Cantona is back in football
Posted Wednesday, January 19, 2011 by The Sun
LOOK who's back in the game - Man U legend Eric Cantona.
The Frenchman makes a shock return to football today as Director of Soccer at New York Cosmos.
He said: "I am very honoured to join the legendary New York Cosmos. It's a big project, a wonderful project.
"The Cosmos are very strong, beautifully made, with a great past. It's kind of a mix between football and art."
Cantona vows to restore the glory days of the five-times champions and help build them into one of the world's best clubs.
He said: "I will do everything I can to help us first find our way to regain the No 1 position in the United States, and then for us to become one of the best clubs in the world."
Cantona will be officially unveiled in a blaze of publicity by Cosmos chairman Paul Kemsley, the flamboyant former vice-chairman of Tottenham Hotspur.
The Cosmos are set to return to big-time football in 2013.
Kemsley said: "Three years ago, when I first had the idea of reviving The New York Cosmos, I couldn't have dreamt we'd be able to attract an icon of the likes of Eric Cantona to the club.
"It's a personal thrill for me, as he was one of my heroes, and it is a further endorsement to the global attraction and power that The New York Cosmos carries."
Cantona's role will be to help assemble a squad ready for the re-birth of the Cosmos in two years.
The club folded in 1985 after the collapse of the North American Soccer League but Kemsley has bought up the name and rights for $2m. Cantona is the latest recruit among a star-studded staff.
Pele is club President, David Beckham's ex-manager Terry Byrne vice chairman and former Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry a director.
US star Cobi Jones has defected from LA Galaxy to be associate sporting director.
There is speculation Galaxy team-mate Beckham will be on board soon.
His LA contract runs out in July 2012, leaving him free to then team up with the Cosmos.
Photos
More»Wanda Nara suffers wardrobe malfunction in see-through top
Saturday May 04 2024Sky Sports presenter stuns in bold see-through outfit
Saturday May 04 2024Ex-Wag whose football partner posted naked picture of her
Friday May 03 2024
Your Say