Sandro Rosell’s resignation as Barcelona president on Thursday came as a huge initial surprise, but also fit with a longstanding tradition at the Catalan club.

Miroslav Djukic looked a dead coach walking after his Valencia side’s 1-2 home defeat to La Liga’s bottom club Almeria on Wednesday.

La Liga’s ‘big two’ go into the new Champions League campaign this week with new coaches in Gerardo Martino and Carlo Ancelotti, fresh expensive superstars in Neymar and Gareth Bale, but the same huge expectations as always.

Last week was supposed to be one where Spanish football supporters prepared to cheer on at least one La Liga side in Saturday’s Champions League final.

You might think that Barcelona and Real Madrid’s Champions League semi-final first legs — with Barca at Bayern Munich tomorrow, and Madrid facing Borussia Dortmund away the following evening — were enough for both clubs to focus on for the moment.

Just a week ago Real Madrid’s season — and Jose Mourinho’s term at the club — seemed on the verge of petering out with a whimper.

Madrid’s sporting press has been revelling in their side’s thumping 3-1 Copa del Rey semi-final second leg victory over Barcelona at the Camp Nou on Tuesday night, which sent Jose Mourinho’s side through to May’s final, while setting them up nicely for Wednesday’s Champions League last 16 second leg at Manchester United.

Football dressing-rooms are often filled with squabbling and childish players, who put their own personal interests and egos ahead of the team.

The images of a heaving Celtic Park on Wednesday night as coach Neil Lennon, players and 60,000 fans celebrated the famous Champions League over Barcelona on the club’s 125th anniversary night will long be remembered, but one of the week’s most striking photos was that of Barca stars Xavi Hernández, Lionel Messi and Andrés Iniesta posing with Celtic’s 125-year anniversary kit.

It’s many years since Real Madrid fans have been as happy going into a new campaign.

Former Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp appears not to have ruled out the possibility of becoming manager of Russia.

Former England boss Fabio Capello and Harry Redknapp have been included on a wish list of candidates to become the new Russia manager.

SO THERE I was earlier this week, waiting on the platform for the Dart out to the Ireland team camp in Malahide, when the Howth train pulled in. While everyone else was boarding, I continued to read my paper until an unfamiliar voice suddenly hailed me. It was the driver, leaning out his window.

Alexander Hleb has ruled out a return to Birmingham next season but the on-loan Barcelona player wants to remain in the Barclays Premier League.

Barcelona have denounced the actions of Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s agent and threatened to cut off relations with him amid continuing speculation regarding the Sweden striker’s future.

Arsene Wenger will not gamble on the fitness of influential captain Cesc Fabregas for tomorrow night’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against Barcelona at Emirates Stadium – but has promised his young Arsenal team can nevertheless deliver a performance to remember.

Samuel Eto’o and Lionel Messi were left overwhelmed after scoring the goals in Barcelona’s Champions League final triumph over Manchester United in Rome.

WHEREVER you turn in the Eternal City there are relics of glorious times. Reminders of great battles.

AMID the grey blur of platitudes which provided an incongruous backdrop to this firecracker of a Champions League final, one sulphurous comment from Alex Ferguson stood out.

Barcelona captain Carles Puyol claims the pressure is on Manchester United in today’s Champions League final as the Spanish giants have already surpassed expectations this season.

Barcelona forward Thierry Henry was not in the squad to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final.

Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola wants to see his players dominate a “physical” Chelsea side when they meet in tonight’s Champions League semi-final, first leg at the Nou Camp.

BARCELONA coach Josep Guardiola has reprimanded Lionel Messi ahead of their Champions League clash with Basle after the Argentine striker appeared in TV images to have spat at Portuguese midfielder Duda during his side’s 4-1 win at Malaga over the weekend.

Josep Guardiola has refused to be drawn on speculation linking Barcelona with Barclays Premier League stars Didier Drogba and Emmanuel Adebayor.

Barcelona have dismissed claims that the club asked Jose Mourinho to be their new coach, and expressed their disappointment at the Inter Milan boss calling Barca vice-president Marc Ingla a liar.

Premier League clubs will be on high alert after Barcelona president Joan Laporta admitted both Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto'o could be on their way out of the Nou Camp.

Deco hopes to play in England or Italy next season after revealing he has been told by Barcelona he can leave the Nou Camp.

Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho admits he has rejected offers from around 10 clubs since being out of work because he was not prepared to see his career “take a step backwards”.

Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard will be replaced by Josep Guardiola at the end of the season, club president Joan Laporta has revealed.

Barcelona have denied reports coach Frank Rijkaard will leave the Nou Camp at the end of the season

Wigan have been linked with a move for former Barcelona star Josep Guardiola.

Roma supremo Franco Sensi insists he is confident the club will meet the deadline for inclusion in Serie A next season.Roma supremo Franco Sensi insists he is confident the club will meet the deadline for inclusion in Serie A next season.

Footballers were today warned to beware of taking dietary supplements after a player tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid nandrolone.

A professional footballer has tested positive for the anabolic steroid nandrolone for the first time in England.

A PROFESSIONAL footballer has tested positive for the anabolic steroid nandrolone for the first time in England.

Former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam has had his ban for nandrolone use reduced from five to four months.

Spanish midfielder Josep Guardiola has tested positive for the banned steroid nandrolone.

Fulham have smashed their transfer record to sign French striker Steve Marlet from Lyon for £11.5m.

Arsenal look poised to sign Feyenoord’s Poland international goalkeeper goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek in a £5m deal.

Liverpool's new generation have been challenged to make their mark on the club's European history.

Barcelona star Rivaldo could be on the verge of moving to the English Premiership, it was claimed today.

As if they did not already know, Liverpool have been warned that they should be frightened to death of the world’s finest forward.