FA go for Big Phil

It’s Barca for Arsenal

Two off in Cup Final rehearsal

- At the end of the day, news breaks that Football Association officials led by chief executive Brian Barwick have travelled to Lisbon today to offer the forthcoming vacant post of England head coach to Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Earlier in the day, Portuguese Football Federation chairman Gilberto Madail had said Scolari, who had denied being interviewed by the FA about becoming Sven-Goran Eriksson’s replacement, would not agree to become the next England boss before the World Cup.
Madail said Scolari will decide on his future only when his deal with the Portugal team ends at the end of July.
Portugal’s 57 year-old Brazilian coach guided Brazil to their World Cup Final success in 2002 and Portugal to the Final of Euro 2004. As Portugal coach, he could face England in the summer’s World Cup in Germany.
‘Big Phil’ is the coach responsible for knocking England out at the quarter-final stage of the past two major tournaments (Brazil in the 2002 World Cup quarter-finals and Portugal in Euro 2004).
At club level, Scolari is a double winner of the Copa Libertadores, the South American equivalent of the Champions League.
The approach to Scolari is met with dismay with those who believe England should be coached by an English coach. Middlesbrough’s Steve McClaren, a current member of England’s coaching staff, had been the odds-on favourite.

- Arsenal will meet Barcelona in the Final of the Champions League next month.
Although Barca are held to a goalless draw in the second leg of their semi final with AC Milan at the Nou Camp, they progress to their second Champions League Final on the back of last week’s 1-0 win in the San Siro.
Milan thought they had grabbed the all-important late equaliser but Andriy Shevchenko’s header was ruled out for offside.

- West Ham United’s Hayden Mullins and Liverpool’s Luis Garcia are both likely to miss the FA Cup Final after they are sent-off following a clash late in tonight’s dress rehearsal in the Premiership game at Upton Park. Garcia appeared to aim an elbow in Mullins’ back as the pair tussled for the ball eight minutes from time.
They face a three-match ban, which would include the Cup Final. Both clubs will appeal.
Liverpool win the game 2-1 to stay in touch with second-placed Manchester United. Djibril Cisse scores both the Reds’ goals.

- Grimsby Town midfielder Curtis Woodhouse is to leave the Mariners in the summer but, instead of searching for a new club, will swap football boots for a pair of boxing gloves as the former Sheffield United captain has decided to embark on a career as a professional boxer.
Curtis, who joined Grimsby from Hull City in January, has been given the required permission by the British Boxing Board of Control.
A one-time £1million signing by Birmingham City, the 26 year-old will be trained and managed by Dean Powell, who is connected to Frank Warren’s Sports Network group.