Hans Backe, a close friend of Sven-Göran Eriksson, is expected to become the manager of Notts County. The Coca-Cola League Two club could announce the appointment as early as tomorrow. Backe worked with Eriksson, the director of football at Meadow Lane, as his assistant at Manchester City and with the Mexico national team. He was due to have discussions about the post with his fellow Swede last night.

“I will meet with Notts County, I will read through the contract,” Backe, 57, said. “If everything is sorted out, I will take over immediately.”

Robinho’s Nou Camp dream
Robinho believes that his aim to be the best player in the world would be better served playing for Barcelona than Manchester City. The forward told a Brazilian radio station: “I’m very happy about the interest that Barcelona have in me. Playing in the Nou Camp it is much easier to be the best in the world than at City. I’m not forcing a hypothetical exit and neither do I have problems with my coach.”

Stan Kroenke adds shares
Stan Kroenke requires 636 more shares to trigger a mandatory takeover bid of Arsenal after he spent £85,000 on ten shares last night to increase his stake to 28.87 per cent. It was the American billionaire’s third purchase in as many weeks, leaving him just short of the 29.9 per cent threshold at which he would be required to make a formal offer for the club under Stock Exchange rules.

Chelsea told: Sergio Agüero yours for £50m
Chelsea have been told that they will have to pay a huge fee to sign Sergio Agüero from Atlético Madrid. Miguel Angel Gil Marin, the Atlético delegate general, claimed Chelsea made a summer offer of about £41 million for the Argentina forward, who played in the Champions League tie between the sides at Stamford Bridge last week. Gil Marin said: “If they want to make a better offer, Atlético will assess it.”

Fabio Capello calls Michael Owen his 'tormentor'
Fabio Capello described Michael Owen as his “tormentor” after saying that he is driven to distration by the question of whether to recall the Manchester United striker. The England head coach, speaking at an Italian sports seminar, likened his dilemma to that facing Marcello Lippi, the Italy coach. “I have Owen, I have a tormentor,” he said. “With Lippi, it’s Alberto Cassano.”

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