New coach needed

O'Leary favored for Sunderland job; Graham not interested

LONDON (Reuters) -- George Graham has no interest in the vacant manager's job at English Premier League strugglers Sunderland, according to his agent Steve Kutner.

"He is interested in getting back into football management but this is not the right opportunity for George at the moment," Kutner told Sky Sports television on Tuesday night.

Graham was considered one of the front-runners for the Sunderland job following the sacking of Peter Reid on Monday.

The 57-year-old Scotsman, who won 12 caps for his country in the early 1970s, has been out of football for 18 months.

Graham guided Arsenal to two league titles, the FA Cup, League Cup and European Cup Winners' Cup before working at Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur.

He won the League Cup in his first season with Tottenham before being sacked in March 2001.

Sunderland started its search for a new manager Tuesday following the departure of Reid, with former Leeds United managers David O'Leary topping the list of possible replacements.

Reid left his post at the Stadium of Light on Monday after a series of poor results that have left Sunderland fourth from bottom in the English Premier League table with only eight points from its first nine games.

O'Leary has been out of management since his sacking by Leeds in June. He has already indicated his interest in the Sunderland post, telling British newspapers: "I'm gutted for Peter but I'm out of work and happy to talk to anyone."

Other names put forward included Charlton Athletic manager Alan Curbishley, Celtic manager Martin O'Neill, Derby County manager John Gregory, Ireland manager Mick McCarthy and Sunderland's 36-year-old Irish striker Niall Quinn, who is expected to take over coaching duties while Reid's replacement is found.

Reid's departure, after 7 1/2 years at Sunderland, marks the end of a transitional era in which the northeast club has undergone major change.

When the former Everton and England midfielder took over in 1995 Sunderland was in the first division, playing at its dated Roker Park ground.

Under Reid it established itself in the Premier League and moved to its new Stadium of Light, one of the country's finest football arenas.

First casualty

But a run of poor results last season, coupled with the bad start to this campaign, prompted Monday's decision to, in the words of chairman Bob Murray, "seek a change of direction."

Reid, previously tipped as a future England manager, has yet to comment publicly on his departure. He won glowing praise from one of his rivals, Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson.

Ferguson told Sky Sports television on Monday: "It's one of the saddest things I've heard for a long time because he resurrected that club.

"He's been there for seven years and they were going nowhere until he went there and it's a sad day for football because he's one of the great guys."

Reid is the first managerial casualty of the English Premier League season, departing with his assistants Adrian Heath, and Bobby Saxton and scouts Tony Book and Mike Walsh.

The club said an automatic financial settlement clause had been included in Reid's contract, so there was no need for negotiations over the financial terms of his departure.

Media reports said Reid would receive a 1.5 million pounds (US$2.35 million) pay-off and also retained club shares worth around 2.5 million pounds.

Murray said the club hoped to appoint Reid's successor before its next Premier League game against bottom club West Ham United at the Stadium of Light on October 19.

"We will be appointing a successor as quickly as possible and hope to have someone in place before our next league game," he said in a club statement Tuesday.

"Most importantly we are looking for someone we believe can improve our league position in the short term and secure our Premier League status."

O'Leary even money to replace Reid

SUNDERLAND, England (AP) -- David O'Leary, out of work since being fired 3 1/2 months ago as Leeds manager, was the bookmakers' favorite Tuesday to replace Peter Reid at Sunderland.

British bookmakers William Hill listed O'Leary as even money to replace Reid, followed by Graham at 6-1, Ireland manager Mick McCarthy 13-2, Gregory 8-1, former Middlesbrough manager Bryan Robson 9-1 and Quinn 14-1.

McCarthy said he was "flattered" by Sunderland's reported interest but that he was concentrating on Ireland's Euro 2004 qualifier against Switzerland next week. He did not rule himself out of the Sunderland job.

Cathal Dervan, who is writing McCarthy's biograpahy, indicated McCarthy may be fed up with the Ireland job. He said McCarthy has "had enough of the sniping and criticism that has followed him ever since his infamous bust-up with Roy Keane."

McCarthy's Ireland side has won all but three of its last 27 games and reached the second round at this summer's World Cup. Despite the success, McCarthy has been under pressure in Ireland since kicking midfielder Keane off the team on the eve of the World Cup.

