Moyes understands fans 'frustration'

LONDON: David Moyes declared on Wednesday that he was "proud" to have managed Manchester United, but said that he understood the "frustration" that had led to his dismissal.

Moyes, 50, was sacked by United on Tuesday after a dismal 10-month tenure in which the reigning champions slumped to seventh place in the Premier League, denying them a place in next season's Champions League.

"During this period of transition, performances and results have not been what Manchester United and its fans are used to or expect, and I both understand and share their frustration," Moyes said in a statement released by the League Managers' Association (LMA).

"I have always believed that a manager never stops learning during his career, and I know I will take invaluable experience from my time as United's manager.

"I remain proud to have led the team to the quarter-finals of this year's Champions League and I remain grateful to Sir Alex Ferguson (his predecessor) for believing in my ability and giving me the chance to manage Manchester United."

The LMA, the trade union for managers working professionally in England, criticised United for the "unprofessional manner" in which Moyes was dismissed.

Chief executive Richard Bevan said the organisation was "very disappointed" that "extensive reports in the press" had announced Moyes's sacking before he "had been spoken to officially by the club".

Although reports about Moyes's departure first emerged in the British media on Monday afternoon, he did not learn of his fate until early on Tuesday morning.

Responding to Bevan's comments, United said that they had not acted irresponsibly.

"We do not accept that it was handled in an unprofessional manner," said a spokesperson.

"The decision was not taken until late Monday night and was communicated face-to-face first thing on Tuesday morning.

"When reports started emerging on internet news sites on Monday afternoon, no decision had been taken at that time."

Moyes added: "Taking charge after such a long period of continuous stability and success at the club was inevitably going to be a significant challenge, but it was one which I relished and never had a second thought about taking on.

"The scale of the manager's job at United is immense, but I have never stepped away from hard work and the same applies to my coaching staff. I thank them for their dedication and loyalty throughout the last season."

British newspaper reports on Wednesday claimed that Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has been identified as a potential candidate for the United job.

Several papers said that Ancelotti was being considered for the vacancy, along with Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal, who emerged as the early favourite for the post.

However, whereas Ancelotti, the former Chelsea manager, is less than a year into a three-year contract at Madrid, Van Gaal is scheduled to step down from his position with Holland after this year's World Cup in Brazil.

Van Gaal, 62, is currently on holiday in Portugal. Dutch tabloid Algemeen Dagblad reported that he was "maintaining radio silence".

Long-serving midfielder Ryan Giggs has been placed in interim charge of first-team affairs "until a permanent appointment can be made", United said.

The 40-year-old Welshman, who became a member of Moyes's coaching staff at the beginning of the season, is expected to address the media for the first time since taking up his new role on Friday.

Giggs will be assisted by Phil Neville and Chris Woods, both of whom kept their jobs on United's back-room staff despite having been brought in by Moyes, as well as youth-team coach and former team-mate Nicky Butt.

However, Steve Round and Jimmy Lumsden, who were also appointed by Moyes, have both been fired.

Another of Giggs's former team-mates, Paul Scholes, has also been drafted in to provide support.

"It's great to see Paul Scholes here at the Aon Training Complex today, assisting Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt and Phil Neville," United said in a message on the club's Twitter feed on Wednesday.

News of Moyes's departure met with a favourable reaction on the New York Stock Exchange, where United's shares rose six percent to their highest level since Ferguson's retirement last May.

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Carlo in frame for United job: Reports

LONDON: Manchester United began their search for a new manager on Wednesday, with newspaper reports claiming that Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has emerged as a candidate to succeed David Moyes.

Several British newspapers said that Ancelotti was being considered for the vacancy, along with Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal, who emerged as the early favourite for the post following Moyes's sacking on Tuesday.

However, whereas Ancelotti, the former Chelsea manager, is less than a year into a three-year contract at Madrid, Van Gaal is scheduled to step down from his position with Holland after this year's World Cup.

Van Gaal, 62, has expressed an interest in working in England and former Holland forward Bryan Roy, who worked under him at Ajax, believes that he would be a perfect fit at United.

"He has definitely still got the hunger," Roy, now a coach at Ajax, told the Daily Mirror.

"He will never turn down Manchester United, believe me. I think it's the job he really wants. And he will be a revelation at Manchester United."

Speaking shortly after news of Moyes's dismissal broke on Tuesday, Ancelotti expressed sympathy for the former Everton manager.

"I feel for David Moyes, but in general this is the life of a coach," said the 54-year-old Italian, whose side play Bayern Munich in the Champions League semifinals later on Wednesday.

