Japan striker to sign for Southampton

Japanese international striker Tadanari Lee is set to sign for English second-tier side Southampton on a $1.25-million-a-year contract, reports said Wednesday.

Lee, who currently plays for Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the J-League, flew into London on Tuesday ahead of his move to Southampton, who are top of the Championship, England's second division.

The Sports Nippon reported the 26-year-old would join the side on England's south coast on a two-and-a-half-year contract with the annual salary 800,000 pounds ($1.25 million), almost double what he earns with Hiroshima.

If Southampton get promoted to the Premier League this season, Lee's pay will shoot up to 1.2 million pounds, the sports daily reported on its website.

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"I want to play in the Premier League, the world's best," Lee was quoted as saying before leaving Japan.

Lee will sign after getting a visa and undergoing a medical, reports said.

Jiji Press said he was expected to train with Southampton during his initial 10-day stay with the team.

Born to Korean parents in Japan, Lee scored the winning goal as Japan lifted a record fourth Asian Cup last year.

Appearing as an extra-time substitute, he volleyed home the winner in the 109th minute.

McInnes: Result is what matters

Manager Derek McInnes admitted his Bristol City side were far from at their best, despite seeing Nicky Maynardscore the only goal of the game to secure a vital three points for his side against Millwall at Ashton Gate.

City struggled to find any form of fluency for much of the 90 minutes, and had to survive numerous chances squandered by their south London guests.

In the end, Maynard popped up in the third minute of second-half stoppage time to slide the ball beyond Steve Mildenhall in the Millwall goal, and McInnes admitted: "We said prior to the game that we'd sacrifice a performance for a result and I think that was possibly the case."

He added: "I think we've been better in some games over the last few weeks and not got what we thought we'd deserved.

"Other than the opening 20 minutes where I thought we came out right out of the traps and should have got ourselves in front, for me Millwall - being the away team - got far too much of the ball and enjoyed the game too much.

"In the second half there was a real determination at least not to lose the game. We were a bit more solid and I never thought we were going to lose the game.

"We huffed and puffed, and we were nowhere near at our best, but thankfully we kept going to the death and got our goal.

"It's harsh on Millwall, I've got to say that, but we've been the victim of that as well when we've not got quite what we've deserved. I think that was the case tonight. The result was the most important thing."

Millwall boss Kenny Jackett rued his players' lack of accuracy in front of goal, saying the Lions' struggles up front are becoming a worry, saying: "We had a lot of chances but that's been us, we haven't scored enough goals generally," he said.

"When the goal came at the end there it's cost us and it's cost us badly."

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Beckham will not join PSG - Leonardo

David Beckham will not join Paris Saint-Germain for "family reasons", the big-spending Qatar-backed French club's sporting director Leonardo said on Tuesday.

"He will not come to PSG," said the Brazilian, citing "family reasons" for the 36-year-old former England captain's decision not to relocate from Los Angeles to the French capital.

Leonardo's announcement brings to an end months of speculation linking Beckham, whose contract with Los Angeles Galaxy finished on December 31, with a transfer to PSG, which on Friday named Italian Carlo Ancelotti as new coach.

PSG, which play AC Milan in a friendly in Dubai on Wednesday, earlier trained under the watchful eye of new owner, Qatar's Crown Prince Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, and club president Nasser al-Khelaifi.

Following the close-season purchase of the club by wealthy investors Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), headed by the crown prince, rumours had been rife in the French press that the deal was as good as done.

But other sources close to Beckham had long kept their distance.

QSI strode into the French capital and bought a 70 percent controlling stake in PSG in June, with Khelaifi promising "to make the club a great team and a strong brand on the international scene".

They promptly spent 85 million euros in the summer to attract new talent including a massive 42 million euros forked out to Italian side Palermo for 22-year-old midfielder Javier Pastore.

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Pearson ends Saints run

Stephen Pearson's second half strike saw Bristol City pull away from the relegation zone and end Southampton's 25-match unbeaten home league record with a 1-0 victory at St. Mary's.

