Mauricio Pochettino has "committed his future to Tottenham Hotspur by signing a new five-and-a-half-year deal" that will keep him in north London until '21. The Argentine manager "verbally agreed the new contract last month but has now put pen to paper on the long-term deal" believed to be worth £5.5M ($8M) per year. The club announced the news on Twitter on Thursday and "confirmed that first-team coaches Jesus Perez, Miguel D'Agostino and Toni Jimenez have also agreed contract extensions" (London DAILY MAIL, 5/12).
Sports equipment company Woodworm has taken over the Hong Kong Warriors for this month’s DTC Mobile Hong Kong T20 and has "vowed to bring in top-quality Australian players" to boost the squad. Woodworm parent company Hong Kong-based Sports HQ Group CEO Simon Millington said that the franchise "is looking at Australia to fulfil their quota of two overseas players -- one day after rivals Kowloon Cantons set the benchmark by announcing the signing of ex-Baggy Green captain Michael Clarke" (SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST, 5/12).
Newcastle Managing Dir Lee Charnley has "promised a full inquest" after the club was relegated from the Premier League for the second time in seven years. In a statement "aimed at fans desperate" for Rafael Benitez to stay at St. James' Park, despite the break clause in the contract he signed back in March, Charnley apologized "for the club's on-field failure this season. He said, "Your support throughout has been magnificent, but I want to pay particular thanks for the incredible backing you have given to Rafa and the team during the latter part of the season. ... Right now, of course, Rafa and the team must prepare for the final game of the season but after that, please rest assured we will communicate more fully with supporters" (PA, 5/12).
