Cotterill, who joined the Magpies in February, said the decision to go was "one of the hardest of my career".
The 45-year-old is now being linked to managerless Portsmouth, having turned down an offer from Coventry.
Magpies chairman Ray Trew said he would begin the search for a replacement "with a heavy heart".
He added: "The job that Steve did for us here will live long in the memory of all Notts County fans and, as is a mark of all great managers, he leaves the club in a much better position than when he arrived.
"To his credit, Steve is a very ambitious manager and he feels that the time is right to take stock of his current situation before deciding upon his next career move, which I completely understand.
"Steve leaves Meadow Lane with my thanks and appreciation and in the hope that he may one day return to the club to manage us at the very highest level."
Cotterill joined County on a short-term contract in February and in April his side clinched promotion to League One.
He stated: "It has been a real pleasure working with such a fantastic group of people from the chairman and chief executive, players, the backroom staff, office workers and ground staff.
"The fans have been magnificent to me and I would like to thank everyone connected with the club for how they have received me since I've been here and wish them all the very best in the future
Pompey administrator Andrew Andronikou told BBC Radio Nottingham on Tuesday that Cotterill is one of eight or nine managers being considered for the vacant position at Fratton Park following the resignation of Avram Grant last week.
606: DEBATE
Does this mean Cotterill is about to become the next Portsmouth manager?
And Andronikou told the Nottingham Post: "His CV precedes him. He is the sort of motivator that our players need to take them forward.
"The fact he is out of contract at the end of the month is not a factor. We are looking for the right individual, not at their availability."
Goalkeeper David James, who has been offered a new contract by Portsmouth, has expressed a desire to take over as boss of the south-coast club.
Andronikou hinted that the England player was too inexperienced for the role but did say the 39-year-old would have an input into any final decision.
Cotterill started his managerial career in 1995, succeeding Lawrie Sanchez at Irish side Sligo before taking charge at Cheltenham two years later.
After five years at Whaddon Road he left for Stoke City but quickly left to become the assistant to Howard Wilkinson at Sunderland.
A three-year spell at Burnley then followed before Cotterill took charge at Meadow Lane.
His departure marks the latest twist in what has been a tumultuous season for the Magpies.
The club has been taken over twice, with former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson arriving as director of football and Sol Campbell signing as a free agent - although both men have now left Meadow Lane.
Cotterill is the third manager to part company with County in the past eight months, alongside Ian McParland and Hans Backe.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Mourinho a perfect fit for Real Madrid - Perez
Jose Mourinho's style of play will "fit in perfectly" at the Bernabeu, says Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.
Inter Milan boss Mourinho is expected to succeed coach Manuel Pellegrini, who was sacked by Real on Wednesday.
Mourinho, who guided Inter to a historic Treble this season, is considered to be a defensive coach.
But Perez countered: "Mourinho's style of play will fit with the history of Madrid. To win, the values, the spirit of sacrifice, it will fit perfectly."
Mourinho, who took over at Inter in 2008, became only the third man to win European club football's most prestigious competition with two different clubs when Inter beat Bayern Munich 2-0 in Saturday's Champions League final.
That success also assured the Nerazzuri's place in the history books as they became the first Italian team to win the Treble, having already retained the Serie A title and beaten Roma to lift the Italian Cup.
Mourinho is contracted to Inter until 2012 and so the 47-year-old former Chelsea manager must resolve his future at the San Siro before making any move.
Pellegrini's free-scoring Real side finished runners-up in the Spanish League this season, netting 102 goals in 38 games, with 60 of those strikes coming at home.
Mourinho has proven that he can make a team successful, something that two of the best players in the world (Ronaldo/Kaka) cannot do on their own
Chris_Kamara
But the 56-year-old Chilean was dismissed for failing to land any silverware, despite the Spanish giants having signed Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Karim Benzema and Xabi Alonso for a combined fee in excess of £196m in the summer of 2009.
In contrast, Mourinho's Inter side scored 75 goals in 38 games en route to their Serie A title and produced a defensive masterclass in their 3-2 aggregate win over Spanish champions Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final.
And now the man who brought unprecedented success to the Nerazzurri is set to become the 11th coach in the last seven years at the Bernabeu.
Perez, who is looking forward to a period of progression, added: "Madrid is betting on stability, the stability of the Madridistas is to win and be leaders in Europe.
"The change of coach is always difficult but we are convinced that after this first year and this first phase, now is the moment to give a fresh impulse to our project.
