Louis Van Gaal has resigned as manager of the Dutch national team, he said in a statement yesterday. According to Dutch television channel NOS, Van Gaal, who failed to qualify the Dutch for next year's World Cup finals, informed the Dutch federation (KNVB) of his decision on November 10th during a friendly with Denmark.

Under pressure Rangers manager Dick Advocaat may be in the running for the post but he insisted yesterday that he will not walk away from Ibrox before the end of the season.

Blackburn Rovers are expected to make an improved £1.2 million offer for the Stockport County striker Shefki Kuqi after taking the Finn on a week's trial. The 25-year-old would fill a void created by last week's sale of Marcus Bent to Ipswich and the likely repatriation of Corrado Grabbi at Napoli when the Italian transfer window opens next week.

Dean Windass joined the Middlesbrough exodus last night when he agreed to join West Bromwich on a month's loan in a deal that may lead to a permanent move for the 32-year-old forward. Leicester, moreover, are confident that Brian Deane (33) will complete his move from Middlesbrough today in time for Saturday's trip to Aston Villa.