The new design does not feature Everton's motto 'nil satis nisi optimum' - meaning 'Nothing but the best is good enough' - as it has since 1991.

The club said the updated version - a 'next evolution' - formed 'a concise, modern and dynamic representation of Everton', and was produced after consulation with various stakeholders, including fans.

However an online petition on the change.org website was started after its unveiling on Saturday afternoon, and it swiftly garnered more than 6,000 signatures, while the new crest drew a largely negative reaction on social media.

The 2013 re-design retains familiar components of the familiar club crest, including the tower, and is contained in the traditional shield. The predominant colour is a sharper blue than featured on the recent crest, with the outline of the shield remaining yellow.

Everton explained the basis for making the change on its website, stating: "The previous version of the crest - created 13 years ago - was often misrepresented, suffering regularly from the omission of key elements like our name and our year of formation.

"As technology marches on, those challenges have increased. On television, on websites, on mobile devices, the crest was far too often badly reproduced.

"Our team carries a responsibility to maintain a refreshed and relevant identity for the club. We recognised the need to do this with diligence and sensitivity - with one eye on the past but also one eye on the future.

"We researched our history, we reviewed the evolution of our crest and we benchmarked against other major sporting brands.

"Created following an extensive consultation process with fans, supporters' groups and branding experts, our new club crest combines four historic elements of the outgoing crest - the tower, the shield, our name and the year of our formation - to form a concise, modern and dynamic representation of Everton."

The club added: "The name Everton and the 1878 date have been incorporated into the shield which does not feature the Latin motto.

"Although 'Nil Satis Nisi Optimum' is not included in this new design, it will still have a high-profile presence throughout the club, and a new range of retail products are being introduce."

Lavezzi, who joined PSG from Napoli before the start of the 2012-2013 season, made 27 appearances and scored three goals as the club stormed its way to the Ligue 1 title.

The Parisian giant has splashed the cash recently, with the expensive signings of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva, Javier Pastore and Lavezzi helping it claim its first league success in 19 years.

And the signs indicate it will spend heavily again in this off-season, with Rooney - who has submitted a transfer request at Manchester United - rumoured to be its number one target.

He would cost more than £20 million to buy but as PSG has shown recently, money is no roadblock, and Lavezzi endorsed the potential signing of the England forward when asked.

"(Rooney) is a very good player and, if he comes to Paris, it will do much good to the team," Lavezzi told Le Parisien.

Another player who could be making his way to PSG is Real Madrid winger Angel di Maria.

And Lavezzi - who plays with Di Maria in the Argentina national team - said he had spoken to the 25-year-old about a potential move to PSG.

He also added that if coach Carlo Ancelotti, who has been linked with a move to Real Madrid, left PSG, although he would be disappointed, he would move on quickly.

"Yes, I spoke with Di Maria because he is a friend," he said.

"But these are things that remain between us and I do not want to expose.

"I am not indifferent to (Ancelotti's potential) departure because it has a very humane and professional management group and, when you feel good with a coach, you do not want him to go but football is like that.

"This is something that the club has to manage; we, as players, are out of it."

The Dutchman spent six years at Old Trafford until his retirement in 2011, winning four Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League.

Having spoken to Ferguson a couple of weeks before the dramatic confirmation that he was to stand down, Van der Sar was not caught completely by surprise and thinks following in the Scot's footsteps is not going to be easy.

"I spoke to Sir Alex over an unrelated matter about two weeks before," said Van der Sar.

"He is a great man and a great manager at a fantastic club.

"I wish him the best of luck and David Moyes also because it is almost an impossible job to step into.

"I am sure the manager and the players and the board are fully behind him. That is all you can ask for."

Moyes has already begun making his mark, ditching first-team coach Mike Phelan and goalkeeping coach Eric Steele from the backroom team.

Others may yet follow and it is not entirely certain who Moyes intends to bring in, although former England goalkeeper Chris Woods seems an obvious choice, as does the ex-Everton boss' long-time confidante Jimmy Lumsden.

The change will have to be managed during a period when Chelsea and Manchester City are expected to strengthen significantly after this season's disappointments.

However, the one significant advantage Van der Sar feels Moyes has are the number of United players, past and present, with vast experience of winning trophies, who are still around the club.

"It is nice if you have players who win," he said.

"That is part of the history of Manchester United. (Paul) Scholes, (Gary) Neville, (Ryan) Giggs, (Rio) Ferdinand, (Nemanja) Vidic and (Patrice) Evra now. And (Michael) Carrick.

"It is good for any manager to have those types of players in their dressing room.

"You are trying to improve, changing players and filling in the gaps, but you don't have to build a new team all the time."

The 24-year-old Argentina international is now contracted to City until 2017, the club confirmed.

Aguero joined City from Atletico Madrid in 2011 for £38 million ($59.57 million) and ensured his place in the club's history books when he scored the last-gasp winning goal against Queens Park Rangers to seal the 2011-2012 Premier League title and end the Blues' 44-year wait for the title.

Aguero recently played down talks of a move away from the Etihad in the northern summer, saying: "I'm very happy at City and I feel very appreciated. It's been barely two years since I've arrived and sometimes I feel like I've been here for all my life.

"I have a fantastic relationship with the fans, and that always reminds me of our title and that goal against QPR. I can never forget that moment.

"Now I am looking forward to next season and pushing hard to win the title again."

Aguero had been linked with a move back to Spain, with Real Madrid believed to be interested in signing the striker.

England midfielder Lampard was given a new one-year deal at Stamford Bridge after a season which saw him overtake Bobby Tambling as the club's record goalscorer.

The future of club captain Terry, two years Lampard's junior at 32, has also been the subject of discussion after he struggled with injuries last season and was not a firm fixture in interim boss Rafael Benitez's defence even when fit.

But Lampard told The Sun: "I know JT will want to stay, he's said he'd love to stay at Chelsea. He feels the same as me.

"Why play anywhere else when you love the club you're at? JT's the captain of the club and does a brilliant job.

"At the start of next season, I think that's when the club will take a view on it. I know what my view would be."

Both players are veterans of three Premier League titles, Champions League and Europa League wins and multiple FA Cups and League Cups with the club and Lampard believes having an established spine to the team has been vital to the club's success.

However, he laughs off the suggestion that the senior players in the dressing room are able to influence owner Roman Abramovich's hiring and firing of managers.

"One thing that has helped us remain successful over such a long period is a strong core, strong spine," he said. "I mean that in terms of players - their ability, personality and the leaders.

"You need people like that in the dressing room. But the idea of the dressing room being too strong? Certainly not.

"I've never heard of any players here being able to ask our owner to sack a manager or even discuss anything to do with the structure of the club. If you wanted to take that chance you would probably get sacked yourself."

The Argentine has been linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium in recent weeks, with Real Madrid in particular thought to be keen admirers, but he is adamant that he is happy at the club despite a lack of silverware in 2012-13.

"It's simple," Aguero told reporters. "There are always rumours in the summer, all the time, but I am very happy at City. I've got four more years on my contract, I'm going to work hard for City and everything else is just rumours.

"Every player wants to play in big teams that win titles. We didn't win anything last season but we have won trophies in the last few years, so there is no reason to go."

Compatriot Carlos Tevez is another player who has been linked with a move away from City but Aguero does not want the 29-year-oldto leave.

"I want to play with all the big players and Carlos is a big player, so I would like him to stay," he said.

"But part of football means that players move around from one club to another, so I can only talk about myself and Carlos can only talk about himself."

Manuel Pellegrini is widely expected to replace the sacked Roberto Mancini as manager and Aguero says that he has heard good things about the Chilean.

"I don't know Pellegrini personally, but I have heard from other players that he's a very good manager," the forward said.

"We don't know if it's him who is definitely coming yet but, when we do know who is coming, we will have to make sure we adapt to their system and try to do our best.

"All we have to do is look at the present, who is coming next and make sure we build things properly for next season. It's just part of football."

Having missed out on Champions League qualification, Tottenham faces an anxious off-season as it waits to discover whether Bale will sign a new contract or move on to one of Europe's top clubs.

And Zidane's comments are sure to add to fears over a bid from the Bernabeu.

The France legend hailed Bale's consistency and ranked the Welshman in the same bracket as Real's own star player Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona's Lionel Messi.

Zidane told reporters: "I've been watching Tottenham because Gareth Bale has been playing there.

"Aside from Ronaldo and Messi, he is the player who has impressed me the most in the world. He is outstanding.

"What has particularly impressed me is that he is consistent. It's not just been in one or two matches.

"He is consistently scoring spectacular goals and very important goals. He is very quick, skilful and exciting.

"Of course all the talented players like that can come to Real Madrid. Is he good enough for Real Madrid? Of course. He is more than good enough to play for Real Madrid."

The flamboyant Portuguese boss is expected to take charge at Stamford Bridge for a second time this northern summer after it was confirmed he is to leave Real Madrid at the end of the Spanish season.

Mourinho won two Barclays Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two League Cups during his first spell at the club from 2004-07.

Cech, who arrived in the same summer as Mourinho nine years ago, said: "He is a great manager and I think everyone remembers how successful we were with him as a manager.

"If he could reproduce that it would be fantastic."

Yet despite looking forward with optimism, Cech is saddened that the reign of interim manager Rafael Benitez is coming to an end.

The Spaniard takes charge of the Blues for the final time as they face Manchester City in the second of two lucrative post-season friendlies at Yankee Stadium in New York this weekend.

Benitez has overcome huge fan hostility since succeeding Roberto di Matteo to leave on a high after winning the Europa League and securing third in the Barclays Premier League.

Cech, 31, said: "I think he has done a very good job, obviously, having won the Europa League and qualified for the Champions League.

"I think this was the aim, and to try to do as best as we could.

"He worked hard from day one and tried to do the best for the club.

"In the end he is leaving with a European trophy, which is great for him."

Defender David Luiz, who has excelled at times under Benitez, also paid tribute to the Spaniard, whose past associations with Liverpool made him a reviled figure among supporters on arrival.

The Brazil international said: "He has done a great job at Chelsea.

"He has had a lot of pressure. He has shown character and that he is a professional.

"I am so happy we won a title and qualified directly for the Champions League."

Luiz added that he was excited about the prospect of being managed by Mourinho, who has also won the Champions League with Porto and Inter Milan.

Luiz said: "Everyone says positive things about him and everyone knows about his qualities.

"He has done a great job in many clubs in the world, like Chelsea.

"We would be excited to work with an experienced coach like that."

The club's decision to part company with their Italian manager cast a shadow over the final week of its season.

A below-par City lost to Norwich in its final competitive game last Sunday and caretaker boss Brian Kidd admitted the players, now on a post-season tour of the United States, were drained by developments.

City's campaign finally reaches its conclusion as they take on Chelsea in a friendly in New York's Yankees Stadium on Sunday morning (AEST).

Lescott said: "It's been difficult for everyone but it is important as a player you understand that no matter what happens you need to keep striving to improve every game. We'll continue to do that.

"The decision has been made by the club and we have to respect that as players.

"We play for Man City. They have seen fit to part ways with Roberto and we have just got to get ourselves right for the new manager."

Manuel Pellegrini, who is to leave Malaga at the end of the Spanish season on June 1, is widely expected to take over.

The Chilean has taken both Malaga and Villarreal to the latter stages of the Champions League and he is also known as a good man-manager.

There have been reports of disharmony within the City camp during Mancini's tenure.

"It's best not to go into that," said Lescott when asked about the rumours while in the US this week.

Lescott's season still has a little way to run having been named in the England squad for upcoming friendlies against the Republic of Ireland and Brazil.

But the intensity has notably dropped this week as the players have undertaken a number of promotional activities on behalf of the club in New York.

They then played out an entertaining first friendly against Chelsea in St Louis, with City emerging 4-3 winners after falling 3-0 behind.

"It was not a competitive game in that sense, but it was entertaining, which is what the fans want to see," said Lescott, who himself was rested.

"It was good. It was a friendly atmosphere and I am sure we kept them entertained.

"You've got to finish the job off. That is what we are trying to do. We are representing Man City at the end of the day.

"There hasn't been much training going on. It's been a commercial trip.

"We've got one more game to go but it's been a productive week."

City's main off-field news this week has seen them launch a Major League Soccer franchise.

Chief executive Ferran Soriano also met with media and while he did not confirm Pellegrini would be the next manager, he said "the boxes are right" concerning the 59-year-old.

Sir Alex Ferguson said exactly that a month ago, having felt all along Ferdinand would commit himself to Old Trafford for a further season.

But with Moyes now replacing his fellow Scot as manager, it still required his seal of approval before the deal could be ratified.

"It is clear for everyone to see that Rio has had one of his best seasons with the club," said Moyes.

"Even from the outside you can see what a big character Rio is around the dressing room.

"I am delighted he has signed a new contract and I am looking forward to working with him."

Although there has been no official confirmation, it is anticipated there will be a testimonial for Ferdinand at some stage during the northern summer, although an opponent is yet to be agreed.

Whilst the deal itself is hardly a surprise, it is significant in that it was agreed with Ed Woodward, who will take over as chief executive from David Gill in the northern summer, and had to be ratified by Moyes before finally being completed.

It underlines the vast change taking place at Old Trafford, with both men amongst the rookies in United's tour party when it leaves for Australia and the Far East in July.

Only Javier Hernandez will miss the trip as he is required for FIFA Confederations Cup duty with Mexico.

Shinji Kagawa will also be involved for Japan, although as United is due to play two tour games in the midfielder's homeland it would be a major surprise if he did not make some sort of appearance.

For Ferdinand it will represent a 12th pre-season campaign.

And, after claiming his sixth Premier League title this term, he has already set his sights on number seven.

"Who wouldn't want to play in this fantastic team in front of 75,000 fans every week," he said.

"It has been an incredible journey and I am glad it will continue.

"I can now fully concentrate on my club career, which has worked well for me over the past few years.

"This is a great team to be part of and we are now moving into a new era, which is very exciting.

"I have met with David Moyes and I am really looking forward to working with him and winning many more trophies with this great club."

The 32-year-old has extended his stay at Goodison Park until 2015 but accepts the club is undergoing a northern summer of change after the departure of David Moyes to Manchester United.

And although the identity of the Scot's successor has yet to be identified Osman believes everyone will have to raise their games.

"It is a relief to have penned the contract so I can go and enjoy the summer and then work on achieving something next season," he said.

"I am delighted to have secured another year at the club.

"I have been here since I left school, I am a player and a fan, I love coming to work every day and I am delighted that's going to continue.

"It's time to take the family on holiday now, enjoy the break and recharge the batteries for next season.

"We are having a summer of change and we're not quite sure what is going to happen with regards to the manager but I am still delighted to have secured my future here at the club.

"It is going to be a new challenge and someone new to impress, which should raise the bar for everyone.

"Everyone will have to step up their form."

One of Osman's better seasons saw him called up for his England debut.

With the club finishing sixth the midfielder felt it had been a good campaign, the only disappointment coming in the fact that injury will prevent him featuring in England's northern summer friendlies against Republic of Ireland and Brazil.

"I think it has been a pretty good season, the way we've played football and the standards have been raised," he told evertontv

"To finish sixth and miss out on Europe is unfortunate but we've done well over the course of the season.

"It's disappointing to miss out (for England) but if you're injured, you're injured and there's not much you can really do about it.

"The timing of the injury is probably a bit off but it's one of those disappointing things in football you have to live with and learn to get over."

Kompany was sidelined for two months at a crucial stage of the Premier League campaign after suffering a calf injury in an FA Cup tie at Stoke City in January.

The 27-year-old's return took longer than expected and eventually sparked a club-versus-country row between former manager Roberto Mancini and Belgium.

Kompany has also been troubled by similar problems in the past but Kidd played down concerns after the defender played the first half of City's first post-season friendly against Chelsea in St Louis.

Kidd said: "After the FA Cup final he was feeling his calf and he didn't do any training.

"In the Reading game, we were desperate to get a point to finish second - it would have been a travesty if the lads hadn't done that, so that was paramount - but Vinny had the problem with the calf and couldn't make it.

"Vinny was obviously wanting to play the last game of the season but for one game it wasn't worth the risk.

"It's great to have your captain back and here was fantastic but coming up to the Norwich game he had one day on Saturday and it wasn't worth taking the chance."

Mancini had previously suggested Kompany could need an operation if the problem persists but Kidd denied that would be necessary.

Kidd also added that another centre-back, Matija Nastasic, was also still struggling with the problem that kept has kept him out since the FA Cup final loss to Wigan Athletic.

He said: "Matija didn't travel. We left him back in New York to have treatment."

City plays Chelsea again in the second of two matches at Yankees Stadium in New York on Saturday.

The 27-year-old striker has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford after retiring manager Sir Alex Ferguson - who will be replaced by Everton boss David Moyes in July - claimed the player had submitted a second transfer request in nearly three years.

The club later revealed the request had been turned down with talks over a new contract well under way, with new UEFA member Gill insisting 'every bit of work' is being done to prolong the England international's nine-year stint in Manchester.

Speaking to Sky Sports News at UEFA's Congress in London, Gill said: "As Alex said at his last press conference, that's an issue for David Moyes and the new team but I'm confident he'll be there next season.

"I think he's a great, great player at a great, great club and the club doesn't want to lose its star player.

"I'm sure every bit of work is being taken with Wayne and his advisors to ensure that happens. I'm not a betting man but I'm confident I'll sit at Old Trafford next season and see Wayne Rooney running out."

Liverpool-born Rooney agreed a five-year contract running to June 2015 after changing his mind over leaving the club in October 2010.

Fernandes will preside over a major overhaul of the squad at Loftus Road this northern summer, less than two years after buying up the majority shareholding.

The Malaysian entrepreneur has spent millions in a forlorn attempt to keep QPR in the top flight but says he is now ready to accept a period of stability in the second tier rather than aim for an immediate return to the Premier League.

Speaking in Monte Carlo, where his other major sporting investment, Caterham, is competing in this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix, Fernandes said: "With QPR we are right back at the drawing board, and we are going to go back to my principles of life.

"You learn a lot when you are going down. You don't learn a lot when you are doing great.

"I am not predicting we will bounce back up straight away, but I am working hard to make sure we have the right culture and right type of people in the club.

"If that means staying in the Championship for a couple of seasons to get it right, then that is worth it."

The AirAsia boss certainly has a full portfolio to deal with, and though the day-to-day running of his airline must take precedence, he admits things might be different at QPR and F1 back-marker Caterham had he been able to give either more of his time.

"The difference between QPR, Caterham and AirAsia is that AirAsia is something I live and breathe every day," he said.

"With all due respect, if I'd spent every day at Hingham [Caterham's headquarters] and every day at Loftus Road, I dare say it would have been a bit different.

"It's easy to say I've spread myself too thinly, but I don't think that's the case. What I should have done is delegate more.

"I am not that involved in my other businesses as much and I should have been like that, but this is the danger when passion conflicts with common sense.

"You get excited and carried away and you throw away all the things you are good at - planning and analysing."

Asked whether he had taken his eye off the ball, Fernandes replied: "It is an an experience, and I'm just a bit different to everyone else.

"Take Formula One. Everyone in the paddock has made huge errors in their life. They don't stand up and say 'I f***** up'. I have.

"It's the same in the football world. I don't think every single chairman has made a decision that's right all the time.

"But I have decided to step up and say I could have done it better. We did a lot of things wrong and I f***** up.

"With AirAsia, right now we the most profitable airline in the world. Now did I make huge mistakes in the process? Absolutely.

"But I don't think you have to be a b*****d to be successful in sport, you just need experience, which is something you can't buy."

Fernandes has promised a clearout of QPR's playing staff this northern summer, but the same cannot be said of manager Harry Redknapp, who the owner hopes will not be lured away in the coming months.

"You can never say never," said Fernandes. "If a massive club offers Harry a job, you can't stand in the way of it. It's his career, his life. You've got to be reasonable.

"But we get on very well, we know each other, and I long for stability.

"You can't build anything successful unless you have stability. I am an old-fashioned believer in that.

"Harry is someone I trust. He's a great football manager and a great spotter of talent."

The decision has been made as part of a shake-up instigated by David Moyes after his arrival from Everton as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor.

A former United player, Phelan came back to Old Trafford as a youth team coach in 1999, and was promoted to Sir Alex Ferguson's backroom team two years later, replacing Carlos Queiroz as assistant in 2008.

Steele was installed as goalkeeping coach in 2008 as replacement for Tony Coton, who was forced to retire due to injury.

A statement from the club on behalf of Moyes read: "I would like to put on record the club's thanks for everything Mike and Eric have done.

"I will be looking to appoint my own members of coaching staff at some point in the future, however, I'd like to take this opportunity to give them both our best wishes for their future careers."

Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward said: "I'd like to thank Eric and Mick for the enormous contributions they have made to the success of Manchester United in their time here. Their professionalism, ability and diligence have been a credit to them.

"They are top class football men and everyone here wishes them well for long and successful careers in the game."

The 22-year-old old Belgian scored 19 goals in his first season in the English Premier League and has been linked with a move away from Villa Park.

But Lambert, who said talks had already begun over improving Benteke's existing contract which has three years left to run, insisted the player still has plenty more to prove.

Lambert told talkSPORT: "I don't really 100 per cent know what's happened but he's got three years here at Aston Villa and the club have always come first.

"He's had one of those seasons where he's never really been injured and he's never been suspended except the last day.

