Poyet to take over Real Betis
Gus Poyet has agreed to take over as Real Betis coach for the next two seasons.
The former Brighton and Sunderland boss left AEK Athens last month after announcing his intention to step down at the end of the campaign.
His next stop will be the Primera Division, replacing interim Betis boss Juan Merino.
A statement from the club read: “Real Betis have signed Uruguayan coach Gustavo Poyet as new Betis coach for the next two seasons.
“Poyet will be one of the cornerstones of the new sports project headed by Miguel Torrecilla.
“Real Betis want to especially thank the work done by Juan Merino and his coaching staff this season, who has managed to ward off the team from the lower part of the division.”
Merino will lead the side for the final time in the season-ending clash with Getafe on Sunday, with Poyet due to be unveiled on Wednesday.
Jamie Vardy believes Claudio Ranieri’s decision to give his Leicester players a week off in February was key to their title victory.
England striker Vardy and the Foxes are 10 points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League having wrapped up the title last week.
They lifted the trophy on Saturday, after Vardy’s brace helped them beat Everton 3-1, and go to Chelsea in Sunday’s season finale.
The Foxes were given a break by Ranieri after they were knocked out of the FA Cup by Tottenham and Vardy feels the Italian’s decision gave them a crucial advantage over their rivals.
“It worked out perfectly. No-one was going to go on a seven-day bender,” he said.
“It was there to relax with family and that’s all we did until we got back to training.”