Mourinho given four year Real deal

The top of his head slowly became visible as frantic photographers dispersed, after clambering on Jose Mourinho like ants on a special sugar cube.

Jorge Valdano, Real Madrid's general manager unveiled the latest Galactico, this one unlike all that came before him, despite forcing his way out of a successful club to arrive in the Spanish capital on the promise of enormous wealth.

Maybe in Real, Mourinho has met his match. The Portuguese displayed an unfamiliar trait in his first press conference: Humility. Introducing himself as a simple foreign coach is not fluent in the native tongue of his new home:

"My Spanish isn't the best," we were told by the the interpreter on Real Madrid TV. "I've studied Italian but will need about a month before I can answer all your questions in Spanish" he barely hesitated as the Castilian rolled off his tongue.

Mourinho was clearly trying to force the issue. Like an ordinary manager desperately trying to take the tag of favourites from his team going into a tricky encounter: "I'm just the coach, I coach the the team, though it is a big team."

But the two time European Cup winner could not help but betray himself, barely disguising a reluctant "no" when asked if he was the best coach in the world.

He said of Manuel Pellegrini, the man he deposed at the helm of the worlds biggest club: "A coach cannot work well if he is afraid of being sacked" before making a claim for the most glaringly obvious statement on the 21st century:

"I have a lot of self-esteem, I have a four year contract, and that is more than enough to win."

So with Mourniho failing to disguise his sense of self-worth, any chance of a clash of ego with the worlds most expensive player? During a spat in 2007 Cristiano Ronaldo was criticised by his countryman for "not showing maturity and respect" towards him and the special one called for his number nine to fall into line if he wants to be a winner with Real Madrid.

""I understand he is an incredibly important player, not only for Real but also for the world of football, but always with me the important thing is the team, not the individuals."

"Cristiano is a winner. So if he likes to win it is not too difficult to convince him that the most important thing is not the coach, or the players, its the club."

Since Inter Milan's Champions League triumph their coach's exit has been no secret, and nor were his transfer targets for Los Blanco''s. Madrid are expected to move for Ashley Cole, Maicon, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard at Mourinho's behest.

Expected to make room for Gerrard and the former lieutenants are Kaka and Gonazalo Higuain, players with immense attacking flair who would be jewels in the crown of any other club.

But for now all transfer talk is just speculation: "Its time to take time to analyse my new club" said Mourinho, and few, if any players at Santiago Bernebeu will escape that analysis and scrutiny, Mercenaries will be shown the door with room left only for the hungry, driven and mentally robust: "For my players to have a winning attitude, that is my motivation." players in his own image.

Villa reject City's Milner move

Manchester City have reportedly had a £20 million bid for James Milner rejected by Aston Villa.

After Barcelona got the transfer season off to a bang yesterday, with the signing of David Villa. City clearly want to flex their own, considerable financial muscle before the planets top players go to the World Cup with their national teams, and Milner is their first target.

The 24 year old hit a rich vein of form this season as Martin O'Neill moved him from the wing into a central role. From there he provided seven goals and 12 assists in the league, propelling the midlands side to sixth place and scooping the young player of the year award for himself.

The former Newcastle man had been linked with a move to City's arch rivals Manchester United in recent months. And it would be no surprise if they were to blow the Red Devils out of the water with an inflated transfer fee.

But Villa chairman Randy Lerner was expecting City to come looking for his star man but was confident early this week that Milner would play in claret and blue next season.

"I'm not worried about losing James Milner. I think James will play for Aston Villa and should play for Aston Villa,"

But as he looks set to play a starring role for England in South Africa, the temptation of big bucks at Eastlands is likely to make the playmaker consider following his former teammate, Gareth Barry, up the M6.

But Villa fans will take hope from Lerner's defiant stance on the midfielder's transfer status: "The answer is "No", I don't worry about him leaving because he is wanted at this club."

Sevilla deny Atletico cup double

Sevilla rounded off a memorable week to an otherwise forgettable season by claiming the Copa Del Rey with a 2-0 win over Atletico Madrid at the Nou Camp last night.

On Saturday, the Andalucian's were dragged kicking and screaming into the fourth Champions League place thanks to a stunning 93rd minute acrobatic volley from, teenage substitute, Rodri.

A draw would have allowed Mallorca take that coveted spot. But as they waited anxiously with massive bottles of cava ready to explode in celebration, the stadium's big screen brought only crushed dreams for the men in red.

As a result the Islanders have since applied for voluntary administration, the club clearly devastated on missing out on the vital funds a Champions League campaign would have provided.

Last nights cup win came courtesy of Sevilla's raiding wingers; with Diego Capel unleashing a left foot thunderbolt to give his side a vital fifth minute lead. And almost 90 minutes later, Jesus Navas sealed the victory with a breakaway goal, hurdling Alvaro Dominguez's tackle before round the goalkeeper and guiding the ball home.

Newly crowned champions of the inaugural, Europa League, Atletico, piled on the pressure with Diego Forlan looking most likely to grab an equaliser.

But despite some erratic moments, Andres Palop and his line of white defence managed to frustrate the Uruguayan all night, whilst keeping Sergio "Kun" Aguero and Jose Antonio Reyes at arms length long enough for Navas to deliver the sucker punch.

Matthews and Drogheda part company

Alan Matthews has resigned as manager of Drogheda United after a run of bad results, the most recent of which,  a 6-0 capitulation to Sligo Rovers, was clearly the last straw. 

The Louth team lie just three points ahead of rock bottom Bray Wanderers having played two games more.

"Unfortunately results have not been good enough and I feel that I have gone as far as I can with this group of players" Matthews admitted in a statement on Monday night.

