Argentine club Racing appoints Llop as manager

BUENOS AIRES, April 6 (Xinhua) -- Argentina's Juan Manuel Llop on Sunday was appointed as the new manager of Argentine soccer giant Racing club, currently in last place in the nation's Closing Tournament.

Llop, who had been sacked by Banfield two weeks ago, even though that team was producing good results, said the team will have to work hard so that it would not fall a division.

"Everyone who loves Racing will have to back us," said Llop, 44,adding a call for calming tensions around the team. Sunday's event was scheduled for Saturday, but was cancelled because of fan protests against Racing's owners, one of Argentina's top five companies.

Llop added that he did not view this job as a revenge for his sudden sacking from Banfield, a team that he coached to third place in the Opening Tournament last year.

"This is not revenge. It is a great chance to work. I accepted the challenge because I have a lot of energy and feel we have a good team with good people," he said.

Llop will begin work at the club's Monday practice. The team has only four league points and has gone nine games without winning.