Vigo, SPAIN, January 29, 2004 (AFP) - Former Barcelona and Real Madrid coach Radomir Antic is to take over at Champions League contenders Celta Vigo after Miguel Angel Lotina was sacked, the Spanish first division side announced.
The well-travelled Antic, who in one of his three stays at Atletico Madrid led them to a Cup and league double in 1996, has been given an initial contract until the end of the season.
Qualification for Europe could see Antic's stay extended, although Celta's immediate worry is relegation as they are lying 17th in the table, one point away from the relegation zone.
Celta have however reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League in which they face English giants Arsenal next month.
Lotina resigned on Monday a day after Celta's 5-2 home defeat by Real Sociedad.
Serbian-born Antic took over from Louis Van Gaal at Barcelona in January last year but despite leading the Catalan giants to safety and putting them on track for UEFA Cup qualification, he was sacked and replaced by Frank Rijkaard six months later after
the club changed president.
Antic also coached Spanish side Oviedo in two stints, the last ending in 2002.
A former Yugoslavian international midfielder who played for Luton Town in the then English First division, he also coached FC Partizan and Real Zaragoza.
