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WEEKLY SPORT
FREE TIPS NEWSLETTER!

WEEKLY SPORT publishers pledge 100% sport editorial policy, while porno Sunday Sport faces 'the bag'

Press campaigners who publish genuine sporting news via the WEEKLY SPORT project, have seen a marketplace victory as UK retailers seek to 'bin or bag' sleazy soft porn titles called, misleadingly, Sunday SPORT and Midweek SPORT.

 

The WEEKLY SPORT is owned and published by Independent News Limited, who actively sought to establish digital and print titles that truly did as they said on the tin - provide 24/7 coverage of the week's sport.

This proved to be a great success, particularly prior to the run-up, and during, the London Olympic and Paralympic Games. The same team had also been involved with THE SON newspaper, a Christian themed red top, and the highly successful men's lifestyle title, SORTED magazine, which sells in volume via WHSmith,

Last week the Co-operative supermarket refused to stock two newspapers and four lads’ magazines.Their decision came after these titles refused the Co-op’s request that they should be sold in opaque 'modesty bags' to safeguard their main customer base.

The WEEKLY SPORT, SORTED and THE SON newspaper teams say they "could see this coming a mile off" and "welcome the decision as a positive step to prevent offence to women and family shoppers, and to protect children."  Ethical and family based publishing has always been key to their editorial and marketing policy.

Co-operative Group chief executive of retail Steve Murrells agrees with these policies, and says: "As a community-based retailer, we have listened to and acted upon the concerns of our customers and members, many of whom said they objected to their children being able to see overt sexual images in our stores."

The deceptively named Midweek and Sunday Sport newspapers, who actually publish blatant soft porn and sex industry advertising, with very little actual sporting news content, initially agreed to adopt sealed 'modesty bags'. However, their publisher has now told the Co-op that they will no longer comply with the request and will continue to mislead the public. As a result wholesale orders of the offending titles have been binned by the supermarket giant.

The Co-op chief executive reasserted his point of view: “We believe individual, sealed modesty bags are the most effective way of addressing these concerns, so we will no longer be stocking the titles that have failed to meet our request. This action will make our stores more attractive to families with young children, by creating a more family-friendly shopping environment.”

Meanwhile, since their title does not require 'modesty bagging', the campaigning team behind the WEEKLY SPORT project have received some surprise additional venture capitalist support to take their ethical, news sport brand to a much wider marketplace. Investor, Jason Courage, who was so impressed by the positive coverage of the Paralympics, and is himself a longterm wheelchair user, believes the appetite for sporting news coverage continues to be a growing and bankable market.

Courage makes the point: "Observing how SORTED magazine has actually gained readers by adhering to a strong moral editorial approach, convinces me that members of the same team can create a winning formula with a national tabloid newspaper such as the WEEKLY SPORT."

Unlike its rivals, copies of SORTED lads' magazine will remain available at all good stores without the need for censorship covers. Likewise, the WEEKLY SPORT will remain committed to a one hundred percent genuine sport editorial policy.

Ultimately, though, both the Co-op's Steve Murrells and 'angel' investor Jason Courage agree upon one thing: "The consumer has the final say - you pays your money and you takes your choice..."

Here are the three ethical media trendsetters you may choose to follow...

@weeklysport @thesonpaper @sortedmagazine

http://www.weeklysport.co.uk http://www.247.weeklysport.co.uk

BAYERN SIGN LEWANDOWSKI - says Frank Worrall

 

HAVE just heard from my friends in Germany that Bayern have also signed Robert  Lewandowski, the Dortmund No 9.

That is a double blow for volatile Dortmund boss Klopp just hours before the start of their most important game for a decade.

Surely Bayern aren't trying to nobble their German rivals' chances of success against Real Madrid? Not.

 

 

Germany Calling : Bayern buy up Lewandowski.

VAN PERSIE HAS GONE GREY AT MAN UTD!! - says Frank Worrall

 

What a difference Robin Van Persie has made to Man United. His goals have helped secure a 20th title and he has been inspirational.

But what a difference Man United has made to Van P! I have never seen a footballer age so much in one season. The Dutchman has gone grey overnight!

Fergie will have to tell him to stop worrying - his first Prem title medal is in the bag and other medals will follow over the next couple of years.

And maybe it's time for a bit of the old Grecian 2000, Robin, old chap!