"A year ago there was a huge and unprecedented effort to configure and put together a squad capable of aspiring to the maximum.
"We have advanced a lot but we still have a lot of ground to cover.
"This club demands the maximum and is always in search of excellence. Winning and being leaders in Europe has always been the desire of our members and fans and, therefore, that's the objective of this board."
Mourinho has previously said his target is to become the first manager to win championships in England - where he won the Premier League twice with Chelsea - Italy and Spain.
And Perez has backed Mourinho to bring success to the Bernabeu.
"We believe that he is a coach that will add a lot to this important squad," Perez continued.
"The only one who has spoken to Inter president Massimo Moratti was me on Monday, but the parties are resolving a resolution [to his contract] in which we are not participating.
"My hope is that it will be resolved quickly and I believe it will be."
Inter Milan boss Mourinho is expected to succeed coach Manuel Pellegrini, who was sacked by Real on Wednesday.
Mourinho, who guided Inter to a historic Treble this season, is considered to be a defensive coach.
But Perez countered: "Mourinho's style of play will fit with the history of Madrid. To win, the values, the spirit of sacrifice, it will fit perfectly."
Mourinho, who took over at Inter in 2008, became only the third man to win European club football's most prestigious competition with two different clubs when Inter beat Bayern Munich 2-0 in Saturday's Champions League final.
That success also assured the Nerazzuri's place in the history books as they became the first Italian team to win the Treble, having already retained the Serie A title and beaten Roma to lift the Italian Cup.
Mourinho is contracted to Inter until 2012 and so the 47-year-old former Chelsea manager must resolve his future at the San Siro before making any move.
Pellegrini's free-scoring Real side finished runners-up in the Spanish League this season, netting 102 goals in 38 games, with 60 of those strikes coming at home.
Mourinho has proven that he can make a team successful, something that two of the best players in the world (Ronaldo/Kaka) cannot do on their own
Chris_Kamara
But the 56-year-old Chilean was dismissed for failing to land any silverware, despite the Spanish giants having signed Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Karim Benzema and Xabi Alonso for a combined fee in excess of £196m in the summer of 2009.
In contrast, Mourinho's Inter side scored 75 goals in 38 games en route to their Serie A title and produced a defensive masterclass in their 3-2 aggregate win over Spanish champions Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final.
And now the man who brought unprecedented success to the Nerazzurri is set to become the 11th coach in the last seven years at the Bernabeu.
Perez, who is looking forward to a period of progression, added: "Madrid is betting on stability, the stability of the Madridistas is to win and be leaders in Europe.
"The change of coach is always difficult but we are convinced that after this first year and this first phase, now is the moment to give a fresh impulse to our project.
"A year ago there was a huge and unprecedented effort to configure and put together a squad capable of aspiring to the maximum.
"We have advanced a lot but we still have a lot of ground to cover.
"This club demands the maximum and is always in search of excellence. Winning and being leaders in Europe has always been the desire of our members and fans and, therefore, that's the objective of this board."
Mourinho has previously said his target is to become the first manager to win championships in England - where he won the Premier League twice with Chelsea - Italy and Spain.
And Perez has backed Mourinho to bring success to the Bernabeu.
"We believe that he is a coach that will add a lot to this important squad," Perez continued.
"The only one who has spoken to Inter president Massimo Moratti was me on Monday, but the parties are resolving a resolution [to his contract] in which we are not participating.
"My hope is that it will be resolved quickly and I believe it will be."
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Barcelona agreed to sign striker David Villa from Valencia
Barcelona agreed to sign striker David Villa from Valencia on Wednesday in a transfer worth 40 million euros ($49 million).
Villa will undergo a medical scan Friday before signing a four-year contract with an option for a fifth, the Spanish champions said on their website.
The 28-year-old Villa scored 21 league goals for third-place Valencia last season and is Spain's second all-time leading scorer. The Asturia native scored 28 goals in 45 games overall last season.
Barcelona sporting director Txiki Begiristain said Villa would complement Barcelona's quick-passing possession game perfectly.
"Like Lionel (Messi) he's a combination of a center forward or also a right winger who can float to the middle," Begiristain said. "His profile is that of a player who is skillful at crossfield movement and (he) maneuvers very well in open space since he has great depth."
Villa has scored 206 goals in 393 appearances since his debut for Sporting Gijon in 2003, which included two seasons at Zaragoza before arriving at Valencia for the 2005-06 season.