"It's a unique thing, and he's got to remember that he's only 22 years of age - he's got so much to learn.

"He's only a kid starting out and he's going to have ups and downs like everybody else. Once he starts to play 400 or 500 games you might think, 'yeah, he's right good player'.

"I think sometimes we've got to have a reality check here. This lad's only been in Britain for 10 months. He's got the status at Aston Villa and everybody loves him."

Benteke was quoted in the Sun saying he would jump at the chance to join a bigger club to help his ambitions of reaching the 2014 World Cup.

Quoted in the newspaper, Benteke said: "If Aston Villa say I must stay, I won't necessarily accept that.

"I do not in any way want to feel I didn't get the most out of my career. I try to get everything.

"Of course playing the World Cup in Rio is in my head. But I have no fear of falling out of the team. There is no point in me getting into a tug-of-war with Villa.

"If the chance comes up for me to join a club like Arsenal, I'm convinced we can reach a compromise where everyone comes out a winner."

The Spurs forward has just had the best season of his career, scoring a remarkable 31 goals for club and country.

Tottenham's failure to qualify for the Champions League has led to increased speculation that the 23-year-old could leave White Hart Lane, although the player himself has dropped hints over the last few days that he will stay.

Desailly thinks Bale cannot fulfill his ambitions at the north London club, however, and believes the time is right for the Wales international to move on.

"He should go, he should just go. Tottenham will not give him the opportunity to play at a very high level," Desailly told the BBC.

"There's no price for experience. I think it's the time for him to go."

Desailly played in France, Italy and England during a glittering career that saw him collect two Champions League winner's medals.

Bale has claimed several times throughout his career that he would have no problem playing abroad and Desailly thinks experiencing football in a foreign country is vital to a player's development.

"He needs to discover, as [David] Beckham has done, that an English guy or a Welsh guy has the capacity to export himself," the Frenchman said.

"It's not a matter of money because he has [money] where he is at Tottenham - it's just the experience.

"Experience to play at a very high level at a club that has the culture of victory, a club that has trophies in the cupboard - not one or two, but plenty.

"To experience playing with other big players, to be maybe a second choice.

"To face difficulty, a new language for his family.

"It's a real change of life and an approach to life as a human being and as a soccer player."

Bale last night came off the bench to play the final 30 minutes of Tottenham's end-of-season friendly against Jamaica in the Bahamas, which ended 0-0.

ends

The Northern Irishman succeeded Kenny Dalglish last June after the club icon was dismissed by owners Fenway Sports Group who did not feel he was the man to take the club forward.

In English Premier League terms, Rodgers improved one place on Dalglish's final league position of eighth and cut the deficit to the top four from 17 to 12 points.

Liverpool scored 71 goals in the league, 24 more than last season, but results were not consistent enough, with many of those goals coming in one-sided hammerings of teams below it.

However, it managed just one victory - at home to Tottenham in March - in the 12 matches against the top six.

Nevertheless, Werner believes Rodgers' changes to the team and set-up behind the scenes suggest a positive future and they are prepared to back him in the summer transfer market.

"I think Brendan has made remarkable progress," he told the Liverpool Echo.

"He's a great strategist and has shown strong leadership as he has led the team through this season.

"Obviously there is disappointment that we didn't finish higher in the table but the team has certainly improved as the season has gone on.

"To see the new additions in January, Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho, perform so well has been very positive to see.

"We scored a lot more goals than last season. The 38 away league goals was the club's highest number in a league season since 1990.

"The club is definitely moving in the right direction under Brendan.

"Our intention is to strengthen the squad further this summer and as owners we're very optimistic and excited about the future."

Chelsea made a flying start to Thursday's (Friday AEST) match, and led 3-0 early in the second half before Brian Kidd's team came storming home to pull off an unlikely victory.

Highlights - Manchester City 4-3 Chelsea:

Chelsea took an early lead in the friendly when Demba Ba headed home from close range.

That was followed by a succession of chances for City, but it was Chelsea that struck again before the interval.

Juan Mata was clumsily brought down in the box by Karim Rekik, allowing Cesar Azpilicueta to clinically dispatch the resulting penalty and double the Blues' lead.

It soon got even better for Chelsea as Oscar rounded Joe Hart and remained composed to finish from a tight angle early in the second half to make it 3-0.

Dzeko's introduction proved to be the turning point.

The Bosnian was cheered on by a large contingent of his compatriots at the Busch Stadium and he was instantly involved in the corner which led to Javi Garcia pulling one back.

Minutes later the former Wolfsburg man, linked with a move to Napoli, raced up the field from a Chelsea corner to meet a James Milner pass and calmly slot past substitute goalkeeper Jamal Blackman to cut the deficit to one.

Blackman then made a succession of impressive stops, most noticably from Milner and Dzeko, before he was finally beaten again with five minutes remaining.

Carlos Tevez persistently plugged away throughout the match and earned some reward by claiming a fine assist for Dzeko's equaliser.

City had all the momentum and Richards found a dramatic late winner to cap off a remarkable match.

San Lorenzo was reportedly close to bringing the 31-year-old back to his homeland in January but was unable to agree a fee with the English Premier League side.

Newcastle's captain remained on Tyneside and helped the team steer clear of relegation but Lammens wants to secure the homesick centre-back's signature at the second attempt.

"I have the intention of having a meeting with Fabricio and talking about the conditions of his arrival to San Lorenzo," he told La Cicloneta.

"We understand that Newcastle don't have too much interest in the summer other than keeping Coloccini in their squad.

"They have managed to escape from the relegation zone, so they will now think about what is best for the player; that he needs to go back home."

Coloccini previously spent six months on loan at San Lorenzo while an AC Milan player, helping the Buenos Aires outfit to win the 2001 Clausura championship.

The 22-year-old Belgium international scored 19 English Premier League goals this season and has been linked to with a move away from Villa Park, with Arsenal among the teams mentioned as a possible destination.

Quoted by the Sun, Benteke said: "If Aston Villa say I must stay, I won't necessarily accept that. I do not in any way want to feel I didn't get the most out of my career. I try to get everything.

"Of course playing the World Cup in Rio is in my head. But I have no fear of falling out of the team. There is no point in me getting into a tug-of-war with Villa.

"If the chance comes up for me to join a club like Arsenal, I'm convinced we can reach a compromise where everyone comes out a winner."

Fresh from winning a 20th English title and undergoing an apparently smooth managerial succession, United confirmed it had secured a new loan from Bank of America with far lower interest rates.

United has refinanced £177.78 million ($276 million) of outstanding 8.75 per cent interest sterling bonds and £22.09 million ($34 million) of 8.375 per cent dollar bonds.

The new loan from June 24 will have an estimated starting interest rate of about 2.78 per cent. Interest payments should come down from about £31 million ($48.3 million) to £21 million ($32.8 million) per year, United said in a statement.

United, which is owned by the American Glazer family and listed on the New York Stock Exchange, has approximately halved its total debts to £370 million ($577 million) in three years.

The refinancing package appears to indicate investor confidence in both the business and the first managerial change at Old Trafford since 1986, with David Moyes replacing Alex Ferguson.

"It shows that the infrastructure is in place and the decision they made on the managerial front is viewed as, not negative, but positive," Majid Ishaq, managing director of financial advisory group Rothschild, told The Associated Press.

"They are in a position today where they have gone back to the market to refinance that particular part of the financing on very attractive terms because they have really delivered, and grown the underlying revenue and profitability."

United said earlier this month it is on course to generate more than £350 million ($546 million) this season after earning a record £91.7 million ($143 million) in the three months to March 31. Net profit more than trebled year-on-year to £3.6 million ($5.6 million) in the third quarter.

"United is unique in that they have a great historic brand, and they have managed to derive value from that history and heritage in a very commercial way," said Ishaq, a football finance expert. "That's a big positive for investors."

Although Ferdinand has been linked with a lucrative move abroad, it has been obvious for some time that his future lay at Old Trafford.

He has spoken openly about his future hopes for the club and last week called time on his England career in a clear attempt to extend his availability for United.

And despite the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson, Ferdinand had no hesitation in signing another deal for next term, when he hopes to land a seventh Premier League title.

"Who wouldn't want to play in this fantastic team in front of 75,000 fans every week?" said the 34-year-old defender.

"It has been an incredible journey and I am glad it will continue.

"I can now fully concentrate on my club career, which has worked well for me over the past few years.

"This is a great team to be part of and we are now moving into a new era, which is very exciting.

"I have met with David Moyes and I am really looking forward to working with him and winning many more trophies with this great club."

Although there has been no official confirmation, it is anticipated there will be a testimonial for Ferdinand at some stage during the summer, although an opponent is yet to be agreed.

Whilst the deal itself is hardly a surprise, it is significant in that it was agreed with Ed Woodward, who will take over as chief executive from David Gill in the summer, and had to be ratified by Moyes before finally being completed.

It underlines the vast change taking place at Old Trafford, with both men amongst the rookies in United's tour party when it leaves for Australia and the Far East in July.

Only Javier Hernandez will miss the trip as he is required for Confederations Cup duty with Mexico in the summer.

Shinji Kagawa will also be involved for Japan, although as United is due to play two tour games in the midfielder's homeland it would be a major surprise if he did not make some sort of appearance.

"It is clear for everyone to see that Rio has had one of his best seasons with the club," said Moyes.

"Even from the outside you can see what a big character Rio is around the dressing room.

"I am delighted he has signed a new contract and I am looking forward to working with him."

Martinez had asked for 24 hours to consider his next move, but after meeting Whelan again, it is the chairman who has now gone away to consider whether he can match his manager's ambitions.

And he stressed the discussions were solely focused on taking Wigan forward and had not touched on Martinez's personal situation.

"We have had a good, constructive talk – nothing about wages it is all about the club and can we move it forward in terms of the training facilities and youth development," Whelan told Press Association Sport.

"It is all tied up in that. He wants to do certain things and I'm hoping I can assist in that but I want a day or two to look at it.

"I don't want to say yes until I've had time to think about it. It will be Monday before I can promise anything."

The Portuguese boss will leave Real Madrid at the end of the season and is widely expected to return to Stamford Bridge for a second spell as Chelsea boss.

"Jose is one of the best," World Cup and EURO 2012 winner Mata told reporters on Chelsea's United States post-season tour.

"He won everything in every country he was – in Portugal, in Italy, in Chelsea in London.

"We don't know really what is going to happen but if he comes he is welcome because he is one of the best and Chelsea always want to be a top side.

"If he comes we are going to be happy to have him."

Mourinho led Chelsea to two Premier League titles during his first spell in charge, from July 2004 to September 2007, including the Blues' first championship in 50 years.

Mata has won the Champions League, FA Cup and Europa League with Chelsea, but is keen to win the domestic title.

Mata added: "If he comes we will try and do our best with him, or whoever, to win the title, because one challenge for me will be to win the Premier League."

The pair, along with managing director Derek Llambias, met up this week to talk through the failings of the last campaign and to discuss the way forward.

But insiders insist the nature of the talks was far from "showdown or "clear the air" amid rumours that Pardew could be shown the door after a season of under-achievement by his side.

Despite the increasing disquiet among fans as a difficult campaign drew to a close, there has been no appetite to dispense with the services of the 51-year-old manager, who signed an eight-year contract in September last year, even though the terms of the deal mean it would not have to be paid up in full should the signatories part company prematurely.

In the event, Pardew emerged from the meeting still in post and charged with the task of masterminding a significant improvement for a club that scaled improbable heights under his charge in 2011-12, but misfired alarmingly 12 months later.

There is an acceptance by all parties that the squad with which Newcastle went into battle at the start of the last campaign was inadequate for purpose with the demands of the Europa League – something with which it will not have to contend this time around – and injuries cruelly exposing its lack of depth.

It will be depleted further at the end of the next month when veteran keeper Steve Harper and full-back Danny Simpson leave the club when their contracts expire, and while Pardew is desperate to retain the services of skipper Fabricio Coloccini, his continued presence is by no means certain four months after he asked to be allowed to return to his native Argentina for personal reasons.

In addition, the club's failure to replace frontman Demba Ba in either a pre-emptive strike or following his January departure for Chelsea is yet to be addressed.

It emerged after yesterday's meeting that Andy Carroll will not be a long-term solution to that particular problem despite Pardew's repeated admissions that he would like to bring him back to St James' Park given the opportunity.

However, given the club's hard and fast recruitment policy, that news should perhaps come as little surprise.

While at 24, Carroll fits the age profile perfectly, the fee – West Ham has reportedly agreed a £15 million ($23 million) deal with Liverpool – is in excess of anything Ashley has sanctioned during his reign to date and even a significant reduction on his current wage packet would smash the club's pay structure.

There is an understandable attraction to re-signing a man the Magpies sold to the Reds for £35 million ($54.5 million) two and a half years ago, but unless something changes radically, that is now unlikely to happen.

Instead, chief scout Graham Carr will concentrate his efforts on identifying the best young talent on the continent with Belgium and Holland, as well as France, understood to be among his hunting grounds this summer.

Pardew will also be on his guard once again amid speculation that some of his bigger names could be vulnerable to attack from clubs who could offer them Champions League football, lucrative deals or both.

There has been considerable speculation about the future of the Wales international after Tottenham Hotspur failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League, with Madrid the most likely destination.

Quoted in the Sun, Ramos said: "Gareth Bale is a Real Madrid-quality signing. He has had an exceptional season. He can punish any team in the world and has the footballing qualities we look for in Madrid.

"I am sure Madrid will not be the only team that want to sign him - but he is the right mould for us."

Bale rounded off a remarkable year on Sunday (Monday AEST) by scoring his 26th goal of the season, but his wonder winner against Sunderland was not enough to earn the club Champions League qualification.

The club is understandably keen to hold on to its star and manager Andre Villas-Boas recently called on the forward to end speculation about his future by signing a new deal at White Hart Lane.

For now, the signs look promising for Tottenham fans. From his comments in the immediate aftermath of the victory over Sunderland, he seemed in no mood to abandon ship and head to Madrid.

"We fought hard this season, the team and the manager have been great," he said.

"We have got the record points for the club in the Premier League.

"That would normally be enough to qualify for the Champions League, but it's not meant to be again.

"It's disappointing, but we will pick ourselves up again.

"We will just have to regroup this season and give it another go."

L'Equipe reported that PSG is willing to match Rooney's sizeable Old Traffiord wage deal - believed to be in the vicinity of $350,000 a week.

Rooney has been increasingly mentioned as a potential PSG recruit after Alex Ferguson confirmed the 27-year-old had made an official transfer request, after nine years at United.

With Ferguson now retired from management and moving to a role upstairs, new Red Devils manager David Moyes is left to try and convince his former Everton charge Rooney his future remains at the club.

PSG, which looks set to lose title-winning coach Carlo Ancelotti to Real Madrid, is hopeful of adding to its an impressive playing roster with Rooney to complement the talents of Sweden ace Zlatan Ibrahimovic in attack.

With the cashed up Qatar Investment Authority at the helm, PSG's coffers seem to have no limits.

With few other clubs able to match PSG's financial clout, Rooney - who has two years left on his Manchester United deal - would have limited options were to exit Old Trafford.

German champion Bayern Munich dispelled speculation that it was interested in signing Rooney while Chelsea has been mooted as a destination with Jose Mourinho almost certain to return to Stamford Bridge.

Rooney previously asked to leave United before signing a new five-year contract in 2010 but has grown impatient after playing second fiddle to Robin van Persie, increasingly being used out of position and being dropped by Ferguson for the UEFA Champions League last-16 second leg tie against Real Madrid.

City has been heavily linked with Pellegrini in recent weeks and speculation has intensified since last year's English Premier League-winning boss Roberto Mancini was sacked last week.

Mancini paid the price for failing to meet the club's high expectations after his side lost the title and slumped out of the UEFA Champions League prematurely.

The Italian remained a firm favourite with fans having also ended a 35-year trophy drought by winning the FA Cup in 2011 but the club feel it is time to move on.

Chief executive Ferran Soriano was quizzed about the matter by a US television reporter as the club formally announced the launch of its new Major League Soccer team.

When asked what Mancini did wrong, Soriano told CNN: "He did very good things for the club.

"He stayed there for three years, which is a lot of time. He brought the club to a winning club.

"Now we are just looking for the next step, the next cycle.

"We have a fantastic squad. We want to play better football and we want to continue winning.

"It is not that Mancini did anything wrong. We are just in another cycle, in another era."

In its statement that announced Mancini's departure, City referred to the need to develop a "holistic approach" to all aspects of football at the club.

It had previously been rumoured City wanted to introduce a fluid 4-3-3 style of play to all its sides, from junior level up to first team.

When asked about that matter, Soriano said: "We are looking to play very good football, very beautiful football.

"When we are playing good football, then we will win.

"So it is not only about winning, it is developing football that is attractive and it will be played by our main teams, our first team in Manchester, our young teams in Manchester and also our teams in New York.

"We want to share the same football concepts across all our teams."

Pellegrini is the odds-on favourite to take over at the Etihad Stadium and it is now clear that he will be available.

The 59-year-old, who guided Malaga to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals this year, had indicated a desire to leave and the Spanish club has now confirmed he will depart at the end of the season.

Pellegrini told the club's website: "Malaga has a story without Manuel Pellegrini, and (is) also going to have a future without Manuel Pellegrini.

"(I have) an eternal gratitude to the club's owners, who trusted me blindly."

The club also confirmed what Pellegrini had been quoted as saying at a civic function earlier in the day, that the coach was leaving for "sporting reasons".

Pellegrini denied earlier this month that he had an agreement in place with City.

"My coaching staff and I have separated from Malaga but our union with this city will be eternal," he said.

"We had a time with the club that was very rewarding. Everyone has the right to move on.

"Sunday will be my last match at La Rosaleda and will be very exciting for me.

"I'm not leaving due to the matter of money but looking for a project that allows me to develop my profession conveniently."

Pellegrini has been at Malaga since November 2010 after previous spells with Villarreal and Real Madrid.

His team has two games of its season remaining, against Deportivo La Coruna and Barcelona.

The 55-year-old parted company with the Potters by mutual consent on Wednesday after seven years in charge, ending a decade-long association either side of one season spent at Plymouth Argyle.

Pulis had come in for increasing criticism from supporters for his "long-ball", physical style and Coates decided - after five years in the English Premier League - it was time for a change.

"I have enjoyed some wonderful times at Stoke City and nobody was prouder than me when, after 23 years of exile from top-flight football we gained Barclays Premier League status," the Welshman revealed in a statement.

"Over the past five years we have created history by being the only team in this club's 150 years existence to remain out of the bottom six in top-flight football for five consecutive seasons.

"Within our five-year period in the Barclays Premier League we have featured in four major cup quarter-finals, an FA Cup semi-final and final.

"Further, we have encountered, progressed and reached the later stages of a major European cup competition, only to lose out to Spanish giants Valencia.

"Peter, his family and I have enjoyed every inch of the journey; he has been truly a fantastic man to work with.

"Although I am disappointed I do understand what he means when he says the board feels a need to take the club in a different direction."

The combative Australia midfielder is relishing the most pivotal 23 days of his career as he bids to help pilot Palace to victory over Watford at Wembley on Tuesday morning (AEST) in the $140 million Championship play-off final ahead of June’s trio of crunch FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Japan, Jordan and Iraq.

With long-time Socceroos skipper Lucas Neill and his sometime stand-in Mark Schwarzer in the final throes of their careers, Jedinak, 28, is ready to seize the mantle.

“Any player would be lying if they said they didn’t want to lead their country and I am no different,” said Jedinak, who has emerged as a cult figure at Selhurst Park this season among fans seduced by his drive and desire to propel the club back to the top flight.

“It would be absolutely massive for me to one day be handed that responsibility but Lucas Neill has done, and continues to do, a great job in that role and our jobs as players is to support him and all do our bit for the team.

“It’s been a great season for me at Palace and I try and lead by example on the field – and the other boys see that and respond to it.”

Palace’s Player of the Year added: “In the two seasons I’ve been here I have added a bit more know-how and experience to my game and I think it’s showing.

“Now I am just focused solely on Monday – and will try and keep the qualifiers out of my mind until after that game.

“It’s vital that we try and treat it like a normal Championship game because the team that goes in the calmest and most composed and doesn’t get overawed by the hugeness of the occasion is the most likely to get the result. We can’t let the atmosphere or what's at stake get to us."

It was Jedinak's 89th-minute winner on the final day of the regular season in a 3-2 win against Peterborough at Selhurst Park that made sure of Palace’s play-off spot after a dire run of just one win in 10 games saw Ian Holloway's team slip from second spot.

“At one stage we looked good for a top-two finish and automatic promotion,” added Jedinak. “But we lost our way a bit but still managed to stay in touch with the play-off places and now we’re really close to the big prize.

“It’s been my dream to play in the Premier League and now we’re 90 minutes away from that."

Of the two league meetings this season, Watford won 3-2 at Crystal Palace in August while the return fixture was drawn 2-2 in February, a match Jedinak missed.

“Obviously it means so much to the club to go up,” he said. “In my opinion, there’s no higher level to play at.”

The stakes couldn’t be much higher either with the new $4.6 billion television deal starting in the 2013-14 Premier League campaign which, according to sports business group Deloitte, makes promotion worth as much as $186 million to Palace.

