O'Leary favoured to take over at Fulham

FORMER Leeds boss David O'Leary has been installed as early favourite to replace Jean Tigana at Fulham, with veteran player John Collins, Louis Van Gaal and former Japan coach Philippe Troussier also touted as potential candidates.

Bookmakers William Hill quoted O'Leary, who had been linked to the job previously, at 5/1, with Collins at 7/1 and Bryan Robson and former Barcelona coach van Gaal at 8/1. Troussier was at 9/1 alongside former French coach Roger Lemerre.

Fulham announced yesterday that Tigana's contract would not be renewed in the summer although he will remain in charge for the remaining seven games of this campaign.

The Cottagers still have a bit of work to do to ensure their Premiership survival and there is uncertainty about the club's future and whether they will be returning to their Craven Cottage home. But the job is still expected to attract plenty of interest from out-of-work coaches.

Tigana was quoted at 16/1 by Hills to become the next permanent manager of Leeds, despite previously insisting he would retire once his time at Fulham came to an end.

Meanwhile, Roberto Carlos has urged David Beckham to sign for Real Madrid if he wants to be considered a truly great player.

Jorge Valdano, Real's managing director and the man responsible for bringing Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane and Luis Figo to the Bernebeu, yesterday confirmed he was interested in signing the England skipper.

"The way Real Madrid have pulled off the biggest transfer market coups of the last few seasons, Beckham looks like the next big project for us," he said.

Brazilian World Cup winner Carlos admits that Beckham would be a welcome addition at the Bernabeu.

"All the players here would love Beckham to come to Madrid next season and I hope the stories of his transfer this summer are true.

"We have many, many great players already at the club but Beckham is one of the few people who could add strength to our team and I know he would be very popular with the fans here. For me, a player can only be considered truly world class if he has played for Madrid in his career. There are many great teams in Europe.

"But only in the Bernabeu can a player truly know if he is special.

"Players like Figo, Zidane and Ronaldo came to Spain with big reputations but playing for Madrid has made their reputations greater because of the history of the club.

"It would be the same for Beckham. He is already the captain of England but he would be regarded even more highly if he was a Madrid player.

"I am sure also his family would find life in Spain enjoyable. The weather and the shopping in Madrid is better than Manchester and I believe that once they tasted life here, they would not want to leave.

"I have been here seven years now and I have always felt this to be my second home," Carlos said.

The Eircom League have confirmed that the clash between Cork City and St Patrick's Athletic will be televised live on TV3 on Saturday April 12.