Could Striker Mario Gomez be leaving Bayern Munich in the summer?

German giants FC Bayern Munich are currently playing one of their best-ever season with the Bundesliga title wrapped-up and still chances to win the UEFA Champions League and the German Cup, but there are players who lost out on the campaign with the biggest loser being striker Mario Gomez.

The 27 year old German international went into the season as the striker number one ahead of new signing Mario Mandzukic from VfL Wolfsburg and seasoned Claudio Pizarro, who returned from Werder Bremen. But injury and good performances from especially Mandzukic and the team player Pizarro have pushed Gomez back in the pecking order.

And that isn't to the liking of Mario Gomez, who scored a hattrick yesterday in just six minutes against VfL Wolfsburg in the German Cup semifinal, but only after coming on as a substitute for Mandzukic.

only a year ago Mario Gomez extended his contract at Bayern Munich until 2016 at a time where he was scoring regularly, but the criticism over the way he plays has never died down and now with Mandzukic there many say that Gomez's time in Munich could be over in the summer.

"There were always expressions of interest in the services of Mario," Gomez agent Uli Ferber told German tabloid Bild. "They were during his years at Stuttgart, right before his move to Bayern Munich, and right ahead of his most recent contract renewal. But also right now at this point in time."

So as expected there are clubs very much interested to sign Gomez with especially English Premier League clubs Manchester City and Chelsea FC potential destinations as they look at options upfront, but also other EPL sides besides clubs from Spain and Italy could be interested in the tall striker.

But Bayern Munich are not reacting at all, knowing that the situation for Gomez isn't the best but that is what competition does within a team...

Manchester City FC hosts Indian Delegation at their Etihad Stadium

A 25 member strong Indian delegation which has come to Manchester for the Soccerex European Forum were treated to a presentation and stadium tour by the current Premier League champions Manchester City at their Etihad Stadium yesterday.

The FICCI – Libero Sports India delegation arrived at the Ethiad Stadium yesterday morning and were greeted by Manchester City legend Mike Summerbee prior to listening to a presentation on Manchester City's international business objectives by senior management Tom Glick and Omar Barreda.

After the presentation the delegation took a private tour of the state of the art Ethiad Stadium before heading back to Manchester Central for the Soccerex European Forum.

Chris Punnakkattu Daniel said about the tour, "The visit to Manchester City FC and the Etihad Stadium was an interesting one to get an in-depth idea on the club, the facilities and their plans for India - especially in comparison to other leagues like the Bundesliga."

The India delegation to Soccerex is an initiative driven by FICCI and Libero Sports India to connect key industry stakeholders with the global football community.

Yaya Toure extend his stay at Manchester City until 2017

Reigning English Premier League champions Manchester City FC have signed a new long-term contract with Ivory Coast international Gnégnéri Yaya Touré until summer 2017. The influential midfielder had been linked with a number of clubs across Europe for a move away from the Citizens due to a delay in his contract extension.

Yaya Touse said, "This is where I want to be. When I first arrived at City every time I went to sleep I would dream about us winning something; now it is about us being the best team in whatever competition we take part in."

"I will never forget how I have been treated here by the fans, the club and the owners and nothing would give me greater pleasure than to finish my career as a Manchester City player."

"I want to continue winning titles and trophies and continue to make history. I have enjoyed all of my time here and can't wait for the next chapter. This is an incredible club to be part of with fans that support a team to the end whatever the circumstances," Yaya Toure added.

29 year old Yaya Toure had started his youth career with ASEC Mimosas in the Ivory Coast before going on to play for KSK Beveren (Belgium), Metalurh Donetsk (Ukraine), Olympiakos Athens (Greece), AS Monaco, FC Barcelona before joining Manchester City in 2010.

VIDEO: Manchester City does the Harlem Shake

Gangnam Style was yesterday, now the Harlem Shake is the new YouTube sensation. Here is what English Premier League champions Manchester City FC did as a Harlem Shake!

