Hamburg SV coach Bruno Labbadia, who took over late last season and kept them in the Bundesliga, has extended his contract by one year to 2017.
Labbadia and club officials agreed the deal at their training camp in Turkey with the former Hamburg striker, in his second coaching spell at the club, having led the team to 10th place at the season’s halfway mark.
Labbadia, who had first coached Hamburg in 2009-2010, took over the struggling former European champions in April last year and kept them in the top-flight after a relegation play-off, their second in the last two seasons.
Marchetti extends Lazio contract
Italy goalkeeper Federico Marchetti has extended his contract with Lazio until 2018, ending speculation about his future.
Marchetti’s contract had been due to expire at the end of the season and media reports linked him with moves to Liverpool and Juventus.
“A renewal that fills me with pride! Together until 2018,” Marchetti said on Twitter.
The 32-year-old, who joined Lazio in 2011 and helped them win the 2013 Coppa Italia, is currently sidelined after picking up a hamstring injury while celebrating a goal in the 1-1 draw against Sampdoria last month.
Kompany fine after plane scare
Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany was on board a plane which came off the runway at Norwich Airport last weekend.
Reports said City’s injured captain had been watching his side beat Norwich 3-0 in the FA Cup before a charter plane was due to take him home.
The plane suffered problems as it tried to take off but Kompany was unhurt.
Real Betis sack coach Pepe Mel
Pepe Mel has been sacked by Real Betis for the second time in his career.
The former West Brom boss, now 52, began a second spell in charge of the club in December 2014, having previously been Betis manager between February 2010 and December 2013.
But after Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Getafe left Betis 15th in the Primera Division table, the board has opted to dispense of his services once again.
The Madrid-born tactician steered Betis back into La Liga as Segunda Division champions in 2014-15 but the team have failed to win a top-flight game since November, losing four of their last five matches to slip to within five points of the drop zone.
He also won promotion during his first stint at the Benito Villamarin and went on to secure qualification to the UEFA Europa League with a seventh-placed finish in 2012-13.
Darmian brushes off United exit talk
Manchester United right-back Matteo Darmian has dismissed reports he is unsettled at Old Trafford and considering a loan move to Italian champions Juventus in January.
Darmian joined from Torino during the close season and got off to an impressive start but has struggled to maintain his early season form.
“I am happy here with the team, the staff and the city. I am happy here so I just try to ignore the rumours. I want to continue on my way and that’s it,” the 26-told reporters yesterday.
“I think the manager is happy with my progress and when I train I try to improve day by day.
“And when the manager gives me a chance I try to do my best and to help the team.”
FC Twente struggle for pro licence
Crisis club FC Twente have appointed Onno Jacobs as director as they seek to keep their professional licence.
Enschede’s municipal council last month revealed plans for a rescue plan for the Eredivisie strugglers, who were fined €45,250 and banned from European competition for three years because of a controversial deal with an investment company.
And FC Twente yesterday confirmed the appointment of 51-year-old Jacobs, Feyenoord’s financial director from 2005 until 2011 when the Rotterdam side needed restructuring due to debt problems.
Guendogan mulling options over future
Germany international Ilkay Guendogan has yet to commit his long-term future to Borussia Dortmund with the playmaker mulling over an extension to his current contract, that runs until 2017, or a move to a new club.
The gifted 25-year-old, who has been at Dortmund since 2011, had hinted at leaving last year with several clubs in Italy and England’s Premier League interested, before signing a new two-year deal in July.
“No decision has been taken yet and of course everything has to be thought through because the length of one’s career is limited,” Guendogan said.
“To be honest everything is still open,” the creative midfielder said, adding his next contract would be longer.