Villa was the leading scorer at the 2008 European Championship, helping Spain win the title. He has scored 36 goals in 55 games for Spain and is closing in on Raul Gonzalez's leading total off 44 in 102 appearances.
Villa will undergo a medical scan Friday before signing a four-year contract with an option for a fifth, the Spanish champions said on their website.
The 28-year-old Villa scored 21 league goals for third-place Valencia last season and is Spain's second all-time leading scorer. The Asturia native scored 28 goals in 45 games overall last season.
Barcelona sporting director Txiki Begiristain said Villa would complement Barcelona's quick-passing possession game perfectly.
"Like Lionel (Messi) he's a combination of a center forward or also a right winger who can float to the middle," Begiristain said. "His profile is that of a player who is skillful at crossfield movement and (he) maneuvers very well in open space since he has great depth."
Villa has scored 206 goals in 393 appearances since his debut for Sporting Gijon in 2003, which included two seasons at Zaragoza before arriving at Valencia for the 2005-06 season.
Villa was the leading scorer at the 2008 European Championship, helping Spain win the title. He has scored 36 goals in 55 games for Spain and is closing in on Raul Gonzalez's leading total off 44 in 102 appearances.
Mourinho: I'm tempted by Real move
Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho admits his only options this summer are to stay at the San Siro or move on to Real Madrid.
The Portuguese coach has helped to bring the glory days back to Inter during his time in Italy, with the club currently on the brink of an unprecedented Treble.
With the Serie A title and Italian Cup already in the bag, Saturday's Champions League final against Bayern Munich is all that stands between Mourinho and another slice of history.
Such success could lead him to head for the exits, with the former Chelsea boss always keen to take on a new challenge.
A switch to Real would certainly provide him with a stiff test, with the Spanish giants having seen arch-rivals Barcelona successfully defend their Primera Liga crown this season.
Mourinho has revealed that he would be foolish to turn down such an opportunity were it to arise, but he has also refused to rule out the possibility of sticking around at Giuseppe Meazza.
"My only options are Madrid or Inter," he told Marca.
"To get me to leave this club after two years of incredible work, only Real Madrid could achieve that. If I go, I will move with a clear conscience having changed the club."
Mourinho is yet to be contacted by Real, who continue to employ Manuel Pellegrini as their manager at present, but admits he would welcome the opportunity to join such a prestigious club in the future.
"All I say is that if you are a coach or a great player to not play in a club like Madrid, leaves a hole in your career," he added.
"I want to coach Real 100 per cent. If it is next year or later, I can't say."
The Portuguese coach has helped to bring the glory days back to Inter during his time in Italy, with the club currently on the brink of an unprecedented Treble.
With the Serie A title and Italian Cup already in the bag, Saturday's Champions League final against Bayern Munich is all that stands between Mourinho and another slice of history.
Such success could lead him to head for the exits, with the former Chelsea boss always keen to take on a new challenge.
A switch to Real would certainly provide him with a stiff test, with the Spanish giants having seen arch-rivals Barcelona successfully defend their Primera Liga crown this season.
Mourinho has revealed that he would be foolish to turn down such an opportunity were it to arise, but he has also refused to rule out the possibility of sticking around at Giuseppe Meazza.
"My only options are Madrid or Inter," he told Marca.
"To get me to leave this club after two years of incredible work, only Real Madrid could achieve that. If I go, I will move with a clear conscience having changed the club."
Mourinho is yet to be contacted by Real, who continue to employ Manuel Pellegrini as their manager at present, but admits he would welcome the opportunity to join such a prestigious club in the future.
"All I say is that if you are a coach or a great player to not play in a club like Madrid, leaves a hole in your career," he added.
"I want to coach Real 100 per cent. If it is next year or later, I can't say."
Fergie predicts USA will reach WC second round
Alex Ferguson predicts the United States will reach the second round of the World Cup.
The Manchester United manager said the U.S. will find the opener against England and coach Fabio Capello to be difficult. But he said that if the Americans can go on to maintain their composure against Slovenia and Algeria, they should reach the knockout phase.
"It's a hard game for them to start with, because England are very, very motivated under Capello. Capello is a really outstanding coach," he said. "If they can survive after that ... I think they will qualify."
He praised Landon Donovan who spent part of last season on loan to Everton, where he was teammates with former Manchester United goalkeeper Tim Howard. He also singled out Fulham midfielder Clint Dempsey.
