McClaren starts with a win as Twente coach

Steve McClaren’s first match in charge of FC Twente ended in victory when his team defeated a Hengelo select XI 5-0 in a friendly on Saturday. The former England head coach, who took over last week, said that he was pleased with the performance.

“I am extremely satisfied, especially about the attitude of the players,” he said. “We have had two days of hard training, but I could already see what the players have to offer.” Marko Arnautovic scored twice for Twente to add to goals from Patrick Gerritsen, Youssouf Hersi and Stein Huysegems.

Blatter draws up plan B for 2010 World Cup

Sepp Blatter, the Fifa president, has revealed that he has a contingency plan if South Africa are unable to host the 2010 World Cup finals, but it will only be used in the case of a natural disaster there. “I would be quite negligent as president if I did not have a plan B tucked away,” Blatter said. “But only a natural disaster would make it active.”

Safety is a big concern for the tournament in South Africa, where there are dozens of murders every day. A recent wave of violence against foreigners there has done nothing to ease fears about safety at the event.

City need to strengthen

Micah Richards, the Manchester City defender, believes that Mark Hughes, the club’s new manager, needs to strengthen across the board if the team are to be successful next season. Hughes is set to make Jô, the Brazil striker, his first signing, but Richards, 20, is expecting more new faces. “Hopefully we can get some new players in, in all positions, and give it a right good go this coming season,” he said.

Suchy states his case

Marek Suchy, the 20-year-old Slavia Prague centre back, claims that Everton and Rangers are interested in signing him. “It is true that these clubs are interested,” Suchy, who is valued by his club at about £2.5 million, said. “A lot depends on the first negotiations or on how much the coaches want me in their team.”

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