Melbourne, Dec. 12 (ANI): Soccer great and FIFA delegate Franz Beckenbauer has described Australia's 2018-2022 World Cup bid as perfect and rated its possibility of hosting the tournament as very, very realistic.
Beckenbauer is a member of FIFA's 24-man panel that, this time next year, will determine the host nations for both tournaments.
In terms of Australia's bid, I think it's a great bid. It's perfect, Beckenbauer told The Daily Telegraph.
And you also have the support of some very, very experienced people who know exactly how the bidding process works and what it takes to be successful, he added.
He was alluding to Andreas Abold, the man behind the successful bids by Germany in 2006 and South Africa in 2010, who has been recruited to consult FFA.
Beckenbauer suggested Australia's best chance would be hosting the 2022 tournament.
To be realistic, the Europeans are trying very hard to get the World Cup back to their continent in 2018 after two consecutive World Cups going elsewhere, he said.
But to be honest I'm not sure how it will work, but for Australia if it's not 2018, then for 2022 there's a very, very realistic chance of course. (ANI)
Benitez sneers at critics poor managerial records
London, Dec.12 (ANI): Liverpool FC coach Rafa Benitez has delivered a scathing response to his arch-critics Jurgen Klinsmann and Graeme Souness. He simply sneered at their poor managerial records.
Klinsmann gave a damning verdict on the Spaniard's failure to build a title-winning team, while Kop legend Souness warned his former club were in 'meltdown' after their latest Champions League flop at home to Fiorentina.
Benitez, however, insisted he does not pay any attention to them and even reaches for the mute button whenever he sees them on TV.
Both have 'fantastic' records as managers. So, like me, the fans look at that and ignore what they say. If someone talks too much, it is their problem. There is always criticism but I don't listen. I turn off the volume on the TV, The Sun quoted Benitez, as saying.
Benitez saved his most withering put-down for Klinsmann, who took Germany to the semi-finals of their home World Cup in 2006 but lasted less than a season before being sacked by Bayern Munich.
He said sarcastically: I think the last I heard he was an expert in marketing. Now, he is an expert in management too. And his management career? Short. (ANI)
