Redknapp forced to retire

Southampton FC

Dragoljub Bekvalac has been appointed coach of FK Hajduk Kula, replacing Boris Bunjak. Bekvalac has signed a two-year deal to extend his stay in the Serbo-Montenegrin First League after his previous club FK Obilic were relegated. He nevertheless performed above expectations at Obilic and the 52-year-old former OFK Beograd trainer believes he can do likewise at Kula. "I was very pleased with how things went at Obilic," he said. "Kula are a new challenge for me and I believe we will be ready to challenge for Europe." Kula finished seventh last season.

Real Sociedad de Fútbol have made their first summer signing, with SD Eibar midfielder Gaizka Garitano agreeing a three-year contract with the Spanish club. The 29-year-old, who started out in the youth ranks of Athletic Club Bilbao, moves for a fee in the region of €450,000. Garitano spent four seasons at Eibar, and as captain scored five goals in 37 starts as his side narrowly missed out on promotion to the top flight in 2004/05.

AJ Auxerre's Abbé Deschamps stadium will host the traditional curtain-raiser to the French season after a draw yesterday. The match will see French Cup winners Auxerre take on Ligue 1 champions Olympique Lyonnais - both of whom are under new leadership. Former France coach Gérard Houllier has replaced Paul Le Guen at Lyon and will seek to lead the team to a fourth straight Trophée des Champions, while another ex-national coach, Jacques Santini, will take charge of his first competitive fixture since succeeding Guy Roux.