Disputes between mangers ahead of big games are notihng new. Call it ‘mind games.’ Call it psychology. Sometimes though it can all get a bit boring. it’s a pleasant surprise then to see peace breaking out between Jose Mourinho and David Moyes.

After Mourninho made his customary comment regarding a potential bid for Rooney in the summer, it was also reported that he had commented that there was trouble behind the scenes at Old Trafford. If it was targeted at unsettling Moyes, the effort soon petered out. Mourinho quickly let it be known that he accepted that United were not going to sell the player to him, or any other Premier League club, although he did say he still thoguht it possible that a move abroad was not beyond the question.

Moyes also let it be known that he had received an aplogy fom Chelsea’s media department and “from Jose” about the report of trouble behind the scenes. The Scot appeared happy to put it down to “sloppy jounalsm” rsther than a particular slight by the Portuguese. Although it does seem a bit strange for an aplogy to be issued by Chelsea for a njournalistic misdemeanour.

Having a bit of maturity between the managers is no bad thing. Fanes shouldn’t be too worried however, come kick-off time this will be no ‘love in’ and hostilies will be resumed as usual.

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has appointed Gov. Peter Obi of Anambra as its national leader and Chairman of its Board of Trustees (BOT).
The National Vice-Chairman of the party, South-West Zone, Alhaji Tayo Sowumi, announced the appointment while briefing newsmen after the National Executive Council meeting of the party in Awka on Saturday.He said the appointment followed an earlier recommendation by the National Working Committee of the party in Abuja.”The motion was unanimously taken by all members of NEC present at the meeting.”The council equally approved the appointment of 30 persons as members of the BOT who were nominated from the six geo-political zones of the country,” he said.He, however, said the appointment of the former Minister of Health, Dr Tim Menakaya, was stood down following objections raised by members at the meeting.Sowumi said a committee was set up to review the party’s constitution while the list of the members for the review was approved by the NEC.”The BOT chairman and secretary were also approved as members of the NEC.”Members of the National Assembly who are members of APGA were approved as members of the National Executive Council of APGA,” he added.He said the next convention of the party was tentatively fixed for Feb. 15.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has stoked tensions before the Blues’ encounter on Sunday with rivals Manchester United by claiming the Red Devils would probably sell star striker Wayne Rooney to any foreign clubs next summer.

Last summer, Chelsea have had two bids rejected for Rooney while doubts grow about United’s chances of persuading him to agree to sign a contraction extension, which expires at the end of the season.

                  

“Manchester United made it clear in the summer that they don’t swap or sell players to their direct rivals,” Mourinho said as quoted by The Times. “They were very clear in the way they approached the Rooney situation. For them, it’s pretty clear. They don’t swap. They don’t sell.”

When asked whether Manchester United’s stance will remain the same at the end of the season, on the wake of his contract situation, the Portuguese added:

“I think maybe this summer they will try to sell to a non-direct rival. They made it clear [that they would not sell] domestically.”

David Moyes has confirmed that Wayne Rooney will miss tomorrow’s match against Chelsea as the striker has yet to recover fully from the groin injury, despite undergoing warm-weather training in Egypt.

This could well turn out to be yet another mind game tactics from Mourinho, who is actively trying to sign Diego Costa from Atletico Madrid in the summer.

                           
                           Thorgan Hazard: Eager to take on a new challenge

Thorgan Hazard has expressed a desire to cut short his loan at Zulte-Waregem and link up with Anderlecht.

It was revealed on Wednesday that Hazard is wanted by the reigning Belgian champions on a deal until the end of the 2013/14 campaign.

In order for such a move to be made, Zulte would have to agree to the cancellation of their season-long agreement with Chelsea.

They have given no indication that they are willing to do that, with club boss Francky Dury adamant that Hazard is going nowhere.

The 20-year-old midfielder has, however, looked to take matters into his own hands and force the issue.

Hazard - the younger brother of Chelsea playmaker Eden - is keen to step up a level and believes a spell at Anderlecht would be of greater benefit to his ongoing development.

He told reporters in Belgium: "Yes, I want to go to Anderlecht.

"I've just spoken with the manager and I've told him that it's time to move on.

