Galatasaray have reappointed Mustafa Denizli as their new manager on a one-and-a-half-year deal.
The Turkish champions sacked Hamza Hamzaoglu last week after a disappointing start to the Super Lig season.
They are currently third, seven points behind leaders Besiktas, and Denizli’s main task will be to mount a charge back into the title race.
The 66-year-old, who has managed Galatasaray twice already, is the only coach to have won the Turkish league with three different clubs.
In 1987, Denizli claimed top spot in his first spell as Gala-tasaray boss and followed that up by claiming titles with Fenerbahce and Besiktas in 2001 and 2009 respectively.
Gunners lose Coquelin to injury
Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin has been ruled out for two months with a knee injury. He was injured in the 2-1 Premier League defeat by West Brom on Saturday.
“Certainly for the next two months we play without Coquelin,” Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said yesterday.
“I’m cautious as we had so many bad surprises on scans that I do not want to speculate more than that.”
None of Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jack Wil-shere, Danny Welbeck, Tomas Rosicky or Aaron Ramsey played last weekend.
Memphis thanks Giggs for guidance
Manchester United winger Memphis Depay credited assistant manager Ryan Giggs with helping him rediscover his form after scoring his first goal since late September in Saturday’s 2-1 Premier League win over Watford.
“I think every young player goes through things but I keep training and enjoy the training sessions,” Memphis said.
“The stuff (I am learning) has stuck with me and Ryan Giggs has given me good advice and I’ve been working on some things with him.
“You need all the help to get through difficult times.”
No problem with the manager – Hazard
Eden Hazard has come under fire for some underwhelming performances but the Belgian says there is no problem with manager Jose Mourinho.
While Mourinho has previously criticised Hazard’s defensive work-rate, last season’s Professional Footballers Association player of the year said there was no rift with the Portuguese.
“I don’t have a problem with him,” the 24-year-old said.
“He is the best manager for Chelsea and we hope we can win a lot of trophies together. Maybe not this season because it will be difficult, but next season.”
Pelle faces Koeman ire after suspension
Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has criticised Graziano Pelle after the striker’s show of petulance and subsequent yellow card against Stoke City left the Dutchman without his top scorer for the trip to Manchester City next weekend.
Southampton lost 1-0 at home to a well-drilled Stoke side in the Premier League on Saturday, and Pelle capped a frustrating afternoon by picking up his fifth booking of the season for kicking the ball away in added time, earning himself an automatic suspension.
“It’s all about the frustration of the player,” Koeman was quoted as saying yesterday.
“He was not playing well, he was not scoring and the team was not winning, but you have to control yourself always.
“We have to accept it and we will play another (number) nine next weekend.”
Shaqiri’s knock is not serious – Hughes
Stoke City’s record signing Xherdan Shaqiri was taken off as a precaution after he sustained a minor hamstring injury in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Southampton in the Premier League, manager Mark Hughes has said.
The former Bayern Munich winger was taken off shortly after the hour mark.
“He had a little tightness in his hamstring to be fair, and that was the reasoning behind taking him off when we did,” Hughes said.
“He wanted to go out and play the second half but it was important that we protected him a little bit, which is what we did.”
Rafinha commits to Barcelona
Barcelona forward Rafinha has signed a contract extension with the European champions.
The 22-year-old Brazil international’s new deal ties him to the club until June 30, 2020 and includes a buy-out clause of 75 million euros.
Rafinha, who tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during Barcelona’s Champions League draw with Roma in September, said: “Barcelona is my home.
“I arrived here when I was 13 years old and I’m very happy.”