London, Feb. 10: Liverpool and England football star Steven Gerrard has a secret love - reading classic novels.

The England star likes nothing more than settling down with a weighty book after a day on the pitch.

And he has read his favourite - John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men - so many times it has fallen to pieces, reports the Daily Star.

"Obviously football is my main passion, but I love reading. My favourite book is definitely Of Mice And Men," the 28-year-old Gerrard said.

London, Feb. 10: Luiz Felipe Scolari will pocket about 7.5 million pounds after being axed by the Chelsea Football Club yesterday.

The 60-year-old Brazilian's huge pay-off is compensation for getting the boot just seven months into his three-year 18.75 million deal, reports The Sun.

It means owner Roman Abramovich will have forked out 32.5 million pounds to the four managers he has sacked since taking over the West London club five years ago.

London, Feb. 10: The Chelsea Football Club has said that it is interested in hiring A C Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti to replace axed Brazilian coach Phil Scolari.

SunSport understands Ancelotti had already been lined up to take over from Scolari this summer.

The Brazilian's abrupt departure yesterday saw owner Roman Abramovich trying to accelerate a deal, but Milan are unlikely to release Ancelotti in mid-season.

The Italian coach turned down the job at Stamford Bridge last summer before it was eventually offered to Scolari.

London  - Chelsea sensationally sacked manager Luiz Felipe Scolari on Monday after a run of form that has seen them slip out of contention to win the English Premier League title.

The London club announced the decision two days after their goalless draw at home to Hull City, a result which made it just two wins out of six league games, slipping them to fourth, seven points behind leaders Manchester United.

"Luiz Felipe Scolari has been dismissed as manager of Chelsea Football Club today with immediate effect," Chelsea said in a statement.

London  - Chelsea sensationally sacked manager Luiz Felipe Scolari Monday in the wake of his side's goalless draw against Hull City at the weekend.

"Luiz Felipe Scolari has been dismissed as manager of Chelsea Football Club today with immediate effect," said the English Premier League club in a statement.

"Unfortunately the results and performances of the team appeared to be deteriorating at a key time in the season. In order to maintain a challenge for the trophies we are still competing for we felt the only option was to make the change now."

London  - Brazil's Italy-based internationals said Monday they were looking forward to meeting the Azzurri in a high-level friendly in London Tuesday.

Inter Milan defender Douglas Maicon, one of the 10 Serie A players summoned by coach Dunga, Monday told La Gazzetta dello Sport: "It never occurred to me to play against the national team of the country where I play.

"I hope it all goes well for Brazil. It will certainly be a good experience."