Vieira in hot water; Crespo in exit; Rix is one for Hearts

Finally, some titbits. Patrick Vieira has stated in his autobiography some words about Van Nistelrooy, labelling him "a cheat", "a coward", and a derogative term concerning the Dutchman's mother. Very strong, and I sense they are enough for contemplation of legal action against the Juve man. Also in his bio, Vieira mentions the time when the TV camera filmed Roy Keane becoming annoyed with Vieira when the teams met at Highbury in February this year, explaining why he confronted Gary Neville, because he felt Neville had deliberately targeted Reyes at the Old Trafford meeting earlier. So Neville was being warned by Vieira and Keane managed to step out and come across it.

Vieira stated his annoyance when Keane mentioned about the former Gunners skipper playing for France when he was born in Senegal, but yet those comments still didn't shroud his respect for the Man Utd man, his playability and his leadership. But his hatred for VNR is very, very strong, and it is something said to have reverberated around Highbury. Vieira wasn't alone.

Hernan Crespo was missing from the squad at Old Trafford. It was mentioned to Jose Mourinho after the match and he stated Crespo was being rested on his own (Mourinho's) judgement. The Argentinian is said to have been upset over not being included in those considered playable for the Betis game, and that Didier Drogba is favoured much more by the manager, despite Crespo having done well on his appearances. Add to this that Mrs Crespo is said to be homesick (though I sense it is because she misses Milan than appreciates London), then there's a hint of realism to the rumour. This has, in turn, done wonders for Eidur Gudjohnsen's selection.

While Birmingham aim to resolve their goalscoring crisis and table position, Mario Melchiot has apparently stated his intent to leave St Andrews on a Bosman move if the club do not show more enthusiasm regarding his Birmingham future. Perhaps this is untimely, given the circumstances and that the club may have to revise finances IF they were to be relegated.

Hearts appear to have chosen former Arsenal player, Chelsea and Portsmouth coach Graham Rix to fill the manager's position. This after a shortlist consisting of Sir Bobby Robson, Claudio Ranieri, Kevin Keegan, former domestic title and Champions League winner with Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich Ottmar Hitzfeld, amongst others. How the appointment of Rix as manager can be justified for a club starting spritely as Hearts is the question.

Rix spent 14 years playing for Arsenal, joined Brentford on loan, travelled across the river to France for Le Havre and Caen and finishing his playing career with Dundee in 1993. He joined Chelsea as the youth team coach and played one game for them during a shortage of available players, ironically against Arsenal in May 1995. He was made assistant manager under Ruud Gullit and kept his position alongside Gianluca Vialli. Chelsea won the FA cup, the League Cup and the UEFA Cup. He was convicted of unlawful sex with a 15 yr old girl, and six months later returned to Chelsea in his previous position, where Chelsea won the FA Cup again in 2000. Vialli was the manager at the time and Rix departed when the Italian was sacked.

He went on to coach Portsmouth a year later and was sacked in March 2002, replaced by Harry Redknapp. Joining Oxford United as caretaker manager in replace of Ian Atkins in March 2004, he took on the role in full a month later but was relieved of his duties, due to poor results, for a position elsewhere in the club in November 2004. He is said to have left Oxford in March this year, presumably after an initial 12 months probation period had passed. Ray Wilkins gave Rix his backing for the Hearts position, though I doubt such confidence could be installed into the parents of his 15 yr old victim. The chances of the Yorkshireman keeping a run of consistent wins at the club will be heavily scrutinised, not by Vladimir and Roman Romanov, but by the fans.


RedsMan.