Warnock: Neil Warnock finally recorded his first victory as Leeds manager as his side cruised to a 2-0 win over 10-man Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium yesterday. Warnock had failed to win any of his first three matches since replacing Simon Grayson at the Cham-pionship club, but goals from Robert Snodgrass and Luciano Becchio ensured that drought was ended in emphatic fashion.
2014 mascot: The mascot for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil will be an armadillo, according to a report in Veja. The Brazilian weekly said tournament organisers will only make an official announcement regarding their choice of mascot in October via FIFA.
Hodgson: West Bromwich Albion boss Roy Hodgson insists managing England is not an impossible job. “I don’t think any job is impossible,” Hodgson said. “We are working in a league where football of a very high quality is played and we are producing players who most people would regard as top European standard. So, impossible... no.”
Terry: Chelsea captain John Terry insists the club’s senior players shouldn’t be blamed for the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas. Terry is ada-mant owner Roman Abramo-vich wielded the axe because of poor results rather than an attempt by the players to destabilise Villas-Boas. “People have got this thing about the senior players have got a massive influence and I can assure you that’s not the case,” he said.
Manolas: According to reports in Italy, Roma have won the race to sign Greece U-21 defender Kostas Manolas. The AEK Athens player was also attracting the interest of Everton but it seems Manolas has now decided to join Roma. Nego-tiations have reportedly been com-pleted, as Manolas will be a free agent at the end of the season.
Capello: Fabio Capello is 100 per cent sure he won’t coach again in Italy. The former England manager, ltely linked with Inter, said: “It is gratifying to work for a national team, but I won’t rule out the possibility of training a club side again. However, I can 100 per cent rule out a return to the bench in Italy.”