International Roundup

German coach Lorant quits Fenerbahce

ISTANBUL (Reuters) -- German Werner Lorant resigned as coach of Fenerbahce after a run of losses and will be replaced by his assistant Oguz Cetin, the Istanbul side announced Tuesday.

Despite heavy investment in a new stadium and players such as Argentine midfielder Ariel Ortega, Fenerbahce has fallen well short of its targets this season under the former 1860 Munich coach, hired in January.

It is fourth in the 18-team Super League, four points behind leader Besiktas. Fenerbahce was knocked out of the UEFA Cup in November by Greek side Panathinaikos in a two-leg tie marred by crowd violence.

"Once the fans had withdrawn their support, Lorant had no backers except the management... We spoke openly with Lorant about how Fenerbahce was not a team and how he had no support from the fans," vice chairman Attila Kiyat told reporters.

The club Web site said assistant trainer Cetin, a former midfielder for the club and for Turkey, was Lorant's replacement. It will be his first full coaching job.

The club's 6-0 thrashing of local rival Galatasaray in the league in November could not disguise a series of disappointing results, capped at the weekend by a 3-0 loss at Diyarbakirspor.

Last week second division Konyaspor beat Fenerbahce 1-0 to knock it out of the Turkish Cup. Lorant's side had looked aimless and hesitant.

Werder Bremen set to become limited company

BERLIN (Reuters) -- Three-time German champion Werder Bremen is set to become a limited company next year, the first division club said Tuesday.

Werder said the move, which would be implemented on July 1, 2003, had been agreed by the club's members at their annual general meeting.

Werder officials did not say whether they would seek a share listing.

Becoming a limited company allows the club to float on the stock exchange if it wishes.

At present, Borussia Dortmund is the only first division club listed on the stock exchange.

Four-time European champion Bayern Munich is also a limited company but it is not on the stock market.

Werder also announced losses of 3.6 million euros (US$3.64 million) for the past season.

Like all German professional clubs, the 1992 Cup Winners Cup champion has suffered from the collapse of Bundesliga right-holders KirchMedia, which meant millions of euros from television deal failed to materialize.

Ex-Russia skipper Shalimov to coach struggling Uralan

MOSCOW (Reuters) -- Former Russia captain Igor Shalimov has been appointed coach of premier league Uralan Elista.

"It's a three-year contract and the management didn't set any specific targets in the first year," said Shalimov, 33, who made his coaching debut last season at second division Krasnoznamensk.

Uralan finished 13th last season in the 16-team league. Shalimov replaced former Georgia coach Revaz Dzodzuashvili.

Shalimov spent six years in Italy's Serie A with five different clubs. His playing career came to an abrupt end in 1999 when the Italian Football League banned him for two years for using the anabolic steroid nandrolone.

Dzodzuashvili has been named to coach fellow premier league struggler Alania Vladikavkaz. Alania, who won the Russian title in 1995, finished the season in 12th place.

Former Torpedo Moscow boss Vitaly Shevchenko is taking over Saturn Ramenskoye. Shevchenko, who quit Torpedo in July following a string of poor results, has replaced Vladimir Shevchyuk who resigned last month.

For the second year running Saturn finished the season in sixth place, missing out on a UEFA Cup spot.

Saturn are the fourth premier league club to change coaches after last month's end of the season. Zenit St Petersburg named Czech Vlastimil Petzela as their coach three weeks ago.

Germany's Briegel set to turn down Albania job

BERLIN (Reuters) -- Former Germany midfielder Hans-Peter Briegel will probably not become Albania's national coach after all.

"It's not looking good," Briegel said Tuesday. Last month he said he was poised to take the job.

"There are sporting and financial problems," the 47-year-old told German sports news agency SID. "But I'm still in talks with the federation and a final decision will be made on Thursday."

Briegel played 72 times for Germany and was a member of its 1980 European championship-winning team. He is currently a vice-chairman at German first division Kaiserslautern.

Zamalek to enjoy home boost in bid for fifth title

CAIRO (Reuters) -- Zamalek will be counting on home support tipping the balance when it bids for a record fifth African Champions League title against Raja Casablanca in the second leg of the final Friday.

"The Zamalek fans will be player number 12," the Egyptian side's Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto Cabral said at their its training ground Tuesday.

"When we played in Casablanca we played against the supporters, against a full stadium. To play at home with the supporters behind you makes a difference. We count on home support."

Zamalek, which won the African Champions League in 1984, 1986, 1993 and 1996, held its Moroccan opponents to a goalless draw in the first leg in Casablanca on November 30.

Cabral said his players would have to keep their composure. "Football is about the moment, who shows more confidence, more power, more emotional control," he said.

Zamalek defended hard in Morocco where the poor condition of the pitch prevented the sides from showing their skills.

"Here we will play on a very good ground. There it was impossible to play football," Cabral said. "Of course, it is good for our opponents also.

"We are prepared to face this strong, good team," Cabral said, adding that none of Zamalek's players were injured.

"I'm more anxious than excited. This cup is very important for any coach," he said.

Raja have won the title in 1989, 1997 and 1999.

 

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