Roy Keane says he turned down the chance to replace Neil Lennon as Celtic boss because the Hoops did not try hard enough to land him.

Malky Mackay issued a grovelling apology on Friday evening and vowed he would salvage his career – but hours later faced fresh allegations in the text message scandal.

QPR manager Harry Redknapp offered a bizarre defence of under-fire former Cardiff manager Malky Mackay, saying: “He hasn’t murdered anyone, he hasn’t raped anyone and he is not a paedophile.”

Former England striker Stan Collymore has described the League Managers’ Association’s statement which says Malky Mackay’s offensive text messages were part of some “friendly banter” as being “f****** disgraceful”.

Malky Mackay has apologised for sending text messages he admits were ”disrespectful of other cultures” – but claims they were ”part of friendly text banter”.

Malky Mackay is ”very concerned about seriously inaccurate and misleading reports” in the media and has said he will fully co-operate with any Football Association investigation.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has said he never had any intention of mounting an appeal against the Football Association’s punishment following his headbutt on Hull’s David Meyler earlier this month.

Six people remain in custody after being arrested in connection with a second investigation into football spot-fixing following allegations that a player rigged a Championship game for cash.

Cork City face into their penultimate game of the Airtricity League season when they take on Dundalk in Oriel Park tonight but, already, the search for a permanent new manager at Turner’s Cross is well under way.

Former referee Mark Halsey has been berated by Graham Poll for “betraying” his fellow officials — and accused of wearing a Bolton kit with his own squad number to training sessions.

Former referee Mark Halsey has been berated by Graham Poll for “betraying” his fellow officials – and accused of wearing a Bolton kit with his own squad number to training sessions.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini claims it has been an honour to compete against Sir Alex Ferguson – the best manager of his generation – over the past three years.

Former Ireland soccer star David O’Leary has won a £3.4m (€4m) compensation claim against Dubai-based club Al Ahli.

Former Republic of Ireland defender David O’Leary has won a $5.2m (€4m) compensation claim against Dubai-based club Al Ahli.

Football’s attitude to sacking managers is “arrogant” and the statistics on dismissals are “embarrassing”, the League Managers’ Association claimed today.

More than a year after the death of Steve Jobs, Walter Isaacson’s authorised biography of the Apple founder remains a fixture on the bestseller lists.

Blackburn’s owners were today seeking their third manager of the season after sacking a “bitterly disappointed” Henning Berg.

Wayne Wild, co-chairman of the Blackburn Rovers supporters’ group Rovers Trust, has admitted that the club 'has become a national joke' after Henning Berg’s reign as Blackburn manager came to an end after just 57 days.

Clubs will face sanctions for failing to deal with racism by players, coaches or their fans, under football’s new anti-discrimination drive.

Steve Clarke has left Liverpool, the League Managers’ Association confirmed last night.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has come under attack from the head of the League Managers’ Association for his record of sacking managers and demand for instant success.

Alex Ferguson has never previously witnessed the level of abuse heaped on Blackburn boss Steve Kean at Ewood Park on Tuesday night.

EVERTON manager David Moyes has hit out at the “disgusting” treatment of Blackburn counterpart Steve Kean by his own supporters.

Blackburn manager Steve Kean has received the full backing of the League Managers’ Association, who have released a strongly-worded statement condemning the unprecedented attacks on the Scot from his own fans at Ewood Park last night.

ANDRE VILLAS-BOAS needs all the friends he can get right now and while kind words can always be expected after a comfortable win, Juan Mata’s expression of support for his manager was welcome no matter what the context.

Birmingham manager Chris Hughton, one of only two black managers in the English professional game along with Charlton’s Chris Powell, has expressed his concern at the comments on racism by FIFA president Sepp Blatter.

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore insists the owners of top-flight clubs have “absolutely no appetite” to scrap relegation and promotion.

Alex McLeish quit Birmingham because he was not consulted properly over transfers and after his chief scout was sacked, according to the League Managers’ Association.

Porto president Pinto da Costa is convinced Andre Villas-Boas would reject any approach from Chelsea – despite the highly-rated coach having a release clause of just €15m.

PREMIER LEAGUE clubs last night announced they will bring in a crackdown on “unacceptable” behaviour by players and managers towards referees from the start of next season.

The dispute between Aston Villa and former boss Martin O’Neill over the conclusion of his spell at the midlands club has been placed in the hands of the Premier League managers’ arbitration tribunal.

UEFA have warned that the record-breaking spending in January will impact on clubs when they are assessed for the new financial fair play rules.

BLACKPOOL manager Ian Holloway intends to appeal against his £25,000 (€29,000) fine for fielding a weakened side after revealing his offer of resignation was turned down by chairman Karl Oyston.

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway intends to appeal against his £25,000 (€29,000) fine for fielding a weakened side after revealing his offer of resignation was turned down by chairman Karl Oyston.

IPSWICH TOWN chief executive Simon Clegg confirmed Roy Keane’s departure from the Suffolk club at a Portman Road press conference yesterday morning, the 39-year-old’s contract having been “amicably terminated”.

IN 1998, Arsenal won the Double playing some of the best counter-attacking football the English game had ever seen. Arsene Wenger, whose arrival had been greeted with scepticism verging on derision, had transformed the club in less than two years.

The Premier League will next month discuss the possibility of sanctioning Alex Ferguson after the Manchester United manager maintained his boycott of not speaking to the BBC yesterday.

Steve Coppell has resigned as Bristol City boss and retired from football management after just 112 days in charge of the npower Championship club.

Phil Brown’s tenure at Hull is officially over after a statement released by the League Managers Association confirmed both parties have agreed an “amicable departure”.

Celtic are delaying reaching a settlement with Tony Mowbray and his staff following their sacking, according to the League Managers’ Association.

League Managers’ Association chief executive Richard Bevan has backed Gianfranco Zola to bounce back from his sacking by West Ham and criticised the Barclays Premier League club for not providing the Italian with the right support at the top level.

Fulham’s Roy Hodgson was last night named as the manager of the year by the League Managers’ Association

Alex Ferguson is hoping Manchester United are one day as “lucky” as Liverpool in their dealings with the Football Association.

Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington insists he is in no rush to sign his new contract as he is happy to go about his work as normal.