Brendan Rodgers has described Daniel Agger as an important member of his Liverpool squad.

Swansea last night sacked manager Michael Laudrup — with veteran defender Garry Monk charged with rallying the team for Saturday’s Welsh derby with Cardiff.

Bradford 0 Swansea 5

Michael Laudrup believes guiding Swansea to Wembley would rank as one of the finest achievements of his career as the south Wales club prepare to face Middlesbrough in the last eight of the Capital One Cup.

Faroe Island boss Lars Olsen has warned his players to expect a Republic of Ireland backlash as manager Giovanni Trapattoni fights to save his job.

Michael Laudrup has vowed Swansea will continue to play their traditional passing game under his leadership.

Swansea have confirmed the appointment of former Denmark international Michael Laudrup as their new manager.

An arduous club season, no matter how successful, might not be the platform on which the national side can thrive

ASTON VILLA caretaker manager Kevin MacDonald hailed the impact of his young guns on a night when they kept their Europa League hopes alive.

HARRY REDKNAPP was yesterday taking nothing for granted after Tottenham were handed the easiest possible route to the Champions League proper.

The prospect of an Atlantic league including the Old Firm has been backed by clubs from Holland, Belgium, Denmark and Sweden.

Spartak Moscow coach Michael Laudrup has been sacked after just seven months in charge.

PORTSMOUTH manager Harry Redknapp could be set to bring in two new faces as the club prepare to make their UEFA Cup debut.

Brondby 0 Chelsea 2

Chelsea’s unbeaten pre-season run may have come to an end against Rangers but assistant manager Steve Clarke insists there is no reason to press the panic button.

Chelsea defender Ashley Cole insists he will be fit in time for the start of the new season after returning to full training.

Frank Lampard’s agent has revealed the Chelsea midfielder has not had the chance to reject a new contract from the Stamford Bridge club and wants to stay there for the rest of his career.

Cristiano Ronaldo is on track to surpass Ronaldinho as the best player in the world, according to Manchester United’s skills development coach Rene Meulensteen.

SUNDERLAND manager Roy Keane was a busy man on the second day of the January transfer window, signing Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Carlos Edwards and Hungary goalkeeper Marton Fulop for a combined £2 million (€2.9m).

James Whelan recalls the footballing year that was and comes up with some glorious and gory memories.

CHARLTON goalkeeper Stephan Andersen will join Danish side Brondby in January.

The UEFA Cup first round served up some shocks tonight with Hertha Berlin, Marseille, Schalke and Brondby all bowing out before the group stage.

SEVILLA open the defence of their UEFA Cup crown with a trip to Athens tonight and a meeting with Atromitos.

DERRY CITY are mulling over a difficult decision after landing a plum UEFA Cup first-round clash against French cup holders Paris St Germain in yesterday’s draw in Monaco.

STANISLAV VARGA’S agent will meet with Celtic officials in the coming days to discuss a new one-year contract.

Derry City have been drawn against Swedish side IFK Gothenburg in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Cup.

Sweden coach Lars Lagerback has confirmed he will pick the strongest squad available ahead of the March 1 clash with the Republic of Ireland at Lansdowne Road, Dublin.

Liverpool have completed the signing of Brondby centre-back Daniel Agger on a four-and-a-half-year deal.

Denmark defender Daniel Agger is on the brink of joining Liverpool from Brondby.

Manchester United look set to take their transfer window spending past the £10m (€14.5m) mark with the capture of French defender Patrice Evra from Monaco.

The January transfer window has largely been used as an opportunity for Premiership clubs to tweak or bolster their squads rather than make wholesale changes.

Middlesbrough 2 Liteks Lovetch 0

The teams taking part in the group stages of the UEFA Cup have been grouped as follows:

Champions League regulars Dynamo Kiev still have plenty of work to do if they are to reach the tournament’s third qualifying round.

Southampton have today confirmed the signing of Sweden international Andreas Jakobsson on a two-year deal.

Charlton today swooped to make their first signing of the summer by capturing Danish international goalkeeper Stephan Andersen from AB Copenhagen.

Henrik Larsson’s return to the international fold was confirmed today when he was named in the Sweden squad for Euro 2004.

Denmark midfielder Morten Wieghorst is hoping his return to the international arena will be enough to convince Morten Olsen to hand him a place in his Euro 2004 squad.

BARCELONA progressed to the fourth round of the UEFA Cup following a 2-1 (3-1 on aggregate) win over Brondby last night.

Manchester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel is in line for his first international call-up after impressing Denmark Under-18 boss Hans Brun Larsen.

Germany and Holland suffered a bad night in the UEFA Cup as both representatives of each country were sent crashing out.

THE G14 grouping of Europe’s most powerful club reluctantly backed down yesterday and agreed to accept controversial changes to the Champions League — starting next season.

The full draw for the third qualifying round of the Champions League has been made today.

Shelbourne are on the verge of a money-spinning clash with Portuguese club Boavista if they can overcome Malta’s Hibernians in tomorrow’s Champions League first qualifying round second leg at Tolka Park.