Manchester City and Belgium captain Vincent Kompany signs with Warrior!

Warrior has steamrolled into 2013 by signing the English Premier League's reigning Player of the Year, Vincent Kompany, to a long-term endorsement deal.

Kompany announced the news to fans via a video message posted on his YouTube channel earlier today.

"I'm honoured to be joining the Warrior team – I actually see our relationship as more of a partnership because it's about a lot more than just their brilliant product," he said. "For me, being a warrior is a mindset. Beyond your physical ability, it's about what you have in your heart, in your head and in your mind. I'm happy to endorse those values."

Ben Haworth, global sports marketing manager for Warrior Football, says Kompany personifies the Warrior brand.

"Vincent is built with a kind of sporting DNA that makes him the ultimate warrior and perfect signing for us," he said. "He is the complete footballer, equipped with incredible skill as a player along with the power to inspire as a captain. He has already begun etching a legendary mark on the modern game and is galvanizing Belgium as an international football force to be reckoned with. Aligning with an athlete of this calibre is a remarkable feat."

Kompany has developed into one of the biggest names in world football since starting his career, aged 17, with Belgian side RSC Anderlecht. Following a two-year spell with Hamburger SV in the German Bundesliga, he joined Manchester City in 2008, making his Premier League debut with a 3-0 win against West Ham United. Fast approaching his 200th appearance, 26-year-old Kompany is looking to build on the side's 2012 success by spearheading another Premier League title-winning campaign.

Expect to see more of Kompany as Warrior gears up to debut further collections of football boots, gear and apparel later this year. Visit www.warriorfootball.com to learn more.

Man City fine Tevez, who might take legal action against coach Mancini

Not all is well at high flying Manchester City. After their 6-1 trashing of Manchester United over the weekend the Sky Blues still have a matter to sort, the issue of Argentinian Carlos Tevez and his unwillingness to come on as a substitute during a Champions League match last month in Munich.

The club on Tuesday fined Tevez four weeks wages, which add up to around 1 Million Pounds, for what they say are five accounts of breach on contract, then as per signed contract there is "an obligation to participate in any matches in which the player is selected to play for the club when directed by a club official".

This as per the clubs stand point is not given. The following had happened in Munich that Tuesday night in September. English Premier League side Manchester City are guests to German Bundesliga giants FC Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League. Manchester City coach Roberto Mancini's side are 0-2 down and with about 35 minutes of play left he wants to make a substitution to strengthen his attack. The Italian wants to replace an off-colour Edin Dzeko with a fresh Carlos Tevez, but the Argentinian refuses for unknown reasons to come on. A verbal argument on the bench starts with other players also seen to be involved, while in an unconnected incidence the substituted Dzeko is angry and says some words towards his coach.

Tevez has 14 days to appeal the sentence, while his management meanwhile maintain that Mancini had not asked Carlos Tevez to come on against Bayern Munich and that such a move by the club is damaging to his reputation. And to project Tevez's reputation he could take coach Roberto Mancini to court in a defamation case.

Any such move would escalate the matter, but Manchester City stand by their coach and it looks more and more likely that Tevez will leave Manchester City in the January transfer window.


Here the original report from September 28: Scandal in Munich, Tevez refuses to come on as a sub .

Scandal in Munich, Tevez refuses to come on as a sub

Argentinian footballer Carlos Tevez is no stranger to controversy and last night in Munich he once more proved that point to perfection. But what had happened?

English Premier League side Manchester City are guests to German Bundesliga giants FC Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night. Manchester City coach Roberto Mancini's side are 0-2 down and with about 35 minutes of play left he wants to make a substitution to strengthen his attack. The Italian wants to replace an off-colour Edin Dzeko with a fresh Carlos Tevez, but the Argentinian refuses for unknown reasons to come on. A verbal argument on the bench starts with other players also seen to be involved, while the substituted Dzeko is angry and says some words towards his coach.

