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#108018 A Little Bit Of History Changing
Number 1
Martins moves to Wolfsburg
Page last updated on June 19th 2009, 15:03 UK
Wolfsburg have announced the signing of Obafemi Martins on a four-year contract from Newcastle.
The Bundesliga champions agreed an undisclosed fee with the Magpies earlier this week reported to be in the region of €10.5million (£9m).
The transfer has now been finalised to bring to an end Martins' three-year stint at St James' Park.
Newcastle beat off competition from a number of other clubs to capture the Nigerian striker from Inter Milan in 2006.
He enjoyed patches of good form but following the change of management and final day survival, Newcastle have elected to let Martins leave St. James' Park.
Martins will now hope to establish himself as a regular member of the Wolfsburg side but will have to vie with Grafite and Edin Dzeko for a spot.
"He is just the type of player that we were looking for to complement Grafite and Edin Dzeko," said Wolfsburg boss Armin Veh.
"He is not only quick, but he has also proven how dangerous he is in front of goal."
Martins added: "I am delighted the transfer has gone through. The Bundesliga is one of the strongest leagues in the world and I am happy to be able to play for the defending Bundesliga champions.
"This is going to be a great challenge."
#108016 A Little Bit Of History Changing
Number 1
Thanks.
More to follow, including those who I've opted to keep from the real life departures.
#107987 A Little Bit Of History Changing
Number 1
Sven confirmed as Newcastle manager
Page last updated on June 7th 2009, 10:03 UK
Newcastle United have confirmed former England and Manchester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson as their new manager.
The Swedish manager, 61, has signed a two year contract at St. James' Park, and will take over from Alan Shearer, who will work with Eriksson as his assistant manager.
Eriksson has been out of a job after being sacked by Mexico in early 2009 with the nation struggling to qualify for the World Cup in South Africa next summer.
Eriksson said: "I am delighted to be appointed manager of such a prestigious club. Things have not gone so well for Newcastle in the past few seasons but I feel that we have the players and backing to go places.
"After what happened in Manchester and the harsh way I feel I was sacked, I knew I wanted to return to England at some point. I feel I still have a lot to offer in this game and I feel that I can get the ambitions our fans and board require.
"I followed what happened last season and know things did not pan out to the way everyone was anticipating. But now we are still in the Premier League, the board has shown ambition that we can bounce back to the higher reaches of the division in due course. This is what a club of this size should be aiming for."
This is Eriksson's first job in English football since being sacked by Manchester City in 2008. He had been charge of the Citizens for one season, having been appointed by then-owner Thaksin Shinawatra and spending heavily before leading them to a ninth-place Premier League finish - at the time, the highest finish Manchester City had managed in the Premier League era.
Since then he had a stint as manager of the Mexico national team, but left after ten months in charge.
A statement on the official Newcastle United website said, "We are delighted to have confirmed Sven as our new manager. We have been in talks with him since we were made aware he would be made available for the position, and we are delighted to have him and Alan on board as our new managerial duo.
"We hope this combination will help the club in the long run and we are excited to have him on board."
Eriksson is Newcastle's seventh manager since 1999, and replaces Joe Kinnear, who left the position in February.
After early managerial success in his native Sweden, Eriksson went on to win trophies with Benfica in Portugal and Roma, Sampdoria and Lazio in Italy.
It was this that brought him to the attention of the Football Association, who appointed him as England manager as replacement for Kevin Keegan.
He was appointed England manager in 2000 and led the national side to three successive quarter-finals at major championships before leaving the post after the 2006 World Cup.
#107979 Barclays Premier League 2013/14
Number 1
#107922 Barclays Premier League 2013/14
Number 1
Now for Liverpool and the Suarez/Sturridge combo... here's hoping we deal with it better than Sunderland and Palace have.
#107830 A Little Bit Of History Changing
Number 1
Manchester United confirm Owen deal
Page last updated on June 5th 2009, 13:48 UK
Michael Owen will make a surprise move to Manchester United after the free agent signed a two-year deal with the Premier League champions.
The 29-year-old ex-Liverpool and Real Madrid striker's contract with Newcastle is due to end at the end of the month, and Owen has agreed to make the move to Old Trafford after rejecting a new contract at St. James' Park.
"Michael is a world-class forward with a proven goalscoring record at the highest level," said United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
Owen had also been linked with Everton, Aston Villa and Stoke.
But instead he becomes United's second summer signing after the recent addition of Antonio Valencia from Wigan.