"I'm grateful for what the club have done for me, I've had a great time, but lots of players have left and I don't know if I can achieve what I want.

"I don't know if the cup game against Cercle Brugge was my last one, that depends on negotiations between the clubs."

Falcao, who scored 52 goals in 68 appearances for Atletico during his two years’ stay, has bagged 10 goals already this season for Monaco.Chelsea are long term admirers of Colombian striker Radamel Falcao. He was one of the prime targets of the Blues since his Atletico Madrid days and despite him joining French nouveau riche Monaco, the interest hasn’t died down a bit, if the reports are to be believed.

                            
It's Chelsea versus Manchester United on Super Sunday and that means Jose Mourinho against David Moyes. With United enduring a difficult season, Adam Bate looks at whether the gulf between the two favourites to replace Sir Alex Ferguson is now bigger than ever. 

                                

Thorgan Hazard has expressed a desire to cut short his loan at Zulte-Waregem and link up with Anderlecht.

It was revealed on Wednesday that Hazard is wanted by the reigning Belgian champions on a deal until the end of the 2013/14 campaign.

In order for such a move to be made, Zulte would have to agree to the cancellation of their season-long agreement with Chelsea.

They have given no indication that they are willing to do that, with club boss Francky Dury adamant that Hazard is going nowhere.

The 20-year-old midfielder has, however, looked to take matters into his own hands and force the issue.

Hazard - the younger brother of Chelsea playmaker Eden - is keen to step up a level and believes a spell at Anderlecht would be of greater benefit to his ongoing development.

He told reporters in Belgium: "Yes, I want to go to Anderlecht.

"I've just spoken with the manager and I've told him that it's time to move on.

"I'm grateful for what the club have done for me, I've had a great time, but lots of players have left and I don't know if I can achieve what I want.

"I don't know if the cup game against Cercle Brugge was my last one, that depends on negotiations between the clubs."

By Adam Bate - Follow @GhostGoal | Last Updated: 18/01/14 7:13am




78



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You could forgive Mourinho if his press conference ahead of Sunday's visit of Manchester United took a rather different tone. "United picked David Moyes over me? David? Moyes? The guy from Everton? The fools deserve everything they get." Before storming out high-fiving the press officer and unleashing a maniacal laugh as he exits stage right.



The irony, of course, is that if he were to indulge in such a petulant rant rather than offering the familiar platitudes he would be both justified and also proving his critics right. His tempestuous and abrasive style was apparently deemed ill-suited to United's own statesmanlike perception of themselves. Just all a bit too Latin for the bods at Old Trafford.

Consider the comments of United legend and club director Sir Bobby Charlton. "A United manager wouldn't do that," said Charlton when discussing the Portuguese coach's eye-gouging assault upon Tito Vilanova. "Mourinho is a really good coach but that's as far as I would go really... He pontificates too much for my liking."
Character

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Character was the recurring theme of the summer when explaining away the choice of Moyes to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson. Despite Moyes being anointed as the Chosen One - itself a self-conscious reference to the illustrious alternative - Ferguson doesn't devote a great deal of print ink to his successor in his recent autobiography. And the focus of his praise is revealing.

"The Scotsman abroad doesn't lack humour," writes Ferguson by way of an explanation. "David Moyes is not short of wit. In their jobs, though, the Scots are serious about their labours, an invaluable quality. People often said to me, 'I never see you smile during a game.' I would reply, 'I'm not there to smile, I'm there to win the match.'

"David had some of these traits. I knew his family background. His father was a coach at Drumchapel, where I played as a lad. David Moyes senior. They have a good family feel about them. I'm not saying that's a reason to hire someone but you like to see good foundations in someone appointed to such high office."

Heartwarming stuff, no doubt. And Moyes may well be a man of substance, but where is the substance to his claims to the job? No mention of his transfer dealings, tactical acumen, coaching skills or man-management. Contrast this with the references to Mourinho in that same book - "Exceptionally good with players" ... "Meticulous in his planning" ..."Marvellously effective."