"They've proved themselves in previous World Cups. With Donovan and Dempsey, they've got some experience. They've been there before. It's not as if it's new to them," he said. "So I don't think they will be overawed by anything, or the atmosphere of the World Cup or the importance of the World Cup or the intensity. I think that will be easy for them."
He called Donovan's time with Everton "absolutely outstanding" and said Dempsey "has had a great season in England this year."
Ferguson did think Premier League players will have a harder time at the tournament because they're exhausted after the long season, which for many included high-pressure matches in the Champions League and the Europa League.
That's why he'll give Manchester United players at the World Cup four weeks off after their national teams finish playing. That means Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra, Nani, Park Ji-sung and Michael Carrick are likely to miss much or all of the North American tour.
The tour includes games against Glasgow Celtic (July 16 at Toronto), and at Major League Soccer clubs the Philadelphia Union (July 21) and Kansas City Wizards (July 25), as well as the MLS All-Star game at Houston (July 28).
"The players we have in the World Cup have to get 28 days rest. They must have that or they won't feature next year," he said. "They'll just collapse. Exhaustion will get them. Which makes it difficult for English players to perform well in the World Cup, because the intensity of the English game is so great."
He will make an exception for Mexican forward Javier Hernandez, who is transferring to Manchester United from Chivas. Hernandez will join the team in Philadelphia and is slated to play in the last game of the tour, at Chivas on July 30 in the club's new 45,000-seat stadium in Guadalajara.
Ferguson said Hernandez, who turns 22 next month, must get to know his new teammates.
"He's young and I think can handle coming to training," he said.
The Manchester United manager said the U.S. will find the opener against England and coach Fabio Capello to be difficult. But he said that if the Americans can go on to maintain their composure against Slovenia and Algeria, they should reach the knockout phase.
"It's a hard game for them to start with, because England are very, very motivated under Capello. Capello is a really outstanding coach," he said. "If they can survive after that ... I think they will qualify."
He praised Landon Donovan who spent part of last season on loan to Everton, where he was teammates with former Manchester United goalkeeper Tim Howard. He also singled out Fulham midfielder Clint Dempsey.
"They've proved themselves in previous World Cups. With Donovan and Dempsey, they've got some experience. They've been there before. It's not as if it's new to them," he said. "So I don't think they will be overawed by anything, or the atmosphere of the World Cup or the importance of the World Cup or the intensity. I think that will be easy for them."
He called Donovan's time with Everton "absolutely outstanding" and said Dempsey "has had a great season in England this year."
Ferguson did think Premier League players will have a harder time at the tournament because they're exhausted after the long season, which for many included high-pressure matches in the Champions League and the Europa League.
That's why he'll give Manchester United players at the World Cup four weeks off after their national teams finish playing. That means Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra, Nani, Park Ji-sung and Michael Carrick are likely to miss much or all of the North American tour.
The tour includes games against Glasgow Celtic (July 16 at Toronto), and at Major League Soccer clubs the Philadelphia Union (July 21) and Kansas City Wizards (July 25), as well as the MLS All-Star game at Houston (July 28).
"The players we have in the World Cup have to get 28 days rest. They must have that or they won't feature next year," he said. "They'll just collapse. Exhaustion will get them. Which makes it difficult for English players to perform well in the World Cup, because the intensity of the English game is so great."
He will make an exception for Mexican forward Javier Hernandez, who is transferring to Manchester United from Chivas. Hernandez will join the team in Philadelphia and is slated to play in the last game of the tour, at Chivas on July 30 in the club's new 45,000-seat stadium in Guadalajara.
Ferguson said Hernandez, who turns 22 next month, must get to know his new teammates.
"He's young and I think can handle coming to training," he said.
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti created history as Didier Drogba's second-half winner
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti created history as Didier Drogba's second-half winner sank Portsmouth and sealed the London club's first Premier League and FA Cup double.
Drogba's precise free-kick just before the hour mark was the decisive moment of an incident-packed FA Cup final in which Chelsea hit the woodwork five times in the first half and both sides also missed from the penalty spot.
Chelsea - who become only the seventh club to win the coveted domestic Double - were again grateful to the prolific Drogba, who kept up his remarkable record of scoring in each of his six games at Wembley with his 37th goal of the season.
He scored only minutes after Pompey's Kevin-Prince Boateng saw his half-hit penalty saved by Chelsea keeper Petr Cech - and in that moment Pompey's chances of repeating their victory of two years ago effectively disappeared.
