Sporting appoint Costinha as Director of Football
Izmailov turns down Moscow move to stay at the Alvalade
 Champions League winner and former Portugal midfielder Costinha is Sporting’s new Director of Football. The appointment was made official today. Despite enjoying his most successful playing days at FC Porto, Costinha says he is delighted to join the club he has always been a fan of.
“It’s a new step in my career, and I hope it’s a fabulous one. I always had the ambition to one day serve my club. It didn’t happen as a player, but it’s happened now as Director of Football.
“Sporting is over a century old and has a very rich history, although since 1958 the club have only won eight championships. It’s a club that brings through great players, that has a fantastic fan base and which deserves to start winning again.
“I’m not talking about winning in four or five years – I’m talking about winning again as soon as possible. To do so we have to work as one, meticulously and with a liking for our work.”
Izmailov to stay
Meanwhile, Sporting received a big boost as midfielder Marat Izmailov decided to stay with the club, turning down overtures from Lokomotiv Moscow.
The Russian international made his decision before Sporting’s 3-0 victory over Everton at the Alvalade yesterday, and subsequently turned in another superb individual display.
Izmailov has been one of Sporting’s most consistent performers since coming to the Portuguese capital at the start of the 2007/2008 season.
by Tom Kundert
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