The match ended 2-0 for Bayern Munich and a dejected, disappointed Roberto Mancini was open and honest to the media at the press conference and in the mixed zone. The Italian tells the media that Tevez refused to come on and that his time at Manchester City is over, for once and for all. Meaning if no mediator is involved as long as Mancini is coach Tevez will not play for the Citizens.

"If I have my way he will be out. He's finished with me," the Italian said after the match.

"If we want to improve as a team, Carlos can't play with us. With me, he is finished."

After the incidence Tevez tried to carry out damage control as he blamed "confusion on the bench" for the "misunderstanding" in a statement on Wednesday unlike his coach about the substitution, not that he didn't want to come on.

The reactions all around have been harsh, but I would say if the incidence has been reported correctly then Tevez is at fault why people are questioning him and his action. Tevez needed security in Manchester on the return from Munich as angry fans were gunning for his head.

It will be interesting to see how Manchester City solve this problem, then the only option now with them is to sell or loan Tevez in January 2012 to end this saga, which will over the long run hurt the ambitious club.


Here is what Graeme Souness said VIDEO: Souness calls Tevez a disgrace to Football .

VIDEO: Souness calls Tevez a disgrace to Football

Carlos Tevez last night didn't come on for Manchester City in UEFA Champions League match against FC Bayern Munich. Which has given football pundits a chance to discuss the issue. Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness called Carlos Tevez is "a disgrace to football".

Here the video on what the Sky Sports pundits said after the match

VIDEO: Manchester City's proposed Training Centre

English Premier League club are one of the big spenders in European club football at the moment, but they are also looking to develop talent in the years to come. I came across this impressive video on Manchester City's proposed Youth Development and First Team training centre. If allowed to build it, they will have one of the best such facilities in the world.

My Interview with Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm

I did an interview with FC Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm about the upcoming UEFA Champions League season which starts tonight for the Bavarians with a match in Spain against CF Villarreal. Excerpts of the interview have been published by different newspapers, but here is the complete interview! Some interesting answers from Philipp Lahm...


How do you see Bayern Munich's chances of bringing back the UEFA Champions League trophy to Munich?

Surely it is a dream for us! The final is in Munich, so we surely want to be there in the final; but it is difficult to win an international title like the Champions League. Still we will give it our best shot.

The final is in Munich. How important is this Champions League season for your club Bayern Munich?

As a player you don't often have the chance to play the Champions League final at your home ground. We will do everything to get there, but you have to work hard for it and also need a little bit of luck to get to that stage.

This seasons Group A contains FC Bayern Munich, CF Villarreal, Manchester City and SSC Napoli. Sounds like the strongest group. Whats your assessment?

An even group, no weak opponents. These are tough team, who are all strong at home. In this group you have teams clubbed together from the top European leagues (England, Spain, Germany, Italy). An interesting group, but we are FC Bayern Munich who want to get far in this competition and for that we need to get past the group stage. And we go fully prepared into the competition.

You say an even group, but who would you rate as the toughest opponent for Bayern Munich in the group?

Difficult to say. One can only say so after the first few group games who will be the toughest opponent. We need to have a good start to be amongst the two teams who qualify from the group. We have a tough opener in Villarreal and if we can take home a point or even a win, then we would have an advantage.

Could the first game against Villarreal be a key encounter?

Surely! A good start into the Champion League season is important, then also away. It would be good if we can take some points home.

What are your personal aims? Similar to those of the team?

No. They are exactly the same as those of the team! We want to get as far as possible in the competition, but a Champions League season is long. We reached the final in 2010, so why shouldn't it be possible to repeat it this season.

Are the usual suspects the favourites for this seasons Champions League title or do you expect surprises?

The Champions League has shown over the years that teams can reach the quarterfinals and semifinals whom you wouldn't expect to be there. But the top favourites for me are surely defending champions FC Barcelona besides the usual suspects like Real Madrid and Manchester United, but this season I feel we as FC Bayern Munich also have a chance to win the title.