Chelsea were even able to survive a rare penalty miss by Frank Lampard in the closing minutes when he shot wide from the spot after he had been brought down by Michael Brown.
The margin of victory belied Chelsea's superiority, especially in a remarkable first half when Lampard, John Terry, Salomon Kalou and Drogba, on two occasions, all struck the frame of the goal.
Portsmouth bravely held on but wasted their own big chances in the shape of Boateng's penalty miss and a Frederic Piquionne effort from six yards that was scrambled away by Cech before the break.
It is a victory that caps a remarkable campaign for Ancelotti - and there was a personal honour for defender Ashley Cole, who became the most decorated player in FA Cup history by picking up his sixth winner's medal.
Pompey battled with the resolve that has taken them to Wembley against a background of financial meltdown and relegation to the Championship under manager Avram Grant.
But Chelsea had the extra weaponry when it mattered to deprive the Fratton Park club of any consolation at the end of a troubled campaign.
And Ancelotti, the modest and dignified Italian, took another step towards banishing the ghost of Jose Mourinho from Stamford Bridge by writing a new chapter in the club's record books.
Lampard was first to feel the woodwork frustration when, after shooting inches wide, he glanced the outside of the post with a swerving effort from 20 yards that left James helpless.
Pompey had performed with great heart throughout a Cup run that had salvaged something from the wreckage of their season and they should have gone ahead after 21 minutes.
Boateng volleyed Aruna Dindane's cross into the six-yard area and Piqiuonne's instinctive finish was met with equally sharp reflexes from Cech, who clawed away the ball.
The rest of the opening period was a tale of sustained Chelsea pressure, with Pompey hanging on via a mixture of brave defence and outrageous good fortune.
Kalou was guilty of a dreadful miss after 26 minutes, hitting the bar from almost on the line after Cole delivered a cross that seemed impossible to miss.
Chelsea captain Terry rose in towering fashion to head Florent Malouda's free-kick against the bar before Drogba then thought he had finally given Chelsea the lead.
The Ivorian's 30-yard free-kick took Portsmouth by surprise but James - the oldest goalkeeper to play in an FA Cup final at 39 years and 287 days - reacted to turn it on to the bar and down on to the goalline. The officials remained unmoved as Chelsea appealed for a goal but replays showed the ball did not fully cross the line.
There was still time for Drogba to hit the post again, this time from an acute angle, as Portsmouth somehow remained on terms at the interval.
And their spirits soared after 54 minutes when Juliano Belletti, on as a first-half substitute for Michael Ballack, who suffered an ankle injury, brought down Boateng as he raced into the area.
Referee Chris Foy had an easy decision to point to the spot - but Cech's save was just as easy from Boateng's woeful penalty.
And the dire consequences of the miss were emphasised five minutes later when Drogba ended the charmed life the Pompey goal had led. The positioning of keeper James may be questioned but Drogba's placement was perfect, scoring low in the corner via the upright.
Kalou then dragged a finish wide from a good position, his final contribution as he was replaced by Joe Cole with 20 minutes left. Cole received a huge ovation from the Chelsea fans amid growing speculation this could be his final game for the club before quitting on a free transfer.
And he almost scored with his first touch after Drogba saw his shot saved by James at the near post. Drogba then teed up Cole - but he miscued his effort and the chance was gone.
Chelsea were given the opportunity to give the scoreline a more convincing appearance when Lampard was fouled inside the area by Brown but he contributed to the seemingly endless drama by kicking wide.
Pompey, however, were unable to profit from the reprieve and Chelsea added the FA Cup to the Premier League crown they clinched last Sunday.
Drogba's precise free-kick just before the hour mark was the decisive moment of an incident-packed FA Cup final in which Chelsea hit the woodwork five times in the first half and both sides also missed from the penalty spot.
Chelsea - who become only the seventh club to win the coveted domestic Double - were again grateful to the prolific Drogba, who kept up his remarkable record of scoring in each of his six games at Wembley with his 37th goal of the season.
He scored only minutes after Pompey's Kevin-Prince Boateng saw his half-hit penalty saved by Chelsea keeper Petr Cech - and in that moment Pompey's chances of repeating their victory of two years ago effectively disappeared.
Chelsea were even able to survive a rare penalty miss by Frank Lampard in the closing minutes when he shot wide from the spot after he had been brought down by Michael Brown.
The margin of victory belied Chelsea's superiority, especially in a remarkable first half when Lampard, John Terry, Salomon Kalou and Drogba, on two occasions, all struck the frame of the goal.
