The Catalan Football Federation announced that GERARD LÓPEZ SEGÚ will be the new coach of the Spanish state of Catalonia's football team. Segú will replace JOHAN CRUYFF. During his playing career, Segú, 34, played for La Liga sides Barcelona and Valencia and Spanish second division side Girona (EP, 10/7). ... Liga MX side Atlas has introduced JOSE LUIS MATA as its new interim coach. Mata: "We know the risk that the team is facing, but we have confidence that we can move forward" (LA AFICION, 10/8). ... Last year's African champions Zambia coach HERVE RENARD "has left" and agreed to take over as coach of Ligue 1 Sochaux. Renard, who has never coached a professional squad in France, "led unheralded Zambia to their first continental trophy last year, thanks to shock victories" over favorites Ghana in the semifinal and then Ivory Coast on penalties in the final. Local media reported that Renard "will be joining the club until the end of the season with an option for an additional season'' (REUTERS, 10/8). ... Bundesliga club FC Nuremberg has sacked coach MICHAEL WIESINGER after it "failed to win any of their opening eight games in the Bundesliga and slumped to 16th place" (REUTERS, 10/8). ... UK Sport has appointed Youth Sport Trust CEO JOHN STEELE to chair its science, medicine and technology arm, the English Institute of Sport. Established in '02, the institute now has more than 250 staff providing approximately 4,000 hours of sport science and medical support to more than 1,700 athletes across Great Britain and at camps and competitions overseas every week. Steele succeeds STEVE CRAM, who stepped down in June after 10 years (UK Sport). ... British Racing Drivers' Club named Motor Sports Association Chair JOHN GRANT as its new chairman, replacing STUART ROLT (BRDC). ... GUS POYET "has been handed the task of dragging Sunderland out of relegation trouble" after being named as PAOLO DI CANIO's successor. The 45-year-old Uruguayan "has signed a two-year deal and will take charge with immediate effect, becoming the club's sixth permanent manager in less than five years." Sunderland Owner ELLIS SHORT said, "We analyzed a wide range of candidates and believe that Gus's track record, experience, commitment and passion make him the right man to take us forward. We welcome him to Sunderland" (PA, 10/8).
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