In terms of achievements, the gulf between the two favourites for the job was emphatic. Despite being just three months his senior, Mourinho has won the Champions League more times than Moyes has had an interest in the group stage draw - his Everton side finishing 17th in the Premier League in the year that Mourinho first lifted the trophy.

Of course, while three seasons in the cauldron of hostility that is Real Madrid should not be dismissed lightly, there were doubts that Mourinho has the staying power of Moyes, who spent 11 years at Goodison Park. And yet, the current results might feel a high price to pay for high-minded notions of long-term planning.

Indeed, Moyes is breaking all the wrong records so far. Four home league defeats by New Year's Day included a first loss to West Brom at Old Trafford since 1978. An FA Cup defeat at home was United's first ever defeat to Swansea, while the first leg reverse against Sunderland on their own turf ended a run of 20 unbeaten against the Black Cats. Down in seventh, even if the defending champions win their remaining 17 Premier League games they cannot match last season's tally.


Ferguson calls Mourinho a pragmatist but his trophies bring belief in his methods. And besides, there is little fantasy about the way Moyes has United playing. Results can get in the way of the grandest of plans and it is telling that the man with the six-year contract is now framing the debate in very different terms. "We'll just try to win the next game and see what happens," has become the all-too-familiar Moyes mantra.

That can become a problem. There is talk of a transition period and long-term development but that requires long-term thinking too, not a manager so desperate for one pressure-relieving win that he's willing to keep a barely fit Robin van Persie on the pitch in search of three points. "I think if I'd brought him off (against Newcastle) some people would say 'What are you doing? You are 1-0 down and you're taking off your top goalscorer,'" he argued. "I think that answers why I left him on."






Mourinho on Rooney

Fail on that criteria and you invite immediate criticism. In contrast, Mourinho has remained sanguine in defeat and shown an uncharacteristic determination to emphasise the long game at Chelsea. "I didn't come here because the job was easy, or because I had a team ready to attack the title, or because I was coming here for the best contract of my life," he explains. "It's the worst of my last six years. I'm here because I love the club, I love the project. It's a different project."

We've heard suggestions of a 12-year stay at Stamford Bridge with Mourinho talking up the need to build something new and lasting with this group of young players. The Premier League title might not be a must-achieve objective this season but Mourinho is succeeding in persuading his audience that such is the coach's skill they might just win it by accident.
Gulf

Perhaps that's evidence of the gulf between the two newly-appointed coaches. A 14-point lead last season could become a 12-point deficit for Manchester United if Chelsea get the win at the weekend. That's quite the turnaround and one leaving United fans struggling to retain their calm. And yet, Moyes has an unlikely advocate in the opposite dugout this Sunday.



"Everybody feels David will have his time to do his work in a calm way. I think that's fantastic."

Jose Mourinho

Quotes of the week

"The best way is to do it with stability," claims Mourinho. "For the players, if you want to help them grow up, you do that much better with stability - in ideas, philosophy, model of play, style of leadership. This all comes from stability at the highest level - with the owners and board and, after that, the manager. That stability is very important. You look, for example, to Manchester United and everybody feels David will have his time to do his work in a calm way. I think that's fantastic."

Unfortunately for supporters of Manchester United, the current state of affairs is feeling rather more fantastic for Chelsea fans than United ones right now. A home win on Sunday will only add to the growing feeling that the Chosen One was in fact the wrong choice all along - and the identity of Moyes' opposite number could hardly be more apposite.

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73 Comments

peewee says


18/01/14 6:33am

AF all he wanted was a Scottish man to take over, We all know why that is! AF and JM defected the poor games onto them selfs and took the flack now DM is there players are as much as him are getting it in the neck which must bring down there game and shows DM was at his level at Everton
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jay10 says


18/01/14 4:55am

Why are some United fans and board saying give Moyes time, or he's the man for the job etc,etc. WAKE UP and get in the real world. Look at the state of the club £250m share price drop, a team who hasn't a clue how to play with no real tactics. The style of football is lower prem football. The transfer farce. The interviews. The confidence of all assoc. The backroom staff. The list goes on. This is MUFC. What is this nonsense transition period. 3/4 players over the summer would have given us a chance. Shaw, Reus, Gundogan, Stootman to name possible few. A clear out was obvious to anyone. It all comes down to the manager, and why pick this clown. Klopp, Mourinho or a big name should have been approached, or at least interviewed. Mark my words we are falling that far behind City and Che it will be impossible to keep up with them for the next 3/4 years. Bite the bullet and get this moyes out of the club. We need to act, and fast
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luke says