"At times things don't go well and you are sacked. I'm sure David Moyes will look for, and find, another job."

Diego Simeone, the current Atletico Madrid coach, is another figure to have been linked with the vacancy at Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, reports claim that former United manager Alex Ferguson will play an active role in the search for a new head coach, despite having been chiefly responsible for the decision to appoint Moyes.

Ferguson, who is now a United director, personally recommended Moyes to the club's board after announcing his retirement in May last year.

Moyes, 50, was sacked after a wretched debut campaign that saw defending champions United slump to seventh place in the Premier League table, denying them a place in next season's Champions League.

Long-serving midfielder Ryan Giggs has been placed in interim charge of first-team affairs "until a permanent appointment can be made", United said.

The 40-year-old Welshman, who became a member of Moyes's coaching staff at the beginning of the season, is expected to address the media for the first time since taking up his new role on Friday.

Giggs will be assisted by Phil Neville and Chris Woods, both of whom kept their jobs on United's back-room staff despite having been brought in by Moyes, as well as youth-team coach and former teammate Nicky Butt.

However, Steve Round and Jimmy Lumsden, who were also appointed by Moyes, have both been fired.

Another of Giggs's former teammates, Paul Scholes, has also been drafted in to provide support.

"It's great to see Paul Scholes here at the Aon Training Complex today, assisting Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt and Phil Neville," United said in a message on the club's Twitter feed on Wednesday.

News of Moyes's departure met with a favourable reaction on the New York Stock Exchange, where United's shares rose six percent to their highest level since Ferguson's retirement.

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Scholes makes return to assist Giggs

LONDON: Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has been drafted in to assist the club's newly appointed interim manager Ryan Giggs, United revealed on Wednesday.

"It's great to see Paul Scholes here at the Aon Training Complex today, assisting Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt and Phil Neville," United said on their official Twitter feed.

Giggs, 40, was placed in temporary charge of the first team on Tuesday after David Moyes was sacked as manager.

Nicky Butt and Phil Neville were already on United's back-room staff. Scholes briefly worked as a coach at the club after first retiring as a player in 2011.

Giggs, Neville, Scholes and Butt all graduated from the United youth team in the early 1990s and went on to play key roles in the success the club enjoyed under former manager Alex Ferguson.

Scholes, 39 came out of retirement to play under Ferguson last season, before ending his playing career for good at the end of the campaign.

Moyes reportedly tried to persuade Scholes to join his back-room staff at the start of the current season, but the former England international elected not to accept his offer.

Scholes made a total of 718 appearances for United, scoring 155 goals, and won 11 Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups, two Champions League titles and one Club World Cup during his time at the club.

Giggs will take charge of United for the first time on Saturday, when they host Norwich City in the first of their four remaining Premier League games.

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Sacked Moyes 'proud' of United tenure

LONDON: David Moyes declared on Wednesday that he was "proud" to have managed Manchester United, but said that he understood the "frustration" that had led to his dismissal.

Moyes, 50, was sacked by United on Tuesday after a dismal 10-month tenure in which the reigning champions slumped to seventh place in the Premier League, denying them a place in next season's Champions League.

"During this period of transition, performances and results have not been what Manchester United and its fans are used to or expect, and I both understand and share their frustration," Moyes said in a statement released by the League Managers' Association (LMA).

"I have always believed that a manager never stops learning during his career, and I know I will take invaluable experience from my time as United's manager.

"I remain proud to have led the team to the quarter-finals of this year's Champions League and I remain grateful to Sir Alex Ferguson (his predecessor) for believing in my ability and giving me the chance to manage Manchester United."

The LMA, the trade union for managers working professionally in England, criticised United for the "unprofessional manner" in which Moyes was dismissed.

Chief executive Richard Bevan said the organisation was "very disappointed" that "extensive reports in the press" had announced Moyes's sacking before he "had been spoken to officially by the club".

Although reports about Moyes's departure first emerged in the British media on Monday afternoon, he did not learn of his fate until early on Tuesday morning.

Responding to Bevan's comments, United said that they had not acted irresponsibly.

"We do not accept that it was handled in an unprofessional manner," said a spokesperson.

"The decision was not taken until late Monday night and was communicated face-to-face first thing on Tuesday morning.

"When reports started emerging on internet news sites on Monday afternoon, no decision had been taken at that time."

Moyes added: "Taking charge after such a long period of continuous stability and success at the club was inevitably going to be a significant challenge, but it was one which I relished and never had a second thought about taking on.

"The scale of the manager's job at United is immense, but I have never stepped away from hard work and the same applies to my coaching staff. I thank them for their dedication and loyalty throughout the last season."

