Chelsea to Appoint West Ham Boss Avram Grant as Sporting Director

West Ham boss Avram Grant set for shock return to Chelsea if Guus Hiddink turns down sporting director job
The under pressure Hammers manager still speaks regularly to Blues owner Roman Abramovich and is the only other candidate if the Turkey boss rejects Stamford Bridge offer

Avram Grant will make a shock return to Chelsea as sporting director if Guus Hiddink turns the role down at the end of the season.

Goal.com understands Grant expects to lose his job as West Ham manager at the end of the season and has held regular conversations with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich about a return to Stamford Bridge.

Frank Arnesen, Chelsea’s current sporting director, is leaving for Hamburg in the summer, with Turkey coach Hiddink the club’s first choice as his replacement.

But the Dutchman, who managed the Blues for three months in 2009, is expected to stay in charge of Turkey if they keep alive their Euro 2012 hopes by avoiding defeat against qualification rivals Belgium on June 3. Even if he leaves Turkey, the 64-year-old will also give consideration to offers from Ajax and PSV.

Grant has had a close relationship with Abramovich for many years and was himself Blues boss for most of the 2007-08 season following the sacking of Jose Mourinho. According to sources familiar with the situation, Grant is the only alternative candidate after Hiddink and could be set for a return to Stamford Bridge.

Bayern Munich Appoint Jupp Heynckes As Manager On Two-Year Deal

Bayern Munich have appointed Bayer Leverkusen coach Jupp Heynckes as their new manager.

The 65-year-old will return for his third spell at the Bundesliga club on July 1 after signing a two-year contract.

He replaces Dutchman Louis van Gaal whose contract will be terminated at the end of the season.

Heynckes first led Bayern between 1987 and 1991, winning two Bundesliga titles, before moving to coach Real Madrid among others.

In 2009 he returned for five games to steer the club into the Champions League after the sacking of Jurgen Klinsmann.

Currently he was won plaudits for turning around the fortunes of Leverkusen, who are in second and on course for the Champions League.

He was always the preferred choice of Bayern’s board but did fight off Fulham manager Mark Hughes for the job.

Heynckes is obviously delighted with his return to the Allianz Arena.

“Aside from the good personal relationships I have with the leading figures at Bayern, the club has always impressed me with its professionalism,” he said.

“I have twice been Bayern coach and always appreciated the working environment.

“It’s natural that you have to have success as Bayern coach, I understand that but I see it as a fascinating task to achieve it with the team over the next two seasons.”

Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said: “Jupp Heynckes was our preferred candidate. We are very happy that we could reach agreement on a two-year contract.

“I’m convinced that with Jupp Heynckes we will have a successful collaboration. ”

Join the Best Football Manager game now, Its Free!

GD Star Rating
loading..., 10.0 out of 10 based on 1 rating Tagged Under: Bayern Munich, Jupp Heynckes, karl-heinz rummenigge

Honduras appoint new coach

Juan Carlos Osorio was appointed new Honduras coach after Juan de Dios Castillo left the post.

After Mexican Juan de Dios Castillo quit the national team post despite leading Honduras to Copa Centroamericana last month, the national team chiefs elected Juan Carlos Osorio as the new boss.

“We decided the right person to lead the national team process, which we hope concludes in Brazil in 2014, is professor Juan Carlos Osorio,” said Honduran Federation official Rafael Ferrari.

The 48-year-old Osorio enjoyed a spell as Manchester City assistant manager from 2001 to 2006, while he also spent two years as New York Red Bulls boss.

Osorio’s first game in charge will be the friendly match against Ecuador on 9th February.

Thu 3 February, 2011

Honduras appoint new coach

Juan Carlos Osorio was appointed new Honduras coach after Juan de Dios Castillo left the post.

After Mexican Juan de Dios Castillo quit the national team post despite leading Honduras to Copa Centroamericana last month, the national team chiefs elected Juan Carlos Osorio as the new boss.

“We decided the right person to lead the national team process, which we hope concludes in Brazil in 2014, is professor Juan Carlos Osorio,” said Honduran Federation official Rafael Ferrari.

The 48-year-old Osorio enjoyed a spell as Manchester City assistant manager from 2001 to 2006, while he also spent two years as New York Red Bulls boss.

Osorio’s first game in charge will be the friendly match against Ecuador on 9th February.

Thu 3 February, 2011

FA to appoint English assistant

England’s Football Association hope to appoint a young English manager shortly to work with current boss Fabio Capello.

The English coach would work under Capello, with the FA hoping for an appointment by the end of next month.

The news comes as no surprise after the FA promised to introduce more of an ‘English’ influence in the national team following a poor 2010 FIFA World Cup campaign.

The chosen young manager will be groomed into potentially being the next senior boss and will work closely with FA Director of Football Development Sir Trevor Brooking.

“It’s something which I spoke to Trevor about just before Christmas,” FA General Secretary Alex Horne said.

