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Headlines from the Press
Press Room
The Press Room is where most of the gossip from the PMF
league starts. Most of the stories created from the Press Room are from
players, managers and club officials talking to reporters secretly. If a
player or manager is unhappy with another individual, The PMF Board or
another club then the Press Room is the first place he will contact.
Managers, players and club officials are always venting their
anger at others through club statements ( Role-Plays ). Some individuals
prefer to vent their anger in private ( Role-Plays based on private
discussions ). Now individuals can contact the Press Room throughout the
season and get virtually anything they like off their chest.
Any manager who has anything they want to say to the Press
Room can do so here. Quoting
reference Press Room ( i.e. Subject Header = Press Room )
Please note that
anything written here will be on the sole purpose of helping managers with
role-playing ideas. Stories sent to the press room are not always true.
England manager Buck Hysen has just announced his squad for
Saturday's friendly against Holland at the PMF National Stadium.
England's first friendly of
the season against the former European Champions is expected to attract a
full house on Saturday. Despite the Dutch failing to qualify for the World
Cup in 2002, England will be expecting a tough test as Holland look to
install confidence to their squad.
Buck Hysen said this
evening, " I have no doubt that Holland will provide us with a stiff test on
Saturday. Despite failing to qualify for the World Cup they are still a
quality side. We are certainly taking this game seriously, and
that is why I have picked a very in form squad."
The full England squad is as
follows:
Goalkeepers - Nigel
Martyn ( Leeds United ), Richard Wright and David Seaman ( Both Arsenal ).
Defenders - Sol
Campbell and Ashley Cole ( Both Arsenal ), Danny Mills and Rio Ferdinand (
Both Leeds United ), Jamie Carragher ( Newcastle United ), Michael Gray (
Sunderland ), Chris Perry ( Tottenham Hotspur ).
Midfielders - Jamie
Redknapp, Steven Gerrard, Danny Murphy and Kieron Dyer ( All Liverpool ),
David Beckham ( Manchester United ), Lee Bowyer ( Leeds United ), Frank
Lampard ( Chelsea ).
Forwards - Alan Smith
( Leeds United ), Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen ( Both Liverpool ), Emile
Heskey ( Newcastle United ), Marcus Stewart ( Ipswich Town )
Hysen was apparently
interested in the availability of the likes of Dion Dublin, Kevin Campbell
and Ben Thatcher, to join other surprise call ups, Chris Perry, Michael Gray
and Marcus Stewart. But revealed that he didn't wish to call up too many
untried Internationals at once.
Surprisingly, Gary Neville,
Joe Cole and Paul Scholes never made Hysen's final 22 man squad, although
the reasons behind this are not yet known.
An article in this weeks first ever official
PMF magazine has reported that a number of PMF registered players are
becoming increasingly concerned and upset with events going on behind the
scenes at a number of PMF clubs this season. With the league barely a month
old it is alarming to think that so many players are concerned with off the
field activities within a number of clubs around the country.
Newcastle's Craig Bellamy
expressed his concerns during the in depth interview with PMF Magazine
reporter Tim Dealy by saying, "It certainly is a worry. A lot of my friends
involved in football are not happy with a lot of things that are going on at
present, and I for one am not yet convinced that my future career lies in
the PMF League. It seems to me that a lot of managers and chairmen seem more
concerned with concentrating their efforts on other individuals rather than
concentrating on preparing the players for the season ahead. It is quite
disappointing."
Sunderland chairman, Bill Murray has blasted
PMF managers and clubs for backing out of transfer deals which have been
'agreed in good faith by both clubs'. He criticised a number of PMF managers
in a short statement today by saying, "To
pull out of such deals now is, at best unprofessional, and at worst
scandalous. Are these clubs not thinking about the knock-on effects on other
clubs?"
England manager Buck Hysen
was reluctant to comment on the recent transfer break downs, in particular
Paul Gascoigne and Titus Bramble, but said briefly, "It amazes me that
so many managers still believe that once they have made a verbal agreement
for a player then that player is then theirs. The authorities have stated
time and time again that no transfer is confirmed until they have confirmed
it, yet managers still feel they are being hard done by when a club decides
to change their mind.
Hysen closed his brief
comment by saying, "It may be unfair for a manager to have to change or
cancel his other transfer deals because he has lost out on another player,
but that is part and parcel of football management. It is the same for all
of us. The risk of making a transfer in football has always been high, and
it will continue to be high until football ceases to exist."
A massive row between Tottenham manager Max
Powers and chairman Bill Nicholson OBE has rumoured to have taken place
after the two fought over Powers' involvement with the newly formed EMA. It
is believed that Powers stormed out of a recent board meeting and vowed not
to return until certain 'idiots' had been removed from the club.
After so much speculation and excitement over
the past few weeks, the PMF's first league season officially started on
Saturday, just weeks before the kick off of the league season.
There was no surprise to see
transfer rumours and speculation start almost immediately. The big surprise
for many was the massive row which broke out over the weekend over the
Australian and European Manager's Union's which have been formed.
The PMF Board kept quiet
during the many rows which broke out, but PMF Chairman Kevin Porter broke
his silence this morning in a short statement to the press, He said "We can
confirm that we will be monitoring both Unions very closely. As long as both
Unions play by the rules then we have no problem with them. But Porter also
added, "Neither Union has any official capacity within the league, and I can
guarantee every individual involved with PMF that we will punish any person
who doesn't play by the rules."
Porter finally went on to
say, "I can see why some managers may want to form some sort of Union or
alliance, although I have to say that I am not 100% satisfied with the
reasons behind these two Unions so far. I think that all men involved need
to sit down and not only discuss exactly what these alliances are going to
achieve, but also what they are in aid of. So far all I have seen them used
for is belittling other managers. This is something that is not going to
help either Union nor the PMF league."
