21.  In a move that seemed totally out of character, embattled coach Jim Fassel guaranteed Wednesday that the slumping New York Giants will make the playoffs.

22.  The match could save the job of embattled coach Bremen coach Wolfgang Sidka, whose future will be decided by team management in the next two days.

23.  The Miami Dolphins and embattled coach Don Shula may yet make it into the playoffs.

24.  What awaits is a steadily improving Milan side, which seems to have learned to co-exist with embattled coach Oscar Tabarez.

25.  French rugby manager Guy Laporte was sacked here on Tuesday, further undermining the position of embattled coach Pierre Berbizier.

26.  Jean Tigana, the embattled coach of Monaco, announced Monday he was banning his squad from their morning coffee and croissants.