Once business is concluded at Wembley, Jedinak - who will be named on Thursday in Australia's squad for June's World Cup qualifiers - will jet into camp in Tokyo ahead of the duel against Japan in Saitama on 4 June.

The Socceroos need six points from their final three Group B games to secure automatic qualification for Brazil 2014, and Jedinak has no doubts the target will be achieved.

Keen to put his own goal in the stumbling 2-2 draw against Oman in March behind him, he said: “I think we’ve all drawn a line under that game now and must put it behind us.

“We’re all under pressure now to perform and I think come the end of it all we’ll have done enough to get to Brazil.

“We know what we’re up against and we know what it means and I know we have the quality to win through.”

Australia lies third in Group B, seven points behind Japan - which just needs a single point to secure its ticket to Rio – and one adrift of Jordan, but with a game in hand on both.

Its final two home games are against Jordan in Melbourne on 11 June and Iraq in Sydney on 18 June.

The Chilean head coach has been heavily tipped to fill the vacancy left by Roberto Mancini at Manchester City this northern summer and has now stated he will not be in charge of the Champions League quarter-finalists next season.

He said, according to Spanish newspaper website Marca.com: "My coaching staff and I are separating from Malaga but our union with this city will be eternal.

"I'm going for sporting reasons."

The 59-year-old's exit from La Rosaleda has been largely expected for weeks although the club themselves have yet to confirm his departure.

His name was being linked with City before Mancini's exit on May 13, although Pellegrini denied that a deal had already been done following the goalless draw with Sevilla on May 12.

"I deny here and now being the new coach of Manchester City, I haven't signed any agreement with anybody," Pellegrini said on his club's official website at the time.

"I've been fortunate enough, and very proud, that every year the big clubs have shown an interest in me.

"I have an agreement with Malaga not to talk to anyone and nothing has been agreed with any other club.

"I hope in the coming weeks that things will become a little clearer about what is going to be the future here at this club."

That time appears to have come with Pellegrini confirming at a function on Wednesday that he will leave Malaga after two-and-a-half years in charge.

After a difficult campaign brought on by a number of high-profile departures, the Whites moved quickly to sure up their squad for next campaign.

Venezuela defender Amorebieta has signed a four-year deal at Craven Cottage after eight seasons in La Liga with Bilbao, while Ghana international Boateng has joined on a one-year deal with an option for a further season.

The 30-year-old is a long-standing target of Cottagers manager Martin Jol, who has attempted to bring in the Dnipro midfielder on several occasions before.

Boateng's transfer had to be put on ice previously due to contract disputes with his Ukrainian club, but a deal now looks to have been struck.

The former Getafe, Cologne and Beitar Jerusalem midfielder took to Twitter on Wednesday to post a photo of himself holding a Fulham shirt at the club's Motspur Park training ground, with the comment "I'm finally happy!!!"

In an earlier post, Boateng tweeted: "I have signed a two-year deal with Fulham FC! I'm happy to see this deal confirmed! Thanks God, my family and everyone who support me!"

Fulham have yet to officially confirm the move.

The former England international, 36, took the decision towards the end of the season to leave the club's playing staff and is preparing for a career in management.

He has been strongly linked with the Goodison Park vacancy and is also rated by bookmakers among the leading contenders for the job at Stoke, which parted company with Tony Pulis yesterday.

Neville told The Times: "It is flattering to be linked with the Everton job.

"It's just whatever direction the club want to take. But I know there are players who have gone into jobs and failed.

"I am at the end of my career and I am looking to get into coaching and management. I have prepared for the last five seasons and I have some nice decisions to make.

"I have had a lot of experience, studying coaching practices. I have been away with England Under-21s. I'm half-prepared for what I'm going into."

The pair, along with managing director Derek Llambias, were due to hold talks to assess what went wrong in the recently completed season and to plot a route back to the upper reaches of the Barclays Premier League table.

Pardew's future has been the topic of intense speculation in recent weeks with the club engaged in a tooth and nail fight for top-flight survival after a desperately disappointing domestic campaign.

However, the 51-year-old, who signed an eight-year contract in September last year, has been bullish in the wake of the 2-1 victory at Queens Park Rangers, which ended its fears, and was certainly looking to the future as he contemplated his northern summer rebuilding programme at the weekend.

Pardew said: "The most important thing is that we react and respond to this season as a club, and I hope we can do that and then have a rest because trust me, it has been tough on a number of levels.

"But I have learned a lot and I will be better for it."

There is little doubt that a side which finished the previous campaign in fifth place drastically under-achieved last season with only an extended Europa League campaign bringing any relief.

But a narrow quarter-final defeat by eventual finalist Benfica sparked an alarming slump which saw the Magpies, unforgivably in the eyes of their fans, lose 3-0 at home to arch-rival Sunderland and then concede six without reply to Liverpool at St James' Park.

Ultimately, salvation was to lie away from Tyneside with four points from trips to West Ham and relegated QPR sealing its fate as Pardew's critics grew in number and volume.

However, unless the situation alters significantly over the coming days, it appears he will get the chance to repair the damage inflicted during an attritional campaign with the board accepting that the decision not to invest heavily last year was a major factor in what followed.

Pardew has already indicated that he will be looking to strengthen his squad in terms of both quality and numbers, but also experience with the club's youngsters having largely failed to step up to the plate when required.

The success or otherwise of that mission could largely depend on what is said today and to what extent Ashley is prepared to continue to back his manager.

Cole posted several messages on Twitter yesterday appearing to indicate he had no future at the club he joined in July 2006 from London rival Chelsea and the Hammers confirmed on Wednesday that his contract would not be renewed.

The 29-year-old, who has seven England caps, has been far from his best this season, scoring just twice in 25 appearances, and manager Sam Allardyce felt it was best if Cole sought a move away from Upton Park.

"Carlton's contract has come to an end and we have decided not to renew that contract," said the former Bolton and Newcastle manager.

"Carlton's need at his age is to be playing football as often as he can. From our point of view we felt it better that he found pastures new.

"We can only thank him for his outstanding commitment and service to West Ham United over the last seven years."

Cole scored 59 times in 237 appearances for the east London side and was a key part of the side that achieved promotion from the Championship a year ago with 15 goals, including the opener in the play-off final victory over Blackpool at Wembley.

"Life is filled with ups & downs today is adown but I'll be back! Carlton Cole/CFC as I have been called has left the building #UNDERCHUFFED," he wrote on Twitter yesterday.

"I want to thank the West Ham fans for their support especially the 1's who made the away games feel like a home 1 #COYI.

"I came to East London not knowing what to expect but I'm glad i did the last 7 years I've met a lot of good honest decent people #THANKYOU."

His departure will leave Allardyce, who made his first signing of the northern summer in Romania captain Razvan Rat on Tuesday, scrambling for attacking reinforcements.

The Hammers are reported to have agreed a fee with Liverpool for England striker Andy Carroll, who made an impression on Allardyce after a successful season-long loan at Upton Park, and the final decision now lies with the 24-year-old who has withdrawn from the England squad with a foot injury.

It is hoped the procedure will ensure the 30-year-old is fit in time to return for the start of pre-season training in July, ahead of a campaign which will see the Swans compete in the Europa League after their League Cup triumph.

Britton will head to Munich with Swansea head physiotherapist Kate Rees for the surgery, having played through the pain barrier during the latter part of the season.

"For the last two months of the season my groin has felt quite tight, but I wanted to play through the pain and finish the season," said Britton.

"I missed parts of training in that time but it was necessary to ensure I was available for the games, although I did struggle a little bit in the last four to six weeks.

"I've had one hernia since December, and a scan around four weeks or so ago showed I had another one.

"So I will be flying out to Germany with Kate on June 2 and I'll have the operation two days later before flying back on the sixth.

"I've had a hernia operation before, around 2005, so I know the procedure.

"It means I will come in during the summer to do some rehab which will make sure I'm ready for pre-season training.

"Next season will be huge for us as we will be involved in four competitions, so I want to make sure I'm fit and ready when we report back for pre-season."

The 31-year-old will join the east London side on 1 July on a one-year deal, when his contract with his current employer Shakhtar Donetsk ends.

Rat spent 10 years with the Ukrainian side, winning 15 trophies and the club has the option to extend his deal to two or three years.

"I'm hugely happy that we've got a player of his experience and his character," manager Sam Allardyce told the club's official website.

"He's been playing Champions League football this year and at the highest level for many years. Shakhtar had offered him a very good contract, but his ambition was to come and try his abilities and skills in England.

"When you hear somebody speak so positively about that, then you know they've got the mental character that's needed to do well in this division.

"We certainly know he's got the ability and he's at an age where he's still capable of producing at 31.

"He speaks perfect English, which he taught himself, and that shows the discipline and the character of the man. Discipline, character and ability are the three big things in the Premier League, and with a little bit of adjusting, we'll see him early on in the season giving hopefully his best performances for West Ham."

One man on the way out however is Carlton Cole who indicated that his future lies away from Upton Park.

The striker's contract expires at the end of June and the former Chelsea man believes he will be playing his football elsewhere next season.

''Life is filled with ups & downs today is a down but i'll be back! Carlton Cole/CFC as i have been called has left the building #UNDERCHUFFED,'' he wrote on Twitter.

''i want to thank the West Ham fans for their support especially the 1's who made the away games feel like a home 1 #COYI

''i came to East London not knowing what to expect but i'm glad i did the last 7 years I've met a lot of good honest decent people #THANKYOU.''

The 21-year-old is set for surgery in the coming days to remove a pin inserted during a previous procedure, which has hampered his progress during the closing weeks of the Premier League campaign as he was limited to mostly substitute appearances using painkillers.

Wilshere is seen as an integral part of Roy Hodgson's plans for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and having missed all the 2011-2012 campaign through injury, the combative midfielder is keen to get back towards his top form after another frustrating spell of rehabilitation before heading off with Arsenal for its pre-season tour of Asia.

"I don't want to miss England games - that's the pinnacle in any player's career so you want to be involved in every game you can," Wilshere said in an interview with Sky Sports.

"If we can get there (to the World Cup) it would have been nice to go out there (to Brazil) and see what it's like and get used to it a bit; get used to the weather and the locals and see what it's like. There is also the Ireland game, which is a big game too. It's going to be a good atmosphere at Wembley and it would have been nice to have been there.

"But we have got a friendly against Scotland as well (in August) and that will be a big one.

"It is an important year for qualifiers next season, so hopefully I can get myself fit and get involved in that."

Wilshere sees no reason why England should not be back in Brazil next northern summer, currently second in Group H behind Montenegro, which it faces at Wembley on 11 October.

"We have got ourselves in a good position, and have to think positively," the midfielder added.

"If we win all our home qualifiers we can get to the World Cup and it will be a successful year for England."

Before then, Arsenal faces a crucial two-legged UEFA Champions League play-off, having beaten Newcastle United 1-0 on the final day of the season to remain in fourth place in the league table ahead of Tottenham Hotspur.

Wilshere feels being able to take on the best in Europe will only bode well for his England hopes.

"Internationally it helps, you get used to playing against foreign players - they're different to English players. And personally as well, you want to be playing at the top and being in the Champions League and playing against the likes of Ronaldo and Messi, players like that, that's where you want to be and you can only improve," he said.

Arsenal is expected to look to bolster its squad this northern summer, with manager Arsene Wenger set to have the best part of £100 million ($154.85 million) available for transfers and wages.

France Under-21 forward Yaya Sanogo is set to join on a free from Auxerre and will be the first of several new arrivals.

He said: "Arsenal could be a great club for me.

"I scored nine goals this season with Auxerre and they think I can improve my level in England."

Wenger is understood to have targeted offensive additions this northern summer, including the likes of Fiorentina's Stevan Jovetic, but could yet be put off by the £30 million ($46.45 million) valuation of the Italian club.

Real Madrid frontman Gonzalo Higuain and even possibly England forward Wayne Rooney are other reported targets.

Borussia Dortmund defender Lukasz Piszczek and Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar, who is set to leave relegated Queens Park Rangers, are others said to be on Wenger's radar, with the club set to get Andrey Arshavin, Marouane Chamakh, Nicklas Bendtner, Denilson, Sebastien Squillaci and Park Chu-young all off the wage bill in the northern summer.

Germany forward Lukas Podolski has been linked with a switch to Juventus after being the most substituted of Arsenal's attackers this season.

However, speaking to the Bild newspaper, he said: "The fact is, I have a contract with Arsenal. There is no reason to leave the club.

"But, in the football business a lot of things are conceivable."

The future of France defender Bacary Sagna, meanwhile, still needs to be resolved as he heads towards the final season of his current contract, with both Paris Saint-Germain and Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala said to be monitoring the situation.

Mourinho, who is to leave Real Madrid at the end of the season, is expected to be installed as manager at Stamford Bridge for a second time this northern summer, six years on from his three-year spell which saw him become the most successful manager in the club's history.

After winning two Premier League titles and both domestic cups, the Portuguese left in acrimony in September 2007.

Supporters have long been calling for his return, particularly this season while the team has been under the interim control of Rafael Benitez, Mourinho's former adversary while the Spaniard was at Liverpool.

Chelsea Supporters' Group chair Trizia Fiorellino told Press Association Sport: "It will certainly end in tears, because these things so often do, even at clubs that aren't as tumultuous as ours.

"But I think what he will provide in that period in between is closure, one way or the other.

"I think he will bring success, he will manage the team through its transition and then he will end the chapter then.

"The way it finished, that's why fans call for him all the time. They feel it didn't come to a natural conclusion.

"The way he left was such a shock it almost felt like a bereavement. Both supporters and Jose himself think that there is unfinished business, which is why, I think, he is so keen to return.

"I think he wants to win the Champions League with us and then he can do more or less whatever he wants. He'd have done everything."

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is seeking a 10th permanent manager in 10 years at Stamford Bridge, but none of the previous bosses have come close to achieving the same level of affection among supporters as Mourinho, who joined in June 2004.

"He brought success to our club which we never dreamed we'd ever witness," Fiorellino added.

"He was always going to be revered for that, but also the charisma of the man and the way he fought for us as a club.

"He became the hero of the fans. No-one has replaced him in terms of character."

There remain hurdles before Mourinho is appointed.

One is in the structure of the club, with technical director Michael Emenalo close to Abramovich, and Mourinho likely to be forced into a compromise over the handling of team affairs.

"We're always being told that Jose wants complete and utter control," Fiorellino said.

"Chelsea doesn't operate that way. The biggest bone of contention is going to be Emenalo's role and how he fits in with Jose."

Another potential stumbling block is the squad.

Mourinho favours powerful players, whereas Juan Mata, Eden Hazard and Oscar are playmakers the fans have come to adore.

"It will be interesting to see how he sets up the team," Fiorellino said.

"He's often gone for a spine of power. [Romelu] Lukaku, to me, seems exactly the kind of player that he would try to mold into a new [Didier] Drogba."

Mourinho received a reported £18 million ($27.87 million) settlement when he left Chelsea, but that figure is immaterial to fans.

"Chelsea have paid out so much money to so many managers, fans don't think about that side of thing anymore," Fiorellino said.

"It's galling to see so many managers walk away with so much money after being failures, a lot of them.

"I don't think anyone would balk at Jose walking away with money; he brought us riches beyond our dreams. As far as I'm concerned, he earned it."

And while Mourinho's return appears to be almost a formality, if there is to be a twist in the saga he could yet end up at Paris Saint-Germain or Manchester City, in a move which would upset Chelsea fans.

Fiorellino said: "I'd be devastated, but I could never hate him. I know a lot of fans would; they'd feel used.

"I believe he won't do that. I believe he wants to finish his Chelsea story."

United is under new management for the first time since 1986 after Ferguson's retirement and Moyes met the club's players and staff at Carrington on Monday in order to outline his plans for the future.

Although he does not officially start work until 1 July, Moyes intends to get down to business before then as he looks to make a smooth transition to life at Old Trafford.

"I'll probably be doing two jobs for the next week or so," Moyes said after Everton's defeat at Chelsea.

"I'll go into Finch Farm (Everton's training ground) some of the days next week and make sure everything is in place for whoever the incoming manager is.

"Most of it is anyway, but I'll just make sure that everything is as ready as I can leave it."

Moyes was announced as Ferguson's successor two weeks ago, but he had to wait until Monday to finally link up with United after seeing out the last two games of the season with Everton.

Ferguson bowed out after the 1,500th game of his extraordinary United reign ended in fittingly remarkable fashion with a 5-5 draw at West Bromwich Albion.

It was the highest scoring draw in Premier League history and matched a result United has recorded just once, in 1895, when it was still known as Newton Heath.

With Ferguson heading into the sunset, Moyes, who has spent 11 years in charge at Everton, faces a daunting challenge at Old Trafford as he tries to emulate his predecessor's incredible success.

The most pressing item in his in-tray will be the future of England striker Wayne Rooney, who has asked for a transfer after becoming frustrated with his reduced role in the second half of the season.

It is the second time in three years Rooney has tried to leave and Moyes, who gave the forward his debut as a 16-year-old at Everton, has to decide if he wants to placate the volatile forward.

The pair fell out after Rooney's departure from Everton when the striker was sued by Moyes for allegations in an autobiography before they reconciled after the player apologised to his former Goodison boss in 2010.

Even if Rooney is eventually sold, with Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain linked with imminent bids for the 27-year-old, Moyes will still be able to rely on the Premier League's top scorer when United starts its title defence.

Robin van Persie scored 26 times as United romped to its 20th English title and the forward expects United to continue to thrive under Moyes.

"Everybody wants to work for each other and share the success and I'm 100 per cent sure that we will play for trophies every year and, hopefully, win a few every year. That's our standard for this team," he said.

"Of course, we get a new manager next year and everybody is looking forward to that. It's a new challenge for everyone. We'll have a nice break now and then we go again."

Moyes also has to finalise details of his backroom staff at United, with assistant coaches Mike Phelan and Rene Meulensteen waiting to discover their futures.

He has indicated there will be no drastic changes, although Everton assistant manager Steve Round, coach Jimmy Lumsden and former United player Phil Neville, who will leave the Toffees in the close-season, have all been tipped to follow him to Old Trafford.

The former Liverpool boss received a frosty reception from the fans when he was appointed interim manager partway through the season when Roberto Di Matteo left.

But the Spaniard confounded his critics by taking the Stamford Bridge club to UEFA Europa League glory and guiding it to third place in the Premier League.

Lampard, whose form under Benitez was rewarded with a one-year contract extension, told The Sun: "He's a professional bloke. He prepared very well for games. And it was a difficult situation for him as well. As interim manager it was always going to be quite difficult because we all knew it was only to the end of the season.

"So there was no planning, no long-term relationships were going to be built. So, in that respect, he did a good job because we got the end result - success."

Despite that, though, Lampard did not grow close to Benitez on a personal level.

"There are certain managers you build relationships with and feel closer to," Lampard said. "He's not that kind of bloke.

"Other managers draw a bit of a line and keep it that way. Rafa's more like that.

"He was not really the sort of manager you could sit and talk with."

When he arrived at Anfield last northern summer, one of Rodgers' most important tasks was keeping the Uruguayan at the club.

And Rodgers expects to succeed this year, just as he did last.

"Listen, every player has their price but there's certainly no pressure for the club to sell him. We're trying to build that bit of quality so he's not for sale," he explained.

"I don't have any doubts there will be interest in him this summer, because he's up there.

"There's a small percentage of players who are world class and he's in that bracket, so I don't think it will be too dissimilar to when I first came in last summer, with clubs making their interest known.

"People will want to take him, but I think we all recognise how integral he is. The owners have been absolutely unequivocal in their resolve in terms of wanting to keep him."

City announced last year it would switch brand from Umbro, previously owned by Nike, after agreeing a deal worth £12 million ($18.58 million) per year over six years.

The agreement underlines City's determination to grow its commercial income in the upcoming era of Financial Fair Play.

City launched its first Nike kit at a media event in New York, where the team is currently based on its post-season tour.

Tom Glick, City's chief commercial and operating officer, said: "We are delighted to join forces with Nike.

"Having them as our new technical kit partner demonstrates City's growing global appeal, and we look forward to working alongside Nike to build and engage our fanbase around the world.

"Nike's extensive distribution networks will ensure the club's presence in markets stretching from Africa, Europe, Asia and the Americas and that our fans everywhere can find a wear a City shirt."

City will wear its new kit in lucrative friendlies against Chelsea in St Louis and New York on Thursday and Saturday respectively.

As well as playing the matches, the club is also undertaking a number of commercial and community activities in New York to bolster awareness of its brand.

The club has also announced it has acquired the rights to Major League Soccer's 20th expansion franchise from 2015 in a partnership with New York Yankees.

Speculation is mounting that Europe's elite are preparing to swoop for the 23-year-old after Spurs just fell short of UEFA Champions League qualification.

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas says he has been told by the club that Bale will stay even though the team will be playing in the UEFA Europa League next term, although that might not stop the likes of Real Madrid bidding for the player in the close season.

Reports suggest the Wales international is poised to sign a new contract worth up to £150,000 ($232,102) a week and head of football development Sherwood is certain he will stay at White Hart Lane.

"He's fantastically happy at Tottenham," he told talkSPORT.

"I see him around the training ground every day, he's got a good working relationship with the manager and he loves his team-mates. They show him the respect that he deserves and he gives it back to them.

