McClaren For Blackburn? You Must Be Joking!

The former Manchester United striker was given permission by Blackburn on Monday to speak to City regarding the possibility of replacing Sven Goran Eriksson at Eastlands.

Meanwhile, with Hughes seemingly set to leave Ewood Park, former Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce has emerged as a contender for the Blackburn job.

Allardyce has cut short a family holiday in Spain to return to the North West, but other candidates for the Blackburn position are ex-England coach Steve McClaren and current Derby County manager Paul Jewell.

McClaren has us all facing the prospect of a summer watching Euro 2008 with no interest, due to his severe lack of management skills when England boss. As a result the ex-Smoggy should be strung up on the Tees Transporter Bridge by his knackers!

Meanwhile the "Special One" is back in business.

Jose Mourinho may not have the power to make wholesale changes to his new Internazionale side after president Massimo Moratti revealed he hoped to leave the squad largely untouched.

Mourinho on Monday became the 13th coach in the Moratti era at Inter, signing a three-year contract with the Serie A champions to replace Roberto Mancini, who was sacked last week.

Mourinho's predecessor was the most successful Inter coach in the 14 years Moratti has been president of the Nerazzurri, winning no fewer than seven titles in four years, including three consecutive Serie A titles.

But he was unable to provide the one trophy Moratti craves more than anything - the Champions League - and that will be the number one priority for Mourinho next season.