England job: Redknapp has no chance, Mourinho has every chance

Champions League / Top Dog / 29 November 2007 / Leave a Comment

Betfair's top dog sniffs around the truth behind the latest tabloid tales

Top Dog

Betfair's top dog sniffs around the truth behind the latest tabloid tales.

• Cruft's champion - Top stories that can dominate the news agenda
• Pedigree chum - Insights that tell you something you don't know
• Dog's dinner - Speculation, guesswork, or ideas that just don't come off.

Top Dog says:

Lots of match action in today's papers as well as previews of tonight's games, and of course detailed reports of Paul Jewell and Alex McLeish arriving at Derby and Birmingham. Only Harry Harris in the Express picks up that the FA board meet today to sort out guidelines for who should be England boss. Harris says there's a mood to get an English presence in the new set-up. A bit of a blow that the most likely English manager has found himself muddled up in City of London police investigations, then. It does suggest Jose Mourinho might not be the FA's favourite - even though he's the choice of Betfair punters as [3.35] favourite.

Cruft's:

Daily Star - Harry in England KO - The Star gets to the real consequence of Harry Redknapp's arrest. If the FA suits were cautious about him before yesterday he's got no chance now. Innocent until proved guilty isn't a concept that Soho Square will want to go with! They will just run a mile from suspicion. Harry's odds shot out from [11] to [65] when news of his arrest broke but have come back to [28] this morning. Sadly for the man who would probably be the best English available candidate, laying at [34] is almost certainly free money.

Pedigree Chum:

The Sun - Wenber rapped for Euro ouburst - The Sun makes a one-match ban for Arsene Wenger after his tantrum in Seville their main back page story. Mark Irwin's story warns the touchline ban could be extended into the knock-out stages. Arsenal are [3.15] to be the longest surviving British club. A ban could damage their chances

Daily Star and others -- I love being the new Eric - Cristiano Ronaldo talks about his growing status at Old Trafford. If he keeps getting vital goals like the wonderful, dipping free kick on Tuesday night he could easily follow Cantona by being named PFA player of the year. Cesc Fabregas is [1.81] favourite, making Ronaldo great value at [3.85]

The Sun and others - Ramos: I don't need new players - New Spurs boss Juande Ramos says he won't spend money in the January window and is happy with the squad he's got. Has he seen their defending? Spurs are [5.6] to lay a top six finish.

Daily Express - Pain in Spain for Fabregas - While others focus on Wenger's touchline ban as the fall-out to Arsenal's defeat in Seville, The Express checks out Cesc Fabregas who limped off, and reveals he'll be out ten days with a hamstring injury. That means he misses Saturday night's trip to Villa Park - Martin O'Neill's side are a tasty looking [4.3] to follow three away wins with a home victory.

Dog' s dinner:

Daily Star - Jose wants £4m to do it - Of course Danny Fullbrook might have talked to Jose Mourinho or his agents to justify a story that Mourinho wouldn't take the England job on less than Sven Goran Eriksson was paid. Then again he might have guessed it. If you are backing The Special One who is [3.35] favourite don't let this put you off.

Today's other stories:

The Sun - Fraud cops arrest Redknapp - Torres and co in Euro lifeline - Drog is on heat - I'll be the new Eric says Cris - Carew cut - Toure vows Premier backlash - Chris Kamara column - Fergie told me to take job - I won't wave white flag says Jewell - Karren Brady's diary

Daily Express - A lifeline for Rafa - Redknapp arrested - Kop go on the march to support troubled boss - Drogba warms to Grant - Rovers fume as Villa romp - Ronaldo can leave Cantona in shade - Jewell just mad for Derby battle - Gold happy he's found the new Fergie

Daily Star - Rafa's relief - Nelsen red as it goes from Brad to worse - Av some of that - spotlight on Redknapp the joker who laughed his way to the top - UEFA ban for Weng - McLeish can do a Fergie - Jewell: mad to say I'm batty - Spurs and Bolton previews

Daily Mirror - Red-nabbed - Sack Rafa if you dare - Top Drog a Euro vision - Hero Carew turns screw - Big Eck: Sir Eck told me to quit Scots - Stelios: Play me or I'm off

Daily Mail - Torres the terminator - Redknapp arrested - Drogba makes it a Chelsea stroll - Villa cruise it as Rovers pay penalty - How Fergie sang Blues' praises to McLeish - Derby coup as fireman Jewell reports for duty