Managerial merry-go-round in Spain

Three Spanish clubs have appointed head coaches as they prepare for the new Primera División campaign – Real Racing Club Santander, Getafe CF and Málaga CF.

UEFA Cup contenders
Racing, who will compete in the UEFA Cup for the first time next season after finishing sixth in 2007/08, have lured Juan Ramón López Muñiz from Málaga to replace Marcelino García Toral following his departure for relegated Real Zaragoza. The 39-year-old Muñiz, a former assistant to Juande Ramos at Málaga, has just led the Andalusian outfit to promotion to Spain's top tier.

Tapia returns
Málaga themselves have moved swiftly to fill the void by installing Antonio Tapia at the helm for a second time. Meanwhile, Getafe have confirmed that Víctor Muñoz will take the reins at the Madrid-based club. The 51-year-old former Zaragoza player and coach, who was dismissed by RC Recreativo de Huelva in February, succeeds Michael Laudrup as boss of the Copa del Rey finalists.