First, out of European competition:
LONDON, Oct 4 (Reuters) – Former European champions Ajax Amsterdam made a shock exit from the UEFA Cup on Thursday after a 3-2 home defeat by Dinamo Zagreb gave the Croatians a 3-3 draw on aggregate and victory on the away goals rule. [Ajax dumped out by Zagreb, Bayern through. ESPN Soccernet. October 4 2007]
Second, Chelsea secured the service of Henk Ten Cate:
LONDON, Oct 5 (Reuters) – Henk Ten Cate’s agent said the Ajax Amsterdam coach has agreed to join Premier League club Chelsea as assistant to Avram Grant, according to reports in British newspapers on Friday.
It’s true we have an agreement with Chelsea,” Ten Cate’s agent Sigi Lens was quoted as saying by the Sun.
Chelsea want to take the coach now so if there is an agreement between the two clubs then everything will be clear.” [Ten Cate leaving Ajax for Chelsea, says agent. Reuters. October 4 2007]
He would have probably been sacked if he had not move anyway. So, whatever. But still, I am developing strong suspicion against Ten Cate and Chelsea; his move was announced on the same day Ajax was booted out of the UEFA Champions League. Given this, it is hard to believe Ten Cate invested all of his effort on that UEFA match. Perhaps, that is just me, a lot of other fans, looking for scapegoat. Nevertheless, there is a growing tendency in me to support anybody that plays against Chelsea, including ManUre.
Chelsea to met used to be a bugging mosquito across the Channel. Now, the relationship is becoming personal.
Amid that the flurry of bad news, at least a piece is there to lighten up the day:
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Michigan won’t have to forfeit any football games for using an ineligible freshman player.
Michigan last month reported an administrative error involving safety Artis Chambers to the Big Ten. Chambers played in three games, including a 14-9 victory over Penn State, but wasn’t eligible under the conference’s freshman rules. [Big Ten rules Michigan won’t have to forfeit games. AP via Yahoo! News. October 4 2007]
The Big Ten crown is still in sight.