VIDEO: Balotelli backheels shot, coach takes him off

Manchester City's Italian striker Mario Balotelli is a special breed and he proved it again last night when playing against the LA Galaxy at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.

You might remember seeing the backheel penalty from the UAE's Thiyab Awana last week. Now Mario Balotelli tried to backheel a shot in open play against the LA Galaxy into goal while having a great chance. He missed and coach Roberto Mancini immediately took him off for disciplinary reasons, one can even see the two arguing over the incidence.

Here the link to the video clip

Patrick Vieira retires from Football

French 1998 FIFA World Cup winner Patrick Vieira officially retired from competitive football today. Vieira couldn't have chosen a more patriotic day for the French then July 14 is Bastille Day (the French National Day).

The 35 year old had been released from his contract by Manchester City at the end of last season after having been coach Roberto Mancini's first signing in January 2010. Vieira would go on to play 45 games for the Citizen's and ended it with the FA Cup trophy.

The Dakar born midfielder was a key element of the Equipe Tricolore in their 1998 FIFA World Cup and 2000 UEFA European Championship triumphs playing alongside players like Zinedine Zidane, Laurent Blanc and Fabian Barthez. Vieira played 107 times for France.

Vieira would go on to play professional football for 18 years. He started his career at AS Cannes before playing for AC Milan, FC Arsenal London, Juventus Turin, Internationale Milan and Manchester City. The Frenchman is best known for his club football at FC Arsenal under Arsene Wenger, who he captained a number of years, alongside players like Thierry Henry, Tony Adams, Freddie Ljungberg and Jens Lehmann to name a few.

Vieira already knows what he is doing after ending his career. The new post of 'Football Development Executive' has been created by Manchester City for him, in which he will be involved in overseeing the club's youth team players and promoting community projects around the world.

Bayern Munich sign Jerome Boateng deal

Bundesliga giants FC Bayern Munich today officially announced the signing of German international defender Jerome Boateng from English Premier League side Manchester City. The two clubs did not disclose the transfer fee but it is thought to be in the region of 13,5 Million Euros.

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said, "The negotiations were intense and long, but we have now brought this transfer to a successful conclusion. By signing Jerome Boateng, we are bringing in the player we wanted for the centre of our defence."

Bayern Munich have been pro-active over the summer to sign necessary players to strengthen the team in key departments after a rather weak 2010/11 campaign which brought no trophies to Munich. Now Bayern have one last player to sign in Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal from Bayer 04 Leverkusen with their Bundesliga rivals unwilling to let Vidal leave and even less to their south German rivals.

Bayern' Director of Sport Christian Nerlinger said, "Jerome Boateng is a young Germany international, and thus a perfect fit to our philosophy here at FC Bayern. He is also the player our head coach Jupp Heynckes wanted."

Bayern Munich had made one last final attempt to sign Boateng and where successful as Manchester City reduced the price tag attached to Boateng, while Bayern had already sorted out a back-up plan in having agreed terms with club and player in FC Chelsea's Brazilian defender Alex.

Jerome Boateng is the sixth new signing at Bayern Munich following the signing of German international goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (FC Schalke 04), Brazilian right back Rafinha (FC Genoa 93, Italy), young striker Nils Petersen (FC Energie Cottbus), Japanese teenager Takashi Usami (Gamba Osaka) and only yesterday English teenager Dale Jennings (Tranmere Rovers).

Bayern Munich want to sign Jerome Boateng

German Bundesliga giants FC Bayern Munich are rebuilding their defence for the new season and for the club the final piece in the puzzle is German international defender Jerome Boateng whom the Bavarians want to sign from English Premier League side Manchester City.

"I believe that there is a chance that we will come to an agreement," Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told German sports magazine Kicker.

