Frenchman Philippe Troussier is a globetrotter. He has already overseen the national teams of Japan, South Africa, Nigeria, Cote d’lvoire, Burkina Faso and Qatar, as well as the renowned club side Olympique Marseille. The well-travelled coach has now elected to take a job with a difference and signed a five-year contract as general manager of Japanese third-division side FC Ryukyu. “As the club finished 17-th out of 18 teams last season, there’s only one way we can go and that’s up,” said Troussier on taking office. The 52-year-old has been tasked with leading his new employers to the top flight, the J League, by 2013. Yet Troussier is not ruling out a temporary role as coach of a national team at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.

Adriano’s former Inter Milan team mate Javier Zanetti was occupied with other business at the turn of the year. The Argentine organised a benefit game in Buenos Aires that was attended by former stars such as Fernando Redondo, once of AC Milan and Real Madrid All receipts from the game were donated to Zanetii’s Fundadon Pupi, a foundation that supports orphans in his home country.

Brazil striker Adriatio’s run of poor form, which has assumed almost epic proportions, now appears to have spread lo his ability to drive a car. Adriano, who joined Sao Paulo on loan from Inter Milan at the turn of the year, lost control of his car in Rio de Janeiro and collided with three other vehicles. No one was injured. “We still believe in Adriano,” said Sao Paulo official Marco Aurelio Cunha, commenting on the incident. “We are not going to let a road traffic accident or a can of beer put us off.” Recent months have seen speculation about Adriano’s alleged alcohol problems.