Pearson converted 11 minutes from time to give the Robins their first victory in six matches and deny Southampton the chance of extending their three-point lead at the top of the npower Championship.

The victory for Derek McInnes' side sees them move three points clear of the bottom three, while Southampton's 2011 unbeaten home league record was ended in their 50th and final league match of this calendar year.

After a scrappy opening to the contest, Steve De Ridder raced down the right wing and after pulling the ball back to Rickie Lambert, the striker failed to manoeuvre an effort on target. Midfielder Jack Cork shot over from 25 yards as Saints tried to stamp their authority on the game, before Albert Adomah also failed to direct his shot on target for the visitors.

Morgan Schneiderlin drove through the midfield region and tested former England goalkeeper David James, who had to tip the long-range strike over the crossbar. From the resulting corner, Lambert rose high at the back post but could only head over.

Adomah continued to be a constant threat on the break, stealing the ball off Adam Lallana before unleashing a shot that Kelvin Davis smartly turned around the post. As the game started to open up De Ridder almost brought the first goal, James having to smartly tip the midfielder's effort to safety.

The game sparked into life eight minutes after the interval when City thought they had taken the lead. After Davis parried Kalifa Cisse's strike into the path of Nicky Maynard, the highly-rated striker converted the rebound neatly but was deemed to be in an offside position.

Southampton restarted quickly and had chances of their own, Guly Do Prado and Cork both firing over from the edge of the box. The Robins were close to going in front again through Pearson after 73 minutes. The midfielder got in round the back of the home defence but his weak effort was kept out by Davis.

James had to be alert again at the other end, keeping out a fierce Lambert strike, while Lallana saw a shot deflected just wide. Pearson did go one better five minutes later, tapping in after Davis had blocked efforts from Cole Skuse and Maynard.

Southampton tried hard to find an equaliser, Do Prado failing to hit the target again and Lambert trying in vain to win a penalty after he went to ground in the area.

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Mancini prepares for crucial month

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is ready to test the depth of his squad as they begin their tough January schedule with two games in three days.

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Mancini's title hopefuls travel to Sunderland on New Year's Day before hosting Liverpool on January 3.

City then face arch-rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup and have a two-legged Carling Cup semi-final with Liverpool as well as games against Wigan and Tottenham before the end of the month, and Mancini said: "It is impossible to play in two days with the same players, this is sure."

He added: "January will be a key month. We will have important games - FA Cup, Carling Cup, four in the Barclays Premier League. I think this month will be very important."

City saw their two-point lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League wiped out as they were held to a goalless draw at West Brom on Boxing Day.

They now lead the table only on goal difference from Manchester United and could even be second by the time they kick off at the Stadium of Light as Sir Alex Ferguson's men return to action on Saturday.

Mancini anticipates a tight battle with the neighbours throughout the winter and spring and believes the final reckoning could all come down to their derby clash in April.

United travel to the Etihad Stadium for their third to last game on April 28 and Mancini said: "If we are strong enough, I think it will be decided with the game at home, probably."

Mancini expects right-back Micah Richards to be fit for Sunderland after being rested at West Brom due to a calf problem, while left-back Aleksandar Kolarov is also coming back into contention after six games out with a groin injury.

Mancini said: "We didn't want to take any risk with Micah because we play a lot of games in the first 10 days of January. It is better. Kolarov is okay - it is the same situation."

Jones backs Blackburn to survive

Phil Jones is confident Blackburn's fortunes will improve - but not until 2012.

The Manchester United defender is hoping to shake off an illness in time to face his former club for the first time since his £17million summer departure. And with Premier League leaders Manchester City not in action until New Year's Day, United have the opportunity to steal a march on their local rivals.

Jones knows that scenario would condemn Blackburn to bring in the new year as the top flight's basement boys but he is confident they will eventually haul themselves out of trouble, telling United Review: "I'm still a massive fan and have a lot of friends at the club."

