Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has been included in the provisional 40-man England squad for the European Under-21 Championships in June.Liverpool striker Andy Carroll has also been selected by manager Stuart Pearce, along with four other players who have already received full international honours.
The 40-man squad for the tournament in Denmark will be reduced to 23 players by June 1.
The availability of Wilshere to the national team is a source of concern for Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.
He is reluctant for the 19-year-old to take part in the tournament immediately after playing his first full season at senior level.
Carroll, 22, scored his first international goal for England in a friendly against Ghana on March 29, but has made no secret of his desire to also line-up for the under-21s.
“It can only be good for my career,” Carroll said in March.
“It’s important to start winning international tournaments early and hopefully you can take it to the world stage.”
Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson, Manchester City defender Micah Richards, Arsenal fullback Kieran Gibbs and Manchester United forward Danny Welbeck, on loan at Sunderland, are the other players selected who have already been capped at full international level.
England’s first match of the tournament is against Spain on June 8. The full squad is:
Goalkeepers: Frankie Fielding (Blackburn Rovers), Scott Loach (Watford), Jason Steele (Middlesbrough), Alex McCarthy (Reading).
Defenders: Joe Bennett (Middlesbrough), Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea), Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal), Phil Jones (Blackburn Rovers), Michael Mancienne (Wolverhampton Wanderers – loan from Chelsea), Ben Mee (Leicester City – loan from Manchester City), Kyle Naughton (Leicester City – loan from Tottenham), Micah Richards (Manchester City), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), James Tomkins (West Ham United), Kieran Trippier (Barnsley – loan from Manchester City), Kyle Walker (Aston Villa – loan from Tottenham Hotspur).
Midfielders: Marc Albrighton (Aston Villa), Jack Cork (Burnley – loan from Chelsea), Tom Cleverley (Wigan Athletic – loan from Man Utd), Mark Davies (Bolton Wanderers), Adam Hammill (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Jordan Henderson (Sunderland), Jonathan Howson (Leeds United), Adam Lallana (Southampton), Henri Lansbury (Norwich City – loan from Arsenal), Josh McEachran (Chelsea), Fabrice Muamba (Bolton Wanderers), Jack Rodwell (Everton), Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur), Scott Sinclair (Swansea City), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal).
Forwards: Andy Carroll (Liverpool), Nathan Delfouneso (Burnley – loan from Aston Villa), Gary Hooper (Celtic), Jay Rodriguez (Burnley), Freddie Sears (West Ham United), Daniel Sturridge (Bolton Wanderers – loan from Chelsea), James Vaughan (Crystal Palace – loan from Everton), Danny Welbeck (Sunderland – on loan from Man Utd), Connor Wickham (Ipswich Town).
Being a goalkeeper is a difficult job. You are the first person to blame if a goal goes in but if you manage to pull off an amazing save, your name will forever be written in footballing folklore. Here’s our list of ten of those goalkeepers whose efforts have earned them a spot on our list.
10. Jim Montgomery vs. Leeds United
The Sunderland goalkeeper produced this incredible double save to prevent Leeds United from equalising in the 1973 FA Cup final. Montgomery managed to beat away Trevor Cherry’s header and react instinctively to Peter Lorimer’s rebound onto the crossbar, all in a split second. He displayed incredibly quick reflexes and agility to keep out both of Leeds’ efforts and secure the victory for the Black Cats.
9. Łukasz Fabiański vs Wigan
Speaking of double saves, Arsenal’s Polish goalkeeper Arsenal’s Łukasz Fabiański does a good job impersonating Jim Montgomery with this double stop against Wigan.
The Pole has come in for some harsh criticism of late with some Arsenal fans deriding the error-prone goalie with the nickname ‘Łukasz Flappyhandski’. Those fans maybe would think twice after seeing Fabiański’s double save against Wigan.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiC7LqcizW8
8. Artur Boruc vs Hibernian
Fabiański’s fellow countryman Artur Boruc continues Poland’s fine goalkeeping tradition with this outstanding stop against Hibernian. Hibs midfielder David Wotherspoon lets fly a ferocious half volley which is arrowing towards the top corner only for Celtic keeper Boruc to meet the ball at full stretch and divert it onto the post.
