Carlos Tevez questions Mancini training methods

Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez has said the players are "not happy" with Roberto Mancini's training methods and claimed that former boss Mark Hughes should have been given more time.

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Carlos Tevez has had his say on Man City's situation.

City are preparing for one of the most important games of the season - Saturday's derby against Manchester United - as they seek to claim fourth place in the Premier League, but Tevez took the chance to get a few things off his chest, especially about Mancini's training regime.
"The players are not happy with this," Tevez told the Daily Mail. "We are at the end of a long season, we have big matches, we are tired but there are still double training sessions, morning and afternoon. Then, the next day, we train for two hours. I do not understand. But, please, he is the coach and I am the player. He is in charge. I am okay with him."
Tevez showed his support for former boss Hughes, maintaining that he should not have been sacked by the club's Abu Dhabi owners.
"It is their club, their money. But, if you ask me if I thought it was the right decision, the answer is no,'' he said. ''I will play for any manager; I play for the shirt and must respect the right of the people who make decisions to change things, but a team does not form overnight.
''Mark should have been given more time. The decision was taken with too much haste. Did the directors think it through? You cannot invest so much and then sack the manager after five months. Mark brought us all here. He is a great manager and he will get another big club, 100%.''
Tevez also claimed that he was unhappy about City's decision to greet his £25.5 million signing by erecting a billboard saying 'Welcome to Manchester', a move that infuriated his old club.
"I never understood the intention of that poster,'' he said. ''What was the point? Was it to welcome me to Manchester City or was it to anger Manchester United? Nobody ever told me. I'm indifferent towards it but it is important you know I had nothing to do with the poster. I'd have preferred for it not to be there. I have respect for all the clubs I used to play for. That was not showing respect, was it? I did not transfer from United to City for the controversy."

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Ancelotti tips England ahead of Italy

Carlo Ancelotti believes England are a better bet for success at this summer's World Cup than his native Italy.

GettyImagesAncelotti thinks England have a strong case

The Azzurri are the defending champions following their win in Germany four years ago but Chelsea boss Ancelotti likes the look of an England side moulded by his countryman Fabio Capello.
Ancelotti told Radio anch'io lo sport: "The England team has excellent credentials. They have players who play at a very high level and there are great expectations for the World Cup.
"In Italy the situation is different because they are going through a transitional period. (Coach Marcello) Lippi will do well to unite the players who are emerging within the squad and those who were successful in 2006.''
Ancelotti has been mentioned as a possible successor to Lippi after this summer's showpiece in South Africa but reiterated his desire to remain at Stamford Bridge.
"Me with the national team? No, I am fine here,'' he said. "I hope to stay at Chelsea, we have good chances to win things. I hope after Lippi it is an Italian coach but it is hard to say who the best candidate is.''

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'Slim' prospects for climate deal this year

Developing nations are set to be hardest hit by rising temperatures

Prospects of finalising a new binding agreement on climate change by the end of the year are "slim", according to UN climate convention chief Yvo de Boer.

He said the process used to draw up the Copenhagen Accord, the document produced at the end of December's UN climate summit, had worsened distrust.
About 110 countries have endorsed the accord, with others rejecting it.
Mr de Boer was speaking at a three-day meeting here aimed at agreeing steps towards this year's summit in Mexico.
The place of the Copenhagen Accord has been one of the controversial issues, with developed nations such as the US and Australia praising it as useful and something that should be incorporated into any new global agreement.
But developing countries regard it as far too weak, and object to the "undemocratic" nature of the process that saw it drawn up and announced by a small group of nations on the last day of the mammoth Copenhagen summit.
"It has heightened the feeling of distrust within the process," Mr de Boer told BBC News.
"But what Copenhagen also demonstrated is that if a process or procedure is followed that a group of countries does not like, then they have the ability and the power to resist the outcome of such a process."
Two-step process
Clearly, the accord is being resisted by a large group of developing countries.
According to Bolivia's representative Pablo Solon, the carbon constraints are so weak that "we're going to have one half of humanity living in a very difficult situation - without water in some places, in others living underwater.
"Can you imagine - to present this as a solution?"
Many of the countries that have endorsed the accord have added the caveat that they see it only as a step towards a global, binding treaty, and that they want the treaty agreed at this year's summit, in Mexico's Cancun resort in November and December.
The chances of that happening, said Mr de Boer, were "very slim".
"I think that developing countries will want to see what the nature of an agreement is going to be before they will be willing to turn it into a legally-binding treaty, so that basically means a two-step process," he said.
"We first need to get the architecture agreed, and I think that can happen in Cancun; and then once if that architecture is sufficiently interesting to parties, there could be a decision in Cancun to turn it into a new treaty text, and that would have to be finalised later."
Running story
Developing countries have been asking for a intensive sequence of meetings during this year in order to allow enough time to reach the treaty stage.