"Coming to Manchester United with the expectations that we have is something that Michael will relish," added Ferguson.
Owen said United's interest in him came as a surprise, adding: "I had just begun to talk to other clubs when out of the blue Sir Alex phoned me on Wednesday afternoon, invited me to have breakfast with him next morning during which he told me that he wanted to sign me.
"I agreed without a moment's thought. This is a fantastic opportunity for me and I intend to seize it with both hands.
"I am now looking forward to being a Manchester United player and I am fortunate that I already know so many of the players here.
"I want to thank Sir Alex for the faith he has shown in me and I give him my assurance that I will repay him with my goals and performances."
Owen had checks on an old knee injury in London on Thursday before undergoing a full medical at the private Bridgewater Hospital in Manchester on Friday.
He has been plagued by injuries in recent seasons, suffering with groin, ankle, thigh, hernia, metatarsal and knee ligament problems.
The 2001 European footballer of the year has dropped out of the England squad, but a move to United gives Owen the chance to revitalise his career, even if it involved accepting a lower basic salary.
It was reported by the Press Association that Ferguson has struck a pay-as-you-play deal, with the player also taking a significant salary cut from the £110,000-a-week wages he was said to be on at St James' Park.
Ferguson has been a long time admirer of Michael Owen and has decided to gamble on the striker who has proven himself a prolific scorer at both club and international level when fit.
Since losing the Champions League final to Barcelona at the end of May, Manchester United have sold forward Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid for £80m and failed to persuade striker Carlos Tevez to stay at Old Trafford.
Owen made 79 appearances for the Magpies and scored 30 goals in four seasons at St James' Park.
But an ankle injury and groin operation severely disrupted his final year at the club, with the last of his 10 league goals for the 2008-09 campaign coming against West Ham on 10 January.
#107788 Is it new worst kit ever?
Number 1
#107787 A Little Bit Of History Changing
Number 1
Newcastle confirm Cacapa and Viduka release
Page last updated on June 3rd 2009, 15:16 UK
Newcastle United have confirmed defender Claudio Cacapa and striker Mark Viduka will be released by the club at the end of their contracts.
The club have elected not to extend the contracts of the Brazilian defender and Australian striker, which expire in a few weeks time and ensures that both players will leave the club after two year stints with the club.
In a brief statement, the club said: "We would like to thank Mark and Claudio for their services at Newcastle United. Unfortunately, we have decided these players are surplus to requirements at St. James' Park and they will be allowed to find new clubs."
Viduka joined on a free transfer from Middlesbrough in 2007. He was the first signing of the Mike Ashley era at St. James' Park. He scored seven goals in 40 appearances over two seasons.
The Australian, 33, has been in England since joining Leeds United from Celtic in 2000 for £6million. He scored 72 goals in 166 matches for the Yorkshire side but left for Middlesbrough in 2004 following the Whites' relegation.
Cacapa moved to the North East in the same window as Viduka, as he joined following the expiry of his contract with French team Lyon. He made 29 appearances for the club and scored twice, but his career struggled after a calamitous display against Portsmouth in November 2007.
He did not make a single appearance after December and has opted to leave. It is likely that he will return to Brazil.
Newcastle have confirmed they have made progress to sign their next manager and will make an announcement later this week.
#107783 A Little Bit Of History Changing
Number 1
Shearer confirmed as assistant manager
Page last updated on May 29th 2009, 15:16 UK
Newcastle United have confirmed Alan Shearer as their new assistant manager.
The 38 year old, who is Newcastle's record goalscorer and kept them in the Premier League, has confirmed he will be retained as part of a re-modelling of the backroom set up at St. James' Park.
Shearer has also confirmed he will act as caretaker manager until a new permanent manager is appointed by the Tyneside club, which is expected before pre-season training starts in 5 weeks time.
Shearer said: "Having helped keep Newcastle United in the Premier League I knew that I wanted to remain involved with the set up. It's a great club that has lost its way but having helped lead it to survival last year, I wanted to be involved in the process to fix things back up.
"During proceedings, I met with the board about what they wanted to do to help Newcastle United. During our time, we agreed that a new manager should be involved within the remodelled set up. I'm happy to work with the new man at the helm and I trust the club will appoint the right individual that can lead this club to brighter days."
Shearer would not confirm the name of the new manager, but said the club had been in talks with a number of candidates to take the hot seat at St. James' Park.
The statement was also confirmed by the club's managerial director Derek Llambias.
