No progress on coach hunt

The FA maintain no decision has yet been taken on which English coaches could be in line to join Fabio Capello's backroom team.

Capello already works alongside Stuart Pearce and Ray Clemence.

But the new initiative follows England's disappointing display at the World Cup, with the FA hoping to groom a number of English coaches as possible future national-team managers once the Italian, contracted until the end of the 2012 European Championships, eventually leaves his post.

However, the FA maintain speculation suggesting a shortlist has already been drawn up is wide of the mark.

Club England managing director Adrian Bevington said: "Fabio volunteered he wanted another English coach to join his set-up when we met him recently.

"Fabio was clear he didn't want us to offer names immediately, instead stressing he wanted more time to consider who it should be, then discuss it in more detail with Sir Trevor Brooking during the first week of August.

"Therefore, any speculation as to who it might be cannot be made with any real conviction.

"Fabio hasn't offered his preference, we haven't said ours and no one has been approached.

"Any new coach is not being selected so they can automatically take over from Fabio in two years.

"Hopefully we will have a group of Englishmen to consider at that time."

Klose But No Fabiano For Spurs?

Luis Fabiano, June 28: "There would be no point in me joining Tottenham. I might as well stay at Sevilla, as it's the same thing. Sevilla are actually bigger when you look at how much we have been in the European Cup, so there would be no point me moving to a smaller team."

Luis Fabiano, July 15: "I must admit it's only in the last few weeks I have understood just how big Spurs' ambition is."

Cynics might suggest that 'it's only in the last few weeks' that Luis Fabiano has understood that neither Manchester United nor AC Milan is interested in his services. Cynics might also suggest that the Brazilian has heard that Tottenham might be willing to pay upwards of £100,000 a week for his services. They may also suggest that Brazilians and English football don't traditionally make the easiest of bedfellows.

On paper Luis Fabiano ticks the biggest box Tottenham have empty ahead of a prospective Champions League campaign. They are in desperate need of an experienced and proven goalscorer with Champions League experience who is - and this is vital - comfortable playing as a lone striker ahead of the withdrawn Luka Modric or possibly Joe Cole (have you heard? 'Arry likes him).

With a switch to the currently-fashionable 4-2-3-1 formation likely at least in Europe, none of Peter Crouch (he tried it for Liverpool, it didn't work), Roman Pavlyuchenko (he tried it for Tottenham under Juande Ramos, it really, really didn't work) or Jermain Defoe (it would be a disaster) fit the bill. They need a new name and Luis Fabiano appears to be the name du jour. But I'm not convinced.

One name that sprung to mind ahead of the World Cup was Diego Forlan, but the Golden Ball has catapulted him way out of Totenham's market. His name was replaced during the World Cup by that of Miroslav Klose. Experienced? Oh yes. Still a sublime finisher? Oh yes. Still got pace? Ask Matthew Upson. Available on the cheap? Yes. Got a point to prove? Undoubtedly.

Spurs could bring in the 32-year-old Klose - unwanted by Bayern Munich - with a view to him playing 25 games a season and contributing double figures in terms of goals. They could save him for European nights and clashes against the Premier League's elite. We all know Defoe and Crouch can score goals against the likes of Wigan and Blackpool, but against Porto or Valencia?

Tottenham need new blood but not new blood that's going to cost £15m-plus when their Champions League sojourn may only be a short one. For once, this is not the time or position for youth and promise with a view to a sell-on fee, but a time and position for a proven performer who can offer exactly what Tottenham need in the short term.

If I were 'Arry, I'd break off from looking at a list of players Tottenham have sold in the last three years and get on a plane to Germany to talk to a certain ageing but enduringly dangerous German. For Klinsmann 1994, read Klose 2010.

spain is the champion in the 2010 football world cup

This was Spain's first ever World Cup semi-final and the fans were in high spirits.

Hours before kick-off they were painting flags on their faces and Espana up their arms and legs; street stall holders were doing a strong trade in replica shirts and red and yellow wigs and hats.

All around, huddles of young fans sang Yo soy Espanol to the tune of "Kalinka". And everywhere, everyone was predicting victory.

"We're going to do it," one girl told me. "2010 is going to be Spain's year to win."

Continue reading the main story

Spain for ever; champions of the world!

Spain supporter Abrupt end to German football-fest

"We'll play like we did in Euro 2008 so the whole world is impressed by Spanish players," David Cabo said, the national flag knotted around his shoulders like a cape.

"Our team is the best in history so we are going to change history tonight and win."