EPL Gossip Tuesday March 30th
West Ham want former England manager Steve McClaren, who is currently in charge of Dutch side Twente Enschede and on the verge of winning the title, to be their new boss next season – but need Gianfranco Zola to keep them in the Premier League first. Daily Mirror
Steve McClaren should stay far away from the West Ham job. Yes, some of it was deserved but McClaren got nothing but grief and made to look like a fool. If I was McClaren i’d be brushing up on my German for his next stop. Unless a top seven club calls (Big Four plus Tottenham, Manchester City, Aston Villa) I wouldn’t even pick up the phone.
Atletico Madrid keeper David de Gea rejected Wigan last year because his dream move would be joining Manchester United. Daily Mail
It’s also Wigan, not exactly a football hotbed. Only if you are out of favour would a player from Atletico Madrid make such a move.
Portsmouth are trying to sell Nadir Belhadj to Russian side CSKA Moscow for £4m – but about £1m is owed to his former club Lens, who want the amount settled in full. Daily Mirror
I’d take Belhadj at that price then Albert Riera for two million more.
Striker Eidur Gudjohnsen has been told by his French club Monaco to forget about making his loan move to Tottenham permanent. Daily Mail
Not exactly a football powerhouse but living in Monaco must be pretty nice.
Current England boss Fabio Capello has tipped Aston Villa midfielder James Milner to be his surprise package at this summer’s World Cup finals in South Africa. The Sun
Some surprise considering this is being reported on three months prior to the World Cup.
Iain Dowie could get the Hull manager’s job permanently, even if the Tigers are relegated this season. Daily Mirror
They will go down, The only choice worse than Iain Dowie would be Alan Pardew.
Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha, an England Under-21 regular, could switch to the Nigeria national side so he can play in the World Cup. Daily Mail
I can see both sides here. For Onuoho a chance to play in the World Cup doesn’t come all that often and there is no guarantee he’d ever make the England. I see think this decision should of been made a lot sooner. It’s a lot to ask for Onouoho to slot right into the Nigeria setup.