 

BAYERN WILL BEAT BARCA

The Champions League semi finals brings together three of the best four teams in Europe.

And the fourth - Dortmund - are probably the fifth best so it is quite a tasty prospect.

I believe that Barca are ageing in central midfield and that they are no longer the best team in Europe. Both Real and Bayern are better on their day as Barca look increasingly like a one-man team (Messi)

I take Bayern to beat them over two legs and to set up a tremendous final against Madrid at Wembley.

 

ANDY CARROLL 'HEADING HOME TO NEWCASTLE'

 

I HEAR that Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is ready to bring prodigal son Andy Carroll back to St James' Park.

He is likely to return this summer after his loan spell at West Ham expires.

The deal will involved one Newcastle player heading to Liverpool along with a fee of around £7million.

That means the one Toon player will be valued at £10million - so you don't need to be a rocket scientist to work out it is likely to be a top star at the club.

More than likely a midfielder who is French and whose surname is Ben Arfa.

 

STOKE 'LOOK TO BENITEZ'

LAST week I said that Rafa Benitez was eyeing up the opportunity of taking over at Aston Villa in the summer.

Well, things have moved on since then.

Apparently Villa are going to stick with Paul Lambert even if they go down. They like the way he is working with the club's promising youngsters and want to give him time to turn things around.

That has prompted a new slant on Benitez's hopes of employment after his interim role comes to a conclusion at Chelsea next month.

It seems Tony Pullis may be leaving Stoke - and that Benitez is one of the leading candidates to take his place.

That suits Stoke and the Spaniard. He gets a job where he can go home every night (his family are based near Liverpool) and they get a manager who can bring a different style of football to the Britannia - but still keep them in the Prem.

 

 

 

 

 

 

MANCINI 'OUT OF CITY THIS SUMMER' - says Frank Worrall



Roberto Mancini : On the move?

I HEAR disturbing noises coming out of the Etihad for Man City fans today.

Even before tonight's Manchester derby, it appears City have decided to dispense with Roberto Mancini this summer.

It seems the club's new Spanish No 1 and No 2 (both former Barca head boys) do not want to continue with the Italian.

They would have liked Guardiola to take over but now that he has gone to Bayern, they are seemingly keen on Manuel Pellegrini, the Malaga boss.

I think it is a mad move - Mancini has brought the club their first title and FA Cup for years and may even win the latter again this term.

But the Barca boys obviously disagree if the noises coming from the Etihad prove to be correct.

THE TRIUMPH AND BETRAYAL OF ROBERTO DI MATTEO, CHELSEA'S MOST SUCCESSFUL BOSS EVER

He lasted just 262 days – 262 days that transformed the fortunes of Chelsea Football Club and finally laid to rest Roman Abramovich’s holy grail. Yes, by winning the Champions League, Roberto Di Matteo made everything Roman had done – and all the millions he had invested worthwhile. But six months later the Russian owner of Chelsea rewarded him for his brilliance…with the sack.

Roberto Di Matteo : robbed of his job.

Di Matteo was the manager who took the club to its greatest ever triumph – one which marked him out as the club's most successful manager ever - that balmy night in Munich which now seems an age ago.


Even then, as Roberto celebrated, you could clearly see from the body language that Roman didn't really want to acknowledge his part in the triumph. He never really rated him; he only saw him as a stop-gap and was really forced into giving him a full-time shot at the job until he could get his own full-time next man in (ie Guardiola).


But what Di Matteo achieved that night in Munich was extraordinary - almost miraculous, as he urged on his men to a triumph they really had no right to expect. They were playing the hosts and favourites and emerged with the cup with the big ears against all odds (including beating Barca on the way).


Fast forward six months (to now) and Di Matteo has tried to implement Roman's desire for Chelsea to play a la Barca - with three little guys in Mata, Oscar and Hazard - and passing from the back (which meant keeping David Luiz at centre-back instead of the more reliable Ivanovic).


He has had three months (from August and the start of the new season) to implement a brand new, revolutionary change in playing approach and, as the players inevitably needed time to gell and get used to each other and the new system, he found it difficult to achieve overnight. His reward was to bestabbed in the back. Betrayed for not beating or drawing with Juve away - and let's not forget this is the team who could well go on to win the Champions League. OK, there have also been a couple of dodgy results in the league too, but as Istress again, he was trying to overhaul a way of thinking; from the time of Drogba and Co, when brute force won the day, to a more sophisticated style of play. There were always going to be lean spells as the change took shape.