Continue to PAGE 2 for some more great saves…
7. Luis Suarez vs Ghana
While not a goalkeeper, Uruguay striker David Suarez displays remarkable reflexes to deny Ghana a certain winner deep into extra time at this summer’s World Cup quarter-final in South Africa. Suarez hailed his handball as “the best save of the tournament” and that the “Hand of God now belongs to me”. Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas walked away with the Golden Gloves for best goalkeeper in the tournament. On this evidence, Suarez can feel hard done by.
6. Jerzy Dudek vs AC Milan
There is definitely a theme emerging here with another Pole making the list. This time it’s the turn of Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek who pulled off arguably the most memorable save in Champions League final history. Not only did Dudek save Andriy Shevchenko’s first header, he somehow managed to keep out the rebound through an instinctive flick of his left hand. Was it luck or was it skill? Whatever it was, Dudek’s heroics in extra time and in the penalty shoot out ensured that Liverpool won the Champions League on a thrilling night in Istanbul.
5. Claudio Bravo vs C.F. Universidad de Chile
Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo produced this incredible penalty save in the league final against Colo Colo’s arch-rivals Univeridad de Chile. The player taking the penalty attempted a Paneka-esque chip. Bravo was initially fooled by this and dived to his right but as soon as he saw the ball in the air, he quickly adapted his body to reach up and swat the ball onto a post.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMjBPwUzcvg
4. Gregory Coupet vs Barcelona
They say football players aren’t a clever bunch but Lyon goalkeeper Gregory Coupet used his head to great effect to keep out an errant backpass. His defender came under pressure from Barcelona attacker Rivaldo and forced a high backpass which threatened to loop over Coupet and into the Lyon goal. Coupet spotted the danger and backpedalled to reach the ball. Realising that the ball was out of reach, Coupet threw his head at the ball and produced a moment of magic as he headed the ball off the crossbar to prevent a goal. Not only that, he got up and saved the rebound from Rivaldo.
However, Coupet’s valiant efforts were to be in vain as Lyon lost 2-0.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iieYg7Sm8FM
Continue to PAGE 3 for the top three…
3. Rene Higuita vs England
Colombian goalkeeper Rene Higuita was an eccentric character. He was a dab hand at set-pieces and penalties, scoring 38 times for club and country. But undoubtedly his greatest achievement was the invention of the scorpion kick. Higuita pulled off his audacious save in a friendly against England where he leaped forward and cleared Jamie Redknapp’s goalbound effort with his heels.
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2. David Seaman vs Sheffield United
David Seaman was approaching his 40th birthday when Arsenal took on Sheffield United in the 2003 FA Cup semi-final but he showed that age was no barrier to greatness as he made one of the best saves ever from a Paul Peschisolido header. Peschisolido headed the ball goalwards from only 6 yards out with Seaman heading in the opposite direction to the ball. He managed to shift his weight and change direction in a split-second and dive sideways towards the ball and claw it out from Arsenal’s goaline.
1. Gordon Banks vs Pele
At number one spot is Gordon Banks iconic save from Pele’s header in the 1970 Wold Cup in Mexico. Banks seemingly breaks the laws of physics as he dives backwards and across to divert Pele’s pinpoint downward header over the crossbar. After the match, Pele describes Banks’ save as the greatest he had ever seen. And who are we to argue with the greatest player of all time?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2gueytEK7E
Any other wonder saves that should have made the list?
Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has been charged with violent conduct by the FA, and is set to potentially face a four-match ban.
The Italy international appeared to kick out at Scott Parker during City’s 3-2 win over Tottenham on Sunday, stamping on the Spurs midfielder’s head towards the end of the game.
With the incident going unpunished, ironically Balotelli ended up scoring the winner in injury time, but the attacker may well face time on the sidelines now.
“The FA has today charged Manchester City forward Mario Balotelli with violent conduct following an incident in his side’s home game against Tottenham Hotspur,” an official statement reads.
“Balotelli was involved in an incident with Tottenham’s Scott Parker during Manchester City’s 3-2 victory at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday 22 January 2012.
“Balotelli has until 6pm on Wednesday 25 January 2012 to respond to the charge,” it concluded.
