Greece begin their hunt for a new manager owing to the exit of Otto Rehhagel, after his side bowed out of the 2010 World Cup.

The former Bayern Munich manager took charge of the Greek national squad in 2001, adopting a defensive approach to wear out oppositions and defending in numbers.

The ageing boss famously led an unfancied side to triumph in Euro 2004, and has since been fondly known as ‘King Otto’.

The 71-year-old had refused to comment on his future after the 2-0 loss to Argentina, but his assistant Yiannis Topalidis has conceded that the coach bid his players farewell.

“I have said what I had to say,” he said, according to The Telegraph. “I have said goodbye to the players and so has the coach.”

The former Kaiserslautern boss is believed to have remained in South Africa to watch the remainder of the World Cup.

Chelsea wantaway Joe Cole is believed to be in line to walk away from a potential move to join Arsenal, and instead join the ranks at Manchester United.

The England international’s deal with the Blues expires on Wednesday, and he will then be free to sign with any club that he may choose.

Previous attempts to carve out a new deal saw reports pointing towards the former West Ham United midfielder making wage demands that were not met by the Stamford Bridge bosses, partially due to the player’s injuries.

It had then been speculated that Cole could leave the club and turn his gaze towards greener pastures, with north London being touted as the most likely destination.

However, The Sun reports that the Red Devils have pipped Arsenal in the race to acquire the services of the creative midfielder.

Cole is currently in South Africa with the national squad, competing in the 2010 World Cup.

Chelsea are willing to lodge a £50 million bid to bring in Liverpool striker Fernando Torres during the summer, if the Spaniard should give an indication that he is willing to leave the Reds, according to The Mirror.

The Merseyside club have had a dreary season to date, and are fighting tooth and nail to finish in the top four and achieve Champions League football next term.

It has been speculated in the past that a number of stars, including the former Atletico de Madrid forward, may choose to leave the club if a run out in Europe’s elite club competitions is not in the offing.

The Londoners are believed to be monitoring the situation closely, with a view to snapping up the superstar striker if he should feel that battling for the Kop is a lost cause.

The Blues’ potential summer raid is said to be a direct consequence of their exit from the Champions League at the hands of Inter.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is hoping that his side can win a fourth consecutive Premier League title and stamp their authority at the pinnacle of English football, by surpassing Liverpool in the number of top-flight titles won over the years.

The Merseyside club and the Red Devils are tied on 18 triumphs each, but United will surge ahead if they manage to win the league for the fourth time in succession.

“Winning this 19th league title is very much in my soul,” Ferguson said in The Sun.

“We are chasing four titles in a row – that would be fantastic.

“And if we get the 19th it would be the most in the league’s history. We’ve got a chance.”