After having signed Germany international goalkeeper Manuel Neuer from FC Schalke 04 and Brazilian right-back Rafinha from FC Genoa 93 the club looks to seal a deal for Boateng as a central defender to partner Holger Badstuber.

But there is a small problem in the transfer fee which Manchester City is demanding. The Citizens are wanting 20 Million Euros for Boateng whom they had only signed last season from Hamburger SV for 12,5 Million Euros and that is around the sum which Bayern Munich want to pay for Boateng.

Boateng isn't happy in Manchester as he wants to play as a centre-back, while coach Roberto Mancini has used him mainly as a right back in the star-studded outfit. And Boateng has made his intentions clear by saying that he would like to go to Munich.

Boateng has said, "Bayern have indicated I will play in the centre. To play there regularly is important for me because I will have a better chance of playing in the national team. It is all about whether I am released. I hope it works."

"Bayern are bigger than City, they are one of the top six teams in Europe. To play for them would be an honour," Boateng added.

Man City: Adios Carlos Tevez?

Argentinian Carlos Tevez is not only one of the stars at the City of Manchester Stadium, but the captain of Manchester City FC. The club after a good start, some mixed results in-between has now moved back into contention for the title and the more crucial Champions League spots. But the South American is said to be unhappy in England and wants to return to his native Argentina. Why? The reason is rather personal as he wants to be close to his two daughters and he isn't adopting to the harsh life in northern England.

Tevez had handed in a written transfer request, which has been rejected outright by the club. Tevez cited the mentioned family reasons for wanting to depart Eastlands. But he has also said in a statement, "My relationship with certain executives and individuals at the club has broken down and is now beyond repair. I do not wish to expand on this at this stage. They know, because I have told them."

Tevez made clear that he had no problems with coach Roberto Mancini and also revealed that he had wanted to leave the club in the summer, but was convinced by the club and his adviser Kia Joorabchian to stay with the Citizens, who have spend close to 350 Million Pounds in players since their takeover by the Abu Dhabi royal family. And the club revealed that their captain Tevez was the best paid player at the club and that they were in no mood to release him, even for a good transfer fee.

An English newspaper has termed the Citizes as 'FC Soap Opera' with all kinds of stories coming out of the club, where coach Roberto Mancini and the players are set to not get along well, all possible players being linked with the club, the club trying to offload players, bust-up's in training, problems with some of their stars and now their captain wanting to leave. This puts Mancini in a spot then Tevez has performed over the last 18 month's since he switched over from City's rivals Manchester United. But will he be 100% committed in such a situation?

And there are numerous questions which come to my mind. If Tevez is really homesick and wants to be close home to his two daughters back in Argentina, is that allowed in today's professional sporting world? Isn't this a weakness on the part of Tevez which the player shouldn't have revealed? Might he be mocked due to this my his team mates, while others within the team support him and the topic splits the dressing room? Very difficult to answer if you aren't in the Manchester City dressing room and/or close to Tevez.

But it is interesting to see the player requesting his club to release him, while the club and his management are trying to renew his contract for a better pay package. It looks to be a saga which could go on into the new year...

Indicast Podcast: All in Wane and I-League fixtures are out

On Thursday I once more was part of the Indicast Podcast's Sportsbench and we discussed international and Indian football. The focus was on Wayne Rooney and his problems at Manchester United, but at that time Rooney hadn't signed a contract extention at Man Utd. We also discussed the Indian football calendar, especially the upcoming I-League.

The podcast was moderated by Vikram Nanivadekar and myself the guest with Adwait Patil joining us late in the programme teling us of his experiences of watching India live in Pune earlier this month in the international friendlies.



Listen Online (64 kbps) : ~ 25 mins





Here the direct link to the Indicast Podcast page: Sportsbench Podcast


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Nigel de Jong: Is he too brutal?

