Once again we were right

Benitez hired as Chelsea interim coach

We said it yesterday and its now being confirmed.

Rafael Benitez has been hired as Chelsea's Interim coach till the end of the season.

He replaces Roberto Di Matteo, who was sacked on Wednesday following a 3-0 Champions League defeat to Juventus.

Benitez, 52, becomes Chelsea's ninth manager since Roman Abramovich became owner in 2003.

His short term appointment could pave the way for Abramovich to make a summer approach for ex-Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola.

Wishing him the best of luck.

THE MANY FACES OF CHELSEA'S REJECT

AND THE CHOSEN ONE

DI MATTEO LOST IT WHEN CHELSEA LOST TO SHAKHTAR IN DONETSK

Indications have emerged that Pep Guardiola was offered Roberto Di Matteo's job at Chelsea after they were humbled 2-1 at Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League in October.

Sportsmail revealed that the former Barcelona coach - who has always been Abramovich's No 1 target to replace Di Matteo at Stamford Bridge - was approached in the aftermath of the defeat in Donetsk on October 23.

According to the sportmail, Chelsea were so confident that the deal would be concluded for Guardiola, who has been in New York on sabbatical, that they started making plans for Di Matteo's exit.

If this news is true, couldn't this have affected Di Matteo's morale if he had any inclination about it?

It been said that, Guardiola wanted to wait until the new year before returning to management but Chelsea wanted him sooner and that has proved to be the stumbling block.

Chelsea were so far advanced in the talk with Guardiola after Chelsea's defeat against Shakhtar that Abramovich became increasingly excited and confident that he had finally landed the Catalan coach.

Abramovich has become obsessed with Guardiola's work and wants him at Chelsea to emulate his achievements at the Nou Camp.

Guardiola, get ready to become the most expensive coach of all time, with the biggest burden and expectations of all time too.

You must win everything or else. Well you already know drill.

 

 

 

BENITEZ TO COACH CHELSEA TILL END OF SEASON

There are indications that Rafa Benitez, the former Liverpool boss will take over the reins of Chelsea.

Sources say he is close to signing a deal that would see him take over Chelsea till the end of the season.

Benitez has been tipped to replace Roberto Di Matteo, who was sacked by the Blues on Wednessday morning in a surprised but expected move following an 'unacceptable' run of results.

The 3 - 0 defeat by Juventus on Tuesday, whic left their Champions League defence in jeopardy, was the final straw.

ONE DOWN TWO TO GO

Di Matteo Sacked by Chelsea after crushing Juventus defeat.

We earlier predicted this will happen and it has just been confirmed.

Di Matteo, Chelsea's coach has been sacked.

The Italian won 24 of his 42 games in charge of the club but after their 3-0 defeat to Juventus left hem in danger of missing out on the knockout stages of the Champions Leagues, Chelsea have decided to end his tenure.

"The team's recent performances and results have not been good enough and the owner and the Board felt that a change was necessary now to keep the club moving in the right direction as we head into a vitally important part of the season," read a statement on the club website.

The statement ended by saying that, "The club will be making an annoucement shortly regarding a new first team manager"

 

He was sacked after only six months of winning the Champions League, the Italians fall from grace was made official by Chelsea's official twitter account before statement had even appeared on the website.

 

He gamble with leaving Fernando Torres on the bench for a greater part of last night Champions League match with Juventus and Chelsea were comprehensively beaten 3 - 0

 

Remember on the 19th of this month, I wrote a piece on the three coaches that would be sacked from their coaching jobs before christmas.

 

Roberto Di Matteo was number two on that list.

 

The other two were Roberto Mancini and Mark Hughes

 

Mancini will likely know his fate after today's Champions League match with Real Madrid.

 

 

 

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

HOW THEY STAND AND WHO CAN QUALIFY

GROUP A

Portuguese champions Porto are already through.  Paris Saint-Germain only needs a draw on Wednesday against Dynamo Kiev to qualify for the next round.

Next fixtures: November 21
Porto v Dinamo Zagreb
Dynamo Kiev v PSG

GROUP B

This group is wide open. Schalke has 8 points, Arsenal 7 and Olympiacos 6. Arsenal will travel to Greece to play Olympiacos in their last group match so will have to win the game at home against Montpellier to make their qualification easy. If they do that and Schalke beat Olympiacos, both teams will go through.

