Costa Rica announces new coach

Rene Simoes is the new national coach of Costa Rica.

The 56-year-old Brazilian takes over from Rodrigo Kenton who was sacked earlier this week after a three-game losing streak put Costa Rica’s World Cup qualifying chances in jeopardy.

Simoes managed Jamaica from 1994 – 2000 and took them to the World Cup in France in 1998.

He also led the Brazil women's national football team to silver medal spot at the 2004 Olympics, and has coached Trinidad and Tobago, the Iran under-23 side, and Portuguese club side Vitoria.

A second brief spell with Jamaica ended in September 2008 after a poor World Cup qualifying campaign.

Simoes became the manager of Fluminense in October 2008. They sacked him in March 2009.

He then became manager of Coritiba but moved on again in August.

It remains to be seen whether his stay with Costa Rica is any more successful.

Costa Rica sack coach

Poor recent form has put Costa Rica on the brink of elimination from the World Cup and resulted in Rodrigo Kenton being handed his P45.

The former national team assistant and youth manager took over the Ticos in June 2008 and single-handedly resurrected their fortunes after a disastrous spell under Hernan Medford. By last month his team were riding high at the top of the North, Central America and Caribbean group.

But three losses over the past month means Costa Rica are now in fourth spot and face the prospect of a play off against South America's fifth-place finisher. This could be Ecuador, Colombia or Argentina.

A new coach will soon be appointed to oversee the remaining qualifiers against Trinidad and Tobago (10th October) and the USA (14th October).