Monaco Appoint Kovac as Manager after Sacking Moreno

Niko Kovac. (Getty Images)
Niko Kovac. (Getty Images)
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Monaco Appoint Kovac as Manager after Sacking Moreno

Niko Kovac. (Getty Images)
Niko Kovac. (Getty Images)

AS Monaco have appointed former Bayern Munich and Croatia boss Niko Kovac as their new manager on a three-year deal to replace the sacked Robert Moreno, the Ligue 1 team said.

Moreno, who replaced Leonardo Jardim in December, was dismissed at the weekend. Monaco finished the season ninth and 28 points behind Paris St. Germain, who were named champions when the season was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"AS Monaco are pleased to announce the arrival of Niko Kovac as head coach. The Croatian has signed on a three-year contract with an option to extend," Monaco said in a statement here

Kovac had joined Bayern in 2018 after a spell at Eintracht Frankfurt where he won the German Cup. He won the German Cup, Bundesliga and Super Cup with Bayern before leaving in November.

“Niko is recognized for his work both for the national team and ... in club environments, in the development of young talent, the management of experienced players and the ability to achieve very good results,” Monaco vice-president Oleg Petrov said.

“I’m convinced that his experience and personality will help us achieve our goals.”



Howe Confident Isak Will Stay at Newcastle Despite Transfer Talk

Alexander Isak. (dpa)
Alexander Isak. (dpa)
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Howe Confident Isak Will Stay at Newcastle Despite Transfer Talk

Alexander Isak. (dpa)
Alexander Isak. (dpa)

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe insisted Saturday that Alexander Isak is still a Newcastle player despite speculation around a move to Premier League champions Liverpool.

Isak has not travelled with Newcastle for their pre-season tour of Asia, apparently because of a minor thigh injury, but Howe said the 25-year-old Swedish striker was a key part of his plans.

"Of course, there are always going to be things going on behind the scenes," Howe told reporters in Singapore, where Newcastle play Arsenal on Sunday.

"He is aware he's in the news every day, which I'm sure is not easy for anyone in that situation.

"Conversations between Alex and the club or with me will stay private for obvious reasons. We do share a good relationship," Howe added.

Isak, who scored 23 Premier League goals last season, has been "magnificent for us for as long as he has been with us," said Howe. "And he is very comfortable in the dressing room."

Isak did not travel with the Magpies after the thigh injury kept him out of Newcastle's friendly defeat to Celtic last week.

"He mentioned before the Celtic game that it would be very minimal and nothing too serious," said Howe.

"But he left training very early and didn't feel right. So, he's now back in Newcastle getting that injury assessed."

Howe remained confident that Isak will be wearing black and white when the new season kicks off next month.

"I said after the game against Celtic that I was confident he would stay. I don't see anything that is going to change that opinion of mine at the moment.

"It's football," he added. "And who knows what the future may bring."

The Magpies ended their 70-year trophy drought by winning the Carabao Cup and finished in fifth place in the Premier League last season to secure a return to the Champions League.

"I think once you've experienced that feeling of winning, you want it again. So, we want to do it again as soon as possible, in all the competitions we are in," said Howe.

"We set the bar very high, and there's a lot of ambition within the team."