the oldest football trophy in the world to that bag, the club owner and the technical director are the ones calling the shots on the transfers.

Rodgers' appointment is imminent according to the BBC and Liverpool Echo, although we're still waiting for confirmation from the club.
Biography Snapshot
Born: 26 January 1973, Camlough, Northern Ireland
Teams Managed: Swansea (July 2010 - May 2012), Reading (June 2009 - December 2009), Watford (November 2008 - June 2009)
Career Record: 151 matches (62W-33D-56L)
We might as well get the feared, loaded question out of the way up front.

Wayne Rooney, stella del Manchester United, sar il battistrada, in Polonia ed Ucraina, dell'Inghilterra di Roy Hodgson (tecnico chiamato ad assumere le redini della nazionale dei "tre leoni" dopo le dimissioni di Capello, ndr) che, in queste ore, ha ufficializzato la lista dei 23 per Euro 2012. Maglia numero 10 per il fuoriclasse dei RedContinua a leggere .

You would have to say that Roy Hodgson has a strong midfield line-up to choose from, for his England Euro 2012 squad in Poland and Ukraine, and he will be hard-pushed to select his first midfielders for the game with Sweden.
Aside from Stuart Downing, who was a complete surprise call up, there can be little complaints with the other nine players, namely, Theo Walcott, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Gareth Barry, Scott Parker, James Milner, Ashley Young, and Alex Oxlade Chamberlain.

From the outside, at least, Liverpool Football Club is in a holding pattern, a theoretical construct that may or may not field a "squad" to compete in various English and European footballing "competitions" in the coming season and that at present exists primarily as a vehicle for endless whisper, rumour, and speculation.

With the 2012 EUROS around the corner, Alistair Magowan of BBC Sport writes a great piece analyzing Roy Hodgson's tactical preferences, as well as potential lineups for England at the European Championships next month.
"Roy is a pure coach," Gallacher said. "You only get a week to train with the national team, so it is all about organisation, getting players thinking about the system you want to play.

Former Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas is the early favorite, according to the oddmakers, to take over at Anfield. AVB was sacked at Chelsea during the season but still considered by many to be a top notch manager. Other favorites at Roberto Martinez and Brendan Rodgers who are both currently managing other EPL teams.

Poor Peter Crouch. It was no secret that he and Capello never always saw eye to eye so the Stoke striker must have been jumping for joy when the Italian resigned with months to go until Euro 2012.

The journeyman forward soon stepped up his form, netting a goal of the season contender against eventual Premier League champions Manchester City at Britannia Stadium, volleying in from 25 yards.

One of my must do tasks as I start my day off is to catch up on the news from the BBC Sport website and to my surprise this morning, I read that Gary Neville, ex Man Utd and England defender, had accepted a four year contract from The FA to be one of manager Roy Hodgson's assistant coaches.

Arsenal v Tottenham v Newcastle: The Race for Third Place - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

It seems the competition for third place in the Premier League is now going to be decided on the final day of the season. Here I take a look at each team's final fixture and their chances of finishing ahead of their rivals.

Roy or "Woy" Hodgson is barely 24 hours into the job of England manager and the pressure has already sunk in. He officially assumes the grand position on May 14 and his first uphill battle will be to oversee John Terry and co' at the EURO 2012.

Roy Hodgson: Is This Surprise Selection the Man to Lead England to Glory at Euro 2012? - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Roy Hodgson emerged as a surprise candidate for the vacant England manager's role, and was announced earlier today as England manager with the countdown to Euro 2012 well under way.

Long considered the favourite to succeed former England manager Fabio Capello, Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp had all but started preparing for his new role; at least psychologically. So it came as a big surprise when the FA announced that they had opted for former Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson for the role of England manager, there were certainly a lot of murmurs.

By Chris Wright

Here we are people, a little later than planned but we got here all the same.

Despite the desperate clamour from what appeared to be all quarters for the FA to give their top job to English football's preeminent trucker tanned chirruping Coken Ey sparrah, it would appear that Roy Hodgson is their first choice to take the England job so much so, in fact, that they're interviewing him/have interviewed him at Wembley this very day.

The English FA has not gone far to find a replacement for former England manager Fabio Capello, pegging West Brom manager Roy Hodgson as the leading candidate to manage England at this summer's European Championships.

