Jobless Italian Claudio Ranieri is the shock new favourite for the vacant manager's post at Chelsea, according to most papers this morning. But hats off to the Mirror, the only paper that managed to speak to the former Fiorentina and Athletico Madrid coach during Chelsea's win over St Gallen last night.
"I have come to watch the team and tomorrow I have a meeting with those in charge," Ranieri admitted. "If the situation develops then we will take it from there."
But the Mirror claims Ranieri's move isn't a done deal - as Valencia manager Hector Cuper was also at Stamford Bridge last night and is due for talks with Ken Bates today. However onefootball reckons that all the British papers have got it wrong, and say that Ken Bates is considering appointing Frank Rijkaard and Wim Jansen as joint managers.
Meanwhile, Juventus have offered Gianluca Vialli a place on their coaching staff.
Tottenham defender Sol Campbell looks likely to stay in England - because he fears suffering even more racist abuse if he moves abroad. "I couldn't believe the abuse black players got in Europe," he said. "I have never heard a whole stadium screaming racist abuse. It was frightening. People say it is bad here but it's a lot worse in Europe."
Tottenham manager George Graham is giving a two-week trial to Latvian left-winger Andrejs Rubins, who was a target for Arsenal.
Wolves are hoping to sign Leicester City defender Steve Walsh later today, reports Teamtalk.
Shay Given has claimed that Chelsea, Arsenal and Celtic were all interested in him before he committed his future to Newcastle. "I knew there were other Premiership clubs waiting in the wings and when players come towards the end of their contracts there is always going to be some interest," he told Teamtalk. "Chelsea and Arsenal are big clubs but I'm already at one of the biggest in the country and I'm happy to be here."
