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21 Sport maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 8 JUNE 2016 FOOTBALL Ventura takes Italy job Italy have ended their search for Antonio Conte's replacement by appointing Giampiero Ventura as their new head coach. GIAMPIERO Ventura, a 68-year- old who has never won a major title and spent much of his career in the lower divisions, was named yesterday as the next Italy coach to replace Antonio Conte after Euro 2016. Ventura, who will be in charge up to and including the 2018 World Cup in Russia, was de- scribed as a "master of football" by Italian federation (FIGC) chief Carlo Tavecchio as his appoint- ment was confirmed. "I chose Ventura because he is a master of football and has taught many other coaches his innova- tive methods," said Tavecchio on the FIGC's website (www.figc.it). "He has launched the careers of so many players in the national team, he has huge experience in training youngsters and I think he has a healthy sense of belonging." Conte, who has battled leading clubs over the release of players during his two years in charge and complained about the length of time between games, is leaving after the European Champion- ship to take over at English Pre- mier League club Chelsea. Ventura has enjoyed a long, steady coaching career in Italy although, apart from one season at Napoli, he has never worked at any of the biggest clubs such as Inter Milan, AC Milan or Juven- tus. The clubs he has coached in- clude Sampdoria, Lecce, Cagli- ari, Venezia, Pisa, Bari, Verona, Messina, Udinese and Spezia. He has never won Serie A or the Ital- ian Cup, although he led Lecce to the third tier Serie C title in 1996. However, he has gained wide- spread respect following a five- year spell with Torino when he led them out of Serie B and to several respectable finishes in the middle and upper half of Serie A. He quit Torino by mutual agree- ment at the end of this season. The announcement was muted in Italy where the national side, four-times world champions, have lost prestige in recent years, espe- cially following group stage exits at the last two World Cups. Italy have struggled to produce top players recently and the best- known in their current squad are 38-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and 31-year-old central defender Giorgio Chiellini. Britain warns fans French Euro 2016 venues are potential targets Everton agree deal for manager Koeman - report BRITAIN'S Foreign Office has warned fans travelling to France for the Euro 2016 football tour- nament that its venues are "po- tential targets for terrorist at- tacks". The month-long competition starts on Friday and will be held in stadiums across France, which has been repeatedly targeted by Islamist militants including in a series of attacks on November 13 that killed 130 people in Paris. The England, Wales and North- ern Ireland teams are all taking part in the tournament. The For- eign Office website, updated on Tuesday, advised fans travelling to support them to be vigilant at all times and follow the advice of French authorities. "During Euro 2016, stadiums, fan zones, venues broadcasting the tournament and transport hubs and links represent poten- tial targets for terrorist attacks," the advice read. A spokeswoman for Prime Minister David Cameron told re- porters at a regular briefing that the advice was not a result of spe- cific intelligence. "It is not in response to a new or specific threat ... It is in the context of making sure that the government and authorities are doing all they can to provide rel- evant information for fans," she said. French President Francois Hollande has acknowledged a heightened threat of terrorism during the tournament and said France was taking all possible measures to keep fans safe. Giampiero Ventura EVERTON have agreed a deal with Dutchman Ronald Koeman to become the Premier League club's manager, the BBC report- ed yesterday. The 53-year-old Koeman, who has been Southampton manager for the last two years, will take over at Goodison Park from Rob- erto Martinez, who was sacked just before the end of last season. Former Ajax Amsterdam coach Koeman joined Southampton in 2014 from Feyenoord and guided the south coast club to respect- able seventh and sixth placed finishes in his two seasons. Everton finished 11th last sea- son but are set for significant in- vestment after Iranian business- man Farhad Moshiri purchased a 49.9 percent stake in the club. Koeman has been widely praised for his work at South- ampton where he enjoyed a 47 percent win rate in the Premier League. Before moving into manage- ment he also enjoyed a glittering playing career, winning the Eu- ropean Cup with PSV Eindhoven and Barcelona in 1988 and 1992 respectively. Former Southampton forward Matthew Le Tissier expressed his surprise at Koeman's likely move. "He may feel he has got a bet- ter chance of winning trophies at Everton. I'd be of a slightly dif- ferent opinion," Le Tissier told BBC Sport. "I understand they've got a new owner and want to splash a bit of cash, but it might not be as easy a job as he thinks." Ronald Koeman