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Mourinho could fit the bill at Bayern Munich

BERLIN: Jose Mourinho's spokesman on Sunday fuelled speculation that the former Chelsea and FC Porto coach could be ready to consider a move to German giants Bayern Munich.

Bayern Munich president Franz Beckenbauer has said he would like a man of the caliber of the Portuguese coach to replace Ottmar Hitzfeld, whose contract expires in June.

And Mourinho's spokesman Eliado Parames told the weekly Die Welt: "It's always gratifying when one of the biggest names in football brings up your name. Bayern Munich: Why not?"

Beckenbauer said during the week: "Our club needs a big name. He has got to be a great tactician, have already accumulated experience and have command of the German language.

"Mourinho? Why not? He could do a language course between now and the summer."

Mourinho, 44, is one of the most sought-after coaches in Europe since being sacked by Chelsea in September. He led the club to two Premier League titles.

Decision time for Arsenal goalkeeper Lehmann

BERLIN: Arsenal's German international goalkeeper Jens Lehmann revealed on Sunday that he will make a decision on an offer from Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund in the coming days.

"I can't give an exact date but I'm thinking of a reasonable timeframe of several days," Lehmann told the Bild am Sonntag newspaper.

Lehmann has already played for Dortmund between 1999 and 2003, the year he left for England.

"It's a difficult decision which will have a major effect mainly on my family, so I have to think about and discuss certain things."

Dortmund boss Hans-Joachim Watzke has admitted to being "cautiously optimistic" concerning the eventual arrival of Lehmann.

Lehmann has lost his place at Arsenal to Manuel Almunia and Dortmund have been trying to put together a deal to take him to the Bundesliga.

The 38-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and the Gunners were believed to be ready to offer him a free transfer.

Struggling Nuremberg recruit striker Koller

NUREMBERG, Germany: Towering Czech international striker Jan Koller has joined struggling German club Nuremberg from French side Monaco, the Bundesliga outfit confirmed on Sunday.

Koller, 34, has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal, the club said without giving details of the transfer figure, which is reported to be in the region of one million euros ($1.5m).

The striker passed his medical and then took part in his first training session with the 2007 German Cup winners.

"My aim is to ensure Nuremberg stay in the top flight. I've seen Nuremberg's games on television, they're not really a bad team," said Koller of the side who are third from the bottom of the Bundesliga.

Koller has been at Monaco for 18 months, scoring 12 goals in 50 games.

He previously played in the Bundesliga with Dortmund from 2001 to 2006, scoring 59 goals in 138 games.

Van der Sar seeks trio of titles this season

LONDON: Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar admitted Sunday he has his sights set on winning the Champions League, the Premier League title and the FA Cup this season.

United moved into the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 2-0 away success at Aston Villa Saturday, but the Dutch goalkeeper is already eyeing Europe's biggest prize.

United face Lyon in the last 16 of the Champions League and Van der Sar told BBC Radio Five's Sportsweek program: "I would prefer the Champions League but all three (Champions League, League, FA Cup) are nice.

"We are champions in England and to make it twice in a row is also a good feeling because then you really stamp your authority on the league.

"It is good so far but it is only January and so many things can happen in the next two or three months. Lyon are a good team and it will be difficult. You just take it game by game."

(China Daily 01/08/2008 page22)