Four Frenchmen, including former international Luis Fernandez, have been named on a shortlist of five prospective candidates to take over as national coach of the Ivory Coast, the country’s football federation said.
Francis Gillot, Frederic Anto-netti, Herve Renard and Fernandez are joined on the shortlist by Manuel Jose, the Portuguese coach who won four African Champions League titles during his time at Egyptian club Al Ahli.
The shortlist was put together from a list of 37 prospective candidates. A decision must now be taken by the end of the month.
Juve’s Morata out for seven weeks
Striker Alvaro Morata’s €20 million move to Juventus has quickly turned sour after the Spaniard injured his knee in his first training session and was ruled out for seven weeks.
The 21-year-old, who completed his move from Real Madrid on Saturday, suffered a second degree injury to the medial collateral ligament in his left knee after being injured on Monday, the Serie A champions said.
“The forecast for a full recovery is of 50 days,” the club said.
A highly-rated product of the Real youth academy, Morata scored eight goals in 23 La Liga appearances last season.
Tiago signs new Atletico Madrid deal
Portuguese midfielder Tiago Mendes has re-signed with Spanish champions Atletico Madrid for another two years, ending speculation he could return to Chelsea.
The 33-year-old became a free agent in June and was reportedly prepared to move back to Stamford Bridge while entertaining various rival offers from around the world.
But Tiago has instead committed to Atletico after signing a new deal and flying out to their pre-season training camp in Segovia.
Danes want CL tie out of Ukraine
The Danish football federation (DBU) has backed FC Copenhagen’s bid to shift their Champions League qualifier at Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk later this month to a neutral venue, following the shooting-down of a Malaysia Airlines flight over Ukraine.
The first leg is scheduled to take place in Ukraine on July 29, but because of the security situation, FC Copenhagen and the DBU want the tie moved to a neutral venue.
“We support FC Copenhagen 100 per cent in this case and there is no doubt that the DBU is very concerned that UEFA would send a Danish club team to a country, and a region, where very few airlines will even fly to,” said DBU president Jesper Moeller.
Moeller expressed surprise that UEFA planned to go ahead with the game in Ukraine.
Queiroz makes Iran u-turn
Carlos Queiroz has backtracked on his decision to quit as Iran coach and is negotiating an extension through to the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Iranian media reported.
Queiroz said after Iran’s group stage exit at the World Cup in Brazil he would quit the three-times Asian champions.
But the former Real Madrid, Portugal and South Africa coach is close to signing a new deal that would see him lead the team at the 2015 Asian Cup.
“We have to negotiate about the contract in the details. I wish to stay as Iran coach,” Queiroz told the Tehran Times.
“I like to continue my job but the deal has not yet finalised.”
The paper said the deal would be completed on August 1.
Bundesliga clubs chase Mustafi
Sampdoria defender Shkodran Mustafi has revealed he has received offers from the Bundesliga, although he is not necessarily expecting to move this summer.
The 22-year-old Germany international, who was part of this summer’s World Cup-winning squad, still has two years left to run on his contract with the Serie A club. However, after representing his country in Brazil, he is now on the radar of several clubs back home.
“It would be nice to play in the Bundesliga and the offers are there,” he said.
“But the outlook must be right. The next decision is going to be an important one. Moving to a big club would be the next step, but I don’t have to move. I’m just keen to see what they offer me.”
Lennon linked with South Korea job
The South Korea FA hope to appoint a new technical chief this week, the first step in an overhaul that will end with a new head coach after their disappointing World Cup showing.
Former skipper Hong Myung-bo stepped down as coach after the Koreans managed just one point in their group stage exit in Brazil. The Korean FA met on Monday with Myungbo’s successor the top priority.
Former Celtic player and coach Neil Lennon has been linked with the role as has ex-Croatia international Robert Prosinecki.
Northern Irishman Lennon coached South Korea internationals Ki Sung-yueng and Cha Du-ri during his time in Scotland.