By FRANCO PANIZO
Chelsea is hoping to turn things around this season after a disappointing 2010-2011 campaign, and the club has turned to a 33-year-old coach to help accomplish that.
Andre Villas-Boas was named manager of Chelsea on Wednesday, making him the youngest manager in the Premier League. Villas-Boas made the move to the English giants after a payment of $21.6 million to his former club, FC Porto, allowed him to exercise the release clause in his contract
Having guided Porto to a treble last season, Villas-Boas will replace Carlo Ancelotti, who was fired in May. Villas-Boas has agreed to a three-year contract with Chelsea.
Here are more stories from Wednesday:
Young close to signing with United
English international midfielder Ashley Young is set to make the switch from Aston Villa to Manchester United in the next 24 hours, according to reports out of England.
Young has to complete medical tests in order to make the move official, but that is all that's left before making the $23 million transfer official. Young is expected to sign a five-year deal.
Hughton to manage Birmingham
Chris Hughton guided Newcastle United to Premier League promotion in 2010, and the powers that be at Birmingham City are hoping he can pull off a repeat performance.
Hughton was appointed manager of Birmingham City, which was relegated to the League Championship this season after an 18th place finish. Hughton, who has been without a job in the sport since last November, is expected to take over immediately at Birmingham, which will compete in the UEFA Europa League after winning the 2011 Carling Cup.
Mexican defender Moreno signs with Espanyol
Hector Moreno has moved from AZ Alkmaar to Espanyol, joining the La Liga club on a five-year deal. The transfer fee for Moreno is believed to be around $5.8 million. The 23-year-old defender is currently playing in the Gold Cup with Mexico.
Garde takes over at Lyon
Former Arsenal midfielder Reme Garde has been given the reins at Lyon. Garde, who was in charge of Lyon's youth academy, will be appointed as the club's new manager on Wednesday.
He'll replace Claude Puel, who was fired earlier this week after a three-year tenure that did not live up to expectations.
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Think Villas-Boas is the man to turn things around at Chelsea? Do you see Young doing well with Manchester United? Think Hughton will bring Birmingham back to the Premier League? Believe Moreno will find a starting spot with Espanyol?
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