JOHN GREGORY has "stepped down as manager" of League One side Crawley Town "because he needs to undergo heart surgery." The 60-year-old managed Aston Villa, Derby County and Queens Park Rangers and "played six times for England" (REUTERS, 12/27). ... South Africa's 2007 World Cup winning rugby coach JAKE WHITE is "set to be named manager of Top 14 side Montpellier." White, a two-time Int'l Rugby Board world coach of the year, has signed a "six month contract according to a well-informed source." His appointment will place "almost unbearable pressure" on head coach FABIEN GALTHIE as White "will be the former France captain's superior" (AFP, 12/26). ... National Rugby League side Canterbury CEO RAELENE CASTLE has "gone public with her alopecia areata battle to end misconceptions she had cancer or that the stress of being the only female club boss had forced her to lose her hair." Castle announced her "ongoing struggle with alopecia areata." The condition is "becoming harder to disguise as her baldness edges across her parting line." She sees her hairdresser "every six weeks." Castle: "It's not life-threatening. It's important to tell people I don't have cancer" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 12/19). ... Ligue 1 side Marseille midfielder MARIO LEMINA "rejected his country of birth Gabon's call after being named Sunday in their squad for the Africa Cup of Nations." He tweeted, "I'm not going to the CAN." He said last month, "For the moment my wish is to play for the France team" (AFP, 12/28). ... Real Madrid midfielder JAMES RODRIGUEZ was named 2014 Sportsman of the Year by the Int'l Association of Latin American Sports Journalists (AIPS) for his "performances with Colombia in the 2014 World Cup and with Real Madrid" (INSIDE SPANISH FOOTBALL, 12/26). ... Japanese football journalist HIROSHI KAGAWA, "who is still plying his trade at the age of 89, will become the first Japanese recipient of the FIFA Presidential Award." The honor will be presented in January in Zurich at FIFA's Ballon d'Or 2014 Awards, which will name the 2014 player of the year (KYODO, 12/26). ... French professional tennis player GAËL MONFILS announced on his Twitter account Thursday that "he has found a coach" for ’15. He will work with German JAN DE WITT, "who already coaches GILLES SIMON" (LE PARISIEN, 12/26).
TORRES TO AC MILAN: Chelsea confirmed on Saturday that FERNANDO TORRES will "join AC Milan permanently in the New Year." He had moved to Milan on a two-year loan (XINHUA, 12/27).
RON HENRY DIES: Former Tottenham and England defender RON HENRY has died at the age of 80. He played in the "Spurs side that won the league and FA Cup Double" in '61, the FA Cup in '62 and the European Cup Winners' Cup in '63. He made 247 league appearances for Tottenham, scoring one goal, after signing as a professional in '55 (BBC, 12/27).
TEBAS RIPS VILLAR: Spanish Football League (LFP) President JAVIER TEBAS "has once again criticized" Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) President ÁNGEL MARÍA VILLAR. Tebas: "I have asked for a change of methods. I do not know if it is generational, personnel or attitude, but it needs a change. I have been LFP president for 18 months and I still have not met with them, despite asking multiple times. I spoke with Villar twice at the beginning and not since. And not because I have not wanted to" (AS, 12/27).
VALENCIA EXECS: La Liga side Valencia's exec positions "will be filled once the acquisition by Meriton Holdings is confirmed." At the top will be AMADEO SALVO as exec president and KIM KOH as director general. Kim and Salvo's offices "will be next to each other." Next will be LUIS CERVERA, "who will be in charge of various areas including the stadium, security, human resources and IT." The rest of Valencia's execs will "remain the same:" FRANCISCO J. PÉREZ RUFETE will be responsible for the athletic department, INMA IBÁÑEZ the financial area, LUIS VICENTE DOWENS the marketing area and DAMIÀ VIDAGANY communications (SUPERDEPORTE, 12/27).