Portsmouth bravely held on but wasted their own big chances in the shape of Boateng's penalty miss and a Frederic Piquionne effort from six yards that was scrambled away by Cech before the break.
It is a victory that caps a remarkable campaign for Ancelotti - and there was a personal honour for defender Ashley Cole, who became the most decorated player in FA Cup history by picking up his sixth winner's medal.
Pompey battled with the resolve that has taken them to Wembley against a background of financial meltdown and relegation to the Championship under manager Avram Grant.
But Chelsea had the extra weaponry when it mattered to deprive the Fratton Park club of any consolation at the end of a troubled campaign.
And Ancelotti, the modest and dignified Italian, took another step towards banishing the ghost of Jose Mourinho from Stamford Bridge by writing a new chapter in the club's record books.
Lampard was first to feel the woodwork frustration when, after shooting inches wide, he glanced the outside of the post with a swerving effort from 20 yards that left James helpless.
Pompey had performed with great heart throughout a Cup run that had salvaged something from the wreckage of their season and they should have gone ahead after 21 minutes.
Boateng volleyed Aruna Dindane's cross into the six-yard area and Piqiuonne's instinctive finish was met with equally sharp reflexes from Cech, who clawed away the ball.
The rest of the opening period was a tale of sustained Chelsea pressure, with Pompey hanging on via a mixture of brave defence and outrageous good fortune.
Kalou was guilty of a dreadful miss after 26 minutes, hitting the bar from almost on the line after Cole delivered a cross that seemed impossible to miss.
Chelsea captain Terry rose in towering fashion to head Florent Malouda's free-kick against the bar before Drogba then thought he had finally given Chelsea the lead.
The Ivorian's 30-yard free-kick took Portsmouth by surprise but James - the oldest goalkeeper to play in an FA Cup final at 39 years and 287 days - reacted to turn it on to the bar and down on to the goalline. The officials remained unmoved as Chelsea appealed for a goal but replays showed the ball did not fully cross the line.
There was still time for Drogba to hit the post again, this time from an acute angle, as Portsmouth somehow remained on terms at the interval.
And their spirits soared after 54 minutes when Juliano Belletti, on as a first-half substitute for Michael Ballack, who suffered an ankle injury, brought down Boateng as he raced into the area.
Referee Chris Foy had an easy decision to point to the spot - but Cech's save was just as easy from Boateng's woeful penalty.
And the dire consequences of the miss were emphasised five minutes later when Drogba ended the charmed life the Pompey goal had led. The positioning of keeper James may be questioned but Drogba's placement was perfect, scoring low in the corner via the upright.
Kalou then dragged a finish wide from a good position, his final contribution as he was replaced by Joe Cole with 20 minutes left. Cole received a huge ovation from the Chelsea fans amid growing speculation this could be his final game for the club before quitting on a free transfer.
And he almost scored with his first touch after Drogba saw his shot saved by James at the near post. Drogba then teed up Cole - but he miscued his effort and the chance was gone.
Chelsea were given the opportunity to give the scoreline a more convincing appearance when Lampard was fouled inside the area by Brown but he contributed to the seemingly endless drama by kicking wide.
Pompey, however, were unable to profit from the reprieve and Chelsea added the FA Cup to the Premier League crown they clinched last Sunday.
Chelsea captain John Terry says he will be "100% fit" for Saturday's FA Cup final against Portsmouth at Wembley.
Terry hurt his right foot in training on Wednesday but a scan revealed the problem was not a serious one and he returned to training on Thursday.
"I'm fine and looking forward to the game," said the former England skipper.
The incident had briefly raised fears over Terry's participation in the World Cup finals in South Africa, which kick off on 11 June.
Terry, who revealed that the injury scare was caused by a training ground collision with striker Daniel Sturridge, admitted that he had had concerns about his participation this summer.
"I was just running back to goal and Daniel Sturridge fell on top of me. My foot was caught underneath. I thought it was quite bad initially," the 29-year-old Blues defender added.
Cannot play media.You do not have the correct version of the flash player. Download the correct version
Ancelotti confident in Terry's fitness
"But once I had the scan, it was just bruising and today there was no problem at all.
"It was sorted out in a couple of hours but I was a bit scared, I must say.
"Once I had the scan I didn't wear the boot, it's just protection really. The doctor advised me to keep it on. But once I got the scan results I was back in my normal trainer."
