MUHAMMAD ALI betrayed by those closest to him!

Weekly Sport is owned and published in the UK and Eire by Independent News Ltd.  The title was launched by a team of  journalists keen to create a tabloid suitable for all the family.     As such, the Weekly Sport aims to provide genuine sports news coverage throughout the Olympic year and to offer our readers intelligent editorial commentary on current news.    It is hoped that this will continue to expand as a long term positive media project, and help to restore the lost integrity of the red top and its central part in our popular British culture. You are welcome to reprint the news and features in these e-bulletins, on the proviso that you retain our journalists' credits together with our web address www.weeklysport.co.uk at the footer of each republished piece.       MUHAMMAD ALI, MORE THAN THE GREATEST – BUT BETRAYED BY THOSE CLOSE TO HIM SO the great Muhammad Ali has made it to 70. The world’s greatest ever boxer has just celebrated that milestone birthday – and it gives us all a chance to reflect on the man who could also arguably claim the title of the greatest sportsman ever. Yes, he was that good – beating the bulldozing Joe Frazier twice and, through a tactical bit of genius (the so-called rope-a-dope tactics), also emerging victorious over the supposedly unbeatable George Foreman when the man-mountain submitted to fatigue in their titanic bout in Zaire in 1974.  But Ali is even more than all that: his influence and significance as a human being and an icon spread much wider than a mere sporting legend. Ali, christened Cassius Clay, famously  refused to fight in Vietnam - a moral stance based upon his publicly held belief that ‘the Vietnamese have done nothing to hurt me’. He expanded upon that belief when he said, ‘Hating people because of their colour is wrong and it doesn’t matter which colour does the hating. It’s just plain wrong.’ And on religion he said, ‘Religions all have different names, but they all contain the same truths. ... I think the people of our religion should be tolerant and understand people believe different things.’ As he grew older, Ali became more interested in becoming the spokesman of his generation and transcended sport with his words and beliefs.  So it was great to see him hit 70, if also sad as he shook uncontrollably – a legacy of the punishment he took in the ring in his later bouts. It is a shame that the men who controlled his career did not have the same humanity of the man they fleeced – they should have pulled him out or persuaded him not to fight the likes of Larry Holmes, who gave him a real battering.  The man is a legend – I very much doubt there will be another sportsman who manages to match his achievements, both within their sport and out of it. Ali we love you. IGNORE THE CYNICS AND PLAY BECKS AND GIGGSY IN THE OLYMPICS AN increasing number of my colleagues in the Press boxes around the country have jumped on an ageist bandwagon of late. Yes, almost every sports hack I speak to is unflinching in his or her belief that two of the greatest footballers of the modern era should NOT be allowed anywhere near the Great British team in the London Olympics this summer. They contend that the two men are finished, burnt out and too slow – and that the two slots in the squad should go to much younger, faster boys. I am referring, of course, to the ongoing debate over whether England’s David Beckham and Wales’ Ryan Giggs should be in GB boss Stuart Pearce’s final squad. My opinion is this: there will be plenty of other youngsters in the 23-man squad and each team is allowed three over-age players. So why not choose Giggsy and Becks? Their experience will