Former England head coach and Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren has been confirmed as the new manager of Dutch club slot.
McClaren will succeed Fred Rutten in Enschede, having agreed a two-year contract at the Grolsch Veste.
The 47-year-old has been out of the game since being sacked by England in November last year, after a 3-2 defeat to Croatia at Wembley ended hopes of qualification for this summer’s European Championships.
McClaren told his new club’s official website: “I am delighted with the opportunity to become the new coach of FC Twente. “It was clear to me from the first meeting with President Joop Munsterman and people of the club that they were very focused. “It is a time tense for the club, they were very successful under the guidance of Fred Rutten and I cannot wait to meet and start working with the players and technical staff.
“It is a formidable challenge for me in both the Eredivisie and Champions League and I have the idea that we all start with a positive feeling towards the season.
“I look forward to this new challenge.”
Yeats hits Hat trick of Gold Cups – Royal Ascot Day 3
Yeats ridden by Johnny Murtagh and trained by the brilliant Aiden O`Brien laid claim to be the greatest stayer ever with his 3rd victory in the Ascot Gold Cup yesterday.
The bookies took a bashing as Yeats stormed past Coastal Path and Geordieland to win by 5 lengths in the end and he is already quoted at 3/1 for a four tmer next year.
Only the great Sagaro in the 1970`s can equal Yeats feat and it could be argued that the opposition in those days were not as fiece as O`Briens charge hs had to face, as he will only be 8 next year time is still on his side should connections choose to run him.
Euro 2008 News – Nico Kovac calls time on International Career.
Turkey:
Turkey goalkeeper Demirel Volkan has been handed a two-match ban after receiving a red card in his side’s 3-2 victory over the Czech Republic on Sunday.
Turkey booked their place in the quarter-finals with a late fightback in the final Group A clash after two late goals from Nihat set-up a meeting with Croatia.
However, Volkan will miss the knockout clash in Vienna on Friday and also a potential semi-final after being dismissed two minutes into stoppage time.
The giant Fenerbahce keeper was sent off after pushing Czech striker Jan Koller to the ground.
Veteran back-up goalkeeper Rustu Recber is expected to deputise for Volkan against Croatia.
Meanwhile, the Turkish Football Association has also been fined €27,190 for the improper conduct of its supporters, players and officials during the match.
Part of the fine relates to Volkan refusing to walk down the tunnel after his dismissal and choosing to sit on the bench.
Croatia:
Croatia captain Niko Kovac has confirmed that he will retire from international football at the end of the European Championships.
The vastly experienced 36-year-old hopes to help his side create history at Euro 2008, with Croatia currently preparing for a quarter-final showdown with Turkey.
Kovac told reporters: “This is the peak of my career.
“It could be my last match for Croatia, but let’s hope it isn’t as I have a feeling we can do much more here than just reach the quarter-finals.”
Kovac has won 76 caps from Croatia to date, scoring 13 goals, while his club career has included spells with Hertha Berlin, Hamburg, Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich.
Meanwhile, Kovac’s team-mate, Niko Kranjcar, is bullish about his side’s chances of reaching the semi-finals.
He told UEFA’s official website: “We rate Turkey highly because they’re in the quarter-finals of the European Championships and they did a great job in beating the Czech Republic.
“But we believe in the quality we have and we really think we have a chance of going through.
“Every team in the quarter-finals has a chance, but on the other hand we have the better team and the better individuals.
“We’ve proved ourselves time and again and we’re ready to do so again. I’m really looking forward to this match.”
