A-LEAGUE - AUSTRALIA

   

BRISBANE ROAR APPOINTS ALOISI AS COACH

Brisbane Roar confirmed that John Aloisi has been appointed coach for next season with the ex-Heart boss set to lead the team for the blockbuster clash against Liverpool in July.

The 39 year-old, who is most famous for scoring the penalty that took the Socceroos to the 2006 FIFA World Cup, will join Roar in June and prepare the side for its meeting with Liverpool on 17 July.

"I am extremely proud and honoured to join Brisbane Roar,'' Aloisi said.

"The club has defined success in the first 10 years of the Hyundai A-League and I am determined to ensure the high standards the Roar players, members, sponsors and supporters have come to expect continue under my stewardship."

Roar chairman Chris Fong believes Aloisi was the right choice to begin a new era at the club.

"John brings to the Roar a passionate understanding of Australian football and the Hyundai A-League," Fong said.

"I am impressed by his determination to succeed and the fresh focus he will bring to the club."

Alosi had been working as television football analyst since he was sacked by Melbourne Heart in December 2013 after going 17 matches without a win.

In February he began work as a development coach with Melbourne Victory's National Youth League and National Premier League sides.

Aloisi replaces interim coach Frans Thijssen after he guided the club to sixth place last season, before losing to Adelaide United in the elimination final earlier this month.

Thijssen had only been in charge since Mike Mulvey stepped down in November, but the Dutchman has been overlooked for the permanent role, the club instead turning to Aloisi.

STUBBINS PUNTED AS NEWCASTLE JETS COACH

Phil Stubbins has been axed as Newcastle Jets coach with Football Federation Australia (FFA) confirming it has begun the process of hiring a new Head Coach for the 2015-2016 A-League campaign.

SYDNEY-BOUND KANE PLANNING TO COME BACK BIGGER AND BETTER

Harry Kane does not intend to rest on his laurels, with the Tottenham Hotspur striker determined to build on his breakout season as he prepares to face Sydney FC this weekend.

st a day after capping off the English Premier League campaign with a win at Everton to finish fifth, Spurs' squad was on a plane bound for its off-season tour with Malaysia its first stop.

And fresh from taking the EPL by storm, Kane has already turned his attention to 2015-2016, as he looks to prove he is not a one-season wonder.

Kane enjoyed a remarkable campaign for Tottenham, spearheading the club's attack with 31 goals in all competitions.

The 21 year-old's exploits also saw him rewarded with two international caps for England, which included a goal on debut against Lithuania in March.

But Kane - a reported transfer target for Premier League rival Manchester United - plans to come back bigger and better next term.

"It's down to me," said Kane, who is preparing for Tottenham's trip to Australia and Malaysia before joining up with England for the Under-21 UEFA European Championship finals next month. "I'm a hard worker, I'm always going to try and improve and progress.

"That's all I have to focus on, how I can get better and do even better next season.

"That's down to me and hopefully we can do better as a team.

"Spurs are a big club and I have a bright future here.

"I hope to continue scoring goals and doing well with the club."

Kane, who became the first Tottenham player to score 21 goals in a season since Teddy Sheringham, Jurgen Klinsmann and Gareth Bale, added: "It feels crazy to be mentioned with them and I don't think I'm up there yet with them.

"Obviously it has been an unbelievable season and definitely one I won't forget. But I have a long way to go, next season I have to try to do even better."

The England international reserved praise for Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino, who played the youngster ahead of experienced duo Roberto Soldado and Emmanuel Adebayor.

"I owe it all to him," Kane said. "He showed faith in me at an early stage when a lot of other managers wouldn't have.

"He played me in the Europa League earlier in the season and I did well in it to get my confidence growing.

"I think I had eight or nine goals by the time I got my first start in the Premier League and I was really confident because I was scoring goals.

"So he gave me my chance in the Premier League and I was able to grab the chance with both hands."