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Alan Hansen is expected to leave Match of the Day and the BBC

326 shares 195 View comments Alan Hansen, the leading football pundit on the BBC for over 20 years, is expected to exit Match of the Day at the end of next season. Hansen, who will be 59 in June 2014, has one year remaining on his BBC contract and there seems no great wish on either side to renew a contract that expires after the World Cup. BBC are likely to give the Match of the Day show a much-needed shake-up after the departure of Hansen, who has been the main analyst on the programme for so long. Early days: Hansen with Des Lynam and Sir Trevor Brooking Key men: Hansen and Gary Lineker Current line-up (L-R): Alan Shearer, Gary Lineker, Hansen and Mark Lawrenson It is understood the offer of a three-year contract to Everton’s Phil Neville, which he rejected with plenty of other options to consider, was part of that long-term planning for MotD. Hansen, who was earning a staggering £1.5million a year, had to take a considerable pay cut when he s

Sky have reached limit in commentary box with Andrew Strauss arrival - Charles Sale

8 shares 0 View comments It will be standing room only in the Sky Sports commentary booth during the Ashes Tests this summer, with Andrew Strauss and Shane Warne joining a TV team already bursting at the seams. None of Sky’s regular crew of Test match pundits are due to make way for the arrival of yet another former England captain. Strauss is also expected to be part of Sky’s coverage for the return Ashes series in Australia this winter, but does not intend to become a full-time analyst. He's urned the chance: Ashes winner Strauss will be in Sky's commentary box this time around Inside knowledge: Andrew Strauss (right) will be analysing Andy Flower's England   The MCC look to have won their battle against the dwindling number of rebels wanting an independent inquiry into the Lord’s  rebuilding shambles — especially after David Gower switched sides to support the club after the revised renovation programme was explained to him. However

Nike want England fans to get behind new shirt - Charles Sale

15 shares 33 View comments England's new shirt suppliers Nike are to launch a marketing campaign aimed at persuading fans to put their support for the national team ahead of club allegiance. The slogan ‘Country First Club Second’ will be used to help sell the idea when the shirts are unveiled for England’s friendly against the Republic of Ireland at Wembley on Wednesday week and the away strip for the game against Brazil in the Maracana Stadium four days later. Nike face an uphill task as the majority of  football fans, unlike their rugby and cricket counterparts, favour their club team well ahead of Roy Hodgson’s side. Putting England first: Nike want football fans to put the country before their club The suppliers say they are keeping their shirt designs and strategy secret ahead of the launch. Yet they gave the FA council an advance viewing yesterday, with models showing off the home outfit — white with a round neck — and the red away version, whi

Kevin Pietersen risks re-opening old wounds with ECB with Tweets - Charles Sale

14 View comments Kevin Pietersen’s reintegration into the England side is not being helped by his attitude since he was sidelined by a knee injury. Pietersen’s award of a central contract in January after his success in India suggested all was reconciled following the dressing-room rifts last summer which saw KP dropped for sending ‘provocative’ texts to the South Africans about England captain Andrew Strauss. Bronzed: Pietersen posted a picture of himself abroad while his England teammates face New Zealand Taking a dip: Pietersen also posted a picture of himself swimming But Pietersen is again antagonising the ECB with his seeming desire to be a man apart from the rest of the squad. He chose not to attend the England Player of the Year function at Lord’s on Monday despite being in London that day. And it continues to frustrate the England management that KP is the one contracted player not to drive a Jaguar while on international duty, which is part of the spons

Sven-Goran Eriksson to release autobiography one day after England's last World Cup qualifier

8 shares 6 View comments Sven Goran Eriksson is planning to tell all about his torrid time as England manager in an autobiography that will cover a personal life that overshadowed his football achievements. And the timing of the book launch on October 16 — the day after England’s last World Cup qualifier — ensures the Headline publication gains maximum impact and gives Sven, who earned £4million a year with the FA, his final pay day on the back of England. Mercenary Eriksson, who has written his memoir Svennis with Swedish journalist Stefan Lovgren, has had spells with Manchester City, Mexico, Notts County, Leicester City, Ivory Coast, Thai club Tero Sasana and Al Nasr in Dubai since leaving the England job in 2006. Time to perfection: Sven-Goran Eriksson's autobiography will be released the day after England's last World Cup qualifier But his five-and-a-half years at the FA will be at the heart of his life story, including the fake sheik scandal, his sto

Andy Thorn sacking strange move - The Midlander

3 View comments There have been some strange decisions at Coventry City over the years. Selling Highfield Road might have been one. Sacking Eric Black certainly fell into that category. Current owners SISU handing over their cash to Ray Ranson? Ouch. Dismissed: Andy Thorn was axed by Coventry after three league draws       More from Neil Moxley...   Wolves calm rising waves of anger as 'faultless' Jackett moves into the Molineux hot seat 06/06/13   Lambert's Villa teaching only just survived the first term, but when did things get so bad at this once great club? 15/05/13   Suarez be warned, a Birmingham striker almost lost his arm after being bitten during a match 25/04/13   With all the turmoil in England'

Nottingham Forest on the up - The Midlander

0 View comments The preferred route to success for any football club would be sustained and steady growth. Planned development with one eye fixed firmly on the finances. I make no apologies for saying this again - just like the model that is currently being followed at West Brom. There is another alternative, of course. You can throw money at it (Aston Villa). You can throw money at it and then watch as it spectacularly implodes (Birmingham City). You can throw a finance house's cash at it, fail, drop down two leagues and still lose money (Coventry City). You get the picture. And then we have Nottingham Forest. Looking up: Nottingham Forest have made an encouraging to the the new season in the npower Championship       More from Neil Moxley...   Wolves calm rising waves of anger as 'faultless' Jackett moves into t