In essence, he was expected to work another miracle from August to November (changing the mentality and style of play) after already working one in Munich in May. His sacking was the end game – a shocking way to treat someone who had done so much for a football club close to his heart.


RDM deserved better – and Chelsea fans certainly deserve better than the interim, defensively minded joker who will surely now take their team back to the dark ages…even if it is only for six months.


Forget the dreams of being the new Barca for the next few months – Rafa Benitez will underpin his team with a dour defensive edge. Ironic that when Roman wanted to move forwards with entertaining football, he ended up with a man whose philosophy is to bring about the exact opposite.


I wouldn’t be surprised if RDM is laughing in his beer at that irony tonight and probably saying, ‘They deserve each other!’


FRANK WORRALL @weeklysport

Live Football Online

No sport attracts the attention and glamour more than football. We British are proud of our football, our club teams as well as our national teams and we can`t get enough of it. With Euro 2012 concluded we eagerly await the start of the new season where we can follow the highs and lows of our team, hoping we can achieve success.

The one stumbling block to football in recent years is the cost, with season tickets in the premier league costing four figures for some clubs, not to mention away games and cup games. With a reduced disposable income and increased costs, many fans are looking for an alternative cost effective means of watching their favourite team.

Online streaming has become increasingly popular, with the internet giving users access to a host of domestic and internationally based football matches from the comfort of their own home. With many services offering completely free streaming it`s easy to understand why online streaming is now so popular. In conjunction with the free online streaming service many websites offer a link to online betting, so you can watch the match and bet whilst it`s in play.

Before looking at where to watch live football online you should first check your internet connection to ensure that it is capable of supporting live streaming, as there is nothing worse than the stream buffering when your centre forward is one on one with the goalkeeper. Speak to your Internet Service Provider (ISP) who will be able to confirm your current internet speed.

It may be worth upgrading your broadband speed, if possible, to give you the optimum experience online. A faster broadband connection will allow you to surf faster and stream with ease, whether you are watching your local team or watching the latest blockbuster release. Download speeds will also increase dramatically so you can get the latest music from the internet to your mp3 player faster.

Once you have checked your internet speed it`s time to find the right website for your streaming needs. Typing `live football online` into a search engine lists a number of websites but it`s important to choose the right one. Explore each of the websites and find out what you need to do in order to watch a match; you`ll get a feel for the best website for your needs. It`s also important to find a website which streams the games you want to see.

Finally, if you don`t own a Smart TV, think about hooking your laptop up to your TV so you can watch live streaming on a bigger screen and can soak in the atmosphere at the game. With a host of livefootball.net matches available online, just click, stream and enjoy the beautiful game.

In association with your WEEKLY SPORT (c) copyright 2012.

Liverpool losing their leader...

IS KING KENNY’S REIGN IN JEOPARDY AT LIVERPOOL?

I HAVE heard from reliable sources at Anfield that Kenny Dalglish has got one more season to get Liverpool in the top four of the Premier League - or he will be moved upstairs.

Of course, Liverpool would NEVER sack a legend like Dalglish - but he has much to do if he is to avoid becoming an ambassador for the club, or maybe a director of football.

It may seem ridiculous that a man who has landed the club’s first trophy in six years is under threat - and who may yet also land the FA Cup this season, too.

But that is the cut-throat name of the game nowadays.

The truth is this: most chairmen would rather finish in the top four and accept the Champions League spot that comes with it rather than win the Carling Cup.

And that is where Kenny faces a problem. He has done well in the domestic cups but has flopped in the league.

I agree with him that fatigue has played a part - as have injuries.

And I also accept that he needs a stronger squad. Which, in turn, means he needs more financial backing.

But Kenny has also been his own worst enemy at times. I won’t bother going over his approach to the Luis Suarez controversy again, save to say he was misguided and did himself no favours.

Yet I do believe he has messed up with two of his big summer signings, and that this has left him vulnerable.

Firstly, Jordan Henderson is simply not a £16million player. For me, he is a journeyman with little guile and craft and whose only real assest is that he can cover a lot of ground.

Secondly, Andy Carroll - well, the problem for me here is that Kenny stuck his neck out to buy him but now appears to have lost faith. My feeling is that Andy is still a class act - he was brilliant for Newcastle and for England when he has had the chance.

