Williams F1 team Chief Engineer MARK GILLAN will step down "with immediate effect." A Williams spokesperson said that Gillian "is voluntarily leaving his position to spend more time with his family." A successor for Gillian has not been announced yet (AUTO BILD, 12/17). ... Nike revealed Tuesday that ROGER WYETT, president of its affiliates, will become the company's VP of action sports "with responsibility for the Nike brand's skateboarding and snow businesses, as well as Hurley International LLC." Actions Sports VP SANDY BODECKER "will now work on special projects involving long-term product innovation." In addition, Nike revealed that CEO of Converse Inc. JIM CALHOUN "will report directly" to company CEO MARK PARKER (Portland OREGONIAN, 12/18).
COACHES/MANAGERS: Bundesliga club 1899 Hoffenheim has appointed MARCO KURZ as head coach. The former head coach of 2nd Bundesliga club Kaiserslautern "will take over the team from interim coach FRANK KRAMER." Kurz reportedly "will sign a contract until '14 with Hoffenheim" (SPIEGEL, 12/18). ... Bulgarian top-flight football team PFC Cherno More Varna "has sacked coach ADALBERT ZAFIROV and seven players on Monday after a bad run of results" left them 10th in the top flight and out of the domestic cup. Local media outlets speculate that "former national team player GEORGI IVANOV is the top candidate for the vacant position" (SID, 12/17). ... RADO VIDOSIC "has become the second A-League coaching casualty this season after he was sensationally dumped by Brisbane Roar" Tuesday night. In a shock move, the club said that Vidosic "had been moved to a different role as technical director and replaced by former Gold Coast United coach MIKE MULVEY." In announcing the move via a statement late Tuesday, the Roar confirmed it had "restructured" the football department (THE AUSTRALIAN, 12/19). .. Chinese Super League club Guizhou Renhe revealed that GAO HONGBO "has resigned as the club’s manager." Guizhou said that Gao "wants to go abroad to further his coaching knowledge, leading him to come to this decision." Assistant Manager GONG LEI will take over the team (WILD EAST FOOTBALL, 12/18).
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