He added: "As soon as we come off the pitch I always look to see how Blackburn have got on. I am sure they will kick on and things will improve. Unfortunately they are at the bottom of the table but they are a lot better than their league position shows."

Not that Blackburn have been able to show it in recent seasons.

Of their last 10 Premier League meetings with United, seven have been lost, and when Rovers earned a share of the spoils at Ewood Park in May, it was a result Ferguson was quite happy with as it ensured his side finished champions for a record 19th time.

Before that, Jones was part of the Rovers side managed by Sam Allardyce that suffered a 7-1 mauling at Old Trafford, a result the 19-year-old claims to be "probably the worst day of my football career".

Tipped to skipper England one day by former boss Steve Kean, Jones knows most of the players he will be up against.

And he is refusing to take anything for granted, saying: "It's going to be tough. I know what sort of squad Blackburn have and there are some cracking players there. We can't take them lightly."

With injuries accounting for Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans, Ferguson is crossing his fingers both Jones and Chris Smalling recover from the viruses that forced them to miss the Boxing Day demolition of Wigan.

Liverpool set to make bid for Aston Villa Striker Bent

Liverpool have made enquiries about the services of Aston Villa Striker Darren Bent.

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According to Click Liverpool, the 27 year old forward is to be used to generate funds to help Alex Mcleish rebuild the midlands team.

There has been speculation growing about Bents future after injury caused the striker to miss the clash with the reds earlier this month ... yet he was photographed shopping in Cambridge the same day.

Liverpool would face competition for the England strikers signature from the likes of Fulham and QPR but could afford the mooted £18million figure being thrown around.

His likely link-up with former team mate Stewart Downing could be key to Liverpool's tilt to regain Champions League football. 

PSG to unveil Ancelotti, still no Beckham deal

Carlo Ancelotti is set to be unveiled as the new coach of Paris Saint-Germain on Friday, but former England captain David Beckham has still not committed to the big-spending Qatar-backed French club.

Former AC Milan and Chelsea boss Ancelotti has been in talks with the Ligue 1 leaders in the French capital since Wednesday, after being lined up to replace Antoine Kombouare.

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PSG are thought to be keen to confirm the Italian as their new coach in time for him to fly out to the Middle East with the first-team squad on Sunday for a four-day winter training camp in Qatar and Dubai.

PSG's next competitive game is a French Cup last-64 tie away to Brittany amateur outfit Locmine on January 8.

It has been reported that Ancelotti, twice a Champions League winner in his time with Milan, would become the best-paid coach in the history of the French game on a two-and-a-half-year deal with an annual salary of between six and seven million euros ($7.8m-$9m).

The club have yet officially to confirm the sacking of Kombouare, a former player who has been in the dug-out since the summer of 2009.

A statement on December 22 merely indicated that PSG and Kombouare were in "peaceful discussions."

But Beckham's agent on Friday denied media reports that the former Manchester United star had signed for the Parisian club.

"There is no agreement with PSG at this time, an offer does not make a contract, we continue to hold negotiations with a number of clubs," 19Management said in a statement released by the SEMP public relations company.

"No decision has been made and we do not expect one at the moment."

But PSG's mega-rich owners Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) expressed confidence that Beckham would "soon be a player for PSG".

"We are confident that he will be in attendance for the (friendly) match with AC Milan, and are happy to see David and his family settle into Paris."

No Jelavic offers - McCoist

Rangers manager Ally McCoist claims no offers have been made for Nikica Jelavic.

The striker has been tipped for a January exit and has been linked with a move to the Barclays Premier League.

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Reports earlier in the week suggested QPR had made a written offer for the Croatian, who is also reportedly a target of Liverpool. But when asked if there has been any bids for the player, McCoist said: "No, certainly not to my knowledge."

He added: "There was a rumour knocking about on Wednesday evening before the Celtic game.

"That was all it was. I haven't heard anything to confirm or deny that rumour.

"Nobody has told me that any club has made an offer at all.

"I think it was one of the radio stations that mentioned QPR but it was just rumour."

