The Sports Pages
The ever-controversial ex-Argentina national coach Diego Maradona is not taking his departure too well, after accusing the Argentina Football Association (AFA) of “lies and betrayal†after deciding to not renew his contact (The Sun). Maradona also accused his national team manager Carlos Bilardo of working ‘in the shadows to get me fired.’
In other managerial news, The Sun today expects former Manchester City, Wales and Blackburn manager Mark Hughes to take the reins at Fulham. Hughes is expected to sign a £2 million-a-season, three-year-deal today. If he signs, it will be a huge relief for Fulham fans, who recently experienced the utter fiasco of the club trying to lure Ajax manager Martin Jol, whose Dutch side had blocked him from joining the London club.
In transfer news, David Beckham has pledged to give West Ham a decision soon on whether or not he wishes to end his career at the club. Beckham was born in east London and this is believed to be a key factor in trying to lure the 35-year-old former England captain to Upton Park (The Sun).
Finally, Danish shot-stopper Anders Lindegaard of Norway’s Aalesunds, is being lined up to eventually replace Edwin Van Der Sar at Manchester United. The 26-year-old is thought to be the perfect replacement for the departed Ben Foster as United’s second-choice goalkeeper this season, with a view to becoming the 39-year-old Van Der Sar’s successor (Daily Mail).
