Mourinho unveiled as new Real Madrid boss

Jose Mourinho has been officially paraded in front of the press as the new manager of Real Madrid. Mourinho, who led Inter Milan to an unprecedented treble last season, takes over from Manuel Pellegrini who was sacked after finishing second in La Liga and failing to get past the Second Round in the Champions League. Mourinho is the Spanish giants' ninth coach in six years, with Real paying a reported €8 million in compensation. Mourinho said: "I don't know if I was born to coach Real Madrid but I was born to be a football coach. I love important challenges. I am Jose Mourinho and I don't change. I arrive with all my qualities and my defects. "My attraction to Real Madrid is due to its history, its frustrations in recent years and its expectations to win. It's a unique club and I believe that not to coach Real leaves a void in a coach's career. Luckily, I've had a beautiful career and it makes me proud to have come here. "I am very enthusiastic. I want my players to think that way. The beauty is not so much to train or play at Real, but to win at Real Madrid.'' With Real's history of disposing of managers regularly regardless of success, Mourinho insisted he was not afraid for being sacked. "I think a coach needs to be ready to be sacked,'' Mourinho said. "But if a coach fears that, he doesn't work well and has great problems. I am a coach that has a lot of self-esteem and confidence and I don't think about the possibility of being sacked. "I think four years of contract is enough to win, to build a strong team for the present and the future. The sacking of Pellegrini doesn't make me happy. I am never happy when a coach is sacked. But football is like that. I have a lot of confidence in my players, I have the hope that my new players have confidence in me.'' Mourinho shed little light on what he will bring to Real but outlined his vision for the future of the club. He said: "It's too early to speak about changes. I believe it's time to analyse the situation, to get to know my club, ask lots of questions and get answers. I need to realise the direction of my work. The most important thing is not the coach or the players but the club. "We are too small compared to the dimension of the club. If we work as a group, it's not difficult to get results. I want this group to have an identity, to win everything. The strength of my team is always the team and not the individuals. "Cristiano Ronaldo is an incredible player not only for Real but for the whole of football. Cristiano is a winner and it's not difficult to persuade him of this.'' When asked if this was his greatest career challenge, Mourinho said: "I cannot say this is the biggest motivation in my career. My biggest ambition is always the next one. Right now it is Real Madrid. I don't change my level of ambition or motivation. I gave everything to every club where I have been and I will do the same here. "I don't feel any kind of different pressure. I am a coach that improves day-by-day. I arrive with everything a coach can win at club football.'' Mourinho refused to shed light on Real's transfer objectives. "I don't like to talk about players because their prices will go up if I do,'' Mourinho said. "The club is happy with the roster of last season and so am I. We don't need major changes. "We need three or four players for the coach to have more possibilities to get closer to my ideal of a team. But I don't think it's going to be a summer with a lot of changes. I think it will be a more calm summer with all the focus on the World Cup. "I am not anti-Barcelona. I am coach of Real but Barca doesn't worry me. My only concern is to grow Real. Barca are great rivals and we respect them. If I am hated at Barcelona, it is their problem but not mine. Fear is not a word in my football dictionary.'' The former Chelsea manager had kind words for Inter. "I hope my former players can win everything in Italy but not the Champions League,'' he said. "I cannot forget the group that I4ve had. Inter has a team for the future. "They will need a quality coach and the coach that arrives will need to be intelligent and follow the path he needs to follow. Whoever arrives will be lucky because they will get the chance to play in three finals, the Italian Super Cup, European Super Cup and World Club tournament, a present I have left.'' Real sporting director Jorge Valdano said: "Mourinho has signed a contract for four seasons. It's an honour to have with us one of the most prestigious coaches in the world. We are delighted to have him here with us. "The best thing for our club right now, is to have Mourinho with us.''