18/01/14 12:34am

Anyone who seems to think Mourinho wanted the United job are complete and utter idiots. Mourinho clearly wanted to come back where he is loved, where he has his name cheered by the crowd and of course the financial backing helps too. In my mind, the second Jose left Chelsea he knew he would return. I saw a comment saying that he still wants the United job, well I think it's safe to say that's not the case seeing as he said today he would never leave Chelsea? United fans are pathetic, period.
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mancity2012 says


18/01/14 12:27am

I don't mean to sound like a bitter blue.United are going through a difficult period of transition.I worked at old trafford and was surrounded by United fans for years telling me how good they were and how terrible the other side of Manchester were.the tides have turned but i honestly believe that given a couple of seasons and the right investment(not Fellani) they will be back challenging. not this year though.Go on City
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elgingold says


17/01/14 11:27pm

Chelsea have more resources to spend than United and City have more than Chelsea. Arsenal will drop down the leaderboard as they lose key players to injury and don't have the same billionaire backing of Chelsea and City. Its not about managers anymore - its about wallets.
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ian says


17/01/14 9:34pm

They could not have Got José, but choosing a manager that has won something would have been a start.
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gunnerbomb says


17/01/14 9:30pm

United is a great football club, to say that their players aren't good enough is simply wrong. The only thing City and Chelski know how to do is splash the cash at the players and the managers that they want on a yearly basis. Given enough time Manu will be back at the top with David Moyes, how long? It took Sir Alex 3-4 years if I'm not mistaken, I think United fans and board will have enough patient.
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chris says


17/01/14 10:53pm

Man U were splashing the cash on players long before the likes of Chelsea and Man city were, i.e rio Ferdinand, over 30 mill then for a defender was an astronomical amount, sure he is: was a fantastic player but Man U do and have splash the cash!


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true devil says


17/01/14 9:16pm

There's a fact that seems to be lost on a great many people- Mourinho was never going to manage any other club in England other than Chelsea. Period. He stated it on several occasions since his departure and was re-affirmed when he eventually returned to them. He has a genuine love for that club which is obvious for anyone who follows this sport to see. Fergie never offered him the job because he was well aware of this. David Moyes got the job because they saw someone with the temperament and loyalty to take the club forward. The team he inherited is no-where near the quality of the opposition this year and to say they're champions and therefore should be up there is to negate the fact that they had the best striker in league fit and in form and the best manager pulling the strings with all traditional opposition out at sea and under-performing! Moyes just needs time and trust not fickle rants from the mob! GGMU
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chris says


17/01/14 11:26pm

This is an old story, as 'true Devil' mentioned, Mourinho has only ever been interested in Chelsea, he said he had unfinished business and has come back to to tackle that, in the last couple of days if you go to ChelseaFC.com, he has stated that he would like to retire his career as manager of Chelsea. It couldn't be clearer.


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g funk eire says


17/01/14 9:08pm

I remember a couple of years back I said to a friend of mine that everton needed to get rid of moyes if they wanted to move to the next level, a club like everton always had the capability to move to the next level. They have gotten rid of moyes and immediately moved to the next level. Granted moyes gave everton stability after a number of years of fighting to stay up, unfortunately it is not stability united need. I do not think moyes will be at united very long
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t4f says


18/01/14 4:29am

I still say we should not be all carried away by the spur of the moment at Everton. Martinez is still no where to have match David's record. Is just the first season and I would not be stupid to discard the work of years Moyes contributed for this short run on record. & remember too that at a time, Moyes took Everton to top four as well.


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bryanmc says


17/01/14 9:06pm

I still think Mourinho wants the job. It's not like him to talk like this the last two years. He is constantly talking up stability and all the things he thinks the Man U board want to here and being as PC as possible with his answers about United. I think he hopes they get rid of Moyes in the summer and he is on best behaviour to change their minds and give him a shot. He has looked a bit depressed at times this season.
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chris says


17/01/14 11:27pm

What a load of rubbish!


