Football news

Influential Turin-based Tuttosport reported that Fabio Capello could be tempted to leave his job as England manager and join them in the Serie A next season.

As Alberto Zaccheroni's time comes to a close, speculation is mounting as to who will succeed him on the hot seat as Juventus have been linked with several big names, but three keep cropping up: Rafael Benitez, Cesare Prandelli and Capello.

Tuttosport said Juve have given up hope of luring Benitez while Prandelli has also declared that he will stay at Fiorentina.

That leaves Capello who is said to have already rejected an offer made by Juventus president Jean-Claude Blanc over a month ago.

No Euro spot guarantee for Ross

Ross County are not guaranteed a place in Europe despite winning through to the final of the Scottish Cup on May 15. The First Division side beat Celtic 2-0 at Hampden on Saturday and will face Dundee United at the national stadium.

It was thought that the Dingwall club - even if they lost the final - would automatically qualify for a Europa League spot if United remained in third place in the Premier League. However, the Scottish FA have moved to clarify qualification criteria for Europe.

If United finish third and win the cup, it will be the fifth-placed side in the SPL who will be handed a Europa League spot.

However, if United win the cup and finish second, and thus qualify for the Champions League, the Staggies will be in Europe for the first time.

Redknapp blasts Wembley pitch

The controversial Wembley pitch has come under renewed scrutiny after Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp branded it a "disgrace".

Redknapp blasted the treacherous surface after players repeatedly slipped over during the 2-0 FA Cup semi-final defeat by Portsmouth.

With the FA Cup final, Championship play-off final and Saracens' rugby union match against Harlequins on Saturday to come before England's friendly against Mexico on May 24, it has become a pressing concern.

"The pitch is a disgrace, a disgrace. For any professional team to have to play football on that is farcical," Redknapp said.

"How can you play on a pitch you can't stand up on? You have to spend the whole time making sure you don't fall over."

O'Neill must stay says Carew

John Carew insists it is crucial that Martin O'Neill remains at Aston Villa as they look to bounce back from FA Cup disappointment and rekindle their challenge for a European spot.

Villa have little time to feel sorry for themselves after the 3-0 Wembley semi-final defeat against Chelsea as they entertain Everton tomorrow.

Striker Carew is adamant the Villa players remain motivated even though they are now eight points adrift of fourth-placed Manchester City. He said: "Will Martin O'Neill stay? I haven't really thought about it and I don't think the manager wants us to think about it either.

"Is it important that O'Neill stays? Absolutely. You see what he has done for the club. It is very important for Villa that he stays."

Ancelotti tips England over Italy

Carlo Ancelotti believes England are a better bet for success at the World Cup than his native Italy.

The Azzurri are the defending champions but Chelsea boss Ancelotti likes the look of an England side moulded by his countryman Fabio Capello.

Ancelotti said: "The England team has excellent credentials.

"They have players who play at a very high level and there are great expectations for the World Cup."

The former Italy midfielder added: "In Italy the situation is different because they are going through a transitional period.

"Lippi will do well to unite the players who are emerging within the squad and those who were successful in 2006."

Henry has time to prove form

France coach Raymond Domenech dismissed concerns about Thierry Henry's lack of playing time at Barcelona and said his form at the end of the season would be more important.

"I have a deep respect for the great players, which Thierry was and is," Domenech said.

"He's not playing but he's at Barcelona, he's faced with huge competition. It's a difficult period, I admit, but I can't allow us to talk about 'Titi' in this manner.

"Wait, let him get to the 11th of May. I'll go and see Titi and see what condition he's in. I'm not going to write off anyone overnight."

Henry has been fielded on the left under Domenech but his claim to that role has come under threat following the return of Franck Ribery and Florent Malouda.

Lippi future to be decided in May

The Italian Football Federation will decide by the end of next month whether national coach Marcello Lippi will stay in his post after the World Cup, federation president Giancarlo Abete said.

"We'll decide by the end of May," Abete told Rai radio.

"We will serenely wait until the end of the (Serie A) championship."

The Azzurri's 2006 World Cup-winning coach said recently that Abete already knew what he intended to do after the tournament in South Africa starting on June 11.