Coaches count cost in Turkey

Manisaspor

Further down the league, third-from-bottom Rizespor have parted company with coach Metin Yildiz in the wake of Sunday's 1-0 loss at MKE Ankaragücü. Rizespor have won just one of their eight Superleague matches – against Besiktas JK last month. Yildiz worked as Gheorghe Hagi's assistant at Galatasaray SK last season. Ankaragücü had also prompted the resignation of Diyarbakirspor coach Hüseyin Kalpar by winning 3-0 at the Superleague strugglers on 25 September. Diyarbakirspor remain coachless yet managed a 2-1 victory at Malatyaspor on Sunday.

Feyenoord's United States defender Cory Gibbs will not play until the new year after undergoing further surgery on his injured left knee. The 25-year-old was initially operated on after damaging the joint on international duty last summer. However, a cartilage problem developed in the same knee during his rehabilitation and he had a second operation this week. "At Cory's request, the decision was taken to perform an exploratory operation," said Feyenoord club doctor Robbart van Linschoten. "The surgeon found new damage in the cartilage of his left knee. This means Cory will have to start his rehabilitation all over again and will only return after the winter break." The former Dallas Burn player joined the Dutch club in 2004 and made 15 Eredivisie appearances last season.

AC Ajaccio midfielder Stéphane Ziani has retired aged 33 after a career that saw him win France's Ligue 1 title with RC Lens (1997/98) and FC Nantes Atlantique (2000/01), and also play for SC Bastia, Stade Rennais FC, RC Deportivo La Coruňa and Servette FC. "I wanted to finish my last season on a high but my motivation has gone," he said. "My main regret will be never to have played for France or won a cup," added the veteran of more than 355 French league appearances.

Søren Åkeby has resigned as coach of Danish club AGF Århus with immediate effect. The 53-year-old Swede, who joined AGF in 2003 after winning the Swedish title with Djurgårdens IF, has struggled this season and his team lie fourth from bottom in the Superliga. "AGF have decided to let Søren Åkeby fulfil his desire to seek new challenges elsewhere," said an official statement. Åkeby becomes the second coaching casualty of the 2005/06 campaign after Søren Kusk stepped down from the SonderjyskE helm.

Former Scotland striker Maurice Johnston has been named caretaker manager of US Major League Soccer franchise, MetroStars. The 42-year-old, who had been the club's assistant coach for three years, said: "It's never easy when a coach is fired, but I'm going to give it everything I have." Johnston's playing career included spells at Celtic FC, Rangers FC and Everton FC.

Unbeaten SC Braga defeated A. Naval 1° Maio 1-0 on Tuesday night to go third in the Portuguese Liga, level on points with joint leaders FC Porto and CD Nacional. Vandinho scored the only goal on four minutes, as Braga kept their sixth clean sheet in six matches this season

PFC Lokomotiv Plovdiv 1936 have appointed legendary former player Ayan Sadakov as their new coach, replacing the sacked Eduard Eranosyan. The 44-year-old, who was capped 80 times by Bulgaria and played at the 1986 FIFA World Cup, said: "I accept the challenge to take over the club of my life. I have worked with the reserves and the youth academy over the last two years – now I am ready to work with the first team."

Reggina Calcio have signed former Juventus FC striker Nicola Amoruso on a free transfer. The 31-year-old has been brought in to cover for Italy Under-21 forward Rolando Bianchi who has a serious knee injury. He played 22 games for FC Messina Peloro last term, scoring five goals. Reggina have lost five of their opening six Serie A matches.

West Ham United FC midfielder Hayden Mullins has put pen to paper on a new five-year contract which commits him to the English Premiership club until 2010. The 26-year-old former Crystal Palace FC player has been ever-present for the London side this season on their return to the top flight. "He has come through criticism and deserves every bit of credit he's getting," said West Ham manager Alan Pardew.

Sunderland AFC midfielder Christian Bassila will be sidelined for several weeks after injuring a hamstring in Saturday's Premiership draw against West Ham. The 28-year-old Frenchman faces a race to be fit for Sunderland's derby against Newcastle United FC on 23 October.

Celtic FC have appointed Ray Clarke as their head of international scouting. Clarke joins the Scottish club from Newcastle United where he was chief scout, and will be responsible for restructuring Celtic's scouting network throughout the United Kingdom, Europe and the world.

ADO Den Haag have landed Feyenoord midfielder Edwin de Graaf on loan for the season, with the option of a permanent move. The 25-year-old joined Feyenoord last January from RBC Roosendaal but made just six Eredivisie appearances for the Rotterdam club.