Jelavic - who was the subject of a failed £6.5million bid from Leicester in August - has netted 14 goals so far this season for the Scottish champions.

And McCoist made it clear he would not welcome any interest in the forward next month, insisting: "Not particularly. In fact, not at all."

Villas-Boas: Title bid may be over

Andre Villas-Boas all but conceded the Barclays Premier League title after watching Chelsea drop another two points in Monday's west London derby against Fulham.

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After beating leaders Manchester City two weeks ago to haul themselves back into the title race, Chelsea completed a hat-trick of 1-1 draws to leave them 11 points off the pace following City's draw with West Brom and Manchester United's win against Wigan.

Anticipating another victory for Roberto Mancini's men, Villas-Boas said: "There's no big drama in terms of how we look at things. But you have to be sufficiently real. The difference between us and the top will be big. We had reduced it to seven points recently, but 13 points would be new for us."

He added: "With City and United continuing to get the points they are getting at the moment, it'll be difficult. That is the perspective we have to make at the moment: it's difficult. It's not impossible. You cannot say that.

"But we have to focus on our position at the moment and make a real assessment. Maybe the Premier League is over for us at the moment."

Fulham boss Martin Jol admitted gambling on his team selection after strikers Bobby Zamora (Achilles) and Andy Johnson (groin) both pulled out injured.

"Sometimes you have to take a gamble, and that is what we did today," he said. "Our two main strikers dropped out so we had to come up with something else. I think it paid off."

Indeed, Fulham were unrecognisable from Wednesday night's 5-0 home thrashing by Manchester United.

Jol added: "We had a good result against Liverpool, a good result at the Emirates. You can't say we are inconsistent - it was just against United that we didn't have a good result.

"We've shown we can give all these teams a good game."

Wenger laments dropped points

Arsene Wenger accepted Arsenal had let an opportunity pass them by after being held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by 10-man Wolves at the Emirates Stadium.

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The Gunners could have capitalised on Monday's dropped points from Chelsea to climb back into the Barclays Premier League top four with victory in a game put back by 24 hours because of industrial action by some London Underground staff on Boxing Day.

However, despite taking an early lead through Gervinho, Arsenal were pegged back before the break by Steven Fletcher's close-range header. "It was the kind of day where maybe we were not relaxed enough, maybe we wanted it so much, that we were a bit too in the 'wanting zone' and not enough in just the 'technical zone'," the Arsenal boss said.

The visitors then survived the second-half dismissal of midfielder Nenad Milijas by referee Stuart Attwell as inspired keeper Wayne Hennessey denied the home side time and again.

Wenger added: "There are going to be a lot of twists and turns. When you have the luck of the results yesterday (Monday) and you play today (Tuesday), you can take advantage of it, that is where the worrying thing is because in the season you have to take your opportunities."

"We just have to keep going and take the positives out of the game. It is frustrating, but I am more frustrated by the result than the performance and the spirit. You cannot fault the attitude or the commitment or the desire to win the game."

"Their 'keeper had the game of his life, Wolves fought like mad and well done to them. I don't know how many shots we had on goal and how many they had, but it was the kind of game that if you play it 20 times you win 19 and you draw one - and it was today, which we could not afford."

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy had punched the air in delight at the final whistle - which came after six minutes of stoppage time during which Arsenal bombarded the visitors' penalty area.

"I am delighted and proud. It was a difficult place to come and play," he said.

"Wayne is a good goalkeeper, one of the best in the league, and he gets a bit to do playing behind us. We know we can rely on him and trust him. It is fantastic - and it was a great performance."

Norwich 0-2 Tottenham: Match Report

Bale brace keeps Spurs on the pace

Gareth Bale tore Norwich apart with a brilliant brace as Tottenham moved seven points behind Barclays Premier League leaders Manchester City with an easy 2-0 win at Carrow Road.

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After laying siege to the Norwich goal in the first half, Spurs finally found the opener 10 minutes after the break when Bale picked up Emmanuel Adebayor's pass to drive under John Ruddy.

