Premier League - News and Rumors

[Redsbusby]

Martin O'Neill resigns as Aston Villa manager
• 'It's obviously a wrench to be leaving such a magnificent club'


Martin O'Neill has shocked Aston Villa by resigning as manager only five days before the start of the season.

Kevin MacDonald, the reserve team manager, takes over as caretaker manager and will prepare the team for the opening Premier League game of the season against West Ham on Saturday.

Randy Lerner, the Villa owner, had maintained that O'Neill had committed his future to the club in May amid speculation that the Northern Irishman was leaving, but he has now decided to quit.

O'Neill said on the Villa website: "I have enjoyed my time at Aston Villa immensely. It's obviously a wrench to be leaving such a magnificent club. I would like to pay tribute to the Villa players, my coaching staff and the Villa supporters for all the support and encouragement they have given both the club and me personally during my time as manager.

"I wish them all the best for the future. I will obviously be assisting the club in the immediate short term with regard to the handover of my duties."

Paul Faulkner, Villa's chief executive, said: "The club would like to thank Martin for the great work he has done at Aston Villa over the past four years. He has helped to establish the club in the upper echelons of the Premier League, has taken us to Wembley and we have also qualified for European competition for the past three seasons under his management. We wish him the best in the future."

O'Neill has improved the fortunes of Villa since replacing David O'Leary during the summer of 2006, achieving three consecutive top-six placings in the league.

Lerner had backed O'Neill in the transfer market during that spell but it became clear this summer that the funds would not be available to help take Villa on to the next level. The team's challenge for a top-four place fell away after they lost to Manchester United in the Carling Cup final in February.

Lerner insisted that Villa would have to adopt a sell-to-buy policy and O'Neill was resigned to losing the services of the England midfielder James Milner to Manchester City. That followed on from the departure of Gareth Barry to Eastlands last year.

Guardian.co.uk

[rondwisan]

berita nyang lumayan mengejutkan nih ....
EPL bentar lagi dah bergulir ..., Martin O'Neil malah resign dari Villa ...

[Redsbusby]

Melanjutkan tradisi opa..takutnya kalo tetep gt doank bakal dipecat
Demi mempertahankan reputasi sbg pelatih yg ngga pernah dipecat, selalu mengundurkan diri selama 100% Karir kepelatihannya.

[zudomiriku]

Liga Inggris 2010/2011
Debutan yang Layak Dinantikan
Andi Abdullah Sururi - detiksport


Premier League terus mendatangkan pemain-pemain dari luar Inggris. Banyak dari mereka yang akan menjalani debutnya di kompetisi tersebut dan memberi alasan kenapa mereka didatangkan ke sana.

Berikut ini beberapa pemain cukup terkenal (dan kurang familiar di telinga fans), yang akan bermain untuk pertama kalinya di Liga Inggris, sebagaimana disarikan situs resmi kompetisi:

Antolin Alcaraz (Wigan Athletic)

Ia bermain cukup impresif di Piala Dunia 2010, termasuk mencetak gol pembuka Paraguay saat menghadapi Italia. Bek berusia 28 tahun ini dibeli Wigan dari Club Brugge, dan pernah pula bermain di Argentina (Racing Club), Portugal (Beira-Mar) dan Italia (Fiorentina).

Pablo Barrera (West Ham United)

Masih muda (23 tahun), punya kecepatan, terampil mengolah bola, dan memilik tendangan jarak jauh yang baik. Barrera akan memberi tambahan kekuatan penyerangan West Ham. Ia direkrut dari klub negaranya, Pumas UNAM, di bulan Juli. Penyerang sayap ini turun tiga kali dari bangku cadangan untuk Meksiko di Piala Dunia lalu.

Marouane Chamakh (Arsenal)

Camakh harus membuktikan bahwa kegigihan Arsene Wenger untuk memboyongnya ke Inggris memang tidak salah. Penyerang internasional Maroko ini akan mengisi satu tempat di lini depan The Gunners yang ditinggalkan Eduardo da Silva. Delapan tahun di Bordeaux, statistik gol Camakh sebenarnya biasa-biasa saja, "hanya" mengemas 76 gol dari total 299 pertandingan di semua kompetisi. Tapi Wenger dikenal sebagai master pengasah talenta.

Javier Hernandez (Manchester United)

Sir Alex Ferguson memutuskan membeli Hernandez di bulan April, ketika banyak orang tidak terlalu mengenal dirinya. Ia "memperkenalkan diri" di Afrika Selatan dan tampil impresif bersama Meksiko di Piala Dunia. Dibeli dari Guadalajara, Hernandez langsung mencetak gol di debut resminya dengan MU, saat mengalahkan Chelsea di Community Shield akhir pekan lalu.

