Image source, Reuters

Jack Rodwell. Remember him? He was once tipped for greatness after leaving Everton to join Manchester City for a lot of money. Like a few other notable English players, things didn't quite work out for him at City and he is now looking to rebuild a career at Sunderland. And Black Cats boss Sam Allardyce thinks the 24-year-old has a fight on his hands...

"Everyone is saying 'what's happened to Jack Rodwell?' and it's clear the number of niggling injuries he's had and the two years at Manchester City have caused him to lose his focus and his confidence. 

"I think we've got to rebuild that and the only way to rebuild it is to make sure we keep Jack fit and training every day and that when selected he hopefully finds that confidence again. 

"Jack burst onto the scene with Everton at 17 years old but since he went to Manchester City he has not played as often as he would have liked and that was a big move that didn't pay off." 

Image source, Rex Features

Assistant manager Pep Clotet left Swansea along with Garry Monk this week. He has taken to Twitter, external to thank the club for his time there. He says:

"Working at @SwansOfficial, external, first as Academy consultant & then as Assistant Manager, has been a great journey that sadly comes to an end.

"I feel proud of our achievements and I'm confident we've left the foundations for the team to be where it deserves.  

"I'd like to thank the board, and particularly Huw Jenkins, for giving me the opportunity to join and for his trust on me to help the Academy & the First Team. Also thanks to the players and the staff, for their work and dedication.

"I must not forget the amazing ‘Jack Army’. Their unconditional support has made me feel part of the Swans family. Wish you all the best!"

The Women's Super League has approved Bristol Academy's application to change their name.

The club, relegated from WSL1 last season, will now be known as Bristol City Women's Football Club - but will remain independent of the men's team of the same name.

"Without this change, the club would not be able to survive in the medium term," said chairman Simon Arnold.

Image source, Getty Images

Bristol Rovers striker Matty Taylor says Jamie Vardy's record-breaking scoring feat for Leicester City has provided motivation for his own prolific run of form.

The 25-year-old has scored 12 goals in 14 games in his first season in the Football League, including a 12-minute hat-trick.

"He's had an incredible rise, it motivates people like myself who have played non-league and are making the step up. I'd like to do a similar thing, that would be great," he told BBC Points West.

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace are currently sixth in the Premier League, and when asked whether they could make Europe, Alan Pardew said "We're along way from there. 

"We'll start talking about that in March, if we're close. It's been a fantastic 2015 and we need to match this year next year. If we do, we could end up in the top six."

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City

Manuel Pellegrini on Raheem Sterling: "Raheem Sterling's not just a striker but one of his targets must be to improve the amount of goals he scores every season. Playing with Kun [Sergio Aguero], Yaya [Toure] and David [Silva] every day is important for a young player like Sterling. It will make him a better player."

Crystal Palace

Alan Pardew is in confident mood ahead of tomorrow's match at Selhurst Park: 

"The team's as good as any. I was really pleased with the result at Everton. They were in top form and we took something out the game.  I was really pleased with that. In some ways it shows more about the team than beating Newcastle."

When asked whether Crystal Palace might be able to finish in the top four, he said "There are eight teams who could make the Champions League. We're probably on the fringes, the ninth team. It's a very tough league."

Manchester City

Manuel Pellegrini on Garry Monk, who was sacked by Swansea this week: “In football you’re never surprised about anything but I’m sure Garry Monk is the same good manager he was last year. I don’t think Swansea's problem was the manager. Normally in England, some years ago, there was more patience."

Manchester City

In better injury news for City, Manuel Pellegrini has revealed that Martin Demichelis is back and fellow defender Vincent Komapny will return to training next week.

Manuel Pellegrini is chatting to the press and he has opened with some bad news about Sergio Aguero...

Image source, Reuters

He might not think so right now, but Garry Monk's sacking by Swansea could do him good in the long run. That is the view of Stoke manager Mark Hughes.