Bale then latched on to Luka Modric's pass to sprint 45 yards before lifting the ball over the on-rushing Norwich goalkeeper with a sublime finish to kill off the match 12 minutes later.

The performance may have been slightly ropey in the first-half, but the devastating display from Bale highlights just why Tottenham are proving that they should be deemed credible title challengers.

The Londoners, who have a match in hand over all their rivals, will head in to the new year as the capital's top club, and with games against Swansea and West Brom coming up, few would back against Harry Redknapp's men putting more pressure on both Manchester teams over the next few days.

With Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool all drawing over the past 24 hours, Tottenham had the perfect chance to put themselves within striking distance of the summit.

They received a boost before kick-off with the news that Norwich duo Adam Drury and Ritchie de Laet, who had begun just five league games between them this season, started at full-back due to Kyle Naughton's suspension and an injury to Marc Tierney.

A speculative volley from Steve Morison gave Brad Friedel an early test, but Redknapp's team soon started to dictate play.

Bale drew saves from Ruddy on two occasions after terrorising De Laet with his searing pace.

Grant Holt somehow managed to escape without a caution for an apparent elbow on Benoit Assou-Ekotto as the left-back attempted to play a one-two with Adebayor on the left.

Replays showed the striker had clearly led with his forearm in attempting to shrug the defender off the ball in a challenge that perhaps merited a red card, but referee Michael Oliver kept his cards in his pocket.

Norwich grew in confidence briefly, but they soon found themselves on the back foot again.

Russell Martin put in a crucial header to deny Adebayor a great chance from six yards after a teasing cross from Kyle Walker.

Norwich appealed for a penalty when the ball struck Younes Kaboul in the box but Oliver waved play on.

Bale slammed a deflected shot just wide, but he was soon presented with another chance thanks to an error from Martin. The Welshman nicked the ball off the dallying defender and charged through clear at goal but he could only blast over.

A superb 50-yard ball from Rafael van der Vaart sent Adebayor free. The striker edged the ball past the on-rushing Ruddy, but he could not recover it to tap home and the ball went out of play.

Another Spurs attack came moments later when Bale got on the end of Modric's through-ball but Ruddy pulled off a good save.

Martin put in a sliding tackle to deny Adebayor, who then blazed over in injury-time as Tottenham's half ended in frustration.

William Gallas slipped on the edge of the box, bringing down Andrew Surman and earning himself a booking as Norwich began the second half with more confidence.

Surman picked himself up and curled a low shot that drifted inches wide, with Friedel scrambling for his far post.

Spurs took the lead 10 minutes in to the second half. Van der Vaart picked out Adebayor in the box, he held the ball up and fended off three Norwich defenders before squaring to Bale who got the ball out from under his feet to shoot under Ruddy after being left unmarked 12 yards out.

Assou-Ekotto found Walker unmarked at the back post after a clever one-two with Modric but the right-back cleared the bar by at least 10 yards with a poor shot.

Adebayor converted Assou-Ekotto's cross soon after but the Togo striker was ruled out for offside.

Bale grabbed his second of the game to make it 2-0 in the 67th minute.

Parker won the ball off Morison and laid the ball to Modric, who sent the Welshman galloping through on a 45-yard dash. Bale kept his composure after a heavy first touch before dispatching the coolest of chips over an on-rushing Ruddy.

Adebayor squared for Modric as Tottenham looked for a third but the Croatian could only muster a weak shot that Ruddy gathered easily.

Martin headed wide in injury time as Norwich looked for a consolation, but it never came and Spurs played the rest of the match out comfortably for a vital three points.

Penalty woe for O'Neill

Martin O'Neill was philosophical after seeing referee Howard Webb's howler deny Sunderland victory over Everton.

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The official awarded a penalty after Leon Osman went to ground in the box six minutes into the second half, although television replays showed there had been no contact with any Black Cats player. Leighton Baines scored from the spot to cancel out Jack Colback's first-half opener, but O'Neill was quick to seek out Webb after the final whistle.

