The coach of the United States women’s team, Scot Tom Sermanni, was relieved of his duties after a 2-0 victory over China on Sunday, US Soccer has announced.
The 59-year-old former coach of Australia’s Matildas lasted just 15 months in the job after taking over in January 2013, leading the team to an 18-2-4 record during his tenure.
“We want to thank Tom for his service over the past year and half, but we felt that we needed to go in a different direction at this time,” US Soccer president Sunil Gulati said.
US Soccer Director of Development Jill Ellis will serve as interim head coach as the team searches for a replacement.
Pulga replaces Lopez at Cagliari
Cagliari have handed the first-team reins back to former coach Ivo Pulga, the club confirmed yesterday.
Pulga, who was in charge of the Sardinian outfit in the 2012-13 campaign, has replaced Diego Lopez following his dismissal after Sunday’s 3-1 loss at home to Roma.
A club statement: “Pulga returns to guide the first team.
“The coach has led the first training session this (yesterday) morning.”
Sunday’s loss was Cagliari’s fourth in their last five games and dropped the islanders to 15th in the Serie A standings, seven points clear of the relegation zone.
Hearts’ deal gets UBIG approval
Hearts’ administrators are halfway to securing approval for their rescue deal in Lithuania.
BDO administrator Bryan Jackson confirmed to Press Association Sport that creditors of the club’s major shareholder, UBIG, had agreed, by majority, to back the agreement with the Foundation of Hearts at a meeting yesterday morning.
BDO will now attempt to persuade the creditors of Ukio Bankas to approve the deal to take the club out of administration.
Failure could see the club move towards liquidation – two days after they were relegated from the Scottish Premiership.
Adams in charge at Norwich City
Neil Adams will be thrown in at the deep end with the task of guiding Norwich through a perilous run-in after replacing the sacked Chris Hughton on Sunday night.
The 48-year-old Adams steps up from Under-18s coach, charged with keeping the Canaries out of the bottom three in a final month of the campaign which will see them face Liverpool, Man. United, Chelsea and Arsenal in succession.
Adams was named first team manager by Norwich after they sacked Hughton and his backroom staff on the back of consecutive defeats, the latter a particularly disappointing 1-0 home loss to strugglers West Brom on Saturday.
McCoist calm over Rangers future
Rangers boss Ally McCoist insists he does not fear for his job despite seeing his side suffer a humiliating 1-0 defeat in the Ramsdens Cup final.
Raith Rovers stunned the Glasgow giants with John Baird’s extra-time winner to end Ibrox hopes of a treble.
Having now failed to win any of the nine cup competitions they have entered during McCoist’s reign, the manager is certain to come under fresh flak from fans.
However, the former Light Blues striker said: “I don’t fear for my future at all.
“I know the fans won’t be happy but no-one will have to tell me anything, that’s for sure.”
Berlusconi denies Lim link reports
Milan vice-president Barbara Berlusconi has denied media reports that Singapore businessman Peter Lim has made a bid to buy a share of the Serie A giants.
Spanish sports newspaper AS claimed yesterday that Lim had made a €300 million offer to acquire a 51 per cent stake in Milan.
Lim, a keen sports fan, recently made a bid to take ownership of Primera Liga side Valencia.
“Those reports are without any foundation,” Berlusconi told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“The figures that have appeared in the press are not in line with the value of the club.
“Three hundred million euros only represents around 30 per cent of Milan, not 51 per cent.”
Zubizarreta not quitting Barca
Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta denied speculation that he offered his resignation after the Catalans were handed a transfer ban last week.
Catalan radio reported that Zubizarreta had offered to step down after his work was criticised during a heated meeting last Wednesday, that took place hours after FIFA had announced Barca were guilty of breaking youth transfer regulations.
Zubizarreta, however, dismissed such rumours.
“I have not resigned and am not going to resign,” he said.
“I feel fully backed by the president and the board. In this moment when there are problems and difficulties my way of understanding life tells me I should be here with this club, which has given me so much.”