Experienced Clemente takes Murcia reins
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Article summary
Former Spain coach Javier Clemente has been handed the job of saving Real Murcia CF from relegation after the sacking of Lucas Alcaraz on Thursday.
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Coaching changes
Alcaraz, 40, is the eighth coach to relinquish his post in the Primera División this season, and leaves Los Pimentoneros second from bottom of the table, having accrued only 23 points from 26 matches. Clemente's most recent position was in charge of Serbia, and takes control of a side beaten 4-0 by Real Betis Balompié last Sunday having accepted the call from Murcia president Jesús Samper six days before turning 57. "Clemente is a very capable coach, professional, talented, and with a great footballing knowledge," Samper said. "Now we have to support our coach to take us forward. This squad has the capacity to get out of this situation."
Title wins
Clemente, who led Spain for 62 matches between 1992 and 1998, boasts plenty of experience as a coach having debuted in the top flight with Athletic Club Bilbao in 1981. After winning the league in successive seasons in 1983 and 1984, as well as the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup, he joined RCD Espanyol. Reaching the 1988 UEFA Cup final with the Barcelona club, Clemente then moved on to coach Club Atletico de Madrid, Betis, UD Tenerife, Real Sociedad de Fútbol and Olympique de Marseille as well as Spain and Serbia.