The FA has sought permission and has been granted permission by West brom to speak with Hodgson, who appears a good bet to beat out former favorite Harry Redknapp for the job.

In an amazing snub of fan favorite Harry Redknapp, the English F.A. are getting set to name West Brom boss Roy Hodgson as England's new national team manager.

The FA revealed on Sunday evening that it had been granted permission by West Bromwich Albion to hold talks with their boss Hodgson.

In an amazing snub of fan favorite Harry Redknapp, the English F.A. are getting set to name West Brom boss Roy Hodgson as England's new national team manager.

The FA revealed on Sunday evening that it had been granted permission by West Bromwich Albion to hold talks with their boss Hodgson.

Today I was sent an email by a mate who I go to the games with, who had been racking his brains in an effort to explain our dire form since Capello quit and Redknapp was acquitted.
As with all conspiracy theories, it's a theory, but perhaps one that isn't so far outside the realms of possibility given that it's the morally dubious Redknapp at the centre of it.

By Jagit Bassi

Redknapp goes into auditioning mode, after diabolical decision changes the momentum of the game.

Harry Redknapp yesterday gave the clearest indication that he was on his way to pastures new in his politically correct interview after the game.

Micah Richards has claimed that Manchester United players get straight in to the England squad whilst players like him have to work twice as hard to get recognition from his country.

"Had McClaren been still in charge, I would have had 60 caps by now," said Richards. "McClaren believed in me and Capello believed in people like Phil Jones and Smalling.

Micah Richards has claimed that Manchester United players get straight in to the England squad whilst players like him have to work twice as hard to get recognition from his country.

"Had McClaren been still in charge, I would have had 60 caps by now," said Richards. "McClaren believed in me and Capello believed in people like Phil Jones and Smalling.

I woke up this morning wanting the ‘D' Word to stand for ‘Defense' – as it was in my opinion, the main talking point to last night's match vs. Valencia. Having read some of the comments from the liveblog at RMFB (and what some Madrid fans are saying), perhaps another ‘D' Word should be added into the mix: disappointment – Madridisimo's collective disappointment for the result (an obvious one) and my personal disappointment for their nitpicky reaction to the game.

Even more than a Real Madrid-Barcelona Champions League final, EURO 2012 is what every European and football enthusiast is waiting for in the coming months. We are now exactly 10 weeks away from this Summer's 2nd-greatest sporting event (for all the love I have for soccer, even I have to admit that the Olympics come before the Euros) and on paper, Italy's path to qualification has been nothing short of excellent.

Even more than a Real Madrid-Barcelona Champions League final, EURO 2012 is what every European and football enthusiast is waiting for in the coming months. We are now exactly 10 weeks away from this Summer's 2nd-greatest sporting event (for all the love I have for soccer, even I have to admit that the Olympics come before the Euros) and on paper, Italy's path to qualification has been nothing short of excellent.

For many the choice of who will be the next England manager is an easy one. Harry Redknapp, darling of the media and fans' favourite, is hot favourite due to his current success with Tottenham Hotspur and his persona that is everything Fabio Capello was not as England boss.
The consensus is that Redknapp's main talent of getting the best out of players is exactly what the under-achieving Three Lions need.

The Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp spoke about the next transfer window, and according to the one who is rumoured as Capello's follower, Arsenal are going to bring in a few star players in the summer. Redknapp seems to think that the Gunners have already made plans to bring in a few big players, and that's [.

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho is the world's best paid manager this is according to France Football. The Portuguese tactician earns a staggering £12.3 million every year a whooping £4 million more than his La Liga counterpart Pep Guardiola.

Of course the usual names like Ferguson, Wenger and Capello are on the list, however, it is the likes of Jose Camacho and Dick Advocaat that many were not expecting.

I was reading an article in The Sun this morning and for one of the only times I can remember, it made perfect sense which says alot right now. The question of Roman Abramovich's next step and who he will appoint as manager will be discussed from here on in until the summer. Names that are already been linked with the club are: Benitez, Guardiola, Redknapp, Capello and Mourinho.

Tottenham Hotspur defender Michael Dawson has backed Scott Parker to retain the England captaincy, stating that the midfielders impact for the Spurs both on and off the field is indicative of his ability to lead the Three Lions during this summer's Euro 2012.

Dawson has captained the Spurs extensively in the past and based on his own leadership experience, he is convinced that Parker deserves to be given the armband if England are to restore the stability lost after the recent stripping of John Terry and the subsequent resignation of former manager Fabio Capello.

