World Football Gossip Roundup: Redknapp, Di Matteo, Van Persie, Bendtner, Alves

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Harry Redknapp is out at Spurs, while across town Roberto Di Matteo is making plans for his reign at Chelsea.

But should the latter really make himself comfortable?

The coaching carousel takes center stage today in the B/R World Football Gossip Roundup, but the players have their say as well.

Inside, we have the latest on the Robin van Persie saga, Nicklas Bendtner's Euro 2012 antics and Dani Alves' contract situation.

Read on for all the details.

Spurs Confirm Redknapp Exit

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Tottenham Hotspur and manager Harry Redknapp have parted company, as the club have confirmed.

Spurs' official website quotes chairman Daniel Levy:

This is not a decision the Board and I have taken lightly. Harry arrived at the Club at a time when his experience and approach was exactly what was needed. This decision in no way detracts from the excellent work Harry has done during his time with the Club and I should like to thank him for his achievements and contribution. Harry will always be welcome at the Lane.

The break came after the two sides reportedly failed to agree on a new contract for Redknapp (per ESPNSoccernet).

The Sun, meanwhile, speculates that Redknapp was let go for his failure to lead Spurs any higher than fourth place.

As for a replacement, the Daily Mirror suggests longtime Everton manager David Moyes with a move to London.

Wigan's Roberto Martinez, USA manager Jurgen Klinsmann and free agent Andre Villas-Boas are also mentioned.

Redknapp joined Tottenham in 2008 after guiding Portsmouth to the 2008 FA Cup title.

Di Matteo Targets Title

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Roberto Di Matteo, confirmed this week as Chelsea's new full-time manager, has made winning the Premier League title a primary objective of his new reign (per The Guardian).

Di Matteo, 42, took over as Chelsea's interim manager in March after the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas.

Di Matteo, twice an FA Cup winner as a player with Chelsea, guided the Blues to Champions League and FA Cup titles.

He might not want to get too comfortable, though.

Former Chelsea assistant Ray Wilkins has warned Di Matteo that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is still interested in former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola (per Goal.com).

Guardiola quit Barcelona following the most recent club season. He won two Champions League and three league titles in four seasons in Catalonia.

No Barca Bid for Bale

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Speaking of Barcelona, the Blaugrana have not made a bid for Tottenham Hotspur's 22-year-old Welsh winger Gareth Bale, according to the player's agent.

According to ESPNSoccernet, Bale's agent calls it a "problem" that Spurs will not play in the Champions League during the upcoming season. Barcelona, however, have not submitted an offer.

RvP Latest

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Arsenal's Dutch forward Robin van Persie remains a hot name in the rumor mill.

Today's gossip has Juventus sending retired midfielder Pavel Nedved into Holland's Euro 2012 camp to woo Van Persie (via Metro).

According to the report, Juventus would pay Arsenal a £25 million transfer fee, with Van Persie receiving £180,000 per week in wages.

Dani Alves to Stay?

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Barcelona defender Dani Alves intends to see out his current contract, according to reports cited by Goal.com.

Alves, a Brazilian international, has four years remaining on his contract, but he has been linked with a move away from the Camp Nou.

"I have a contract until 2016 and I intend to fulfil it," Alves told Globoesporte. "I'm happy in Barcelona. A lot of things get said but they are only rumours."

Bendtner's Boxers

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Denmark forward Nicklas Bendtner scored twice in his team's 3-2 loss to Portugal on Wednesday, and after the second strike, he lifted his shirt to reveal an underwear band sponsored by Irish betting firm Paddy Power.

That was apparently a no-no.

According to The Guardian, UEFA has told Bendtner to stop wearing the offending underpants. Knowing Bendtner, that probably means he'll go commando for Denmark's final group game against Germany.

In his defense, Bendtner said he did not know he was breaking any rule.

 

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