The former Cork City boss took over the Drog's after their recovery from examinership in 2009 and a club statement acknowledged that fact in its praise for the Dubliner:

"We wish to thank Alan for his outstanding contribution to Drogheda United.

"It is widely acknowledged that he got the very best out of players in 2009 and it is thanks to his level-headedness during a very difficult season that Drogheda United secured a premier division place for 2010." 

Matthews reciprocated the good wishes to the club and also had special mention for United's supporters:

"I would like to give special acknowledgment to the clubs terrific supporters who played no small part in keeping the team in the premier division last season and who have stood by the team this season despite some unacceptable performances."

Drogheda have already lost nine times from 14 games this season including just one point from their last seven games.

Their only win of the season was a at, early season pace setters, St Patrick's, a goal courtesy of 18 year old full back Eoghan Osbourne, perhaps symptomatic of the clubs problems. He is a full time student in DCU while also lining out for United.

By resigning Matthew's has seemingly done the club an honourable service as the cash strapped Louthmen will not have to pay out the remainder of his contract. A detail which may explain the good feeling emanating from United park despite the split, and Matthews clearly wishes the best for his old squad:

"By going now it will allow the club to get someone new in with enough time to hopefully turn things around."

Ballack the latest big name out of World Cup

Germany captain Michael Ballack has been ruled out of the World Cup after suffering an ankle injury in Saturday's FA cup final victory over Portsmouth.

The Chelsea midfielder was caught by a rash challenge from Kevin Prince Boateng just before half time at Wembley and the German Football Association (DFB) today confirmed that the scans reveal ligament damage.

The DFB's statement said: "A tear of the medial collateral ligament of the right ankle was found. The right ankle is immobilised in a plaster. He will have to wear a special shoe for two weeks."

The German team doctor, Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt, gave the talisman a recovery period of eight weeks, meaning he will not return to training until July 12th, the day after the World Cup Final in Johannesburg.

The return date should mean he can travel with Chelsea on their pre-season tour in the United States, which kicks off on July 18th.

The news must come as another blow to tournament organisers FIFA. The governing body last year took the decision to seed higher ranked teams in playoffs to enable the best known footballers to qualify. 

But those plans hit some unexpected hiccups in recent weeks as national coach's around the world released their squads for the tournament with some noticeable absentee's. 

France omitted Karim Benzema and Samir Nasri. Argentina coach Diego Maradonna overlooked Esteban Cambiasso and Javier Zanetti, who could lift the Champion's League later this week. 

While Brazilian stars Ronaldinho and Alexander Pato will also be able to spend the summer at home. Couple these with injury to the marquee player of global football, David Beckham, and Ballack's absence will be another headache for those trying to profit from the mass appeal of the tournament.

But the fact that Germany will be without their 33 year old leader will be a source of optimism for group D rivals Serbia, Ghana and Australia, who may now all fancy their chances against Joachim Lowe's inexperienced side

Rovers break Student's unbeaten run

Gary Twigg proved the match winner once again as Shamrock Rovers took a much deserved 2-1 win from the Belfield Bowl to go level with Dundalk at the top of the Airticity league

UCD looked to be on the way to a sixth league game unbeaten until the Scot's 85th minute left footed strike from substitute Dessie Baker's lobbed pass sent the massive visiting support into raptures. 

The Students came into this South Dublin derby on the back of five consecutive clean sheets in the Airtricity league, but it took just eight minutes for Rovers to break the deadlock. James Chambers curling an inch perfect free kick into Billy Brennan's bottom left corner, the goalkeepers shut-out ending just shy of what would have been a landmark eight hours.

But the Hoops held UCD at bay for less than eight minutes as the heavy rain stopped, Paul Corry checked onto his weaker right foot and fired a speculative shot from 25 yards. Alan Mannus looked to have the shot to his left well covered until the ball ricocheted off Paddy Kavanagh and into the opposite corner of the net.

Having began the game as though in a mood to steamroll promoted opposition, the equalising goal rocked Rovers back on their heels. And it was the home side which should have led at half time. 

Centre back Evan McMillan will be the most disappointed after getting his foot to Chris Mulhall's inswinging corner only to send the chance clear of the six yard box rather than goalbound.

The big man was, however, performing his primary function with much more efficiency, and Twigg, playing as a lone frontman, was not allowed any clear cut opportunities, but the mark of a finisher, he took his one chance expertly.

Billy Dennehy, was a constant headache for Sean Harding in the UCD defence and looked most likely to create a second for the visitors. In the first minute of the second half, his inswinging free kick found Dan Murray at the near post, the former Cork City stalwart was unable to direct his header home.

Minutes later the winger was desperately unlucky not to give his side the lead, Chambers side-footed effort parried out by Brennan just inches behind the sliding Dennehy.

The visitors looked in control and with the addition of Baker,switched to a more offensive 4-4-2 with 20 minutes to go and the substitution proved inspired from Michael O'Neill as his side withstood a barrage of late pressure from a UCD side that has become unfamiliar with defeat.

UCD (4-3-3):  Billy Brennan, Sean Harding, Andy Boyle, Evan McMillan, Brian Shortall, Greg Bolger, Chris Mulhall, Paul Corry, David McMillan Ciaran Kilduff ( Robbie Creevy '71), Dwayne Wilson ( Shane Fitzgerald '71)

Subs not used: Ciaran Nangle,, Micheal Leahy, Ger Barron

Shamrock Rovers (4-3-3: Alan Mannus, Pat Flynn, Dan Murray, Craig Sives, Danny Murphy, Stephen Bradley, Chris Turner ( Dessie Baker '69) James Chambers, Billy Dennehy ( Thomas Stewart '78), Paddy Kavanagh ( Sean O'Connor '62), Gary Twigg,

Subs not used:Robert Duggan, Enda Stevens 

Referee: Declan Hanney

Attendance: 1,348