Next fixtures: November 21
Arsenal v Montpellier
Schalke v Olympiacos

GROUP C

Anderlecht can overtake Milan into second place if they win and Milan will also qualify and knock out Belgian opponents if they win and Zenit loses against Malaga. Malaga only needs one point to win the group.

Next fixtures: November 21
Zenit v Malaga
Anderlecht v Milan

GROUP D

 

City must win against Real Madried to avoid crashing out in the group stage for a second successive year, but they are unbeatedn in 19 European matches at home. Dortmund, like Real Madrid, only need a point to go through.

 

Next fixtures: November 21

Ajax v Borussia Dortmund

Manchester City v Read Madrid

 

Try and stop Ronaldo, that might help.

 

 

 

 

GROUP E

 

If Chelsea beats Juventus in Turin then they'll qualify for the next round, but they've only won once in eight visits to Italy. So the odds doesn't favour a victory for them. If They draw and Shakhtar beat Nordsjaelland then it will go down to the final matches.

 

Next fixtures: November 20

Nordsjaelland v Shakhtar

Juventus v Chelsea

 

 

 

 

GROUP F

 

If BATE fails to win against Lille then the victor of Bayern Munich against Valencia will go through. The Belarusian side have only ever won one Champions League match, but it was against Lille in September.

 

Next fixtures: November 20

BATE Borisov v Lille

Valencia v Baryern Munich

 

 

 

 

 

GROUP G

 

Celtic are almost in the next round - a win against Benfica will send them through but even a score-draw will be enough if Spartak Moscow don't win against Barcelona, who will go through with a draw.

 

Next fixtures: November 20

Spartak Moscow v Barcelona

Benfica v Celtic

 

 

 

GROUP H

 

Manchester United are already through with four wins in four, but second place is up for graps. Galatasaray and Cluj are on four points and Braga have three. The Turkish side are top of their domestic league but lost surprisingly last Friday and drew the match before that and haven't won in two. Defeat for Braga and they're out.

 

Next fixtures: Novemebr 20

Galatasaray v Manchester United

Cluj v Braga

 

 

 

Men, our concerns with women just keeps increasing.

Quarter of women would dump their man if their pet didn't like him. Unbelievable

Men would now have to add, wait for it, dogs, yes dogs to the list of things to worry about when considering the woman to spend their lives with.

You thought your future mother-in-law was your only worry, well according to recent survey, you may be dead wrong.

A quarter of women would dump a man if their pet didn't like him, a study has found - and a third would leave their own bed and sleep on the floor next to their pet if it was ill.

Can you beat that? crazy

Another half have claimed they will say 'hello' to their dog or cat before anyone esle when they get home.

Men, however, seem to be a little less devoted as only 12 per cent said they would split up with their partner if their pet didn't take to her.

The study was carried out by an animal health organisation, found that 40 per cent of the 1,094 pet owners surveyed would risk their own life to save their animal if it were in danger.

Half insisted they would spare no expense on treatment if their pet was ill - although a similar number forget to keep their vaccines up to date.

The study by animal health organisation NOAH (National Office of Animal Health) shows just how important pets are to Britains animal lovers.

It seems that not only do we look to our pets for advise on dating, but many confess to discussing other matters with them it said.

One in five - 20 per cent - regularly chat to their animal about the weather. And 60 per cent celebrate special occasions together, such as birthdays and even Valentine's, Mother's and Father's days.

Are these ladies serious, so where does a man come in If you have to discuss your personal issues with a dog,?

Crazy.

American rapper Snoop Dogg wants to invest in Scottish Champions Celtic

Celtic Coach Joked..Only if he invites me to one of his parties first.

Snoop Dogg has said he would like to invest in Scottish Premier League champions Celtic.

The 41-year-old superstar, who has made no secret of his love for football, has been a fan of the Scottish side since he was pictured with a Celtic shirt in 2005.

Snoop said that the passion shown by the fan when Celtic beat Barcelona 2-1 on an historic night in the Champions League may have persuaded him to splash cash and buy shares in the club.

Cool.