Milan Jovanovic (Liverpool)

Liverpool cukup lama mengincari penyerang sayap asal Serbia ini, tapi baru bisa mendapatkannya di musim panas ini, setelah free transfer dari Standard Liege. Jovanovic, yang mencetak gol tunggal kemenangan Serbia atas Jerman di Piala Dunia, diharapkan The Reds memberi warna lain dalam penyerangan tim.

Cristian Miguel Riveros Nunez (Sunderland)

Manajer Sunderland Steve Bruce cukup lama memonitor Riveros sebelum memutuskan merekrutnya di bulan Mei. Ia digaet dari klub Meksiko, Cruz Azul. Riveros diharapkan mengokohkan lini tengah The Black Cats, bersama kompatriotnya yang lebih dulu berada di Stadium of Light, bek Paulo da Silva.

Sandro (Tottenham Hotspur)

Gelandang bertahan asal Brasil ini dikontrak Spurs di bulan Maret. Ia mungkin punya bakat besar dan tampil impresif sejak memulai karirnya di Internacional. Namun, Liga Inggris adalah sebuah tantangan besar, apalagi ia akan bersaing dengan banyak gelandang top The Lilywhites.

David Silva (Manchester City)

Bermain luar biasa untuk Spanyol di Euro 2008, Silva dilempar ke bangku cadangan setelah bermain buruk di pertandingan pertama negaranya di Piala Dunia 2010 melawan Swiss. Tapi, secara umum Silva adalah pemain yang hebat. Ia bisa bermain di belakang striker dan sayap, punya banyak cara untuk mendobrak pertahanan tim lawan. Setelah enam tahun membela Valencia, pemain 24 tahun itu menggoda banyak klub besar Eropa sebelum akhirnya memutuskan bergabung dengan Manchester City.

Yaya Toure (Manchester City)

Dihargai 24 juta poundsterling oleh City saat membelinya dari Barcelona. Dengan gaji 200 ribu pounds per minggu, Toure menjadi salah satu pemain termahal di Liga Inggris saat ini. Kemampuannya sebagai gelandang bertahan tak diragukan lagi. Dalam keadaan darurat, ia bisa dimainkan sebagai bek tengah. Di City of Manchester Stadium ia akan berduet dengan kakaknya, Kolo Toure.

Nikola Zigic (Birmingham City)

Dengan ukuran nan menjulang 202 cm, Zigic kini merupakan pemain paling jangkung di Liga Inggris. Dia memang tak bersinar selama bermain di Valencia, tapi cukup berhasil di masa peminjamannya di Racing Santander. Zigic sering disarankan rekan-rekannya di timnas Serbia untuk menerima tawaran bermain di Inggris setelah Piala Dunia, karena dianggap punya karakter bermain yang cocok.

[fickarardana]

Liga Inggris 2010/2011
Tak Lagi Big Four, tapi Magnificent Seven
Kris Fathoni W - detiksport
Rabu, 11/08/2010 10:22 WIB



Jakarta - Liga Primer Inggris musim ini diprediksi bakal mengetengahkan persaingan yang sangat ketat. Saking ketatnya rivalitas panas takkan cuma hadir di antara empat tim teratas --big four-- tapi bisa sampai tujuh atau malah delapan tim.

Secara tradisi, beberapa tahun terakhir ini Liga Primer memiliki empat tim yang selalu bersaing ketat dan jadi langganan mengisi posisi teratas. Si big four ini bak ada di "dunia" mereka sendiri karena besarnya rentang kekuatan dengan tim-tim Liga Primer lainnya.

Meski begitu, lambat laun kekuatan antar tim tampaknya kian merata. Maka kalau biasanya big four berisikan Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool dan Manchester United, tak demikian musim lalu seiring dengan kesuksesan Tottenham Hotspur mendobrak masuk empat besar.

Di akhir musim lalu Spurs berhasil finis di bawah Arsenal, MU dan Chelsea --si jawara. Sementara itu Liverpool yang biasanya ada di zona empat besar harus rela tercecer di posisi tujuh klasemen.

Yang luar biasa, Manchester City dan Aston Villa pun tak finis jauh-jauh amat dari Spurs. Finis di posisi lima, City punya selisih angka tiga saja dari Spurs sedangkan Villa yang ada di posisi enam tertinggal tiga angka dari City.

Itulah secuplik bukti mulai meratanya kekuatan di Liga Primer Inggris yang tak lagi didominasi big four tapi bergeser ke big seven, atau mungkin big eight jika memasukkan nama Everton yang musim lalu finis di posisi delapan, dan secara konsisten tampil bagus dari musim ke musim.

