Russia coach Guus Hiddink has given an insight into Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich's approach to football.
With the assistance of Abramovich, the Russian FA was able to appoint Hiddink for their Euro2008 qualifying campaign and the two men have grown close.
"Since people continually associate me with Chelsea's owner Roman Abramovich, I thought it would be a good idea to explain a little bit about our relationship," Hiddink told The Times. "I have met him five times: four times in London and once at the PSV training complex. As for all those stories about me being a candidate for the Chelsea job, we never discussed it.
"I know that you can never say never in football, but that option would not have made sense. We have a project to reshape Russian football by 2014, with the 2010 World Cup as the first phase. Given Abramovich's long-term commitment and vision, it seems very unlikely that he would try to disrupt that process."
Hiddink appears to regard Abramovich as an ideal employer and was surprised to receive a sympathetic text message from him after Russia's 3-0 defeat by England last month.
"What struck me about Abramovich was his supportive approach," Hiddink said. "He is not the type of man to demand things of you, but he is interested to learn how you would do things. The more you can explain to him, the more appreciative he is. And despite his vast wealth, he doesn't try to abuse his position or status.
"He is a very relaxed character but is highly committed to sport in general and football in particular. He is not especially interested in the technicalities of how things are implemented. He is chiefly concerned with how to transform resources into results. With Chelsea he is looking to achieve that in a shorter time frame, with Russia his approach is longer term."
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
FOOTBALL. TREZEGUET TO DECIDE ON NATIONAL TEAM WITHIN 2 MONTHS
"I don't understand him.
Domenech said he would call the players following their performance in their clubs, and I scored seven goals in six matches. I can't do any better", a crestfallen David Trezeguet said. Yesterday, the French national team coach left him out of the list of players for the Euro2008 qualification matches against Far Oer and Lithuania (13 and 17 Oct). "When one is a first-choice player in Juventus, AC Milan or Barcelona, he should be called every single time - he said in an interview with 'L'Equipe' - I'm no longer a youngster, I ought to know whether I'll be fielded or not. We must make things clear, I need the coach to tell me directly whether he wants me in the team or not". Trezeguet - whose exclusion Domenech justified because "it's a matter of competition, I have choices to make" - is now considering to quit the national team. "I'll decide over the next two months - he said - there's a limit to everything. Even if I might be called for match against Ukraine on 21 November, I might not accept".
Domenech said he would call the players following their performance in their clubs, and I scored seven goals in six matches. I can't do any better", a crestfallen David Trezeguet said. Yesterday, the French national team coach left him out of the list of players for the Euro2008 qualification matches against Far Oer and Lithuania (13 and 17 Oct). "When one is a first-choice player in Juventus, AC Milan or Barcelona, he should be called every single time - he said in an interview with 'L'Equipe' - I'm no longer a youngster, I ought to know whether I'll be fielded or not. We must make things clear, I need the coach to tell me directly whether he wants me in the team or not". Trezeguet - whose exclusion Domenech justified because "it's a matter of competition, I have choices to make" - is now considering to quit the national team. "I'll decide over the next two months - he said - there's a limit to everything. Even if I might be called for match against Ukraine on 21 November, I might not accept".
Uefa rejects Mikoliunas appeal
Lithuania midfielder Saulius Mikoliunas has failed in his bid to overturn a two-match ban from Uefa for diving.
Uefa's appeals body announced on Thursday it was backing the original sanction handed down by its disciplinary body last month.
Mikoliunas was given the ban after television replays showed him diving to win a penalty during his country's 3-1 defeat in a Euro 2008 qualifying match away to Scotland.
The disciplinary body's landmark decision was the first to be taken under regulations dealing with incidents of cheating that are missed by match officials.
The new rules recommend an automatic ban of two matches for players who act "with the obvious intent to cause any match official to make an incorrect decision".
Although video evidence had previously been used against players who committed serious fouls without being spotted by match officials, Mikoliunas was the first player to be sanctioned post-match for diving.
He is set to miss Lithuania's next two Euro 2008 qualifiers -- away to France on October 17 and at home to Ukraine a month later.
Lithuania are fifth in Group B, 11 points behind leaders Scotland.
Uefa's appeals body announced on Thursday it was backing the original sanction handed down by its disciplinary body last month.
Mikoliunas was given the ban after television replays showed him diving to win a penalty during his country's 3-1 defeat in a Euro 2008 qualifying match away to Scotland.
The disciplinary body's landmark decision was the first to be taken under regulations dealing with incidents of cheating that are missed by match officials.
The new rules recommend an automatic ban of two matches for players who act "with the obvious intent to cause any match official to make an incorrect decision".
Although video evidence had previously been used against players who committed serious fouls without being spotted by match officials, Mikoliunas was the first player to be sanctioned post-match for diving.
He is set to miss Lithuania's next two Euro 2008 qualifiers -- away to France on October 17 and at home to Ukraine a month later.
Lithuania are fifth in Group B, 11 points behind leaders Scotland.