"I don't see him banging the door down trying to get a move. I believe one million per cent he will stay at Tottenham."

The new deal for Bale, whose existing contract does not expire until 2016, would reportedly include a release clause for bids over £50 million ($77.37 million) at the end of the next season.

"It's crucial for all teams when you're at the level of the league that we are, pushing for Champions League football, that players like Gareth Bale stay at your club," Sherwood added.

"There will be a lot of clubs wanting to take Gareth but he's 23-years-old and fortunately for Gareth and Tottenham, he's got good advisors.

"They know that it's not a flash in the pan, that he's got built in quality. Next year he will be exactly the same. There's time for him to go overseas or to another Premier League club but I think he needs to stay here.

"He's developing fantastically well, he just needs to put a level of consistency in his performance over a few seasons. He's already shown he can do it week-to-week, he needs to kick on next year and produce the same quality that he has this year.

"The opportunities will arise for him in the future if he wants to go over there."

Press Association Sport understands Liverpool agreed several weeks ago to accept a fee of £15 million ($23.17 million), rising with various add-ons, to get the 24-year-old striker off its wage bill.

With the Hammers willing to pay the asking price for a player that cost £35 million ($54.06 million) when joining the Reds from Newcastle United in January 2011, the only barrier to the transfer is Carroll himself, who has spoken fondly of his season-long loan at Upton Park.

A major consideration for the England international, recently recalled to Roy Hodgson's squad, will be the implications of a pay cut at Upton Park.

But with a FIFA World Cup just 12 months away, Carroll has to weigh up whether he would be better off playing regularly with little likelihood of first-team football under Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers.

Despite only scoring seven goals at West Ham, the 6ft 3ins striker proved a popular signing and he admits he has enjoyed his time in London.

"I have enjoyed every minute of being here," he told whufc.com

"I have just tried to play my best in every match, score goals and keep myself fit once I got back from the injuries I had and then push on from there.

"I have worked hard to get myself back in the England squad, trying to play my best for West Ham, so I am really pleased about that.

"I just have to make sure I keep playing well to stay in there.

"I have had a great season here at West Ham, really enjoyed being part of a great set of lads in the team, with the staff around us and the fans.

"Everyone has been so welcoming to me and I have been over the moon to be here. This is a great club."

Another exit Liverpool has to prepare for is that of goalkeeper Jose Reina.

It has made contingency plans should Reina move on, but Stoke City's Asmir Begovic is not top of its replacements list.

Spain international Reina's future has been the subject of debate for several months and it is understood his representatives have been in dialogue with Barcelona.

Although there has yet to be any contact made between the two clubs Liverpool has identified a number of options should the Catalan side make a move for Reina, who would find difficult to turn down a return to his former club.

However, despite reports in Bosnia claiming a deal has already been agreed for Begovic to move to Anfield should Reina leave Press Association Sport understands that is not the case.

Liverpool is considering the 25-year-old - who would command a significant fee from the Potters - as a viable option but he is not top of manager Brendan Rodgers' shortlist of candidates.

Any sale of Reina would generate upwards of £10 million ($15.45 million) and would get a significant earner off the wage bill but the club is in no rush to do a deal.

The goalkeeper himself insists he is happy at Anfield despite continued speculation about his likely departure this northern summer.

"I have three more years with Liverpool. I'm satisfied, comfortable and my family are very happy," said the 30-year-old, who progressed through the youth ranks at Barcelona - for whom his father Miguel also played - before moving to Villarreal prior to joining Liverpool.

"Rumours are difficult to control but it's flattering when a club like Barca are interested in you.

"I don't know if there has been contact between the clubs or with my agent.

"At the moment I don't think there's anything serious."

He added on radio station Cadena Ser: "I would've liked to have played there (Barcelona) more, of course, but there's no need to over-dramatise things.

"I don't know how long I've got left in football, what I do know is I want to enjoy what remains and feel appreciated and at Liverpool I have that."

Rodgers is moving forward on his plans for northern summer strengthening by looking at bringing in Manchester City's out-of-contract centre-back Kolo Toure.

The Reds boss needs to fill the hole left by the retirement of Jamie Carragher and the 32-year-old Cote d'Ivoire international is seen as a potential short-term fix.

However, once again Rodgers has other options he wants to pursue in central defence and a deal for Toure is far from done.

City, in partnership with baseball giant New York Yankees, has acquired the rights to establish a new MLS franchise in New York city from 2015 in a deal believed to be worth US$100 million ($101.9 million).

The new team will be known as New York City FC and could play in City's traditional sky blue colours.

The presence of the new club will allow City to increase its profile in the United States, create additional revenue streams and possibly facilitate the crossover of players.

It is the first time a European club has undertaken such a venture although it is not unique for MLS with Mexican club Chivas also running a side in the competition. City chief executive Ferran Soriano, speaking at the announcement of the deal at MLS headquarters in Manhattan, said: "This is about winning and developing a competitive team that will win.

"We have been working on this opportunity for nine intense months.

"The global expertise we have will help us establish a high-quality club here.

"There is obviously another side - the commercial side - to having a club here called New York City and the club back in the UK to be called Manchester City.

"We are very excited, this creates history and we are excited to start working on it.

"New York City will have an identity of its own. We will create a whole new organisation, starting today."

City has been in discussions to build a new stadium in the Queens borough of the city at Flushing Meadows Corona Park for some time.

This has not yet been finalised - there has also been some local opposition - and the team will have to play at a temporary location until a new venue is built.

City has a good reputation for its work in the community in Manchester and its new academy and training base, currently under construction adjacent to the Etihad Stadium, will help regenerate the Eastlands area.

It intends to take the same approach in New York.

Soriano said: "We are not looking for a place to play, we are looking for a home, so we need the local community to embrace us and be our family.

"We are taking it from there. We will continue these discussions, look for other options and we want to listen to everybody and find a place to build a stadium that is going to be a home for us."

Once up and running, New York City could offer fringe players based in Manchester the opportunity to gain valuable experience on loan in MLS. Likewise successful MLS players could move over to Manchester.

But Soriano was keen to point out this was not the purpose of the venture.

He said: "The purpose is to build a winning team in New York and for that, we will need players in New York.

"But it is only natural. We have lots of good players and lots of young players in England, a very big scouting network and some of the Manchester players may come here.

"But this isn't the objective and it is not why we are doing this."

Interestingly, it is also very much a City venture rather than a private initiative of owner Sheikh Mansour, as had previously been rumoured.

The tie in with the Yankees, baseball's most famous club, will bring considerable clout.

City will be the majority owner but with the Yankees playing an active role on the commercial side.

City is due to play a friendly against Chelsea at Yankee Stadium this weekend in the second match of its post-season tour.

Yankees president Randy Levine said: "Obviously our brand is very well known - it's about winning, winning championships and we are here to lend our support to make sure that it happens.

"They will be running the soccer franchise, we know how to run baseball so we will stick to that.

"Commercially we know our way around New York city, we know how to get things done here and it's very exciting.

"We only team up with people who we think are first rate. They fit into our overall plan."

MLS feels the time is right for expansion - City will become the competition's 20th club - having experienced big growth in attendances and viewing figures in the last five to six years.

It also wanted to boost profile in New York and establish a rivalry with the New Jersey-based Red Bulls.

MLS commissioner Don Garber said: "Our country is rapidly becoming a true soccer nation.

"Our league is trying to fuel that growth and the best way for us to do that is to take the lead as a professional organisation, to develop players here and abroad.

"The best way to do that is to have smart, committed partners - we have that with Manchester City and the Yankees."

Di Canio, appointed as successor to the sacked Martin O'Neill in March, has been speaking publicly about what he sees as a lack of discipline among the players at the Wearside club, seven of whom he fined last week.

Defenders Phil Bardsley and Matt Kilgallon were dropped from the matchday squad for last weekend's Premier League clash at Tottenham Hotspur after they were pictured celebrating on a night out in a casino earlier in the week, with the former lying on the floor covered in £50 notes.

In his post-match press conference at the weekend, Di Canio said: "I thought that at (his previous club) Swindon (there were) arrogant, ignorant footballers because they've not had many chances to stay at the top level.

"I have to tell you unfortunately I found a worse environment in terms of discipline in this club."

That was part of a lengthy rant about his players from Di Canio, who stressed the need for the matter to be addressed and also claimed the PFA 'excuse people that behave like Phil Bardsley...(even though) the PFA don't pay them, it's a private club that pays them'.

Taylor, without being drawn on specific names or details of the fines, confirmed that members of the Sunderland squad had been in touch with the PFA regarding former West Ham United midfielder Di Canio, and emphasised that the union was examining the situation closely.

Taylor told Press Association Sport: "We know Paolo as a player and a manager, and he is a bit volatile.

"But he knows, from when he was a player with the PFA, what we are about. We represented him then, the same as we also represent the players (now).

"One point he made was about Sunderland being able to do what they want - well they can't. There is a disciplinary procedure that is agreed.

"We obviously agree with discipline, but that has to be in line with the Football Association and the Premier League. From that point of view, there is a due process.

"It is not going to help matters blasting players in public, but that is what he has done, so we will deal with it. It is not always conducive to good player-management relations.

"He is his own man, but they do have to abide by laid-down procedures and Sunderland, being a member of the Premier League, know that as well as anybody.

"We don't want to get into confrontation, but we have a job to do and we need the players to know that."

He added: "It is just a general involvement to make sure Sunderland are abiding by the laid-down procedures. If any player wishes to appeal then they have the right to do so.

"We are going through the paperwork and looking at the different individual circumstances.

"We did have a problem at Swindon that we needed to deal with as well, so this is not a total surprise."

Meanwhile, Sunderland winger Adam Johnson has made it clear he is in favour of Di Canio's hardline approach if it brings about an improvement in results.

Under Di Canio, Sunderland took eight points from its final seven games this season and finished 17th in the table.

Johnson, quoted by the Northern Echo, said: "He's come in, and managers have new things that they want to do.

"The gaffer is big on discipline and if it means us getting more wins, I'm all for it.

"There's nothing worse than losing game after game after game after game all season. I haven't been used to that in my career, so it's been difficult.

"It's been poor, very poor, I think. The table doesn't lie. I think the only thing that we can say is that the only way is up for us now. We can't get any lower to be honest.

"We survived, and now next season all we can do is progress. That's the positive way of looking at it."

Deposed champion Manchester City, which finished 11 points behind United, received £58 million ($89.8 million), according to figures released by the league.

Even finishing last was lucrative, with Queens Park Rangers returning to the second tier after earning almost £40 million ($61.94 million) from TV companies.

The cash paid by overseas broadcasters is split evenly between the 20 top-flight teams. Half of the domestic TV income is split evenly, a quarter is shared depending on where a club finishes, and the remaining 25 per cent is distributed depending on how often the team is broadcast live in Britain.

That meant fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur was fourth on the TV revenue standings with £56 million ($86.71 million), while third-placed Chelsea was fifth with £55 million ($85.16 million).

The Premier League is set to generate £5.5 billion ($8.51 billion) from broadcasters between 2013 and 2016 - £2 billion ($3.1 billion) more than the three-season deal that has just ended.

The champion could earn £100 million ($154.81 million) next season from broadcasters.

Widespread speculation had suggested the 55-year-old's time was up after a meeting with chairman Peter Coates on Tuesday morning.

However, it took the Potters several hours to finalise the details of his departure, with confirmation finally coming at shortly before 9.30pm on Tuesday (local time).

A brief statement from the Premier League club read: "Stoke City and Tony Pulis confirm that they have mutually agreed that Tony will leave the Club with immediate effect."

Pulis, who after the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson and David Moyes' move into the Manchester United hotseat was the second-longest serving manager in the country, leaves Stoke in a far better position than he found it.

Within two years of taking over for his second spell in charge in 2006 he won promotion to the Premier League, where it has never finished below 14th.

He also led it to its first FA Cup final and consequently into the UEFA Europa League.

However, a poor run in the second half of this season - during which Stoke won just three of its last 19 league matches and briefly diced with relegation - saw it finish with its lowest Premier League points tally.

Pulis' style of football was also singled out for criticism, with his critics saying his sides were over-physical and too reliant on the long ball.

That criticism began to spread to fans, many of whom became disenchanted amid the club's poor end to the season.

Many started to question Pulis' future and although that has now been resolved, winger Matt Etherington has warned supporters to be careful what they wish for.

"I've spoken to a few of the other boys and they're shocked as well, it's hit us," he said of Pulis' dismissal on talkSPORT.

"You have to be careful what you wish for in football sometimes.

"You look at Charlton under Alan Curbishley and look where they are now. Hopefully it won't go that way for us, hopefully we'll get someone in who will push us on and make us into a top-10 team.

"If you look at where Stoke were when he first came in - mid-table in the Championship - you can't argue he's done a fantastic job."

Etherington also defended Pulis' style of play.

"First and foremost he wanted us to be defensively very sound," he added.

"You have to be solid or there is a big chance you will get relegated. That was his main priority, which was fair enough.

"There were times when we weren't pretty to watch but he had us well-drilled and that shouldn't be taken away from the job the manager has done.

"We have definitely got better players at the club than we had when I joined in the first season in the Premier League.

"The gaffer said in pre-season he wanted the way we played to evolve and we started off relatively well.

"When it went bad and we weren't picking up results we maybe went back to the old ways.

"You can say it worked because it kept us up but we went back to basics to grind out results.

"The way we finished this season was poor, we all know that and the fans weren't happy and rightly so.

"We had the quality in the squad to finish higher this year. The players need to look at ourselves because we didn't perform.

"But if you look at where we finished in the last few seasons you can't really argue."

Outgoing Chelsea boss Rafael Benitez is the early bookmakers' favourite for the job, having overtaken the man he succeeded at Stamford Bridge, Roberto Di Matteo, in the running.

The Oman international was used sparingly during the Premier League run-in as Wigan was relegated to the Championship.

It seems likely the custodian aggravated the injury in Wigan's 2-2 draw with Aston Villa in the final game of the season, his first match in eight, and he is to undergo an operation in order to be fit for the start of next season.

A spokesman for the former Bolton Wanderers keeper said: "Ali Al Habsi, the Wigan and Omani international goalkeeper, has suffered a reoccurrence of the shoulder injury sustained earlier in the season.

"He will be undergoing surgery immediately on Wednesday to ensure his fitness for the start of next season and will therefore be unavailable for Oman's two World Cup qualifiers against Iraq and Jordan next month."

Al Habsi saw his place come under threat during the course of the season from Joel Robles, who was handed the starting berth between the posts for Wigan's memorable FA Cup final triumph over Manchester City.

Reports surfaced claiming the 14-year-old had joined the club in an official capacity but QPR announced via its Twitter feed that the youngster is only training with it.

A post on the official Hoops Twitter account @OfficialQPR read: "Contrary to reports, Brooklyn Beckham has been training at #QPR but has not joined our academy."

Di Canio, appointed as successor to the sacked Martin O'Neill in March, says there is a poor environment in terms of discipline at the Wearside club that needs changing, with the Italian fining seven members of his squad last week.

Defenders Phil Bardsley and Matt Kilgallon were dropped from the squad for the weekend's English Premier League clash at Tottenham after they were pictured celebrating on a night out in a casino earlier in the week, with the former lying on the floor covered in money.

Reports have suggested that some Sunderland players have complained to the Professional Footballers' Association about Di Canio.

But Johnson has spoken in support of the 44-year-old, under whom Sunderland took eight points from its final seven games this season and finished 17th in the table.

The former Manchester City player, quoted by the Northern Echo, said of Di Canio: "He's come in and managers have new things that they want to do.

"The gaffer is big on discipline and if it means us getting more wins, I'm all for it.

"There's nothing worse than losing game after game after game after game all season. I haven't been used to that in my career, so it's been difficult.

"It's been poor, very poor, I think. The table doesn't lie. I think the only thing that we can say is that the only way is up for us now. We can't get any lower to be honest.

"We survived and now next season all we can do is progress. That's the positive way of looking at it."

Johnson - recruited from City - has been disappointed not only by how Sunderland has fared as a whole in 2012-13 but also with regard to his individual performances over the campaign.

On the future, the 25-year-old said: "I'm looking forward to next season and I want to improve. As far as I'm aware, I'll be here.

"Over the summer you never know, it's always up to the manager. Time will tell what happens."

He added: "It's been the worst season of my career as a whole, I think.

"I actually haven't been that bad on the stats side of things, but performances haven't been what I've wanted.

"If you go through goals and assists, I haven't done that bad but performances have been sometimes. As a whole you look at yourself and you're honest with yourself.

"I think in general, everything hasn't gone well. We've got to look forward to next season now. It's all we can do."

The 30-year-old is a long-standing target of Martin Jol, who has attempted to bring in the Dnipro midfielder on several occasions before.

Boateng's transfer had to be put on ice previously due to contract disputes with his Ukrainian club, but it is now understood a deal is close to being pushed through.

The former Getafe, Cologne and Beitar Jerusalem man will reportedly pen a two-year deal at Craven Cottage.

Boateng is one of the unnamed players manager Jol revealed he had agreed a deal with at last week's pre-Swansea press conference.

Fulham has already completed a deal for right-back Sascha Riether, who will join the west London side permanently after a successful loan spell.

Despite only scoring seven goals, the big striker proved a popular signing and earned a recall to the England squad for the friendlies against the Republic of Ireland and Brazil.

However, with parent club Liverpool set to be holding out for a £17million, and Newcastle and Monaco also said to be monitoring the situation, the London club is set for some tough dealings if it is to secure the striker for next season.

Carroll, 24, will also have to consider his own wage demands at any new club, as well as the likely opportunities of regular European football to further push his international career.

Nevertheless, the Gateshead-born forward had nothing but praise for the time spent at the Boleyn Ground.

Speaking on the club's official website, www.whufc.com, Carroll said: "I have enjoyed every minute of being here.

"I have just tried to play my best in every match, score goals and keep myself fit once I got back from the injuries I had and then push on from there.

"The West Ham fans have been brilliant - they were chanting my name all through the match (against Reading), they never stopped and I thank them for the way they have supported me here from the moment I arrived."

Carroll added: "I have worked hard to get myself back in the England squad, trying to play my best for West Ham, so I am really pleased about that. I just have to make sure I keep playing well to stay in there.

"I have had a great season here at West Ham, really enjoyed being part of a great set of lads in the team, with the staff around us and the fans.

"Everyone has been so welcoming to me and I have been over the moon to be here. This is a great club."

Carroll believes West Ham deserves great credit for securing 10th place on its first season back in the top flight.

"As a team, we have made a good transition back up to the Premier League," the England striker said.

"It is a tough thing, but the aim from the start was to try and get in that top 10 and that is what we have done."

Reina is one of the names being touted as a possible replacement for long-serving Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes, who has told the Catalan giant he intends to leave the club and could sever ties this northern summer.

The 31-year-old Reina, who came up through the youth ranks at Barca before joining Villarreal over a decade ago, said of the speculation: "I have three more years with Liverpool. I'm satisfied, comfortable and my family are very happy. Rumours are difficult to control but it's flattering when a club like Barca are interested in you."

The Spain international added to radio station Cadena Ser: "I don't know if there has been contact between the clubs or with my agent. At the moment I don't think there's anything serious."

Reina hopes to finish his career back in his homeland, but he added: "I don't know how long I've got left in football, what I do know is I want to enjoy what remains and feel appreciated and at Liverpool I have that."

Reina, son of former Barca goalkeeper Miguel Reina, played several first-team matches while still a teenager at Barca but left the club in 2002 without winning any major silverware.

In the last half-a-dozen years Barca has emerged as the dominant force in both Spain and Europe, winning trophy after trophy, but Reina is not dwelling on what might have been.

"The years I was in Barcelona were very good, I don't have any bad feelings about not succeeding there. I played more than 50 games, when I was less than 20, it helped me grow a lot," he said.

"I would've liked to have played there more, of course, but there's no need to over-dramatise things."

Mourinho is widely expected to be confirmed as interim manager Rafael Benitez's replacement at Stamford Bridge after Real Madrid announced the 50-year-old was leaving the Spanish giant at the end of the season.

Mourinho led Chelsea to five major domestic trophies, including back-to-back Premier League titles, in three seasons in charge of the London club before leaving in 2007.

Since then, Mourinho has gone on to have a hugely successful spell in charge of Inter Milan - including guiding the Italian side to an unprecedented treble in 2010 - before moving to Madrid, where he won three titles during a mixed three-year spell.

With all that experience in mind, West Ham manager Allardyce feels Mourinho should be even better than in his previous stint in the English Premier League.

He told Sky Sports News: "I suppose it depends on whether he can recapture what he did when he first moved to Chelsea. Looking at his experience since those days he should be better than what he was when he left.

"I think that with his spell in Italy and his spell in Spain he will have matured and learnt an awful lot from that time and I suppose when he comes back to Chelsea he'll use that experience and probably try to be better than he was before he left."

If Mourinho does return, Allardyce for one is looking forward to locking horns with him.

He added: "I think it will be great to have him back.

"He had a very good spell last time, I know it didn't finish so well in the end at Chelsea with Roman Abramovich but obviously they've repaired that damage and he'll come back to ply his talents in the Premier League and it sounds like he's looking forward to coming back to England.

"So we'll be glad to see him and obviously pit our wits against him again."

Foster spent five years on the Old Trafford payroll before leaving for Birmingham in 2010.