Dutch international midfielder Nigel de Jong is a player who always gives 100% and has no fear in going into tough tackles, but over the years he has overdone it with his commitment and trying to stop his opponents whatever may come. The latest nasty incidence was on Sunday, October 3 in an English Premier League match between Manchester City and Newcastle United. De Jong broke French international Hatem ben Arfa's leg in two places in an unneeded tackle and the on loan Newcastle winger will be out for quite some time.

This latest rough tackle resulted in Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk leaving out de Jong for the Netherlands Euro2012 qualifiers last Friday against Moldova and on Tuesday against Sweden. Dutch team mate and captain Mark van Bommel told the media after the decision that de Jong is one of the best holding midfielders in international football and maybe van Marwijk wanted to take de Jong out of the firing line in the interest the player. Interestingly that such a statement comes from mark van Bommel, who himself is a similar kind of player, but who hasn't done any similar on field tackles.

Many will remember de Jongs brutal kung fu kick on Spain's Xabi Alonso during the final of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Surprisingly referee Howard Webb had only given him a yellow card, but the foul was condemned internationally. As it was the World Cup final so de Jong was branded as a dangerous player and such a foul on Hatem ben Arfa will surely not improve his reputation. And it wasn't the first such instance, he had done it earlier this year in March in an international friendly against the United States were Bolton Wanderers midfielder Stuart Holden ended-up with a broken leg and I remember a similar rough foul while playing for Hamburger SV in the German Bundesliga a few years ago.

And this case might become a little bit more complicated as Olympique Marseille president Jean-Claude Dassier, the club who have loaned ben Arfa to Newcastle, has told French television program Telefoot, "We will file a claim against De Jong. It's about getting rid of this type of individual from European grounds."

But there is an interesting piece of statistics to Nigel de Jong. He has never ever received a red card in his professional football career, he only received a double yellow card expulsion while playing for Hamburger SV against Rapid Bucharest in the UEFA Cup in 2006. So as per statistics, he is a fair midfielder.

Still Nigel de Jong should do some retrospection and try to avoid such tackles in the future which endangers the health of his opponents. Otherwise tougher action could be taken against him in the future.

Robinho makes late AC Milan switch

It was the move of the last transfer day, Brazilian Robinho has signed a four year contract with Italian giants AC Milan ending his two year misunderstanding with English Premier League side Manchester City. And this transfer marks the second anniversary of Robinho joining Manchester City in 2008 as the first signing under new owners Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan from the Abu Dhabi royal family on the last date of the summer transfers. The transfer was a British record at 32,5 Million Pounds which the club spend on the player and one remembers interviews where Robinho wasn't sure which English club he had signed for as before the deal had come about he had been in long negotiations with FC Chelsea.

Robinho never really felt at home in northern England. He did score 14 goals in 41 appearances, but Robinho had spend the first six months of this year on loan with his former club Santos FC as manager Roberto Mancini had no use for him. Robinho wanted to stay back with Santos, but the Brazilians were not in the financial situation to secure a long term deal. Manchester City meanwhile did not want to take the Brazilian back though he still had a valid multi-year contract and that due to the fact that coach Mancini still didn't want him while he was bringing in other players.

The transfer market has been sluggish this summer, but there had been numerous rumours surrounding were Robinho could play the new season. He wanted to return to Santos, while Manchester City were looking to recoup at least some of the transfer fee they paid for him to Real Madrid. Their Spanish rivals FC Barcelona had shown interest in the player but the clubs couldn't agree on a fee, then Robinho had lucrative offers from Turkish clubs Fenerbahce and Besiktas but he wasn't interested in moving to the Bosporus. So it needed a late offer from Milan to end his misery and take him back to southern Europe.

For Milan it is the second prize catch in days after signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic on loan from Barcelona in their push to challenge city rivals Inter Milan, who have won five Serie A titles in a row and last season won a historic treble. Robinho underwent a successful medical yesterday in Milano and joins fellow Brazilians Ronaldinho and Alexandre Pato at the club for an estimated 18 Million Euros transfer fee.