He said: 'I got a lot of interest in soccer. I didnt catch the whole Barcelona game but I watched the highlights. I know Barcelona are a big deal, and it shows Celtic are a big deal as well.

'I see how passionate Celtic fans are about their team and I could see myself making an investment if any of the board wanted to sell.

'I haven't really thought how much. I don't need to run a soccer club but enough of a percentage to get me on the board so I can be heard.

'I want to bring a bit of Snoop to things. I am passionate about my sport. The boxes at Celtic would never be the same once i have hosted a party there.

You got that right.

Meanwhile, Celtic manager Neil Lennon has joked that, he would welcome Snoop Dogg's investment in the club - if the hip hop star invite him to one of his parties.

 

An invite is already on its way as we speak Lennon.

 

 

 

 

 

WELCOME BACK TO MANCHESTER RONALDO

Heading to Manchester City

Cristiano Ronaldo is back in Manchester but after Sir Alex Ferguson said some days ago that he is 'unbuyable', we know where he will be going to. Certainly not Manchester United then but their noisy neighbours, Manchester City. City ofcourse have the money for that kind of investment.

Ronaldo is heading to Manchester City.

Ronaldo will be back in town to play for the first time on Wednesday night when Madrid face Manchester City in the Champions League. The late winner he scored to break City's hearts at the Bernabeu in September has only increased his popularity across town.

Maybe one day he will play for them but on Wednesday, he will play against them.

Ronaldo played for Manchester United from 2003 to 2009. Was bought from Sporting Lisbon for £12m in 2003 by Ferguson.

He played 248 matches for United and scored 99 goals with 34 assists.

He has so far played 145 matches for Real, scored 152 goals and has 70 assists to his name.

That is an amazing statistics by any standard.

 

Di Matteo has dug himself into a hole.

LOSE and be fired.

Yesterday, I wrote a small piece about the three possible coaches who won't last before Christmas, well now am almost certain, one will know his fate tonight, if result between his team and Juventus goes south for him.

Yes am talking about, Chelsea's coach, Roberto Di Matteo.

There are indications that owner Roman Abramovich will try to persuade Pep Guardiola to become Chelsea manager before the summer if he fires Roberto Di Matteo.

The above scenario is most certain to happen if Chelsea loses their Champions League match tonight against Juventus, a result that is almost certain to knock them off the knockout stages of the competition.

Guardiola is currently on a year's sabbatical in New York with his family and has already given Chelsea strong hints that he wants the job next summer. But Abramovich who is losing patience with Di Matteo ahead of tonight's Champions League clash with Juventus, is determind to land his man.

Chelsea have a massive six days ahead as they focus on Juventus and then the Premier Leagus clash with champions Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Di Matteo insisted the squad remain united ahead of the Group E game in Turin, despite confirmation of dressing-room clashes after Saturday's defeat at West Bromwich.

A lose for Chelsea tonight will mean they will most likely become the first team in the history of the Champions League to win the competition and be knocked out in the group stages the next year.

I can't take that, talk less of Roman Abramovich.

Sadly, Di Matteo brought this upon himself, not taking full control of his players and now, he will pay for that.

Fernando Torres and David Luiz should also be given the sack too.

 

 

David Beckham leaving LA Galaxy next week

Is he leaving the U.S.A too

 

 

David Beckham has announced that he will be playing his last game for the Los Angeles Galaxy next week.

 

He will attempt to help his team win their second consecutive MLS Cup in the league final against Houston Dynamo December 1st.

 

However, he has said, though that would mean the final act of his six-year career in LA, the would not retire and said he was hoping for 'one last challenge'.

 

 

 

Speculations over his next destination is likely to rage over the next few days, with Paris, Australia and his native London all possible new homes for the English legend.

 

We here are wishing him the best in his new career or club.

 

 

 

 

 

MANAGERS LIKELY TO LOSE THEIR JOBS BEFORE CHRISTMAS

These three managers are likely to lose their coaching positions before christmas if results keep going against them.

Mancini will most certainly be out of job if Manchester City is unable to book a place for the second year running in the Champions League knockout stage. They will have to beat Real Madrid to have any chance.

