Mehdi Nafti, new manager of C.D. Leganés

C.D. Leganés and Mehdi Nafti finalised the move this Sunday. The new manager, who has extensive coaching and playing experience in Spain, takes the reins this weekend and makes his debut pitch-side on Tuesday at home to F.C. Cartagena at 21:15 (CET).

Nafti, now 42, was born in the French city of Toulouse, though his Tunisian heritage made him eligible to represent Tunisia internationally, both as the 2004 winners of the African Cup of Nations and during the 2006 Germany World Cup. With almost 400 professional games under his belt on the pitch, he has played for clubs such as Toulouse F.C., Racing de Santander, Birmingham City, Aris de Salónica, Real Valladolid, Real Murcia and Cádiz C.F.

Despite his international playing career, his managerial development has been entirely within Spanish football, having led Marbella F.C., Mérida A.D., C.D. Badajoz and, most recently, C.D. Lugo last season. Other new managerial staff appointments include assistant coach Pepe Bermúdez, fitness coach Pedro Abraham Capella and goalkeeping coach Diego Caneda. 

Following his first training session this Sunday, Mehdi Nafti will be officially presented as the club's new manager on Monday 1st November ahead of his opening game as a pepinero against F.C. Cartagena in Leganés on Tuesday 2nd November at 21:15 (CET).