And although that period included two seasons out on loan and another sidelined by injury, he still got a pretty good insight into what makes the mighty Old Trafford machine tick.

Foster accepts the heat is on Moyes after Ferguson's exit.

But he is confident United has the right man for the job.

"David Moyes has huge shoes to fill but I don't think anyone could have walked into that job and felt no pressure at all," he said.

"It is the biggest job in world football.

"United have made a good decision. Moyes has got that steel about him.

"From what I hear he is a hard character. He has high standards all the time.

"You see what he has done at Everton on a limited budget. He has eked out the last little bit of quality from every one of his players."

It might not be easy though.

Quite apart from having to stamp his authority on a dressing room used to winning the trophies he has never collected, Moyes also has to brace himself for a spending spree from fellow Champions League contenders Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal.

Europe is also a priority after two poor seasons by the Red Devils high standards.

Yet despite these obvious challenges, Foster expects his old club to keep on winning.

"United will always carry on the same," he said.

"They are very good at signing players who believe in everything they stand for.

"It is football, football, football. It is winning at all costs. It is the way they are.

"I am sure they will keep the old heads around, even when they retire.

"Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs will always have some input and some sort of say just to drive home the message to the new lads.

"It is bred within them to be winners and that will always be the case."

Foster only made 23 first-team appearances at United, largely playing understudy to Edwin van der Sar.

He has since suggested the sheer intensity of life at Old Trafford was somewhat overwhelming.

But he would not swap the experience for anything.

"I am really proud to have played at a time where I could work for manager the likes of which you will never get again anywhere in the world," he said.

Ferguson, named the LMA manager of the year for an unprecedented fourth time at an awards ceremony in London, said he was against "fast-tracking" of players into managers' jobs at top clubs.

The outgoing Manchester United boss started his coaching career at East Stirling before moving on to St Mirren, Aberdeen and then Old Trafford.

Ferguson said: "I'm dead against this fast-tracking of managers. Prepare, learn your trade, get your badges. Work for years at lower levels and you'll have a better chance.

"You have to earn the right to be a manager."

Ferguson also revealed that his wife Cathy and children had not wanted him to take the United job after his success at Aberdeen - but he was persuaded to by Bobby Charlton.

He added: "When they first offered me the United job you jump at it. Then you think: What have I done?

"My wife didn't want to go, two of my sons didn't want to go. Jason, who is a United fan, he wanted me to go. It was Bobby Charlton who talked me into it."

Ferguson, who also won the LMA's Premier League manager's award, added that he was confident he was leaving United in good hands with David Moyes, who has won the overall LMA award three times, and with the club's emphasis on bringing through young players. United also won the inaugural Barclays under-21 Premier League last night.

Ferguson said: "It has always placed a great emphasis on youth long before I came.

"Sir Matt Busby started that and took Manchester United into Europe, the first English club to do so.

"It's always been there and I have tried to maintain that though it is more difficult in the present climate - you have to scout abroad now but you are still looking for young people who can do well."

Cardiff boss Malky Mackay was named the Championship manager of the season after winning the title. Yeovil's Gary Johnson was named the League One manager of the year and Gillingham's Martin Allen won the League Two award.

England boss Roy Hodgson was elected into the LMA's 1,000 club for managers who had been in charge of 1,000 games after the body agreed to take overseas and international matches into account. Former Southampton boss Lawrie McMenemy was also elected into the club.

Roberto di Matteo was given a special LMA merit award for his feat in taking Chelsea to Champions League and FA Cup glory last season.

Bradford manager Phil Parkinson was also given a special merit award for his achievements in taking the club to the Capital One Cup final and promotion to League One.

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez won the Budweiser FA Cup manager of the season award, while Crewe's chairman John Bowler was given the LMA's services to football award for his 26 years at the club.

Mourinho seems set to succeed interim boss Rafael Benitez imminently after it was confirmed he will leave current employer Real Madrid at the end of the season.

Lampard was part of Mourinho's successful Chelsea side between July 2004 and September 2007, winning back-to-back league titles.

And the 34-year-old midfielder admits the manager had a way of coaxing the best out of the players.

"He made me believe I was better than I was at the time," Lampard said.

"I thought I was a decent player, but he said to me 'listen, you can really get to the top' and he made me believe it. I tried to take it on and do it.

"I've had really good managers and different managers at times. It's the ones that get the best out of you, individually.

"We're all human beings and if a manager doesn't talk to you and tell you what they want or whether they're happy with you... we've all got confidence that is up and down.

"Mourinho was the best. For me he was. He brought my confidence to a level it had never been."

Lampard added: "It's a presence and an aura and a way with people.

"He galvanises people. His own self-confidence reflects back on his teams. He did that to me personally.

"Tactically he's fantastic. He's very astute. As a team he sets you up brilliantly.

"But what he does is he gets the best out of players and gets this togetherness that I'd never known until he came to the club and I haven't seen it again since then.

"He might rub people up the wrong way. [But] as a manager, he's brilliant with his team, tactically, he's brilliant with individuals and I think he's brilliant with the press. I know it creates a storm, but he does protect his players."

Benitez will take charge of the London side for the final time on this week's tour to the United States, having led it to the Europa League title and a third-placed finish in the English Premier League.

Goalkeeper Petr Cech is hoping his replacement will be installed sooner rather than later.

He said in the London Evening Standard: "The earlier he can be here, he can start work on things and not leave it for the last moment.

"Every summer is important. If you have a bad summer it can have consequences for the whole season."

The 24-year-old moved to Old Trafford from Dortmund last northern summer, but has been far from a first-team regular and even then has often had to play out of position.

The departure of Kagawa is part of a pattern for Dortmund coach Klopp, who this season has seen Mario Gotze agree to join UEFA Champions League final opponent Bayern Munich, with Robert Lewandowski looking likely to follow.

Klopp told the Guardian: "Shinji Kagawa is one of the best players in the world and he now plays 20 minutes at Manchester United - on the left wing! My heart breaks. Really, I have tears in my eyes. Central midfield is Shinji's best role. He's an offensive midfielder with one of the best noses for goal I ever saw.

"But for most Japanese people it means more to play for Man United than Dortmund. We cried for 20 minutes, in each others' arms, when he left.

"One year before that Nuri Sahin went because Real Madrid is the biggest club in the world. If players are patient enough we can develop the team into one of the biggest in the world."

His side's run to the Champions League final has brought Klopp to the attention of some of the world's biggest clubs, but for now he is happy at Dortmund.

He said: "In this moment I don't think of anything else.

"If I went to many clubs now and said: 'Hello - bring me offers', maybe some would start running. But I'm not interested because, for me, this is the most interesting football project in the world.

"In three or four years, if someone wants me, we can speak. But, for now, this is the best place for me."

The injured England skipper, who watched his side's 1-0 win over Queens Park Rangers from the stands, pointed to 'Champions League form' since January as an indicator fortunes were on the up and worthy of renewed optimism.

After defeat at Manchester United on 13 January, Brendan Rodgers' side took 30 points from 16 league matches, winning eight and losing just twice.

During that spell it scored 36 goals to improve its goal difference to +28 - 20 better than last season as it finished one place higher in seventh.

The gap to fourth place was closed to 12 points from 17 a year ago and Gerrard is confident greater strides can be made in 2013-2014.

"Since January this team has shown a better level of consistency," said the 32-year-old, who missed the last two matches of the campaign after shoulder surgery.

"We've shown Champions League form and there is a lot of optimism and positives to take into next season.

"Our target at the beginning of the season was fourth (place) and we have not delivered that - as players we need to take responsibility for that.

"We finished seventh in the league so there certainly needs to be a bit done.

"The preparation starts now for next year. I am sure the manager and staff are already preparing.

"All the other teams will strengthen and we can't afford to be left behind.

"I am sure the manager is already thinking about where he needs to strengthen the squad to make up that gap so we compete with the top four."

Liverpool's tally of 61 points was an improvement of nine on last season and would have been even better but for a run of four draws - three of which were goalless - in five matches.

But the fact remains that in matches against the six teams above it the Reds recorded just one victory (at home to Tottenham Hotspur) in 12 attempts.

"I think it has been a mixed bag: at times we have played some superb football, we've put in some fantastic performances both home and away but we've struggled a little bit with consistency," added Gerrard.

"So us players need to dust ourselves down and try to make amends next year. There are certainly big positives to take.

"It's down to us to continue what we've done in the last couple of months, take that into next season and try to improve."

Gerrard expects to be fully recovered from an operation on his left shoulder he had just over a week ago by the time the players return for pre-season training in early July.

"The surgery went well and the surgeon is really happy," he added.

"I've gained a couple of weeks by going in slightly earlier and I'll be ready to join the lads at the start of July."

Another positive to take into next season is the progress made by the club's academy youngsters.

Winger Jordon Ibe made his full debut against QPR and provided the assist for Philippe Coutinho's third goal in 13 appearances since joining in January.

"I thought I did okay, especially getting an assist for Coutinho's goal and helping the club win three points," the 17-year-old told LFC TV.

"The manager told me that I did well, I just need to keep pressing and stay compact.

"I feel very confident because I've got a little bit of experience so I know what it takes to play here.

"Hopefully I can build on that and take it into the new season."

Goalkeeper Jose Reina, whose continued stay at Anfield will be the subject of plenty of speculation this northern summer with former club Barcelona reportedly interested, happily spoke about the future.

"I think we're building. We've been improving a little bit, especially in the second part of the season," said the Spain international.

"We have to keep that in mind and build on that second half.

"I think we are not far away from the top four spots and hopefully we'll only be better next season."

The 38-year-old goalkeeper saw the curtain come down on his Magpies career as he made his 199th appearance for the club in a 1-0 Premier League defeat by Arsenal.

Harper's relative lack of action over two decades is due in part to the brilliance of Shay Given and Tim Krul, but their loyal deputy can count UEFA Champions League football and an FA Cup final start amongst his achievements.

He will look on from afar next season as he enters a new phase of his career, and the club which has become a huge part of his life will never be far from his thoughts.

Harper said: "Wouldn't it be typical if they go and win something after my 20 years here?

"But I'll be there cheering them on - provided I'm not playing against them, obviously.

"It would be fantastic. All this club needs now is a trophy and it would be an amazing day - and one where I would be there in amongst it celebrating."

The departing Harper spoke to the team-mates he is leaving behind in the dressing after the game on what proved an emotional day for him, and his message was clear.

He said: "The manager presented me with a big montage of the 20 years and they all took the mickey a little bit about some of the pictures.

"Twenty years at this club does that to you, that's all I could say.

"I just said to the lads, 'You have seen today what a great football club this is. All people want to see is people pulling on that shirt and giving their all day in, day out for this club, which is what I have done and that's the response you get'.

"Hopefully the lads will respond to that next season."

There were signs of a response as Arsenal, which needed to win to ensure a top-four finish and the chance to secure a 16th successive season of Champions League football, had things far from its own way.

It ultimately prevailed after Laurent Koscielny stabbed a 52nd-minute shot past the helpless Harper seven minutes after the break.

The keeper said: "I was disappointed we lost the game, but it was a much better performance. We owed the fans a response.

"We were playing against a very good team, a very hungry team and we contained them pretty well.

"We were compact and organised, which is something I tried to help by being multi-lingual on a football pitch, and the lads responded well.

"Sadly, we didn't start the second half very well and Arsenal got their goal and hung on to it because we had them under pressure a little late on."

But if the result was not what Harper would have wanted on his big day, everything else was, and he was close to tears when the clock ticked into the 37th-minute - his shirt number - and St James' rose to acclaim a stalwart.

He said: "Somebody said it might happen, but you are concentrating on the game that much, you forget about it. And then that happens and it was quite incredible.

"I started to get a little bit wobbly then and I had a one v one with [Lukas] Podolski and he smashed the ball between my legs, and that sobered me right up and got me out of that little pickle I was in.

"But it was incredible. It's something I will never, ever forget and I will certainly cherish that moment."

Defeat left Newcastle in 16th place in the table, a far cry from its ambitions when it set out in August knowing a repeat of its top-five heroics would be difficult, but never suspecting how far it might slip off the pace.

Manager Alan Pardew will spend the northern summer attempting to strengthen his squad for a fresh assault, but Harper will be seeking a new employer.

Asked about his plans, he said: "Hopefully still involved playing. I am not ruling out a coaching role as well, but I would like to keep on playing.

"I feel in good nick, the body has held up well - hopefully Sunday reminded a few people that there's life in the old dog yet.

"Certainly another year of playing before going on to the other side of it."

The squad and the backroom staff boarded an open-top bus at Wigan's Christopher Park training ground before making the way into the Market Place, where thousands of supporters were waiting.

Relegation from the Premier League certainly had not dampened the spirits of Latics fans as they once again revelled in the shock 1-0 victory over Manchester City nine days ago that earned Wigan the first major trophy in the club's history.

So many people crowded into the Market Place that the bus had trouble getting through, but when the squad finally did make it on to the stage, there was only one message the fans wanted to get across.

As Martinez took the microphone, he had to ask the crowd to quieten down as the chant of, 'Roberto Martinez, we want you to stay', filled the air.

The Spaniard, who first joined the club in 1995 as player and has been manager for the last four years, is the favourite to take over from David Moyes at Everton, while he has also been linked with the Malaga post in his home country.

When he was able to speak, he said to the crowd: "Let me tell you two things. One - we are the FA Cup winners. Two - we've got a special group of players and backroom staff that make Wigan Athletic proud.

"And without your support that would never happen, so we want to thank you from the heart."

Martinez is scheduled to meet with chairman Dave Whelan in a week's time to discuss his future as Wigan prepares for its first season back in the Championship after eight years in the top flight.

There will be significant changes to the playing squad as well, but winning the FA Cup is likely to remain the pinnacle for many of them.

Club captain Gary Caldwell said: "It's incredible to see so many people come out. For the town it's a great day and the boys will remember this for the rest of their lives."

While Mark Schwarzer and Brett Holman have carried the flag for a dwindling Aussie contingent this season, there's no guarantee either will remain in arguably the world's top league in 2013-2014.

Schwarzer is yet to renew his contact at Fulham and Holman appears on the outer at Villa, suggesting he could be set for a move in the off-season.

With goalkeeper Adam Federici and his club Reading relegated back to the Championship, it raises the possibility of an Australian contingent severely lacking in first team players next season.

Squad players Brad Jones (Liverpool) and Chris Herd (Aston Villa) remain on contract with their clubs while youngsters Curtis Good (Newcastle United), Ryan Williams (Fulham) and Dylan Tombides (West Ham United) are on the books but none have made senior appearances.

Crystal Palace captain Mile Jedinak could become a new addition in the Premier League, with his side fighting for promotion in the Championship play-off against Watford, while even if it loses he is likely to be on the radar of several Premier League teams.

His arrival in the top flight would be a welcome boost for an Australian contingent that has been in steady decline in recent years.

Midway through last decade it was almost possible to assemble an entire team from Australians playing in the top flight.

Then names including Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka, Lucas Neill, Craig Moore, Tony Popovic and Josip Skoko - all first team regulars.

Preceding them in the 90s were the likes of Mark Bosnich and Robbie Slater while more recently Everton star Tim Cahill and Blackburn Rovers' Brett Emerton carried Australia's proud tradition in the league with sustained success.

Schwarzer, a legend of the Premier League who recently became the first foreigner to surpass 500 appearances, lamented the decline but noted it was good to see Australians making their mark elsewhere in Europe.

"It's definitely sad to see, without a doubt," Schwarzer told AAP.

"I think it (England) is still one of the best leagues in the world and I think the more we have playing in the Premier League the better.

"But it's also good to see some of the guys breaking through like Robbie Kruse in Germany and Tommy Oar in Holland.

"It would be nice if these guys, especially Tommy, were able to step up and get up to a bigger league and a better league and become a mainstay in the national team."

Schwarzer said the A-League had now provided a strong platform for young players to secure moves overseas, noting the recent example of Tom Rogic's move from Central Coast Mariners to Celtic.

But he encouraged more players to seek moves to Europe rather than taking the big money on offer in Asia.

Schwarzer, 40, will play on in his bid to feature at a third successive FIFA World Cup for Australia but he admits his future may lie away from Fulham.

He says he's yet to be offered a new contract and is likely to seek assurances of being first-choice gloveman wherever he plays.

Holman endured a frustrating debut season in the Premier League and was not even on the bench for Paul Lambert's side 2-2 draw with Wigan Athletic on the weekend.

While Lambert has claimed Holman has a future at Villa, the Socceroos star may want to pursue a move to ensure more game time.

Arsenal overhauled a seven-point deficit on north London rival Tottenham Hotspur after its superb run-in, which was kick-started by a memorable victory at Bayern Munich as it bowed out of Europe.

While Arsenal still has to negotiate a potentially tricky two-legged qualifier in August before it can focus on a remarkable 16th campaign of Champions League football, the 1-0 win at Newcastle United gave the club a completely different outlook from the one it faced after defeat at White Hart Lane on 3 March.

Gibbs feels the confidence Arsene Wenger's squad will gain from the last two months can enable it to go the distance in 2013-2014.

"We would have liked to have had a better season, but I think overall you have to be happy with the way the team got back together after December and showed real character, yet again, to come back and finish where we want to be," Gibbs told the London Evening Standard.

"We were a new-look side for another season, again, with new signings that have had to come in and step up.

"It is never easy to just come straight into the Premier League and perform like some of our good players have.

"In the end, there was a combination of us needing to realise what we wanted from the season and the players starting to get to know each other more. As time went on, we started to gel.

"That was important and it puts us in good stead for next season because I believe the team have gelled because of this.

"The dramatic finale makes us even stronger and we are going into next season head on."

Gibbs insists no-one at the Emirates Stadium will be resting on their laurels of a fourth-place finish.

"We haven't shown it consistently enough in the cups and the league, but you have seen many glimpses of what the team are capable of," the 23-year-old added.

"We have to focus on every detail to give ourselves the best chance to produce something because we are desperate to win a trophy."

Wenger feels his side has gone some way to answering its critics after its end to what had been a frustrating campaign, which included the lows of cup defeats by Bradford City and Blackburn Rovers, before a Champions League masterclass from Bayern Munich at the Emirates Stadium only to then outplay the German side when winning the second leg of the last-16 tie.

"I believe that the last three months the team has shown we are ready [to challenge for honours] because we are consistent," Wenger said on Arsenal Player.

"The strengths we have built and the way the team has grown can be transferred into next season.

"That is very positive so let's keep the group together, rest well and come back in a strong way."

Arsenal will be proactive in the northern summer transfer market, with the free transfer of France Under-21 forward Yaya Sanogo from Auxerre expected to be the first of several new arrivals.

Wenger is understood to have targeted offensive additions this northern summer, with the likes of Fiorentina's Stevan Jovetic, Real Madrid frontman Gonzalo Higuain and even England forward Wayne Rooney all said to be on the Arsenal manager's radar, as is Borussia Dortmund defender Lukasz Piszczek and even Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar, who is set to leave relegated Queens Park Rangers.

Wenger, though, warned finding the right man at the right price is set to be another test.

"There are many clubs out there with a lot of money, so the competition is very hard - there is not as much talent as money today in football," he said.

England midfielder Jack Wilshere is now set for surgery on his troublesome ankle.

While that will rule him out of the friendlies against Republic of Ireland and Brazil, it should see the 21-year-old return fully fit for the start of the new season and the Autumn 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Arsenal has healthy cash reserves of some £100 million ($155.55 million), boosted by the consecutive northern summer sales of former captain Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie as well as new commercial deals.

Chief executive Ivan Gazidis maintains every effort will be made to deliver Wenger's northern summer transfer targets and end Arsenal's long-overdue quest for silverware.

"It is important to reiterate that for everyone at the club, qualification for the Champions League is not our ultimate ambition," he told the club's official website, www.arsenal.com

"Our majority owner Mr Kroenke has made it clear that while it's an achievement to make the Champions League, our ultimate objective is to win the major trophies.

"We all share that clear ambition and will be driving the club forward to achieve it.

"Arsene and I have already been planning what we need to do to strengthen so we are better placed next season.

"One thing is certain - the club is in a very strong position to move forward and our form of losing just one of our last 16 Premier League matches shows that we have a solid foundation on which to build for success."

Terry and Ryan Bertrand (knee) did not join the 23-man group which left for the USA on Monday for two friendlies with Manchester City - in St Louis and New York - which will mark the end of Rafael Benitez's spell as interim manager.

Frank Lampard, who last week signed a one-year contract extension, will captain the squad in Terry's absence, and Eden Hazard travelled despite a hamstring injury ruling him out of the Europa League final win over Benfica and the defeat of Everton.

Academy youngsters Andreas Christensen, a defender, and Ruben Lotus-Cheek, a midfielder, joined the travelling party which did include Paulo Ferreira, who bade farewell to Stamford Bridge after the defeat of the Toffees.

Redknapp criticised the attitude of some of his squad after the 1-0 defeat at Liverpool, revealing one player had been fined more than he earned in the last month.

With only second-tier football to look forward to next season the QPR boss knows significant changes have to be made but much is dependent on getting rid of unwanted players - many of whom are on big wages.

But Redknapp suggested he was not prepared to continue if those stars who have caused him problems were not offloaded.

Asked whether he wanted to carry on he said: "Sure, see what happens.

"I want to put a team together that comes in every day looking forward to work.

