He Faces Gold Cup Standard
Mexico’s performance in this month’s CONCACAF Gold Cup could go a long way in determining Coach Ricardo Lavolpe’s future.
But the Argentine, already under scrutiny because of poor results since taking over the team in October, has hinted that he might quit before being fired.
After scoreless ties against Colombia, Brazil and the United States, a 1-1 tie with Paraguay and a 1-0 loss to Argentina in his first match, Lavolpe told Notimex news agency that he perceives a lack of support from the Mexican federation and is wary of increasing scrutiny.
“Mexican football is like a time bomb,” said Lavolpe, who said he needed at least two years to get the results he sought.
In the Gold Cup, Mexico will be expected to do well since it would play at least three of four games at Mexico City should it advance to the final. Mexico opens against Brazil on July 13 before playing Honduras on July 17.
Meanwhile, Mexican daily Esto reported that national-team players Rafael Marquez, Pavel Pardo and Oswaldo Sanchez were robbed at gunpoint when stopped in a taxi in Mexico City last weekend.
Marquez, who plays for AS Monaco in France but might soon be transferred to Barcelona, told the newspaper that an armed man pointed a gun at his head and escaped with money, watches and other valuables.
Chelsea Rising?
If new Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is to be believed, the English club could become the next soccer superpower.
The Russian oil billionaire sounds as if he plans to make waves in the transfer market.
Abramovich told England’s Sun tabloid that he offered $57 million for European champion AC Milan defender Alessandro Nesta but it was turned down.
Abramovich also wants his club to pursue Dutch striker Patrick Kluivert (Barcelona), Dutch midfielder Edgar Davids (Juventus), Brazilian midfielder Rivaldo (AC Milan), Russian forward Andrei Shevchenko (AC Milan) and Brazilian midfielder Ronaldihno (Paris Saint-Germain), whose deal to go to Manchester United fell through Thursday -- at least for the moment.
“I am looking at [this] as something to have fun with rather than an investment,” Abramovich said. “I don’t want to throw my money away, but it’s really about having fun and that means success and trophies.”
Kluivert Stalls
Barcelona’s patience is wearing thin with Kluivert, who hasn’t informed the Spanish league team of his plans.
Kluivert was upset because of the team’s decision to lower his base salary and also because it would not pay him a $5.3-million bonus.
Coach Frank Rijkaard has plans to strengthen the team, but those are on hold until Kluivert’s situation is resolved.
Quick Passes
South Korean midfielder Lee Chun Soo is close to a transfer from Ulsan Hyundai, his K-League club, to Real Sociedad. He would be the first South Korean to play in the Spanish first division.... Wolverhampton, recently promoted to the English Premier League, is set to sign Ukrainian defender Oleg Luzhny, 34, whose contract expired with Arsenal.