Uefa introduces tough penalties for spendthrift clubs

Profligate clubs face being banned from the Champions League and Europa League after European football's governing body Uefa approved new plans. The example of Portsmouth, who became the first Premier League team to go into administration, has highlighted the financial excesses in England. Uefa president Michel Platini has now passed rules which would force clubs to operate within their means. Clubs will only be able to spend what they themselves generate. Big cash injections from wealthy benefactors like the owners of Chelsea and Manchester City would also be restricted under Uefa's Financial Fair Play plan. The system is being phased in and bans would not be able to be imposed theoretically until the 2014-15 season at the earliest. Clubs are required to restructure themselves over the next three seasons so they are financially solvent. Uefa general secretary Gianni Infantino said: "The main rule is the break-even requirement which will be phased in over the next three years. "It is not as easy to swallow for everyone but everyone understands it is necessary. They are there not to punish clubs, they are there to help clubs. We don't want to kill anyone, this is why we have a phased-in approach." But money invested in stadiums and youth development will not be included in the number-crunching. The rules will also forbid clubs owing money to their rivals, players and staff or the tax authorities at the end of the season. Portsmouth were a glaring example of a club which owed millions in unpaid transfer fees, image rights, tax and VAT. Earlier this year, Infantino estimated 50% of clubs in Europe were making losses and 20% were in financial peril. Big transfer fees can still be paid but clubs will need to generate sufficient funds through ticket sales, TV money and commercial revenue. "If clubs want to spend €50, 60 or 70 million, why not, provided they have the money coming from their revenues, this will continue in the future. The problem is when you don't have the money," Infantino added. The European Clubs' Association's president, former German international Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, welcomed the move, commenting: "The measures will shape the future of European football into a more responsible business and ultimately a more sustainable one."

Javier Hernandez acquires permit to seal Man Utd move

Mexico striker Javier Hernandez has sealed his move to Manchester United from Chivas de Guadalajara after the Home Office granted a work permit. The 22-year-old, who is set to travel with his country to this summer's World Cup finals, had agreed terms with United and passed a medical in April. United have not disclosed the fee for Hernandez, but he is believed to have cost somewhere in the region of £6-8m. He will officially join the Red Devils on 1 July. The diminutive forward - affectionately known in Mexico as 'Chicharito', which roughly translates as 'little sweet pea' - scored in Mexico's 2-1 friendly defeat to the Netherlands in Freiburg, Germany on Wednesday. He also featured in the second half of his country's previous friendly, the 3-1 reverse at the hands of England at Wembley on Monday. When the deal was initially struck, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson described Hernandez as "an exciting young striker". "He has been in prolific form for both his club and his country," Ferguson added at the time. "He will be a great addition to our squad." Hernandez is scheduled to join Ferguson's squad in mid-July for the Philadelphia leg of United's pre-season tour of the United States and Canada. And on 30 July he is scheduled to appear against his former club Chivas in a match to open their new 45,000-seat stadium.

Mourinho a perfect fit for Real Madrid - Perez

Jose Mourinho's style of play will "fit in perfectly" at the Bernabeu, says Real Madrid president Florentino Perez. Inter Milan boss Mourinho is expected to succeed coach Manuel Pellegrini, who was sacked by Real on Wednesday. Mourinho, who guided Inter to a historic Treble this season, is considered to be a defensive coach. But Perez countered: "Mourinho's style of play will fit with the history of Madrid. To win, the values, the spirit of sacrifice, it will fit perfectly." Mourinho, who took over at Inter in 2008, became only the third man to win European club football's most prestigious competition with two different clubs when Inter beat Bayern Munich 2-0 in Saturday's Champions League final. That success also assured the Nerazzuri's place in the history books as they became the first Italian team to win the Treble, having already retained the Serie A title and beaten Roma to lift the Italian Cup. Mourinho is contracted to Inter until 2012 and so the 47-year-old former Chelsea manager must resolve his future at the San Siro before making any move. Pellegrini's free-scoring Real side finished runners-up in the Spanish League this season, netting 102 goals in 38 games, with 60 of those strikes coming at home. But the 56-year-old Chilean was dismissed for failing to land any silverware, despite the Spanish giants having signed Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Karim Benzema and Xabi Alonso for a combined fee in excess of £196m in the summer of 2009. In contrast, Mourinho's Inter side scored 75 goals in 38 games en route to their Serie A title and produced a defensive masterclass in their 3-2 aggregate win over Spanish champions Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final. And now the man who brought unprecedented success to the Nerazzurri is set to become the 11th coach in the last seven years at the Bernabeu. Perez, who is looking forward to a period of progression, added: "Madrid is betting on stability, the stability of the Madridistas is to win and be leaders in Europe. "The change of coach is always difficult but we are convinced that after this first year and this first phase, now is the moment to give a fresh impulse to our project. "A year ago there was a huge and unprecedented effort to configure and put together a squad capable of aspiring to the maximum. "We have advanced a lot but we still have a lot of ground to cover. "This club demands the maximum and is always in search of excellence. Winning and being leaders in Europe has always been the desire of our members and fans and, therefore, that's the objective of this board." Mourinho has previously said his target is to become the first manager to win championships in England - where he won the Premier League twice with Chelsea - Italy and Spain. And Perez has backed Mourinho to bring success to the Bernabeu. "We believe that he is a coach that will add a lot to this important squad," Perez continued. "The only one who has spoken to Inter president Massimo Moratti was me on Monday, but the parties are resolving a resolution (to his contract) in which we are not participating. "My hope is that it will be resolved quickly and I believe it will be."