He said: "It's not a great decision by an otherwise top referee. I did speak to Howard. He hadn't seen it back - I obviously have had the advantage of seeing the incident back. Naturally, he must have thought there was contact. Clearly, there wasn't and it's obviously disappointing."

Everton counterpart David Moyes was in complete agreement with O'Neill, although he admitted he initially thought it was a penalty.

He said: "I did, yes, but I've had the chance to see it again. I don't think it's a penalty kick - well, it's not a penalty kick. It's a terrible decision by the referee. It wasn't a penalty kick and Martin should feel hard done by."

However, O'Neill was conciliatory as he reflected upon a missed opportunity for a third win in the first four games on his reign on Wearside.

Asked if he had missed referees during his 16 months out of the game, he said with a smile: "I think I probably did, you know, I think I probably did.

"I have to preface everything - I even said this to Howard - by saying the job they do is the most difficult in the business.

"He was seven or eight yards away, he only get one look at it. It's a difficult task, but I think I did miss them."

Suarez cops ban for gesture

Luis Suarez has been banned by the Football Association for one match and fined £20,000 for a gesture made towards Fulham fans.

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His club Liverpool have also been fined £20,000 for failing to control their players in the same match.

The ruling, announced by the FA, comes at a sensitive time for the Reds, who have made clear their anger over an eight-game suspension handed to the Uruguayan striker for racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra.

The Fulham game, on December 5, saw Reds midfielder Jay Spearing sent off, an incident that led to a handful of Liverpool players remonstrating with referee Keith Friend. The club admitted the charge of failing to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion but contested the financial penalty.

Despite Liverpool contesting the fine, an independent regulatory commission ruled it was applicable.

Both the club and Suarez, who was pictured apparently giving supporters a one-fingered gesture and admitted the charge against him, have been warned about their future conduct.

Suarez will now miss Friday's match at home to Newcastle.

During the Fulham match the Uruguayan had been targeted by abuse from sections of the crowd who felt he was cheating by going to ground too easily.

However, in the days after the game Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish was so incensed by some of the treatment the 24-year-old was subjected to by Fulham players he used his pre-match press conference to show a DVD of incidents he felt supported his claims.

He also argued against the Spearing dismissal, when the midfielder won the ball but his follow-through caught Mousa Dembele, which prompted the protest to Friend by a number of his players.

Blades up to second

Sheffield United came from behind to beat Notts County 2-1 to climb into second place in the npower League One table.

The visitors took the lead in the 17th minute when Alan Judge's free-kick from distance found the net. Judge claimed the goal but Lee Hughes, attempting a glancing header, may have got a faint touch.

Ryan Flynn struck the equaliser in the 32nd minute, meeting Richard Cresswell's low cross with a fine half-volley at the near post. And the Blades found a winner on 51 minutes. Alan Sheehan, attempting to block Cresswell from connecting with Stephen Quinn's pass, could only shepherd the ball into his own net.

As United pressed, Stuart Nelson produced a fine save, turning Harry Maguire's header over while Ched Evans fired against Stuart Nelson's right-hand post late on.

Jeff Hughes had a long-range effort well saved by Steve Simonsen and Karl Hawley volleyed straight at the Blades keeper from six yards.

And to add insult to injury, Magpies substitute Ishmel Demontagnac was sent off in stoppage time after throwing the ball at Matt Lowton's face.

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Ledley targets top spot for 2012

Joe Ledley always believed that Celtic would peg back Rangers' lead in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title race ahead of tonight's Old Firm clash at Parkhead.

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Celtic's 2-1 victory over Kilmarnock at Parkhead on Saturday, coupled with Rangers' defeat at St Mirren, took the Hoops to within one point of the leaders, despite trailing them by 15 points in November. Parkhead midfielder Ledley is hoping to complete the turnaround with victory tonight, which would see Celtic top of the table going into 2012.

He said: "We always believed. We knew we weren't playing as well as we could but now we are playing some good, attacking stuff. We have stuck at it this season and now it would be a great achievement for the management, the players and the fans to be top of the league going into the new year."

