Sol Campbell Moves To Notts County

Sol Campbell his joined up with Sven-Goran-Eriksson at Notts County. The news comes as a shock to many including Arsene Wenger. (I was however tipped off to the move Monday morning, by fellow Football Banter Mini-League participant, Jon M.)

County were recently taken over by one of those mysterious Middle-Eastern consortiums, this particular one is called "Munto Finance" they immediately reached out to friend of the Sheiks Sven-Goran Eriksson who has joined as Director of Football.

Harry Redknapp also commented today on Campbell's move saying "He's still in my opinion a top six central defender in the Premier League, so for Notts County to get him in that division is just incredible".

Notts County Target A Director Of Football..

In a story I am sure very few people ever though they would read, but I see that Sven-Goran Eriksson is in talks to become the director of football at League Two club Notts County. Current Manager Ian McParland will stay on as manager.

Founded in 1862 Notts County are the world’s oldest football club, and were recently taken over by one of those mysterious “Middle Eastern Consortiums”. County struggled in League Two but survived relegation out of the Football League.

Sven had been linked with roles with the Swedish National Team and Portsmouth, who have now confirmed Paul Hart as manager so that is unlikely now unless they too are in the Market for a Director of Football.

Sven received a nice pay day from Mexico earlier in the year when they terminated his contract, and has been unemployed ever since. The release fee of around £2m is Sven’s third Seven-figure pay-off in the past three years, with £3m coming from England and a further £1m from Man City.

Update: 22-Jul-09: The deal is done

Milan/Galaxy Beckham Deal

It looks like a deal is to be announced between AC Milan and LA Galaxy for David Beckham’s services which will see Beckham stay in Italy until the end of the Italian Season in June. Beckham will then re-join LA Galaxy for the second half of the MLS season until late in 2009. Then probably in November or early December the transfer will go through and Beckham will rejoin AC Milan and play out the Second Half of the 2009/10 season.

Beckham’s deal with Milan was supposed to be so that he could keep his fitness levels up and play in a higher quality league so that his fitness and form could be maintained; and in fact on both counts has improved. But if Beckham is to go through with the above deal this could backfire on him and on England.

When England were good enough to qualify for tournaments a few years back optimism was quickly replaced with disappointment when the England teams rolled up and looked lethargic and slow after competing in draining Premier League Seasons. Manager Sven Goran Eriksson openly and repeatedly called for a winter break and endorsed the notions that the players were tired after long domestic seasons.

Beckham by the time the 2010 World Cup comes around will have played from early 2008 to summer 2010 with much reduced periods of rest and will be 35 at the time of the World Cup. Beckham’s desire for success is as strong as ever, but 2010 could be a tournament too far.

I also have sympathy with The LA Galaxy and the MLS. Their big money move for Beckham was designed to try and raise the profile of soccer in America and potentially lure a few big named 30+ stars over to play in their league. I don’t think they will feel they have got their money’s worth, what with Beckham’s injuries and desire to leave well before his contract is up.

New FA Chief Executive Named

The Times is reporting that Ian Watmore has been named the FA's new Chief Executive, taking over from Brian Barwick in June this year.

Watmore is a lifelong Arsenal fan, and has recent experience of national government, serving as Permanent Secretary for the Development of Innovation, Universities and Skills.

Top priorities will be England's 2018 World Cup bid and The National Football Centre in Burton.

Barwick, who left his role on 31st December 2008 will be remembered for his very public and very embarrassing failed attempt to secure Luiz Felipe Scolari as Sven Goran Erikssons replacement. He attempted to move past this calamity by hiring Steve McClaren as England Manager. History may redeem Barwick if Fabio Capello can bring that long sought after success that England Fans demand.

Sven For Pompey?

Sky Sports reports that Sven Goran Eriksson is to be approached to be the new manager of Portsmouth.

The Telegraph says that Eriksson was not the first choice, as the board had Avram Grant in mind. However, they canvassed the opinion of some of the senior first team players and found that Grant would not be a popular choice, and felt he may not get the necessary respect that may be required to turn the teams fortunes around this season. David James and Peter Crouch are being named as very supportive in the approach for Eriksson.

Mexico are due to play the USA tonight, so an approach for Eriksson is not possible just yet, but is likely. Eriksson is likely to be above the wage demands that Alexandre Gaydamak was prepared to go to, but he may be tempted to spend a little extra and offer a large cash bonus for Eriksson especially if he is able to keep them in the Premier League.

Results have not been great for Mexico under Eriksson, so the Mexicans may be prepared to deal in return for some compensation.