But, like all big men, he needs regular games to maintain his fitness and get to a peak. And Kenny is just not giving him them. The fact is this: when Carroll plays, Liverpool usually win - so trust the boy, Kenny, and I am convinced he will repay you.

Also, Kenny must improve his act when it comes to PR. He is THE public face of Liverpool FC and how he comes over on the TV reflects on the club.

He needs to be less defensive, less ready to rise to any supposed slight and more jovial and likeable. He needs to get the Press onside rather than antagonising them. And if he needs any help, I’d be glad to show him how to do it.

So come on Kenny - stop acting like a bitter old man who seems out of touch with modern-day football. You can be a king again - but it’s all down to you now.

SNOOKER
JIMMY’S WHITE ON
- EVEN AT 50!

I LOVE nostalgia and so when I learned that Jimmy White is making a concerted attempt to reach this year’s World championships at The Crucible, I was one of the first to cheer him on.

The man known as ‘the Whirlwind’ has not managed to qualify for the event for the last five years.

And that’s a real shame given his exploits and glory there in the 1980s and 1990s.

Jimmy will be 50 on May 2, and what a birthday prezzie it would be for him if he could celebrate it by starring at the Crucible in 2012!

Jimmy starred in six finals in Sheffield - but won none of them.

Now I know it’s pushing it a bit too far into the realms of fantasy to pray that maybe he also ends THAT jinx this year.

But wouldn’t it be a real fairytale ending - if the Whirlwind not only finally qualified again, but lifted the darned trophy!

It’s a dream - but then that is where sport often comes into its own. By making unbelieveable dreams come true.

Come on, Jimmy, you can do it - all your friends here at the Weekly Sport are backing you. As Clint Eastwood once famously said - ‘Make our day....!’

FRANKIE’S FLUTTERS

LAST WEEK I called it right again. Well, in terms of the result if not the score! Yes, I predicted that the big London derby between Chelsea and Spurs at the Bridge would end with honours even - which it did, in a 0-0 draw. I had predicted 1-1.

This week’s big footie match comes on Sunday when Newcastle entertain Liverpool in what looks a crunch encounter in the battle for sixth and seventh places in the Premier League.

The Toon have done better than anyone (me included) expected this season while Liverpool have gone off the boil of late due to injuries and fatigue. I am going to go against the grain - and predict that Liverpool will win. They are due a big result in the league and I can see former Toon idol Andy Carroll being well revved up for his return to St James’ Park. So it’s Newcastle 1 Liverpool 3 for me.

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 £2.74 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

THE SEQUEL TO THE DAMNED UNITED...

...NOW SHOWING
AT CHELSEA!

FRANKING WORRALL REPORTING

IN 1974 Brian Clough famously lasted just 44 days as the manager of Leeds United. At the time he was arguably the best football manager around, yet he failed to inspire one of the best teams around when he took over at the helm from Don Revie.

Why did he fail? He was too abrupt with and insensitive to the needs of the established players at the club. The likes of Billy Bremner and Johnny Giles didn’t take at all kindly to someone coming in and telling them to ‘throw their medals in the bin’.

Fast forward 38 years and the story played out again - but this time at Stamford Bridge in West London.

Substitute Andre Villas Boas for Clough and Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole for Bremner and Giles and you get the picture.

The Portuguese was the manager in demand; he was young, had just won a series of impressive trophies with Porto - and he arrived at the Bridge with a mandate to modernise the playing staff.
To bring in new blood and to gently ease out the ageing legs of Lampard, Cole et al. Only it didn’t work out like that - like Clough he met fierce opposition to change from those very older players he had arrived to send off into the dark night.

And like Clough, he was ultimately hung out to dry by the club’s board of directors, or as it is in Chelsea’s case, the autocrat who runs Chelsea.

So it was farewell Andre and hello to...well, who knows. Di Matteo is the caretaker but the new man has not been signed up.

My sources close to Roman tell me it is likely to be one of two - Joachim Loew, the current boss of the German national side, or Athletic Bilbao’s Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa.

I personally would go for Bielsa. Look at the wonderful job he has done at Athletic Bilbao - creating a team of young players who destroyed Man United at Old Trafford last week. And he has the tough edge to show the old moaners the exit door - and quickly.

He is the ideal choice if Roman finally wants to lay down some solid foundations.

As for Lampard and Cole, I thought their behaviour under Villas Boas was disgusting and shameful. They are senior players who are quick to touch the badge on their shirts when they are on the pitch.