Verdict:  I SEE HIM GONE BEFORE CHRISTMAS OR AT MOST JANUARY

Chelsea Coach, Roberto Di Matteo will most certain also lose his position as the coach of Champions League winning team Chelsea if result in matches between Chelsea and Juventus in the Champions League and Manchester City in the Premiership goes against his club.

A loss for Chelsea against Juventus will mean, the defending champion may find the road to the knockout stages of the competition they won last year almost impossible, something owner Roman Abramovich will not take lightly.

Verdict: IF CHELSEA LOSES THESE TWO MATCHES, DI MATTEO IS A GONNER. PERIOD

Mark Hughes is the coach of Queens Park Rangers QPR in the premiership and they are yet to win a single match this season. They currently are last on the table with just 4 points from 12 matches. Why he is still incharge of the club beats me.

Verdict:  THE NEXT TWO MATCHES WILL CERTAINLY DICTATE HIS FATE, BUT I DEFINITELY SEE HIM OUT OF A JOB BEFORE CHRISTMAS.

Seun Kuti does not believe in God

And why am I not surprised!

Seun Kuti, son of Afrobeat Legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, has admitted that he does not believe in God or any other deity.

Seun's father did not believe in God either, confirming the fact that controversy runs in the family.

Seun has also said that he only believes in the power of Nature and has admitted to smoking marijuana.

But when faced with death, he will remember to call JESUS am sure. Right?

So so sad for him.

Toyin Hamzat is dead.

Former Ikeja LG boss killed

Report reaching us has it that, Former Ikeja Local Government boss and Special Adviser Lagos Ministry of Health Toyin Hamzat has been killed.

He was killed on Monday morning on his way to his Sagamu Home, Ogun State after attending a party in Lagos.

Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Today described as most unfortunate, shocking and heart rending, the fatal attack on his former Special Adviser on Health.

The Governor in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Hakeem Bello, said it was an irony of life that such a man of peace who gave so much in the service of his nation and community could come to such a violent end.

While condoling with his Ogun counterpart, the Government and people of Ogun state as well as the immediate family of the deceased, Governor Fashola described Hamzats death as a personal loss to him, Lagos State and the entire South West family of the Action Congress of Nigeria.

This is another political killing and this has to stop.  We can't keep cutting short the lives of our best hands, all in the name of politics and expect this nation to develop. It's not possible.

Lewis Hamilton wins Austin F1

Lewis Hamilton has won the United States Grand Prix. He said he wanted the victory more than Red Bull rival Sebastian Vettel.

Hamilton 27, spent much of the race pressuring championship leader Vettel for the lead and finally overtook the German on lap 42 on the 56-lap race.

For Vettel, the wait for a third consecutive title goes on to the closing race in Brazil next week. His advantage over Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, who was third, now stands at 13 points with 25 on offer. He has one gloved hand on the title.

It was a rich reward for Hamilton, whose dominance at Abu Dhabi a fornight ago deserved a victory that was denied him by mechanical failure.

He was forced to retire while leading the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Lost a place to Red Bull's Mark webber, who was forced to retire on lap 18 with an alternator failure, at the start but reclaimed second with a bold move at Turn 12 on lap four.

It was also an emotional win, perhaps his last for McLaren, the team he joined as a 12 year-old kar.

 

Di Matteo fighting for his job after dressing room row

This was bound to happen sooner or later.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich must be lossing his patience with Roberto Di Matteo and sooner than later that patience will run out and Matteo will be without a job.

Chelsea has won just three of their last seven games and defeat against Juventus in Turin on Tuesday would put their Champions League campaign in serious jeopardly.

From the looks of this, a defeat in Turin may just put the nail on the coffin for Matteo.

After starting the season so well, Chelsea's campaign is in danger of falling apart, causing owner Roman Abramovich to lose his patience.

Not surprising, he isn't alone as GoalKeeper Petr Cech was at the centre of a heated dressing-room row following Saturday's 2-1 defeat at West Bromich.

After their game with Juve, Chelsea face Barclays Premier League leaders Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

A defeat in either of these two matches will spell doom for Di Matteo and his side.

These are vital matches for Di Matteo, with Abramovich aware that former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola wants to work at Chelsea when he returns to management next summer.