prove invaluable to the young lads and they will add technical skills in terms of free kicks and set plays that could bring the odd goal or three. And, let’s be honest here, we are not going to win the darned thing anyway! Not with Pearce in charge – he is an honest battler but lacks tactical nous…a modern day Kevin Keegan if you will – and not when we are going to be up against the wonderful talents of Argentina and Portugal. So, as hosts, it surely therefore makes sense for us to maximise our presence and impact in the tournament. With Becks and Giggys in there, I can tell you for sure that everyone will be talking about Team GB and make us their second team after their own countries. Choosing the pair is a win-win no-brainer, so come on Pearce…pick Becks and Giggsy, they’ll be proud to represent the nation and they’re bring us much prestige as the host nation. THAT’S ANOTHER FINE MESSI YOU’VE GOT INTO, PELE!!! TALKING of Argentina (and Lionel Messi who may well be one of THEIR over-age players!), I was saddened to see Pele doing the little man down recently.  Many pundits claim Pele is the greatest footballer of all time – and a fine ambassador for the game nowadays. I have to say I disagree on both points. He might have built himself up as the greatest, but he was too much of a goody-goody in my book and did not have the charisma or mischief to be the best. That accolade has to go to another Argentine, the naughty but wonderful Diego Maradona, who won the World Cup for his country in 1986, almost single-handedly. And, led by Maradona, Italian club Napoli won their only Serie A Italian title in 1986/87. Again he achieved it with a team with talents much less stellar than his genius. No way was it as tough for Pele – he played for Brazil, with magical stars all around him in the team.  And now Pele is getting a bit mean in his old age. When asked by French newspaper Le Monde whether Messi could now legitimately be called the greatest player EVER, Pele replied resentfully, "When Messi's scored 1,283 goals like me, when he's won three World Cups, we'll talk about it."   What a sad old bugger he has become! He was asked the question just after Messi had won Fifa's Ballon d'Or for the best player in the world for a THIRD SUCCESSIVE year. Surely he could have joined in the salute to a truly wonderful player by saying something like, ‘Well, he is going the right way about it!’ Instead he demeaned himself and his reputation on the world stage by taking it personally…a real own goal on the PR front that one, Pele…  FRANK WORRALL writes the best news reports especially for your WEEKLY SPORT! (For more information on Frank and his bestselling sports books, see www.frankworrall.com) Weekly Sport readers can buy Frank’s insightful book on Sir Alex Ferguson for the special price of only £2.86 on Kindle (retail price £17.99 for the hardback)…go to http://www.amazon.co.uk/Walking-Fergie-Wonderland-Biography-ebook/dp/B00603XJB8/ref=sr_1_7?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1326291046&sr=1-7       follow the Weekly Sport on Twitter join the  Weekly Sport on Facebook forward the Weekly Sport to a friend  Copyright © Independent News Ltd.  2012 Independent News Ltd., 'Weekly Sport' and 'WeeklySport.co.uk' are legal and registered trading names of Independent News Ltd. All rights reserved. As a Weekly Sport reader you qualify for our free sporting news commentaries, updates and special offers. If you should wish to unsubscribe at any time simply press the tab. Our mailing address is: Independent News Ltd. Studio C, 41 Edith Grove London, England SW10 0LB Add us to your address book  unsubscribe from this list  update subscription preferences