In a statement on the club's official website, he said: "We are very happy to have kept Alan on in some capacity at St. James' Park. His fine work in keeping us afloat and his ideas have helped us out greatly, and I am happy to keep him on board.
"We have begun discussions for the new manager at St. James' Park and we are making good progress."
The club would not be drawn on the future of the team's players, with the club reportedly negotiating the sale of players. The future of chairman Mike Ashley is also unconfirmed, amid reports he is still interested in selling the club despite survival and the move to restructure the team management ahead of the new season.
#107778 A Little Bit Of History Changing
Number 1
I'll sump up transfers for Hull here. In summer 2009 they signed Steven Mouyokolo, Seyi Olofinjana, Kamel Ghilas, Stephen Hunt, Paul McShane and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, plus Jozy Altidore on loan.
Some of these details would not be practical for a team relegated. Olofinjana - £3M transfer fee and £30K a week wages - is the big one, so I am going to retain him at Stoke City for the moment. Altidore is a no go, while I think Stephen Hunt and Mouyokolo can move direct to Wolves as this mirrors transfers the duo made when Hull were relegated in 2010.
In this, they will retain Ghilas, McShane and Vennegoor of Hesselink, who are low cost or swap deals.
As for the Toon Army, I'm thinking as to who would leave.
#107770 Corrupted Editor for FM10
Number 1
#107767 Barclays Premier League 2013/14
Number 1
We're certainty repeat offenders in that market.
#107766 Is it new worst kit ever?
Number 1
#107764 Corrupted Editor for FM10
Number 1
Maybe I log out of Steam it might work. If not I'll just do that again.
#107698 Corrupted Editor for FM10
Number 1
#107658 Transfer Rumours 2013/14
Number 1
Maybe that's what happens and Obertan can't play because his personas have been drinking, drugging and playing with plunger boobies.
#107610 Transfer Rumours 2013/14
Number 1
It feels way too specific saying he wants to join us, not least given its a while before he can do anything and the last time we signed a winger from Man U was the thoroughly useless Gabby Obertan. But who knows? It'd be a nice signing.
#107358 Transfer Rumours 2013/14
Number 1
I don't know. It's way too specific. Plus since when have Goal.com been that reliable a source?
#107295 Transfer Rumours 2013/14
Number 1
I don't buy it personally.
#107254 Champions League 2013/14
Number 1
I get the feeling we may have called incorrectly in selling him. Shame as it made sense at the time.
#107226 The Lower League Thread
Number 1
Where the hell did that come from? Derby looked dead and buried at half time.
#107150 The Lower League Thread
Number 1
Given they're currently 4-1 down, that's probably a good thing for him.
#107069 Barclays Premier League 2013/14
Number 1
#107055 Newcastle Thread
Number 1
Saying that, our fixture run for October does not make good viewing for someone currently 3rd favourite for the sack.
#107007 Barclays Premier League 2013/14
Number 1
If we don't beat Cardiff we could be in the shit by the end of November.
#106833 Susie Prediction League 2013/14 Discussion
Number 1
#106794 A Little Bit Of History Changing
Number 1
This will go ahead. But I may have to re-install FM10 if I have to.
#106667 A Little Bit Of History Changing
Number 1
Brown: We will try to return as quickly as possible
Page last updated on May 25th 2009, 15:29 UK
Phil Brown has pledged he will try to lead Hull City back to the Premier League as quickly as possible.
A 1-0 defeat for the Tigers coupled with a 1-1 draw for Newcastle away at Aston Villa meant that Hull City's first top flight campaign in 104 years ended in relegation.
A catastrophic run of just one win in 22 games at the end of the 2008-09 season sealed their fate.
Brown, who turns 50 at the weekend, said he was dejected to go down but they will try to bounce back at the first attempt.
He said, "Obviously we were devastated that survival was within our grasp and then out again.
"At the end of the day, we finished in the bottom three. We finished there by the slimmest of margins, but we still finished there and we have to accept the fact we just didn't have enough to preserve our top flight place.
"I am obviously gutted at the way our season has ended. Nevertheless, we cannot afford to dwell on what may have been.
"Next season we will be back in the Championship and the fact we have previously won promotion and have had games where we proved our Premier League worth means that we will be inspired, hopefully, to try and get our team back amongst the top flight, where I feel we need to be."
Hull's demotion was almost averted thanks to the woeful form of Newcastle and Middlesbrough as much as it would have been through their own performances.