If Balotelli accepts the charges he will miss the Carling Cup semi final against Liverpool and Premier League games against Aston Villa, Everton and Fulham.
Joleon Lescott, who appeared to elbow Younes Kaboul in the second half of the clash, will not face disciplinary action however, and is deemed not to have a case to answer.
Meanwhile, Balotelli’s agent has confirmed that his client will stay at the Etihad Stadium until the end of next season before deciding his future.
“Mario and Roberto Mancini are not married, but Mario is grateful,” Mino Raiola told GR Parlamento.
“Sometimes they fight and argue, but Balotelli knows what Mancini was and is for him.
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“However, I cannot say that Mario will remain at Manchester City for life.
“Certainly he will stay there this season and the next one, too. Then we will see,” he concluded.
PSV Eindhoven moved top of the Eredivisie with a 2-0 win over Heracles as second-placed Twente drew away at De Graafschap on Sunday.The stage is set for a thrilling finish to the season with three games to go, with PSV moving ahead of Twente thanks to a superior goal difference.
Ajax are a point back in third after they too recorded a win on Sunday, at NEC Nijmegen.
But it is PSV who are now in prime position after goals from Balazs Dzsudzsak and substitute Marcus Berg set up the win at Heracles.
They had to wait until the dying minutes for Berg’s sealer, with goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson saving a penalty from Heracles attacker Willy Overtoom 15 minutes before the end.
The losing hosts, who sit in ninth, played out almost all of the second half with 10 men after midfielder Mark Fledderus picked up a second yellow card in the 46th minute.
Twente were within minutes of collecting three points but conceded a late equaliser in their 1-1 draw against De Graafschap.
Veteran midfielder Denny Landzaat had given his side a 72nd-minute lead, only for Roier Meijer to hit back one minute before the end of regular time.
Ajax kept their title hopes alive with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over NEC Nijmegen.
Lasse Schone gave NEC a fourth-minute lead, but the visitors equalized in first-half stoppage time through Serbian forward Miralem Sulejmani.
Belgian defender Toby Alderweireld scored the winner in the 66th minute as Ajax moved within a point of top spot, while NEC sit in 11th.
Feyenoord romped to a 6-1 win over strugglers Willem II in the day’s other game.
Georginio Wijnaldum and Ryo Miyaichi both scored doubles, with Bruno Martins Indi and Luc Castaignos also on the scoresheet.
Feyenoord’s six goals – two in the first half and four in the second – came after Andreas Lasnik had given Willem II a surprise 20th-minute lead.
Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard will miss England's Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland following a hernia operation.
Lampard limped out of Saturday's 2-0 victory over Stoke City – in which he missed an early penalty – and afterwards manager Carlo Ancelotti revealed the need for surgery.
The 32-year-old midfielder is likely to be sidelined for two weeks so will miss the two forthcoming international games in a blow to manager Fabio Capello.
"It is a very easy surgery but he has started to feel pain and he needs to have the operation," revealed Ancelotti.
"We have already spoken with the national team to explain the situation."
Chelsea maintained their 100 per cent start to the season following victory over the Potters which came via goals from Florent Malouda and a late Didier Drogba penalty.
Afterwards a content Ancelotti explained:"I was happy because we won but we didn't have a good, high tempo. It was not our best performance.
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"The tempo was not continuous but we didn't concede. We kept another clean sheet and stayed top of the table.
"We worked very hard this week. The players had a very strong week and so they were not so sharp."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
John Terry has looked like Titus Bramble, Frank Lampard has started fewer games than Ali Dia (Google this name if you want a laugh at Graeme Souness…and who doesn't want to do that), Didier Drogba has been blowing hot and cold more often than Katy Perry and Fernando Torres has just been blowing cold, very cold. What an earth is going on over in the blue half of West London?
Three words, Andre Villas-Boas. Ok, admittedly those words won't surprise many of you out there and why would it? The former Porto man has come in for more than his fair share of criticism from fans, pundits and journalists alike. Whether it be his confusing tactics, confrontational attitude in press conferences or his choice to defend the impotent Fernando Torres until the cows come home.