But their actions under Villas Boas were totally selfish - they seemed much more concerned about themselves and their petty little battles to put the new boss in his place than they did about the welfare of Chelsea FC. I can understand their ire at being dropped and suddenly no longer being the kingpins - but I believe they would have had a future under Villas Boas if they had knuckled down and accepted that time waits for no one.

In turn, Villas Boas would have had a future himself.

Now the whole issue has exploded, a man who has a lot of potential has gone and the likes of Lampard and Cole could well follow him out the door come summer. Everyone at the Bridge knows they haven’t come out of this with any credit - they are as much to blame as the Portuguese for the lamentable showings.

Now Chelsea need a hardman to knock them back into shape - and to make it clear to any dissenters that they will be on their bikes if they don’t toe the line. In turn, the hardman will need Roman to back him whatever happens: the short-term aggro will lead to long-term joy.
Roman has got to end this short-termism and see the bigger picture.

And, in my humble opinion anyway, Marcelo Bielsa is just the man needed to enforce the necessary revolution.

MOTOR RACING - THE AUSTRALIAN GP

THE FIRST season of the new Formula 1 season gets underway on Sunday – and everyone connected or interested in the sport is praying it is more competitive than last year’s damp squib. Last season was a victory march for German Seb Vettel for much of the campaign after other drivers simply lost their touch. Yes, Lewis Hamilton, we’re pointing at you.

This term the omens are better. Lewis, in particular, is a 100 times more fired up and concentrated in the job in hand. He is back with girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger and appears happier and steadier. Now if only he could prove himself big enough to welcome his old dad back into the fold again… then he would surely be the complete deal.

As it stands, I can see Lewis pusing Vettel much harder – as I am sure will fellow Brit ace Jenson Button. For all his efforts, Button remains very much the McCartney to Hamilton’s Lennon: whatever he does he cannot seem to enchant the British public as Lewis does.

Last year at Albert Park in Melbourne Vettell began his run to glory, triumphing in his Red Bull from pole to chequered flag. And that is one of the keys to winning the Australian GP - the circuit is a tough ask if you don’t get off to a good start. If you do, you’re in with a good chance as long as the car keeps going. So come on Lewis and Jenson, pull out all the stop sin qualifying – and one of you is likely to come home first if you win pole.

Good luck lads from your No 1 sports paper…the Weekly Sport.

FRANKIE’S FLUTTERS

PUT a fiver on the next full-time boss of Chelsea FC being Marcelo Bielsa or Joachim Loew.

Then on Sunday Man United travel to Molineux to take on relegation strugglers Wolves. United will surely walk it given the chaos at Wolves, with Mick McCarthy getting the boat and the players finding it hard to adopt to life under a caretaker boss and the animosity the fans feel towards the board of directors seeping down to the terraces.

I can only see a United win, the only thing in question is the score...and I’ll go for a 4-1 triumph for the Red Devils.

And the F1 in Melbourne – call me a silly dreamer, but I’m going for Hamilton or Button!

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 £2.74 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

THE BRITISH OLYMPIC GAMES - a commentary by FRANK WORRALL

THE OLYMPICS

- DO WE DESERVE TO HOLD THEM?

I’M looking forward to the Olympics in London this summer as much as anyone. But I can’t help but wonder if we really deserve to be holding them given the attitude of some people here.

Of course, sports lovers nationwide are anticipating the sporting feast with relish.
But not so the service industry workers who will (hopefully) transport us to the Olympic venues and provide safety cover for us at the Olympic Park in East London.

I only ask if we do deserve it after learning the following:

1. The London Fire Brigade has written to all firemen who retired in the last two years asking them if they are available to work inside the Olympic Park because of fears there will not be enough serving officers to do the job.

They have had to act because serving firefighters have been banned from working overtime by their unions.

2. Tube workers have threatened strike action after rejecting a £500 bonus to work during the Olympics. The RMT union have demanded more money for staff who have to work during the games – even though the tube drivers are already on around £48,000 a year, with rises guaranteed over the next three years to take them well over the £50k a year mark.

Now is it me, or isn’t this double strike threat out of order at a time when many people are struggling to make ends meet in the worst recession in living memory?

And shouldn’t the staff involved be thinking about how they have a once-in-lifetime opportunity to show the nation - and the world - how proud they are of their jobs, and how efficient they are?

