Champions League Draw Throws Up Double Reunion

Yesterday's draw for the last 16 of the Champions League brought about an intriguing Anglo-Italian duel, where England's big two clash with the giants of Milan. Manchester United will take on AC Milan, whilst Chelsea take on Inter.

Tasty enough you might think but when you throw in the double return of Jose Mourinho to Stamford Bridge and David Beckham to Old Trafford, the pinnacle of European football will be eagerly anticipated after the winter break.

Both Chelsea and Manchester United will be expected to progress into the quarter finals, especially with the second legs being played in England, highlighting the importance of topping the group.

For both of these men, it will be their first competitive return to their former clubs since leaving the Premier League. Chelsea have never quite been the same since the 'special one' left in 2007, and are now only returning to the sort of form displayed under him, though they have been shaky of late.

As for Beckham, this is perhaps the most interesting. Since leaving Old Trafford in 2003, it's very much the opinion that his career has gone downwards. After some success at Real Madrid, he was eventually forced out and chose America to play his football. Maybe he realised his mistake and he didn't want to admit it or he was just being loyal to LA Galaxy who he had promised so much to, but he returned to Europe last year to have an impressive spell on loan at AC Milan, where he has since returned again as the MLS season is over.

Of course, Beckham can also cite his claims for a place in England's World Cup squad, where I think he should still be. While some of the pace has gone, the quality still undoubtedly remains. His ability to pick out the perfect pass, or a fantastic delivery from a set piece is still there. He showed in performances in qualifying that he will never let England down and will always there when called upon. There are many by now who would have called it a day.

Of Chelsea and Manchester United's chances, they know that they can beat anybody at home so as long as they avoid a hammering in the San Siro they should have enough. But with Beckham and Mourinho adding an extra spice they will need to be on their guard.

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Less than a month after being sacked by Portsmouth, Paul Hart has already stepped back into management as the new manager of Queens Park Rangers. After the incident between Jim Magilton and Akos Buzsacky that was reported in this column last week, it was decided that Magilton wouldn't be continuing as boss.

So in comes Hart, and you would have thought he'd have had enough of uncertainties in the boardroom at Portsmouth only to step into a club which is probably even more uncertain.

You've got to give it to him though, he won't be deterred and is determined to get his managerial career back on track at Loftus Road. You sense he will have to be quick in getting results though. Hart is now the fifth permanent manager since October 2007, which is absolutely ridiculous.

The moguls that run QPR expect instant success, but how can they achieve that if a manger is given no time to get his own team together. All I can say Paul Hart is good luck because you're going to need it.

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Finally, of those Tottenham Hotspur players going to have their secret knees-up in Dublin behind Harry Redknapp's back. How on earth did they think they were going to get away with it?

Premier League footballers out on the town after their manager Harry Redknapp had publicly stated there would be no Christmas party in case of an incident that could potentially derail their season... kind of back fired then I guess.

Perhaps the most alarming thing of all though is the possibilty they didn't care if they were caught. But if there are players deliberately disobeying the manager's orders then there's only one thing for it - get them out. I suppose it depends who those players were which of yet we do not know.

Spurs have to quickly get this out of their system though and hope that it's not the secret Christmas party rather than the dodgy lasagne that derails their Champions League prospects.

Managers Should Get Respect They Deserve

There have been two incidents this week that have seen dressing room bust-ups between player and manager. Of course this is nothing new in football, and some see it as a healthy difference of opinion and two people showing their passion for the club.

However, Queens Park Rangers seemed to have turned against their manager as they have suspended Jim Magilton whilst investigating an incident between he and influential midfielder Akos Buzsaky after Monday night's defeat to Watford.

The other incident occurred at The Emirates Stadium on Saturday where there was an apparent falling out in the Stoke dressing room between Tony Pulis and striker James Beattie. We don't know the facts of exactly what happened but if you believe the tabloids it seems it was to do with the club's Christmas party which seems difficult to believe.

Of course this would be an unbelievable thing to argue about after a game and Beattie would clearly be in the wrong, but he has had a good time of it since his move to The Brittania in January and would be foolish to mess it up.

Now for QPR to suspend their manager they must feel he has done something to warrant this punishment. But his back room staff have come to his defence by refusing to work until he is reinstated so they must feel there has been an injustice. When there is a disagreement between player and manager it is simple; the manager is correct because what he says goes. The players just have to get on with it. You wouldn't got to work, have an argument with the boss and expect him to be suspended would you?

I'm sure a similar thing won't happen at Stoke though. Pulis has done magnificently over the past couple of years and I'm sure he won't want to lose Beattie so maybe they can do what's best for the club and patch things up. The spirit has been fantastic at The Brittania and this has been instrumental in their survival.

There had been rumblings of discontent though down at Loftus Road prior to this incident about poor results despite Rangers been in and around the top six. But there are high expectations from the high rollers who run the club who want instant success, so maybe this is there chance to dump Magilton. What they need though is stability.

No player should be above the manager and if a player is unhappy then the club should cut out the player that's causing the disharmony and get rid. The manager is in charge of the team and the players should respect that.

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Owen Rolls Back The Years

Just like Jermain Defoe nine days before him, Michael Owen sent out a reminder to Fabio Capello and also Sir Alex Ferguson that he's still capable of playing at the top.

He rattled in a magnificent hat-trick against Wolfsburg to round off Manchester United's Champions League group in style. This was Owen's perfect opportunity to shine in an unfamiliar starting line up as United had already progressed in the group. However, their opponents were at their strongest and desperate for victory to try and get through, so this was an impressive performance by Owen against the German champions.

The first was a close range header at the back post, the second a nice reaction poke in and the third the most impressive. With Wolfsburg attacking desperately to try and get something from the game United hit them on the counter attack and with Owen through on goal you got a glimpse of Argentina at World Cup 98, as he cutely chipped the keeper to seal a brilliant hat-trick.

Owen would now like to think he's got a shot at a starting place in the Premier League against Aston Villa on Saturday. Whether that happens or not remains to be seen but Dimitar Berbatov has hardly been setting the world alight lately.

And how Capello would like to see him in a regular starting berth as Owen tries to force his way into his World Cup plans. But if Owen can continue to hit these heights then he must surely be in with a chance of boarding the plane to South Africa.