Keane says he will never play again for Ireland with McCarthy in charge.

McCarthy said he was trying to focus on the upcoming European 2004 qualifiers.

"My immediate objective is to get a victory over Switzerland in our next Group 10 European Championship qualifier in Dublin," McCarthy said. "I want to lead Ireland to the Euro 2004 finals."

"I'm very sad for Peter. I was speaking to him just two weeks ago and he has always been very good on the release of Irish players. That's football and I am really sorry for him.

"I'm flattered that my name has been mentioned as one of those who might take over at the Stadium of Light. Maybe that's the price of success."

Players feel guilty for Reid departure, says Quinn

Reid left his post on Monday after a series of poor results that have left Sunderland fourth from bottom in the English Premier League table with only eight points from their first nine games.

"The atmosphere has been very somber today and it makes it worse because us players feel we are responsible," Quinn told reporters after supervising training on Tuesday.

"Peter has given us good careers here and the opportunity to keep this club up where it belongs.

"To a man there won't be one person who does not admit what a fantastic job Peter did for this club. There are 30 to 40 professionals here who are devastated."

Irish striker Quinn was stunned when Reid told him by telephone that his seven-year reign as Sunderland boss was over.

"You could have knocked me down with a feather," Quinn said.

"It was difficult to take in and I felt lifeless. He was such a good guy and an immense character. There are dozens of good memories from his time here and what he brought to this club was exceptional.

"Even though people are focusing on the last few games at the moment, I don't think it'll take long for them to appreciate what he has done.

Quinn and reserve team boss Ricky Sbragia have been put in temporary charge of Sunderland squad until a new manager is appointed.

"It was typical Peter Reid when I spoke to him last night," Quinn added.

"He told me to get in there, get the lads together and do him a favor and keep them bubbly. He'll be hoping the players do well from here and go on and get the best out of their football careers."

Newcastle look to youth after staying in red

LONDON (Reuters) -- English Premier League Newcastle United pledged on Tuesday to focus on developing younger players to counter spiraling wages after staying firmly in the red last season.

The northeast club said players' wages jumped 20 percent last season to account for 45 percent of turnover, just below the 48 percent ratio of Premier League rivals Manchester United, the world's richest club.

"The main factor on profits for football clubs is keeping wages under control. We have one of the youngest squads in the Premier League at an average of 24 years old, and we are focusing on our academy and the training of young players," said group Chairman Freddy Shepherd in an interview.

The team, eighth in the table, have recovered from a poor start but are still 10 points behind leaders Arsenal and face an early exit from the lucrative European Champions League after losing their first three games.

The club reported a pre-tax loss of 3.1 million pounds ($4.85 million) for the year to July 31, after a previous loss of 8.9 million pounds. After tax and dividend payments it recorded am overall loss of 7.5 million pounds.

Shepherd said the only way back into profits would be by controlling wages.

His comments echo those of Leeds United chairman Peter Ridsdale last month. English soccer clubs are seeking to cut their huge wage bills as they realise the runaway growth in TV rights deals will not be repeated when contracts are renewed.

Underlying operating profits rose to 15.3 million pounds, but player transfer costs rose 13 percent as the club signed midfielders Lauren Robert, Jermaine Jenas, and Hugo Viana, and defender Titus Bramble. Profits from the disposal of players were down slightly.

Like most clubs, Newcastle spread the cost of new signings over the length of their contracts in their accounts.

Shepherd looked on the bright side of the club's three defeats in the Champions League with its European dreams all but over, saying the club would gain financially from the six games and could still qualify for the less lucrative UEFA Cup.

Manager Bobby Robson, who turns 70 in February, brought European football back to St James' Park, but last week's defeat in Turin to Juventus leaves the club with no points from the first three games of the six-game first-round grouping.

The shares added 1/2 pence to 20-1/2p by 0730 GMT, compared to 135 pence when the club joined the stock market five years ago. Many football shares have suffered recently over fears of lower TV revenues and concerns over escalating wage costs.

Shepherd said there had been no boardroom talks about taking the club private, with Shepherd and his family owning 22 percent of the shares, and club executive director Douglas Hall and his family 47 percent of the company.

The group proposed a final dividend of 2.27p a share, to give an unchanged annual payout of 3.07p.

