Box Score

Generally, when young people do stupid things it's blamed on their youth. But, revealing a potential transfer involving hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of pounds on Facebook is just monumentally stupid. His club, Crystal Palace, can't be happy with one of their players broadcasting on the internet that he wants to leave. It's probably a little embarrassing. I'm the same age as the player in question and I have to ask: what on earth was he thinking? Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock didn't take the situation particularly lightly, saying, "We feel it's probably better that he looks elsewhere to further his career." Harsh.

Does anybody else find this unnecessary? If you want to raise the profile of Europe's other tournament, advertise it in the same way the Champions League is advertised. It's not surprising that the action taken targets the presentation of the tournament, rather than its inherent flaws. You don't think the fact that Champions League teams who place third in their groups get an automatic place in the knockout rounds contributes to it's perception as a second-rate tournament? I do. The proposed name is hardly an improvement, either: the UEFA Europa League. Why do they call these European tournaments 'leagues', anyway? The Champions League is not a league. It follows the same format as every major international tournament: Group Stage --> Knockout Stage. Baffling.

My experience with Carlos Queiroz is limited to a mediocre stint in charge of the Metrostars way back in 1996, Major League Soccer's first season. Queiroz inherited the team from Eddie Firmani, who resigned after the first eight games of the season. The Portugese coach went on to post a 12-12 record in the regular season before being dumped out of the playoffs by DC United. DC United have gone on to win four MLS Cups, four Supporters' Shields, one US Open Cup, one CONCACAF Champions Cup, and one InterAmerican Cup. The Metrostars have won no trophies at all. Well, unless you count that friendly tournament they won in, what was it, Norway? I don't know. In any case, Carlos Queiroz is one of a long list of otherwise successful managers who have failed to replicate that success here in New Jersey. The list has grown to include men like Carlos Alberto Parreira, Octavio Zambrano, Bora Mulintinovic, Bob Bradley, and Bruce Arena. It's an otherwise impressive group of coaches, you'll just have to ignore their time at Giants Stadium. Queiroz went on to take the job of Sir Alex Ferguson's right hand man in 2002. Ferguson granted Queiroz quite a bit of freedom and responsibility and the Portugese, has in turn, influenced the way the aging Scot views the game. Ferguson has claimed on numerous occasions that Queiroz would be his choice to take the reins at Manchester United when he retires within the next three years. The assistant coach is also reported to share a special relationship with winger Cristiano Ronaldo. Given his influence at the Theatre of Dreams, it's easy to see why Daniel Taylor of the Guardian feels his potential departure to coach Portugal could have wide-ranging and detrimental effects for the Champions. Ferguson will have to find a new assistant and establish a working relationship with them while the loss of his 'mentor' could make Ronaldo increasingly see his future in Spain.

In one of the biggest moves of the summer, Portugal boss Luis Felipe Scolari has recently taken charge at Chelsea. In his short time in London, Big Phil has already brought in former Barcelona midfielder Deco as he looks to put his mark on the club. You can watch his first press conference here. I don't know about you guys, but I love the way he pronounces Chelsea as Chel-see-uh.