Ferguson Jr steps into management

Hide the pizzas, put the hairdryer away and alert the watch manufacturers, Darren Ferguson, son of Sir Alex, took his first step into management yesterday when he became the player-manager of League Two side Peterborough, who then lost 3-0 at home to Stockport. Ferguson, 34, left Wrexham, where he had been their midfield playmaker for seven years to replace Keith Alexander, who was sacked last week after a club-record six straight league defeats

Ballack’s charity

Not all Premiership footballers are greedy. Chelsea’s Michael Ballack has given a cash gift to his hometown club, Chemnitzer FC, where he started his career. Ballack is paying for them to reemploy their physiotherapist, who was recently made redundant. It’s not the first time he has helped out — last year he donated equipment. Mind you, on more than £120,000 a week, he can afford it

Smoke free

If, like Zinedine Zidane, you enjoy a quick puff before a game, you’d best steer clear of the Football League in future. The League are to ban smoking at all grounds from the start of next season, enforcing a ‘smoke-free policy throughout stadium confines’. Zidane, once the face of an EU antismoking campaign, was caught on camera having a crafty fag before the World Cup semi-final against Portugal last summer

Withe or without you

The pantomime season may be at an end over here, but not in Indonesia. Peter Withe, once of Aston Villa and formerly coach of Thailand, has been sacked as manager of Indonesia’s national side. Oh, no I haven’t, says Withe. ‘As far as I am concerned, I am still their national team coach,’ he said. Oh, yes you have, says the country’s federation president Nurdin Halid: ‘We will name a replacement for him as soon as Monday’

Dutch treat sees Celtic stretch lead

Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink fired a hat-trick to help Celtic move 20 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premierleague thanks to a 5-1 home win over St Mirren. Aiden McGeady and Kenny Miller were Celtic’s other scorers with Stephen McGinn replying

Explore Football

• Premier League

• Football League

• Scotland

• European Football

• International Football

• TheGame

• Live Match Tracker

• The Fink Tank

• Fantasy Football