Luzon to leave Israel for Standard

Guy Luzon will become coach of R. Standard de Liège after leading hosts Israel in next month's UEFA European Under-21 Championship, replacing Mircea Rednic.

Luzon has signed a one-year deal at Standard, who on Sunday beat KAA Gent 7-0 to overturn a 1-0 play-off deficit and clinch a UEFA Europa League second qualifying round berth. Despite that result, Standard have decided to part company with Rednic, appointed in October.

Club president Roland Duchâtelet explained that Standard had made the change due to a new policy prioritising players from their own academy. "We will start preparations for the new season with 14 youth players. It does not mean we will not make any transfers, but only in terms of what we already have got in our own youth system. Rednic did good work, but I think Luzon can bring us more."

The 37-year-old Luzon took the Israel role in 2010 and his side begin their U21 campaign on 5 June against Norway in Netanya. After facing Italy and England in further group games, Israel will hope the coach's reign does not end until the 18 June final.

Former Maccabi Petach-Tikva FC, Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC and Bnei Yehuda Tel-Aviv FC coach Luzon said: "I know Standard very well. They are a great club and I am very happy to come to such a big club. Having said that I am also motivated and challenged to succeed and to make the fantastic fans happy. Now I am focused and committed to the U21 team of Israel and at the end of EURO I will come to Liege and start working."