Malaga hires Fernando Hierro as general manager

Malaga has hired former Real Madrid player Fernando Hierro as general manager for the next four seasons.

Hierro, who will get started in August, had just finished up a four-year stint as sporting director with World Cup winner and European champion Spain before taking up the position with the Andalucian club.

Hierro, who made 89 appearances for Spain and won three Champions League trophies with Madrid, says ''it's a very ambitious, exciting and passionate project and I'm lucky to be part of it.''

Malaga has been the busiest team in the transfer market, and just signed coach Manuel Pellegrini to an extension to 2015. Qatari sheikh Abdullah Al-Thani, who owns the club, is looking to qualify for European play next season.