Redknapp goes for Ghana job

Former Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp and ex-Italy and Juventus striker Fabrizio Ravanelli have applied for Ghana's vacant coaching job, a source with the African nation said on Wednesday.

Redknapp, 70, whose most recent managerial post was with Jordan, is one of five candidates looking to succeed Avram Grant, who stepped down after Ghana finished fourth at the Africa Cup of Nations in February.

Also chasing the job are Frenchman Patrice Carteron and Ghanaian duo Karim Abdul Razak Tanko and James Appiah.

Carteron, 46, has a wealth of experience in African soccer, having coached Mali from 2012 to 2013 as well as TP Mazembe of Congo when it won the African Champions League in 2015.

America turns to old-timer Dempsey

Team USA coach Bruce Arena on Wednesday called upon forward Clint Dempsey and goalkeeper Tim Howard, both veterans coming off serious injuries, for crucial World Cup qualifiers.

Seattle Sounders' Dempsey has been sidelined due to an irregular heartbeat and rejoins the US squad for the first time since last June.

The 34-year-old former Fulham and Tottenham striker was benched for the last four months of the Major League Soccer campaign.

Arena said he did not expect Dempsey to start either the March 24 home match against Honduras or away to Panama four days later.

Eberl issued with Bayern ultimatum

Borussia Moenchengladbach has given director of sport Max Eberl a "stay or go" ultimatum amid rumors he will take over Bayern Munich's vacant director of sport role next season.

German newspaper Bild said Eberl has until Sunday's Bundesliga visit by Bayern to say whether he will fulfill his Gladbach contract, which runs until 2020, or join the Bavarian giant.

"The topic is annoying all of us and we no longer want to constantly keep pushing the issue away," Gladbach's vice - president Rainer Bonhof told Sky.

"Either those in the south leave us in peace or one of us says: 'No.'"

Kalou extends his Hertha stay

Former Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou on Wednesday extended his Hertha Berlin contract, which was due to expire in June.

It is reported the new deal runs until 2020.

"I feel very comfortable in Berlin and I still have plenty that I want to achieve with Hertha," said 31-year-old Kalou.

"I would like to help the team continue to progress as it has in the last few years."

In 2014 the Cote d'Ivoire forward joined Hertha for $1.9m from Lille, which he had joined in 2012 following six years at Chelsea, where he won one Champions League, one Premier League and four FA Cup titles.

Kalou has scored six goals and provided four assists in 16 games for Hertha this season.

Ailing Goetze ruled out for season

Borussia Dortmund said on Wednesday Mario Goetze's season is over as Germany's fallen star battles an unspecified metabolism disorder.

The world appeared to be at the gifted Goetze's feet in 2014 when he netted his country's winner in the World Cup final.

However, his career has taken a downturn since then, culminating in recent revelations about the 24-year-old ex-Bayern Munich striker's health problems.

Agence France-Presse