European Football Thread

[Lineker]

Barcelona announce captain Carles Puyol is joining the club's sport management team after being forced to quit the squad with a knee injury. Puyol announced he would end his 15-year playing career in March, but will now take on a role thought to be similar to that of a sporting director in the UK.

Malaga appoint Javi Gracia as their coach for the next two seasons following his resignation from relegated Osasuna.

[Lineker]

Sky Sports launches Sky Sports 5 - a new channel dedicated to European Football

Great news!

[Rich]

Except Ligue 1, Bundesliga and Serie A wont be on it, I look forward to the Greek league taking prime position!

[Lineker]

It'll be good this year while Sky still have CL rights. When that goes onto BT though, it'll be a bit of a stretch with just Spanish and Dutch football propping it up.

Presumably, if Scotland votes for independence then the SPFL will be shifted over to 5 too

[TCO]

That's a bit pointless. They're not adding any worthwhile programming, they're just moving it to a different place and have managed to make an even more pointless channel than that silly F1 channel of theirs.

What makes it even better is that after next year they won't have the Champions League either so it'll basically be Spanish games and repeats of Revista De la Liga on loop. Unless there's a Serie A, Ligue 1 and Bundesliga deal in the works then lol Sky.

[Baddar]

I don't even like F1 but the channel isn't pointless - it's out of the way of programming I watch, and all in one place for people that enjoy it. A perfectly cromulent channel.

No real complaints about SS5 from me either.

[Lineker]

Yeah, Sky F1 is a fantastic channel.

They're moving all of the Euro qualifiers onto SS5 too. I imagine a fuller line-up will emerge in the next 4-6 weeks or so.

[Lineker]

Mancini has left Galatasaray.

[Colly]

Any rumours as to his next move? I reckon Hufflepuff.

[Chael P. Sonnen]

In the end, that chick's decided no to take that job she was given with Clermont!

[Lineker]

Zinedine Zidane isn't leaving Real after all - he has been appointed coach of Spanish third division side Castilla, Real Madrid's feeder team.

[Lineker]

David Moyes is in talks to become the new Galatasaray manager.

[Gazz]

David Moyes, man least likely to get bought a pint in Leeds since Brian Clough.

[brenchill]

Zidane has to be a shoe-in to be Real manager within the next 5 years.

[Lineker]

Valencia have sacked Juan Antonio Pizzi after just six months in charge.

[brenchill]

Just 6 months? That takes the pizz.

[Summers]

There's a lot going on too.

He's been replaced by Nuno, because of a big link between our new owner Lim and some super agent. Lots of stuff going on, involving Lim owning the rights to some players, the agent representing others.

Strange times.

[EddieG]

There's a lot going on too.

He's been replaced by Nuno, because of a big link between our new owner Lim and some super agent. Lots of stuff going on, involving Lim owning the rights to some players, the agent representing others.

Strange times.

"Our" new owner...

You're becoming one of them!!

Or well, more likely one of us.

[Summers]

Yeah - it's common knowledge I follow Valencia. Have done for years.

[9 to 5]

Pizzi once won world player of the year for me on CM. I have had a soft spot since for him.