Football in brief: Steve McClaren keen on an FA role in the future

FORMER England manager Steve McClaren is keen to work for the FA again and would like to take on a role where he would coach the coaches.

McClaren, sacked as England manager for failing to qualify for Euro 2008, is currently managing Dutch side Twente for a second time but eventually wants to work at St George’s Park on a “coach education Programme”. McClaren said: “When I’m past being able to run around the field, I’ve got a lot of experiences, good and bad, which I think I can pass on.”

Hodgson believes England can win in Brazil

England manager Roy Hodgson claims it is not “impossible” they could win the World Cup in Brazil in 2014. Hodgson pointed to Chelsea’s against-the-odds Champions League triumph last season, when they knocked out Barcelona and then beat Bayern Munich on penalties, as evidence that the fancied sides can be beaten. He told Sportsweek: “You could say we are far from being favourites (for the World Cup) so therefore it’s (winning it) not a likelihood. But you’ve got to shy away from ‘impossible’ in football. I’d like to keep that dream alive.”

Malky’s Blues back on track thanks to Bellamy

Cardiff manager Malky Mackay was delighted to see his players get back to winning ways with a 1-0 win at Leicester which ensured they would top the npower Championship table at Christmas. The Bluebirds bounced back from their disappointing defeat against Peterborough as Craig Bellamy’s half-volley gave them victory over the Foxes. Mackay said: “This was a really big win for us after losing to Peterborough and it was smashing the way we bounced back from that.”

Ferguson displays some Christmas spirit

DARREN Ferguson is to give his players Christmas day off as a reward for recent results. Bottom side Posh continued their recent resurgence as they came out on top in a remarkable nine-goal thriller against Bolton, and Ferguson said: “We’ve worked very hard lately and put everything into the last two games, so I’ll give the players Christmas Day off. This is the third time we’ve managed back-to-back wins and now need to kick on and get a third in a massive game at Wolves on Boxing Day.”

Racial abuse fan is banned for two years

The man who racially abused Paul Ifill during Adelaide United’s 3-1 win over Wellington Phoenix has been banned by Football Federation Australia for two years and had his Adelaide United membership cancelled. FFA has announced the Adelaide man will be barred from attending any football match run by the Australian governing body for 24 months after he was found guilty of breaching the FFA Spectator Code of Behaviour last week. Ifill reported having been racially abused as he was substituted in the 60th minute at Hindmarsh Stadium.