Sir Alex lines up Guardiola as his successor; Chelsea to move for Shakhtar full-back

Sir Alex lines up Guardiola as his successor

According to reports from Spain, Sir Alex Ferguson is thinking about calling it quits on his coaching career and he wants Pep Guardiola to take over at Old Trafford.

The Scot will be 69 come end of the year and after 24 years at Old Trafford, he believes it is time someone else took over.

Fergie believes Barca coach Pep Guardiola is the perfect choice for his successor and Manchester United have already had secret talks with Guardiola’s agent, Josep Maria Orobitg, as they want to know the Spaniard’s plans for the next season.

Guardiola has a one-year contract at Barcelona, what makes him attractive to clubs from Italy and England, the two countries he would like to work after leaving Barcelona.

Ferguson believes Barcelona boss has all the necessary qualities to lead a club like Manchester United, especially as Guardiola exhibits a sort of elegance and has an excellent rapport with the press, things that are highly valued in a country like England.

[Source: El Mundo Deportivo]

Chelsea to move for Shakhtar full-back

Chelsea have shown interest in Shakhtar captain Darijo Srna with Carlo Ancelotti considering a move for the Croat in January.

Srna’s contract expires at the end of the season and he is thought to be looking for a new challenge even though the club officials will try to persuade him to stay.

Chelsea have been keeping tabs on the Croatian defender for quite a while and they would be interested to sign him at a cut-back price should Shakhtar decide to sell him in January and thus avoid the risk of losing him for free.

Juventus, Bayern and Tottenham are also interested in the 28-year-old, with the player’s agent admitting he could move clubs in January.

“There is a chance of a loan in January before moving in the summer. But we will see what develops,” said Damir Stimac.

Nonetheless, the Ukrainians would certainly prefer a permanent deal in January than risk losing the player for free come end of the season.

[Source: Daily Mirror]

Juventus target rejects transfer talk

Alberto Gilardino denied he would be leaving Fiorentina by saying he intended to honour his contract with the club.

The Italy international has recently sacked long-term agent Marcello Bonetto and was reportedly set to appoint Beppe Bozzo, who is very close to Juventus, but Gilardino says that doesn’t mean he will be moving clubs.

“I interrupted my professional rapport with FIFA agent Marcello Bonetto, but for the moment have not signed any deal with other agents,” said Gilardino in an official statement.

“I also wish to point out that I am totally concentrated on the next games and our season.

“I have a contract with Fiorentina until 2013 and intend to respect it.”

It now remains to be seen whether Gilardino did this so as not to make waves in the club or he really intends to stay in Florence, although the former is more likely to be true.

With Juventus actively looking for a striker, the Fiorentina target man will have to be much more convincing if we are to believe his desire to remain at the club.

[Source: La Repubblica]

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