Klinsmann named Hertha Berlin coach
Former Germany and United States boss Jurgen Klinsmann has taken over as head coach of German club Hertha Berlin until the end of the season, the club announced on Wednesday. Former Hertha boss Ante Covic, who only took charge in July after six years coaching the reserves, was dismissed after Sunday's 4-0 thrashing at Augsburg. The 55 year old Klinsmann is a former European and world champion with Germany. A former Tottenham, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan striker, he won the 1990 World Cup and 1996 European championships with Germany, making 108 appearances and scoring 47 goals for Die Mannschaft. He was head coach of Germany from 2004 until the 2006 World Cup. He briefly coached Bayern from 2008 until 2009, but was then made head coach of the US from 2011 until 2016.
Bailey appointed Australia selector
Former Australia Twenty20 captain George Bailey was appointed on Wednesday as one of the country's three national selectors, replacing the retired Greg Chappell. He joins chairman Trevor Hohns and coach Justin Langer and draws the curtain on his long playing career after the domestic Big Bash League in early February to take on the role full-time. Bailey, 37, played five Tests, 90 one-day internationals and 30 Twenty20s for Australia. He has also been a stalwart for Tasmania, the Hobart Hurricanes and Melbourne Stars since making his first-class debut in 2004. He is currently 12 runs short of 10,000 first-class runs.
Silverwood to fly home after bereavement
England coach Chris Silverwood will leave his team's tour of New Zealand early because of a family bereavement, officials said on Wednesday. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said Silverwood would depart on Saturday after day two of the second Test in Hamilton. "Assistant coaches Graham Thorpe and Paul Collingwood will assume responsibility of team affairs alongside Test captain Joe Root for the remainder of the New Zealand tour," it tweeted. The New Zealand tour is Silverwood's first in charge of England after he was named as Trevor Bayliss's replacement in October.
Hazard’s first Clasico in doubt after injury
Zinedine Zidane confirmed Eden Hazard twisted his ankle during Real Madrid's draw against PSG on Tuesday, with the Clasico against Barcelona only three weeks away. The Belgian's injury threatens to prevent him from playing in his first Clasico at the Camp Nou on December 18. "His performance was spectacular," Zidane said. "But he had to come off. It's more than just a knock but I hope the twist is a minor one. For now, I can't say anything more."
Former Switzerland manager Kuhn dies
Koebi Kuhn, a former Switzerland international and manager, died on Tuesday in Zurich at the age of 76 after a long illness, former FIFA president Sepp Blatter said. Kuhn took over the national team in 2001. He remained coach until Switzerland, was eliminated at Euro 2008.