UFC named IMG Int'l VP/Asia KENNETH BERGER exec VP and GM of Asia (UFC). ... Ferrari recruited JOCK CLEAR, the Mercedes engineer who helped LEWIS HAMILTON win this year's F1 world championship, "as the last key element in the Italian team's rebuilding after a dismal year." Team Principal MAURIZIO ARRIVABENE said that Clear would be taking the departed PAT FRY 's job "as head of engineering with his arrival date still being negotiated with Mercedes" (REUTERS, 12/22).
COACHES/MANAGERS: Bulgarian football club Levski Sofia announced Monday that it had signed STOYCHO STOEV, 52, as its new head coach. Stoev, voted manager of the year last season after helping "rags-to-riches" side Ludogorets Razgrad win the Bulgarian League, "signed a two-and-a-half year contract with Levski." He "is the sixth coach to take the helm at Levski in just two seasons" (AFP, 12/22). ... SAMI HYYPIA resigned as Football League Championship side Brighton and Hove Albion manager after "just six months in charge." Albion's 1-1 draw with Wolves on Saturday "left the club in the Championship relegation zone and proved to be the former Liverpool defender's last in the dugout" (London GUARDIAN, 12/22).
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