Sports Direct ended a 17-month search for a CFO by "tapping internal candidate" MATT PEARSON. Sports Direct Chair KEITH HELLAWELL said that the decision to appoint Pearson came after "a thorough process and following soundings from leading institutions." Pearson joined Sports Direct as a financial accountant from Ernst & Young in June '07 and was "subsequently appointed financial controller" (FINANCIAL TIMES, 6/4). ... Argentine sports marketing company Torneos y Competencias CEO ALEJANDRO BURZACO "was sacked on Wednesday night." The company announced in a statement that it "decided to take the legal measures necessary to remove Burzaco from his roles as general manager and president of the company." Burzaco is among several execs recently added to Interpol's "most wanted" list after being indicted by U.S. prosecutors on charges including racketeering and corruption. Burzaco's replacement will be JUAN RIPOLL (TÉLAM, 6/4). ... DICK ADVOCAAT signed a one-year deal to continue as EPL side Sunderland's manager eight days after telling the club that "he would not be taking up the offer of a contract." Sunderland "refused to give up even after Advocaat announced he would be leaving" and has persuaded the Dutchman to change his mind. Advocaat said that "his decision followed talks" with Owner ELLIS SHORT and Sporting Dir LEE CONGERTON (London GUARDIAN, 6/4).
COACHES/MANAGERS: MAURIZIO SARRI is no longer Serie A side Empoli Coach, "as the club confirms it has accepted his resignation." Having "guided the newly-promoted side to safety this season," Sarri decided to leave the club (FOOTBALL ITALIA, 6/4). ... STEFANO COLANTUONO "has been announced as the new coach" of Serie A side Udinese and will replace ANDREA STRAMACCIONI. Colantuono "signed a two-year contract with the club" (FORZA ITALIAN FOOTBALL, 6/4). ... AC Milan Manager FILIPPO INZAGHI "will be sacked this week after just a year in charge." The club said Inzaghi, 41, will "not be in charge of the team next season." CARLO ANCELOTTI "turned down the chance to return to his former club" while ex-Sampdoria boss SINIŠA MIHAJLOVIĆ is the favorite for the job (BBC, 6/4). ... Colombian football manager REINALDO RUEDA, who has coached the national teams of Ecuador, Honduras and Colombia, was on Tuesday named manager of Colombian first division side Atlético Nacional, replacing JUAN CARLOS OSORIO (DPA, 6/3).
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