Luxemburgo seals Santos return

Brazilian coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo has taken the reins at Santos FC, just nine days after being sacked by Real Madrid CF. The 53-year-old, dismissed at the Santiago Bernabéu after a series of lacklustre performances, will be officially unveiled by Santos next week for what will be his third spell at the club.

Another coach returning to his previous employers is Alain Geiger, who has been reappointed at struggling Swiss club FC Aarau following the dismissal of Andy Egli last weekend. Geiger, who made a record 112 appearances for Switzerland as a player, began his coaching career at Aarau before a nine-month spell at Grasshopper-Club in 2003. He started this season in charge of Neuchâtel Xamax FC but was sacked after a run of seven consecutive defeats.

Georgios Hatzaras has taken over as coach of Egaleo FC following Georgios Vazakas' departure on Tuesday night. It will be Hatzaras' second spell in charge after he guided the team from the third division to the top flight before leaving in the summer of 2003. He has been given another chance at Egaleo after Vazakas was sacked in the aftermath of the 4-1 defeat by Ionikos FC on Sunday, the culmination of a series of disappointing results.

Aston Villa captain Olof Mellberg will miss the busy festive English Premiership schedule after being diagnosed with a torn hamstring. The Swede suffered the injury in Villa's 1-1 draw against Bolton Wanderers FC on Saturday, and will return in January. "This news presents us with a problem we could have done without," said manager David O'Leary.

Sporting CP's Chilean international Mauricio Pinilla has joined Real Racing Club Santander on loan for the rest of the season. The 21-year-old has moved to Spain after struggling to break into the Sporting side this season. "It is very hard for me to tell if I am going to return to Sporting," said Pinilla. "I am only thinking about Racing at the moment."

Charlton Athletic FC goalkeeper Thomas Myhre has signed a new contract, tying him to the club until June 2007. The 32-year-old Norwegian has played just once for the London side since joining in August as back-up for Dean Kiely and Stephan Andersen. "In my mind, we now have three top keepers," said Charlton manager Alan Curbishley.

Veteran Polish midfielder Dariusz Gęsior has left Ekstraklasa side Wisla Plock. The 36-year-old, whose contract was due to expire at the end of the current season, asked the club to release him with immediate effect. In a long career, Gęsior has 414 games and over 70 goals to his name in the Polish top flight. He joined Plock in summer 2003, and had played in all 17 of their league games this season.