Villa deny Alpay's accusations over contract row

ISTANBUL (Reuters) -- Aston Villa have strenuously denied an interview with its Turkish international defender Alpay Ozalan on his Web site saying he had been dropped because he refused to sign a contract extension.

A Villa Park spokesman told Reuters on Tuesday: "The truth is very different -- no such ultimatum was made, and team selection is and always has been the province of the manager."

Alpay was quoted on his Web site saying: "Despite the fact that he likes my performance in training and the fact that he needs me to play in my position, Graham Taylor has to leave me out of the squad," he said.

The player said he had been at odds with the club he joined in 2000 on a four-year deal since he asked for a transfer after a successful World Cup.

Alpay had a fine tournament and was a key player for the Turkish side that eventually finished third in the tournament after beating South Korea 3-2 in the third-place playoff.

New Brighton boss won't have more money

BRIGHTON, England (AP) -- New Brighton manager Steve Coppell won't have more money to work with than predecessor Martin Hinshelwood.

Coppell took over Monday after Hinshelwood was fired, with Brighton having won only one match in 12 and mired in last place in division one.

"I have made him fully aware that no increase in the playing budget will suddenly be made available," chairman Dick Knight said Tuesday.

Former Manchester United star Coppell, who interviewed for the job when Peter Taylor left after last season, has had spells with Crystal Palace and stints with Manchester City and most recently Brentford.

"Steve Coppell will bring a level of experience we feel is vital at this time," Knight said. "I have made him fully aware that no increase in the playing budget will suddenly be made available, but he understands the club's position as I interviewed him for the job in the summer and he is now eager to get started."

Celtic, Rangers will escape punishment

GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) -- Celtic and Rangers will escape punishment for the pushing and shoving that went on at halftime of Sunday's 3-3 draw between the Glasgow rivals.

In the melee, Rangers Craig Moore appeared to be struck by Celtic's goalkeeper Robert Douglas as the teams went into the tunnel at halftime. The incident was shown on television across Britain.

Drew Herbertson, head of the SFA's disciplinary and refereeing department, said the flareup was not included in the referee's report of the game and the matter was closed.

"There will be no further action," he said.

Tottenham's Etherington out for 10 days

LONDON (AP) -- Tottenham winger Matthew Etherington will be out for 10 days with an ankle injury.

Etherington, who played in Tottenham's first nine matches, twisted an ankle in training and missed Sunday's 2-1 win at Blackburn.

Gascoigne interested in managing third division Exeter

EXETER, England (AP) -- Third division Exeter is considering hiring former England midfielder Paul Gascoigne as its new manager.

Gascoigne, 35, a former Newcastle, Tottenham, Lazio, Rangers, Middlesbrough and Everton player was released from first division Burnley at the end of last season.

Moves to join Major Soccer League club D.C. United and the Auckland Football Kingz in New Zealand recently fell through.

Gascoigne's adviser, Ian Elliott, said Tuesday his client was keen on succeeding John Cornforth at the southern England club.

Conforth was dismissed Saturday after a 1-0 home defeat by York left the club fourth from bottom.

Exeter vice-chairman Mike Lewis said the club was actively considering Gascoigne as a candidate.

"We're flattered and we're serious," Lewis told Sky Sports Television. "We had been in contact with Paul's agent two months ago to see if he could come down and play for us. For all sorts of reasons that did not happen.

"But as we have a clean sheet of paper in front of us we are looking at every possibility."

Lewis said he was not worried by Gascoigne's lack of managerial experience.

"The next move would be to get Paul here to talk to us so we can look him in the eye and see if he is totally serious about this -- we think he is," Lewis said.

"We will ask him what coaching abilities he has and what his ambitions are, career wise. Until we've done that we can't really say more on this issue."

A spokesman for Gascoigne said: "Paul has had a letter from Exeter City and Paul will give that the consideration he would give any other offer of this nature."

Exeter joint chairman Uri Geller, a psychic best known for his spoon-bending powers, said he would welcome Gascoigne with open arms.

"He would be a great psychological boost which can bring a lot of positive thinking and positive aura to the club," said Geller, who joined the club in May and persuaded U.S pop star Michael Jackson to be made an honorary director the following month.

 

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