Gallas in; Vieira,Trezeguet out of Euro ties
Arsenal captain William Gallas has been called up by France coach Raymond Domenech for the World Cup finalist's must-win Euro 2008 qualifiers against the Faroe Islands and Lithuania later this month.
Defender Gallas has been sidelined with a groin injury since August 19 and missed France's last three games, including their 1-0 loss to Scotland which leaves them facing a worrying campaign to reach the finals.
But Patrick Vieira and David Trezeguet have both been left out of the 23-man squad named Thursday to travel to Torshavn on October 13 and to host Lithuania in Nantes four days later.
Inter Milan midfielder Vieira has not played since picking up a thigh injury during France's defeat to Scotland last month, while leading Serie A goalscorer Trezeguet, who failed to impress against the Scots, lost out to Louis Saha.
Domenech said that Vieira had been reluctant to play because of his injury after playing France's last two games against his club's wishes, while Trezeguet was left out because he was spoilt for choice in attack.
"We took the decision together (with Vieira) .. which was wisest. He has to continue to prepare with his club, we agreed on that," said Domenech.
"As for David Trezeguet, it's about competition, there was a choice to make. The list isn't closed we'll have another match in the Ukraine (November 21). I'm not closing the door on anyone."
Meanwhile, in-form Paris Saint Germain midfielder Jerome Rothen gets another chance to impress Domenech after missing the trip to Slovakia through injury.
Rothen, who is expected to cover for Florent Malouda on the left wing, has not played for France since a friendly against Germany in November 2005.
Scotland are top of Group B ahead of World Cup winners Italy with France third and needing to win all their last three games to reach next year's finals.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Mickael Landreau (Paris SG), Sebastien Frey (Fiorentina/ITA), Ulrich Rame (Bordeaux)
Defenders: Eric Abidal (FC Barcelona/ESP), Julien Escude (Sevilla/ESP), Patrice Evra (Manchester United/ENG), William Gallas (Arsenal/ENG), Philippe Mexes (AS Roma/ITA), Bakary Sagna (Arsenal/ENG), Lilian Thuram (FC Barcelona/ESP)
Midfielders: Abou Diaby (Arsenal), Lassana Diarra (Chelsea/ENG), Mathieu Flamini (Arsenal), Claude Makelele (Chelsea/ENG), Jerome Rothen (Paris SG), Jeremy Toulalan (Lyon)
Strikers: Nicolas Anelka (Bolton/ENG), Karim Benzema (Lyon), Sidney Govou (Lyon), Thierry Henry (FC Barcelona/ESP), Florent Malouda (Chelsea/ENG), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich/GER), Louis Saha (Manchester United/ENG)
Defender Gallas has been sidelined with a groin injury since August 19 and missed France's last three games, including their 1-0 loss to Scotland which leaves them facing a worrying campaign to reach the finals.
But Patrick Vieira and David Trezeguet have both been left out of the 23-man squad named Thursday to travel to Torshavn on October 13 and to host Lithuania in Nantes four days later.
Inter Milan midfielder Vieira has not played since picking up a thigh injury during France's defeat to Scotland last month, while leading Serie A goalscorer Trezeguet, who failed to impress against the Scots, lost out to Louis Saha.
Domenech said that Vieira had been reluctant to play because of his injury after playing France's last two games against his club's wishes, while Trezeguet was left out because he was spoilt for choice in attack.
"We took the decision together (with Vieira) .. which was wisest. He has to continue to prepare with his club, we agreed on that," said Domenech.
"As for David Trezeguet, it's about competition, there was a choice to make. The list isn't closed we'll have another match in the Ukraine (November 21). I'm not closing the door on anyone."
Meanwhile, in-form Paris Saint Germain midfielder Jerome Rothen gets another chance to impress Domenech after missing the trip to Slovakia through injury.
Rothen, who is expected to cover for Florent Malouda on the left wing, has not played for France since a friendly against Germany in November 2005.
Scotland are top of Group B ahead of World Cup winners Italy with France third and needing to win all their last three games to reach next year's finals.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Mickael Landreau (Paris SG), Sebastien Frey (Fiorentina/ITA), Ulrich Rame (Bordeaux)
Defenders: Eric Abidal (FC Barcelona/ESP), Julien Escude (Sevilla/ESP), Patrice Evra (Manchester United/ENG), William Gallas (Arsenal/ENG), Philippe Mexes (AS Roma/ITA), Bakary Sagna (Arsenal/ENG), Lilian Thuram (FC Barcelona/ESP)
Midfielders: Abou Diaby (Arsenal), Lassana Diarra (Chelsea/ENG), Mathieu Flamini (Arsenal), Claude Makelele (Chelsea/ENG), Jerome Rothen (Paris SG), Jeremy Toulalan (Lyon)
Strikers: Nicolas Anelka (Bolton/ENG), Karim Benzema (Lyon), Sidney Govou (Lyon), Thierry Henry (FC Barcelona/ESP), Florent Malouda (Chelsea/ENG), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich/GER), Louis Saha (Manchester United/ENG)
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