Samuel Eto’o appointed player-manager

Former Cameroon captain Samuel Eto’o has been appointed interim player-manager at Turkish side Antalyaspor.

The 34-year-old former Barcelona and Chelsea striker, who moved to Turkey in June after leaving Sampdoria, will succeed Yusuf Simsek after his contract was mutually terminated on 7 December.

After the victory last weekend in the league, the Antalyaspor played last night the second round of the Turkish Cup against Giresunspor. The Cameroonian played his role perfectly as coach and earned his second win in two games. Giresunspor led from the 5th minute when David Abwo scored for the visitors and Antalyaspor equalized in the 24th minute by Sakip Aytac. In the 48th minute Guilherme gave 2-1 victory to Antalyaspor. Eto’o spent the whole match on the bench.

Antalyaspor were promoted from the second division the previous season and have made a solid start to life in the top tier – sitting ninth, seven points clear of the relegation zone.

Earlier this year, Eto’o left Sampdoria and joined the Turkish league on a three-year contract. He has scored 13 goals in 15 league appearances for Antalyaspor this season.

Eto’o is best known for his time at Barcelona, where he scored 129 goals in five years at the club, playing under both Frank Rijkaard and Pep Guardiola. He left in 2009 for Inter Milan where he won his second successive treble. Jose Mourinho managed Eto’o in Inter and they linked up again at Chelsea.