Some sad news for all Villa and England fans as Darren Bent has been uled out for the rest of the season and possibly the Euro's after rupturing ankle ligaments. It is believed that Bent sustained the injuries during Villa's barren draw with Wigan over the weekend.

Of course this is a big blow to England's Euro hopes if Bent fails to recover in time and for stuart Pearce, this could not have come at a worse time as he prepares to lead his squad against the Netherlands in a friendly at Wembley tomorrow night.

Brazil international Leandro Damiao has revealed that he will sign for North London Club Tottenham Hotspurs in the summer. The 22 year old striker has been a long term target for Harrry Redknapp's side and was close to joining the club last summer but a deal never materialised.

The Internacional player was also linked with a move to high spending French side PSG but denied the reports saying that only Tottenham is the club that made a formal request to him.

18.02.2012 - No hay pausa en estos días de Henry James Redknapp, favorito e insuflado entrenador para el cargo en la selección inglesa desde que, el pasado 8 de febrero (2012), la Federación acelerara la renuncia de Fabio Capello.
Pero los días de Redknapp (64) empezaron a agitarse antes, ni bien empezado el año: el 23 de enero empezó a enfrentar el juicio por evasión impositiva sobre € 225.

"Realistically, we are out of the competition." Arsene Wenger.

Arsene Wenger described last night's 4-0 defeat as both "shocking" and the team's worst-ever performance in Europe, by far. One might wonder why Arsene finally chose to throw the whole team under the proverbial bus. Despite an inconsistent season that has fluctuated somewhere on the spectrum between mediocre and truly phenomenal, Arsene has remained resolutely confident that his team would inevitably surge, maximizing its intrinsic potential.

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has made headlines today after confessing that certain players of the Blues' squad are losing faith in his methods but to prepare adequately for Saturday's FA Cup clash against Birmingham City, the boss has quickly shifted focus to the return of several key members of the side.

Underrated Capello Failed By FA - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

After the recent media frenzy surrounding the news of John Terry being stripped of the England captaincy, the last thing the nation needed was a further destabilising setback just four months before the European Championships 2012 gets underway.

Capello could be coming to Sydney, the Mighty Mariners will rise again and Director's commentary is to the Nearpost. Or not, listen and find out what we think! Paddy Bordier, Aaron Walker and Nick Amies talk everything Aussie football this Valentine's Day.
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On Saturday morning, I saw the list of potential managers for the England National Team now that it finds itself without a coach. The Euro 2012 is not too far away now, and the eyes of the world are on England, waiting to see who will take the helm amidst the international controversy. I couldn't help but wonder that Arsene's name was on the list, so I had to do a bit of digging to determine the probability of his being selected for the coveted job.

Real Madrid wants Robin Van Persie. Look at my face: I am not happy right now.

Rather than just writing one opinion piece, I typically try to gather as much information from around the World Wide Web and condense it with my own commentary added. This week we've got Real Madrid pursuing Van Persie, Mourinho gunning for Arsene's job, Kieran Gibbs returns from a long layoff to strengthen the defense, and a hobbled Jack Wilshere all torn up about England's national team losing its coach just months before the Euro 2012.

Dynamo News:

• " I'm willing to bet Ching will be a member of the Dynamo by March 11." Ortiz- (Houston Chronicle)
• An old interview with Kandji after he was traded to Colorado- (The Shin Guardian)
• Clark, Weaver want starts- (MLS Soccer)
• Ching played the game as a professional- (ESPN)
• As if you didn't see below, Dynamo interested in Johnson- (Fox Soccer)
• Dynamo think they have their man in Kandji- (MLS Soccer)
• Roberts here to succeed- (MLS Soccer)

Soccer News:

• Capello stuck by his beliefs- (Fox Soccer)
• USA to face Brazil- (Fox Soccer)

Tweet(s) of the Day

Official;) yfrog.

Redknapp's version of Usain Bolt's iconic celebration was lacking in many areas.In the aftermath of the chaos that was February 9th 2012, no-one could discuss the position of Tottenham manager with any certainty. Harry Redknapp, the current incumbent, began the day with the verdict of a court case for tax evasion hanging over his head yet, come the day's completion, his immediate and medium term future was the most speculated upon in all the land.