Man City is "not targeting" JÜRGEN KLOPP in the event that MANUEL PELLEGRINI is "sacked as manager." Klopp "placed a series of Leading European clubs on alert" Wednesday after announcing that he will leave Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund "at the end of the season, after seven years at the German club." The 47-year-old has said that he does not intend to take a break from football, but it is understood that he "would not be in the running to replace Pellegrini" should the Premier League champions take the decision to "sack the Chilean at the end of the season" (LONDON TIMES, 4/15). ... Liverpool captain STEVEN GERRARD and Everton captain PHIL JAGIELKA "helped to pay tribute to those who perished at Hillsborough and demonstrated the ongoing solidarity between the Merseyside clubs by releasing 96 balloons" at Wednesday's memorial service at Anfield. Gerrard's 10-year-old cousin, JON-PAUL GILHOOLEY, was the youngest victim of the tragedy, which occurred 26 years ago Wednesday, during an FA Cup semifinal between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough ground (LONDON TIMES, 4/15). ... Former F1 driver HANS-JOACHIM STUCK has "slammed" F1 CEO BERNIE ECCLESTONE over the "demise of the German grand prix." Stuck: "Ecclestone got to where he is now thanks to many German manufacturers, suppliers, sponsors, but he let the grand prix go over a matter of two, three million (euros)" (GMM, 4/15). ... Rugby player KIERAN READ has "changed his mind and declined the opportunity to play" at the Rio Olympics. All Blacks captain-in-waiting Read was "initially eager to try and qualify for the New Zealand sevens team" to play at the Brazil Games but after a discussion with coach STEVE HANSEN, and reflecting on a "potential leadership role in what is expected to be a trying year" for the test team in '16, he has "opted to concentrate" on the 15-man game (STUFF, 4/15). ... Four years after signing for Arsenal, WELLINGTON SILVA has "finally received clearance to make his Gunners bow after being granted a Spanish passport." He signed for Arsenal in Jan. '11 from Brasileiro side Fluminese for a fee of £3.5M but "has not been able to play for the club without a work permit." But "all that changed" on Tuesday, as the Brazilian "jubilantly revealed on Twitter that he has been awarded Spanish nationality, complete with a picture of his passport" (London DAILY MAIL, 4/15). ... Great Britain's world and European indoor champion RICHARD KILTY has claimed there is "no way" Arsenal right-back HECTOR BELLERIN can run 4.42 seconds over 40m, and said that he is willing to bet £30,000 ($44,500) he would beat Bellerin and teammate THEO WALCOTT in a sprint race. Bellerin is reportedly “the fastest man at Arsenal” over 40 meters, having beaten Walcott's record (London INDEPENDENT, 4/15). ... Former Arsenal and England defender SOL CAMPBELL is part of a “new campaign to encourage minorities to register to vote in next month's general election.” Campbell has joined forces with actor DAVID HAREWOOD, musician TINIE TEMPAH and Paralympic medalist and TV presenter ADE ADEPITAN (London DAILY MAIL, 4/15).
DJOKOVIC WINS LAUREUS AWARD: NOVAK DJOKOVIC won the Laureus Sportsman of the Year award at a “glitzy ceremony in Shanghai.” He beat CRISTIANO RONALDO and LEWIS HAMILTON to “scoop the prize” (London DAILY MIRROR, 4/15). ... Former Indian cricketer SACHIN TENDULKAR was inducted as one of the five new members of the Laureus Sports Academy. Besides Tendulkar, retired Chinese professional basketball player YAO MING, Kenyan long-distance runner TEGLA LOROUPE, Chinese gymnast LI XIAOPENG and former Chinese short track speed skater YANG YANG were the other athletes inducted (PTI, 4/15).
