D Tuesday, December 22, 2009 METROSPORT 23 Q15: Thierry Henrys handball set up the goal that denied Ireland a place at the 2010 World Cup, but who was the scorer? To P24 Mancini sees a little bit of Italy in Manchester rivalry NEW Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini says he is targeting a top-four finish this season and the Premier League title the following year. And the Italian is looking forward to a Milan-style rivalry with Manchester United after replacing Mark Hughes. My squad usually play to win, al- ways, said the former Inter coach. My target is to arrive in the top four, but its my objective, its possible. City is a big club. I want to stay here for many years and I want to contrib- ute to winning many trophies. Mancini, who took training with the City players for the first time yester- day, said: I told them to believe in our- selves and they are great players and we can win if we work hard every day. I want to see this week the players and after well make a decision [about targets]. For now its just important we concentrate on Stoke [on Saturday]. Manchester is similar to Milan in its football passion. In Milan there are two big teams there fighting for su- premacy and silverware and here it is the same. I like the challenge of that. Im sorry for Mark but when we start this job, this situation is possible, he said. I stayed in Italy for four years and I won seven trophies. At the end of the season they sacked me. This is our job. I dont want to look back. Mancinis first meeting with City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak took place two weeks ago, but the 45-year- old insists the discussions were just general. They wanted to speak with me about Inter Milan and other teams, he said. Meanwhile, Mancinis successor at Inter Jose Mourinho believes the Ital- ian will enjoy life at City, although he warned him the Premier League is completely different to Serie A. Former Chelsea boss Mourinho feels Mancini, who has been out of work since leaving the Nerazzurri in May 2008, is a good fit for ambitious City. Mourinho said: It will be a great and special experience for him. The Pre- mier League is completely different to what he has known so far. Mancini is a good coach and has an owner [Sheikh Mansour] who spends a lot of money. I dont see why he shouldnt be happy in England. Barcelona signal end to their interest in Robinho BARCELONA president Joan Laporta insists the newly crowned Club World Cup champions will not make a renewed bid to sign Robinho after revealing Manchester City rejected their initial offer. The Brazil playmaker has claimed previously he would welcome a move to the Nou Camp, prompting Barca to open negotiations with City. But the Eastlands club turned down Barcas opening bid and Laporta said: We are very happy with the squad but if we have to make any improvements we will do. The conditions we set out for Robinho were not acceptable to City and since the squad are developing so well, unless there are any unforeseen last- minute changes we will not be signing anyone in January. Nou move in January: Robinho By paul muRphy SOCCER pRemieR league Messi wins Fifas world player award LIoNEL MESSI was last night rewarded for a stunning year in which he helped Barcelona to an unprecedented six trophies, being named Fifas world player of the year. The Argentina forward 22, who won the award for the first time, headed the clinching goal against Manchester United in the Champions League final. He beat last years winner, Cristiano Ronaldo, his two clubmates Andres Iniesta and Xavi, and Brazil midfielder Kaka. Messi said: Im extremely happy. Weve just ended a historic year, a perfect year in which weve won every competition weve played in. We just needed to take this last step and everything has worked out how we wanted. Its amazing. Meanwhile, five Premier League players were named on the Fifa/FIFPro team of the year. Fifa/FiFpro Team of the year: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), John Terry (Chelsea), Nemanja Vidic (Man Utd), Patrice Evra (Man Utd), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Xavi (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Fernando Torres (Liverpool). amazing: Barcelonas lionel messi accepts the Fifa World player of the year in Zurich last night Picture: Getty Wigan: Snow way we could have played OFFICIALS were forced to postpone last nights Premier League match between Wigan and Bolton because of severe weather conditions. Heavy snow made roads treacherous in the area, although the playing surface at the DW Stadium was deemed playable. However, safety concerns regarding the public areas surrounding the ground, which were still covered in snow and ice, meant the club had no option but to call off the match. A statement read: It was felt the areas around the stadium, despite the best efforts of Wigan and the local Council, were deemed unsafe. Wigan were keen to point out safety issues alone, and not the state of the pitch or ground itself, forced their hand. The club stress every effort has been made to ensure the game could go ahead. The DW Stadium pitch and the stadium itself are in perfect condition, the statement added. CoCA-Cola Championship side Coventry City yesterday signed Gary Deegan from Bohemians on a three- and-a-half-year deal. The 22-year-old central midfielder spent last week at the Ricoh Arena and duly impressed Sky Blues boss Chris Coleman. Though Dubliner Deegan is a free agent, Bohs are believed to be set to receive compensation in the region of 80,000 as the player is under 23. We believe we have acquired not only a very good technical footballer, but also a very tenacious and hard- working one as well who will complement the players we already have here, said Coleman. Deegan joins Coventry lEaguE Of iRElandSTAN KROENKE is within 17 shares of the threshold which would force him into making a takeover bid for Arsenal. The American business tycoon and owner of the NBAs Denver Nuggets has bought another 25 shares in the last week and, although his stake in the club remains at 29.9 per cent, he is nearing the 30 per cent holding that requires him to make a formal takeover bid and offer to buy the entire stock holding. Kroenkes latest share acquisition is reported to have cost 212,500 (240,000). FORmeR Scotland manager Craig Brown has told Craig levein he will have enough on his hands trying to end the countrys exile from the major stage if he takes over as national team coach. Dundee united manager levein has admitted boredom may be a factor as he ponders his future following the Scottish Fas approach to the Tannadice club. But Brown said: The priority is for the national team to succeed. i think first of all that is a full-time job. index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html