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jay says


17/01/14 10:50pm

That is quite possibly the daftest comment I have read on Sky Sports.


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carolyn says


17/01/14 8:51pm

Why do I get the feeling that United will get a result, albeit a draw, and Monday's news will all be about how United are back and why Moyes is right for United. Has to happen.
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red utd says


17/01/14 8:03pm

Sat is apparently in criticism for the state he left Utd and squad. A quality backroom staff. One of best goalkeepers in the game with good back up. A decent defense who Jones should now be the main man and also there is plenty of combinations and cover. A midfield that is a weakness but has always pulled through. But why let Powell go out on loan we should have given him a chance especially with lack of investment in summer. Kagawa who Madrid and one of the best coaches around wants him back. Januzia who was kept around the first team last season to get him mentally prepared for this season. Zaha who did look to be one of the best young wingers in England and would have hoped to be on the plain to brazil. An attacking line up that most squad's dream of. And a massive war chest that saf new the new manager would need more than him. Fellini? Utd only needed tweaking now we are a mess. Who is to blame you could say saf giving moyes the job
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believe... says


17/01/14 7:49pm

I can't see a single man utd fan anywhere, I trust Moyes to get it right. I'm willing to be patient and so should every other man utd fan, I feel ashamed of my fellow peers...
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lfcbrad says


17/01/14 7:34pm

Great article!
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simon says


17/01/14 6:48pm

Im a United Fan. Man Utd's team is not good enough for the Champions League. SAF was the best at using not so good players to look very good and play very good. To finish in the top 4 we need 4-5 Champions Leagues players. Sorry to say but no Premier League trophy for us this year.
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jon says


17/01/14 6:40pm

What if JM pulled off the signing of Rooney. Chelsea would be flying this season. I would prefer big name signings to youngsters simply because the game has become that much important globally and financially. The likes of P Pogba would rather sign for JM - chelsea and not DM - Man utd. Harsh realities, who is D Moyes?
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jay says


17/01/14 10:52pm

Very true. Who is David Moyes on the world football scene? Whats he won? Who wants to play for a manager who has never won a major trophy?


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seun says


17/01/14 6:36pm

It's a shame we now appoint managers based on their family background and not merit. I always thought Jose Mourinho will manage Man Utd, in fact I was convinced he will. The reasons for looking beyond him do not make any footballing sense whatsoever as he has only delivered success wherever he has been. However, as the old saying goes, 'a bird in hand is better than a million in the bushes'. We have a manager who obviously wants to be successful in David Moyes, and as he grows in the job, he will learn new things (it's a kind of experiment, like it or not). The players he has clearly are not used to his management style and he on the other hand is clueless about some of them. With time, this will change and stability will be restored. Stand by your team!
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craig says


17/01/14 6:27pm

If DM is that great why did all the other big european clubs let him stagnate at Everton for over a decade ? , you could also compare Porto with Everton in terms of budget and size and JM won both the UEFA cup and champions league there without spending hundreds of millions whereas DM has won nothing.Of course JM has gone on to dealing with massive budgets at massive clubs as that is what happens when your successful whereas in DM case it seems to have just landed in his lap through being friendly with a fellow scot !
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willo says


17/01/14 6:12pm

I believe moyes' only aim this season is champions league. As usual the draw has been kind for utd- probably getting to the semi-final before playing any of the big guns then anything can happen. As for the league I think all will be pleaded finishing 4th
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dave says


17/01/14 5:14pm

The problem with Man U is simply that the players they have are just not good enough to compete against the top sides. Depth of squad is poor compared to other teams.
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howie doohan says


18/01/14 2:00am

United are a good team but in all honesty they won last year due to the incompetence of Arsenal, Chelsea and City. Now that those three teams have all improved and United have not they are being exposed.


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ibrahim says


17/01/14 7:29pm

If you are saying the players are not good to compete against the top sides, how would you explain that same team of players won the league last year. The only change this year is the addition of Fellani and Moyes as Manager.


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mancgunner says


17/01/14 6:21pm

They won the league last year.


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