Juvenal Olmos has been appointed new boss of Chile despite a late attempt from Universidad Catolica to hang on to him.

The national team executive of the Chilean federation had voted unanimously to bring in Olmos and a meeting was set up by professional football president Reinaldo Sanchez.

Agreement took several days to reach and was confirmed only late last night after the two men met again in the port of Vina del Mar, 80 miles west of the capital Santiago.

Catolica officials agreed reluctantly only then to release the coach who has revived the club and its squad.

Olmos is expected to sign a three-year contract on Friday. His priority is to guide Chile to the World Cup finals in Germany in 2006.

Chile missed out on the finals in Korea and Japan after having reached the second round in France in 1998.
By Keir Radnedge