Ireland's Euro 2012 qualifier opponents appoint new boss

Armenia, who were drawn in the same Euro 2012 qualifying group as the Republic of Ireland, have appointed a new manager.

Armenia's football federation announced today that Vardan Minasyan, a former skipper of the national side, was appointed to the post today until the end of the qualifying campaign.

Minasyan had been assistant to Denmark's coach Jan Povlson and has won the Armenian national title eight times as a player.

The 36-year-old said his side hopes to finish fourth in the Euro 2012 qualifying group, but that "Russia are clear favourites. Slovakia and Ireland are also very strong opponents."