Football: Hoddle rejects job as Forest manager

GLENN HODDLE yesterday became the latest big-name target to turn down the chance to manage Nottingham Forest.

Hoddle followed Martin O'Neill in deciding not to go to the City Ground, leaving Forest - whose players began pre-season training yesterday - still searching for a manager. Peter Shreeves is holding the fort until a new man arrives.

Forest gave Hoddle, sacked as England coach in February, the opportunity to take over from Ron Atkinson, who retired at the end of last season. However, the former Swindon and Chelsea manager has instead opted to enjoy an extended break from the game while he considers his future.

Hoddle's agent, Dennis Roach, said: "The Forest people have been absolutely fantastic and I think if it was a bit further down the line it would be a job Glenn would have to look at. But at the moment he feels that with the problems he's had with the sacking - and he's been through a traumatic time - it's too soon for him to come back into the game.

Forest's new First Division rivals Stockport County have confirmed Andy Kilner as their new manager. He replaces Gary Megson, who was sacked last Friday. Kilner, 32, was a striker with Stockport and also played in Sweden. He has been running County's successful Centre of Excellence.

Terry Yorath, the former manager of Wales, has been appointed first-team coach at Bradford City, a club he served as player and manager in the 1980s. He lost his job as assistant manager at Huddersfield Town last month.

Bradford have put a price tag of pounds 2.5m on their highly rated centre-half Darren Moore. He has one year left on his contract at Valley Parade, but has failed to agree to an extended contract and has been placed on the transfer list.

Chelsea have failed in a pounds 10.5m bid for the Internazionale striker Nicola Ventola. His compatriot Gianluca Vialli, the Stamford Bridge manager, has lost out to Bologna. They have tied up a deal for the 21-year-old, who was under pressure for his place at Inter after the signing of Christian Vieri.

Vialli may have better luck with a more modest transfer target: the Dutch defender Kenny Monkou. The former Chelsea man may return to Stamford Bridge on a free transfer from Southampton as a squad player. His arrival in west London may lead to the departure of Michael Duberry to Leeds United.

West Ham have confirmed that Eyal Berkovic has handed in a transfer request. The 27-year-old Israeli international midfielder is a target for Celtic.

Michael Knighton, the former Manchester United director, last night quit as chairman of Carlisle United after seven years at the helm of the Third Division club. He had been heavily criticised by Carlisle fans in recent months.