FRANK WORRALL with all the inside sporting news!

Weekly Sport is owned and published in the UK and Eire by Independent News Ltd.  The title was launched by a team of  journalists keen to create a tabloid suitable for all the family.     As such, the Weekly Sport aims to provide genuine sports news coverage throughout the Olympic year and to offer our readers intelligent editorial commentary on current news.    It is hoped that this will continue to expand as a long term positive media project, and help to restore the lost integrity of the red top and its central part in our popular British culture. You are welcome to reprint the news and features in these e-bulletins, on the proviso that you retain our journalists' credits together with our web address www.weeklysport.co.uk at the footer of each republished piece.     BRAZIL-IANT AS SENNA MARK 2 SIGNS FOR WILLIAMS FRANK WORRALL reports the nation's favourite sports!  I’LL ADMIT it damned near brought a tear to my eye when Bruno Senna signed for the Williams Formula One team this week. The deal means Senna, the Brazilian nephew of the man who was arguably the greatest driver ever, will now drive for the team Ayrton was with when he died so tragically in 1994. Funnily enough, I’d just watched the movie SENNA on DVD the day before the link-up between Bruno and Williams was announced. And what a great film that is - a really moving, touching, tender tribute to the great F1 king – do catch it if you haven’t already. Bruno raced karts with Ayrton and features in the film about his uncle's life and death. OK, Bruno is no Ayrton and never will be – he is not in the same league as a driver – but he could still spring a surprise or two in the season’s F1 races, which begin in March.   And you’d have to have a heart of stone not to feel some emotion for the boy when he finally races in the Williams. No doubt it will go through his mind that he is riding in the same team as his triple world champion uncle – and no doubt he will feel under pressure to live up to the Senna name. But he needn’t bother – for most of us it will be enough simply to see the name Senna racing on the circuit once again. No one is expecting him to come anywhere near close to emulating his brilliant uncle’s exploits – because no one could do that, not even Lewis Hamilton or the reigning double champ Sebastian Vettel. There was only one Ayrton Senna – and will always be, so just enjoy the ride, Bruno. Here’s wishing you a great season from all us Senna fans in the UK… FOOTBALL’S MANAGER OF THE YEAR SO FAR – THE BEATEN, BATTERED, BLOODIED…BUT PROUD AND DIGNIFIED STEVE KEAN A FELLOW sports journalist asked me the other day who would be my footballing Manager of the Season if the vote was now. I scratched my head and looked suitably intense and then said: ‘Steve Kean of Blackburn’. Cue undiluted laughter and mickey taking as said hack then paraded around the office telling other journos that I had taken leave of my senses! But is it really that outrageous a suggestion? I think not. OK, the likes of Alex Ferguson, Roberto Mancini and Harry Redknapp will always be in the mix, given the way their teams have performed this term. Yet Kean has worked a miracle dragging Rovers out of the relegation zone in the wake of the most vicious onslaught I have personally ever witnessed against a top-flight manager.   He has worked diligently and put in the hours, trying to keep afloat a sinking ship that even Fergie, Redknapp or Mancini would struggle to stop hitting the rocks. Every waking day he has to face aggro from both sides – from the majority of fans who appear to despise him and from the Indian owners Venky’s who appear to know nothing about how to run a football club – yet he has somehow kept his dignity intact and overseen his team climbing out of the bottom three. I repeat, given the circumstances, the man has worked a near miracle and, surely, it is about time some of those Rovers fans gave him credit for that. I’m not saying he is going to be a great manager, but he is doing a great job right now. He never ducks or hides and conducts himself with immense dignity at post-match Press conferences – sometimes after having to cope with a risible combination of spit, abuse and threats on his life during the game.   Steve Kean is a human being – someone’s son and someone’s father – and deserves the sympathy and respect of football fans everywhere right now for being a light in the darkness that is Blackburn Rovers FC right now. The bloke deserves a break… FRANKIE’S FLUTTER   ARSENAL V MAN UTD MAN CITY v TOTTENHAM Premier League Sunday   TWO absolutely huge games involving the two Manchester giants and their North London counterparts.   All four clubs have shown topsy-turvy form of late – great results followed by poor ones but the results of these two games could define the season for each of them. Arsenal desperately need a win if they are to get in the top four and book a spot in next season’s Champions League. But United would also love to exit the Emirates with three points to keep the pressure on neighbours City. In the other match at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, a City win would see them put daylight between themselves and third-placed Spurs at the top of the table, and could even ease them away from United if the Reds lose at Arsenal. There’s plenty at stake and the stakes are enormous. With that in mind, I am plumping for two draws, with honours shared.   I am going for: Arsenal 1 Man Utd 1 Man City 2 Tottenham 2  follow the Weekly Sport on Twitter join the  Weekly Sport on Facebook forward the Weekly Sport to a friend  Copyright © Independent News Ltd.  2012 Independent News Ltd., 'Weekly Sport' and 'WeeklySport.co.uk' are legal and registered trading names of Independent News Ltd. All rights reserved. As a Weekly Sport reader you qualify for our free sporting news commentaries, updates and special offers. If you should wish to unsubscribe at any time simply press the tab. Our mailing address is: Independent News Ltd. Studio C, 41 Edith Grove London, England SW10 0LB Add us to your address book  unsubscribe from this list  update subscription preferences

Golden Oldies and Winners For a Wager?

