Hagi takes over at Galatasaray

Galatasaray today appointed Gheorghe Hagi today as their new coach for a second spell at the Super Lig club.

The former Romania international, who played for the club for five years and coached them club between 2004 and 2005, replaces Frank Rijkaard, who left the club yesterday.

Hagi, 45, is yet to reach the heights as a coach he hit as a player. Since leaving Gala, he has had short stints in charge of Timisoara and Steaua Bucharest.

Former Blackburn midfielder Tugay has been appointed as Hagi's assistant.

A statement on the club's website read: "Gheorghe Hagi is the new football manager of Galatasaray, and Tugay Kerimoglu has been appointed as assistant football manager."

Hagi will sign his contract and be presented to the press tomorrow.

Gala have had a disappointing start to the season, with fans calling for Rijkaard's departure after a second successive league defeat - 4-2 at home to Ankaragucu.

Hagi takes over with the team in ninth spot in the standings having picked up only 12 points from their opening eight games.

They also failed to reach the group stage of the Europa League, losing their two-legged play-off on away goals to Karpaty Lviv in August.

Hagi played at three World Cups with Romania, for whom he earned 125 caps.

In a successful playing career he also enjoyed spells with Real Madrid, Brescia and Barcelona after coming to prominence in his home country.