"Apa yang terjadi di Inggris tahun lalu adalah semua tim bisa kehilangan angka, ini kali pertama hal semacam itu terjadi dalam sebuah musim. Jadi tahun ini pun (persaingan) bakal semakin terbuka," terka Manajer Arsenal Arsene Wenger di situs klubnya.

"Anda mengharapkan Manchester City, yang sudah banyak menginvestasikan uang, menjadi salah satu penantang. Tottenham (bisa jadi penantang) jika mereka dapat meneruskan performa musim lalu, begitu pula dengan Aston Villa. Ada enam atau tujuh tim (selain Arsenal) karena buat saya Everton juga punya skuad tangguh," papar Wenger.

Potensi meningkatnya persaingan musim 2010/11 ini tentu akan menambah semarak Liga Primer Inggris karena yang bersaing ketat tak lagi hanya empat tim papan atas melainkan bisa sampai tujuh tim. Ini mengingatkan orang kepada persaingan tujuh tim Liga Primer yang tergabung dalam "Magnificent Seven" sebelum adanya era "Big Four".

Bukan tak mungkin akan ada juara baru setelah enam musim terakhir selalu dimenangi Chelsea atau MU. Tapi Wenger tentu berharap tim yang dia tanganilah yang keluar jadi jawara.

"Saya percaya kami punya peluang bagus. Hal terpenting adalah kami punya keyakinan tersebut," tegas pria berjuluk 'Si Profesor' itu. ( krs / a2s )

[otonk reddevilz]

Eriksson Berupaya Keras Menjadi Pelatih Aston Villa

Sven-Goran Eriksson tidak akan lagi meminta gaji £3 juta.
goal.com
Oleh Aditya Ramadhan
12 Agu 2010 11:18:00

Sven-Goran Eriksson menggunakan semua cara untuk mendapatkan posisi pelatih Aston Villa. Salah satunya dengan menurunkan jumlah gajin yang diminta.

Eriksson memiliki tradisi meminta gaji tinggi, tapi kali ini dia melanggarnya. Pelatih Swedia itu membutuhkan pekerjaan, setelah dilepas tim nasional Pantai Gading.

Semula David Moyes yang difavoritkan menggantikan Martin O'Neill, tapi pelatih Everton itu enggan meninggalkan Goodison Park. Kini Eriksson menjadi kandidat kuat.

Eriksson telah lagi bekerja di Inggris sejak meninggalkan Manchester Cituy tahun 2008. Ia sempat diinginkan Fulham, tapi Mohamed Al Fayed -- pengusaha kaya dan pemilik Fulham -- tak memberinya kesempatan berunding.

Al Fayed belakangan lebih menginginkan Mark Hughes, sebagai pengganti Roy Hodgson.

The Mirror memberitakan Eriksson tidak akan lagi meminta gaji £3 juta per musim. Ia tahu Randy Lerner, pemilik Villa, saat ini sedang berupaya memangkas pengeluarkan untuk gaji.

Lerner akan menjual sejumlah pemain bintang, dan menurunkan gaji staf, dan sejumlah pemain. Jika Eriksson meminta gaji £3 juta, Lerner tidak akan membuka kesempatan berunding.

Musim lalu Aston Villa menghabiskan £70 juta per musim untuk gaji pemain. Ashley Young dan James Milner tercatat sebagai pemain dengan gaji tertinggi di Villa Park. Lerner melepas keduanya.

[Redsbusby]

Two days till the greatest league in the World begins yet again.................

[Hilman-Bukan-Superman]

Originally Posted by otonk reddevilz

Eriksson Berupaya Keras Menjadi Pelatih Aston Villa

Kemarin ada berita klo Eriksson membantah akan gabung ke Aston Villa..

[otonk reddevilz]

Originally Posted by Hilman-Bukan-Superman

Kemarin ada berita klo Eriksson membantah akan gabung ke Aston Villa..

kita tunggu resminya sob...

Premier League - Title race: The main contenders

With just two (one) days to go until the big kick-off, we take a look at the main contenders in this season's Premier League title race.


Premier League fixtures
(In alphabetical order)

Arsenal
The Gunners are something of an unknown quantity this season. Jack Wilshere is yet to start a Premier League fixture for Wenger but has done enough to impress England boss Fabio Cappello. And Wenger will be banking on former Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh to emulate his Ligue 1 form in England's top-flight. The quality is undoubtedly there and Arsenal showed fantastic resilience to ignore Barcelona's bullying and keep hold of captain Cesc Fabregas. Their attacking options are worthy of any championship contender - Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey, Theo Walcott, Andrei Arshavin, Chamakh, Nicklas Bendtner and, of course, Robin van Persie are all sure to produce a steady supply of goals. But scoring has rarely been Arsenal's problem - it's keeping them out at the other end. And a mantra of 'if you score five, we'll score six', will not suffice over 38 games. Laurent Koscielny's introduction to life at the Emirates is key and the 24-year-old appears capable of making the step up having signed from Lorient. Wenger should have another centre-back and a first-class keeper within his sights and the cash is there to spend. Time is running out but, make no mistake, if signings are forthcoming then Arsenal are genuine contenders. (George Scott)

