Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson has described himself as “less optimistic” about new signings at Old Trafford as the clock continues to tick on Dimitar Berbatov’s move from Tottenham.

Brian Barwick admits it is “time for a new chapter at the Football Association” after last night’s confirmation he is to step down as chief executive.

FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION chief executive Brian Barwick is to leave his post at the end of the year.

England 2 Czech Republic 2

TEAM captains will be given extra responsibility in stamping out dissent on the pitch next season but the new ‘Respect’ initiative launched yesterday stopped short of recommending that only skippers could speak to referees during a game.

England manager Fabio Capello is keen on a friendly against Scotland but has ruled it out until at least 2010.

The Premier League’s hopes of introducing ’Hawkeye’ technology to rule on goal-line controversies have been dealt a crushing blow by football’s rulemakers.

Jose Mourinho expects to take up a coaching job in either Spain or Italy next year before returning to the English Premier League.

MANCHESTER UNITED chief executive David Gill is expected to deliver a blow to the Premier League’s proposal for overseas games by telling the Football Association board today that the club opposes the plans.

ARSENAL chairman Peter Hill-Wood has branded the Football Association “out of touch” for their stance over the influx of foreign players into the Premier League.

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has branded the Football Association “out of touch” for their stance over the influx of foreign players into the Premier League.

England football shirt maker Umbro is to be taken over by US sports giant Nike after a £285 million deal was rubber-stamped today.

Aston Villa 0 Manchester United 2

IT was the gasp that gave it away. When Nico Kranjcar’s streaky long-range shot bounced off Scott Carson’s chest and skidded into the bottom corner o f his net, it sounded as if Wembley had been winded.

Football Association chiefs have given the go-ahead for a national football centre in the UK following a board meeting today.

Fabio Capello was officially unveiled as the new England manager today having signed a four-and-a-half-year contract last week worth £6.5m a year.

AFTER three weeks’ hard labour, the FA got their man last night as Fabio Capello was appointed the new England manager.

FABIO CAPELLO flew home to Italy last night knowing his next trip to London would almost certainly mark his coronation as England manager.

The Football Association have confirmed discussions with Fabio Capello about the England manager’s job were held today.

The Football Association will not dictate to the next England manager who his captain should be.

ALEX FERGUSON and Arsene Wenger have combined to back the likely appointment of Fabio Capello as England manager.

Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger have combined to back the likely appointment of Fabio Capello as England manager.

Fabio Capello today emerged as the favourite to succeed Steve McClaren as England manager.

Jose Mourinho tonight ruled himself out of the running for the England job.

The Football Association are unlikely to be deterred from making contact with Jose Mourinho over the vacant England manager’s job despite reports the former Chelsea boss is no longer interested in succeeding Steve McClaren.

Martin O’Neill does not believe an intention to focus on the senior side cost him the England job in 2006 – but the Aston Villa boss looks no closer to throwing his hat into the ring this time after seemingly backing the claims of Jose Mourinho.

THE search for the next England manager will intensify next week with Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick set to move on to the next stage of finding Steve McClaren’s successor.

John Terry concedes it does not matter who the Football Association appoint as England manager if the players do not start performing.

JOSE MOURINHO’S advisor has rejected any notion the former Chelsea boss is using the FA as a negotiating tool in order to land a massive club job in Europe.

Jose Mourinho's advisor has rejected any notion the former Chelsea boss is using the Football Association as a negotiating tool in order to land a massive club job in Europe.

FORMER England manager Bobby Robson will recommend a list of five men for the national team job to the Football Association — and none of them are English.

DAVID DEIN insists it would be “folly” for the Football Association to ignore the claims of Gerard Houllier to be the next England manager.

JOSE MOURINHO is ready and willing to talk to the Football Association about the vacant England manager’s role.

The Football Association have ruled England out of any involvement in the Celtic Cup but are in talks about playing Scotland next summer.

ALEX FERGUSON has hit out at the FA for the speed with which they announced Steve McClaren’s sacking.

ASTON VILLA manager Martin O’Neill yesterday dealt a major body-blow to the FA by ruling himself out of contention to replace Steve McClaren as England boss.

Arsene Wenger does not expect Arsenal striker Eduardo da Silva to face a backlash from angry England fans after he helped end their Euro 2008 dream at Wembley.

THE BIG money has been pouring on Jose Mourinho and Martin O’Neill.

FA CHAIRMAN Geoff Thompson has admitted England’s failure to qualify for next summer’s Euro 2008 finals is an “embarrassment” which left his board with no choice but to sack manager Steve McClaren.

Steve McClaren was today sacked as England manager, the Football Association announced.

The Football Association have called an emergency board meeting this morning at which England coach Steve McClaren seems certain to get the sack.

STEVE McCLAREN looked ahead to the biggest week of his managerial career and insisted: “I will survive.”

Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick has ruled out England’s bid for the 2018 World Cup involving any of the other home nations.

THE Football Association cast aside their caution yesterday and announced England will join the race to host the 2018 World Cup.