Coleman appointed Sociedad boss

Dmac

Coleman appointed Sociedad boss



Chris Coleman has been confirmed as manager of Spanish second division outfit Real Sociedad.

Coleman, 37, signed a three-year deal on Wednesday after the Basque club approved a new board led by president Maria De La Pena.

Coleman, who was sacked as Fulham boss in April, will be presented to the media on Thursday.

Sociedad were relegated from La Liga last season for the first time in 40 years, finishing 19th out of 20.

"He brings freshness and new ideas and the main aim will clearly be to return to the Primera Liga," said De La Pena.

Coleman was recommended to De La Pena and Sociedad by their former manager John Toshack.

The club's former coach Salva Iriarte will work alongside Coleman after being given the post of sporting director.

Iriarte had been Toshack's assistant with Wales since November 2004 but has been forced to relinquish the role, despite originally hoping to combine both jobs.

Former Wales striker Dean Saunders has taken over as Toshack's number two.

Coleman joined Fulham as a player in 1997 in a £2m move from Blackburn but injuries suffered in a car crash in 2001 led to his retirement less then two years later.

He took over as manager in April 2003 following the departure of Jean Tigana.

Coleman was eventually replaced by Lawrie Sanchez, paying the price for a seven-game winless streak that left the club hovering above the Premier League relegation zone.

Credit - BBC Sport

Well... even in the second division I don't feel that Chris Coleman is the best of choices, I didn't really rate him as Fulham boss and certainly don't rate him to be able to gain promotion.

The Phantom

What the hell have you been smoking? Chris Coleman did a fantastic job with Fulham. He was never given any real amount of money to spend and always had to sell their top players, and he still managed to keep them safe. They also regularly beat top 4 teams during the season.

For me this is a fantastic move for him. He’s had to pretty much learn on the job with Fulham, and now he gets a fresh start in Spain. It’ll allow him to learn new techniques, which will add value to himself as a coach and a manager. I have no doubt he will lead Sociadad back into La Liga. It’s a big feather in his cap to have a big manager like John Toshack recommend him for the job, and allow Iriarte to go with him. I

This will also benefit the Welsh side, because unless Coleman is managing one of the top 4 in the Premiership he will be the next Wales manager.

Dmac

Well yeah Fulham beat Liverpool but they are like a bogey team for us, we lost to Fulham before he took charge, I just don't rate him as a manager, sorry if that offends you.

The season that he took charge was the season that Houllier prefered El Hadji Diouf to Nicolas Anelka and didn't make his loan move permanent worst decision ever....

The Phantom

It offends me deeply.

Dmac

Why, just because he's Welsh?

The Phantom

lol..... it was a joke

Dmac

Ah, sarcasm is so difficult to detect with just writing lol.

The Phantom

Not with me... Im sarcastic all the time.

Dmac

You weren't there.... or were you

Adam Wolf

I was wondering what the hell when I first read this, swapping South London for Spain. He was sacked from Fulham and he hasn't taken on the best of jobs at Sociedad, only a few seasons ago they were battling with Real Madrid at the top of La Liga, now they're in the second division.