Rather than seeing it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to cash in on a major event in their region?

It does make me think - especially when my nephew and his girlfriend are excitedly making plans to travel down to London for the summer to work in part-time jobs at the Olympics.

Because they can’t get work in their native Manchester...and they are so proud to be part of the Olympics experience that will probably never happen again in their young lifetimes (they are only in their early 20s).

Maybe they could talk to the London workers - who by comparison seem to be acting like spoilt brats - and get them to think again...

WHO'D YOU HAVE FOR SPURS BOSS? ...

+++FOOTBALL+++

MOYES OR MOURINHO - WHO’D
YOU HAVE AS SPURS BOSS IF
WILY OLD 'ARRY DOES
GETS THE ENGLAND JOB?

HARRY REDKNAPP couldn’t have made it any clearer that he DOES want the England manager’s job. The Tottenham boss has given interview after interview saying how he just wouldn’t be able to turn away the job if he was offered it - but that, bafflingly, the FA haven’t yet been in touch.

Clever old ‘Arry is obviously trying to manipulate the FA into getting in touch and asking him to take over from the now departed Fabio Capello. His interviews have been aimed at the general public who have demanded he be installed - and quickly. The idea is that they will soon be up in arms that he has not been approached and DEMAND en bloc for his appointment!

As I have argued since Capello went, I do not think Redknapp is up to the job. He is another Kevin Keegan - all heart and no tactical nous and I fear he will be found out at international level. But what if clever old ‘Arry does get the job he so craves?

Or, more precisely, what happens to Spurs?

My view is that there are only two candidates for the job - and either can continue the sterling work ‘Arry has done at club level (for at club level, ‘Arry is a master). Put David Moyes or Jose Mourinho in at White Hart Lane and the good times would continue to roll. Moyes has worked miracles at Everton and I have no doubt he could do even better given the bigger resources and potential at Spurs.

Ditto Jose - who has proved yet again that he is a genius as he takes Real Madrid to a La Liga triumph few would have imagined given the brilliance of Barca.

So who would you choose? Well, I would go for Moyes. Because he would see it as a long-term project while Jose would always have an eye open for Fergie stepping down at Man United. And I think Moyes truly deserves a break - and a chance to prove he can cut it at the top of the league. I believe he would be a winner - possibly even surpassing ‘Arry. Yes, David Moyes is that good.

+++RUGBY UNION+++

ST GEORGE BOWS TO THE DRAGON

AS a proud Englishman I was, of course, sad to see England lose at home to Wales last Saturday. But putting aside the controversy over ‘the try that never was’, the match left much optimism for the future in its wake.

And I don’t just mean for England - no, Wales showed once again that they are not that far short of having a team that can be considered contenders to take on the Al Blacks and the Aussies - and have a chance of winning!

But while Wales are not far from the finished product, England are still a work in motion. Which means the fact the gap between England and their Welsh conquerors is not that wide is truly encouraging for stand-in coach Stuart Lancaster and his men. I was particularly impressed by young centre/fly-half Owen Farrell, who belied his years to give a performance that dictated the promising nature of some of England’s play.

And wasn’t it pleasant to watch England - even in defeat - just get through a match without any controversy! After the fiasco and disgraceful incidents that smeared the World Cup team last year, Lancaster and Co did brilliantly in projecting a new, more youthful, cleaner and more honest England.

So even if you don’t get the job full-time, Stuart - and my money’s on former South Africa head coach Nick Mallet - you certainly do have the gratitude of a nation for reigniting our love of the game, and giving England a new, honey image after that World Cup nightmare. Here’s hoping Mallet puts you in charge of the Saxons (again) if he does get the top job.

FRANKIE’S FLUTTERS

THE big match of the weekend is Sunday’s Premier League showdown between the teams currently second and third in the Premier League. Yes, third-placed Tottenham play host to Manchester United at White Hart Lane with much at stake. Victory for Spurs would take them a step closer to their big dream of a first Premier League title - closer to United and top-of-the-pile Manchester City. This Tottenham team are the best I have seen for many a year, well balanced and superb in attack. But it is also a team with defensive frailties - and that could let in United, who are masters of handling the pressure at this stage of the campaign.

All considered, I’m going for honours even - a 2-2 draw.

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 £2.74 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

WEEKLY SPORT - focus group print edition

Open publication - Free publishing - More betting tips

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…

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