Dom Kinnear has enjoyed one of the strongest coaching careers in MLS history, and the Houston Dynamo have assured that he will be sticking around for a while.
According to the Houston Chronicle, the Dynamo have signed Kinnear to a three-year contract extension. Kinnear was set to enter 2012 in the final year of his contract before sealing a new contract.
Kinnear has led Houston to a pair of MLS Cup titles, and led the Dynamo to the 2011 MLS Cup Final, where they lost to the Los Angeles Galaxy. He will lead a Dynamo team in 2012 that will open its new home, BBVA Compass Stadium.
Here are some other stories to get your Monday going.
BLAZER TERM AT CONCACAF ENDS
Chuck Blazer has finally CONCACAF, his resignation from his post as General Secretary taking effect on Sunday. Ted Howard has replaced Blazer on an interim basis.
Blazer's departure, which was originally announced in October, after 21 years with CONCACAF comes after the departure of former CONCACAF president Jack Warner, who was ousted amid corruption charges which were initially raised after Blazer blew the whistle on shady dealings by Warner.
VAN PERSIE HINTS AT ARSENAL STAY
Just last summer, it was unclear whether Robin van Persie would be an Arsenal player before the transfer window closed in September. Now, it seems that the Dutch striker could be donning the London club's shirt for a little while yet.
Van Persie paid tribute to the immense support shown to him by Arsenal supporters, how much he loves living in London and how well his family has settled in the area.
The forward is currently in the richest vein of form in his career. His goal in the 1-0 win over QPR marked his 35th of the 2011 calendar year, eclipsing the record set by Arsenal legend — and soon-to-be teammate — Thierry Henry.
Van Persie's contract is set to expire at the end of the season, and the Dutchman has insisted on setting aside talks until the end of the current campaign.
Here are some other stories to get your Monday off to the right start:
ECUADORIAN CLOSING ON CHIVAS USA SWITCH
Chivas USA is still attempting to bolster its ranks with Ecuadorian midfielder, Miller Bolaños.
According to a South American radio station, Bolaños will only play on a one-year loan spell with the Goats, though neither Chivas nor MLS has confirmed any deal.
The 21-year-old central midfielder hails from LDU Quito, Ecuador's Serie A bigwigs, and will round out the signing of fellow countryman Oswaldo Minda. Miller joins the already-deep midfield ranks of Robin Fraser, and questions will now be asked of where exactly Miller fits into the lineup.
HULK WOULDN'T EXPECT PORTO ISSUES WITH EXIT
Fueling the fire on a potential transfer, Porto's Hulk claimed today that he didn't think the club would get in the way of his exit, should the right offer come along.
With a link to Chelsea lingering in the background, Hulk went on to say that, if he did not leave Porto, there would be no feelings of regret on his side.
The Brazilian's contract runs until 2016 has a monstrous $129.5 million buy-out clause, ensuring that his services won't come on the cheap.
Chelsea are expected to be the front-runners for his signature, should he choose to leave, but Hulk has attracted the interest of club's across the globe in recent months.
ABLETT PASSES AWAY AT 46
Just over a month after the loss of Gary Speed, former Everton and Liverpool defender, Gary Ablett, succumbed to cancer last night at 46 years old.
The British journeyman, who ended his playing career with the Long Island Rough Riders, had managed Stockport County in just the 2009-2010 season.
Similar to the aftermath of Speed's death, tributes have poured in from across the United Kingdom remembering Ablett.
QUICK KICKS
Queens Park Rangers lands Federico Macheda on loan.
Swansea has signed Icelandic midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson on loan from Hoffenhem.
Mexican midfielder Andres Guardado looks set for a move to Valencia.
Ablett leaves behind his wife, Jacqueline, and three children.