England manager Fabio Capello will be relieved with the confirmation of Terry's fitness as a number of other important players have suffered injuries recently.
Centre-back Rio Ferdinand, who replaced Terry as England captain earlier this year after the Chelsea man was stripped of the role following allegations about his personal life, has had an injury-plagued season.
And Ferdinand's Manchester United club-mate Wayne Rooney suffered ankle trouble towards the end of a terrific domestic season for the striker.
Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry is England's biggest concern after being sidelined for four weeks with ankle ligament damage, while David Beckham misses the tournament altogether because of an Achilles injury sustained in March.
"I'm fine and looking forward to the game," said the former England skipper.
The incident had briefly raised fears over Terry's participation in the World Cup finals in South Africa, which kick off on 11 June.
Terry, who revealed that the injury scare was caused by a training ground collision with striker Daniel Sturridge, admitted that he had had concerns about his participation this summer.
"I was just running back to goal and Daniel Sturridge fell on top of me. My foot was caught underneath. I thought it was quite bad initially," the 29-year-old Blues defender added.
Cannot play media.You do not have the correct version of the flash player. Download the correct version
Ancelotti confident in Terry's fitness
"But once I had the scan, it was just bruising and today there was no problem at all.
"It was sorted out in a couple of hours but I was a bit scared, I must say.
"Once I had the scan I didn't wear the boot, it's just protection really. The doctor advised me to keep it on. But once I got the scan results I was back in my normal trainer."
England manager Fabio Capello will be relieved with the confirmation of Terry's fitness as a number of other important players have suffered injuries recently.
Centre-back Rio Ferdinand, who replaced Terry as England captain earlier this year after the Chelsea man was stripped of the role following allegations about his personal life, has had an injury-plagued season.
And Ferdinand's Manchester United club-mate Wayne Rooney suffered ankle trouble towards the end of a terrific domestic season for the striker.
Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry is England's biggest concern after being sidelined for four weeks with ankle ligament damage, while David Beckham misses the tournament altogether because of an Achilles injury sustained in March.
LeBron James-John Calipari combo-plate rumor has gone mainstream
So now the LeBron James-John Calipari combo-plate rumor has gone mainstream. It’s spoken of openly in the media, now. It’s so ubiquitous it’s already been denied. And not only denied, but denied, by Calipari, in the most vehement way you can deny something these days. On Twitter.
Still, any time a college football or basketball coach insists he isn’t leaving, my alarm bells go off like it’s DEFCON 3. Plus, this story involves a mysterious behind-the-scenes basketball power broker known as “Worldwide Wes.”
Yeah, that’s right. “Worldwide” Wes. I know. Even ZZ Top only claimed to be bad, and nationwide. But this guy is Worldwide!
There’s no way we’re not diving into this. As Seinfeld’s Kramer once said, “A story like that has got to be true!”
So let’s break this thing down, Rumsfeld style:
Has there likely been any actual contact on this coming from either James or Calipari to potential suitors regarding there being a package deal? No.
Does everyone have plausible deniability here? Oh, good heavens, yes.
Do I think this is just pure, random speculation, made up out of thin air? Uh, no.
And upon further examination of the known knowns, the known unknowns and the unknown unknowns ... Calipari?
Really?
OK, Cal seems like a charismatic players’ coach. He knows the game, he wins and he can produce NBA talent. Or at least recruit NBA talent. Plus, in the pros, one wouldn’t have to worry about NCAA violations.
(When UK fans made peace with the one-and-done thing in exchange for winning, they thought it was just the players. Oh, Kentucky fans. Always the wide-eyed innocents.)
Again, Calipari is a great college coach, and he’s reinvented himself with the dribble-drive motion offense. He’s not the same guy he was back in the ’90s with the Nets, when he entered the league with an excess of swagger, and the unknown unknowns bit him in the rear.
Let’s be honest. Calipari’s Nets did make the playoffs once. But the thing most of us remember from his last stay in the pros was him calling a report a "----ing Mexican idiot."
So yes, this time he would be older, wiser and have some idea what he would be getting into. But still.
College coaches don’t have great track records in the pros. And whether the comparison is fair or not to either of them, this smacks a little of a Tim Floyd situation. Only this time it would be a player making the pick.
And that’s another thing. Maybe we’re all making a little too much of LeBron's, ahem, third bad game in seven years. But at this particular moment in basketball history, I don’t feel comfortable ceding complete and utter leadership of the direction of my franchise to the guy from Game 5.