So yeah, another generic AVB article right? Wrong. After re-watching the a few highlights from the season so far (because being a student doesn't allow you to afford a social life on Friday night's) but this time I was able to watch this time without the bias towards Arsenal, the euphoria surrounding Walcott's performances and RVP our MVP and as a 'neutral' you really do notice a lot more.
I remember Jose Mourinho's first few press conferences in England and they were very similar to AVB's confrontational, defensive and borderline aggressive, so perhaps a good omen for Chelsea because the self proclaimed 'Special One' achieved great things during his time at Stamford Bridge.
Back to AVB's press conferences, would a man who should supposedly be scared for his job with Roman Abramovich's track record really come out and attack the British media and isolate himself further? Whether it be that the Mr Chelski is too preoccupied with his court case, where he stands to lose billions, to really focus on Chelsea but whatever the reason, I can't help but think AVB knows he has the backing of the 53rd richest man in the world, for this season at least and here's why.
When a new manager arrives he will obviously want to make his mark and there will be players he will want to move on to pastures new. The problem AVB has is you can't walk into a club as prestigious as Chelsea and start upsetting the apple cart without good reason,, the Portuguese’s handling of Frank Lampard has caused uproar amongst fans, especially as when the Chelsea 'legend' has played this season he has consistently scored and put in some impressive displays. However come January a marquee attacking midfielder signing could finally see AVB get his way with the Englishman.
So the 34 year old's 'tactics' to remove Lampard are still a work in progress however with John Terry the former British Virgin Islands' manager has managed to achieve want he wanted, and that is for the England international to look vulnerable and replaceable. Twelve months who really could have imagined that Alan Hansen and Gary Lineker would be highlighting a weakness in John Terry's game on Match of the Day (well maybe Wayne Bridge had hoped.). The high line utilised by AVB has caused nothing by problems for the defensive line of Chelsea and this allows AVB, probably not in January, but in the summer to bring in players he wants, to play the style of football he wants without there being too much uproar due to the inconsistencies in Terry's performances throughout this season.
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A slight kamikaze mission from AVB but sit tight Chelsea fans, twelve months of major overhaul and you could have a man who outstays Sir Alex Ferguson. AVB has a plan and is the man to finally end player power at the Bridge and no doubt bring Mr Abramovich his Champions League.
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Juventus striker Alessandro Matri says it will be important to maintain winning form in order to book a European spot for next season.The Italian giants sit one spot outside the qualification spots in seventh on the Serie A table, two points behind Roma, who are currently in one of the two Europa League positions.
But Matri, who scored in the 3-2 win against Genoa on Sunday, said Juventus needed to build on their run of three consecutive wins.
“In the second half we showed a great will to win and determination which we’ll have to maintain until the end of the season,” Matri said.
With six games remaining, Juventus are six points adrift of the fourth-placed Lazio, who hold the UEFA Champions League qualifying spot at the moment.
The on-loan striker has now scored seven goals since arriving from Cagliari in January and was pleased he had already begun settling at the Turin-based club.
“Thanks to my team-mates and the fans, who have welcomed me in a wonderful way,” Matri said.
“Here there are many more pressures as compared to those at Cagliari, but thanks to the group I?ve been able to fit in just fine.”
After facing the side his team beat to a fourth place finish last season, the Tottenham Hotspur boss, Harry Redknapp’s comments were particularly forthright. A 0-0 home draw with Manchester City at the weekend was followed by this friendly concern for his opposite number, Roberto Mancini: “Can he keep the players happy? It’s difficult. He’s not going to do it.” He may have felt emboldened to make such a claim after his side largely dominated their opponents whose bench included Shay Given, Joleon Lescott and Emmanuel Adebayor. Redknapp went further by saying, “I wouldn’t tip them from what I’ve seen. I wouldn’t say they’ll win the championship. They have a long way to go.” The Tottenham boss has a vested interest in seeing their lavish football project fail but do his words speak an uncomfortable truth for Manchester City?