British newspaper reports on Wednesday claimed that Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has been identified as a potential candidate for the United job.

Several papers said that Ancelotti was being considered for the vacancy, along with Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal, who emerged as the early favourite for the post.

However, whereas Ancelotti, the former Chelsea manager, is less than a year into a three-year contract at Madrid, Van Gaal is scheduled to step down from his position with Holland after this year's World Cup in Brazil.

Van Gaal, 62, is currently on holiday in Portugal. Dutch tabloid Algemeen Dagblad reported that he was "maintaining radio silence".

Long-serving midfielder Ryan Giggs has been placed in interim charge of first-team affairs "until a permanent appointment can be made", United said.

The 40-year-old Welshman, who became a member of Moyes's coaching staff at the beginning of the season, is expected to address the media for the first time since taking up his new role on Friday.

Giggs will be assisted by Phil Neville and Chris Woods, both of whom kept their jobs on United's back-room staff despite having been brought in by Moyes, as well as youth-team coach and former team-mate Nicky Butt.

However, Steve Round and Jimmy Lumsden, who were also appointed by Moyes, have both been fired.

Another of Giggs's former team-mates, Paul Scholes, has also been drafted in to provide support.

"It's great to see Paul Scholes here at the Aon Training Complex today, assisting Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt and Phil Neville," United said in a message on the club's Twitter feed on Wednesday.

News of Moyes's departure met with a favourable reaction on the New York Stock Exchange, where United's shares rose six percent to their highest level since Ferguson's retirement last May.

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Ferrer knocked out of Barcelona Open

BARCELONA: Four-time finalist David Ferrer stumbled out in the second round of the Barcelona Open on Wednesday, the Spanish second seed losing 6-4, 6-2 to Russian Teimuraz Gabashvili.

The loss came five days after world number five Ferrer upset Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals at Monte Carlo, a career highlight for the winner.

Nadal was starting his bid for a ninth Barcelona title later against countryman Albert Ramos after a bye.

Waiting for the winner in the third round is Croatian Ivan Dodig, who hammered Spanish 13th seed Feliciano Lopez 6-1, 6-4.

Last season Ferrer lost at the same stage at the Club de Tenis, going out to Dmitry Tursunov after losing a quartet of finals to Nadal over the years in the Catalan capital.

The favoured Spaniard had beaten Gabashvili in both of their previous matches, both played on hardcourt.

Gabashvili won the opening set in 44 minutes with a break in the final game, when Ferrer hit the net trying to return a drive forehand off the Russian's racquet.

The Spaniard was able to convert on only one of six break points in the opener as his opponent successfully defended.

In the second, the challenger did not let up, breaking the unsteady Ferrer for 2-0 and finishing off the upset as he broke Ferrer to win it on a second match point, with the the Spaniard putting a forehand long into the corner.

Gabashvili, ranked 55th, is playing Barcelona for the eighth time and had never gotten past the second round. His win over Ferrer lifted his ATP record in 2014 to 4-7.

Ferrer went down in 80 minutes, converting only one of eight break point chances while losing his own serve four times and firing four double faults.

The victory was the best for Gabashvili since upsetting Andy Roddick in the Roland Garros third round four years ago.

Two Spaniards advanced, with sixth seed Nicolas Almagro beating Slovak Martin Klizan 7-5, 7-6 (7/4) and Albert Montanes defeating eighth seed Alexandr Dolgopolov of the Ukraine 7-6 (7/5), 6-3.

"It was a tough match, he gets a lot of balls back and makes life difficult," Montanes said. "I'm very pleased to have gotten through in straight sets.

"I'm playing well and my confidence is high, it's a good moment for me. The secret right now seems to be in good mental preparation."

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Nadal looks to put Monaco behind him

BARCELONA: Top-ranked Rafael Nadal gets an immediate chance to shake off his surprisingly early exit at the Monte Carlo Masters by going for his ninth Barcelona Open title this week.

The Spaniard is hoping to recover his clay-court form after a quarterfinal loss to David Ferrer in Monaco, where the eight-time champion made his earliest exit since 2003.

Nadal acknowledged that his confidence is shaken following the Australian Open final loss to Stanislas Wawrinka, and says his state of mind "is what it is."

Nadal said Monday that "I started the season OK except for some lack of confidence and competitiveness in important moments of certain matches."

He added that "I've faced adversities throughout my career, and this is just another one."

Nadal opens play later this week.