Mourinho a perfect fit for Real Madrid - Perez

Jose Mourinho's style of play will "fit in perfectly" at the Bernabeu, says Real Madrid president Florentino Perez. Inter Milan boss Mourinho is expected to succeed coach Manuel Pellegrini, who was sacked by Real on Wednesday. Mourinho, who guided Inter to a historic Treble this season, is considered to be a defensive coach. But Perez countered: "Mourinho's style of play will fit with the history of Madrid. To win, the values, the spirit of sacrifice, it will fit perfectly." Mourinho, who took over at Inter in 2008, became only the third man to win European club football's most prestigious competition with two different clubs when Inter beat Bayern Munich 2-0 in Saturday's Champions League final. That success also assured the Nerazzuri's place in the history books as they became the first Italian team to win the Treble, having already retained the Serie A title and beaten Roma to lift the Italian Cup. Mourinho is contracted to Inter until 2012 and so the 47-year-old former Chelsea manager must resolve his future at the San Siro before making any move. Pellegrini's free-scoring Real side finished runners-up in the Spanish League this season, netting 102 goals in 38 games, with 60 of those strikes coming at home. But the 56-year-old Chilean was dismissed for failing to land any silverware, despite the Spanish giants having signed Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Karim Benzema and Xabi Alonso for a combined fee in excess of £196m in the summer of 2009. In contrast, Mourinho's Inter side scored 75 goals in 38 games en route to their Serie A title and produced a defensive masterclass in their 3-2 aggregate win over Spanish champions Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final. And now the man who brought unprecedented success to the Nerazzurri is set to become the 11th coach in the last seven years at the Bernabeu. Perez, who is looking forward to a period of progression, added: "Madrid is betting on stability, the stability of the Madridistas is to win and be leaders in Europe. "The change of coach is always difficult but we are convinced that after this first year and this first phase, now is the moment to give a fresh impulse to our project. "A year ago there was a huge and unprecedented effort to configure and put together a squad capable of aspiring to the maximum. "We have advanced a lot but we still have a lot of ground to cover. "This club demands the maximum and is always in search of excellence. Winning and being leaders in Europe has always been the desire of our members and fans and, therefore, that's the objective of this board." Mourinho has previously said his target is to become the first manager to win championships in England - where he won the Premier League twice with Chelsea - Italy and Spain. And Perez has backed Mourinho to bring success to the Bernabeu. "We believe that he is a coach that will add a lot to this important squad," Perez continued. "The only one who has spoken to Inter president Massimo Moratti was me on Monday, but the parties are resolving a resolution (to his contract) in which we are not participating. "My hope is that it will be resolved quickly and I believe it will be."

Nigerian Aliko Dangote denies interest in Arsenal stake

Nigerian businessman Aliko Dangote has denied planning a move to buy a 15.9% stake in Premier League side Arsenal. Reports claimed he was interested in Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith's shares, which are available for about £100m. In a statement, Dangote confirmed he had "been involved in conversations around investment in the past". But he added: "I can say categorically at this time that I have no intention of investing in the club and will not be acquiring a stake." Dangote, group president and chief executive officer of the Dangote Group, is reputed to be Africa's richest man, with Forbes magazine in the United States estimating his fortune two years ago at $3.3bn (£2.3bn). His wealth was built on a business empire that he founded in 1977 and now includes the number one sugar production company in Nigeria, a cement factory and textile products, plus he was made a Commander of the Order of the Niger five years ago. He recently told Nigerian newspaper ThisDay that he had been an Arsenal supporter for a "long time" and stated: "It started in 1980 when I forged a relationship with Mr David Dein, former vice-chairman of the board of Arsenal." Last month, Lady Bracewell-Smith instructed UK brokers Blackstone to find a buyer, having previously given up her place on the club's board in 2008. Stan Kroenke and Alisher Usmanov are Arsenal's two largest shareholders and it was thought that her decision to sell might lead to a bidding war between them. US billionaire Kroenke owns 29.98% of the club's shares, while Russian tycoon Usmanov holds 26.29%, but if any shareholder's stake reaches 30%, he or she is obliged to make a takeover offer for the club. Neither Kroenke - who also owns the NBA's Denver Nuggets basketball franchise, Major League Soccer's Colorado Rapids football club and a stake in the NFL's St Louis Rams American football team - nor Usmanov has so far been willing to take that step. And Blackstone, who have been advising Lady Bracewell-Smith for several months, have been looking for an appropriate alternative buyer. Dangote has ruled himself out but his statement read: "I wish Arsenal Football Club the best for the future and will continue to follow the team as a fan." According to the Daily Telegraph, Blackstone has also spoken to consortiums in Eastern Europe and the Far East but the Arsenal Supporters' Trust is urging Lady Bracewell-Smith to lower the asking price for her 9,893 shares.