Having spent over £100 million this summer there is immense pressure on City to qualify for the Champions League at the very least this season. It is little wonder that Mancini can be depicted as having simultaneously the best and worst job in the division. Based on their performance against Spurs they may struggle to reach their ambitions targets. Tottenham were collectively strong and had outstanding individual contributions from Gareth Bale and Luka Modric whilst City were kept level by the outstanding performance of Joe Hart. Mancini proffered this explanation: “We are going to need time to learn how to play together. That is normal when you have new players.” The Italian will have the enviable task of assimilating Mario Balotelli and James Milner into the squad in the coming weeks.
It is to be expected that a revamped squad will require time to gel and bond. Redknapp contrasted City’s team unity with that of current title holders Chelsea. Yet the core of that squad has been stable for many years making it a slightly perfunctory analysis. It is surely too soon to speculate on the chances of a squad still in flux, especially since Redknapp only recently said they had a chance of winning the league. Nonetheless his comments struck a chord with pundits and commentators who similarly questioned the ability of Mancini to mould a coherent side. After using three defensive midfielders on Saturday the manger’s tactics were derided as being negative and typically Italian. Using Gareth Barry, Nigel de Jong and Yaya Toure certainly ostracised Carlos Tevez as their lone striker. Strangely they were in desperate need of a Stephen Ireland figure to bridge that creative divide. Mancini, however, should be applauded for the defensive discipline he has installed in his players. Judging by his record at Internazionale and the attacking players he has there will be room for flair in his team. Yet there is a balance which needs to be found which was missing under previous manager, Mark Hughes.
The bigger concern for Mancini’s City is instilling that togetherness which cannot be bought. He has already taken proactive action to remove divisive characters like Craig Bellamy from the dressing room with others set to depart the club. In an attempt to forge some unity and make room for new stars, Mancini should be cautious of not removing elements of the team which progressed five league places last season. Cardiff City’s latest signing left Eastlands saying, “I came here at a great period of the club’s history. I was brought to bring that club on to the next level and I believe I played a big part in doing that.” Bellamy who was popular at City was not engaging in self-promotion and his on-field effort neatly contrasts with Tevez’s statement that he is lacking motivation. If City’s highly paid stars are in need of extra motivation and spirit Mancini should remind them that the whole league is waiting for them to fail.
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Manchester United welcome Wolves to Old Trafford on Saturday knowing they have to keep winning if they are to close the gap on rivals City at the top of the Premier League.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s side lie five points behind their neighbours at the summit and know victory over Mick McCarthy’s side could see them close the gap with City playing Chelsea on Monday. The Red Devils have been at their formidable best since their derby day drubbing in October winning four of their last five games by a goal to nil. In typical United style they responded to that humiliating defeat at Old Trafford by shutting up shop and grinding out the necessary results to ensure they stay within touching distance of City at the top. Last week’s win at Villa typified the game plan employed Ferguson with his side giving nothing away in defence and limiting the home side to just a few shots on goal. The return of captain Nemanja Vidic and the form of teenager Phil Jones have ensured United have a stable presence at the back whilst the latter has also proved to be a big hit going forward too. His goal against Villa was his first for since joining the club from Blackburn in the summer. The only problem that remains for United is to get Wayne Rooney scoring again with the striker failing to find the net since September. He’ll be confident of regaining his deadly touch against a Wolves side who have won only once away from home all season.
The Midlands side will travel to Manchester full of confidence after their late win over Sunderland last week moved them four points clear of the relegation zone. However that victory simply papered over the cracks of a run that has seen them win twice in their last 11 games and plummet down the table. A strong start to the season saw the optimism levels rise at Molineux only for that to give way to a dreadful run of form that saw them become embroiled in yet another battle to escape the clutches of the bottom three. Whilst they’ve been able to keep their head above water for now with wins here and there Wanderers need to start stringing a consistent run of positive results together to avoid being pulled further into the mire. Defending needs to dramatically improve with Roger Johnson and Christophe Berra looking lost at times during games whilst the return of Steven Fletcher from injury should take some of the attacking burden off Kevin Doyle’s shoulders. The Scotland striker showed just how important he is to the club by scoring twice to win the game last week and McCarthy will be relieved to have him back to full fitness. Starting their run of festive fixtures off with a trip to Old Trafford isn’t ideal but with games against Stoke, Norwich and Bolton on the horizon Wolves will see an opportunity to pull themselves further away from trouble.