Despite the pendulum swinging firmly towards the Hoops in recent weeks, Ledley claims Celtic are the underdogs tonight.

Asked if the upturn in the Parkhead side's form and the stuttering of Rangers made them favourites - which they are in the eyes of the bookmakers - the former Cardiff player said: "No. Obviously we are second, we are underdogs. They are top of the league by one point.

"We are at home which is a bit of an advantage but it doesn't matter if we are favourites or underdogs, we just want to go out there and play our game and hopefully win.

"But they are still a good team. They will be disappointed from their last game so they are going to be up for it and they will make it difficult for us.

"But we are on a good run and we want it to continue."

No fear for new Atletico coach Simeone

New Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone said Tuesday he welcomed the challenge of pulling his former team out of their slump in the Spanish league.

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"It was always my aim to come back to Atletico as coach," Simeone said at his formal presentation at the Vicente Calderon stadium.

"I am coming with hope and with the desire to work. I am not afraid of coming to Atletico, or of the responsibility (of the job). It is something that excites me.

"I want the team to end up in a good place in the league."

The former Argentina midfielder was named last week as a replacement for Gregorio Manzano, who was fired following a miserable run of matches at the helm of the 'red and whites'.

Simeone played for Argentina in the 1994, 1998 and 2002 World Cups.

He served two spells at Atletico as a player, forming part of the team that won the Spanish league and cup double in the 1995-1996 season.

Atletico currently sit 10th in the Spanish top flight with only 19 points from 16 games, 21 points behind neighbours and leaders Real Madrid.

Simeone retired as a player in 2006 after a spell with Racing Avellaneda, one of several Argentine teams he went on to coach.

Ancelotti set to take PSG reins: reports

French league leaders Paris Saint-Germain were expected to confirm Italian Carlo Ancelotti as their new coach on Wednesday to replace Antoine Kombouare, sports daily L'Equipe and Le Parisien reported.

Ancelotti had eight years in charge of AC Milan from 2001, twice delivering the Champions League, but has been out of the game since Chelsea sacked him at the end of last season after two years at the helm.

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He is now understood to have agreed a two-and-a-half year contract with PSG and if reports of a salary of between six and seven million euros a season are even close to reality he would become the best paid coach ever in France.

Ancelotti was believed to be preparing to fly out on Sunday to the Middle East, joining PSG's winter break headquarters in Qatar and Dubai through to January 5 before taking charge of his first match - a French Cup round of 64 encounter with lower-league outfit Locmine on January 8.

PSG, who last won the French title in 1994 when they boasted stars such as George Weah and David Ginola, secured top spot in Ligue 1 at the halfway stage of this season after beating Saint-Etienne last week.

Yet the club's mega-rich Qatari owners have always appeared keen to replace Kombouare with a bigger name coach of international renown.

Kombouare, himself a former PSG player, has still not officially been sacked by the club but it is widely accepted that his future now lies away from the Parc des Princes.

Other names in the frame to take his place were Dutch former Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard and former PSG midfielder Claude Makelele, who is now involved behind the scenes in an advisory role to sporting director Leonardo.

Nasser Al-Khelaifi, president of PSG owners Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), promised after last summer's buyout to "to make the club a great team and a strong brand on the international scene" and they promptly spent 85 million euros to attract new talent including 42 million euros to Italian side Napoli for 22-year-old midfielder Javier Pastore.

In recent weeks Leonardo has also been looking to bring England veteran David Beckham to play in Paris for a huge salary - although there has yet to be an official announcement on his arrival, despite reports the club has reached agreement for the 36-year-old.

With regard to Ancelotti, Brazilian Leonardo knows the Italian well having been AC Milan technical director during part of Ancelotti's reign with the "Rossoneri".