Mourinho to meet Inter president as exit edges closer

Coach Jose Mourinho is to hold talks with Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti as the Portuguese edges closer to leaving the European champions. Mourinho, 47, is expected to become Real Madrid boss after guiding Inter to an historic Treble. "Mourinho and Moratti will meet in Milan," said a Mourinho spokesman. "If not in the next few hours, on Tuesday." Moratti added:"There's always hope but we have to respect the wish of a person who thinks his task has expired." Mourinho's expected exit comes after the former Porto and Chelsea manager led Italian domestic Double winners Inter to a 2-0 win over Bayern Munich in Saturday's Champions League final at Real's Bernabeu stadium. His agent Jorge Mendes held a 90-minute meeting with Real director general Jorge Valdano and sporting director Miguel Pardeza on Monday, according to Spanish media. Spanish newspapers AS and Marca have reported that Mourinho will sign a four-year deal with Real worth £8.5m annually, though Inter want £13.7m in compensation as the Portuguese's contract with the Serie A side runs until 2012. Later on Monday, Sinisa Mihajlovic quit as Catania coach, amid speculation that the Serbian, who departed as Inter assistant coach in 2008, is set to succeed Mourinho at the San Siro. "I hope to soon find a job which legitimises my decision and my professional ambitions," Mihajlovic told the Inter website. By winning the Champions League, Mourinho became only the third coach to win Europe's top prize with two clubs. "I'm so sad as almost for sure it's my last game with Inter," stated Mourinho after the Nerazzurri beat Bayern Munich in Madrid. "If you don't coach Real Madrid then you always have a gap in your career." He continued: "It was difficult to leave Chelsea and it will be sad to leave Inter. Inter is my house in the same way Chelsea was my house. But that's life, that's football. "Now I have two houses, Stamford Bridge, San Siro and now a third house - probably the Santiago Bernabeu. "Only Real are interested in me but I haven't spoken with anyone and I haven't signed anything. I promised I'd speak after the final. "I believe my target now is to win another championship that I've never won and win Champions League with a third club and then come back to England. "Everybody knows that English football is my passion and I will go back to England." Mourinho, who joined Inter in 2008, has also won two Serie A titles as well as the Italian Cup. "When I win I don't stop and here [in Italy] I have won everything. I've won the Champions League with two clubs and I can do it with three," he reflected. "There are many things [in Italy] that I haven't liked and for three to four months I've been thinking of going. "I've entered into Inter's history, I don't want to speak much because if I do I'll cry and I don't want to do that. "I want a different challenge in my career, now is the time to decide. What's important for Inter is that [president Massimo] Moratti and [captain Javier] Zanetti stay." In all the post-match drama, it was easy to forget that Inter had become European champions for the first time in 45 years thanks to two goals from Argentina striker Diego Milito. And the goalscoring hero hailed his coach as the mastermind behind the Italian side's Champions League victory. "Mourinho deserves this the most. He is great coach and he deserves all of the credit for this success," the matchwinner said. "This is the team that he has made. He made many changes to the team that finished last year and we have come so far." Milito was one of the players brought in by Mourinho last summer after Zlatan Ibrahimovic departed for Barcelona. "I want to thank Inter, the president and the coach for wanting to sign me last summer - I am so happy to be here at Inter," Milito added. "What I feel now is a joy I have never felt before, an incredible joy. I am so happy for Inter because we have been waiting for so long and we deserved this trophy." The story continues shortly.