Aragones signs two-year contract with Fenerbahce

ISTANBUL (AFP) - Spanish coach Luis Aragones on Saturday signed a two-year contract with Turkish club Fenerbahce.

"I am here both with my brain and heart to work for Fenerbahce," the 69-year-old, who led champions Spain in Euro 2008, told a news conference through an interpreter.

"I know I have come to a good and strong team. I can tell you that I am very happy," he added.

Fenerbahce had first announced a two-year pre-contract with Aragones on June 25, but the coach — then still at the helm of Spain on the eve of their Euro 2008 semi-final against Russia — had denied the deal.

Approaching his 70th birthday, Aragones became the oldest coach to win the European title when Spain beat Germany 1-0, clinching their second title after the first in 1964.

Back in the dark days of Spain’s early qualifying campaign for Euro 2008 Aragones had tendered his resignation after back-to-back defeats to Northern Ireland and Sweden.

A former Spanish international, he coached several major Spanish clubs before becoming the national boss in 2004.

At Fenerbahce he will replace Brazilian Zico, who joined the club on a two-year contract in July 2006, leading them to the league and Turkish Supercup titles during their centenary year in 2007.

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