The Tigers had began in fine form by taking 20 points from their opening nine Premier League games, but they only picked up a miserly eight points out of their final 22 matches.
In the end, that form would prove crucial as Hull went down on goal difference.
Hull chairman Paul Duffen insisted he was proud of his players as they seek to rebuild next season.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Duffen said, "We came in and we were written off along with Stoke."
"We were obviously going to have a lightweight squad because we were a newly promoted side.
"What we lacked in outright quality we had to make up for in blood, guts and commitment but we displayed that many times over the year.
"Although we ended in relegation by the finest of margins, we knew it was a risk when we arrived on the final day in that position.
"We have many fantastic memories we can take from this season, and those memories will stand us in good stead as we seek to earn our way back into this league.
"Me, Phil and the other members of the Hull City managerial staff and board will sit down this week sometime and we will discuss what we need to do in order to get ourselves back into the top flight as quickly as possible.
"I also want to thank the Hull City fans. Throughout this campaign they have been magnificent home and away."
#106665 The Lower League Thread
Number 1
If so, Pulis is the wrong move for that system. He always favoured experienced hoofballers for Stoke City, which Mark Hughes is currently attempting to work into a passing game.
Surely Middlesbrough are one of those to prove ruthless decisions have potential to go hideously wrong at this level. They sacked Southgate when they were 4th in 2009-10 and have rarely looked anything like a team that could finish that high, not least given their 'form' in 2013.
#106663 A Little Bit Of History Changing
Number 1
Shearer non-committal over future
Page last updated on May 25th 2009, 09:19 UK
Alan Shearer shied away from answering questions over his future as Newcastle manager after a draw at Aston Villa resulted in his side staying up.
The 1-1 draw means the Magpies, who ended the season on 35 points, will play in the Premier League next season after staying up on goal difference.
Shearer, 38, is set to meet Newcastle owner Mike Ashley this week.
"I'll speak to the owner and say what I think has gone right and wrong but now is not the time to discuss my future," said Shearer.
The result was only Newcastle's fifth point under Shearer, who took the role on a temporary basis in April with incumbent boss Joe Kinnear suffering from health issues.
His appointment was hailed as a masterstroke by many Newcastle fans, who consider the former England international a hero in the north east following a sensational playing career that included 10 years at St James' Park but the club won only five points out of a possible 24 under his command.
Although Shearer has managed his ultimate goal of keeping Newcastle in the Premier League, he accepted the fact the team have had a poor season and much needs to change for next year.
"You can point the finger at me, at Joe Kinnear, at the players, at Mike Ashley but it really just comes down to the fact that we weren't good enough this season nor the season before and you can go back over a number of years and it's the same," added Shearer.
"We are delighted to have avoided relegation. It was of vital importance we kept ourselves in the Premier League as the Championship can be a troubling division to get out of. You only need to look at the big names that have gone down and not returned and we know we couldn't take chances.
"I can't fault the players for their effort, the simple fact is we just weren't good enough to have been clear of this situation."
Shearer's position remains uncertain, with Kinnear contracted as manager for the next two years and the former England international thought to have agreed to manage the club only until the summer.
And when asked about his and the club's future, he added: "This club needs big changes, that is there for all to see.
"This is a fantastic football club, with amazing support, but it needs a hell of a lot of hard work for whoever comes in. It needs totally rebuilding.
"I was shocked at the state of the club when I came in. I was aware of mistakes that had been made. There are huge problems at the club. They are there for everyone to see.
"What we need is a time of calm and for us to get our thoughts together, see what mistakes have been made before deciding where we go from here.
"I know everyone wants to know what I am going to do. You won't believe me when I say I have not had time to really think about it.
"But we need to have the meeting sooner rather than later and make decisions. Those guys have some major decisions to make. There are millions of questions to be answered. I will give them my thoughts but they might not ask me to be the manager."
The club's managing director Derek Llambias is also keen to draw up plans and said he hoped to confirm arrangements for next season over the coming days.
In a statement on the official Newcastle United website, Llambias said "Mike (Ashley, the owner) and I will sit down with Alan this week to discuss how the club moves forward again, and I hope to be able to say more to our supporters later this week.
"We are especially relieved that we have avoided relegation, which would be a disastrous scenario for all concerned with Newcastle United.
"Nevertheless we accept things have gone especially badly over the course of this campaign. We will ensure we attempt to get this club back on its feet and ensure we avoid repeating the horrendous mistakes that led to us staring down the barrel of demotion."