Claudio Ranieri was unveiled as the new coach of Valencia yesterday after he returned to the club he left for Atletico Madrid in 1999. The Italian, sacked by Chelsea last week despite guiding them to the Champions League semi-final and to second in the Premiership, had been tipped to take over at the Mestalla.
He replaces Rafael Benitez who resigned last week despite clinching a Primera Liga and UEFA Cup double. Benitez has been tipped to succeed Gerard Houllier at Liverpool.
During his previous spell at the club, which lasted two years, Ranieri won the Copa del Rey and clinched qualification for the Champions League. "I am very happy," declared Ranieri, who has penned a three-year contract. "When they called me up, I said I'd go swimming back."
Ranieri faces a tough challenge after years of success since he left the club. His replacement Hector Cuper led the club to two Champions League finals - both of which ended in defeat - and when he left Benitez arrived and won the 2002 Primera Liga as well as last season's success.
Ranieri will also have the responsibility of making his own signings after the departure of director of sport Garcia Pitarch. Interestingly, that was thought to be Benitez's main gripe with the Valencia set-up.
Celta Vigo have announced they are in discussions with Arsenal over the possible sale of goalkeeper Manuel Almunia. The 27-year-old spent last season on loan at Albacete, and played a key role as the club avoided relegation. Celta suffered that fate despite reaching the second round of the Champions League. Celta refused to confirm a reported fee of £2.6 million.
Pressure group Shareholders United are stepping up their bid to try to prevent a possible Manchester United takeover. They are urging supporters to buy shares in an effort to ward off potential suitors.
Cubic Expression, comprising JP McManus and John Magnier, in addition to American businessman Malcolm Glazer have steadily increased their stake in recent months. That has led to speculation United will be the subject of a takeover bid by either of the two parties or an outsider.
Shareholders United are mounting an aggressive shares campaign, which started last night in Belfast when they address supporters.
Southampton have made Belgium international defender Jelle van Damme their first signing of the close season. The 20-year-old left back has signed from Dutch side Ajax Amsterdam for "an undisclosed but substantial fee".
* Kit Lawlor, one of the great characters of League of Ireland football, has died peacefully in his native Dublin at the age of 83.
Lawlor was capped three times by Ireland, against Belgium, Norway and Argenina in the late 1940s. He had spells at Drumcondra, Doncaster Rovers, Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk. Perhaps his greatest moment came when Drums defeated Shamrock Rovers 2-0 in the 1957 FAI Cup final.
Removal of his remains takes place tomorrow to St Joseph's Church, East Wall at 5 p.m. with Requiem Mass on Friday at 10 a.m.