"If I couldn't do something in the summer and change it around then I wouldn't want to come back.

"I don't need the aggro of people coming in late, fining players every day.

"I don't need to come to work and have aggravation. I need a group who are pleased to play football, want to learn and take a bit of pride in what they do.

"You have people like Clint Hill and Shaun Derry who give everything. There is a good group, Rob Green is not a problem.

"There is a little group I need to shift and get some new blood in. It ain't going to be easy to shift players.

"You can always shift the good players people want. It is going to be a difficult one."

Redknapp invested heavily in January with striker Loic Remy and Christopher Samba, two of QPR's higher earners, costing upwards of £20 million ($31.1 million).

Redknapp knows he will not be able to recruit similar quality in the northern summer with no Premier League football on offer.

"I learned a lot from day one. I knew what we had here but we were short of quality. It's been a mismatch of a squad," he added.

"We are looking at a different level now, we're not looking at top players.

"We're looking for players that can get you out of the Championship next year.

"It's not going to be easy, it's a tough division full of quality, big clubs - bigger clubs than QPR.

"We've got no divine right to come out of the league next year."

One player QPR will look to get off the wage bill permanently will be Joey Barton, who has spent this season on loan at Marseille.

The midfielder has expressed his desire to remain in France where he appears to be enjoying his football.

"The reason I want to continue in Marseille is simple," Barton told Canal+.

"I am very happy with my life here and with my relationship with the players. This is about more than money.

"The fans have not seen the real Barton and I want to show them my real level of play."

A 3-0 home defeat to Fulham rounded off a memorable campaign in disappointing fashion for the Welsh club.

While the loss does not take the gloss off a ninth-place Premier League finish and Capital One Cup success, it did highlight how reliant Swansea has been on Michu for goals.

The Spaniard scored 18 of Swansea's 47 Premier League goals during a stellar first season in English football, but when he struggled to find the net late in the season, so did Swansea.

Laudrup is keen to return Michu to his favoured attacking midfield role next season, and Iago Aspas, Romelu Lukaku and Manu del Moral are all targets as the Dane looks to strengthen his striking options.

"In some games we have not been effective enough in front of goal and that's why we have to add some more goals," he said. "We scored 47 but I think we can easily add 10 or 12 to that next season.

"Again, a major part of that is that our goals this season have had the name of one person so we have to split the responsibility of the goals.

"But we have known that for a while and we have been working on it for a long time - but we know it is the most difficult thing to get someone to score goals."

He added: "It's difficult because, firstly, everyone wants players who score goals and secondly they are the most expensive.

"Can we get another Michu? I hope so but it's not easy. There are some out there but other clubs want them as well and we are not financially the most powerful of the 20 clubs in the Premier League. Goals are money and you have to pay.

"You can't think you can find a top scorer for free. We almost did it last year but you don't win the lottery every time.

"We hope and we will work and I may get excited when we get the one we want - but I know it is one thing to do the research, to put the name on paper, to think you have a chance, but it is another to sign them."

Sunderland's season came to a close with a 1-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur which left it 17th in the Premier League - just three points above the relegation zone.

Sunderland has relied to a certain extent on Steven Fletcher's goalscoring abilities for much of the season, with the striker supplying 11 of the 41 league goals scored by the Black Cats.

Connor Wickham and Danny Graham were unable to replicate Fletcher's form during the final eight games of the season when the former Wolverhampton Wanderers star was out through injury.

Di Canio revealed on Sunday that he will sit down with Ellis Short to discuss plans for next year and he will make it clear to the Sunderland owner that he needs more firepower if he is to keep the club in the top-flight next term.

"We need to bring in quality, particularly up front, because to win games you need to score and we don't score many goals," the Sunderland manager said.

"We don't have many weapons in our side at the moment to damage the opponent."

Also prevalent in Di Canio's discussion with Short will be how to get rid of the players he feels have let him down off the pitch.

Di Canio raged at the ill-discipline that he says is commonplace within the playing staff at the Wearside club.

He will consider the future of Phil Bardsley, who was photographed covered in £50 notes after a night out in a casino in midweek.

He said he was 'disgusted' by the incident and claimed that anyone he feels has not shown the club enough respect will be out of the door this northern summer.

Di Canio also feels the players' discipline on the pitch needs to improve after David Vaughan became the third player to see red during the Italian's 10-week spell in charge.

"When you are playing away from home at a place like Tottenham it is difficult," Di Canio added.

"With (Tottenham's) ability you can't concede one man to the opponents.

"In the last few games we did very bad in terms of discipline and we have to change this."

The Everton boss was driven into United's Carrington training ground by kit man Albert Morgan on Monday morning as he began the process of familiarising himself with his new surroundings.

Sir Alex Ferguson was in the car as well, and drove Moyes away again after he had met those present in the aftermath of the staggering 5-5 draw with West Bromwich Albion.

Moyes was apparently in cheery mood, and clearly relishing the task in front of him, knowing it was always unrealistic to think he could stick to his official 1 July start day.

That might be roughly when he speaks to the media for the first time.

However, he has pre-season to sort out, in addition to his backroom team, although it is not anticipated Moyes is going to make any major changes.

It is a tricky situation for the Scot though.

On one hand it would be natural for Moyes to insist on making his own mark, and having people he knows well around him, like his current head coach, former Leeds United midfielder Jimmy Lumsden, who has been linked with a switch to United.

However the 50-year-old might be equally loath to unsettle a system that has proved to be so successful for so long and has just delivered another Premier League title by an impressive 11 points.

It is a conundrum Moyes needs to solve correctly because work done in the early days will shape his future at Old Trafford.

At least the players are behind him, with Carrick outlining how much they are looking forward to the transition.

"As players we are embracing the challenge," he said.

"For so long we have had the stability of knowing what to expect. We could turn up for pre-season and know how we would be preparing.

"There are going to be certain things that are new. But many will stay the same of course because there is a structure there and there is not a lot wrong.

"We are all looking forward to it. We are looking forward to the new manager coming in, working with him, improving as a squad and taking the club forward."

As a member of five title-winning squads, Carrick is one of those whose experience will be crucial to United's desire for more silverware, even if it is fanciful to expect it could win another 13 titles within a 21-year period as it has just done under Ferguson.

Yet Carrick reports the intense hunger so evident in his long-time manager is also his greatest legacy to the club.

"It is the mentality and desire and the enthusiasm never to give in," said Carrick.

"It has been there for so many years it is ingrained in the players now.

"Hopefully we will carry that on."

Carrick confirmed Ferguson has approached the fortnight since his retirement was confirmed in the same unemotional manner in private as he has in public.

"It has been business as usual," he said.

"He said a few thank yous after the game but generally it is as everyone has seen.

"He will have mixed emotions because it is a strange time for him, as it is for everyone at the club."

In the end, all that was missing from that epic final day trip to West Brom was an injury-time winner.

Even United's players were starting to think it was in the script as the host rallied from 5-2 down.

"We were just waiting for the last minute winner from Ryan or Scholesy," he said.

"It was one of those games.

"We are disappointed because we wanted to win the game and make it the last memory for the manager and Paul Scholes.

"But in the grand scheme of things it doesn't mean too much."

The 28-year-old has been a long-standing target for City, who is looking to bolster its squad ahead of the reported impending arrival of Manuel Pellegrini as coach.

Fernandinho has already claimed that current club Shakhtar Donetsk is pricing him out of the market as it holds out for a fee close to the £42.5million ($A66 million) escape clause inserted into his most recent contract, which is not due to expire until 2016.

Having helped Shakhtar to another title, it is clear the player wants to leave in order to boost his chances of making Brazil's World Cup squad.

He has been left out of Confederations Cup plans by current boss Luis Felipe Scolari and, in responding to a question on Twitter from a City fan on Monday morning, has confirmed he wants to join the deposed Barclays Premier League champions.

When asked: "Do you want to join City? Please answer! Really hope you join", Fernandinho replied: "yes my friend!!!"

City is currently unavailable for comment as it is flying to the United States for its two post-season encounters with Chelsea.

The clash with the Spanish side completes a pre-season schedule for Villa that begins with its return to training at Bodymoor Heath on July 1.

Paul Lambert's squad then head to Germany on July 7 for a week-long camp which includes games against Rodinghausen, Paderborn and Bochum.

A series of domestic friendlies at Wycombe, Luton, Crewe and Walsall follows, taking Villa up to the end of July, before they travel to Dublin to take on Shamrock Rovers on August 4.

Midfielder Lampard was part of Mourinho's successful side between July 2004 and September 2007, when the Portuguese left in acrimony before achieving success at Inter Milan and Real Madrid, who he is expected to leave imminently.

Asked what makes Mourinho so successful, Lampard told TalkSPORT: "It's a presence and an aura and a way with people.

"He galvanises people. His own self-confidence reflects back on his teams. He did that to me personally.

"Tactically he's fantastic. He's very astute. As a team he sets you up brilliantly.

"But what he does is he gets the best out of players and gets this togetherness that I'd never known until he came to the club and I haven't seen it again since then.

"He might rub people up the wrong way. [But] as a manager, he's brilliant with his team, tactically, he's brilliant with individuals and I think he's brilliant with the press. I know it creates a storm, but he does protect his players."

Put to him that a reunion will end in tears after the messy divorce six years ago, Lampard insisted he was sorry to see Mourinho leave first time round.

"I wasn't fed up with it," said Lampard, the club's record goalscorer who signed a one-year contract extension last week.

"He made me believe I was better than I was at the time.

"I thought I was a decent player, but he said to me 'listen, you can really get to the top' and he made me believe it. I tried to take it on and do it.

"I've had really good managers and different managers at times. It's the ones that get the best out of you, individually.

"We're all human beings and if a manager doesn't talk to you and tell you what they want or whether they're happy with you... we've all got confidence that is up and down.

"Mourinho was the best. For me he was. He brought my confidence to a level it had never been."

The 29-year-old striker enjoyed his highest goals return since his £50million ($A77.7 million) move from Liverpool in January 2011 - netting 22 goals in 64 appearances - to take his tally to 35 goals in 131 appearances for the Blues.

Torres scored in the Europa League final win over Benfica and the decisive goal in Sunday's 2-1 win over Everton which secured third place in the Barclays Premier League and a return to the Champions League Chelsea won in 2012.

World Cup and European Championship winner Torres, though, is eager for more goals and glory.

"(It is) more goals than last season and closer to my normal statistics," Torres told Chelsea TV following the final day win over Everton.

"I'm happy for the end of the season, for the statistics this season, but I'm asking much more from myself and hopefully next season can be much better."

Torres hopes a young Blues team can also mount a sustained Premier League title challenge after finishing behind champions Manchester United and runners-up Manchester City this term.

"The Premier League is tough, because as soon as you lose a couple of games you're out of the race for the league," Torres added.

"Man United were very consistent this season and even Man City couldn't keep winning games the same way and Man United won the league maybe two months before.

"We're good enough to be consistent. We need to learn from what we have done badly this season, it's a young squad and hopefully the experience of this year can help the team for the next one. I don't think we're too far away (from challenging for the title)."

Torres, who played under former mentor and Blues interim boss Rafael Benitez in the second half of the season, reflected on a strong finish to another tumultuous campaign at Stamford Bridge.

"We must be happy for the way we ended the season," Torres added.

"It's not the way we wanted to when we started the season, but during the season you have to adjust the targets and objectives.

"In the last couple of months we've been working really hard to secure third place, win the Europa League. We have done both, so we must be happy."

The Gunners ended the Barclays Premier League campaign with an astonishing undefeated run of eight wins from the final 10 matches to move back ahead of north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and seal a top-four finish following the 1-0 victory at Newcastle.

Arsenal will, of course, still has to negotiate a potentially tricky two-legged qualifier in August before it can focus on a remarkable 16th campaign of elite European football.

However, with that now very much on the horizon, the club can move into the summer break with a completely different outlook from the one it faced when slipping seven points behind Spurs after defeat at White Hart Lane on March 3.

France international Koscielny, whose second half goal at St James' Park proved crucial, feels everyone deserves great credit for the superb collective effort over the run-in.

"The team played well and gave themselves for the team.

"We are all good players and we want to play Champions League. It is a big competition. We did the job and we are happy."

Manager Arsene Wenger feels his side has gone some way to answering its critics following its end to what had been a frustrating campaign - including the lows of cup defeats by Bradford City and Blackburn Rovers, before a Champions League masterclass from Bayern Munich at the Emirates Stadium only to then outplay the Germans when winning the second leg of the last-16 tie.

"The exceptional attitude and determination of this group of players has been rewarded," Wenger said.

"They continued to believe when we were seven points behind Tottenham in mid-March. [They knew] that we had no room for error any more and you could never see any sign of giving in."

Wenger feels Arsenal can use its experiences over the past two months to hit the ground running in the quest to finally end its long trophy drought in 2013/2014.

Arsenal will be proactive in the summer transfer market, with the free transfer of France Under-21 forward Yaya Sanogo from Auxerre expected to be the first of several new arrivals.

Wenger is understood to have targeted offensive additions this summer, with the likes of Fiorentina's Stevan Jovetic, Real Madrid frontman Gonzalo Higuain and even England forward Wayne Rooney all said to be on the Arsenal manager's radar, as is Borussia Dortmund defender Lukasz Piszczek and even Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar, who is set to leave relegated Queens Park Rangers.

Wenger, though, warned finding the right man at the right price is set to be another test.

"We have been remarkably consistent. We won every away game so it's a good springboard for next season, to transfer that belief into the start of next season, that means we need stability and to strengthen our group if possible," he said.

"However, there are many clubs out there with a lot of money so the competition is very hard - there is not as much talent as money today in football.

"England midfielder Jack Wilshere, meanwhile, is now set for surgery on his troublesome ankle, which while ruling him out of the friendlies against the Republic of Ireland and Brazil, should see the 21-year-old return fully fit for the start of the new season and the autumn World Cup qualifiers.

The 35-year-old adopted a typically professional approach to Sunday's 1-0 win over Queens Park Rangers despite all the celebrations of his 16-year career with the Reds.

"It was brilliant. I want to thank the supporters who gave me such a great send-off," said the centre-back, who begins a new career as a television pundit next season.

"It's much appreciated. It's a day I'll never forget. I've been playing here a long time and it's sad to think I'll never play at this stadium again in a competitive game.

"But it has to come to an end at some stage and I've got some great memories and I just wanted to make sure we won the game.

"I didn't want to finish with a defeat or a poor performance. It was emotional but I don't really show it. We had a job to do.

"It was nice to get a win, not just for myself but for the manager and the players to take into next season because we've been on a decent run."

Carragher almost produced a brilliant finale with a 30-yard shot which smashed against the post in front of the Kop midway through the second half.

But the clean sheet was what mattered to the Reds vice-captain.

"I scored on my full debut and it would have been nice to finish with a goal," he added.

"The lads were urging me to score and the crowd were shouting 'shoot' every time I had the ball anywhere on the pitch.

"I was near the edge of the box and had a crack. I thought it was in - after 16 years it looks like I'm just getting the hang of shooting!

"But I wasn't really thinking about getting a goal. I was more concerned with doing my job - keeping a clean sheet and winning the game. We did that so I'm happy."

Sterling, 18, did not have to appear at Liverpool Magistrates' Court and the case was dismissed when prosecutor Rob Jones offered no evidence.

The Jamaican-born Premier League star had been accused of assaulting a woman in Toxteth, Liverpool, last November.

Moyes was due to meet United players and staff at Carrington for the first time in order to outline his plans for the future.

Although he does not officially start work until July 1, realistically, that start date is impractical as United head on tour on July 10 and return to pre-season training before then.

Moyes will also have to decide which areas of the present squad he needs to improve.

It is a tricky position for the outgoing Everton boss.

On one hand it would be natural for Moyes to insist on making his own mark, and having people he knows well around him.

On the other, the 50-year-old will be loath to unsettle a system that has proved to be so successful for so long.

He should at least meet a group of players in high spirits following Sunday's incredible 5-5 draw at West Bromwich Albion.

It was the highest scoring draw in Premier League history and matched a result United has recorded just once, in 1895, when it was still known as Newton Heath.

After the crazy 26 years Ferguson has spent at Old Trafford, it seemed a fitting way to go out, although Golden Boot winner Robin van Persie did wish for a "Fergie Time" winner.

"I was waiting for some Fergie time at the end," joked the Dutchman.

"It didn't happen but to score 10 goals was good fun for everyone, so I think the fans are pleased."

Van Persie does not expect the transition to working under Moyes to prove problematic.

"Everybody wants to work for each other and share the success and I'm 100 per cent sure that we will play for trophies every year and, hopefully, win a few every year. That's our standard for this team," he said.

"Of course, we get a new manager next year and everybody is looking forward to that. It's a new challenge for everyone. We'll have a nice break now and then we go again."

Bale bagged his 26th goal of the season to give Spurs a 1-0 win over Sunderland, but it was not enough to earn a place in Europe's premier club competition as Arsenal defeated Newcastle United by the same scoreline at St James' Park.

Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and both Manchester clubs have all been linked with the 23-year-old, who won every leading player accolade in the country this term.

Unlike Spurs, all four of those clubs will be able to offer the forward Champions League football next season. But that does not mean the Welshman is on his way out of north London, according to his manager.

When asked whether Bale would still be at Spurs next term, Villas-Boas said: "Yes, that's the information we have.

"It is very, very difficult to lure a player of this dimension away.

"You have to hold onto your best assets."

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, writing in his annual chairman's message to supporters, underlined his desire to keep the squad's best players at White Hart Lane.

The wording was not as strong as it has been in previous years when speculation mounted about Bale and Luka Modric, but the message was still the same.

"Looking ahead to the summer, we shall continue to seek to strengthen and improve the team and to retain key players," Levy wrote.

Villas-Boas on Sunday night bemoaned the decision making of referee Andre Marriner, who denied Tottenham a pretty clear penalty in the first half.

In the 21st minute with the score 0-0 at both Tottenham and Newcastle, Bale entered the Sunderland box and went down after colliding with Sebastian Larsson. The Swede used both arms to knock the former Southampton man to the ground. But, rather than award Spurs a penalty, Marriner handed Bale his fifth yellow card of the season for simulation.

Villas-Boas thinks had Spurs taken a first-half lead from the spot, that would have applied too much pressure on to Arsenal, who did not score until the 50th minute.

"I don't want to put the spotlight on the referee, but I think it (was) absolutely decisive," said the Tottenham manager, whose side was also denied a penalty when Carlos Cuellar handled Clint Dempsey's shot after the break.

"Apart from the distance that separates the grounds, the emotions are felt very strongly. It would have certainly been felt at Newcastle, and it would certainly change the running of this game too.

"Sunderland would have to be more adventurous, and so there would be more space."

Villas-Boas has repeatedly defended Bale this season amid accusations that he dives, and he thinks Marriner got the decision wrong.

"It was an extremely disappointing decision, in my opinion, for the fact that Andre was on the conference at the start of season and we spoke about Gareth's incidents," Villas-Boas said.

"It was a poor decision. It could have potentially changed the nature of other game too."

After playing for Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle United and Manchester United, the 33-year-old announced in March he would hang up his boots after just one season in the Potteries.

Owen's illustrious career ended in Sunday's 1-1 draw at Southampton, where he managed to touch the ball just three times during his 16 minutes on the pitch.

However, the former England striker insists there was no better way to go, with all four sides of a sold-out St Mary's giving him a standing ovation.

"I couldn't have asked for any more, really," Owen said.

"The Stoke supporters were fantastic, considering I've not had much of an influence on the team for the season I've been here.

"But they sang my name all game and I am really privileged to have the send-off. And the home fans as well, that was particularly special.

"So, it was a great day all round and pleased that we shared the spoils as well.

"Everyone's been coming up to me saying so many nice things and that they've enjoyed watching me play over the years.

"I won't name his name but even one of the Southampton players was saying that he used to watch my Soccer Skills video, so that made me feel a bit old.

"But it's nice that I've brought some pleasure to a lot of people and it's certainly been a pleasure playing myself. I've really enjoyed it and time to move on, as they say."

Owen's appearance was only his eighth for Stoke, with his solitary start coming at Crystal Palace in the FA Cup. Despite that lack of football, the striker was full of praise for the club.

"It's been a great, great experience being at Stoke for a season," Owen said.

"They're a very good club, very good owners and it's a good place to be.

"That's about the fifth season they've been in the Premier League now. Hopefully, they can kick on and start getting into the top half. That will probably be the next step.

"But I'm certainly pleased to have joined them and played a season with them and I wish them all the best now."

The draw saw Stoke finish the season in 13th, a place better off than hosts Southampton.

Teenage left-back Luke Shaw has been one of Saints' stand-out players this campaign and has been heavily linked with a move away.

Chelsea has been mentioned as a potential suitor and, asked if there was any truth in the speculation, Saints boss Mauricio Pochettino implied it was the west Londoners that should be concerned.

"Perhaps we will go and get some Chelsea players ourselves," he said.

"I think that [executive chairman] Nicola Cortese staying is the best possible news for next season.

"That is very good for the squad, for the whole club. We will talk about the summer and the budgets with Nicola."

Carragher bowed out in his 737th match for the Reds in Sunday's 1-0 win over Queens Park Rangers after Philippe Coutinho scored the only goal in the 23rd minute.

But the result was almost a sideshow as Carragher took centre-stage for one last time.

