Still exhibiting the nonchalance which typified his stellar playing career, it says much for the FAI’s €5m hush deal with Fifa that it makes Ruud Gullit fume.

One major selection dilemma haunts Alejandro Sabella ahead of the clash with Belgium; will he stick with calamity centre-half, Lorenzo?

It hardly carried the glamour or gravitas of an induction into Cooperstown or Springfield, it wasn’t like there was a Larry Bird to welcome his Magic Johnson into this particular Hall of Fame, but there was something particularly pleasing about seeing Ronnie Whelan being honoured at the FAI International Awards on Sunday.

This is new for football, what it has with Messi and Ronaldo.

Roberto Di Matteo has leapt to the defence of Fernando Torres again after former Chelsea boss Ruud Gullit put the boot into the misfiring striker.

Gullit and Van Basten, Ronaldo and Rivaldo, Salas and Zamorano, Bebeto and Romario, Pele and Jairzinho, Torres and Villa, Klinsmann and Voller; some of the greatest strike partnerships of all time have been forged at international level and provided the World Cup and European Championship with so many memorable moments.

Two former championship-winning footballers believe it is imperative that Arsenal keep hold of Barclays Premier League top goalscorer Robin van Persie next season if they are to challenge for honours.

AS Christmas approaches, European football has a reassuringly traditional feel.

Ruud Gullit has denied that a rift with Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov prompted his departure from Russian Premier League side Terek Grozny earlier this month.

Ruud Gullit admits he has been left bemused by the events surrounding his dismissal as coach of Russian side Terek Grozny.

Ruud Gullit has been sacked as manager of Russian side Terek Grozny after just five months in the role.

IT WAS a mixed week for still impressionable thirtysomethings. In front of a Bologna police station and inside a hall in Dundalk, two 90s heroes made a little news.

Ruud Gullit has been unveiled as the new coach of Russian Premier League side Terek Grozny.

Holland/Belgium kicked off the 2018 World Cup presentations today by telling FIFA members that “small is beautiful” and theirs was the “fun bid”.

WHILE the whole of the football world, and especially those parts of it coloured either orange or red, works itself into a fit of feverish anticipation ahead of tomorrow’s World Cup final, your correspondent finds himself in the unusually luxurious position of feeling eminently chilled about the outcome.

Former Chelsea manager Ruud Gullit has said he would consider taking up the role as Australia coach when Pim Verbeek leaves the post after the World Cup finals in South Africa.

UNWORRIED and full of courage. That’s how Giovanni Trapattoni wants his Ireland side to face the French – “just like Trap the player when he came up against Pele”.

WHEN Bobby Robson spoke, invariably there was passion in his voice, a twinkle in his eye and laughter rarely far away.

David Beckham has come under a blistering attack from Los Angeles Galaxy team-mate Landon Donovan just as he prepares to return for action with the Major League Soccer team.

Ruud Gullit, David Beckham’s former manager at the Los Angeles Galaxy, believes the American club could have a disgruntled player on their hands if they refuse to let him join AC Milan.

THE weekend was a story of highs and lows for Kevin Doyle who was last night named Player of the Year at the annual eircom FAI International Awards — just 24 hours after he had been knocked unconscious in Reading’s scoreless draw with Preston.

David Beckham was left “disappointed” by Ruud Gullit’s departure as Los Angeles Galaxy coach but backed the Dutchman’s decision to walk away if life was not working out for him in California.

Ruud Gullit insists Fabio Capello, the favourite for the England manager’s job, is a winner but warned fans he does not play “for the beauty of the game”.

Holland striker Dirk Kuyt is “dreaming” of a move to Newcastle.

Pop star Robbie Williams and celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay today unveiled their line-ups for Soccer Aid.

Alan Shearer would not be against a foreign manager taking over at Newcastle - in spite of his own bitter experience with Dutchman Ruud Gullit.

Newcastle’s record-breaking striker Alan Shearer today promised his huge presence will not hamper the club’s new manager.

Newcastle 2 Portsmouth 0

Former Chelsea manager Ruud Gullit believes Arsenal captain Thierry Henry could be set to quit the Premiership and move abroad.

Former Chelsea and Newcastle manager Ruud Gullit has quit as coach of Dutch giants Feyenoord.

ALAN SHEARER was last night installed as firm favourite to succeed Bobby Robson as manager of Newcastle United.

Newcastle boss Bobby Robson is unlikely to change chairman Freddy Shepherd’s mind when he confronts him over his future.

Former Newcastle boss Ruud Gullit is ready to bury the hatchet with Alan Shearer.

Feyenoord have revealed today that they have rejected an Arsenal bid for their young striker Robin van Persie.

Ruud Gullit is expecting to take over at Feyenoord at the end of the season, the Dutch club have confirmed.

Gianluca Vialli never experienced too many cup upsets as Chelsea boss. After all, he accumulated three major knock-out trophies during just over two years in charge at Stamford Bridge.

1 Johan Cruyff

Former Chelsea and Newcastle United manager Ruud Gullit has returned to coaching after a four-year absence by accepting the post of Holland U19 boss.

THERE was a moment near the end of the Champions’ League tie at Old Trafford that captured the essence of Real Madrid’s majestic performance over the two legs.

Sir Bobby Robson has won his fight to keep another key member of his squad at St James’ Park after goalkeeper Steve Harper signed a new five-year deal.

Festus Onigbinde is clearly a man who enjoys a challenge. Not only was he given just three months to mould Nigeria into a team capable of challenging at the World Cup finals, but he inherits a side renowned for harbouring huge egos amid the undoubted talent.

Kevin Keegan will find himself cast in an unaccustomed role when he returns to Tyneside this weekend.