Arsene Wenger will still talk animatedly about almost any subject, but he has definitely grown more guarded and reserved, sometimes tetchy, in recent seasons, believes the man who once wrote his column for the club magazine.

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew will not face the sack over his headbutt on Hull midfielder David Meyler.

Cardiff have claimed that ”imprudent and careless management” has cost them ”in excess” of £8.5m over their signing of unsuccessful striker Andreas Cornelius.

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.

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.

David O’Leary has asked FIFA to intervene in a contract dispute with his former club Al Ahli.

Chelsea today announced that Eddie Newton had been appointed to caretaker manager Roberto Di Matteo’s backroom staff until the end of the season.

Chelsea were today branded a “serious embarrassment” and managing them described as “hell” as the fallout from Andre Villas-Boas’ sacking continued.

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

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is concerned about the influence of foreign owners of top-flight clubs, and claims it is only a matter of time before they insist competitive domestic matches are played abroad.

Some foreign owners of Premier League clubs want to scrap relegation and promotion to the top flight, according to League Managers' Association chief executive Richard Bevan.

ALMOST £100 million was spent by Barclays Premier League and Football League clubs on changing managers last season, the League Managers’ Association (LMA) has revealed.

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 €15 million.

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.

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.

ALEX FERGUSON admits he feels for the managers who find themselves right in the spotlight after a torrid month for the men in charge.

THERE were two managerial casualties in the Championship yesterday as Brian Laws stepped down as the manager of Burnley at the request of chairman Barry Kilby just hours before Preston sacked Darren Ferguson.

BLACKBURN club captain Ryan Nelsen last night said he was“devastated” for Sam Allardyce after the manager’s shock sacking.

THE football word last night condemned Newcastle’s decision to sack manager Chris Hughton amid speculation Martin Jol will become the next Magpies manager after he left his post as Ajax boss by mutual consent.

Ray Wilkins and Chelsea today reached what both described as an "amicable" resolution regarding his controversial departure from the club.

JOSE MOURINHO has joined the League Managers Association’s Hall of Fame — and declared himself “proud” of the achievement.

Jose Mourinho last night joined the League Managers Association’s Hall of Fame - and declared himself “proud” of the achievement.

Ray Wilkins today claimed he was the victim of “undoubtedly unfair dismissal” from Chelsea and is taking legal advice in an attempt to reach “an amicable solution”.

Gianfranco Zola has set his sights on a quick return to management after finally reaching a satisfactory financial settlement with West Ham.

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.

England’s 2018 World Cup bid team have faxed letters of apology to the Spanish and Russian football associations as well as FIFA following comments alleged to have been made by Football Association chairman David Triesman, it is understood.

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.

MARK HUGHES has taken a thinly-veiled swipe at Manchester City’s owners after claiming the club had been plotting his dismissal for “some considerable time”.

Mark Hughes has confirmed that he was not informed he was going to be sacked prior to Manchester City’s Barclays Premier League victory over Sunderland yesterday afternoon.

League Managers Association chief executive Richard Bevan has criticised the impatience of overseas owners in the wake of Mark Hughes’ sacking at Manchester City – and revealed the Welshman was unaware of his fate prior to yesterday’s win over Sunderland.

WEST HAM are facing the prospect of a multi-million pound compensation pay-out after Alan Curbishley yesterday won his claim against the club for constructive dismissal.

THOMAS BJORN did not have much to smile about in France last week, but what a difference it was in Scotland yesterday. Bjorn, non-playing captain of the Continental Europe team hammered by Britain and Ireland, began the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship with an eight-under-par 64 at Kingsbarns.

NEWCASTLE and their former manager, Kevin Keegan, may have to wait until the week after next to learn the outcome of their compensation wrangle.

League managers will have talks with referees’ chiefs to try to revive the Football Association’s ’Respect’ campaign.

FA chairman Lord Triesman has branded Richard Bevan’s widespread attack on the way the game is being run as “foolish”.

Newcastle interim manager Joe Kinnear has pledged not to curb his tongue and admitted: "I didn't think there was so much hatred up here."

The League Managers’ Association (LMA) have jumped to the defence of Arsene Wenger in the wake of UEFA president Michel Platini’s recent criticism of the Arsenal boss.

The war of words surrounding Newcastle escalated tonight with former manager Kevin Keegan reasserting his position in response to an earlier statement from the Magpies.

NEWCASTLE remained silent yesterday as the fallout over the departure of Kevin Keegan continued.

Newcastle were thrown into fresh turmoil tonight when Kevin Keegan announced he had resigned as manager.

Newcastle fans are today hoping for further clarity on the future of manager Kevin Keegan after two full days of fevered speculation on Tyneside.