Manchester City manager Matt Hansen yesterday
continued the feud between the two Manchester clubs, saying "I am still
'concerned' by the Australian Managers Union that Skilton is determined to
set up.
At least those involved manage teams in different divisions, so no
match-fixing can occur, but I believe the PMF board will have to keep a
close eye on the dealings between the clubs involved.
Let's imagine United are mid-table going into the last game, as they
undoubtedly will be with Skilton in charge, and Derby need a win to get
promoted. Will we see Veron, Van Nistelrooy and Barthez suddenly join Derby
for a million each and, win secured, then sold back to United?
I do not wish to cast aspersions about any fellow manager and my example is
an extreme one, but if a transfer does happen between any of the clubs
involved it is sure to be looked at with suspicion by fans and the other
managers alike.
PMF must be seen to be above suspicion and as such I expect the PMF board to
keep a careful eye on the "Australian Managers' Union" throughout the
season.
Just days after it was reported that Cory
Skilton would form an independent union for European-based Australian
football managers, the new Manchester United boss today confirmed that the
union had been set up. According to a statement from Skilton, "the
Australian Managers Union (AMU) was this morning finalised through the
appropriate official channels. Hundreds of Australian born or bred managers
and coaches are actively being contacted in relation to joining our new
union."
Skilton
later went on to confirm that he would take the position of Acting Chairman
until a suitable candidate was appointed, and ended his statement by saying
"hopefully this move will ignite some colonial rivalry between ourselves and
our European counterparts". This move is sure to have the likes of Matt
Hansen and Sigfried Moeri, who have attacked the formation of the union,
venting their continued disapproval of the union.
Manchester City manager Matt Hansen has
launched a blistering attack against his rival manager from across the City
by saying "The Australian Managers Union is a laughable concept. Is Cory
Skilton so afraid of failure, that he needs help from lower division clubs?"
Hansen added, "Surely Skilton was never the man for Old Trafford in the
first place."
Hansen's comments will
surely stoke the fires of rivalry between the already passionate sets of
supporters from Manchester.
New Ipswich manager, Jaz Henri has today
confirmed that he has
already been active in certain transfer activities
and has told supporters that no players place is certain
in this seasons first team.
Henri is said to be looking at a wide range of players throughout the
country and has already sold Justin Miller to Aberdeen for
£0.2million.
Henri told reporters earlier this morning: "I have
been looking at players
to strengthen the squad and the club have already
agreed terms with a number of
players. I am also undergoing talks with other clubs
about possible players coming to and leaving Ipswich Town Football
Club." He said, "I am not promising the David
Beckham's and Michael Owens of football but I
am promising a few good players that will
strengthen the squad and help us challenge for
First Division football next season."
An Ipswich Town spokesman said "Yes, it's true that a
number of transfers may occur once the transfer embargo has been lifted,
although Ipswich supporters shouldn't worry about our top stars leaving the
club, that will not be happening."
Today Dr. Olivier Cadin played down Rumours
that he has already
had a bust-up with Newcastle manager, Sigfried
Moeri. Cadin has been
traveling the length of the country since his
appointment, and has met with a number of managers
already. Whether one of these managers was Moeri is unknown.
Cadin and Moeri have had a rocky
relationship for a couple of years, and if our
sources are correct then the problems look set to
circulate once more. Cadin, in a small
brief simply stated that the pair, "Had a misunderstanding",
Cadin went on to say, "I respect Moeri as a
fine manager, he is a great addition to the PMF
league and I wish him well for the new season.", when pushed
more on the disagreement, Cadin remained
tight lipped.
Damien Rix is rumoured to have tied up a few
big name transfers to join him at Derby
County. The Australian is aiming high this season and has reportedly
told supporters that he aims to bring them the
Division 3 title. Rumours are abound that Rix has
had scouts in Brazil monitoring the Brazilian playmaker, Juninho.
A club spokesman played down the rumours though by saying, "The team will be
strengthened in a bid to help us win promotion, but the amount of players
coming and going from the squad, which some supporters are predicting is
ridiculous. Damian has been told of our squad expectations, and we fully
expect him to follow our guidelines."
Newcastle manager Sigfried Moeri is said to be disgusted
with the appointment of Olivier Cadin as liaison manager at PMF. The Swiss
man has launched an attack on the Doctor, labeling
him inadequate for the job and suggesting that no manager would be safe when
using Cadin as a go between for conversation with the PMF board.
Rumours suggest that Moeri is already looking at
other alternatives to the liaison manager and is thought
to be in the process of creating an Independent Managers Union. This kind of
action is sure to be greeted with distain by the PMF board, but Moeri, never
one to shy away from publicity, has said that their opinions are of no
concern to him.
The fragile connections between Moeri and Cadin started when the two managed
in the SAS league and it now seems they have been continued through to PMF.
The rumour casts doubt over how accepted Cadin
will be in his new role and we can only wait and see what kind of Union may
come about it and how long it will stay there for.
New Manchester United boss Cory Skilton is set
to re-affirm his strong personal friendship with fellow Australian Damian
Rixyman and Eric Lindner in the next couple of days. According to reports
coming out of Old Trafford, the three - who all attended school together -
could be planning on forming an Australian Managers Union.
The union, originally thought of by Skilton
several years ago during his playing career, could include another
Australian in Everton manager Aussie Jones. With constant harassment from
fans and fellow managers alike, the forming of this Australian Managers
Union is set to have PMF tongues wagging for months to come.
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