La Liga side Espanyol officially announced the renewal of Sporting Dir ÒSCAR PERARNAU through '18. Espanyol President JOAN COLLET was scheduled to hold a press conference on Thursday to announce the details of the agreement. Negotiations between the club and Perarnau began "weeks ago" (MUNDO DEPORTIVO, 6/11). ... WALTER DE GREGORIO has resigned as FIFA’s director of communications, a fortnight after he described the FBI-led arrests of senior execs as "a good day" for football’s governing body -- and days after he made a televised joke about FIFA’s meltdown. De Gregorio had been in the position since Sept. '11 and "was a senior aide" to President SEPP BLATTER (GUARDIAN, 6/12). ... NATHALIE ZIMMERMAN-NÉNON has been "appointed to the new role of managing director" of Kantar’s Sport division. Zimmerman-Nénon worked at Mars, M6 Group and Sportfive Int'l before launching her own consulting business (RESEARCH LIVE, 6/10). ... Eden Park CEO DAVID KENNEDY "has resigned." Kennedy "is to take up a position at Ngai Tahu property." Eden Park Trust Chair DOUG MCKAY said that "the trust had now started a search for a new chief executive" (NEW ZEALAND HERALD, 6/11).
COACHES/MANAGERS: Primeira Liga side Benfica "announced on Thursday" that it made a three-year deal with RUI VITÓRIA to coach the side. Vitória succeeds JORGE JESUS, who left Benfica for Sporting CP (PÚBLICO, 6/11). ... Argentine first division side Newell's Old Boys on Wednesday named LUCAS BERNARDI its new coach, replacing AMÉRICO GALLEGO. Newell's also named ROBERTO SENSINI its new director of the football department. Bernardi "knows the roster well, as he retired as a Newell's player six months ago" (GOAL, 6/10). ... Welsh Rugby Union side Cardiff Blues has appointed DANNY WILSON as head coach on a three-year contract following his departure from Bristol. The 38-year-old, who has previously worked with the Scarlets and Dragons, replaces MARK HAMMETT, who "left just six months into a three-year deal" (BBC, 6/11). ... Greek side Olympiakos Piraeus has sacked Portuguese coach VÍTOR PEREIRA "after six months in charge at the club, during which time he led them to a Greek league and cup double." Local media said that the 46-year-old had angered Olympiakos Owner VANGELIS MARINAKIS when it was "reported he held talks" with Scottish Championship side Rangers last month (REUTERS, 6/11). ... Scottish League One side Brechin City appointed DARREN DODS as its new manager. Former Dundee United defender Dods, 40, replaces RAY MCKINNON, "who moved to Raith Rovers last month." Brechin "is Dods' first managerial charge" (BBC, 6/10). ... Former Scottish Premiership side Ross County Manager DEREK ADAMS has been named League Two side Plymouth Argyle's new manager. He succeeds JOHN SHERIDAN, "who left the club by mutual consent last month" (BBC, 6/11).
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