Almost is Nothing

Jose Mourinho on Chelsea's season and the firing of Avram Grant:

"In my philosophy it was a very bad one because in football 'almost' means defeat and Chelsea almost won the Carling Cup, almost won the Champions League and almost won the Premier League. Almost is nothing...After two titles per season for the last three years there were zero titles this season, which in my philosophy means a really bad season. Maybe in the philosophy of a loser this was a great season, which I respect."

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Winning is beautiful for Sir Alex

Everyone knows how much Sir Alex Ferguson loves winning.

For him winning has always been beautiful but this season he did it with a beautiful team.

And now, so soon after his Champions League win, he has announced he wants more beauty in his life, ie: more wins.

He wants United to defend their titles:

"Defending the European Cup is not an easy thing to do but I think the team is good enough. They will improve next year."

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Beautiful Scudetto

Inter midfielder Patrick Viera yesterday revelled in his side's league championship:

"This Scudetto is more beautiful than last year...Compliments to Roma, who gave it all, but I think the strongest team won it...We went through a rough patch, but we came through it and showed that we are a big club."

And winning is beautiful isn't it Patrick?

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Good football not enough for Carrick

Michael Carrick is definitely in the winning is beautiful camp. He doesn't believe that the current United squad can yet be compared to the treble winning outfit of 1999 unless they win the Champions League:

"Until we win the Champions League, how can you compare the two sides?...It's OK saying we play good football and have good players, but until we win more honours, it's hard to compare."

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Survival more important than winning for Redknapp

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp said rescuing Pompey from the brink of relegation two seasons ago was more satisfying than winning the FA Cup:

"It's a great day in terms of there is glory in winning but, in football terms, keeping Portsmouth up was a bigger achievement. "

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