Rodgers needs to strengthen his defence in the summer but accepts it is pointless trying to find someone who can do the job Carragher did.

"I don't think there are many about like that, I've got to be honest," he said.

"What he's got at this football club is unique. You have to find different ways. All great players, their time comes to an end.

"We've seen it here through the years. You look at Ian Rush when he went away and they brought in John Barnes and Peter Beardsley - and they brought something else.

"We need to find a good one now to come in and support the group - and it certainly won't be easy."

Rodgers believes for all the tributes to Carragher's determination and no-nonsense defending there was much more to the player.

That was highlighted midway through the second half when he unleashed a first-time shot from 25 yards which beat goalkeeper Robert Green but cannoned back off the post.

"That was some strike. He's a player who, because of his leadership qualities and his warrior spirit, a lot of his technical qualities get overlooked," said Rodgers.

"Everyone talks about his blocking but he can pass. His weight of pass into the correct foot, his cushioned headers, his touch.

"You talk about British centre-halves not being able to play football but here's someone who's a world-class player who can defend and play.

"It would have been a lovely touch for that to go in."

Relegated QPR rarely looked like adding to its one win in 22 previous meetings and manager Harry Redknapp knows a significant rebuilding job lies ahead.

"We've been close in a lot of games but lacked quality to turn those close games around," he said.

"Whatever we did it would have been a massive job next year.

"We didn't have the quality to stay in the Premier League. We need to improve that in the summer with lads who want to work hard and do well for QPR."

The 24-year-old played the final match of his season-long loan in this Sunday's 4-2 win over relegated Reading at Upton Park, where captain Kevin Nolan netted a hat-trick.

Despite only scoring seven goals, the 6ft 3ins striker proved a popular signing, and this week earned a recall to the England squad for the friendlies against the Republic of Ireland and Brazil.

Yet with Liverpool set to be holding out for £17million ($A26.4 million) and Newcastle United and Monaco also said to be monitoring the situation, West Ham is set for some tough dealings.

Allardyce, though, remains determined to land his top target.

"It is our target to make it a permanent situation," he said. "Hopefully we can get somewhere in the near future to do that.

"It's our main priority. There are negotiations between the club and Liverpool.

"We have to pursue it to the very end one way or another and we will find out as quick as we can if it is a yes or a no.

"If we can start with Andy Carroll that would be a great achievement for us as he can only get better and better.

"Then we build around that in terms of how we want to improve next year, with better quality.

"Andy is a player that is wanting to enjoy his football. He lives for his football and wants to play every game. He wants to use his strengths and score as many as he can - but he also works very hard for the team."

The Hammers was in complete control against Reading after a mistake from a new England call-up, goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, gifted Nolan the opener on 23 minutes, with Ricardo Vaz Te sweeping home a second following more good work from Carroll.

The Royals responded with two quick goals at the start of the second half through Garath McCleary and substitute Adam Le Fondre.

The Hammers, though, made sure of a creditable top-10 finish when Nolan netted again and then completed his hat-trick with a header three minutes from time.

Allardyce said of Nolan: "He has always been top class. It's another double-figures scoring job he's done yet again. He's done many of those throughout his career and finishing the season with a hat-trick has got to be thrilling for him."

"When we needed Kevin again he was there. That's what he is good at. When he scores his goals they are always very important."

Reading's fate had long been sealed and it finished the season in 19th place.

However Royals boss Nigel Adkins maintains there is plenty of positives to take ahead of a return to life in the npower Championship.

"There is a good feelgood factor going forward for next season, which is important," said Adkins, who replaced the sacked Brian McDermott in March.

"We have changed the way the club has played football - we are looking to be more in control with keeping the football for longer periods of time and that takes time to get everyone ready to go and do that."

Adkins felt his side had given a good account of themselves on the final day of the season.

"Great credit to the players, they showed really good character and in the second half we came out and scored two good goals. We were in the ascendancy up until they scored the third," he said.

"That was a shame but it's what you do in both penalty areas."

Adkins - a former goalkeeper himself - also had words of comfort for McCarthy as the 23-year-old prepares to link up with the senior England squad for the first time.

He said: "Alex is still a young goalkeeper. It's all a good learning experience. He just needed to clear the football, didn't he? It was a poor execution and that's life.

"The big thing I've noticed with Alex is if he does make a mistake he can quickly forget it, which is important in a goalkeeper.

"It's how quickly you can move on and Alex has done that.

"He is going to develop into a really good goalkeeper."

After Fernando Torres' first Premier League goal of 2013 sealed a 2-1 win over Manchester United-bound David Moyes' Toffees, captain John Terry, midfielder Frank Lampard and utility man Paulo Ferreira addressed the crowd, whose celebrations included a chorus for Jose Mourinho.

None of the trio mentioned Benitez, who opted to leave the lap of appreciation for the players, after succeeding in his mission to lead Chelsea to a Champions League return and silverware, with Wednesday's Europa League final win.

"It's for the families and the players," said Benitez, who was praised by the players following the defeat of Benfica in Amsterdam on Wednesday.

"I received hundreds of messages, more than 200 messages on the website, from Chelsea fans saying thank you very much.

"For me that is enough, and also the players telling me things privately.

"The majority of [the supporters] were very positive in the end. That is good.

"We couldn't change the opinion of some of them. We tried to do our best until the end."

The defeat of Everton was Chelsea's 28th win in 48 games of Benitez's seven-month reign, during which the Spaniard had to endure vitriol from a hostile support.

The fans' disdain dissipated following Benitez's outspoken appeal at Middlesbrough in February, when he called for them to use their energies to back the team, rather than barrack him.

It appears to have worked, with Chelsea last having lost at Stamford Bridge on January 2.

"They have changed after the Middlesbrough press conference," Benitez added.

"You could feel more support for the team."

With champions Manchester United and Manchester City under new management next term, Benitez is confident Chelsea can challenge for the title under his successor, whether it is Mourinho or not.

"This team will be challenging for the title next year," Benitez added.

"It has been a great experience. We've taken a team, a team in transition with young players, and now we have left a good team, with more experience, with good character, scoring goals, more balance.

"I think it will be good for the next manager, because he will have a very good team and also the owner [Roman Abramovich] will bring in more players."

Benitez does not know what awaits him and would not be drawn on his future beyond Tuesday's (Wednesday AEST) departure to the United States for the end of season tour, but his former Merseyside rival immediately begins work as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor at Old Trafford.

Moyes said: "I'll probably be doing two jobs for the next week or so.

"I'm sad that I'm leaving Everton. Look at the players. I brought every one of them, except Tony Hibbert and Leon Osman, who were already here.

"I hope every one of them will think it was worthwhile joining Everton.

"I hope I'm leaving the club in a better condition than when I took over and I think the group of players they've got are a top group of players."

Everton finished sixth after Moyes' 518th match in charge and he hopes everything is in place for his successor, whomever it may be.

"In truth we've probably done as well as we can do at Everton," he said.

"We've pushed close to try to break into the top four, up until about three weeks ago, it just started to get away from us.

"I'll go into Finch Farm [Everton's training ground] some of the days next week and make sure everything's in place for whoever the incoming manager is.

"Most of it is anyway, but I'll just make sure that everything's as ready as I can leave it."

The Gunners arrived in the north-east knowing anything less than a win would leave them open to being overtaken by great rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the race for fourth place, but Laurent Koscielny's goal in the first half saw Arsenal over the line.

Arsenal can now look forward to a 16th successive season playing among Europe's elite - providing it comes through a qualifying match - and Wenger was fulsome in his praise after seeing his players end the season in searing form.

A 2-1 loss to Spurs left Arsenal seven points adrift of its north London foes in early March, since when it has taken 26 points from a possible 30 to end the campaign a point clear of Andre Villas-Boas' troops.

"They are special. I've told them many times but they've shown it in the last two months they've been absolutely exceptional," Wenger said of his players on Sky Sports 1.

"We have shown character and attitude.

"We make 73 points, that's three points better than last season.

"I've had many groups in my life and the focus, the desire to do well, was exceptional. It's one of the best groups I've had in my life on that front."

Asked if silverware now needs to be the next aim after another barren campaign in that area, Wenger added: "We want of course to do that next season, but let's not forget the consistency we have shown over the years to get into the Champions League."

Discussing his plans for squad rebuilding in the summer - when a sizeable budget is expected to be at the Frenchman's disposal, he added: "We want to have additions to the squad but keep the structure, spirit and quality of the squad we have now.

"We will be out there in a very pro-active way."

Meanwhile, forward Theo Walcott admitted the players had been unaware that Tottenham had defeated Sunderland 1-0, a result which meant a late Newcastle equaliser would have condemned Arsenal to the Europa League.

"We weren't aware of the Spurs result and we knew what we had to do, it was in our hands and we did the job," he said.

"We had to prove people wrong. We had a disappointing result against Tottenham earlier this season and it's never nice to lose to them.

"A lot of people thought we wouldn't do it today so it's nice to show them that we could do it.

"I'd like to say it's a shame [that Spurs missed out on fourth place] but it's not really."

Asked about his aspirations for the club in the future, Walcott said: "Challenging for the title, that's our next step, our next goal.

"I'm very proud of everyone in that dressing room."

The script should have been for Sir Alex Ferguson to bow out a winner, with an injury-time goal of some description.

But this outcome was just as appropriate. Ten goals. The highest scoring draw in Premier League history. The biggest United has been involved in since 1895. Another big, thick mark in the history books to end with.

And this was it.

We had already had the announcement, the announcement of the succession, the final home game, the final trophy presentation, the final parade, the final awards dinner, the final press conference, the final team selection, the final goal - Javier Hernandez - and the final substitution - Rio Ferdinand for Jonny Evans.

And, at approximately 1755, Michael Oliver blew the final whistle on Ferguson's career.

He looked for Steve Clarke to shake his fellow Scot's hand before heading out onto the pitch to first acknowledge the away fans, before then all four sides of the stadium, which paid an appropriate tribute to a 71-year-old, whose legacy to the game goes way beyond those 49 incredible trophies.

This could never have been a normal day, so why should it have been a normal game?

It started with a guard of honour from West Bromiwch Albion, with United's players quietly joining it to await the entrance of a man whose trophy cabinet will have to be forced shut such is the amount of silverware contained within it.

There were some boos, which was only to be expected given what a magnet for controversy Ferguson has been.

But the overwhelming majority applauded, with Ferguson responding in kind to a stadium packed beyond capacity is seemed, acutely aware they were witnessing a very special day in football history.

It was a special day for Chris Foy too as very rare indeed are the times when a fourth official at a United match arrives to the belief they are not going to be lambasted for one reason or another.

Ferguson even came over for a chat and a handshake, such was the upbeat mood with which he approached this seismic day.

The United fans certainly understood the importance of their visit to the West Midlands.

Programmes were sold half a dozen at a time and there were claims of fans gaining admittance without tickets to say they were there for Ferguson's last game.

Certainly the gates were closed at one point and for a while after kick-off the atmosphere could best be described as powderkeg, with United fans racing out of home sections to reach the visitors end and a few home supporters close by making aeroplane gestures.

It is a measure of Ferguson's longevity that when he came south from Aberdeen, such antics were commonplace, as were the lines of police that quickly appeared to bring a sense of order to the situation.

By then United was two goals ahead, Ferguson was relaxed in his seat and Rene Meulensteen was heading to the touchline to offer instruction.

The Dutchman is part of a United backroom team who, next week, are likely to find out what future, if any, they have under David Moyes.

United's players are certainly saying the right things.

And so were the fans as they continued their songs of triumph.

"So cum on David Moyes, play like Fergies boys, we'll go wild, wild, wild," they chanted, before, "Albert, give us a wave," in reference to popular kit man Albert Morgan.

The mood didn't change that much, even as United suffered its late collapse.

A discernable increase in the rate of Ferguson's chewing increased though as Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand were introduced.

With the scoreboard set at 5-5, Foy signalled four minutes of 'Fergie Time'.

The dream scenario did not happen.

Instead, Ferguson headed off for a glass of wine with Clarke, then down the steps, out of the door and onto the team coach back north.

There was time for just one question.

How did it feel?

"Emotional. Very emotional."

Arsenal's 1-0 victory over Newcastle United meant Tottenham had to settle for a fifth-place finish despite its own 1-0 win over Sunderland, which came courtesy of Bale's 89th-minute wonder-strike.

Had Marriner awarded Villas-Boas' team a penalty in the first half, the Portuguese thinks it could have been Tottenham, and not Arsenal, which finished in fourth, however.

In the 21st minute with the score 0-0 at both grounds, Bale entered the Sunderland box and went down after colliding with Sebastian Larsson.

The Swede used both arms to knock the 23-year-old to the ground, but rather than award Spurs a penalty, Marriner handed Bale his fifth yellow card of the season for simulation.

Villas-Boas thinks had Spurs taken a first-half lead from the spot, that would have applied too much pressure on to Arsenal, which did not score until the 50th minute.

"I don't want to put the spotlight on the referee, but I think it (was) absolutely decisive," the Tottenham manager said.

"Apart from the distance that separates the grounds, the emotions are felt very strongly. It would have certainly been felt at Newcastle, and it would certainly change the running of this game too.

"Sunderland would have to be more adventurous, and so there would be more space."

Villas-Boas has repeatedly defended Bale this season amid accusations that he dives, and he thinks Marriner got the decision wrong.

"It was extremely disappointing decision in my opinion for the fact that Andre was on the conference at start of season and we spoke about Gareth's incidents," Villas-Boas said.

"It was a poor decision. It could have potentially changed the nature of other game too."

Marriner also failed to award Spurs a penalty in the second half when Clint Dempsey's shot struck Carlos Cuellar's out-stretched arm in the Sunderland box.

While Bale's goal was worthy of earning Tottenham a place in the Champions League, the harsh reality is that the team started sowing the seeds of its own downfall a long time ago.

On 3 March after Spurs won the derby at White Hart Lane, the Gunners went unbeaten until the end of the season while Tottenham dropped points in five matches.

Not winning against Chelsea and, to a lesser extent Liverpool, were forgivable, but teams who qualify for the Champions League do not generally lose to Fulham at home - as Spurs did in March.

Still, it would be harsh to castigate Villas-Boas too much. After all, since he took over he has lost the services of Luka Modric, Rafael van der Vaart and Ledley King while he has also had to do without key players like Sandro and Younes Kaboul because of injury.

Despite his troubles, the 35-year-old ended the season with 72 points - more than Tottenham has ever accumulated since the Premier League began.

"It's very, very unusual that we didn't make it," the former Chelsea manager said.

"If you look at past seasons with that number of points you would normally achieve it.

"It's difficult for me. Obviously we would ideally have achieved that fourth spot, we certainly did enough to deserve it, but we didn't in the end."

With Chelsea and both Manchester clubs expected to spend big this northern summer, Villas-Boas reiterated his desire to bring in new players for next year's tilt at the top four.

Villas-Boas also repeated his stance that Bale would stay despite interest from Real Madrid. "That's the information we have," he said.

After Tottenham's failure to cement a top-four position last season despite once holding a 10-point lead over Arsenal, and its lasagne-gate seven years ago, Tottenham fans would be forgiven for thinking that their team has a mental block which is preventing it from taking the final step up, but Villas-Boas disagrees.

He said: "No, I don't think so. We had a great competitive side, we are very ambitious, we have great character.

"We were strong in December and January, and I think going into future next year we don't need a lot to make us even better.

"Bearing in mind the experience that other teams have, and that they fight for the title, we have given them a good run for those Champions League spots."

Had results been different over the past couple of weeks, victory may have kept the Latics up and sent Villa down, but instead the host went into the final game knowing its eight-year stay in the top flight was over.

Relegation came only three days after the finest day in Wigan's history when it beat Manchester City at Wembley last weekend to win the FA Cup, and the trophy was displayed on the pitch before and after the game.

There was no doom and gloom around the DW Stadium and thousands of fans stayed after the match to cheer the Wigan squad.

Martinez said: "I'm very proud. When you enjoy the moments that we had with our fans, you can only feel proud.

"It's been an emotional week. We're always a unique football club, we've been doing that season after season. Even in relegation, we have to do it in the most unique way - winning the FA Cup and getting relegated, the first team that has ever done that.

"It's been a rollercoaster of emotions this week but when you have the supporters that we have, they are the reason why we are so proud of our football club.

"We need to get stronger in the league and regain our Premier League status. I think, over the last eight seasons, we've made sure everyone knows Wigan Athletic belongs at this level."

Wigan started slowly and Darren Bent, making his first start since January in place of the suspended Christian Benteke, scored his first league goal in eight months less than five minutes in.

But the Latics improved and levelled in the 21st minute with a header from Emmerson Boyce before taking the lead on the stroke of half-time when Ashley Westwood's goal-line clearance hit Villa defender Nathan Baker.

Ron Vlaar levelled things again just after the hour mark with a brilliant volley, and that was the way it stayed, although James McArthur nearly won it for Wigan with an equally spectacular effort that hit the bar.

Attention at the DW Stadium will now turn to whether Martinez will stay at the club he used to play for and has managed for four years.

The Spaniard, who has been heavily linked with Everton, will meet chairman Dave Whelan in eight days' time to discuss those matters after the dust has settled.

He said: "Sometimes it's good to have a little bit of breathing space and reflect and make sure we sit down with the chairman and make the right decisions.

"But that doesn't mean anything (is decided). Next season for Wigan is an incredible campaign. It's the first time we're going to be in Europe, and we don't go into the qualifying rounds, we go straight into the group stages, which means you've got six games guaranteed.

"We've got to defend the FA Cup, and then you're involved in a competition where you have to play 46 games. We need a large squad, we need the youngsters to be ready.

"You saw today three or four players who have been working extremely hard. The structure's working at the football club and we need to be very excited for the future.

"We've got the best chairman ever. He said this morning he won't stop until he gets Wigan Athletic back into the Barclays Premier League, and when he says something like that, you better believe him."

For Villa, the end of the campaign brought relief that it will have another Premier League season to look forward to.

Boss Paul Lambert said: "It's been really hard. Especially in that Christmas period when we couldn't get a win. But the big thing was the crowd stayed with it. I think that was a very telling factor.

"Because we were in a transitional period, we knew we had to come through it. I think the club would have kept on sliding. We had to strip it right back and get it going.

"(Chairman) Randy Lerner's been absolutely fantastic with us. He knows the philosophy, that we're trying to build the club. And you see that performance and the performances of the last five months, it's been extremely high."

Lambert also went back onto the pitch after the game accompanied by former Villa midfielder Stiliyan Petrov, who announced his retirement earlier this month because of his fight against leukaemia.

The Villa boss said: "That was nearly a tearjerker, that was tough. To be fair to the Wigan fans, they even gave him a great reception, and that was an emotional moment. You could see how he feels about the crowd and the way he is."

Philippe Coutinho's 23rd-minute goal settled the encounter against relegated Queens Park Rangers but all the attention was on the veteran centre-back on his 737th and final appearance.

He almost capped it with a superb goal - he scored on his full debut in front of the Kop - but his sweetly-struck 25-yard shot cannoned back off the post.

"I'll have to watch it again - I thought it was in," said the 35-year-old.

"I'm not the type to get too emotional but it is emotional. I've got my friends and family in the stands but I just wanted to concentrate on the game.

"We got the win that we wanted and I can go and enjoy myself now."

He added on LFC TV: "It was a special send-off for me and a day I'll never forget.

"I've been playing here a long time and it's sad to think I'll never play at this stadium again in a competitive game.

"But it has to come to an end at some stage and I've got some great memories."

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers will miss having Carragher around for a variety of reasons and he knows he is impossible to replace.

"I don't think there are many about like that, I've got to be honest," he said.

"What he's got at this football club is unique. You have to find different ways. All great players, their time comes to an end.

"We've seen it here through the years. You look at Ian Rush when he went away and they brought in John Barnes and Peter Beardsley - and they brought something else.

"We need to find a good one now to come in and support the group - and it certainly won't be easy.

"He's an incredible player and a real gentleman. You saw his performance today - his ambition was to go out at the top and he's going out as a top performer.

"He's played 16 Premier League games since he came back into the team and we've only lost one.

"He's been an absolutely colossal player and at 35 he's still fit and strong.

"It's with great sadness that he has to move on but we now have to."

As one career came to an end another was just beginning as 17-year-old Jordon Ibe made his first-team debut and did not disappoint, even providing the assist for the goal.

"I thought he did very well," added Rodgers.

"It's not easy playing at Anfield, his first game here for the first team. As the game went on he became better and better.

"He's got real potential and you can see he's a footballer. He linked up very well with young Coutinho and made some good passes and got some shots off.

"For all the young players, hopefully they'll see from this season that there's hope for them here - that they'll get an opportunity."

Relegated QPR was barely a threat all afternoon and manager Harry Redknapp now faces the task of getting it back into the Premier League.

It seems unlikely it will be with the majority of this squad however with some individuals coming in for criticism over their professionalism.

"We've got no divine right to come straight back up. We'll have to work hard," he said.

"I've inherited a group with some good professionals and also with people who are not so good. That has been the problem.

"Lots of them can't get up early enough to get to training on time.

"One player's picked up more fines than he earns and he earns enough."

Here are some of the high points of a great career.

8 January 1997 - Makes first-team debut as a substitute in a League Cup tie aged 19 having already spent a decade at the club he joined while still at primary school.

