Irureta Quits: Javier Irureta has decided to quit as coach of Primera Liga side Real Betis after the club's poor start to the season despite their 1-0 victory at Gimnastic Tarragona on Wednesday. "I took the decision before the Tarragona match," Irureta told reporters. "Both sides agreed that we should rescind my contract, but I took the first step. We could have carried on, but it wasn't good." Betis are in 18th place in the 20-team Liga, two points behind Levante but with a game in hand.
Tavano: Valencia will loan out-of-favour Italian striker Francesco Tavano to Roma in the January transfer window, the Primera Liga side said yesterday. Tavano joined Valencia from Empoli in August but has made only three brief appearances as a substitute in 16 league games this season. The 27-year-old scored 19 league goals for Empoli in each of the two seasons before moving to Valencia.
Pandev: Lazio midfielder Goran Pandev has been named Macedonian Player of the Year for the second time in his career. Midfielder Artim Polozani of cup winners Makedonija GP was named the best player in the domestic championship.
Bakero: Former Spain international Jose Maria Bakero is in Egypt to discuss terms with league leaders Ismaili, seeking a new foreign-born coach after the departure of Dutchman Mark Wotte. The 43-year-old Bakero, who won the European Cup with Barcelona in 1992 and played for Spain at two World Cup finals, was previously coach at Real Socieded.
Gago joins Real: Boca Juniors have agreed to sell highly rated midfielder Fernando Gago to Real Madrid for over 20 million euros, the Argentine club said yesterday. "The talented Boca midfielder Fernando Gago will be transferred to Real Madrid for $27 million," Boca said. "A faxed offer arrived this Wednesday at the club and has been accepted."
Boca said the player would be presented by Real today and that a representative from the club would travel to Madrid next week to sign the papers.
Aberdeen: Aberdeen signed 40-year-old Craig Brewster yesterday in a deal that will take the veteran striker through to the end of the Scottish Premier League (SPL) season. "It doesn't matter what age you are, as long as you can do the job," the former Dundee United player-manager told the BBC. Brewster left United by mutual consent on Oct. 29 when the team were bottom of the table. St Mirren defender Andy Millen, 41, is the oldest player in the SPL.
Marseille: Olympique Marseille team manager Jose Anigo said coach Albert Emon has all his support despite their inconsistent result over the last two months. "I don't see any reason why Albert's job should be under threat," Anigo said. "He will be here after the winter break."
Pauleta: Depleted Paris St Germain will have to spare their captain Pedro Pauleta when they visit Troyes tomorrow. Pauleta is out with a painful thigh while defender Mario Yepes is doubtful after he strained a muscle in his left leg. PSG are 15th in the table, only two points above the relegation zone while Troyes are 18th.
Lyon: Olympique Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas confirmed that he contacted St Etienne to express his interest in signing striker Frederic Piquionne during the winter transfer window. "(Coach) Gerard Houllier wants to have another striker in the squad and he is interested in Piquionne," Aulas said. Lyon have been without a centre-forward since Brazilian Fred, teenager Karim Benzema and Norwegian John Carew got injured.