Chelsea
The perception of Chelsea as a group of ageing stars playing functional yet uninspiring football was shattered in the last campaign as the Blues plundered a staggering 103 league goals. Michael Essien will be the driving force for Carlo Ancelotti's side, and the Ghanaian's presence will bolster the midfield alongside the prolific talisman Frank Lampard. Chelsea have the firepower to outgun their rivals and, in Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka, they have the most reliable goalscoring duo of the top sides in the league. The guile and poise of new signing Yossi Benayoun should complement Salomon Kalou's direct approach, and Chelsea will never lack potency in the final third. The loss of Ricardo Carvalho's defensive nous is a far more significant blow than that of Joe Cole. A lot will, therefore, depend on the consistency of the commanding Alex in partnering John Terry, but the Brazilian will distinguish himself this campaign. Chelsea may not have flaunted the cheque book over the summer, but in Drogba, and Essien they possess two of the most dynamic players in the world. Coupled with their inherent discipline and compact formation, Ancelotti's side have it all. The Blues believe they will retain their crown and there is nothing to suggest that optimism is misplaced. (Dan Quarrell)

Liverpool
The 2008-09 vintage of Liverpool Football Club was confident, organised, free-scoring and agonisingly close to winning the Premier League. But for an injury to Fernando Torres - and Rafael Benitez’s famous rant - the mid-late season blip that allowed Manchester United to seal the title may never have happened. The loss of Xabi Alonso alone should not turn title contenders into a team that barely scraped seventh. Last season’s slump was more emotional than technical as Rafael Benitez failed to re-motivate his players following their disappointment, his fractious relationships with fringe players and a bickering board coming to the fore while club talismans Torres and Steven Gerrard battled fitness and personal problems respectively. In reality, they were a striker, a full-back and a playmaker-winger short of a top four side - and a man-manager and stable boardroom short of a league challenge. They are still waiting for the second striker and a club buyout, but both should happen soon and the other positions have been filled. The fans - and players - seem genuinely excited by the Joe Cole coup and in Roy Hodgson they have a boss committed to attractive football and capable of turning the likes of Bobby Zamora and Paul Konchesky into top players. (Reda Maher)

Manchester City
Write off Manchester City's Premier League chances at your peril. Fans might not like it, but the power of money in football can't be denied. It's been so ever since Jack Walker spent Blackburn to top flight glory in the mid-1990s - and the bleating of the so-called 'big four' about the unfairness of it all is truly laughable. Nobody spends bigger than Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool - it's just that City have squeezed a decade of investment into the space of two summers. And it's hard to deny that since the arrival of the Mansour millions, Manchester City have assembled a squad loaded with undeniable talent: throughout the side, City have an almost embarrassing wealth, giving them both strength and depth. It won't necessarily translate into a team that can beat all-comers - but as well as their talented players, City have two other huge benefits. First of all, their relatively straightforward roster of opponents in the Europa League will mean they won't be taxed mid-week in the first half of the season like their title opponents. And secondly, it's impossible to deny that City have created a bit of a buzz: and if the players really have started believing in their common cause rather than just weighing their pay cheques, the Premier League better watch out. (Toby Keel)

Manchester United
Much has been said about Alex Ferguson's refusal/inability to dip anything more than his toes into the transfer market this summer, but the United boss nevertheless has a formidable squad to call on once again. They may have played second fiddle to Chelsea last time out, but injuries - particularly at the back - hampered their progress then. A repeat of that misfortune is unlikely, and even if lightning does strike twice, the addition of Chris Smalling has added some depth in that area. Up front livewire Javier Hernandez looks like the kind of player Premier League defenders have nightmares about and if he proves to be an able strike partner for Wayne Rooney, at a mere £7 million he could turn out to be the bargain buy of the summer. The one question mark over United's squad remains the identity of a long-term successor to Paul Scholes. The veteran midfielder, like Ryan Giggs, may not be showing signs of letting up just yet but should Fergie be able to entice the exciting Mesut Ozil to Old Trafford before the transfer window closes - and by doing so silencing those who ever doubted there is money available to him - United should be able to overhaul Chelsea and fend off the challenges of the rest to regain the Premier League crown. (Mike Hytner)

Eurosport

[Redsbusby]

Wow, Tottenham yg notabene peringkat 4 musim lalu ngga dimasukin nih...
malah City yg saya sendir aja agak pesimis ama tim ini...