Claridge aims to make Lions roar
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Your support makes all the difference.Millwall have appointed one of their former players, Steve Claridge, as their new manager. The 39-year-old, who played for the club between 2001 and 2003, succeeds Dennis Wise, who resigned on the final day of last season.
Millwall have appointed one of their former players, Steve Claridge, as their new manager. The 39-year-old, who played for the club between 2001 and 2003, succeeds Dennis Wise, who resigned on the final day of last season.
The Millwall chairman, Jeff Burnige, said: "Steve Claridge fulfils the criteria I was looking for in a manager and indeed he is the only candidate to whom I offered the job. The clinching factor for me, however, is that he is the person with the burning desire to manage Millwall. Steve has a passion for this club that supporters can identify with."
Claridge said: "I'm thrilled to be given the opportunity to manage Millwall. I thoroughly enjoyed my time here previously and this is a challenge I just couldn't turn down. Everyone at Millwall knows me and knows what to expect and I am now looking forward to getting started."
Newcastle plan to take their time as they contemplate a move for Luis Figo. Their manager, Graeme Souness, confirmed the club are interested in Real Madrid's 32-year-old winger, although suggestions that talks are at an advanced stage are wide of the mark. Figo's wages, thought to amount to £4.6m a year, are potentially a major stumbling block.
A deal that would hand Figo a one-year contract with a two-year option for both parties - similar to the arrangement on which Patrick Kluivert arrived at St James' Park last summer - has been mooted, although Liverpool, Bolton and Galatasaray are also among the clubs interested in Figo.
Newcastle - who yesterday appointed their former player Glenn Roeder to take charge of their Academy - are continuing their efforts to offload Figo's Portuguese compatriot Hugo Viana, while Craig Bellamy is a target for Everton. Aston Villa yesterday dismissed speculation linking them with a move for Lee Bowyer, whose proposed move to Birmingham fell through last week following opposition on a fans' website.
Birmingham's co-owner, David Sullivan, yesterday revealed that Bowyer's fears over his personal safety were a major factor in his having rejected the chance to move to the Midlands club. Sullivan said that Bowyer, who was acquitted of all charges in relation to an attack on an Asian student in Leeds city centre four years ago, had told him that he was fearful of an attack by Asian people "ready to kick seven bells out of him".
Sullivan added: "He told us that he would only leave Newcastle if a London club came in for him, or one from France. Why France? Apparently he likes it and believes he could live quite anonymously over there."
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