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Walsh targets top 8 finish in World Cup

NEW DELHI: With the World Cup just round the corner, Indian men's hockey team chief coach Terry Walsh is realistic about his ward's chances and said his main "objective is to finish in the top 8" in the mega-event and anything higher than that will be a "big bonus".

Fresh from a preparatory tour to Europe, Walsh however believed India can climb up to the top six position by the end of 2014.

"The FIH World Cup is the second most important event after the Olympic Games. So every team is going to be prepared. Our objective is to finish in the top 8 and should we finish higher than that it will be a big bonus," Walsh said in an interview after returning from a tour to The Hague, The Netherlands where the World Cup will be held from May 31 to June 15.

"But I think by the end of the year, by the time we get to the Champions Trophy we should be shooting for a top 6 position in the world. I think that's very realistic," he said.

Walsh said for a team like India a positive start will play a crucial role in a big tournament like the World Cup.

"More importantly, we will strive to improve the level of our performance at the international stage. Anything can happen at the World Cup, we could end up with a very outstanding performance.

"I think the first few games will be really critical. In this World Cup I believe the first game against Belgium will be extremely crucial in deciding our final outcome," the Australian said.
During the just-concluded tour to Europe, India defeated Leiden Hockey Club 7-0 and drew 3-3 draw with HGC Hockey Club before losing 1-2 to Belgium, 2-4 and 1-2 to The Netherlands in their remaining build-up games.

Asked about the importance of the tour, he said it helped in growing "self-belief" in the Sardar Singh-led side.

"It was good, we had the opportunity to play Holland on the pitch, not exactly the same but same style of surface, that will be at the World Cup. We had an idea about the European umpiring, European style of playing.

"Overall, I think we grew during this tour and we will continue to grow in the rest of the year. Now we have a squad of players who have self belief. If we play effectively and to our requirement then we can be very competitive against any opponent. Physically, now we are just about at par with our opponents," Walsh said.

"We have always known skills were there but the most important thing is that we now have self belief. The players now know how to handle crucial moments professionally and that puts us in a good position leading upto the World Cup.

"In my view it is a revitalized Indian team." While 18 players were part of the Europe tour, 14 missed out but are very much in contention for a place in the World Cup-bound squad.

"We have managed to achieve many of the requirements we have set for the tour. I think the quality of game of the players in this tour is going to make the selection of final squad very difficult. We have got 14 players here who didn't go for the tour and they also will be fighting hard for a place in the team," Walsh said.

"All of these players came up with performances to be in the fray for the World Cup. It's about choosing the best of the lot.

"It's hard to pick the players who haven't been in the tour. But look anything can happen in the next four weeks. I think there are opportunities for all players to get into the final squad of 18," the chief coach said.

Talking about former captain Sandeep Singh, who emerged as the highest goal-scorer in this year's Hockey India League, Walsh said the experienced drag-flicker is well aware about his drawbacks.

"Sandeep is well aware of what he has to alter. We all know he has got a very good corner but he has to become a much better distributor of the ball and he has to be much more agile on his feet. He has got an opportunity, he is working very hard and the next couple of days will see where exactly he is," Walsh said about Sandeep's chances of making the World Cup squad.

India will be leaving for The Hague on May 22 and open their campaign against Belgium on the opening day on May 31.

"We will be preparing here and go to Holland on the May 22. Our first game is on May 31 so it gives quite a bit of preparation time. We plan to play a few full practice games against our group opponents before the tournament starts," Walsh signed off.

India have clubbed alongside world champions Australia, Belgium, England, Spain and Malaysia in Group A while Group B consists of Germany, hosts The Netherlands, New Zealand, Korea, Argentina and South Africa.

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End season 'on a high', Moyes to United

LONDON: Under-fire Manchester United manager David Moyes had urged his players to restore the club's battered pride by winning their four remaining matches this season.

Speculation about Moyes's future intensified on Sunday following a 2-0 loss at Everton -- the Scot's former club -- which condemned reigning champions United to their 11th defeat of the season and meant they could not qualify for the Champions League.

Moyes was the chosen successor of former Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson -- British football's most successful manager -- following his retirement at the end of last season.

But that hasn't stopped him enduring a torrid first season at Old Trafford and United will only secure a place in next term's Europa League, European football's second-tier competition, if they overhaul a six-point gap between themselves and Tottenham.

Whether wins in their final four matches against Norwich, Sunderland, Hull and Southampton -- will be enough to stem the doubts of some United fans remains to be seen.

However, defeats against a quartet of clubs United would once have been expected to beat comfortably will do little for Moyes's peace of mind.

"We need to end the season on a high," Moyes told MUTV, United's in-house television station, on Monday.