Campaigners are calling for a binding agreement on emissions

India's delegate Vijai Sharma said that progress was being made on that, and on the process for developing a new agreement.
"It is a very involved process - it is not a sprint, it is a decathlon," he told BBC News.
"As to the character of the agreement - there are different opinions on that, but everyone wants a good outcome."
However, Mr de Boer flagged up one potential stumbling block - the US demand for "symmetry".
In order to placate concerns about losing competitiveness, the US is for example demanding that China and other developing countries should be subject to the same regime on verifying emissions curbs as the industrialised world.
"What the US has also indicated is that it would want to be treated on a par with major develoing countries, and that I think is going to be very difficult," said Mr de Boer.
After the busiest and most fraught period of climate negotiations since their inception two decades ago, Mr de Boer steps down later this year.
His successor is expected to be named soon - possibly later this month - with a number of former ministers in the frame.

BBC NEWS

True class tells at Bernabeu

Barcelona struck a potentially decisive blow in the Primera Division title race by ending Real Madrid's perfect home record to go three points clear at the summit.
Lionel Messi's 40th goal of the season in all competitions put the reigning Spanish and European champions on the road to victory in 'El Clasico', and Pedro Rodriguez completed the scoring 10 minutes after half-time.
The result ended Madrid's 12-match winning streak in La Liga and their 100% record at the Bernabeu, which had stood at 15 successive triumphs, but more importantly it put Barca in pole position to retain their league crown.
Not only are they three points clear of Madrid with seven games to go, but they also boast the better head-to-head record if the two clubs should finish level.
Barca coach Pep Guardiola sprang a surprise with his line-up, starting with just two recognised forwards in Messi and Pedro, and leaving Thierry Henry, Andres Iniesta and Bojan Krkic on the bench.
That perhaps contributed to a cagey first half which produced little goalmouth action.
In last season's corresponding fixture, which Barca won 6-2, there were three goals in the opening 20 minutes but the only incident of note in the opening half-hour tonight was a penalty claim by Messi.
The Argentinian went down in the area under a sliding challenge from Raul Albiol but his questioning look at referee Manuel Mejuto Gonzalez was answered in the negative.
Messi would be celebrating 20 minutes later, though, as he put Barca ahead following an incisive one-two with Xavi.
The World Player of the Year still had work to do as he brought down Xavi's return pass on his chest, but Albiol could not block as the Primera Division's leading scorer cut inside the Madrid centre-back before stabbing home right-footed past Iker Casillas.
That would be the only goal, and indeed the only real opportunity, of a stop-start opening period, although Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain blazed a reasonable opening well over in the 40th minute after getting in behind Gerard Pique.
Madrid fans will have been concerned at half-time, but Manuel Pellegrini's men had gone behind in their previous three home games against Sevilla, Sporting Gijon, Atletico Madrid before hitting back to win all three.
The second half started with no new faces on the pitch, although Guardiola did re-shuffle his line-up, with Dani Alves returning to right-back from right wing being one of four position changes. Madrid immediately looked more purposeful after the restart and they finally gave Victor Valdes something to do in the 51st minute when Marcelo tried his luck.
However, three minutes after that Barca doubled their lead through Pedro - and it proved the beginning of the end for Madrid.
Xavi was again the creator, with his pass evading Alvaro Arbeloa and sending Pedro through, and the young winger coolly slotted past Casillas from the edge of the box.
Pellegrini responded to that by sending on Guti for Marcelo, and the veteran playmaker almost made an immediate impact as his pass put Rafael van der Vaart in the clear.
Valdes came to his side's rescue though as he parried Van der Vaart's shot.
Valdes would find himself increasingly busy in the next 15 minutes as Madrid desperately tried to find a foothold back into game.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who was starting to come alive, was twice denied by Valdes while Guti also tested the Barca custodian.
The more Madrid pushed forward, though, the more chance Barca had of notching a third on the break, and that almost proved the case in the 71st minute when Messi was left with only Casillas to beat.
Like Valdes at the other end, though, the Spain number one came out on top with a superb block.
It was an identical story in the 77th minute when Xavi picked out Messi's run into the area, with Casillas again deflecting the Argentinian's shot for a corner.
Barca, who will be hoping to return to the Bernabeu next month for the Champions League final - Inter Milan their opponents in the last four - could have been made to rue those misses if Raul's goal had stood late on.
However, that effort was chalked off for a debatable handball against Karim Benzema, and with it went Madrid's hopes of getting anything out of the match and possibly their title dreams as well.
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Singer Badu charged over nude music video shoot