3 March 2001 - Wins first senior trophy with victory in the League Cup final after a penalty shoot-out against Birmingham. Goes on to play a pivotal part in FA Cup and UEFA Cup success later that season.

25 May 2005 - Despite being stricken by cramp late on in extra-time, Carragher produces a typical last-gasp tackle to deny AC Milan's Andriy Shevchenko as Liverpool famously came back from 3-0 down at half-time to win the Champions League on penalties.

26 August 2005 - In the absence of the injured Steven Gerrard, Carragher captains Liverpool to victory over CSKA Moscow and lifts the European Super Cup in Monte Carlo.

1 May 2007 - Writes his name into the club's considerable record books with a 90th European appearance, surpassing Ian Callaghan's previous best, keeping Didier Drogba quiet in the Champions League semi-final second leg victory over Chelsea at Anfield.

Honours:

FA Cup: 2000-01, 2005-06

League Cup: 2000-01, 2002-03, 2011-12

FA Community Shield: 2001, 2006

Champions League: 2004-05

UEFA Cup: 2000-01

European Super Cup: 2001, 2005

1978: Born Bootle 28 January.

1996: Wins FA Youth Cup with Liverpool.

October - Signs professional contract with the Reds.

1997: 8 January - Makes first-team debut as a substitute in a Coca-Cola Cup tie at Middlesbrough.

18 January - Marks full Anfield debut with a goal in 3-0 win over Aston Villa.

2001: Wins the treble of FA Cup, Worthington Cup and UEFA Cup.

2005: May - Wins Champions League in famous come-from-behind victory on penalties over AC Milan. August - Captain's side to UEFA Super Cup victory over CSKA Moscow.

2006: Named in PFA Team of the Year for season 2005-2006.

2007: May - Breaks Ian Callaghan's all-time Liverpool record with his 90th European appearance for the club in the Champions League semi-final against Chelsea. Signs new four-year contract at age of 29. Announces international retirement.

2008: 15 January - Makes 500th Liverpool appearance in FA Cup third-round replay victory over Luton.

11 March - Makes 100th European appearance in Champions League win against Inter Milan at San Siro.

2010: Coaxed out of international retirement by England manager Fabio Capello and plays two group games before his involvement in South Africa is cut short by suspension. Retires again after England's exit.

2011: 24 February - Plays his 137th match in Europe against Sparta Prague to set a new British record.

2012: 2 August - Makes his 700th appearance for Liverpool in a 1-0 Europa League third qualifying round match against FC Gomel.

2013: 7 February - Announces his intention to retire at the end of the 2012/13 season.

19 May - Plays his final professional match against QPR at Anfield.

Here is some other interesting facts.

:: His first-team career has spanned 16 years 131 days - the seventh longest in the club's history.

:: He captained Liverpool for the 52nd time in the Premier League.

:: He is the only Liverpool player to play 150 times in Europe for the club, appearing in a staggering 44% of all the Reds games in Europe.

:: His first significant trophy at Liverpool came in 1996 when he was part of the Reds team alongside David Thompson and Michael Owen that lifted the FA Youth Cup. In the beaten West Ham team were Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard.

:: He has played more times (45) against Chelsea than any other team.

:: He was a league ever-present in two seasons - 2004-2005 and 2008-2009.

:: He is the only player in Liverpool's history to have played under six different permanent managers - Roy Evans, Gerard Houllier, Rafael Benitez, Roy Hodgson, Kenny Dalglish and Brendan Rodgers.

:: He is second only to Ian Callaghan on the all-time appearances list (all competitions) and also on the league appearances list.

:: He has won 11 first-team honours with Liverpool plus the FA Youth Cup.

After playing for Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle United and Manchester United, the 33-year-old announced in March he would hang up his boots after just one season in the Potteries.

Owen's final appearance came away at Southampton, coming on for the final 16 minutes of a hard-fought 1-1 draw on the south coast.

The striker was given a standing ovation by all inside a sold-out St Mary's and, despite having failed to make a league start for Stoke, boss Pulis praised the influence he has had at the Britannia Stadium.

"It was always the plan to bring him on," he said. "He had a great chance in the second half to actually put the icing on the cake.

"If he had scored, I think even the Southampton supporters would have given him a round of applause.

"He got a great reception and he deserves it. He has been a very, very good pro for us and, not just his football side, he is a very, very good family man.

"We're pleased with the year he has been with us. He is good fun to work with, a good person to work with and we wish him all the best for the future."

While Owen can concentrate on a career in the media and his growing horse racing empire, the future of Pulis and chairman Peter Coates is less certain.

Pulis was coy on that after the match and also about the training ground incident that marred the build-up and led to an internal investigation.

Kenwyne Jones smashed team-mate Glenn Whelan's car windscreen in a mistaken act of retribution after he found a pig's head wrapped in his clothes.

Jones did not travel to the south coast to face his former club, while Whelan continued to miss out through a groin injury.

"We kept Kenwyne and Glenn away because of that distraction," Pulis said.

"We didn't want to bring any distraction on the players, we wanted to focus on the game. I think we've done that.

"I've spoken to the two lads, they understand. I've had a good chat with them. It was a prank and everybody knows that.

"I think it's been a week of the lads getting at it in lots of respects.

"We'll deal with it in house and then the club will let you know. I have to say the disappointing thing is some coverage has been poor.

"One newspaper said it was about religion. That had absolutely nothing to do with it whatsoever.

"You have to accept it and get on with it. I'll speak to Peter and the family and let you know. As soon as we've sorted it all out we'll let you know next week."

Southampton's immediate future looks a lot more settled after executive chairman Nicola Cortese ended speculation about his future by announcing on Saturday he would stay at the club.

Saints manager Mauricio Pochettino had pledged to follow the Italian out of the club and is pleased the situation has been resolved.

"I think that Nicola Cortese staying is the best possible news for next season," the Argentinian said.

"That is very good for the squad, for the whole club. We will talk about the summer and the budgets with Nicola from tomorrow."

Fans chanted the names of Cortese and Pochettino throughout a match which Southampton could count itself somewhat unfortunate not to win.

City went ahead through a Peter Crouch header two minutes into the second half, before Rickie Lambert levelled 10 minutes later.

The fine form of Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic prevented Southampton going on to win the match, meaning it ends the season without a win six attempts.

"We wanted to win, but weren't able to do so," Pochettino added.

"The same story has happened, we dominated, created better chances, but we just couldn't close down the game and it shows we need to be more clinical and assertive."

Owen scored on his senior Liverpool debut after coming on as a substitute to become, at the time, the Premier League's youngest goalscorer aged 17 years and 143 days.

June 1998: England v Argentina

Arguably Owen's most iconic strike. With England drawing 1-1 with Argentina in the World Cup last-16 clash the striker raced on to David Beckham's pass to out-pace Jose Chamot, drift past Roberto Ayala and clip a shot over goalkeeper Carlos Roa.

May 2001: Liverpool v Arsenal

Another typical Owen strike. Having already produced a late equaliser he charged onto Patrik Berger's through-ball to beat Lee Dixon and covering centre-back Tony Adams to fire a narrow-angle left-footed shot just inside the far post to win the FA Cup finals.

September 2001: England v Germany

Similar to his goal against Argentina, Owen this time received a pass from Steven Gerrard to advance into the area and fire high past Oliver Kahn for his hat-trick in the 5-1 World Cup qualifier win in Munich.

April 2005: Real Madrid v Barcelona

Possibly not one of his most important goals but to score in a Clasico for Real Madrid is a high point for any player, let alone an Englishman. Although it helped secure a 4-2 win, it could not prevent Madrid's arch-rival ultimately winning the title by four points.

1979: Born 14 December in Chester.

1995: Beats the goalscoring record of Kevin Gallen and Nick Barmby for England Under-15s.

1996: Helps Liverpool win the FA Youth Cup in May. Signs professional terms with Liverpool on 17th birthday after previously joining it as a schoolboy.

1997: 6 May - Scores on his first-team debut against Wimbledon.

18 November - Nets his first senior hat-trick against Grimsby in the League Cup.

1998: 11 February - Becomes youngest England international of the 20th century when he starts against Chile.

14 February - Scores his first Premier League hat-trick against Sheffield Wednesday. Finishes season joint-top scorer in the Premier League with 18 goals.

31 May - Named in England's World Cup squad of 22.

22 June - Scores after coming on as substitute against Romania but England loses 2-1.

30 June - Scores a sensational goal against Argentina before England bows out of France '98 on penalties.

13 December - Named BBC Sports Personality of the Year, one day before his 19th birthday.

2001: May - Scores twice in the last seven minutes as Liverpool comes back to beat Arsenal 2-1 in the FA Cup final at the Millennium Stadium.

1 September - Scores hat-trick in 5-1 win over Germany in a World Cup qualifier in Munich.

26 September - Signs new four-year deal with Liverpool.

17 December - Named European Footballer of the Year.

2002: June - Scores goals against Denmark and Brazil during England's run to the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Japan.

2003: 26 April - Scores his 100th Premier League goal, the second of four in a 6-0 rout of West Brom.

11 June - Captains England in the absence of David Beckham and nets twice in 2-1 Euro 2004 qualifying defeat of Slovakia.

2004: June - Scores one goal for England in Euro 2004 - in the quarter-final defeat to Portugal.

12 August - Sources close to Real Madrid reveal the Spanish club has agreed a deal to sign Owen.

2005: 23 May - Scores 16 goals in his debut season in Spain.

30 August - Signs four-year deal with Newcastle, sealing £17million permanent transfer.

31 December - Breaks metatarsal bone in defeat at Tottenham and is ruled out for ''several months''.

2006: 20 June - Regains fitness to take his place at the World Cup but injures his knee in first minute of group game against Sweden in Cologne and is immediately replaced. Ruled out for at least nine months.

2007: 30 April - Owen makes first competitive start in over 10 months, playing the full 90 minutes as Newcastle loses 1-0 to Reading at the Madejski Stadium.

2008: 19 January - Appointed Newcastle captain by new manager Kevin Keegan.

2009: May - Finishes the season with 10 goals as Newcastle are relegated from the Premier League on the final day.

22 June - Confirms that he will not be renewing his contract with Newcastle.

3 July - Reports link Owen with free transfer to Manchester United and he later signs a two-year contract with the champion after passing medical tests.

22 September - Claims a dramatic winner in the sixth minute of injury time to seal a 4-3 win over Manchester City.

2010: February - Scores as Manchester United beats Aston Villa 2-1 in the League Cup final. He hobbled off with a hamstring injury - and replaced by Wayne Rooney who scored the winner - before being ruled out for the season.

2011: May - Makes enough league appearances to claim a title winner's medal but is an unused substitute in United's Champions League Final defeat to Barcelona at Wembley.

2 November - Substituted early in Champions League group stage match against Otelul Galati and misses the rest of the season.

2012: 17 May - Reveals on Twitter that Manchester United would not be offering him a new deal after three years with the club.

4 September - Now a free agent, signs for Stoke on a one-year contract.

15 September - Makes Potters debut as an 89th-minute substitute against Manchester City.

2013: 19 March - Announces he will retire from professional football at the end of the season.

19 May - Makes final appearance as a second-half substitute for Stoke in their 1-1 draw at Southampton.

Owen's appearances and goals

Liverpool (1996-2004): 297 games, 158 goals

Real Madrid (2004-05): 40 games, 14 goals

Newcastle United (2005-09): 79 games, 30 goals

Manchester United (2009-12): 52 games, 17 goals

Stoke City (2012-13) 9 games, one goal

England (1998-2008): 89 caps, 40 goals

Bardsley was left out of Sunderland's squad for the game at Tottenham Hotspur after the picture of him - taken after Sunderland's survival was assured last week after Wigan Athletic's loss at Arsenal - was printed in The People newspaper.

Di Canio claims the mentality he has encountered at Sunderland is worse than that of League One side Swindon Town, which he managed before taking charge at the Stadium of Light.

Bardsley accepted being left out of the squad, and denied that he was drunk at the time.

That did not stop his manager from letting rip at Bardsley after revealing he had fined the defender, and Matthew Kilgallon, who was out with the former Manchester United man, for the incident.

"I saw the picture on a website and moments later he was out of my squad," Di Canio told a press conference.

"How can I play a player that probably is blurry for three, four days after what's happened?

"I want to deliver a very clear message: there is no excuse to behave like he did.

"They went out because Wigan lost the game and we stay up.

"I could understand it if we had won the Champions League or maybe the FA Cup.

"We have to respect the dignity of the club, and the fans.

"I thought that at Swindon ... arrogant, ignorant footballers because they've not had many chances to stay at the top level.

"I have to tell you unfortunately I found a worse environment in terms of discipline in this club.

"This is what I've found in the last few weeks so we have to change completely."

Di Canio said he will consider the future of both players after the incident.

The image of Bardsley, laying out on the floor amid swathes of cash caused outrage among football fans who struggle to cobble enough money to attend matches.

Surprisingly, Di Canio has continued to encounter problems with some members of his squad since the players' night out on Tuesday.

The Italian claimed that one squad member who was left out of his squad for the game refused to train back up at Sunderland's base.

The player in question claimed he had food poisoning, but Di Canio does not appear to believe him.

"Some player that couldn't involve (himself) in my squad today for a different reason decided: I don't train today," the animated Sunderland boss said, slamming the table with fury.

"They make that diagnosis. He didn't go to the Academy of Light because he said 'yesterday I had poisoned food'. Sorry.

"The doctor tried to contact him. His phone was switched off for three hours.

"This is the situation at Sunderland."

Di Canio revealed earlier this week that he had fined seven players for indiscipline and he also angrily threatened to cut the squad's holiday short because of his disappointment with them.

Another outburst against his players may be ill-advised in some people's eyes, but Di Canio insists he needs to take this action if he is to move Sunderland forward next season.

"Maybe I tell you this and tonight they sack me? I don't know but if you want to change something you have to follow me," he said.

"These players will not be here next year. Not under me.

"The owner and I are going to sit at the table and go through but he knows many things.

"I spoke to him before by telephone and he told me we are going to change many things.

"This is what he told me before. (He said) 'Relax, don't worry because we are going to change many things' so it sounds like he supports me completely. We will see in the future."

Some Sunderland players had planned to go on holiday straight after the game, which the Black Cats lost 1-0 thanks to Gareth Bale's late winner, but Di Canio will not allow them to go on their annual leave until Tuesday.

"The next few days we will be together," he said.

"Previously some people organised during the week to go from London to Hawaii, Miami... They were thinking about organising their bags, four or five of them were talking about going together with their wives and girlfriends. Not possible.

"Today we fly back to Sunderland, our city, as a team.

"We stay tomorrow together for a sponsors event, then they can go on holiday."

With the title already secured by Manchester United and relegation matters settled in midweek, the settling of European issues was the main focus of the day.

A win for Arsenal at St James' Park saw Arsene Wenger continue his proud record of Champions League qualification in every season at the club, but Tottenham ensured a nailbiting finale when the irrepressible Bale fired Spurs ahead with a glorious 25-yard strike in the closing seconds.

A Newcastle equaliser in the dying seconds against Arsenal would have seen Tottenham leapfrog its rival into fourth but it never materialised.

Chelsea, which started the day with the chance of a play-off with the Gunners for third place, avoided that fate with a 2-1 home win over Everton.

And on a day where 36 goals were scored in the top flight, Sir Alex Ferguson saw 10 of them in his final game before retirement as champion Manchester United drew 5-5 in a breathless encounter with West Bromwich Albion.

Arsenal fought out a first-half stalemate against Newcastle but grabbed the all-important winning goal in the 52nd minute when Laurent Koscielny hooked home from close range after a free-kick from the right.

Tottenham saw strong penalty appeals turned down, shots cleared off the line and woodwork rattled before Bale - who had earlier been booked for diving when he looked to have been fouled in the area - curled in a sensational winner after David Vaughan's red card.

Yet it was not enough and it now goes into the UEFA Europa League.

Chelsea's confirmed third place in Rafael Benitez's last game in charge when his fellow Spaniards Juan Mata and Fernando Torres scored either side of Toffees midfielder Steven Naismith.

Ferguson, meanwhile, can rarely have seen a game in his 26 years at United like the one that unfolded at The Hawthorns.

Shinji Kagawa, Alex Buttner and a Jonas Olsson own goal put United 3-0 up after half-an-hour, while Robin van Persie and Javier Hernandez also hit the target on Ferguson's big day.

But a Romelu Lukaku hat-trick teamed with efforts from James Morrison and Youssouf Mulumbu ensured the Baggies a share of the spoils.

Three of West Brom's goals came in a frantic last 10 minutes.

Jamie Carragher's final match for Liverpool before retirement ended in a 1-0 win over Queens Park Rangers, which finishes bottom of the league.

Philippe Coutinho grabbed the winner with a fine 23rd-minute strike but Carragher, goalless since 2006, almost grabbed the spotlight when he hit the woodwork in the second half.

Carragher's former Liverpool and England team-mate Michael Owen also played the last match of his storied career but a 16-minute cameo in Stoke City's 1-1 draw at Southampton was not one to remember.

Peter Crouch gave the Potters the lead two minutes into the second half and Rickie Lambert levelled 10 minutes later for the Saints.

Managerless Manchester City ended a disappointing season with a 3-2 home defeat to Norwich City.

One of Roberto Mancini's much-maligned northern summer signings, Jack Rodwell, twice equalised for City but goals from Anthony Pilkington, Grant Holt and Jonny Howson won it for the Canaries.

West Ham United beat the Canaries to a top-half finish with a 4-2 win over relegated Reading.

Kevin Nolan claimed a hat-trick and Ricardo Vaz Te also netted, while Garath McCleary and Adam Le Fondre ensured the Royals did not go down without a fight.

FA Cup winner Wigan Athletic is also bound for the Championship but it added one final point to its tally with a 2-2 draw against Aston Villa.

Darren Bent, on a rare start, had put Villa ahead before Emmerson Boyce's header and a Nathan Baker own goal gave the Latics a sniff of victory.

Ron Vlaar snuffed out those hopes in the 61st minute.

Fulham shook off some questionable form to inflict a 3-0 defeat on Swansea City, Alex Kacaniklic, Dimitar Berbatov and Urby Emmanuelson on the scoresheet for the Cottagers.

Fergie declared himself satisfied with the 2003 Chateau Pontet Canet, bought especially for the occasion, with West Bromwich Albion boss Steve Clarke delighted it did Ferguson justice.

"He knew what it was," Clarke said proudly. "He said it was a good year."

The post-match drink followed a staggering game, as United cruised into a 3-0 lead, and then 5-2, before being pegged back by a dogged West Brom side, which salvaged a 5-5 draw.

It was the first time a United team had drawn by such a score since Newton Heath was held by Lincoln in 1895. It was also the highest scoring draw in Premier League history.

"I am not sure Sir Alex enjoyed it that much," Clarke said.

"There is no point analysing the game. We had a great Plan A, which went out of the window after 10 minutes.

"It was a great occasion. That game will be remembered for a long time.

"He was quite complimentary about our season and I wish him all the best."

Ferguson opted not to speak with the media afterwards.

His thoughts would have been fascinating though, for at any other point in his career the hairdryer would surely have been turned up full volume given how the match unfolded, even though it wasn't, as he told Clarke, the first time under his charge United had thrown away a three-goal lead.

Shinji Kagawa and a Jonas Olsson own goal had United cruising after just 10 minutes and when Alexander Buttner drove home a third midway through the first-half, it seemed Ferguson would enjoy a victory cruise on his final day.

Even after James Morrison and Romelu Lukaku cut the gap either side of the interval, United quickly restored the three-goal cushion through Golden Boot winner Robin van Persie and Javier Hernandez.

Yet it proved to be the prelude for the most astonishing of comebacks.

Red Devils veteran Paul Scholes was introduced off the bench in his final match of an incredible career only for Lukaku and Youssuf Mulumbu netted amid chaotic scenes.

Olsson blazed over from three yards before Lukaku completed his hat-trick, with both sides failing to take chances to win it late on.

"I was waiting for some Fergie time at the end," Van Persie joked.

"It didn't happen but to score 10 goals was good fun for everyone, so I think the fans are pleased."

Both sides formed a guard of honour for Ferguson before the game, with the West Brom supporters joining their United counterparts to applaud the Scot after the final whistle.

"After 26 and a half years at United and, before that, at Aberdeen, Sir Alex deserved it," said Van Persie.

"He's unbelievable and what the West Brom fans did was a nice touch.

"It's right to show respect. It doesn't always happen in football but, today it did and I'm glad."

Now though, United is preparing for the arrival of David Moyes, although Van Persie does not expect any problems.

"Everybody wants to work for each other and share the success and I'm 100 per cent sure that we will play for trophies every year and, hopefully, win a few every year. That's our standard for this team," he said.

"Of course, we get a new manager next year and everybody is looking forward to that. It's a new challenge for everyone. We'll have a nice break now and then we go again."

And Van Persie will be attempting to follow Thierry Henry and Alan Shearer as a Golden Boot winner in three consecutive seasons.

"The Barclays Premier League means everything and the Golden Boot is like a little bit extra but they should make 25 of them because we do it together," he said.

"Today it was a great cross by Antonio Valencia and an easy goal.

"We did this together and I'm so happy with how everything went. This is a great team and, hopefully, we can go for even more trophies.

"I'm sure we can."