Man City "will sack" Manager ROBERTO MANCINI this week. Man City is "still debating the timings of the move," but the manager could be dismissed before the club’s match at Reading on Tuesday or, failing that, "before or immediately after the final game of the season against Norwich City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday" (LONDON TIMES, 5/11). ... Spanish actor, TV host and announcer CONSTANTINO ROMERO died in Barcelona at age 65. Romero had announced his retirement from a 47-year career on Dec. 12. Romero "will forever be remembered for being the voice of the '92 Olympic Games in Barcelona" (MUNDO DEPORTIVO, 5/12). ... Premier League West Ham United Manager SAM ALLARDYCE "has signed a new two-year contract at the Premier League side" (REUTERS, 5/12). ... Dutch defender PATRICK ZWAANSWIJK said Friday that he "will retire after the Central Coast Mariners' AFC Champions League tie against China's Guangzhou Evergrande" (AFP, 5/10). ... Malaysia singles coach TEY SEU BOCK "has suggested a conspiracy" after badminton chiefs handed four-time Chinese winner LIN DAN a wildcard for this year's world championships. Tey Seu Bock said that the wildcard entry for the double Olympic champions -- which could affect the chances of Malaysia's world No. 1 LEE CHONG WEI -- "gave China an unfair advantage" (AFP, 5/10). ... ENGIN FIRAT "has been named as the new head coach of Saipa football team" (TEHRAN TIMES, 5/11). ... Cricket South Africa has confirmed that Proteas' coach GARY KIRSTEN "will not renew his contract in August, in order to spend more time with his family" (SOWETAN LIVE, 5/10).
BOLD PREDICTION: Sports broadcaster CLARE BALDING said that the England women's football team "will bring home a World Cup before the men's squad reclaim the title." Speaking at the launch of BT Sport, the telecom company's lavishly funded challenge to Sky's iron grip on Premiership football viewing, Balding said that "prospects for the women's game were improving." Balding: "Look at the women's Super League deal. That will really make a difference in a sport that has so much potential but is still semi-professional" (London GUARDIAN, 5/9).
LASTING LEGACY: China has shown its tribute to Spanish former IOC President JUAN ANTONIO SAMARANCH with a circular-shaped, 144,000-square-meter building. Samaranch brought the Olympics to Beijing in '08. Three years after his death, Samaranch Memorial Center was inaugurated April 21 in Tianjin, honoring the man who led the IOC from '80-01. Samaranch is the first foreign person China has awarded with this honor (EL PERIODICO, 5/11).