Weekly Sport is owned and published in the UK and Eire by Independent News Ltd.  The title was launched by a team of  journalists keen to create a tabloid suitable for all the family.     As such, the Weekly Sport aims to provide genuine sports news coverage throughout the Olympic year and to offer our readers intelligent editorial commentary on current news.    It is hoped that this will continue to expand as a long term positive media project, and help to restore the lost integrity of the red top and its central part in our popular British culture. You are welcome to reprint the news and features in these e-bulletins, on the proviso that you retain our journalists' credits together with our web address www.weeklysport.co.uk at the footer of each republished piece.         GOLDEN OLDIES?   Here FRANK WORRALL* assesses the wisdom of the moves by Arsenal and Man United to bring back Thierry Henry and Paul Scholes respectively –   And we also launch the first of a new regular weekly series, Frankie’s Flutter, in which our intrepid reporter gives us his verdict on the best bet of the week… ARSENAL AND THIERRY HENRY   YES, definitely a wise move by Gunners boss Arsene Wenger. Since Cesc Fabregas headed back to Barcelona, Arsenal have lacked leadership and calm old heads to steady the ship. The return of Henry is, therefore, a no-brainer, as Tony Blair was fond of saying. It brings that much-needed calm old head but also carries an inbuilt bonus: Henry is a master at his trade and will score goals, as he proved by netting against Leeds in his very first match back in the red shirt last Monday. He is fit and well and looks in good shape mentally too. He is clearly pleased to be back and is enthusiasm remains undiminished, even at the age of 34. He has kept fit at his new team, New York Red Bulls, and looked super sharp against Leeds when he came on as a substitute. Also, I believe Henry’s return gives him a chance to put right wrongs. Yes, the great Henry, the man who now has his own statue outside the Emirates, was a few years back a rather intimidating figure for younger players. It was rumoured he was somewhat arrogant and preoccupied with his own glory to be the role model and mentor that the kids really needed. Now he has an opportunity to put that right. As an elder statesman he can now help the youngsters at Arsenal and I know he will do just that. He was younger and more foolish back when he was accused of being out simply for self glory. Now he is older, wiser and loves the club – he has nothing to prove having achieved so much in his own career. So Arsenal are on a real winner – with his goals and experience to the kids. PAUL SCHOLES AND MAN UTD   BUT Paul Scholes at United? No, I am not as convinced. He is 37 and he admitted he retired after the Champions League loss against Barcelona in May because his legs had gone. So what’s happened since – is he the new Douglas Bader? Has he got new legs…or is he just hoping and praying that he somehow keeps up with the frantic pace and momentum of the Premier League? Don’t get me wrong – I love Scholesy, he was one of my heroes. But the move to resurrect him just doesn’t add up – as that clumsy touch that led to Manchester City scoring just after he came on in Sunday’s FA Cup derby only goes to confirm.   No, my feeling is that it is Fergie who has gone to Scholesy and asked him to help him out of a hole. With his midfield shorn of class through injuries, retirements and a lack of money to reinforce, he needed someone, something to get the fans off his back. So, abracadabra, bish-bash, bosh, he magics up an idol from another era! The fans aren’t daft though, Alex. They know in their hearts that this is just smoke and mirrors – that the real reason is that you have no money to bring in the likes of Wesley Sneijder or Luka Modric. That the mean old Glazers will only back you for bargain buys – or semi big buys. Chicharito at £6million – or Ashley Young at £16million. So Scholesy it is. Short of pace and making up the oldest and slowest midfield in the Premier League, along with 38-year-old Ryan Giggs and Mr Tortoise himself, Michael Carrick. What a disaster and what a sad reflection and indictment of the current regime at United. No money – and no clout. Second in England to Man City now…and miles behind the likes of Barca, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in Europe.   Welcome back to the bargain-basement of elite football, Scholesy – those days of shopping in Harrods are long gone… FRANKIE’S FLUTTER     CHELSEA V SUNDERLAND Premier League Saturday   BIG MATCH for Chelsea at the Bridge against a Sunderland team revitalised since the arrival of new boss Martin O’Neill. They are playing well and look as if they would run through brick walls for their new boss – he is that sort of inspirational character…and would make a good England boss next year if Harry Redknapp decides to stay at Spurs.   I can see a score draw at Chelsea – honours shared. Of course, in the days of Jose Mourinho it would have been a certain home win but under new manager Andre Villas-Boas, there are no guarantees. He says he has the dressing room with him but I see – and am told by my sources in West London – that there is a simmering rebellion among some of the players with his methods and success (or lack of it).   So I am going for 2-2. *FRANK WORRALL  (for more information on Frank and his bestselling sports books, see www.frankworrall.com  Weekly Sport readers can buy Frank’s insightful book on Sir Alex Ferguson for the special price of only 89p on Kindle (retail price £17.99 for the hardback)…go to http://www.amazon.co.uk/Walking-Fergie-Wonderland-Biography-ebook/dp/B00603XJB8/ref=sr_1_7?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1326291046&sr=1-7     follow the Weekly Sport on Twitter join the  Weekly Sport on Facebook forward the Weekly Sport to a friend  Copyright © Independent News Ltd.  2012 Independent News Ltd., 'Weekly Sport' and 'WeeklySport.co.uk' are legal and registered trading names of Independent News Ltd. All rights reserved. As a Weekly Sport reader you qualify for our free sporting news commentaries, updates and special offers. If you should wish to unsubscribe at any time simply press the tab. Our mailing address is: Independent News Ltd. Studio C, 41 Edith Grove London, England SW10 0LB Add us to your address book  unsubscribe from this list  update subscription preferences

Breaking news - exclusive report from our sports desk!

