Fenerbahce confirm Aragones as Zico´s successor

Spanish coach Luis Aragones has signed a pre-contract with Turkey's Fenerbahce and was expected in Istanbul late on Thursday, the club said.

Aragones, who led champions Spain in Euro 2008, was to join the team on Sunday when it is due to fly to Austria for a training camp, a statement on Fenerbahce's web site said.

A date for the signing ceremony of the final contract will be announced later, it said, without disclosing financial terms.

Fenerbahce had first announced a two-year pre-contract with Aragones on June 25, but the coach — then still at the helm of Spain in 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 on Sunday, 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.