Badu stripped and re-enacted the shooting of John F Kennedy US neo-soul singer Erykah Badu has been charged with disorderly conduct for stripping naked on a street among pedestrians for her music video shoot. She ended by re-enacting receiving a fatal gunshot to the head at the spot in Dallas where President John F Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. Sergeant Warren Mitchell said Badu was charged after a witness offered a sworn statement to police on Thursday. Badu's spokeswoman had no immediate comment on Friday. The singer, who was born in Dallas, performed a walking striptease in front of tourists and pedestrians during the shoot in Dealey Plaza on 13 March for her video for the song Window Seat. Sgt Mitchell added that the police department has had "people calling from all across the country to express their concern". "Having a fact witness that was there, is what let us file the charges," he said. "After much discussion, we feel that these charges best fit her conduct. She disrobed in a public place without regard to individuals and small children who were close by." He said Badu can either fight the charge or pay the fine. Disorderly conduct is punishable by a fine of up to $500 (£328). Witness Ida Espinosa, 32, declined to comment to The Associated Press on Friday BBC NEWS

Roberto Mancini open to Italy return

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini would welcome a return to Italy with Serie A giants Juventus.

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Roberto Mancini: Considering a return to Italy?

Mancini, who succeeded sacked Mark Hughes at City last December, has been linked by the Italian media with the Turin hotseat this summer.
Juve sacked Ciro Ferrara earlier this season and appointed Alberto Zaccheroni as his replacement until the end of the season.
Mancini told Italian newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore: "(The Premier League) is certainly a good experience, I have felt well here.
"They continue to tell me that in Italy it is worse and perhaps it was right that I took a decision to broaden my horizons. But I am ready to turn back, if and when I have that possibility.''
Although he is happy at Eastlands, the 45-year-old has hinted he would be tempted to guide Juve.
"Juve is always Juve,'' Mancini said. "We are not talking about the last team in Italy or in Europe. It's true that they are going through a difficult time but we are talking about a club with a lot of history and prestige, made up of victories.''
Mancini, however, is not a popular candidate for Juve fans because of his time at Inter Milan. He guided Inter to three consecutive Serie A titles and seven trophies in his four seasons in charge.
"I am considered an enemy because of my years at Inter,'' Mancini said. "But as I have said many times and it's no longer a mystery, as a child I was a Juve fan.''
When asked when he will return to Serie A, Mancini, who is under contract with City until June 2013, said: "I don't know. Football is strange but sooner or later.''
In the meantime, Mancini is enjoying his time with City. "Living in England is fascinating, I discover a new world every day,'' he said. "Sure, I'd bring the Premier League post-match ritual of a bottle of wine back to Italy.
"The coaches meet for a drink and talk about football, while players gather with family and eat together. There are no grudges - the referee's whistle ends every dispute and every rivalry.''