Granted, that may be what you need to do in order to get him. But we’ve already seen the King thing, and look how far that got him.
At this point in his career he needs a situation not to cater to him, but rather, to push him, to extract greatness from him. That includes a coach who will do the same.
I think LeBron knows that, and that he may already know where he wants to go (or stay, as the case may be). But I won’t be the first to point out that it’s cool to be recruited. And James may be simply pining for the Back to School experience he never had.
If you’re LeBron James, and this is your life at 25, what thrills are there left? Well, he could win a ring. And he could be wooed, like a blue chipper trying to make his college choice.
So there we have it. Worldwide Wes is a man who could make something like this happen. LeBron loves being wooed. Few can play this game like a college coach.
Twittered Calipari: “Still the speculation runs wild and I can't stop that ...”
That’s normally coachspeak for “contract extension.”
So, fine. It is intriguing, I’ll give them that. But the Game 5 flop put a new tone on the Summer of 2010. It gave James an escape clause, but it also put the shoe on the other foot (his). It’s time for a situation that challenges him, not kisses his butt. And that’s on him.
Proceed carefully, gentlemen. We are all witnesses.
Still, any time a college football or basketball coach insists he isn’t leaving, my alarm bells go off like it’s DEFCON 3. Plus, this story involves a mysterious behind-the-scenes basketball power broker known as “Worldwide Wes.”
Yeah, that’s right. “Worldwide” Wes. I know. Even ZZ Top only claimed to be bad, and nationwide. But this guy is Worldwide!
There’s no way we’re not diving into this. As Seinfeld’s Kramer once said, “A story like that has got to be true!”
So let’s break this thing down, Rumsfeld style:
Has there likely been any actual contact on this coming from either James or Calipari to potential suitors regarding there being a package deal? No.
Does everyone have plausible deniability here? Oh, good heavens, yes.
Do I think this is just pure, random speculation, made up out of thin air? Uh, no.
And upon further examination of the known knowns, the known unknowns and the unknown unknowns ... Calipari?
Really?
OK, Cal seems like a charismatic players’ coach. He knows the game, he wins and he can produce NBA talent. Or at least recruit NBA talent. Plus, in the pros, one wouldn’t have to worry about NCAA violations.
(When UK fans made peace with the one-and-done thing in exchange for winning, they thought it was just the players. Oh, Kentucky fans. Always the wide-eyed innocents.)
Again, Calipari is a great college coach, and he’s reinvented himself with the dribble-drive motion offense. He’s not the same guy he was back in the ’90s with the Nets, when he entered the league with an excess of swagger, and the unknown unknowns bit him in the rear.
Let’s be honest. Calipari’s Nets did make the playoffs once. But the thing most of us remember from his last stay in the pros was him calling a report a "----ing Mexican idiot."
So yes, this time he would be older, wiser and have some idea what he would be getting into. But still.
College coaches don’t have great track records in the pros. And whether the comparison is fair or not to either of them, this smacks a little of a Tim Floyd situation. Only this time it would be a player making the pick.
And that’s another thing. Maybe we’re all making a little too much of LeBron's, ahem, third bad game in seven years. But at this particular moment in basketball history, I don’t feel comfortable ceding complete and utter leadership of the direction of my franchise to the guy from Game 5.
Granted, that may be what you need to do in order to get him. But we’ve already seen the King thing, and look how far that got him.
At this point in his career he needs a situation not to cater to him, but rather, to push him, to extract greatness from him. That includes a coach who will do the same.
I think LeBron knows that, and that he may already know where he wants to go (or stay, as the case may be). But I won’t be the first to point out that it’s cool to be recruited. And James may be simply pining for the Back to School experience he never had.
If you’re LeBron James, and this is your life at 25, what thrills are there left? Well, he could win a ring. And he could be wooed, like a blue chipper trying to make his college choice.
So there we have it. Worldwide Wes is a man who could make something like this happen. LeBron loves being wooed. Few can play this game like a college coach.
Twittered Calipari: “Still the speculation runs wild and I can't stop that ...”
That’s normally coachspeak for “contract extension.”
So, fine. It is intriguing, I’ll give them that. But the Game 5 flop put a new tone on the Summer of 2010. It gave James an escape clause, but it also put the shoe on the other foot (his). It’s time for a situation that challenges him, not kisses his butt. And that’s on him.
Proceed carefully, gentlemen. We are all witnesses.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)