Viktor Goncharenko has been named head coach of CSKA Moscow.
The 39-year-old from Belarus has signed a two-year contract with the option of an extension to replace Leonid Slutskiy who stepped down last week after seven years in charge.
Goncharenko previously coached BATE Borisov, Kuban Krasnodar, Ural Yekaterinburg and Ufa. He was a member of CSKA’s coaching staff last season.
The Russian league has just started its three-month winter break with CSKA third in the table, eight points behind leaders Spartak Moscow.
Gradi is under FA interim suspension
Crewe have confirmed their director of football Dario Gradi has been suspended from football on an interim basis.
It is understood the English FA is investigating claims that Gradi “smoothed over” a complaint of sexual assault against Chelsea scout Eddie Heath as part of its wider inquiry into allegations of historical child sex abuse within the game.
Reports said Gradi, 75, had been suspended pending the investigation and his club confirmed yesterday.
Hamburg appoint new chairman
Hamburg have appointed former Eintracht Frankfurt chairman Heribert Bruchhagen as their new chairman, with Dietmar Beiersdorfer dismissed from the post.
Bruchhagen will officially take charge from tomorrow after the northern Germany club’s directors voted unanimously to replace Beiersdorfer.
“I certainly didn’t envisage this when I left Frankfurt, but when Hamburg come calling, you don’t even have to ask yourself whether you accept or not,” said Bruchhagen.
Wenger committed to keeping Oxlade
Arsene Wenger insists he will not waste five years developing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain just to let the England star leave Arsenal.
It has been reported that the club are yet to open talks over a new contract with the 23-year-old, who has 18 months to run on his current deal.
Arsenal are locked in negotiations to extend the deals for Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil who have similar terms remaining on their existing deals, but Wenger is adamant Oxlade-Chamberlain is in his plans.
“I want Oxlade-Chamberlain to stay at the club,” said Wenger.
“I bought him at a very young age, I think he’s developing well. This season he’s making steps, moving forward.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain joined Arsenal from Southampton in 2011 and has won 24 England caps since his 2012 international debut.
Injury to sideline Napoli’s Koulibaly
Napoli have confirmed that Kalidou Koulibaly will spend a brief spell on the sidelines due to injury.
The defender, a reported target for Chelsea last summer, injured his knee during Napoli’s 5-0 victory at Cagliari on Sunday.
A club statement said: “Kalidou Koulibaly underwent medical tests after the injury which forced him out of the match against Cagliari.
“The tests showed elongation of the external collateral ligament in his left knee. The defender will undergo rehabilitation work in the coming days.”
Internacional go down for first time
Brazil’s soccer clubs and fans paid tribute to Chapecoense on Sunday on the last day of the league season as Internacional were relegated for the first time in their 107-year history.
There were tears in Rio, where visitors Internacional drew 1-1 with Fluminense and were relegated to Serie B for the first time since their formation in 1909.
The Porto Alegre team needed a win to have any chance of survival but struggled throughout the match. Douglas put Fluminense ahead after 72 minutes and Gustavo Ferrareis equalised four minutes from time.
The result left Inter, who won the Club World Cup 10 years ago this month, fourth-bottom, meaning they fall into the second tier along with Figueirense, Santa Cruz and America-MG.
Tevez leads Boca to derby victory
Carlos Tevez scored twice in the final half hour as Boca Juniors came from 2-1 down to beat River Plate 4-2 at El Monumental in a thrilling Argentine ‘superclasico’ on Sunday.
The victory put Boca temporarily top of Primera A with 28 points from 13 matches.
With Boca trailing 2-1, Tevez took advantage of an error by young goalkeeper Augusto Batalla who came out of his box and missed his tackle on the striker in the 62nd minute.
The former Juventus striker then curled a superb shot into the top far corner before substitute Ricardo Centurion completed the victory in added time.
Tevez also laid on the opening goal, in one of the best superclasicos in recent memory, for Walter Bou in the 14th minute.