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Gold believes top flight is headling for "oblivion"

West Ham co-owner David Gold claims England's top-flight clubs are "spiralling towards oblivion'' and has called for spending limits for Premier League sides.

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David Gold: Fixing Hammers' finances

• Blatter wants spending curbs
Gold has branded the league's financial structure "a complete nightmare'' which serves only to provide "incredible cars'' for players while most clubs are losing money. Only seven of the 20 were in profit last year.
Last month, Portsmouth were docked nine points after becoming the first Premier League club to go into administration.
Gold told Bloomberg: "It's a complete nightmare. It's a complete nonsense that's spiralling downwards towards oblivion. There's hardly anybody making a profit. How can that be right?
"Competition is good, it drives the world economy. But in this case what it does is fill the car parks of all the training grounds in the Premier League with the most incredible array of cars.
"You go into my training ground and you'll see Lamborghinis, Porches, Ferraris; nothing in the car park is under £150,000.''
According to latest figures, only Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool, Everton, Blackburn and Birmingham make a profit, although in Liverpool's case their holding company recorded a loss.
Gold added: "There's 20 of them and none of them want to admit that they're in financial difficulty. We would all say we don't need protection, but of course it's not true and we can't trust the others.
"Buying players on the 'never never' has got to stop, all money should be paid up front.''
The Premier League insisted that finances overall were "robust'' and pointed out that a new set of rules were voted in by the 20 member clubs in September.
A league spokesman said: "The finances of the Premier League as a whole are robust with long-term broadcast and commercial rights all up significantly during the worst recession in living memory.
"It is currently the most profitable league in Europe with an average wage to turnover ratio of 62%.
"Financial sustainability has been brought into focus by the issues facing Portsmouth FC, but the Premier League clubs have discussed this as a group and voted in a new set of rules that will help prevent another club over-extending themselves to the point they cannot meet their liabilities.''
The new rules include clubs being required to submit independently audited accounts and future financial information to act as an early warning system.
Clubs are also required to demonstrate every year that they do not have outstanding debts to other clubs or the taxman.
The rules also state that clubs who fall into financial difficulties could be subject to financial controls relating to transfer activity and/or player salaries.
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Sprained ankle rules Rooney out for up to four weeks

Wayne Rooney is expected to be out for two to four weeks after spraining his ankle in the closing moments of Manchester United's 2-1 Champions League quarter-final first leg against Bayern Munich.

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Wayne Rooney had scored the opener against Bayern Munich after 64 seconds

Rooney turned over on his right ankle in the build-up to Bayern Munich's injury-time goal and the England striker now faces up to a month on the sidelines, though he will face a scan to discover the extent of the injury. He is certain to miss league matches against Chelsea and Blackburn, as well as the second leg against Bayern Munich at Old Trafford next week.
But depending on Rooney's period of rehabilitation, he could miss the home clash with Spurs, the Manchester derby against Roberto Mancini's Manchester City and both legs of the Champions League semi-final should United overcome their first leg deficit.
Rooney is United's leading goalscorer this season with 34 goals, almost three times as many as second highest scorer Dimitar Berbatov, and Sir Alex Ferguson will now be heavily reliant on the Bulgarian striker to lead United's line - with youngsters Mame Biram Diouf and Federico Macheda the club's only other forward options.
England coach Fabio Capello will have been morw worried than most at the extent of Rooney's injury, given how vital the striker is to the nation's chances at the World Cup..
He said: "I will speak to him on Wednesday or Thursday morning. I was not happy, but I'm not happy whenever any England players get injured. It is too early to say how badly he is injured. We need to wait for a scan.''