FRANK WORRALL brings you insider news for the WEEKLY SPORT!

BARCA’S PEP GUARDIOLA TO
REPLACE SIR ALEX FERGUSON
AS THE MANAGER OF MAN UNITED


(…thanks to Sir Bobby Charlton!)

AT THE end of the festive period, Sir Alex Ferguson admitted that he plans to stay on as Manchester United manager for another three years.

That got the boys in the Press boxes up and down the country scratching their heads about who would replace him – and whether he would actually stay in the hot-seat for those 36 months.

Well, after nattering with some sources at United, I can now exclusively reveal WHEN Fergie will retire – and WHO will replace him.

My information is that he will go before the end of the three years – that that was a smokescreen to prevent a repeat of the fiasco in the 2001-02 season when he announced he would retire at the end of that season, before changing his mind.

That announcement back then had the effect of plunging the club into chaos – with subsequent poor results. Inevitably, some players began to tread water, not pulling their weight as much as usual – with the mindset that, ‘What does it matter – the boss will be gone soon…so he’s hardly got the inclination or the time to sack us!'

So this time the official line is that he will go at the end of the 2014-15 season.

My information is that has been stated to avoid a repeat of the situation in 2001-02 – and that the boss intends to actually hang up his chewing gum a year before…or even at the end of next season if United should somehow manage to dethrone the wonderful Barcelona from their perch as European Champions in 2012-13 (assuming as I do that they will most likely retain their crown in Munich in May).

So that is the WHEN, what about the WHO?

Realistically, it was only ever going to be one of two men who would have the charisma, talent and, most importantly of all given the players they will have to lead, the WINNING MENTALITY and RECORD OF ACHIEVEMENTS needed for the job. The likes of Wayne Rooney are never going to look upon, say David Moyes (who has also been touted for the job), with the utmost respect – simply because Moyes has not won anything big with Everton. Of course, that is not David’s fault – he has worked wonders at Goodison with limited finances, but he would need to prove himself at a step higher than Everton – or somehow miraculously win trophies there – if he were to be considered for the United job.

No, realistically the only two men who could walk into Old Trafford tomorrow and say to a sceptical set of players, ‘We have done all you’ve done and more – and we have won more’ are Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola and Real Madrid’s Jose Mourinho.

I myself would have been tempted to employ Mourinho. He is a larger-than-life character, arrogant and a winner. Guardiola is also a winner, but I could probably have managed Barca to some of the trophies Guardiola has won…given the extraordinary quality of players he inherited from the famed Barca academy.

But United have plumped for Guardiola – and I understand discreet talks have already taken place to assess whether he would be interested in taking on the United job in 2013 or 2014…and that positive vibes were received.

It makes sense. Guardiola has often said he feels his work is almost complete at Barca and he has also often spoken of his admiration for the Premier League, and United in particular.

So what has swayed United to him rather than Mourinho? My understanding is that United prefer his humility and calmness as well as his belief in attacking football and his fierce belief in establishing an academy that nurtures top young talent. Sir Bobby Charlton, in particular, is said to like the work Pep has done – while he is apparently less enamoured with Mourinho’s confrontational style of management.

In that sense, I can understand United’s decision to go for Guardiola. He brings a dignity that Mourinho could never match – and he is a great believer in the academy process. United’s owners the Glazers also admire that - as they know it will save them the massive transfer budget Mourinho would demand as one of the planks of his move from Madrid to Old Trafford.

Put it this way – when has Mourinho ever moved to a club and put forward a 10 or 20 year plan? One that DOES NOT not involve big money buys – and one that DOES involve planning ahead with a conveyor belt of homegrown product?

Just look at his work at Chelsea, Inter and Real for the obvious, undeniable answer - yes, never.

So although I think Mourinho would probably bring more immediate success to United, I would also concede that Guardiola is the better long-term bet. He brings stability, dignity and is a true sportsman (unlike Jose) – but also is a man who could stay around for a generation.

Hey, he could even be the new Sir Alex Ferguson at United and be there for 20-odd years…