Ronaldinho ‘can’t be controlled’
Saudi Arabian club Al Shabab have ruled out a move for former World Player of the Year winner Ronaldinho after admitting he ‘can’t be controlled’, reports Soccernet. The 33-year-old Brazilian has been linked away from his South American club, Atletico Mineiro, with Asia a likely destination. But after being told the price to lure the former World Cup winner away from Brazil, Al Shabab vice-president Khalid Bu Humaid reigned in his club’s interest while slamming the star’s off-field behaviour. ‘We wrote back to Ronaldinho’s agent last week and declined his offer,’ Khalid Bu Humaid told Gulf News. ‘He’s just overpriced and the second thing is his attitude off the field. If they could not control him at Barcelona then he can’t be controlled at Dubai.’
Scholes turns down coaching role
David Moyes has revealed Paul Scholes has opted to have some time away from the game despite being offered a coaching role at Manchester United, reports Soccernet. Moyes added Ryan Giggs and Phil Neville to his staff last week and had hoped Scholes, who hung up his boots at the end of the season, might also work behind the scenes. However, the 38-year-old, who had been part of the coaching team at Old Trafford after his 2011 retirement, has neglected to join his former team-mates on Moyes’ backroom staff at this point. ‘I wanted to make sure I had connections to what happened here,’ the Scot said in comments reported on the club’s official website. ‘I spoke to Paul Scholes as well. He wants to have some time off with his family. ‘Paul was fantastic with me and wanted to help a lot. I probably spent an hour or two on the phone with him. He wants to spend time with his family at the moment. We’ll bring him in when he’s ready.’
United sign deal with Aeroflot
English Premier League champions Manchester United on Monday announced that it had signed a five-year partnership with Russian airline Aeroflot. The club said in a statement that Aeroflot would become the club’s ‘official carrier’ and the deal was a first, as it looks to expand its market in Russia. Manchester United, which has a growing list of global sponsors, has nearly 18 million supporters in Russia, the club added. — AFP, London
-With New Age input