"We want to finish by winning all of our games. We'll do everything we possibly can to make that happen."

Meanwhile Moyes received backing from Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard, who said the home fans at Goodison had been wrong to boo the club's former boss and when he emerged from the tunnel on Sunday and jeer him throughout the game.

"We have brilliant fans, but that was unfair on him," Howard said of Moyes, who spent 11 years as Everton manager.

"He was the second coming, the messiah 12 months ago, and I don't think as Evertonians we should ever forget that.

"I love David Moyes. I think he is a brilliant manager," said the American, who spent four years at United.

"He was (a brilliant manager) here for us and I will be forever grateful to him."

There was fresh uncertainty at United after reports emerged that forward Danny Welbeck is considering his future at the club following a lack of game time this season.

Meanwhile Juan Mata, United's club record £37.1 million ($61.2m, 44.8m euros) signing, apologised to fans for the team's performance at Goodison Park by writing on his personal blog: "I feel very disappointed.

"This is how you feel when you spend two weeks waiting for a game, getting ready for it, and then things don't go the way you wanted. It happened in Goodison Park and the truth is this is not the first time, as you know.

"I hate this feeling. "What the Premiership table shows now is something that neither the club nor the fans deserve.

"I hope the next game comes as soon as possible because, as you can imagine, this bad taste makes me mad."

After Sunday's match, Moyes said "rank" and "rotten" defending had led to Everton's two goals, a penalty converted by Leighton Baines and Kevin Mirallas's shot from a tight angle.

It was a point emphasised by United's former Everton striker Wayne Rooney.

"We conceded two really sloppy goals which we need to cut out because we're making it hard for ourselves to get back into games," Rooney said.

"For the second one, we should have stopped the counter-attack. They ran in behind us. It's not good enough."

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Moyes facing sack at United: UK media

LONDON: Manchester United are set to sack manager David Moyes less than a year after he took charge of the club, British media reported on Monday.

Moyes was appointed last May when Alex Ferguson retired after guiding the club to their 13th Premier League title under his management.

United are languishing in seventh place in the Premier League and face an expensive rebuilding job in the close season.

Several British newspapers reported online that Moyes had lost the support of the American Glazer family who own the club.

A poor performance in a 2-0 defeat away at Moyes' former club Everton on Sunday was seen as the final straw.

The Daily Telegraph said Moyes could be out before Saturday's home game with Norwich City if he seeks assurances over his future which executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward would be unlikely to be able to provide.

A United spokesman declined to comment on the reports.

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Debutant Bengaluru win I-League title

MARGAO: First-timers Bengaluru FC on Monday wrote a new chapter in Indian football by clinching the I-League title in their debut season courtesy a 4-2 away win over Dempo Sports Club here, with captain Sunil Chhetri fittingly netting the final goal.

I-League Points Table

Needing a win to snatch the title ahead of other established teams, Bengaluru led from start to finish.

They scored through Sean Rooney (2nd), Robin Singh (56th), John Menyongar (79th) and captain Sunil Chhetri (90+7).

Dempo reduced the margin through Roberto Silva (82nd) and substitute Romeo Fernandes (89th).

After Sean Rooney had given them a dream start in the second minute, there was no looking back. Dempo threatened a brief fightback but that was not enough to thwart Bengaluru.

The win helped the Southern club accumulate 44 points and take an unassailable lead with one round still to be played. The likes of East Bengal and Salgaocar Football Club will play for the second and third spot.

Bengaluru needed a win from any of their last two matches to emerge triumphant but in the end it was clear that they would not leave anything to chance.

Robin Singh scored in the 56th minute to give his team a 2-0 lead. With ten minutes left to be played, Bengaluru put the issue beyond doubt when John Menyongar made it 3-0.

There was brief fightback from Dempo as Brazilian midfielder Roberto Mendes da Silva pulled a goal back in the 82nd minute and Romeo Fernandes then scrambled home to make it 2-3.

But India and Bengaluru captain Sunil Chhetri scored the winners' fourth goal of the evening.

Coach Ashley Westwood was suspended for the game and assistant coach Pradyum Reddy took charge in the dugout. But Westwood had done enough in pre-match preparations to help his team sail through.

They started with a flourish when Rooney gave them a second-minute lead.

Captain Chhetri took a quick throw in to Robin, whose shot across the goal was met with glee by Rooney past a bewildered Dempo defence.

Dempo did not have a single shot on goal for most part of the first half and goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimani had to make a double-save to keep Robin quiet from a blistering quick counter-attack.

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