“I would expect by the end of February to have a name.”

Horne declined to comment on speculation former Newcastle manager Alan Shearer would take up the role, instead informing fans that although the FA had someone in mind, the exact details of the role were still being sorted.

“I’ve got a preferred candidate but I’m not going to give you a name. I envisage it will be a part-time contractual arrangement,” he said.

“What I’m working on with Trevor is the job description to make sure we understand it, so that it’s right. I think there are a number of things that somebody could help us with around the international set-up.”

Horne believes the role suits a young manager who is happy to learn from some of the best coaches in the country, including Under-21 boss Stuart Pearce and Under-17 manager John Peacock.

England Under-21 boss Stuart Pearce and Ray Clemence, the goalkeeping coach, are already part of Capello’s backroom team.

“It’s an environment where a young coach can come in and learn from Fabio, but also learn from the experiences of Stuart, John Peacock and the other national coaches that we’ve got,” Horne said.

Thu 13 January, 2011

FA to appoint English assistant

England’s Football Association hope to appoint a young English manager shortly to work with current boss Fabio Capello.

The English coach would work under Capello, with the FA hoping for an appointment by the end of next month.

The news comes as no surprise after the FA promised to introduce more of an ‘English’ influence in the national team following a poor 2010 FIFA World Cup campaign.

The chosen young manager will be groomed into potentially being the next senior boss and will work closely with FA Director of Football Development Sir Trevor Brooking.

“It’s something which I spoke to Trevor about just before Christmas,” FA General Secretary Alex Horne said.

“I would expect by the end of February to have a name.”

Horne declined to comment on speculation former Newcastle manager Alan Shearer would take up the role, instead informing fans that although the FA had someone in mind, the exact details of the role were still being sorted.

“I’ve got a preferred candidate but I’m not going to give you a name. I envisage it will be a part-time contractual arrangement,” he said.

“What I’m working on with Trevor is the job description to make sure we understand it, so that it’s right. I think there are a number of things that somebody could help us with around the international set-up.”

Horne believes the role suits a young manager who is happy to learn from some of the best coaches in the country, including Under-21 boss Stuart Pearce and Under-17 manager John Peacock.

England Under-21 boss Stuart Pearce and Ray Clemence, the goalkeeping coach, are already part of Capello’s backroom team.

“It’s an environment where a young coach can come in and learn from Fabio, but also learn from the experiences of Stuart, John Peacock and the other national coaches that we’ve got,” Horne said.

Thu 13 January, 2011

Ipswich Town Appoint Paul Jewell as New Manager

no comments by The Newshound on January 10th, 2011

New boss in customary shirt holding pose, how original!

Bet on the Championship with Sportingbet.com and get a free bet worth up to

Inter Milan Appoint Leonardo as New Boss

1 comment by The Newshound on December 25th, 2010

Brazilian takes over at the San Siro.

Bet on Serie A football with Sportingbet.com and get a free bet worth up to

Liverpool Appoint Damien Comolli as Director of Football Strategy

Liverpool have appointed Damien Comolli as their director of football strategy.
The 38-year-old Frenchman spent three years as director of football at Tottenham, where he signed the likes of Gareth Bale and Dimitar Berbatov.
He will begin work at Anfield alongside Reds owner John Henry and manager Roy Hodgson with immediate effect.
“I am delighted to be joining Liverpool and look forward to working with John and Roy,” said Comolli, who also spent seven seasons as a scout at Arsenal.
“I think we all realise there is a big job ahead, but we all share the vision that John has for rebuilding the club and bringing back the success that the supporters deserve.”
Hodgson, who succeeded Rafael Benitez last summer, stated: “I am looking forward to working with Damien whom I have known for many years.
“We are engaged in an exciting project here and he will bring a lot to the table. We all want to see moves to strengthen the squad and support player development over the next few years.
“John Henry and I are totally united in delivering on that ambition.” (BBC Sport)

First things first. One wonder what the post of “Director of Football Strategy” actually entails and secondly whether seasoned campaigner Roy Hodgson is really happy to see the former Tottenham employee at Anfield. Given the former Craven Cottage boss has managed across Europe he may well be used to having such an appointment thrust upon him but will it be for the good for the club as a whole?

Martin Jol has a few run-ins with Comolli during his White Hart Lane but that said the 38 year old Frenchman is clearly good at his job as he did bring a number of top young players to the north London club and Liverpool fans will be hopeful he can do likewise on Merseyside.

But seriously, can anyone enlighten us on the duties Mr. Comolli will be engaged in? Will he be following up on players that Hodgson likes the look of? Will it be the other way around? Does he have tactical input or are his dealing purely in the bringing in of new players?

Join the Best Football Manager game now, Its Free!

GD Star Rating
loading..., 10.0 out of 10 based on 2 ratings Tagged Under: damien comolli, liverpool fc, roy hodgson