Chelsea V Fulham at Stamford Bridge : Match Preview

AVB rules out Alex recall 

Boss Andre Villas-Boas has reiterated he will not bring Alex in from the cold, even if it means Chelsea starting Boxing Day's west London derby with John Terry as their only fit centre-half. Villas-Boas was asked on Wednesday whether he would reverse his decision to banish Alex from his first-team squad should the club suffer an injury crisis. Despite having previously claimed Alex and Nicolas Anelka, who were sidelined after submitting transfer requests, could force their way back into his plans, he declared the former would not be recalled - even if the worst happened. Barely 24 hours later, it did, with Branislav Ivanovic limping out of Thursday night's 1-1 Barclays Premier League draw at Tottenham. Asked afterwards if he had changed his mind about Alex ahead of Monday's game against Fulham, Villas-Boas simply said: "No."

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In fairness, Chelsea coped admirably at White Hart Lane with the loss of Ivanovic, despite Jose Bosingwa being forced to move from right-back to centre-half for what was possibly the first time in his entire Stamford Bridge career. Paulo Ferreira also impressed at right-back having not previously featured in the Premier League this season. "This was a fantastic adaptation and another solution that we have in the squad," Villas-Boas said. With Ivanovic almost certainly out of Monday's match, Villas-Boas was hoping David Luiz would return from the knee problem that has sidelined him from the last two games. Otherwise, he insisted he would even consider playing young midfielder Oriol Romeu alongside Terry rather than turn to Alex. "Hopefully, David can return for contention for the game against Fulham," he said. "But, if not, from Oriol to Bosingwa, both can play in that position - and Paulo has done it in the past." Fourth-placed Chelsea are also fighting to get back into contention in a title race which sees them 11 points behind leaders Manchester City but Villas-Boas was expecting a backlash from a Fulham side thrashed 5-0 at home by Manchester United on Wednesday night. He said: "A result like that, also the result that they got in the Europa League, generates revolt and generates anger, which can fuel emotions for a London derby that is extremely difficult for us." 

Fulham manager Martin Jol believes Chelsea's appointment of Villas-Boas is proof that if you are good enough, you are old enough. The 34-year-old was handed the Stamford Bridge reins in the summer, despite his tender years and limited managerial experience. Villas-Boas led former club Porto to four trophies last season, including a Europa League crown that saw him become the youngest manager to win a European club title. Jol comes head-to-head with the man 21 years his junior on Boxing Day and is full of admiration for the Chelsea boss, especially having overcome mounting external pressure. "I sympathise with all the managers but that is the business," the Dutchman said. "If you are not fulfilling the expectations of the people around you it is always problem. "The only thing is to get results and points on the board - then it is the best life ever. "If you do not, you are struggling. I am, though, not surprised by his age. "I think it is quite adventurous and challenging to [appoint somebody of the age]. 

Someone who won the Europa League, some titles in Portugal, like Jose Mourinho before him. "He is quite young but I do not think it is about age. "It is the same on the field, too. My player [Kerim] Frei showed he is good enough to play at 18 so I do not think about it." Jol has stuck with the mantra of talent being more important than age this season, blooding a number of younger players into the first team. Frei was among those handed their senior debut and he has so far impressed the Fulham manager. "As I said, it doesn't matter how young you are," Jol said. "He came on against Swansea and earned a penalty. He played against Chelsea and did the same. "He played against Odense in the Europa League and set-up the first goal and scored the second. "That is something we can build on and it can push other players because he does not have a lack of confidence, shall we say." Fulham have no fresh injury concerns but Steve Sidwell is unlikely to feature despite returning to training after a hernia operation.

Rams part company with Riggott

After six months Derby County have released Derby Born defender Chris Riggott.

Defender Chris Riggott has left Derby County after his failed attempt to rescue his career after around a year and a half of serious injury.

Rigott left the Rams for life in the Premiership with Middlesbrough in 2003 an after a successful career with Boro, injury effectively ended his career.

The 31 year-old was a former trainee with the Rams fought hard to overcome injury and be rewarded with a years contract with the Rams as they struggled with injury themselves to several defensive players in the early part of the season.

Riggott will leave the Rams on the 1st January 2012 after joining at the start of this season.

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