Turkish side Galatasaray sacked coach FATIH TERIM just days before the team's match with Juventus and former Man City Manager ROBERTO MANCINI "is favourite to take over." Mancini "is already in Istanbul for negotiations'' (FOOTBALL ITALIA, 9/24). ... Sprinter USAIN BOLT said that Real Madrid's GARETH BALE "could be the fastest football player in the world, but offered to help make him faster." Bolt: "I think Gareth is probably the fastest player in the world at the moment -- but I will help him with his sprinting if he wants. ... I know I could make him an even better player than he already is" (MARCA, 9/25). ... Sales of a '11 Nike shoe "have spiked" after Chinese Internet users spotted "disgraced" politician BO XILAI "sporting a pair of the limited edition kicks at his corruption trial." The shoes Xilai wore when receiving the verdict "have become a hot item" on the Internet. Internet users have identified Xilai's black footwear "as the limited edition Nike Sportswear Air Footscape Woven Chukka Freemotion 3HC" (WANT CHINA TIMES, 9/25). ... Australian cricketers MICHAEL CLARKE, PHIL HUGHES and MEG LANNING joined more than 100 school kids in Sydney to launch the newest junior sports program for kids, MIL T20 Blast. The launch coincides with the signing of a four-year partnership between Nestle Australia's MILO brand and Cricket Australia (CA). ... English Super League side Bradford Bulls Owner OMAR KHAN "sensationally stepped down," paving the way for local businessman MARK MOORE "to take the reins" along with Bradford GM RYAN WHITCUT. Khan "rescued the Bulls from financial ruin" when he and former Sports Minister GERRY SUTCLIFFE "took charge of the club" in September '12. After "a turbulent year in charge, Khan has walked away from the club citing 'ill health'" (Bradford TELEGRAPH & ARGUS, 9/25). ... Serie B Palermo coach GENNARO GATTUSO's "coaching adventure" has lasted only six competitive games as the former Italy and Milan midfielder "was sacked on Wednesday." Under Gattuso, Palermo has "won two of their opening six games, not enough to impress" Palermo President MAURIZIO ZAMPARINI, who has "opted to make a coaching change." Serie A Sina coach GIUSEPPE IACHINI has been named as Gattuso's replacement (PA, 9/25).