Manchester United −2nd
Last Five: Won 1-0 v Aston Villa (A), Drew 1-1 v Newcastle (H), Won 1-0 v Swansea (A), Won 1-0 v Sunderland (H), Won 1-0 v Everton (A)
Potential Starting X11: 1. D. de Gea 12. C. Smalling 6. J. Evans 5. R. Ferdinand 3. P. Evra 18. A. Young 24. D. Fletcher 4. P. Jones* 17. Nani 19. D. Wellbeck 10. W. Rooney
Injury News: Nemanja Vidic and Javier Hernandez become the latest players to check into the United treatment room joining Anderson, Tom Cleverley and Michael Owen who all remain out.
Key Player: Phil Jones
Despite not expecting to feature much during his first season at Old Trafford Jones has become an integral part of the United side since his summer move from Blackburn. The teenager has come on leaps and bounds since pulling on the famous red shirt with some composed displays at the back whilst also offering a telling presence at the other end of the field. His first goal for the club proved to be the winner against Villa last week and Ferguson will be expecting more of the same from his latest young talent.
Match Fact: United enjoy playing Wolves having won four of their six Premier League meetings between the two sides.
Wolves – 16th
Last Five: Won 2-1 v Sunderland (H), Lost 3-0 v Chelsea (A), Lost 2-1 v Everton (A)Won 3-1 v Wigan (H), Lost 3-1 v Manchester City (A
Potential Starting X11: 1. W. Hennessey 23. R. Zubar 6. J. Craddock [C] 16. C. Berra 3. G Elokobi 11. S. Ward 8. K. Henry [C] 20. N. Milijas 17. M. Jarvis 29. K. Doyle 10. S. Fletcher*
Injury News: Wolves have no new injury worries with defender Richard Stearman likely to miss the trip to Manchester whilst Kevin Foley has been ruled out until Janaury with an ankle injury.
Key Player: Steven Fletcher
It’s been an injury laden season for the Scotland striker but whenever he’s played he’s scored goals. Fletcher proved his importance to Wolves last week the two winning goals against Sunderland on his return and McCarthy will be delighted to have his hit man back in business. His partnership with Doyle is one of the strongest in the league and he’ll be tasked with matching the Irishman’s work rate at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Match Fact: Wolves have beaten United only twice in the Premier League and have never recorded a top-flight victory at Old Trafford in their three visits thus far.
Match Fact:
Last Time at Old Trafford
Premier League 6 November 2010
Manchester United 2-1 Wolves
Park (45, 90)
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Ebanks-Blake (66)
Attendance: 75,285
Referee: Phil Dowd
PREDICTION
United have shut up shop and gone back to basics following their deby day battering winning four of their last five by a goal to nil. The Red Devil’s are doing the bare minimum to secure maximum points as they continue their fight to regain top spot from rivals City. Wolves on the other hand are desperate to put more daylight between themselves and the relegation zone and will happily settle for a point at Old Trafford. However with Ferguson’s side conceding only one goal in five games it could be another miserable afternoon for McCarthy and his men.
Mixu Paatelainen has left his post as Kilmarnock manager to coach the Finland national team.Paatelainen was the target of recent interest from Championship side Scunthorpe United and Kilmarnock were also eager to retain his services, but the lure of coaching his national side, for which he made 70 appearances as a player, was too strong.
Kilmarnock assistant coach Kenny Shiels will take the reins for the side’s Scottish Premier League game at St Johnstone on Saturday.
“Following careful consideration Mixu has decided that the honour of managing his national team is one which he cannot refuse,” a Kilmarnock statement read.
“He will take up his duties with the Finnish FA immediately.”
Paatelainen was a fan favourite at Rugby Park, and has drastically reversed the club’s fortunes since his appointment in June last year.
Kilmarnock finished second from the bottom in 2009-10, but are currently fifth in the SPL and within grasp of a Europa League berth.
“Mixu’s short reign at Kilmarnock has witnessed a dramatic improvement in the club’s fortunes in the SPL,” the statement continued.
“Several club records have been broken, including longest scoring run in a league campaign.”
“Our travelling support has been treated to a feast of attacking football, which has yielded more goals than any other club away from home bar one.”