Cech was furious after Chelsea's poor defensive display left them four points behind Manchester City. Amid a flurry of expletives, another voice screamed that the display was 'rubbish - and you all know it'

Other comments that emanated from the row was "call yourself Champions League winners?' as passions spilled over

It was reported that Di Matteo though calm in front of the media was stomping around in a fashion that was seldom to him in the dressing room.

Chelsea defender David Luiz was surely among those chastised by his colleagues, particularly over the embarrassing lack of discipline in his game.

This guy needs to be sold or told exactly what to do. He can't keep having things his way, its costing Chelsea way to much.

Di  Matteo has promised to wield the axe for the Juventus game. Judge on their performance on Saturday alone, defender Luiz and misfiring striker Fernando Torres must be in line for a very public chop.

Ever since captain John Terry's absence, the failings in Chelsea's defence have become painfully apparent. They miss not just his quality but his organisational ability and have conceded an average of two goals in every game without him this season. Unbelievable.

Student wins MTN aeroplane, opts for N64M (before nko)

A student of the College of Health Science and Technology, Rivers States, Ebube Essien-Garrick, 27, has emerged the winner of a Cessna 182T aircraft in the MTN Ultimate Wonder Promo.

She won the aeroplane after a draw held at the head office of MTN in Lagos on Tuesday.

Chief Marketing Office, MTN, Mr. Larry Annetts, said the draw leading to the winner was interesting, credible and transparent.

He said, "When we came out with the promo, many doubted us but today we have an Ultimate winner who will go home with the promised Cessna 182T aeroplance.

The take-home for us here is that MTN is committed towards enriching the lives of its consumers.

Make i no talk too much, but is this for REAL,  please, someone call that girl?

N100 charge on ATM transactions cancelled

The Central Bank of Nigeria and the Bankers Committee on Tuesday finally agreed to put a stop to all charges associated with the use of Automated Teller Machines.  (Its about time)

The agreement was the high point of a meeting between the committee made up of Chief Executive Officers and Deposit Money banks, and directors and top officials of the CBN.

Group Managing Director, First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Mr. Bisi Onasanya, addressing Journalist after the meeting said.

'Before now, account holders had been made to pay a flat rate of N100 per withdrawal any time they used ATMs other than the ones that belonged to their banks.

'We have decided to stop forthwith charges for usage of ATMs. Onasanya said, the decision to stop the charge would help to increase the patronage of ATMs, thus deepening the financial inclusion strategy of the central bank.

He said the modalities for the stoppage were being worked out, adding that within the shortest time possible, the adjustments would be reflected on all the ATMs.

'We have decided that we will work out the modalities that will ensure that with immediate effect, we will pass on these cost to the respective banks; we will bear the cost of providing these services so that no matter where you are drawing your money from, you will not be subjected to any charge for using the ATM.

Nice but does this means more charges in other banking services, we wait and see.



 

 

Vanguard Reporter's wife abductors demand N10m

Abductors of Marian Onoyume, wife of Vanguard reporter in Rivers State, Jimitota Onoyeme, have made a demand of N10 million ransom to release her, Vanguard reports.

She was kidnapped last Monday at Eku, Ethiope Local Government Area of Delta State.

The Delta State Police Command said it was aware that the kidnappers were asking for N10 million ranson.

More on Vanguard.

SMACKING OR SHOUTING AT YOUR CHILDREN 'RAISES THEIR RISK OF CANCER, HEART DISEASE AND ASTHMA LATER IN LIFE'

Scientists have found that, parents who smack or shout at their children, place them at greater risk of health problems later in life - including cancer, new research has found.

Further more, those who hit or raise their voices at youngsters expose them to the risk of developing cancer, heart disease and asthma.

They claim only minor smacks and shouting can have the same long term health implications as serious abuse and trauma.

The report found use of 'harse punishments' in childhood increases the risk of disease in later life.

The increased stress levels then cause biological changes within an individual which can lead to serious health problems, the study found.

'Early life stress in the form of trauma and abuse is known to create long term changes that predispose to later disease.

'But the study shows that in a society where corporal punishment is considered normal, the use of corporal punishment is sufficiently stressful to have the same kinds of long term impact as abuse and trauma.

Today's kids are really having life good. I remember the days when..... he don do.

All this research, when will they ever end.