"Maybe he'll come back with a broader outlook," said the former Wales boss.

"It's a setback for him, but sometimes you need these setbacks to really shape you as a manager.

"It's always upsetting when a manager loses their role at a club and Garry obviously had a long history at his club.

"It wouldn't have been a decision anybody at Swansea, given his long period of service at the club, took lightly.

"It's sad for Garry, but having met him and come up against him, I'm sure he'll come back very strong."

Image source, PA

Former Rangers player Arnold Peraltawas shot dead while on holiday in his hometown of La Ceiba. The Scottish club have released this statement:

"Rangers Football Club is deeply shocked and saddened to hear the tragic news about former player Arnold Peralta.

"The 26 year-old midfielder, who had an 18 month spell at Ibrox and helped the club win the League One title in 2014, was killed in a shooting incident in Honduras last night.

"Our thoughts go out to Arnold’s family and friends at this very difficult time.

"The club will pay its respects with a minute’s silence before tomorrow’s game against Morton. The players will also wear black armbands in his honour."

Lee Carsley has left Brentford following the recent appointment of Dean Smith as head coach.

Carsley, 41, was Under-21s boss at Griffin Park and took over as head coach on an interim basis after Marinus Dijkhuizen was sacked in September.

He had agreed to stay at the Championship club until the end of December as part of a handover process after Smith's arrival, but Carsley departed on Thursday after talks with co-directors of football Phil Giles and Rasmus Ankersen.

In this busy day of managerial news conferences, Manuel Pellegrini is up next.... 

Lazio have won just two of their last nine games in all competitions and are 12th in Serie A.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

Louis van Gaal was less confrontational than anticipated at Carrington this morning.

The Manchester United manager made some reasonable points, namely that the Europa League will be a tough competition to win.

But in saying it is hard managing expectations built up from 10 years ago, Van Gaal is hardly endearing himself to the club's supporters, who have gorged on trophies from the Sir Alex Ferguson era.

And it was hardly a robust defence of Ryan Giggs' position as assistant manager when Van Gaal was asked about reports of interest in the Welshman from managerless Swansea.

Image source, Getty Images

The BBC's FA Cup third-round coverage will include live television coverage of Exeter v Liverpoolon Friday 8 January at 19:55 GMT followed byTottenham Hotspur's home match against Leicester Cityon Sunday 10th January at 16:00 GMT.

Both matches will be broadcast live BBC One and presented by Gary Lineker.  

BBC Waleswill broadcast live coverage ofOxford United vs Swansea Cityat 12:00 GMT on Sunday 10th January.

BT Sportwill broadcast Wycombe Wanderers v Aston Villa (Saturday, 12:45 GMT), Manchester United v Sheffield United (Saturday, 17:30 GMT) and Chelsea v Leyton Orient or Scunthorpe United (Sunday, 14:00 GMT).

Jose Mourinho is asked about Garry Monk's sacking... 

"I'm always against the sacking. I think the end of season is the moment to change things, analyse the work of the season and believe that the best thing is to change. 

"But clubs have the power, the owners, CEOs, it's their decision. Obviously I feel very sorry for him - obviously I feel he did work that impressed last season. Even at the beginning of this season he was doing well and showing some great qualities as a manager. 

Image source, Getty Images

"To be sacked, I think you only need to have a job. When you have a job, you run the risk of being sacked. This is a new tendency in English football. The opinion makers have an influence, lots of people without ethics are surrounding always the houses with problems. I think in the end Garry was one more victim."

I wonder which 'houses with problems' he's referring to...

Chelsea

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho on Cesc Fabreagas: "Cesc Fabregas is in the same moment as the team. It is an intimate relationship. The team is not playing well and it is difficult for the players to play well.

"Last season, you could go through the whole team: Courtois - amazing, Ivanovic - amazing, Cahill - amazing, John - amazing. Now, there are only one or two.

"But every minute I see him on the pitch he is totally committed."